Central League round-up: Vics salvage point

Aug 25 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

COLIN BOYLAN netted from the spot 10 minutes from time to earn Blantyre Vics a valuable point at Johnstone Burgh on Saturday.

The share of the spoils means Vics share top spot in the Central League Second Division with their Renfrewshire hosts.

However, manager Alan Shields reckons his side will need to work harder to keep the points at Castle Park when newcomers Rossvale visit on Saturday.

He said: “It was a stuffy, unimpressive game.

“Johnstone were very negative and played for spells with five at the back, which stifled us in an area where we have been very sharp lately.

“I was disappointed not to get three points and I will be telling the players that Rossvale may be stepping up from the amateurs but, as we’re a team coming down a division, clubs will be putting in that little extra effort to topple us.”

In-form striker Chris McGarry (leg injury) and defender Paul Gray (bruised ribs) had to come off, and both could be doubtful for Saturday’s game.

Close-season capture James Coffey struck twice as LESMAHAGOW rocked St Roch’s 4-1 to join a number of clubs on third spot.

The striker, who was Wishaw’s top scorer for the past three years, pounced after just four minutes to fire Gow ahead from a good move started when Andy Brown played in James Whyte, who turned the ball into the path of the lurking Coffey.

Nicky Sullivan added a second on 17 minutes, and substitute Liam Fagan – just back from holiday – netted with his first touch of the ball for the second time this season.

Coffey completed the rout by heading in a Darren Jaffrey cross.

Manager Robert Irving, whose side travel to Maryhill this weekend, said: “I’m really pleased – we started off on the front foot and created a lot of chances, which is always a positive feature.

“We also had very good personal performances from Stewart McFarlane and James Lawley, as well as Coffey.

“I like playing at Maryhill; we won 3-2 and 2-0 in our last two visits and, after Saturday. We’ll go there with confidence.”

CARLUKE ROVERS scored four goals for the second successive Saturday but this time managed to keep a clean sheet, at home to Wishaw.

Stewart Arnott and Darren Hamilton scored two goals each to make up for Rovers’ disappointing 6-4 loss at Blantyre and manager Colin Slater said: “We worked hard in training, especially in defence. After conceding six goals the previous week and winning with a clean sheet it was a major boost – as well as scoring four cracking goals!

“Stewart Arnott and Darren Hamilton are forming a good frontline partnership.”

Midfielder John Savage picked up a hamstring injury and could miss the visit of Johnstone Burgh, but playmaker Mark Weir looks set to return.

Wishaw co-manager Alex Young said: “We didn’t deserve to take anything out of the game. Carluke were the better team.”

Centre-half John McEwan failed a late fitness test for Wishaw on Saturday and could be doubtful for their derby with Newmains United at Beltane Park this weekend.

Also missing will be injured Kieran Clark, while Paul Airth and Nicky Moore are on holiday.

STONEHOUSE VIOLET staged an amazing fightback from 3-0 down to level four minutes into the second half – only to lose a last-minute winner to Juniors newcomers Rossvale.

Quick-fire goals from Sean Cryan, Dougie Adair and Greg Kavanagh looked to have rescued Violet at the start of the second half, only to be stung in the dying seconds.

Manager Dougie MacDuff said: “We drew it back to 3-3 straight, scoring three times inside four minutes. That must be some kind of record.”

Goalkeeper Scott Irvine hobbled off with a knee injury and was replaced by Danny Terry, while Steve Gemmell and George Paterson are on holiday, while Steve Baird and Craig Munro are out of the game against Forth with ligament injuries.

FORTH hope to bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat at home to Maryhill when Stonehouse visit on Saturday.

Boss Jamie McKenzie said: “We created a dozen decent chances which, on another day, we might have put away at least three of.

“We’ve got to kick-start our league season soon after a promising pre-season, but I’ll be without defender Paul Gemmell and captain Davie Grant, who are now on holiday.”

NEWMAINS UNITED claimed their first league win by beating Royal Albert 2-1, with goals from Sean McCormack and Des Bradshaw.

Manager Davie Ross said: “We were lucky to get away with the points but now, going into the derby at Wishaw, I’ve now got eight injured players.”

Those carrying knocks are Mark Weir, Brian McKinley, Gary Murdoch, Paul Sloan, Darren Sneddon, Gary Airth, Ian Miller and Michael Duffy.

Albert felt aggrieved when what they considered to be a good ‘goal’ was chalked off when a free-kick was deflected into the net with Newmains 1-0 up.