Carluke Rovers on collision course with Lesmahagow in top of the table clash

Oct 6 2011 by David Bell, Hamilton Advertiser

CARLUKE Rovers hope on Saturday to finally tackle Lesmahagow in a Central League Second Division clash at the John Cumming Stadium.

Rovers cling onto the top spot due to a goal difference of just one after six games, while ’Gow are the division’s only side boasting a 100 per cent record, although they are a game behind.

Darren Hamilton put three past Royal Albert to hoist Rovers’ goal tally to 25, while James Whyte notched a hat-trick in ’Gow’s 5-4 win over Rossvale.

Rovers will go into the all-county clash without crocked midfielder John Savage and Steven Grant, who sits out the second of a two-game suspension.

Boss Colin Slater said: “After coming back from a goal down to win 3-1 on Saturday we’ve now got to take something from the top-table clash with the ’Gow.

“It looks like being an interesting game and I hope this will attract a good turn-out of supporters.”

Lesmahagow manager Robert Irving said: “We will have to be on our toes for this one, and play much better than we did in the second half on Saturday.

“We’ve got a squad of 21 and they’re all champing at the bit to play – maybe this is the time to freshen up the side and make a couple of changes.

“There’s a slim chance that Stewart Thomson could play, but he is having intensive physio treatment for a torn calf muscle on his ‘kicking’ leg, which makes it more important for him to be fully recovered before he returns.”