Mixed fortunes for Lanarkshire's junior clubs

Oct 20 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

CARLUKE ROVERS blew meek Muirkirk away to become one of seven Lanarkshire clubs who progressed into the second round of the West of Scotland Cup on Saturday.

Rovers took full advantage of strong winds as they turned on the style in the second half, with Steve Jackson heading the opener, then Stewart Arnott doubled the lead amid a goalmouth scramble.

Mark Weir, near the halfway line, spotted the Muirkirk keeper off his line and floated a long-range effort into the net, and then pinged a 20-yard drive home before Arnott rounded off the scoring with another piece of predatory striking.

Rovers boss Colin Slater said: It was a comfortable win and its encouraging to see some young lads doing well.

LARKHALL THISTLE seized a dramatic stoppage-time winner in a nine-goal thriller against Johnstone Burgh at Gasworks Park.

An extraordinary start to the game saw the visitors take a 4-3 lead after just 35 minutes.

Curtis Rose bagged a double for Burgh, while Colin Smith and Joe McGinlay also netted to edge in front of Thistle, who scored through Jamie Dunbar and a John-Paul Grant double, with one being a spot-kick.

David Dunne levelled in the second half before Ross McGeachie latched on to Grants through-ball to fire home a dramatic late winner.

Relieved Thistle boss Duncan Sinclair said: It was one of those games that when one team went forward, they scored. At half-time, I brought on Danny Wilk for Paul McAnenay in central defence to try and nullify their pace and it seemed to work.

BLANTYRE VICS came back from behind to win 3-2 at St Rochs.

Vics hero was teenager Ryan McPhee, on loan from Spanish Second Division side Lanzarote until the end of November, who fired in a deadly double to add to Steve Watsons strike.

Manager Alan Shields said: I was delighted with the way we played. We defended well, kept our shape and our discipline.

LANARK eased past Dunipace in a hard-fought tie, with the only goal coming on eight minutes when Chris Walker headed home a John Renwick free-kick.

Boss Tam McDonald said: The park was heavy but weve a young side. The main aim was to get through to the next round, which we did.

FORTH boss Jamie McKenzie admitted his side were lucky to be in the second round following their 2-1 win over LESMAHAGOW.

Goals from Brian Felvus and Chris McGroarty gave Forth the win, with James Coffey netting for a Gow side that had dominated.

McKenzie said: Gow were the better team for 80 per cent of the game and I wasnt happy with our performance.

Gow boss Robert Irving said: Were creating, but missing, good chances.

THORNIEWOOD UNITED suffered a 7-2 humiliation at Super League side Beith.

Manager John Fallon, who saw Mark Daly and Barry McGowan hit consolations, said: We were 3-0 down after seven minutes and I was asking myself what was going on.

BELLSHILL ATHLETIC went down 2-1 at Girvan, where Andy Selkirk scored five minutes from time and Gary Redpath headed a last-gasp chance wide of goal.

ROYAL ALBERT crashed out 4-1 to recent holders Largs Thistle, NEWMAINS UNITED lost 4-0 at home to Renfrew while WISHAWS game at home to Cambuslang Rangers was called off.