Carluke welcomed Dalry Thistle to the John Cumming Stadium for the first time on Saturday. This was an opportunity for Carluke to get back to winning ways after a disappointing midweek defeat. Dalry were also looking to start climbing the table from their own lowly position.

After a cagey start by both teams it was to be Dalry who would create the first chance. A long ball down the left wing found the Dalry No7 who squared the ball into No10 but his sidefoot volley from 10 yards was well wide. In 22 minutes Carluke were to suffer a similar miss when Dom Small skewed his shot wide following a cutback from Dylan Dailly on the byline.

Next it was the turn of Carluke to threaten again when the Dalry centre half allowed the all to bounce over his head. It was picked up by Carluke’s Dylan Dailly who bore down on goal. He rounded the Keeper but in doing so had his ankle tapped and down he went. The Referee had no option but to award a penalty.

Marc Smith stepped forward to take the kick but the Dalry Keeper guessed right diving to his left to push the ball to safety and a great chance to take the lead was lost.

The final chance in the first half came when a poor throw in by Carluke was intercepted by Dalry No10. He pushed through on goal but his shot was brilliantly saved by Dean Wilson in the Carluke goal. Halftime 0-0.

The second half started similar to the first with both teams cancelling each other out but in 59 minutes Dalry were to take the lead. A long cross ball from the left just eluded the Rovers defender and was met on the volley by Dalry No7 dispatching the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0 to Dalry.

The Referee was not having his greatest game and irritated Carluke when he blew for a foul to Carluke not noticing that James Frame had collected the ball and was through on goal. However this reprieve for Dalry was short lived as in the 76th minute Carluke were to get their equaliser. The ball found it’s way to Marc Smith at the edge of the box and he twisted and turned to find some space. When he did he curled a lovely left foot shot inside the far post to make the score 1-1.

Carluke’s tails were up now and 2 minutes later they should have taken the lead. A great ball from Dom Small was picked up by James Frame on the right. He cut inside and fired in a left foot shot but unfortunately, he dragged it just wide of the post.

Carluke were to pay for these misses when in 84 minutes an error at the back saw Dalry gain possession. The ball was passed to their No 14 who carried the ball forward and unleashed a low shot from 20 yards which hit the inside of the right hand post before settling in the net. 2-1 to Dalry.

This was a body blow to Carluke and no matter what they tried they could not get another equaliser with Dalry running out 2-1 winners.

Next Saturday it is another home game against Port Glasgow at the John Cumming Stadium with a 2pm kickoff.

Photography by Kevin Ramage