It was back to cup action today for Carluke Rovers as they took on Glenvale AFC in this 2nd Round game in the West of Scotland Cup. This was expected to be a tough test for The Rovers as Glenvale had won the fourth division title last season beating Carluke twice en route.

The game kicked off and Carluke were immediately on the front foot desperate to avoid the calamitous start from the week before when they found themselves one down after 30 seconds. In fact they nearly took the lead in the 2nd minute. A good run by Chris Owen down the left wing saw him feed the ball to Jay McInally. He in turn got to the bye line and cut an inviting ball back to Mikey Downs but he couldn’t keep his shot down and it went over the bar from close range.

Unfortunately for Glenvle they were not to heed this warning as in the 20th minute a similar move down the left saw the ball cut back by Connor McQueen and this time there was no mistake as Jay McInally rifled the ball into the roof of the net giving Kilbride in the Glenvale goal no chance. 1-0 to Carluke.

Glenvale were also very much in the game and were creating some opportunities for themselves. They almost snatched an equaliser in the 17th minute when good play down the left wing found James Grant and as he was being closed down by Rovers defenders he managed to just get his shot away from about 12 yards. The ball was bound for the bottom corner but for a great one handed save by Garry Black to touch it round the post.

Then in the 23 minutes Glenvale were awarded a direct freekick 25 yards out in the middle of the goal. The initial effort was well saved by Black but the ball was not properly cleared and was eventually forced over the line by Glenvale’s No9 Brian Connor to even up the scores at 1-1.

Carluke didn’t let this setback dent their resolve and they quickly regained the initiative in the 26th minute. A long freekick from inside their own half found the feet of Mikey Downs. He in turn saw the onrushing Ross Steele and slid an excellent pass into his path and the midfielder didn’t hesitate to lash the ball into the roof of the net, from 12 yards out, to restore Carluke’s lead at 2-1.

Then only 2 minutes later Brian Connor, captain and goalscorer for Glenvale, got his marching orders for a second bookable offence when he went in with studs showing on Dom Small. This was not going to help Glenvale’s cause but Carluke had been the better team even before the dismissal.

Carluke looked to capitalise on the man advantage and an error by Lee Kilbride in the Glenvale goal nearly cost his team when he let slip a shot from Dom Small which ran along the line before being cleared to safety.

The second half got underway and Carluke started as they had finished the first. In fact in the 47th minute they should have extended their lead when a well timed run by Jay McInally saw him through on goal but his shot was directly at the Keeper and he managed to save it.

Carluke were hoping they would not rue the misses as with only a slender one goal lead Glenvale were still very much in the game. They came close to an equaliser in the 56th minute. A brilliant cross from the right wing was met on the volley but fortunately for Carluke it was straight at Black who managed to get behind the shot and smother it with another good save.

The Caruke front line continued to give Glenvale problems and again it was Jay McInally who broke free only to see his shot from just inside the box squirm underneath the keeper and just past the far post.

Then in the 63rd minute Carluke gave themselves some breathing space with a third goal. A good cross from the right was collected by Chris Owen who in turn beat his man before shooting. The keeper made a good save but when the ball bounced to Dom Small he hit it on the volley and the ball flew into the side netting across the keeper to make it 3-1 to Carluke.

Carluke continued to press and were playing throughout this game with a lot more urgency than in the previous week . Their next effort was a clever dummy by Mikey Downs which hit off the keeper and the follow up shot was deflected wide.

To Glenvale’s credit they never gave up the fight and nearly snatched a goal back when a good cross from the left wing was met on the full by a Glenvale striker but his shot was well saved by Garry Black who managed to guide it over the bar when it looked as if it was destined for the roof of the net.

The final action should have seen Carluke finish the match with a fourth goal when in the 94th minute a good run by Ben Rennie found him with only the keeper to beat but his shot was a little direct and saved by Kilbride in the Glenvale goal. This was to be the last of the action and Carluke Rovers ran out deserved winners 3-1 and can look forward to the draw for the next round.

Next week Carluke continue to a run of home games when they welcome Kello Rovers to the John Cumming Stadium with a 2pm kickoff.

Photography by Kevin Ramage