On a blustery and overcast day the Rovers opened their 138th campaign with a home tie at the John Cumming Stadium against Kilwinning based team Eglinton FC.

Hopes were high in the home dressing room that a win would be the first step towards securing one of the end of season promotion slots, However, the opening fixture win would elude them, and it would be the visitors who would take the points.

As the first half kicked off it was clear that the blustery wind would be a factor as both teams struggled to maintain possession. As the half progressed Eglinton gained the upper hand and put the Rovers goal under considerable pressure. However, the home defence managed to deal with most of the threats, with centre back Stewart particularly impressive.

The Eglinton defence were also under pressure from the Rovers front men who kept the visitor’s keeper, Cree, busy, with Miller and Small both having shots saved by the stopper.

As the half drew to a close it was Eglinton who managed to break the deadlock.

The visitors were quickest to capitalise when the Rovers lost possession in the middle of the Rovers half. The loose ball was carried towards the Rovers goal line and fired from outside the box across the six-yard line where an unmarked, and possibly offside, Eglinton number 5 had the easiest of tap ins at the Rovers back post.

Halftime Rovers 0-1 Eglinton

As the second half kicked off it was the Rovers who piled the pressure on the Eglinton goal. Time and time again the Eglinton goalkeeper kept the visitors in the lead. As the Rovers pressure continued the visitors slowed the game down to curb the Rovers attack, resulting in the Eglinton keeper being booked for kicking the spare ball away.

On 70 minutes Rovers number 9, Miller, fired one of his trademark piledriver shots from 25 yards towards the Eglinton goal. It was headed for the top left-hand corner of the goal and looked certain to be the equaliser. Unfortunately, Cree in the visitors’ goal pulled off a remarkable save to tip the ball over the bar.

When the final whistle was blown the visitors were rightly jubilant over a hard-fought victory. The Rovers, however, despite the loss should take comfort for having played well but were unlucky not to find an equaliser.

Full Time Rovers 0–1 Eglinton.

The Rovers welcome Royal Albert to John Cumming Stadium on Tuesday, kick off 8pm, for the first mid-week fixture of the campaign.

The Rovers would like to thank the Railway Inn, Carluke for the excellent hospitality provided to both teams after the game.

Photography by Kevin Ramage