The Rovers travelled to the birthplace of Celtic legend Bobby Lennox, and current Scotland manger Steve Clarke, hoping that they would enjoy a repeat of their last visit in May, and come away with points. They were not to be disappointed.

To that end the visitors started brightly , putting the Seasiders defence under almost continuous pressure. On 16 minutes it looked as though the Rovers would open the scoring when Rutherford took advantage of a mix up in the home defence. but his shot past the stranded Saltcoats keeper narrowly missed and flew harmlessly past the far upright.

Barely a minute later Dean Bell pounced on a loose ball loosely cleared from the Saltcoats box. His shot over the heads of the defenders looked net bound but the Saltcoats stopper managed to get a glove to it and pushed it over the bar.

Carluke opened the scoring on 23 minutes. The industrious Josh Bell, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, had his jersey pulled just as he lined up a shot inside the Saltcoats box. The Rovers number 9, Rutherford, stepped up and confidently opened the scoring for the Rovers.

Losing the opening goal spurred the home side and they pressed hard for an equaliser but the Rovers defence coped well, and Carluke went in at halftime with their lead intact.

Half time Saltcoats 0 – 1 Rovers

After the break the visitors continued to press for the second goal but despite controlling the game for long spells they were unable to build on their slim lead.

The breakthrough came late on after the home side lost their captain to a second yellow card and subsequent red.

On 85 minutes a shot by Park on the left was only partially saved by the home keeper. The subsequent “stramash” in the box for the loose ball was ended when Josh Bell fired the ball into the Saltcoats net for the Rovers second goal and the much needed 3 points were in the bag.

Rovers will hope to use this victory as a springboard for their historic, first ever, senior Scottish Cup game next week, when opponents Dalbeattie Star travel to Carluke for the 2nd Preliminary Round tie.

Saltcoats Victoria 0 – 2 Carluke Rovers
 

Photography by Kevin Ramage