Following the excitement of last weeks’ Scottish Cup it was back to league duty for Carluke Rovers when they welcomed Thorn Athletic for this West Of Scotland League game.

Thorn Athletic were sitting high in the league and this was going to be a tough game for Carluke and so it transpired. The game started steadily enough with neither keeper called into action until the 11th minute. Thorn won a freekick just outside the Carluke box in front of goal. It was curled over the wall but was brilliantly saved by Josh McGill getting across to palm it past his left hand post.

Thorn took the lead in the 20th minute when a sweeping move down the left wing saw the ball crossed to the backpost where the onrushing No7 had the easiest of tasks to sidefoot the ball home to make it 0-1. Then in the space of a minute after the restart Josh McGill had to make two great saves due to defensive mistakes including a short pass back to keep the score at one.

Carluke were to be thrown a lifeline in the 24th minute when a long throw in from Willie McGlone saw one of the Carluke players’ bundled over and the Referee pointed to the post for a penalty. Unfortunately, similar to last week, it was missed as the keeper saved it. Carluke were still in the game and a great run along the byline by Greg Miller saw him go past 2 players before unleashing a shot from a tight angle that the Thorn keeper pushed over the bar.

Rovers were to rue these missed opportunities when Thorn extended their lead in the 33rd minutes. Nice play in midfield found their No10 just outside the box. He cut inside and curled a shot that went in off the underside of the bar to make it 0-2 at halftime.

Carluke started the second half hoping to get an early goal but unfortunately for them it was Thorn who got the break. A missed tackle by Rovers on the left side saw the ball fall to Thorn No 10 who ran through on goal and coolly slid the ball past McGill to make it 0-3 in the 48th minute.

This third goal deflated the Carluke team and although they continued to look for a way back into the game it was Thorn who were to extend their lead in the 65th and 71st minutes to run out comfortable winners with the final score Carluke Rovers 0 Thorn Athletic 5.

Photography by Kevin Ramage