Carluke Rovers welcomed Glenvale to the John Cumming Stadium today in this West of Scotland League game.

The game got off to a quick start with both teams looking eager for the contest. Glenvale however had a little more of the early possession as Carluke allowed them the ball in their own defence before closing them down when they crossed the halfway line. These tactics worked well but in the 11th minute Glenvale got their first corner of the match. The ball was whipped in from the left and Josh McGill, in the Carluke goal, didn’t manage to get enough on his fisted clearance and the ball dropped at the feet of the Glenvale No6. He had enough time from close range to take advantage and score to make it 0-1 to Glenvale.

Defences were on top for large parts of this game and any efforts on goal were from distance in the main. One such move saw Ciaran McGurn shoot over from 25 yards in the 30th minute following a Carluke short corner. Glenvale were at their most dangerous from their fiercely whipped in corners. They nearly capitalised again in the 33rd minute when No6 rose to meet the ball but his glancing header went just wide of the far post.

Just as Carluke were looking to get in at halftime with only a 1-0 deficit they were dealt a real blow when playmaker Ciaran McGurn received a second yellow for dissent and was sent off.

The last chance of the first half fell to Glenvale when a direct free kick from 25 yards narrowly missed the near side post. Half time 0-1.

Carluke came out in the second half determined to get back into the game despite their depleted numbers and nearly got an equaliser in the 49th minute only to be denied by the left hand post. Then it was Glenvale who threatened on the hour mark when their no8 broke clear but his shot was well saved by a diving Josh McGill in the Carluke goal.

Glenvale were starting to exert a bit more pressure over the Carluke rearguard and only two last minute challenges by centre half Barry Fraser stopped Glenvale from adding to their lead as he deflected the balls for corners.

Despite their valiant efforts the 10 men succumbed in the 69th minute when the impressive No7 for Glenvale cut in from the left and curled an unstoppable shot into the top right corner giving McGill no chance in the Carluke goal. 0-2 to Glenvale.

Any slight chance Carluke had of getting back into this game was extinguished when Mark O’Reilly was adjudged to have went in with his studs raised and was given a straight red card in the 80th minute.

The game played out from there with nine man Carluke managing to not concede any further goals and can now look forward to a break from league duty when they play Vale of Leven in Alexandria in the Scottish Junior Cup next Saturday.

Photography by Kevin Ramage