Carluke Rovers made the long journey down the M8 to take on Port Glasgow in this West of Scotland League match. This was probably going to be their sternest test as Port Glasgow are arguably the best team in the Division and are almost guaranteed promotion.

The breeze was blowing down the pitch and Port Glasgow decided to play with it at their backs in the first half. They made their intent clear in the 5th minute when a good move saw the ball played out to the left to Kenny Mearns but the striker’s attempted lob over the Keeper went harmlessly over the Rovers bar.

Port Glasgow continued to play on the front foot and seemed more determined than their counterparts but without looking particularly threatening in front of goal. Then in 20 minutes Port Glasgow got a corner on the right. It was floated into the middle of the goal and in the ensuing scramble to clear the Referee deemed that a Rovers player had fouled a Port Glasgow player and awarded a penalty. This was a bit harsh on Carluke but it was duly converted by Kenny Mearns to make the score 1-0 to Port Glasgow.

The goal settled Port Glasgow and they continued to have the majority of possession and nearly extended their lead in the 32nd minute when their winger collected the ball on the right, cut inside but was thwarted by a good save from Garry Black in the Rovers goal. Then in 43 minutes the same player picked the ball up on the right following a loose pass in the Rovers defence but again he was denied by a fingertips save down to his left by Garry Black diverting the ball past the left post.

There was no further scoring in the first half and Carluke went in only one down with everything to play for in the second half.

The second half got underway and this time it was Carluke who had the benefit of the breeze at their backs. They hoped to use this to their advantage and indeed should have equalised in the 48th minute. Ben Rennie did well to beat a couple of men and make space for himself. He curled in a shot which hit the corner of the bar and the post only to fall at the feet of Connor McQueen but the striker put the bouncing ball over the bar from ten yards out with the goal gaping.

In 52 minutes the normally reliable Garry Black made a poor pass out of goal and it was intercepted by Port Glasgow. They passed it a couple of times around the edge of the box to create an opening and when they found that space the resultant effort on goal was brilliantly saved one handed by Black to save his blushes.

Carluke were making a much better fist of the second half showing an urgency that was not prevalent in the first half and the game was flowing from end to end. Then in 67 minutes Port Glasgow got a freekick which should have been for Carluke but the Referee failed to see the Port Glasgow player kick out at the Rovers defender. The foul was about 20 yards out at the corner of the box. It was taken by Jack Purdue and his shot come cross caught out the Rovers defence and dipped into the top far corner to make the score 2-0 to Port Glasgow.

Carluke didn’t lie down after this blow and to their credit fought to try and get back in to the game but for all their efforts they couldn’t create the opportunity that would make it a nervy ending for Port Glasgow. The game fizzled out with Port Glasgow the deserved victors 2-0.

This result effectively ended any faint hopes Carluke had of winning one of the promotion places and was a good indication of the levels they need to reach if next season is to be a successful one. This Saturday Rovers make the trip to Kello in Ayrshire for another tough game against a team also in the promotion hunt.

Photography by Kevin Ramage