After a couple of tough away matches in both versions of the Scottish Cup it was a welcome return for the team to the John Cumming Stadium for a match against Glasgow University in the West of Scotland Cup. Glasgow are a division above Carluke so this was not going to be an easy tie and so it turned out.

The game kicked off with Glasgow playing with the wind at their back and they nearly got off to the perfect start in the 2nd minute. Good build up play by them saw the ball fall to the feet of their No9 but fortunately for Carluke his goal bound shot from the corner of the six yard box was deflected wide for a corner.

Next it was Carluke who were to threaten when a throw in from the right wing was picked up by Dom Small and he in turn laid it off to last week’s goalscorer, Ross Steele but unlike last week he dragged his shot across the goal and just past the far left post.

Glasgow were seeing more of the ball as the half wore on but this was mainly down to Carluke being slightly sloppy in possession but they were being limited to very few opportunities. However they took the lead in 19th minute when a long ball out of defence managed to slip under the foot of left back Chris Owen to the feet of the Glasgow right winger. He ran to the bye line and squared the ball across goal to the waiting Toni Ferre who placed the ball into the net from 6 yards out. 0-1 to Glasgow University.

In a game of very few chances this was a real setback for Carluke but they continued to work hard and press Glasgow University. They were nearly rewarded in the 26th minute when Connor McQueen, making his first start on the left wing beat his man and unleashed a shot from the corner of the box which was touched over the bar by Daniel Paul in the Glasgow goals.

As the first half petered out Glasgow nearly doubled their lead when two Rovers defenders fell over each other and the ball found it’s way to the feet of Toni Ferre. Fortunately for Carluke he pulled his shot wide from the corner of the six yard box when it looked easier to score.

This was the last of the first half action and Carluke were a little fortunate to be going in only 1-0 down.

The team knew they had to pick it up in the second half if they were to get back into the game but it was Glasgow who created the first opening when a ball through the middle was latched onto by their No10 but he knocked it just too far in front of himself which enabled Rovers keeper, Josh McIntyre to bravely dive to his feet and smother the ball.

Just before the hour mark Carluke got back into the game. A corner on the right hand side was fired in low and hard. It got a slight flick at the front post and travelled across goal to the waiting Olly Grenfell who calmly slotted it home from close range to level up the scores.

Both teams made several changes as the half progressed to freshen things up in the hope of finding the winner but for all the effort and commitment neither team managed to really threaten the others goal and the game concluded with a 1-1 scoreline.

With this being a cup game there had to be a winner and so to penalties we went. Carluke were first to blink when their second penalty went over the bar but the rest of the Rovers penalties were expertly taken. It was Glasgow University who were to capitulate in the end when they missed the target with two of their remaining penalties which meant Carluke Rovers went through to the next round as winners of a very hard fought game where they will face Glenvale in another home tie.

Next week the Rovers get back to league duty with an away game at Easterhouse.

Photography by Kevin Ramage