Today Carluke welcomed Cambuslang Rangers in this South Challenge Cup tie. Cambuslang are riding high at the top of the same Conference that Carluke are in but this was the first meeting of the two sides this season.

Cambuslang were out of the blocks quickly and created a couple of chances in the first 10 minutes which were passed up. The first of these chances was a lob in the 6th minute which hit the Carluke bar and was then headed wide by the Cambuslang No10. This was quickly followed by a shot from Cambuslang’s Scott Williamson cutting inside and hitting a fierce shot that was brilliantly saved by Adam Brown in the Carluke goal.

Carluke were not without their opportunities and had a chance to take the lead in the 21st minute when a ball crossed in by Dillon Duddy was deflected into the path of Carluke’s Dylan Dailly but his side footed shot went harmlessly past the left hand post for a goal kick.

Carluke were to rue this missed chance 3 minutes later when Cambuslang took the lead. A long through ball found Scott Williamson and he ran through on goal unchallenged to slide the ball past Adam Brown. 0-1 Cambuslang. As has had in previous games a second was to follow soon after. A minute later in fact when the same player latched onto a poor pass by Carluke in the midfield giving the ball away and Williamson calmly slotted his second under Adam Brown. This was to complete the scoring in the first half.

The second half started along similar lines with Cambuslang having the bulk of possession and Carluke unable to close them down effectively. It was no surprise then in the 50th minute when Cambuslang netted a third and again it was Williamson who nicked in in front of the defence to deftly knock in a cross from the right to make the score 3-0 to Cambuslang and complete his hattrick.

Carluke were not completely out of it and a cross form Dillon Duddy found it’s way to Marc Smith who did well to get a shot away which was well saved by the Cambuslang Keeper.

However following this effort Cambuslang went straight up the park and scored their fourth from another straightforward ball through the middle which found Gordon Dick and he calmly placed the ball in the back of the net.

The fifth goal was a calamitous misunderstanding at the back. As Adam Brown came of his line to clear the ball it was touched back to him by an unsuspecting defender. Adam did brilliantly to get down and touch the ball away but the Referee had no choice but to award an indirect freekick as it was deemed a passback.

From the resultant freekick, inside the box, Gordon Dick netted his second and Cambuslang’s fifth in the 70th minute.

Cambuslang completed their scoring in the 76th minute when Kiegan Parker got his first goal for the club. He collected a ball wide and cut inside to place the ball in the back of the Carluke net to make it 6-0.

Carluke were to get a consolation goal when Jamie Dickson found Dillon Duddy and he in turn got the ball to Marc Smith who took his opportunity by placing a lovely shot wide of the keeper to complete the scoring in the match.

Carluke played the last 10 minutes with nine men following a sending off and the fact Marc Smith went off injured when Carluke had used all their subs. This however had no effect on the outcome and Cambuslang Rangers ran out comfortable winners at 1-6.

Next week it is back to league duty when Rovers are away to Renfrew with a 2pm kickoff.

Photography by Kevin Ramage