Carluke travelled to deepest Ayrshire today to play Dalry Thistle in this West of Scotland League game. It was important for the team to build on last weeks good result against Lugar and get three points to start climbing the league.

The pitch was heavy and bumpy and so fast flowing, one touch football was never going to be the order of the day but a battling attitude was required and it was Carluke who started the brighter.

In the 4th minute an innocuous through ball went underneath the foot of a Dalry defender and was latched onto by Josh Bell with a clear run at goal. His shot however was well saved by the feet of the Dalry keeper.

Then in the 13th minute a great ball wide by Greg Miller found Josh Bell who got to the byline but his cutback went just behind striker Connor McKenzie and the danger was averted. Carluke were in control of the game at this point but Dalry occasionally found themselves in or around the Carluke box. One such foray in the 22nd minute found their No7 in space but his shot was deflected wide.

In the 28th minute a Carluke corner met by the head of centre half Michael Cookman but his powerful header was just over the bar.

Carluke were starting to wonder if their dominance was going to turn into a goal when they finally broke the deadlock in 42 minutes. A throw in on the left was collected by Connor McKenzie and he did well to get the byline where he floated in a great cross to the unmarked Josh Bell on the backpost. His downward header gave the keeper no chance and Carluke finally got the goal their play had deserved. This was the last action of the first half and Carluke went in leading 0-1.

The second half got underway with Carluke hitting down a slight incline in the pitch. They knew that one goal was probably not going to be enough and so they started on the front foot as they had in the first half. Their fast start nearly got an early reward when in the 49th minute Connor McKenzie made space for himself and unleashed a great shot which the Dalry keeper managed to parry away but only to Josh Bell. His effort was also thwarted by a good save.

Carluke nearly paid for their profligacy in front of goal when Dalry were allowed to cross the ball from the left and their No7 running in could only put it past the post from close range when it looked easier to score.

Then in the 54th minute Carluke got themselves some breathing space when a Christy Lawlor corner was met by centre half Reiss Stewart whose downward header beat the Dalry Keeper to make the score 0-2.
For the next 20 minutes there was a bit of a stalemate which suited Carluke with their 2 goal lead but then in the 82 minute just as Carluke thought they were in control Dalry got a goal back to make the score 1-2.

This was going to set up a tense last 10 minutes as Dalry set about trying to get an equaliser but as they pushed men forward Carluke were finding space in behind them. It was one such instance that saw the ball find it’s way to Dom Small on the left hand side. He still had a lot to do but he cleverly cut inside his man and hit a fierce shot into the back of the net giving the keeper no chance. The goal was met with wild celebrations as there was no way back now for Dalry Thistle. At the death the same player also added a fourth when he glided past 4 Dalry players only to see his shot just go wide of the post.

All in all a deserved victory for Carluke Rovers and a further boost to the confidence of the players. Next week it is another away day to Dumbarton this time and Vale of Leven. This is an opportunity for Carluke to win three on the bounce and gain further momentum as they work towards securing their status in the Division next season. Final score Dalry Thistle 1 Carluke Rovers 3.

Westcoast Storage and Removal Limited
Rovers Man of the Match
Joshua Bell

Photography by Kevin Ramage