Carluke Rovers were give a rest from league duty today when they welcomed Linton Hotspur in a South Challenge Cup first round tie. Although playing in the East of Scotland league it was not a long journey for the visitors who are 40 minutes from Carluke in West Linton.

Both teams were unsure of what to expect as they had never played each other but it turned out to be a tight game. It did only take 2 minutes for Carluke to create the first effort on goal. Gary Stewart received the ball down the left channel and got in a good cross which was met by Connor McIntyre on the volley but the midfielder didn’t get a lot on it and Rory Panther in the Linton goal saved comfortably.

Limton took the lead in 12 minutes with their first effort on goal. A throw in on the left wing was knocked back to the thrower who then looped a cross to the back post. It just missed Mark Cassidy and found its way to head of Josh Philip who scored just inside the left hand post of Eoin Wallace. 0-1 to Linton.

Ben Rennie had come on the for the injured Mark Cassidy and a good run from him saw the ball passed to Gary Stewart. The striker managed to find some place and hit a fine shot but iunfortunately for the striker it slid past the far post. Then only a minute later Linton could have extended their lead. A corner was taken on the left and knocked out to the edge of the box to one of the Linton players’. He, in turn, volleyed the ball goalward. Wallace in the Rovers goal looked to have it covered but the big Keeper had to adjust his movement as the ball was deflected but he brilliantly managed to palm it wide of the post.

Gary Stewart was continuing to be a thorn in the side of Linton Rovers and again found space through the middle when a cross came in but his volley went harmlessly over the bar. This was to be the last of the action in the second half and Linton Hotspur went in leading 0-1.

The second half started with Rovers on the front foot but it took them to the hour mark to create their irst real opportunity. A corner was cleared by Linton but was crossed back in to the back post where Chris Owen stooped to header home from six yards but he didn’t get enough on it and the ball went harmlessly wide.

Carluke were looking the more likely team to score at this stage of the game and nearly got their equaliser in the 66th minute. A good low cross to the back post found Robbie Dunsmore Gascoigne but his effort was cleared off the line by Fraser Martin.

It was only a matter of time before Rovers got the equaliser and it duly came in the 77th minute. A sweeping move down the right wing saw the ball cut across goal and ther was Ross Steele on the edge of the six yard box to knock the ball into the net. 1-1.

Carluke had been reduced to ten men and then with minutes to go Gary Stewart got his marching orders for a professional foul. Against this backdrop Carluke were quite happy when the Ref blew for fulltime and the game went straight to penalties.

The Rovers missed their first penalty but did a great job wit the others. Unfortunately for Linto Hotspur Eoin Wallace in the Carluke goal was inspired and made 2 great saves to see Carluke into the next round.

It is back to league duty this Saturday when the Carluke welcome St Peters to the John Cumming.