Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to last season’s Fourth Division runners-up, Royal Albert, Carluke Rovers’ second match of the season saw them face last season’s league winners, East Kilbride YM.

The match kicked off under the lights on a lovely evening for football, with Carluke getting proceedings underway.

Carluke almost got off to the perfect start inside the opening minute when Mikey Downs intercepted a poor pass from Michael Jordan Calder just outside the penalty area. Bearing down on goal with EKYM goalkeeper Richie McGregor-Ure rushing out to meet him, Downs saw his effort slide harmlessly wide of the left-hand post.

Ten minutes in, EKYM had an excellent opportunity. Ross McDonagh controlled the ball well inside the box before playing it across the face of goal towards the front of the Rovers six-yard box. Connor Coyle reacted first, getting in ahead of the EKYM attacker to put the ball behind for a corner.

EKYM were beginning to dominate possession and created several half-chances without really threatening to break the deadlock. That changed in the 26th minute when Darren Miller worked his way along the edge of the Rovers penalty area before being clipped by Struan Nicholson. The referee immediately awarded a free-kick.

Miller stepped up himself and curled an unstoppable strike beyond the outstretched arm of Wallace in the Carluke goal. It was an excellent finish and one that East Kilbride YM fully deserved.

Carluke began to enjoy more possession after falling behind, but there were few clear-cut opportunities for either side before the referee brought the first half to a close.

Half-Time: Carluke Rovers 0-1 East Kilbride YM

The weather had gradually deteriorated during the opening period, and the second half began in heavy rain, with the sodden pitch causing the ball to hold up at times.

The first effort after the break came from Carluke, as Jamie McIntyre tried his luck from around 30 yards, but his effort sailed over the right-hand post.

On 57 minutes, Struan Nicholson played a fine diagonal pass to Jay Keenan on the edge of the area. Keenan looked up before finding Mikey Downs, whose goal-bound effort was deflected safely over the crossbar.

The difficult conditions were making life challenging for both sides, and Carluke were relieved when Wallace failed to hold a routine effort. Fortunately, Connor Coyle was on hand to clear the danger before any EKYM player could capitalise.

Carluke were growing into the game and their reward came in the 64th minute. Struan Nicholson drove towards goal before being brought down by a clumsy challenge from EKYM captain Paul Tierney around 30 yards from goal.

If Darren Miller’s free-kick in the first half was an excellent strike, Jamie McIntyre bettered it, sending a magnificent effort into the top-left corner, giving McGregor-Ure virtually no chance.

Carluke Rovers 1-1 East Kilbride YM

In the 70th minute, Darren Miller collected the ball deep inside his own half before beating a couple of Rovers players and playing it wide to a teammate. The resulting shot was comfortably held by Wallace, who knew any spill would almost certainly have been punished by Miller, who had continued his run into the penalty area.

EKYM regained the lead just two minutes later. Jordan Calder intercepted possession inside the Rovers half before playing the ball down the line to Ross McDonagh. McDonagh slid an excellent pass through to Miller and, despite Lewis Baird attempting to narrow the angle, Miller calmly finished into the top-left corner, leaving Wallace with no chance.

Carluke Rovers 1-2 East Kilbride YM

Just five minutes later, Miller was once again through on goal, but this time Connor Coyle marshalled him superbly before Lewis Baird followed up with a well-timed tackle that forced the striker to shoot wide.

It almost felt like déjà vu in the 84th minute as Carluke were awarded another free-kick from almost the exact same position, with Jamie McIntyre once again standing over the ball. Unfortunately for the home side, this time his effort sailed well over the crossbar and never troubled the goalkeeper.

Time was running out for Carluke, but they continued to press. One of the best moves of the match saw Callum Shanks bring the ball out from defence before playing a one-two with McAdam. Shanks continued his run into the EKYM half before finding Blake Holmes, making his debut after stepping up from the Under-20s. Holmes took one touch to control before returning the ball into Shanks’ path. Shanks showed excellent footwork to beat his defender before crossing back towards Holmes, whose delivery unfortunately went comfortably into the goalkeeper’s hands. It was an excellent move nonetheless.

With time almost up, it looked as though Carluke were heading for defeat. However, five minutes into stoppage time, Mikey Downs unleashed a powerful effort straight at McGregor-Ure, who could only parry the ball away. EKYM managed to partially clear, but only as far as a Rovers player. After a few more passes, Downs floated a hopeful ball towards the far side of the six-yard box. A looping header back across goal was brilliantly touched onto the crossbar by McGregor-Ure, but the ball dropped right on the goal line. Ross Steele reacted quickest, heading home from close range to earn Carluke a deserved share of the points.

Just a minute later, the referee blew for full time, much to the delight of the Rovers bench.

Full-Time: Carluke Rovers 2-2 East Kilbride YM

Next up for Carluke is an away trip to Kirconnel on Saturday to face Kello Rovers — never an easy place to visit.

Photography by Kevin Ramage