The opening day of the Rovers 138th campaign was to be at the home of their opponents. However, as Vale of Leven’s ground, Millburn Park had some work done on the playing surface in the close season, and was not yet ready, the game was switched to the John Cumming Stadium.

So, as hosts, the Rovers hoped all the hard work undertaken in pre-season and the addition of new look home strip of blue and white striped tops would secure the victory.

As it was, we were in for a treat – an exciting game with goalmouth activity at both ends, 5 goals and 2 red cards.

The visitors were on the front foot right from the opening whistle. The home defence had to withstand significant pressure in the opening 15 minutes and could easily have lost the opening goal on several occasions. Including a Vale strike only kept out by the Rovers left hand upright.

Having survived the opening pressure, it was Carluke which took the lead on 14 minutes through new signing Gary Stewart. When a ball was put over the Vale defence it was Stewart who outpaced the defenders to get to the ball first and he skilfully lobbed the ball over the keeper to open the scoring.

The Rovers doubled their lead 5 minutes later, and once again it was Stewart who found the net.

Another ball over the Vale defence, which left the visitors keeper stranded, was chased down by Stewart and Vale defender, Griffen. With both players trying to get a foot on the ball inside the 6-yard box, it was Stewart who appeared to win the battle and the ball ended up in the roof of the net, just inside the left post.

The visitors continued to put pressure on the Rovers goal and their hard work was rewarded on 26 minutes. A header out of defence by Carluke was picked up a few metres outside the Rovers box by Vale of Leven’s Stewart. He moved the ball into space and fired an unstoppable shot over the home defence and goalkeeper Black, and into top right-hand corner of the Carluke goal.

The home side restored their 2-goal advantage on the half hour mark, when a strong run from the halfway line by defender Shiels took him easily past several Vale players. His pass into the opposition box was picked up by Carluke captain Steele on the left-hand side of the 6-yard box. With the Vale keeper closing him down he managed to fire his shot past him and into the empty net.

The home side managed to get the ball in the net for the fourth time when a trademark long throw-in from Coyle on the right, landed amongst a tangle of players on the 6-yard line. When the ball was chested down by a Rovers player it was pounced on by Rover’s Cassidy who fired the ball into the back of the net. Unfortunately, the goal was dismissed by the referee, allegedly for hand ball.

HT Rovers 3 -1 Vale of Leven

Despite continued pressure on the Carluke goal by the visitors in the opening minutes of the second half. It was the home side that extended their lead, once again.

On 55 minutes a ball across the box by Rover’s Stewart was volleyed at the back post by the unmarked Kyle McAdam, to cement a home victory with a 4th goal.

Both sides pressed in vain for the next goal. However, the most notable action of the last 15 minutes were the red cards dished out for dissent. One for each club.

Full Time – Rovers 4 – 1 Vale of Leven

An exciting, hard-fought game and a well-deserved victory for the Rovers.

The Rovers next game is a home fixture against League newcomers East Kilbride YM FC. It will be at the John Cumming Stadium, on Tuesday evening (29 /7) at 8.15pm.

 

Photography by Kevin Ramage