Carluke Rovers were looking to maintain their excellent start to the season with another victory, this time against local rivals Newmains United. However this was not going to be an easy game as Newmains have had the upper hand in this fixture over the last few seasons.

The game was to be played against the backdrop of a gusting wind and this was to have an impact on the quality of the play throughout the match. The wind was blowing across the park rather than from goalmouth to goalmouth which meant neither tam had an advantage in either half.

The game got off to a slow start with neither keeper having much to do in the initial stages. In fact it took till the 27th minute for the first real chance of the game to materialise. A long ball over top found Carluke’s Gary Stewart in some space but his attempted volley went wide of the post.

The next effort on either goal was in the 42nd minute and it was to prove decisive for Carluke. A long throw from Mark Cassidy on the left touchline into the box was nodded on by Mikey Downs towards the back post. Ghosting in was Nicky Prentice who nodded the ball in unchallenged from six yards to give Carluke a vital lead just before halftime. 1-0. This was to be the last of the action in a half of very few chances with both defences on top.

The second half got underway and with a similar pattern to the first half with defences on top and the breeze having an influence over the proceedings. In fact the wind was to play a part in what could have been a second goal for Carluke, A corner on the left was curled in and went over everyone only to clatter against the far post before being cleared to safety.

The game was in a bit of a lull and it was to take a piece of quick thinking by Garry Black in the Rovers goal to breathe new life into proceedings and help Rovers to a second goal. A first time clearance from the big Keeper in the 59th minute caught the Newmains right back unawares and his attempted header back to his own Keeper was affected by the wind and was short. The ball was intercepted by Nicky Prentice who had anticipated the possibility of an error and the striker collected the ball before shooting under Cherry in the Newmains goal from a tight angle. 2-0 to Carluke and some well needed breathing space for them in a game of few chances.

To Newmains credit they did not let their heads go down as would have been easy to do in a game they had contested well’ They nearly got a goal back in the 74th minute. Livewire Newmains winger, Lasana Drammeh picked up the ball on the right wing and skipped inside a couple of Rovers defenders before hitting a left foot shot which looked destined for the bottom left corner until Garry Black in the Rovers goal got down to it and palmed it wide.

There was to be another half chance for Carluke late on but the game petered out with a victory for Carluke to maintain their run and position at the top of the league.

This game highlighted the progression from last season that this Rovers team have made. This was a game last season Rovers may not have won but the good business the management team have done in the close season adding quality and experience to an already good squad shone through in a tight game. The new signings including both goalscorers, Nicky Prentice and Gary Stewart plus a man of the match performance from Mark Cassidy at the back were the difference between the teams today.

Next Rovers have another tough away game this coming Tuesday against West Park at the Huntershill Sports Complex with a 7pm kickoff.

Photography by Kevin Ramage