Carluke Rovers went into this final WOSFL Fourth Division match knowing that a win would confirm a 3rd place in the league, a position at the start of the season before confirmation of Lowland League re-organisation would have mean a promotion place. The pressure may have been off as promotion was already done but they wanted to win and avenge the 1-1 draw when the two teams last met at the Beltane.

It could not have got off to a better start from the Rovers as a corner to Carluke in the 6th minute was punched clear by Wishaw keeper Dylan Orr, as the ball dropped at the edge of the box Jamie McIntyre met it with an unstoppable first time volley into the top left of the Wishaw goal. A goal well worthy of the admission price.

Little did we foresee that this was to be the beginning of a dramatic afternoon of football.

Carluke doubled their lead in 8 minutes as Wishaw failed to clear a corner and the ball dropped to Olly Grenfell who headed into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Gary Stewart came close in the 11th minute but for a decent save by Orr in the Wishaw goal. It was all one way traffic early on and it was wave after wave of Carluke attack as Wishaw struggled to cope with Carluke’s movement.

Wishaw came close in the 18th minute with a great tun on the edge of the box by Galloway but his shot went harmlessly wide.

It took until the 34th minute before Carluke’s dominance paid off again as a ball across the box was slid through to Mikey Downs from Jamie McIntyre and Mikey calmly slid the ball into the Wishaw net for a 3-0 lead.

Slackness in the Rovers defence let WIshaw back into the game as Adam Hill intercepted a ball across the box and slid it past a helpless Wallace in goal. 3-1.

Carluke’s 3 goal lead was restored 4 minutes later as some poor defending from Wishaw resulted in a ball across the face of the ball towards Ben Rennie but as Ben prepared to strike the referee deemed the Wishaw defenders tackle to be a foul and pointed to the penalty spot. Gary Stewart stepped up and calmly slotted the ball home for a 4-1 half time lead.

The second half was going the way of the first with Carluke well in control and having several close effort before Ross Steele picked up a ball 35 yards out from goal in the 52nd minute and struck an unstoppable shot in off the right hand post with the keeper stranded. 5-1 to Carluke and arguments over whose goal was best, McIntyre or Steele.

2 minutes later a fine pass into the box from Ashton Pellow was met by Ross Steele and bearing in on goal a deft flick past the keeper seen him with his 2nd of the day. 6-1 Carluke.

To their credit Wishaw players heads did not go down and a long throw into the box in the 54th minute was met by the head of Alan Lithgow seen Wishaw double their goal tally. 6-2 Carluke.

58 minutes and with Wishaw attempting to play out from the back Ben Rennie intercepted the ball and had an easy finish pass the goalkeeper. 7-2 Carluke.

71minutes in Nick Prentice picked up a ball in midfield and played a slide rule pass through the heart of the Wishaw defence just ahead of the on running Steele, Ross first time effortlessly slid the ball passed the onrushing keeper to seal a fine hat-trick.

The 78th minute probably seen the biggest cheer of the afternoon as goalkeeper Gregor Knight having been brought on upfront due to an earlier injury to Ashton Pellow and Carluke having no other subs left. A great ball was played across the edge of the box and with 2 touches, one to control and one to strike Gregors shot nestled in the corner of the Wishaw goal. 9-2 Carluke.

The Rovers weren’t finished as they went into double figures as a ball across goal was met by Ross Steele with his easiest finish of the day and his fourth. 10-2 Carluke.

Again Wishaw to their credit never gave up and with some slack defending and 2 fine finishes by Reece Wotherspoon in the 86th and 90th minute the match ended Carluke Rovers 10 Wishaw 2.

A crazy 14 goal end to the season and a fine finish to a good season from Carluke who confirmed a top 3 finish and will go into the WOSFL Third Division next season.

Match Report by Kevin Ramage

 

 

Photography by Kevin Ramage