Slater’s rattled Rovers try again
Cup replay Carluke’s fifth clash with Gartcairn this season
NORMALLY a Scottish Cup draw away from home would be worthy of celebration, but Carluke Rovers boss Colin Slater was left frustrated after last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Gartcairn.
His charges were, after all, facing opponents reduced to 10 men after the 28th-minute dismissal of John Henderson for an over-robust tackle on Rovers midfield playmaker Mark Haddow.
Initially, all had looked to be going to plan when Rovers went 2-1 ahead through a John Renwick strike, but the home team bagged a quickfire penalty-kick equaliser and came close to winning the tie after Renwick went from saint to sinner with a scything challenge that earned him a red card.
So is the l ong-serving Carluke gaffer looking forward to yet another locking of horns with his club’s Central Second Division rivals – a fifth meeting of the season to date?
“We’ve certainly no reason to be running scared of the prospect,” revealed the former centre-back. “I think it’s fair to say we started poorly and Gartcairn held the upper hand over the early stages but Ian Watt’s equaliser lifted us and we were boosted further by the Gartcairn player getting his marching orders, even though we were forced to replace the injured Haddow.
“But we just didn’t make use of our numerical advantage because the guys resorted to going too long with hopeful punts upfield and that made it easy for Kevin Ross to shine at the heart of their defence.
“Nevertheless, at 2-1 up, the guys were almost there but then we criminally conceded a penalty-kick just after taking the lead. That goal took the wind out of our sails while at the same time firing up Gartcairn whose own hopes soared when John walked for launching into an unnecessary challenge.
“It’s a third time on the trot we will be going up against each other but Saturday was a great advert for the Juniors and a decent cup game into the bargain so I’m sure a big crowd will be in attendance hoping for more of the same.”
Renwick is set to be posted missing through suspension while Haddow is struggling for fitness.
One of the first names down on the Carluke team sheet is that of top marksman Ian “Chalk y” Watt, scorer of Carluke’s first goal at the MTC stadium with a flighted shot into the top corner.
Watt, who has bagged 22 goals this season, said: “It was a goal from the moment the ball left my foot and definitely meant. Yes there was an element of luck but if you don’t try then you don’t get in this game.”
The visit to t he John Cummings Stadium is not causing Gartcairn boss Davie Greig to have sleepless nights even though he is resigned to being without Henderson as well as experienced campaigner Lee McShane, whose dismissal from the bench for his protests when Gartcairn claims for a penalty-kick were turned down is also set to incur a ban.
Greggy i nsisted: “The pressure is all on Carluke as they are favourites to come out on top playing at home but it must be a concern to big Colin that his players couldn’t see us off with a man advantage for almost an hour.”
Also preparing for a Scottish Junior Cup adventure are Maryhill whose scheduled clash with Linlithgow Rose last weekend was called off through Lochburn Park being deemed unplayable.
Nineteen-year-old striker Lewis Maitland signed this week from local amateur outfit Maryhill Black Star could be a shock inclusion.