Lanark goal-fest sees them go top
Convincing opening day win for United
Lanark Utd ......... 4 Newmains ......... 1 Lanark United were the opening day leaders in the Mcbookie.com Central Second Division following a convincing 4-1 win over Newmains United.
Clydesdale rivals Carluke Rovers clinched third spot with a 4-2 win at home to Glasgow Perthshire.
Lanark set a lively pace from the third minute when Kyle Maxwell fired in an Allan Christie pass that keeper Gareth Hurlford saved.
Within a minute Shaun Gallagher had a header tipped over, and at the other end David O’donnell saw a free kick saved by Andy Finnigan.
But back came Lanark as Christie, Gordon Murphy, Peter O’donnell and Maxwell went close, before Murphy pounced on a blocked shot at the edge of the six- yard box to steer the ball over the line for the opener in 38 minutes.
Newmains drew level on 51 minutes when O’donnell guided a Jay Burns breakaway pass into the net.
But back came Lanark, and Maxwell had a header saved before Kieran Mcgurk fired a spectacular 35-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net.
Gallagher and Mcgurk went close before two trialists made an impact, with James Faughnan netting in 66 minutes and David Bannerman notching the fourth in 82 minutes.
Manager John Brogan said: “It was a good performance and I’m delighted with a 4-1 opening day win, and very pleasing that our win takes us to the top of the table, so we will enjoy it while we can.
“I thought we had a lot of pressure, especially in the second half, and finished the game well.
“We could maybe have had another couple of goals, but their goalkeeper made some good saves.
“It was encouraging to see two new guys come on and score.”
Newmains boss Kevin Muirhead said: “We sat in after training on Wednesday to watch film of some of the Lanark games available to us, and identified strengths and weaknesses.
“It’s now back to training and we’ll see what we have, but I see it as a different Newmains from what we were at the start of pre-season.
“We have brought in some quality and we’re not going to be push-overs this season.”
Carluke hit back after going 2-1 down at half-time to Perthshire, with Scott Bellew equalising, then Greg Fernie and John Renwick netted to give them the 4-2 win.
Rovers have signed defender Jordan Duncan, midfielder Peter Lynn and forward Fernie.
Royal Albert lost 4-1 at home to Port Glasgow.