Wishaw go fifth after a vital win
Smillie is the hero in derby victory over ’Gow
Lesmahagow ..... 1 Wishaw .............. 4 A Ryan Smillie hat-trick helped Wishaw clinch their third win on the trot as they beat Lesmahagow 4-1 to go fifth in the Central First Division.
Kevin Barry Grant fired a 20-yarder just wide before James Coffee set up the opener in eight minutes with a run and drive that was parried, but Ross Mcgeachie tapped in the rebound.
Smillie doubled that lead in 21 minutes with a low drive into the corner, and Coffey and Grant again went close before Darrell Mcdonald pulled a goal back for ’Gow with a good shot in 35 minutes.
Three minutes later Smillie was back on target to restore Wishaw’s two-goal lead with a drive, following good lead-up Grant and Dan Kindlan.
Luke Currie on the ’Gow left had a couple of chances and Jon Mcstay put one wide, before James Coffey was shown a second yellow card in 70 minutes.
Mcdonald and Steve Clark had efforts saved by Sandy Thomson, then Smillie struck again, this time from the spot after Kindlan had been brought down in the box.
Mcstay was red-carded in 81 minutes when he retaliated after he was jostled and had his jersey tugged in a rough tackle.
Manager Chris Mcgroarty said: “It was a great result for us, coming on the back of two wins after obviously not the greatest start to the season.
“We knew that once we got the ball rolling we could pick up a few points.
“The boys played really well and scored some good goals. play by
“Even when down to 10 men for the final 20 minutes I still thought we looked comfortable – it was a good professional performance from us.
“Ryan’s goals were well-taken, his second was a tremendous shot and the penalty rounded off a good day at the office for him.”
Lesmahagow boss Robert Irving said: “A 4-1 defeat at home is always hard to take; when the boys here are on the ball they’re really not too bad, but when we have to defend we’re absolutely abysmal.
“Jon Mcstay came back last week after a lengthy injury, scored a hattrick and did really well, but then he went and got himself stupidly sent off.
“Some of our boys have to take a long, hard look at themselves.
“It’s all right when they’re scoring goals, but when they’re not, I need them to roll up the sleeves – and not enough of them are doing that.”