Honours even in fiery derby battle
Twelve cards as passions run high at Beltane
WISHAW JUNIORS ........................... 2 SHOTTS............................................. 2 Lindsay Robertson Twelve cards and two penalties ensured this was a derby to remember.
The Beltane on Saturday was the place for winter drama as high-flying Shotts blew a two-goal advantage.
The visitors took an early lead against the run of play when Danny Burns sent in a teasing cross from wide on the Wishaw left that curled beyond Fraser in the Wishaw goal.
After 18 minutes Shotts’ Chris Smith found himself in the book after a foul on James Coffey. Bookings became a regular occurrence for the rest of the match as the referee gave out a series of yellow cards to both sides.
Burns nearly doubled the visitors’ lead just a couple of minutes later when he rose above the home defence to get in a powerful header on goal that was blocked by Fraser.
Wishaw had not produced much but on 37 minutes Duffy fought his way through a couple of challenges before getting away a shot that flew low across goal and just past the post.
As half time approached Shotts doubled their lead. Aitken toe-poked the ball away from Mooney as he made his challenge and the Shotts player crashed to the ground with a penalty being awarded.
Both Jack Mooney and Canning picked up yellow cards before Burns sent Fraser the wrong way to convert and give Shotts a two-goal lead.
Coffey earned a free-kick early on in the second half with ex-wishaw player Craig Crawford joining those in the referee’s book.
Shotts nearly grabbed a third when Jordan Halsman sent a low cross to the front post but Burns was prevented from claiming his hat-trick by a great blocking tackle.
The bookings continued when both Ally Martin and Burns were added to the referee’s notebook. It was only a matter of time before a player would pick up a second caution and that duly arrived when Crawford was shown red for a second booking after a challenge on KB Grant.
With 15 minutes left Wishaw grabbed a lifeline when a long ball upfield was chased into the Shotts box by Coffey. He rounded the keeper and his shot was turned in by Grant.
With just under five minutes left the home side rescued a point. Coffey found Grant with a pass and the Wishaw forward burrowed his way into the box.
With nowhere to go and faced by three Shotts defenders, he went down under a challenge and referee Bryson pointed to the spot.
Shotts were furious with the award and Gerry Watt picked up a straight red card for his complaints to the referee.
Once the protests were over Justin Watson kept his cool and sent Johnny Murdoch the wrong way from the spot to rescue a point for Wishaw and force a second league draw between the two sides this season.