Set piece header costs Carluke dear
A set piece goal was all that separated Carluke Rovers and top of the table Lanark in their clash on Saturday.
A crowd of 200 supporters descended on the John Cumming Stadium in eager anticipation of being entertained by both teams who between them in the league had remained unbeaten in 20 matches.
Lanark started the brighter side and almost scored inside the first minute when Hill slipped a neat through ball to Watt on the front edge of the box. Keeper Cherrie was equal to the effort smothering the ball at the striker’s feet.
After 15 minutes Rovers’ Cassidy cleared a Haddow header off the line following a corner and two minutes later Cassidy had a headed effort of his own saved by Halford.
Both teams worked hard to poke and prod for an opening goal and on 25 minutes Rovers’ Pettigrew managed to jink his way past two defenders down the right flank and fire a low cross across the six yard line, but the home strikers were too far behind the play.
Veteran Weir had to be replaced after pulling his groin in the 35th minute by Mckenna.
The first half huffed and puffed to a close with neither team having displayed any real attacking flair which had been so evident in recent weeks.
With the second half five minutes old Lanark opened the scoring from a corner which was flick headed into the net at the near post by Watt.
Rovers best effort came after 70 minutes when Pettigrew and Larkin combined on the right edge of the box, with Larkin unleashing a fierce shot from 12 yards which was punched clear by Halford.
With the game getting bogged down in midfield Rovers brought on Haley and Kane for Pettigrew and Larkin and looked to get in behind Lanark from the wide areas. Despite a series of corners Rovers looked ineffectual.
In the closing ten minutes Rovers pressed hard but couldn’t find a way through, over or around the strong Lanark defence.