Wishaw grab first home win of season
WISHAW 2 - 1 CARLUKE ROVERS Wishaw bagged their first home win of the season with a narrow victory over local rivals Carluke.
I t was a much- i mproved performance by the home side which saw them claim a vital three points in their bid to climb away from the lower end of the table.
From the kick off the hosts looked in a determined mood and created an early chance when Greg Miller got to the wing and his low-cut back was struck just wide by Aaron Neill.
Having averaged three goals a game so far in the league Carluke were showing their early intent and after a quick break Wishaw keeper Robert Mcmahon had to stretch to claw away a dangerous effort.
Back at the other end Wishaw’s Matthew Clarke had an effort from the edge of the box which struck a defender that took the heat out of the strike, allowing KP Mcallister to make a comfortable save.
Wishaw almost grabbed the lead when a stramash from a corner saw Mcallister called into action right on the line as the home players claimed for a goal.
With six minutes to half time the home side took the lead in slightly unfortunate circumstances.
From a Wishaw corner a fierce shot hit Carluke midfielder Ross Macneill full in the face. The ball fell nicely to Anthony Mcguire who slid past Mcallister to put the home side a goal ahead.
Sadly Carluke were not so lucky and, despite treatment on the field, eventually an ambulance had to be called and Macneill was taken to hospital after nearly a 30-minute break.
Carluke started the second half well looking to get back in the game.
Soon after Wishaw were almost gifted a second when Mcallister miskicked a clearance which was picked up about 25 yards out by Anthony O’kane. The Wishaw winger sped towards goal and jinked his way past a Carluke defender to get one on one with the keeper but chose to try and place his effort which allowed Mcallister to get down and block the effort with his foot.
After 55 minutes though the hosts did go two ahead. A break down the Carluke left saw Greg Miller send over a low cross that Matthew Clarke was just able to toe poke away from a defender before slamming home.
Five minutes later the visitors got themselves back in the game. A neat passing move down the Wishaw right ended with a low cross coming across the Wishaw penalty area to an unmarked Conor Macdonald at the back post who placed his shot past Mcmahon.
Both sides made changes to freshen up for the final half hour. Wishaw almost restored their two-goal lead when a deep free kick from Ross Marchant saw a Scott Crone header from a tight angle bounce off the outside of the post.
The home side had further strong efforts from KB Grant but couldn’t extend their lead.