Rovers boss safety bid derby boost
CARLUKE ROVERS ................................. 3 WISHAW JUNIORS ................................. 1 Carluke Rovers interim boss Mark Weir reckons they are now safe from the drop after defeating Wishaw Juniors – and hopes to get the top job full-time.
Rovers climbed to sixth in the table with the derby day victory.
Weir hoped that the result would bring the curtain down on weeks of turmoil at the John Cumming Stadium following a mass exodus of players.
The stand-in gaffer has rebuilt the side and now hopes to continue that job into next season.
He said: “It was a massive result for the club.
“We are probably too far off promotion but a few weeks ago we were in a bit of crisis. Now it looks like we are far enough away and will stay up.
“The boys deserve a lot of credit. We are all in this together.”
Weir went on: “As far as I know I have the job until the end of the season.
“I am just taking it game by game, and training night by training night.
“I would be delighted to get the job and build for next season. The board might want to wait and see where we end up come the end of the season.”
Carluke got off to a dream start after five minutes as the ball broke to Jamie Dixon who volleyed in from 20 -yardsout.
Ex-Beltane man Eddie Haley returned to haunt his former club as he netted the second for the home side as he reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble and headed home.
Michael Collinder hit Rovers on the counter attack to pull a goal back, before Rovers’ goalkeeper was shown a straight red for pulling down a Wishaw attacker.
As Wishaw attackers flooded forward to try and level the derby clash, James Frame broke away to end the game as a contest.
Following the red card to first choice Brown, goalkeeping coach Gordon Bruce came on between the sticks.
Weir admits he may be called on again this weekend against Bellshill if they can’t snap up an emergency replacement.
He said: “He came on last weekend and did what was needed of him. He didn’t let one in.”