Rovers crash out as Cairn march on
Boss angry at players for giving away bad goals
Carluke Rovers ........ 2 Gartcairn ................. 3
Michael Temlett Carluke Rovers’ Scottish Cup run came to an end on Saturday after a dramatic defeat to Gartcairn.
After last week’s 2-2 draw, the two sides met to do it all over again and entertained the 400-strong crowd at the John Cumming Stadium.
But unfortunately for Rovers, it was the Airdrie outfit who made the last eight thanks to goals from Kevin Ross, Martin Tait and a deflected Gary Gow effort.
Ian Watt and Alberto Vezza hit back for Rovers but they were undone on a historic day for Gartcairn.
Rovers boss Colin Slater said: “We gave away poor goals and the deflection after the break killed it.
“We then had to chase the game but it wasn’t our day.
“I want to wish Gartcairn good luck in the next round.”
The wet and windy conditions meant a lot of junior games were postponed on Saturday but thankfully for the 412 spectators the quality on show wasn’t impacted too much.
Rovers started on the front foot but dangerman Watt was being kept quiet in the early stages by the Cairn defence.
But the striker created a half- chance, forcing Cairn keeper Anton Nugent into a save.
Cairn finally got going and they took the lead on 19 minutes when Ross showed some bravery to dip in a crowded box and bullet home a header from close range.
Rovers went on the attack again though with Vezza causing problems.
But it wasn’t until 28 minutes when Watt scrambled Carluke’s leveller across the line.
Cairn restored their advantage just before the break when Tait pounced on a poor save from Rovers’ keeper Danny Tobin to smash home.
The Airdrie outfit had one foot in the last eight early in the second half when a Tait cross took a wicked deflection off Gary Gow and looped over Tobin.
Vezza gave Rovers a glimmer of hope in the dying moments as he neatly finished off a good Rovers move but it was too little to late as Cairn held out to celebrate a historymaking day for the club.
Delighted Gartcairn boss Davie Greig said: “That is a fantastic performance from the lads. “We came with a game plan and stuck to it. “We can’t wait for the draw on Tuesday and I’m sure the other sides will be looking at us and hoping we come out against them.”