Carluke Rovers 5
Campbeltown Pupils 3
WOSFL – Division 4
The Campbeltown Pupils travelled to South Lanarkshire last Saturday for a first ever meeting with Carluke Rovers but a poor defensive display handed the points on a plate to the home side.
Two long-range efforts had Carluke 2-0 ahead in the first 20 minutes after a nervy start from the Kintyre Hire-away sponsored Pupils at the John Cumming Stadium.
Donald McCallum scored the goal of the match in the 26th minute with a superb individual effort, a skillful run and angled drive bulging the net.
John McCallum hit the post with a header as the Pupils had their best spell of the match before the half-time break.
Jake MacMillan, a 16-year-old substitute who replaced the injured Stuart MacLean, equalised five minutes after the restart, the young striker scoring from a flick-on off a long throw.
The joy of equalising was short-lived as Carluke went ahead minutes later, when the ball was forced over the line following a messy scramble.
The home side increased their lead in the 72nd minute, with a simple ball over the top catching out a square Pupils defence, leaving the home side’s number nine to race through and score.
The Pupils made it 4-3 with 12 minutes remaining, Calum Ellis linking with Ryan Deans before slipping it low past the keeper.
Carluke had the final say with a fifth goal in the 87th minute. A counter attack picked off a sparse defence, as the Pupils pushed players forward trying for a late equaliser.
Tomorrow, for the third consecutive Saturday, the Pupils are on the road again with a trip to play title contenders St Peter’s.
The game is taking place at New Western Park, home of Renfrew FC.