Injury hit Pupils put up good fight against Carluke Rovers

Carluke came flying out the traps and the Pupils survived the early pressure with some determined and unorthodox defending. 

The hosts had plenty of possession but it took them until the 27th minute to test Anderson who parried out a well-struck free kick.

The Pupils were relying on the ball-carrying skills of Finlay Bainbridge and Calum Ellis to create some counter-attacks that kept the home defence on their toes.

Just when it looked like a first-half stalemate, Carluke went ahead on the stroke of half-time, when Connor McQueen got blind side of the Pupils’ defence to volley into the net at the far post.

Carluke extended their lead in the 48th minute, with James Dunlop heading a strong effort past Anderson from a corner kick.

The Pupils had their best spell in the final 30 minutes when the game opened up and the Carluke keeper was certainly the busier of the two.

He clawed away a great Ryan McConnachie effort from under the bar and Bainbridge had an angled drive well saved.

Calum Ellis had a final effort in injury time after outpacing the defence but his low drive was saved by the keeper’s legs.

There are plenty of positives for the Pupils to take away and the players have got to be commended for their efforts.

Anderson played very well and the back four of Alasdair Ferguson, Ellis Robertson, Michael McKinlay and Euan Dott battled for every ball.

Ryan Shields and Andrew Renton’s work rate on the flanks was unselfish for the team, and Ryan McConnachie was outstanding in midfield, helping in attack and defence alongside Bainbridge and Ellis who both worked tirelessly for 90 minutes. 

The team has thanked the two trialists who signed late on Friday to help the Pupils fulfil the fixture.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Pupils are at home against a resurgent Royal Albert side who will provide stern opposition. Kick off at Kintyre Park is 2pm.