Carluke Rovers vow to go all the way in league this season

Carluke Rovers ace Eddie Haley scores his third against Vale of Leven (Pic by Kevin Ramage)

The John Cumming Stadium team’s manager, Mark Weir, has revealed Rovers will continue battling it out in Conference B despite coronavirus restrictions meaning there is no income from gate receipts as infection rates remain high throughout the central belt.

“We had a chat on Thursday regarding that situation, and we’re going right through the season,” Weir told the Carluke and Lanark Gazette.

“Wwe’re not pulling out. We’re going all the way.

“That’s from the committee, myself, the coaching staff and, more so, the players. They’re all willing to go and play.

“They’re just happy that they’re able to play games. They’re not interested in getting paid or different things.

“My phone has now been going non-stop from guys who are looking for a club after their team has pulled out.

“I’m just glad I’m able to put a team out there and see the guys running about a park on a Saturday.”

Rovers moved into sixth place in the table, on three points from three games, thanks to last Saturday’s resounding 6-0 home success over Vale of Leven, with Eddie Haley scoring a hat-trick.

Weir said: “The boys were back to the way they can play.

“The fight, the effort, the desire, the will to win was there.

“Eddie came up with a hat-trick so I’m delighted for him especially.

“Scoring a penalty to put us 1-0 ahead boosted his confidence, I think. From there on, he was different class and he could have had more than three, but listen, I’m more than happy with him rattling in the three.”

After Haley’s early spot kick, Rovers had a major let-off when Vale won a penalty for handball by Dom Chiedu but their player then blasted the ball over from 12 yards.

“I was delighted to see the ball go over,” Weir said.

“From then on, there was only one team going to go on and win the game.”

Rovers then established a 4-0 lead by half-time thanks to Haley’s second goal and further strikes by Jordan Conlon and Jordan Lithgow.

The second half saw Haley complete his treble and Conlon net his second.