Rossvale rocked as Gow grab the points

Rossvale's Kirk Forbes tries to get to grips with a Lesmahagow opponent.

Brian McGinty’s side were looking to build on their 3-2 success at Bellshill in their opening Central First Division fixture the previous week, but it was the visitors who took the points.

Two minutes in ‘Gow won a free-kick in a dangerous area which was driven into the box but was cleared by Steven Tart. Soon afterwards Craig Holmes won the ball on the halfway line and fought his way through two tackles to go on a run down the left but his delivery was gathered by the keeper.

The game was coming alive and a shot from Holmes was saved by the keeper before a free-kick by Kirk Forbes went narrowly over the bar.

Rossvale looked the hungrier team at this point and the ‘Gow keeper was tested again when a long range effort by Forbes was well saved.

In the 20th minute Rossvale nearly took the lead after some neat play when a shot by Erald Krasniqi was gathered at the second attempt by the keeper.

This spell of pressure by Rossvale seemed to give confidence to the ‘Gow’ who could have easily been 3 or 4 goals down.

But they threatened on 25 minutes a shot by Fitzpatrick deflected over Jamie Donnelly and off the crossbar.

A shot by Chris O’Brien from 20 yards stung the fingertips of the ’Gow keeper and went over for a corner before Vale broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.

A free-kick by Forbes was fired into the box and Gary McGrath was at the back post to score.

But five minutes later Lesmahagow were level in contentious fashion when Currie, despite Rossvale claims for offside, was allowed to run through on goal and slip the ball past Donnelly. Lesmahagow started the second half the stronger and took the lead in the 53rd minute when a cross was put along the six-yard line for a ‘Gow’ player to tap into the net.

Rossvale brought on Euan Baird and Steven Seaton for Krasniqi and Gary Trussler but, in a scrappy remainder of the half, were unable to breach the visitors’ defence again and ‘Gow’ went home with the points.

Next up for Rossvale on Saturday is a derby game with St Roch’s at Petershill Park.