'Gow and Lanark in League Cup nailbiter

Victories for Lesmahagow Juniors and Lanark United on Wednesday night mean that they are tied on six points at the top of the table ahead of a crunch Lanark v Lesmahagow derby at Moor Park this Saturday.

A Jack Currie hat-trick helped Lesmahagow to a 4-1 home victory over Clydesdale rivals Forth Wanderers on Wednesday.

The best chance of the first half fell to Jonny McStay who, from no more than three yards out with an open goal, managed to put the ball over the bar.

’Gow started better in the second half and had Forth on the back foot from the start.

But it was Forth who took the lead on the hour when a long through ball caught out the ’Gow defence and Taylor Scott showed his pace and composure to slip a shot under Leishman.

The hosts were stung into attack and they equalised five minutes later.

Good work on the right by MacDonald preceded a cross which found McStay and from close range he headed past Cherrie in the Forth goal.

Jack Currie then got his first goal after good work on the left from his brother Luke, who fired in a great cross for Jack to score at the back post.

Daryl MacDonald was causing all sorts of problems for the Forth defence and his fierce drive deflected off Jack Currie into the net to put ’Gow 3-1 up.

Currie soon completed his hat-trick, receiving the ball on the edge of the box and bulleting a great shot into the net.

While that was going on at Craighead Park, Lanark United were beating Royal Albert 1-0 at Moor Park to set up a nailbiting finale to the group this Saturday.

Only the group winners will qualify for the quarter-finals, with Lesmahagow currently holding the advantage with their +5 goal difference, ahead of Larkhall (+2) and Lanark (0).

Full match report and reaction in next week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette, in the shops from Wednesday priced just 85p.