'Gow warm up for Meadow with home win

Jack Currie slots home from the penalty spot against Johnstone Burgh (Pic by Sarah Peters)

Steven Peat shot against the bar in the first half for Lesmahagow but the visitors had the better of the opening period and went ahead on 42 minutes.

Peat and Wright both leapt for an innocuous looking ball into the box, but the ball spun up into the air and looped over Leishman into the net to give Johnstone a half-time lead.

‘Gow were now shooting down the Craighead slope and were awarded a penalty after McGarrigle handled on the edge of the box.

Up stepped Currie to slam the ball past Kelly and level the scores.

Ten minutes later ‘Gow went in front when good work down the right involving Lithgow and MacDonald preceded the latter’s low cross being turned in by Currie.

Five minutes later the Currie hat-trick was complete.

Great midfield play between Lygate and Meikle saw the ball finding its way to Currie some 16 yards out and he superbly curled a great shot past Kelly and into the net to seal victory.

Lesmahagow manager Robert Irving told Gazette Sport he was over the moon that hat-trick hero Currie had stayed at ’Gow this summer after a proposed move to Lowland League outfit East Kilbride FC fell through.

“I was delighted Jack stayed,” Robert said.

“I knew he would score goals for us.

“He is up to 10 goals for the ’Gow and long may it continue.

“We need to get goalscorers from other areas of the team as well. We can’t just rely on Jack.”

The only blot on the copybook for ’Gow last weekend was that Currie sustained a hamstring injury which makes him doubtful for this Saturday’s home Scottish Junior Cup first round tie against Irvine Meadow.

The clash evokes memories of the 1948 Scottish Junior Cup clash between the sides which saw a record 24,000 crowd cram into Craighead Park.

“Our treasurer Davie Watson would settle for a 23,000 crowd this time!” Robert joked.

“Before the draw was made I was hoping we’d get a bye but drawing a home game against a big junior team is the kind of game you want to play in.

“My boys should be champing at the bit to pit their wits against a Super League team.”