A Week Of Wins

Bens completed a nine point winning week with a victory over Newmains at Tinto Park today. News of two other wins made the Tinto side's winning streak all the more significant: Yoker defeated third placed Carluke Rovers 4-0 and Larkhall overcame fourth placed Stonehouse Violet 2-1. A Steven Waddell goal in 62 minutes sealed not just the Bens' victory but catapulted them from fifth place to strong promotion candidates in third place. It was a most welcome but slightly unexpected end to a week which began with a visit to the new Carluke stadium last Saturday. Bens were the first visitors to the new venue and table-topping Rovers at their new ground were firm favourites. Bens adapted quickly to the artificial pitch and Iain Clark produced a sparkling start on 35 minutes when he fired a magnificent 30 yard shot off the underside of the bar and into the net. Two minutes later Steven Waddell crashed a 25 yard free kick home past the helpless keeper. After the break, Max Asante converted one-on-one with the Carluke keeper on 49 minutes and although the home side rallied to snatch back a headed goal, Ally Mackenzie made sure of victory with a close strike from a corner ten minutes before the end. The midweek visit to St Rochs was an imposing one for Bens. The Provanmill side were only a point off the Tinto total and under former Bens' player and assistant manager Davie Greig posed an added edge to a vital game for both clubs. The match was featured in the Evening Times' Junior column as one of the most important of the night. Bens' manager Frank Lovering was giving no secrets away when he said he expected a tough match against a well organised Davie Greig side and so it transpired but Bens were strong enough with goals from Gary McKenna and Richard Lovering in the final minutes to see off the threat. With today's matches providing so many permutations it was no surprise that Bens appeared to make heavy weather of the proceedings. Newmains, provided a testing match at both ends, and Bens were relieved to see Waddell pounce on a ball at the edge of the box and sweep it firmly into the corner of the net. With other games going in their favour they shouldn't fear the run in and having a large squad of capable and fit players available may be the clinching factor as others appear to have run out of steam.