Carloway FC – A View from the Bootroom Well there we go – first weekend in July and nothing much has changed in the world. The sun is shining, the kids are on holiday, Cobby’s on a fitness drive, Garenin flowerbeds are leading the way in horticultural fashion, England are out of the world cup, tennis is on the telly and …… Carloway are fourth in the league. Yep that’s right, fourth in the league at the halfway point and only three points off third at that. So what’s happened in the last month or so – let’s rewind to a dramatic Wednesday night at the end of June when Carloway snatched back the ‘gallant loser’ tag they are so keen to lose.

Wednesday 24th May Carloway 3 Lochs 5 (Jock Stein Cup Rd 2) Carloway started well and went in front in the first half after a superb long distance strike from Louie Uig. Lochs rallied strongly, however, equalizing straight after the break before going ahead when Carloway’s old codger at the back managed to head into his own net. A penalty from the Kenny Docus followed by a header at the right end from the old codger gave Carloway the lead back and for about twenty minutes a famous victory looked on the cards – we should have known better. With under ten minutes to go, Dave Martin equalized and then two extra time goals took the Lochees through. Aaagh!

Monday 31st May West Side 2 Carloway 3 (Eilean Fraoich Cup) 1st Rd 1st Leg) A strange game with both defences less than secure on the night. Carloway recovered from losing an early goal and fought back with strikes from Scott Macauley (2) and Murdo Squegg. Murachdh’s late header for West Side meant there could be no complacency for the second leg.

Monday 5th June Carloway 2 West Side 0 (Eilean Fraoich Cup 1st Rd 2nd Leg) A semi-final place achieved and a welcome clean shoot to boot. A tough game, however, with only well-taken goals by the two Kennys (Docus and Maclennan) separating the sides on the night. Such is Carloway’s form that the Gaelic TV cameras were present for this one with the highlights appearing on ‘Spors’ the following week – hopefully no Premiership scouts were tuning in.

Saturday 10th June Lochs 6 Carloway 2 (Highland Amateur Cup Rd 3) A big, big game on a hot, hot day was almost over for Carloway before it got started. Within the first ten minutes, Dona Lava opened the scoring and then Carloway’s old codger got confused again and headed into his own net. A Kenny Docus penalty after half-time merely stung Lochs into a response and a further four goals (two from Dave Martin, a further og and a deflected free- kick) made sure of the result before Scott MacAulay’s late consolation. Lochs march on, Carloway go home.

Monday 12th June Carloway 0 Stornoway Athletic 5 A truly dreadful night for football and no cheer for the homeside after the weekend’s disappointment. A first strike by Gordie Morrison was all that separated the sides late into the game before four late Aths goals resulted in a harsh final scoreline.

Monday 19th June West Side 1 Carloway 3 Three victories over our closest rivals within the space of two weeks and all is very quiet up Barvas way (don’t worry we know how you feel!). Carloway went ahead with two early goals from a now prolific Scott Macauley but were pinned back when West Side striker DJ ran through a square defence to score. A second half strike from Murdo Squegg eased the nerves, however, and it was a comfortable three points in the end. Monday 26th June Ness 0 Carloway 2 Last year’s points total exceeded and fourth place in the league secured but in truth, an uneven performance. An own-goal by Ness defender Ali Maclean gifted Carloway a first half lead but it wasn’t until Scott MacAulay’s injury time lead that the significant traveling support could truly relax. Indeed, only a superb Craigie save from a Scott Macrury penalty had kept Carloway ahead in the second half.

So there we go – a team on the up it seems with third place Point in their sights and an Eilean Fraioch semi against Lochs to look forward to. Mon the Carloway!

Thoughts, comments or items for the bootroom to ‘[email protected]’