All reports © Martin Donnelly & PollokNet, pics © Kathryn MacLeod

Saturday 29th April 2006: Stagecoach Premier League att: 300
Kilsyth Rangers 1 (Barry Williamson 85) Pollok 2 (Simon Black 68, 78)

Pollok took the three points in what can best be described as end-of-season fare at a sunny Duncansfield against Kilsyth Rangers. 'Lok made two changes from the team that defeated Larkhall Thistle, with John Tinney and the suspended Gavin Friels dropping out, making way for Richie Buckley and Andy Essler.

'Lok nearly had the lead after just 75 seconds when a low ball from Dave Turnbull wasn't cleared properly and fell to the feet of Frankie Haggarty, but he shot just wide. Brian Welsh then headed just wide for 'Gers after a cross from Dominic Sloan, and at the other end Turnbull did the same from a Stevie Miller cross. Gary McStay and Barry Williamson both hit the target within the space of a minute, but neither effort provided much of a challenge for Alan Colquhoun in the visitors' goal. McStay then chested the ball into the path of Sloan, and although his shot was powerful it was also wayward and travelled wide. It took 'Lok 20 minutes to record a shot on target, when a throw-in was poorly defended and the ball fell to Buckley, but his hooked shot hit the legs of Jim Chalmers in the Kilsyth goal.

Williamson then forced Colquhoun to make a save after heading a free-kick goalwards, before 'Lok were presented with a golden opportunity to open the scoring against the run of play. Simon Black was felled in the box by Chalmers, but the 'keeper redeemed himself by saving a weak penalty from Black as Pollok's spot-kick woes continued. Williamson then headed a Welsh cross over and Paul Campbell struck a free-kick just over the bar for the home side. McStay then made a terrific last-ditch challenge to deny Haggarty a shot at an unguarded goal after 42 minutes before Turnbull had a header saved from an Essler cross. The half finished with Haggarty twisting to find space at the edge of the box, but he only proceeded to shoot over the crossbar.

Williamson shot wide early in the second half for Kilsyth and Turnbull headed over a Miller cross as both teams continued to struggle to hit the target after the break. Buckley was the next to miss the goal when volleying over a deep Haggarty corner. Lee Black was introduced to the action in the 61st minute to replace Campbell and nearly made the breakthrough two minutes later, only for an excellent double save by Colquhoun to deny him from close range. It was to be Pollok who eventually took the lead however, after 68 minutes. A corner wasn't properly cleared by the Kilsyth rearguard and SIMON BLACK turned and wheeled an acrobatic effort into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Williamson then had two chances to bring the scores level, first volleying just wide of goal and then forcing a good save from Colquhoun after being set up by Jamie Dunbar. Shortly afterwards Black shot weakly at Chalmers, but he was to add his second of the game seconds later. A deep cross from Miller found SIMON BLACK in space and he again finished in some style low into the same corner of the net as his opener. Kilsyth rallied again and got their reward with just five minutes remaining. Colquhoun saved from Black but was helpless as BARRY WILLIAMSON was on hand to bundle home the loose ball. With a minute to go the same player had yet another headed opportunity to level matters, but he could only direct a Welsh cross wide. Pollok midfielder Buckley had the last attempt at goal, but he curled his shot wide of the post.

Pollok will be happy enough to claim the three points, although the result is unlikely to significantly impact upon the overall season of either team.

Kilsyth - Chalmers, Galloway, Kelly, Prunty, McManus, Welsh, Campbell (Black 61), McStay, Williamson, Dunbar, Sloan. Not used: Feenie, McLaughlin, McKenna, Sinclair.
Booked: McStay (22), Kelly (81)
Pollok - Colquhoun, Miller, Cruickshank, Aitchison, Paterson, McClay, Buckley, Haggarty, Black (Currie 81), Turnbull (Kinney 71), Essler. Not used: Carruth, McWilliams , Budinauckas.
Booked: Miller (51)
Ref: A. Law

Saturday 22nd April 2006: Stagecoach Premier League att: 500
Pollok 2 (John Tinney 28, Simon Black 69) Larkhall Thistle 0

Pollok gained some small revenge for their defeat at Gasworks Park earlier in the season as they took victory against Larkhall Thistle in the return fixture at Newlandsfield Park. After the disappointment of defeat to Maryhill earlier in the week, Pollok boss Rab Sneddon made three changes. Derek Heaton (injured) and Andy Essler made way for Derek Paterson and Andy McClay, while between the sticks Kevin Budinauckas was left out and (technically a trialist) Alan Colquhoun brought in for his Pollok debut. A previous holder of that position, Derek Barnes, was on the bench for Larkhall, but the visitors did include ex-'Lok trialist David Atha in their starting eleven.

Atha caused early problems for Colquhoun when then 'keeper failed to deal with a ball that arrived at his feet, but the ball rolled just wide of the post. Atha then forced Colquhoun to make a diving save as Thistle opened brightly. 'Lok started to find their way into the game as it progressed, with Simon Black hitting the side-netting after a good turn and shot. Stevie Miller then made a surging run down the right wing before a lovely one-two, with Black back-heeling the ball into his path, only for Miller to strike the side-netting on the other side of the goal. Allan Watson struck a long range effort over the bar for Larkhall before Pollok took the lead in the 28th minute. A poor clearance landed at the feet of JOHN TINNEY, who aimed a speculative effort towards goal that Craig Marshall was unable to deal with and the ball found a way into the back of the net. A bit of a gift for the Lok midfielder on his 27th birthday. 'Lok could have extended their lead just before the interval when an excellent reverse pass from Davie Turnbull gave Black a sight of goal, but he could only fire his shot across goal and wide of the target.

Both teams made changes at half-time, with Tinney staying in the dressing room and being replaced by Essler, while Stewart Bovill took the place of Stephen Quinn. In the 53rd minute Black broke down the right hand side for Pollok, but Gavin Friels couldn't quite reach his dangerous cross. Larkhall's nearest attempt arrived in the 64th minute when Marc Murray headed goalwards from a corner, but McClay was well positioned on the home goal-line to prevent an equaliser. McFarlane was then narrowly off target with a well struck free-kick before 'Lok extended their advantage in the 69th minute. Frankie Haggarty swung over a corner that SIMON BLACK connected with to bullet a header beyond not only the visiting defence but also Friels who tried to apply the final touch. Friels then dummied a pass from McClay that allowed Haggarty to pick up the ball inside the box. He managed to round Marshall, only to have his path blocked by a defender, and although he managed to take the ball round him it gave the 'keeper sufficient time to recover and block his shot at goal.

Steven Thomson became the only booking of the game when he fouled Turnbull in the 78th minute before an excellent pass from Black released Friels, who saw his strike saved by Marshall. Colquhoun then did well to hold a long range drive from McFarlane before Alain Kinney replaced Turnbull in the Pollok strike force. The substitute proceeded to play a terrific through ball for Friels, but Marshall was able to block with his legs at the expense of a corner. Larkhall did have the ball in the net when McClay and Stevie Aitchison combined to bundle the ball into their own net, only to be saved by a flag for offside earlier in the move. McFarlane forced Colquhoun into one last save from a free-kick, and although he spilled the ball wide of the post the 'keeper was still able to claim a clean sheet at the end of his debut.

The result is likely to be of little significance to Pollok with only pride to play for, but it leaves Larkhall firmly in the relegation zone with a daunting trip to OVD finalists Auchinleck Talbot and a must-win game at Arthurlie remaining as they battle to maintain their Super League status.

Pollok - Colquhoun, Miller, Cruickshank, Aitchison, Paterson, McClay, Haggarty (McKeever 83), Black, Friels, Turnbull (Kinney 82), Tinney (Essler 46). Not used: Currie, Buckley.
Larkhall - Marshall, Quinn (Bovill 46), Murray (Stewart Thomson 77), Doak, Steven Thomson, Watson, Ferguson, D McFarlane, McFadden, Atha, Williamson. Not used: Walker, McCrae, Barnes.
Booked: Steven Thomson (78)
Ref: G. Hilland

Any lingering hopes that Pollok had of retaining their Super Premier League title were effectively snuffed out as they succumbed to Maryhill in an incident packed game at Newlandsfield Park. Pollok made only one change from the side that lost to Arthurlie, with the injured Richie Buckley making way for a fit again Davie Turnbull. For the visitors there were three changes from the side that beat Pollok on penalties in the West of Scotland Cup, with Kevin O'Neil, Billy Jones and Stevie McCulloch replacing Eddie McGuinness, Martin McLauchlan and Greig McCulloch.

Maryhill had the first shot on target after only two minutes when Joe Andrew lobbed the ball over the defence for Bryan Dingwall, but his weak effort was easily saved by Kevin Budinauckas. It took `Lok 18 minutes to force a save from Scott Black when Gavin Friels hit the target with a header from
outside the box, and the striker had another chance just a minute later when set-up by Simon Black, but the `Hill `keeper saved his weak effort. A long ball from Budinauckas then released Turnbull, but his shot was deflected over by O'Neil. He wasn't to be kept off the scoresheet for long, however, as from the resultant John Tinney corner Black headed the ball back across goal and DAVIE TURNBULL bulleted the ball home to give `Lok the lead.

Maryhill nearly equalised when Dingwall curled a 20 yard shot towards goal, only to see it tipped away by Budinauckas. The Pollok `keeper could do
nothing moments later, however, when the home defence was caught square and DAVE WILLIAMS fired an accurate shot into the bottom right-
hand corner of the net. After 32 minutes Derek Heaton clashed heads with Joe Andrew, and to add insult to injury the centre-half was booked by referee McWilliam as blood poured from his wound. After four minutes of treatment he returned to the field, only to concede a foul at the edge of the box, and for the second game in a row `Lok were to lose a goal from a free-kick. This time it was STEVIE McCULLOCH who curled his shot beyond the wall and beyond Budinauckas. `Lok were handed a path back into the game after 44 minutes when Stuart Wilson hauled down Tinney inside the box with the ball 15 yards away, but Turnbull struck the bar with the spot-kick.

The second half started with Dingwall firing wide after a ball from Andrew before Pollok were reduced to ten men. Friels was shown a straight red card after an off-the-ball tussle with O'Neil on the say-so of the assistant referee who had a clear view of the incident. Even so, the home side had another great chance to restore parity after 61 minutes when McCulloch fouled Simon Black just inside the box. Tinney took over the penalty taking duties, but his weak shot was saved by Scott Black. The visitors extended their lead after 66 minutes when a poor Pollok clearance fell straight to BRYAN DINGWALL who volleyed the ball past a static Budinauckas from the edge of the box.

Four minutes later the home side pulled one back when a Tinney corner was headed home by an unmarked CHRIS CRUICKSHANK, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed sixty seconds later with a carbon copy goal at the other end. This time it was STEVIE McCULLOCH who profited from a lack of marking to head home and restore a two-goal cushion for `Hill, who struck the crossbar again minutes later. At the other end Simon Black showed great skill to craft an opening, but his effort was touched over by his namesake in the away goal. From the resultant corner Turnbull cracked the crossbar with an overhead strike. Andy Essler then released Turnbull, but his shot was matched by another fine save from the visiting `keeper. Turnbull then became provider, only to see Black hit the post with his shot. As time ran down Heaton was shown a second yellow card for dissent, and so Pollok had to play out time with just nine men.

The result kills off Pollok's chances off winning the league crown, leaving Auchinleck Talbot and Renfrew to fight it out for the title down the home stretch of the season.

Pollok – Budinauckas, Miller (McClay 56), Cruickshank, Aitchison, Heaton, Haggarty, Tinney, Black, Friels, Turnbull, Essler. Not used: Currie, Paterson, Kinney, McKeever.
Booked: Heaton (32), Miller (41), Haggarty (74)
Sent Off: Friels (60), Heaton (89)
Maryhill – Black, Wilson, O'Neil, Hughes, Wardle, Gallacher, Jones, S. McCulloch, Dingwall, Andrew, Williams. Not used: Murray, McGuinness, Invincibile, McLauchlan, Watret.
Ref: A. McWilliam

Lok boss Rab Sneddon didn't have his problems to seek prior to kick-off with a number of injury worries. Joe Carruth, Andy McClay and David Turnbull were the main three that didn't make the starting line-up, but there was good news elsewhere with Frankie Haggarty free of injury and Simon Black returning from holiday. Black replaced Currie in midfield with Tinney playing up-front instead of Kinney in the changes to last weekend's starting XI.

Arthurlie had an early chance that fell to Alan Waddell that he didn't take, and in the opening minutes the Lok defence didn't look too sure-footed. Despite that, Lok opened in the 14th minute though when GAVIN FRIELS pounced on Buckley's flick-on from the right to send the big visiting support wild. Simon Black then went close from a Tinney cross with a header as Lok looked to extend their lead.

However, 'Lie equalised in the 28th minute when a speculative cross from ZANDER RYAN wide and very deep on the right side totally deceived Kevin Budinauckas, with the ball bouncing off the Lok keeper's arms and into the goal. The first controversial moment arrived on the half-hour mark when defensive midfielder Paul McLaughlin, younger brother of Gerry and Ian, was very late on Stevie Miller and Bexy hit the Dexy. Mr Law saw fit to issue yellow, but McLaughlin was subbed soon after for John Jack.

Pollok nearly took the lead a minute after half-time when Tinney saw his shot tipped over by Kris Robertson, and Stevie Miller then had an effort from 25 yards threaten. What proved to be the winner arrived with 53 minutes on the clock when Chris Cruickshank, who was excellent at the back for Lok otherwise, was adjudged to have brought down McGarvey and from the free-kick just inside the 'D', ZANDER RYAN made no mistake. Lok fans howled there was not enough cover for 'Bud' on the line to cover his far post.

John Tinney had a header cleared off the line on the hour, and at the same time Haggarty was booked for an industrial challenge on McGarvey who also took a sore one from Miller soon after. While Budinauckas had been badly at fault for the opening 'Lie goal, he played out of his skin in the second half, and a succession of saves kept the score down as Lok fell badly out of the game, falling time and again to the pacey 'Lie counter-attack that stretched the toiling Lok back three. First of all he denied McKenzie before Waddell shot wide with time to score. In the 67th minute Ryan was denied a hat-trick with a header by the flying Lok keeper and two minutes on McKenzie couldn't beat the Lok No. 1.

Lok had another opportunity to equalise when from a Haggarty free-kick, Tinney saw a header turned over, and another opportunity arrived in the 74th minute when Cruickshank met a corner with a powerful curling drive that Robertson had to be at full-stretch to keep out. Gary Wilson was thought fortunate to stay on the park after a poor tackle on Currie in the 78th minute. As the minutes ebbed away, 'Lie sub Hobbs had a chance at the other end only to be denied by Bud who also stopped McGarvey from increasing the lead in the dying moments.

Arthurlie: Robertson, McKeown, Wilson, S. Jack, Allison, Kerr, Ryan, McGarvey, Waddell (sub 72 for Hobbs, sub 90 for Whiting), McLaughlin (sub
35 for J. Jack), McKenzie. Not used: Rhoddan, Travers.
Booked: McLaughlin 30, Ryan 70, Wilson 78, McKeown 84
Pollok: Budinauckas, Buckley (sub 44 for Currie), Cruickshank, Aitchison, Heaton, Miller (sub 72 for Turnbull), Black, Haggarty, Friels, Tinney,
Essler. Not used: Paterson, McKeever, Kinney.
Booked: Haggarty 60, Miller 62
Ref: A. Law

Saturday 1st April 2006: Central League Cup 2nd Round att: 154 (Report by Jamie Wire)
Forth Wanderers 0 Pollok 8 (Gavin Friels 9, 10, 12, 43, 59, Ross Currie 33, Alain Kinney 64, 75)

Pollok ran out easy winners against Central Division Two side Forth Wanderers in front of around 150 people at Kingshill Park. Rab Sneddon made a number of changes from the side that went out of the West of Scotland Cup to Maryhill the previous match, with Richie Buckley replacing Mark McKeever at right wingback, and John Tinney coming in for missing Simon Black in midfield. The other notable changes were injured David Turnbull being replaced by Alain Kinney and Frankie Haggarty making way for Stevie Miller.

Lok began the game in charge and opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Alain Kinney's low centre from the left was missed by three Lok players strung across the penalty box, but fortunately Richie Buckley was able to cut the ball back for Ross Currie. The ex-Bellshill man then fired the ball back into the area and GAVIN FRIELS got enough on the ball to put it past the Forth keeper. LOk went two clear a minute later when GAVIN FRIELS was afforded the time to pick his spot, and by the 12th minute a GAVIN FRIELS chip from 22 yards after being tee'd up by Essler put Lok on thre-easy street.

Gavin Friels then set up ROSS CURRIE for a close-range finish in the 33rd minute and GAVIN FRIELS added the fourth ten minutes later after a cross from Kinney. Lok went in at half-time therefore five goals ahead.

It took Pollok almost 15 minutes of play in the second half to add to their considerable lead, and it was a fine individual goal from GAVIN FRIELS that made it six, though the Forth keeper perhaps could have kept it out. Derek Paterson then came on for Derek Heaton in the back line, the big stopper's first appearance since breaking his hand a few months ago. ALAIN KINNEY had obviously studied the manner of Friels' fifth goal as he tried something similar in the 64th minute and it paid off, his low drive from the edge of the area going right through the home keeper, figuratively speaking. The 20-year-old repeated the trick in the 75th minute as ALAIN KINNEY netted his second goal for Lok in only his fourth appearance.

The biggest cheer of the day was saved for returning Mark McWilliams' first appearance in a Lok jersey since May 21st 2005 when he came on as a sub against Ashfield in the semi-final of the same competition. He was quickly involved in the game and now he's getting back towards full fitness will be a valuable member of the Lok squad in the run-in.

Pollok: Budinauckas, Buckley (sub 82 for McWilliams), Cruickshank, Aitchison, Heaton (sub 59 for Paterson), Miller, Currie (sub 65 for McKeever), Tinney, Friels, Kinney, Essler. Not used: Haggarty.