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

Friday 12th May 2006: Central League Cup 4rd Round att: 300
Johnstone Burgh 1 (Mark Sherry 83) Pollok 0

Johnstone Burgh progressed to the last four of the Central League Cup as Pollok's defence of the trophy fizzled out in tame fashion at Keanie Park. After a disappointing performance four days earlier, Rab Sneddon made three changes to the side that had made heavy weather of overcoming
Arthurlie. Out dropped Stevie Miller, Derek Paterson and Andy McClay to be replaced by Mark McKeever, Derek Heaton and Frankie Haggarty.

The first opportunity of the game arrived after three minutes for the home side when a Malcolm cross was headed back in the direction of Ferris,
but his overhead kick sailed over the bar of Kevin Budinauckas. Haggarty then hit the side-netting for Pollok from a free-kick, while Gavin Friels
was denied after eight minutes when Alan Donahue in the Burgh goal got his leg in the way of a netbound effort from the striker. This was to be
one of the few shots on target from either team as first Dave Turnbull sent a back-header wide then Malcolm sliced well past the post from
around 20 yards out. Ryan McDonald was next to be wayward when he exploited some poor Pollok marking at a free-kick, only to head the ball past the upright. After 31 minutes a terrific crossfield pass from Friels found Andy Essler, but he too failed to hit the target as his half-volley failed to trouble Donahue in the home goal.

The `keeper was well beaten in the 43rd minute, however, when a 25-yard free-kick from Turnbull flew past him, only to strike the underside of
the crossbar. Heaton's follow-up header was blocked by the Burgh defence. As the first half moved into injury time the home side nearly grabbed the advantage after some excellent running down the left wing by Ferris. His shot across goal was saved by Budinauckas, who just about kept out the rebound as Vinnie Conway and Tommy Turner prepared to pounce. The action ended with Pollok captain Stevie Aitchison having to leave the
contest due to injury, to be replaced by Ross Currie.

George Walker also made a change at half-time, with McDonald staying in the dressing room and Mark Sherry taking his place in the action. Joe Murray had to head clear from under his own bar in the 54th minute before a moment of some controversy. A high back-pass towards Donahue bounced short of the `keeper, giving Friels the chance to be first to the ball. Donahue raced out to avert the danger, but in doing so clattered into Friels and left him prone in the box. Referee Ramzan Bashir deemed the challenge to be legal however, and play continued amid penalty appeals from the visitors. It was the home side who were to feel aggrieved three minutes later when they had a goal disallowed, with the referee's assistant flagging for offside.

Some poor defending from Chris Cruickshank after 64 minutes allowed Burgh another sight of goal, but this time Budinauckas made an excellent one-handed save to deny Ferris. Pollok's marking was again not of the required standard just over one minute later when Murray was allowed a
free header from a free-kick, but his effort was easily saved. `Lok could easily have taken the lead after 72 minutes when an excellent dummy from Friels gave him the space to run at the Burgh goal. He slipped the ball through to Simon Black, but rather than fire a shot at goal he elected to cut the ball across the target and thus provided Donahue with an easy save. When a goal did arrive, however, it was to be for Burgh. A Chris Wozencroft cross was met by Malcolm, and although his effort was blocked the danger was not cleared allowing MARK SHERRY to drill a perfectly placed strike beyond Budinauckas into the bottom right-hand corner of the net after 83 minutes. Pollok gambled and withdrew Heaton from the action to be replaced by striker Alain Kinney for the last five minutes, but they were unable to create any panic in the Johnstone rearguard and so made their exit from the competition.

Burgh can look forward to a semi-final at Keanie Park against Maryhill, while for Pollok the curtain comes down on a season that promised much but ultimately delivered only the SJFA Super Cup trophy.

Johnstone – Donahue, Wozencroft, Carson, Gayne, Murray, Turner, Ferris, Conway, Malcolm, McDonald (M Sherry 46), Donnelly. Not used:
McShane, Dale, Deeney, Sexton.
Booked: Turner (18), Murray (52), Ferris (78)
Pollok – Budinauckas, McKeever, Cruickshank, Carruth, Heaton (Kinney 85), Aitchison (Currie 45), Black (Buckley 76), Haggarty, Friels, Turnbull,
Essler. Not used: Paterson, Tinney.
Booked: Aitchison (28), Carruth (90)

Monday 8th May 2006: Central League Cup 3rd Round att: 500
Arthurlie 0 Pollok 0 (Pollok won 5-4 on pens)

Pollok scrambled their way through to the quarter-finals of the Central League Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over an under-strength Arthurlie side at Dunterlie Park. With Alan Colquhoun ineligible for the tie, Kevin Budinauckas was recalled to the goalkeeper position for Pollok,
while an injury to Frankie Haggarty allowed Gavin Friels to return to the team after the suspension he received for his dismissal against Maryhill. With a crucial relegation battle against Larkhall looming just 48 hours later Arthurlie manager Gary Faulds sent out a team comprised predominantly of players from amateur side Arthurlie United, including former Pollok midfielder Gary Sturrock and 'Lie reserve goalkeeper Kevin Montgomery, whose registration problems cost the Barrhead side a valuable three points earlier in the season.

'Lok made a bright start to the game, with Friels lifting the ball over from a Dave Turnbull header after just over a minute. The same player was then played in by Andy McClay, but this time his effort struck the crossbar with Montgomery beaten. At the other end William McDonald provided the first test for Budinauckas with a firmly struck free-kick, and although the 'keeper spilled the ball 'Lok managed to clear their lines. After 12 minutes a steepling cross from Stevie Miller was met by the head of Andy Essler, but Montgomery caught the ball easily. Sturrock then drove a ferocious 35-yard free-kick at the Pollok goal, and Budinauckas did well to push the ball around the post. Another McDonald free-kick then landed on top of the net, while Essler was off target with a free-kick at the other end. In the 30th minute Essler player a corner from the right into a dangerous area, but the ball hit Simon Black on the shoulder and flew wide of the post. Stevie Aitchison then had a shot blocked for a corner, from which Turnbull played the ball to Friels, but with his back to goal he managed to hit the bar for the second time with a flicked effort. Arthurlie managed to withstand the Pollok pressure until half-time, and indeed could have led at the interval had a George O'Malley header from a Sturrock cross not been blocked wide.

Buoyed by their first half efforts it was the home side who resumed the game on the offensive, with Budinauckas having to hold an early header before watching Tony McCann curl a shot off target. Derek Paterson then forced a save from Montgomery with a 30-yard drive after 56 minutes, and three minutes later Turnbull turned and fired a near-post effort at goal that the 'keeper was more than a match for. Chris Cruickshank then crossed from the left, and while the ball evaded everyone it didn't miss the woodwork, with 'Lok hitting the bar for a third time. Aitchison then had a shot well saved and a Black cross was cleared by Paul Brown from under his own crossbar as 'Lok began to regain the upper hand. Brown was again the saviour for the home side when getting his leg in the way of a Turnbull header from a Friels cross.

Substitute Richie Buckley became the first booking of the game after 72 minutes after pulling the shirt of Sturrock, with McCann and David Gordon also seeing yellow during the latter stages of a game that fizzled out and so went to penalty kicks. By this point it could be argued that the advantage was now with the home side, given that 'Lok had been missed their last four penalties during regulation time, and had been knocked
out of two competitions on spot-kicks this season, including an OVD defeat by their hosts. Turnbull made a confident start for the visitors however, scoring with the first kick, and matters seemed to be going Pollok's way when Budinauckas saved from Whiting. The referee ordered a retake, however, and this time the kick was converted. Joe Carruth, Friels and Buckley all then scored for 'Lok, but their efforts were matched by Keddie, McCann and Sturrock to leave the scores at 4-4 after eight penalties. Essler then stroked kick number nine home to give Pollok the advantage, and Budinauckas grabbed the opportunity to send his side through when he dived to deny Gordon and render Arthurlie's brave efforts fruitless.

There were few celebrations from the visitors, however, as they know that their efforts will have to be raised significantly if Friday's game at Keanie Park against Johnstone Burgh is not to be their last of the season.

Arthurlie: Montgomery, Hughes (Yule 42), Prow, Cairns, Brown, McDonald, O'Malley (Keddie 72), McCann, McGuire (Whiting 65), Gordon, Sturrock. Not used: None
Booked: McCann (74), Gordon (81)
Pollok: Budinauckas, Miller (Buckley 65), Cruickshank, Carruth, Paterson, Aitchison, McClay, Black, Friels, Turnbull, Essler. Not used: Heaton, Kinney, McKeever, Currie.
Booked: Buckley (74)

Monday 1st May 2006: Stagecoach Premier League att: 333
Pollok 1 (Simon Black 72) Shotts Bon Accord 1 (John Boyack 12)

Pollok closed the book on their 2005/06 league campaign with a draw against visitors Shotts Bon Accord at Newlandsfield Park. Pollok showed just
one change from the side that had emerged victorious from their trip to Kilsyth, with Joe Carruth returning to the starting eleven after a wrist
injury at the expense of Richie Buckley. His presence allowed Pollok Player of the Year Stevie Aitchison to move into a more advanced role than his usual place at centre-half, instead taking the holding midfield slot in the team. After a quiet start to the game it was the visitors who took the lead after 12 minutes. A free-kick was played into the Pollok box, with Alan Colquhoun choosing to punch the ball clear rather than attempt a catch. It landed at the feet of JOHN BOYACK, who lifted the ball back over the goalkeeper and into the net from the edge of the penalty box.

Pollok's first chance fell to Dave Turnbull, but his shot was turned away by former Celtic custodian Andy McCondichie. Simon Black then had an excellent opportunity after a through ball from Andy Essler, but he could only hit the legs of the visiting 'keeper. Craig McLintock became the first booking of the match after a hefty challenge on Aitchison before Kevin Brown limped off for Shotts to be replaced by David Kirkwood. Stephen Donnachie headed a free-kick wide for Bon Accord in the 42nd minute and Turnbull had a weak header from an Aitchison throw easily saved a minute later. The last chance of the half fell to Frankie Haggarty, but he struck a weak effort at the 'keeper when he had other options available to him.

The BA nearly doubled their lead just 33 seconds after the resumption when Donnachie fired at goal from 18 yards out, but Colquhoun made a great save low to his right to keep the deficit at one. 'Lok nearly had an equaliser after 58 minutes when Black chested an Aitchison throw into the
path of Andy McClay, but the visiting defence managed to get a block in and divert the ball over the crossbar. Paul Stewart then went close with a
curling effort that was just off target, and Aitchison was also wide for 'Lok shortly afterwards with a rare strike at goal. The home side were finally picking up the pace in the game, and Essler was the next to shoot wide after Turnbull and Haggarty combined to release him. Turnbull then had a
well struck shot blocked as Brian Jack threw himself into the path of the ball.

The home side did eventually make the breakthrough in the 72nd minute. Substitute Ross Currie crossed for Turnbull, whose header was blocked. It fell to SIMON BLACK, whose initial shot was saved but he made no mistake with the rebound to restore parity to the scoreline. Home fans then had the worrying sight of Haggarty once more being helped from the field as a result of injury, with Alain Kinney taking his place as Rab Sneddon
searched for a winner. Stevie Miller volleyed well over and McClay volleyed just wide as 'Lok turned the screw and piled constant pressure onto the Shotts rearguard. Turnbull then headed wide from a McClay cross before blazing another effort over the crossbar. Two minutes into injury time
Pollok really should have grabbed a winner when Essler found himself six yards from goal with the ball at his feet, but McCondichie touched the ball wide for a corner, which Black subsequently missed the target from as the curtain came down on 'Lok unsuccessful title defence.

Although the result does leave Pollok sitting on top of the table the title race is likely to be decided when the other two front-runners this season, Renfrew and Auchinleck Talbot, clash at Western Park.

Pollok: Colquhoun, Miller, Cruickshank, Carruth, Paterson (Currie 68), Aitchison, Haggarty (Kinney 74), McClay, Black, Turnbull, Essler. Not used: Buckley, McKeever, Heaton.
Booked: Paterson (60), Cruickshank (77), McClay (78)
Shotts: McCondichie, Jack (McCheyne 79), Murray (White 48), O'Keane, Gaffney, Boyack, McLintock, Stewart, Donnachie, Brown (Kirkwood 41), Wallace. Not used: Herriot, Banks.
Booked: McLintock (31), Gaffney (70), Kirkwood (78)
Ref: P. McDowall