Cannie 71 (pen)
D. McWilliams 84

Bryson 6 (pen)

Subs:
12. Jamieson
14. Pacitti
15. Bryers (7) (on 65 mins for 10)
16. Cowie (7) (on 65 mins for 7)
17. Clark

DEADLY DUO SINK THE BENS

Phil spot on against the Bens

In a very entertaining game Benburb took the lead in the sixth minute. After forcing two quick corners Brown was pushed in the box. It was a very soft award but correct. GRAEME BRYSON took a fine penalty which was was so far in the corner of the net that it hit the back stantion (0-1).

Pollok were denied a good shout for a penalty when Campbell pushed McWilliams in the back. It would have been a soft award but no softer than the one already given. Pollok played well in the first half and created a number of very good chances. Cannie came close with a clever chip that just went wide. Elliot and Gibson forced saves out of the Bens keeper.

Madden missed a bit of a sitter when he somehow headed a great McWilliams cross over the bar from 6 yards out. Cannie again came close with a good free kick and then from a corner both Elliot and Madden just failed to get the ball into the net during a goal mouth scramble. All through the half Bens looked very dangerous on the break with Stewart looking very impressive.

Half time: Pollok 0 Benburb 1

Pollok continued to have good pressure but yet again failed to take the chances they created. Cannie had three attempts after good play but none hit the target. The crowd were getting very frustrated with the misses, as well as with the ref Mr Brady. Bens almost got a second when Davis unleashed a shot that Hanley brilliantly turned over the bar.

Pollok got a deserved equaliser in the 71st minute. A good flowing move involving Aitchison and Bryers ended with Graham tripping Cannie just inside the box for a penalty. PHIL CANNIE sent the keeper the wrong way with a low hard shot into the bottom corner (1-1)

Bens then came close to taking the lead again when sub Gary Elrick showed some great skill and fired a good shot just wide. Lorn Gibson, who is showing some lovely touches this season, nearly scored the goal of this or any other season. He beat SIX Bens players before rounding the keeper and spoiling it with a shot that ballooned high over the bar.

Pollok scored what I thought was a deserved winner in the 84th minute. Bryers took a quick throw in to McWilliams. DREW MCWILLIAMS then cleverly beat his marked and ran into the box before shooting high into the net from 6 yards (2-1).

It was a good performance apart from the missed chances, with everyone playing well. Bens look to have done a good rebuilding job after losing so many good players. Stewart, Brown and Elrick impressed me alot. Yet again, Stevie Aitchison was outstanding for Pollok with Gayne, Fabiani and Dickson also deserving praise for their performances today.

Full time: Pollok 2 Benburb 1

Morrison (pen) 63

Madden 15, 56
D. McWilliams 63,
Gibson 82

Subs:
12. Jamieson (6) (on 84 mins for 9)
14. Bryers (6) (on 84 mins for 11)
15. Cowie (6) (on 84 mins for 7)
16. Pacitti
17. Banks

LOK MARCH ON UNBEATEN

5 in 5 for Drew now

It was a quiet first half from Pollok and our friends and Scottish Cup holders Renfrew. Neither keeper had much to do for most of the opening exchanges. Pollok came close when a good run and cross from Cannie was just missed by McWilliams.

Pollok opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a fine goal. Elliot showed good skill and played a through ball to GARY MADDEN who beat the offside trap and hammered the ball home from 10 yards (1-0).

Renfrew played some nice football in midfield but the Pollok defence were handling the dangerous forward line of McNally and Morrison well. Before the turn, Pollok twice came close to a second when Elliot's through ball was just reached by Wilson to deny Madden. Elliot then pounced on some slack defending by Farquharson to send a shot just wide.

Half time: Renfrew 0 Pollok 1

Frew came out on attack in the second half and pinned Pollok back for a ten minute spell. Against the run of play Pollok got a second in the 56th minute. Good play from McWilliams ended with Madden being put through on goal. GARY MADDEN got the break of the ball off the keepers legs and shot home from 8 yards (2-0).

Renfrew again fought back and after forcing three quick corners they were awarded a penalty just after the hour mark. Smith had shown good skill on the wing and as his cross came over Dickson was guilty of a push in the box. ANDY MORRISON blasted the ball into the roof of the net from the spot (2-1).

Pollok hit back almost immediately from the restart. A long ball found McWilliams rough on goal. He rounded the keeper but his shot was weak. Farquarson in his attempt to clear only fell over the ball allowing DREW MCWILLIAMS to shoot powerfully into the net from 14 yards (3-1).

Renfrew then looked to have another penalty when the ball hit O'Neil's hand in the box but the ref didn't see it. Pollok then started to play some nice stuff. Gibson went on two great skilful runs and was unfortunate to twice be thwarted in front of goal. However that was soon to change.

In the 82nd minute Cannie was fouled 3O yards out. Cannie took a clever quick free kick which found LORN GIBSON on the edge of the box and he smashed a great shot high into the net for a well deserved first ever Pollok goal (4-1). Renfrew again fought back but the Lok defence withstood some late pressure.

This was a good Pollok team with everyone playing well but special mentions to Elliot, Madden and Gibson who all had a very good game. Renfrew I am sure will score goals but they seem to be badly missing the excellent Shearer from their defence.

Full time: Renfrew 1 Pollok 4

Cannie 8

Johnston 73

Subs:
12. McGregor
14. McNeill (6) (on 66 mins for 11)
15. Jamieson
16. Trialist (6) (on 84 mins for 10)
17. Lowrie

SAMMY'S BOYS MAKE LOK PAY

Bye bye Gilesy

Neilston's farmers Boys were the visitors to Newlandsfield on Saturday and a familiar face was in their 16 - Sammy Johnston having signed earlier in the week despite showing good form for Lok in the early matches of this season.

In an eventful opening ten minutes Pollok almost went a goal behind. From a quick break Anderson sent in a clever cross which Cochrane unmarked at the back post headed just wide.

Pollok took the lead in the eighth minute when a good ball out of defence by Gibson reached a shaved headed Phil Cannie. PHIL CANNIE showed a tremendous turn of pace and good control before rounding former Lok keeper Sexton to net with a very classy finish (1-0).

Pollok played quite well in the rest of the half and created a number of good chances. McWilliams had a shot cleared off the line, Cannie had a good free kick well saved and Madden should have done better when put through on goal. Neilston seemed content to hit on the break and looked dangerous.

Half time: Pollok 1 Neilston 0

More of the same in the second half. Pollok had the bulk of the play but seemed to run out of ideas as they got near the penalty box. Cannie again forced a good save out of Sexton with a free kick. Neilston gradually came into the game and got an equaliser. In the 76th minute the ball was poorly cleared from a corner and SAMMY JOHNSTON shot in via a wicked deflection from 18 yards to cap a dream return to his former club (1-1).

Neilston looked the more likely to get a winner before the end. Urquart was very good for the visitors in this period with some intelligent runs from deep and some shrewd passing.

This was a game Pollok could have won had they taken their chances. Neilston may suprise some this season as they look to have a stuffy team that will be hard to score against. For Pollok Fabiani yet again played well as did Aitchison who looks to be a very good signing so far.

Full time: Pollok 1 Neilston 1

D. McWilliams 4, 53
Johnston 41
Madden 49
McNeill 83

Rhodden 7
Fulton 11

Subs:
12. McGregor
14. Elliot
15. Jamieson
16. Bryers (8) (on 48 mins for 4)
17. McNeill (8) (on 78 mins for 11)

NOW THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!

First goal for Paul McNeill

In a very entertaining first half Pollok took an early lead against the Barrhead outfit. From a soft free kick the ball was headed out and broke to DREW MCWILLIAMS who crashed a shot high into the net from 30 yards (1-0).

Pollok then lost the lead to two quick goals. In the 7th minute Martin headed on a corner for DEREK RHODDEN to score at the back post with a skillful shot on the drop (1-1). In the 11th minute, a soft free kick was awarded on the edge of the box and DAVID FULTON fired the ball into the net via a big deflection off of Lorn Gibson (1-2).

Cannie forced a great save out of new Lie keeper Hutchison. Rhodden, who was very good again for Arthurlie, then saw a spectacular overhead kick crash off the bar. There was then a nasty incident when Downs was alledged to have stamped on Dickson in an off the ball kick.

McWilliams then saw another great shot hit the bar and Aitchison saw a spectacular effort go wide. Pollok got a deserved equaliser in the 41st minute when great play by Cannie saw his fine cross headed in at close range by SAMMY JOHNSTON (2-2).

Pollok continued to press playing some nice football. The whistle went on one of the most entertaining first halfs I have seen in a long time.

Half time: Pollok 2 Arthurlie 2

Pollok continued the good play and took the lead in the 49th minute. Phil Cannie saw his free kick fumbled by Hutchison and GARY MADDEN slid in to score from 6 yards (3-2). In the 53rd minute the lead extended even further.

Clever and good football by Madden and Johnston saw the ball being passed through to Cannie who beat the offside trap and squared the ball for DREW MCWILLIAMS to tap home from 6 yards (4-2).

Arthurlie hit back and good football saw Barrett have a good shot saved well by Hanley. The gsme turned a bit nasty though when Cannie and Martin clashed on the halfway line. Martin felled Cannie with a right hook and was sent off, Cannie was booked.

Good work from Gibson saw Madden shoot just wide then Gibson came close with a clever chip. Phil Cannie was then sent off for handball. The ref didn't realise it was a second yellow and was told by the Lie players to consult the linesman. Cannie then protested and I counted three red cards being shown.

Gibson almost gifted a goal when he passed the ball past Hanley but luckily it went wide. Lie looked to have a stonewall penalty when Rhodden was held in the area but Mr Boyd decided it was obstruction.

It was 5-2 after 82 minutes. A long ball found PAUL MCNEILL in acres of space and he rounded the keeper to score easily (5-2). Pollok were awarded a penalty when O'Neil brought down McNeill but McWilliams, on a hat-trick, fired his spot-kick against the post.

Pollok deserved the win and played really well after going behind. Everyone for Pollok played well but special praise goes to Aitchison, McWilliams and Clark who were excellent and the immense man of the match Roland Fabiani.

There are still improvements to be made so let's not get carried away but it was a great result and performance.

Full time: Pollok 5 Arthurlie 2

No. 11 61
No. 6 64

Subs:
12. McNeill (6) (on 67 mins for 11)
14. Jamieson
15. Aitchison
16. Gibson (7) (on 59 mins for 2)
17. Fabiani (6) (on 81 mins for 7)

LATE LOK SHOW SPARES THE HORROR

Madden scores goal number three

Pollok were slow to start and it looked like the Ants were going to open the scoring. Both 9 and 11 of Ants forced good stops out of Hanley. Cannie twice came close with a free kick then a charge down from the Ants keeper's clearence. Ants had the ball in the net through the impressive no 9. It was ruled offside but on looking at it again it looked on side.

Pollok played well in the last 20 mins of the first half and took the lead after 34 minutes. Drew McWilliams did well to pass to Cannie who hit a shot that was touched on to the post by the Ants keeper. The ball broke to SAMMY JOHNSTON who had the simple task of passing the ball into the net (1-0).

Good hard work and skill got the second goal in the 38th minute. McWilliams chased the Ants centre half and forced him into a mistake. DREW MCWILLIAMS then cleverly beat the full back before shooting powerfully home from 12 yards (2-0).

It should have been 4-0 before half time as both Cannie and McWilliams hit the post when they really should have scored. The main talking point of the first half was a terrible decision by the ref not to send off Ants No. 11 when he clearly saw him aim a kick at Gayne.

Half time: St. Anthony's 0 Pollok 2

Ants were on top for long spells of the second half. No 9 had a good effort well saved by Hanley and Pollok were pushed back in their own half for long spells as Ants played good football and used the strong wind to their advantage.

It was no suprise when a goal came for the Ants. After 61 minutes, a corner was poorly defended allowing No. 11 a free header at the near post which flew high into the net (1-2). Ants got a deserved equaliser when after another corner in the 64th minute the defence was yet again posted missing as No. 6 headed home at the back post (2-2).

More good pressure and chances fell to the Ants before Pollok scored against the run of play. In the 83rd minute, some lovely play by Cannie ended with his cross being smashed into the net from 10 yards by GARY MADDEN (3-2).

Sub Gibson went on two skillful runs as Pollok started to play well. It was 4-2 after 85 minutes. McNeill saw his shot well saved by the keeper, but the ball broke high in the air and PHIL CANNIE did well to cleverly head the ball into the net from 12 yards out (4-2).

From a corner in the 88th in Pollok got a flattering fifth. Cannie looked to be fouled in the box but the ball broke to STEVEN GAYNE and he shot home from close range (5-2).

The score flattered Pollok. It came down however to who took their chances and Ants will be kicking themselves. For Ants, No's 10 and 9 were very good. Pollok will have to get the defence sorted out especially at corners.

Full time: St. Anthony's 2 Pollok 5

Subs:
12. Clark (7) (on 48 mins for 5)
14. Madden (6) (on 68 mins for 8)
15. McNeill
16. Johnston (7) (on 45 mins for 6)
18. Elliot

WHO SAID THEY CANNIE WIN?!

2 goals for Phil sinks JB

The conditions pre game were so wet that that teams couldn't be put up due to a waterlogged board. We were lucky that we had yet another good performance from the guy who read them over the tannoy. It was JB who totally overran Pollok and created chance after chance.It was amazing that none were converted. McGuinness brought a good save out of Hanley as did Donnelly from a good header at the back post.

Hutcheson headed wide and Brogan shot over the bar when he really should have done better. JB got a penalty in the 33rd minute when the impressive Anderson was brought down by Dickson. Frame scored easily but the kick was ordered to be retaken as McLay had encroached into the area. The retake was a good penalty but was well saved by Hanley.

Pollok's only first half effort prior to scoring was a dipping shot by Gibson that hit the top of the bar. Totally against the run of play Pollok scored in the 44th minute. Good play from Jamieson saw Eadie hit a nice cross that was finished by DREW MCWILLIAMS at the back post with a composed shot (1-0). Daylight robbery as Pollok went in 1-0 up.

Half time: Johnstone Burgh 0 Pollok 1

More of the same in the second half as JB forced 8 corners with Pollok defending far too deep. Pollok somehow survived the onslaught and came into the game. Eadie did well and rounded the keeper but was unlucky as the ball bobbled just as he was about to shoot. In the 63rd minute it was 2-0. McWilliams did well on the right and sent in a great cross which was easily headed in at the back post by PHIL CANNIE (2-0).

Once more JB came back and forced 5 corners in quick succession. McGuinness should have scored with a header from one of them. In 73 minutes it was 3-0. Cannie was brought down in the box by Armour. Having looked at it again I thought it was a soft award as Phil fell down very easily under the challenge. PHIL CANNIE blasted the kick home (3-0). However if he missed it would have been retaken as Hutcheson more or less ran right beside him as he took the kick.

Before the end McGuinness came close with a shot after a lovely run into the box. Gibson then showed some great skill as he danced round three JB players in midfield. In the 90th minute, JB got a goal back as consolation when some poor defending let in JAMES DONNELLY to score with a composed finish from 12 yards.

It was well deserved for Donnelly who was skilful and fun to watch for the whole game. Pollok were very lucky especially in the first half but played better in the second half as everybody put in a good shift. JB were very good and played excellent football throughout and will wonder how they lost the game considering the chances and possession they had.

It was nice to stand under the shed as it was yob free, lets hope it stays that way for the decent JB fans.

Full time: Johnstone Burgh 1 Pollok 3

Subs:
12. Newman (6) (on 57 mins for 6)
14. Fitzpatrick (6) (on 45 mins for 5)
15. Cannie (7) (on 57 mins for 9)
16. O'Neil (6) (on 50 mins for 8)
Elliot & McNeill on for Gibson & Eadie 70th min.

STILL NO WARM-UP WIN AS JB WAIT...

Welcome back Alex!

Alex Eadie made a welcome return from injury to captain Pollok with Kevin O’Neil starting the match on the bench. In the opening minutes, Gary Madden was unlucky to see his dipping shot hit the bar after Alex Eadie had out-jumped the home defence to nod the ball on. There were chances at the other end too, as a Dalziel free-kick beat the ‘Lok wall but flew wide then Danny Hanley had to look lively to push a good shot onto the post.

Paul McNeill had a chance for Pollok when Gary Madden jinked through the home defence and sent the young striker clear but he delayed his shot and the keeper saved. With just over half an hour gone, ‘Lok took the lead when LORN GIBSON made a good run across the box, took a pass from Davie Elliot and smacked the ball home from a tight angle (1-0).

Half time: Dalziel FP 0 Pollok 1

Pollok’s trialist centre-half Stevie Gayne had to leave the field with a groin strain at half-time. Former ‘Lok juvenile midfielder Kris Jamieson moved back into defence and current U-21 player, Jim Fitzpatrick came on to take Jamieson’s place in midfield. The injury jinx which has dogged Pollok over the past year struck again when, just five minutes later, Kris Jamieson also had to limp off and he was replaced by Kevin O’Neil.

Pollok continued to press and a good move involving Eadie, Gibson and Phil Cannie set-up Gary Madden but his shot flew wide. The enforced changes left Pollok slightly disorganised and Dalziel took advantage with two goals in a ten-minute spell. Their No. 8 fired home in 61 minutes (1-1) and they took the lead when a free-kick was drilled across the penalty box and tapped home at the back post as the ‘Lok defence failed to clear (1-2).

Man of the match DAVIE ELLIOT levelled for Pollok in 75 minutes when he fired home a cross from Stevie Aitchison (2-2).

This was a good work-out against the Scottish Amateur Cup holders and although the result was a little disappointing, there were some good performances, particularly from Davie Elliot, Alex Eadie and Lorn Gibson.

Full time: Dalziel FP 2 Pollok 2

Subs:
12. Dickson (6) (on 38 mins for 4)
14. McNeill (5) (on 65 mins for 7)
15. Madden (5) (on 65 mins for 9)
16. Graham (5) (on 65 mins for 11)
17. Bryers (7) (on 65 mins for 5)
GK. Banks

ALL ACADEMICAL FOR LOK

Ref gave Drew the elbow

Hamilton dominated the first half and at times threatened to overrun Pollok. Hanley saved well from Armstrong and had a bit of luck when MacDonald's crashed a great shot off the bar.

Pollok's best chance of the whole match came when Fabiani did well and passed to Elliot who set up McWilliam's who shot straight at the keeper. Accies took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Mario Pacitti tripped up Russell in the box. MacDonald did an expert job from the spot (0-1). McWilliams was then lucky that the ref didn't see his late tackle on Miller that required lenghty treatment for the Accies man. Armstrong and Peacock came close with headers before half time.

Half time: Pollok 0 Hamilton Academical 1

Pollok had a good opening spell in the second half and forced a couple of corners. McWiliams shot wide from a difficult chance from one of them. Accies then took control and in the 52nd minute got a second. A good free kick from Miller was cleverly headed into the net by Willoughby (0-2).

The first of a few nasty incidents occured when Sherry was lucky to receive only a yellow for a poor tackle on Elliot. Hanley then saved well from the same player but was helpless when the ball wasn't cleared properly and McCreadie shot home well from 16yards (0-3).

McWilliams got booked for persistant fouling before the most controversial moment of the game. MacDonald twice kicked McWiliams from behind. McWilliams retaliated by throwing an elbow which missed MacDonald, who lifted two hands and twice hit McWiliams in the face. The ref gave Pollok the foul and Drew McWilliams was shown a straight red . The Accies man wasn't spoken to. Thankfully the rest of the game passed without incident.

Pollok were outclassed by their second division opponents. Fabiani, Elliot and Bryers played well, Accies played some nice stuff especially their no9 who was good fun to watch. I wish Robert Prytz and all Accies fans all the best for the coming season.

Full time: Pollok 0 Hamilton Academical 3

Subs:
12. McNeill (5) (on 45 mins for 3)
14. Madden (5) (on 73 mins for 7)
15. Newman (5) (on 45 mins for 10)
16. McGregor (6) (on 64 mins for 1)
17. Bryers (6) (on 50 mins for 2)
18. Graham (5) (on 75 mins for 4)

LOK SHAPING UP FOR A TOUGH SEASON?

Sammy scores but will he leave?

A big surprise for Pollok fans on entering the ground was to see Davie Elliot in the home team line up. Pollok made a bright start and in the second minute Drew McWilliams was pulled down for a penalty kick. McWilliams however saw his spot kick easily saved by Rose keeper Logan.

In the 12th minute Rose were awarded a penalty when Banks pulled down David Beaton as he was in the act of shooting. Porter saw his kick well saved by Banks but with the Pollok defence sleeping STEVIE DICKOV ran in to smash the ball home. (0-1)

Good football by Elliot saw McWilliams through with the keeper to beat but he tried a lob over the keeper which went wide. Rose went on to dominate the rest of the half. Tinney should have done better when he was allowed a free header in the box before Corcoran forced Banks into an excellent save. Porter played through Corcoran with a fine pass but he shot over the bar when it looked easier to score.

Half time: Pollok 0 Linlithgow Rose 1

Sub McNeill got the half off to a good start with a fine run but there was no takers for his cut back into the box. Rose forced three corners in quick succession in the 48th minute and some poor back post defending saw the ball break to CRAIG PORTER 8 yards out. He showed a lovely skillfull first touch and then shot low and hard into the net. (0-2)

Rose's Raymond Logan was very late with a tackle on Elliot and this seemed to fire Pollok up. Pollok replied with a great free kick from Cannie which was brilliantly saved by Rose's impressive keeper Greg Logan who looked very good throughout the game. Good work from Cannie, Bryers and McWilliams let SAMMY JOHNSTON score with a back post header in the 63rd minute. (1-2)

McNeil then had two half chances but failed to force the keeper into a save. Banks for Pollok was injured and had to be replaced by McGregor who wasn't troubled for the rest of the game.

The game boiled over in the 75th min when Raymond Logan was sent off for a bad tackle on Dickson which saw him limp off the park. In the ensuing melee the ball was thrown at McWiliams - who pushed Wilson - who pushed O'Neil - who pushed Logan to the ground... a bit like a primary school playground fight.

For the rest of the game Pollok pressed without looking like scoring. The new boys including Elliot made resonable debuts but I thought Johnston was Pollok's man of the match just edging out Banks. For Rose, ex-Kilwinning defender Iain Gallagher was good, the keeper very good and Porter looks sharp and may well score a barrowload.

Full time: Pollok 1 Linlithgow Rose 2