Boyd 32

Subs:
12. Graham
14. Sherry (6) (on 70 mins for 6)
15. Hendry (6) (on 73 mins for 11)
16. Gayne
17. Elliot

WEST HOPES GONE WITH THE WIND

Quiet day for Stevie Aitchison as Lok crash out

At a cold, wet and very windy Loch Park, Glenafton created the first chance when No 9 shot two yards wide of the post after being well set up by No 3. After that Pollok created chance after chance. From a Clark free-kick, Eadie headed just wide. A good one two between Madden and Cannie ended with Madden shooting just by the post with the keeper beaten.

Good skill by Gibson saw him beat three defenders just inside the box only for his shot to roll weakly by the post, and further good play by Cannie ended with his cross being spectacularly shot just over the bar by Bryers. The best football of the match came when a move the length of the park involving six Pollok players ended with a Cannie cross being headed just wide by Eadie.

Then against the run of play Glenafton scored what was to be the winner. Mario Pacitti weakly headed out a long throw and STUART BOYD was allowed too much time and space and he took advantage by firing a low shot into the net from 18 yards (0-1).

Pollok again hit back and missed more great chances. More great play from Cannie ended with Gibson somehow headed the ball against the keeper from four yards out. The ball broke to Madden at the back post but the man mountain in the Glens goal made a good sliding save. From the corner, Eadie headed over at the back post. Glenafton nearly scored two spectacular own goals with Nos 5 and 6 just hitting the ball over their own bar. From the second corner, Eadie then Madden hit weak shots after the keeper had dropped the ball.

Half time: Glenafton Athletic 1 Pollok 0

Glenafton started strongly in the second half with No 9 almost getting the second. He hit a shot that took a wicked deflection off Pacitti, but was well saved by Hanley. Pollok continued to attack and made more chances. Another great cross by Cannie was just missed by Madden. Aitchison had a good cross cleverly hit into the path of Madden by Cannie but the Glens keeper made a brave save at the Pollok mans feet.

Pollok went man to man and Glenafton took advantage of this. Fabiani misjudged a high ball allowing No 9 a run into goal but his shot was well saved by Hanley. Glens forced five quick corners as Pollok struggled to get the ball out of their own half. More good skill by Cannie involving three nutmegs ended with Eadie just missing his cross. Right at the death, No 2 of Glenafton almost got a second when his glancing header shaved the outside of the post.

Pollok were a little unlucky but on the whole didn't deserve to win the match as they missed too many chances and it is goals that count. Glenafton were a stuffy and hard working side but in the last 25 minutes they looked a decent if unattractive side who will be hard to beat this season. Stuart Boyd of Glens was a pleasure to watch as he played with great skill and intelligence throughout the game.

Full time: Glenafton Athletic 1 Pollok 0

Subs:
12. Graham
14. Dickson
15. Hendry (7) (on 45 mins for 9)
16. Gayne (7) (on 71mins for 11)
17. Elliot (7) (on 75 mins for 6)

SUN SEA AND SIX... well almost!

DH: Not much to do... just wait til next week though...

Pollok started off this potentially tricky replay with Gary Clark being recalled to the team as sweeper. Saltcoats' one and only real chance of the game came in the 2nd minute when a dangerous ball was well cleared just inside the six yard box by Bryers. After that it was total one way traffic as Pollok easily outplayed the Ayrshire Third Division side.

The opening goal came in the 5th minute. Joe Bryers showed very good skill and determination on a mazy thirty-yard run. Then from just inside the penalty area his final chip over the keeper was bundled over the line from two yards by GARY MADDEN (1-0). A hard tackle from Ricky Wardrope almost put Gibson out of the game.

Pollok then got a second goal in the 8th minute. Clever and skilful play from Cannie saw his fine cross headed coolly into the net from 10 yards by ALEX EADIE (2-0). Saltcoats again stuck the boot in and Nos. 2 and 6 were booked in quick succession. Pollok threatened to run riot as Cannie came close with a delightful chip and Eadie tried to be too clever with a back heel from six yards out.

The third goal came from a combination of quick thinking and the Saltcoats defence being asleep. As the defence argued over a throw, Aitchison quickly threw the ball to the unmarked Gibson in the box. LORN GIBSON showed good skill and composure to dribble round two Vics defenders before placing the ball into the net from 12 yards out (3-0).

Gibson and Eadie forced good saves out of the Vics keeper with chips before Pollok got a fourth.

In the 41st minute a carbon copy quick throw caught the defence napping again and PHIL CANNIE easily rounded the keeper and stroked the ball into the net (4-0). More good football followed and in the 45th minute it was 5-0. Good football from Madden and Eadie lead to PHIL CANNIE being set up just outside the box and he fired a powerful low shot low into the far corner of the net (5-0).

Half time: Saltcoats Victoria 0 Pollok 5

Pollok cruised the second half with Danny Hanley only having to make one save from a free kick the whole half. Eadie twice and Clark missed very good chances to add to the total but neither managed to hit the target.

This was an easy win for Pollok who if they were a bit more ruthless and clinical in front of goal could have scored double figures. Saltcoats after a good performance last week were quite frankly dreadful and looked no better than a pub team. Joe Bryers was outstanding in the first half and had his best game for Pollok so far.

Full time: Saltcoats Victoria 0 Pollok 5

Cannie 20
Madden 42

Watt 4, 86

Subs:
12. Gayne (6) (on 77 mins for 2)
14. Fabiani
15. Elliot
16. Clark (5) (on 59 mins for 10)
17. Hendry

NOW A SEASIDE TRIP AFTER LATE SLIP

Sweet Lok opener from Phil Cannie

Saltcoats came out fighting in this cup tie and shocked Pollok in the 4th minute by taking the lead with a wonderful goal. From a quick throw in DAVID WATT was given time on the ball and from just inside the touch line he ran on to the edge of the box and fired in a great dipping shot into the top corner of the net (0-1).

Pollok were clearly stunned by this and were lucky not to go further behind when both Watt and McCulloch had shots just wide of the post from just inside the box. Vics Ricky Wardrope then put in a heavy tackle on McNeill. After treatment to McNeill, calm was restored and the referee decided a yellow card was punishment enough for the tackle.

Pollok started to play some good football and got an equaliser in the 20th minute with a piece of magic from Phil Cannie. An Aitchison long throw was expertly controlled by PHIL CANNIE on the edge of the box, then after a nice shimmy he sent a delightful chip over the keeper and into the net via the base of the post (1-1).

Eadie then forced a fine save out of the keeper with a snap shot from inside the box. More good play for Pollok followed and they were robbed of a second goal by an incompetent linesman. Gibson ran from his own half and after beating five men his shot was saved by the keeper. From the rebound the ball was hit into the box and Cannie netted. The play was then called back to just inside Saltcoats half where the linesman had given an offside.

Pollok created more good chances with Cannie hitting a free kick just wide and McNeil just failing to head home a dangerous Bryers cross. Pollok took the lead in the 42nd minute with some good football. Bryers played a good pass to Cannie who crossed into the box to find GARY MADDEN who controlled the ball on his chest before shooting low and hard into the net from 12 yards (2-1).

Just on half time Watt forced a good save out of Hanley from a free kick.

Half time: Pollok 2 Saltcoats Victoria 1

Vics almost equalised in the first minute of the second half. Very good play from McCulloch ended with a dangerous cross into the middle that the No 9 somehow hit over the bar from 6 yards. Pollok played a lot of good football in the second half but were let down by some very poor finishing. Madden was twice set up well by Cannie only to delay his shot too long. Gibson also missed two identical chances when he decided to try and beat an extra man instead of shooting. Aicheson came close after cleverly beating the offside trap but the keeper did well bravely diving at his feet to smother the ball.

Saltcoats looked more and more dangerous and Pollok had Hanley to thank for twice saving good efforts from McCulloch and No7.

In the 86th min Saltcoats got an equaliser that I think a lot of people could see coming. Gayne was booked for an off the ball incident just outside the box. DAVID WATT stepped up and fired in a marvellous free kick high into the net (2-2). It was well deserved for the team and the player who played with tremendous skill and intelligence and caused Pollok problems all day. I enjoyed watching him play and would love to see Pollok try and sign him.

The referee played 6 minutes of injury time and despite Pollok having plenty of pressure I felt the Vics looked the more likely to get a winner. The final whistle went to a chorus of moans and boos from the home fans.

I thought today that Pollok had only themselves to blame for this result. Lok created many, many good chances today to put the game out of reach but too often the players tried to walk the ball into the net.

Saltcoats were a little robust at times but they have a couple of good players in their side and on this performance are no mugs. I still am confident of the replay but Pollok cannot underestimate Saltcoats and will have to play to the standard we are capable of to avoid a shock result.

Full time: Pollok 2 Saltcoats Victoria 2

McAllister 21
Dickson (og) 25
Sherry 51

Cannie 2, 87
Madden 43
Eadie 61, 71

Subs:
12. Smith (7) (on 65 mins for 10)
14. Main
15. Hendry
16. Clark
17. Elliot

FIVE STAR LOK IN LOCHBURN THRILLER

Cannie double means eight for season

Pollok got off to a dream start with a penalty in the first 90 seconds. Madden played in McNeill who was hauled down by Hill's No 4. PHIL CANNIE sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to give Lok the lead (1-0). Maryhill then hit back strongly and full back Miller saw a great shot from outside the box deflected over the bar via Eadie's head.

Pollok had a great chance to make it two when Gibson set up Aitchison, but his shot was easily saved by the Hill keeper. From the resultant corner, Mario Pacitti should have done better than head the ball over given the time he had in the box. Cannie then came close with a free kick that everyone left which swerved in and hit the post .From the rebound the ball broke to Mario who hit a typical centre half's shot weakly wide of the post.

Maryhill started to really play well and it was no suprise when they equalised in the 20th minute. A high ball to the back post was weakly cleared and the ball was crashed high into the net by the excellent TAM MCALLISTER from 10 yards (1-1). In the 25th minute 'Hill took the lead. Another high ball caused chaos in the Pollok box and the ball was deflected in with Miller claiming the goal but on looking at the tape it seems that the ball went in off of ALAN DICKSON 's shoulder (1-2).

At this stage Maryhill threatened to overrun Pollok with their two terrific midfielders Nelson and McAllister being at the heart of some clever and dangerous moves. McAllister forced a great save out of Hanley with a clever chip. Pollok weathered the storm and hit back before half time. Aitchison shrewdly played in Eadie but he hit his chip just over the bar with the keeper stranded.

The Pollok equaliser came in the 43rd minute.Two nice passes from Aitchison and Cannie set up McNeill at the back post. He saw his goalbound shot helped into the net by GARY MADDEN (but I wouldn't argue if McNeill claimed the goal). (2-2)

Half time: Maryhill 2 Pollok 2

No let up in the second half as both teams piled forward at every opportunity. In the 50th minute, 'Hill took the lead. JOHN SHERRY showed great skill to beat Mario and send a ferocious shot high into the net. It did appear though that the ball hits the underside of the bar then the inside of the post and goes out towards the touchline. Alex Eadie was booked for dissent for protesting the decision.(2-3)

Back came Pollok and eadie saw a good header from a corner cleared off the line by the 'Hill left back. Better luck came in the 61st minute though. From a Cannie free kick after Bryers had been fouled, ALEX EADIE powered a header from six yards out high into the net (3-3).

Straight from the restart great football from Nelson and Sherry saw Hanley having to save well from a low hard shot by Sherry. In the 76th minute Pollok took the lead after the third corner in quick succession. ALEX EADIE again did well to outjump the defence to power in a good header from 12 yards out (3-4).

'Hill then had another big push and Hanley was forced to save well from McLafferty twice, the second save from a header being very impressive. McAllister then missed an easy chance when he was cleverly set up by McLafferty. Martin Nelson was very lucky to stay on the park after raising two hands to the face of Mario Pacitti in front of the ref who decided to just issue a lecture to the player. McLafferty and Miller where then booked in quick succession before Pollok sealed the points with a great goal.

The ball was cleared out of the box to trialist Jimmy Smith and he helped the ball on well to Madden who skillfully beat his man and played a great pass into the path of Cannie. PHIL CANNIE then twice dummied the keeper to leave him sprawled on the ground and then casually he flicked the ball high over him and into the net (3-5).

No 14 of Hill then went in rashly on O'Neil and was shown the a yellow card when perhaps the challenge deserved a red, especially in the light of the second yellow for 'Hills Miller who was the victim of a harsh decision from the ref. It was a pity for he had played with a great deal of skill and intelligence throughout the game.

The whistle went and both teams got a good ovation from the crowd. This was a very, very enjoyable game again between the two teams. A good advert for the juniors with all out attacking play and fine goals from both sides. Phil Cannie has his critics but when he is on he is a joy to watch and he would never be out of my team. His second goal was a thing of beauty. Both O'Neil and Eadie had very good games and Eadie just shades the Man of match award for his two goals and important block.

Full time: Maryhill 3 Pollok 5