Hamilton 22
McNeill 37 (pen), 54, 70, 75 (pen)

Gayne (OG) 28

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. Sweeney 6
3. Fabiani 6
4. Gayne 7
5. Pacitti 7
6. Aitchison 8
7. Bryers 8
8. Fitzpatrick 8
9. Watt 8 (sub Hendry 82 6)
10. Hamilton 8 (sub Logan 82 6)
11. McNeill 9 (sub D. McWilliams 77 6)
Subs not used: Smith, Martin

Cumnock started the better with former Stranraer and St. Mirren striker John Dempster causing all sorts of problems down the left hand side of the park.

Lok on the attack (digicam)

After this opening spell Pollok came into the game. Mario Pacitti shot just wide from a corner kick and David Watt headed narrowly past the post. Pollok got the important opening goal after 22 minutes. Good play from McNeill lead to Watt hitting a fine pass despite being off balance to Hamilton. David Hamilton cut past his marker and scored via the inside of the post from 12 yards out.

Pollok twice came close to getting a second. Fitzpatrick hit a powerful shot just over the bar and Watt shot weakly past the post after a great move the full length of the pitch. Cumnock got an equaliser in the 28th minute. Jack had a good run forward and hit low shot looked to be going wide before Stephen Gayne's attempted chest block diverted it past Wilson and into the net.

Cumnock then had two good chances to go into the lead. McGowan out jumped the defence only to see Wilson block his header on the line. Then Wilson brilliantly saved a very clever quick free kick from McNulty.

Pollok got a second goal from the penalty spot in the 39th minute. Four grand man Ged Gardner needlessly pushed McNeill in the box as former Motherwell keeper Jon Connolly easily cleared. Paul McNeill dusted himself down to sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. The half ended with Cumnock laying siege to the home goal and forcing six quick corners.

Half-time Pollok 2 Cumnock Juniors 1

Cumnock started strongly in the second half but again Pollok weathered the early storm. Pollok got a third goal on the 55th minute mark. Joe Bryers did well to win the ball and sent a great reverse pass to Watt who threw over a great first time cross which was easily headed into the net by Paul McNeill from 6 yards out.

'Things get a little heated (digicam)

Cumnock were then denied a stonewall penalty when Sweeney brought down Porter just inside the box. Keeper Connelly then brought of a wonder save to deny Bryers and both Gayne and Hamilton both miss kicked from six yards out. Pollok got a fourth goal with a route one effort in the 70th minute. Wilson's towering kick out beat the defence and was smashed into the net from 12 yards by Paul McNeill for his hat-trick.

Another mammoth Wilson punt causes problems (digicam)

It was to get worse for Cumnock when Pollok got a fifth in the 75th minute. Watt headed on the ball to McNeill and he sprinted past full back White only to be brought down by keeper Connelly. Again Paul McNeill made an expert job of the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way and he was substituted soon after to a standing ovation.

The game still was end-to-end stuff with Cumnock attacking right until the final whistle. Wilson had to make a good save to deny Nolan's very clever 30-yard chip.

Pollok played really well today and deserved their win. Again both Watt and McNeill caused the opposition no end of problems. There were great performances for the midfield of Bryers, Hamilton and Fitzpatrick. This was one of the youngest Pollok sides I have seen and if they play with this much energy and enthusiasm for the rest of the season the fans can have no complaints. Cumnock played well in spells but didn't really create enough clear cut chances and looked a little weak at the back. They did however have a go at trying to win and that was a pleasant change.

Full-time: Pollok 5 Cumnock Juniors 1

Watt 5, 69
McNeill 20
Fitzpatrick 28

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. Sweeney 7
3. Fabiani 7
4. Gayne 7
5. Pacitti 7
6. Fitzpatrick 7
7. Bryers 7
8. Aitchison 7
9. McNeill 8 (sub Hendry 72 6)
10. Hamilton 7 (sub Brown 83 6)
11. Watt 8 (sub Logan 72 6)
Subs not used: Smith, Heaton

Burgh featured a disjointed team minus injured and suspended regulars with no less than 5 trialists in the starting line up and never really got going.

Davie Watt's 5th minute opener (videograb)

Pollok took the lead in the fifth minute from a free-kick. Former Cambuslang defender Gary Robertson had crudely scythed down McNeill 25 yards out, and Davie Watt saw his set-piece deflect off trialist Cook past Donoghue in the Burgh goal.

Pollok continued to play good football with Watt and McNeill time and again having the beating of their markers. The home side were also helped by some good play out on both wings with Bryers and Hamilton playing well. The second goal came after 20 minutes. A clever one-two from Fabiani and Watt saw McNeill beat the offside trap before showing good skills to beat two men before finding the net from 25 yards with a low hard shot.

McNeill and then Pacitti both missed good chances shortly afterwards. The third goal came in the 29th minute from a short corner. The Burgh defence seemed to be asleep as Jim Fitzpatrick ran in unmarked to shot home a spectacular volley from eight yards out. Burgh only had two real attacks of any note with a good Maxwell cross being headed behind by Fabiani, and Cook outjumping the defence but heading high over the bar. Bryers then had a great run into the box and his net bound shot was headed off the line by Allison.

Before the half-time whistle more good chances were thwarted by some unorthadox fisted saves by Donoghue from McNeill twice and Watt. Aitchison sent a clever chip just over the bar with the keeper looking well beaten.

Half-time Pollok 3 Johnstone Burgh 0

The second half was a more tame affair with Burgh playing a little better and Pollok seeming to ease off a little. Early on a little needle crept into the game with Roberston having a fly boot at Bryers who retaliated and was booked by the ref who missed the first offence.

'Futher action from the Burgh match (digicam)

Again most of the home sides best moves came from Watt and McNeill. McNeill again had the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. It took until the 69th minute for Pollok to add to their total. Good play by Bryers and McNeill led to Watt scoring easily from 6 yards out.

Pollok try to exptend their lead in the first half (digicam)

Pollok then substituted both forwards and the game more or less played itself out quietly. Burgh's best chance of the match came in the last minute when the hard working Cook was set up well by Maxwell only to see his spectacular shot go just wide of the far post.

A better performance today from Pollok with both forwards playing really well. With a liitle bit of care the score could have been greater. Burgh I am sure will be a much stronger side once the league campaign starts.

Full-time: Pollok 4 Johnstone Burgh 0

Elrick 68
Graham 78

Fitzpatrick 79

Benburb
Helpfully, no team lines posted or announced by Bens officials.

There can be few excuses either as the weather was wonderful, although perhaps the undulating expanses of Tinto Park didn't lend itself to slick passing football.

Smith plays 'hunt the ball' at Tinto Park (videograb)

With Pollok playing poorly in recent games and Scotland on the telly, the crowd for this one was somewhat lacking, which again didn't add any spice to a very flat atmosphere.

To the game itself then, and in terms of Pollok chances a header from Hamilton was touched over the bar by keeper Banks. That was the only highlight of one of the worst halfs of football imaginable. Apart from that, Smith hunting for the ball in the jungle behind his goal and a brightly coloured kite flying high outside the ground were the only other things of note.

Half-time: Benburb 0 Pollok 0

Logan had a great chance to score in the opening seconds of the second half but he couldn't quite bundle in Watts' good cross. Bens took the lead in the 68 minutes from more poor defending from a corner from Pollok. The ball somehow reached unmarked Gary Elrick at the back post and hit him square on the chin before crawling over the line.

'Count the crowd' (digicam)

Bens increased their lead ten minutes on when Gary Graham scored from a wide-angled free-kick from 25 yards, with both the wall and the positioning of Allan Smith looking a little suspect. Pollok however got a goal back when Jim Fitzpatrick shot home from 20 yards after a clever cut back from Watt. McNeill almost got a second for Pollok but sent a close range header wide of the post.

An exciting break in play (digicam)

All in all, a dire game with very little football from either side, and thankfully it was a nothing game.

Full-time: Benburb 2 Pollok 1

Watt 4, 47
McNeill 65

Cuthbert 2
Farquharson 10, 34
Barr 62, 73
Kenna 66

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. O'Neil 5
3. Fabiani 7
4. Pacitti 6
5. Heaton 7 (sub Bryers 46 7)
6. Aitchison 7
7. Hamilton 6
8. Logan 6
9. McNeill 6
10. Watt 7
11. Hendry 7 (sub Gayne 68 6)
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Cowie, Smith

Renfrew took the lead in just 65 seconds of play. A classy through ball from Prentice sent former Pollok trialist Bobby Cuthbert through a square defence and he netted by a neat flick over keeper Wilson.

Pollok on the attack in the first half (digicam)

The Pollok equaliser came in the 4th minute when David Watt sent a low free kick from 25 yards into the bottom corner that keeper Thomson couldnt quite keep out. More excellent play from Watt followed when he twice set up Paul McNeill with great defence-splitting passes only for his fellow forward to finish weakly allowing easy saves.

Renfrew took advantage of this poor finishing to retake the lead in the 10th minute. A corner was poorly defended allowing centre half Neil Farquharson both time and space to shoot home from 8 yards. Pollok then
played resonable well and created half chances for Watt and Logan. However more awful defending allowed a
third for Renfrew in the 34th minute. Both Heaton and Wilson failed to clear a corner crashing into each other. The ball fell kindly to Neil Farqharson 12 yards out and he again buried the chance with ease. The half ended with Renfrew on top and looking very dangerous.

Half-time: Pollok 1 Renfrew 3

Pollok made a suprise change that I can only imagine was for an injury with Joe Bryers replacing Heaton. Bryers immediately made an impact with a skilful run that ended with a good clearance from Hammond as McNeill was ready to score in the middle. David Watt produced a moment of magic to bring Pollok back into the game in the 47th minute. After a nice turn on the edge of the box he sent in a perfect curled shot over keeper Thomson high into the net.

Joe Bryers making a return to Newlandsfield (digicam)

Renfrew however were still looking the better team and deservedly got another goal on the hour mark. Some lovely play on the left wing by Cuthbert led to a good back post cross that was spectacularly headed into the net via the underside of the bar by sub Richie Barr. In the 65th minute Pollok pulled a goal back. This time it was some ordinary defending from a corner by Renfrew that let to Paul McNeill being able to prod the ball
home from 2 yards out.

Pollok look for a way back into the game (digicam)

Less that a minute later Renfrew scored another and this was a delightful goal. After some truly brilliant skill from the excellent Andy Morrison, his whipped-in cross was met by Andy Kenna with a top class glancing header which left Wilson helpless.

Indiscipline by Pollok captain Kevin O'Neil saw him receive a straight red card. Cuthbert was perhaps guilty of a dive on the edge of the box under pressure from O'Neil but the stamping offence from the Pollok man gave the ref no choice other than to show a straight red.

Five minutes later Renfrew made the extra man count with a sixth goal. More lovely play by Morrison ended with an unmarked Richard Barr shooting home at the back post from six yards out. It could have been worse for the home side as with 5 minutes to go Renfrew were awarded a penalty. Sub Gayne tripped up Coyle in the box. Ian Wilson denied Morrison a well deserved goal with a fine diving stop. Shortly afterwards referee Bashir who had a good game blew his whistle to great cheers from the travelling support.

I would rather talk about Renfrew who put on a fine show for their fans and anyone who enjoys good football today, and were worthy winners with a skilful and hard working performance. Andy Morrison is another hugely underrated player who penalty miss apart did something intelligent and clever with the ball every time he touched it. Sub Barr, Prentice, Kenna and Cuthbert also impressed me today. If they can perhaps tighten the
defence a little on this performance they could well be a dark horse for promotion. I wish them well.

Full-time: Pollok 3 Renfrew 6

Pacitti 16

Neilston
1. Hewitt
2. Carson
3. Wilson
4. Aitken
5. Whiteford
6. Murdoch
7. McKee
8. Johnstone
9. Waddell
10. Cochrane
11. ?
Subs: Anderson came on

Mario volleys Lok ahead in the gloom (digicam)

The first chance was created early on when some clever play by the impressive Hamilton lead to Watt hitting a vicious shot the Hewitt did well to keep out. Pollok got the opening goal in the 16th minute from a set piece. David Watt threw a deep ball to the back post and Mario Pacitti ran in and hit a spectacular left foot volley into the net from 10 yards.

More good play from Pollok went unrewarded when after a nice Watt through ball McNeill cleverly chiped the keeper only to see the ball hit the inside of the post and away into saftey. Neilston werr mainly seen on the counter attack but looked very dangerous playing excellent football with the left back and Cochrane looking very impressive down the right hand sisde of the park. Both Watt and McNeill forced smart stops from keeper Hewitt before the half time whistle.

Half-time: Neilston 0 Pollok 1

The second half followed a similar pattern up to the hour mark when Pollok were reduced to ten men. Raymond Logan, who had been previously booked for a needless late tackle, got involved with McKee and swung a boot at him. The referee was left with no option than to show a deserved second yellow card.

Celtic on TV: no punters (digicam)

The rest of the game was spent with Polok defending under constant pressure from some good football from Neilston. Twice Wilson had to make fine saves from Cochrane as the home team used the extra man advantage well. It took a special goal to beat the pollok keeper in the 75th minute. Neilston's new signing from St. Johnstone Andy Whiteford hit a spectacular shot from fully 30 yards which crashed into the postage stamp corner of the net.

Pollok had a very good move shortly after which ended with Watt being upended in the box. Referee Drummond however booked the Pollok man for diving which looked a very poor call. Neilston kept coming forward playing great football and got a deserved second goal in the 78th minute. A lovely one-two between Waddell and Gordon Cochrane ended with the latter firing a brilliant shot high into the net that Wilson touched but due to the power couldnt keep out.

Pollok on the attack in the first half (digicam)

Neilston got a slightly flattering third goal on the final whistle when Hamilton brought down Waddell just inside the box for a penalty. Chris Aitken (ex-Morton and Clyde) just beat keeper Wilson with a low hard penalty in the right corner.

Pollok were in control of this game untill the red card and have only themselves to blame. Plus points were a good performance from Hamilton and again Wilson was excellent in goal. Neilston looked very good at times and could be a suprise package in the Superleague. They have two of the most underrated players in the league in keeper Hewitt whose handling was first class and the brilliant Cochrane who was a constant menace and scored a lovely goal that his play deserved. Referee Drummond apart from the penalty call I thought had a fine match and handled the game very well. The defeat leaves Pollok sixth out of seven in the group, with games to follow against Renfrew, Benburb and Johnstone Burgh.

Full-time: Neilston 3 Pollok 1

Arthurlie
1. O'Neill
2. Jack
3. Travers
4. Somers
5. Allison (sub Graham 86)
6. Smith (sub Hobbs 28)
7. Ryan
8. McGarvey
9. Downs
10. Rae
11. Madden (sub Brolly 63)
Subs not used: McKenzie, Lynch.

Pollok on the attack at Dunterlie (digicam)

Arthurlie were very unlucky not to equalise when after a great one two with Downs, McGarvey hit the cross bar and the follow up from Ryan hit the outside of the post. Just a minute later the teams were level after a controversial decision. McGarvey was again played through on goal after another piece of good football. Both Wilson and Pacitti made last gasp attempts to stop him and he was brought down for what I thought was a stonewall penalty. The referee decided that Mario was the last man and ordered him off which I thought was a little harsh. Mark Travers stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way with a good low penalty in the corner. (1-1)

Ten man Pollok continued to play good football and retook the lead in the 17th minute. A Watt free kick was well saved by former Renrew and Stranraer keeper Stephen O'Neill but the rebound fell kindly for Drew McWilliams to score from close in. (2-1)

More good play followed with McWilliams firing in a blockbuster of a shot and being denied by one of the best diving saves you are likely to see from O'Neill. One of the highlights of the first half was the forward runs of both Fabiani and Ryan who had a great battle. Ian Wilson in the Pollok goal made the first of a number of impressive stops when he saved a smart snapshot from McGarvey.

Paul McNeil then had a brilliant run beating two men before being denied by another truly stunning save by O'Neill. The real turning point of the game came after Fabiani on a typical run up the wing was brutally fouled with a blatant kick from Allison. A melee ensued and Number 10 Alan Rae clearly head-butted Kevin O'Neil. The referee decided to only yellow card Allison.

Half-time: Arthurlie 1 Pollok 2

The second half was quite even for the first 15 minutes. Pollok opened brightly and forced a series of corners. For Arthurlie Downs did well to rob O'Neil and send a nice chip just over. Pollok seemed to tire and the last 30 minutes was back to walls stuff with the home side dominating and playing good football.

Derby day brings out the punters (digicam)

Pollok suffered a huge blow when after a late tackle by McGarvey, Fabiani had to limp off. This left Kevin O'Neil with the task of marking Robert Downs who proceeded to give him a torrid time. Pollok twice had to thank keeper Wilson for keeping them ahead with great stops from Downs and McGarvey.

After the second of these saves Arthurlie were awarded a very bizarre penalty. Logan and Travers were involved in a wrestling match after the keeper had saved, and after a scuffle involving other players, the penalty was converted with considerable ease by Mark Travers. (2-2)

Arial tussle somewhere in this shot? (digicam)

Arthurlie then took the lead after more very good skilful play by Downs the ball was played into the unmarked Charlie Hobbs 6 yards out for an easy finish. Pollok had a half chance in injury time when McWilliams sent a snap shot over the bar after a fumble from O'Neill.

It was a great game with some of the best goalkeeping you will see in a long long time. Pollok tired near the end and perhaps defended a little too deep in the second half but they were down to 10 men for nearly 80 minutes.

For Pollok, Wilson had a brilliant game in goal and perhaps answered some of his critics. Heaton was very good in the air and Paul McNeill had his best performance yet for Pollok with a skilful non-stop shift up front. For Arthurlie Downs was outstanding and after the loss of Fabiani caused no end of problems to the Pollok defence I was also impressed with Ryan as usual who had a great battle in midfield with Fabiani which was worth the admission price alone. I hope Pollok stay and Arthurlie join us in the top division next season as these games are too good to lose.

Full-time: Arthurlie 3 Pollok 2

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. Sweeney 7 (sub Cowie 84 6)
3. Fabiani 7
4. O'Neil 7
5. Heaton 7
6. Pacitti 7
7. Hamilton 7
8. Logan 6 (sub Fitzpatrick 67 6)
9. Watt 6 (sub Connolly 70 6)
10. D. McWilliams 7
11. McNeill 7
Subs not used: Mulholland, Smith.

Action from the Ants game (digicam)

Pollok never really threatened and when they opened the scoring in the 21st minute there was considerable luck involved. After a very good ball over the top by Hamilton, Paul McNeill ran in on goal and his placed shot from 16 yards took a wicked deflection and wrong footed Ants keeper Beggs and ended up in the bottom corner of the net. (1-0)

Hamilton came close for the home side when after Beggs saved bravely at McNeil's feet he sent a skilful chip just wide of the goal. Fabiani gave the home fans some good moments with a couple of typical barnstorming runs up the park St. Anthony's were unlucky not to have the chance to equalise when Mulheron was clearly pushed in the box by Pacitti. The Ants then had a goal rightly chalked off for offside just before the half time whistle.

Half-time: Pollok 1 St. Anthony's 0

Pollok made it 2-0 two minutes into the half with another fortunate goal. A good flowing move ended with McWilliams' low cross being turned into his own net by sub A. Pugh. (2-0) This stage of the game probably was Pollok's best as Logan came close with an intelligent chip and McNeill was denied by a dodgy offside decision.

Action from the Ants game (digicam)

The game was finished as a contest in the 70th minute by a decison by the hapless Mr Boyd that showed no common sense. Heaton broke through the offside trap and was tripped by keeper Beggs. The ball broke to McNeill who shot into the empty net but instead of letting the goal stand, referee Boyd gave a penalty kick and ordered off the Ants keeper. Drew McWilliams made no mistake sending man mountain sub keeper Docherty the wrong way. (3-0)

Action from the Ants game (digicam)

Pollok then showed a little more football but lack of sharpness up front stopped them from adding to the total. Sweeney, Fabiani and Connolly all came close to scoring.

A deflection, an own goal and a penalty does not make for a convincing performance but at times there was some good football played by Pollok. The real tests are yet to come starting on Saturday aginst Arthurlie.

Full-time: Pollok 3 St. Anthony's 0

3rd August:
Threave Rovers 0

Pollok 3
McNeill 35, 89
D. McWilliams 73

att: 80

At Meadow Park, Castle Douglas

At a sunkissed Meadow Park in Castle Douglas, a strong Pollok side took on the unknown with a novel game against East of Scotland seniors outfit Threave Rovers. Roadworks at Hamilton delayed the kickoff by ten minutes, but despite this, your well-travelled correspondent managed to miss the start by five minutes. Most of the 80-odd in attendance were cheering on Lok which was a little disappointing.

Action from Meadow Park (digicam)

Lok fielded new signing Derek Heaton in defence, while Threave looked not unlike our usual Junior opponents but let themselves down in the final third of the pitch, and I cannot recall a single effort on goal from the home side. In all other areas of the pitch they contested a tough but mainly fair game in the sweltering Dumfries & Galloway heat.

More action from Meadow Park (digicam)

Pollok opened the scoring in 35 minutes when Paul McNeill floated a chip over the Threave goalkeeper, and in 73 minutes sub Drew McWilliams doubled the advantage with a typically well-taken goal when put through one on one with the keeper. Paul McNeill made the score a little flattering late on when his persistence paid off as he harried and harrassed the weary Threave backline with a teasing run before slipping the ball home from close range.

Trialist John Connolly was a bit anonymous and wasted a chance in the first half by panicking, while fellow trialists Brian Mulholland (ex-Aston Villa) and former Spartans player Paul Cowie got involved in play. Ian Wilson once again got a runout in goal and made no errors. Derek Heaton will need a bit of time to settle but should hopefully go on to be an inspired signing. .

Pollok: Smith (Wilson 69), Sweeney (Aitchison 15), Fabiani, O'Neil, Pacitti, Heaton, Fitzpatrick (Watt 60), Logan (Cowie 69), Connolly (D. McWilliams 60), Hamilton (Mulholland 69), McNeill.

31st July:
Pollok 2
Graham 11
McWilliams 14

Linlithgow Rose 2
Beaton 24, pen 68

att: 270

At Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow

More trialists were the order of the day for Pollok as they entertained a vastly experienced Linlithgow Rose side at a damp Newlandsfield. Former Rangers, Dundee United and Coventry City midfielder Sandy Robertson rolled up for a 45 minute workout while experienced striker Ally Graham showed many good touches in the 75 minutes he was given. Ex-Aston Villa kid Brian Mulholland made an appearance late on while Ian Wilson and Paul Cowie appeared once more as trialists. David Hamilton made an impressive debut after signing from Blantyre Vics.

The game itself was less interesting as after an explosive start it drifted off into tedium. Lok opened in 11 minutes through Ally Graham when he angled a header past Griffiths from a corner, and his flick-on three minutes later released Raymond Logan to square for a Drew McWilliams tap-in. Clumsy defending in 24 minutes lead to a Linlithgow free-kick that Davie Beaton curled past Ian Wilson, and the scoring was complete in 68 minutes when Beaton converted a soft penalty.

Pollok: Ian Wilson, Chris Sweeney, Roland Fabiani, Kevin O'Neil, Mario Pacitti, Sandy Robertson (Stevie Aitchison 46), David Hamilton (Davie Watt 67), Raymond Logan (Brian Mulholland 82), Ally Graham (Paul McNeill 76), Paul Cowie (Jim Fitzpatrick 60), Drew McWilliams (John Connolly 46). Not used: Smith, Gayne, Hendry, Borland, Lavety.

Linlithgow Rose: Griffiths, Swift, Laird (Gibb 60), Landells, Beaton, Smith, Kennedy, McLaughlin, Flynn (Dickov 46), Higgins (McPhee 46), Corcoran. Not used: Lamont

27th July:
Saltcoats Vics 2
Unknown 32
Smith 62

Pollok 4
McNeill 39, 40, 83
Connolly 90

att: 125

At Campbell Park, Saltcoats

A more familiar Pollok side took to the uneven and undulating Campbell Park field to take on a hard-working Vics side. The vast majority of the small crowd had travelled down from Glasgow for the game, although it is still too early to learn much about what sort of side we're going to be this season. Paul Cowie came in for holidaying trialist Stuart Maxwell on the left, with latest signing Chris Sweeney also starting.

Both sides had chances early on, but it was Saltcoats Vics who took the lead in 32 minutes in unsurprising circumstances. A corner from the right was flighted in to the back post and a Vics striker took full advantage of the non-existing marking to power a header high past Ian Wilson. Pollok replied seven minutes later, and Vics repaid some of Pollok's generosity with appalling covering that allowed Paul McNeill to race in on goal before slipping the ball into the net.

Straight from the restart Lok forged further ahead, albeit in bizarre circumstances as Paul 'Diego' McNeill blatantly punched/slapped the ball past the Vics keeper with his hand from 10 yards distance. The unsighted referee had no linesmen to help him and gave the goal, much to the bafflement of almost everyone in the ground.

Young winger Gordon Smith netted a sweet equaliser for Saltcoats just after the hour mark when he beat Wilson from a very tight angle, but Paul McNeill completed his hat-trick with seven minutes left when he was once more allowed to run through on the keeper unchallenged. In the last few seconds, trialist John Connolly netted what I imagine must be one of his best ever goals after firstly controlling the ball, taking it away from his marker before unleashing a venemous screamer into the top left hand corner of the net from fully 20 yards.

Further assessment can be made of the new players after this game, Allan Smith excepted as he had very little to do in the 35 minutes he was on the pitch. Chris Sweeney started off on the right side of defence, before moving into the middle for the second half. He looks to be a good acquisition and is comfortable on the ball. Paul Borland came on as a second half sub for Davie Watt, and this gifted left-footer certainly impressed me with his ariel prowess and general skill.

John Connolly, the impressive target-man first seen against Partick Thistle, replaced Drew McWilliams and once again showed signs of quality. His goal was breathtaking. Jim Fitzpatrick's qualities are already known to the core Lok support because of his appearances in previous seasons, and once again he showed composure on the ball. He also displayed an aggressive streak not seen before with a terrible tackle not long after coming on. Paul Cowie had a quiet but effective game in midfield, and will probably get a runout again.

Pollok: Ian Wilson (Allan Smith 66), Chris Sweeney, Roland Fabiani, Kevin O'Neil, Mario Pacitti (Stevie Gayne 46), Paul Cowie, Paul McNeill, Raymond Logan ( Stevie Aitchison 58), Drew McWilliams (John Connolly 66), John Hendry (Jim Fitzpatrick 58), Davie Watt (Paul Borland 66).

23rd July: Pollok 1 McWilliams 30 Partick Thistle 3 Dolan 20 McCallum 24 Gibson 78 att: 506 At Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow

Action from Pollok v Partick Thistle U21 (digicam)

Pollok began their pre-season programme on Tuesday night with a game against
Partick Thistle U21 and the Lok management team can be relatively satisfied with the workout. Missing from the line-up was new signing David Hamilton, but trialists Stuart Maxwell and Ian Wilson did appear alongside new signings Jim Fitzpatrick and Allan Smith. A whole host of others also took the field in the second half when Pollok used ten of the eleven subs.

After a bright start, Thistle took the lead in 20 minutes when Jamie Dolan showed his class to chip Allan Smith from 30 yards, and four minutes later former Stirling midfielder David McCallum lofted a free-kick from a similar distance over Smith.

Pollok on the attack versus the Jags (digicam)

Pollok reduced the lead on the half-hour mark after a good run from Paul McNeill who set up Drew McWilliams to beat Pinkowski from close range. The scoring was complete in 78 minutes after the Lok defence failed to clear their lines and youngster Andy Gibson rolled the ball past the prone Wilson for a flattering scoreline.

Pollok bolstered their numbers with many, many trialists. Kevin Deeney (ex-Queen's Park) I believe was at Beith last season, while Stuart Maxwell was at Cambuslang. Veteran keeper Ian Wilson is listed at Cumbernauld, and ex-Spartans, Wick and Ross County player Paul Cowie played two matches as a trialist for Lok last season. Added to that were former Queen's Park quartet Paul Brown, Chris Sweeney, John Connolly and Paul Borland while a very unfit ex-Hibs and St. Mirren striker Barry Lavety played the second half up front. Amateur Robert Cuthbert also featured.

Final score: Pollok 1 Partick Thistle 3

Pollok: Allan Smith, Stevie Gayne, Roland Fabiani, Kevin O'Neil, Mario Pacitti, Stuart Maxwell, Jim Fitzpatrick, John Hendry, Davie Watt, Drew McWilliams, Paul McNeill. subs: Ian Wilson, Chris Sweeney, Kevin Deeney, Raymond Logan, Paul Cowie, Barry Lavety, Paul Borland, Lorn Gibson, John Connolly, Paul Brown, Robert Cuthbert.

Partick Thistle: Pinkowski, McKinstrey, Brown, Thomson, Morris, McCallum, Lennon, Dolan, Miller, Gibson, Waddell. subs: Brawley, Brand, Morrow, Britton, Docherty, Howie.