Aitken 21, 60

McNeill 2 (pen)

Neilston
No complete lineup

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. O'Neil 6
3. Fabiani 6
4. Heaton 6
(sub Bryers 72 7)
5. Pacitti 6
6. Aitchison 7
7. Hamilton 6
8. Jordan 6
9. McPhee 6
10. Fitzpatrick 6
(sub Watt 60 6)
11. McNeill 6
Subs not used: Smith, Sweeney, Gayne

After a neat one two Hamilton sent in a great cross field ball to Paul McNeil who dribbled round Sexton and was brought down by the Neilston keeper for a stonewall penalty.

McNeill converts the Lok penalty (videograb)

The Neilston keeper was fortunate not to receive a red card as he had denied a clear goal scoring opportunity, and showed dissent to the match official in the ensuing melee. PAUL MCNEILL dusted himself down and sent Sexton the wrong way from the spot.

Pollok continued to play well and McNeill should have made it two but he volleyed over the bar from six yards out. Pacitti was next to come close when his header was deflected wide. Neilston gradually came into the game playing some nice football in the horrible wet conditions. The very impressive front pairing of Waddell and Creaney were causing lots of problem. Waddell was first to force Wilson into action after he turned young Jordan inside out on the edge of the box before firing in a powerful shot which was well saved by the Pollok keeper.

Next Creaney went on a skilful run and his cross was just missed at the back post by number 8 sliding in. The equalising goal finally came and it was a beauty. In a move the full length of the park Neilston played brilliant passing football with seven different players touching the ball, which never left the ground. Eventually after good hold up play by Cochrane, CHRIS AITKEN showed great technique to shoot the ball low and hard into the left hand corner of the net from twenty five yards out.

Pollok only really created two more serious chances in the half when Fitzpatrick sent a spectacular volley just over the top from fully thirty yards. Kevin O'Neil was next to try his luck from long range but his shot was always swerving wide.

Half-time: Neilston 1 Pollok 1

The second half was more of the same with Neilston looking the better team and playing the better football. Both Whiteford and Donnelly had good shots blocked by Wilson, and Creaney forced a brave save from the Pollok keeper after he again skinned Mario Pacitti inside the box. On the hour mark Neilston took a deserved lead when slackness in the Pollok defence gave away cheap possession 25 yards out and again Neilston's CHRIS AITKEN took full advantage scoring and replica of his first goal, this time low and hard into the right hand corner of the net.

Shortly afterwards Paul McNeill lost possession to Urquhart. McNeill stupidly tripped the Neilston man over; a silly petulant foul that the player himself admitted was out of line. Urquhart lost the plot and got up and punched the Pollok man. McNeill was sent off while Urquhart was cautioned.

Urquhart (No4 ) after felling Paul McNeill (videograb)

The game looked like boiling over as both teams flew in with some wild tackles as tempers were lost. Pollok actually played better with the ten men and the two subs brought on, Watt and Bryers gave the team more options up front. Bryers put in two dangerous crosses than Sexton flapped at and was luck to see his defenders bail him out.

Ian Wilson in first half action (videograb)

Watt had a cross cum shot just missed at the back post by McPhee. Neilston sat back and hit on the break with both number 12 and Whiteford having shots well saved by Wilson. Pollok had one last chance to get an equaliser but after fine work by Fabiani and O'Neil, Hamilton just missed the dangerous cross ball.

No complaints again about the result - the best team won. Neilston could be a little dirty at times but played some excellent attacking football with some fine players in midfield and attack. Only perhaps long-term their defence and keeper will stop them winning the title but they should be the highest placed Central team, I reckon. Pollok have just fallen right out of form at the worst time of the season.

Full-time: Neilston 2 Pollok 1

McTurk 51
S. Watson 75

McNeill 85

Kilwinning Rangers
1. Barnes
2. Mason
3. Mullen
4. Cameron
5. Currie
6. McIntyre
7. Strain
8. Farrell
9. McTurk
(sub McMillan 90)
10. Adam
11. S. Watson
(sub Sloan 90)
Subs not used: Gallagher, McLaren, McKechnie

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. Gayne 6
3. Fabiani 6
4. Heaton 7
5. Pacitti 6
6. Aitchison 6
7. Bryers 6
8. O'Neil 6
9. McNeill 6
10. Hamilton 6
11. Watt 6
(sub Jordan 79 7)
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Smith, Sweeney, D. McWilliams

After that I am afraid from Pollok's point of view the first half was an onslaught from the home side. The Buffs could have run up a cricket score playing some top class football and only some awful finishing and
fine goalkeeping from Ian Wilson kept the teams level. The first chance came after Pacitti almost put into his own net, and from the corner the excellent Currie sent a strong header just wide.

Pollok under the cosh in 1st half (videograb)

The Buffs again came close after Strain sent a low shot through the crowded box that Wilson did well to turn round the post and onto a huge inflatable bottle of whiskey behind the goal. Both Watson and McTurk sent shots high over the bar when they should have hit the target. Ian Wilson then produced a wonder reflex save to deny Watson who looked certain to score with a vicious volley from 6 yards out.

Pollok tried to hit on the break and did seem to catch the Buffs defence square on a couple of occasion but Hamilton and Watt saw their clever through balls cut-out by the well positioned Currie. The half ended with the Buffs well on top playing very good football.

Half-time: Kilwinning Rangers 0 Pollok 0

The second half was more of the same. The home side should have gone ahead in the opening minute but from 2 yards out Strain missed the open goal and managed to hit the top of the covered enclosure with a wild shot. The opening goal came deservedly in the 51st minute with a delightful turn on the edge of the box ALAN MCTURK beat Pacitti and shot low into the net from 16 yards out.

Again the Buffs continued to play top class football but luckily the finishing was not of the same standard. A great passing move ended with a cross from Farrell which Adams headed over when he really should have scored. Left back Mullen then forced another brilliant save out of Wilson with a shot from 25 yards.

Ian Wilson point-blank save in 1st half (videograb)

Pollok had a brief spell of pressure when Bryers sent Paul McNeill free and his dangerous cross was cut out by Currie. From the corner Pacitti again out jumped the home defence but put the header just wide. The Buffs scored again however in the 75th minute. From a corner kick Wilson was a full stretch to punch the ball clear but unfortunately it fell straight to the unmarked STEPHEN WATSON at the edge of the box and he volleyed the ball through the crowd of players and into the net.

Jordan celebrates Lok's consolation (videograb)

In the last 10 minutes Pollok managed to have the better of the play and at least showed that they were a decent side. In the 85th minute, impressive juveniles debuatant Peter Jordan sent in a brilliant free kick which PAUL MCNEILL headed in from close range. A similar free kick moment later caused panic in the home defence and Bryers shot was deflected wide. From the corner kick again the home defence looked awkward and keeper Barnes was lucky to see his fumble cleared by Cameron.

No complaints about the result today as for the bulk of the game the Buffs were far superior to Pollok. There was some top class play from the home side and if they keep up this form they must be strong favourites for the league title.

Pollok really didn't do themselves justice today, however I hope that in the two league meetings to come that they can play better and get a little bit of luck that was missing today. Ian Wilson was again tremendous today and was not to blame for any of the goals. Heaton and Pacitti did well and sub Jordan I think impressed all the fans today and I look forward to seeing more of him this season.

I have to give high praise to the referee today I though has an outstanding game and kept control of things definitely the best refereeing performance I have seen for a long time - well done Ref!

Full-time: Kilwinning Rangers 2 Pollok 1

McNeill 24

Gilmour 5

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. O'Neil 8
3. Fabiani 6
4. Heaton 8
5. Pacitti 7
6. Aitchison 7
7. McPhee 6
(sub Bryers 53 7)
8. Logan 5
9. McNeill 6
10. Hamilton 6
11. Watt 6
(sub Sweeney 71 5)
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Smith, Jordan

Auchinleck Talbot
1. Smith
2. Duncan
3. Gilmour
4. McAneny
5. Traynor
6. Hyslop
7. Davidson
(sub McCann 86)
8. Peacock
9. Friels
(sub Watson 79)
10. Biggart
11. Wallace
Subs not used: Gibson, Collie

In front of the largest crowd of the season Talbot shocked the home side with a stunning goal in the 5th minute. A throw in was deflected into the path of left back NEAL GILMOUR and he hit a shot so powerful from fully 30 yards that it flew into the top corner of the net and bounced out before keeper Wilson could even move.

McNeill unloks the Talbot defence (videograb)

Pollok did not panic and took control of the game playing some excellent football. The outstanding Derek Heaton headed on a free kick and David Watt shot just past the post. Then what looked like a perfectly good goal was chalked off. Watt had a good free kick well saved and the rebound fell to Ray Logan. His shot was helped into the net by Fabiani but the far side linesman ruled the effort offside,with the Pollok man looking at least level with the Talbot defenders.

Pollok had another goal ruled correctly this time offside when McNeill netted after another good Heaton knock-down. The equalising goal came in the 24th minute. Gilmour stupidly went in late on Fabiani long after the referee had stopped play for an earlier infringement. This earned the Talbot man a costly yellow card. The free kick from Watt was yet again headed on by Heaton allowing PAUL MCNEILL to volley home from 6 yards.

Then the game erupted with an onfield melee. Logan was fouled from behind by Davidson. As the players got up it looked like Logan either stamped or kicked out at the Talbot man. Talbot forward Friels then seemed to strike Pacitti as things looked to get well out of hand. When calm was restored Logan was shown a straight red card. The linesman raised his flag and after a consultation, Friels was called over and was booked.

Despite being a man short the home side continued to dominate and David Watt missed a great chance when he shot weakly at keeper Smith after being cleverly set up by Hamilton. At the other end yet another pass back mix-up between O'Neil and Wilson nearly gave Talbot the lead but no one was on hand to tap in an intelligent cutback from Wallace.

Gilmour came close to adding an even better goal than his earlier one when he hit the top of the bar with another venomous shot. Right on half-time Gilmour was shown a second yellow card for reasons unknown to most of the crowd after presumably an off the ball incident.

Half-time: Pollok 1 Auchinleck Talbot 1

The second half saw Talbot turn the tables and dominate as much as Pollok had in the first half. Both Hyslop and Peacock time and time again showed great skill and intelligence to use the acres of space they were afforded down the right wing. The home defence had to mop up considerable pressure and were lucky on two occasions when both Davidson and Friels had great chances to score only to shot straight at keeper Wilson.

At the other end Pollok relied on the quick break and a good run from McNeill ended with a clever chip by Watt going just wide. Another good effort followed when sub Joe Bryers had a great shot tipped over the bar by Smith. A needless free kick conceded on the edge of the Pollok box saw Ian Wilson at his best to deny a clever Biggart free kick with a fine save.

No way through this Lok for Friels (videograb)

More controversy arrived a moment later when a Kevin O'Neil shot clearly struck the arm of a Talbot defender. The referee was right up with play as he clearly thought it was accidental. More excellent play this time on the right wing by Hyslop nearly saw Heaton turn the ball into his own net. From the corner a powerful shot from sub Watson again clearly hit O'Neil on the hand, as before the referee seemed to deem this accidental.

Pacitti does a Whacko - Lok-out! (videograb)

Pollok tried very hard, especially sub Sweeney who was thrown in at the deep end after his recent injury lay-off by being put up front against the tough Talbot defence. However the normally slick passing of Fabiani and Hamilton and general hold up play by McNeill was well off today and they never looked like getting a winner more often than not possession was given away very cheaply. The final whistle went with Talbot very much on top.

I hate to say this but the classic game of two halves. Pollok played as well as they have this season in the first half but faded badly in the second. Talbot looked an excellent side in the second half and will be a force to reckon with in the Super league but I guess we all knew that already. I was really impressed with Hyslop, Davidson and Biggart. Apart from the Logan and Friels nonsense this was a great advert for the Juniors.

For Pollok Kevin O'Neill continued his good form and Derek Heaton was brilliant yet again.

Full-time: Pollok 1 Auchinleck Talbot 1

Elms 88

McNeill 15
Hendry 60, 78

Dunbar United
1. Carver
2. Congalton
3. Grant
4. Elms
5. Richardson
6. Murray
7. Gormley
8. Stewart
9. Haynes
10. Cheetham
11. Dignan
Subs: Borthwick, Balcioglu, Jones, Landells, Pucko

Pollok
1. Wilson 8
2. O'Neil 6
3. Fabiani 6
4. Heaton 8
5. Pacitti 7
6. Aitchison 6
7. Hamilton 6
(sub Bryers 80 7)
8. Logan 6
9. McNeill 6
10. Hendry 7
11. Watt 8
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick,
D. McWilliams, Sweeney, Smith.

In the 14th minute the opening goal came with a thunderous shot from a narrow angle from PAUL MCNEILL after his original cross was blocked. This settled Pollok down and minutes later Hamilton came close with a 40 yard chip after Carver fluffed a backpass. David Watt was next to threaten with a great shot on the turn which just whistled past the post with the keeper nowhere.

Raymond Logan gets stuck in (videograb)

Dunbar had a good run by skilful Mark Gormley and his shot under pressure by Kevin O'Neil came close. Then a ridiculous refereeing decision from Mr Carter nearly gave Dunbar an equaliser. Fabiani was clearly pushed in the back as he rose for an easy header. On falling he handled the ball and the referee gave a free kick amazingly for the home side. It was taken quickly and Ryan Rignan forced a good block out of Ian Wilson.

Pollok remained on top in the run-up to half time with both McNeill and Heaton coming close with headers.

Half-time: Dunbar United 0 Pollok 1

The second half followed a similar pattern with Pollok having the best of the play. Dunbar didn't really threaten with both forwards working hard but it seemed like the midfield were very slow in getting up in support. For Pollok the two main problems to adding to the score were breaking down the home side's well organised offside trap and also staying upright as time and again the players lost their footing.

It was just before the hour mark that Pollok got a killer second goal. From a good Logan cross Watt flicked the ball on for JOHN HENDRY to score with an easy header from 6 yards out. Another good chance was created by McNeill after a good passing move but the final shot from Hamilton was straight at the keeper.

Hendo's got the second! (videograb)

A third goal duly came thanks to some neat play on the edge of the box by O'Neil and Watt. The ball was played through allowing JOHN HENDRY, who timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap, to net with a clever lob over the Dunbar keeper.

The ex-Spurs man makes it look threesy! (videograb)

Davie watt then forced a top class save from the home keeper after a dreadful headed clearance from Richardson. Sub Joe Bryers then came close when after a terrific run, he forced a fine one-handed save out of the home keeper. Dunbar did however create a couple of chances late on.

Lok's Raymond Logan had the ball in the net after a great passing move but the play was pulled back for a close offside call. United sub Jones then had a great flying header which was brilliantly saved by Wilson before an 85th minute corner led to a consolation goal. With the outstanding Heaton off the field getting treatment for an injury Dunbar took advantage of some casual play in the Pollok defence allowing DOUGIE ELMS to prod the ball home from close range.

All in all the result was the most important thing today and Pollok without playing anywhere near their top form won without too much trouble against a very spirited and hard working Dunbar side.

Good luck to Dunbar for the rest of the season.

Full-time: Dunbar United 1 Pollok 3

O'Hara 23

Watt 63, 88

Benburb
No teamsheet available

Pollok
1. Wilson 7
2. O'Neil 7
3. Fabiani 6
4. Heaton 8
5. Pacitti 7
6. Aitchison 7
7. Bryers 6
(sub Hendry 60 6)
8. Logan 6
9. McNeill 7
10. Hamilton 7
11. Watt 8
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Martin, Jordan, McQuade

Roland Fabiani saw his powerful header from a Bryers corner cleared off the line (above) by Bens' No 10. Paul McNeill then shot just wide from inside the box after a neat turn. Luck seemed to desert Pollok after both McNeil and Watt had shots cleared off the line and a Mario Pacitti header shaved the post.

Davie Watt's equaliser in the second half (videograb)

As so often happens Benburb who had not been in the game as an attacking force scored with their first attempt with a wonder goal. It was a great run by FRANK O'HARA who beat two men and then crashed an unsaveable shot into the top corner from 25 yards out.

Pollok fought back and were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty when Joe Bryers beat two men on the wing and his cross looked to be deliberately blocked by the arm of Bens' No 4. Nothing however was given.

Watt then saw the Bens keeper make a good save from his deflected effort and Logan had a snapshot just over the bar. However it could have been worse for Pollok as Bens No 11 wasted a great chance after running on to a short pass back from Fabiani. Luckily for Pollok, the Bens forward overran the ball allowing Ian Wilson to save comfortably.

Half-time: Benburb 1 Pollok 0

The second half followed a similar pattern with Pollok having the bulk of the play. Fabiani again was unlucky when his back header from an Aitchison long throw was cleared off the line. Watt then again came close after good skill on the edge of the box his shot went just wide with the Bens keeper well beaten.

On the hour mark Pollok got a deserved equaliser with an excellent goal. A great passing move the full length of the park involving Fabiani and Bryers ended with a McNeill cross being headed home from 8 yards by DAVID WATT.

Twice Paul McNeill came close to giving Pollok the lead with a header and overhead kick both going agonisingly wide. Watt then had a clever shot from 20 yards which produced a brilliant fingertip save from the Bens keeper. Sub Hendry was then denied by another fine save from the Bens keeper after a clever Watt back-heel set him up.

Hendo's got the pies (videograb)

Paul McNeill then should have scored when he did all the hard work in beating his man and rounding the keeper only delaying his shot allowing the keeper to recover and make a brave stop at his feet.

The game then erupted with a decision that enraged the home side. Kevin O'Neil sent an awful backpass to keeper Wilson with Bens' Wes Pattison right on top of him. Wilson first touched the ball with his hands then brought down the Bens forward. The referee was not in a good position himself, and twice looked over to the stand side linesman but no flag was raised. It should have been at the least an indirect free kick for handling a back-pass or if advantage was being played a red card and a penalty.

The vital winner from Watt (videograb)

Bens manager Ross Findlay was sent from the touchline for his furious protests. Pollok added insult to injury with a last minute winner. From a Bens corner Pollok produced a classic breakaway goal. A fine move started by McNeill led to Heaton crossing for Hendry and his effort broke off the keeper allowing DAVID WATT a simple tap in from 6 yards.

Bens roared up the park and Wilson then produced another stunning save to deny number 10's clever chip. From the corner Wilson made a fine catch and off the ball Bens number 12 elbowed Hendry. In 5 minutes of injury time Benburb let themselves down with some ridiculous tackles. 12, 4 and 9 all flew into tackles from behind as the game turned really nasty.

Hendry was again the victim of a violent attack and the referee consulted the far side linesman but he got the wrong man. O'Hara was sent off when I think the real culprit was Leonard. Thankfully the game ended without any serious injuries.

Pollok looked the better team for the entire game and deserved their win. Once again many chances were created but it was good goalkeeping and bad luck in front of goal rather than bad misses this week. Bens had what looked like a stand-in keeper to thank for keeping the score down with a brave display.

Full-time: Benburb 1 Pollok 2