Pollok Reports - November 2004

Saturday 27th November 2004 - Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow. Stagecoach Premier League. Att: 700
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok 3 (2)

The Pollok team had one change from the side that beat Johnstone Burgh last weekend, with Frankie Haggarty being restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Martin Nelson. Bellshill's only change from their last outing was Ross O'Donoghue coming in for Derek Rodden.

Bellshil Athletic 0 (0)

Pollok scorers: Martin McLauchlan (20, 42), Raymond Logan 70

Bellshill Athletic scorer: -

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

The wet weather forced the majority of the 700 crowd to shelter under the enclosure, though a lot of fans were late in getting in. There were a few early chances, with the best one falling to Lok in the 19th minute when McClay, Tinney and Stewart all linked up well, releasing McLauchlan on the right but his cross was cut out. Lok opened a minute later though when from Stewart's cross, Logan headed across goal, but the ball fell to MARTIN MCLAUCHLAN at the edge of the area and his low shot left Allan Smith helpless.

From a Tinney corner in 26 minutes, McLauchlan had a goalbound header saved, and the home fans got some entertainment soon after when the same player skinned ex-Lok defender Kevin O'Neil. Bellshill were not firing on all cylinders at the other end though, with a Fallon free-kick going over the bar one chance. Back at the other end, both Tinney and Stewart proved wasteful in front of goal.

Lok went two clear of the visitors in the 42nd minute when from Stewart's layoff out near the standside touchline, MARTIN MCLAUCHLAN flicked a low rocket beyond Smith yet again. It was a fabulous goal - if Martin has scored any better, I'd loved to have seen it.

Bellshill could have reduced the deficit towards the end of the first half when from a corner Richie Barr somehow managed to hook his shot from a yard or so out onto the bar, a poor miss.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

The second half was scrappier, and the first talking point was a shoving match between Gavin Friels and Greig McDonald, but Lok went three ahead in the 70th minute when RAYMOND LOGAN met a Haggarty corner with his head at the near post to send the ball into the net. Bellshill were forced to play out the last ten minutes a man short when keeper Smith took a knock after all of their subs had been used. Kevin O'Neil pulled on sub keeper Ian
MacFarlane's jersey but wasn't wildly tested in the closing moments, bar a corner that he punched away and a high ball through on him that he coolly headed to safety.

Raymond Logan heads goalwards in the first half

Frankie Haggarty was keen to net his first goal at Newlandsfield but over-egged the pudding somewhat when he waltzed into the Hill area, breezing past a few challenges, then faced with O'Neil at the edge of the 6 yard box, right in front of goal, blootered the ball high and wide.

It was a hard-working Lok that picked up all three points in this game, and with Glenafton drawing 1-1 with Maryhill, the lead at the top of the table has increased. Next week's cup tie with by all accounts quite a physical side in Kelty Hearts will be interesting.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok: Wilson, McWilliams, Haggarty, Aitchison, Heaton, McClay, Stewart (sub 83 for Sweeney), Logan, McLauchlan, Friels (sub 90 for Proctor), Tinney (sub 90 for Jordan). Not used: Nelson, McKeever.
Booked: Friels 65
Bellshill Athletic: A. Smith, Renicks, Brown (sub 69 for Scott), B. Smith, O'Neil, McDonald, Fallon (sub 74 for Currie), O'Donoghue, Barr, Franchetti, Grant (sub 63 for Watson). Not used: Callaghan, MacFarlane.
Booked: Brown 45, McDonald 65

Saturday 20th November 2004 - Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow. Stagecoach Premier League. Att: 500
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok 2 (2)

The Lok groundstaff did their usual excellent job in making sure that the scheduled match had as much chance as possible of going ahead in chilly conditions, though despite the win, this was no winter warmer. Chris Sweeney had to sit this one out after picking up a groin strain in the midweek friendly with Hamilton Academical, with Mark McWilliams replacing him.

Johnstone Burgh 0 (0)

Pollok scorer: Gavin Friels (41, 45)

Johnstone Burgh scorer: -

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

After the minute's silence for Johnstone Burgh stalwart Willie Cassidy, who died last week, a very poor game got underway. Johnstone Burgh had elected to try and limit Pollok to as few goals as possible, without making too much attempt to try and score themselves, and that did not lend itself too well to making a spectacle. Lok's first real chance came in the 7th minute when Logan turned and shot over the bar, and the same player hooked a shot wide four minutes later. As Lok tried to make the breakthrough, John Tinney outjumped McHugh but couldn't make a connection with a cross.

In the 25th minute, McLauchlan had a shot tipped over by Donohoe, while McLauchlan then had a header hacked away by a desperate Burgh defence from the corner. With 36 minutes played, a McClay cross narrowly evaded the lively John Tinney, but the opening goal was not long in coming. Sfter 41 minutes, Derek Heaton had stayed up after a corner and found himself in a position to make a precise layoff in the direction of McLauchlan at the edge of the area, and the Lok forward's shot was deflected past Donohoe by GAVIN FRIELS. Pollok went further ahead just before half-time when McLauchlan's cross was excellently headed beyond Donohoe by GAVIN FRIELS for his 11th goal of the season.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

The second half was a bit of a non-event, and Burgh finally looked threatening when John Sherry shot over in the 50th minute. Shortly after the hour mark, Nelson saw a shot deflected with Taggart clearing the danger. There was a bit of a fuss caused over a nasty Burgh tackle from John Sherry, but the referee decided to only issue a yellow card. Pollok sub Frankie Haggarty then had an opportunity to score when his shot from the right was saved.

Lok passed up another few chances in the closing stages of the game, one in which Friels missed a fantastic chance to grab his first Lok hat-trick when he headed straight at the keeper from a cross. Danny McKelvie might have netted a Burgh consolation in stoppage time when he embarked on a run that ended with him wasting a great chance to score.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok: Wilson, McWilliams, Nelson (sub 70 for Haggarty), Aitchison, Heaton, McClay, Stewart, Logan (sub 88 for McKeever), McLauchlan, Friels, Tinney. Not used: Jordan, Proctor, Paterson.
Johnstone Burgh: Donohue, Wozencroft, Dale, B. Smith, McHugh, Graham (sub 75 for McShane), Taggart, A. Smith, Carberry (sub 70 for Creaney), J. Sherry (sub 70 for McKelvie), Madden. Not used: Friels, Traynor.
Booked: Dale 65, Sherry 66
Ref: I. Craig

Saturday 13th November 2004 - Loch Park, New Cumnock. Stagecoach Premier League. Att: 200 (pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Glenafton Athletic 3 (2)

Lok's annual winter haul South to New Cumnock proved profitable for the second season running, and the battling performance produced from the men in black and white keeps any title hopes alive, even at this early point. Glens featured very recently ex-Muirkirk keeper Danny Moy, disgarded in midweek, as a trialist in goal as cover for Gary Matthews.

Pollok 4 (1)

Glenafton Athletic scorers: Stuart Boyd (1), Craig Callaghan (33), Stevie Mallan (73)

Pollok scorers: Martin McLauchlan (37), Gavin Friels (48, 75), Raymond Logan (55)

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Lok fell behind within 60 seconds though, when Craig Bingham took advantage of a lot of space on the right to fire in a low cross that STUART BOYD met before beating Wilson. Glens totally dominated the early spells and Callaghan had a chance to put them further ahead in the 12th minute but he shot wide. Dale Beattie did likewise in the 17th minute, though by the half-hour mark, Lok had begun to show a little themselves. Willie Stewart perhaps had Lok's first chance in 32 minutes when he won the ball at the edge of the Glenafton box then blasted a shot high over the bar.

The home side went further ahead in the 33rd minute when Wilson brought down Bingham, and although CRAIG CALLAGHAN saw his penalty saved, but he followed up the rebound to score.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Lok were not out of the game though, as they were given a pre half-time boost from Moy in 37 minutes when he allowed MARTIN MCLAUCHLAN to steal the ball off his foot before rolling it into the empty net. Glens could have restored the cushion in the 43rd minute when Agnew crossed for Bingham but he didn't hit the target.

Pollok equalised soon after the restart when John Tinney's cross from the left found GAVIN FRIELS and from close range the ex-Talbot man doesn't miss. Willie Stewart then saw a header saved by Moy, but with 55 minutes on the clock, Lok moved ahead for the first time in the match when RAYMOND LOGAN directed a header beyond the Glens keeper from another Tinney cross.

The action swung down to the other end, and after Tinney was penalised for a shirt pull in 73 minutes, the resultant Hogg free-kick was met by the head of Glens player/manager STEVIE MALLAN who showed his class to beat Wilson. The scoring was completed two minutes later when GAVIN FRIELS, yet again coming deep to find the ball, embarked on a run through the heart of the Glens defence and from the edge of the box fired a low shot to Moys' left into the corner of the net.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Glenafton Athletic: Moy, Bingham, McBride (sub 66 for Trialist), Hogg, McCaig (sub 16 for Stewart), Agnew, Callaghan, Beattie (sub 62 for Miller),Boyd, Mallan, Newall. Not used: Robertson, Keegans.
Pollok: Wilson, Sweeney, Nelson (sub 62 for Haggarty), Aitchison, Heaton, McClay, Stewart, Logan, McLauchlan (sub 90 for Jordan), Friels, Tinney. Not used: McKeever, Proctor, Paterson.
Booked: Nelson 35, Tinney 89
Ref: Stevie Nicholls

Saturday 6th November 2004 - Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow. OVD Scottish Junior Cup. Att: 599 (pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok 3 (2)

Pollok secured a safe passage into the third round of the OVD Junior Cup with a comfortable 3-1 victory over visitors Dundee Violet in front of a crowd of 599 at Newlandsfield Park. Rab Sneddon made one change from the team that drew 2-2 at Western Park, with Paul McMenamin dropping out and being replaced by John
Tinney writes Martin Donnelly.

Dundee Violet 1 (0)

Pollok scorers: Andy McClay (2), Raymond Logan (8), Derek Heaton (77)

Dundee Violet scorer: Jackie Thomson (88 pen)

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Any early nerves for the home team were soon settled as `Lok took the lead within 80 seconds. Martin McLauchlan was released into space down the right hand side, and his clever cutback was nonchalantly placed into the bottom corner of the net by ANDY McCLAY, grabbing his first goal in Pollok colours.

Within 8 minutes Pollok had doubled their lead, with RAYMOND LOGAN rising unchallenged to head home from a Willie Stewart corner. McLauchlan nearly extended the Pollok lead further, but his 20-yard effort was touched over the bar.

Violet were struggling to make any impression on proceedings, but were nearly presented with a chance to get back into the game after 23 minutes. Some poor defending in the home defence saw Chris Queen home in on goal, but his equally poor effort went wide of the target. Paul Clark then found his way into referee Rafferty's notebook with a booking for dissent before Ian Wilson had to look sharp to prevent Logan's touch from diverting a Violet cross into the `Lok net for an own goal.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

In the 31st minute Gavin Friels' direct running saw the striker create a good opportunity, but he scooped his effort woefully over the bar. Three minutes later Friels was the provider as Pollok broke free after clearing a Violet free kick, but McLauchlan's attempt on goal struck Brian Brown's legs. Craig Robb and Jackie Thomson were then booked for the visitors before Logan struck the outside of the woodwork after some excellent work from Stevie Aitchison. John Tinney was booked for Pollok in injury time, and from the resultant free kick Wilson had to tip over from Queen's 30-yard effort.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

John Markie tried to change the pattern of play at half time, with Finlay Muir replacing Craig Pilon, and The Pansies were certainly more threatening in the early part of the second half, with Ballantyne hitting the target with a long range effort and Clark pulling a shot wide after some slack defending by Logan. The same player nearly atoned for his error, however, when he bundled an effort towards goal, but Thomson got back to make a goal line clearance from the Pollok midfielder. Ballantyne then stabbed wide after the home side were cut apart down their left, before McLauchlan hit the keeper's legs for the second time in the game after an excellent through ball from Martin Nelson.

Friels then got onto the end of a ball over the top from Derek Heaton, but Brown was able to make the save. Logan hit woodwork for the second time in the 70th minute when his thunderous drive cracked off the crossbar after a mazy run. Junior football wouldn't be junior football if there wasn't some controversy, and it arrived in the 77th minute when a Stewart corner was met by DEREK HEATON, whose header was adjudged to have crept over the line, despite the protests of the Dundee players.

Nine minutes later and it was the home side who felt aggrieved as Friels bulleted home a header from a Frankie Haggarty cross, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. After Friels was booked for dissent Violet broke to the other end where they were awarded a penalty with Stewart being adjudged to have fouled Muir. JACKIE THOMSON duly slotted home the spot kick, while McClay's continued protests saw him booked.

Pollok saw out time without further drama, however, and can look forward to the third round draw of the national competition, while the men from Glenesk Park can concentrate on their promotion bid.

(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok: Wilson, Sweeney (sub 65 for McWilliams), Nelson (sub 80 for Haggarty), Aitchison, Heaton, McClay, Stewart, Logan, McLauchlan, Friels, Tinney (sub 85 for McKeever). Not used: Proctor, Burns
Booked: Tinney 45, McLauchlan 71, Friels 86, McClay 89
Dundee Violet: Brown, Reekie, Farquhar, Pilon (sub 46 for Muir), Jones, Queen, Ballantyne, Robb (sub 64 for Atagan), Boyle, Thomson, Clark (sub 68 for McLaughlin). Not used: McCabe, Lumsden
Booked: Clark 24, Thomson 39, Robb 41
Ref: Pat Rafferty