Kenny Gillies 82

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Pollok brought down the curtain on a highly successful season by claiming the Evening Times Cup Winners Cup as they defeated Irvine Meadow at a sun drenched Somervell Park.

Injuries restricted Rab Sneddon's team selection choices, with amateur Brian Hamilton drafted in to ensure a full quota of substitutes. Newly married Stevie Miller reclaimed the holding midfield berth from Ross O'Donoghue in the only change from the semi-final against Kirkintilloch. The early stages saw little goalmouth action with the only save coming from Michael Wardrope after a weak Robert Downs header. 'Lok were forced into a major reshuffle after 20 minutes when captain Stevie Aitchison received a fractured cheekbone when he was caught by the arm of Gareth Turner. Ross O'Donoghue replaced him, with both Joe Carruth and Zander Ryan having to take up new positions.

Kenny Gillies and Derek Wingate both required treatment for Meadow after a clash of heads in the 27th minute, before the Ayrshire side missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. A cross from the right found Chris Strain alone in the middle of the penalty area, but he could only header the ball straight at Kris Robertson. They were left to rue this miss after 37 minutes when Pollok took the lead. Ryan's corner kick was flicked on by the head of David McGeown and BRYAN DINGWALL nodded the ball home from close range for the opener. 'Dow could have drawn level just two minutes later when Strain stretched to meet a cross from the right, but Robertson made a superb save to keep the ball out of the net, while Miller mopped up the rebound. Richie Newall then forced a good save at the other end from Wardrope before Pollok claimed their second goal. Again the goal came from a set-piece when a beautifully flighted free-kick from Gary Wilson found the head of DAVID McGEOWN, who directed the ball beyond Wardrope to make the half-time score 2-0 to Pollok.

Both scorers were soon back in the action after the restart, with McGeown evading two Meadow tackles, only for the ball to break to Dingwall, but this time his shot was saved by Wardrope. He was not to be denied his second goal and Pollok's third after 49 minutes when he was released in behind the 'Dow defence, and although Wardrope got a leg to his effort BRYAN DINGWALL found the back of the net for his 29th goal of the season. McGeown had to limp out of proceedings shortly afterwards, with Davie Turnbull replacing him. Some terrific footwork from Turnbull left Craig Baxter chasing shadows for Meadow, but Downs couldn't find the target after receiving a cut-back from his fellow striker.

On the hour mark Robertson was caught in possession at the edge of his own penalty area and only the superb covering play of Chris Cruickshank prevented Stephen Whalen from finding the net as he blocked the shot six yards from goal. Meadow introduced Charlie Adams and James Tyler as they sought a way back into the game, but Adams was soon back off the field. Having been warned when a previous stray arm caught Miller, referee Andy McWilliam had no hesitation in dismissing Adams when he caught Turnbull in the face moments later. The Irvine side did, however, pull a goal back after 82 minutes. Robertson clawed away a goalbound header only for KENNY GILLIES to follow-up and touch the ball home off the inside of the post. 'Lok suffered some nervy moments, with Andy Essler, Wingate and Whalen all forcing good stops from Robertson, while Gillies saw a shot deflected over, but Pollok's tired legs held out long enough to ensure that the prize was heading to Newlandsfield.

The result completes a campaign for Pollok that realised two cups as well as the league title, with the management team deserving great credit for turning things round after a slow start to the season.

Irvine Meadow: Wardrope, Mason (Whalen 48), Noble, Gillies, Wingate, Baxter, Gold, McPhee, Turner (Adams 67), Strain (Tyler 69), Essler. Not used: Nolan, McLaughlin.
Booked: Wingate (74)
Sent Off: Adams (76)
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, G Wilson, Aitchison (O'Donoghue 20), Cruickshank, Miller, Ryan, McGeown (Turnbull 52), Dingwall, Downs (Waddell 78), Newall. Not used: Hamilton, I Wilson.
Booked: Carruth (76)

Garry Carberry 85
Andy Deas 90

Pollok kept alive their hopes of a treble triumph as they reached the final of the Evening Times Cup Winners Cup after a penalty shoot out victory over Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Newlandsfield Park. With players missing for a number of reasons, from injuries to honeymoons, 'Lok manager Rab Sneddon had few options when selecting his starters. Injuries to Derek Heaton and Alan Waddell saw them dropped to the bench, with Bryan Dingwall returning as well as Ross O'Donoghue taking up an unfamiliar holding role in midfield.

Dingwall had an opportunity to end his recent goal drought after just eight minutes when he found himself 20 yards from goal, but Terry Magennis was able to claw his chipped effort away for a corner kick. Richie Newall missed the target with a free-kick after 13 minutes, and one minute later he was called upon at the other end to make a timely intervention to prevent Paul Campbell from reaching a Jamie Broadfoot cross. A 27th minute cross from Ryan Deas nearly caught out Kris Robertson as it dipped under his crossbar, but the 'keeper backtracked to keep the ball out. The half finished with an inviting cross from Newall finding no takers, and it was a fair reflection of the opening 45 minutes that the game remained goalless at the interval.

The lack of goalmouth action continued through the early stages of the second half, with O'Donoghue and Jamie Prunty both missing the target from distance. On the hour mark a perfectly weighted ball from O'Donoghue gave Robert Downs a sight of goal, but an excellent covering challenge from Andy Dearie saw the ball out for a corner kick. Five minutes later Magennis had to be alert as a corner from Zander Ryan nearly found the back of the net, with the 'keeper just managing to touch the ball over.

A mishit clearance at the other end from Robertson landed at the feet of Deas, and only a well-timed challenge from O'Donoghue spared the 'Lok number one's blushes. Substitute Paul Gordon picked up the first booking of the game after 74 minutes for a foul on Chris Cruickshank, and the hosts opened the scoring three minutes later. Gary Wilson slipped a pass through to Downs, who was hauled down in the penalty area by Dearie. Referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot, and ROBERT DOWNS dusted himself off before firing the ball low past Magennis for the opening goal.

O'Donoghue then drove wide for Pollok, while Brian Vaugh missed high after redirecting a Dearie shot. Rob Roy pulled level with just five minutes to play when GARY CARBERRY curled an exquisite effort from the edge of the box over the head of Robertson and into the corner of the net. Pollok immediately replied when Ryan's cross from the right found RICHIE NEWALL at the back post, who brought the ball under control before lashing it off the inside of the upright and into the net. 'Lok could not hang on to their lead, however, as Rabs equalised again with just seconds to play. Prunty's speculative ball into the box should have been taken by Robertson, but he spilled the ball under pressure. Broadfoot hammered the ball across goal and RYAN DEAS touched it home from close range.

This sent the game to penalty kicks, and things started badly for the home side as Magennis saved from Downs. Deas scored for the visitors and Ryan replied for 'Lok before Robertson atoned for his earlier error with a fine save from Broadfoot. Davie Turnbull, Dingwall and Wilson all scored for Pollok, with Gordon and Vaugh converting for Kirkintilloch. The pressure was therefore on the shoulders of Stewart Maxwell, who had to score to keep the tie alive. Robertson was up to the task of stopping him, however, as he blocked the kick with his legs to take Pollok through to the final.

The final sees Pollok renew their rivalry with Irvine Meadow XI, who they defeated in the Scottish Junior Cup this season after a replay.

Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, G Wilson, Aitchison, Cruickshank, O'Donoghue, Ryan, McGeown (Turnbull 78), Dingwall, Downs, Newall. Not used: Waddell, Heaton, I Wilson.
Booked: Turnbull (87)
Kirkintilloch: Magennis, Dearie, Maxwell, Prunty, Mitchell, Carberry, Campbell, McAndie (Gordon 46), Broadfoot, Vaugh, Deas. Not used: Chang, Stevenson, Gordon, McPeake, Dornan.
Booked: Gordon (74), Prunty (77)

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Pollok continued their pursuit of a third trophy this season with a penalty shoot-out victory against Clydebank at Glenhead Park in the quarter-finals of the Evening Times Cup Winners Cup. With top scorer Bryan Dingwall still feeling the effects of illness manager Rab Sneddon chose to relegate him to the bench, with Stevie Miller also missing out from the team that faced Auchinleck. Taking their places were Richie Newall and David McGeown.

Pollok's first opportunity arrived after eight minutes when a cross from Joe Carruth was nodded over the bar by Chris Cruickshank. For Clydebank David Fisher released Mark Bowie on the Pollok goal, but his first touch was poor and the chance was gone. 'Lok broke to the other end of the field, only for Zander Ryan to lift the ball over the target. Robert Downs also fired over from distance for Pollok, while Gordon Lappin shot wide for Bankies before 'Lok were reduced to ten men after 22 minutes. Stevie Aitchison halted a Clydebank attack forty yards from goal, with referee Stevie McLean adjudging that a clear goalscoring opportunity had been denied and so he dismissed the Pollok skipper.

This did not prevent Pollok from opening the scoring after 31 minutes when ROBERT DOWNS pounced on a through ball and calmly slotted it between the legs of Stefan Gonet in the Bankies goal. Clydebank tried to respond through Clinton Maxwell, but his shot in the 40th minute was deflected over for a corner. 'Lok could have scored a second when Alan Waddell got on the end of a Ryan flick, but his effort was straight at Gonet.

Pollok were to lose their lead within a minute of the resumption of play after the interval. A Lappin free-kick was flighted towards JOHN CUNNINGHAM, who escaped his marker and directed the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Gonet then made two stops for Clydebank, firstly from Downs, then from a Ryan free-kick. As the warm conditions stared to take their toll on the ten men Bankies became more of a force in the game, and Martin McInnes should have scored when he found space in the box at a corner after 72 minutes, but his control let him down and the visiting defence were able to scramble the ball clear.

Substitute Derek Kennedy was denied with seven minutes to play when Kris Robertson made a great save to keep out his point blank header, and he repeated the trick just sixty seconds later with another terrific reaction stop to keep out a Jean Yves Anis header. Pollok could have snatched victory in injury time when Gary Wilson's throw-in was flicked on by Davie Turnbull into the path of Ross O'Donoghue, who drove a shot through a ruck of players, but Gonet made a fine diving stop.

The tie was therefore decided by penalty kicks, and things did not look good for Pollok when Downs struck the post with their opening effort. Kennedy was also off target for the hosts, however, only for Gonet to save from O'Donoghue. Maxwell finally converted for Clydebank, and Turnbull did likewise for 'Lok. Robertson then saved from Lappin to make the score 1-1 on penalties after three attempts each. Dingwall, Gonet and Wilson were successful with the next three kicks, leaving McInnes having to score to keep the match alive. His shot was both high and wide, however, giving victory to the Newlandsfield men.

The result takes Pollok through to a semi-final tie with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, with the final scheduled for Saturday, 9th June.

Clydebank: Gonet, McInnes, Allum, Soutar, Cunningham, Docherty (Kenna 46), Hoey (Kennedy 46), Lappin, Bowie (Anis 59), Maxwell, Fisher. Not used: Hailstones, McKay.
Booked: Kenna (58), Fisher (64), Soutar (76)
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, G Wilson, Aitchison, Heaton, Newall (Turnbull 78), Ryan, McGeown, Waddell (Dingwall 64), Downs, Cruickshank (O'Donoghue 78). Not used: I Wilson.
Booked: Robertson (71), Newall (77)
Sent off: Aitchison (22)