Pollok moved through to the second round of the Central League Cup with a narrow victory over rivals Arthurlie in front of 767 fans at Newlandsfield Park. Pollok took to the field with just one change from the side that had defeated Cumnock a fortnight previously, with Mark Booth the man missing out to make way for Stevie Miller. Arthurlie, meanwhile, showed four changes from the side that had lost to 'Lok on league business in January.

Pollok's first opportunity arrived within five minutes of kick-off when a cross from the left narrowly evaded Zander Ryan. John Johnston had the first shot for the visitors after 13 minutes, but Kris Robertson easily clutched the ball to his chest. Alan Waddell received the first booking of the afternoon after 21 minutes when he collided with a 'Lie defender and subsequently required treatment for a facial wound. Miller shot well wide from 18 yards out for 'Lok, as did Robert Downs moments later. In the 33rd minute Ross Ballantyne struck a vicious drive for 'Lie that was heading goalwards until Miller got his head in the way to deflect the ball for a corner. Arthurlie then picked up three quick bookings before the best move of the first half. Miller and Ryan combined well on the right hand side of the park before the ball arrived at the feet of Andy McClay, who set up Richie Newall for a strike at goal. Craig Marshall flung himself to his left to make a fine save as he tipped the ball over for a corner kick.

It was the home side who made the breakthrough ten minutes into the second half. Arthurlie conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal in the centre of the park. RICHIE NEWALL stepped up and struck the ball perfectly, lifting it over the wall before it dipped into the postage stamp corner of the net, giving Marshall no chance. A free-kick at the other end moments later gave 'Lie the chance to draw level, but Brian Wardle headed over the bar. Robertson then held another Johnston set piece before Gary Faulds changed things for 'Lie, with Alex Smith and Roland Fabiani replacing Allan Shields and Barry Nicholls. A driving run from Downs then created a chance for Ryan, but he shot into the side-netting.

Pollok lost the influence of McClay due to injury after a tussle with Martin Hughes, with David McGeown taking his place. Downs then showed excellent skill to beat Fabiani on the right and set-up Newall, but Hughes charged down his shot. Wardle headed wide from an 85th minute free-kick before 'Lok introduced Davie Turnbull to the action in place of Alan Waddell. Arthurlie's final chance came with three minutes to play when Joe Andrew took the ball along the edge of the penalty box before firing towards goal, but his shot was wide of the target.

The result takes Pollok through to a second round clash with Johnstone Burgh at Newlandsfield. With the Easter weekend next week Pollok have no scheduled fixture.

Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, Cruickshank, Aitchison, Heaton, Miller, Ryan, McClay (McGeown 72), Waddell (Turnbull 87), Downs, Newall (G Wilson 84). Not used: Black, Booth.
Booked: Waddell (21), Newall (64), Miller (82), Heaton (88)
Arthurlie: Marshall, Ballantyne, Hilland, Shields (Fabiani 65), Wardle, Gallacher, Nicholls (Smith 65), Hughes, Andrew, Johnston, McFadden (McFarlane 81). Not used: Williams, Prow.
Booked: Hilland (34), Hughes (35), Nicholls (37), Johnston (90)

With most teams in the region involved in the West of Scotland Cup Pollok used their free weekend to arrange a friendly with St. Anthony's at Newlandsfield Park. Many of those involved have been fringe players for 'Lok this season, but the one name that stood out on the teamsheet was that of goalkeeper Ian Wilson, playing his first game since being involved in a car crash in December 2005.

It was to prove a fairly quiet afternoon for the popular custodian. Early chances for 'Lok fell to Ross O'Donoghue, who had a 30-yard effort touched around the post, and to Joe Carruth, who had a shot from 20 yards held by Davie Turner. Robert Downs then lifted the ball over the crossbar and Davie Turnbull flicked a McClay cut-back past the post before 'Lok took the lead after 36 minutes. Gary Wilson crossed from the left to DAVIE TURNBULL, who controlled the ball with his chest before lashing home from the centre of the penalty box.

Alan Waddell replaced Downs up front for the second half, and he was soon involved in crafting a second goal. Captain for the day Andy McClay played a quick free-kick to Waddell, who advanced to the bye-line before chipping the ball across for DAVIE TURNBULL, who cushioned the ball into the net with his left foot. Turnbull then turned provider when he played in Richie Newall, but his shot was deflected wide of the post.

After 63 minutes the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Joe Mulheron aimed a kick at McClay and was sent off. McClay then made way for trialist Kyle McCallum, who made an immediate impact. Carruth burst down the right hand side of the pitch before cutting the ball across for KYLE McCALLUM, who side-footed the ball into the empty net. Pollok were to make one more change when another trialist, Jamie Stewart, was brought on to play on the left side of midfield.

Pollok return to competitive action next week when they host rivals Arthurlie in a Central League Cup first round tie.

Pollok: I. Wilson, Carruth, G. Wilson (Stewart 78), Cruickshank, Gardiner, McClay (McCallum 70), O'Donoghue, Black, Turnbull, Downs (Waddell 46), Newall.

Pollok bounced back from their Scottish Cup elimination with a victory over Cumnock at Townhead Park that stretches their lead at the top of the table to five points. Pollok manager Rab Sneddon made just one change from the side that had lost to Linlithgow, with Richie Newall replacing crocked David McGeown in the starting eleven.

The first moment of note arrived in the seventh minute when Gareth Campbell was booked for a late challenge on Joe Carruth, while the first shot at goal came four minutes later when Robert Downs lifted a Chris Cruickshank cross onto the roof of the net. One minute later Graham Potter made a fine save for Cumnock to deny Alan Waddell after he headed a Zander Ryan cross towards goal. The home side responded with a Martin Ure free-kick that Michael Hughes headed towards goal, but off target. At the other end Ryan just missed with a free-kick before the game exploded into life in the 25th minute. Downs became involved in a tussle for the ball while on the ground, with referee Andy McWilliam judging that Ure had stamped on the prone striker, and so he was dismissed. Downs was also booked for his part in proceedings. 'Lok struggled to make their extra man count, however, creating only one further chance in the first half. Potter spilled a Ryan set-piece into the path of Waddell, but he was unable to maintain his balance and ended up blazing the ball over the target.

Cumnock had the advantage of a strong wind behind them in the second half, and a cross from Andy Boyle almost deceived Kris Robertson just after the restart, floating just over the crossbar. Campbell then found himself free in the Pollok box, but he mishit his volley into the ground and the ball bounced over the bar.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring after 59 minutes. ROBERT DOWNS found space just inside the Cumnock area, and he placed a precise left-foot effort into the corner of the net, giving Potter no chance. He then headed over after a Cruickshank cross before 'Lok claimed a vital second after 76 minutes. This time Waddell was the provider, crossing from the right towards CHRIS CRUICKSHANK, who made no mistake with his close range header. As Pollok celebrated Downs became involved in a tangle with Cumnock 'keeper Potter that finished with the 'Lok player kicking the ball away. This was sufficient to earn a second booking, and so both teams found themselves reduced to ten men. This wasn't the case for long, however, as Stephen McGregor also received a second booking after a foul on Waddell, and Cumnock again found themselves a player short. Pollok didn't capitalise on their numerical advantage, failing to trouble Potter for the remainder of the game, but were quite happy just to take three points from a very tricky fixture.

With West of Scotland Cup matches dominating most of the junior card next week Pollok have no fixture on Saturday, allowing one or two of the squad who have been carrying injuries the chance to rest and recuperate.

Cumnock: Potter, McStay, Ure, Farrell, McGregor, Cameron, Boyle (Gibson 90+1), Moan, Hughes, Campbell, McGrady (McInally 76). Not used: McGowan, McKeown, Semple.
Booked: Campbell (7), McGregor (57)
Sent Off: Ure (25), McGregor (80, 2nd Yellow)
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, Cruickshank (G Wilson 82), Aitchison, Heaton, Booth (Turnbull 82), Ryan, McClay, Waddell (Miller 87), Downs, Newall. Not used: McGeown, Black.
Booked: Downs (25), Miller (90)
Sent off : Downs (76, 2nd Yellow)
Ref: Andy McWilliam

Pollok suffered their first defeat in nearly five months as they crashed out of the Scottish Junior Cup at the quarter-final stage by a single goal against Linlithgow Rose. With top scorer Bryan Dingwall still unavailable manager Rab Sneddon had limited options up front, but welcomed back Mark Booth and David McGeown to replace Stevie Miller and Richie Newall in midfield.

Both teams struggled in the opening stages to cope with the blustery conditions at Prestonfield, but it was the home side who had the first shot on target. Gordon Herd advanced into the box after seven minutes, but his low strike was easily taken by Kris Robertson. Brian Carrigan received an early booking after a foul on McGeown that left the 'Lok man in obvious discomfort. He recovered sufficiently to muster Pollok's first effort at goal after 11 minutes when he gathered the ball from a throw-in, but his shot ran wide of the post.

Mark Whyte was then booked for a very late challenge on Andy McClay before the home side took the lead midway through the first half. Mark Bradley's cross from the right was flicked on by Whyte into the path of the unmarked BRIAN CARRIGAN, who duly slammed the ball across Robertson and into the net to give Rose the advantage. Mark Tyrrell then tried his luck from 30 yards out, but Robertson held easily. Just before half-time Herd hooked a volley over the bar for a home side that had controlled proceedings for much of the half.

Pollok made a much brighter start to the second half and could have been level after just 46 seconds. Good work from Alan Waddell created space for Zander Ryan to cross to the front post for McGeown, but he couldn't direct his volley on target and it flew wide of Steve Oliver's post. Andy McClay was then booked for dissent before a raft of changes. Injured pair McGeown and Waddell made way for Newall and Davie Turnbull for Pollok, while Whyte and Andy Dick were replaced by Stuart McArthur and Keith Hogg for Rose.

With quarter of an hour to play Joe Carruth conceded a free-kick for handball, allowing Carrigan another strike at goal, but this time Robertson made a fine save low to his left. It took 'Lok 78 minutes to force a save from Oliver when Ryan fire a free-kick towards goal, but the 'keeper managed to touch the ball over for a corner kick. McClay then lifted a ball into the box that was met by the head of Derek Heaton, who directed the ball to Newall, but his weak header was easily gathered by Oliver.

Simon Black replaced Booth as 'Lok tried desperately for a leveller, but it was the hosts who nearly added a second when a 20-yard shot from Bradley flew narrowly over the bar. Pollok had one final opportunity deep into injury time when Robert Downs reached the bye-line, but he overhit his cross with team-mates waiting in the centre and the chance was gone.

Pollok will be massively disappointed not only with the result, but with the manner in which they succumbed, giving one of their poorest performances in some time in one of the biggest games of the season. Linlithgow, meanwhile, are now heavy favourites to lift the trophy in May.

Linlithgow: Oliver, Gallacher, McDermott, Donnelly, Denham, Bradley, Whyte (McArthur 63), Dick (Hogg 74), Carrigan (Donaldson 82), Herd, Tyrrell. Not used: MacSween, Pinkowski.
Booked: Carrigan (8), Whyte (17), Herd (83), Hogg (86)
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, Cruickshank, Aitchison, Heaton, Booth (Black 82), Ryan, McClay, Waddell (Turnbull 63), Downs, McGeown (Newall 61). Not used: Miller, G Wilson.
Booked: McClay (56)
Ref: Brian Colvin

Pollok hit top spot in the Stagecoach Super Premier League for the first time this season as they defeated Neilston in wet conditions at Brig O'Lea Stadium. Pollok boss Rab Sneddon was afforded the rare luxury of being able to name the same eleven as had started the previous week, although top scorer Bryan Dingwall remained unavailable due to injury. For Neilston there were some familiar faces on show, with Alain Kinney, Paul McMenamin and Robert Anderson all having worn the black and white of Pollok during their careers.

The early stages were played in reasonably good weather, with 'Lok creating the first chance. Some good skill from Alan Waddell fashioned space for a cross that was met by Chris Cruickshank, but his weak header was easily saved by Brian Hewitt. Zander Ryan was then dispossessed at the other end of the field, allowing Graham Dale to curl a shot towards goal that the 'Lok defence blocked. After eight minutes Waddell was given a sight of goal, but the ball bobbled just before he shot, causing his effort to fly high over the crossbar. One minute later Ryan cut the ball back to Richie Newall, whose shot was blocked and rebounded to Robert Downs, but he missed the target. The visitors took the lead after 16 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick on the right-hand side of the park. RICHIE NEWALL flighted the ball deep into the box, completely deceiving Hewitt as the ball fell from a steepling height and into the top left corner of the net.

Kris Robertson protected the lead moments later when Craig Malcolm drove a shot from the edge of the box towards goal, only to be denied by an outstanding save from the 'keeper. Chris Cruickshank had the ball in the net for Pollok after 25 minutes, but the assistant referee adjudged Waddell to have been offside during the build-up. Downs then had a shot cleared off the line by Gavin Duncan before 'Lok extended their advantage after 37 minutes. Andy McClay fed Ryan on the right, and his cross clipped the head of Duncan on it's way to ALAN WADDELL, who powered the ball home for his fifth goal this season against his former team.

While Pollok had controlled the first half the torrential rain that arrived during the second half allowed Neilston back into the game. Malcolm drove wide from a corner shortly after the restart, and Chris Cameron forced another fine stop from Robertson in response to a fierce drive from 25 yards out. Pollok then struck the woodwork when Waddell played in Downs, who lifted the ball over Hewitt only for it to strike the bar and rebound to safety. Kinney then headed past for the home side before hesitancy from Joe Carruth allowed Gordon Cochrane to advance towards goal, only for Robertson to halt his progress with a brave block. Dale also went close for the hosts when he shot wide after 67 minutes.

With eleven minutes to play a quick free-kick from Ryan provided an opportunity for Downs to catch out the Neilston defence with an early cross, and substitute David McGeown met the ball perfectly, only to see Hewitt make a terrific save to keep the deficit at two. With time running out Neilston won a free-kick deep in Pollok territory, which was headed out of the box by Ryan. It landed at the feet of ROBERT ANDERSON, who fired the ball low past Robertson to give Neilston just a glimmer of hope. They couldn't create any further chances however, and indeed Pollok could have claimed a third when Simon Black shot wide in injury time.

Both teams now return to Scottish Cup action, with Neilston hosting Kilwinning Rangers while 'Lok travel East to face the current favourites for the tournament, Linlithgow Rose.

Neilston: Hewitt, Sheridan, Connaghan, Duncan, Allison (Anderson 80), Cameron, Kinney, Dale, Scobie (Cochrane 55), Malcolm, McMenamin (McKee 41). Not used: Canning, Smith.
Booked: Duncan (23), Sheridan (51), McKee (82)
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, Cruickshank (G Wilson 85), Aitchison, Heaton, Miller, Ryan, McClay, Waddell (Black 85), Downs, Newall (McGeown 69). Not used: Booth, O'Donoghue.
Booked: Downs (81), Miller (89)
Ref: Kevin Clancy