Robert Downs (8, 52)
Bryan Dingwall (16, 87)
Davie McGeown (69)
Alan Waddell (90)

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Pollok marked the historic occasion of their first ever Senior Scottish Cup appearance with a fine 6-2 victory at St. Mary's Park against South of Scotland League opposition St. Cuthbert Wanderers. Having conceded a total of nine goals in their previous two outings Pollok welcomed back Joe Carruth in an attempt to bolster their defence. Stevie Miller and Zander Ryan also returned to the side, with Paul Hyslop, Mark Booth and Chris Cruickshank all missing out. Cup regulations require two outfield players under the age of 21 in the matchday squad, and so Jaimie Trotter was signed from Harmony Row U21 in time for the game.

It was the home team who brought about the first save of the game, with Scott Milligan's shot from the edge of the box being easily gathered by Kris Robertson after six minutes. Two minutes later the visitors broke the deadlock. A long ball towards Bryan Dingwall was flicked into the path of ROBERT DOWNS, who fired home a landmark strike. Miller had a 25-yard drive touched around the post for a corner before Pollok added a second. David McGeown found Downs in space on the left, and he crossed to the back post for BRYAN DINGWALL to head the ball low past Shaun Hutchison in the Wanderers goal.

'Lok nearly added another just two minutes later when Ryan thundered a strike narrowly over the crossbar. A charging run down the right by Carruth then provided another opportunity for Downs, but his glancing header was well off target. Downs then forced a fine save from Hutchison with a snap shot from close range. Saints' best chance of the half arrived after 38 minutes when a free-kick was nodded back across goal by Hugh Cameron to Clarke Chambers, but he missed the target from a dangerous position. Craig Wilson hit the side netting for the hosts shortly before half-time, but Pollok were good value for their interval lead.

The gap was nearly extended further just after the resumption of play when McGeown volleyed a Carruth cross wide after 50 minutes, and two minutes later Pollok claimed their third. A free-kick into the feet of Dingwall was fed to Ryan, who hit the bye-line and crossed for ROBERT DOWNS, who flashed the ball beyond the helpless Hutchison. The lead was almost brought back down to two when St. Cuthbert's first corner of the match was headed towards goal by Andy Davis, only for Stevie Aitchison to chest the ball down on the goal line before clearing the danger.

Pollok failed to heed the warning however, and conceded twice within the space of 72 seconds. Firstly Robertson dithered over a pass back sufficiently long enough to allow CLARKE CHAMBERS to charge the ball down and into the net, then a long free-kick that came off the head of DAVID McGEOWN was misjudged by the usually reliable 'keeper, who allowed the ball to dip under his bar and in for an own goal. Visiting nerves were settled again after 69 minutes when a corner from Richie Newall was bulleted into the net by DAVID McGEOWN, scoring at the right end this time to make the score 4-2 in Pollok's favour.

Cameron sent a dipping volley over the bar before a flurry of bookings and substitutions broke up the flow of play. With only three minutes left to play Pollok grabbed their fifth when a Ryan corner was headed towards goal by Derek Heaton, with BRYAN DINGWALL claiming the final touch as he directed the ball into the net. He then tried his luck from 25 yards out, but was just over the target with his attempted hat-trick strike. Pollok did score a sixth two minutes into injury time when substitute ALAN WADDELL took a pass from Brian Mackay on the left and squeezed the ball home from a tight angle to complete the scoring.

The result ensures that Pollok's name will be in the hat for the second round draw, a draw that could see them face Scottish League opposition as Third Division clubs enter the competition at this stage.

St. Cuthbert Wanderers: Hutchison, Cameron, Baker, Niven, Cairnie, Love (T Wilson 46), King, Davis, Chambers (L Anderson 90+3), C Wilson, Milligan. Not used: C Anderson, McMillan, Clark.
Booked: Niven (35), C Wilson (43), Davis (51), Cairnie (76), T Wilson (90+1)
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, G Wilson, Aitchison, Heaton, Miller, Ryan (McKeown 88), McGeown, Dingwall, Downs (Waddell 83), Newall (Mackay 80). Not used: Trotter, I Wilson.
Booked: G Wilson (67), Carruth (72), Newall (72), Dingwall (73)

Kenny Wright (22)
Roddy Hunter (83)

A hastily arranged friendly against Albion Rovers at Newlandsfield saw Pollok record just their second win in six non-competitive fixtures this season.

Manager Rab Sneddon fielded a strong starting line-up, and his team nearly took a sixth minute lead when Zander Ryan a fired a rebound from his own free-kick just wide of the post. Kris Robertson made a fine point blank save from the Rovers number 11 two minutes later, while Paul Hyslop saw his goalbound effort from a Ryan corner cleared off the line by a Rovers defender. It was the visitors who took the lead after 22 minutes when their number 10 broke beyond the Pollok defence before cutting the ball across to the unmarked KENNY WRIGHT, who slotted the ball into an unguarded net. Pollok tried to hit back with a curling Alan Waddell effort, but the 'keeper made an easy save. Paul Hyslop was then off target with a header from a David McGeown corner, and Waddell also headed wide from a Ryan cross after a quick free-kick by McGeown and Bryan Dingwall.

Albion Rovers could have extended their lead early in the second half when their number 6 connected with a free-kick from number 12, but he could only find the side-netting. Moments later Pollok were level when BRYAN DINGWALL latched onto the ball on the right near the bye-line and fired home across the face of the 'keeper. A mistake by Stevie Miller almost let in Rovers again, but although their striker lifted the ball over replacement 'keeper Ian Wilson the ball hit the side-netting. Four minutes later a surging Miller run was halted with a foul, allowing RICHIE NEWALL the opportunity to step up and send a free-kick low into the bottom left-hand corner of the net from 20 yards out. The scores were level again with seven minutes to play when a long ball over the top found RODDY HUNTER, and although his strike was not the cleanest it crawled inside the post, giving Wilson no chance. 'Lok were not to be denied the victory, however, and with four minutes remaining a long ball from Ian Wilson found RICHIE NEWALL, who lobbed the ball over the onrushing 'keeper and into the net. The win was secured when Wilson saved from the Rovers number six late on in the evening gloom.

While any win is always welcome the main purpose of the game was to keep the squad ticking over before the Scottish Cup clash with St. Cuthbert Wanderers, and to that end the match was a success.

Pollok: Robertson (I Wilson 69), Carruth (McGeown back on 67), G Wilson (Newall 64), Aitchison, Henderson (Heaton 46), McKeown (Miller 46), Ryan (Cruickshank 46), McGeown (Booth 64), Dingwall, Waddell, Hyslop (Mackay 64).

Paul Hyslop 75

Pollok took on an Accies side mainly made up of trialists, fringe players and U18s in an enjoyable encounter at New Douglas Park. Brian McKeown took over the No 6 jersey to play the holding midfield role and had a great game while Joe Carruth, Robbie Henderson and Alan Waddell all impressed. Lok introduced 6-04 trialist forward Andy Brown, a player with a long Senior career, in the second half.
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, Wilson (sub 46 for Cruickshank), Henderson, Heaton (sub 46 for Aitchison), McKeown, Ryan (sub 65 for Hyslop), McGeown (sub 65 for Booth), Dingwall (sub 65 for Brown), Waddell, Mackay (sub 65 for Newall).

Paul McMenamin (11)
Stephen McGowan (13, 79)
Steven Anderson (37, 84)

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Pollok slumped to a three goal defeat for the second week running as they lost 2-5 to Neilston at Newlandsfield Park. After losing four goals at Bellsdale Park against Beith manager Rab Sneddon rung the changes, with Brian McKeown, Joe Carruth, Stevie Miller and Zander Ryan all missing out. In their place came Paul Hyslop, Derek Heaton, Mark Booth and Chris Cruickshank, playing in a 3-5-2 formation.

Proceedings started brightly for Pollok, with Bryan Dingwall hitting the bar after six minutes after connecting with a Richie Newall cross. It was the visitors who opened the scoring, however, after 11 minutes when former Pollok player PAUL McMENAMIN was given space on the corner of the penalty area to drive a low shot past Kris Robertson in the 'Lok goal. He was picking the ball out of the net against just moments later when McMenamin crossed low from the left to STEVEN McGOWAN, who swept the ball home from close range. Pollok tried to strike back through Dingwall, who cracked a shot from the edge of the box that Brian Hewitt palmed out towards Robert Downs, but a covering challenge denied him a shot at goal. David McGeown tested Hewitt again with a long range effort that it took the 'keeper two attempts to gather.

McGeown then pulled a shot narrowly wide of goal before the visitors scored a third. Stephen Anderson found space behind the Pollok back line and fired a shot at goal that Robertson blocked well. His defence failed to clear the danger, however, and when the ball fell again to STEPHEN ANDERSON he made no mistake, drilling it beyond Robertson. Downs and Hyslop shot wide for Pollok and Dingwall had an overhead kick saved as Pollok went to the interval three behind.

'Lok needed an early goal if they were to pull themselves back into contention, and they nearly got it when Dingwall held the ball up well for Downs, but he again missed the target with his shot. Heaton then headed over from a Newall corner before a chink of light appeared for Pollok on the hour mark. Newall crossed from the left onto the head of PAUL HYSLOP, who flicked the ball into the net for his first Pollok goal. A comeback was very much on the cards eight minutes later when substitute ALAN WADDELL tried his luck with a speculative effort from the edge of the box that bounced in front of Hewitt and over him to bring the deficit back to one.

Downs could have levelled matters just three minutes later, but his weak shot was easily saved by Hewitt. Waddell then saw a dipping effort just clear the crossbar before 'Lok were hit with a sucker punch. As Pollok players stood awaiting a whistle after a challenge by Ryan on McMenamin their Neilston counterparts got on with the game. Chris Cameron played the ball through to Anderson, who rolled it across to STEVEN McGOWAN who buried the chance. Heaton headed over from a Ryan corner before any lingering hopes of salvaging anything from the game were killed off with six minutes to play. Gordon Smith crossed from the right for STEPHEN ANDERSON, who headed low beyond Robertson to complete the scoring.

Pollok will know that better is required when they return to action in a fortnight in the SFA Cup with a historic trip to Kirkcudbright as they take on St. Cuthbert Wanderers when Junior clubs appear in the competition for the first time.

Pollok: Robertson, Hyslop (Ryan 65), G Wilson, Aitchison, Heaton, Booth, Newall, McGeown (Waddell 65), Dingwall, Downs, Cruickshank. Not used: McKeown, Mackay, Henderson.
Booked: Booth (21), G Wilson (69), Newall (79), Heaton (83), Cruickshank (84)
Neilston: Hewitt, Whiteford, McMenamin, Duncan, Farquharson, Sheridan, Bryers, C Cameron, McIlroy (Harkins 73), Anderson (O'Neil 88), McGowan (Smith 79). Not used: Currie, Phillips.
Booked: McIlroy (71), Bryers (76)

Mark Booth (pen) (87)

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Pollok's first ever league meeting with Beith Juniors proved to be a lesson in both finishing and how to defend. Rab Sneddon had a few selection headaches to contend with prior to kick off, with Alan Waddell still suspended and Davie Turnbull ill. A change was made to the defence with Gary Wilson, missing with a bug last week, replacing Chris Cruickshank at left back but otherwise the team was unaltered from the one that had beaten last season's nearest challengers Auchinleck Talbot last weekend.

Beith began brightly and took the lead in the fourth minute when a ball in from the right was not cut out by Pollok and ANDY REID was afforded the time to pick his spot beyond Kris Robertson from close range. Pollok almost equalised soon after though when a Davie McGeown free-kick was deflected on to his own bar by Beith midfielder Martin Stewart. Lok again hit the woodwork in the 14th minute, and on this occasion it was Dingwall, heading a Ryan corner over the stranded John Wight only to be denied by the bar. Lok then suffered a huge blow soon after when Miller, who had been injured a few minutes before, had to make way for Mark Booth.

Dingwall went close again in the 18th minute while at the other end Reid fired a powerful shot over. As Lok battled back up the severe slope, they won a free-kick on the left side of the park. Ryan opted to go for goal, but Wight saved comfortably.

The game swung further towards Beith's favour in the 33rd minute when Brian McKeown gave away a free-kick just inside the Lok half. Beith wasted no time in playing it quickly out into the left channel where the ball was picked up by KENNY McLEAN. The livewire ex-Morton forward picked his spot before firing a low shot beyond Robertson to give his side a 2-0 lead. It could have been even worse for Lok when on the stroke of half-time, McKeown appeared to handle inside the area, but ref Kevin Graham waved away the home protests.

Pollok came out all guns blazing in the second half, and Gary Wilson volleyed over in the 47th minute after a golamouth scramble saw both Dingwall and Downs fail to put the ball in the net. McGeown then had a headed effort saved by Wight as Lok tried to up the tempo. At the other end though, McLean was dangerous and he sent one chance just wide of Robertson's goal in the 49th minute. Robertson's goal-kick then found Downs who himself fired wide of target.

There had been three bookings in the first half for dissent offences, but Richie Newall became the first caution of the afternoon for an actual foul in 51 minutes when he clattered McGarvey after the wily veteran outfoxed the Lok man with a skilful, twisting turn, the only reward for which was a painful lower leg. Ref Graham had his book out again in the 55th minute when last line of defence Carruth halted a Beith forward's run right on the halfway line. Fortunately for Lok, Graham's interpretation of the Laws of the Game did not view it as denying a clear goalscoring opportunity so the colour of the Lok centre-half's card was merely yellow.

Beith had claims for another penalty in the 61st minute when McKeown put a challenge in on McLean as he burst through on goal, but neither Graham or his assistant Donnie MacKinnon were interested. The home side did not have long to wait until their lead was extended though. Former Benburb and Neilston midfielder James Canning picked up possession deep in his own half on the right, and after waiting until the right moment, flighted a sublime ball up the right side for KENNY McLEAN to pick up. He then drew Robertson and dispatched an inch-perfect shot into the Lok's keeper's right-hand corner to make it 3-0.

Andy Reid then could have made it four when he broke through to lob Robertson, but his effort went just over the bar. Canning then put a free-kick over the bar as the Cabes threatened to make the scoreline embarrassing for Lok. Rab Sneddon responded by changing to a 3-5-2 by putting on Brian Mackay in the middle of the park and withdrawing Gary Wilson. He'd only been on a few moments when Beith added their fourth. It was another excellent move, with one-time Lok target McGarvey at the heart of it, and it finished with a cross from the left being bulleted beyond Robertson by KENNY McLEAN, despite Robertson getting his right arm to the ball.

Paul Hyslop was then introduced for his competitive Lok debut for Zander Ryan on the right side, and he began to fire in some decent early crosses and give former Lok player Kevin Fraser something else to think about. McGeown fired wide for Lok as they battled to get a goal back, but at the other end, with seven minutes remaining, Reid shot goalwards and it appeared that McLean actually denied his strike partner a second by getting in the way. Sub John Craig then put an effort wide as the scoreline threatened to become even more emphatic.

Lok ended up having the final say however with a late consolation when Kevin Graham blew for a foul on Downs inside the 6 yard box that seemed fairly innocuous. MARK BOOTH took the responsibility of taking the penalty, and his attempt was dispatched low and hard beyond John Wight. Pollok know they have to bounce back next week against Neilston at Newlandsfield and show the character that had previously carried them to seventeen league wins in a row.

Beith: Wight, Fulton, Fraser, S Jack, McShane, Spence, Canning (sub 79 for Craig), McGarvey (sub 90 for J Jack), Reid, Stewart, McLean. Notused: Rhoddan, Convery, Roger.
Booked: Stewart 26, McLean 79
Pollok: Robertson, McKeown, Wilson (sub 68 for Mackay), Aitchison,Carruth, Miller (sub 15 for Booth), Ryan (sub 71 for Hyslop), McGeown,Dingwall, Downs, Newall. Not used: Cruickshank, Henderson.
Booked: Dingwall 20, McGeown 37, Newall 51, Carruth 55, Booth 65

Bryan Slavin (pen) (73)

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Pollok opened the defence of their Stagecoach Super Premier League title with a narrow victory over last season's runners-up Auchinleck Talbot at Newlandsfield Park.

After a two-week lay-off manager Rab Sneddon made three changes to his starting line-up. Richie Newall, Brian McKeown and David McGeown were added, with Gary Wilson, Robbie Henderson and Davie Turnbull dropping out. New signing Paul Hyslop found a place on the bench. Before the match club president Fergus McDiarmid raised the league flag to mark the success of last season, but that was quickly forgotten when referee Ian Craig blew the whistle to signal the start of the new campaign. After just four minutes a short back-header by Chris Cruickshank presented former 'Lok striker Gavin Friels with an opportunity, but he was unable to lift the ball over Kris Robertson.

At the other end Cruickshank swung over a cross from the left that was met by the head of Robert Downs, only for Derek Barnes to produce a fine save to push the ball over the bar. He then saved again from a Zander Ryan free-kick from the edge of the penalty area. In the 24th minute Bryan Slavin headed over from a Bryan Young cross, and Talbot were made to rue the miss just one minute later. McGeown produced a sublime defence-splitting pass to release ZANDER RYAN on the right, and he cut inside before firing home low beyond Barnes. Friels had a shot on the turn saved before the first bookings of the match arrived when Downs and James Latta become involved in a tussle on the touchline. Latta tangled with Bryan Dingwall just three minutes later, but this time only the 'Lok player received any punishment. Dingwall nearly doubled the lead just before half-time when he got on the end of a long Robertson free-kick, but he could only prod the ball straight at Barnes.

Pollok opened the second half in bright fashion, with McGeown setting up Cruickshank with a clever back-heel, but his cross was volleyed off target by Ryan from an offside position. 'Lok should have extended their lead after 58 minutes when Downs was hauled down in the box by Derek Anderson. Downs took the kick himself, only for Barnes to make a save low to his right. Downs became provider as he fed McGeown, but his low drive passed wide of the post. Talbot then had their best spell of the game, and Slavin should have scored when the ball was cut back to him from the right, but he leaned back and his shot sailed over the crossbar. Auchinleck substitute Neal Gilmour volleyed wide from a Friels cross after 68 minutes, but Talbot were level five minutes later. Brian McKeown seemed to win the ball with a tackle on Steven White, but referee Craig deemed otherwise and a penalty was awarded. Robertson got a touch to the ball, but couldn't keep out BRYAN SLAVIN's strike.

Gilmour then ran through the 'Lok defence unchallenged, but shot wide of the post. Pollok took the lead again with just ten minutes to play when Ryan flashed over a cross from the right that BRYAN DINGWALL glanced home past the helpless Barnes. White had a strike saved from the edge of the box before matters took something of an ugly turn. Firstly Slavin was booked for a late challenge on Joe Carruth before Neal Gilmour lunged in at Stevie Aitchison with both feet raised and received a straight red card. Shortly afterwards Latta pulled back substitute Brian Mackay as he broke from midfield, for which he received a second yellow card, reducing Talbot to nine men. Pollok had one last chance when Ryan crossed to Turnbull, but he volleyed over the crossbar from 10 yards out.

The result was the perfect start for Pollok as they look to defend their title, a defence that continues with a testing trip to face Beith at Bellsdale Park next week.

Pollok: Robertson, McKeown, Cruickshank, Aitchison, Carruth, Miller (Booth 76), Ryan, McGeown (Mackay 87), Dingwall, Downs (Turnbull 85), Newall. Not used: Hyslop, Henderson.
Booked: Downs (40), Dingwall (43), Carruth (60), Robertson (86)
Auchinleck: Barnes, Latta, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Spence (Gilmour 60), Davidson, Slavin, Friels, White, Young (Boyle 83). Not used: Doolan, McKelvie, McKie.
Booked: Latta (40, 90 off), Slavin (86)
Sent Off: Gilmour (88), Latta (90)