David Turnbull (35)
Bryan Dingwall (77)

Pollok claimed a berth in round three of the Citylink Scottish Junior Cup as they defeated North Region side Culter 2-0 at Crombie Park. There were three changes to Jim Sinnet’s side from the team that faced Benburb a fortnight ago. Out dropped Robbie MacKillop, Shaun Dillon and Alan Waddell, with Kris Robertson, Chris Cruickshank and Davie Turnbull returning.

Pollok almost took the lead after five minutes when David McGeown volleyed narrowly over from 20 yards out. It was the hosts who had the better of the opening exchanges however, and Matthew Robertson almost opened on the scoring on two occasions within the first eight minutes. Firstly he struck a drive just wide from 22 yards out with the ‘Lok defence backing off, then he shot narrowly over from the edge of the penalty area. Former Dundee star Hugh Robertson then blazed over from an excellent position after a cut-back from the bye-line. Turnbull forced the first save from John Farquhar after quarter of an hour with a well placed free-kick that the ‘keeper reacted well to stop.

Great interplay between McGeown and Turnbull then created an opening for Calum Hardie, but he was denied by a well timed block by Kevin Garrioch. Pollok were now taking control of proceedings, and Farquhar had to save again from a Bryan Dingwall header after 28 minutes. Seven minutes later the Glasgow side moved ahead when Andy McClay found Hardie on the right. He fired over a pacy cross to DAVIE TURNBULL, who steered a header back across goal and into the corner of the net. Garrioch made another block from a Dingwall shot, and Pollok should have taken a two goal lead into the interval when Derek Wingate was presented with a free header inside the six yard box from a McClay free-kick, but he missed the target from close range.

Pollok continued to dominate after the break, and Murray Rattray almost put through his own net from a Hardie cross. A fine piece of flowing football involving McClay, Stevie Miller and Andy Essler resulted in McGeown advancing on goal, only for Farquhar to make a good save to deny the midfielder. Turnbull volleyed over before a brief flurry of pressure from the hosts. Substitute Martin Shand headed an Allan Youngson free-kick towards goal, only for Kris Robertson to make a low save. Andrew Sim then sent a corner onto the head of Rattray at the back post, and Robertson made a superb stop to keep Pollok ahead. Lewis McKimmie also headed wide and the hosts had two penalty appeals for handball waved away as ‘Lok weathered the storm.

Turnbull squandered a good opportunity when a Dingwall shot rebounded into his path, and he was replaced soon after by Robert Downs. The sub was soon involved in the action when he played a one-two with McGeown after a quickly taken free-kick that ended with the midfielder shooting narrowly wide. After 77 minutes Downs delivered a perfect cross from the left to BRYAN DINGWALL, and he glanced home beyond Farquhar to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Dingwall then headed over from a Downs cross, and Downs himself tried his luck with a ferocious strike that Farquhar just managed to tip round the post for a corner. Downs and McGeown both fired over late on after North spirits were finally broken as Pollok played out time for the victory.

Next up for Pollok is a home fixture in the league against Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday, while the draw for the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup takes place on Sunday at Whitburn.