Nicky Walker (86)

Pollok’s dreams of an extended run in the Senior Scottish Cup were shattered as they crashed out of the tournament in the first round after a replay against Edinburgh side Spartans at City Park. Both managers made alterations to the sides that had started at Newlandsfield the previous week. Jim Sinnet brought Andy McClay and Stevie Miller back into his starting eleven, with Richie Newall and Davie Turnbull dropping out, while Struan Preston replaced Dan Hoskins for Mike Lawson’s men.

The wet conditions made good football difficult, and the first half produced few chances. Donal Henretty nearly put through his own net under pressure from Robert Downs after six minutes, while Kris Robertson held easily from Nicky Walker three minutes later. Henretty volleyed over after a slip by Stevie Aitchison, while Walker also shot high over the crossbar for the home side. Robbie Manson then headed narrowly wide after a corner from Omar Kader, while at the other end Dan Gerrard blocked bravely from Chris Cruickshank after Chris Flockhart spilled a corner. Downs failed to control the ball when in great position for ‘Lok after 39 minutes, while Pollok’s best chance arrived in first half injury time. Andy Essler’s corner was met by the head of Miller 12 yards from goal, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Flockhart.

The Glasgow side opened the second half in brighter fashion, with Miller firing just over from 20 yards out. A slip by Derek Wingate then allowed Walker a clear run through on goal, but Robertson forced the striker far enough wide to allow Wingate to recover and clear his cut-back for a corner. Robertson then saved again from Walker after a solo run on the right ended with the Spartans man cutting inside and shooting, with the Pollok ‘keeper tipping the ball over the bar. Downs sent a header wide from a Calum Hardie corner after 62 minutes before a quick break by Kader almost set up Walker again, but a last ditch challenge by Aitchison averted the danger. Alex King shot wide from 25 yards out before the East of Scotland League side made the vital breakthrough with four minutes left to play.

There seemed little danger as Stewart Fowlie sent a high, hopeful ball towards the Pollok defence, but Aitchison and Wingate collided with each other. NICKY WALKER stepped in to pick up the loose ball and drill it low beyond the helpless Robertson from 18 yards out. Wingate took no further part in proceedings as Turnbull was thrown on in a desperate attempt to rescue the game. In the final minute Miller aimed a petulant kick at the goalscorer and saw a straight red card from referee Greg Aitken. Deep into added time Spartans’ King joined him in the pavilion when he was shown a second yellow card, but he had the last laugh as his team successfully closed out the game.

Pollok will now need to lift themselves for their return to Junior action when they take on East Craigie in Dundee next Saturday in round one of the Citylink Scottish Junior Cup.