Stevie Miller (21)
Andy Essler (52)

A crowd of 702 saw Pollok take three hard earned points in the Stagecoach Super Premier League as they defeated Auchinleck Talbot 2-0 at Newlandsfield Park.

Pollok manager Jim Sinnet stuck with the same eleven who had defeated Culter in the Scottish Junior Cup last Saturday, but his side nearly fell behind with just five minutes on the clock. Kris Robertson came to collect a long free-kick but was beaten to the ball by Bryan Slavin. Only the intervention of Joe Carruth with a goal-line clearance kept the scoresheet blank. Robertson then saved a free-kick from Stevie Mallan before the striker spurned a glorious opportunity to open the scoring. He lost his marker as Kris Doolan flighted over a free-kick, but somehow managed to head the ball wide from just three yards out when it seemed easier to score. Bryan Young then saw a strike deflected wide for a corner as Talbot continued to pile on the pressure. In a rare foray upfield Pollok earned a corner from which Stevie Miller mishit a volley. The ball dipped towards the Auchinleck net however and had to be headed off the line for another corner. This time STEVIE MILLER caught the ball perfectly to drive it low beyond Adam Strain for a 21st minute opener from 14 yards out. Good work from Andy McClay and Davie Turnbull fashioned an opportunity for Bryan Dingwall after 38 minutes, but he blazed over from 22 yards out. Ricky Robb headed wide from a free-kick and Doolan fired off target as the Ayrshire side entered the interval a goal adrift.

Talbot also had the first chances of the second half. Mallan shot wide from distance before he was denied by a wonderful save by Robertson. Craig Pettigrew drove the ball low across goal to the striker, but the Pollok goalkeeper made a magnificent reaction stop to keep the close range shot out. His side took full advantage as they moved two goals clear after 52 minutes. Calum Hardie showed terrific skill on the right to leave Liam McVey for dead, and he picked out ANDY ESSLER at the far post who slid the ball past Strain. Pollok immediately looked to close the game down, with Shaun Dillon replacing David McGeown as they changed their formation to a back four. Pettigrew and Doolan missed further chances for Talbot before they found themselves reduced to ten men after 63 minutes. Mallan swung an arm at the face of Dillon, and referee Derek Nicholls had no alternative but to send the veteran back to the pavilion. ‘Lok almost capitalised on their one man advantage when Bryan Dingwall cut through the visiting defence and cut the ball back to Essler. His shot was saved but rebounded to substitute Robert Downs, who hit the post from a tight angle. Essler then found Dingwall at the near post with a corner, but the prolific Pollok hitman couldn’t find the target on this occasion. His side had already done enough to claim the honours however and move back within one point of Glenafton Athletic at the top of the standings.

Next up for Pollok is a trip to Neilston on Saturday, while the draw for the Scottish Junior Cup will once more see them hit the road as they travel to face Kilbirnie Ladeside in round three.