Michael Fulton (52)

John Sweeney (77)

Pollok moved into the semi-finals of the Central League Cup after a penalty shoot-out victory against Neilston at Brig O’ Lea Stadium. There were some surprise inclusions amongst Harry Erwin’s squad as injuries continued to take their toll. 29 year-old striker Mark Kilpatrick made his debut, while 42 year-old Martin Nelson returned for his first Pollok appearance since departing Newlandsfield in January 2006.

Pollok had the best of the early action, and when Kilpatrick’s sixth minute cross arrived at Brian MacKay via John Sweeney they could have opened the scoring but for a deflection that sent the ball wide for a corner. Derek Wingate volleyed over from 20 yards out, then exchanged a neat one-two with Alan Waddell on the edge of the area before hitting a weak shot straight at Brian Hewitt. Jamie Gilliland threatened for Neilston after 12 minutes, but Robbie MacKillop gathered his effort at the second attempt. Sweeney was denied in the 24th minute when a ricochet fell kindly for him, only for Hewitt to make a terrific save to keep out his snap-shot. The ‘keeper then plucked a Kilpatrick overhead kick out of the air before touching a curling MacKay strike around the post for a corner. He was called into action again after 34 minutes when a low ball from Joe Carruth picked out Waddell three yards from goal, but Hewitt again blocked well. MacKillop stopped an Andy Whiteford drive before missing a long ball that found Mark McMenemy, but Sweeney made a fine saving tackle. Hewitt saved again after a smart effort on the turn by Kilpatrick, and The Farmer’s Boys should have claimed a half-time lead when McMenemy found himself with time and space 14 yards from goal, but he pulled his shot wide.

Pollok almost fell behind within a minute of the restart when MacKillop failed to connect with a clearance, but Andy Essler tracked back to force the ball wide for a corner kick. Gilliland narrowly missed the target from a corner before Hewitt saved a 20-yard effort by Nelson. The deadlock was broken after 51 minutes when the home side were awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal, and MICHAEL FULTON stepped up to lift the ball over the Pollok wall and into the net. ‘Lok responded with MacKay cutting in from the right before blazing a strike over the crossbar. David McGeown replaced Waddell after 76 minutes, and within sixty seconds Pollok were level. Shaun Dillon’s deep free-kick reached JOHN SWEENEY at the back post, and he sent a low header beyond Hewitt. Pollok almost took the lead moments later when MacKay pounced on a fumble by Hewitt and cut the ball back to Kilpatrick, but he fired over from a great position. Ross Chesney also shot over from close range before Neilston had the chance to tie things up in the 86th minute. Fulton was put through one-on-one with MacKillop, but drove the ball woefully off target for a goal kick. With thirty seconds left on the clock Pollok’s regular goalkeeper Kris Robertson was brought on in an outfield role, but he was unable to stop the game from going to penalty kicks.

Pollok took the first attempt, with Carruth bravely stepping up to open the scoring. MacKillop then made a fine save low to his right from McMenemy before Robertson converted for ‘Lok. Joe Bryers dragged his kick wide, then Dillon scored to put Pollok 3-0 ahead. Whiteford made it 3-1 before Hewitt stopped Essler’s effort. Fulton scored to make it 3-2 after four kicks each, allowing Sweeney the chance to take Pollok through, and he coolly slotted home the vital spot kick.