Stevie Miller (16)
Bryan Dingwall (46)

John Jack (14)
Gary Lynn (pen 27, pen 70)

Pollok’s chances of lifting the Citylink Scottish Junior Cup hang by a thread after a 3-2 semi-final first leg loss to Clydebank at Newlandsfield Park.

Jim Sinnet was forced into one change from his line-up against Irvine Meadow as Shaun Dillon began a four game ban, with Chris Cruickshank his replacement at left-back. The home side opened brightly, with Davie Turnbull heading over from an Andy Essler corner after six minutes. Five minutes later Derek Wingate saw a header cleared off the line from a Calum Hardie corner, while Bryan Dingwall’s follow-up effort was cleared by the visiting rearguard. At the other end Charlie Hobbs showed good skill to create space for a shot that Stevie Aitchison cleared for a corner, but his side would not be denied from taking a 14th minute lead when an unmarked JOHN JACK nodded home from the flag kick. ‘Lok pulled level within three minutes when, after Turnbull had another effort cleared off the line, Hardie swung over a cross to STEVIE MILLER, who sent a diving header beyond the reach of Stefan Gonet.

The Bankies ‘keeper then held a weak Dingwall lob before Jack sent another header wide. Clydebank took the lead again after 27 minutes from the penalty spot. Referee Des Roache adjudged Aitchison to have handled the ball inside the area, and GARY LYNN stepped up to stroke the spot-kick past Kris Robertson. Hobbs then shot narrowly wide after a charging run down the left, while Essler was off target with a 25-yard strike for Pollok. With 37 minutes on the clock Gonet completely misjudged a steepling ball into the box, allowing Dingwall the chance of a back-header, only for the striker to hit the crossbar. Five minutes later he hit woodwork again, this time thumping a close-range volley against the post. Chris Mackie almost added another for Clydebank before half-time when he was left alone in the area, but he couldn’t quite stretch far enough to direct a deep cross towards goal.

Pollok made the perfect start to the second half as they levelled within sixty seconds. Essler’s free-kick was spilled by Gonet, and BRYAN DINGWALL pounced to smash home from close range. Bankies tried to respond immediately with a shot from halfway from the kick off, but the ball drifted harmlessly off target. Pollok had two handball appeals waved away before Lynn tested Robertson again, this time with a free-kick that the ‘keeper held well. Mark Hailstones had to be alert on the hour mark to head over his own crossbar after Turnbull had flicked on an Aitchison throw-in, while Gonet clutched a Miller shot to his chest one minute later. Clydebank took the lead again with twenty minutes remaining. Mackie turned Aitchison outside the area and fired in a shot that Robertson could only palm towards substitute Ryan Scobie. His goalbound effort was stopped by the arm of Wingate, and the referee had no alternative but to send the stopper off and award a penalty. Again GARY LYNN was entrusted with the kick, and he thundered home a perfect strike into the top left corner of the net.

Five minutes later an angry exchange between Turnbull and Steve Blair saw both players join Wingate in the pavilion as Mr. Roache dished out another two red cards. Even with nine men Pollok chased an equaliser, and David McGeown had a header saved on the line after he met a sublime chip from Hardie. Sinclair Soutar showed great positional sense to deny Robert Downs a near post chance from a Hardie cross before the same two players carved open the Bankies defence in the 90th minute. Hardie played a one-two with Downs at the edge of the box before taking aim at goal, only for Gonet to react brilliantly to get a toe to the ball and direct it onto the post as ‘Lok hit woodwork for a fourth time.

It is therefore advantage Clydebank as the sides meet again on Saturday in the decisive second leg.