Derek Wingate (78)

Chris Robertson (41)
Richie Barr (76)

Pollok’s hopes of lifting another Stagecoach Super Premier League suffered a large dent when a crowd in excess of 900 witnessed Irvine Meadow XI seize the initiative in the title race.

David McGeown sent an early effort from distance off target before Meadow had the ball in the net with 12 minutes on the clock when Chris Strain nodded home from close range, only for referee Barry Cook to disallow the ‘goal’ for climbing. Richie Barr then volleyed over from 18 yards out before Pollok lost Joe Carruth to injury after a heavy challenge by Emilio Jaconelli. Harry Erwin had to shuffle his side, with Stevie Miller slotting into the right-back role after a lengthy stoppage. Pollok’s first effort on target came in the 22nd minute when Derek Wingate’s 30-yard free-kick was easily taken by Michael Wardrope. Strain should have opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he was released by Richie Barr, but he sliced his shot wide of the target under pressure from Shaun Dillon. Good build up play by Andy McClay and Bryan Dingwall allowed Robert Downs a strike at goal four minutes later, but he fired over from 25 yards out. A great through ball from Strain then released Zander Ryan to fire across goal, but just past the post. Wingate then went close for the hosts with a fierce drive that just missed the target. Kris Robertson saved well from a swerving Barr strike before the Ayrshire side took the lead after 41 minutes. Ryan’s corner was flicked into the path of CHRIS ROBERTSON at the back post, and he crashed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.

‘Lok nearly levelled within three minutes of the restart when Andy Essler’s header from a Miller corner was cleared off the line by Ryan. Barr then sliced wide from a Jaconelli cross before Wardrope made a comfortable save from a McGeown header. Harry Erwin brought on Richie Newall for McClay, but the game looked out of reach after 76 minutes when Meadow doubled their advantage. Ryan’s corner was headed back across goal by Chris McGowan, and RICHIE BARR netted with a close range diving header. Two minutes later Pollok grabbed a lifeline when DEREK WINGATE headed home a Miller corner to reduce the deficit back to one. The best chances for the remainder of the game fell to the men in blue however, and it took two terrific saves by Robertson to keep the winning margin at one. Firstly he made a near post stop to deny Strain as the midfielder broke on the right, then he made a magnificent reaction save to turn away a Davie Hamilton header after a cross from Andy McLaren. Despite his best efforts it was Meadow who claimed all three points to leave Pollok needing maximum points from their last three games if they are to retain their championship.