John McLay (5)
Craig Malcolm (39)
John Johnston (90)

Stevie Miller (24)

Pollok’s 100% league record was ended as Arthurlie continued their fine recent form with a 3-1 win at Dunterlie Park. Pollok were missing a number of key players through illness, injury and work commitments, with coach Jimmy Creaney drafted in on the substitutes bench.

The early action was ominous for ‘Lok as the hosts almost scored after just 90 seconds when Lee Sharp rolled a free-kick to John McLay, and his thunderous strike missed the target by inches. The Barrhead side took the lead in the 5th minute when Craig Malcolm dispossessed Stevie Aitchison 30 yards from goal and slipped a pass through to JOHN McLAY who stroked home the opener. Sharp sliced a shot wide and Stephen Anderson had a free-kick saved by Kris Robertson as the home side continued to dominate, and it was a surprise when Pollok levelled after 24 minutes. Andy Essler flighted over a corner to STEVIE MILLER who bulleted home a header from close range. This sparked ‘Lok into life, and they came close to taking the lead when Davie Turnbull shot narrowly wide from 25 yards out. Robert Downs volleyed over from a Calum Hardie cross and Frank McKeown made a terrific block to keep out a goal-bound Essler effort before the home side reclaimed the lead after 39 minutes. Again it was Aitchison who conceded possession, this time to Anderson, who advanced towards goal as Pollok appealed in vain for a free-kick. His shot was parried by Robertson, but CRAIG MALCOLM was perfectly placed to fire home the rebound. ‘Lok could have equalised before the interval when Brian MacKay’s cross was nodded wide by Downs when Turnbull seemed better placed to hit the target.

Pollok came close through Hardie shortly after the restart with a drive that just passed the post, while Anderson blasted over from the edge of the box for ‘Lie. After 55 minutes the visiting defence struggled to clear a corner, and it took a terrific save by Robertson to keep out a McKeown strike. Malcolm then connected with a John Johnston free-kick, but put the ball wide from an excellent position. Pollok came within inches of an equaliser when Miller’s header from an Essler corner rattled the underside of the crossbar after 62 minutes. Turnbull then headed wide, while Sharp could have put the game beyond doubt, but rifled a drive wide from 18 yards out after a lay-off from Malcolm. Peter Shaw denied Turnbull with a stop on the line after an Essler free-kick, and his Pollok counterpart made an acrobatic stop to save from Malcolm. Pollok introduced trialist midfielder John Sweeney for a debut as they chased the game, but they were hit with a sucker punch in the final minute. Referee Ross Haswell allowed a good advantage after a foul at halfway by Miller, and JOHN JOHNSTON raced away on the counter-attack before coolly picking out the corner of the net. There was time for one final effort for Pollok with Turnbull trying his luck from 30-yards out, but Shaw tipped the drive over to ensure that the winning margin would be two.

Pollok will now have to regroup in time to take on fellow title contenders Glenafton Athletic when the sides meet on Boxing Day in a game that has been brought forward by 24 hours.