Craig Malcolm (58, 71)

Robert Downs (45 pen)
Richie Newall (56)

Pollok moved into round two of the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup, but only after a penalty shoot-out against Arthurlie at Dunterlie Park. With Derek Wingate suspended manager Jim Sinnet was forced to make one change to the side that had snatched a late victory against Petershill, with David McGeown returning to fill the vacancy.

McGeown had a shot blocked in the first minute of play, and although he steered the rebound towards Davie Turnbull the striker couldn’t control the pass and the chance was gone. At the other end John McLay failed to connect properly with a John Johnston cross when in good position. Johnston forced a save from Kris Robertson after 11 minutes after a corner had been cleared back to him. Sean Winter then saw a shot deflect narrowly wide for a corner, while Frank McKeown missed the target with a header from close range after 20 minutes. Two minutes later Pollok lost Andy Essler to injury, with Brian MacKay taking his place. Some neat one touch football between Stevie Aitchison, Robert Downs and Bryan Dingwall culminated in the latter having a strike at goal, but the home defence held firm to block the shot. Pollok had the ball in the net after 36 minutes through Turnbull, only for referee Stevie O’Brien to award a free-kick to Arthurlie for a foul by Downs on goalkeeper Derek Scrimgour. Turnbull almost opened the scoring 60 seconds later with a dipping volley from 20 yards out that just missed the target, but the visitors claimed the lead on the stroke of half-time. MacKay was sent flying inside the penalty area by Scrimgour, and ROBERT DOWNS stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

Arthurlie nearly equalised straight from the kick-off in the second half when Sean Winter shrugged off the presence of three Pollok defenders to get his shot in, but Robertson managed to get his legs in the way for ‘Lok. Calum Hardie then produced some terrific footwork to cross for Dingwall, but he just failed to connect with the goal gaping. Pollok then lost MacKay to an ankle injury, with Richie Newall his replacement. He was to have an immediate impact on proceedings as Pollok doubled their lead after 56 minutes. Dingwall’s overhead kick rattled the crossbar, but RICHIE NEWALL followed up to slide home the rebound. Visiting celebrations were quickly muted as Arthurlie struck back almost instantly. Hesitation in the Pollok rearguard was seized upon by CRAIG MALCOLM, who nodded home beyond Robertson. Worse was to follow for ‘Lok as they were reduced to ten men when McGeown was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Scrimgour. ‘Lie made their numerical advantage count, and drew level with 19 minutes left. A quickly taken free-kick found Winter in space on the right, and his low cross picked out CRAIG MALCOLM, who fired through the legs of Robertson. Three minutes later Arthurlie ‘keeper Scrimgour picked up his second booking of the game after tangling with Dingwall. Pollok finished with just nine men when Aitchison was stretchered off with a knee injury after all three substitutes had been used. With just two minutes to go Robertson made an excellent stop from a Stevie Aitken shot to take the game to penalty kicks.

The first four kicks were all converted, with McKeown and Johnston on target for Arthurlie and Downs and Stevie Miller scoring for Pollok. Stephen Anderson was next to step up, but Robertson saved well to hand ‘Lok the advantage. Joe Carruth scored before Robertson produced further heroics, this time getting his legs to James Lundie’s effort. This gave Dingwall the chance to win the tie, and he kept his concentration to coolly slot home the deciding kick.

Next up for Pollok is a return to the Senior Scottish Cup with a home tie against East of Scotland League side Spartans.

Robert McPhee (51)
Gary Wild (70)

Dexy Wingate (18)
David Turnbull (33)
Bryan Dingwall (90)

Match highlights from external site - 1st half
Match highlights from external site - 2nd half
Pollok held on to their place at the summit of the Stagecoach Super Premier League, but only after a dramatic late winner against Petershill at Springburn. Manager Jim Sinnet fielded the same starting eleven that had blitzed Arthurlie the previous week, but it was the hosts who dominated much of the early play.

Kris Robertson had to deny Robert McPhee twice early on, while Gary Wild was close with a header from a Kieran McAleenan corner. McAleenan then shot over from outside the box after 17 minutes, and his team fell behind sixty seconds later when Pollok took the lead. Andy Essler crossed from the right to Bryan Dingwall, who could only head the ball straight at Neil Parry, but DEREK WINGATE followed up to drill home his first ever Pollok goal. Robertson then saved a Jamie McCarroll header before Stevie Aitchison made a charging run from defence. He found Calum Hardie in space, who cut the ball across to Davie Turnbull, but his weak effort was saved from a promising position. Hardie then sent over a cross for Robert Downs, but his header flashed wide of the target.

Stevie Dallas was booked after 31 minutes for Petershill, and that same minute Stevie Miller sent a low effort towards goal that Parry clutched to his chest. He could do nothing however as Pollok doubled their advantage two minutes later. A short corner routine between Downs and Essler resulted in the latter crossing for DAVIE TURNBULL to nod home Pollok’s second. McPhee tried his luck again for Peasy, but again Robertson was up to the task, while the half finished with a flurry of bookings from referee Ian Craig.

It took just six minutes of the second half for Petershill to grab a lifeline back into the game. Pollok failed to close down Gerry Joyce and Shaun Fraser as they crafted a chance for McCarroll. His shot hit the post, but ROBERT McPHEE was first to react to bury the rebound. Their chances of rescuing the game received a major blow however when they were reduced to ten men after 56 minutes. Dallas fouled Aitchison and was shown a second yellow card, then a red, by Mr. Craig. Bookings followed for James Coulter and for McCarroll as the card count continued to rise. Hardie and Turnbull then combined to feed the ball through to Downs, but his weak effort was cleared off the line by the home defence. Aitchison and Wingate picked up bookings for Pollok, and worse was to follow when Petershill equalised after 70 minutes. Pollok conceded a free-kick right on the edge of the area, and GARY WILD stepped up to fire past Robertson to level at 2-2.

Pollok almost moved back in front when substitute David McGeown directed a back-post header towards the target, only for Parry to make a terrific save. There was then a further spate of yellow cards, including a second for Wingate in injury time that saw the Pollok player sent back to the pavilion. His side were not to be denied the victory however as the winning goal arrived three minutes into stoppage time. Brian MacKay showed good skill to fashion space for a cross from the left, and BRYAN DINGWALL managed to break clear of his marker long enough to glance home a header and spark wild celebrations amongst the visitors.

Pollok now take a break from league action with a run of cup games, starting with Arthurlie in the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup at Dunterlie Park.

Bryan Dingwall (4, 90)
Calum Hardie (8)
Robert Downs (16, 29)

Craig Malcolm (54)

Match highlights from external site - 1st half
Match highlights from external site - 2nd half

Pollok maintained their 100% start to the League campaign with a crushing victory over local rivals Arthurlie at Newlandsfield Park. Bryan Dingwall returned to the side in an unfamiliar midfield role as David McGeown missed out due to outside commitments in the only change from the line-up against Beith last Saturday.

Pollok made a dream start as they took the lead with just four minutes on the clock. Joe Carruth found Andy Essler on the left wing, and his first time cross picked out Davie Turnbull. He headed against the crossbar, but the rebound fell to BRYAN DINGWALL, who nodded home from close range. ‘Lok doubled their lead after eight minutes when Stevie Miller crossed to Turnbull. His header found CALUM HARDIE with his back to goal, and he twisted past his marker before launching the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. A defensive error by David Craig then allowed Hardie to slide a pass through to Robert Downs, but Peter Shaw blocked his shot.

Derek Wingate then drove wide before ‘Lok added a third after 16 minutes. Stevie Aitchison’s throw-in found ROBERT DOWNS at the near post, and he steered a header beyond Shaw. Pollok were now in full flow, and they moved four goals clear after 29 minutes. Essler, Hardie and Turnbull were all involved in the initial build-up play, and although the visitors managed to get a challenge in, the ball fell nicely for ROBERT DOWNS to sweep a left-foot shot just inside the post. Chris Cruickshank then sent a header over the crossbar before a quickly taken Wingate free-kick gave Downs a chance for his hat-trick. The striker had an air shot with his first attempt before sending a second effort into the side-netting. Dingwall also found the side-netting three minutes later, while Wingate fired off target from a good position after a quick break by Miller and a clever backheel by Downs.

At half-time Arthurlie manager Mark Cameron introduced John McLay to the action, and the move paid dividends after 54 minutes. He was left unmarked in the penalty area, and although Kris Robertson saved the shot he couldn’t hold it, with CRAIG MALCOLM following up to smash home the loose ball. McLay picked up the first booking of the game before Alan Waddell replaced Turnbull after 67 minutes. Dingwall sent a near post effort just wide after a cross from Hardie, then Wingate headed wide, again from a Hardie cross. It could have proved a nervy finish for the hosts had it not been for a fine double save by Robertson after 79 minutes. Firstly he blocked from Craig’s strike before stopping the rebound effort from Malcolm.

Downs made way for Richie Newall with ten minutes left to play, and sixty seconds later McLay sent a swerving strike just wide from 30 yards out. Essler left the field with six minutes remaining as Brian MacKay came on for a Pollok side who wrapped up the scoring one minute into injury time. Newall’s quick free-kick gave Hardie the chance to burst past Craig on the right, and he slipped a pass across to BRYAN DINGWALL to roll the ball into an empty net to complete a comprehensive victory.

The win keeps Pollok at the summit of the table, where they will hope to stay when they take on Petershill at New Petershill Park next Saturday.