Saturday 1st August 2009

David Armour (42)

Calum Hardie (13)
John Sweeney (25)
Ryan McGregor (27)

A trip to Brig O’ Lea Stadium brought Pollok their first victory of 2009/10 season when they triumphed by three goals to one against hosts Neilston. With Bryan Dingwall suffering from a groin injury Alan Waddell was recalled to partner Davie Turnbull up front. Andy McClay, Derek Wingate and Andy McLaren also dropped out of the starting line-up, with John Sweeney, Calum Hardie and Andy Essler taking their places.

Pollok opened brightly, with Ryan McGregor just failing to convert a low cross from Essler and Gerry Joyce narrowly failing to connect with a Shaun Dillon free-kick. They made the breakthrough after 13 minutes when Essler crossed from the left and CALUM HARDIE timed his run perfectly to prod home beyond Mark Quinn. The ‘keeper was beaten again 12 minutes later when another Essler cross was cleared as far as Dillon at the edge of the area. He guided a strike towards the far corner of the net, only for JOHN SWEENEY to divert the ball into the opposite corner. The lead was soon extended further when tenacious work by Hardie on the right resulted in a cut across to RYAN McGREGOR, who planted his first ever Pollok goal into the net after 27 minutes. Joyce had a header saved and Sweeney drove narrowly wide before Neilston seized upon some slack ‘Lok defending to pull a goal back in the 42nd minute. DAVID ARMOUR strolled past two Pollok challenges before coolly slotting home past Kris Robertson. The Farmers Boys almost pulled another goal back on the stroke of half-time, with Brian Wardle blocking a goalbound effort from Robbie Cameron.

Hardie had to leave the action at half-time with a hamstring pull, and Neilston continued to threaten after the interval, with Cameron lofting a shot narrowly off target. Steven Bonar flashed a header wide from a Turnbull cross before Cameron had another great chance for the hosts. The Pollok defence dawdled and allowed the striker a clean run on goal, only for Robertson to block his shot with his chest. Waddell then beat the offside trap and played in substitute Paul McAulay, but his attempted lob drifted harmlessly wide. Robertson easily gathered a low free-kick from Armour after 72 minutes, but seconds later was caught out of position and was relieved to see Niall Blair mishit a strike with the goal gaping.

As Neilston gambled in the last ten minutes Pollok found space at the other end of the field, and should have added to their advantage. McGregor and McAulay both pulled shots wide from excellent positions. Trialist Andy McLaren found himself one-on-one with Quinn with seven minutes left, but could only shoot straight at the ‘keeper. McAulay then displayed good footwork to fashion another chance for the veteran striker, but this time his effort was just on the high side of the target. In the final minute it was McLaren’s turn to release McAulay, but when the youngster squared the ball back to his strike partner McLaren stumbled and the chance was gone. Injury time saw Gavin Colquhoun sting Robertson’s gloves with a fierce long range drive, but the ‘keeper held on well as ‘Lok took the points.

Next up for Pollok is a first home game of the season as Benburb visit Newlandsfield Park in the Sectional League Cup.