Saturday 3rd October 2009

David McGeown (18)
Alan Waddell (33, 89)
Stevie Miller (52)
John Sweeney (84)
Paul McAulay (90)

Pollok progressed to the second round of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup with victory against Kirriemuir Thistle on Saturday at Newlandsfield Park. There was no room in the starting line-up for winger Paul Hyslop, recently re-signed from Irvine Meadow XI, while young centre-half Chris Walker was drafted in from Colville Park Amateurs to occupy a spot in the back four.

There was an early scare for the hosts as the first effort of the game came from Kirrie’s David Millar, who shot just wide from 20 yards out. Pollok should have taken the lead in the 11th minute when Calum Hardie crossed from the right to an unmarked Davie Turnbull, but his header was too close to ‘keeper James Ogilvie, who tipped the ball over the crossbar. ‘Lok broke the deadlock after 18 minutes with a superbly crafted goal. David McGeown burst down the left flank and, after a perfectly weighted one-two with Alan Waddell, DAVID McGEOWN curled a low shot into the corner of the net. McGeown almost added a second 13 minutes later when he took the ball around Ogilvie, only for Derek Paterson to make a terrific goal-line block. The Kirrie defences were breached again in the 33rd minute when Hardie fought to keep the ball in play before cutting it back to ALAN WADDELL, who rifled a low shot on the turn past Ogilvie for the second goal of the game. Chris Cruickshank had a strike blocked by Millar before the last effort of the half when Kris Morrice shot with a free-kick from fully 50 yards out, but Kris Robertson clutched the ball easily.

Pollok had two near misses at the start of the second half when firstly Shaun Dillon and then Waddell fired wide of the target, but they added a third goal in the 52nd minute. McGeown broke out of defence, ignoring appeals from the visitors for a possible handball. He picked out Waddell with a beautiful crossfield pass, and the striker fed the ball back in to STEVIE MILLER to apply the final touch from close range. Almost immediately Chris Kettles found himself with a clear sight of goal at the other end, but he completely missed his kick and the chance was gone. Alex Anderson had a shot deflected wide, while Morrice sent a dipping volley from distance just over the bar.

It took until the 84th minute for Pollok to add a fourth goal when Robertson launched a long ball forward that was flicked on by the head of John Sweeney to Waddell. His cut-back ricocheted off a defender into the path of Paul McAulay, and although Ogilvie saved with his legs JOHN SWEENEY was on hand to finish off the move, with referee Alistair Kerr correctly overruling the offside flag of his assistant. With one minute left on the clock Pollok netted their fifth when Sweeney charged through the heart of the midfield and slipped a pass out wide to Hardie. He sent the ball into the danger area where ALAN WADDELL executed a perfect backheel to divert it into the net. The scoring was completed one minute into injury time when some lovely interplay between Waddell and PAUL McAULAY ended with the youngster flicking a shot into the corner of the net with the outside of his boot.

Although the scoreline possibly flattered Pollok they achieved the purpose of the day, advancing to the second round draw to be made at New Petershill Park.