Saturday 6th March 2010

Bryan Dingwall (46)
Ryan McGregor (63)

Tommy Franch (55)
Tommy Lennox (86 pen)

A dismal start to 2010 continued for Pollok as they slumped out of the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup after a penalty shoot-out loss against Lanark United at Newlandsfield Park. There was a surprise name on the Pollok team-sheet as 47 year-old Robert Burns, who has been playing at Junior and amateur level, turned out between the sticks for the first time for Lok since season 2005/06 to alleviate Pollok’s goalkeeping crisis.

He was called into action in the fourth minute when Tom Hanlon’s long free-kick found John Osbourne, but his low shot was held by Burns. At the other end Craig Rowan also made a low save to deny Calum Hardie before Bryan Dingwall headed narrowly wide. Hardie tried his luck again with a half-volley after a Paul Hyslop cross, but again Rowan was equal to the task. Burns gathered a 25-yard effort from Hanlon before ‘Lok lost John Sweeney to a head injury. The hosts almost opened the scoring after 22 minutes when Tommy Nolan’s corner was headed goalwards by Gerry Joyce, but the United defence managed to scramble the ball off the line. Tommy Franch and David Middleton both then missed the target for Lanark before Burns saved again, this time from an Osbourne header. There was another close call for the visitors in the 42nd minute when Grant Cuthill had to be alert to clear a dangerous Nolan cross from under his own crossbar.

The second half opened in perfect fashion for ‘Lok as they took the lead within 54 seconds of the restart. Ryan McGregor played in Hyslop, and he laid the ball off to BRYAN DINGWALL to drill a low strike beyond Rowan. They nearly doubled their advantage six minutes later when Hyslop’s corner was met by the head of McGregor, but again a Lanark body stopped the ball on the line. The rebound fell to Dingwall, but he screwed his shot wide from close range. Makeshift centre-back Davie Turnbull then made a terrific challenge to deny Alan McFadden from having a strike at goal, but he was unable to prevent the visitors from drawing level in the 55th minute. Davie McGuire’s low ball across the face of goal was missed by everyone until it reached TOMMY FRANCH at the back post, and he had the easiest of tasks to tap home the equaliser. Pollok responded with a Dingwall shot that Rowan saved well, but their lead was restored in the 63rd minute. Andy McClay found Dingwall on the edge of the penalty area, and he held the ball up before laying off to RYAN McGREGOR to slam home.

McFadden almost levelled once more with an effort on the turn that flew inches wide, and the same player also threatened with a cross-shot that Burns had to tip over the bar. With only four minutes left on the clock Lanark equalised again in controversial circumstances. McGuire burst down the right before falling to the turf, with referee Paul Robertson adjudging Stevie Miller to have made contact with him and so awarding a penalty. TOMMY LENNOX stepped up to plant the spot-kick beyond the reach of Burns. Hardie then found the net for ‘Lok, only to see the assistant referee raise his flag for offside. In the second minute of injury time Lanark were reduced to ten men when Hanlon received a second yellow card after comments made to the match officials.

With no extra-time a penalty shoot-out was required to decide the tie, and Mark Quinn gave Lanark the perfect start by despatching the first kick. Dingwall then stepped forward for Pollok, only to see his effort saved by Rowan. The next six penalties were converted, with Cuthill, Osbourne and Lennox on target for United while Miller, Shaun Dillon and Turnbull scored for ‘Lok. That gave Franch the opportunity to send Lanark into the third round, and he made no mistake with a coolly taken strike.