Saturday 7th November 2009

Michael Keenan (26)
Kieran McAleenan (54)

Ross McCabe (o.g. 3)
Shaun Dillon (13)
David McGeown (27, 55)
David Turnbull (pen 47)
Andy Essler (63)

Pollok put aside the disappointment of their early Scottish Junior Cup exit by surging to the top of the Stagecoach Super Premier League standings thanks to a 6-2 victory at New Petershill Park. Rab Sneddon made two alterations to his side from the game at New Victoria Park, with John Sweeney and the injured Stevie Miller making way for Ryan McGregor and Andy Essler.

‘Lok were gifted the lead after only three minutes when Shaun Dillon lifted a free-kick into the penalty area and ROSS McCABE powered a header beyond his own ‘keeper. Ten minutes later Pollok extended their lead when referee Des Roache awarded a free-kick at the edge of the box for handball, and SHAUN DILLON guided the ball perfectly beyond the reach of Scott McNab. Petershill almost pulled a goal back in the 22nd minute when Paul McBride nodded the ball down to Michael Keenan who wheeled round and hooked a shot just over the crossbar. Four minutes later Paul McBride and Kevin McBride combined to give MICHAEL KEENAN another sight of goal, and this time he deceived Kris Robertson with the aid of a deflection to halve the deficit. Barely sixty seconds later the hosts should have been level, but Paul McBride fired wide after eluding the ‘Lok defence.

At the other end David McGeown crossed for Bryan Dingwall, but his back-header was easily gathered by McNab. Joe Carruth then had a low drive saved before Robertson was called into action again. This time hesitancy by Chris Cruickshank allowed Paul McBride to advance on goal, but the Pollok ‘keeper spread himself superbly to thwart the striker. Pollok made it 3-1 in the 37th minute when DAVID McGEOWN took on the Peasy defence with a jinking run before rifling a left-foot shot beyond McNab. ‘Lok almost conceded again two minutes before the interval when Keenan’s powerful 25-yard strike seemed destined for the top corner, but a stunning full-length diving save by Robertson averted the danger.

The second half opened in similar fashion to the first, with Pollok scoring an early goal. McGeown released Dingwall on goal, only for McNab to fell the striker inside the penalty area. DAVIE TURNBULL stepped forward to slam home the 47th minute spot-kick. Seven minutes later the home side drew within two goals once more when the Pollok defence failed to clear a throw-in, and KIERAN McALEENAN placed a shot into the corner of the net. Sixty seconds later a terrific flowing move brought Pollok their fifth goal. McGeown broke from the edge of his own penalty area and surged into the Petershill half before laying the ball off to Turnbull. He passed to McGregor, who in turn fed Essler. His beautifully weighted pass found DAVID McGEOWN, who produced an exquisite finish to clip the ball over the onrushing McNab.

Calum Hardie hit the legs of the ‘keeper before the scoring was completed in the 63rd minute. Essler controlled a Peasy clearance on his chest and passed to McGeown, who backheeled the ball back into the path of ANDY ESSLER, who curled a stunning strike into the net with the outside of his left boot. Petershill substitute Andy McLaren sliced horribly wide from 25 yards out, while Dingwall was also off target from a similar distance for ‘Lok. With quarter of an hour left to play Paul McAulay saw a left-footed blast saved by McNab, and the ‘keeper also denied a McGregor header, but the damage had already been done and Pollok comfortably claimed all three points.

Pollok will now look to build upon a fine win when they travel to Meadow Park to take on defending league champions Irvine Meadow XI on Saturday.