Saturday 8th May 2010

Bryan Dingwall (62)

Richie Barr (14)
Gavin Friels (40, 85)

Pollok’s disappointing league campaign ended in the same manner as it had begun as they fell to defeat against Ayrshire opposition when Irvine Meadow XI triumphed 3-1 at Newlandsfield Park on Saturday. The visitors fielded three former ‘Lok players in their starting eleven, with Derek Wingate, Zander Ryan and Gavin Friels all starting. Willie Irvine rang the changes again as Chris Cruickshank, Paul Hyslop, Alan Muir and Stevie Miller all dropped out of his side, with Craig Baxter, Andy McClay, John Sweeney and Robert Downs all returning.

Sweeney picked up a booking in the sixth minute before the first shot on target of the game, with Zander Cowie holding easily after Brian McGinty had tried his luck from 20 yards out. Meadow took the lead after fourteen minutes when Baxter misjudged a long clearance from Chris McGowan. The awkward bounce fell kindly for RICHIE BARR, who slotted home with ease. Pollok could have pulled level in the 22nd minute when a dangerous cross by Shaun Dillon was headed back across goal by Sweeney, but Downs couldn’t keep his volley down and the ball sailed over the bar. A deep free-kick by Dillon then caused problems for the visiting defence, with Wingate doing just enough to take the ball out of the reach of Bryan Dingwall. Gareth Turner fired a drive goalwards in the 31st minute, but Gerry Joyce managed to deflect it over the crossbar. Dingwall then set up Sweeney near the corner of the penalty area, but his weak effort was easily gathered by Michael Wardrope. Meadow doubled their advantage five minutes before the interval when ‘Lok were left short of numbers at the back after a Joyce foray upfield. GAVIN FRIELS took full advantage to pick out the postage stamp corner of the net from 30 yards out with an exquisite finish.

Pollok’s hopes of a comeback were severely compromised within seven minutes of the restart. McClay became involved in an exchange with Chris Strain that saw both players booked in the 50th minute, and when Frank Connor adjudged him to have fouled McGinty two minutes later the referee had no hesitation in brandishing a second yellow card followed by a red. From the resultant free-kick Ryan shot over from near the touchline. Joyce then headed over from a Tommy Nolan corner before ‘Lok pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute. Dillon’s searching free-kick picked out Joyce, who nodded the ball back to Downs. He slipped a pass back to Jojo Connolly, who fired across goal to find the waiting BRYAN DINGWALL, who turned and shot past Wardrope. Two minutes later Dingwall turned provider with a knock down to Downs, but he sent his half-volley high over the target. Ryan then had a strike saved by Cowie before Pollok were reduced to eight men with two red cards in quick succession. Dingwall was booked for dissent, then became involved in an altercation with John Dillon after 81 minutes that earned him a second booking. He was joined two minutes later by Sweeney, also seeing yellow for a second time after a foul on ‘keeper Wardrope. Meadow made their numerical advantage count with five minutes left to play. Chris Robertson and Stephen Swift combined to release Ryan on the right, and although substitute John Paul Boyle couldn’t make proper contact with his cross, GAVIN FRIELS was perfectly positioned to sweep home at the far post. There was still time for one last effort, with Cowie holding a Dillon free-kick, but the points were already destined for Irvine.

Pollok must now pick themselves up quickly as they take on Port Glasgow in the Central League Cup, which gives them their final chance of silverware this season.