Saturday 8th August 2009

David Turnbull (11)
Steven Bonar (33)
Paul McAulay (68, 87)

Tony O'Neill (6)
Stevie Waddell (64)

Pollok set up a Sectional League Cup showdown with Arthurlie when they defeated Benburb 4-2 in a closely fought encounter on Saturday. There was one new face in Harry Erwin’s side as young right-back Michael Robertson took to the field as a trialist for ‘Lok.

Pollok almost took the lead within the first minute when Steven Bonar’s ball was just too far in front of an unmarked Andy Essler. Instead, it was the visitors who opened the scoring after six minutes. TONY O’NEILL crossed from the right, and the ball sailed over Kris Robertson’s head and just inside the far post. John Sweeney should have done better when he raced onto a pass over the defence, only for the ball to hit his knee and bounce into the arms of a grateful Joe Ghattas. Robertson saved a weak Kevin Ford strike before ‘Lok levelled after 11 minutes. Essler’s cross was cleared as far as DAVIE TURNBULL just outside the penalty area, and he sent a rasping low drive beyond Ghattas. Essler then headed narrowly wide from a Bonar cross, while Ghattas reacted well to tip over a Shaun Dillon free-kick. He made an even better save to keep out Turnbull’s powerful header from an Essler cross, but he was unable to stop Pollok taking the lead after 33 minutes. Again Essler provided the cross, with STEVEN BONAR stealing in in front of the defence to bullet a header into the corner of the net for his first ‘Lok goal. There was a blow for the visitors when O’Neill was forced to limp out of the action, with James Callaghan his replacement. With a minute to go before half-time Pollok rattled the woodwork when Alan Waddell hit the outside of the post after a low Bonar cut-back.

Bens almost drew level seven minutes into the second half when sloppy play saw ‘Lok concede possession inside their own half, but Robertson made a fine stop at his near post to deny Callaghan. Brian Wardle had a low header saved at the other end before Benburb equalised after 63 minutes. Kevin McGlinchey picked out STEVIE WADDELL, and the young striker showed magnificent technique to thunder an unstoppable volley into the far corner of the net. ‘Lok responded with a double change up front as Turnbull and Waddell made way for Andy McLaren and Paul McAulay. McAulay should have scored almost immediately when Wardle nodded the ball to him just two yards from goal, but somehow he managed to send his header over the bar. His confidence was obviously not dented however as he restored Pollok’s lead after 68 minutes. McLaren flicked a through pass into the path of PAUL McAULAY, and he was sharp enough to beat Ghattas to the ball to fire home.

The pair linked up again shortly afterwards, but this time Ghattas managed to turn a goalbound McLaren strike around the post. McLaren then blazed over from eight yards out before ‘Lok finally clinched the game with three minutes left to play. McLaren’s through ball deflected into the path of PAUL McAULAY, and although he stumbled as he rounded Ghattas he recovered in time to prod home into the unguarded net.

With Arthurlie defeating St. Anthony’s 6-1 in the other game in the group Pollok must now win on Thursday night if they are to progress to a quarter-final meeting with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.