Saturday 10th October 2009

Keiron Downs (43)

Ryan McGregor (12)
Gerry Joyce (49)
John Sweeney (61)
Bryan Dingwall (90)
Paul McAulay (90)

For the second week in a row a late scoring flurry gave Pollok a healthy winning margin as they defeated Vale of Clyde 5-1 in the Stagecoach Super Premier League at Fullarton Park. Bryan Dingwall was available again after suspension, but only found a place on the bench as manager Rab Sneddon elected to stick with a partnership of Alan Waddell and Davie Turnbull up front. Tonsillitis ruled out Chris Cruickshank, so Gerry Joyce returned at the heart of a makeshift defence.

‘Lok very nearly made the perfect start with Turnbull heading just over from a John Sweeney throw-in after only two minutes. A driving run by David McGeown forced Scott Threlfall into the first save of the match after nine minutes, but he would be beaten three minutes later. Another Sweeney throw was flicked on by the head of Turnbull, and RYAN McGREGOR arrived at the back post to slam home the opener against his former club. Sixty seconds later Sweeney nodded over from close range after a deep Stevie Miller free-kick. It took Vale until the 16th minute to threaten the Pollok rearguard, with Kris Robertson clutching a powerful 30-yard drive from Scott Upton.

Joe Carruth had to look alert to snuff out a dangerous low ball from Craig Halliday that Paul McAneny couldn’t quite reach. Halliday then blasted over from the edge of the penalty box as the hosts began to take a grip of proceedings. Thomas Sinclair was next to try his luck with a shot from distance that wasn’t far off target before Keiron Downs volleyed over from 16 yards out. As the game approached the interval Robertson made a magnificent save with his legs to deny Downs, but from the resultant corner the Tollcross side drew level. Sinclair’s drive rattled the crossbar, ricocheted off Robertson’s back and off the post before falling to KEIRON DOWNS to tuck away a 43rd minute equaliser.

Pollok regrouped at half-time and made the ideal start to the second half when they regained the lead in the 49th minute. Miller’s corner was met perfectly by GERRY JOYCE, who bulleted a header beyond the helpless Threlfall. ‘Lok extended their advantage after 61 minutes when Shaun Dillon floated a free-kick into the area. McGeown headed on to Turnbull, who nodded the ball into the path of JOHN SWEENEY, who timed his run superbly to beat the Vale defence and slot home from close range. McGeown sliced wide after good work by McGregor, while the hosts were forced to resort to shooting from distance, with Sinclair well off target on two occasions.

Paul Hyslop entered the fray after 69 minutes for his first Pollok appearance since returning from Irvine Meadow XI. Substitute Dingwall headed just wide from a Robertson kick-out before Miller rattled the bar with a dipping strike from 30-yards out. In the final minute of the game two of Pollok’s substitutes combined to produce goal number four. Miller picked out Paul McAulay, and he cut the ball across to BRYAN DINGWALL, who evaded his marker before firing home off the inside of the post. The scoring was completed one minute into injury time when Robertson’s clearance found Hyslop, who chipped a pass forward. PAUL McAULAY beat Threlfall to the ball before guiding an exquisite finish into the net.

The result takes Pollok to within one point of the league leaders, but they now turn their attentions to cup matters when they take on Carluke Rovers in the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup.