Saturday 12th September 2009

John Paul Dow (pen 51)
Robert Burgess (60)
James Marks (79)

Bryan Dingwall (4, 28)

Pollok squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap at the top of the Stagecoach Super Premier League when they surrendered a two-goal lead against Largs Thistle at Barrfields Stadium.

Work commitments meant that Rab Sneddon was again absent from the Pollok dug-out, but Harry Erwin’s troops almost made the perfect start after three minutes when Davie Turnbull got onto the end of a Shaun Dillon free-kick, only to head over the crossbar. Sixty seconds later they found the target after some excellent build-up play by David McGeown, who teed up BRYAN DINGWALL for a 25-yard strike that smacked off the underside of the bar and into the net. McGeown was again seen as a creative force in the 16th minute when he crossed for Calum Hardie, but the winger’s weak header was easily gathered by Stephen Connick. At the other end Kris Robertson was forced into an excellent save, with the rebound falling to Robert Burgess who nodded over the bar. Dillon fired a free-kick straight at the Largs defensive wall before the hosts were forced into a change, with John Paul Dow replacing Graham Black. McGeown found the target with a 35-yard volley, but Connick was equal to his shot and made the save.

Thistle should have equalised in the 25th minute when Ryan Deas played a perfectly weighted ball to Andy Monaghan, but Robertson made a terrific stop with his legs. The hosts were made to pay three minutes later when ‘Lok doubled their advantage. Dingwall picked the ball up at halfway and released Hardie on the wing. He burst down the right flank before squaring a pass back to BRYAN DINGWALL, who slammed home a clinical finish. Pollok almost added a third when a sweeping pass from Turnbull found Dingwall on the right. He crossed to McGeown, only for Connick to make a goal-line stop. Turnbull then sent a dipping volley just over as the visitors went to the interval two goals to the good.

James Marks entered the fray for Largs at half-time, and he would make a telling impact on the game. He saw Robertson save a header after 47 minutes, but three minutes later he was the victim of a clumsy shove inside the area by Joe Carruth, and referee Des Roache pointed to the penalty spot. JOHN PAUL DOW stepped up to blast home from the 12-yard mark. Martin Dow was then narrowly off target with a venomous drive from distance before Robertson had to touch another Largs header over the crossbar. Hardie found room behind the home defence after 56 minutes, but his weak effort from 20 yards out was easily held by Connick. The scores were levelled on the hour mark when Gordon Lappin flighted over a free-kick from halfway, and ROBERT BURGESS was allowed to sneak in unmarked to nod home past Robertson. His game was over in the 67th minute however when he struck Turnbull right in front of the referee and saw a straight red card. Turnbull fired over from the resultant Dillon free-kick.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Largs continued to press, with Gerry Joyce heading away a John Robertson volley and Gary Davidson nodding just over the target. McGeown missed the target twice, once with a volley and once with a header, before Robertson was called into action again. Deas dispossessed Chris Cruickshank and squared the ball to Marks, only for the ‘Lok ‘keeper to make a tremendous save. Pollok failed to deal with the resultant corner however, and JAMES MARKS headed home from close range to put Largs ahead with 11 minutes remaining. Pollok failed to find an equaliser during that time, with Cruickshank steering a header wide before substitute Paul McAulay sliced wide from a good position with the last kick of the game.

Pollok will now need to regroup with a tricky trip to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy next up in the League.