Thursday 13th August 2009

Gerry Joyce (68)

Craig Malcolm (15)

Pollok exited the Sectional League Cup despite an unbeaten campaign when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Arthurlie at Newlandsfield Park. There were two changes from the side that defeated Benburb as Harry Erwin replaced Alan Waddell with Paul McAulay up front, while Gerry Joyce filled in at right-back in place of injured trialist Michael Robertson.

After a quiet start to the game it was the visitors who took the lead after quarter of an hour. Stephen Anderson’s corner was headed down to CRAIG MALCOLM two yards from goal, and he gleefully slammed home the opener. Pollok had strong penalty appeals waved away two minutes later amid claims that McAulay had been bundled over in the box before Steven Bonar forced a good save from Neil Parry after a quickly taken Ryan McGregor free-kick. From the resultant corner Parry made another stop, this time gathering a low Andy Essler strike. After 28 minutes McGregor powered a header towards goal after an Essler corner, but John Johnston on the goal-line managed to deflect the ball onto his own crossbar. Shaun Dillon blocked well after Steve Gallacher was allowed a free header, while at the other end Parry saved with his legs to deny McAulay. Kris Robertson was in action after 35 minutes, making a stunning reaction stop to deny Johnston, and his counterpart at the other end produced an equally high quality save to touch a John Sweeney shot past the post. The ‘Lok defence were cut open again after 42 minutes, but another top drawer save from Robertson prevented John Bradford from scoring before Callan Adam just missed the target with a sweetly struck volley.

Two minutes into the second half Pollok almost levelled, but Gavin Duncan managed to stop Sweeney’s close range header on the line, although there were strong appeals that he had done so with his arm. More fabulous goalkeeping from Robertson kept out efforts from Bradford and Anderson, while Brian Wardle was the next Pollok player to see a header cleared off the line when he nodded goalwards after a Sweeney throw-in. ‘Lok finally levelled in the 68th minute when substitute Stevie Miller crossed to GERRY JOYCE at the back post, and he headed beyond former team-mate Parry. Pollok were rocked just four minutes later however when Andy McLaren’s reckless lunge on John McLay was punished with a straight red card by referee Derek Nicholls. Arthurlie almost made their one man advantage count with ten minutes left to play when Wardle had to clear off the line after Joe Andrew had rounded Robertson. The ‘Lok ‘keeper was called into action again moments later when he held a McLay strike from the corner of the penalty area. With four minutes remaining Davie Turnbull headed a Sweeney throw towards goal, but another spectacular save from Parry kept the scores level. Pollok needed a win to qualify, and so in injury time Robertson pushed forward to try to get on the end of a long throw-in. ‘Lie cleared however, with Andrew bursting forward. He squared the ball to Frank McKeown, but somehow Miller headed his shot clear with the goal gaping. ‘Lok were unable to muster one final effort however, and so it was the Barrhead side who progressed to a last eight meeting with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

While the early exit from the competition would please no-one at Newlandsfield, there were plenty of positives to be taken from a highly entertaining encounter.