Wednesday 14th April 2010

David McClure (9)

Shaun Dillon (45)
Bryan Dingwall (57)
Ryan McGregor (59)

Pollok made it through to the second round of the Central League Cup, but only after surviving an early scare against Greenock at Ravenscraig Stadium.

The sparse crowd was greeted by news of a welcome return to the heart of the Pollok defence by club captain Stevie Aitchison. Also back was striker Bryan Dingwall, available again after a bout of 'flu. The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, with Ryan McGregor heading wide from a Tommy Nolan cross. Greenock took the lead in the ninth thanks to a goal that Zander Cowie would rather forget. A seemingly aimless ball from Roland Fabiani rolled through the goalie's legs, and he was unable to retrieve the situation before DAVID McCLURE prodded home from point blank range. Things almost got worse for Pollok when Thomas Docherty sent over a low cross for Joe Gilmour, but Aitchison made a brave block to avert the danger. It took until the 30th minute for 'Lok to test Mark Monk when Dingwall directed a weak curling shot towards goal. Cowie gathered a dipping strike from Ross Kearns before the pivotal moment of the game arrived in the the 38th minute when Sean Stirling was shown a second yellow card after fouling Joe Carruth. Pollok responded with a Calum Hardie cross to McGregor, but the midfielder saw his effort rebound against the base of the post. 'Lok entered the interval level-pegging after grabbing an equaliser in the third minute of first-half injury time. Nolan's corner evaded Carruth, but SHAUN DILLON was perfectly placed to tap home from close range.

The second period opened with Dingwall crossing to McGregor at the front post, but his low volley squirmed just wide. Pollok took the lead in the 57th minute when a ball over the top found BRYAN DINGWALL behind the Greenock defence, and he gleefully slammed home to make it 2-1. Two minutes later 'Lok extended their lead further. Nolan found Hardie on the right, and although Monk parried his shot RYAN McGREGOR followed up for the simplest of finishes. Jojo Connolly then mishit a strike wide, while at the other end Docherty again went close for Greenock. With the tie virtually decided Willie Irvine made a triple substitution, introducing Alan Muir, John Sweeney and Andy Essler for Andy McClay, Connolly and Hardie. Sweeney almost created a fourth for Pollok when setting up Dingwall, but the hitman's flick was wide of the target. On the stroke of full-time Essler nodded the ball down to Dingwall for a half-volley, but Monk made a comfortable save.

Pollok will now travel to Hannah Park to take on Shotts Bon Accord in round two of the competition, with the winners set to face either East Kilbride Thistle or Port Glasgow in the third round.