Saturday 15th August 2009

David McGeown (88)

Gary Wilson (5)
Kenny McLean (41, 56)
Martin McGarvey (52)

Pollok could hardly have made a worse start to their 2009/10 Stagecoach Super Premier League campaign as they crashed to a 4-1 loss at home to Beith. Stevie Miller and David McGeown made their first starts of the season for Harry Erwin’s side, but it was another face returning to Newlandsfield who would make the biggest early impression.

Pollok old boy GARY WILSON was allowed to cut in from the left wing, and from 20 yards out he curled a clinical strike beyond the reach of Kris Robertson to give Beith a fifth minute lead. McGeown then headed over after a Steven Bonar corner kick, while Davie Turnbull saw a shot deflected over after a Derek Wingate lay-off. McGeown then showed good skill to release Bonar, who squared for Andy McLaren, but his weak shot was easily gathered by Keith Ross.. ‘Lok should have levelled after quarter of an hour when Essler’s pass to McLaren sprung the offside trap, but the veteran striker lifted a woeful effort high over the crossbar. John Spence fired a 27th minute free-kick just off target and Turnbull saw a half-volley well saved by Ross before Beith extended their lead four minutes before the interval. Again Robertson was left helpless by a wonder strike, this time from KENNY McLEAN who blasted the ball into the postage stamp corner of the net from just outside the penalty area.

The game was virtually sealed seven minutes after the restart when Beith carved the home defence apart again. This time John Craig rolled over a pass from the right to an unmarked MARTIN McGARVEY, and he couldn’t miss from point blank range. Things went from bad to worse for Pollok as four minutes later KENNY McLEAN outmuscled a hesitant Derek Wingate before rounding Robertson and stroking the ball into the net to make the score 4-0. It could have been five moments later when Spence had a shot parried by Robertson before sending the rebound over the crossbar. Ross made another terrific save to once more deny Turnbull when the striker met an Essler header on the half-volley, then produced an even better stop to tip over a 30-yard drive from Miller. A triple substitution saw Joe Carruth introduced to the action for the first time this season before fellow replacement Paul McAulay sent a shot on the turn wide. Greig Cavanagh almost added to Beith’s advantage with four minutes remaining, only for his effort to be deflected around the post by Gerry Joyce. With two minutes left to play ‘Lok chalked up a consolation goal when Essler’s cross from the right was nodded home at the back post by DAVID McGEOWN, but it provided little cheer for the shell-shocked home support.

Pollok will know they will have to raise their game considerably if they are to challenge for the title this season, beginning with this Saturday’s fixture at home to Bellshill Athletic.