Pollok's
new management team tasted defeat for the first time as their side fell to a 2-1
defeat against Kilbirnie Ladeside at Valefield Park in the Stagecoach Super Premier
League.
Robert Downs returned from suspension, but could only find a place
on the bench as Willie Irvine made three alterations from the team that defeated
Greenock in midweek. In came Craig McEwan, Gerry Joyce and David McGeown, with
Joe Carruth, Stevie Aitchison and Jojo Connolly the men to make way. It was the
hosts who were the more lively in the opening exchanges, with the first opportunity
falling to Paul Bell who headed a John Paul McKeever free-kick wide of the post.
Former 'Lok player Alain Kinney then hooked a shot over the crossbar, and moments
later Richie Chang was also high of the target with a strike from just inside
the penalty area. It took until the 16th minute for either 'keeper to make a save
when Zander Cowie easily gathered a deflected Peter McMahon free-kick. Tommy Nolan
had Pollok's first effort when shooting wide in the 21st minute, then turned provider
when picking out Chris Cruickshank with a crossfield pass, but the defender could
only blaze his first-time strike over the bar. With six minutes of the half remaining
Cowie made a fine save to hold a Jamie Longworth header from a corner-kick. The
half ended with Nolan finding Bryan Dingwall, but the striker's ambitious scissor-kick
sailed well over the target.
Ladeside remained on the front foot in the
early stages of the second half, and only another terrific low save by Cowie prevented
Longworth from giving the hosts the lead. He was finally beaten in the 58th minute
when a free-kick into the box was knocked down by Stevie Miller into the path
of JAMIE LONGWORTH to drill home the opener. One minute later Longworth set-up
Kinney, but again Cowie made a remarkable stop to divert the ball away for a corner.
Pollok were left reeling in the 61st minute as they conceded a second goal. 'Lok
failed to defend a cross from the right, with STEVIE MILLER outjumping McEwan
to head home. Longworth had another effort saved before Pollok pulled a goal back
after 66 minutes. Bell blocked a Calum Hardie shot on the line, but 'Lok managed
to return the ball into a dangerous area and Hardie's cross was glanced home by
the head of substitute ROBERT DOWNS. Connolly replaced Andy McClay as the visitors
pushed for an equaliser, but it was The Blasties who threatened again when Kinney
dragged a shot wide. Miller also shot past the post for the Ayrshire side, and
the last chance of the game also came the way of the hosts with Kinney's attempted
lob drifting away from the target.
Pollok now sit fourth in the standings
with two games left to play, while the teams around them all have games in hand. |