Saturday 17th October 2009

Bryan Dingwall (12, 17, 40)
Paul Hyslop (24, 46)

Pollok made it sixteen goals in three games as they secured a second round berth in the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup with a 5-0 win against Carluke Rovers at Loch Park Stadium. It was a much changed Pollok line-up that took to the field, with manager Rab Sneddon making five alterations to the side that defeated Vale of Clyde the previous Saturday.

The hosts almost took a shock lead after only three minutes when a deep free-kick found the head of Stephen Ferguson, but he nodded the ball narrowly wide of the post. John Sweeney tried his luck with a 20-yard shot for ‘Lok, but could only send his effort wide of the target. Pollok broke the deadlock after 12 minutes when Sweeney’s long free-kick found Ryan McGregor, who knocked the ball down to BRYAN DINGWALL to touch home from close range. Five minutes later ‘Lok doubled their advantage when Paul McAulay found space on the left and cut a pass across to BRYAN DINGWALL, who steered the ball home for his 100th competitive goal in Pollok colours. Dingwall then forced two saves in quick succession from young ‘keeper Gavin McLachlan before another scare for the visitors. Kris Robertson and Gerry Joyce both tried to make a clearance at the same time, with the ball ricocheting off the head of the centre-half and against the crossbar. Pollok responded by adding a third in the 24th minute. Calum Hardie’s cross was met by PAUL HYSLOP, and although his header hit the crossbar and bounced down referee James Burns had no hesitation in awarding the goal.

McAulay then found space behind the back line and slotted a pass to Dingwall, but this time his weak effort hit the legs of McLachlan. Pollok then hit woodwork twice, with Joyce heading Hyslop corners against the bar on both occasions. With five minutes to go until the interval Pollok made it 4-0 when Hyslop’s cross was headed home from point blank range by BRYAN DINGWALL to complete his hat-trick. As the half came to a close Hyslop picked out an unmarked McAulay in front of goal, but the young striker completely mishit his volley and the chance was lost.

It took just 39 seconds after the restart for ‘Lok to notch their fifth goal. A marauding run down the right by Hardie resulted in a cut-back to PAUL HYSLOP, who was left with a simple tap-in. McGregor then teed up McAulay for a strike, but McLachlan again saved with his legs. John Savage shot wide for Carluke before Pollok captain Stevie Aitchison made a welcome return from injury, replacing Shaun Dillon in the 56th minute. The hosts continued to plug away in search of a goal, with James Miller volleying wide from the edge of the penalty area and an unmarked Savage missing the target with a header from a Stewart Arnott cross. With the game secure Alan Waddell replaced Dingwall up front, and he should have added a sixth goal in the 67th minute. McGregor laid a perfect ball into the path of McAulay, who drew the ‘keeper before squaring to Waddell, but he could only rattle the bar from inside the six-yard area with the net unguarded. Sweeney sent a drive just wide before Arnott attempted to lob Robertson from 25 yards out, but although he beat the ‘keeper his effort was also high of the crossbar. Adam Moffat set-up Miller for another effort that flew over from 22 yards out, and with two minutes left to play the same player hit the target from the edge of the penalty box, only to be denied by a full-length diving save by Robertson to preserve his clean sheet.

Pollok now return to Stagecoach Super Premier League action, with local rivals Arthurlie the next visitors to Newlandsfield Park on Saturday.