Saturday 19th September 2009

Jamie Docherty (62)

Bryan Dingwall (2)
Alan Waddell (12, 23)

Pollok returned to winning ways on Saturday, but only after holding off a second half fightback from Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Adamslie Park. Rab Sneddon made just one change from the side that lost to Largs Thistle, with striker Alan Waddell returning at the expense of Davie Turnbull, while the hosts included recent signing from ‘Lok Brian Wardle at centre half.

Pollok made the perfect start when they opened the scoring with only three minutes on the clock. Calum Hardie advanced down the right flank and chipped a near post cross onto the head of BRYAN DINGWALL, who made no mistake from close range. Ten minutes later the visitors doubled their lead. Kevin Bell’s kick-out was volleyed back into the danger area by Andy Essler, and ALAN WADDELL lobbed the ball over the ‘keeper for the second goal. Dingwall then broke down the right and cut a pass across to Waddell, but this time Bell was able to gather his weak effort. It took Rob Roy 23 minutes to muster an attack of any note, with David McInally dragging a shot well wide from 35 yards out. Sixty seconds later Pollok claimed their third goal. Kris Robertson’s long ball was headed back to ALAN WADDELL, and he gave Bell no chance with a volley from fully 30 yards. Pollok had a narrow escape with 28 minutes on the clock when Paul McQuilken’s header hit the post and rebounded to Billy Jones, but Gerry Joyce stepped in to clear off the line. Hardie then headed wide from a Stevie Miller free-kick, while Dingwall saw a flicked effort easily held by Bell.

John Richardson made a double substitution at half-time, and the introduction of Jamie Docherty and David Gray gave Rob Roy’s play an added impetus. McInally almost found the target with a cross that landed on the roof of the net before Pollok were reduced to ten men on the hour mark. Essler’s shot hit the post and fell to Waddell, only for the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside. Dingwall voiced his displeasure at the decision and was booked by referee Ian Craig, then continued his protest and was promptly dismissed from the field of play. Kirkintilloch pulled a goal back two minutes later when Essler shoved James Lennox inside the penalty area, and JAMIE DOCHERTY despatched the resultant spot-kick. Docherty had the ball in the net again sixty seconds later, only to be denied by an offside flag. Jones then saw a header saved from a McInally cross, while at the other David McGeown was just high of the target with a free-kick. Wardle made a superb challenge to deny substitute Paul McAulay before McInally tried his luck with a 25-yard volley that flew over the crossbar. Lennox had to look alert to break up a dangerous attack from McAulay and McGeown before Shaun Dillon had the final effort of the game, sending a free-kick narrowly over Bell’s crossbar.

The September weekend gives Pollok a break from action this Saturday before they turn their attentions to the Emirates Junior Cup when they take on Kirriemuir Thistle at Newlandsfield Park on the first Saturday in October, with kick-off at 3pm.