Saturday 20th March 2010

Callan Adam (63)
Stephen Anderson (86)

Bryan Dingwall (90)

Pollok's miserable run of form continued as they fell to a 2-1 league defeat at the hands of Arthurlie at Dunterlie Park.

New manager Willie Irvine was in attendance, but it was Harry Erwin who took charge of the team for the final time. He made one change to the side, with Andy Essler returning at the expense of Paul Hyslop. It was Pollok who had the bulk of the early chances, with John Sweeney having a shot deflected over in the second minute, while Shaun Dillon saw a 30-yard free-kick easily gathered by Neil Parry. In the 14th minute Bryan Dingwall charged down a Frank McKeown clearance and tried to chip Parry, but his effort drifted high over the target. Three minutes later he came even closer when Ryan McGregor laid the ball back to him to unleash a fierce drive that rattled Parry's crossbar. 'Lok almost handed the hosts the lead in the 24th minute when Stevie Miller headed the ball towards his own net, only for Zander Cowie to tip it around the post for a corner kick. Essler then pulled a shot across the face of goal, while Dingwall also failed to find the target from a tight angle. In the 33rd minute Tommy Nolan produced a terrific pass to release McGregor, but his weak strike was easily stopped by Parry. The Barrhead outfit finished the half strongly, with Callan Adam having a free-kick saved before John McLay and Sean Winter both missed the target with long-range efforts.

Arthurlie almost took the lead within one minute of the restart when Adam's shot was blocked by Craig Baxter. Adam was first to the rebound, but Cowie made an excellent save to avert the danger. Adam then sent over a cross for Winter, but this time it was Gerry Joyce who made the vital block. Craig Malcolm was next to try his luck for 'Lie, firstly firing narrowly over from the edge of box before seeing a header saved by Cowie. The onslaught continued with Cowie touching over an Adam half-volley, then holding a Malcolm strike. At the other end Baxter flicked a Nolan free-kick just beyond the post, while John Sweeney could only direct a close-range header straight at Parry after a Dingwall cross. Cowie was called into action again to turn away a Winter volley, but he was eventually beaten in the 63rd minute. CALLAN ADAM struck a low free-kick from near the touchline, and it squirmed beyond the grasp of Cowie at the near post. Parry got a hand to a Nolan drive after a quickly taken Sweeney throw-in before the big talking point of the game arrived in the 73rd minute. Parry was penalised for picking up a pass-back and Robert Downs, only on the field for 86 seconds, tried to retrieve the ball from his clutches. The 'keeper fell to the turf, and referee Des Roache had no hesitation in sending Downs to the pavilion for an alleged punch. McGregor blazed over from the resultant indirect free-kick. Arthurlie virtually killed the game off in the 86th minute when STEPHEN ANDERSON pounced upon hesitancy in the 'Lok defence to drill home Arthurlie's second. Four minutes into injury-time there was some small consolation for the visitors when Joyce's header hit the bar and fell to BRYAN DINGWALL, who managed to find the target despite having his back to goal.

Willie Irvine will take the reins for the first time when Pollok head to Bellsdale Park on Saturday to take on league leaders Beith.