Saturday 22nd August 2009

Andy Essler (8, 52, 73)
Paul McAulay (81)

Fraser Craig (9)
Garry Fleming (16)

Andy Essler was the hat-trick hero for Pollok as they chalked up their first three Stagecoach Super Premier League points of the season when they defeated Bellshill Athletic 4-2 at Newlandsfield Park. Manager Rab Sneddon returned from his recent period of illness to take charge of the team, and he made four changes to the side that had lost heavily to Beith. Out went Derek Wingate, Steven Bonar, John Sweeney and the suspended Andy McLaren, with Joe Carruth, Shaun Dillon, Ryan McGregor and Paul McAulay all returning.

McGregor was first to threaten when he fired narrowly over in the first minute, but his side only had to wait until the eighth minute to open the scoring. Davie Turnbull controlled a long ball and flicked it across to ANDY ESSLER, who fired a left-footed shot beyond Dougie Calder. Just sixty seconds later however Bellshill drew level when FRASER CRAIG drilled a low shot beyond the reach of Kris Robertson. Worse was to follow as the visitors took the lead in the 16th minute. GARRY FLEMING was allowed to cut inside from the left wing before firing home into the bottom-left corner of the net. Stevie Miller fired narrowly over from 30 yards out as the hosts sought an equaliser, but they almost fell further behind in the 27th minute. Gerry Joyce misjudged a bouncing ball and allowed Fleming to get the better of him. He played in Craig Miles, but Robertson spread himself superbly to make a vital block. Joyce had a long range effort saved at the other end before Chris Cameron made a vital goal-line stop to prevent McAulay’s shot from crossing the line after a perfectly curled pass from Turnbull.

Half-time brought a change in the Pollok back line as Chris Cruickshank took over from Brian Wardle. McGregor sent a bouncing shot trundling wide from 16 yards out, while Miles shot weakly after a poor Robertson clearance landed at this feet. ‘Lok pulled back onto level terms after 52 minutes when ANDY ESSLER battled through the Bellshill back line to reach McGregor’s through ball and prod it over the onrushing Calder. The hosts were now in the ascendancy, and Calder had to save from a McGregor header before David Middleton made a good block to thwart McAulay. David McGeown then headed just over from a Stevie Miller corner before a terrific save by Calder after a snap shot on the turn by Turnbull. Bellshill nearly hit Pollok on the break when David Dimilta burst down the right, but although his shot beat Robertson it was headed away for a corner by the covering Joyce. ‘Lok finally hit the front in the 73rd minute when Turnbull took Dillon’s throw-in and sent over a swinging cross to ANDY ESSLER six yards from goal, and he bulleted home a header for his third goal of the day.

Pollok could have extended their lead when Turnbull headed wide after being left unmarked, while substitute Calum Hardie blazed over from a tight angle. The points were secured with nine minutes left to play when Miller’s corner was cleared as far as PAUL McAULAY at the edge of the area, and he showed great technique to keep his shot down as he picked out the corner of the net. Calder made another fine save to touch away a Turnbull header, then made two stops in quick succession from McGeown, but the points were already destined for the South Side of Glasgow.

Pollok will look to build on this result with another home game next Saturday, this time when newly promoted Kilbirnie Ladeside visit Newlandsfield.