Saturday 27th February 2010

Bryan Dingwall (44)

Jamie McGeoghegan (47)
Kevin McBride (86)

Pollok’s worst league run for over 32 years continued on Saturday as they slumped to a 2-1 loss against Glasgow rivals Petershill at Newlandsfield Park. With manager Rab Sneddon resigning it was left to assistant Harry Erwin and coach Mark McWilliams to take charge of the side, and their charges made a bright start.

Good build-up play in the third minute by John Sweeney and Davie Turnbull gave Calum Hardie a sight of goal, but visiting ‘keeper Anton Nugent pushed the ball around the post. From the resultant corner David McGeown powered a header goalwards, only for Michael Keenan to clear the ball off the line. Six minutes later Sweeney pulled a shot wide of the target from 25 yards out. In the 14th minute Stevie Miller powered through the midfield before trying his luck, only for Nugent to make another fine save. Hardie then drilled a shot narrowly wide before the visitors began to impose themselves on proceedings. In the 26th minute Kevin McBride had a snap shot parried by Pollok’s trialist ‘keeper, and four minutes later the same player curled a strike just wide of the upright. With ten minutes of the half remaining Paul McBride set up Alan Lindsay at the edge of the penalty area, but the ‘Lok number one made another good block. Miller’s hanging cross almost caught out Nugent two minutes later, and the Springburn ‘keeper was eventually beaten in the 44th minute. Sweeney showed terrific vision to pick out Hardie with a long free-kick, and although the winger’s effort was saved Heffron and Nugent failed to clear their lines allowing BRYAN DINGWALL to sweep the ball home from point blank range.

Pollok made the worst possible start to the second half when they allowed Petershill to equalise in the 47th minute. JAMIE McGEOGHEGAN was left unmarked at a corner kick, and he duly planted a header into the back of the net. Turnbull had a chance to do likewise at the other end, but his attempt flew wide of the post. Neither team created much in the way of chances until Keenan fired wide for Petershill in the 69th minute. Pollok’s chances of victory were dealt a severe blow with quarter of an hour left to play when McGeown was dismissed for using foul and abusive language towards the match officials. Sweeney and Turnbull were then replaced by Andy Essler and Robert Downs, the latter making his first appearance since last June. With five minutes to go a poor clearance from the ‘Lok ‘keeper fell to Paul McBride , but he recovered in time to gather the striker’s 40-yard effort. Sixty seconds later however he was powerless to prevent the winning goal. Joe Carruth tussled with KEVIN McBRIDE, and it was the Petershill man who came out on top before steering the ball into the far corner of the net. James McKinstry almost made it three when he rattled the crossbar in stoppage time, and Nugent made one last save to deny Downs as the Springburn side held on for all three points.

Next up for Pollok is the second round of the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup as they host Lanark United.