Wednesday 29th July 2009

Pollok’s competitive season opened in disappointing fashion as they were held to a goalless draw by St. Anthony’s in the Sectional League Cup at McKenna Park. Ill health prevented Rab Sneddon from taking his place in the dug-out, so it was left to Harry Erwin to hand debuts to Gerry Joyce and Ryan McGregor, while trialist Andy McLaren started in attack for ‘Lok. Brian Wardle also started as he returned for his second spell at the club.

It was the hosts who had the perfect opportunity to open the scoring after only five minutes when Shaun Dillon was penalised for a handball within the area. Ross Cumming stepped up to take the kick, but only succeeded in hitting the post. Andrew Shakaraji was next to try his luck for the Govan side, but his drive was blocked by Brian Wardle. Pollok’s best early chance fell to McLaren, but he headed wide from a Bryan Dingwall cross. Davie Turnbull also missed the target with a header before Frankie Brodie hooked a shot narrowly over the bar. Mark McCuish was also high of the target when he sent a 30-yard drive over the crossbar after a Liam McIlhatton corner.

The hosts continued to control the game, and Ronald McDonald almost broke the deadlock with a curling effort that flew narrowly wide. ‘Lok struggled to trouble Tony Curran in the Ants goal, with Wardle missing the target with a header from a Dingwall corner. Andy McClay then shot over, while McGregor pulled a strike wide of goal. Cumming could have done better when allowed a free header but nodded over, while Pollok finally forced a save from Curran when Dingwall’s effort deflected off Abou Mansare and into the arms of the ‘keeper.

Brian MacKay replaced Derek Wingate at half-time, but it was the hosts who had the first chance of the second period when Gary McGrath headed over after a Shakaraji cross. McLaren made way for Calum Hardie after 61 minutes, but Pollok’s best hopes of a goal remained limited to set-pieces. Joyce headed a Dillon corner over before the Ants spurned a glorious chance to take the lead. Brodie carved through the visiting defence and played in Cumming, but rather than shoot he rolled the ball back to Brodie. His casual effort was well stopped by Kris Robertson.

Wardle and Turnbull both squandered headers after Dillon corners, and with nine minutes to go they were almost made to pay the price as St. Anthony’s threatened again. Dingwall was bundled over in the area, but as Pollok appealed in vain for a penalty Brodie burst clear at the other end. This time there was greater authority behind his shot, but again Robertson made a fabulous save to keep the scores level.

In the end both sides had to settle for a share of the points, although the home side will possibly feel that they missed a terrific opportunity to record a shock victory.