Saturday 31st October 2009

Grant Meaney (69)

Pollok crashed out of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup at the second round stage as they lost by a solitary goal against Newtongrange Star at New Victoria Park. David McGeown returned for ‘Lok at the heart of the midfield as Rab Sneddon made just one change from the side that defeated Arthurlie, with Ryan McGregor the man to miss out.

It was McGeown who registered the first effort of the game, sending a sixth minute shot wide of the post after good set-up play from Davie Turnbull and Bryan Dingwall. Pollok almost took the lead in the ninth minute with a training ground free-kick routine that involved Turnbull, McGeown and Shaun Dillon, ending with a Turnbull shot that Star ‘keeper Chris Hill saved with his legs. At the other end Steven Thomson chose a more direct approach with a 30-yard free-kick, forcing Kris Robertson to push the ball round the post for a corner. John Sweeney then fired over from distance before another set-piece routine between Dillon and Turnbull that nearly resulted in a chance for Dingwall, but Hill was alert to the danger and saved at his feet. Turnbull curled a shot high of the target after cutting inside Grant McNicoll, whilst Gerry Joyce headed over from a Stevie Miller corner in the 26th minute.

The hosts began to establish a foothold in the game, with Grant Meaney getting in between the two Pollok centre-backs to force a save from Robertson. The same player then scooped the ball over from close range after a deflected shot from Thomson fell into his path. Alan Brown evaded a Shaun Dillon challenge to shoot narrowly wide in the 35th minute before Pollok almost gifted Star the opener. An aimless 40-yard pass-back by Joe Carruth landed at the feet of Gareth Hutchison, but he failed to hit the target when faced with a one-on-one against Robertson. The half ended with McGeown heading narrowly wide from a Dillon free-kick.

The second period opened with Meaney shooting just over from the edge of the penalty area, with McGeown also high of the target moments later with a shot on the turn. Chris Cruickshank then picked out McGeown, who flicked a header into the path of Dingwall, but he pulled his effort wide from a tight angle. Substitute McGregor headed over from a Dillon corner and Dillon saw a free-kick clutched by Hill before the East Region side made the decisive breakthrough in the 69th minute. Brown’s corner found an unmarked GRANT MEANEY, and he glanced a header into the net from around eight yards out. It could have been two within sixty seconds as Hutchison got in behind the Pollok back line, but Robertson made a fine stop with his legs. Meaney then turned Carruth before firing over. Pollok introduced Alan Waddell and Andy Essler in an attempt to save the game, and they almost succeeded when Essler found Cruickshank with a corner kick, but his bullet header sailed over the bar. With seven minutes to play a backheel from Waddell hit the top of the crossbar, and there would be no further chances for ‘Lok as the hosts successfully shut the game down.

Pollok must now concentrate on Stagecoach Super Premier League action, starting with a trip to Springburn on Saturday to take on Petershill.