Report: Thorniewood United 3-3 Pollok (Pollok win 3-2 on penalties) (08/05/2013)

Match photos from ROSS MacDONALD to follow
Match stats from DAVIE BROWN to follow

Pollok edged into the last four of the Euroscot Engineering Central League Cup after a penalty shoot-out victory against Thorniewood United in an entertaining game at Robertson Park on Wednesday.

John Richardson chose to make four changes to his side, with Michael McKinven, Ryan McArdle, Paul McAulay and Stevie Miller drafted in to replace Chris McCluskey, Paul McMenamin, Willie Sawyers and Brian McGinty. His side hit the front after 11 minutes when Mark Daly barged into Miller inside the penalty area. Referee David Munro pointed to the spot, and CARLO MONTI stepped forward to slot home from the 12-yard mark. McKinven made an easy save from a weak Chris Queen strike and a better stop from a Stuart Livingstone drive before the hosts levelled in the 20^th minute. Hesitancy in the ‘Lok defence allowed DES BRADSHAW a sight of goal, and he made no mistake from the edge of the penalty area. Two minutes later Livingstone found an unmarked Kevin Hamill from a free-kick, but his header was saved by McKinven. The Pollok ‘keeper then gathered an effort from the same player at the second attempt before launching a long ball downfield to Monti, but his overhead kick was stopped by Barry Fraser. Bradshaw couldn’t find the target after a McKinven clearance landed at his feet and Monti fired narrowly wide before ‘Lok took the lead again in the 42^nd minute. STEVIE MILLER pounced upon a McKinven kick-out and, with the hosts appealing for handball, slammed home from an acute angle.

The second half began with a slip from Jonathan Carter that left Hamill through on goal, but McKinven produced a fine save before Ross Dunlop swept the loose ball away. Miller cracked the crossbar with a fierce drive in the 51^st minute, and just sixty seconds later the hosts also hit the woodwork when Bradshaw’s lob bounced against the bar. McAulay then found Miller with a low cross, but the striker hit Fraser with his effort. The rebound fell to Monti, and the ‘keeper produced an excellent save to deny the visitors again. He then produced another good stop from Miller before substitute Stephen Mullen lobbed just wide for United. Livingstone shot over after a fine ball from Mullen before the home side equalised again in the 76^th minute. Carter misjudged a ball over the top, and KEVIN HAMILL seized upon the mistake to drill home a low finish. The Glasgow side were back in front only five minutes later when McArdle’s ball over the top found Monti, and he squared to substitute WILLIE SAWYERS to sweep home with his first touch of the match. Thorniewood refused to be counted out, and McKinven saved well from both Livingstone and David Campbell before the Viewpark side were rewarded in the third minute of injury time. John Kane bundled over KEVIN HAMILL in the box, and the striker dusted himself off before planting the resultant spot-kick past McKinven with the last touch of the game.

Thorniewood began the penalty shoot-out in disappointing fashion, with Hamill blazing the ball out of the ground. Fraser then saved from Sawyers before Aiden Malone and Paul McQuilken both netted. McKinven stopped Mullen’s effort to give ‘Lok the advantage and, with McArdle, Livingstone and Monti all finding the target, Queen stepped forward knowing that he had to score to keep the tie alive. Instead, he sent the ball wide of the left upright to confirm Pollok’s progress.

Before then Pollok face a make or break battle with Shotts Bon Accord that will determine whether or not they remain in the Stagecoach Super Premier League. Kick-off at Hannah Park next Monday is scheduled for 7.15pm.

THORNIEWOOD: Fraser, Campbell, Daly, Dunnachie, Brophy, McGowan, Queen, Livingstone, Hamill, Bradshaw (Malone 59), Loghlin (Mullen 70). Both subs used.

POLLOK: McKinven, Dunlop, Fraser, Kane, Carter, Brady, McArdle, McQuilken, McAulay, Monti, Miller (Sawyers 80). Not used: McGinty, Deas, Hepburn, McCluskey.

BOOKED

THORNIEWOOD: Queen (37)

POLLOK: Monti (31), Miller (66), McQuilken (84)

GOALS

THORNIEWOOD: Bradshaw (20), Hamill (76, 90+3p)

POLLOK: Monti (11p), Miller (42), Sawyers (81)

Report: Irvine Meadow XI 2-1 Pollok (04/05/2013)

Match photos courtesy of ROSS MacDONALD available HERE
Match stats from DAVIE BROWN to follow

Irvine Meadow all but secured their top flight status as they defeated relegation threatened Pollok 2-1 in the Stagecoach Super Premier League at Meadow Park on Saturday.

‘Lok manager John Richardson made two alterations from his midweek line-up against Auchinleck Talbot, with Ryan Deas and Paul McAulay dropping to the bench at the expense of Paul McMenamin and Paul McQuilken. Pollok should have taken the lead with only eighty seconds on the clock as Carlo Monti dispossessed Mark Campbell at the edge of the penalty area to leave himself with only Michael Wardrope to beat, but the striker could only clip the ball against the inside of the post before watching it bounce to safety. Tony Fraser was then fortunate to see a sliced clearance land in the arms of Chris McCluskey before Chris Strain saw a back post header easily gathered by the ‘Lok ‘keeper. The opening goal came after 16 minutes when a careless pass from McMenamin allowed Meadow to break down the right flank through Richie Barr, and he rolled the ball across the area to ADAM STRACHAN who applied a close-range finish. David Hamilton then headed wide before the hosts doubled their advantage after 24 minutes. Jonathan Carter was adjudged to have tripped Findlay Frye inside the penalty area, and referee Nick Walsh pointed to the spot before sending the Pollok man to the pavilion. RICHIE BARR stepped forward to calmly stroke home the spot-kick. Ten-man Pollok needed a quick reply, and they got it just two minutes later. Willie Sawyers found BRIAN McGINTY behind the home defence, and he bundled the ball through the legs of Wardrope and into the net. Liam McGuinness then had a mishit saved by McCluskey before Barr shot over after a break down the left. With three minutes left in the half Strain cracked the ball beyond McCluskey, but Ross Dunlop was perfectly placed to make a vital goal-line clearance.

Pollok created another opening within the first minute after the restart, only for Monti to send the ball out of the ground from 20 yards out. McCluskey then blocked at the feet of McGuinness before Monti fired over again, this time from a Sawyers lay-off after a steepling ball from McMenamin. Sawyers then shot wide from distance before a sweeping move involving Hamilton and Strain ending with McGuinness being unable to apply the finishing touch. Hamilton forced a good low save from McCluskey on the hour mark before Strain released Strachan one-on-one with the Pollok ‘keeper, but the Meadow man pushed his effort wide of the upright. Substitute McAulay then sent over a dangerous low cross to Fraser, but he could only head straight at Wardrope from a promising position. Barr hit the side-netting and Strachan had a 20-yarder saved before McAulay headed well wide from a Dunlop cross. Barr could have wrapped the game up in the final minute but was denied by the legs of McCluskey. ‘Lok had one last-gasp chance to level matters, but Fraser’s low cross found no takers and so it was the hosts who were left to celebrate at the final whistle. As the teams left the field Pollok’s Ryan Deas saw red for comments made to the match officials.

Pollok return to cup action on Wednesday evening when they take on Thorniewood United in the last eight of the Euroscot Engineering Central League Cup. Kick-off at Robertson Park is scheduled for 7.15pm.

IRVINE MEADOW: Wardrope, McLennan (Ryan 79), Halliday, N McGowan, Campbell, Frye, Hamilton, McGuinness, Barr, Strain, Strachan. Not used: Turner, Reeder, C McGowan, Hewitt.

POLLOK: McCluskey, Dunlop, Fraser, Carter, McMenamin, Kane, McQuilken (Deas 80), Brady (McArdle 34), Sawyers (McAulay 67), Monti, McGinty. Not used: Lovering, McKinven.

BOOKED

IRVINE MEADOW: Frye (64), Halliday (69)

SENT OFF

POLLOK: Carter (23)

GOALS

IRVINE MEADOW: Strachan (16), Barr (24p)

POLLOK: McGinty (26)

Report: Pollok 1-4 Auchinleck Talbot (01/05/2013)

Match photos courtesy of ROSS MacDONALD available HERE
Match stats from DAVIE BROWN HERE

Auchinleck Talbot clinched the 2012/13 Stagecoach Super Premier League title in emphatic style at Newlandsfield Park with a 4-1 win over Pollok on Wednesday evening.

John Richardson’s plans were dealt a blow during the warm-up as Steven Reilly exacerbated a calf injury, and so Ryan Deas was a late replacement as one of four changes to the side that lost to Largs Thistle on penalties. Chris McCluskey, Carlo Monti and Brian McGinty were also recalled at the expense of Michael McKinven, Paul McMenamin, Ryan McArdle and Paul McQuilken. The first effort of the game came in the second minute when Steven White’s mishit was easily gathered by McCluskey. Andy Leishman then collected a Monti free-kick at the second attempt before Martin McGoldrick saw a header cleared off the line from a Bryan Young corner. ‘Lok could have moved in front after nine minutes when Willie Sawyers dispossessed Craig Pettigrew to leave himself one-on-one with Leishman, but his attempted chip failed to clear the ‘keeper, who palmed the ball to safety. Instead, it was the visitors who opened the scoring after quarter of an hour when JAMES LATTA’s low strike from 25 yards out was enough to beat McCluskey. Four minutes later the lead became two when Young’s shot was parried by McCluskey, and DAVID GORMLEY pounced upon the loose ball to curl home into the unguarded net. Goal number three came just one minute later as Young picked out the unmarked JAMES LATTA, who slotted home to complete a five-minute goal blitz. Gormley then sliced wide with the goal gaping after a clearance landed at his feet. McCluskey got his fingertips to a Latta effort before Paul McAulay sent a scissor-kick wildly off target from a John Kane throw-in. Monti then rounded Leishman, but his chipped cross was cut out before it reached Sawyers. Deas saw a header cleared by Pettigrew after a Monti free-kick, and the half finished with Talbot on the front foot again, with Keir Milliken firing narrowly wide in first-half injury time.

Pollok grabbed a lifeline four minutes into the second half when Monti’s free-kick was stopped by Leishman but fell to WILLIE SAWYERS, who found the back of the net from six yards out. McCluskey then saved a Gormley header from a Colin Spence cross before a fierce shot from the former flew just wide of the upright. Any thoughts of a Pollok comeback were dispelled in the 71^st minute as Talbot added their fourth. Milliken crossed to BRYAN YOUNG, who volleyed home at the back post. ‘Lok tried to respond through Deas, but when his strike ricocheted off Leishman to Sawyers the striker missed the target from a terrific position. Gordon Pope then cut out a dangerous Sawyers cross as McGinty lurked and Sawyers headed over from a Kane cross before a dipping drive from Michael Reilly was saved by McCluskey. Monti forced one more late stop from Leishman before referee Steven Reid’s whistle blew to confirm Auchinleck Talbot as kings of the West Region.

Pollok’s battle against relegation continues on Saturday afternoon when they face Irvine Meadow XI at Meadow Park. Kick-off is at 2pm.

POLLOK: McCluskey, Dunlop, Fraser, Deas, Carter, Brady (McQuilken 54), McAulay (McArdle 63), Kane, Sawyers, Monti, McGinty. Not used: Miller, McKinven.

AUCHINLECK: Leishman, Lyle (Park 73), Pope, Pettigrew, McGoldrick, Spence (Faulds 69), Young, White, Gormley (Reilly 73), Milliken, Latta. Not used: Montgomerie, McGarrity.

BOOKED

POLLOK: McGinty (56), Carter (59), Monti (65)

GOALS

POLLOK: Sawyers (49)

AUCHINLECK: Latta (15, 20), Gormley (19), Young (71)

Report: Pollok 2-2 Largs Thistle (Largs Thistle win 5-4 on penalties) (27/04/2013)

Match photos courtesy of ROSS MacDONALD available HERE
Match stats from DAVIE BROWN HERE

Pollok crashed out of the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup as they fell to a penalty shoot-out loss against Largs Thistle at Newlandsfield Park.

John Richardson made three alterations from his midweek line-up, with Michael McKinven, Darren Brady and Ryan McArdle starting in place of Chris McCluskey, Steven Reilly and Carlo Monti. The visitors opened brightly, with McKinven having to beat away a Willie McClure strike in the eighth minute. Two minutes later Euan Lindsay pounced upon a misplaced McArdle pass and released Graham Muir, but he could only shoot wide of the target. The breakthrough came in the 13^th minute when Gus Gault flighted over a free-kick, and NIKKI LITTLE rose to head home past McKinven. ‘Lok squandered a chance to level in the 25^th minute when Paul McAulay broke clear in a two-on-one attack, but Barry McLaughlin cut out the danger as he tried to find Willie Sawyers. Pollok’s predicament worsened when they fell further behind in the 31^st minute. Lindsay released NIKKI LITTLE with space to run into, and he twisted inside Ross Dunlop before curling a fine finish beyond the stranded McKinven. A mistake from McLaughlin almost allowed McAulay to reduce the deficit with 34 minutes played, but a good low save from Stephen Connick denied the young striker.

Half-time saw a double change for the hosts as Monti and Brian McGinty replaced McArdle and Paul McQuilken, and the move paid off as ‘Lok pulled a goal back in the 50^th minute. Monti’s free-kick looped into the air, and WILLIE SAWYERS timed his jump perfectly to direct a backwards header over Connick and into the net. The visitors were gifted an opportunity to re-establish their two-goal cushion moments later when McKinven handled a Jonathan Carter pass-back, but McGinty charged down McClure’s effort from the resultant indirect free-kick. Largs were reduced to ten men just before the hour mark when Gault saw a straight red for an off-the-ball stamp on Tony Fraser. Dunlop then fired over from a low John Kane cross before McClure shot high for Thistle. With ten minutes remaining ‘Lok found a leveller when Monti laid the ball of to BRIAN McGINTY at the edge of the penalty area, and he drilled home with the aid of a deflection. A second yellow card for McLaughlin saw the Ayrshire side finish with nine men, but Pollok couldn’t find a winner and so the game moved to penalty kicks.

The first six attempts were all successful, with Sawyers, McGinty and Monti converting for Pollok and Kevin Struthers, Andy Monaghan and Nikki Little finding the target for Largs. McAulay then had his effort saved by Connick, and after Joe Connolly and Paul McMenamin had netted it was left to Muir to clinch the match. He made no mistake and booked his side a meeting with Glenafton Athletic in the last eight of the tournament.

Pollok next face the daunting prospect of a visit from runaway Stagecoach Super Premier League leaders Auchinleck Talbot. Kick-off at Newlandsfield is set for 7.15pm.

POLLOK: McKinven, Kane, McMenamin, Dunlop, Carter, Brady, McArdle (Monti 46), McQuilken (McGinty 46), Sawyers, McAulay, Fraser. Not used: Miller, Lovering, McCluskey.

LARGS: Connick, Fisher, C Little, McLaughlin, Walton, Gault, Struthers, Muir, Lindsay (Connolly 77), N Little, McClure (Monaghan 71). Not used: Kane, Lappin, Weir.

BOOKED

POLLOK: Brady (87)

LARGS: McLaughlin (11, 87 off), Muir (62), Struthers (81), C Little (89)

SENT OFF

LARGS: Gault (59), McLaughlin (87)

GOALS

POLLOK: Sawyers (50), McGinty (80)

LARGS: N Little (13, 31)

Report: Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2-2 Pollok (Pollok win 5-3 on penalties) (24/04/2013)

Match photos courtesy of ROSS MacDONALD available HERE
Match stats from DAVIE BROWN HERE

Pollok claimed a quarter-final berth in the Euroscot Engineering Central League Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Adamslie Park on Wednesday.

Pollok boss John Richardson made four changes to his weekend line-up, with Michael McKinven, Brian McGinty, Ryan McArdle and Ryan Deas making way for Chris McCluskey, Paul McMenamin, Ross Dunlop and Paul McAulay. ‘Lok could hardly have made a worse start to their evening as they fell behind in the second minute. An Iain Diack cross from the right found WILLIE EASTON with the freedom of the penalty area, and he gratefully slammed home the opening goal of the game. Willie Sawyers headed wide from a Paul McQuilken free-kick before Rob Roy almost doubled their advantage in the 16^th minute when Kevin Bradley turned McMenamin before blazing wide from a great position. The visitors made the most of the let-off as they equalised just two minutes later. McAulay swung over a cross to the waiting WILLIE SAWYERS, who looped a header high over Stephen Robertson and into the net. A Carlo Monti corner kick then fell into the path of Steven Reilly, but his weak effort was easily collected by Robertson. McAulay then sliced wide for Pollok before a double blow for the hosts saw them forced into using both of their two available outfield substitutes before the interval. Diack and Chic Connolly both hobbled off, with Roddy Hunter and Jason Crooks their replacements.

Sawyers curled a 51^st minute effort wide before the hosts hit the front again in the 61^st minute. Jonathan Carter’s clumsy challenge inside the penalty area resulted in referee Colin Steven pointing to the penalty spot, and KENNY CONNOLLY stepped forward to beat McCluskey from the 12-yard mark. The ‘Lok ‘keeper then denied Easton before Alan Lindsay shot wide for Rob Roy. Sawyers then found space behind the defence, but his mishit attempt crept wide of the upright. In the 71^st minute Monti displayed some excellent footwork before teeing up John Kane for a crack at goal, but the midfielder’s drive was well tipped over by Robertson. At the other end persistent work from Bradley helped fashion a chance for Easton, but McCluskey made another good stop. Pollok drew themselves level with 16 minutes remaining when a terrific McAulay cross found the head of WILLIE SAWYERS, and he powered the ball through the best efforts of Robertson. Sixty seconds later Tony Fraser turned a McArdle cross over from close range before a whipped ball from McAulay struck Robbie Henderson and ricocheted into the arms of Robertson. Sawyers then showed good strength to hold off Henderson, but his shot was turned away by the ‘keeper. With one minute left to play Sawyers found the net again, only to be denied a hat-trick by the raised flag of the assistant, and so the match moved to penalty kicks.

Sawyers opened the shoot-out in confident style, but Lindsay was equally composed to level matters. McQuilken, Connolly, Monti, Crooks and McAulay were all in turn successful, but the eighth penalty from Bradley was pushed away by the diving McCluskey. That gave Reilly the chance to give Pollok the victory, and he calmly planted home his spot kick to book a last eight meeting away to Thorniewood United.

Pollok are back in cup action again on Saturday when they host Largs Thistle in the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. Kick-off at Newlandsfield is at 2pm.

ROB ROY: Robertson, Lindsay, K Connolly, Henderson, McVey, Meechan, C Connolly, (Crooks 45+1), McAleenan, Bradley, Diack, (Hunter 35), Easton. Not used: Brown.

POLLOK: McCluskey, Dunlop, McMenamin (McArdle 46), Reilly, Carter, Kane, McAulay, McQuilken, Sawyers, Monti, Fraser. Not used: Brady, McGinty, Miller, McKinven.

BOOKED

ROB ROY: Easton (25)

POLLOK: McAulay (82), Carter (83), Reilly (87)

GOALS

ROB ROY: Easton (2), K Connolly (61p)

POLLOK: Sawyers (18, 74)