Report: Irvine Meadow XI 2-1 Pollok (25/04/2012)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 16:02 Reporter: Mark Donnelly
The home side lined up at a blustery Meadow Park looking to avenge their 1-0 defeat at Newlandsfield in November, but after 26 minutes of a cagey first half it was the visitors who took the lead. Tommy Nolan’s free kick from the edge of the box was palmed out by Michael Wardrope to the feet of CARLO MONTI, who coolly finished. The rest of the half was peppered with bookings, as ‘Lok’s Brian McGinty and Steven McGregor, and Meadow’s Davie Hamilton had their names taken.
The second half was a more open affair, and again the first chance fell to the visitors. Hesitation in the Meadow defence allowed Kevin Bradley to get to Nolan’s ball over the top, but his effort while stretching was blocked by the onrushing Wardrope. Parity was restored in the 61st minute when Mark Campbell and GARRY FLEMING rose unchallenged for a corner at the back post, with the striker nodding home the final touch. Meadow almost took the lead one minute later after ex-‘Lok star Davie McGeown’s 25-yard effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Three minutes later, it was Pollok’s turn to hit the woodwork when Nolan’s corner broke to Bradley, and his left foot effort hit the outside of the post. The visitors were made to rue this misfortune in the 73rd minute when Meadow scored what proved to be the winner. Jonathan Carter was penalised for a foul on Fleming, and from the resultant free-kick NEIL McGOWAN thumped the ball past Graham Black’s despairing dive and in off the post.
The result keeps Irvine Meadow’s title hopes alive, but leaves Pollok firmly in the midst of a relegation battle.
MEADOW: Wardrope, Ryan, N McGowan, MacDonald, Campbell, Hamilton (Miller 64), McLennan (Gibson 66), Turner, Fleming, Strain (Barr 58), McGeown. Not used: Eeles, Robertson, Flannery, Hewitt.
POLLOK: Black, Lachlan (Hunter 87), McMahon, Carter, McGregor, McGinty (Nichol 74), Bradley, McQuilken, Nolan (Kinney 84), Monti, O’Hara. Not used: Gupwell, Davies.
BOOKED
MEADOW: Hamilton (32), Miller (90), MacDonald (90+1)
POLLOK: McGinty (36), McGregor (37), Nolan (51), Monti (63), Carter (71), Bradley (79)
GOALS
MEADOW: Fleming (61), McGowan (73)
POLLOK: Monti (26)