Report: Renfrew 3-3 Pollok (Pollok win 5-4 on penalties) (05/05/2012)

Match photos from Kathryn MacLeod to follow
Match stats from Davie Brown HERE

click on the scorer’s name to see the goal

Pollok booked a D&D Programmes Central League Cup semi-final spot after a late comeback against Renfrew at Western Park on Saturday.

With a vital league game against Largs Thistle looming on Monday evening John Richardson chose to leave some key players on the substitutes bench whilst giving a debut to midfielder Billy Jones, signed earlier in the week from Drumchapel United Amateurs. The first chance of the game fell to the visitors when Alain Kinney nodded the ball into the path of Paul McQuilken, but his shot was charged down by Jamie Crowhurst. Renfrew took the lead in the 11^th minute when Clinton Maxwell flighted over a corner kick and ANTON HEFFRON rose highest to head home despite the efforts of Michael O’Hara on the line for Pollok. They doubled their advantage seven minutes later, again from a corner kick. This time Alan Prentice was the taker, and JAMIE CROWHURST was allowed to head home unchallenged for the hosts. Danny McLeay then saved a McQuilken 22-yarder, while at the other end his ‘Lok counterpart Graham Black denied Willie Sawyers with his legs. Sawyers glanced a Colin Forbes cross wide from close range before Pollok grabbed a lifeline three minutes from half-time. Peter McMahon swung over a searching cross from the left and RODDY HUNTER bulleted a fine header into the net.

‘Frew almost restored their two-goal cushion four minutes after the restart when a ball over the top found Sawyers, but his lobbed effort fell narrowly wide of the target. Alain Kinney headed over from a Gavin Lachlan cross before Renfrew made it 3-1 after 61 minutes when WILLIE SAWYERS applied the finishing touch to sweep home a cross from the right. Black then tipped a Maxwell free-kick around the post before Pollok found a way back into the game in the 72^nd minute. Lachlan showed excellent skill on the right to evade his marker, and his low cut-back was planted into the net by substitute CARLO MONTI. Black made another good stop to deny Crowhurst after the midfielder had dummied both McMahon and Steven McGregor, and his side capitalised by drawing level after 82 minutes. Pollok were awarded a free-kick 22 yards from goal and CARLO MONTI stepped up to stroke the ball beyond the reach of McLeay. He almost completed his hat-trick one minute into injury time with a curling low effort that McLeay touched round the post at full stretch. Two yellow cards in added time saw David Gordon sent off for the home team as the tie went to penalty kicks.

Pollok took the first kick in the shoot-out, with Monti beating McLeay. Mort squared things up at 1-1, and parity remained until the score reached 4-4, with McMahon, McQuilken and Jones on target for ‘Lok and Forbes, Prentice and Crowhurst replying for ‘Frew. Brian McGinty then made it 5-4 in favour of Pollok, and the game was clinched with the next kick as Maxwell dragged his effort wide of the right-hand post to send the Newlandsfield side into a semi-final meeting at home to Shotts Bon Accord.

Before that Pollok have a crunch clash with Largs Thistle in the Stagecoach Super Premier League. Kick-off at Newlandsfield on Monday evening is at 7pm.

RENFREW: McLeay, Prentice, Heffron, Nicholson, Campbell (Smith 66), Moore (Mort 62), Forbes, Crowhurst, Sawyers (Upton 62), Maxwell, Gordon. Not used: Zok, Currie, Quigley, Wilson.

POLLOK: Black, Lachlan, McMahon, Gupwell, McGregor, McQuilken, Nichol (Monti 59), Jones, Kinney (McGinty 84), Hunter (Bradley 59), O’Hara. Not used: Carter, Davies, Morrison.

BOOKED

RENFREW: McLeay (24), Crowhurst (31), Campbell (38), Gordon (90+2, 90+3, off), Mort (90+3)

POLLOK: Hunter (37), Gupwell (45+1), McMahon (67), Bradley (84)

SENT OFF

RENFREW: Gordon (90+3)

GOALS

RENFREW: Heffron (11), Crowhurst (18), Sawyers (61)

POLLOK: Hunter (42), Monti (72, 82)

Report: Pollok 0-1 Auchinleck Talbot (28/04/2012)

Match photos from Kathryn MacLeod available HERE

With only two league games left to play Pollok remain firmly ensconced in the relegation mire after a 1-0 loss to Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday.

Manager John Richardson made four changes from the side defeated in midweek by Irvine Meadow XI. In came Scott Morrison, Craig Gupwell, Lee Nichol and Roddy Hunter, with Graham Black, Gavin Lachlan, Kevin Bradley and Brian McGinty the men to drop out. ‘Lok made the worst possible start, falling behind in the sixth minute. Bryan Young’s corner found James Latta unmarked at the edge of the penalty area, and his powerful shot was beaten away by Morrison. Bryan Slavin’s follow-up effort was also blocked, but the loose ball again fell to a Talbot man as KEIR MILLIKEN smashed home the opener. Pollok tried to respond three minutes later with a Nichol corner towards Peter McMahon, who headed across to Hunter, but the striker was unable to bring the ball under control and the chance was gone. Slavin then sent the ball over the bar twice in quick succession, firstly with a shot on the turn, then when getting on the end of a Milliken cross from the left. Slavin had another opportunity in the 17^th minute, chasing down a lofted pass from Latta, but Morrison made a brave sliding stop with his legs. At the other end Hunter and Carlo Monti combined to set up Nichol for an attempt at goal, but he sliced wide from 20 yards out. There was a scare for ‘Lok in the 24^th minute when a Gordon Pope cross initiated a frantic goalmouth scramble that ended with the ball spinning inches wide of the post for a corner kick. Pope then fired a 35-yard free-kick towards the target, but Morrison made a low save. Brian McGarrity wasn’t called into action until the 32^nd minute when he easily gathered a Nichol trundler. Milliken and Slavin then linked up again as the visitors broke quickly, with the latter pulling a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Half-time saw McGinty replace Paul McQuilken, but again it was Talbot who threatened first when an unmarked Young hit the outside of the post with a 51^st minute header. Monti then fired narrowly wide from 22 yards out before a Milliken effort with the outside of the boot was kicked away by Morrison. After 65 minutes McGarrity spilled a Monti throw-in, but was saved by his defence when Steven McGregor’s resultant drive was blocked. McMahon then stopped a Slavin attempt before Monti volleyed over from just outside the box. With quarter of an hour remaining Tommy Nolan curled an effort wide, and sixty seconds later Morrison produced an excellent diving save to thwart Milliken. Milliken tried his luck again in the 80^th minute, but this time found Gupwell in his way. Auchinleck almost added a second goal in the first minute of injury time when a quickly taken throw-in by Mick McCann caught the home defence off guard, allowing Kyle Faulds to race towards goal. His drive took a deflection off McMahon, but somehow Morrison managed to change direction in mid-air to produce a magnificent save. It was to prove in vain however as proceedings were ended shortly afterwards with all three points heading to East Ayrshire.

Pollok are left waiting on other results this midweek that will have a major bearing on their fate before taking to the field again on Saturday to take on Renfrew in the quarter-finals of the D&D Programmes Central League Cup. Kick-off at Western Park is at 2pm.

POLLOK: Morrison, Carter, McMahon, Gupwell, McGregor, Nolan, Nichol (Lachlan 81), O’Hara, Hunter (Kinney 59), Monti, McQuilken (McGinty 46). Not used: Davies, Black.

AUCHINLECK: McGarrity, Robb, Pope, Pettigrew, McGoldrick, White, Young (McVey 85), Spence (Faulds 67), Slavin (McCann 71), Milliken, Latta. Not used: Paterson, Leishman.

BOOKED

POLLOK: Carter (90+3)

AUCHINLECK: Slavin (63), White (79)

GOAL

AUCHINLECK: Milliken (6)

Report: Irvine Meadow XI 2-1 Pollok (25/04/2012)

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)

Report: Arthurlie 4-0 Pollok (14/04/2012)

Match photos from Kathryn MacLeod available HERE
Match stats from Davie Brown HERE

click on the scorer’s name to see the goal

Pollok’s chances of Stagecoach Super Premier League survival suffered a massive blow on Saturday as they crumbled to a 4-0 defeat against Arthurlie at Dunterlie Park.

Gavin Lachlan and Roddy Hunter returned for the Newlandsfield outfit, with Steven McGregor and Alain Kinney dropping to the bench. It was the hosts who had the first goal attempt, with Steven McKeown’s weak shot from the edge of the penalty area easily held by Graham Black. In the ninth minute the Barrhead side took the lead when JAMES MARKS was given room to turn just outside the box before drilling a low shot into the bottom-right corner of the net. They almost extended their lead two minutes later when James Lundie’s cross found an unmarked Paul Stewart, but his mishit volley bounced narrowly past Black’s post. It took 17 minutes for Pollok to muster any really threat when Carlo Monti jinked in from the left wing, but with Brian McGinty better placed he instead opted to try a strike himself, only to slice horribly wide. Paul McQuilken then had a drive blocked before Pollok’s closest effort of the game arrived in the 21^st minute when Hunter cracked the ball off the crossbar from 25 yards out. Marks then shrugged off a challenge from Peter McMahon, but his 22-yarder was gathered by Black. Kevin Bradley volleyed over from outside the box and Hunter had a strike blocked by Lundie before ‘Lok were handed a numerical advantage after 38 minutes when Marks moved his head towards Jonathan Carter as the two squared up and was dismissed by referee Steven Reid. Five minutes later however it became 10-a-side as Darren Brady kicked out at Stewart as the pair lay on the ground and he too was returned to the pavilion early. The half ended with a Carter drive from 20 yards out that flew over Jamie Ewings’ crossbar.

The game was effectively over within seven minutes of the restart as Arthurlie added goals number two and three. In the 48^th minute Stewart headed McKeown’s free-kick against the post, but SANDY HODGE followed up to steer home the rebound. Four minutes later Michael O’Hara brought down McKeown inside the box and PAUL STEWART duly buried the resultant penalty kick. Pollok chose to try their luck from distance in an attempt to get back into the game, with Ewings saving from Carter and McMahon in quick succession. McQuilken then blasted over before a goalmouth scramble that ended with Ewings denying O’Hara from close range. A quick ‘Lie counter-attack then saw Black saving from McKeown before the fourth and final goal arrived in the 68^th minute. The hosts swept down the right-hand side of the field, from where Lundie squared to PAUL STEWART for a near-post tap-in. Stewart then sent a strike wide before another stramash in the Arthurlie area. This time Lachlan had a low shot blocked and both Bradley and Monti saw follow-up efforts stopped as the Barrhead defence protected their clean sheet. Twice late on the ball fell to O’Hara, but he was unable to find the target on either occasion and so Pollok left without even the small comfort of a consolation goal.

‘Lok are idle next Saturday, with their next game being on Wednesday, 25^th April against Irvine Meadow XI in the league. Kick-off at Meadow Park is at 6.45pm.

ARTHURLIE: Ewings, Lundie (Gallacher 88), Crawford, Merriman, Hodge, Muir (Chisholm 80), McKeown, Keenan, Stewart (McLeod 88), Marks, Deas. Not used: Johnston, Walker, McManus, Cannon.

POLLOK: Black, Lachlan, O’Hara, McMahon, Carter, Brady, Bradley, McQuilken, Hunter (Nolan 61), McGinty, Monti. Not used: Kinney, Nichol, McGregor, Morrison.

BOOKED

ARTHURLIE: McKeown (19)

POLLOK: McMahon (56), Bradley (70)

SENT OFF

ARTHURLIE: Marks (38)

POLLOK: Brady (43)

GOALS

ARTHURLIE: Marks (9), Hodge (48), Stewart (51 pen, 68)

Report: Bellshill Athletic 3-4 Pollok (07/04/2012)

Match photos from Kathryn MacLeod available HERE
Match stats from Davie Brown HERE

click on the scorer’s name to see the goal

Pollok booked a meeting with either Renfrew or Maryhill in the quarter-finals of the D&D Programmes Central League Cup after edging out Bellshill Athletic by four goals to three at Fullarton Park on Saturday.

With only eleven players in attendance John Richardson’s options were as limited as could be. Gavin Lachlan, Tommy Nolan and Roddy Hunter were all unavailable, with Steven McGregor, Alain Kinney and Brian McGinty drafted in. Pollok made the perfect start, taking the lead in the fourth minute. Kinney laid the ball off to PAUL McQUILKEN, and his low drive from 25 yards out picked out the bottom-left corner of James Donnelly’s net. Six minutes later Carlo Monti set up Kinney at the edge of the penalty area, but he could only lift his shot narrowly over the crossbar. Kinney then turned provider again, picking out McGinty with an excellent reverse pass, but this time Donnelly was able to make the save. Donnelly then stopped a Kevin Bradley effort before his side grabbed an equaliser against the run of play in the 21^st minute. Sean McKenna gained possession at the edge of the box and passed to ANDREW SELKIRK, who curled a well-placed strike into the postage stamp corner of Graham Black’s net. Donnelly then tipped away a Kinney shot before making a fine stop from a Monti drive. Kinney drilled an attempt wide before his side regained the lead in the 34^th minute. Bradley’s corner was headed goalwards by STEVEN McGREGOR, and although Gary Redpath hacked the ball clear the assistant referee adjudged that it had already crossed the line and a goal was awarded. Bellshill were level again less than sixty seconds later. McGinty had a weak effort saved by Donnelly, who launched play to the other end where McKenna played in STEPHEN WOODS to hammer home beyond Black. In the 39^th minute Kinney nodded narrowly wide after Jonathan Carter’s free-kick had been headed back across goal by McGregor, and in injury time McQuilken sent a fierce dipping volley over the bar.

The second half began in the same manner as the first, with a Pollok goal. McGinty’s low shot was touched away by Donnelly, but only into the path of MICHAEL O’HARA, who slammed home to give ‘Lok a 48^th minute lead. Pollok almost added another five minutes later when Calum Brady make a good block to deny McQuilken with Donnelly beaten. On the hour mark John McGowan slipped a pass through to McKenna behind the visiting defence, but Black reacted well to stretch out a leg to block his shot. McKenna then outmuscled Peter McMahon, but could only shoot into the side-netting. ‘Lok chalked up their fourth goal in the 66^th minute when CARLO MONTI picked up the ball with his back to the target at the edge of the box before twisting and turning away from his marker Derek Wilson and lashing a strike into the roof of the net. For the second time in the game Bellshill found an immediate response, pulling a goal back from the penalty spot one minute later. O’Hara and Woods collided inside the box and referee Grant Irvine saw fit to give a foul, with SEAN McKENNA making no mistake from the twelve-yard mark. Monti then tried his luck from 30 yards, with Donnelly parrying his thumping drive. McGinty then sliced wide with his left foot before Bellshill squandered their final chance of the game in the 83^rd minute. Selkirk beat Black to reach McKenna’s ball over the top, but struggled to maintain his balance and ended up firing over with the ‘keeper helpless.

Pollok now travel to Dunterlie Park on Saturday to take on Arthurlie in the Stagecoach Super Premier League, with both sides desperate for points as the relegation dogfight intensifies. Kick-off in Barrhead is at 2pm.

BELLSHILL: Donnelly, Brady, Wright (McDowall 90+1), McGhee, Wilson, McGowan, Lygate (Connelly 75), Selkirk, McKenna, Redpath (Dolan 83), Woods. Not used: Brodie, Hopewell, Calder.

POLLOK: Black, McGregor, McMahon, Carter, Brady, McQuilken, Bradley, Kinney, Monti, McGinty, O’Hara. Not used: Nichol, Gupwell, Hunter.

BOOKED

BELLSHILL: Wilson (77), McGhee (90+2)

GOALS

BELLSHILL: Selkirk (21), Woods (35), McKenna (67 pen)

POLLOK: McQuilken (4), McGregor (34), O’Hara (48), Monti (66)