Pollok’s reward for a thumping win over Carluke was an away trip to old rivals Tayport in the third round of the Junior Cup. For those of a certain vintage associated with Pollok the mere mention of Tayport conjures up memories of a 3-1 win at Fir Park in the 1997 final, and while this tie was not as memorable, it did the job as Pollok secured a comfortable win.

Maxi went with an unchanged starting eleven from the South Challenge Cup win over Darvel as the Lok looked to keep the momentum building.

On a cloudy day the pitch at The Canniepairt was looking good. Pollok were first to threaten when Docherty controlled a thrown in and hooked the ball goalwards where Burnett gathered comfortably.

Up at the other end, a quick break by Tayport in the seventh minute saw the ball cut back to Crowe whose low drive was well blocked by Faulds. From the block a sweeping passing move from the Southsiders involving Main, O’Kane, McPhie and Docherty ended with McPhie’s shot being beaten away by Burnett.

The opening goal arrived in the thirteenth minute and it was the away side who took a merited lead. Forde swung in a free-kick from the right touchline which McPhie glanced on to the onrushing Gow who powered a shot into the roof of the net from close range.

Pollok were the dominant side in terms of possession and a switch of play by Main found McPhie who cut inside and sent in a dipping shot which went inches over the bar. Main was involved again when he got on the end of a curling Bain cross but his effort flashed just wide of the post.

Tayport got a rare glimpse of goal when a long free-kick into the box was headed up in the air by Faulds but the home side’s header goalwards went over the bar. Faulds was then involved in the action at the other end when he controlled a Forde pass and shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Pollok continued to threaten and a Bain corner from the left caused panic at the near post before McPhie clipped the ball to the back post where it was cleared for another corner. The away side’s second goal duly arrived in the 41st minute, as some excellent work by Gow at the back saw him turn defence into attack with a turn and pass to Main. He held off his man before switching the play out to Docherty. He committed his marker before firing into the near post area where it came off a defender and went past Burnett.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first half with Pollok exerting a measure of control in all areas of the pitch. After Forde saw a viciously hit free-kick dip and swerve just off target he had more luck as a creator in the 55th minute. His free-kick from the left touchline found O’Kane who nodded home at the back post with aplomb.

A sweeping move from right to left and back to front ended in a Docherty shot over the bar before O’Kane saw a snap shot go just wide after he did brilliantly to win possession near to the Tayport goal.

After McComiskie saw red for a second yellow in the 73rd minute the game was over as a contest but the home side continued to plug away as Fry tipped a corner on to the bar and then made a diving save to his right to keep a drive out. A Robertson free-kick was also pushed away by Fry at the expense of a corner.

There was one final chance for Pollok with the last kick of the ball but McPhie lifted it over the bar after Burnett had done well to parry a dangerous cross.

A good, all-round team performance sent the travelling support back down the road with smiles on their faces. The reward for the victory is a home tie against Cumbernauld United in the next round.

 

Man of the match: Adam Forde

 

Report by Peter Thomson

Photos from James Graham

Match highlights and post-match interview from Mark Donnelly and sponsored by Scottish Property Centre