Pollok returned to league business and welcomed last season’s First Division champions Drumchapel United to Newlandsfield for match day eight in what was the first ever competitive fixture between the sides. Despite leading early on through a Calum Gow header, a poor second half display saw the visitors turn it around and leave with the three points.

After the previous week’s convincing performance against Tayport, it was no surprise that Maxi stuck to the same starting eleven for the third week running, and the opening minutes were fairly fractious with a number of fouls from the away side. The first moment of attacking flair came in the seventh minute from Docherty. He won the ball with a superb tackle and sprinted down the right wing, but his low cross was just out-with the reach of his strike partners.

With just over a quarter of an hour gone Duncanson played a one-two and drove forward dangerously. He was unceremoniously halted in his tracks. Bain lofted in the free-kick to the back post and Gow was there to head expertly home.

Minutes later Drumchapel had a wonderful chance to equalise. A thrown-in from the left was gathered by Biabi and as he tussled with Faulds he turned into the box. Faulds appeared to stumble and took Biabi down. The referee had zero hesitation in pointing to the spot. After a brief discussion with his teammates Argyll McCoist stepped up to take it. He drilled it straight down the middle and Fry was able to save with his legs.

The game was swinging from one end of the pitch to the other without too many clear-cut chances being created. Templeton had a shot from outside the box which Fry saved and then Bain curled a free-kick over the bar.

Bain then saw yellow as he halted a potentially dangerous breakaway. From the resultant free-kick the ball fell to McCoist who ballooned it over the bar from ten yards out. A minute later great work by Gow turned defence into attack and he passed to McPhie. He made his way across the pitch before leaving the ball for Bain to cross in. Forde was on the end of it and his header was saved by Scully.

An O’Kane shot on the turn was easily dealt with by Scully before a quick break by Drumchapel saw a low cross from the right find McCoist unmarked, six yards from goal but he scooped the ball over the bar.

In the lead up to half time Pollok had their half chances but Scully was alert to the dangers. He saved a Forde free-kick, did well to gather a dangerous Docherty cross at his near post and then was quick off his line to gather the ball as Forde looked to get on to a McPhie through ball.

HALF-TIME: POLLOK 1 – 0 DRUMCHAPEL UNITED

The second half started with Drumchapel on the attack and Fry had to save a long-range effort. Pollok at this stage were producing little in attack and Docherty conceded a free-kick just outside his own box whilst back helping the defence. The ball was swung in and Fry came to punch but collided with McNiff and the ball spun off the centre-half’s head and into the net.

The away side were now very much on top and a sustained passing move ended with Biabi shooting straight at Fry. With twenty minutes to go Fry launched a long ball forward which Docherty flicked on. Forde controlled it and hit a volley on the turn but it was off target.

A couple of minutes later great work by Docherty and then Faulds down the right saw a chance created for Main. His shot was well-struck but deflected behind.

There was seventy-nine minutes on the clock when Drumchapel got what proved to be the winner. A goal kick from Scully was flicked on into the path of Hopkirk and he applied a deadly finish into the top corner from eighteen yards.

The Southsiders huffed and puffed for a late equaliser after Drumchapel were reduced to ten men with a second yellow for Moore but they couldn’t create that clear cut chance they needed to beat, or even test, Scully.

A disappointing second half showing had seen all three points slip away from the home side. Drumchapel United had the star performers on the day in the form of Scully, Mills and Hopkirk as they continued their impressive start to life in the Premier Division.

FULL-TIME: POLLOK 1 – 2 DRUMCHAPEL UNITED

Pollok Man of the Match: Calum Gow

 

Match report from Peter Thomson

Photos from James Graham

Match highlights and post-match interview courtesy of Scottish Property Centre: