With the games coming thick and fast Pollok travelled to New Tinto Park to take on St. Cadocs for match day twenty of the West of Scotland Premier Division. It is a venue that has been far from a happy hunting ground for the Southsiders in recent years, and that would be the case once again as the hosts scored the only goal of the game.

Maxi made two changes from the disappointing weekend defeat to Cumnock. Wallace and Lapsley coming in for Tran and O’Kane as the formation was switched to a back three.

It was the away side who were fashioning the chances as the first half progressed although none of the chances could be described as gilt-edged. Forde saw a hooked volley pawed away by Currie and then Gaffney curled one just wide from twenty-five yards after a good passing move.

At the other end McTaggart fired over from just inside the box after being slipped through by Sweeney and then Fry had to look alert to snuff out a shot after a brilliant cross field pass by McLaughlin.

Docherty was next to get a sight of goal after enterprising work by O’Donnell but his shot took a nick off a defender and trundled harmlessly through to Currie. A long ball out of the St Cadocs’ defence gave McLaughlin a chance but his low drive went inches wide of Fry’s left-hand post. Right on the half time whistle the home side managed a shot on target but it was a comfortable save for Fry.

ST CADOC’S 0 – 0 POLLOK

The second half saw Pollok exert some pressure. A cleared cross was worked back out to Tran who fired in a cross-shot. Forde was inches away from connecting and ball did not miss the far post by much.

St Cadoc’s responded with a good move through the middle of the park which allowed Sweeney in. He struck his shot well and Fry made an excellent save down to his right. A sweeping attack involving Tran and Forde saw Pollok burst forward. Tran not quite getting the connection he desired on Forde’s low cross and Currie was able to save comfortably.

Next up for a shot was Forde who unleashed a vicious volley from just outside the box which Currie did well to punch away. Docherty then saw a well struck effort from long range go narrowly wide.

Fry was called into action to save a Borland effort after nice play created the opening. The opening goal arrived in the 77th minute. The home side’s quick break forward appeared to have been snuffed out as Pollok got numbers back but Lapsley didn’t manage to get the ball out of his feet to clear and it was quickly passed across the box to substitute Gallagher. He cleverly stepped back inside to make room for a shot which he cracked in off the underside of the bar. Fry had no chance.

McHugh had a chance to double the lead but tried to place it when power might have been a better option. The ball went harmlessly wide. Fry then did well to gather a deflected cross.

Pollok’s search for what would have been a deserved equaliser saw Forde shoot over and then Gaffney also miss the target after great work down the left by Tran.

Whilst all defeats are disappointing this one can be filed in the unlucky category. A much-improved performance from the weekend and renewed hope that a decent run can be put together if the team can re-find the knack of putting the ball in the back of the net.

FULL-TIME: ST CADOC’S 1 – 0 POLLOK

Report by Peter Thomson

Photos from Finlay Thom