This match saw the start of a new era for Pollok Football Club as they played their first match in the inaugural season of the Lowland League West, and their opening day visitors to Newlandsfield were Troon as the third and fourth placed team from last season’s West of Scotland Premier Division faced off.

As a sign of the stability around the club these days Maxi only handed out three debuts on the opening day – far fewer than in recent seasons. The debutants were McLaughlin, Gallacher and McCracken and they were to have quite the impact.

Despite the recent hot spell coming to an end Newlandsfield was bathed in sunshine as the teams took to the pitch for a three o’clock kick-off. Pollok were on the front foot from the start, forcing a series of early corners. The first of which was half-cleared to Henry but his snap-shot went over the bar. When a similar chance fell Watt’s way a few minutes later he forced McDonald into a fine, diving save.

Pollok’s next corner led to a great chance for Troon as they broke swiftly to the other end. It was four on two as the ball arrived at Veitch. His initial shot was blocked and on the rebound he fired narrowly wide. Troon hit the target with their next attack forcing McAllister to stretch to tip away a header which was destined for the top corner.

The opening goal arrived in the nineteenth minute and what a cracker it was. McAllister rolled the ball out to Bain who played it to Watt. He passed inside to Cameron who got his head up and delivered a superb pass in behind for McCracken to run on to. The summer signing from Muirkirk steadied himself and delivered an unerring finish in off the post to give the Southsiders the lead.

McAllister was forced into an acrobatic save to tip over a rasping drive from Guthrie as Troon went in search of an equaliser. But it was Pollok who almost troubled the scoreboard again just before the half hour mark when a clever ball out wide from McAllister set Watt away. He made great progress before slipping it to Gallacher who laid it back for Cameron. His shot was well struck but McDonald dived to his left to parry it away.

Troon continued to look good in the middle of the park but were struggling to create any meaningful chances and the Pollok rearguard – despite some nervy moments – were clearing any danger. Another good move down the right saw Cameron in on goal and Bronsky’s last gap sliding challenge took something off the shot and allowed the ball to be cleared off the line.

HALF-TIME: POLLOK 1 – 0 TROON

The first notable action of the second half arrived in the fiftieth minute when Pollok broke rapidly down the right wing. Walsh cut inside and let fly. McDonald parried the shot away and was up quickly to tip Watt’s effort on the rebound round the post.

The home side were continuing to look dangerous with Cameron forcing McDonald into another save but almost undid all their good work when a slack pass by McAllister was seized upon. Viviani was played in but his shot lacked power and was straight at McAllister.

The home support were then treated to a special goal by another debutant in the seventy-sixth minute to ease the nerves. Former Lok player Gow headed the ball straight to Gallacher who took a lovely first touch before volleying a sublime finish into the top corner from thirty yards. The Troon keeper had no chance.

With the cushion of a two-goal lead Pollok played it sensibly – keeping a good shape whilst still looking dangerous when coming forward. Boyle won the ball in the middle of the park before passing to McHugh whose shot was straight at McDonald.

There was one big scare with a few minutes to go when a deep cross from the right found Viviani, whose header was pushed on to the post by McAllister. The teams then exchanged half chances with Troon’s going wide and McCracken’s shot saved before the referee blew for time confirming a merited three points for the home side.

FULL-TIME: POLLOK 2 – 0 TROON

Attendance: 741

Report by Peter Thomson

Photos from James Graham

Man of the Match: Cameron Henry