Royal Albert 1-4 Pollok

Scottish Junior Cup Third Round

Newlandsfield Park, SATURDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2015

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Pollok ensured their name entered the hat for the fourth round of the Scottish Junior Cup with a 4-1 win over Royal Albert at Newlandsfield Park.

Despite being the underdogs, it was the Albert who had the first chances of the game, Scott McLachlan?s through ball on the counter-attack setting Michael Neill one-on-one with Jordan Longmuir, the ?Lok goalkeeper blocking with his legs.

Neill was next up again, a free-kick from the corner of the penalty area going straight down Longmuir?s throat.

?Lok were clinical with their first attacking move, Findlay Frye?s ball out wide to Tam Hanlon saw the winger send a ball across the corridor of uncertainty where Allan MacKenzie was waiting at the back post to lash home.

Pollok kicked on from here in terms of scoring opportunities, MacKenzie showing strength in the box before firing into the side netting.

Captain Paul Gallacher made Albert ‘keeper Paul Stevenson work for his money, his low shot forcing the custodian to put the ball out for a corner.

A lovely free-kick move straight off the training ground gave Royal Albert?s Davie Hamilton a sight of Longmuir?s goal, the ?Lok man palming the ball wide.

Pollok doubled their lead on the half hour mark, a short corner routine allowing Del Hepburn to send a deep cross into the area where Chris Walker was on hand to loop a header over Stevenson.

Determined play from Davie Winters saw him tee up MacKenzie at the edge of the box, who dug the ball out from under his feet and forced Stevenson into making a save.

The final action of the opening 45 came through Albert?s Gareth Stokoe, his effort from 20 yards dipping over the bar.

Both sides had chances to trouble the scorers in the early exchanges of the second period, Davie Winters shot being deflected wide for Pollok before Neill flashed wide for Royal Albert.

Just after the hour mark ?Lok made it 3-0, Hepburn?s through ball was turned into Davie Winters path by the slide of an Albert defender, the striker clipping the ball beyond Stevenson.

MacKenzie came close to adding to his tally for the day with a delicate chip-cum-volley which Stevenson did well to tip onto the crossbar and over.

A slip by Barry Murdoch allowed ?Lok substitute Steven Higgins in behind the defence, his shot though was of the soft order.

There was no mistake in the 73rd minute when Robbie Winters outmuscled the Albert defence to release Higgins, who, with little backlift, was able to curl into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Pollok were reduced to 10 men in the 78th minute when Walker picked up his second booking of the afternoon for a trip on Fraser Scott at the edge of the area. To add insult to injury, Murdoch stepped up to dispatch the resultant free-kick low beyond Longmuir to reduce the arrears.

Parity was restored in terms of personnel two minutes later when Michael Anderson?s lunge on Hepburn was deemed worthy of a red card by arbiter Stephen Graham.

Stevenson had the last say in the afternoon?s action, making a great save to deny Frye after the midfielder had been put through by a lovely backheel flick from Robbie Winters.

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Teams:

Royal Albert:- Stevenson, Stokoe, McDowell (16: Scott 75), Murdoch, Stobie, Clarke, Brennan, Baptie, Hamilton, McLachlan (12: J. Anderson 25), Neill (14: M. Anderson 58)

Subs not used:- 17: Campbell, Gk: Smith

Goal:- Murdoch (79)

Bookings:- Murdoch (13), McDowell (65)

Sent off:- M. Anderson (80)

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Pollok:- Longmuir, McLennan (12: McCabe 64), Sideserf, Gallacher, Walker, Frye, Hanlon, Sweeney (16: Higgins 60), D. Winters (15: R. Winters 64), MacKenzie, Hepburn

Subs not used:- 14: Williamson, 17: McAleenan

Goals:- MacKenzie (10), Walker (30), D. Winters (61), Higgins (73)

Bookings:- Hanlon (21), Walker (47, 78)

Sent off:- Walker (78)