After lengthy trips to Dalbeattie, Newton Stewart and Brechin in recent weeks Pollok returned to Newlandsfield for the first time since the opening game of the season for a Lowland League West match with Johnstone Burgh, and their unbeaten run continued as goals from Olly Cameron, Jamie Bain and Lee Gallacher sealed their third consecutive victory over Burgh.

Perhaps unsurprisingly Maxi said same again for the starting line-up after the impressive cup win the previous weekend. The changing of the guard at Johnstone Burgh was shown in their line-up – only one former Pollok player making the team.

The game was played in the pouring rain and it was the away side who threatened first. A ball through the inside right channel was beautifully weighted by McDonald and Kerr was able to run on to it but struck his shot over the bar.

Pollok took the lead in the ninth minute with a cleverly worked free-kick. As the big men were making their way into the box Gallacher took the option of playing a pass down the line to McHugh. He fired it across goal allowing Cameron to slide in at the near post to apply an expert finish. An excellent goal.

This away side took this setback in their stride and won a couple of corners as they looked for a quick reply. They thought they had it when Forrester rose highest and headed goalward but Walsh was there to make a magnificent clearance off the line despite Johnstone protests the ball was over the line.

The equaliser arrived in the fifteenth minute and it was a disaster for the Pollok defence. A couple of chances to clear their lines were eschewed and when the ball was passed back to McAllister, he completely fluffed his attempted clearance and McShane was on hand to fire it into the empty net.

After Pollok gave the ball away from the restart McAllister was forced into a save down to his right and then a couple of minutes later a sweeping move from Burgh ended with a clever dummy to allow McShane a shooting opportunity but his curling effort went narrowly wide.

The home side retook the lead in the twenty-first minute. McHugh did brilliantly in his hold-up play and slipped the ball thru to Cameron. His shot was deflected out for a corner. From the left Gallacher swung it in, McLaughlin headed it down and Bain swept it home. His second goal for the club coming hot on the heels of his long-awaited first.

McCracken had a chance to double the lead when a mistake in the heart of the Burgh defence in dealing with a Walsh cross presented him with a chance from a narrow angle but Long got back to save on the line. The teams then exchanged shooting opportunities with McShane seeing his pushed out for a corner whilst Watt fired over at the other end.

HALF-TIME: POLLOK 2 – 1 JOHNSTONE BURGH

With 54 minutes on the clock Cameron played a thirty-yard pass into the corner and went and retrieved it himself. Having beaten one defender he drove into the box and tried to find the far corner but his curling effort went just over.

Burgh were the dominant side in terms of possession and territory at this stage but apart from a short back pass from Bain which McAllister did superbly to rush from his line and block the danger they weren’t getting many looks at goal whilst the Southsiders looked threatening on the break. And that is how they scored their third. Gallacher pinched the ball near the halfway line as Johnstone Burgh looked to once again recycle it back into the box from where it had just been cleared. The ball broke to Cameron who strode forward before passing to Gallacher. He had McCracken up in support but didn’t need him as he curled a shot into the corner from the edge of the box. With 25 minutes to go the lead was doubled.

In the 74th minute, Burgh were guilty of making a mistake of their own at the back. Gallacher was on to in a flash and cut it back for McCann whose shot was well saved by Long. A Gallacher cross was then half cleared to the edge of the box where McGonigle then played a clever pass back to Gallacher whose shot was well struck but Long was right behind it.

The home defence remained compact and vigilant as they saw out the remaining minutes with few scares for a thoroughly merited three points.

FULL-TIME: POLLOK 3 – 1 JOHNSTONE BURGH

Attendance: 475

Man of the Match: Olly Cameron

Report by Peter Graham

Photographs from James Graham

All at Pollok F.C. were saddened to learn of the recent passing of former player Ian Hilley.

While with Muirend Amateurs, Ian had a successful trial for Pollok in the club’s 3-1 home victory over Dunipace on St. Andrew’s Day 1957 leading to his signing for the ‘Lok. On the following two Saturdays he netted hat-tricks, at home to Renfrew in a 5-3 win and away to Vale of Leven in a 6-2 win.

It is unsurprising given those stats that the seniors were attracted to Ian. Bob Shankly, manager of Third Lanark, met with him, and, after a whirlwind Junior career of three games, Ian signed for the Hi-Hi.

He was soon joined at Cathkin Park by his brother Dave, another recruit from Newlandsfield, and together they were part of the Third Lanark side who lost out in the 1959 League Cup Final against Heart of Midlothian.

Despite his cup final appearance, Ian was never really a first team regular at Cathkin and moved on to Berwick Rangers for the 1960-1 season. He netted three times in 19 appearances for The Borderers before returning to Pollok for the 1961-2 season.

Unfortunately for Ian, the emergence of Felix McGrogan and Billy Best in the wide areas, both who would go on to have long senior careers, restricted his game time, but he was in the side which lost out in the Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final to Glenafton Athletic on 24^th March 1962 in front of a crowd estimated at the 7,700 mark.

The club passes on its sincerest condolences to Ian’s loved ones at this sad time.

Ian’s granddaughter Amanda is raising money to support East Park Gardens Care Home who looked after him in his final days, and you can support that campaign here.

Pollok FC can confirm that midfielder Cole Gibson has completed a permanent move to Kilsyth Athletic.

Cole signed for Pollok in the summer, and made five appearances before heading out on loan to Kilsyth Rangers in early October. He now moves to their neighbours, and made his debut yesterday in a narrow 3-2 defeat against Maryhill.

All at the club would like to thank Cole for his efforts, and wish him all the best in his future career.

We are delighted to be able to offer for auction, a shirt from Pollok legend Jordan Longmuir’s testimonial match last year, signed by the man himself and framed. Also included is a signed matchday programme from the game between a Jordan Longmuir XI and a Paul Gallacher XI.

The bidding will start at £150, and bids should be sent to info@pollokfc.com. This page will be updated with the latest bids.

We are delighted to offer a unique item for auction, that is the perfect accessory for any roadworthy Lok fans!

The registration plate reading PO10 KFC, kindly donated by Bobby Roddie of SCS Group, will go to the highest bidder, with all appropriate DVLA paperwork being signed over to their name following receipt of payment.

The bidding will start at £200 – please email any bids to info@pollokfc.com, and this page will be updated regularly with the current highest bid, while bidders will also receive email notifications on the auction’s status.

CURRENT HIGHEST BID

£1000

We are pleased to unveil this season’s third kit, manufactured by Joma, and supplied by Only Sport!

We have continued the trend set by the home and away kits with a back to basics design, with the clean white pinstripe design complemented by small black trims on the sleeves and collar. At its centre is our long-time sponsor Westpoint Homes, while the sleeves feature our hospitality sandwich providers Boca and our charity partner Home-Start Glasgow South. On the back, for the second season running, is our transport partner Scottish Citylink, along with kit-supplier Only Sport.

We were also delighted to welcome the primary seven pupils from Langside Primary, who played on the pitch, had a look around the clubhouse, and also helped us to model our new kit!

We look forward to taking to the pitch for the first time in the new kit away to Drumchapel United next week!

Following discussions with Stewart Maxwell and Jack Docherty, defender Jordan Scott has been removed from the transfer list, no further inquiries for the player will be entertained.

Pollok FC can confirm that winger Shaun Grady has agreed to a mutual termination of his contract with the club.

We want to thank Shaun for his contributions to the club during his short time at Newlandsfield.

All at Pollok FC would like to wish him the best in his future career.