Pollok Football Club

Recap

Highlights from Davie Brown

Match report by Christopher Dodds

Pollok manager Murdie MacKinnon was left frustrated and fired a warning to his side as they were again held to a draw by Troon for the third time this season in a 0-0 draw at Newlandsfield after some Scott Johnstone heroics.

Pollok started the game the brighter of the two sides, with their first chance coming within the first ten minutes after some early pressure. Stefan McCluskey was played in by Jamie Henry with a fine ball over the top. He cut in on to his right foot but dragged his shot wide.

Half way through the first period, Ryan Stevenson tested Jordan Longmuir from 20 yards after reacting first to a second ball. He found himself with time to compose himself before striking the ball from the right hand side of the area, but Longmuir comfortably saved.

Jack Sherrie was next to try his luck. He marauded down the left hand side, dropping his shoulder to get past Gary McCann, and as he drove towards the box he cut in and hit a fierce shot high and wide of the right hand corner.

Dean Keenan then tried his luck just after the hour mark after the ball fell to him outside the area, but his shot that was destined for the bottom right corner was easily saved by Longmuir in the Pollok net.

With 13 minutes to go, Scott Johnstone produced arguably the save of the season. Stefan McCluskey beat his man on the left hand side and managed to get a cross in,Shaun Fraser met the ball at the edge of the box on the half volley, hitting the ball into the ground which was destined for the top left corner, however Johnstone adjusted himself mid dive to reach the ball and tip it over the bar after a Dean Keenan deflection, leaving the home side dumbfounded.

After full time MacKinnon added: “It was a really scrappy game today but first half I was far from happy. We lacked tempo and energy, we were wasteful in possession, I’m far from happy with our contribution to the game, looking across the board it just wasn’t good enough and we should’ve been better. I set up with an attacking formation to go and be in their faces and to win at home and we’ve not got the win.

“Their goalie has made a ‘worldie’ of a save but thats his job so I can’t focus just on that.”

“We’ve got a big squad here, there’s competition for places and when players are going on and not giving a decent performance then they’re not going to keep their place. I’m not here to keep them happy – they’re here to keep me happy. It’s as simple as that.”