Longmuir goes long way to keeping point under Lok and key...
IN THE end, Jordan Longmuir didn’t need to say any words of apology for his goalkeeping gaffe during Pollok’s 2-2 draw with Beith on Saturday.
The 29-year-old more than redeemed himself in the eyes of home supporters with a string of truly outstanding saves to help earn his side a share of the spoils.
Saves from Mark McLaughlin, Darren Christie and Paul Frize with superb second-half stops preceded a wonderfully acrobatic one-handed tip over save to keep out a rocket Conner McGlinchey shot that looked destined for the net in the closing minutes of this Super Premier Division contest.
If the impression given is of Pollok being under siege then it’s probably a true reflection of how matters panned out following the intervention of ref Chris Graham, whose dismissals of Grant Evans (62 minutes) and Tam Hanlon (72), while the Ayrshiremen had McLaughlin given his marching orders in the 80th minute.
Longmuir said: “Beith’s first goal has gone right through me and it was a horrible mistake but coming so early in the game I had plenty of time and opportunity to make amends.
“Going down to nine men is always going to invite pressure, and more so when it’s two of our recognised defenders that have walked. But I felt the guys in front of me did a great job of defending our penalty box.
“They made sure Beith were mainly limited to long-range shots and thankfully I was able to make a few saves with my feet to keep out what attacks did get through on our goal.”
The visitors started the better of the two sides and their early aggression paid off with a fourth-minute goal from striker Collins, let loose a low shot through Longmuir’s legs to leave the keeper red-faced.
Pollok quickly levelled with David Winters putting the finishing seal on a neat interchange of passes by slotting the ball home from 12 yards out.
Beith went on to have the better of first-half exchanges but the scoreline remained unchanged. However, only good fortune ensured it stayed that way after Robbie Winters cleverly made space for a shot at goal that beat visiting No.1 Stephen Grindley all ends up, only to come back off the upright.
A goal was only delayed as Pollok’s next surge forward resulted in a free-kick award just outside the box and dead ball expert Tam Hanlon curled a low shot into the far corner of the net for a 2-1 lead.
But the advantage was switched in Beith’s favour over the ensuing 10 minutes.
The harsh dismissal of Evans for a second yellow card was quickly followed by an- other opportunistic strike from Collins earning Beith parity and the visitors exerted a territorial advantage as they poured forward. Their received a further boost by Hanlon seeing red for a lunging tackle on Mighty midfielder Jamie Wilson.
LONGMUIR’S heroics and the lively Christie’s touch deserting him on three occasions ensured Pollok’s goal remained intact and Beith’s numerical advantage was then halved as a tackle from behind saw McLaughlin pick up his second yellow card of the afternoon.
The visitors continued to press but Pollok’s backline, inspired by Longmuir, held firm to secure a 2-2 outcome.
Beith gaffer Johnny Millar was gutted his players had blown a great opportunity to boost their title hopes.
He said: “Their keeper has pulled off several top drawer saves but we have also passed up a number of clear-cut chances to put the game to bed.
“It means yet another frustrating draw, our sixth from 14 league games and winning just half of them would have us top.”
Lok gaffer Tony McInally said: “I have to commend the fitness levels of the team and the spirit shown by digging in to fight their corner out there in the face of a number of key decisions going against them.”
Asked if his comments were a criticism of referee Graham’s display, Macca added: “Not at all. My one and only gripe with is his red carding of Grant Evans for what was only the lad’s second foul of the afternoon, yet the previously booked Mark McLaughlin didn’t even get a ticking-off when committing the foul that brought the free-kick for our second goal.
“I can understand if he sends off both players or he sends off none but I cannot fathom why he has sent off one but not the other.”
The only other Super Premier Division encounter saw champions Auchinleck Talbot close to within a point of frontrunners Glenafton with a controversial 1-0 victory over fellow title challengers Rob Roy.
Graham Wilson’s suspiciously offside looking counter just before half time won the day for Talbot who were reduced to ten men by the second half red carding of Dwayne Hyslop.