Young sinks Lie as Lok reap benefits of Macdepthcharges

1 FOR JUNIORS

POLLOK narrowly overcame arch-rivals Arthurlie 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a marvellous strike from Bryan Young.

The former Auchinleck Talbot ace – one of eight closeseason signings on show in a tight clash at Newlandsfield – is already showing signs of paying rich dividends for Tony McInally’s side.

His goal on the hour mark all but clinched a place in the Central Sectional League Cup quarter-finals for the Southside big guns.

However, his side’s overall performance did not quite strike a chord with Young as he admitted they must up the ante to be in the trophy mix this term.

He said: “It’s always pleasing to come out on top in a derby but everyone knows we can play a whole lot better than we did today.

“Arthurlie deserve credit for keeping a good shape that made things difficult for us but thankfully we were able to introduce a couple of gamechangers in substitutes Stefan McCluskey and Adam Forde.

“Their pace and movement caused Arthurlie all sorts of problems and allowed us to get on top in the latter stages.

“Having such strength in depth is fantastic, but it’s a fallacy for people to think Tony McInally has a problem in having so many top Juniors to choose from.

“It’s the players, myself included, who have the real headache in firstly playing ourselves into his team plans - and then staying there.”

The tidy midfield work of Ross Brash and the dribbling skills of Nikky Prentice caught the eye for Pollok in the opening half-hour.

But defences stayed on top and there was little penalty-box action to excite the 630-strong crowd.

The Barrhead visitors improved as an attacking force near half-time and came close to scoring when a net-bound Chris Lennon pile-driver was acrobatically touched over by Jordan Longmuir.

On the resumption, hardworking Lok striker Alan McKenzie had a strong shot saved low down by visiting keeper Anton Nugent before he and Prentice were replaced by McCluskey and Forde.

Then, on the hour mark, came the only goal of the game as McCluskey worked some space on the right flank to cut the ball back for the lurking Young to fire high into the net from 12 yards.

Pollok continued on the front foot and almost doubled their advantage as a Forde shot rebounded off the crossbar before Nugent saved from McCann and then McLuskey in quick succession.

Arthurlie’s need to win brought an onslaught on Pollok’s goal over the closing stages, but a Ryan McGregor snapshot apart, they never looked like breaching a backline marshalled well by Martin McGoldrick.

THE disappointment felt by Arthurlie boss Chris Mackie was only too evident when he spoke later.

He said: “I felt we dominated the game for long spells and feel frustrated that we never went in at half time at least one goal to the good.

“If our noses had been in front then I’m sure we would have won the game but Pollok scored first and forced us to go for it which left spaces for them to exploit which weren’t there before. A lot of people expected us to be turned over big style today so I’m pleased the players have shown there’s no great gulf between the teams.”

Unsurprisingly, Pollok gaffer McInally had an altogether different take on things when he gave his summations.

He said: “Arthurlie set out their stall to do nothing other than contain us so I’m happy we managed to get a victory and with a cracking goal into the bargain.

“We didn’t help our own cause with a lot of poor final balls but I’m putting that down to the front players being a bit leggy from their early season exertions.

“I’d have liked to change things from the outset but Forde has been carrying an injury, a re-occurrence of which forced him to come off while McCluskey was below par after being laid low with a virus until Friday morning.”

The other Section 5 game saw Neilston run out comfortable 3-0 winners against St Anthony’s while the Central Cup’s biggest winning margin was recorded by Renfrew in a 5-0 hammering of Greenock.

At Huntershill, Rossvale Juniors stopper David Donnelly was dismissed as his side were thumped 6-2by Sectional Cup champions Rob Roy.

In the Ardagh Glass Cup, Kilbirnie Ladeside’s trophy defence ended despite winning 2-0 against Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Meanwhile, in the Scottish Cup proper, Glenafton hammered Newton Stewart 6-0 while Scottish Amateur kingpins Colville Park swept aside Burntisland Shipyard 7-0.

Elsewhere, last season’s East Region champions Kelty Hearts were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Lothian Thistle.