McKinnon takes axe out for cup after Lok’s terrible trip to Troon

MURDIE McKINNON is threatening to ring the changes in his attempts to get his Pollok players into the frame of mind to bounce back from their Ardagh Group West of Scotland Cup exit to Troon.

The Southsiders endured a harsh lesson last Saturday when they lost out to the Ayrshiremen on penalties following a 1-1 draw despite totally dominating the Portland Park contest.

And the manner of his side’s disappointment – Pollok missed a barrowload of opportunities – could bring a new striking partnership with Scott Anson and Adam Forde on standby for when Cumnock arrive through at Newlandsfield tomorrow for a Premiership encounter.

The Lok boss said: “This club should be challenging for trophies like the West of Scotland Cup so I was not happy to be knocked out by Troon and I’ve made my feelings known to the players.

“Being sluggish getting out of the blocks led to us conceding a fourth-minute penalty and we then proceeded to create and miss all manner of chances as well as hitting the woodwork.”

Word on the Pollok team front says the muscle injury sustained by Lok skipper Paul Gallagher that forced his early substitution against Troon looks certain to rule him out for the visit of Cumnock while Josh Watt, Euan McNeil and Mark Sideserf are also non-starters however on the upside Grant Evans is available after coming through two stiff training sessions this week.

And the Ayrshire outfit’s former striker Anson is champing at the bit after sitting out the Troon game because he was cup-tied.

McKinnon admitted: “Scott has 16 goals to his

‘‘ This club should be challenging for trophies

name this season and is in our thoughts to face his old team as is Fordy now that he’s fully fit again.”

Meanwhile, heading out the Newlandsfield door is experienced striker David Gormley, whose restricted playing time as a result of playing through the pain barrier with a knee injury, has been cut even further by the arrival of Anson and has culminated in him obtaining his release in midweek.

McKinnon said: “David is a great guy who has defied doctor’s orders to help Pollok out this season and he goes with the best wishes of everyone.”