• Sat 31 AUG  2019 KO 2:00 pm
• McBookie.com West Region Premiership| Match 07
• Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow
• Pollok 2 (1)
  • Evans (2)
• Glenafton Athletic 3 (1)
  • o.g., Gallacher, Moore

The Glens were twiced pegged by Pollok but never gave up the chase and were rightly rewarded with a last minute winner to return with the three points from Newlandsfield to New Cumnock.

Glens made two changes to the eleven that started in the victory over Cumnock Juniors last Saturday. With keeper Craig Burns unavailable for selection the Glens gave a debut to 18 year old David Wilson a midweek signing from St. Mirren while captain Craig Menzies returned to the centre of defence in place of Kyle McAusland, also unavailable for selection.

In Pollok’s starting line-up was former Glenafton striker Chris Dallas who recently joined the Newlandsfield club after the Loch Park side had reluctantly released him from his contract in June.

It was Dallas that set up the home side’s first chance after chasing a long ball down the left-hand side to cut it back for the incoming Stuart McCann to hit a sweet strike from the 18 yard line that debutant David Wilson took the sting out off with both hands before recovering the loose ball.

The visitors responded with a corner kick that was flicked on by the head of Dan Orsi in the heart of the six yard box and then met by the inrushing Craig Pettigrew only for his header to be blocked at the back post at the expense corner which came to nothing.

Alan Cairns robbed Grant Evans as he tried to break forward from the half way line and quickly switched play from left to right by picking out Dan Orsi to drive into the box and lash an angled shot whizzing over the bar.

Evans pushing forward curled a ball into the box that Shaun Fraser did well to kill with his chest before lashing a shot that smacked off the base of the post.

Keeper Josh Lumsden launched a long ball upfield that Fraser laid off to Dallas only for Cairns to make a determined block on the 18 yard line and although the loose ball fell kindly for the ‘Lok striker he dragged his shot well wide of target. Dallas then slipped a neat ball to match Del Esplin’s run into the box but with only the keeper to beat he sliced his shot wide.

At the other end Pettigrew cracked a free kick from 25 yards that beat the wall and keeper at full stretch only for it to whiz inches wide.

Three minutes before the break Glenafton made the breakthrough courtesy of an own goal from the unfortunate Danny Boyle. It began with another long ball launched up the middle for Dallas but he was beaten in the air by Cammy Marlow who headed it upfield where Mick McCann headed back to Lee Gallacher to gather and square for Marlow, still deep in his own half, to clip a long ball up the left for Joe Andrew to chase. However, Boyle, with a head start, initially looked certain to usher the ball safely into the box as his keeper rushed to the corner of the six yard box but with Andrew hunting him down indecision descended and he clipped the ball back to Lumsden but at an angle and pace that wrong footed the goalie who despite an outstretched leg could not prevent the ball rolling into the empty net.

In the last action of the half the home side drew level when a wicked free kick was fired into a packed penalty box for Grant Evans to make a great connection and bulge the net from six yards out.

HT Pollok 1 Glens 1

The visitors quickly made amends and regained the lead three minutes after the restart. Cairns’ long throw from the left was knocked on by Andrew and gathered at the outskirts of the box by McCann who held off Esplin before slipping the ball wide to Lee Gallacher (left) in space where a touch or two wrong-footed defender Danny McKenzie before he curled a sublime ball from the 18 yard line into the top left hand top corner of the net. The celebration for his first goal for the wasn’t too shabby either!

Although both sides put some good passing moves together neither could conjure up any chances that seriously threatened the keepers. However on 80 minutes Pollok equalised with a freak goal.  A ball whipped into the box was headed clear by Craig Menzies that was then chested down by Orsi tight on the touchline and rolled back towards Pettigrew, however the forceful challenge from Grant Evans sent both players falling to the ground and the ball into orbit before re-entering in the heart of the goalmouth and over Wilson’s head and into the net.

Glens picked themselves up and pressed for the winner. Substitute Dale Moore clipped a great ball over the heads of the Lok defence for fellow substitute Ryan Nisbet to chase down the ball and square across the goal mouth for the incoming Gallacher to fire for goal only for a great tackle to divert it wide for a corner. Although Lumsden got a fist to it the ball fell for Pettigrew and his shot was deflected wide for another corner which concluded with Andrew’s shot from 10 yards being blocked.

The visitors pressure finally paid off and was rewarded with a wonderful last-minute goal. Nisbet robbed Evans of the ball on the left hand touchline and held off the defender’s attempt recover it before cutting infield and threading a glorious 20 yard pass to Orsi at the right hand corner of the penalty box. Although McKenzie cut out his attempt to feed Ally Park on the overlap the ball bounced back infield for Dale Moore (left)to trap with his left foot before thumping a low shot with his right from 25 yards that took one bounce in the box before beating the keeper low at his right hand post.

Cliché time a goal worthy of winning any match.

FT Pollok 2 Glens 3

Glenafton Athletic: 1. David Wilson 2. Ally Park 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Craig Pettigrew 6. Findlay Frye 7. Dan Orsi 8. Cameron Marlow 9. Mick McCann 10. Joe Andrew 11. Lee Gallacher  SUBS:    12. Dale Moore 14. Ryan Nisbet 15. Edward Campbell 16. Ryan McChesney 17. Craig Potter

Pollok: 1. Josh Lumsden 2. Grant Evans 3. Danny McKenzie 4. Paul Gallacher 5. Danny Boyle 6. Jamie Henry 7. Shaun Fraser 8. Del Esplin 9. Stuart McCann 10. Chris Dallas 11. Jordan Morton SUBS 12. Adam Forde 14. Gary McCann 15. Mikey McWilliams 16. Tony Coutts 17. Dom Larkin