Hamilton Advertiser reports on Shotts’ CLC final perfomance.
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Behind a registration wall. Register for photos/spam.
GREENOCK matched Premier League side Pollok for much of this Central League Cup tie, before eventually being overpowered by their illustrious opponents, with a final score of 0-3.
But with the Glasgow club not quite firing on all cylinders, Greenock could have pulled off a shock result, had Kenny Mackay and Gary Fleming had their shooting boots on.
They almost had a dream start to their first match at their temporary Battery Park home when Mackay found himself clean through on Pollok keeper Scott Morrison after just two minutes, but the striker’s low shot flew past the post.
Morrison went down a few minutes later after a challenge from Barry McLaughlin which brought howls of derision from the Pollok support and dug-out.
But referee Rodney Marshall adjudged the collision to have been accidental, and after play was stopped for several minutes to allow the keeper to receive treatment, he eventually had to be replaced in goal by striker Ian Diack.
But the advantage to Greenock proved to be minimal, with Diack’s replacement up front, Calum Hardy, going on to be their best player and scoring their third goal.
The home club were also the architects of their own downfall at the opener after 13 minutes. A thrown-in into the box somehow eluded keeper Stuart Waterson and his defence, and fell nicely for Barry Tulloch to tap home from close range.
Pollok then dominated the next 20 minutes, but it was Greenock who ended the half strongest. Gary Fleming watched in agony as a netbound shot was touched round the post by Diack, but the striker really should have scored with another chance on 39 minutes.
Stevie Mooney flighted a lovely ball over the Pollok defence to find Thomas Docherty on the wing, and when Diack flapped at the skipper’s cross, Fleming was presented with a tap-in with the ball no more than a yard out from goal. But somehow the striker hesitated, giving Pollok the chance to clear.
The second half started controversially, when after just 55 seconds Mackay went down in the box under a challenge, but ref Marshall waved play on. And the signs that it was not to be Mackay’s day were there again a few minutes later, when he tamely headed wide with a good chance from six yards out.
Thereafter, Pollok turned the screw and doubled their lead on 77 minutes when a Hardy cross was flicked home by Alan McKenzie.
And with nine minutes remaining Hardy himself found the net to finish the scoring at 3-0.
The result was somewhat harsh on Greenock, who had at least an equal share of the possession and chances - but they were given a stark reminder that chances at this level need to be converted into goals.
Assistant manager Martin Campbell said: “I felt we were more than a match for Pollok, who had only about four chances and scored with three of them. But that was partly down to our own mistakes, which we rarely seem to get the benefit of at the other end of the pitch.
“As for Kenny Mackay, he was great at running at the Pollok defence, and I am sure that nine times out of 10 he would have stuck those chances away.”
Thoughts now turn to tonight’s local derby at Battery Park, which goes ahead at the third time of asking after previous confusion over booking arrangements for the pitch. Greenock are officially the ‘home’ team in a league match against Port Glasgow which is crucial for both clubs. Kick-off is at 6.45pm
GREENOCK: Waterson, K. Docherty, McCormick, B. McLaughlin (M. Docherty 70), Quigley, Brown (Pettigrew 70), Fleming, Mooney (MacDonald 45), Mackay, T. Docherty, Jamieson. Subs not used: Mitchell, McCarn, McClure, Monk.
l Greenock Juniors are sponsored by Regents Vehicle Sales, Greenock, Kingsley Wood Solicitors and Notaries, and the Lighthouse Bar.
1 year ago
Revised Draws:
D & D Programmes Central League Cup
Quarter Finals
Rutherglen Glencairn F.C or Bellshill Athletic F.C. V Benburb F.C.
Shotts Bon Accord F.C. V Clydebank F.C.
East Kilbride F.C. V Renfrew F.C.
Pollok F.C. V Larkhall F.C.
Semi Finals
Rutherglen Glencairn F.C or Bellshill Athletic F.C. or Benburb F.C.
V Shotts Bon Accord F.C. or Clydebank F.C.
Pollok F.C. or Larkhall F.C. V East Kilbride F.C. or Renfrew F.C
Dates to be arranged
New Coin Automatics WoS Cup
Quarter Finals
St Anthony’s F.C. V Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C
Pollok F.C. V Cumnock F.C. or Auchinleck Talbot F.C.
Arthurlie F.C. V Bellshill Athletic F.C. or Kilwinning Rangers F.C
Beith F.C. V Vale of Leven F.C.
Semi Finals
Arthurlie F.C. or Bellshill Athletic F.C. or Kilwinning Rangers F.C
V Beith F.C. or Vale of Leven F.C.
Pollok F.C. or Cumnock F.C. or Auchinleck Talbot F.C.
V St Anthony’s F.C. or Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C
Dates to be arranged
Ever so slightly simpler to read now.
1 year ago
Lovely view coming out of Battery Park today. This pic’s a bit dark to do it justice.
Taken with instagram
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Greenock v Pollok
D&D Programmes Central League Cup
Saturday, 23rd April 2011
For your satnav:
Battery Park Pavilion
Eldon Street
Greenock
PA16 7QG
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New Fixtures:
Monday 25th April
Kilbirnie Ladeside v Pollok; kick off 18:45 (that’s right, eagle-eyed viewers, we’ve three games in three days, if you count Stevie’s testimonial)
Wednesday 27th April
Pollok v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy; kick off 18:45 (or 4 games in five days, if you want to look at it like that)
