MATCH REPORT: POLLOK 2-0 ARTHURLIE

Pollok 2-0 Arthurlie

WoSFL Premier Division

15:00 Saturday 11 March 2023

Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow

Scorers: Fraser (69), Nelson (90)

It was the Southside derby on Saturday as Barrhead’s Arthurlie took the trip to Shawlands to meet Pollok at Newlandsfield Park.

Despite the two teams being at opposite ends of the league table it was to prove an eventful 90 minutes, and it was third-bottom Arthurlie who made by far the brightest start to the game.

The visitors were given a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 18th minute when the referee pointed to the spot, but Ryan McGregor saw his penalty easily saved by Jordan Longmuir.

Three minutes later Andrew McLaughlin had another chance to give ‘Lie the lead but dragged his shot wide from inside the box.

On 25 minutes it was McGregor again who was offered a great chance to score, this time heading a Connor Bradley cross wide from close range.

It had been all Arthurlie in the opening 45, that was until James Scott was called into action just before the break, making a great save low to his left and turning the ball wide for a corner.

Arthurlie were dealt a blow at the break when Lance Pearce was forced to come off due to injury, Alan Dunsmore making his return to the team as substitute.

The Barrhead side were dealt a further blow in the 64th minute when Mick Macneil was sent-off following a second yellow card.

It was to prove the turning point of the game as 5 minutes later the home side were to take the lead, Shaun Fraser converting from the spot after a penalty was awarded.

Despite caretaker boss Gary Carroll making further changes, including introducing himself in place of McLaughlin, in an attempt to claw their way back into the game, it was always going to be an uphill battle for Arthurlie from a goal down.

With the clock hitting 90 minutes it was left to Pollok to claim the game’s second goal, substitute Jay Nelson converting from Stephen Docherty’s cutback to make it 2-0.

Arthurlie team: Scott; Pearce (Dunsmore 46), Bradley, Macneil, Magee (Nolan 85); Roulston, McLaughlin (Carroll 71), McGregor, Leyden (c); Simeon, Shelvey (Warnock 58)

Subs not used: Kerr, Black (GK)

Pollok team: Longmuir, Menzies (Buchanan 77), Burns, Rumsby, Brownlie, Fraser, Christie, Lyon, S.McCann, Forde (Nelson 77), G.McCann (Docherty 89)

Subs not used: Barr, Duff, Dakhil