New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup

POLLOK 1

IRVINE MEADOW 0

MEADOW were edged out by their higher league opponents but put up a good fight in a closely contested cup tie at Newlandsfield Park.

'Lok had a lucky escape in the opening exchanges, when a short pass-back gave Graham Boyd a run on goal with home goalie Jordan Longmuir alert to clear the danger.

Pollok’s first sighter came when a cutback from former Meadow fans' favourite Gary McCann was picked up by Michael Daly. However visiting goalie Shaun Newman skilfully tipped the ball out for a corner.

A deep free-kick from the visitors was cleared by the home rearguard only as far as 20 yards out where Ryan Begley fired in a shot but Longmuir saved comfortably.

Set-pieces played an important role in the home side's next two goalscoring opportunities, Liam Rowan’s corner finding Chris Walker at the back post, before Daly had a similar chance, both with the head, both being saved by Newman.

The only goal of the game came in 26 minutes when Davie Winters to the unmarked Del Hepburn at the back post and he controlled the ball before dispatching it under Newman.

Another poor defensive moment gave Meadow a chance to restore parity, Graham Muir latching onto a weak header, but he chipped the ball over the bar.

The final goalmouth action of the half started with Tam Hanlon’s ball down the channel finding McCann who again teed up Daly, whose first-time shot dragged wide of target.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men in 56 minutes when Daly was sent for an early bath by referee Stephen Brown after an off-the-ball dust-up with Ryan Begley.

Medda looked to make their numerical superiority pay, initially from a Ben Black snapshot which went over, secondly from a Ben Carson free-kick which Longmuir pushed around the upright.

‘Lok counter-attacked from the resultant flag kick, ending with McCann’s shot being gathered by Newman at the second attempt.

An Andy Cripps header from Carson cross was held by Longmuir’s legs, while at the other end, Rowan sent a free-kick spinning over the bar

The last two chances of the match both fell to Meadow striker Jared Willet in stoppage time. His half volley went straight down Longmuir’s throat before he unleashed an effort from the corner of the area, which cannoned off the bar.

POLLOK: Longmuir; Hanlon, Evans, Gallacher, Walker, Rowan, McCann, McAleenan, D Winters, Daly, Hepburn. Subs: Sideserf, MacKenzie, R Winters, McCabe, Williamson.

IRVINE MEADOW: Newman; McLennan, McCrea, Strachan, Begley, Carson, Black, Muir, Boyd, Cripps, Willet. Subs: Hannah, Browning, Dolan, Cuthbertson, Murray.