In Association with our Main Club Sponsor

Ants feel aggreived despite Newlandsfield Draw

It says a lot about the spirit and belief at the Club these days when a draw v Pollok at Newlandsfield leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. However for anyone connected to the club that was the feeling at Full -Time

Both sides had aspirations of qualifying from the Section and a win for either would have put them firmly in the driving seat to do so. After a first twenty minutes or so during which neither side created any chances of any real note but the Ants just shading it in terms of possession and ball retention, the Ants fired a warning shot across the 'Lok bow but Miller headed just over from a McKay corner. The Ants continued to pressure the 'Lok backline and got their just deserts when CHRIS MACKIE stabbed the ball home from a great free kick by Dean McKay on the half hour mark to put the Ants 1-0 up and on the balance of play you could say it was little more than they deserved.

Half Time - Pollok 0 v 1 Ants

Not long after the re-start a good passage of play saw the ball land to Miller 12 yards out but his turn and shot was easily held by McNeil in the 'Lok goal. Pollok for their part then had a great chance to equalise however Mills fired over when clean through on Carr. In the 56th minute came the first hotly disputed offside call when Kane played a great ball through to Mackie who was allowed to take an excellent first touch sliding the ball past the advancing McNeil but just as he was about to slot the ball into the empty net to put the visitors 2-0 up the nearside Linesman inexplicably flagged for offside (Despite the video clearly showing Mackie to be onside even well after the ball had been played) much to the annoyance of the striker and his team-mates. Monti squandered a great chance to equalise shortly after when his header was straight at Carr.

In the 65th minute came further controversey which lead to Pollok's equaliser. McNeil hoofed the ball forward and Kane rose above Monti and clearly won the ball fairly in the eyes of everyone in the park except the Match Referee who awarded a free kick which CARLO MONTI duly dispatched past Carr with aplomb to level the scoring. This gave Pollok a lift and they went close when the ball broke to a Lok player in the box but he fired just over.

At the other end Mackie was proving to be a handful for the home defence and McCuish's long ball found the powerful Ants forward but his ambitious effort from distance wasn't properly connected with and McNeil held the shot. Play was starting to flow end to end and a Brady cross was headed wide by Dunlop. Mackie was then set free down the wing again and his shot from a tight angle flashed over the crossbar.

Saints will feel they should have had the chance to win the match deep into injury time when Kane showed great athletisicm to bring the ball under control despite slipping, His pass found Bernie McDonald who fired the ball wide to Miller who was clean through on goal with two team-mates for support with the Pollok defence caught out, however once again the Ants were outraged to see the nearside Linesman again with his flag in the air for offside despite Miller being at least 2 yards clearly onside when the ball was played, having to run past a Lok defender to latch on to the ball. A dreadful decision which could have a massive bearing on the outcome of the group

Full Time - Pollok 1 v 1 Ants

Ants Website Man of the Match - Tony Kane

Match Highlights courtesy of Lokpars Youtube Channel 

Ants Team

1. Matty Carr

2. Neil Reynolds

3. Thomas Miller

4. Ronnie McDonald

5.Tony Kane

6. Gary McGrath

7. Dean McKay **

8. Bernie McDonald

9. Chris Mackie

10. Gary Dickson

(69 Mins)

11. Jordan White *

Ants Subs

12. Mark McCuish**

(76 Mins)

14. Andy Bonner

15. Greig Cavanagh

16.John Borris

17. Ross Cumming *

(64 Mins)

Ants Goals

Mackie 30 (1-0)