Girvan 1 Pollok 3
Whyte and Mackay West of Scotland Cup Semi Final



The goals knocked the stuffing out of Billy Thomson's men who had more than matched the Premier League Champions up until that point.

Girvan started the game brightly and were keen to get their opponents on the backfoot, giving them no time whatsoever to settle on the ball.

They were rewarded for their good start after four minutes when they took the lead through Michael Moffat.

He started the move with some neat footwork on the edge of the area before flicking the ball over the 'Lok defence for Stevie O'Donnell. His lob hit the bar and while the rest of the players played statues, Moffat nipped in to slot the ball home into the open goal.

It was just reward for Thomson's troops who looked on top for the opening stages, but they were soon pegged back by the Glasgow side.

The visitors pressured the Girvan goal with a number of corner kicks but failed to take advantage. They almost capitalised on a mix up between Michael Holden and Stuart Robertson but O'Donnell was sharp to clear Paul Hyslop's shot off the line.

David McGeown should have done better after a mistake from Robertson gifted the 'Lok midfield man an open goal but he blazed over the bar from 10 yards.

An equaliser looked enivitable at this point and it duly came after 24 minutes through the unfortunate O'Donnell.

Hyslop's low cross from the right was mishit by McGeown into the run of O'Donnell who could only look on in horror as it flew past Robertson high into the net and bring 'Lok level.

There were times during the game when the Glasgow side looked a cut above the Seasiders and justified why they have been Premier League Champions four times out of the last five years.

Girvan shot stopper Stuart Robertson had to look lively to deny Gary Wilson from 20 yards as his effort almost sneaked in at the left hand post.

He was in action again just a minute when he superbly tipped Hyslop's shot away from goal. It was to be the final moment of action in the first half as Girvan managed to hold on for the remaining five minutes.

In the second half they started brightly again and as they pushed forward and opened the game up. Kevin Biggart came close when his deflected effort flashed just wide of the left hand post after 47 minutes.

With the Seasiders pushing further forward it resulted in the game opening up and some good football followed. Pollok's David McGeown was able to make runs into t he box all afternoon without being checked and again he wasted another good goalscoring chance when he blasted over from 16 yards.

Kriss Mitchell, who has improved greatly since moving into a more central role in the middle of the park, forced Pollok stopper Chris Fitzgerald in a good save following some fine link up play with Darren Mitchell and Moffat found him space inside the area but Fitzgerald matched his shot.

He went close again after 73 minutes when the visitors failed to clear their lines but his first time drive flew inches past the post.

They were missed chances that Girvan were soon to rue just two minutes later when 'Lok went in front through Downs. His whipped cross from the left was missed by everyone and ended up in the back of the net.

And just two minutes later, the Glasgow side sealed their place in the final when Downs added his second with a real poacher's goal. Stephen Miller's stinging effort was parried by Robertson and the 'Lok hitman was in quick to fire home the rebound.

The two quick goals were the killer blow to Thomson's side, who up until that stage of the game had matched their opponents. The quick goals coupled with the heat on Saturday proved too much for Girvan to come back from and Pollok were able to play out the remaining minutes comfortably.

It brought an end to Girvan's interest in major competition's this season, which has seen them gain promotion back to the First Division, go down to last minute penalty against Stranraer in the Scottish Cup and knock out the Champions of the East of Scotland League in Cup Competition.

The signs look good at Hamilton Park for next season and with a few more new faces added to the squad, Girvan will have a side capable of staying in the First Division.