Johnstone Burgh suffered a frustrating 2-0 defeat against a fired up Pollok side, on a cold but sunny day at Newlandsfield Park, Shawlands.

Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made three changes from the starting 11 that lost 4-0 to Auchinleck Talbot at Keanie Park on Wednesday night. Danny O'Neill came in for Scott Forrester, Broque Watson for Ian McShane and Allan MacKenzie for Ciaran Diver.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to Burgh's Broque Watson, who nipped in ahead of the Pollok defender to win a bouncing ball around 40 yards from goal, but he dragged his right foot shot wide of the left hand post from around 14 yards after 13 minutes.

Pollok had a great opening, five minutes later. The dangerous Carlo Monti produced some clever play on the right wing before firing a brilliant low ball along the six yard box, but there were no takers much to the relief of the Johnstone Burgh defence.

Johnstone Burgh had the next chance of the match through Allan MacKenzie after 25 minutes. The big striker received a low pass from Blair Rossiter inside the box and took a touch to set himself up, but his shot from the right hand side of the box, eight yards from goal, was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Pollok goalkeeper KP McAllister.

The Burgh had another good chance to take the lead through Lewis King in the 33rd minute. Blair Rossiter fired in a fine ball from a free kick from the left hand side to the back post, but King couldn't get a good connection on the ball and his effort from around seven yards would go wide of the left hand post.

The Johnstone side had a decent penalty claim four minutes from half time. Allan MacKenzie received a pass from Del Esplin who then appeared to be fouled by Liam Rooney three yards inside the box, but the referee was having none of it.

Pollok would have the final chance of the first half through Cameron Henry, but his snap-shot from the right hand side in the box, from 14 yards, went over the crossbar.

The teams would go in level at the break.

Half time: 0-0

Pollok made a flying start to the second half, and would take the lead in the 47th minute through Jake Stirling, who produced a powerful header into the net from inside the six yard box, from a brilliant Jordan Leyden corner kick from the left.

A minute later, Johnstone Burgh had another claim for a penalty, for handball inside the box, but again the referee said no.

Aaron Mason had the first chance for the Burgh in the second half, but his well struck shot, from around 25 yards was saved by McAllister, with 57 minutes of the match gone.

Pollok would go on to score their second goal of the afternoon in the 58th minute. Lewis Watt robbed Danny O'Neill on the left wing and then threaded a lovely through ball to former Burgh man, Stuart McCann, who produced a fine cross to the back post straight to Bob McHugh, who made no mistake from around three yards to tap the ball into the net.

Lewis King came close to pulling a goal back for the Burgh in the 68th minute, but his powerful header eight yards from goal, following a Blair Rossiter corner kick, went just over the crossbar.

Johnstone Burgh were then awarded a penalty when Cameron Henry handled Aaron Mason's cross after 76 minutes. Up stepped Blair Rossiter from 12 yards, but his powerful left foot strike was brilliantly saved by KP McAllister.

The Burgh's miserable day was all but complete as they were reduced to 10 men with just under 10 minutes to play, following a straight red card for Allan MacKenzie. The Burgh striker contested a 50/50 ball with Jordan Leyden, 12 yards inside the Pollok half, but the referee harshly deemed his tackle out of control.

Pollok would see out the remainder of the game to secure a 2-0 win and the three points.

After this afternoon's defeat, Johnstone Burgh remain in 9th place on 24 points, after 13 games played.

Full time: 2-0

Pollok FC goals: Stirling 47, McHugh 58

Starting XI: Scullion, King, Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill, Esplin (C), Watson (Gilmartin 61), Faulds (McShane 61), MacKenzie, Rossiter (Christie 77), Mason (Murphy 77)

Man of the match: Lewis King

A big thank you to the Johnstone Burgh fans who attended today's match at Newlandsfield Park.

Next up for the Burgh is a trip to Bellsdale Park, where we will face Beith Juniors in the WoSFL Premier Division on Tuesday 3rd March at 7:30pm.

© Match Report: John
© Images: Mitch, Iain, Graham