Match Report
POLLOK 3 - 0 CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS
Pollok Football Club booked their place in the next round of the South Challenge Cup with a deserved 3–0 victory over Civil Service Strollers FC at Newlandsfield Park.
Pollok came into the tie in excellent form, sitting second in the Lowland League West, while the visitors arrived from the Lowland League East after a more difficult start to their campaign. Cup football can often ignore league form, but on this occasion Pollok’s confidence and momentum eventually told.
The first half was a fairly scrappy affair, with both sides working hard and testing each other without creating too many clear-cut chances. That changed in the 41st minute when Bob McHugh reacted quickest inside the six-yard box and managed to scramble the ball over the line to give Pollok the breakthrough.
Half-time: Pollok 1–0 Civil Service Strollers
The second half began in similar fashion, with both teams pressing and looking for an opening. Pollok finally found the space they needed in the 64th minute, when McHugh forced his way between two defenders and produced an excellent finish from just inside the penalty area to double the home side’s advantage.
That second goal proved to be the spark Pollok needed. From there, the home side began to take greater control of the contest, pressing forward in waves and looking increasingly dangerous. Their pressure was rewarded again in the 77th minute, and once more it was McHugh who delivered, completing a superb hat-trick and sealing a standout individual performance.
By that stage, Civil Service Strollers looked deflated and struggled to find a way through a Pollok defence that remained solid and organised throughout.
Pollok continued to push right up until the final whistle and, over the course of the match, were worthy winners. The result sends them confidently into the next round of the South Challenge Cup, with their strong league form now matched by an impressive cup performance.
A fantastic crowd of more than 400 added to the atmosphere at Newlandsfield on what turned into a very satisfying afternoon for the home support.
