SUNDAY, 1 June, cannot come quickly enough for Bathgate manager Willie Hill after his side booked a Citylink Scottish Junior Cup final clash with Cumnock with a late fightback to beat Pollok 2-1.
“When we were at Rugby Park two years ago, we simply didn’t play and we want to go back this time and do a job,” said Hill.
In truth, Saturday’s semi-final was a dour, disjointed affair, not helped by a fiery pitch, a blustery wind a
nd an unsympathetic performance from referee Kevin Clancey. Both teams largely cancelled each other out and it was a relief to everyone when Pollok’s Zander Ryan slid home a low Chris Cruickshank cross to break the tedium on 82 minutes.
As the game went into injury time, Bathgate threw everyone forward, even goalkeeper Andy Carlin was inside the Pollok box in the second additional minute when Thistle skipper and man of the match Graeme Love flighted in a free-kick. Pollok goalkeeper Kris Robertson came rushing out to punch clear, miscued and the ball dropped at the feet of Stevie Docherty, who turned and hooked home from 12 yards.
Just three minutes into extra-time, Bathgate booked their final slot when substitute Kevin Haynes broke clear, rounded Robertson and slotted home.
Thistle, though, had to defend like demons in the final minutes as Pollok pressed desperately. But there was still time for Haynes to pick up a second yellow card for deliberate handball. Referee Clancey compounded an indifferent display by not red-carding the striker, until his error was pointed out by assistant referee Paul McDowall. Haynes could afford to smile as he took the long, slow walk to the dressing room – he had more than made an impact on the final outcome.
The full article contains 304 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
