IF SPARTANS can maintain their fine Scottish Cup record at City Park and win the replay they fought so hard to secure against Pollok on Saturday they will once again have a crack at SFL opposition.
Ironically, it is Annan Athletic they will face in the second round after being drawn away to their former East of Scotland rivals, who beat them to the vacant league position in the summer.
Spartans' Cup victories against league sides in the pa
st few seasons have been well documented, although Saturday's visit to Newlandsfield was regarded by the Edinburgh team as a chance to redeem themselves after losing 4-1 to Linlithgow Rose in last season's Scottish Cup.
They certainly achieved their goal with a very creditable 1-1 draw against arguably the most successful junior team in recent history. Pollok have lifted the Super Premier League title in three of the previous four seasons and currently head the table this season with a 100 per cent record after four games.
Pollok made their Scottish Cup debut last season when they were narrowly defeated by Montrose in a second-round replay and manager Jim Sinnet – who was in charge of Linlithgow when they beat Spartans last season – was keen to embark on another foray to mix with Scotland's league teams.
Pollok started the game as favourites in front of a crowd of 1,170 which included the SFA chief executive Gordon Smith.
It became obvious from the kick-off that the pace of Spartans attacking trio of Omar Kader, Nicky Walker and Donal Henretty would cause problems for the Pollok defenders on a slippery surface. Walker had a shot deflected for a corner while Henretty had a close-range attempt well anticipated by Pollok goalkeeper Kris Robertson.
At the other end Robert Downs, Andy Essler and Davie Turnbull all had chances to edge Pollok in front before they scored the opening goal in the 17th minute. A corner from the left was headed back into the danger area by Chris Cruikshank to Derek Wingate who set up Bryan Dingwall to score from less than six yards.
However, Spartans rallied and a scampering run by Kader was brought to an unceremonious halt by Pollok defender Joe Carruth. Referee Greg Aitken consulted his standside assistant before correctly awarding a penalty. Walker confidently restored parity to proceedings with a low spot kick into the net although goalkeeper Robertson did get his fingers to the greasy ball.
An even first half saw Dingwall firing in a shot which Chris Flockhart held at the second attempt. Spartans' Ross Archibald lined up a powerful drive which Robertson tipped for a corner. Immediately after half-time Robertson had to be alert to thwart Kader then Walker released Henretty who hit the post with a crisp shot.
The action was plentiful at both ends of the park and Downs also hit the upright after a goal saving tackle from the impressive Spartans defender Dan Gerrard. The game ended with Walker hitting the Pollok crossbar with a header then substitute Daryl Devlin blasted wide from a good position.
Mike Lawson, Spartans joint manager, said: "Pollok had more possession although we created real chances so overall it was a pretty even game."
The full article contains 552 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
