IT WAS a "Winters" afternoon at Newlandsfield on Saturday - despite the sun splitting the sky.

 

Pollok lifted the Evening Times Champions' Cup with a 3-1 victory over Blantyre Vics thanks to goals from Robbie and David Winters on the south side of Glasgow.

The younger of the two - David, at 32 - grabbed a second-half brace, to go with Robbie's opener - and then revealed the brothers had a little chat just before the start of the second half.

David said: "As we were walking back out on to the pitch, I said to Robbie, 'imagine we both scored and won the cup, wouldn't that be something?'

"He turned to me and said that all I had to do was keep plugging away and I would score - and he was spot-on.

"Robbie and I played together for Livingston, and obviously I've watched him my whole career - while he was at the likes of Aberdeen and Dundee United.

"I know exactly how he plays, and vice-versa. We are actually quite similar, and know where each other is on the park. It makes it a lot easier when it's your brother and you're on the same wavelength. I must admit it was good to win the cup together."

David admitted it was the perfect end to the perfect season as Pollok also came up trumps in the Super League First Division.

The club is now heading back to where many people view as their rightful place at Junior football's top table.

David said: "At the start of the season, our main priority was to win the league and we did that. But we want to win every competition we enter, and that was evident when we went out and battled well against a great Auchinleck side in the semi-final and managed to nick it on penalties.

"Now we've taken on a good Blantyre side and beaten them. We knew it wouldn't be easy as we played them pre-season and they played us off the park in the first half. Even though we ended up winning, it could've gone either way.

"Our keeper Jordan Longmuir produced a great save at 1-1 from the penalty, which was a massive turning point. Just before that, I almost scored to make it 2-0 and they went right up the park and scored, so those were two big turning points in the game.

"At the end I got my foot to a cross to give us that wee two-goal cushion, and we used our experience by giving the ball to Robbie and he held it up."

David added: "This is my first full season with Pollok. I played about four or five games last season after joining from Sauchie.

"I've loved every moment of it. Everyone at the club has Pollok's best interests at heart and are really helpful. We have a nice ground and the playing surface is fantastic. The coaching staff are always eager to win things, and the committee is the same.

"We are already looking forward to next season and taking this club forward."

David's brother Robbie got Pollok off to the perfect start when he sprung the Vics' offside trap and lobbed keeper Kevin Macklin with just seven minutes on the clock.

David Galt went close for Vics with a rocket shot on 33 minutes, but it was Pollok who led at the break.

Robbie and David Winters teamed up for the latter to have a shot, which was well saved, moments into the second half.

Craig Smith then set up Fraser Malcolm for the equaliser on 49, and when Galt was tripped by Jamie Darroch in the box 20 minutes later, Vics fans in the 1,035-strong crowd sensed glory.

However, Longmuir dived full length to save brilliantly from Mark Thomson.

At the other end, Alex Amos fouled David Winters in the box and the former Ross County hitman scored from the spot.

David scored his second, and Pollok's third, a few moments later and Blantyre's resolve was finally broken.

Lok boss Tony McInally admitted he was delighted with a second trophy of the season and was quick to pay tribute to his players.

He said: "We knew it would be a tough game as Blantyre are unbeaten against a lot of Super League teams this season.

"They have a great spirit and team ethic, but it was a question of who could be most ruthless in front of goal and thankfully it was us."

McInally added: "I thought the decision to award them a penalty kick was a disgrace. It seemed to anger our boys and we went ahead before finishing the game off.

"David Winters took his goals well and is arguably the best striker in the Juniors. His finishing is absolutely top-class. He is a dream to work with and a joy to manage.

"He teams up well with his brother, Robbie, who is also a great pro and is someone I have really enjoyed working with. In saying that, I have a great group of players, so I'm delighted for each and every one of them.

"That's two trophies this season, so I'd say it's progress. It's really our first term in charge, so we will enjoy the celebrations and then reflect on the season before going again.

"I'm pleased for everyone at the club. They have a lot of class and are terrific people. They were feeling it really sore in the last couple of years when they didn't have a good team, but hopefully we've given them a wee bit back."