DAVIE Winters underlined what he brings to Pollok on Saturday by netting his side’s first goal in a 4-0 victory over Cumnock with an overhead kick effort described by manager Tony McInally as a “touch of genius”. 

An evenly contested but fairly insipid opening 30 minutes had did precious little to stave off the bitter cold elements for both sets of supporters in a near 650  Newlandsfield terracing throng but the game certainly sparked into life following the  top scoring  hitman’s stunning finish. 

He appeared to pose no threat as the ball bounced to him inside the penalty box with his back to goal and two defenders in close proximity until he dropped backwards and intuitively directed a shot over his shoulder that crept just inside the post to beat goalkeeper Darren Johnston. 

Cumnock might well have levelled matters before half time but for Raymond Montgomerie passing up a great chance when put through on goal by firing a   shot against advancing keeper Jordan Longmuir who then dived full length to keep out a Scott Anson attempt Pollok boss Macca quipped: “The game had all the makings of a bore draw until Davie’s goal acted to wake everyone up.

“We made the mistake of sitting too deep and with a  tempo that was pedestrian at best but changing things second half to play further up the pitch and a bit more aggressively allowed us to  create more in the way of scoring opportunities at the top end of the pitch.”

Pollok’s late scoring burst that clinched the spoils owed much to Longmuir diving full length to superbly keep out a fiercely struck netbound shot from Cumnock substitute Calum McRobbie.

From almost levelling matters at 1-1, Cumnock were to d 2-0 down less than a minute later as a swift Pollok attacking sortie saw Gary McCann go clear on the right and his pass inside was swept home by substitute Derek Hepburn.

The demoralised Ayrshiremen then parted to allow Liam Rowan to run through and clip a low shot beyond the helpless Johnston who was again picking the ball out of his net in injury time as Pollok’s other second half replacements Michael Daly and Chris Walker combined for the latter to head home the former’s exquisite cross.

POLLOK midfielder Colin Williamson, probably the most composed player afield, felt the scoreline reflected harshly on his  former team. 

He insisted: “It was never a 4-0 game. Jordan’s  great save was the wake-up call we needed.

“The hunger and desire to do well shown by the guys we brought off the bench helped us finish strongly – we are fortunate to have players of such quality waiting in the wings.”

Visiting gaffer John McKeown felt a lack of playing discipline cost his team dearly.

He said: “The manner in which we lost our shape over the closing period was most disappointing and we fell way below the standards of recent weeks. The result yet again shows there are very fine lines in this Super Premier Division and you will get punished for making mistakes like we did today.

“We’ll have a chat about where things went wrong but the key now is to regroup and come back all the stronger for the lessons learned.”

Pollok and the other Super Premier Division title pretenders   may regard it as somewhat ominous that Saturday saw reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot move atop the summit for the first time this season thanks to substitute Graham Wilson netting the only goal of the game against Kilwinning Rangers in what was Talbot’s fifth clean sheet from  six league outings.

Tommy Sloan’s men now lead the way on goals difference from erstwhile frontrunners Rob Roy who suffered a second defeat on the spin in going down 2-0 at home to unbeaten Beith for whom Ross McPherson netted a well taken brace of goals.

Glenafton joined Pollok on the 14 points mark after Mick McCann(2) and Daniel Orsi were on target in a 3-2 victory over struggling Hurlford United while Arthurlie bounced back from last weekend’s Scottish Junior Cup exit to beat Troon 3-0 through scores by Gary Smith , Jordan Chisholm and Ryan McGregor. 

There was no change atop the Super First Division pile as tabletopping Kilsyth Rangers gave  their goals differential  a welcome boost by thrashing Shotts Bon Accord 7-0 with Paul McBride bagging a double while joint leaders Shettleston  had Stevie Logan , Jordan Morton and Peter Weatherson on the mark in running out 3-0 winners at home to Cumbernauld United.

ARGUABLY the most significant result came at Holm Park where Clydebank were back on form in overcoming Petershill 5-2 to move to within four points of the leading pair.

Peter McGill, Nikky Little (2), Alan Vezza and Mark Burbridge were the Bankies names on the scoresheet while Chrissy Hall scored twice for Petershill whose hitherto reliable spot kick taker Liam Finnigan had penalty kicks saved by home goalkeeper Josh Lumsden at 0-1 and 1-5.