PETERSHILL came out on top in the Glasgow city derby match up with Pollok at Newlandsfield last night.

Willie Patterson’s men proved to be superior on the night particularly during the opening 45 minutes when striker Michael Daly imposed himself on Pollok’s backline and won just about every aerial joust.

He had already posted a warning of his qualities before Pollok almost opened the scoring just five minutes in when Peasy goalkeeper Stevie McNeil fluffed a kick out and was forced to redeem himself with an acrobatic save made running back to his goal to keep out Alan McKenzie’s net-bound chip.

That man Daly was continuing to pose problems whenever the Peasy pushed upfield and it was no real surprise when he opened the scoring around the 25th minute mark, expertly steering a driven Kieron McAnespie cross beyond Lok goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir.

The hitman could have doubled his side’s advantage after an astute pass from forward-line partner Stephen McGladrigan, but Longmuir’s diving save foiled his low shot at goal.

But Daly soon made amends when a long ball upfield saw him rise to divert a flick into the path of the pacy McGladrigan and he clipped home a low shot before backtracking defender Paul Gallagher could put in a challenge.

At 2-0 Petershill were in control but failing to press home their dominance came home to roost in the first half closing stages when Pollok’s outstanding winger Derek Hepburn superbly set up McKenzie and his 18-yard shot past advancing keeper McNeil found the unguarded net.

Lok boss Tony McInally had clearly instructed his players how to deal with Daly who was much more subdued after the break, however the game itself degenerated into a midfield battle where defences gained the upper hand and very few openings were created.

The visitors saw the game out much to the delight of gaffer Willie Patterson who emerged to say: “We took a gamble on mixing things up and making no fewer than four changes because of the physical demands of playing three games in five days.

“Thankfully it paid off, helped no end by a terrific display from Michael and his partnership with Glad undoubtedly caused Pollok all sorts of problems.

”They snuffed out his threat second half but at the same time never troubled Stevie McNeil who has not had a save of note to make.”

Petershill will now meet Rob Roy in a the last four after Kevin Watt and Willie Sawyers goals helped the Rabs best Clydebank by a 2-0 scoreline.

The other half of the draw has Vale of Clyde awaiting the visit of Wishaw after the Tin Pail prevailed 4-3 in a penalty-kick shoot-out win over Greenock thanks in no small way to veteran goalkeeper Jon Connolly saving three spot-kicks.

Wishaw frontmen Vinnie McGuire (2) and K.B. Barry did the damage as Chris McGroarty’s men won 3-0 at home to Lanark United.

Meanwhile, there was the equivalent of a double take on Newlandsfield’s terracing slopes when word filtered through of West Region kingpins Auchinleck Talbot exiting the Ardagh Glass Cup following a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Maybole.

And reigning trophy holders Glenafton were on the wrong end of the scoreline away to a Troon side who were 2-0 to the good through Adam Forsyth and Dean Keenan goals before Ayr United loan signing Craig McGuffie put a better complexion on the scoreline for a battling Glens.

Danny Mitchell and Stewart Kean were on target as Hurlford United led 2-0 at home to Kilbirnie Ladeside for whom Keiran Brannan and Robbie Winters levelled matters, however United scraped through 3-2 on spot-kicks.

Kilwinning Rangers clinched a semi-final with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over arch rivals Irvine Meadow who had battled back from 0-2 down to level matters through Gary McCann (pen) and Sean Fraser only to be undone by Ben Lewis converting a 92nd minute penalty-kick for the Buffs whose earlier scores were a stunning 30-yard Dean Agnew shot and a close range effort by Isaac Kerr.

Last but not least comes a reminder for Junior followers that this season’s Scottish Junior Cup first round draw will take place tonight at Hampden Park (6.30pm).

SJFA chiefs will pull a total of 30 ties from a hat and these inaugural contests are scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 26.

LAST NIGHT’S RESULTS

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup. Quarter-finals: Kilwinning Rangers 3 Irvine Meadow 2, Hurlford Utd 2 Kilbirnie Ladeside 2 (Hurlford win 3-2 on pens), Troon 2 Glenafton 1, Auchinleck Talbot 1 Maybole 2.

Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup. Quarter-finals: Wishaw 3 Lanark Utd 0, Pollok 1 Petershill 2, Greenock 1 Vale of Clyde 1 (Vale of Clyde win 4-3 on pens), Rob Roy 2 Clydebank 0.