MATCH REPORT

Absolutely delighted to be back first and foremost and looking forward to what this season will throw at us. The leagues looking very competitive and will be a tall order to try emulate the success of last season but first steps in trying to even go one better this season but most importantly to enjoy our Sunday afternoons with the ups the downs and the banter that only Sunday football provides!

15:00 KO

First game of the season and both teams wanting to try get off to a good start with the aim of a perfect start putting 3 points on the board. The match kicked off and was a very slow start with both sides seemingly more interested in containing possession and hoping not to give too much away early doors.

Pollok were comfortable in and out of possession as they were happy with Clyde Apollo keeping the ball in their own half and when in possession just knocking the ball from side to side trying to entice the opposition to come out of shape to penetrate their well organised back line.

The brake through came for Pollok when Jason Mair took the ball under control with a lovely touch and a nice weighted pass inside to Ilan Kasongo who picked out an incredible pass cutting through Clyde Apollos defence from just over the half way line for Polloks live wire Ciaran Docherty to latch onto precisely coming in from the right flank with a delightful composed finish into the corner left the keeper no chance. 0 – 1 the visitors take the lead and from there on after kept possession with nothing much worthy of reporting up until the half time whistle.

HT – CLYDE APOLLO 0 – 1 POLLOK DYNAMO

Pollok opted to change personnel at half time just to give us a bit more in the final 3rd in the way of introducing explosive pace allowing us to become more direct. Be brought on Peter McAlpine and red hot in form Ivan Rahman who’s fresh of the back of a 12 minute hat-trick last weekend and a trip to Milan during the week chomping at the bit to be unleashed.

We kicked off for the 2nd half and in no time at all Pollok go 0-2 as they upped the tempo, taking the game to Apollo as they pressed high stealing the ball which lands with Brian Peacock out on the left hand side and as the boy does showing beautiful feet work as he began dancing through players on his way into the opposition box he unselfishly draws the ball back onto the boot of Ivan Rahman who slots it no problem to double the lead and in turn relax his team mates for the remainder of the game with the 2 goal cushion.

The game wore on and both sides slowed down due to fitness as the standard dropped – the tackles were 10 a penny as both sides battled well but nothing in the way of clear openings or opportunities as Pollok were happy to sit in and soak up the pressure and keep the ball at the back as Clyde Apollo tried to find away back into the match.

Pollok made a couple more substitutions bringing on Robert McLaughlin to shore up the defence and help with getting us up the pitch with his pin point passing and calmness on the ball. The introduction of Anton Smith at the same time was a massive boost to the team as he returns from a bad injury and if the truth be told the injury was probably a blessing in disguise for the team as the interest he was attracting last season we were unsure whether he would be here with us this campaign.

Anton was straight in and back to normal as if he hadn’t been away fitting seamlessly into his CDM role alongside young Ilan and Brian he brought that balance we were missing in the first half and his experience to draw fouls and keeping the ball moving was killing the opposition as they became desperate to try find a goal.

The game was arguably won by Polloks substitutions subs on the day. As the final sub Longridge was being organised just to see the game out…. Polloks talisman Canzo caught wind that his number was up and that time was rapidly running out for him to get his goal and as Longridge anxiously waited for the ball to go out of play to enter the frame….

There’s great link up play at the edge of Apollo’s box which finishes with Canzo feeding in Ivan Rahman who’s effort was well saved but unfortunately for the Apollos GK the ball lands at the main himself as Canzo bullets a powerful header into the net and runs off to celebrate in the hope that running further away would be enough for him to see out the 90 mins which wasn’t to be but he came off buzzing and more relived than anything else to open his account for this season.

Pollok did not look under any serious threat and pressed for more goals. A few half chances all coming from set pieces which Clyde Apollo stood up to right until the dying minutes of the match the final corner of the match produced the icing on the cake.

Brian Peacock finds Captain Marvel super Lee Campbell with an obnoxious finish which we will happily accept one of them every game this season secured all 3 points for Pollok on the road and getting us off to a great start.

FT:- CLYDE APOLLO 0 – 4 POLLOK DYNAMO

We wish Clyde Apollo all the best for this season 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

Man of the Match – Stephen Donnelly

There was not any stand out performers in today’s match so Stephen gets the award as he stepped up to dig us out a hole right before we stared the game.

Due to admin error and a mix up with the match day squad we had to change out our GK Jay MacDonald for Stephen who is predominantly a defender. Didn’t look out of place as he made a couple of saves look routine and his distribution was perfect throughout.

Goal Scorer Assist
⚽️ Docherty – 👟 Kasongo
⚽️ Rahman – 👟 Peacock
⚽️ Canzo – 👟 Rahman
⚽️ Campbell – 👟 Peacock

ps – Thank to Pollok for their report