Saturday 31st December 1988
Trophy Centre Premier League
Pollok 3 Larkhall Thistle 1
Larkhall Thistle travelled to Glasgow’s south side looking to defend an unbeaten run in this league encounter with ex-champs Pollok. League leaders Thistle looked the more likely side to make the breakthrough in the opening stages of the game and as early as the 5th minute Jags’ McCallum brought out a smart save from home keeper Sameroff. Ten minutes later Larkhall again caught out the Pollok defence as he burst through but shot narrowly wide.
Thistle got the goal their pressure deserved after 25 minutes. A corner from Jags midfielder Barkey found full back Murray whose low shot into the corner beat the goalie all ends up.
After half an hour though, Pollok equalised and it was hard on Thistle who had been on top all of the first half. Pollok’s McQuade swung in a free kick which Jags keeper Bowman didn’t deal with, the ball falling to midfielder O’Brien who scored.
Half Time Pollok 1 Larkhall Thistle 1
The equaliser seemed to take the wind out of Thistle’s sails and give the home team a lift and in the 53rd minute they took the lead through some route one football. A long punt from the Pollok keeper found O’Brien who ran on to the ball and poked it home.
The Jags were pressing hard for an equaliser, but Pollok killed the game off with two minutes left on the clock when that man O’Brien completed his hat-trick.
Full Time Pollok 3 Larkhall Thistle 1
Larkhall Thistle:
Bowman, Murray, Marshall, Alexander, Hamilton, Gemmell, McQuade, Barkey,
Haddow, O’Hare, McCallum. Subs: Donald, Wilson