Lanark take on managerless Pollok in the West of Scotland Cup second round.

Mar 4 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

LANARK United hope to heap the pressure on Pollok when they clash in the West of Scotland Cup second round in Glasgow’s south side on Saturday.

United upset the form book by beating the former West Region champions 2-1 in a Super Premier League clash at Moor Park on January 23, with goals from Alan McFadden and Grant Cuthill.

And they followed up to record a third successive win by beating last year’s Super First Division champions Largs Thistle, thanks to a John Goodwin strike and McFadden double, that lifted them into a comfortable mid-table position.

Meanwhile, that same afternoon, Pollok were going down 1-0 at Bellshill.

With confidence riding high in the Moor Park dressing room, United are poised to face a Pollok side that is now searching for a new manager after Rab Sneddon quit the prestigious post.

Manager Tam McDonald said: “We’re looking forward to the game as we’re firing on all cylinders just now and a cup tie against the likes of Pollok always brings out that little bit extra tension and incentive among the players.”

Following their blank Saturday Lanark have the added boost of clearing up their injury problems, giving McDonald several tactical options for what is arguably the tie of the round.

Larkhall Thistle, meanwhile, will have to up their performance levels after Saturday’s sluggish showing, as the West of Scotland Cup kicks into action this weekend.

Their second-round opponents will be high-flying Cumbernauld United, who are second-top of the Central League First Division – a point behind Shotts but with two games in hand.

Thorniewood United are also in cup action as they entertain Super First Division side East Kilbride Thistle.

The second-round tie between Shotts and Dalry Thistle has been rescheduled as Bon Accord’s Emirates Scottish Junior Cup fourth round tie at Hill of Beath takes precedence.