Rossvale aiming to cause cup upset against Pollok

Rossvale celebrate one of Stephen McGladrigan's goals against Forth (pic by Helen Templeton, @dibsy_)Rossvale celebrate one of Stephen McGladrigan's goals against Forth (pic by Helen Templeton, @dibsy_)
Rossvale celebrate one of Stephen McGladrigan's goals against Forth (pic by Helen Templeton, @dibsy_)
Rossvale take on Glasgow giants Pollok in the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday in what boss Gordon Moffat says is the biggest game in the club's history.

The fifth round tie has been switched from Huntershill to Petershill Park where facilities are better placed to cope with the expected crowd.

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Moffat admits Vale will be massive underdogs. But he believes all the pressure will be on Super League giants Pollok, rather than his own Central First Division title chasers.

He said: “It’s a great draw first and foremost for the club. It’s probably the biggest game in the club’s history.

“Playing one of the biggest teams in the juniors, it’s a big occasion for the club and will bring attention on the club and bring some good press.

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“On the actual football side we’re going to be heavy underdogs, but in a good way. There’s pressure every week when we’re trying to pick up points in the league and the pressure’s off us this week.

“There’s no point in us turning up if we don’t believe we can go through, but I’m realistic. Everyone from outwith the club will pretty much write us off.

“We’re going to need nine or ten to have absolutely top drawer performances but it’s football and there’s a chance it can happen.

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“If we defend well and Jamie [Donnelly] has a good game in goals you never know. That’s the good thing about the cup.”

Rossvale made it six league wins in a row when they came back from their extended festive break to beat Forth Wanderers 4-3 last week, but Moffat knows his side will have to defend better against Pollok.

But if they do, he believes that in experienced striker Stephen McGladrigan and wide men Liam McGonigle and Gary Giffin he has players who can hurt Pollok.

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He said: “It was good to win [the Forth game] but it was a mixed bag to be honest.

“We didn’t defend great, which hasn’t been like us, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt because we’ve had quite a long lay-off from competitive action.

“We’ll need to tighten up for next week though.

“McGlad was my man of the match yesterday. He leads the line well, he’s smart, he’s streetwise, he knows the junior level inside out so he’ll be a big plus for us.

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“Liam and Gary Giffin on the other side are both livewires. They’re different players but are a big threat and if we can get into the right areas I believe we can cause them problems.

“But we need a good team performance to give ourselves a chance.

“It’s not ideal having to move the game but we needed to be realistic about that and accommodate what we hope will be a reasonable crowd.

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“But Petershill was very much first choice. We just came from there last season so it’s familiar and it keeps it on astro so we don’t lose that advantage.

“It was the best decision all round to move it and it’s not a huge change for us at least.”

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