July 15th 2024
HE could have been sitting with a Highland League Cup winners' medal in his collection if he had stayed at Clachnacuddin and not transferred to Nairn County but Alan Pollock does not regret making the controversial switch one bit, writes Graeme Macleod. The midfielder joined Nairn in February 2014 and just a few months later, his former club lifted the Highland League Cup. On the other hand, County are yet to reach a final during the 25-year-old's time at Station Park, until now as they take on Wick Academy at Dudgeon Park on Saturday for the right to lift the Menzies Distribution North of Scotland Cup. Pollock said: "This is actually my first cup final as a Highland League player, so I am obviously really looking forward to it. Hopefully, we can get the right result, especially after Clach winning the cup the other year. I obviously get a lot of stick for it, which is fair enough and I can accept it because the fans there are my mates but I would like to win a cup – starting this weekend – and push on from there." Pollock believes that he and his team mates have to win the vast majority of personal duals all over the park if the silverware is to accompany them on bus home after the game. He said: "Everyone has to turn up on the day. We were not at the races on the day of the 5-1 game and everyone has to put a shift in, even if it is not going for them. We all have to work as hard and make sure we are doing all of the right things." "I would say that nine out of 11 have to win their personal battles on the day to get a result, so hopefully everyone is at the races and pumped up – if you cannot get pumped up for a final then you should not be playing football. It is as simple as that." Pollock was engaged in a fascinating personal dual with Richard MacAdie during the two recent Scottish Cup matches between the sides with the two of the top Highland League attacking midfielders locking horns. It is sure to be another intriguing clash but Pollock is wary of other threats in the Wick team too. He declared: "I think Davie Allan and Sam (Mackay) are their biggest threats but you still have to single out Richard MacAdie as well as a player who can influence and change the game. Hopefully, I am forcing win back more than he is forcing me back. I will do the best I can to force him back and try to affect the game for ourselves." A positive team spirit is also contributing to a renewed belief that County can turn a 5-1 reverse at Wick into a win this weekend in the space of only three short weeks as Pollock revealed: "All of the boys are pretty close. Everyone is good friends, so after a few good results, confidence is high again – everyone is feeling confident going into the game. Hopefully, we can continue the form, take the momentum into the final and get a result." Graeme Macleod
