Super League 1st Division

Sat 24th September Blair Park, Hurlford KO 2pm

HURLFORD UNITED v GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

Sixth placed Hurlford host fourth placed Glenafton in one of only two league fixtures in the Super League 1st Division this week-end, as the ‘Glasgow’ September week-end impacts on the card. Both sides were idle during last week’s  ‘Ayrshire’ September week-end and were mere spectators as Kilsyth replaced East Kilbride in second place with a fine 3-1 win over the new town jags. Shotts too fired up the league into 5th place with a narrow 2-1 home win over Lanark United, while Winton Rovers remained top thanks to a well-earned point in a 3-3 draw at Whitletts. The Glens travel to Blair Park as the only unbeaten side in the league and a 100% away record (3 wins out of 3 ) while the ‘Ford have a 100% home record (2 wins out if 2) … so something has to give at Blair Park. In the other league fixture Dalry, buoyed by their win over Shotts a fortnight ago entertain the entertaining league leaders.

First and Last

First Glens player to score against Hurlford at Loch Park

Hurlford United , along with Muirkirk Juniors, were  accepted into the Western League in summer of 1938 increasing the membership to twenty clubs.  The first meeting between Hurlford and the Glens took place at Blair Park in mid August when a double from summer-signing 16 year-old McIntyre (Crosshouse Waverly) helped the visitors to a 3-2 win and keep them  top of the league after six games. Before the month was out Hurlford turned the table beating the Glens by the odd goal in seven in the 1st round of the Western League Cup at Connel Park. The New Cumnock side exacted some revenge in the league with a 5-1 victory at Connel Park in April 1939, a game notable for taking the Glens league goal tally beyond the 100 goals (104 goals from 31 games).

Hurlford’s first visit to Loch Park was for a Western League (South Section) game on 3rd December 1960 to face table topping Glens  (having won 9 of their 10 league games). However the game was abandoned after only 10 minutes due to the wintry weather. Hurlford returned to Loch Park on the 14th January 1961 and lost out 3-1 in a Vernon Trophy first round tie, Billy Moffat scoring a double that day. The abandoned league game was never replayed since by the end of the season the Glens were ‘uncatchable’ at the top of the South Section.

Bo opens the scoring at Blair Park

Last season the two sides shared the points in a keenly contested 1-1 draw at Blair Park. Gareth Armstrong giving the visitors an early lead before Andy Stevenson drew the sides level from the penalty spot, just before the hour mark. The return match at Loch Park proved, in the end, to be a little more one-sided with three unanswered goals from Jim Wilson, Gareth Armstrong and Paul McKenzie helping to secure three points for the home side.

Former Afton Lad

After two seasons and over 40 appearances for Glenafton midfielder Aaron Scoular left Loch Park and moved to Blair Park in the summer. His work-rate and enthusiasm earned ‘Scolesy’ great respect from the home support and in his club tally of three goals there were a couple of real crackers – including candidate for goal of the season at Vale of Clyde.

Scolesy Scolesy give us a wave (Hurlford v Glens 05/03/11)