Glenafton v Rutherglen

Super League 1st Division

Sat 7th January , Loch Park, New Cumnock KO 1:45pm

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC v RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN

Hopefully, weather permitting, Glenafton will host Rutherglen Glencairn at Loch Park on league business this Saturday. Neither side have played a competitive match since November. Indeed since the sides last met at the Gateway Stadium on 22nd October the Glens have only played four games, while Rutherglen have managed only two.

The game at the Gateway was far from a classic the home side having to play for almost an hour with 10 men after the dismissal of Mark McCurry following a two-footed tackle on Paul McKenzie. Almost on the hour mark Glenafton were awarded a penalty but keeper Alan Colquhoun pulled off a great save and pushed Gareth Armstrong’s spot kick round the post. The draw not only ended Glenafton’s 100% winning away league record but earned Rutherglen their first home point of the season.

Paul McKenzie with Joe Andrew looking on

Since then both sides have picked up only one point in the league with Glenafton’s earned at Lanark in a game sandwiched between two defeats away at Girvan (0-5) and then at home to Cumberbauld (1-2) . Rutherglen lost at home to Whitletts (2-3), their cause not helped with Alan Colquhoun being carried off when they were up 2-0, and then drew at home with Girvan (0-0).

John Paul Boyle

Glenafton put their 4 match win-less run to an end with a confidence boosting 4-1 victory over North Premier Division leaders Hermes at the Bridge of Don. New signing John Paul Boyle (from Arthurlie) set up Gareth Armstrong to head home the opener with the other goals coming courtesy of an own goal, Andy Bell and Paul Murphy. The Glens have strengthened their squad further with the signing of former Cowdenbeath and Cumnock Juniors striker John Dempster who impressed greatly in a friendlies against Stranraer (2-0) and Irvine Meadow (2-2).

Rutherglen too have added to their squad with signing of Brian Eadie (defender, Neilston), Paul Roper (goalkeeper, Blantyre Vics) and forward John Connolly (Vale of Clyde). Of course also in the Rutherglen squad is former Glens’ defender Andy Ward – welcome back to Loch Park, Andy.

Glenafton at Rutherglen Old and New

Do you recognise the kirk steeple in the top left hand corner of the Glenafton team photo?

Can you name any of that Glens team and the result of the game?