Stagecoach West Region Premier Division

Saturday 13h October 2012 , Hannah Park,  Shotts

SHOTTS BON ACCORD 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

Glenafton made three changes to side that defeated Troon in the West of Scotland Cup last week as they travelled to face fellow promoted side Shotts Bon Accord in the first Premier Division encounter between the two sides at Hannah Park since February 2011, when goals from Stephen Docherty and Paul McKenzie help secure a 2-1 victory. In came Richie McKillen, Craig Potter and Gareth Campbell while Craig Menzies, Gareth Armstrong and John Paul Boyle took their place on the bench.

The visitors got off to a determined start in the pouring rain pressing back the home side on a very slippy pitch and forcing three corners in a row, all of which were frantically scrambled cleared by the Shotts defenders. The home side responded in style and in 6 minutes Ally Semple brilliantly tipped over a net bound shot from Tam Hanlon. Back came Glenafton and on 11 minutes midfielder Paul McKenzie won possession in a very crowded penalty box and picked his spot to place the ball beyond keeper Johnny Murdoch.

Super Ally

The visitors were now moving the ball about well in difficult conditions and the back division was looking pretty solid. However, just before the half hour mark Danny Mitchell earned a straight red card for a two footed tackle to reduce Glenafton to ten men. Momentum swung Shotts way as the home side probed for openings with Colin Williamson dictating play in the midfield. Four minutes from the break Allan McKenzie burst through and hammered the ball home for the equaliser. Two minutes later former Glens’ striker Adam Coakley earned his side a penalty, but the visitors would feel justice was done when Semple pulled off a fine diving save to keep Coakley’s effort out. H/T Shotts 1 Glens 1

Shotts applied pressure to the Glens defence who were in no mood to give anything away as the second period got going. Apart from mopping up through balls Semple looked quite comfortable. McChesney who was outstanding took a real sore knock and had to leave the game with Craig Menzies slotting perfectly into the middle of the back four. While later Gus Cochrane and JP Boyle provided much needed fresh legs for the 10 men side. The hosts huffed and puffed and tended at time to over play the ball. Glens stuck to their system rigidly and deserved the well-earned point as well as the well-earned round of applause from the travelling fans.  F/T Shotts 1 Glens 1

Shotts: Murdoch  Finnigan  Burns  Wharton  Walker  Williamson  Hanlon  Scott  Coakley  McKenzie  Sideserf.   Subs Gray  Whelan  Kerr

Glenafton:  Semple  McEwan  McChesney  G. Mitchell  McKillen  McKenzie  Murphy  Potter D. Mitchell  Campbell  Colligan  subs.  Cochrane  Menzies  Boyle  Armstrong  Dunsmuir ( gk )