West Region Premier Division : Match 17

Saturday 26th April, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 0 (0)

PETERSHILL 0 (0)

With captain Craig Menzies out injured and Craig McEwan unavailable for selection Glenafton made a number of changes to the starting eleven that defeated Camelon in the Scottish Junior Cup last week-end. In came Stevie Miller and Darren McGill, while Alain Kinney joined Aaron Connolly up front with Michael Reilly on the bench. In goal for Petershill was Glens’ former stand-in keeper Bruno Maltoni while top goal scorer Chris Mackie started on the bench.

On 5 minutes Kinney did well to force his way past Jordan Murch and into the box before turning Ross McCabe and curling a shot for goal which was held well by Maltoni. Three minutes later Paul Woods capitalised on a defensive slip and drove deep into the Glens box, twisted past Ryan McChesney before keeper Brian McGarrity made a brave save at his feet on the six yard line. David Morrison gathered the loose ball and his attempt to slot home was blocked by Miller at the expense of a corner-kick which was cleared by the home defence.

Packed box at corner-kick

Although Liam Finnigan looked lively down the right flank for the visitors more often than not there was little end product from some fine build up play. For the home side Findlay Frye caught the eye in the middle of the park with some determined runs as well as winning more than his share of aerial battles.

Findlay Frye gets airborne

Nevertheless there were few clear cut chances on show in the first half and the majority of these came from set pieces which were defended well and both keepers dealing comfortably with high balls. Chances from open play were even scarcer the best of which saw Aaron Connolly and Cameron Marlow combine to set up Kinney and his low drive from 15 yards was well covered by Maltoni. H/T Glens 0 Petershill 0

The sides exchanged corner-kicks in the opening minutes of the new half. The visitors’ attempt was headed clear by McGill while Jamie McKernon’s kick flashed across the face of the Peasy goal with no takers at the back post.

Darren McGill beats Liam Finnigan to the header

Petershill brought on marksman Chris Mackie for Morrison and on 54 minutes he won a free-kick at the edge of the box. Graham Girvan curved his shot round the wall only for McGarrity to catch comfortably.Glens responded immediately through Marlow who picked out Connolly in the box and he in turn rolled the ball back to Kinney on the 18 yard line to strike it first time but Maltoni again came out on top with a fine save. On 56 minutes the keeper could only look on as Kinney’s powerful header from 6 yards flashed past the post.

Alain Kinney goes close

The home side were now very much on the front foot and on the hour mark McKernon whipped in a cross from the right and as Kinney leapt to head home, Maltoni got a hand to the ball to force it wide for a corner, which too was cleared.

A few minutes later Kinney came off to a great reception from the home support to be replaced by Michael Reilly. The home side continued to press but could not unlock the Peasy defence. Indeed on 72 minutes it was the visitors that came close to breaking the deadlock when Mackie was presented with a free header in front of goal but it lacked power and direction and McGarrity gathered cleanly.

Chris Mackie goes close

Back came the home side and several set pieces came and went with the visitors’ goal still intact. With 5 minutes to go another corner-kick for the Glens saw McGill and Marlow rise at the back post, with the latter winning the header which just popped over the bar.

Cammy Marlow and Darren McGill head for goal

Petershill had the chance to snatch all three points in injury time only for Mackie to direct another free header wide of target. FT Glens 0 Petershill 0

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; Miller, McChesney, McGeoghegan, Cairns; McGill, Frye, McKernon, Marlow; Connolly, Kinney (Reilly). Subs. Brown, Menzies
Petershill: Maltoni, Girvan, Palmer, Chisholm, McCabe, McMenamin, Finnigan, Murch, O’Keane, Woods (Dickson) & Morrison (Mackie). Subs McQuilken & White (GK)

More photos here