Glenafton hosted St. Cuthbert Wanderers and Ayr United U19s in the annual pre-season Joe Meldrum Trophy at Loch Park. Having lost out to Troon in the final last season the New Cumnock sides were eager to get their hands back on the cup.

St. Cuthbert Wanderers 4 Ayr United U19s 6

The two guest sides served up a ten goal thriller in the opening game. The Honest Men fired into a five goal lead only for the Kirkcudbright side to respond with two goals of their own.  A sixth goal from Ayr appeared to have settled the tie but back came the Wanderers with another brace to ensure a tense finish; however, the goal feast was over.

Glenafton Athletic 3 St Cuthbert Wanderers 2

Although the Wanderer’s keeper got down well to take the sting out of a 30 yard drive from Alain Kinney there was little he could do to prevent the alert Aaron Connolly from catching the Cuthbert’ defence cold and rushing into the box to chip the loose ball into the net.  The Wanderers were awarded a  spot kick after an attack had ended with a sandwich in the Glens box; the penalty slammed home to draw the sides level.

Adam Strachan skipped past a number of players before his run was halted by a trip on the left hand side of the box. The summer-signing curled the resultant free-kick to the back post for the unfortunate  keeper flapped the ball into the net.

A neat move saw the visitors breach the Glens box but the final ball across the face of the goal was touched home from an offside position. The Glens responded and created a number of chances before extending their lead with a well-worked goal. Cammy Marlow played a slick one two with Connolly deep on the right hand side before picking out Strachan wide on the left with a peach of a pass, who then cut inside before slipping the ball into Connolly’s path to angle a shot past the keeper from 8 yards out.

The Saints’ fighting spirit shone through again when a long ball up the park cannoned off Ryan McChesney leaving the chasing forward and free run in on goal and to finish in some style. The Glens had a chance to restore a two goal cushion when the keeper brought down Connolly in the box. The Glens’ striker hopes of  hat-trick evaporated when his spot-kick sailed well over the bar.

Video highlights courtesy of Glenafton TV

Ayr United U19s 1 Glenafton 2

The deciding game proved to be a cup cracker with United taking the lead in the first half.

Adam Strachan converted a penalty after the break and former Ayr player Cammy Marlow (left) crowned off a great day’s football with a stunning header to clinch the cup.

Video highlights courtesy of Glenafton TV