New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup 1st round

• Saturday 18th October, James McGrory Park, Provanmill, Glasgow

ST. ROCH’S 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 4  (3)

St. Roch’s and Glenafton Athletic – Showing Racism the Red Card (courtesy Glenafton TV)

On a windy day at James McGrory Park, the newly crowned Ardagh Glass Cup winners Glenafton were sportingly clapped onto the park by opponents St Roch’s. The only change in the starting XI from the previous two games saw local lad Derek Rush replacing Brian McGarrity as the regular goalkeeper was unavailable due to the birth of his first child.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors with Mick Wardrope volleying narrowly wide following an impressive cross by the overlapping Alan Cairns.

Hat-Trick Hero Alain Kinney

Glens eventually opened the scoring against their Central Divsion 2 opponents after a period of sustained pressure. Following a neat pass from Adam Strachan, midfielder Cammy Marlow drove at the heart of the St Roch’s defence dribbling past two players before sliding the ball into the path of AlainKinney who slotted into the corner with a great first time finish.

Glens remained on the front foot and were unfortunate not to take a two goal lead with midfielders Wardrope and Strachan seeing efforts drift closely over the bar. St Roch’s created their first chance of the half following a neat one-two between their Daniel Hazlett and Thomas McLuskey, ending with latter through one on one with stand-in keeper Rush, however his finish lacked conviction and drifted harmlessly by the post.

The visitors doubled the advantage shortly after. Wardrope picking out Strachan with a delightful cross-field pass who then showed a great turn of pace to go past the defender to hit the byeline, before picking out Kinney who poked the ball home.

Glens continued to dominate possession although St Roch’s always looked dangerous on the counter attack with attractive passing play that caught the eye. It was from one of these attacks that they grabbed a goal back through former on-loan Albion Rovers striker TJ McLuskey slotting the ball past Rush.

Any hopes St Roch’s had of grabbing an equaliser were soon to be dashed.  The industrious Wardrobe was again involved, picking out Kinney with a neat pass, who turned nicely before finishing low past the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick, one that the prolific Jimmy McGrory would have been proud of , and which gave the Glens a 3-1 lead at the interval. H/T St. Roch’s 1 Glens 3

Glenafton were unfortunate not to increase their lead at the start of the second half, following good link up play by strikers Kinney and Connolly, with the latter producing a good save by the goalkeeper at his near post. Marlow was next to go close with his powerful shot from outside the area hitting the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Aaron Connolly

However, the Glens were not to be denied a fourth goal. Marlow picked out Aaron Connolly with a clever through pass, and after taking a touch to settle himself the striker finished the powerfully with his weaker left foot.

St Roch’s were unlucky not to pull a goal back late on but keeper Rush produced a fine stop acrobatically saving with his legs forcing the ball to hit the bar with the ball then being cleared to safety. F/T St. Rochs 1 Glens 4

St. Roch’s: Brian Haynes; Liam McMahon, Mark Mathieson, Graeme Highlands, James McKnight, Sean McLean, Jordan Logan, Paul Roans, Thomas McCluskey,Dominic Febers, Daniel Hazlett. Subs – Mark McDonnell, Martin Shiels, Chris McFadyen, Kieran Martin, John Connor

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Glenafton Athletic: Rush ; McChesney, McGeoghegan, Meikle; Orsi,Strachan, McKernon, Wardrop , Marlow; Kinney & Connolly. Subs. Used: Menzies, McGill & Walker; sub not used – Reilly

Thank you to Stephen Kerr for the match report.