• Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup
• 1st Round
• Loch Park, New Cumnock
• Saturday 25th March 2017

• GLENAFTON ATHLETIC  2 (1)
  • David Gray 2
• KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1 (1)
  
  • Mick O’Byrne

Glenafton made six changes from the side the started last Saturday in the Scottish Junior Cup victory over Sauchie Juniors. In came Blair Lochhead, Dan Orsi, Chris Meikle, Conor Lynass, Joe Andrew and John Carter for Brian McGarrity, Craig Menzies, Ryan McChesney, Ally Park, Mick McCann & Cameron Marlow.

The teams met two weeks ago in a league encounter at Loch Park when the home side came out on top 3-1 in what was a hard-fought contest. Today’s match was no different with the hosts just edging it with a late penalty kick.

Kilbirnie took the lead after Paul Harkins wide on the left floated a free kick into the box which was knocked met by Ciaran McElroy for defender Mick O’Byrne to drill a shot through a ruck of players which ended in the ball taking a wicked deflection off Conor Lynass to sent the keeper the wrong way before nestling in the net.

Glenafton equalised in similar fashion after winning a free kick a few yards from the edge of the D on the penalty box. Up stepped dead ball specialist and former Kilbirnie player David Gray and although far from his best kick the ball rattled off the wall to deflect the ball into the far post while keeper Kieran Hughes headed for the near post.

H/T Glens 1 Kilbirnie 1

All square at the break both sides had decent chances before the late drama where in a cruel twist of fate  Lynass’s shot from inside the box was blocked by the arm of O’Byrne, the protagonists of the opening goal. With 2 minutes to go Gray slotted home the spot kick for the fourth goal in a Glens shirt against his former side and secure progression to the second round.

F/T Glens 2 Kilbirnie 1

GLENAFTON ATHLTIC: 1. Blair Lochhead 2. Dan Orsi 3. Alan Cairns 4. Chris Meikle 5. Kyle McAusland 6. David Gray 7. Ryan Borris 8. Conor Lynass 9. Joe Andrew 10. Chris Dallas 11. John Carter Subs used: 12. Ally Park 14. Craig Menzies Subs not used:  15. Ryan McChesney 16. Craig Potter GK  Brian McGarrity

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1. Kieran Hughes 2. Ian Gray 3. James Creaney 4. Mick O’Byrne 5. Ciaran Donnelly 6, Paul Harkins 7. Pau Ronald 8. David Anderson 9. Martin Grehan 10. Adam Forde 11. Ciaran McElroy Subs: 12. Stevie Meechan 14. Darren Smith 15. David Green 16. Mark Staunton Gk Kerr