Saturday 15 Sep 2022 KO 2:00pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock
Trade Radiators South Challenge Cup	2nd Round
Glenafton Athletic 2 (1)	McKernon, S. McKenzie
Lugar Boswell Thistle 0 (0)

Glenafton made one change from the 11 that started against Darvel last Friday evening with Calvin Kemp making way from Jamie McKernon. In visitors dug-out was former Glenafton player Johnny Baillie, now manager of Lugar Boswell Thistle.

Glens were first to threaten after Leon Murphy broke into the right-hand side of the box cut inside Lauchlan Reid before firing a shot that slipped wide of the far post.

The home side dominated the early possession for a spell with the ball being switched from side to side as they looked for openings which albeit were thin on the ground.  

Leon Murphy broke into the right-hand side of the box cut inside Lauchlan Reid before firing a shot that slipped wide of the far post. Michael McMullin was busy down the left and won a corner on 10 minutes that was headed clear before and the chance gone. Hugh Kerr released McMullin down the left to whip a dangerous ball across the face of the goal that was met by Ollie Rowe at the back post only for shot to skewed wide of target.

Lugar began to grown into the game and enjoyed a good spell of attacking play. Midway through the half keeper Robbie Wilson launched a long high ball upfield that was headed on by Sean Robertson for Conan Macklin to chase down in the box only for McMullin to hook the ball clear which was quickly snapped up by Grant Wallace who in turn found Macklin on the edge of the box. From here he gave McMullin the slip and rode a tackle from Paul Paton before setting up a shot that sailed wide of the post.

Soon after, Lewis Kerr slotted a great through ball to give Robertson a free run to goal, only for another tight offside decision to go against the frustrated visitors.

Glens responded through McMullin delivering another dangerous ball into box where although Kerr won the aerial battle his header dropped over the bar.

Back came Boswell and pegged Glens back in their own box with three corner kicks from Conor Connel in quick succession – the first was scrambled clear by the Glens defence, the second forced keeper Markey to punch the ball wide from his near post and the third taking a fortunate bounce of the shin of Rowe in a packed six-yard box allowing him to quickly mop up the loose ball to deny Kyle McCulloch at the back post.     

At the other end James Martin broke down the right to win a corner and it was McCulloch in his defensive role that cleared the danger with a brave header. It was the home side’s turn to pile the pressure on. McMullin clipped a ball into the left-hand side of the box where it was chested down by Jamie McKernon who rolled it back to Kerr to blast a shot from 18 yards that deflected off Adam Lowe and over the bar. It was McKernon that floated the corner-kick to the back post where Rowe’s header fell safely into the hands of goalie Wilson. Soon after Rowe’s shot from inside the box bulged the side netting at the stanchion.

A minute before the break the Glens made the breakthrough. It was no surprise that it came from another McMullin cross into the box which although was headed cleared by Jack Taylor the ball was chested down by Jamie McKernon on the outskirts of the box and after taking a touch followed by a step to the side, he lashed a low shot from 22 yards that flew past Wilson at full stretch, into the corner of the net.

HT Glens 1 Lugar 0

Glens made two changes at the break with Leon Murphy and Ollie Rowe making way for Sean McKenzie and Dylan O’Kane both of whom played their part in the host’s first chance of the second half. O’Kane gathered the ball in the centre-circle and slipped it forward to McKee on the left who then played a great reverse pass for the overlapping McMullin to chase down in the box and square for McKenzie to give a defender the slip before firing the ball inches wide of the post from 6 yards out.

At the other end McCulloch’s header from a corner kick deflected off Pettigrew’s head and behind for another corner which McCulloch won in the air again heading the ball wide of target.

Just before the hour mark Lugar brought on Mitchell Ewing for Sean Robertson while soon after Glens brought on Calvin Kemp for Hugh Kerr. In between times Connel curled a free kick over the wall from 20 yards out only for Markey to get down low and save at the base of the post.

Lugar made another change with Lewis Kerr making way for Dominic Horton.

Midway through the half Glens came close to doubling their lead. Some excellent build up play set up McMullin wide on the left to whip a cross into the box which was headed back out and picked up by Paton, who rolled it back to McKernon to play a slick one-two with Kemp before thumping a shot that thundered off the bar sending the ball high into the air and eventually out of play.

The visitors responded with another corner-kick which came to nothing before both sides made further changes. Glens brought on Adan Caldwell for James Martin and later Lugar replaced Laughlan Reid with Dean McLaughlin.

Although Lugar had faded as an attacking force keeper Wilson pulled off a fantastic save on 79 minutes to keep them in the tie. McMullin on the left, lofted a high ball into the box and McKenzie leapt head and shoulders above Wylie to power a header from 10 yards out only for Wilson to dive to his right and punch the ball round the post earning well deserved praise from his team mates. McKernon’s corner kick found its way back him before he whipped it deep into the six-yard box where Wilson punched it clear.

Glens continued to press as Aldin El-Zubaidi gathered the ball in the centre-circled and squared it to Paton on the right who quickly slipped the ball up the wing for Caldwell before breaking forward to complete the one-two and then roll the ball into the right hand side of the box for the incoming McMullin to clip it across the face of goal at pace for Kemp at the back post who looked certain to score only to skew his shot wide of target.

On 81 minutes the pressure paid off beginning again with El-Zubaidi in the centre-circle only this on occasion he played it down the left to McKee who then sent the ball into the box for the overlapping McMullin to fire a low ball into the goalmouth for the inrushing Sean McKenzie to guide it home with an outstretched leg from 4 yards out.

Glens stroked the ball about as they went in search of a third goal and came close when at the end of another fine passage of passing play ended with McKee unleashing a blistering shot from 30 yards out only for Wilson to get down low and tip it wide of the post. The keeper clutched the corner cleanly out the air to complete a fine shift.

FT Glens 2 Lugar 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 33. Aldin El-Zubaidi 4. Craig Pettigrew (capt.), 35. Michael McMullin 11. Leon Murphy (16. Sean McKenzie) 17. James Martin (2. Adam Caldwell) 22. Oliver Rowe (18. Dylan O’Kane) 8. Paul Paton 6. Jamie McKernon 7. Sam McKee 9. Hugh Kerr (10. Calvin Kemp). Subs. Not Used 4. David Blyth 12. Ross Jordan 15. Ryan Nisbet 16. Cameron McKenzie

LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE
21. Robbie Wilson 2. Kyle McCulloch 3. Lauchlan Reid (18. Dean McLaughlin) 4. Jamie Wylie 5. Adam Lowe 6. Jack Taylor 7. Conan Macklin 8. Grant Wallace 9. Sean Robertson (14. Mitchell Ewing) 10. Craig Connel 11. Lewis Kerr (12. Dominic Horton). Subs Not Used: 15. Craig McLean 16. Murray 17. Thomson

Match Photos

Glenafton Athletic v Lugar Boswell