PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 21
Glenafton Athletic	1 (1)	McKee
Arthurlie	1 (1)	Dykes
Tues 26 Mar 2024	KO 7:30 pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of former Glenafton player and lifelong supporter John Hamilton who sadly passed away last week.

Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Cumnock Juniors on Saturday with Cammy Crooks replacing Hugh Kerr (unavailable).

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of former Glenafton player and lifelong supporter John Hamilton who sadly passed away week.

With a 7:30pm kick-off the match was played under the Loch Park lights with biting cold wind blowing from east to west along the length of the pitch. The home side kicked off with the wind at their back once, that is, the ball could be settled on the centre spot!  

Although Arthurlie enjoyed some early possession including some goalmouth scrambles. However, Glenafton soon got a grip of the game recent signings Cammy Cross and Cammy Ross looking lively in their first home game.

It was good build up play down the left with Crooks, Mick McMullin and Sam McKee combining before the latter engineered his was into a busy box.  From here McKee clipped fashioned a shot that had the home support filling their lungs with the cold air in anticipation, as the ball seemed at first to be heading wide of the back post only to curl as commanded and find the space between the upright and keeper Clarke at full stretch before bulging the net. Breathe out and cue celebrations Glens 1-0 on 12 minutes.

The Glens continued to press and the strong wind was playing with havoc the keeper’s several not getting any distance and swerving out for throw-ins. The home side won several corner-kick, including three in quick succession but it was visitors’ rearguard that were winning the aerial battles.

Arthurlie weathered the storm and drew level on 35 minutes. A determined break down the left saw them keep possession winning tackle after tackle leaving a ‘Lie attacker free to chase a loose ball making its way into the edge of the box forcing keeper David Markey to race from his line and the collision that followed earned him a booking and Arthurlie a penalty. Up stepped Dylan Dykes to slam home the equaliser.

Glens responded an won a couple of free-kicks on the outskirts of the box the second which McMullin floated to the back post where Ollie Rowe won the aerial battle to head the ball home but deemed to be from an offside position.

HT Glens 1 Arthurlie 1

Arthurlie made a double substitution at the break with Lee Roulston and Tam McGaughey making way for Conor Bolger and Max Kerr. The wind had eased, but just a little, while the temperature dropped in harmony. 

Play raged back and forth with few clear-cut chances on show. Glens brought on fresh legs with Cammy Ross coming off to warm applause and replaced by Dylan O’Kane. There were now four players on the park calling Dylan – all blowing in the wind.

O’Kane looked lively in an around the box and won a free kick at the edge of the ‘D’ but this too was cleared by the ‘Lie defence.

Glenafton’s best chance of the half fell to Michael Moffat who won the ball on the left, just inside the ‘Lie half, and then skipped past two defenders to the corner of the box before drilling a low angled shot that beat the keeper but drifted inches wide of the back post.

At the other end Arthurlie came close to grabbing all three points with a cracking volley that crashed off the cross bar.  In a further push for the winner, they brought on striker Scott Anson for Dykes.

However, both sides had to settle for a share of the points.

FT Glenafton 1 Arthurlie 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 2. Cammy Ross (19. Dylan O’Kane) 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 15. Cammy Crooks 7. Sam McKee 9. Michael Moffat Subs Not Used: 10. Alex McWaters 11. Ryan Sinnamon, 16. Craig Johnston, Trialist

ARTHURLIE
Max Clarke, Mark Docherty (captain), Jordan Duncan, MacNeil, Ryan Wharton, Jordan Leyden, Lee Roulston (Conor Bolger), Dylan McGuigan, Tam McGaughey (Max Kerr), Dylan Dykes (Scott Anson), Dylan Fletcher Subs not used: Momodou Sugufara, Ciaran McPherson