Largs took the lead on 16 minutes after Lewis Davidson timed his run into the box to meet a ball cut back from the bye-line on the right and volley into the net from 10 yards out. The home side doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Liam Lapsley pounced on an attempted clearance from the right-hand side of the Glens box to lash a low angled shot from 15 yards out into the net at the far post.
HT Largs 2 Glens 0
Largs added a third on 56 minutes after Jamie Martin burst upfield with three Glens players in pursuit and on reaching the 18 yard line, midway between the edge of the ‘D’ and the left- hand side of the box, he delicately chipped the ball over keeper Max Currie’s head rooted on his six-yard line.
Three minutes later, Ollie Rowe deep in the Glens half beat Travis Stracey to the ball and clipped it back toward keeper Currie advanced to a yard or so from the 18 yard-line to take a touch only for Stracey to chase it down and knock the ball towards the six-yard line before both players tumbled to the ground by which time Davidson had arrived in the box and stroke the ball into the empty net for 4-0.
Two minutes later Brannan McDermott pulled one back for the Glens, the visitors conceded an own goal on 75 minutes to complete the scoring.
FT Largs 5 Glens 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Max Currie 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Blair Anderson 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Evan Maley 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Callum Wilson. Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen 14. David Craig 15. Jamie Low 16. Dylan O’Kane 17. Kelvin Daniel 18. Cammy Ross
LARGS THISTLE
1. George O’Connor 3. Laurie McMaster 18. Connor Bradley 24. Craig Little 5. Cory Hughes 6. Liam McVey 12. Liam Lapsley 8. Lewis Davidson 7. Martin 9. Will Sewell 10. Travis Stracey Subs. 11. David Ramsay 14. Logan O’Boy 17. McGrath 20. Devine 23. Urquhart 27. John Cumming GK. Adam Strain
Glenafton played host to Armadale Thistle in 4th round of the Scottish Communities Cup who currently sit at the top of the East of Scotland First Division. The two clubs have met once before in the Scottish Junior Cup, some sixty years ago in season 1965/66 in the 2nd round at Volunteer Park, where Dale won 2-1 with McLean scoring for the Glens.
Glens made three changes to the eleven that started against Kilwinning Rangers last Saturday with Lewis Currie, David Craig and Chris Erskine (injured) making way for Blair Anderson, Evan Maley and Ross Lindsay.
Armadale kicked off and within a minute Craig McCracken pulled up injured after chasing down a ball and was replaced by Lewis Currie.
Back came Dale through Felix Hall breaking in from the left, deep into the box, only for his shot from a tight angle to be blocked by the feet of keeper Max Currie before Ryan Cowie pounced on the loose ball to fire it over the bar from 8 yards out. Craig Baillie then weaved his way into the left-hand side of the box to drill a low angled shot to the near post where keeper Currie diverted it out for a corner-kick, which was cleared. Soon after Baillie, from the left again, floated a ball to the post for the incoming Ben Craig-Hylslop only for Brannan McDermott to intercept at the expense of a corner-kick, and then head that clear.
Some respite for Glens as Blair Anderson clipped a ball into a busy Dale box which was eventually gathered by Callum Wilson who held off tackles from two defenders to engineer a shot from 8 yards only to be deflected over the bar for a corner on the left. Wilson curled the ball high into a packed six-yard box where it was scrambled out for another corner on the far-side. Wilson floated this one to the far corner of the six-yard box where Ollie Rowe leapt to head the ball down into the box only for Shuggy Kerr’s volley from 5 yards out to whiz past a group of players and inches wide of the post.
Play then raged back and forth in equal measure before the visitors began to press again.
On 25 minutes Lennox Smith launched a throw-in from the left to the near side of the six yard box where Ewan Herriot’s header sent the ball high into air before descending into the goalmouth for Craig-Hyslop to engineer a header that keeper Currie cleanly clutched. Soon after, a free-kick from the right was curled deep into the Glens box and headed out by Kerr only for a good old stramash to follow ending with Hall going down after a challenge from Ross Lindsay, a yard outside the box. Although Cowie blasted the free-kick into the four-man wall the visitors recovered the ball to win a corner on the right which eventually fell for Cowie only for his net-bound shot to be pushed over the bar by the leaping Currie. Back-to-back corner kicks were followed by another sustained siege in the Glens box only for the defence to stand firm.
The home side then enjoyed a good spell of sustained possession with slick passing in the Dale half, albeit without breaching their box or creating any shots against a well drilled defence. Indeed, after another attack broke down just inside the Dale half, the visitors counter-attacked with Baillie breaking through the middle and on reaching the ‘D’ laid the ball off to Craig-Hyslop bursting into the right-hand side of the box only for his return ball into the goalmouth to be intercepted by McDermott at the expense of the corner, which saw Heriot’s header sail high over the bar on 35 minutes.
Play then reverted back to another phase of raging back and forth without either keeper tested.
HT Glens 0 Armadale 0
The floodlights were switched at the break.
Two minutes into the second half Glens were first to threaten after Evan Maley pounced on a headed clearance to crack a low angled shot from 25 yards that whizzed wide of Herriot and keeper Andrew Murray at full stretch, which one deflected the ball wide for the corner is unclear, perhaps both!
Wilson floated the kick high to the back post for Rowe only for Baillie to intercept with a header which fell for Ross Lindsay on the penalty spot and his volley sailed high over the bar; while claims it struck Stewart were waved away.
Back came Glens with Mullen breaking down the right to the corner flag where he gave Jack Sayers the slip before taking Smith out of play with a square ball to Lee Duncanson who lobbed the ball high into the goalmouth where McDermott played a one-two with Wilson before his shot was gathered on the line by the keeper.
The tide turned however with Dale breaking forward in numbers or floating free kicks and corners into the Glens box packed with players from both sides only for the ball to be scrambled clear.
In between times both teams made substitutions with the visitors bringing on Lewis Shankland for the injured Lennox Smith and the home side brought on the fresh legs of Jamie Low for Blair Anderson,
Midway through the half, Hamilton on the right from deep in the Glens half launched a long throw to the near post where Lewis Currie and Heriot leapt together with one or the other knocking the ball down which fell for Sayers to drill a low shot that deflected off Rowe and out for a corner which was overhit and cleared.
On 70 minutes Dale made another change with Jayden Fairley replaced by Alan Higgins.
Mullen held off Stewart to release Maley down the right to drive to the corner only for his cross to be blocked by Shankland. Wilson floated the ball towards a clutch of players gathered near the penalty spot where Rowe and Baillie leapt together deflecting the ball back towards the 18 yard line where Lindsay took a touch curling a low shot only to be intercepted by Higgins, sending the ball high over both the keeper’s head and crossbar.
Wilson curled this corner to the outskirts of the six-yard box where Kerr and Stewart jumped together sending the ball high into air and descending on the penalty spot only for Low to leap and knock it back towards the six-yard box through a crowd of players before Shankland launched the ball upfield.
On 76 minutes Glens made a double substitution with Branna McDermott and Callum Wilson making way for David Craig and Dylan O’Kane.
Dale won a corner on the right which was driven low to the near post where Shankland, with two Glens players tight on his back, took a touch deflecting the ball high into the side netting.
On 80 minutes Glens came close to breaking the deadlock. Mullen won a corner on the right where Low played it short to Mullen before retreating up the touchline to complete the one-two before curling the ball high into the box where both Rowe and Kerr leapt with Sayers sending the ball high into the air again. On its descent Kerr gathered the ball and laid it off to Lindsay with a delicate back heel, who then skipped past Sayers and held off Shankland to drive to the edge of the six-yard box some three yards from the bye-line before firing a shot from an acute angle only for keeper Murray to pull off a magnificent save to push the ball round the post and high into the air for a corner, which was cleared.
Back came Dale with Baillie bursting down the left to the bye-line with Lewis Currie on his heels to whip a great cross to the back post for the incoming substitute Callum Heath only for keeper Currie at his near post to claw the ball away. The visitors laid siege to the Glens box from both wings only for the Glens defence to stand firm although it seemed Dale would fashion a last-minute winner.
Cowie chased a ball down the left with 4 red shirts in pursuit and evaded a challenge from Duncanson on the bye-line before attempting to chip the ball over Currie at his near post for the unmarked substitute Dominic Kane breaking towards the back post, only for the keeper to push the ball up into the air to drop at the near post where Low held off the challenge of Stewart to win the header albeit sending it towards the top corner of the goal where Lewis Currie was on guard to head of the line before Rowe completed this bout of head tennis. Dale had another bite at the cherry as the loose ball was snapped up by Higgins only for his low diagonal shot to be blocked by Rowe and the ball cleared by Lindsay
FT Glens 0 Armadale 0
And so to the penalty shoot-out: Dale were first to kick and after four penalties the score-line was 2-2. Dale missed their next penalty and Glens next penalty was saved; still 2-2. The score-line then progressed to 4-4 and so on to a sudden death penalty shoot-out – Dale scored and Dale’s keeper Andrew Murray saved Glens last spot-kick. Thistle progress to the next round winning 5-4 on penalties.
Good luck to Armadale Thistle.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Max Currie 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Blair Anderson (16. Jamie Low) 4. Craig McCracken (14. Lewis Currie) 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Evan Maley 7. Brannan McDermott (15. David Craig) 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Callum Wilson (17. Dylan O’Kane). Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen 18. Kelvin Daniel 17. Dylan O’Kane
ARMADALE THISTLE
1. Andrew Murray 2. Gavin Hamilton 3. Lennox Smith 4. Jack Sayers 5. Ewan Herriot 6. Jayden Fairley 7. Felix Hall 8. Ben Stewart 9. Ryan Cowie 10. Craig Baillie 11. Ben Craig-Hyslop Subs: 23. Callum Nelson (gk) 12. Callum Shanks 14. Lewis Shankland 15. Alan Higgins 16. Dominic Kane 17. Callum Heath 18. Kai Coyle
Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against Johnstone Burgh Saturday with keeper David Markey making way by mid-week signing Max Currie.
The pitch passed an early morning inspection after some heavy rainfall overnight.
The Glens kicked off and play flowed back and forth in the early exchanges with a half-chance at either end. For the Glens, Chris Erskine’s low shot from 25 yards comfortably held by the keeper. For the Buffs, Bryan Boylan’s shot was blocked and knocked out for a shy, which introduced the ‘long throw’ specialist, creating havoc in the Glens box and the ball scrambled clear.
Buffs began to turn the screw, breaking forward in numbers with options on both flanks and the pressure paid of mid-way through the half. Ben Lewis gathered the ball on right hand side of the box, at the bye-line, and clipped it to the back post where Ollie Rowe intercepted sending the ball high into the air and on its descent, it fell for No. 8 to on the 18 yard line to crack a shot that keeper Max Currie leapt to push the ball high into the air falling into a group of players from both teams out of which Ryan Wilson chased down the loose ball and although Craig McCracken blocked his shot on the six-yard line the striker persevered and his second attempt, now from the right hand edge of the six-yard box and a yard from the bye-line, he angled a low shot past two defenders and the keeper and into the net. Glens 0 Buffs 1, 23 minutes.
The visitors continued to press with wave after wave of attacks with Ryan Wilson creating havoc. The attacking full back (No. 2) whipped the ball in from right for Wilson only for his header to dip over the bar. Soon after his shot from a tight angle, deep in the right-hand side of the box, was blocked by Max Currie at the near post and then Wilson’s volley from deep in the box was pushed wide by the keeper for a corner. In a packed box, Wilson with his back to goal hooked the ball over his head only for it drift just wide of the junction of the post and bar.
The striker’s efforts were soon rewarded as he chased down a long ball played into the left-hand side of the Glens box and although keeper Currie raced from his line, he was suddenly caught in no-man’s land as Ryan Wilson, from an acute angle, composed himself to float the ball over the keeper’s head and into the gaping net. Glens 0 Buffs 2, 38 minutes.
Wilson was denied a first half hat-trick after keeper Currie dived at his feet and soon after another long throw was launched into the Glens goalmouth the ball up bounced up at the back post and Wilson’s header across the face of goal was plucked out the air by Currie.
Some respite for the home side before the break as Erskine gathered the ball in Buffs half and picked out Kerr on the left to break forward and drive a low angled shot from 16 yards that the keeper got down low to push away before the loose ball was cleared. Soon after Erskine pulled up and was replaced by Evan Maley just before the break.
HT Glens 0 Kilwinning 2
The Glenafton half-time talk had an immediate impact. Callum Wilson gathered the ball at the right edge of the Buffs’ box about 16 yards from the bye-line only to be pushed to the ground by defender. Wilson floated the free kick to the six-yard line where Hugh Kerr leapt between two defenders to bullet a header that the keeper, a yard off his line, could not hold the ball diverting it into the net. Glens 1 Buffs 2, 48 minutes
The Buffs responded with a long throw from the right deep into box where Maley headed the ball high into the air only for No.7 to meet it on the drop and crack a shot that dipped inches over the bar.
Back came the Glens with Brannan McDermott setting up a shot for Michael Mullen to blast a low shot from 22 yards that the keeper got down low to stop before Kerr’s attempt to drive home the rebound was blocked, sending the ball out for corner. Callum Wilson curled the ball into a packed six-yard box and it’s not clear if anyone got a touch, before it bounced two yards from goal-line before drifting past the back post.
Glens continued to press, breaking forward in numbers and the fight back was on, only for their bubble to burst, and with a big bang.
The home side lost possession just inside the Buffs half and the ball was quickly launched into the Glens box where the Buffs engineered a shot which seemed to be covered by keeper Currie only for it take a bounce and the keeper lose his grip of the ball allowing Ryan Wilson to pounce and clip the ball over his head towards the back post, where Ben Lewis was first to react, and drifted wide of Currie and McCracken to clip the ball into the net. Glens 1 Buffs 3, 62 minutes.
Glens enjoyed a couple of attacks without testing the keeper before the Buffs struck again. A long throw from the left into the box, saw Ryan Wilson’s seemingly net bound header clawed away by the outstretched hand of keeper Currie, crashing to the ground in the process, however Wilson took another touch before Bryan Boylan volleyed the ball into the net from within a packed six-yard box. Glens 1 Buffs 4, 67 minutes.
Glens made a double substitution with Lewis Currie and Callum Wilson making way for Jamie Low and Dylan O’Kane.
Buffs continued to press and a free kick from the right-hand edge of the box, a few yards from the touchline, saw No. 4’s header, headed off the line by McDermott sending the ball high into the air before it fell for No. 8 to drill a low shot that keeper Currie, on his knees pushed away, only for the ball to clipped back into the goalmouth where Boylan’s header dipped inches over the bar.
However, turn your back for a second or two and Buffs had won the ball again forcing Currie to rush from his line only for Ryan Wilson to slip the ball under the keeper and the usher the ball into net and to complete his hat-trick. Glens 1 Buffs 5, 71 minutes.
Chances came at went at the either end but perhaps to the Glens relief there was no further scoring from the buoyant Buffs.
FT Glenafton 1 Kilwinning 5
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Max Currie 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Lewis Currie (16. Jamie Lowe) 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. David Craig 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Callum Wilson (18. Dylan O’Kane) 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Chris Erskine (17. Evan Maley) Subs Not Used: David Markey (gk) 12. Callum McFadyen 14. Blair Anderson 15. Ross Lindsay
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Renfrew last Saturday with Kelvin Daniel (injured), Evan Maley (injured) and Jamie Low making way for Craig McCracken, David Craig and Lewis Currie.
The two sides met two weeks ago at Loch Park in the 2nd round of West of Scotland Football League Cup where after a 3-3 draw Burgh went through to the next round 6-5 on penalties. As before former Glenafton players captain Craig Menzies was in the starting eleven and Leon Murphy on the bench, while former goalkeeping coach Billy Peacock was in the Burgh dug-out.
Burgh took the lead on 17 minutes after Blair Rossiter gathered the ball on the right before cutting inside and driving into the ‘D’ where from 18 yards out he drilled a low shot between two defenders and although keeper David Markey appeared to have the ball under his control, he let it slip into the net. Glens 0 Burgh 1, 17 mins
Glens levelled two minutes later, after Callum Wilson curled a glorious high ball to the back post where keeper Luke Scullion leapt to clutch safely, only to lose the flight, while Ollie Rowe drifted behind him to leap and nod the ball into the net. Glen 1 Burgh 1, 19 mins.
The home side took the lead on 36 minutes after Michael Mullen gathered the ball on the outskirts of the box before clipping it to Chris Erskine to his left, who let it drift deeper into the left hand side of the box before cutting inside and slipping past one defender and nutmegging a second to feed Mullen at the near post who held off one defender before guiding the ball past the diving keeper with the outside of his foot. Glens 2 Burgh 1, 36 minutes.
HT Glens 2 Burgh 1
The home side held the lead until 69 minutes after Ian McShane floated a free kick from just inside the Glens half into the right hand side of the box where a Burgh header sent it high towards a busy penalty spot and after some more head tennis the ball fell for Rossiter to control on his chest before volleying a low shot that rebounded of a defender before Stuart Faulds lobbed a left-footed shot into the net. Glens 2 Burgh 2, 69 minutes.
A penalty shoot-out appeared to be on the cards again before the Glens scored a late winner after Mullen picked up the ball at the left hand corner of the penalty box and a defender a closing him down he rolled it gently into the path of substitute Ross Lindsay to whip a left-footed shot which took a bounce inside the six-yard box and beyond the reach of the crouching keeper and bulge the net. Glens 3 Burgh 2, 89 mins.
FT Glens 3 Burgh 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Lewis Currie 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. David Craig 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Callum Wilson 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen 11. Chris Erskine (15. Ross Lindsay) Subs Not Used: 21. James Hart (gk) 12. Callum McFadyen 14. Blair Anderson 16. Jamie Low
JOHNSTONE BURGH
1. Luke Scullion 2. Craig Menzies 3. Kian Gilday 4. Scott Forrester 5. Danny O’Neill (captain) 6. Ian McShane 7. Darren Christie 8. Stuart Faulds 9. Allan McKenzie 10. Blair Rossiter 11. Max Kerr Subs. Lewis King, Evan Currie, Malky McDonald, Leon Murphy, Aiden Gilmartin, Cammy Eadie, Aaron Mason.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Johnstone Burgh last Saturday with Ross Lindsay making way for Chris Erskine.
In the Renfrew dug-out is coach Ryan Borris, a member of the Glenafton treble winning squad of 2016/17 and joined Renfrew as a player at the start of season 2018/19.
Renfrew had enjoyed a couple of attacks albeit before taking an early lead after Ben Harwood from the edge of the box picked out Bob McLernan on the right-hand side of the ‘D’ who then weaved past Jamie Low before drilling a low vicious shot from a yard inside the box that flew through the legs of keeper David Markey on the six-yard line and into the net. Renfrew 1 Glens 0, 7 minutes.
Glens responded well, with Brannan McDermott and Chris Erskine combining down the right only for crosses into the box defended well by the ‘Frew defence. Another break down the right and McDermott was forced to roll the ball back to Callum Wilson to curl an inch prefect cross for the inrushing Shuggy Kerr to bullet a header from inside the six-yard box that beat the outstretched arm of keeper Danny McLeay and crashed off the cross-bar sending the ball high into the air to fall for Michael Mullen only for his header from 7 yards to sail over the bar.
At the other end McLernan chased down a long ball down the left from Logan Punton before cutting inside only to be brought down on the outskirts of the box by Kelvin Daniel. Cameron Kerr faced the four-man wall and fired a free kick which caught the leaping Evan Maley full on the head sending the ball high into the air and the midfielder collapsing to the ground with the referee quickly stopping play, thankfully he quickly recovered.
Play then raged back and forth with Erskine the driving force through the middle of the Glens attacks. At the other end Frew won a corner on the right which was curled into the six-yard box and punched away by both fists of Markey.
Back came Glens in numbers beginning with Wilson gathering the ball deep in his own half before playing a one-two with Erskine to break down the right and although his first attempt to clip the ball into the box was blocked by David McCallum he snapped up the rebound and released McDermott down the right to clip a ball to the far-side of the box from where Low headed the ball back to the edge of the six-yard box and Mullen managed to nick it from James Ferguson only for keeper McLeay to come off his line and although he knocked the ball from Mullen the determined Glens striker recovered to set up another shot from 3 yards out only to deflect off McCallum’s boot and wide of the post.
The corner from the right was floated to the edge of the six yard box where four players from each side had congregated and it Shuggy Kerr that won the aerial battle sending his header over another congregation in the six-yard box and inches wide of the far post.
Play continued to flow back and forth with the Glens looking the more threatening.
On 25 minutes McDermott broke down a Frew move deep in his own half and released Erskine to break down the right and then cut inside to drive to the edge of the ‘D’ where he picked out Mullen on the left to push deep into the box before cracking a low angled shot that the keeper got down low to punch away with both hands. Low pounced on the loose ball and curled it high to the edge of the six-yard box where Kerr and McCallum challenged while McCleay rushed from his line in an attempt to punch it clear, only to catch McCallum, falling soon after, but thankfully ok.
The visitors continued to press with Kerr breaking down the right before cutting the ball back to Erskine on the ‘D’ to turn and hold off the challenge of Sean Fyfe only for his shot to fly high and wide of target. Glens finally made the breakthrough after Michael Mullen pounced on Fyfe’s attempted pass back to his keeper and from 16 yards out blasted a low shot past McLeay on the six-yard line and into the right-hand corner of the net. Renfrew 1 Glen 1, 35 minutes.
Soon after Erskine gathered a pass on the right-hand side of the box and as defenders closed in he made a diagonal run back towards the ‘D’ only to blast a shot from 16 yards that whizzed past a clutch of defenders only for McLeay to get down low and push the ball wide of the post. Although the corner kick was cleared continued with a wave of attacks.
Nevertheless, while Renfrew had enjoyed few attacks of their own and on the stroke of half-time they regained their lead after McLernan burst into the right-hand side of the box before drilling a low a ball along the six-yard line beyond the reach of Rowe, Daniel and Markey at the near post for the incoming Ben Harwood to guide the ball home. Renfrew 2 Glens 1, 45 minutes.
HT Renfrew 2 Glens 1
Glens kicked off and three minutes they had drawn level after Erskine gathered the ball in the centre circle before breaking forward to release a perfectly weighted pass up the right or McDermott to chase and as Punton closed him down, he clipped a diagonal ball into the six yard box for the incoming Michael Mullen, under pressure from McCallum, to angle a shot into the net beyond the reach of the keeper at his near post. Renfrew 2 Glens 2, 48 minutes.
Play resumed back and forth but on 55 minutes it came to a standstill after a clash of heads of team-mates Kelvin Daniel and Evan Maley as they both challenged for the ball along with Fyfe, leading to a foul for Renfrew.
Thankfully Evan was able to leave the field under his own accord. However, Kelvin appeared to be out cold and thanks to Glenafton physio Laura Pagan kindly assisted by Renfrew physio Laura Sangster, he was later stretchered off some 7 minutes later by some his team-mates, apparently in good spirits.
Glens brought on Craig McCracken and Ross Lindsay for Kelvin Daniel and Evan Maley.
Play resumed with a free kick which Punton curled wide of the three-man wall, high to the back post where the unmarked Fyfe bulleted a seemingly net-bound header only for Markey on his line to leap and get his fingertips to the ball pushing it on to the upper reaches of the post and the rebound cleared.
Both sides went in search of a winner. The Glens won a couple of corner kicks with no end product while at the other end McLernan from with a pocket of three defenders managed to fashion a shot from yards that bounced off the topside of the bar.
Frew got their noses in front for the third time after Fyfe won the ball in the centre-circle before clipping a defence splitting pass to the substitute Kenzie McCrystal at the far-side of the ‘D’ and then made a diagonal run to the corner of the six-yard box before drilling a low shot between Low and Markey at his near post, and although McCracken tried to stop it on the line down it ended up in the net. Renfrew 3 Glens 2, 72 minutes.
Glens responded with back-to-back corners which were defended well and soon after a Mullen free-kick from 25 yards was comfortably saved by McLeay.
Back came Renfrew and Kenzie McCrystal gathered the ball on the outskirt of the box before pushing forward to the ‘D’ and under pressure from Lee Duncanson he drilled a low shot through the defender’s legs sending Markey the wrong way as the ball sneaked in at the post. Renfrew 4 Glens 2, 80 minutes.
Glens made a double substitution with Shuggy Kerr and Chris Erskine making way for young strikers Robbie McDougall and Dylan O’Kane. Although the visitors had a couple of half-chances it was the home side that looked the more threatening.
A minute into the extensive added time saw a ball from the left played to the near post for substitute Aiden Malcolm only for Markey to dive at his feet and smother the ball and soon after a Frew corner was scrambled clear off the line.
In the last action of the match a Glens corner from the left saw Mullen win the header in the six-yard box and looked goal only to hit the defender at the back post full on the face and the rebound cleared.
FT Renfrew 4 Glens 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Kelvin Daniel (18. Craig McCracken) 3. Jamie Low 4. Lee Duncanson 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. Evan Maley (17. Ross Lindsay) 7. Brannon McDermott 8. Callum Wilson 9. Hugh Kerr (14. Robbie McDougall) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Chris Erskine (16. Dylan O’Kane). Subs. 21. James Hart (gk) 12. David Craig 15. Lewis Currie
RENFREW
1. Danny McLeay (captain) 2. Connor Cameron 3. Logan Punton 4. David McCallum 5. Ryan Rutherford 6. Sean Fyfe 7. Gregor Wylie 8. Cameron Kerr 9. Bob McLernan 10. James Ferguson 11. Ben Harwood Subs 12. Scott Morton 14. Aiden Malcolm 15. Kenzie McCrystal 16. Jordan McMahon 17. Alan Cook 18. Jack Lapsley
Glenafton made six changes from the eleven that started against Stranraer last Saturday with Blair Anderson, Craig McCracken (injured), Lewis Currie (injured), Chris Erskine (unavailable) and Jared Willet (making way for Kelvin Daniel, Ollie Rowe (captain), Brannan McDermott, Ross Lindsay. Callum Wilson and new signing Jamie Low – on loan from Partick Thistle. Jared has left the club and everyone at Glenafton Athletic wishes him well.
Jamie Low
Glenafton connections with Johnstone Burgh is former captain Craig Menzies in the starting eleven while Leon Murphy is on the bench and in the dug-out goalkeeping coach Billy Peacock.
Johnstone Burgh kicked off and were quickly on the front foot with Kian Gilday from the let floating to the near post where keeper David Markey and Lee Duncanson combined to foil Darren Christie. Soon after Blair Rossiter curled a free kick from the left into the heart of a packed goalmouth where Jamie Low headed the ball high into the air and as it descended into clutch of players Evan Maley was first to get a foot to the ball before Kyle Lafferty’s attempted volley which only succeeded fouling the Glens player with his standing – still worth a shout for a penalty, thought the ex-Killie player. Nevertheless, Lafferty was looking lively and dangerous, only however to get no peace or room from Kelvin Daniel who was having outstanding game.
On 15 minutes David Markey launched a free kick from 10 yards inside the Glens half to left hand side of the outskirts of the penalty box where Shuggy Kerr held off Danny O’Neill, glued to his back, before breaking into the box and curling a ball between Scott Forester and Craig Menzies high to the back post where the incoming Brannon McDermott beat Max Kerr to the ball and side-foot it between keeper Evan Currie and the post to bulge into the side-net at the far side. The celebrations included a family affair with provider Uncle Hugh and scorer nephew Brannon sharing the moment. Glens 1 Burgh 0, 15 minutes.
Back game Burgh through Christie on the right floating a ball to the back post where it was scrambled clear and gathered by Lafferty to win a corner on the left which was headed clear at the near post by Maley the ball eventually fell for Menzies just inside the Glens half to launch the ball into box only to be caught cleanly by Markey.
A period of end-to-end play then followed without either side generating any chances of note before Burgh then enjoyed another period deep possession deep in the Glens half.
Max Kerr from just inside the Glens half burst down the left driving past 3 red shirts only for Daniel to strip the ball from him on the 18-yard line. Rossiter pounced on the loose ball but he too was robbed at the edge of the box by Maley who then nutmegged Rafferty to pick out Ross Lindsay only for Christie to intervene. He picked out Gilday on the left to launch the ball into the box where Lafferty and Rowe each challenged for the ball sending it high up into the air only for Rossiter to meet it on the drop and crack a ferocious shot from the corner of the six-yard box where for Markey blocked it with both hands at the near post. Back-to-back Burgh corner kicks followed midway through the half and soon another cross into the box saw Christie and Duncanson leap for the ball sending it looping into the air and clutched by Markey under the bar.
Kelvin Daniel
The home side then enjoyed some possession in the Burgh half albeit without testing keeper Currie before the visitors began to turn the screw.
On the half hour mark a stramash between Lindsay, Daniel and McDermott for the Glens and Faulds and Lafferty for Burgh ended with the ball popping out for the busy Rossiter, on the outskirts of the box on the left-hand side, to lash a ferocious shot which Markey at the near post was happy to watch it fly over the far post.
Kian Gilday, faced with Daniel on the left-hand side of the box, opted to pick out Christie in the six yard box only for his curling cross to fly past and looking to head for the far corner of net forcing Markey to intervene and tip it over the bar. Rossiter overhit the corner intended for Lafferty and Kerr in the six-yard box and instead Daniel headed it high out to the edge of the ‘D’ where Callum Wilson beat McShane to the ball only for his header to be snapped up by Rossiter to curl another cross which skimmed of the top of Forrester’s head and out for a breather! Not so, as Burgh mounted another attack and although Faulds failed to find a way past the defensive line he rolled the ball to Gilday wide on the left to launch the ball into the six-yard box for Lafferty only for Rowe to win the aerial battle and head the ball out into the ‘D’ where Wilson gathered before Christie clattered him.
Burgh continued to press, through Max Kerr from wide on the left launching a high ball to the back post where Duncanson and McDermott were marking Menzies and Lafferty and it was striker that nodded the ball beyond Markey at the near post across the face of the empty net where Rowe headed it back from where it came where Lafferty leapt to guide another seemingly net bound header only for it to be headed clear, temporarily, by Daniel. Rossiter, from the right, whipped another corner to the back post where Forrester’s header flashed well wide under pressure from Kerr.
Glens then enjoyed another brief spell at the other end of the park including a free kick from distance that drifted wide of the post.
Back came Burgh, through Faulds from wide on the right clipping the ball into the box for Lafferty only for Daniel to win the aerial battle again, and head the ball clear of the box where it was quickly returned and cleared again by Daniel.
Soon after Burgh made the breakthrough. Faulds gathered the ball in the centre circle and rolled it wide to McShane on the left to dart across the half-way line before picking out Darren Christie in space with a forward diagonal pass, and although Lafferty was breaking into the left hand side of the box awaiting a pass , Christie instead pushed forward unchallenged before blasting a shot from 25 yards out between Rowe and Duncanson and into the top right corner of the net beyond the reach of Markey. Glens 1 Burgh 1, 41 minutes.
The buoyant Burgh piled on the pressure with another couple of dangerous balls into the box. Third time lucky saw Gilday wide on the left, losing his balance after launching such a high ball, which dropped perfectly for Kyle Lafferty to get the better off Rowe, and on his toes guided his header past Markey claiming for an infringement. Glens 1 Burgh 2, 45 minutes.
Shell shocked Glens won a free-kick after Wilson was tripped on the outskirts of the box and although Jamie Low curled the ball over the wall, it sailed over the bar.
HT Glens 1 Burgh 2
Glens kicked off and fairly soon suffered an early scare when Gilday on the left launched a throw-in to Lafferty to flick it down the wing with a neat back-heel for Max Kerr to drill a low drive from close to the touchline across the face of goal by-passing three defenders and thankfully two attackers as well. However, soon after Gilday gathered the ball wide on the left and played a slick one-two with Max Kerr to break deep into the Glens box and square it across the face of goal where several players from each persuasion had congregated. It was Christie that trapped the ball and quickly turned taking it toward the penalty spot before drilling it low through Ross Lindsay’s legs and with Markey unsighted and Menzies stepping out the way, it found its way into the net. Glens 1 Burgh 3, 53 minutes.
On the hour mark Glens made a change with Ross Lindsay making way for Dylan O’Kane. Glens enjoyed a couple of breaks upfield without testing the keeper
Burgh continued to press as Christie, from the right-hand side of the box, tried to pick out Lafferty only for Daniel to intercept and send a glancing header out for a corner on the left. McShane rolled it short to Rossiter who curled a ball to the back post for the inrushing Forrester and although Kerr won the ball it was knocked clear of the box and Faulds mopped it up to feed McShane, still wide on the left, who then cut inside and threaded a ball between two defenders to match Rossiter’s run into the box to drill a low shot that Markey blocked at the base of the post.
The corner kick was cleared and ball fed to O’Kane wide on the left, deep in the Glens half and as he began to break up field it appeared that Zee clicked his heels sending the young striker to the ground before then falling awkwardly just short of the half-way line; earning a yellow card as he hobbled away! The free kick was floated high to the outskirts of the ‘D’ where Faulds headed the ball back upfield only for Maley to return it to the edge of the box where O’Kane, despite the push on the back by Menzies, back-heeled the ball past him and into the path of Michael Mullen only for his low shot to be blocked by O’Neill.
Soon after Mullen pounced on a short pass from keeper Currie to O’Neill only for the keeper to clear Mullen’s shot at the expense of a corner-kick which was cleared.
Play was now raging back and forth and Burgh were up the park in numbers when on the right-hand side of the box Menzies picked up a pass from McShane weaved his way through a packed box to the left hand-side, played a one two with Kerr before laying it off to Lafferty to blast the ball high over the bar.
On 70 minutes Burgh made a double substitution with goalscorers Darren Christie and Kyle Lafferty replaced by Leon Murphy and Alan MacKenzie. The visitors continued to push forward in numbers and always a threat but the Glens defence stood firm.
Rossiter on the right played the ball back to O’Neill on the half-way line but under pressure from O’Kane and Mullen his pass to O’Shane went astray and was pounced on by Wilson. The Glens midfielder made a diagonal run to the right, and although McDermott was bombing upfield looking for a pass, Wilson had to skip past Murphy before clipping the ball up the touchline beyond the reach of Gilday, and although Forrester won the race for the ball his attempted clearance clattered off McDermott sending the ball into the path of Shuggy Kerr. The striker then pushed forward to the 18 yard line before curling a left footed shot into the net beyond the keeper’s reach. No time for family celebrations only a rush back to the centre circle. Glens 2 Burgh 3, 76 minutes.
The Glens then enjoyed a good spell of possession in an around Burgh’s box.
On 80 minutes Glens made a change with Brannon McDermott making way for Robbie McDougall while Burgh made a double change with Craig Menzies and Blair Rossiter making way for Malky McDonald and Aiden Gilmartin.
Gilmartin was quickly into the action with a low diagonal shot in the box that Markey got down low to push away at the base of the post.
Glens countered and won a corner on the right that Low floated high into a busy box where MacKenzie had a tight hold on Daniel as the keeper leapt but failed to grasp the ball and McDougall attempt at a shot from a tight space flew over the bar. The home side continued to press and another strong run by Wilson from deep in his own half earned another corner on the right, but again MacKenzie held Daniel and Faulds captured Mullen allowing Currie to cleanly catch the ball.
Burgh replied with a corner kick of their own on the right that McShane dropped into the heart of the box to take a bounce before Forrester clipped the ball to far post where Daniel outleapt McDonald to head the ball high into the air and Rowe followed up to head it further from danger. However, the ball was played wide to McShane to float in another deadly cross into box only for Lewis King to head it over the bar, under pressure for Daniel.
Play continued to rage from end to end with both teams in search of a crucial goal and it was the home side that delivered in the all but one last kick of the game. From deep on the right Rowe launched a throw high into the box for Mullen only for McShane to win the header but sending the ball deeper into the box where the ball fell for Kerr with his back to goal and trapped in a pocket of defenders. With his way forward blocked, the striker rolled the ball back to O’Kane in the ‘D’ to drill a low shot through a sea of legs to the back post only for Currie to dive and stop with a strong hand sending the ball back out towards the penalty spot where Michael Mullen cracked a low shot between Forrester and Currie and into the net. Glens 3, Burgh 3, 94 minutes.The ball was spotted after the celebrations before the final whistle blown.
Glens were first to take the spot kick and both sides delivered a perfect 5 out of 5. Glens 6th penalty was saved by Currie before Alan MacKenzie to conclude a thrilling game.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Kelvin Daniel 3. Jamie Low 4. Lee Duncanson 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. Evan Maley 7. Brannon McDermott (14. Robbie McDougall) 8. Ross Lindsay (16. Dylan O’Kane) 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen 11. Callum Wilson Subs. Not Used: 21. James Hart (gk) 12. Callum McFadyen, Blair Anderson
JOHNSTONE BURGH
1. Evan Currie 2. Craig Menzies (14. Malky McDonald) 3. Kian Gilday 4. Scott Forrester 5. Danny O’Neill 6. Ian McShane 7. Darren Christie (15. Leon Murphy) 8. Stuart Faulds 9. Kyle Lafferty (17. Alan McKenzie) 10. Blair Rossiter (16. Aiden Gilmartin) 11. Max Kerr (12. Lewis King). Subs Not Used: Luke Scullion, Graham
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against the Banks O’ Dee last Saturday with Ross Lindsay (suspended) and Callum Wilson making way for David Craig and Chris Erskine. Both Evan Maley and Michael Mullen were no strangers to Stair Park. Evan joined the U20 side from Kilmarnock U20 in Season 2014/15 and was loaned out to Troon the following two seasons, while Michael had a brief loan spell from Kilmarnock B in 2021/22.
Stranraer kicked off and were quick off the mark enjoying possession in and around the Glens box. Another attack saw Kirk McKnight gather the ball on the right and slot a pass to James Dolan in the corner of box only for Craig McCracken to close him down, force him to retreat and eventually nick the ball to release Chris Erskine upfield and from the edge of the centre circle he clipped a diagonal pass to Hugh Kerr who then gave two defenders the slip before curling a low shot from the edge of the ‘D’ that slipped wide of the post.
Back came Stranraer, winning the ball in the centre circle and releasing Matthew Gillies to drive down the right to the edge of the box and slip the ball to Ryan Edgar who in turn cut it back from the bye-line for Dolan, only for his shot from 8 yards to be blocked by Blair Anderson and after a scramble a low drive from Aaron Quigg was pushed wide by keeper David Markey. The corner from the left was headed clear at the near post only for Stranraer to recover the ball and mount another attack down the right through Gilles to whip the ball low along the six-yard line where a back heel from Scot Rough rolled the ball into the path of Ryan Edgar to side foot it into the net. However, the offside flag was up at Rough’s touch. Still only 5 minutes gone!
Play then began to rage back and forth with the low sunshine casting long shadows. On 17 minutes Lee Duncanson, from the right, floated a ball high towards the penalty spot and although Scot Rough won the aerial battle with Kerr the ball fell for Jared Willet to nudge it back to Kerr only for his shot to be blocked by Rough and then his second attempt blocked by Lewis Reid.
Glens were still up in numbers when possession was lost just inside the Stranraer half and the ball snapped up by Daniel McManus who curled it down the right into space for Edgar to chase down and then weave his way to edge of the box before clipping the ball inside for the unmarked James Dolan to take a touch before curling the ball past Markey and McCracken on the six-yard line and into the net. Stranraer 1 Glens 0, 21 minutes.
Back came Glens through Evan Maley gathering the ball on the half-way line, wide on the left, before switching it to Duncanson wide on the right to thread a forward pass to Erskine who floated a ball upfield for Kerr to get the jump on Rough and flick a header into the path of Michael Mullen’s diagonal run to the right hand side of the ‘D’ and break into the box before clipping it over the outrushing keeper Josh Lane and into the net. However, an offside flag spoiled the moment and Mullen convinced that Reid had played him on. Still Stranraer 1 Glens 0, 23 minutes.
At the other end, Finn Encrepont floated a free kick from wide on the right, 15 yards from the bye-line, to the back post where Quigg hooked it back across the face of goal where Rough’s looping header, under pressure from Anderson, looked to be dropping over the back of Markey and into the net only for the keeper to stretch upwards and backwards and finger-tip the ball over the bar.
Lee Duncanson from the centre circle floated a free-kick into the left hand-side of the box where Reid’s clearing header was mopped up by Willet to curl a ball to the far side of the box and although McManus won the race to gather the ball his clearance under pressure from David Craig fell for Erskine on the right some 18 yards from the bye-line. He patiently cut inside, almost inviting two defenders to approach so that he could weave through the gap between them to enter the box, only for one of them to then join another blue shirt providing another gap to align the flight path curling a shot, he had already planned in hi mind, that whizzed over the heads of another two blue shirts as the hypnotised keeper could only look on and watch the ball crash off the bar, after which Mullen gathered the loose ball only to be robbed by Rough.
Stranraer responded in a lethal fashion initially with a break wide on the left which saw Encrepont whip a ball across the face of goal only to be partially cleared as Gillies snapped up the loose ball to drive through the middle only to be forced back and feed McKnight on the right who then picked out McManus on the outskirts of the ‘D’ and in turn the ball was soon at the feet of Encrepont again to complete the circle. Here, from the left of the ‘D’ he floated a high ball to the edge of the six-yard box where two players from either side had gathered at the back post and unfortunately it was a Lewis Currie header that floated the ball into his own net the far post. Stranraer 2 Glens 0, 33 minutes.
Meanwhile Craig McCracken had pulled up with an injury and was replaced by Ollie Rowe, just back having missed the last six games through injury while Hugh Kerr passed him the captain’s armband.
Play went back and forth for a spell without any decent chances at either end before Glens were hit with another injury on 40 minutes as Lewis Currie was in some distress and made way for Brannan McDermott.
HT Stranraer 2 Glens 0
Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Stranraer half but again without creating any decent chances of note. Indeed, the lively Jordan Stuart nicked the ball at the centre circle and burst down the left before cutting into the box and blasting a diagonal shot that Markey did well to smother at the corner of his six-yard box.
Soon after, Mullen’s free-kick from 25 yards, whizzed wide of wall only to headed out for a corner by Quigg. Mullen floated the kick in the from the right, which was knocked wide by Reid at the back post, ruffling the side netting – and with the low sunshine the travelling support thought it had ruffled the inside of the net. The score of course, remained 2-0 in favour of the home side.
Nevertheless, the Glens had been holding their own, however on 63 minutes Stranraer brought on fresh legs, in stark contrast to the visitors first half substitutions required to replace injured defenders. Aaron Quigg, James Dolan and Kirk McKnight made way for Deryn Lang, Mark Russell and Dominic Plank.
It was Plank that made an immediate impression, gathering the ball just inside the Glens half, on the left touchline, and in a flash, he was motoring into the Glens box and after a step-over he drilled a low diagonal shot that beat Markey covering his near post only for the ball to whizz inches wide of the back post.
Stranraer made another substitution with Lewis Hunter replacing Danny McManus and he too made an immediate impact, scoring a minute later. The busy Encrepont, from just inside his own half and on the left, clipped the ball down the wing for Plank to chase and whip a low cross towards the near corner of the six-yard box, where Lewis Hunter got the slightest of touches to send the ball past Markey and into the net. Stranraer 3 Glens 0, 76 minutes.
Glenafton made a double substitution with Callum Wilson and Robbie McDougall replacing David Craig and Chris Erskine.
Willet pushed down the left and curled the ball to the near post for the inrushing McDermott to get between two defenders only for keeper Lane to dive at his feet and firmly grip the loose ball.
The home side made their final substitution with captain Lewis Reid making way for Beejay Coll.
Back came Glens and Mullen nicked the ball from Plank on the outskirts of the box before blasting a shot from 22 yards that the diving keeper clutched safely with both hands.
Soon after Mullen gathered a pass from Willet to break forward and slipped the ball wide to McDermott who quickly returned it to Mullen who held off Hunter before trying to threading a ball to Willet only for Gillies to intervene and claims for a hand ball in the box were waved away.
At the other end Stranraer won a corner on the left which Plank played short to Encrepont to curl a high ball to back post for Lang, only for the ball to sail high over the bar.
Back came Glens with a final attempt for a consolation. A neat passing move down the left saw Maley pick out Wilson who then played a slick one-two with Willet to drive to the corner flag and although Rough nicked the ball from him, Willet and Wilson combined to win it back, only for Wilson now deep in the box to lose out to Hunter. The defender casually clipped the ball to Russell who then quickly picked out Plank to drive to the half-way line and launch a ball upfield over the head of Anderson for Ryan Edgar to chase down and although the Glens defender burst a lung to get to the ball first, it cannoned off Edgar’s shins who then forced Markey to rush from his line before casually curling the ball into the far corner of the net. Stranraer 4 Glens 0, 90 minutes.
As the Glens re-spotted the ball on the centre-circle, the referee kindly blew his whistle for time-up.
FT Stranraer 4 Glens 0
Things certainly didn’t go the Glens way with Michael Mullen’s offside decision, Chris Erskine’s wonderful shot crashing off the bar and injuries to Craig McCracken and Lewis Currie.However, credit to Stranraer who stroked the ball about, defended robustly and made great use of their bench with the Glens having to ‘walk the Plank’ at times and good luck to them in the next round.
Let’s remember this was the Glens 7th cup-tie in 7 weeks, having won the first 6 and now face an 8th this coming Saturday, to start again!
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Blair Anderson 3. Jared Willet 4. Craig McCracken (18. Ollie Rowe) 5. Lewis Currie (17. Brannan McDermott) 6. Evan Maley 7. Lee Duncanson 8. David Craig (16. Callum Wilson) 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Chris Erskine (14. Robbie McDougall) Subs Not Used: 21. James Hart (gk) 12. Callum McFadyen 17. Kelvin Daniel
STRANRAER
1. Josh Lane 2. Jordan Stuart 3. Finn Encrepont 4. Lewis Reid (captain) 5. Scot Rough 7. James Dolan 8. Aaron Quigg 10. Kirk McKnight 17. Daniel McManus 21. Matthew Gillies 25. Ryan Edgar Subs Used: 11. Mark Russell 16. Dominic Plank 20. Tommy Sharp 22. Beejay Coll 23. Lewis Hunter 24. Deryn Lang Subs Not Used: 13. Ewan Henderson (gk) 15. Ronan Hughes
Match Photos (apologies camera couldn’t cope with low sunshine)
Glenafton made five changes from the elevent that started againt Newton Stewart in the 3rd round South Cup tie last Saturday with Kelvin Daniel, Paul Paton, Brannan McDermott, Robbie McDougall and David Craig making way for Blair Anderson, Craig McCracken, Lewis Currie, Evan Maley and Michael Mullen.
The two sides have met before in the Scottish Junior Cup back in Season 2019/20 and coincidentally in the 3rd round while the tie was at Loch Park. There was very little between the two sides with the visitors going in at the break 1-0 thanks to a Kane Winton header. Joe Andrew drilled home the equaliser on 70 minutes before substitute Dan Orsi bulleted a header home to put the Glens ahead on 79 minutes. However, the drama was not over as Banks O’Dee were awarded a penalty on 85 minutes, up stepped Stuart Duff only for youngkeeper David Wilson to pull off a great save and push the ball wide of the post.
There was little beween the two teams today and it was Glenafton that scored a late later winner on 90 minutes from a header by substitute Robbie McDougall.
Play was raging back and forth as both teams looked to avoid a penalty shoot-out. Lee Duncanson on the left gathered a Dee clearance deep into the Glens half and quickly launched the ball upfield for Shuggy Kerr to trap it just inside the box before a defender took a touch to knock it out for a corner. Michal Mullen curled a glorious high ball deep in the box where both Craig McCracken and Robbie McDougall out leapt the defenders and it was the header of the young striker that struck off the thigh of another defender on the line and into the net. Glorious celebrations!
Back to back 3rd round Cup wins, two clean sheets and two match winning goals from Robbie!
Robbie McDougall
FT Banks O’Dee 0 Glens 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Blair Anderson 3. Jared Willet 4. Craig McCracken 5. Lewis Currie 6. Evan Maley 7. Lee Duncanson 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Callum Wilson Subs Used: 14. Robbie McDougall 16. David Craig 17. Brannan McDermott. Subs Not Used: James Hart (gk). Callum McFadyen, Kelvin Daniel
Glenafton made five changes to the eleven that started against Kilbirnie Ladeside last Saturday with Craig McCracken, Lewis Currie, Blair Anderson, Michael Mullen and Chris Erskine making way for Kelvin Daniel, Paul Paton, Brannan McDermott, Robbie McDougall and David Craig.
Ollie Rowe and Cammy Ross were joined on the injury list by Dylan O’Kane and Chris Eskine while Craig McCracken and Michael Mullen were rested looking ahead to next week’s Scottish Communities Cup tie.
Young striker Robbie McDougall was given his first start having made several substitute appearances while recent signing defender Brannan McDermott signed from Gala Fairydean made his Glens debut.
Indeed, it was the two ‘debutants’ which combined in the first-half to score what proved to be the only goal of hard-fought game. Callum Wilson gathered the ball in the Glens half and thread a perfectly weighted pass upfield for Hugh Kerr to collect and drive forward only to be tripped on the outskirts of the ‘D’. Although Wilson’s free-kick bounced off the Newton Stewart wall he was quick to react and drill a low shot from 22 yards that cracked off the base of the left post and the ball was hooked cleared of the box only for Paul Paton to gather the ball on the right before combining with McDermott down the wing who then whipped a glorious ball into the box and with the keeper stranded at the near post Robbie McDougall got between two defenders to perfectly cushion a header into the net. Glorious celebrations followed.
HT Newton Stewart 0 Glens 1
In the dying minutes of the game Newton Stewart lay siege to the Glens goal but marshalled by keeper David Markey a clean sheet was secured.
FT Newton Stewart 0 Glens 1
Robbie McDougall
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Jared Willet 4. Kelvin Daniel 5. Paul Paton 6. Callum Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Robbie McDougall 11. David Craig. Sub Used: Callum McFadyen Sub Not Used: Lewis Currie
NEWTON STEWART
1. Euan Drysdale (captain) 2. Callum McKeand 3. Robbie Murray 4. Callum Mac Donald 5. Euan Brown 6. Fraser Anderson 7. Charlie Caygill 8. Marc Whyte 10. Aaron Drysdale 16. Jake Ellis 21. Mattew Deazley. Subs. 11. Joe McMillan 14. Craig McCulloch 15. Rory Drysdale 18. Robert Hughan 22. Euan Sneddon
Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against Invergordon last Saturday with Callum Wilson replacing Evan Maley. Cammy Ross and Ollie Rowe remain on the injury list. Glens have also recalled striker Dylan O’Kane from a successful loan spell at Craigmark Burntonians. Captain Hugh Kerr makes his 100th start for Glenafton today, congratulations Shuggy.
Kilbirnie Ladeside currently sit in 8th place of the WOFL 1st Division. In their line-up today is former Glenafton midfielder Ryan Walker.
Kilbirnie kicked off and enjoyed a good spell of possession and perhaps just shaded the corner-kick count, the most likely source of a goal for either side. However, Glenafton eventually broke the deadlock in determined fashion on 36 minutes.
Keeper David Markey launched a goal kick high into the Ladeside half where Shuggy Kerr outjumped Jamie Whyte knocking the ball out the right where Mickey Wilson gave chase but with Chris Erskine hot on his heels forced Wilson to paint himself into a corner (flag) before stroking the ball a few yards back up the touchline for Ryan Connelly only for Lee Duncanson to pounce and strip him off the ball before curling an inch-perfect into the heart of the box where Michael Mullen leapt between three defenders to guide a header home at the near post beyond the reach of diving keeper Ryan Truesdale. Glens 1 Ladeside 0, 36 minutes.
The home side’s tails were up and broke forward in numbers. Mullen gathered a pass from Ross Lindsay before blasting a shot from the edge of the ‘D’ only for Truesdale to pull off a fine save.
Chris Erskine took a sore one on the ankle from Cory Pearson and clearly was in soon discomfort and soon after was replaced with Dylan O’Kane.
On the stroke of half-time Callum Wilson gathered the ball inside Ladeside’s half the left before driving towards the box with Pearson too tight on his heels, bringing the midfielder down as the cut into the box. Up stepped Michael Mullen to slam the spot-kick into the net. Glens 2 Ladeside 0, 45 minutes.
HT Glens 2 Kilbirnie 0
Glens dominated play in the opening encounters of the first half and later brought on David Craig recovered from injury for Michael Mullen. Despite the home side pressure Jared Willet’s low drive from 18 yards on the left side of the box that whizzed past the advancing keeper and inches wide of the far post, was the best of the chances.
Kilbirnie pulled one back after Danny Bamford played a short corner from the left to Connelly at the edge of the box to curl the ball to the back post where Currie’s clearing header was gathered by Jamie Whyte at the far end of the box and whipped to the back post for the inrushing Connelly only for Lee Duncanson to intervene with a diving header which fell for Micky Wilson to take a touch before drilling the ball home from 18 yards. Glens 2 Kilbirnie 1, 71 minutes.
Back came Glens through Lindsay intercepting a Kilbirnie pass in their half of the centre circle before driving forward and brushing off an attempt to hold him back and although he rode Wilson’s two footed tackle on the outskirts of the ‘D’. Three Glens players lined up to take the free kick and it was the man in the middle Shuggy Kerr to curl the ball round the left-hand side of the wall and although the keeper at full stretch got a touch with both hands the ball bounced into the net. Glens 3 Ladeside 1, 75 mins.
Shuggy Kerr on his 100th start for Glenafton
Ladeside continued to make a match of it and were rewarded when a corner from the right was met in the six-yard box by Sam McLoy to flash a super glancing header that crashed off the base of the far post for the alert Jack Isherwood to head the ball home from 4 yards. Glens 3 Ladeside 2, 81 mins.
Dylan O’Kane had been hobbling for some time after a sore one on the shins and was replaced by Robbie McDougall while Blair Anderson made way for Kelvin Daniel.
The visitors came close in the closing minutes. Wilson from wide on the left deep in the lens half floated a cross into a busy box where David Markey leapt to punch the ball away with both hands only for Tiegan Kyle to meet it on the only for his shot from 16 yards to be clutched cleanly by the alert keeper.
Into added time and Kilbirnie won a corner kick on the right and the tall keeper Truesdale joined his team-mates in packed Glens box, however it was Isherwood that leapt at the corner of the six-yards to bullet another glancing header which appeared rebound of Glens Callum Wilson a few yards off the goal-line … the final whistle blew.
Glens 3 Kilbirnie 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1.David Markey 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Jared Willet 4. Craig McCracken 5. Lewis Currie 6. Callum Wilson 7. Blair Anderson (15. Kelvin Daniel) 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen (16. David Craig) 11. Chris Erskine (17. Dylan O’Kane (14. Robbie McDougall)) Subs Not Used: James Hart (gk) 12. Callum McFadyen 18. Brannan McDermott
KILBIRNIE LADESIDE
52. Ryan Truesdale 2. John Tennent 3. Mickey Wilson 4. Jack Isherwood 5. Jamie Whyte 6. Ryan Walker 7. Corey Pearson 8. Brad Cooper 9. Sam McCloy 10. Danny Bamford 11. Ryan Connelly Subs. 14. Frazer McFadzean 15. Josh McLaughlin 16. Dean Farmer 17. Tiegan Kyle 18. Declan Walsh 77. Jamie McGowan
Glenafton Athletic 