Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Rutherglen Glencarin last Saturday with Rickie Little (unavailable) making way for Jamie Low.
Glencairn rushed to an early lead with Ryan McManus firing a shot home from inside the box on 6 minutes. The striker doubled the visitors lead on 16 minutes with a strike from outside the box.
Glenafton pulled one back on 23 minutes through Michael Mullen’s shot from inside the box. An Ollie Rowe header on 58 minutes completed the scoring and the game finished 2-2 with a share of the points.
FT Glenafton 2 Rutherglen 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Jamie Low (14. Cammy Ross) 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott 8. David Craig 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Callum Wilson (16. Sam McKee). Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen 15. David Blyth
RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN
1.Ewan Henderson 2. Aidan Shields (16. D. Mitchell) 3. Mathew Meechan 4. D. Leadbetter 5. Anthony Maguire 6. Sean McGuire 7. Anthony Brady 8. Joshua Gemmell (17. Thomas McDermott) 9. Boris Melingui 10. Ryan McManus (12. Allan Woodhouse) 11. Lewis Bruin. Subs Not Used: 14. Michael Foley 15. C. Shearer 18. Tam Miller 19. Robert Murray
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Troon last Saturday with Jamie Low, Ross Lindsay and David Blyth making way for David Craig, Michael Mullen and trialist Ricky Little.
Glencairn kicked off only for Glenafton to open the scoring in the opening minute. Michael Mullen gathered the ball deep in the home side’s half and pushed forward before laying it off to Lee Duncanson on the overlap down the left, to take a touch before floating the ball into the goalmouth where Mullen outleapt Anthony Maguire to guide a header into the far corner of the net beyond the reach of keeper Ewan Henderson. Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 1; 1 minute
Rutherglen then enjoyed a good spell of possession in the visitors half. Striker Ryan McManus deep in the box gathered a cut-back from the bye-line only for his low angled shot to be pushed away by keeper Ollie Ecrepont. Soon after, a shot from just inside the box whizzed inches wide of the post although the keeper had his goal covered. A corner from the left floated high into the box saw Maguire win the aerial battle to bullet a downward header into the six-yard box that bounced up and looking net bound only for Ecrepont to pull off a single-handed great save on his goal-line before and Duncanson cleared the loose ball.
The visitors replied with Ollie Rowe clipping a pass down the right for Brannan McDermott to beat Mathew Meechan to the ball before squaring it across the face of goal and although it slipped past David Craig it fell for Mullen only for his shot to fall safely into the hands of the keeper.
On 27 minutes Glenafton doubled their lead with a well worked goal. Craig gathered the ball on the right just inside the Glencairn half and laid it off to McDermott and although the planned one-two was intercepted, Shuggy Kerr won the race for the loose ball and with a defender tight on his back he slipped it back Mullen in space, who in turned rolled a perfectly weighted pass into the box for the incoming Lee Duncanson to meet it perfectly and guide the ball into the far corner of the net, past the advancing keeper. Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 2; 27 minutes.
HT Rutherglen 0 Glens 2
The home side were first to threaten after the break. A free kick was curled round the right-hand side of the Glens wall on the 18 yard-line only for Ecrepont to get down low and push the ball onto the base of the post and out for a corner kick, which came to nothing. Soon after another free kick from 20 yards saw Lewis Bruin curl the ball round the left-hand side of the wall and Ecrecpont at full stretch again managed to touch the ball onto the post which was then booted clear by Craig McCracken.
Back came Afton in lethal fashion. Jamie Wilson gathered the ball deep on the right flank and slotted a pass up the line to Kerr just inside the Glens who quickly laid if off to McDermott to burst up the wing and skip past one defender before squaring a cross along the 18 yard line to Michael Mullen, in acres of space, lined up a shot and fired the ball between the narrow space of the diving keeper and the goalpost and into the net. Rutherglen 0 Glens 3; 67 minutes.
Afton continued to press to add to their tally, while Rutherglen finished with the closing chance of the game, which was foiled once again with another save by Ecrepont to secure a clean sheet.
FT Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 3
Report courtesy of Glencairn T.V. match highlights.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson (12. Jamie Low) 3. Ricky Little 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott (15. Cammy Ross) 8. David Craig 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) (16. David Blyth) 10. Michael Mullen (17. Sam McKee) 11. Callum Wilson. Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen
RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN
Ewan Henderson 2. Aidan Shields 3. Mathew Meechan 4. Anthony Maguire 5. Ben Hobbs 6. Sean McGuire 7. Anthony Brady 8. David Leadbetter 9. Ryan McManus 10. Ryan Carlin 11. Lewis Bruin. Subs 23. Aaron McTaggart (gk) 12. Boris Melingui 14. Joshua Gemmel 15. Michael Foley 16. Allan Woodhouse
A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in memory of Derek Rush who passed away recently. Derek was known to pull on the Glens goalie jersey to help out when needed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Auchinleck with Chris Erskine (injured), Jamie Prete (injured) and Craig Menzies (loan period over) with Jamie Low, Ross Lindsay and David Blyth (now signed until the end of the season).
In the Troon starting eleven is former Glenafton player Dario Viviani.
The Glens run of three league wins in a row were ended after a narrow defeat to table-topping Troon. The visitors opened the scoring in 10 minutes after Dean Fulton gathered a cut-back from the bye-line to drill a low angled shot past the advancing keeper, Ollie Ecrepont.
HT Glens 0 Troon 1
Troon doubled their lead on the hour mark through Jack Allan chasing down a ball to the right hand corner of the Glens box before curling his shot round one defender and deflect of another giving the keeper no chance.
Glens halved the deficit on 73 minutes at Ollie Rowe’s shy from the right into the heart of a busy box, where Brannan McDermott won the ball which then fell to David Craig who rolled it back in turn to Michael Mullen for the striker to leather a diagonal shot through a ruck of players before bulging the net.
The home side came close to drawing level after Rowe launched a long ball upfield forcing keeper Dale Burgess to the outskirts of the box to head it up towards the edge of the centre-circle where Callum Wilson clipped a high glorious ball well over the head of the stranded keeper only for Stephen Bronsky to head the ball clear of the gaping goal.
FT Glens 1 Troon 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Jamie Low 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. David Blyth 11. Callum Wilson. Subs Used: 14. David Craig 15. Cammy Ross 16. Michael Mullen. Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen
TROON
1. Dale Burgess 4. Stephen Bronsky 5. Calum Gow 7. Jack Allan 8. Leyton Dunlop (captain) 11. Callan Veitch 12. Luke Watt 14. Dean Fulton 16. Lewis Lovering 17. Dario Viviani 20. Nathan Baird Subs: Evan Ferguson 6. Clayton Hood 9. Sam Jamieson 13. Rohan Harkins 18. Stephen Docherty 19. Lewis Allan 21. Marc Fisher (gk)
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Beith Juniors last week with Jamie Low and Michael Mullen making way for Craig McCracken and Chris Erskine.
On the Auchinleck bench was former Glenafton midfielder Cameron Crooks.
Although Glens kicked off it was Auchinleck that threatened immediately through Ross Clark on the right whipping a ball to the edge of the six-yard box for Cameron Keay only for former Talbot defender Craig McCracken to get a touch before Ollie Rowe launched the loose ball out the box. Soon after Keay’s low struck corner kick from the left was intercepted by Brannan McDermott on the edge of the six-yard box which fell to Tarek Abed only for his shot to fly well wide of the back post.
Lee Duncanson pushed up the left wing and threaded a square pass between Austin Sime and Abed for Shuggy Kerr to progress to the 18 yard line only for his attempted chip over a clutch of defenders to fall comfortably into the hands of the former popular Pollok adversary keeper Jordan Longmuir.
Back came Auchinleck through Luke Gillies weaving down the left, tight on the touch line, to whip a dangerous ball into the goalmouth and although it was too high for the leaping Connor Boyd it fell for Abed only to stoop and guide his header of the bar.
Although the visitors were enjoying much of the territorial advantage the home guard stood firm with McCracken, Rowe, Craig Menzies aided and abetted by McDermott and Lee Duncanson as well as the confident handling by keeper Ollie Ecrepont.
Glens began to make some inroads into the Auchinleck half with the Jamies – Wilson and Prete -pressing forward.
On 24 minutes Callum Wilson pushed through the middle to whack a shot from far out that flew well wide of the post. Soon after he burst forward again before slipping the ball down the right for Kerr to chase only for the defender to knock the ball out for a corner. Prete floated a high ball into box fall for the unmarked Kerr to stoop and guide a header over a packed goalmouth only to be clutched cleanly by Longmuir.
Played then ebbed back and forth.
Chris Erskine from just inside the Glens half clipped the ball to Wilson on the left who quickly threaded it back to Erskine now on the edge of the centre circle in the Auchinleck half from where he took another couple of Talbot players out of play before picking out Wilson again, to burst forward to the bye-line only for Clark to win the goal-kick.
At the other end Boyd collected a shy on the 18 yard line, while Rowe looked after Keay in the box, the striker under pressure from McCracken still got a shot away only for Ecrepont to smother it on the line.
Back came Glens with Erskine breaking into the right-hand side of the box leaving Scott Schonville in his wake while Kieren Wood was tight on his back as he drilled a low angled shot that was comfortably held by Longmuir.
Auchinleck won a corner on the left and although Neil McPherson won the aerial battle in a packed goalmouth his header fell comfortably into the arms of Ecrepont.
As the half drew to a close, Rowe from just inside the Auchinleck half launched a throw-in up the right-hand touchline for Kerr, positioned between two defenders, that ended in a clash of heads with Wood’s forehead catching Kerr on the back of the head. Wilson’s free-kick clipped the head of Gillies, the one-man wall, that sent the ball high into the air before descending on the six-yard line into a pack of players only for the grounded Craig McCracken to pot the yellow-ball into the corner of the net. A class act in not celebrating against his former club while his team-mates rejoiced. Glens 1 Auchinleck 0, 45 mins.
As Auchinleck kicked-off the referee blew for half-time.
HT Glens 1 Auchinleck 0
The visitors won an early corner on the right which was floated into the goal mouth and although it skimmed past Schoneville’s head the diving McPherson’s header saw the ball bounce up and over the bar. Back came Auchinleck with Abed driving into the right-hand side of the box before lashing a low-angled shot that Ecrepont punched away with both fists and Menzies and Jamie Wilson double-teamed to prevent Keay from gathering the rebound while Rowe cleared the ball upfield.
Talbot continued to press but lacked the finishing touch to test the keeper.
Glens countered after McDermott picked up a pass from Kerr to drive deep into the Talbot box only for his cut-back from the bye line blocked by Wood at the expense of a corner which was mopped up by the visitors.
Back came Auchinleck with the lively Clark pushing up the right flank into the Glens half before playing the ball inside for Abed. However under pressure from Petre he was forced to roll the ball back to McPherson on the half-way line only for his attempt to return the ball to Abed to be nicked by Erskine who pushed forward before curling a perfectly weighted pass towards the far-side of the ‘D’ to match the lung-bursting run of unmarked Shuggy Kerr’s and as Wood closed the strike took a touch, wrong-footing the defender, before drilling low shot that whizzed past Longmuir, rooted on his six-yard line and into the net. Glens 2 Auchinleck 0, 57 minutes.
Five minutes later Talbot made a triple substitution with Tarek Abed, Austin Sime and Cameron Keay making way for Kenzie Mitchell, Cameron Crooks and Kyle McAvoy.
The home side enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Auchinleck half without testing the keeper.
On 69 minutes Chris Erskine pulled and was replaced by Michael Mullen.
Glens continued to build attacks but forced to shoot from distance with Callum Wilson cracking a shot wide of the post one from 30 yards out. Soon after a Talbot free-kick floated into the Glens box was mopped up allowing Petre to gather the loose ball and clip a pass upfield for Callum Wilson to chase down, only to be brought down. The free kick floated into the box earned an offside flag!
Play raged back and forth with both defences still on top.
On 79 minutes Auchinleck made a double substitution with Jonny Lion and Argyll McCoist replacing Luke Main and Luke Gillies. On 83 minutes Glens brought on Ross Lindsay for the injured Jamie Prete.
A minute later the visitors halved the deficit. Schoneville floated a free kick from the right of the box, some 15 yards from the goal line, to the back post over the heads of the leaping Mitchell and Wood only to fall for Neil McPherson to stoop and bullet home a header from close range. Glens 2 Auchinleck 1, 84 mins.
Glens made a final substitution on 92 minutes with David Blyth replacing the hobbling Shuggy Kerr.
The visitors then laid siege to the Glens goal with more corners than a dodecahedron.
On 93 minutes a corner from the right was floated high to the back post for the leaping Crooks to head the ball back across the face of goal where McPherson won the aerial battle only for his header to dip over the bar, while Glens claimed Crooks’ header was out of play in any case.
Another corner, from the left, soon followed with McDermott’s header at the near post flash across to the back post where McCracken beat McPherson in the air at the expense of a throw-in. Schoneville, from the right, launched a high throw into a packed box, where McCracken won the header again before hoofing the ball up the park.
Back came Talbot to win another corner on the left, floated back to post where although Crooks leapt head and shoulders above all other, Ecrepont stretched up to get a finger-tip on the ball to push it off his forehead, sending it towards the base of post where Menzies and Blyth blockaded Boyd, before the former clipped the ball off the shins of the latter knocking it out of play for a goal-kick and the final whistle on 97 minutes!
FT Glens 2 Auchinleck 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Craig McCracken 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ollie Crowe 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Jamie Prete (17. Ross Lindsay) 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) (15. David Blyth -trialist)10. Chris Erskine (16. Michael Mullen) 11. Callum Wilson. Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen 14. David Craig 18. Cammy Ross 19. Jamie Low
AUCHINLECK TALBOT
20. Jordan Longmuir 14. Ross Clark 3. Scott Schoneville 2. Kieren Wood 23. Neil McPherson 12. Luke Main (6. Jonny Lyon) 11. Luke Gillies (22. Argyll McCoist) 8. Austin Sime (21. Cameron Crooks) 30. Cameron Keay (24. Kyle McAvoy) 9. Connor Boyd 17. Tarek Abed (16. Kenzie Mitchell) Subs Not Used: 1. Wullie Muir 5. Aiden Wilson
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against St. Cadoc’s last Saturday with Lewis Currie (unavailable), Craig McCracken (suspended) and David Craig making way for Ollie Rowe, Hugh Kerr (returning from injury) and former Glenafton captain Craig Menzies, on a one-day loan from Johnstone Burgh.
Beith kicked off shooting down the slope and enjoyed a spell of early pressure culminating in a corner on the right that Kieran MacDonald floated to the near post only for Ali Boyle’s header to be blocked and then mopped up by Jamie Wilson.
Glens then tackled the uphill slope on both flanks with Jamie Low and Callum Wilson on the left and Lee Duncanson and Brannan McDermott on the right pressing, but without reward. Back came the visitors with Michael Mullen, from inside Beith’s half, squaring the ball to McDermott to push forward before clipping the ball into the box for Shuggy Kerr and with his back to goal and defender Scott Rumsby in close contact, he hooked a shot just wide of the post, although the diving keeper appeared to have it covered.
Head-tennis on the half-way line saw Callum Wilson’s header upfield being returned high into the Glens half by Rumsby for Kamil Krol only for Craig Menzies to intercept and a guide a low header that was gathered by Mullen and laid off to Low on the left touch-line. From here, just inside the Beith half, the young full-back launched a high ball for Kerr just inside the box, forcing the keeper to rush from his line and as the two leapt together the keeper’s hold on the ball was released by the striker’s head and fell for Rumsby to lash it clear only to be met by Callum Wilson to sweetly strike a shot from 25 yards plus to whiz over the head of Kerr and a clutch of defenders and beyond the reach of the retreating keeper leaping high, some 8 yards of his goal-line, before dipping under the bar and bulging the net. Beith 0 Glens 1, 14 minutes.
Beith were quickly on the front foot only for Jamie Wilson to strip Don Morgan of the ball and set up a counter attack which saw a Callum Wilson header snapped up by McDermott to release Jamie Prete to break into the right-hand side of the box only for Rumsby to intercept and clear. Back came Beith with new signing Andrew Stirling driving forward before picking out Morgan in space only for his shot from 16 yards to fall comfortably into the arms of keeper Ollie Ecrepont.
Glens responded with Jamie Wilson blasting a shot from 25 yards out that deflected off Rumsby for a corner on the right that Low launched high into the azure sky to descend at the back post where Ollie Rowe won the aerial battle only for his header to slip wide of the post.
The home side had a couple of efforts from free-kicks. The first from 30 yards out where the ball was clipped over the three-man wall into the box and fell for Collins, under pressure from Kerr, he whipped a low angled shot that Ecrepont clutched cleanly on the line. The second from tight on the right touch-line and it was Collins again that got on the end of it, his low flying angled header flashing beyond the reach of Ecrepont at full stretch only to slip inches wide of the back post.
Play raged back and forth, or up and down on the famous Bellsdale slope, adorned now with new floodlights, switched off of course, as proclaimed when there’s sunshine on Beith!
HT Beith 0 Glens 1
Glens made a change at the break with Jamie Low, on a yellow card, replaced by trialist David Blyth.
The visitors kicked off only for the home side to threaten immediately with Morgan driving to the bye-line on the left and holding off challenges from Prete and Jamie Wilson before clipping a ball high into the goalmouth for Krol but under pressure from Lee Duncanson the chance was gone.
Play fell into the back-and-forth mode with neither keeper being tested as both defences stood firm.
Kerr gathered the ball just inside the Glens half and picked out Mullen to gather and drive into the left-hand side of the box with two defenders on his tail forcing him to roll the ball back to the incoming Callum Wilson to then drive to the by-line and square the ball across the face of goal for the inrushing Kerr only for Rumsby to intercept at the expense of a corner. Mullen, from the left, floated the ball into the heart of the box where Prete guided a powerful header to top right corner of the goal only for Aitchison to leap and clutch the ball.
Beith enjoyed a spell of pressure starting with Krol cutting in from the right along the bye-line and with Duncanson blocking his way rolled the ball back to substitute Ross Davidson on the outskirts of the box to curl the ball to Morgan at the back post only for Menzies to win the aerial battle and head it clear. Soon after Davidson, on the left, whipped the ball from the edge of the box to the back post for the inrushing Collins only to be foiled by Duncanson at the expense of a corner, which was overhit.
On 56 minutes Glens made a double substitution with Jamie Prete and Michael Mullen making way for Ross Lindsay and Chris Erskine .
However, Beith continued to press up hill. A Collins leap from inside the six-yard box only for his header to dip over the cross-bar. Collins then turned provider picking out Ross Smith on the right-hand side of the ‘D’ to tee up a shot only for Menzies to deflect the ball wide of the post with the tip of his boot. Although Lindsay’s glancing header cleared the the corner-kick from the six-yard box and following a stramash Menzies hoofed the ball out the box.
Back came Beith and Krol from the right-hand side of the box clipped the ball to the back post where McDermott beat Collins to the ball, sending it out for a corner; while the floored striker was expecting something more, however the referee was well positioned.
MacDonald began another Beith attack crossing over the half-way line only to be stripped off the ball by Jamie Wilson which bounced up for Chris Erskine at the edge of the right-hand side of the centre-circle in the Glens half, what happened next was a work of art –
He feigned, to cut inside Davidson but instead duked past him on the right, head down he broke into the Beith half and slowed the pace to assess the lay of the land – in front of him was a triangle (almost equilateral) of the Mighty while Kerr was making himself available wide on the right. Engines revved, shoulders stooped he bolted infield, clipped the ball downhill, just wide of two of the defenders, almost causing them to collide with each other; while the third peeled off to the right, to cover Kerr. On entering the box at the left of the ‘D’, he noted the position of the keeper and the solitary chasing defender arriving in the box, before drilling a low curled shot slipped beyond the reach of Aitchison at full stretch and into the right hand corner of the net. The landing gear down he came to rest short of the left corner flag awaiting the arrival of his team-mates. Beith 0 Glens 2, 74 minutes.
Beith responded with Stirling and Morgan deep in the Glens box only for McDermott, Jamie Wilson and Menzies to mop up the danger. Soon after Collins cut in from the right along the bye-line only for his attempt to pick out Morgan diverted wide by Rowe. The corner from the right ultimately saw the ball recycled to the same spot for another cross that was cleared. Beith continued to attack in numbers but could not get the better of a resolute Glens defence.
On 80 minutes Glens made a final change with David Craig coming on for Shuggy Kerr, passing the captain’s armband to Lee Duncanson on the way off.
Erksine down the right cut into the Beith box and his chip from the corner of the six yard box sailed over the head of the keeper and well over the bar. Soon after, Duncanson broke down the left and played a one-two with Craig before breaking into box and curling a shot that defected off a defender and fell for Erskine in the ‘D’ only for his shot to be deflected too.
The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession in the closing minutes without testing the keeper and the Glens went on to deliver back-to-back wins a clean sheets.
FT Beith 0 Glens 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Jamie Low (15. Trialist – David Blyth) 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ollie Crowe 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Jamie Prete (17. Ross Lindsay) 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) (14. David Craig) 10. Michael Mullen (16. Chris Erskine) 11. Callum Wilson Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen
BEITH JUNIORS
1. Archie Aitchison 2. Ross Taylor 3. Max Brown 4. Scott Rumsby 5. Kieran MacDonald 6. Alistair Boyle 7. Kamil Krol 8. Don Morgan 9. Thomas Collins 10. Ross Smith 11. Andrew Stirling Subs: 12. Patrick Boyle, 14. Ross Davidson, 15. Tommy Sharp, 16. Trialist -Newman, 21. Ross Shaw (gk) .
Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Johnstone Burgh earlier in the week with Craig McCracken replacing Ollie Rowe (unavailable). Cammy Ross and Chris Erskine are on the bench returning from injury along with Callum McFadyen and former Glens player David Blyth as a trialist.
In the visitors starting eleven was former Glenafton defender Richie McKillen, now the club captain.
A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in memory of Wullie Crawford, who served on the Glenafton committee in the 1980s. Our thoughts are with Wullie’s family and friends, at this sad time.
St. Cadoc’s kicked off but soon lost possession in the centre circle under pressure from David Craig and Jamie Prete, before picking out Jamie Wilson to clip the ball down the left for Jamie Low to chase and whip it into the goalmouth where keeper Josh Quigley got both fists to it, sending it towards the penalty spot only for Michael Mullen to sweep it low back towards the goal where it deflected off Jamie Ballantye beyond the reach of the keeper and into the net. Glens 1 St. Cadoc’s 0, 1 minute.
Back came Glens through Brannon McDermott whipping a cross from the right hand corner of the box which deflected high into the air descending on the middle of the six-yard line where Mullen got the jump on two defenders only for his powerful downward header to bounce inches wide of the base on the left post.
The visitors enjoyed some possession in the Glens half without testing the keeper.
The home side continued to dominate with McDermott’s pace and determination down the right keeping the St. Cadoc’s defence on their toes. He chipped a ball towards the penalty spot and although Callum Wilson’s effort was blocked it fell for Mullen and his low shot from 10 yards was kicked clear of the box by the keeper.
Back came Glens with Mullen gathering the ball at the left corner of the penalty box he played a great ‘one-three’ with Low and Prete giving defenders the slip before the latter laid if off to Mullen to blast a low shot from 20 yards that the rooted keeper was glad to see it whiz inches wide of the post again.
Ten minutes in, and play began to rage back and forth for a spell with few decent chances on show.
Jack Parker chased down a long ball into the right-hand side of the box forcing keeper Ecrepont to race from his line and dive at the full-back’s feet and secure the ball. At the other end Low burst into the left-hand side of the box between two chasing defenders only to drag his low shot wide of the far post.
Ten minutes to go in the half, and the visitors enjoyed a good spell of possession in the opposition half, stroking the ball about as they mounted attacks. Adam Murray burst into the left-hand side on the box before driving to the bye-line and whipping a low ball to the near post for the inrushing Patrick Gallacher only to be foiled by Ecrepont bravely diving to clutch the ball. Soon after St. Cadoc’s won a corner kick on the left that was floated high to the near post where Ecrepont punched it clear out the box from the head of Gallacher.
Back came Glens and Currie released McDermott down the right to drive to the bye-line only for Murray to nick the ball at the expense of a corner kick. Low curled a high in-swinging ball into the heart of the of a packed six-yard box with Craig McCracken his target and although Richie McKillen won the aerial battle his header crashed off the inside of the bottom of the back post and into the net. Glens 2 St. Cadoc’s 0, 40 minutes.
The home side pressed down both flanks as they went in search of another goal but the visitors stood firm and indeed countered with an attack which was headed clear of the box by McCracken.
HT Glens 2 St. Cadoc’s 0
A lively start from both sides with the visitors breaking forward in numbers time and again. The home side’s best effort saw Prete clip a free kick deep into the box where McCracken stooped to send a header that flew over the bar, as the keeper looked on.
However, soon after, on 64 minutes, the centre-back was shown a red-card for a ‘last-man’ foul on the outskirts of the Glens box. The free-kick that followed was scrambled clear by the ten-men.
Midway through the half Glens made a change with Callum Wilson making way for Chris Erskine, in his first game since last November. He was soon in the thick of the action setting up Prete for a low shot from the edge of the ‘D’ which smothered by keeper Quigley.
Conditions deteriorated with light but continuous rain.
On 78 minutes Glens made another change with Michael Mullen making way for David Blyth.
McDermott burst down the right and into the box to whip the ball across the six-yard line beyond the reach of McKillen’s leg for the inrushing Erskine, only for substitute Lewis Alexander to intercept and lash the ball out for a corner. Prete floated the ball high into a busy box which eventually fell for Craig to roll it back to Erskine to drill a low angled shot from 15 yards only for Currie’s back-healer from six-yards to drift inches wide of the post.
Play continued to rage back and forward in difficult conditions.
On 80 minutes St. Cadoc’s came close to halving the deficit after substitute Alan Higgins broke deep into the left-hand side of the box and as defenders closed in he drilled a low angled pass for the incoming Daniel Matheson only for Ecrepont to push his shot wide to the right hand side of the box for substitute Dominic Kane to pounce and lash the ball across the face of goal beyond the keeper and defenders at the near post and beyond the reach of sliding Matheson with a gaping net in front of him.
Back came Glens through Blyth on the right-hand side of the box and with Alexander in close contact he rolled the ball back to Low to curl another great ball to the back post for the inrushing Erskine only for his shot from the tightest of angles, and the keeper making himself big, fly inches over the bar.
Soon after Erskine gathered the ball before weaving between two defenders the latter choosing to pull him to the ground and Low’s free kick bounced off the three-man wall and out for a corner on the right, which came to nothing.
Deep in the Glens half Wilson broke down a St. Cadoc’s attack allowing Prete to snap up the ball and drive forward to pick out Erskine at the edge of the ‘D’ slipping a pass wide to Blyth on the left to curl a cross to the back post for the incoming McDermott and with the keeper standing tall he hooked the ball back towards the edge of the six yard line only for McKillen to powerfully head it clear of the 18 yard box.
On 87 minutes Glens made a final change with Jamie Prete making way for Cammy Ross.
Play raged back and forth with the visitors winning a corner on the right which was floated deep into the box where Currie won the aerial battle before Matheson met the ball sweetly on the drop to fire a cracking volley only for Ecreport to match it with a stunning save to push the ball over the bar.
The short corner had quickly fizzled out, setting up Erksine’s counter-attack down the left, taking a defender out of play by slipping the ball to Low on the overlap, to break into the box and complete the one-two with a square pass to Erskine, to weave into the six yard box and clip a low shot from a tight angle, only for the keeper to knee it wide of the post.
FT Glens 2 St. Cadoc’s 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson (captain) 3. Jamie Low 4. Lewis Currie 5. Craig McCracken 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott 8. David Craig 9. Michael Mullen (15. David Blyth) 10. Jamie Prete (14. Cammy Ross) 11. Callum Wilson (16. Chris Erskine). Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen
ST. CADOC’S
1. Josh Quigley 2. Jack Parker 3. Jamie Ballantyne 4. Leo Fisher 5. Richard McKillen (captain) 6. Harrison Jack 7. Pearse McGarvey 8. Daniel Matheson 9. Patrick Gallacher 10. Leo Adam 11. Adam Murray Subs: 23. Callum Nelson (gk) 12. Callum Shanks 14. Lewis Alexnder 15. Alan Higgins 16. Dominic Kane 17. Callum Heath 18. Coyle
Glenafton made four changes to the eleven that started against Drumchapel on Saturday with Craig McCracken, Paul Paton, Ross Lindsay, Hugh Kerr making way for Jamie Low, David Craig, Michael Mullen and new signing Jamie Wilson from St. Cadoc’s. Due to injuries the bench was threadbare.
Former Glenafton player Leon Murphy started for Burgh while former Glens captain Craig Menzies was on the bench.
Burgh took the lead on 14 minutes after a free kick was floated deep into the Glens box and although keeper Ollie Ecrepont pulled off a great save from Ciaran Diver’s header the striker was first to react to force the ball over the line
On 39 minutes Scott Forester pounce on a poor clearance before releasing Leon Murphy to push to the edge box and play a one-two with Diver and although Lewis Currier stripped the ball it fell for Blair Rossiter breaking into the ‘D’ before drilling a low powerful shot that beat Ecrepont at full stretch before going in off the base of the post.
HT Glens 0 Burgh 2
Burgh made it 3-0 on 61 minutes after a short pass-back left the keeper stranded as Diver skipped past him with a free run to the goal-line where he seemed to lose control although there were now three defenders on the goal-line, Leon Murphy added the finishing touch.
The visitors made it 4-0 on 84 minutes after substitute Aiden Gilmartin leapt head and shoulder above Glens defence to bullet a header home from a corner-kick. Substitute Broque Watson drilled home a spot kick to make it 5-0 and complete the scoring.
FT Glens 0 Burgh 5
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Jamie Low 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Brannan McDermott 8. David Craig 9. Michael Mullen 10. Jamie Prete 11. Callum Wilson Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen, Ross Lindsay, Trialist
JOHNSTONE BURGH
1. Luke Scullion 2. Scott Forrester 3. Kian Gilday 4. Cammy Eadie 5. Danny O’Neill (captain) 6. Del Esplin 7. Aaron Mason 8. Stuart Faulds 9. Ciaran Diver 10. Blair Rossiter 11. Leon Murphy Subs. Allan McKenzie, Evan Currie, Darren Christie, Ian McShane, Broque Watson, Aiden Gilmartin, Craig Menzies
A big thank you to the New Cumnock Striders for sponsoring the match ball and taking the time to pose with Glenafton’s Tommy McKenna.
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Pollok last Saturday with David Craig, Michael Mullen and Sam McKie making way for Paul Paton, Hugh Kerr and new signing Jamie Prete from Thorn Athletic.
Drumchapel kicked-off and won a corner kick within 25 seconds which was cleared by a double header by Brannan McDermott and Craig McCracken.
At the other end Jamie Petre squared the ball to Callum Wilson on the ‘D’ but his shot was blocked and cleared up the left for Finn Morrow to drill a low ball into the Glens box for inrushing Daniel Finnigan, sliding in but couldn’t make contact. Soon after Davies from the right picked out Finnigan at the near post only for his shot to fly wide and the same player’s header from a Kieran Moore corner glance past the back post.
Glens responded through McDermott breaking down the left picked out Shuggy Kerr in the box only for his header from 12 yards gathered by keeper Luis Cameron. Back came McDermott and allthough his diagonal pass for Petre was intercepted by Finnegan, the midfielder robbed him off the ball only for shot to be blocked by Connor Greene.
The pressure paid off after Ross Lindsay released Kerr down the right, to square a pass into the box where Callum Wilson beat Callum McKenzie to the ball and with his back to goal, near the penalty spot, he swivelled to hook a ferocious shot which deflected off defender Davie, sending the ball high into the air before dropping beyond the reach of leaping keeper spot and into the net. Glens 1 Drumchapel 0, 15 minutes.
Back came Drum through Finnigan releasing the ball into the right hand side of box for Hopkirk to chase down and drill a low shot to the near post only for Ollie Ecrepont to push it wide for a corner, which was floated to the far side of six yard box, where Finnigan’s header was well held by the keeper.
At the other Martin McNiff lost control of the ball in the box as Kerr gave chase as the keeper came off his line pull up and in discomfort, and let ball run out for corner-kick. On came the physio the striker’s game was over and made way for Sam McKie.
Wilson drilled the corner from the left into six yard box where McKenzie blocked and McKie gave chase only for Munir Idris to get the first touch and caught McKie on the instep, inside the box – sending both players to ground. No action from the referee, as McKie continued to hobble for next 5 minutes.
At the other end Moore floated a free-kick high into the box where it was headed back out the box by Lewis Currie to be trapped by Paul Frize in the ‘D’ only for his shot to be blocked by Ollie Rowe and the ball fell for David Hopkirk to drive a low diagonal shot from the left side of the box on the 18 yard line that Ecrepont smothered at the near post.
Back came the home side as McCracken headed the ball upfield from the centre-circle, gathered by Wilson to turn and hold off the clutches of McNiff to drive forward and as Davies closed in he cracked a low shot from 22 yards which the keeper dived to his left to push the ball to the side before gathering it
Drum then pushed forward and Frize picked the ball up on the half-way line before lofting it upfield where Currie headed it back to the keeper only for David Hopkirk chased down the ball and stroke the ball home from a tight angle as Rowe closed in. Glens 1 Drumchapel 1, 34 minutes.
Glens made a change with Paul Paton making way for David Craig.
The visitors tails were up, a corner from the right was headed clear by McCracken but back came Drum with Moore breaking into the right hand side of the box only to fire a shot high over the bar as McDermott threatened. Soon after, Idris from the ‘D’ picked out Finigan, wide on the right of the box to square to the near post for the inrushing McKenzie only for Ecrepont to get down low and gather.
A counter attack saw Wilson burst through the middle with McNiff and Greene hot on his heels to crack a shot from the edge of the ‘D’, only for the keeper to get down low and push away it past the post; the corner came to nothing.
HT Glens 1 Drumchapel 1
Glens made a change at the break with Currie having picked up an injury was replaced by Jamie Low.
Glens were first to threaten after Wilson from the outskirts of ‘D’ engineered a low shot between Davies and Frize to fire a shot that fell for McKie on the edge of the six-yard box only for the keeper to stick out a foot to diver the ball inches wide of the post.
The corner that followed was cleared an indeed set up a Drumchapel counter attack as a break down the right saw the ball released through the middle for Idris to chase with McDermott on his heel to nick the ball inside the box at the expense of a corner. The corner from the left was floated high into a packed six-yard box but Idris knocked the ball wide of the post.
Back came Glens where Wilson, down the right, held off the challenge of Davies to switch the play to Low breaking up the left before cracking an angled shot from 20 yards that whizzed wide of the post.
The visitors replied through Hopkirk controlling the ball on the six-yard line before setting up a shot that Low leapt to block only for Ecreport to deflect it wide for a corner as two Drum players held their head in their hands, while Hopkirk claimed the ball hit Low on the hand/arm? Both sides then made a case but referee awarded the penalty kick and it was David Hopkirk that slammed the spot kick home, sending the keeper wrong way. Glens 1 Drum 2, 52 minutes.
Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession. Prete with great touch in the centre circle gave Morrow the slip before skipping past McNiff to feed Wilson on the right to drive to the edge of the box and slip the ball past Greene for the inrushing Prete only for his angled shot from 8 yards to be hooked out for a corner by the advancing keeper. A move worthy of a goal, although the corner kick came to nothing.
Prete, from his own half, picked out McKie just inside Drum’s half and completed the one-two as he gathered the ball on the outskirts of centre circle only to be man-handled by Frize. Low lined up the free-kick and although he beat the wall on the edge of the ‘D’ the ball bounced just inside the six-yard box and collected by keeper Cameron. Soon after Low broke down the left, whipped a ball across the goalmouth, to be chased down by Wilson who tried to pickout Petre on the penalty spot only for Frize to intercept at the expense of a corner, which was cleared.
Some respite for Drum as they earned back-to-back corners where the second of which ended with Finnigan’s header flying wide of the back post.
On 73 minutes Glens made another change with Ross Lindsay making way for Michael Mullen.
Prete initiated the next attack from deep in the Glens half picking out Mullen in the centre circle who clipped the ball down the right for McDermott to chase down into the right hand side of the box before squaring for the inrushing Prete only for it to be cleared for a shy, which was cleared.
Drum won a corner on the right whch Moore floated high into the goalmouth where Ecrepont clutched cleanly on the goal-line. The visitor enjoyed a couple of other breaks and were rewarded after Idris cut in from the left and from within a pocket of three defenders he squared the ball long the 18 yard line to Kieran Moore and from between two defenders he he drilled a low shot that slipped under the keeper’s body and into the net. Glens 1 Drum 3, 82 minutes.
Drum came close again after a scramble on the Glens goal-line with the ball eventually cleared only for the visitors to continue to push forward in waves with only a corner (which came to nothing), their reward
Some respite for the Glens as they regained some composure and mustered a number of attacks into the Drum half without testing the keeper.
At the other end Moore drilled a low angled shot from the edge of the box only for Ecrepont to get down low and push it wide. Glens countered with Prete and McKie only for the final whistle to blow.
FT Glens 1 Drumchapel United 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Lewis Currie (14. Jamie Low) 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Paul Paton (16. David Craig) 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (17. Sam McKee) 10. Jamie Prete 11. Callum Wilson Subs Not Used: 12. Callum McFadyen
DRUMCHAPEL UNITED
1. Luis Cameron 2. Davies 6. Martin McNiff 7. Munir Idris 8. Paul Frize 11. Kieran Moore 16. Connor Greene 18. Finn Morrow 22. Callum McKenzie 23. Daniel Finnigan 28. David Hopkirk Subs: 5. Owen Doyle 17. Luca Moscardini
A big thank you to Marie Walker for sponsoring the match ball. Marie sponsors the match ball each year in memory of her husband Jim Walker, a lifelong Glenafton supporter. Marie is pictured before the match, with goalkeeper Ollie Ecrepont and club President John Stewart.
John, Ollie and Marie
Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of Billy White, who recently passed away. Billy followed the Glens for many years while in his youth he played for the local Glen Park amateur side. Our thoughts are with Billy’s family and friends at this time.
Billy in his Glen Park days, far right front row.
Glenafton made two changes to the side that started against Cumnock Juniors last Saturday with Blair Anderson making way for Brannan McDermott and captain Hugh Kerr (injured) making way for Sam McKie on his return to Loch Park from Ardeer Thistle. Manager Paul Paton was on the bench while captain for the day was former Pollok defender Lee Duncanson.
On a dreich day Pollok kicked off and were first to threaten after a long ball was launched upfield for Carlo Monti to chase only for Lewis Currie to stoop and head the ball back to the outrushing keeper Ollie Ecrepont to smother it, just inside the 18 yard line, forcing Monti to hurdle him. Currie was soon in action at the other end after Ross Lindsay floated a free-kick into a busy Pollok box only for his shot from 8 yards to be blocked by Jordan Scott.
Back came Pollok in numbers as the ball fell for Jamie Bain on the outskirts of the ‘D’ to drill a low shot through a clutch of players only to drift wide of the post that was well covered by the diving Ecrepont in any case. The visitors continued to press and Ollie Rowe won back-to-back headers to clear crosses out of the Glens box and although Lindsay trapped the second clearance the ball slipped from his control and on attempting to retrieve it, he tripped Jordan Leyden, some 10 yards outside the box to the left of the ‘D’. Carlo Monti curled the free-kick high over the heads of the leaping 4-man wall before it dipped goalward over the outstretched arm of the leaping keeper to bulge the far corner of the net. Glens 0 Pollok 1, 12 minutes.
Play then raged back and forth for a spell with defences on top during which time Lok were forced to make a change with Liam Rooney coming on for the injured Jamie Bain.
The visitors began to dominate possession in and around the Glens box. Midway through the half Lewis Watt from the left-hand side of the box clipped the ball back to Jordan Leyden who quickly picked out Rooney to curl a shot from 25 yards between two defenders only for Ecrepont, at full stretch, to palm it wide of the post.
The corner was floated in from the left to near post where it was headed high into the air before dropping into a pack of players from both sides and cleared to the edge of the box where it was met by the inrushing Watt only for his shot to be deflected by Rowe and mopped up by Duncanson.
Soon after Lok broke into the left-hand side of the box only to face a wall of defenders and the ball was rolled back to Monti in the ‘D’ he dragged his shot well wide of the right post.
A good wee spell for home side began with Sam McKee chasing down a long ball and nipping between Cameron Henry and the outrushing McAllister, however the ball bounced favourably for the goalie who clutched it keenly forcing McKee to tumble to the ground.
Back came Glens with a determined run down the right by Brannan McDermott holding off Watt to drive to the corner flag before pushing along the bye-line to the near post, holding off the challenge of Henry only for McAllister to sweep the ball out for a corner. Wilson’s kick from the right was headed clear by Rooney, deep in the six-yard box, only for David Craig to chase down the loose ball and give McHugh the slip to drill a low shot from 25 yards that was comfortably held by McAllister.
On 30 minutes, Duncanson just inside the Pollok half from wide on the left floated a free kick high into the box and although Stewart Houston won the aerial battle his header dropped into the ‘D’ where Michael Mullen met it on the drop to blast a shot that flew wide of the post.
The visitors responded through McHugh chasing down a ball on the outskirts of the box and with Craig McCracken closing in, he curled a cracking shot from within the ‘D’ which Ecrepont managed to push to the side with both hands and although Monti pounced on the loose ball at the corner of the six yard box to set up a shot, Lewis Currie’s superb sliding tackle allowed the keeper to recover the ball.
Lok continued to press with Monti taking control of corners and long throws into the Glens box but the home defence stood firm.
HT Glens 0 Pollok 1
Pollok were quickly on the front foot with a Monti corner from the right being cleared and soon after his free kick from the left was headed wide of the post by Leyden under pressure from Lindsay while a few other set pieces came to nothing.
Glens won a free kick on the left, deep in the visitors’ half, which Wilson floated high into a packed box where Scott won the aerial battle heading the ball clear for Watt to chase and skip past Lindsay to drive forward to the edge of the centre-circle where he clipped a perfectly weighted diagonal pass upfield to match Monti’s run up the right and on beating McDermott to the ball he took one touch to switch play for Bob McHugh bursting up the left to chase down the ball and from the edge of the six yard box he curled the ball past the keeper at the near post into the far corner of the net; a stunning move. Glens 0 Pollok 2, 61 minutes.
The visitors continued to press with Monti breaking into the right hand side of the box before squaring a pass to McHugh at the near post only for Ecrepont to dive and smother the ball.
On 64 minutes Glens made a change with Ross Lindsay making way for Jamie Low.
Soon after Monti curled a free-kick over the Glens wall and the junction of bar and post.
Some respite for the home side as McKee broke down the right before clipping the ball inside between Henry and Scott for Mullen to tee up a shot from 18 yards that whizzed high over the bar.
On 81 minutes Glens made another change with Michael Mullen making way for Callum McFadyen.
The visitors continued to dominate possession, albeit without adding to their lead.
FT Glens 0 Pollok 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson (captain) 3. Lewis Currie 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe 6. David Craig 7. Brannan McDermott 8. Ross Lindsay (14. Jamie Low) 9. Sam McKie 10. Michael Mullen (12. Callum McFadyen) 11. Callum Wilson. Subs Not Used: Hugh Kerr, Chris Erskine, Paul Paton
POLLOK
1. KP McAllister 23. Jamie Bain (28. Liam Rooney) 2. Cameron Henry 27. Stewart Houston 4. Jordan Scott 6. Jake Stirling 8. Jordan Leyden 17. Carlo Monti 19. Lewis Watt (3. Jack Walsh) 9. Bob McHugh (7. Kevin Docherty) 26. Stuart McCann Subs Not Used: 21. Chris White 16. Alex Mann 24. Kodi McKinstray 25. Matthew O’Donnell
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Greenock Juniors last Saturday with Jamie Low and Brannan McDermott making way for Lewis Currie and Blair Anderson and keeper David Markey making way for Ollie Ecrepont, midweek loan signing from Ayr United.
In the dug-out was former Glenafton player and manager Craig McEwan now Assistant Manager at Cumnock Juniors.
Cumnock were first to threaten after Oliver Fisher whipped the ball in from the right for Adam Forde only for his header from 8 yards out dipped over the bar, although keeper Ollie Ecrepont at full stretch appeared to have it covered. Jamie Conn lashed a ferocious shot from 18 yards which had the keeper beaten only for the ball to crash over the bar.
On 20 minutes Cumnock were awarded a penalty after Ross Lindsay and Robbie Buchanan were chasing down a loose ball in the box only for the speed of Dylan Dykes to win the race, breaking from behind Lindsay, and caught by the Glens midfielder as he beat Buchanan to the ball! Dykes stepped up and slammed a low shot into the right hand corner of the net. Cumnock 1, Glens 0.
HT Cumnock 1 Glens 0
On 53 minutes defender Jon Craig pulled Shuggy Kerr to the ground some 10 yards inside the Glens half on the right. Lindsay wasted no time in launching the free-kick high up to the edge of the ‘D’ where Michael Mullen beat Darren Brownlie to the ball as the defender tried to close him down he chested the ball before hooking it high over both their heads and beyond the reach of keeper Blair Currie, having raced from his before retreating to the edge of the six-yard box, where he could only look on as it bounced into the far corner of the net. Cumnock 1 Glens 1.
The visitors’ tails were up and enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Cumnock half. Cammy Ross intercepted a pass to gather the ball inside the Glens half before weaving his way down the right and deep into the box and squaring the ball to the unmarked Callum Wilson only for his low drive from 12 yards to whiz wide of the post.
FT Cumnock 1 Glens 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson 3. Lewis Currie 4. Craig McCracken 5. Ollie Rowe 6. David Craig 7. Blair Anderson 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen Callum Wilson. Subs Used: 15. Brannan McDermott 16. Cammy Ross Subs Not Used: David Markey (gk), 12. Callum McFadyen 14. Jamie Low
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
1. Blair Currie 2. Oliver Fisher 3. Tomas Brindley 4. Jon Craig 5. Darren Brownlie 6. Cammy Chalmers 7. Alex McCaw 8. Robbie Buchanan 9. Adam Forde 10. Dylan Dykes 11. Jamie Conn. Subs: McMahon (gk), Lavery, Thomas Orr, Clark, Grant Gallagher, Benji Wright, Calum McEwan
Glenafton Athletic 