Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Rutherglen Glencairn. Sam Gibson (trialist) took the place of suspended keeper Marc Fisher while Craig McCracken and Craig Truesdale made way for Ollie Rowe and Rocco Devenny.
In the Darvel line-up were former Glenafton players Gary Fraser and Callum McFadyen
Glenafton took the lead on 27 minutes through a nice finish from Callum Wilson as he side foots in off the bar after a fine cross from Kieran MacDonald. It proved to be the only goal in the first.
HT Darvel 0 Glens 1
The second half produced a four goal frenzy in seven minutes –
On 61minutes Darvel’s skipper Ross Barbour, brother of former Glens player Graeme, fired home a spot kick to draw the sides level at 1-1.
On 64 minutes the home side took the lead through Jordan Bow; 2-1 Darvel
On 67 minutes Michael Mullen draws the sides level from a well taken free-kick
On 68 minutes Declan McDonald scores what proved to be the winning goal; 3-2 Darvel.
FT Darvel 3 Glens 2
Callum Wilson and Michael Mullen
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Sam Gibson (trialist) 18. Andy McLaughlin 8. Ollie Rowe 4. Ricky Little 3. Kieran MacDonald 14. Rocco Devenny 7. Callum Wilson 6. Jamie Wilson 12. Andy Stirling 9. Ross Smith 10. Michael Mullen. Subs Used: 17. Jamie Petre 11. Cammy Ross 15. Robbie McDougall 19. Hugh Kerr. Not Used: 5. Jordan Allan, 16 .Kyle Hutton 21. E. Marinorc
DARVEL
1. A Wilson 2. Ross Barbour 4. Jordan Bow 5. D. Coll 6. J. Bradley 7. A. Nimmo 9. Declan McDonald 10. T. Sneddon 14. Calum McFadyen 19. A. Fitzpatrick . Subs: 21. C. Smith 11. T. O’Neil 12. L. McFadzean 15. N. Novo 16. J. Dudgeon 17. E. Lyons
The visitors kicked off but it was the home side that came close to an early lead after Craig McCracken released the ball down the right for Ross Smith to chase and cut the ball back into the box for the inrushing Michael Mullen to chip the ball from 15 yards out to the top right hand corner of the goal only for keeper Cameron to leap and claw the ball away which was eventually mopped up by Rutherglen.
Glenafton continued to enjoy a good spell of early possession in the Rutherglen half, without however testing the keeper.
The visitors began to make inroads and a break down the right ended with Danny O’Connor’s a low angled shot from the edge of the box whiz wide of the reach of keeper Marc Fisher at full stretch only sneak inches wide of the back post.
Back came Glencairn through a long punt by the keeper high into the Glens box where Barry Peters took a touch only to lose control and although Ricky Little then took a touch the ball fell for Muhammad Awan to guide the ball into the gaping net. Glens 0 Rutherglen 1, 23 minutes.
The visitors’ tails were up and had the Glens pinned pack in their box. Matters soon went from bad to worse for the home side as the keeper launched another long high ball that bounced into the box and with the Glens defence static Allan Woodhouse continued to chase it down forcing Fisher to rush from his line and clip the player as he slipped the ball past time.
Marc Fisher was shown a red card and to add to their woes reserve keeper Harry Sutton had headed south midweek and fullback Kieran MacDonald donned the keeper’s jersey before Jordan Scott slotted home the penalty kick. Glens 0 Rutherglen 2, 30 minutes.
Glens made a substitution with striker Michael Mullen making way for Ollie Rowe.
Controversy at the other end after Craig Truesdale gathered the ball and pushed forward to right hand side of the ‘D’ before stroking a diagonal forward pass to Andy McLaughlin on the at the right hand side of the box, near the bye-line, who quickly drilled the ball across the face of the goal mouth for Ross Smith, only for Calum McEwan to block and send the ball back out the six yard box where Truesdale pounced to blast an angled shot that McEwan blocked again, with the Glens player appealing for a hand-ball, the referee considered otherwise.
HT Glens 0 Rutherglen 2
Glens made a change at the break with Callum Wilson making way for Rocco Devenny.
An encouraging start from the home side after Truesdale from tight on the right touchline curled a free kick into a busy box which was deflected downwards falling for Little to cleverly hook the ball to the back post only for Aiden McGhee to intercept and deflect it , into this own net under pressure from Rowe. Glens 1 Rutherglen 2, 48 mins
The ten men were putting up a decent show, but the balloon burst when Rutherglen blasted home a third goal. McEwan chased a ball down the right before setting himself up from wide of the box to curl a cross towards the penalty spot only for Craig McCracken to strip the ball from two attackers sending the ball clear of the box only for Sean McGuire to strike a sweet shot into the roof of the net. Glens 1 Rutherglen 3, 61 mins.
Glens stuck in and Wilson pounced on a clearance and rolled the ball back to Devenny who slalomed his way through five opponents to the edge of the six-yard box to then drill a low ball to the back post for incoming Smith only for a defender to intervene at the expense of a corner on the right. This in turn resulted in another corner on the left which Andy Stirling floated high to the back post where Little won the aerial battle on for his header to dip inches over the bar.
Jamie Petre, who had replaced Craig Truesdale on 71 minutes, picked up the ball in the middle of the park and after a slick passing move with Devenny and Stirling he chased the ball down left and from the bye-line he whipped it to the corner of the six-yard box for Smith who appeared to be brought down by the centre back in front of the referee – no foul.
More frustration after Wilson launched a high ball from the half-way line down the right from for Rowe to chase, yet the referee well behind play chose to blow for offside. The blame lies with the decision to longer furnish the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division fixtures with assistant referees; placing extra pressure on referees from players, dug-outs and of course supporters.
Soon after Stirling’s free kick from just outside the box rebounded off the wall and he then floated the rebound high into the box and although Petre was offside Devenny floating in from behind smacked a low shot into the net. The offside decision stood though.
[apologies disk full!]
Salt was rubbed in the Glens wound in spectacular fashion. Another Glens attack had broken down on the left corner of the penalty box where the rebound was mopped up and laid off to Josh McGrillen; from inside his own half, he burst through the middle skipping past Little and then McCracken at the edge of the box before drawing MacDonald from this line and then squeezing the ball between the keeper and the post. Glens 1 Rutherglen 4, 80 minutes.
Glens made a couple of changes with Craig McCracken and Ross Smith making way for Trialist and Cammy Ross.
Rutherglen were still not finished though with their Ross Smith applying the icing to the cake He lined up to take a free kick some two yards from the right-hand side of the box and four yards from the bye-line while his team-mates congregated in the box; no need as he curled the ball over the head of the keeper and in at the unmarked back post. Glens 1 Rutherglen, 84 minutes.
The home side went in search of a consolation only for the keeper to pull off a good save from a long range powerful shot from Wilson and he could only watch as low shot from Petre inches wide of the post.
FT Glens 1 Rutherglen 5
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Marc Fisher 18. Andy McLaughlin 5. Craig McCracken (16. Trialist) 4. Ricky Little 3. Kieran MacDonald, 19. Craig Truesdale (17. Jamie Prete) 7. Callum Wilson (14. Rocco Devenny) 6. Jamie Wilson 12. Andy Stirling 10. Michael Mullen (8. Ollie Rowe) 9. Ross Smith (11. Cammy Ross) Not used : 2. Lee Duncanson 15. Robbie McDougall
RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN
1. Glen Cameron 2. Calum McEwan (14. Ross Smith) 3. Mathew Meechan 4. Aiden McLaughlin 5. Jordan Scott 6. Sean McGuire 7. Danny Connor 8. Ross Paton (16. Cole Shearer) 9. Muhammad Awan (13. Josh McGrillen) 10. Allan Woodhouse (12. Ryan McManus) 11. Barry Peters . Subs 15. Michael Foley, 17. Ben Hobbs 24. Scott McLellan (gk)
Today Glenafton hostED Stonehaven Football Club in the 1st Preliminary Round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup. Known as ‘The Hive’, they were crowned as the North of Scotland Premier Division Champions last season.
The Glens made two changes to the eleven that started against Irvine Meadow XI on Tuesday night with Ricky Little and Craig Truesdale making way for Jamie Wilson and Cammy Ross.
(Apologies I have been unable to get copy of Stonehaven’s squad.)
Stonehaven kicked off with the wind in their face, nevertheless play quickly settled into a back-and-forth pattern without either keeper being tested.
The first attempt at goal fell on 9 minutes from Michael Mullen’s low drilled shot from the edge of the ‘D’ that keeper Reece Duncan saved comfortably. While at the other end Marc Fisher cleanly clutched No. 10’s effort from inside the box.
The home side enjoyed a good spell of possession in Stonehaven’s half. Andy Stirling broke down the left before squaring the ball across the six-yard line for the incoming Ross Smith only for Scott Coull to intercept and clear at the expense of a corner. Callum Wilson would soon gauge the strength of the wind as his kick into a packed six-yard box curled inches over the bar.
Soon after Cammy Ross’s blistering run down the right was ended by the full-back No.3 at the expense of a corner which MacDonald whipped into the six-yard box but again Coull cleared the danger before Craig McCracken could get a touch.
On 17 minutes Jamie Wilson leapt for a high ball sandwiched between two opponents and then tripped on landing. Stonehaven No. 8 dished out some afters which didn’t go down well with the home side, but the referee chose to speak to No. 8 and Glens Callum Wilson.
As the dust settled Mullen blasted the free-kick, past the four-man wall some 25 yards from the goal-line, which saw the ball bounce on the penalty spot and then inches wide of the left-hand post, albeit keeper Duncan diving at full stretch had the shot well covered.
Jamie Wilson won another aerial battle in the centre circle sending the ball wide to the right where Ross gathered and held off two players before bombing down the touchline and cutting inside just before the bye-line to whip a ball into the goal mouth for Stirling, only for a defender to intervene and send a header high up in the air which dropped down onto the roof the net.
MacDonald’s corner-kick from the right saw a double header in the box seemingly sending the ball out for a corner on the left only for a defender No. 2 to chase it down, and knock it out for a shy, which came to nothing.
On 25 minutes Ross broke down the right again and from the corner of the penalty box he launched a high cross into the six-yard box for Smith only for the keeper to leap and double-fist the ball out the box where Jamie Wilson beat No. 8 to the ball before cracking a powerful shot that whizzed inches over the bar with the keeper on his knees at the post.
Soon after Callum Wilson drilled a low shot from 30 yards that the keeper comfortably held.
Stonehaven enjoyed some possession deep in the Glens half but without testing the keeper.
Back came Glens as Mullen released Stirling down the left who skipped past No. 2 and pushed forward before cutting the ball back to Smith on the edge of the corner of the six-yard box to drill a low angled shot to the back post beyond the reach of the keeper only for No. 3 to launch the ball out of the box penalty box.
Stirling burst down the left again with No.3 for company before clipping a high ball to the edge of the six-yard box as Smith and Ross faced a line of three defenders, only for keeper Duncan to take matters into his own hands and rush from his goal line to gather the ball before smothering it on the six-yard line.
Another MacDonald corner from the right caused chaos in a packed six-yard box with the ball just beyond the reach of the leaping Ollie Rowe sandwiched between Nos. 9 and 2 only to bounce a yard wide of the back post; while Ollie landed in the net.
In a dramatic change of fortune, the closing ten minutes of the first half were dominated by Stonehaven pegging the Glens back. On 41 minutes No. 7 Ingram from the left-hand junction of the ‘D’ and the 18-yard line cracked a powerful shot only for Fisher to pull off a super save and send the ball high over the bar.
The corner-kick was headed clear by Stirling for some welcome respite. Back came the visitors and the last effort of the half saw Ingram’s shot from the left-hand side of the box bounce of the top of the cross bar and high into the air.
HT Glens 0 Stonehaven 0
Ross Smith kicked off and Glens were first to threaten when Callum Wilson, from the left, floated a free kick with players from both sides lined along the imaginary 22-yard line where centre-backs Rowe and McCracken were first to the ball but only for the latter to lose his balance and ball ran wide of the post.
At the other end No.2 launched a free-kick from just inside the Glens half, high into the left-hand side of the box where the visitors won the aerial battle only for the header to be cleanly held by Fisher.
Glens countered with Stirling breaking wide on the left only to be fouled some 12 yards from the bye-line as he squared a pass for MacDonald in the box, to no advantage and the free-kick awarded. Callum Wilson curled the ball into the six-yard box for Rowe drifting in at the back post only for Coull to clear at the expense of a corner, which was cleared.
Played then raged back and forward with both boxes breached but with defences on top.
On the hour mark Stonehaven made a double substitution and another change a few minutes later.
In between times Stirling ventured down the left again with a final burst shaking off a defender before curling a ball into the box for Mullen to win the header against a line of four defenders only for the ball to fly high over the bar.
Glens were now enjoying a good spell of possession in the Stonehaven half with attacks down both wings. However, it was through the middle that appeared to have paid off, after Stirling cut in from the left only to be blocked by a posse of defenders allowing Smith to pounce on the loose ball and break into the box only for Coull to click his heels and send him tumbling to the ground. The referee pointed to the spot despite Stonehaven appeals. On 67 minutes Michael Mullen stepped up to take the spot kick only keeper Duncan to get down low and with both hands push the ball away to his left.
Soon after Glens made a change with Cammy Ross, who had covered the length of the pitch on numerous occasions, making way for Jamie Petre.
The home side continued to enjoy good spells of possession in the Stonehaven half without however penetrating the box.
Indeed, it was the visitors that turned the tables again in the closing twelve minutes of the half.
No. 15 picked up a pass into the ‘D’ and drew Fisher of his line before drilling a low shot beyond the each of the sliding Rowe only for the keeper to block with both feet on his six-yard line. No. 14 had arrived in the box and gathered the ball at the left corner of the six-yard box evading McCracken’s sliding tackle and then threading a low shot between the keeper and Rowe only for MacDonald now at the near post to clear the ball off the line.
Soon after No. 15 from the right-hand corner of the penalty box clipped the ball into the six-yard box just beyond the reach of incoming No. 14 and McCracken as the ball rolled wide of the back post.
On 87 minutes Glens made another change with Callum Wilson making way for Rocco Devenny.
Both sides went in pursuit of a winner. No. 16 from wide on the right floated a free kick towards Nos. 14 and 9. making their runs to the back post only for Fisher to leap and pluck the ball out the air. At the other end Devenny broke down the left and shook off two defenders before laying the ball off to Mullen to take a touch before blasting a low shot from 18 yards only for keeper Duncan to get down low and push the ball to the left-hand side of the box for No. 3 to clear. A final push by the Glens came to nothing and the final whistle, wasn’t the final whistle as extra-time beckoned.
FT Glens 0 Stonehaven 0
Extra Time: 1st half
Although Stonehaven kicked off, Glens made a lively start winning a corner on the right and further attacks down both flanks without testing the keeper. They made their final substitution with Jamie Wilson making way for striker Robbie McDougall.
The visitors replied in similar fashion winning a corner and later a free kick on the outskirts of the box only for No. 17’s effort to bounce off the wall and over the bar. The corner that followed was headed clear by Devenny at the near post.
Extra Time: 2nd half
Glens enjoyed some earlier pressure but it was the visitors that looked the more threatening with No.3 breaking into the left-hand side of the box and holding off tackles from three defenders before curling a shot that dipped over the bar.
Back came Glens and MacDonald floated a corner kick from the right, deep into a packed six-yard box, forcing the keeper to come off his line and double fist the ball high into air which descended near the penalty spot to be met by McCracken only for his overhead kick to drift wide of the near post.
Stonehaven responded with back-to-back corner kicks the latter being punched high into the air by keeper Fisher and fell for MacDonald to head clear of the box only for No. 3 to lash a ferocious dipping shot that looked net bound only for the leaping Fisher to push it over the bar. The corner that followed landed on the roof of the net.
Play raged back and forth as the time ticked down for probabLy ‘a goal the winner.‘ Again, the visitors looked the more threatening. With 3 minutes left on the clock No.3 from deep in the box got his shot away, as MacDonald closed in, only for it to fly over the reach of the outstretched hand of Fisher and high over the bar. Stonehaven forced another corner kick from the left which was hooked clear by Stirling before the final whistle blew.
FT EXTRA TIME GLENS 0 STONEHAVEN 0
An astonishing penalty shoot-out followed
Stonehaven were first to take their penalties and after two rounds lead 1-0 with Glens failing to score while keeper Fisher saved the second kick. The third round saw both teams finding the net with Robbie McDougall scoring or the Glens. Stonehaven leading 2-1. The 4th round saw Fisher pull off another fine save and Michael Mullen finding the net to level the score at 2-2. Fisher then saved another kick giving the Glens the opportunity to close the shoot only for keeper Duncan to pull off another five save and at 2-2, sudden-death came into play. Stonehaven found the net before Duncan saved again to put his team through the next round.
Glens 2 Stonehaven 3
Good luck to Stonehaven in the next round
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Marc Fisher 18. Andy McLaughlin 5. Craig McCracken 8. Ollie Rowe 3. Kieran MacDonald 11. Cammy Ross (17. Jamie Petre) 7. Callum Wilson (16. Rocco Devenny) 6. Jamie Wilson (14. Robbie McDougall) 12. Andy Stirling (captain) 10. Michael Mullen 9. Ross Smith Subs Thurston, Lee Duncanson, Jordan Allan, Kyle Hutton, Harry Sutton (gk)
Glens made one change to the eleven that started against Ardrossan Winton Rovers on Saturday with Jamie Wilson making way for Ricky Little. On the bench is midfielder Rocco Devenny, on loan from Ayr United. His older brother Justin (now at Crystal Palace) played as a trialist for the Glens in a 3-1 win over Irvine Meadow in the opening league game of season 2020/21 at Meadow Park.
Ross Fisher, brother of Glens keeper Marc Fisher, opened the scoring for Glens that day and tonight he is in the Meadow dugout as a member of the coaching staff. Also, in the dug-out is former Glenafton manager Ryan Caddis. Meanwhile in the Meadow starting eleven are former Glenafton players Lyall Holding and Michael McMullin.
Glens kicked off and less than two minutes later Meadow opened the scoring after Jack Whittaker tight on the right touchline clipped the ball into the box for Trialist only for Craig McCracken to win the aerial battle sending the ball high into the air before dropping towards the edge of the ‘D’ where Andrew Gaffney met it sweetly to drill a low left-footed shot beyond the reach of Marc Fisher at full stretch and into the right hand corner of the net. Glens 0 Meadow 1, 2 mins.
The home side came close to drawing level after Kieran MacDonald fired a free kick from the right into the box where Ollie Rowe leapt to skim a header, seemingly for the top far corner of the net only for air-borne keeper Joe Wilton to pull off a great save and claw the ball to the far side of the six-yard box. Ricky Little gathered the loose ball and picked out Andy Stirling to square the ball to Craig Truesdale only for his shot from 22 yards to drift wide of the right-hand post. Soon after Truesdale’s low-angled shot from deep in the right-hand side of the box was blocked by the soles of Wilton’s boots.
Meadow enjoyed a spell of attacking pressure in the Glens half forcing them into conceding free-kicks in dangerous positions one of which almost drew the sides levels only for Fisher to get down loss and push Gaffney’s low drive round the post. The corner from the left was intercepted by Ross Smith sending a header high into the air that was collected by Craig McCracken in a busy box from which he broke free before racing upfield and from 10 yards shy of the half-way line threaded a superbly weight diagonal pass between two Meadow players for Stirling breaking down the right. On gathering the ball, Andrew Stirling pushed forward into the box and cut inside the back-tracking Meadow player before guiding his shot through the gap between a defender and the keeper into the far corner of the net. Glens 1 Meadow 1, 24 mins.
The home side’s tails were up and won a corner of the right which Kieran MacDonald floated into the heart of the box and although Michael Mullen won the header it sent the ball rolling towards the left hand side of the box with Gaffney and Stirling both giving change, and although Meadow player got the first touch to try and guide the ball upfield, the Glens player intercepted and was then tripped before the ball went out for a shy. As Gaffney raced to take the shy, the referee pointed to the penalty spot much to the consternation from the nearby Meadow dug-out. As the dust settled, but not the midgies, Michael Mullen blasted home the spot kick. Glens 2 Meadow 1, 30 minutes.
Back came Meadow with a fast-moving attack which concluded with the Trialist from inside the ‘D’ threading a perfectly weighted diagonal deep into the right-hand side of the box for the inrushing Lyall Holding to cut the ball back to Brophy on the far side of the six-yard line only for McCracken to block and then immediately rise to rebound the ball off Gaffney for a goal-kick.
Meadow continued to press and from deep on the right they strung together slick passes that concluded with Euan Baird breaking into the left-hand side of the Glens box giving both McLaughlin and McCracken the slip, drawing Fisher from his line only for his shot to slip inches wide of the far post.
Glens responded through McLaughlin, from tight on the right, rolling the ball to Smith on the outskirts of the box who slipped pas two defenders before squaring the ball to MacDonald to curl a low shot from 25 yards which Wilton pushed wide to his left and the loose ball mopped up.
An excellent half of football concluded with the home side narrowly in front.
HT Glens 2 Meadow 1
The visitors were first to threaten through Michael Mullen launching the ball from the left hand corner of his penalty box that bounced high on the centre spot and quickly gathered by Stephen Docherty to burst into the right hand side and drill a low shot only for the advancing Fisher to block and clear in the one action.
Meadow continued to press and short corner caused chaos in a packed penalty area forcing Fisher to come off his line only for his attempted punch to fall for Holding on the outskirts of the six-yard box but with three Glens shirts and a team-mate between him and the goal-line his shot crashed of the underside of the bar resulting in another stramash that the Glens finally cleared.
At the other end Mullen’s free-kick from 28 yards out smashed off the Meadow’s bar with Wilton beaten.
Back came Meadow through Brophy picking up a pass from Holding before weaving his way to the outskirts of the box before curling a low shot the Fisher pushed wide of the post for a corner that came to nothing. The visitors were now dominating possession in the Glens half without however the reward of an equaliser.
However, as the game was drawing to a close the home side conjured up a couple of decent chances. Ross Smith broke forward and then managed to extricate himself from a pack of three Meadow player before nipping into the box and giving another defender the slip before drilling a low shot that Wilton pushed away.
On 88 minutes Meadow’s pressure was rewarded with a free-kick at the right-hand corner flag despite Glens protests. The ball was curled high into the box to be met on the drop by Trialist 2 who coolly guide it home between pairs of legs and into the met. Glens 2 Meadow 2, 88 minutes.
Nevertheless, the Glenafton lifted their heads and went in search of a winner. Substitute Jamie Petre floated a free kick high into a packed Meadow box where MacDonald won the header sending the ball to the right hand side of the six-yard box where Cammy Ross gathered and cut it back across the face of goal for the inrushing substitute Rocco Devenny to blast a shot over a ruck of players including the keeper only for it to be headed off the line.
However, the young midfielder on his Glens debut would have the last word. Deep into added time the energy shown by the players was outstanding as they broke down the left wing at a pace concluding with Petre taking the ball to the corner of the penalty box and although under pressure from defenders he slipped but quickly recovered to pick out Devenny inside, who in turn laid the ball off to Stirling on the touchline. From here the Glens captain with three defenders in his way, weaved in and out before drilling a low cross to the near post and although Wilton got a hand to it, Rocco Devenny kept his cool to stroke the ball into the gaping net from 8 yards out. Glens 3 Meadow 2, 94 mins.
As Meadow kicked off, the referee blew his whistle to bring an end and enthralling match where both sides gave there all.
FT Glens 3 Meadow 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Marc Fisher 18. Andy McLaughlin 5. Craig McCracken 8. Ollie Rowe 3. Kieran MacDonald 19. Craig Truesdale 7. Callum Wilson 4. Ricky Little 12. Andy Stirling (captain) 9. Ross Smith 10. Michael Mullen. Subs Used: 11. Cammy Ross, 16. Rocco Devenny, 17. Jamie Petre. Subs Not Used: Harry Sutton (gk) 2. Lee Duncanson 6. Jamie Wilson, Robert McDougall
IRVINE MEADOW XI
1. Joe Wilton 2. Lyall Holding 3. Shaun Gallacher 4. Ben Ferguson 5. Michael McMullin 6. Ross Davidson 7. Euan Baird 8. Kieran Brophy 9. Trialist 10. Andrew Gaffney 11. Jack Whittaker. Subs: 12. Owen Carey 14. Benji Wright 15. Dominic Boland 16. Michael McPeake 17. Stephen Docherty 18. Trialist 20. Chris Calder
By kind courtesy of Irvine Meadow supporter Gerry Begley ‘s video clips of the game
The opening league game of the West of Scotland League Premier Division saw the Glens travel to face Ardrossan Winton Rovers, promoted from the 1st Division. There were three former Glenafton players in the Rovers starting eleven – Findlay Frye, club captain; Craig Pettigrew, former Glenafton captain and Sam McKee.
The Rovers kicked-off and enjoyed early pressure within the Glens box which included two claims for a penalty kick only for the referee to be well positioned on both occasions to overrule a possible trip and another a hand ball, in reality as shot from a few yards that caught Andy Stirling on the chest
Glens countered through Andy McLaughlin clipping a ball into the right hand side of the box for Ross Smith to chase down and from the bye-line whip a cross to the near post for Michael Mullen only for Craig Pettigrew to win the aerial battle and Sam Lidlington chase down the loose ball and clear it up the park.
Play now raged back and forth and it was the home side that were first to threaten through Findlay Frye who clipped a ball from close to the corner flag on the right to the near corner of the six-yard box for Sam McKee only for his shot, under pressure from Craig Truesdale, to sail inches over the bar.
Glens countered through Mullen breaking through the middle before teeing up a shot at the edge of the ‘D’ only for Pettigrew and Dave Gray to turn their back on the ball and send the rebound clear of immediate danger only for Stirling to gather the ball and drive down the left to win a corner. Kieran MacDonald floated it high into the box to descend on the edge of the six yard bow where Ollie Rowe tussling with David Anderson won the header which fell safely into the hands of keeper James Barclay, only for Rowe to be penalised for climbing in any case.
At other end Frye was penalised for a foul on keeper Marc Fishier as he leapt to gather a ball at the corner of the six-yard box.
Back came Glens through Stirling clipping a ball into the left-hand side of the box for Mullen to pounce and crack a powerful left-footed shot only for Barclay to pull of a fine save and divert the ball past the post and the corner that followed was cleanly mopped up.
McLaughlin picked up a pass on the right and push forward to right hand side of the box before whipping the ball across towards the penalty spot for the inrushing Mullen only for it be intercepted and fall for Stirling on the far side to drill a low shot only for Barclay to pull of another good save, diving low to push the ball wide of the post. MacDonald lofted the corner kick high to back post and although Craig McCracken got his head to the ball knocking it down into the heart of the box only Sam Lidlington to mop up and set up a counter-attack that the Glens defended well.
However the home side were soon back on attack after Ally Taylor from the half-way line dinked the ball forward into the path of Frye breaking through the middle who in turn clipped the ball forward for Joseph Gillespie overlapping to his left who then steadied himself and from the 18 yard line slipped the ball wide of the advancing keeper Fisher and into the net. Ardrossan 1 Glens 0, 24 mins.
Glens rallied and from wide on the right Truesdale curled a high ball into the box for Mullen on the six-yard line only for the leaping Pettigrew to send a header over the bar, while MacDonald’s corner from the right was headed clear of the box.
Rovers replied with a break down the left and it was McKee that leapt like a salmon to send the ball high into the air and descending goalward only for Fisher’s leap to tip the ball over the bar leaving Sam-on with his head in his hands! This led to a series of three corners for the home side as they continued to press.
Sides then exchanged corner-kicks with the home side proving the more threatening after a ball from the left was floated to the back-post where Fisher tip the ball from the head of the leaping Pettigrew only for George Sewell to chase it down before whipping a vicious shot that flew high over the bar. Soon after, at the other end Mullen’s shot from the right-hand side of the box had the same outcome.
The visitors then enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Ardrossan half without however threatening the goal. The first half concluded with McKee winning a corner on the right which after some head tennis saw Frye’s header cleanly clutched by Fisher.
HT Ardrossan 1 Glens 0
Glens kicked-off and were quickly on the front-foot with wave after wave of attack and were duly rewarded. Stirling gathered the ball in the Rovers’ half of the centre circle before clipping it forward to Smith on the left hand side of the ‘D’ and in turn he rolled a diagonal forward pass to MacDonald breaking into the box to drill the ball into the goal-mouth beyond the reach of the outstretched leg of the charging Sewell and then the gap between Pettigrew and Anderson to fall for Michael Mullen to fire a low shot into the net past defender Gray and keeper Barclay rooted on his line. Ardrossan 1 Glens 1, 52 minutes.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure with attacks down both flanks.
Some respite for Rovers on 57 minutes as Sewell from the 18-yard line clipped a diagonal pass past two defenders towards the back post only for it to sneak wide inches wide of the inrushing Frye.
Back came Glens with Mullen chasing the ball down the left and rolling it back into the box for Truesdale who held off two defenders before drilling a low angled shot from 18 yards out which was comfortably saved by Barclay.
Play now raged back and forth and the home side threatened as substitute Ewan McIver looked set to pounce on the ball on the 18-yard line only for McLaughlin to intercept and clear at the expense of a corner which was cleared for a shy, near the flag. A long throw high into the box was won by McIver sending the ball high into the air and eventually cleared.
Glens countered through MacDonald gathering the ball inside the Rovers half before drilling a low ball upfield into the left-hand side of the box for Ross to chase down, albeit marked by Pettigrew only to lose his footing, allowing the striker to progress to the bye-line and then cut the ball back between two defenders for Michael Mullen to guide ball into the net from 12 yards out. Ardrossan 1 Glens 2, 67 minutes.
The visitors continued to press through MacDonald down the left who rolled the ball back to Truesdale to weave into the box and drill a low shot the Barclay got down low to smother the ball.
Soon after the Glens extended their lead through Craig Truesdale changing wings and breaking deep into the right-hand side of the box and from 8 yards out, he lashed a shot beyond the reach of Barclay’s outstretched arm and before bulging the net. Ardrossan 1 Glens 3, 76 minutes.
Glens made a couple of changes with Andy McLaughlin making way for Lee Duncanson for Andy McLaughlin and soon after Kyle Huttton replacing Jamie Wilson.
Rovers fought back through Gillespie breaking down and holding off McCracken to get to the bye-line and lobbing a ball to the back post where it bounced up perfectly from the corner of the six-yard for the inrushing Sewell to bullet a header and although Fisher got a hand the incoming David Struthers stooped to head the ball into the net. Ardrossan 2 Glens 3, 84 minutes.
The home side’s tails were up and a corner from the right was headed clear of the six-yard box by Hutton and gathered by Mullen who combined with Stirling to clear the danger from the penalty box
On 87 minutes Glens made a double substation with Michael Mullen and Craig Truesdale making way for Jamie Petre and Cammy Ross.
The visitors enjoyed a spell a possession, but the home side were still eager to seek an equaliser and came close only for Gillespie to find the net from an offside position in added time.
FT Ardrossan 2 Glens 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Marc Fisher 18. Andy McLaughlin (2. Lee Duncanson) 5. Craig McCracken 8. Ollie Rowe 3. Kieran MacDonald 19. Craig Truesdale (17. Jamie Petre)7. Callum Wilson 6. James Wilson (14. Kyle Hutton) 12. Andy Stirling (captain) 9. Ross Smith 10. Michael Mullen (11. Cammy Ross). Subs Not Used: Harry Sutton (gk), Robert McDougall, Jordan Allan
ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS
. Jamie Barclay 2. George Sewell 3. Sam Lidington 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. David Gray 6. David Anderson 7. Ally Taylor 8. David Struthers 9. Joseph Gillespie 10. Findlay Frye (captain) 11. Sam McKee Subs: 12. Declan McFadyen 14. Zack Simpson 15. Sam McCloskey 16. Darren Frye 17. Ewan McIver 18. Aidan Ferris 19. Rocco O’Neil
Glens hosted Bonnyton Thistle in their 3rd friendly of the new season having lost 2-1 at home to Troon before coming from behind midweek to win 3-2 in a visit to Albion Rovers with a double from Jordan Allan and a goal from young Robbie McDougall.
Glenafton introduced new signing Keiran McDonald signed from Beith while after the match the signing of Ross Smith, also from Beith was completed.
Kieran MacDonald and Hugh Kerr
The Bonnyton Thistle starting eleven included defender Adam Caldwell who played for Glenafton in Season 2022/23.
The contrast in conditions from the wind and rain of last Saturday’s friendly against Troon, were stark, as the sun beat down on Loch Park and ‘hydration breaks’ were certainly on the cards.
Although Glens kicked off it was Bonnyton that came close in the opening minute as Adam Caldwell picked up a pass on the left-hand side of the box before pushing forward and drilling a low angled shot that whizzed past the advancing keeper Harry Sutton and inches wide of the back post. A minute later Sutton, on the penalty spot, stretched to get fingertips to a ball that appeared to be destined for the gaping empty net.
Glens countered through Michael Mullen driving to the outskirts of the ‘D’ before slipping the ball wide to Robbie McDougall only for his shot from inside the box to whizz over the advancing keeper Dylan Caddis.
Back came the visitors and Dylan Howarth from deep in the box had his shot blocked by Sutton.
Play then flowed back and forth with few other chances on show as the ‘hydration break’ beckoned.
Following the restart both sides forced corner kicks that were well defended.
On 34 minutes Keiran MacDonald floated a free-kick into a packed box with Craig McCracken drifting into the box only for keeper Caddis to tip the ball over the bar. Callum Wilson curled the corner kick that followed which was headed clear.
At the other end Howarth from the outskirts of the box on the right whipped a cross to the back post where Aiden McGee gathered the ball and fired a shot that flew high over the bar.
Soon after Louis Kerr from the left-hand side of the ‘D’ drilled a low shot angled shot to the near post where keeper Sutton got down low and smothered the ball as McGee was looking to pounce on any spillage. Howarth then whipped another ball from the right to the back post forcing Sutton to race from his line only for McGee to give chase and as the ball headed for the corner flag the two came together with the keeper adjudged to have fouled Howarth as he tripped over him; the free kick came to nothing.
HT Glens 0 Bonnyton 0
The early play raged back and forth with a few efforts on goal.
Aidan McGee’s attempt from deep in the box was comfortably saved by Sutton. At the other end Macdonald, from tight on the right, floated a high ball into the six-yard box where Mullen and McDougall were outnumbered by three defenders and a leaping keeper, all of whom failed to make contact with the ball as it bounced wide of the post.
Back came Glens, only for McDougall and Smith to be closed down by a host of defenders.
On the hour mark Glens made a change with Robbie McDougall making way for Blair Anderson.
The home side enjoyed a good spell of possession deep in the Bonnyton half. MacDonald from wide on the right whipped a free-kick across the face of the goal only for it to whiz through the gap between Caddis and McCracken and wide of the back post.
McLaughlin and Caldwell tussled for the ball on the outskirts of the Bonnyton box at the expense of a corner kick which was headed clear. Mullen then gathered a pass from Stirling on the edge of the ‘D’ and held off the challenge of Jack Sherwood before swivelling and drilling a low shot that was comfortably held by the diving Caddis.
Glens continued to press and shouts of a Caldwell hand ball in the box fell on deaf ears while soon after the same player conceded a corner which was returned to MacDonald and his second attempt was punched clear by Caddis.
Bonnyton broke up the right through Ryan Kenney only for his first attempt to square the ball across the face of goal to be blocked by MacDonald while his second attempt to pick out Hewitt at the back post was intercepted and clutched by Sutton.
Back came the home side through Anderson driving down the right to the bye-line only for his attempt to pick out Smith on the six-yard line to be headed out for a corner by Sherwood. Wilson floated the kick from the left high into the six-yard box beyond the leap of Louis Kerr and seemingly falling perfectly for McCracken only for Jace McCulloch to have a stranglehold on him, despite which he managed to break free and ironically was penalised for a push on McCulloch.
On 77 minutes Glens made a change with Kieran MacDonald making way for Jordan Allan and soon after Ross Smith was replaced by player-manager Hugh Kerr.
The home side continued on the front foot and came close to breaking the deadlock after Mullen held off three defenders at the edge of the box before blasting a shot only for Caddis to pull off a super save pushing the ball inches wide of the junction of the post and crossbar. The corner that followed was just beyond the reach of Kerr sandwiched between two defenders at the back post.
Glens continued to push and Anderson from tight on the right picked out Stirling with a peach of a pass as he weaved his way into the left-hand side of the box taking out three defenders and forcing Caddis to rush to his six-yard line before Stirling seemingly angled the ball between the keeper and McCulloch into the net, only for the defender to sweep the ball inches wide of the post.
Stirling, from the left, played the corner short to McLaughlin just within the box who then rolled it back to the edge of the ‘D’ for Allan to curl a ball towards the back-post where Kerr met it on the six-yard line only for his initial shot to be blocked by Kris Chisholm before his second attempt to bury the rebound slipped inches wide of the post.
Mullen picked up a pass just inside the Bonnyton half and with Caldwell and McCulloch giving chase he drilled a low angled wide of the far post.
Soon after Kyle Hutton blasted a free-kick from 25 yards out low and wide of the wall only for Caddis to get down low and push it wide of the post. Stirling curled the corner high to back post where McCracken’s header sailed over the bar.
FT Glens 0 Bonnyton 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Harry Sutton 2. Andy McLaughlin 3. Kieran MacDonald (16. Jordan Allan) 4. Ricky Little (captain) 5. Craig McCracken 6. Kyle Hutton 7. Andy Stirling 8. Callum Wilson 9. Ross Smith (trialist) (14. Hugh Kerr) 10. Michael Mullen 11. Robbie McDougall (trialist) (12. Blair Anderson (trialist))
BONNYTON THISTLE
1. Dylan Caddis 2. Adam Caldwell 4. Jack Duncan 5. Jack Sherwood 6. Thomas Dempsie 7. Aidan McGee 9. Louis Kerr 10. Kris Chisholm 11. Dylan Howarth 15. Jace McCulloch 16. Ryan Kenney Substitutes: 21. Halliday 3. Taylor 8. Dunnet 12. Currie 18. Walker 19. Hewitt
Glens starting eleven included ‘summer’ signings Harry Sutton, Jordan Allan, Andy McLaughlin, Andy Stirling, Chris Truesdale and Ross Smith (trialist). On the bench was keeper Marc Fisher, brother of former Glens player Ross Fisher, signed from Troon; player-coach Kyle Hutton and former Glens players Blair Anderson and Robbie McDougall, as trialists.
In the Troon line-up was former Glenafton player Dario Viviani.
Glens kicked off against the wind and driving rain, a partnership that prevailed for much of the game, on this the 4th July; doodle-dandy!
Troon were quickly on the front-foot and won a free-kick, some 30 yards from goal. Callan Veitch stepped up, only for his shot to deflect of the head of the leaping Craig McCracken and out for corner kick that was headed clear by Lee Duncanson.
Glens broke up the right where Duncanson won the aerial battle with Jamie Mills and Andy McLaughlin pounced on the loose ball to drive forward and slipped the ball wide to Truesdale who in turn squared the ball into the box but just beyond the reach for the inrushing Ross Smith.
At the other end Leyton Dunlop floated a free-kick from wide on the left and well inside the Glens half, high into the box only for Ricky Little to get the jump on Stephen Bronsky albeit is header fell for Dean Fulton while his low shot was blocked by Jordan Allan before Michael Mullen mopped up the danger.
Some uncertainty over the decision to award Troon a free-kick on the right touchline after Dunlop and Andy Stirling challenged for the ball; as the Glens had expected a throw-in. It was Dunlop that floated the ball high into the box where Carter Frew, a new signing from Hurlford, bulleted a downward header at the back-post sending the ball between keeper Harry Sutton and Duncanson along the face of goal with a queue of Troon players, at the back post where Dean Fulton guided it into the net. Glens 0 Troon 1, 15 mins.
Glens then enjoyed a good spell of possession, down both flanks, in the Troon half , without however testing the keeper, while at the other end Sutton dived at the feet of Viviani deep in the Glens box, sending the ball of his shins and out for a goal kick . Soon after the former Glens player engaged in a stramash with Allan, resulting in a free-kick for Troon, just short of 30 yards from goal. Ben Hughes, another summer signing from Hurlford, stepped up to take the free kick curling it over the heads of the Glens three-man wall only to be clutched cleanly under the bar by the leaping Sutton.
Played flowed back back and forth in the wet and windy conditions for a spell before the visitors doubled their lead. Ben Armour on the left, slipped the ball inside to Hughes who launched a shot from 25 yards out, which dipped over the head and outstretched hands of the leaping Sutton, only for the ball to crash off the underside bar and bounce back up, while Dario Viviani was first to react to dive and bullet a low header beyond the reach of the grounded Sutton and into the net. Glens 0 Troon 2, 39 mins.
The last chance of the half fell to the Glens after Stirling, from the bye-line under pressure from two red shirts, whipped the ball to the penalty spot where Smith pounced to drill a low shot only for the alert Veitch to stretch out a leg and send the ball up into the air before it was hooked clear of the box by Hughes.
HT Glens 0 Troon 2
At the break Glens made a change with keeper Harry Sutton making way for Marc Fisher.
Troon kicked off and were first to threaten after McCracken’s headed clearance was trapped on the chest by Viviani before hooking a shot that Fisher safely ushered wide of the post.
Glens enjoyed a decent spell of possession and won a corner on the right where Craig Truesdale played a short one-two with Duncanson before whipping the ball into a packed box only for Troon to clear.
At the other end Veitch blasted a low shot from 30 yards which whizzed wide of the post as Fisher looked on.
Back came Glens and Veitch tripped Stirling on the outskirts of the box, left of the ‘D’ only for Callum Wilson’s free kick to fly over the three-man wall and then over the bar.
The home side then broke down a Troon attack that allowed Allan to launch a long ball down the left were Smith and Stirling combined to float the ball into the box only for this be cleared before Ross Smith pounced on the loose ball and from inside the ‘D’ drilled a low ball past the outrushing Steven Bronsky and beyond the reach of keeper Martin McDonald and into the net at the near post. Glens 1 Troon 2, 60 mins.
A minute later Duncanson and Dean Fulton challenged for the ball, the Troon player reacting and raising a clenched hand in retaliation. The Glens captain dismayed at the booking while the fortunate Fulton only received the same sentence. The free-kick was floated to the far side of the box where a group of players from both sides were congregated and although Hughes won the aerial battle his header dipped inches over the bar and onto roof of the net.
On 63 minutes Troon made a triple substitution with Viviani, Frew and another making way for Jack Allan, Lewis Allan and Trialist A.
Glens pushed forward in numbers and Truesdale cracked a shot from 20 yards for the top left hand corner of the goal only for Bronsky to intercept and head the ball out for a corner kick. Stirling, from the left, floated the ball to far post where Ricky Little’s header bounced of the chest of Hughes who then hooked the ball clear.
On 68 minutes Glens made a change with Andy McLaughlin making way for Kyle Hutton.
At the other end Veitch floated a free-kick into the right-hand side of a busy box where Bronsky’s high looping header was tipped over the bar by Fishe,r while the corner kicked that followed was mopped up by the Glens’ defence.
The home side countered with Mullen breaking into the left-hand side of the box and squaring a pass for the inrushing Smith only for Fisher to intercept and get down low and kick the ball away. Glens continued to press albeit without testing the keeper.
On 78 minutes Glens made a double substitution with Lee Duncanson and Michael Mullen making way for Blair Anderson and Robbie McDougall.
Anderson was soon in the thick of it with determined breaks down the right. Although, his first attempt to square the ball into the six-yard box was deflected off Trialist B and then headed clear by Trialist A. Soon after Truesdale released Anderson down the right to drill another low ball into the box for Smith to gather, and the twist to fashion a low shot at goal between two defenders and that just drifted wide of the post. The home side continued to dominate the attacking play as they sought the elusive equaliser.
On 85 minutes Glens made their final substitution with Ross Smith making way for Jamie Petre.
Play raged back and forth in the closing minutes of the match.
Troon won a corner on the left which was floated high into the six-yard box with Bronsky the target only for Fisher to get a slight touch on the ball before kicking it clear of danger.
At the other end Wilson floated a corner kick from the right into a packed six-yard box only for Trialist B to head it clear at the near post and the final whistle blew as Petre gathered the loose ball.
FT Glens 1 Troon 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic 1. Harry Sutton (1. Marc Fisher) 2. Lee Duncanson (capt.) (14. Blair Anderson, trialist) 3. Jordan Allan 4. Ricky Little 5. Craig McCracken 6. Andy McLaughlin (15. Kyle Hutton) 7. Andy Stirling 8. Michael Mullen (16. Robbie McDougall, trialist) 9. Ross Smith (trialist) (17. Jamie Petre) 10. Callum Wilson 11. Chris Truesdale.
TROON
Troon 1. Martin McDonald 3. Jamie Mills 4. Stephen Bronsky 5. Calum Gow 8. Leyton Dunlop (capt.) 11. Callan Veitch 14. Dean Fulton 15. Ben Armour 16. Carter Frew 17. Dario Viviani 18. Ben Hughes. Substitutes: 2. Trialist A 6. Ryan Hamilton 7. Jack Allan 9. Sam Jamieson 10. Keiran Logan 12. Trialist B 19. Lewis Allan 21. Rohan Harkins
Glenafton Athletic are delighted to announce the appointment of Hugh Kerr as our new manager. Hugh had served as interim manager for the last five matches of the league season following the departure of Paul Paton.
Hugh’s management team will be made up of Jordan Allan, Terry Thompson, Kyle Hutton and Bill Reside. We are also delighted to confirm that Sports Scientist and Physio Laura Pagan and Goalkeeping Coach Scott Gilmour will also remain and form part of the new management team.
We look forward to an exciting new era at the club, and we would like to officially welcome the new management team to Loch Park.
Glenafton lined up with the same eleven that started against Arthurlie last Saturday. Although there we no Drumchapel team-lines available, in their dug-out was keeper Jacob Pazikas who turned out for the Glens for one match earlier in the season,
In the last league game of the season both Drumchapel and Glenafton stood on 36 points with the home side a vastly superior goal difference and the winners would gain promotion to the Lowland League West, providing Beith on 37 points lost out at Hurlford.
Drumchapel kicked off and enjoyed some possession in the Glens half. However, on 5 minutes the visitors claim for a penalty after Michael Mullen was sandwiched between No.6 and No. 16 in the Drum box was waved away.
The home side took the lead on 10 minutes through a powerful angled shot from inside the box by the lively No. 9.Drumchapel 1 Glens 0.
Drumchapel continued to press and midway through the half doubled their lead after No. 28 drilled the ball home from inside the six-yard box. Drumchapel 2 Glens 0.
Glens had couple of chances from a Leon Murphy corner-kick and a Jamie Wilson shot from the 18 yard line that dipped over the bar before Drumchapel piled on the pressure. On 40 minutes Ricky Little’s challenge on No. 23 in the box earned Drum a penalty kick which No. 23 slotted home, sending keeper Ollie Ecrepont the wrong way. Drumchapel 3 Glens 0.
HT Drumchapel 3 Glenafton 0
The half-time score at Hurlford had Beith trailing 1-0 and as such Drumchapel were on course for the promotion place.
Drumchapel were in no mood to rest on their laurels and broke forward on numbers. However, there was a twist in the tale as the Glens countered in lethal fashion.
On 56 minutes Leon Murphy broke into the right-hand side of the Drum box with No. 16 giving chase while forcing the keeper to race from his line, before lobbing the ball high over their heads and those of the incoming David Craig and No. 4 and then dipping perfectly into the far corner of the net. Drumchapel 3 Glens 1.
Two minutes later, Murphy curled a corner from the right to the far side of the six-yard box where Craig McCracken, a yard off the bye-line, beat No.4 to the ball to guide a looping header over the keeper at the near post and players from both sides in the goal mouth, to dip under the bar despite No. 4’s attempt to head it clear. Drumchapel 3 Glens 2.
The visitors’ tails were up and once again Murphy turned provider after tearing down the right to the corner flag before giving No. 3 the slip and whipping a cross to the back post for the incoming Mullen only for header from the six yard line only for the keeper to make a point-blank two-handed save, only for Ollie Rowe to win the race for the loose ball lay it back to Jamie Wilson but his shot from the penalty spot was blocked by a clutch of defenders.
However, the home side settled their nerves and were soon on the front again and double their lead on 62 minutes after No 6. from the left-hand corner of the six-yard box nodded the ball back for No. 7 to guide a high looping header beyond the reach of Ecrepont at full stretch and into the far corner of the net. Drumchapel 4 Glens 2.
Play then raged back without further scoring.
FT Drumchapel 4 Glens 2
News from Hurlford, reported that Beith had scored two second half goals to secure promotion to the Lowland League West.
N.B. I had to leave with 20 minutes to go for another appointment.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson (captain) 3. Brannan McDermott 4. Ricky Little 5. Craig McCracken 6. Callum Wilson 7. Leon Murphy 8. Jamie Wilson 9. Michael Mullen 10. Ollie Rowe 11. David Craig. Subs Used: 12. Jamie Low 14. David Blyth 15. Sam McKee 16. Ross Lindsay 17. Hugh Kerr
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Cumnock Juniors last Saturday with Ross Lindsay and Cammy Ross making way for Ollie Rowe and Jamie Wilson, returning from a long injury.
Arthurlie kicked-off in glorious sunshine and were quickly on the front foot. Aaron Healey picked up a pass from the right on the outskirts of the ‘D’ and rolled the ball to the edge of the box for Michael MacNeil to chase down and from 8 yards out angled a low shot between keeper Ollie Ecrepont at the near post and Craig McCracken, only for it to drift wide of the back post.
Glens then came close after Callum Wilson floated a free kick from the left high into the goalmouth where Ollie Rowe got the jump on Michael MacNeil to flash a header beyond the reach of keeper Marc Waters and inches wide of the junction of post and crossbar.
Back came ‘Lie with Mark Taylor holding off a clutch of Glens defenders on the outskirts of the box then clipping the ball forward for Healy breaking into the left hand-side of the box and driving to the bye-line to square a pass to the near post for the inrushing Sean Slaven only for Ecrepont and McCracken to block his shot, sending it along the goal-line to be instantly cleared upfield by Brannan McDermott.
Glens then enjoyed a good spell of possession in the ‘Lie half with Leon Murphy causing problems down the right wing before ‘Lie mounted another counter-attack through Healy down the left and squaring the ball into the box for Slaven but McCracken intercepted and his clearance cannoned off the ‘Lie striker sending the ball to back post where McDermott’s overhead kick cleared the danger as Taylor threatened.
Play continued to rage back and forward with the home side coming close gain. Shay Burke from wide on the right whipped a ball to back post for MacNeil only for Ecrepont to block it sending along the bye-line to the right, where Healy pounced and squared it along the face of goal for the incoming Slaven only to be intercepted and cleared by Ricky Little.
Glens then enjoyed another spell of possession in the Arthurlie half with attacks down both wings, however it was through the middle that proved more effective. A push on back of Murphy earned a free kick, 10 yards out from the penalty box. Michael Mullen, Callum Wilson and Leon Murphy all lined up to take the kick and it was the latter that curled it over the four-man wall and beat the keeper at full stretch, bouncing on the goal line, two feet inside the post ad, into the far corner of the net. ‘Lie 0 Glens 1, 15 mins.
The visitors tails were up and soon after a ball floated to the left hand-side of the box for Mullen was intercepted by Sinclair his header landing in the ‘D’ where Rowe, with his back to goal, swivelled to drill a low shot from the 18 yard line, that took a bounce only for keeper Waters, stretched out on the ground, to get a touch and send the ball wide for a corner-kick which was eventually cleared.
Back came Glens and Sean Docherty under pressure from Jamie Wilson on the right-hand side of the box conceded a corner kick which Callum Wilson floated into the goalmouth where Sinclair and Rowe both leapt for the ball, which was headed away from goal bouncing on the penalty spot and high out of the box. Murphy chased it down and met it on the drop to clip over the head of Shay Burke for Jamie Wilson to control on his chest and then head before executing a perfectly weighted lob high into goalmouth where Ollie Rowe cushioned the ball on the six-yard line with his right foot before taking a step to guide it with his left foot through the legs of the keeper and into the net. ‘Lie 0 Glens 2, 19 minutes.
The home side emerged from their shell-shock and although McCracken and Little combined to rob Slaven of the ball the tackle on Healy was deemed a foul. Taylor cracked the free-kick from 28 yards over the three-man wall, taking a slight deflection, forcing the air-borne Ecrepont diving to his right and get a hand to the ball, pushing it high over the bar. Doherty’s header from the corner that followed flew wide of target.
Back came Glens winning a corner on the right that was floated to the back post where McCracken from the bye-line headed it back into the goalmouth for Mullen only for Doherty to get a knee to the ball before clearing, Mullen claiming a hand-ball.
Soon after Murphy’s free-kick from 28 yards bounced off the ‘Lie wall only for Callum Wilson to pounce and nick the ball from Burke before lashing a diagonal shot from the left-hand side of the ‘D’ which whizzed inches past of the far post with the keeper stranded at the near post.
At the other end ‘Lie won a corner on the right that Leo McCartney floated to the back post where although Docherty won the aerial battle his header sent the ball high over the bar.
On the half-hour mark Glenafton extended their lead.
Mullen picked up the ball in the centre circle before pushing forward and slipping a pass up the right for Murphy to curl a ball into the box for Craig but Doherty intercepted with a header only for Michael Mullen to pounce and expertly guide the ball into the right-hand corner of the net beyond the reach of diving keeper for his 29th goal of the season. ‘Lie 0 Glens 3, 30 mins.
Play then raged back and forth for a spell as the light blue sky battled the grey clouds during which time Mullen took a sore one, with the bench hoping he could see it through to break.
In the last action of the half ‘Lie came close to pulling one back after Burke launched a free kick from the right, from just inside the Glens half, into the box for Doherty only for his header to bounce inches wide of the post.
HT ‘Lie 0 Glens 3
Michael Mullen’s injury saw him replaced at the break by David Blyth.
The home side were first to threaten through Mark Taylor’s free kick from 28 yards which was drilled wide of the four-man wall only for Ecrepont on his line to clutch the ball cleanly before falling to the ground for safety.
On 57 minutes ‘Lie made three changes with Aaron Healy, Leo McCartney and Owen Carey making way for Fraser Scott, Max Gillies and Bobby Barr.
Soon after Barr broke down the left and from the bye-lien and the edge of the penalty box he drilled a low ball into the six yard box where Taylor got between McCracken and McDermott only for his shot from a very tight angle to be held on the line at the base of the post by Ecrepont – another excellent save!
At the other end Murphy, from the bye-line at the edge of the left-hand side of the six-yard box, held off the challenge of MacNeil and drew the keeper off his line before lobbing the ball over his outstretched arms only for Scott to clear as it bounced ominously close to the back post.
On 64 minutes Glens made a change with Ollie Rowe making way for player-manager Hugh Kerr, only for the referee to send Shuggy back off the pitch to remove his watch and not let him back until match had restarted and the ball went out of play! In any case he was soon in the thick of the action when Murphy launched a ball from the right to the back post where Kerr won the aerial battle with Sinclair only for his header to flash wide of target.
At the other end Barr gathered a short-corner from the right to curl the ball for Taylor at the back post only for Lee Duncanson to intercept with a powerful header sending the ball well out the box.
Play continue to ebb back and forth (as opposed to rage!).
Kerr wide on the left picked out Jamie Wilson who in turn fed McCracken on the outskirts of the ‘D’ from where the big centre half weaved his way into the box before rolling it back to Kerr to thread another pass into a busy box for Craig and from 8 yards out he fired a shot that the keeper did well to push wide towards the far post where it was launched upfield by Burke.
On 83 minutes Glens made a change with David Craig making way for Ross Lindsay.
Play continued to flow and back forth with defences well on top.
Arthurlie fired a free kick from deep in their own half into the Glens box where Blyth beat Sinclair to the ball to knock it forward for McCracken to gather and drive forward before launching it upfield for Callum Wilson to chase it down and with Burke on his heels his attempt to chip the ball from the 18 yard line was foiled by the outrushing keeper only two yards from the line.
The tempo in the closing minutes was back to play raging back and forth. Murphy gathered the ball just inside the ‘Lie box before picking out Blythe to tee-up a shot from 12 yards but with Gillies closing in, his shot sailed over the bar.
Into added time and ‘Lie broke down the left through Barr who then cut deep into the box drawing Ecrepont from his line before drilling a low ball past him only for it to crash off the base of the post and fall for McDermott to mop up the danger as the final whistle blew.
An outstanding team performance from the Glens with great goals and superb defending & goalkeeping.
FT ‘Lie 0 Glens 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ollie Ecrepont 2. Lee Duncanson (captain) 3. Brannan McDermott 4. Ricky Little 5. Craig McCracken 6. Callum Wilson 7. Leon Murphy 8. Jamie Wilson 9. Michael Mullen (14. David Blyth) 10. Ollie Rowe (16. Hugh Kerr) 11. David Craig (15. Ross Lindsay) Sub Not Used: 12. Jamie Low
ARTHURLIE
1. Marc Waters 2. Ryan Sinclair 5. Michael MacNeil (captain) 6. Sean Doherty 9. Mark Taylor 10. Aaron Healy 12. Shay Burke 14. Ross MacMillan 18. Sean Slaven 20. Leo McCartney 22. Owen Carey. Subs: 26. Sam Gibson 4. Fraser Scott 7. Max Gillies 11. Ewan MacPherson 16. Bobby Barr 21. Johnny Black
Glenafton Athletic 