Following the SFA Annual General Meeting that was held at Hampden Park earlier today, we can confirm that Glenafton Athletic have now been granted membership of the SFA.
A representative of the club Steven Kerr (Development Officer) was presented a certificate onstage at the AGM in recognition of the club being granted membership of the SFA, having met entry level licensing requirements.
Achieving our club license not only allows progression within the pyramid system, but it also means the club now have automatic entry into the preliminary rounds of the Scottish Cup starting this season.
Steven Kerr (Development Officer) added:
“Achieving our club license has been a long process, and I would like to once again thank everyone who has assisted with our application. There is probably too many people to mention, but I would like to once again thank Keith Stewart from East Ayrshire Council for the help he has given myself with the application, it is greatly appreciated.
Over the course of the last year, we have made massive improvements to the Loch Park infrastructure which will be of great benefit to the club and community going forwards. Through grant funding we have been able to install 300 LUX LED floodlights, upgrade the Hunter Suite and Pavilion, build a disability shelter, and we also now have a medical room facility as well within the park.
We are sure our supporters will be delighted with this news, and we all look forward to seeing the Glens participate in the Scottish Cup once again.”
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The Glens travelled to face Arthurlie in the last game of the league campaign with both sides safe from relegation. Glenafton made 3 changes from the eleven that started against Clydebank last Saturday Aiden Glavin (injured), Ryan Nisbet and Hugh Kerr were replaced by Craig Burns, Craig Pettigrew and Leon Murphy respectively.
Although Glens kicked off with Dunterlie Park bathed in the Barrhead sunshine it was Arthurlie that shone brightly with two goals in the opening 5 minutes.
The first came on 3 minutes after a perfectly executed text book move down the right flank. Dale Simeon gathered a ball from Andy McLaughlin to push forward and as defender Ollie Rowe approached slipped it wide to Gary Carroll on the overlap before sprinting off towards the back post the goal to meet Carroll’s cross from bye-line, leaping unmarked to head the ball home via the inside of the post.
Two minutes later, Simeon turned provider by floating a corner kick high to the far side of the box where Lee Roulston sent a high looping header back into the goalmouth over the heads of players from both sides congregated at the post and although it appeared Michael Moffat had headed it off the line, the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line. The decision stood despite the Glens appeal.
Glens rallied and had a couple of attacks that fizzled out before they halved the deficit on 8 minutes. Moffat gathered the ball on the left and slipped the ball between two defenders into the path of the Scott McLean breaaking into the right hand side of the box to drill a low shot from 15 yards past a defender and beyond the reach of keeper James Scott.
Played raged back and forth before the visitors levelled the score on 16 minutes with McLean turning provider. The attacking midfielder gathered the ball in his own half before driving forward to the outskirts of the box where he was forced to break into the right-hand side of the box to square a well weighted pass to Alex McWaters to smack a sweet strike from 12 yards into the corner of the net, for his first Glens goal.
A minute later ‘Lie passed up a good chance to retained the lead after Conor Bradley dragged his shot from 18 yards inches wide of the post. While soon after at the other Scott pulled off a good save from the Moffat’s shot from 25 yards and the keeper eventually got hold off the ball at his near post from the corner kick that followed.
On 24 minutes Jordan Leyden pressed through the middle before cracking a low shot that just bounced dangerously in front Burns and the former Barrhead Boys Club keeper did well to get down low and push the ball away with both hands and then rise to his feet and force Simeon to send his attempt to bury the rebound round the post.
The referee stopped played for a drinks-break in the scorching sunshine but after play resumed clear-cut chances for either side had dried up despite the endeavour on show the best of which fell Arthurlie after Leyden floated a free kick into the box only for Gary Carroll header to fall into the welcoming arms of Burns.
HT Arthurlie 2 Glens 2
Arthurlie made one change at the break keeper Gary Black replacing James Scott between the sticks. The keeper was quickly called into action after Michael McMullin lasered a shot from the left corner of the box that was always on the rise as the keeper tipped it over the bar.
Ten minutes into the new half the Glens made a double substitution with Leon Murphy and Michael Moffat making way from Sam McKee and Hugh Kerr.
The home side were enjoying the bulk of possession and a corner kick on the hour mark although won in the air by Glens captain Craig Pettigrew created quite a goal mouth scramble with the loose ball eventually cleared by Adam Caldwell. Soon after Caldwell and Kerr combined in the six yard box to clear another corner.
Arthurlie made a triple substitution with Connor Bradley & Lewis Strain making way for Ayr United loanee Kinlay Bilham & Jordan Shelvey and soon after Lewis Warnock replaced Andrew McLaughlin.
Midway through the half Roulston chased down a long clearance upfield and from wide on the right delivered a superb diagonal pass to Simeon on the left flank to break into the box only for Burns to push away his shot from a tight angle.
On 72 minutes Glens responded in a lethal fashion to take the lead for the first time. Dylan O’Kane picked up a pass from Kerr on the outskirts of the box and as a defender closed-in, he dinked to the right before blasting an angled shot from 25 yards beyond the keeper, diving at full stretch at his near post, who could only look on as the ball bounced of the base of the far post and into the net.
Second half substitutes Sam McKee and Hugh Kerr the combined to double the Glens lead on 79 minutes. McKee broke into the right-hand side of the box and then rounded the keeper, as he rushed from his goal, to progress to the bye-line from where he clipped the ball across the face of the goal for the incoming Hugh Kerr to prod the ball past a defender on the line for his 21st goal of the season.
The home side made their final substitution with striker Gary Smith replacing Gary Carroll.
Arthurlie quickly regrouped and won a corner kick on the right and Pettigrew won the aerial battle in the goal mouth sending the ball looping high into air that dropped towards the corner of the six yard box which Leyden met on the drop to volley a low shot through a ruck of players only for the alert Craig Burns to get down low and push the ball off the line and then get a strong hand to stifle Warnock’s attempt to stab home the loose ball before Pettigrew then hoofed it clear.
Glens countered through Paton playing a one-two with McKee and picking up the return pass at the corner of the six-yard box from where his low angled shot beat the keeper but slipped wide of the far post.
The visitors made their final substitution on 86 minutes with Craig Pettigrew making way for Dean Currie.
In the closing minute of the match Smith chased down a ball into the box and from the bye-line cracked a stunning volley but Burns, once again came out on top with another spontnaeous and brave block at his near post.
FT Arthurlie 2 Glens 4
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Craig Burns 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) (20. Dean Currie) 35. Michael McMullin; 2. Adam Caldwell 3. Scott McLean 8. Paul Paton 6. Alex McWaters 11. Leon Murphy (7. Sam McKee); 18. Dylan O’Kane, 15. Michael Moffat (9. Hugh Kerr). Subs Not Used: 1. David Markey (gk), Aiden Russell (gk), Callum McFadyen, 14. Ryan Nisbet
ARTHURLIE
Arthurlie: James Scott (Gary Black), Max Kerr, Michael MacNeil, Conor Bradley (Kinlay Bilham), Lee Roulston, Andy McLaughlin (Lewis Warnock), Jordan Leyden, Ryan McGregor, Liam Strain (Jordan Shelvey), Dale Simeon, Gary Carroll (captain) (Gary Smith).
Bankies kicked off and enjoyed a lively start. Alan Kelly stripped Paul Paton of the ball and drilled a low shot from 22 yards that drifted wide of the post. Adam Hodge then intercepted a Glens clearance and lobbed the ball high to the edge of the left hand-side of the box where Kelly gathered and cracked a vicious shot that keeper Aiden Glavin, at full stretch, pushed round the post. The corner kick was floated to the back post where Mick McMullin beat Jaime Darroch in the aerial battle for ball at the expense of another corner which Glavin clutched cleanly under the bar.
Forward came Glens as Alex McWaters broke upfield and although his cross into the box was intercepted the ball was quickly recovered by Dylan O’Kane who curled a shot from 22 yards only for keeper Jamie Donelly to push it wide of the top corne; the corner that followed was cleared.
Play raged back and forth but with 11 minutes gone Bankies were forced to make an early substitution after Creag Little struggled to recover from an earlier knock and was replaced by Danny MacKenzie.
On 13 minutes the home side took the lead after Hodge gathered the ball wide on the right on the half-way line before pushing forward and switching play with a peach of a long diagonal pass to Alan Kelly tight on the left wing. He then cut inside and curled a cross from the corner of the box towards the near post seemingly for the inrushing Ben McLernan but it appears he never got a touch and the ball continued undeterred past the keeper on the line before bulging the side-netting at the far post.
The Bankies continued to press while Glens gallantly cleared their lines before Lee Gallacher picked out Nicky Little in the box only to drag his shot wide of target.
Some respite for the Glens as Scott McLean burst upfield to edge of the box from where he rolled the ball back to McWaters to fire a shot from 22 yards that was well held by Donnelly.
Back came Clydebank and after another spell of pressure doubled their lead on 23 minutes. Joe Slattery from within a pocket of defenders lobbed a high ball over their heads into the left-hand side of the box for MacKenzie to collect and drive along the 18-yard line before squaring to Kelly to skelp a low shot from just inside the ‘D’ and although Glavin got down to block it the loose ball rolled along the face of goal and the alert Nicky Little was quick to react and lash the ball into the net. The young keeper sustained an injury in trying to savek the rebound and had to be replaced with Craig Burns.
The Glens fought their way back into the game. After a determined run down the right by Ryan Nisbet he whipped the ball into the six-yard for Michael Moffat only for Jamie Darroch to intercept and head out for a corner. It was Darroch that headed the corner-kick clear out the box only for O’Kane to recover the ball and hold of Kelly to break down the left and clip a great ball high into the six-yard box for the inrushing Hugh Kerr and McMullin. However, the former was being held back by Hodge and it was the latter that leapt high to challenge for the ball with the outrushing keeper, both colliding and collapsing to the ground. The referee pointed to the spot only for the assistant referee to raise his flag, apparently suggesting the keeper had been fouled. However after a lengthy discussion the referee’s decision stood. and Scott McLean kept his cool to slot home the spot-kick an halve the deficit on 32 minutes.
(*Although, McMullin had clearly taken an accidental blow to the side of the head, my initial thoughts were that the referee must have spotted Hodge holding back Kerr with both hands – but he wasn’t booked, so the ref hadn’t spotted it.)
Soon after, O’Kane won the ball on the outskirts of the centre-circle in the Bankies half and escaped the clutches of Nicky Low and then those of Darroch to push forward with Hodge now hot on his heels with arms outstretched but again the young striker shook him off until a few yards from the box where the Bankies full back made his choice to bring him down. McLean clipped the free-kick over the wall and as the ball began to dip Donnelly leapt with an outstretched arm to tip over the bar.
McLean played the corner kick low into a packed six-yard box initiating a scramble and although Kerr was being held again, he managed to roll the ball back to McLean to clip it back into the goalmouth where Donnelly punched it clear of the box only for McWaters to hook it back by which time the keeper was in place to comfortably catch the ball.
Glens continued to enjoy a good spell of possession before the home side began to turn the screw again. With numbers in the Glens box MacKenzie won the ball and fed Little to side-foot a shot from 18 yards only for Burns to save and hold tightly.
On 42 minutes Clydebank restored their two-goal cushion. Slattery, with his route to the box blocked, rolled the ball back to Hodge tight on the right wing who took a touch or two before lobbing a perfectly weighted ball over a couple of Glens defenders and down the wing into a space for Lee Gallacher to chase it down before cutting into the box and effortlessly jink past two defenders and as a third closed in he angled a low shot from 8 yards out just beyond the fingertips of Burns at full stretch.
HT Clydebank 3 Glens 1
Glenafton made a change at the break with Ryan Nisbet making way for Sam McKee.
Glens kicked off the second half and McLean tried his luck from 30 yards with a low drive but the keeper was not to be caught cold and held it well. The visitors then won a corner which was cleared and Clydebank’s counter-attack concluded with Little’s shot from inside the box stopped by Burns. Soon after the keeper made another fine save this time from Kelly’s effort from the edge of the box.
Back came Little to cut into the right-hand side of the Glens box to fire another low shot from a tight angle which Burns got down low to push away and Adam Caldwell mopped up the loose ball. It was then played upfield to O’Kane but although his attempt to head the ball on to Kerr was intercepted by Darroch the centre-half’s header fell back into the path of the lively O’Kane. From here he dashed forward leaving Low in his wake and then skipped past Hodge with ease and on reaching the ‘D’ he cracked a shot through space between Darroch and Oisin McHugh only for Donnelly, on his six yard line, to push the ball away sending it high into the air and as it dropped the incoming Scott McLean drilled it into ground to send it bouncing over the diving keeper and it into the net. Glens back in the game, a goal behind, on 53 minutes.
Two minutes later Paton nicked the ball from Kelly and slipped it to McKee on the right who whipped a high ball into the far side of the box where Moffat had sneaked behind Hodge and Darroch only for his header from the corner of the six-yard box to be clutched by the keeper at his near post.
On 56 minutes McKee’s shot was deflected out for a corner which McLean floated into the goalmouth where Ollie Rowe’s header slipped past post while Hodge and Kerr had wrestled and fell to the ground; the Glens striker’s claim for a penalty fell also – on deaf ears!
At the other end McLernan broke into the left-hand side of the box forcing Burns to rush from his line and then coolly rounded the keeper with a great touch only for McMullin’s sliding tackle preventing him bagging a brace. Back came Glens and Kerr’s header from a Moffat cross was gathered by Donnelly.
On the hour mark Clydebank restored their two goal cushion after a powerful run from Kelly cutting inside from the left, by-passing a host of Glens player before clipping a superb ball to match Lee Gallacher’s run in from the right, to take a touch and on entering the box curled the ball between Rowe and the diving keeper into the far side of the net. 4-2 Bankies!
Bankies then brought on Larry McMahon for Joe Slattery.
Play went back and forth and Glens had a couple of half chances from scuccessive corner-kicks that saw the Donnelly clutch Rowe’s header and then watch Kerr’s header dip over the bar.
However, on 73 minutes Bankies added a fifth as Glens got into a fankle! Donnelly launched a goal kick high upfield and as McMullin prepared to head it clear it caught him square on his crown sending the ball high into the air and Glens’ defender crumbling to ground in some distress. In the meantime, McLernan leapt high to head the ball into the box where both McWaters and Little gave chase while Burns rushed from his line and it was Nicky Little that got a touch to edge it wide of the keeper before side footing the ball into the empty net.
Clydebank then made a triple substitution with the injured Jamie Darroch and goal scorers Ben McLernan Nicky Little making way for Matt Niven, Connor Higgins and Ciaran Mulcahy.
On 79 minutes McMullin picked up another injury and was replaced by Dean Currie.
Credit to Glens they worked hard to try and pull one back but soon found themselves defending a number of corner-kicks as Bankies looked to add to their tally.
With 5 minutes to go Glens brought on Leon Murphy and Cameron McKenzie for Alex McWaters and Hugh Kerr.
Clydebank side brought an impressive display to a conclusion after Gallacher played a short corner to Kelly who quickly returned it for the former Glens player to curl it into the six-yard box where Ciaran Mulcahy leapt to bullet a header home.
FT Clydebank 6 Glenafton 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Aiden Glavin (Craig Burns) 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe 35. Michael McMullin (20. Dean Currie); 14. Ryan Nisbet (7. Sam McKee) 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters (11. Leon Murphy) 8. Paul Paton 18. Dylan O’Kane, 9. Hugh Kerr (19. Cameron McKenzie) 15. Michael Moffat . Subs Not Used: 4. Craig Pettigrew 7. Sam McKee, Callum McFadyen, 19. Cameron McKenzie 20. Dean Currie, Craig Burns (gk)..
CLYDEBANK
Clydebank: 1. Jamie Donnelly 2. Adam Hodge 15. Oisin McHugh 22. Creag Little (3. Danny MacKenzie) 5. Jamie Darroch (4. Matt Niven) 23. Nicky Low 7. Lee Gallacher 8. Joe Slattery (17. Larry McMahon)18. Ben McLernan (27. Connor Higgins) 10. Nicky Little (9. Ciaran Mulcahy) 21. Alan Kelly
Glenafton made 3 changes to the eleven that started against Auchinleck on Monday evening with Dean Currie, Leon Murphy and Michael Moffat replacing Adam Caldwell, Ryan Nisbet and Hugh Kerr.
Glens run of four league wins in a row came to an end going down 3-2 to Cambuslang in what was their third game in five days. Relegated Rangers opened the scoring on 22 minutes after a sustained period of pressure saw them win four corner kicks in a row. The fourth was fired in from the right to the far side of the box where it struck off the chest of the unmarked Robbie Leighton sending the ball well outside out the box which he quickly recovered and cut inside a couple of defenders before unleashing a low shot from inside the ‘D’ through a packed box and into the corner of the net.
There were be no further scoring in the first-half.
HT Cambuslang 1 Glens 0
At the break Glenafton made a double substitution Sam McKee & Alex McWaters making way for Ryan Nisbet & Hugh Kerr and the change paid immediate dividends.
On 53 minutes Dylan O’Kane won the ball inside the Glens half and rolled the ball forward to Michael Moffat who quickly laid it off inside to Leon Murphy and from the edge of the centre circle he lobbed the ball over the Camby defence for Hugh Kerr to chase and gather at the outskirts of the box from where he drove forward to lash the ball into the net from 15 yards.
Hugh Kerr brace taking his goal-tally for the season so far to 20
The home side regained the lead on 72 minutes. Scott Anson deep in his own half launched a high ball up the left which was readily gathered by the Glens before the defenders got into a fankle giving the ball away cheapy to Ben Richmond to drive to the corner of the six-yard box and drill a low ball past keeper Aiden Glavin.
Glens drew level on 84 minutes after Dean Currie floated a high ball into the Camby box and although the defender won the ball in the air it fell for Michael Moffat who took a touch and then tried to guide it into the corner of the net only for it to bounce off keeper Andy Wilson’s shins and there was Hugh Kerr to bounce and slam the ball home from 15 yards in off the post.
A point appeared to have been salvaged by the Glens to at least extend their unbeaten run to five games in a row. But no! Two minutes later Camby were awarded a penalty kick after a short throw into the box concluded with recipient being impeded and Nickey Fraser slotted home what proved to be the winner.
FT Cambuslang 3 Glens 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 22. Ollie Rowe 20. Dean Currie 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 35. Michael McMullin ; 11. Leon Murphy 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters (14. Ryan Nisbet) 7. Sam McKee (9. Hugh Kerr) 18. Dylan O’Kane, 15. Michael Moffat . Subs Not Used: Adam Caldwell, Callum McFadyen, Cameron McKenzie, Sean McKenzie, Craig Burns (gk).
CAMBUSLANG RANGERS
1. Andy Wilson 23. Tony Stevenson 4. Jack Breslin 3. Callum McLean 8. Robbie McLean 18. Ciaran McPherson 7. Paul Fee 11. Ben Richford 16. Nickey Fraser 9. Scott Anson
Glens made two changes with to the eleven that started against Cumnock Juniors on Saturday with Adam Caldwell and Ryan Nisbet replacing Dean Currie and Michael Moffat.
In the Auchinleck starting eleven was former Glenafton midfielder Michael Wardrope.
The visitors were first to threaten through Aaron Mason’s shot from 18 yards that sailed over the bar. Soon after Michael Wardrope’s effort from 20 yards was pushed wide for a corner by keeper Aiden Glavin which ended with Wardrope shot from inside the box comfortably saved by Glavin.
The Glens opened the scoring on 6 minutes with a cracking goal. Alex McWaters from deep on his own half in the middle of the park pinged a long diagonal ball to Ryan Nisbet on the right wing inside the Talbot half. After trapping the ball, he cut inside Aiden Wilson and turned on the after-burners leaving the defender in his wake to burst to the edge of the box before whipping a low vicious shot that whizzed beyond the reach of the advancing keeper Marc Fisher and into the net.
After an exhilarating start, the match played got bogged down for large spells with defences of top. Glavin leapt t clutch a Talbot corner into a packed six-yard box while his counterpart Fisher held Nisbet’s low shot from the edge of the box.
HT Glens 1 Auchinleck 0
The half-time oranges kicked in quickly as the Glens doubled their advantage on 48 minutes with Nisbet turning provider on this occasion. From wide on the right and deep in his own half he clipped a high ball upfield for Dylan O’Kane to burst into the box between Wilson and Craig McCraken and from the edge of the six- yard box slip the ball through the legs of the keeper and into the net from a tight angle.
Five minutes Talbot pulled one after Glavin could only parry Wardrope’s shot from 30 yards and Keir Samson was on hand to poke the loose ball from 6 yards out.
The visitors continued to press and instead of shooting for goal Wardrope slipped a free-kick into the left hand-side of the of the box from where the ball was cut-back to the near post and McCracken’s attempt to divert it into the net only for Glavin to block it on the line. A Talbot attack down the right saw Ali Boyle whip a low ball into the six-yard box for the incoming Samson but again the young keeper blocked the shot with his feet.
On 70 minutes Glens brought on Cameron McKenzie for Sam McKee.
The Glens were defending well with Craig Pettigrew and Ollie Rowe winning the aerial battles as Talbot attacked in waves without however creating any chances of note .
On 85 minutes doubled their lead through shear guts and determination from Dylan O’Kane. A Talbot throw from deep in their own squared to Garth Armstrong on the edge of the box and while the defender was trying to get the ball under control O’Kane burst forward from the edge of the centre-circle to nick the ball and then turned the defended, held him and lashed an unstoppable shot past the keeper and into the net at the far post. The young New Cumnock striker’s celebrations were enjoyed supporters and those in the dug-out in equal measure.
Nisbet picked up the ball in the centre-circle before driving forward past one ‘Bot after another and the from the edge of box clipped a low diagonal shot that slipped inches wide of the post with the keeper stranded on his line.
FT Glenafton 3 Auchinleck 1
Four league wins a row takes the Glens to 7th place in the league.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 5. Michael McMullin ; 14. Ryan Nisbet 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters , 7. Sam McKee (19.Cameron McKenzie) 18. Dylan O’Kane, 9. Hugh Kerr. Subs Not Used: Callum McFadyen, Sean McKenzie, Craig Burns (gk).
AUCHINLECK TALBOT
1. Marc Fisher 2. Lewis Crawford 4. Neil McPherson 5. Craig McCracken 3. Aiden Wilson; 7. Ali Boyle (14. Nathan Lennox) 6. Gareth Armstrong 8. Michael Wardrope 11. Ross Taylor; 9. Aaron Mason (12. Ross Mason) 10. Keir Samson
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Petershill on Saturday with Ryan Nisbet and Leon Murphy making way for Hugh Kerr and Michael McMullin.
Captaining Cumnock Juniors was former Glenafton defender Kyle McAusland who played four seasons at the club including the 2016/17 treble-winning season. Also lining up for the ‘Nock was midfielder Findlay Frye who had two spells at the Glens including in the 2013/14 team that were runners-up in the Scottish Junior Cup.
Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence in memory of John Cathcart and James McAusland both of whom passed away recently. John played outside right for Glenafton in the mid-1950’s at Connel Park. James was a regular visitor to Loch Park, making many friends along the way and followed the team to watch his son Kyle enjoy great success with the Glens.
There was little between the two sides in the first half and chances from open play were thin on the ground. Scott McLean’s cross into the box was headed clear and fell for Dylan O’Kane only for his shot to sail over the bar. A similar fate befell Hugh Kerr’s header from a ball curled into the box by Michael McMullin. A Cumnock corner-kick was cleared only for Findlay Frye to return it to the danger area where Andy McLaughlin tapped the ball home bit from an offside position.
The Glens started the second half brightly. Alex McWaters hooked a ball up the middle which was trapped by Kerr and then slipped to Michael Moffat who held up the ball allowing Kerr to advance to the heart of the box and although he just failed to connect with Moffat’s cross the incoming O’Kane dived low to send a header that crashed off the post then his attempt to bury the rebound held by keeper Jamie Barclay.
The home side continued to press with patient build up play. Moffat broke into the left-hand side of the box but his way to goal blocked rolled the ball back to the incoming McMullin who whipped the ball into the goalmouth only for Barclay to push it wide for a corner which was scrambled clear.
At the other end a Cumnock cornered was clutched cleanly by keeper Aiden Glavin. Soon after McLaughlin’s header looped over the bar.
Back came Glens and McMullin’s breaks down followed by dangerous balls into the box were keeping Cumnock on the back foot. The home side broke the deadlock on 59 minutes. Captain Craig Pettigrew gathered the ball in the centre-circle and slid to arrow a superb pass up the left for McLean to knock it further up the wing before giving chase to catch it at the goal-line and curl the ball deep into the box where Hugh Kerr, in space between two defenders, leapt unchallenged to bullet a header into the net.
Hugh Kerr
Another Glens corner was scrambled clear by the ‘Nock and soon after Sam McKee and Kerr combined to set up Moffat on the 18 yard line to curl a shot round the advancing McAusland only for the ball to inches wide of the post with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Cumnock enjoyed a late spell of pressure and Gavin pulled off a fine save from Jamie Wilson’s volley from outside of the box.
Glens brought on fresh legs on 82 minutes with Cameron McKenzie and Ryan Nisbet replacing Sam McKee and Hugh Kerr.
In the dying minutes Cumnock won back-to-back corners with keeper Barclay arriving in the Glens box to add to the numbers. The ball was floated deep into the six yard box and Graham Boyd’s header seemed to be net-bound only for McWaters off the line. Danger over? No! The ball rolled along the goal-line toward the corner-flag and driven back into the box, where the ball struck Moffat on the arm with his back to goal.
Up stepped Findlay Frye, who had recently scored two penalties (one after a re-take) against the Glens in the Scottish Junior Cup semi-final. However, on this occasion he ‘Kane-d’ it well over the bar in what was the final kick of the game. Credit to several Glens players who commiserated with the midfielder. The three points saw the Glens leapfrog Cumnock to 10th place in the league and secure their place in the Premier Division next season.
FT Glens 1 Cumnock 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 20. Dean Currie 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) ; 7. Sam McKee (14. Ryan Nisbet) 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters 18. Dylan O’Kane 35. Michael McMullin; 9. Hugh Kerr (19. Cameron McKenzie) 15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not Used: Callum McFadyen, Craig Burns (gk).
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
Jamie Barclay, Mark McLennan, Kyle McAusland (captain), Steven Tart, George Sewell; Jamie Dolan, Findlay Frye, Jamie Wilson, Andy McLaughlin; Graham Boyd, Cammy Ross. Subs: Adam Strain, Ryan Carnwath, Jamie Conn, B. Skilling, A. Stanborough, C. McClure, E. McBlain
Glenafton made three changes that started against Clydebank midweek. Captain Craig Pettigrew (returning from suspension), Leon Murphy and Sam McKee replaced Mick McMullin (suspended), Adam Caldwell and Hugh Kerr.
The visitors started brightly and would go on to dominate the first half in terms of possession and the half chances that were on show. On 5 minutes Scott McLean released Ryan Nisbet down the right to whip a ball into the box that was intercepted by Jordan Scott and as the loose ball bounced about Michael Moffat met it on the drop sending his shot just wide of the post.
Peasy keeper Josh Bradley-Hurst did well to cut out Leon Murphy’s cross into the box for the inrushing Moffat. Soon after he firmly clutched a Dylan O’Kane’s shot from the edge of the box, curled over the heads of two defenders.
Glens continued to press. Scott McLean robbed Del Hepburn of the ball on the half-way line before breaking forward to slip it wide to Moffat to break into the box and fire a shot that the keeper punched high over the bar, at his near post. Back-to-back corner kicks followed as the Peasy defence stood firm.
Midway through the half Ross McCabe bundled Alex McWaters to the ground just inside the Peasy half. McLean played a short one-two with Murphy before playing a forward pass to Moffat on the outskirts of the box who diverted it diagonally to McWaters and despite defender Conor McGregor tight on his back, he completed the one-two with a delightful back-heel to Moffat now free to advance into the box and body swerve McCabe before drilling a low angled shot to the back post only for the keeper to finger-tip it wide of the post; the corner was cleared.
The home side mounted a counter-attack after Lennon Houston beat O’Kane to the ball on the right wing and then rode a strong tackle from McLean and then another from Ollie Rowe before switching the ball to David Aubrey to break forward and pick out Ben Cappie‘s run into the box only for the offside the flag to be raised to end a fine move.
On 34 minutes Peasy were forced into a substitution with Josh Gracie replacing the injured Terry Hewitt. He was soon in the thick of the action heading a ball to the back post across the face of goal for Houston only for Craig Pettigrew to intercept and head it clear of the Glens box.
Back came Glens through Nisbet breaking down the right and clipping high ball to the near post where Bradley-Hurst leapt above both team-mate McCabe and Moffat to grab the ball with both hands.
At the other end Craig Quinn gathered a knock-on by Houston before firing a low shot from 25 yards that Glens’ goalie Aiden Glavin gathered comfortably.
The half closed with the Glens on the front foot. Moffat forced his way through a wall of defenders into the box, laid the ball off to McWaters for a shot but another brave defensive block sent the ball clear.
Dean Currie then halted a Peasy break, nicking the ball from Hepburn to drive over the half-way line and cut inside to feed Moffat, who quickly dinked the ball down the right for Nisbet to chase and burst into the box before whipping the ball across face of goal by-passing McCabe and the keeper, for the inrushing McAndrews only for McGregor to intercept with a sliding tackle that caused the ball to cannon off the goalie and prevent the dreaded OG.
HT Petershill 0 Glens 0
The half began in the same fashion as the first with the Glens on the front foot and Sam McKee in particular seeing a lot of the ball.
However, the home side began to grow into the game. On 55 minutes Houston intercepted a Glens clearance and sent a high looping header dropping into the ‘D’ where Cappie met it sweetly on the bounce only for his shot to fly over the bar. Soon after Gracie burst down the right driving to the bye-line before sending a high ball to the back post for the inrushing Houston only for Glavin to leap and clutch cleanly.
At the other end the Peasie keeper beat O’Kane to Moffat’s ball into the box and then held McKee’s curled shot from the corner of the box.
On the hour mark Petershill came close to breaking the deadlock, following a lung-bursting run down the left by Hepburn to break into the box and make for the bye-line. With his way to goal blocked he skipped past two defenders to retreat to the edge of the box before fashioning a shot for the far post where Glavin at full stretch got the slightest touch to send it wide, as Hepburn closed in. The keeper then punched Aubrey’s corner kick over the bar and the corner that followed was headed wide by McCabe. Peasie continued to press and Marshall’s speculative shot from distance was well held by Glavin.
Midway through the half Peasie brought on Christian Nade for Craig Quinn.
Some patient build-up play by Glens down the left involving McKee, Pettigrew, Moffat and Murphy concluded with the latter squaring the ball along the six-yard line for the incoming McWaters only for Scott to intervene at the expense of a corner, which was swiftly followed by another that was cleared by McCabe.
Glens continued to press and McWaters blasted a free-kick from 30 yards low and hard that was deflected wide for a corner which McLean played short to McKee, who curled a ball into the heart of the six-yard box for the leaping Rowe, only for the goalie to punch it clear with both fists. The Peasie counter-attack ended with Pettigrew blocking Marshall’s shot.
Play raged back & forth for a spell as both sides chased a winner.
On 41 minutes Glens brought on the fresh legs of Hugh Kerr for Ryan Nisbet.
In a fast flowing box-to-box move, Murphy gathered the ball on the left and played it forward to Moffat who ran along the half way line to play a one-two on the right with Currie before slipping the ball down wing to McWaters who then threaded a defence splitting ball into the box for McLean to chase down before shooting from 12 yards only for the outrushing keeper to block and Scott to rapidly hoof the ball clear.
The visitors made the breakthrough on 89 minutes. McWaters tight on the right wing trapped a clearance from Glens’ attack seconds beforehand, before driving to the bye-line and cutting the ball back for Kerr only for his shot to be blocked by McCabe. Dylan O’Kane pounced on loose ball and volleyed a low shot that bounced off Scott and while a handful of Glens players raised their hands claiming hand ball, O’Kane calmly trapped the loose ball and side-footed it through a ruck of players and past the keeper into the net.
Two minutes later Glens doubled their lead. After a passage of stroking the ball about in the outskirts of the Peasie box, McKee played a one-two with Moffat before breaking into the box, where Scott clicked his heels. Leon Murphy stepped to slot the ball beyond the reach of the keeper Josh Bradley-Hurst, who had an outstanding game.
The visitors played out the additional time deep in the Peasy half.
FT Petershill 0 Glenafton 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 20. Dean Currie 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) ; 14. Ryan Nisbet (9. Hugh Kerr) 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters 18. Dylan O’Kane 11. Leon Murphy 7. Sam McKee, 15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not Used: Adam Caldwell, Callum McFadyen, Cameron McKenzie, Sean McKenzie, Craig Burns (gk)
PETERSHILL
1. Josh Bradley-Hurst 2. Conor McGregor 3. Jordan Scott 4. Ross McCabe (captain) 5. Terry Hewitt (14. Josh Gracie) 6. Jordan Marshall 7. Craig Quinn (15. Christian Nade) 8. Ben Cappie 9. Lennon Houston 10. Del Hepburn 11. David Aubrey. Subs not used: 12. Dean McBride 16. Mario Mendes 17. Ross McPherson 18. Dom Morgan
Glens made four changes to the side that lined up against Cumnock on Friday evening. In came keeper Aiden Glavin, Dean Currie, Dylan O’Kane and Ryan Nisbet for David Markey (injured), Craig Pettigrew (suspended), Paul Paton (suspended) and Leon Murphy.
In the Clydebank line-up was young Calum McEwan, son of Craig McEwan, a regular visitor to Loch Park, during his father’s time at the club as both player and manager. Of course, Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat was also a former Glenafton player.
Glens got off to a flying with a goal on 4 minutes. Scott McLean clipped a corner kick from the right to the near post when Mick McMullin flicked a header towards the back post where Ollie Rowe beat the keeper to the ball and sent a looping header back to the near post where although it was headed off the line by Frazer Johnstone the ball took a bounce and Michael Moffat lashed a low shot that battered off the back post an into the net.
Michael Moffat
The home came close to doubling their lead after McLean floated a free kick deep into the box where McMullin flicked the ball across the face of goal and Hugh Kerr came within a whisker of heading it over the before it bounced off the inside of the post and booted clear by Matt Niven.
At the other end Bankies came close to drawing level. A corner was floated into the box where Jamie Darroch leapt from the six-yard line and although his attempted header failed to connect the ball dropped out from a group of players and seem destined to sneak in at the near post only for keeper Aiden Glavin to get down low and scoop it away with a strong hand catching out the wrong-footed Darroch who could do nothing but deflect the ball wide of target.
However, on 23 minutes, the visitors squared the match as the Glens got into a fankle and Josh Weir chased the ball down holding off Rowe to break into the box and then send a delicate chip over the outrushing keeper and into the net from 14 yards.
Glens enjoyed a piece of good fortune after a Darroch’s diving header from a corner kick looked certain to bulge the net only for Moffat to keep his cool and head the ball of the line.
Two minutes before the break to home side regained the lead courtesy of another McLean corner kick from the right. McEwan and Moffat leapt together at the near post only for the ball skim over their heads and the alert Ryan Nisbet nipped in front of Darroch to side foot the ball home from 2 yards out.
Ryan Nisbet
HT Glens 2 Clydebank 1
The visitors drew level again on 57 minutes after Hamish McKinlay from wide on the right pinged a high ball into the box where Liam McGonigle outleapt two defenders and sent a high looping header into the corner of the net beyond the reach of the keeper.
Back came the Glens and it was another McLean corner, from the left on this occasion, that put them in front. A header flicked on at the near post by Moffat saw the ball bounce up and Hugh Kerr kill it before swivelling and drilling the ball into the ground an onward into the net.
Hugh Kerr
The home side then defended a corner and McLean hooked the ball upfield where Dylan O’Kane trapped the ball and gave a defender the run-a-round before clipping the ball forward to Nisbet on the outskirts of the box who in turn chipped in forward to Moffat. The striker soon find himself confronted with a pocket of defenders and so rolled the ball back to Nisbet who then skipped past a defender into the right-hand corner of the box before firing an angled shot that took a bounce before slipping inches wide of the far post and beyond the reach of the inrushing McMullin.
With three minutes to go Glens were reduced to 10 men after McMullin earned a second yellow card and Sam McKee came on for Hugh Kerr as the home side held on for a valuable 3 points.
FT Glens 3 Clydebank 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 2: Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe 20. Dean Currie 33. Mick McMullin; 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters 18. Dylan O’Kane 14. Ryan Nisbet; 9. Hugh Kerr (7. Sam McKee), 15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not Used: Callum McFadyen, Cameron McKenzie, Sean McKenzie, Craig Burns (gk)
CLYDEBANK
1. Jamie Donnelly 25. Calum McEwan 3. Danny McKenzie 4. Matt Niven 5. Jamie Darroch 6. Frazer Johnstone 17. Larry McMahon 24. Hamish McKinlay 27. Connor Higgins 19. Josh Weir 11. Liam McGonigle. Subs. Lucas Ross (gk), 15. Oisin McHugh, 9. Ciaran Mulcahy, Kelly, Eze, Adam Smith, McLernan
Glenafton made two changes from the 11 that started against Hurlford a fortnight ago. David Markey ame bak from injury to replace on-loan goalkeeper Aiden Glaven (who was cup-tied) while Hugh Kerr replaced Sam McKee up front. On the Glens bench was mid-week signing goalkeeper Craig Burns who played for the Glens for a spell in 2018/19 and the short-lived 2019/20 season.
Captaining Cumnock Juniors was former Glenafton defender Kyle McAusland who played four seasons at the club including the 2016/17 treble-winning season. Also lining up for the ‘Nock was midfielder Findlay Frye who had two spells at the Glens including in the 2013/14 team that were runners-up in the Scottish Junior Cup.
The two sides met each other in the Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round last season where Cumnock ran out winners at Townhead Park after a penalty shoot-out. Penalties would again play a huge part in the outcome of this match albeit within the 90 minutes of regulation play.
Cumnock started off strongly and won a number of set-pieces in the early encounters including an overhit corner kick, a free-kick that was clutched cleanly by keeper David Markey and another that fizzled out.
However, Glenafton quickly grew into the game and were soon on the front foot looking a greater threat in front of goal. On 10 minutes Leon Murphy broke through the middle before picking out Paul Paton to fire a shot from 25 yards to heat keeper Jamie Barclay’s hands.
Leon Murphy breaks forward
Four minutes later Michael Moffat held off Kyle McAusland to burst into the box to drill a low angled shot that Barclay did well to finger-tip the ball sending across the length of goal mouth before drifting wide of the back post. Scott McLean clipped the corner-kick to the near post where Craig Pettigrew outjumped two defenders only for his header to dip inches over the bar.
Craig Pettigrew goes close
The Glens continued to press with another flowing move beginning from the back with Pettigrew sending a powerful header down the left for Moffat to chase down and then roll the ball inside to Paton who quickly switched play to McLean tight on the right who took his time to tee up a perfectly weighted cross to the back post which eluded Barclay and McAusland only for the incoming Alex McWaters to guide his header wide of the post.
Soon after Mick McMullin burst into the left has side of the box to thunder a low shot that Mark McLennan blocked with an outstretched leg and the ball cleared momentarily before Paton snapped it up and curled it down the right for McLean to feed it into the busy box only for it to pop back out and the cycle repeated. Paton picked out McLean again who pinged it to the back post where McAusland’s clearing headed was won by Moffat who rolled it to Murphy only for his shot from 18 yards to be deflected over that bar for a corner. Murphy took the kick which took a vicious bounce at the near post to fall kindly for the alert McWaters at the back post only for his dipping to header to crash off the post, before being hoofed clear – all with just 14 minutes on the clock!
Alex McWaters’ header crashed off the post
Play then ebbed back and forth with a few decent chances on show.
Cammy Ross on the left whipped a high ball to the far post for the incoming Jordan Moore but with McMullin for company Markey managed to push it out the right where Findlay Frye quickly fired the ball deep into the box which was headed cleared by Rowe only for the ball to be quickly returned to the box where Greg Ferry high looping header into the six-yard box was clutched from the head of Moore by Markey.
Craig Pettigrew beats Jordan Moore to the ball
At the other end Moffat whipped a ball into the six-yard box for the inrushing Kerr only for McAusland to intervene and head clear for a corner kick which concluded with McMullin’s volley, under pressure from McLennan, sailing high over the bar.
Back came ‘Nock and on 33 minutes they came close to breaking the deadlock. A corner kick from the left was met at the back post by McAusland only for his diving header to be blocked on the line by Adam Caldwell and Cumnock claims it had crossed that line waved away.
Glens responded through McWaters intercepting a mis-hit square pass and slipping the ball forward to Kerr who delivered a perfect pass to Moffat to crack a low shot from 22 yards that had Barclay scurrying along his line to push the ball round the post for a corner that was well defended.
Shuggy Keer and Kyle McAusland
Another Cumnock claim for a goal was waved away after Jared Willet’s free kick floated into the box was headed across the face of goal by McLennan and the ball poked into the net by Moore, but clearly from an offside position.
However, soon after Andy McLaughlin broke into the left-hand side of the box only to be stripped of the ball with a strong tackle form Caldwell and as Willet attempted to retrieve the loose ball the defender outstretched his leg to win the ball back bringing down Willet in the process. Frye stepped up to slot the spot-kick beyond the reach of Markey to put Cumnock ahead on 43 minutes.
Findlay Frye scores from the spot 1-0
As both sides trooped off at half-time it was hard to take in that the Glens found themselves behind at the break.
Glens 0 Cumnock 1
(sorry to dark for my camera in the second half)
The New Cumnock side started the new half with some patient build up play without creating any chances only for the Old Cumnock side to double their lead on 53 minutes in controversial circumstances.
Frye cushioned a cute forward pass for Moore to gather and progress into the box only to be felled by Rowe’s slide tackle. It was Frye that stepped up again to take the spot kick and although he sent Markey the wrong way the keeper blocked the shot with his foot sending the ball high into the air and McLaughlin headed it back toward goal where Frye’s header looped over the bar. A huge sense of relief engulfed the Glens and their supporters, lifting their spirits only to be dashed by an assistant referee flag deeming that keeper had moved off his line before the kick. Credit to Frye he stepped up again and slotted the ball home and the change in fortunes were there witnessed – Cumnock on a high and Glens deflated.
The game now passed them by for a period and was interrupted on 58 minutes after Cumnock’s Greg Ferry lost his footing, fell awkwardly on his elbow and was clearly in some distress in front of Glens dug-out from where physio immediately Laura Pagan rushed to provide treatment. Glens’ manager Ryan Stevenson joined her to see if he could assist, only for the assistant referee to run down the touchline to order him back into the technical area. Ferry was eventually taken down the tunnel and substituted.
Glens also made a substitution with Alex McWaters making way for Sam McKee. On a brief foray upfield McMullin whipped a ball in from the left which was met by Kerr only for header to be well held by Barclay.
Midway through the half Cumnock extended their lead to 3-0 after a corner kick on the left was launched to the back post for McAusland to clip the ball back into the goal mouth and Jordan Moore lash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
On 75 minutes Willet floated a corner kick, from the right this time, to the back post where although Rowe won the ball in the air unchallenged, he skewed his header sending the ball high into the goalmouth over Markey’s head and despite Pettigrew’s best efforts he could not prevent it dipping it into the net for 4-0. Rowe then hobbled off the park to be replaced by Dylan O’Kane.
The Glens mustered a couple of half chances the first of which saw Moffat kill a McMullin cross on his chest before swivelling and firing a shot that went wide of target. Soon after Paton picked out Murphy and the midfielder drove forward before drilling a low shot from 25 yards, which drifted wide of target.
At the other end the two Cumnock substitutes combined to set up a close range shot from deep in the box only for Markey to block with the sole of his boot.
Glens showed some soul of their own in the dying embers of the match. McKee played a one-two with Paton tight on the right wing before whipping a glorious ball into the box which Hugh Kerr in space flicked a perfectly placed header into the net before McAusland barged him to the ground; 4-1 on 90 minutes.
A minute later Paton clipped a free-kick deep into a busy box where a powerful McAusland header sent the ball back out the box for McLean to meet on his drop and although his fierce shot looked set to go wide of the left post Moffat took the heat out of it to casually side foot the ball into the net.
The scoring had come to an end and soon after an eventful Scottish Junior Cup Semi-final drew to a close with Cumnock Juniors progressing to the final.
FT Glens 2 Cumnock 4
The Glens will look back on the early chances in the first half but Nock’s ‘3rd’ penalty set them up to dominate most of the second half and run out worthy winners. Congratulations to Cumnock and good luck in the final where they will face Rutherglen Glencairn.
Glenafton Athletic
1. David Markey 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe (18. Dylan O’Kane) 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 35. Mick McMullin 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters (7. Sam McKee) 8. Paul Paton 11. Leon Murphy 9. Hugh Kerr 15. Michael Moffat . Subs: Craig Burns (gk), Callum McFadyen, Ryan Nisbet, Gavin Russel (gk)
Cumnock Juniors
Jamie Barclay, Mark McLennan, Kyle McAusland (captain), Greg Ferry, Jared Willet; Ryan Carnwarth, Findlay Frye, Jamie Wilson, Andy McLaughlin; Jordan Moore, Cammy Ross Subs: Adam Strain, Steven Tart, Ryan McLean, Grant Dickie. Jamie Dolan, Graham Boyd. Jamie Conn
Glens lined up with the same eleven that started against Auchinleck Talbot but ended 15 minutes later after the match was abandoned due to a water-logged pitch and so young keeper Aiden Glavin, on-loan from Kilmarnock, made his formal debut at the second attempt. In the Hurlford line-up was former Glens midfielder Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie while on their bench was Calvin Kemp who left the Glens earlier in the week.
Glens were forced to make an early change on 8 minutes when Leon Murphy took a bad knock and had to leave the pitch after some delay, to be replaced by Dylan O’Kane. On 16 minutes Lewis Morrison opened the scoring for Hurlford. Soon after a super save from Glavin prevented Michael Mullen side from doubling the home side’s lead. However Morrison bagged his brace two minutes into added time with a shot that went in off the post.
Two minutes later Michael Moffat pulled one back for the Glens lashing the ball into the net before the break.
HT Hurlford 2 Glens 1
Glens did most of the pressing in the second half but Hurlford stood firm to hold on to their lead. The visitors were reduced to 10 men on 90 minutes after Paul Paton saw red for dissent. Three minutes later ‘Ford were down to 10 after Ross Love denied Moffat from a clear goal scoring opportunity – after which Alex McWaters free-kick crashed off the bar.
FT Hurlford 2 Glens 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 5. Michael McMullin 3. Scott McLean 2. Adam Caldwell 8. Paul Paton 6. Alex McWaters 11. Leon Murphy (15. Dylan O’Kane) ; 7. Sam McKee15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not used: 9. Hugh Kerr 12. Ryan Nisbet 14. Callum McFadyen 16. Cameron McKenzie 19. Sean McKenzie, 20. Dean Currie Aiden Russell (gk).
HURLFORD UNITED
1. Chris Taylor 2. Liam Miller 3. Sam Lidington 4. Carter Frew 5. Chris Robertson 6. Chris McKnight 7. Paul McKenzie (captain) 8. Jack Whittaker 9. Lewis Morrison 10. Mark McKenzie 11. Michael Mullen, Subs 12. Josh Jack 14. Calvin Kemp 15. Ross Love 16. Alex Bell 17. Ryan Walker 18. Kris Kerr
Glenafton Athletic 