Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that faced Largs Thistle last Saturday with Dario Viviani, Dylan O’Kane and Michael Moffat (suspended) making way for Alex McWaters, Liam Caddis and new signing Carlos Lyon. Meanwhile Sam McKee remains on the injured list.
In the Hurlford line-up was former Glens goalie David Wilson and former midfielder Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie while in the management team were former Glens manager Darren Henderson and former striker John Dempster.
The supporters were treated to a seven-goal thriller, the odd number indicative that were was eventually a winner and thereby a loser.
Hurlford took an early lead on 5 minutes after top goal scorer Michael Mullen cracked a fierce shot from 22 yards between two defenders and beyond the reach of David Markey as the keeper’s right- hand post. The home side almost added to their lead after driving deep into the box to clip an angled shot from the corner of the six-yard box past the advancing Markey only for the ball well wide of the far post.
At the other end former Glens keeper David Wilson pulled off a fine save from Liam Caddis pushing his close range shot wide of target.
On 38 minutes Ally Love doubled Hurlford’s lead with a low drive from the tightest of angles that was deflected into the visitors’ net.
HT Hurlford 2 Glenafton 0
Glens made three changes at the break with Ryan Sinnamon, Alex McWaters and Carlos Lyon making way for Lyall Holding, Dario Viviani and Dylan O’Kane.
There were few chances created in the early encounters of the second half before Mullen found the net again on 65 minutes after curling a free-kick from the outskirts of the box round the two-man wall and into the far corner of the net.
Gary FraserLiam Caddis
The visitors looked down and out but 10 minutes later an extraordinary comeback would find the gallant Glenafton all square at 3-3!
It began on 68 minutes through a signature 30-yard rocket from Gary Fraser giving Wilson no chance and two minutes later Liam Caddis picked up a pass from O’Kane to slide ball home shot from just inside the corner of the six-yard box. On 75 minutes Caddis bagged is brace after sending Wilson the wrong way from the penalty spot to square the match at three-the-piece.
The visitors looked down and out an extraordinary comeback would find the gallant Glenafton all square at 3-3!
On 88 minutes Chris Robertson got into a jam and bundling Caddis to the ground inside the box. The former Ford forward dusted himself down before slamming the ball home from the penalty spot to promote his brace to a hat-trick.
The curtain came down on the Blair Pitch Project and the Glens gathered three precious points.
FT Hurlford 3 Glenafton 4
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon (14. Lyall Holding) 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Mick McMullin 2. Scott McLean 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 10. Alex McWaters (17. Dario Viviani) 12. Liam Caddis 9. 15. Carlos Lyon (18. Dylan O’Kane). Subs Not Used: 4. Taylor Buchanan, Ally Semple (gk)
HURLFORD UNITED
1. David Wilson 2. Liam Miller 3. Sam Lidlington 4. Calder Frew 5. Chris Robertson 6. Ben Hughes 7. Paul McKenzie (captain) 8. Calum Watt 9. Michael Mullen 10. Lewis Morrison 11. Ally Love Subs. 12. Allan 14. Kris Kerr 16. Chris McKnight 17. Ryan Walker 21. Chris Taylor
Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Auchinleck Talbot last Saturday with Taylor Buchanan making way for Mchael McMullin. Sam McKee remains on the injured list.
Captaining Largs was former Glenafton striker Scott Adam.
Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of Alfie McCurdie, former member of the committee and a stalwart of the ground staff.
The opening 10 minutes saw play grind back and forth without either side breaching the other’s box or fashioning a shot on target.
Largs won a corner kick which was floated into the box but came to nothing. The visitors then enjoyed a spell of pressure but again without testing the keeper. Jamie Wilton cracked a low angled shot from
Glens countered through Scott McLean forging his way up the right wing before the feet were taken from him 12 yards from the goal-line. It was McLean that clipped the free kick into the heart of box where Wull Sewell won the aerial battle against Michael McMullin, only for Michael Moffat to recover the ball on the left and float it back into the far end of the box busy box where Ollie Rowe trapped the ball on his chest but the raised arm of Cory Hughes triggered an off-side flag, despite Craig Faulds playing him on.
Back came the home side with Dylan O’Kane breaking down the left and then turning back to shake off the back-tracking David Ramsay before curling a diagonal shot from 10 yards that keeper Joe Wilton did well to get down and clutch the ball at his near post.
Back came Largs through Sewell bursting deep into the left-hand side of the box and squaring the ball for the inrushing Ramsay only for keeper David Markey to clear with an outstretched leg. The visitors continued to press keeping McMullin busy with two headed clearances and soon after another ball hoofed clear. Midway through the half Sewell won the ball in the box but under pressure from Rowe his sliding shot was comfortably held by Markey.
Glens mustered a few breaks up field, each of which fizzled out as the visitors enjoyed a prolonged period of pressure. Jamie Martin cracked a low angled shot from 25 yards out that whizzed wide of the post. Soon after a free-kick floated high into the Glens box was won in the air by Ryan Sinnamon triggering a 10-man stramash with Adam the visitors driving force in trying to win the ball only for a united Glens defence to force the ball out towards the left touchline from where Liam Lapsley won a free-kick which was cleared.
Craig Pettigrew and former Glens favourite Scott Adam
Further waves of attacks failed to breach the Glens box and a sucker punch was delivered on the stroke of half-time Gary Fraser from outside the ‘D’ launched a high ball up the right wing which was brilliantly trapped by Scott McLean before breaking through the narrow gap between Laurie McMaster and McCreath to drive to the edge of the box where he held off his pursuers to touch the ball to the incoming Michael Moffat who clipped the ball powerfully on his stride to flash it beyond the reach of the diving Wilton at full stretch and into the far corner of the net. Glens 1-0 on 44 minutes, the half-time whistle blew as the celebrations concluded.
HT Glens 1 Largs 0
Glens made a change at half-time with Liam Caddis coming on for Dario Viviani.
Like the first half, play immediately began to rage back and forth, only this time carrying a much great goal threat at both ends. The best of the Glenafton chances fell to Moffat who got on the end of a great ball into the box by O’Kane only for his header from 6 yards to fall into the keeper’s hands. At the other end Martin from deep in the left-hand side of the box looked to curl a shot at goal but instead slipped a reverse pass to McMaster on the overlap to drill a low ball from the bye-line across the face of goal beyond the reach of Markey at the near post for Adam only for his effort to divert the ball into the gaping net to be blocked brilliantly by Craig Pettigrew and the loose ball was eventually mopped up.
Other chances came and went before the home side doubled their lead on 54 minutes. Pettigrew pushed forward to the centre circle in the Glens half before pinging a forward pass to Moffat on the far side of the centre-circle with his back to goal as well as two defenders on his back. In an instant he turned and nutmegged one defender before leaving them both chasing shadows (if the sun had been shining) to drive forward to the ‘D’ and nudge a diagonal ball beyond McCreath for Liam Caddis breaking into the box where he killed the ball with his left foot then guided a right-footed shot through the legs of McMaster and low into the far corner of the net beyond.
The home side celebrations however were soon muted as Largs hit back in a deadly fashion with slick inch-perfect passing at pace down the right before the ball was cut inside, where a delightful dummy was executed to allow the ball to be played back out wide from where it was squared into the six-yard box for the inrushing Wull Sewell to guide it home on 55 minutes; Glens 2 Largs 1.
Largs continued to press and Stuart Faulds won the ball with a crunching tackle at the edge of the box before slipping it wide to Sewell on the left to square the ball across the face of the goal only for Markey to dive and hold as Faulds and Adam closed in. On 58 minutes David Ramsay was sent tumbling on the left-hand side of the box after a challenge from Pettigrew and although Scott Adam sent Markey the wrong way from the spot his effort slipped inches wide of the right post.
Back came Glens with Caddis leaping to send a header into the box for McLean to chase down into the box only for the keeper to rush from his line and clutch the ball. Another Glens attack ended with Moffat lashing out after being held back and catching Cory Hughes in the ribs, the assistant referee immediately flagged and the striker shown a red card on 61 minutes.
The home side regrouped and Caddis won a corner-kick which O’Kane floated into the six-yard box only for Wilton to gather safely.
But back came Largs with attacks from both the right and then left-hand side of the box, the latter forcing Markey to leap and punch the ball at the junction of post and bar behind for a corner which although was won in the air by Sewell, saw the striker penalised for a shove on Caddis.
Largs made a change with Scott Adam making way for Darryl Duffy.
Soon after Caddis intercepted Martin’s pass at the centre circle and clipped the ball to Fraser on the right to drive into the box and drill a low diagonal ball to the far post for the inrushing Caddis only for Hughes to get a touch to divert it wide for a corner. Although McCreath won the aerial battle with Pettigrew his header whizzed wide of the back post for another corner which concluded with McMullin’s powerful downward header being held on the line by Wilton.
Largs immediately countered and a ball from the left was floated to the back post where Ramsay stooped but his header, under pressure from McMullin, sailed high over the bar. The visitors made another change with Blair Devine replacing Jamie Martin.
At the other end Caddis and McMaster chased a long ball down the left and it was the Glens man that won the ball a couple of feet from the bye-line while the Largs man lost his balance and fell to the ground, with the linesman in close attendance. Caddis progressed along the bye-line into the box while McMaster got back on his feet only for the referee, some distance behind play, to blow for a free-kick to the visitors. Despite the strong appeals from the home side and with no consultation with his assistant the referee who had kept his flag down, then allowed the free-kick to be taken from inside the box some 10 yards from where the alleged foul took place.
Largs then rubbed salt in the wound, once again in devastating fashion with slick and deadly unchallenged passing from the centre circle to the right-hand side of the box where the ball was laid on a plate from Liam Lapsley to tap home from a few yards. Largs all square at 2-2 on 75 minutes.
The 10 men of Glenafton mustered an occasional attack with Pettigrew’s shot from 22 yards drifting wide of the post.
However Largs laid siege to the home side’s goal with a flurry of attacks. A corner from the right was headed back out by Caddis at the near post and the ball quickly recovered by Largs to float a ball to the back post for Hughes only for Pettigrew’s interception to head it out for another corner. This was played short and fell for Faulds to crack a low shot from 10 yards that Markey did well to get down low and hold as Lapsley waited to pounce on any spillage.
A touch of déjà vu when another corner from the right was headed back out by Pettigrew and the ball recycled (as they say) to be fired to the back post where Sinnamon outleapt Sewell to win the header only for McCreath to pounce on the ball before curling a cross to the far post and task of clearing fell to McMullin with a powerful header.
On 89 minutes the visitors pressure paid off. A high ball into the left-hand side of the box was gathered by Lapsley, a yard or so from the bye-line and a yard with the penalty box, where with Sinnamon at his back he held the ball up before rolling it back to the inrushing McMaster to take a touch with his left foot only for his right to be caught by Fraser sending him to the floor. Up stepped Wull Sewell to lash the spot-kick into the roof the net on 89 minutes to complete the scoring and put Largs 3-2 ahead.
FT Glenafton 2 Largs 3
Captain Craig Pettigrew with Match Ball Sponsor Marie Walker
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Mick McMullin 2. Scott McLean 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 17. Dario Viviani (12. Liam Caddis) 18. Dylan O’Kane 9. Michael Moffat Subs Not Used: 4. Taylor Buchanan 10. Alex McWaters 14. Lyle Holding. Ally Semple (gk)
LARGS THISTLE
1. Joe Wilton 2. Sean McLeod 3. Laurie McMaster 4. Ryan McCreath 5. Cory Hughes 6. Stuart Faulds 7. Jamie Martin 8. Liam Lapsley 9. William Sewell 10. Scott Adam 11. David Ramsay Subs. Darryl Duffy , Blair Devine, Lewis Davidson, Craig Forbes, John Cumming. David McGrath, Eliasz Zalewski (gk)
Glenafton made three changes to the elven that started last Saturday with Lyall Holding, Mick McMullin and Sam McKee making way for Ryan Sinnamon, Dario Viviani and new signing Taylor Buchanan, on-loan from Dumbarton.
In goal for Auchinleck was former Glens goalie Aiden Glavin.
The home side broke the deadlock on 22 minutes after Ross Smith from wide on the left floated a high ball into the goalmouth and although David Markey leapt to push the ball up into air the keeper ended up in the back of the net under pressure from the inrushing the Connor Boyd and the ball fell kindly for Ruaridh Langan to force it over the line. On 25 minutes a great cross from the right wing was met at the corner of the six-yard for Boyd to flash a glancing header. A third goal arrived in a 7-minute spell after Dario Viviano was adjudged to have tripped Jamie Glasgow in the box and Ross Smith slotted home the spot-kick, Talbot 3-0 up on 29 minutes.
Markey saved Craig McCracken’s shot from 25 yards and soon after Smith’s effort from 12 yards.
HT Auchinleck 3 Glenafton 0
Glens brought on Mick McMullin for Taylor Buchanan.
On 49 minutes Dylan O’Kane broke into the left hand-side of the box where Neill McPherson shoved him off the ball at the expense of a penalty and although Michael Moffat sent Aidan Glavin the wrong way, diving at full stretch, the keeper still managed to get a foot to the ball only to send it into the roof of the net. Glens halved the deficit four minutes later after Craig Pettigrew from deep in his own half pinged a long ball down the left where O’Kane trapped it before cutting inside only to be tripped by Ali Boyle on the outskirts of the box. Scott McLean stepped up to curl a glorious free kick over the wall and into the top corner deflecting off the inside of the post and into the net.
Michael MoffatScott McLean
Talbot brought on Kyle McAvoy for Ross Smith and soon after made a double substitution with Glasgow and Langan making way for Ewan Thomson and Gareth Armstrong.
On 74 minutes Talbot doubled their lead and, in some style, after Boyd gathered the ball on the left-hand side of a busy box and sandwiched between two defenders he managed to dig out a perfectly weighted chip to send the ball flying into the far corner.
Half-chances at either side came and went before the home side restored their 3 goal cushion on 84 minutes after Ross Urquhart controlled a corner-kick into the box before drilling home a low-angled shot from 15 yards.
FT Auchinleck 5 Glenafton 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 4. Taylor Buchanan (3. Mick McMullin) 2. Scott McLean 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 17. Dario Viviani 18. Dylan O’Kane 9. Michael Moffat Subs Not Used: 10. Alex McWaters 12. Liam Caddis Ally Semple (gk)
AUCHINLECK TALBOT
1. Aidan Glavin 2. Neill McPherson (captain) 3. Aiden Wilson 4. Neil Slooves 5. Craig McCracken 6. Ruaridh Langan 7. Ali Boyle 8. Luke Gillies 9. Connor Boyd 10. Jamie Glasgow 11. Ross Smith Subs: Ewan Thomson, Kyle McAvoy, Ross Urquhart, Gareth Armstrong, Tarek Abed, Scott Schoneville. Chris Henry (gk)
Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Pollok two weeks ago with Sam McKee replacing Liam Caddis.
Today marked the Glens first match away to Gartcairn.
The game kicked off on a bitterly cold and yet blindingly sunny day and it was Gartcairn that came close on 3 minutes after Kieran MacDonald from the left clipped a ball to the near post only for Darren Smith’s close-range header to sail inches high and wide of the target.
Soon after keeper David Markey got down low to block another attack down the left and Craig Pettigrew beat Mark McGuigan to the loose ball and cleared the danger.
Glens countered with a strong run through the middle by Dylan O’Kane who was soon outnumbered three-to-one at the edge of ‘D’ from where he rolled the ball back to Gary Fraser but his thunderbolt from 25 yards bounced off a defender.
Back came Gartcairn through Darren Smith breaking into the right-hand side of the box and although Mick McMullin forced him wide, he still managed to whip the ball to the far corner of the six-yard box where Harry Mitchell headed it back deep into the goalmouth for McGuigan seemingly about to pick his spot only for McMullin to make a crucial interception and Ollie Rowe clear the loose ball.
The visitors broke down another attack and Craig Pettigrew snapped up the loose ball deep in his own half leaving Smith in his wake as he pushed forward over the half-way line before picking out Scott McLean wide on the right who quickly played the ball inside to O’Kane. The young striker was proving a handful and as he set off on a diagonal run toward the outskirts of the box with Kevin Smith lagging behind and after several attempts to hold him back, the frustrated midfielder finally sent O’Kane tumbling as he reached the ‘D’.
McLean stepped and drilled a low inch perfect free-kick to the right-hand side of the leaping wall and although keeper Liam Russell dived low at full-stretch he could only push the ball away and the inrushing Ollie Rowe, one of the three Glens players closing in, side-footed the ball home from 2 yards out. Glens 1-0 up, 15 minutes gone.
Controversy five minutes later when McGuigan and Markey had a coming together at the corner of the six-yard box leading to the striker and his team-mate Smith appealing loudly for a penalty while the keeper claiming he had won the ball. To rub salt in the would the referee booked McGuigan for diving (-still his day would take a turn for the better!!)
Play continued to rage back and forth with the Glens creating the better of the chances. On 26 minutes Paul Paton lobbed a ball down the right wing where O’Kane leapt to kill it on his chest before turning to shake off Ross Dunlop and although the centre back closed him down the striker gave him the slip again to fire a shot from 22 yards that Russell leapt to clutch under his bar. Later McLean cracked a low diagonal shot from the 18-yard line which although it beat the keeper the ball slipped inches wide of the far post. Soon after Russell smothered Moffat’s shot from the corner of the six-yard box.
Gartcairn finished the half strongly. On 37 minutes McShane floated a ball into the box where McGuigan got a touch at the near post sending it bouncing toward the back post for Smith to guide a looping header back across the face of goal where McGuigan gathered it at the by-line and rolled the ball back to Mitchell to fire a fierce low shot that Markey got down low to block and the rebound was eventually cleared. Just before the half-time whistle Nicol clipped a great ball into the box for the inrushing Smith only for his shot from six-yards to fall comfortably safe into the arms of Markey.
HT Gartcairn 0 Glenafton 1
The home side were quick out the blocks and won a corner in the opening minute. McShane curled the ball into the goal mouth where it glanced off McGuigan’s head and fell for Nicol who cleverly tried to stab the ball home with the sole of his boot only for Markey to push it onto the bar and it was Lyall Holding, one of a clutch of defenders in the goalmouth, that cleared the descending ball off the line before McGuigan’s attempt to bury the rebound was deflected over the bar for another corner. This one proved to be less traumatic for the Glens defence as McShane curled it over the bar.
Back came Glens with Moffat beating Nicol to the loose ball in the centre circle before driving through the middle and threading a ball to O’Kane and although his shot from inside of the box rebounded off Gerry McLaughlan he quickly retrieved the ball and rolled it back to Holding on the right wing. The full back clipped the ball into a busy box where Dunlop headed it clear only for Paton to pounce and play a slick one-two with Sam McKee to burst deep into box only for his shot to be deflected wide by MacDonald for a corner which was comfortably cleared.
At other end McShane blasted a ferocious shot from 18 yards that knocked Markey off his feet as he punched the ball clear and with McGuigan lurking Rowe headed it wide at the expense of a corner. Jamie Bain clipped a low ball into the box and McGuigan’s strike from 12 yards was headed clear by Holding. It was the alert McGuigan that snapped up the loose ball on the outskirts of the box before slipping it to the inrushing Smith only to be tripped in the box by McMullin. The referee pointed to the spot and Mark McGuigan sent Markey the wrong way to level the match on 54 minutes.
The home side continued to press, stroking the ball about and were creating all the decent chances on show. A great leap in the box by McGuigan saw him flash a header wide of the post. Soon after MacDonald from wide on the left whipped a wicked ball into the box for the inrushing Tom Reilly only for his effort to slip inches wide of the junction of post and bar. Smith then got between two defenders in the box to bullet a header from 8 yards out which saw Markey pull off a brilliant point blank save.
A goal was coming and it came on 63 minutes after Bain, from midway in the Glens half and tight on the right flank, launched a high ball to the back post where Kieran MacDonald met it sweetly on the drop to guide the ball past Markey from a tight angle. Gartcairn 2-1 up.
Glens made a change and replaced Sam McKee with recent signing Dario Viviani, on loan from Ayr United.
The visitors regrouped and hit back in quick fashion. A high ball up the middle saw O’Kane dart between McLaughlan and Ross to gather the ball and although the latter pinched it back at the corner of the penalty box his attempted clearance fell for Moffat who made a diagonal run into the box with McLaughlan in pursuit and then cut inside to run toward along the goal-line and as he lined up to shoot McLaughlan took him out with a barge in the back. Michael Moffat dusted himself down and sent the goalie the wrong way to level the score on 67 minutes.
Tails up, Moffat from inside the Glens half released Viviani to break down the right to drive into the box between Mitchell and McShane before cutting the ball back to Moffat now at the edge of ‘D’ who laid it off to O’Kane to drill a low angled shot from 18 yards only for Russell to make a fine save and hold on to the ball as Viviani closed in, ahead of the Cairn defence.
Soon after O’Kane and Viviani put McLaughlan under pressure on the outskirts of the box forcing the defender to play it back to the keeper who cleared it from his six-yard box, in the nick of time as Viviani threatened.
On 75 minutes Gartcairn make a double substitution with Darren Smith and Tam Reilly making way for Darren Bowie and Stephen Docherty
Cairn’s composure had all but evaporated as O’Kane gathered a clearance in the centre circle and spotting McLean behind him to his left, he clipped the ball up the touchline for McLean to chase, showing Bain a clean pair of heels. On gathering the ball McLean slowed down letting Bain catch up before another burst down the wing left him free to clip the ball into the box where Moffat’s glancing header took two defenders out and Paton pounced on the loose ball. from her he squared the ball to Viviani who took a touch before guiding his shot through Bowie’s legs and although the keeper blocked it with an outstretched leg he couldn’t stop Dylan O’Kane blasting the ball home from 6 yards out. Glens 3-2 upon 75 minutes.
Gartcairn got a second wind and Docherty broke down the right before squaring the ball into the box where McGuigan rolled the ball back to McShane to drill a daisy-cutter that beat the unsighted Markey only to slip inches wide of the base of the post. The home side continued to press and McShane corner from the left was punched away at the back post by Markey.
On 85 minutes the home side replaced Harry Mitchell with Kamil Krol.
Paton nicked the ball from McShane just inside the Glens half and chipped it forward to O’Kane and with McLaughlan tight on his back he flicked a header for Viviani to chase down and in a flash, he was at the outskirts of the box where he skipped past Dunlop before cracking a diagonal shot from 8 yards that the keeper pushed up in the air with a strong hand and then caught the ball on the way back down.
Soon after Moffat gathered the ball in the centre circle and broke forward and laid it off to Paton who played a one-two with Holding before clipping the ball into the box over the head of MacDonald into the box for Viviani to chase only for his attempted lob to be blocked by McLaughlan.
Gartcairn countered and Krol launched the ball into the left hand-side of the box for Docherty to clip to the far-side of the box for the incoming Bowie to blast the ball from the corner of the six-yard box against McMullin a yard away and loud claims of hand-ball saw the referee point to the spot – a harsh call as McMullin could do little about it. Glenafton manager Ryan Caddis expressed his views to the match official and was ordered off before Mark McGuigan sent Markey the wrong again to draw level on 90 minutes.
The Glens picked themselves up and won a corner that O’Kane floated high into the heart of the goalmouth where the keeper leapt to punch it clear from Rowe’s head before tumbling to the ground.
Back came Gartcairn through Docherty breaking into the right-hand side of the box and chipping the ball from the bye-line high towards the penalty spot where it took a bounce and as Holding and McGuigan hunted it down the striker was first to get a foot to the ball only for Holding to clip him a second later – for Gartcairn’s third penalty of the match. It was Mark McGuigan that stepped up to complete his hat-trick of spot kick and seal the three points for Gartcairn on 94 minutes.
FT Gartcairn 4 Glenafton 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 2. Scott McLean 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 7. Sam McKee (17. Dario Viviani) 18. Dylan O’Kane 9. Michael Moffat Subs Not Used: 10. Alex McWaters 11. Ryan Sinnamon 12. Liam Caddis Ally Semple (gk)
GARTCAIRN
1. Liam Russell 2. Jamie Bain 3. Kieran MacDonald 4. Gerry McLaughlan 5. Ross Dunlop (captain) 6. Ian McShane 7. Darren Smith (15. Darren Bowie) 8. Kevin Nicol 9. Mark McGuigan 10. Tam Reilly (17. Stephen Docherty) 11. Harry Mitchell (16. Kaml Krol). Subs 12. Scott Stevenson 14. Kenny Bar, Kyle Pirie (gk)
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Clydebank with Alex McWaters, Sam McKee and Luke McBeth (now transferred to Partick Thistle) making way for Scott McLean, Dylan O’Kane and Michael Moffat.
In the Pollok dug-out was Glenafton’s former goalkeeping coach Billy Peacock and Evan Maley, once on the Glens books without playing a competitive match (‘the COVID season), while on the injury list was striker Shug Kerr who joined ‘Lok from the Glens at the start of this season
Although a chilly day there was not cloud in the sky and those congregating on the west facing terracing had to shield their eyes from the dazzling sunshine
Pollok were quick off the mark as they threatened in the opening minute after Luke Main picked up a pass from Adam Forde to burst through the middle only for his shot from the ‘D’ to whizz wide of target.
At the other end Scott McLean curled a free-kick into the goal mouth which was cleared to edge of the box where Dylan O’Kane drilled a low shot that was comfortably saved by keeper Jordan Longmuir.
Soon after Darren Christie broke into the right-hand side of the box and cut the ball back from the bye-line for the incoming Main only for his well-fashioned shot to be blocked on the goal-line by keeper David Markey and then instantly dived to smother the loose ball to prevent Adam Forde getting a touch.
On 10 minutes Scott Forester barged into the back of Liam Caddis as they challenged for the ball just inside the Lok half. The Glens striker took a sore one on the shoulder requiring treatment and although he briefly returned to play it was clear he could not continue. On came Sam McKee to play on the left with Scott McLean switching to the right and Dylan O’Kane pairing up front with Michael Moffat.
Pollok continued to break forward at will with Andy Gallacher in particular catching the eye with his runs into space. Although the Glens defence stood firm, supported in numbers with their central midfielders to clear the danger, retaining possession to mount any counter-attacks was proving more difficult.
Christie bombed down the right wing and played a neat one-two with Grant Anderson before cutting into the right-hand side of the box and blasting a low-angled shot that the advancing Markey got down low to push the ball back out which was gathered by Fraser Mullen and floated into the goalmouth where Lyall Holding won the aerial battle with Main. Gallacher recovered the ball on the left and fired it into the box where Rowe nicked in front of Forde to head it to the edge of the box and although it fell for Fraser Mullen, he was quickly stripped of the ball by Fraser and McKee.
With 25 minutes gone the Glens were beginning to enjoy some advances deep into the Pollok half, particularly through McKee now operating down the right.
Meanwhile Pollok continued to keep the visitors’ defence on their toes and won a free-kick on the outskirts of the left-hand corner of the box. Mullen’s kick battered off the wall and half-hearted appeals for hand-ball were waved away. Meanwhile Fraser hooked the ball upfield where Moffat, at the second attempt, clipped the ball up the right wing for McKee to chase down, leaving the back-tracking Mullen chasing the youngster’s long shadows. Seemingly, now with a free run into the box McKee was then suddenly confronted with Pollok keeper Jordan Longmuir racing almost 30 yards from his goal-line and on approaching McKee he suddenly turned into ‘Kenny Everett’s Brother Lee’ and his ‘Big Hands’ forcing the Glens man to try and chip ball over him, only for Longmuir to handle it and block the ball. The referee deemed it was a hand-ball and preventing a goal-scoring opportunity and the keeper despite his, and several team-mates, protestations was shown a red card.
Grant Anderson was sacrificed to be replaced by keeper Ben Fry and his first action was to pull off a great save from McLean’s dipping free-kick punching it over the bar, his second action was to cleanly clutch McLean’s corner-kick at the near post under pressure from Moffat.
The home side licked their wounds and were soon back on the front-foot with little suggestion that they were a player down. Mullen floated a free-kick from the left into busy six-yard box and after some head tennis Neil Gow bulleted a downward header that faced a line of players from each side stretching across the goalmouth, Forde couldn’t quite get the ball under control before Paton and Fraser combined to clear the danger.
On 35 minutes Main pounced on a clearance before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the ‘D’ for Gallacher to chase down and crack a shot from 16 yards that was blocked by Holding sending the ball high into the air and on its descent, Forde guided a header between two defenders and beyond the reach of the diving Markey only for the ball to smack of the post and Rowe to clear up.
Soon after, another fast-flowing counter-attack concluded with Christie breaking into the box before blasting a shot from 15 yards forcing Markey to pull off a point blank save and the corner that followed was eventually cleared by Paton.
Glens then enjoyed some good possession deep in the Pollok half through O’Kane’s running in particular without however testing the keeper.
At the other end, another mazy run by Gallacher ended with him slipping the ball into the box for the inrushing Mullen to smack it first time only for the advancing Markey to stick out the leg and deflect the ball wide. Again, the Glens stoutly defended the corner and indeed set up a counter attack after Fraser won the ball with a crunching tackle allowing McKee to pick up the loose ball and feed O’Kane to break from the centre-circle into the ‘Lok box only for the back-tracking Gow block the striker’s shot.
The visitors continued to push in the closing minutes of half and looked comfortable on the ball and yet it was Pollok that nearly broke the deadlock into added time. Another great run from Gallacher saw him break into the left-hand side of the box before drilling a low angled shot beyond the reach of the diving Markey and seemingly into the far corner of the net, indeed the incoming Forester had already raised his hand in celebration, only for the ball to hit off the inside of the post and Captain Pettigrew clear the ball upfield.
HT Pollok 0 Glens 0
Pollok kicked off and were soon in the Glens box in numbers where Michael McMullin blocked Main’s effort from close range and Markey deflected the loose ball off Main for the goal kick. The keeper then plucked Mullen’s free kick high into the box out of the air as Forrester threatened.
At the other end McLean from 20 yards out curled a free-kick over the wall which then just dipped over the junction of post and bar. The visitors continued to press and McLean’s free kick from 25 yards beat the wall but not keeper Fry.
Played raged back and forth with goal mouth action at both ends and defences on top.
Sadly on 60 minutes my trusty old camera’s shutter called it a day and on 61 minutes tears turned to joy as Glenafton took the lead. With Glenafton TV under the weather it was thanks too Pollok’s video highlights that I can relive the momentand those that followed.
O’Kane floated a corner from the right into the heart of the box where although Main won the aerial battle with Rowe the ball sailed on towards the 18-yard line and Pettigrew guided a header toward the six-yard box where Gary Fraser hooked the ball over his shoulder and the head of the leaping Mullen and that of Sean Burns at the back post and into the far corner of the net – a classy touch.
Pollok replaced Ross Lindsay with Kyle Faulds.
However, despite Glens enjoying some good possession Pollok equalised five minutes later. Mullen, from just inside the Glens half, launched a free kick high to into the box where Gow headed it square across the six-yard box for Main to bullet a header goalward and although Markey made a valiant effort to claw the ball off the line, Adam Forde was in place to side foot it home from a yard out.
On 72 minutes Pollok made a triple substitution with Burns, Christie and Gallacher making way for Maley, McGregor and McKenzie.
Credit to Glens there was no sign of them settling for a point and while they were up in numbers for a long throw into the box, they were caught in a lightening quick counter attack and in a flash after some slick passing Main fired a shot from 25 yards which Markey pushed away to his right only for Maley to gather the ball close to the corner flag and cut the ball back to Faulds to drill a low shot from 20 yards wide of the post.
Glens brought on Alex McWaters for the injured Lyall Holding.
Lok took a quick free kick and Faulds set up McGregor from 12 yards only for his attempt to stroke the ball home bounce off McMullin’s back.
Despite the Pollok pressure Glens didn’t sit back and on 89 minutes their efforts were rewarded. Paton nicked the ball from Forde just inside the Pollok half and then held off the ‘Lok striker who tried to win it back before giving up the chase as Paton progressed to the outskirts of the box. From here he clipped a perfectly weighted ball into the box, beyond the reach of Forrester, to match Moffat’s run into the box on the other side of Forrester and although the unfortunate ‘Lok defender got a touch on the ball before Michael Moffat, it cannoned off the striker’s shins sending the ball high over the head of the keeper on the six yard line and into the gaping net.
Into added time and Mullen from deep on the right launched a high ball upfield for McGregor only for McMullin to win the header and Moffat picked up the loose ball before driving forward and picking out McWaters in space out on the right from where he cut into the box and skipped past Faulds before curling a ball over the bar.
A great start to the New Year for the Glens with a back-to-the-walls peformance at times while determined not to settle for a point.
FT Pollok 1Glens 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding (10. Alex McWaters) 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 18. Dylan O’Kane 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 2. Scott McLean, 12. Liam Caddis (7. Sam McKee) 9. Michael Moffat Subs Not Used: 11. Ryan Sinnamon 16. Alan Frizzell
POLLOK
1. Jordan Longmuir 2. Fraser Mullen 3. Sean Burns (17. Ryan McGregor) 4. Scott Forrester 5. Calum Gow 6. Ross Lindsay (12. Kyle Faulds) 7. Darren Christie (15. Marc McKenzie) 8. Luke Main 9. Adam Forde 10. Grant Anderson (21. Ben Fry) 11. Andy Gallacher (16. Evan Maley) Subs Not Used: 14. Jay Nelson 18. Jamie Henry
Glenafton kicked off with the eleven that started against Largs Thistle last week. Clydebank, sitting top of the league are managed by former Glens player Gordon Moffat while another former player, Lee Gallacher was on the bench.
Although Glens kicked off on a dull and breezy day it was Bankies that blasted out the blocks with Callum Graham driving deep into Glens’ box forcing keeper David Markey to dive at his feet. Soon after the two met again as Graham broke into the left-hand side of box only for outrushing Markey to get a touch off the ball and deflect it wide for a corner. McGonigle floated the ball to near post where it was headed over the bar by Paul Paton and his follow up corner was headed on at the near post by
On 5 minutes the visitors took the lead. Adam Hodge from deep in the right launched a long throw to the centre circle where the ball was knocked on to James Grant to break into the left-hand side of the box. As Sam McKee and Ollie Rowe closed him down, Grant chipped a great ball to the edge of the six-yard box where the inrushing Callum Graham leapt and with a raised outstretched leg he guided it beyond the advancing Markey into the net – a classy finish.
Glens countered as McBeth clipped a ball down the right for McKee and although Graham intercepted, he could not prevent the ball going out for a corner. McWaters floated the kick to the edge of six-yard box where it was headed clear by Ciaran Mulcahy only to be gathered by McKee to pick out Rowe to clip it into the goalmouth where keeper Jamie Donnelly clutched it cleanly.
Back came Bankies pushing forward in numbers but the Glens defence stood firm and started to enjoy good spells of possession.
Paton floated a free-kick from the left high into a packed box and although Niven headed it back out Paton lobbed the ball to the far corner of the six-yard box where Graham’s weak header was trapped by Liam Caddis who then side-stepped Matt Niven to set up a shot from 5 yards that was blocked by keeper Donnelly on his line.
Played ebbed back and forth through a packed midfield and although chances were thin on the ground the home side were enjoying much of their possession in the visitors’ half.
On 23 minutes Frazer Johnstone nicked the ball from Caddis just inside the Glens half and as he we went to gather it team-mate Grant intercepted only to lose control of the ball. The inrushing Lyall Holding was now favourite to win the loose ball as Grant backed out of the tackle and the Glens full back slid in to win the ball cleanly and as the Bankies man tried to block the clearance he got caught with the follow through, tumbling to the ground. Within seconds the Clydebank team were surrounding the referee baying for a red card but credit to the official he kept his head before making a decision and Holding was shown a yellow card.
Grant quickly recovered and a minute later he cracked a shot from 22 yards that flew wide of the far post.
Glens countered through McKee’s swift break down the right leaving Oisin Hughes chasing his shadow (if there had been any sunshine!) as he drove to the by-line to cut the ball back across the width of the box to be met by Michael McMullin bursting into the left side only for his shot to be blocked by Larry McMahon.
On the half hour mark McKee got the better of Hughes again to clip a ball in from the right across the six-yard line for Gary Fraser only for the midfielder to lose his footing as Niven’s header bounced off the back of Liam McGonigle’s head, sending the ball high into the air. Fraser, still flat on his back tried to line up an overhead kick as the ball descended while keeper Donnelly rushed from his line stumbling over the grounded Glens man’s head while the loose ball was cleared. Fraser’s appeal for a penalty came to nothing.
The home side continued to press with lots of possession but without testing Donnelly while the visitors countered with some fine build-up play that was switched from right to wide on the left setting up McGonigle to clip a high ball to the back post for Thomas Collins only for Markey to leap and pluck the ball from under his bar.
In the closing action of the half the Bankies won a free kick a few yards wide of the right-hand corner of the box. McGonigle floated it high into a crowded six -yard box where Craig Pettigrew won the aerial battle against Niven, to head the ball clear of danger … and of time, as the half-time whistle blew.
HT Glens 0 Clydebank 1
Glens made two changes at the break with Gary Fraser & Alex McWaters making way for Michael Moffat and Scott McLean while Bankies brought on Craig Truesdale, recent signing from East Kilbride, to replace Callum Graham.
The home side were very much on the front foot in the early stages of the new half albeit without seriously testing Donnelly who was in no hurry to get the ball back into play.
However, on 55 minutes the Glens pressure paid off. Moffat, from inside the Bankies half, slipped the ball forward to Caddis who cutely side-footed it to McKee on the overlap down the right wing to drive to the bye-line. From there the winger rolled the ball back to Paton to thread a diagonal ball between Truesdale and McMahon into the box where Moffat gathered the ball only to be tripped from the back by Frazer Johnstone. It was Michael Moffat that stepped up to send Donnelly the wrong way and tuck the penalty-kick into the corner of the net.
The Bankies quickly adopted a new sense of urgency resorting to their usual slick passing play and regained their leaded on 59 minutes. Adam Hodge pushed forward down the right before slipping the ball to Truesdale to jink past McMullin and from the touch-line curled a ball into the heart of the six-yard box, which eluded a line of defenders, leaving the incoming Ciaran Mulcahy free to stoop and head the ball home from 3 yards out. (too dark for my camera)
Although the visitors turned up the heat with the introduction of Lee Gallacher for McGonigle the Glens enjoyed a decent spell of possession in the Bankies’ half with Scott McLean now on the right flank and McKee on the left; albeit again without creating any clear-cut chances.
At the other end Gallacher from the right picked out Collins in the box but with Holding tight on his back he clipped the ball back to Mulcahy to flash a shot from 8 yards that whizzed inches wide of the post.
Play flowed back and forward as the light diminished and the breeze intensified and it was Bankies that created the best of the chances on show when Niven outleapt all others to send a glancing header wide of the post from a Gallacher corner.
On 70 minutes Glenafton brought on Dylan O’Kane for Sam McKee.
Another good spell for the home side beginning with McLean’s free-kick that crashed off the Bankies wall on the 18-yard line and out for a corner on the right which McLean floated towards the penalty spot where McBeth, with his back to goal, turned to flash a header that was deflected wide. McLean curled the corner from the left into the goalmouth where Donnelly leapt to push the ball high out of the six-yard box and Collins met the ball on its descent to hoof it clear of danger.
Truesdale and Gallacher combined down the right before the latter floated a ball to the back post for the inrushing Collins only for Markey to intervene and cleanly pluck it out the air.
At the other end McBeth was tripped on the outskirts of the ‘D’ and although McLean’s free-kick beat the wall Donnelly got down low to stop the ball and then fall on it as Rowe closed in.
Back came Bankies through Gallacher on the right who then cut along the bye-line to drive into the six-yard box, and with Rowe marking Muchaly at the near post, the winger tried to curl the ball into the net from a tight angle only for Markey to pull off a fine block and McMullin then blocked Collins attempt to bury the rebound.
Glens then pressed again and on 81 minutes drew level for the second time. McLean, from just inside the Bankies half, floated a ball high into the box where Rowe managed to get in front of Niven as it dropped into the six-yard box his attempt to slide it home from 2 yards was blocked by Donnelly, only for Luke McBeth to get the jump on McMahon and guide the loose ball home from 3 yards beyond the reach of the grounded goalie. (too dark for my camera)
Déjà vu as the visitors struck back again to regain the lead a minute later. Truesdale weaved down the right and threaded a perfectly weighted ball to Hodge on the overlap to whip it across the face of goal for the incoming Ciaran Mulcahy. However, his attempt to side foot it home struck the grounded Holding and although Markey got an outstretched leg to the ball, he knocked it into the path of the Bankies’ striker to bag his brace from 2 yards out. Glens 2 Bankies 3 on 81 minutes. (too dark for my camera).
A minute later substitute Alan Kelly broke into the left-hand side of the Glens box before cracking an angled shot that Markey pushed wide of the back post. Gallacher curled a corner into a packed box and the ball eventually cleared as the visitors looked to kill off the game.
The Glens regained their composure and pushed to try and get level once again but to no avail while the visitors still sensed another goal. Gallacher falling backwards hooked a high ball upfield for Truesdale to chase, however on trying to control the ball as it descended, he raised his leg and caught Holding on the head with the full force of his knee, flooring the young defender. Having been booked minutes beforehand Truesdale was shown a second yellow and ordered off a minute into added time.
Glens continued to look for a late-late equaliser and O’Kane’s header from 16 yards out sailed wide of the post. The home side brought on Alan Frizzell for Lyall Holding and a minute later it was time for handshakes.
FT Glens 2 Clydebank 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 10. Alex McWaters (9. Michael Moffat) 4. Luke McBeth 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser (2. Scott McLean) 7. Sam McKee (18. Dylan O’Kane) 12. Liam Caddis (16. Alan Frizzell). Subs Not Used: 11. Ryan Sinnamon 21. Blair Cousar (gk)
CLYDEBANK
1. Jamie Donnelly 2. Adam Hodge 24. James Grant 4. Matt Niven 15. Oisin McHugh 6. Frazer Johnstone 14. Thomas Collins (Creag Little) 17. Larry McMahon 9. Callum Graham (16. Craig Truesdale) 19. Ciaran Mulcahy 11. Liam McGonigle (7. Lee Gallacher.) Other Subs Used: 21. Alan Kelly Not Used: Kieran Hughes (gk), Connor Greene, Danny MacKenzie
New manager Ryan Caddis joined the players on the centre circle prior to kick off before taking his place in the home dug-out with his management team. Glens made two changes to the eleven that started against Irvine Victoria last Saturday with Lyall Holding replacing Scott McLean and Michael Moffat.
The two sides last met at the end of September at Largs in the league in a hard-fought contest that ended with a share of the points in a 2-2 draw.
Although the earlier heavy rain had relented by kick-off the rain clouds decided to hang around. The home side kicked-off but it was Largs that were soon on the front foot and had already breached the Glens box twice before they passed up a glorious chance to take the lead on 2 minutes. William Sewell broke into the right of the Glens box and squared the ball to the incoming David Ramsay, taking the Glens keeper and two defenders out of play at the near post, leaving the Largs midfielder with an open goal but he couldn’t tee up the shot in time and under pressure from Lyall Holding he skewed shot that keeper David Markey was now in place to push it wide only for it to fall for Sewell but on an offside position.
Five minutes later the lively Jamie Martin slipped the ball forward for Sewell to gather and push to the left-edge of the ‘D’ before leathering a shot that flew past the advancing Markey and the junction of the post and cross bar.
Having weathered the mini-storm the Glens opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a wonderfully worked goal created in two phases of play each beginning Paul Paton. The midfielder, from just inside the Glens half, played a one-two with Holding tight on the right before switching play forward to Sam McKee on the left and after some patient passing involving Michael McMulllin, Gary Fraser, Luke McBeth and then McKee again the ball was back with Paton in the centre circle. Phase 2 and from here he picked out Holding on the right again, who then rolled the ball up the line to McWaters to touch it on McBeth and although Largs full-back Laurie McMaster nicked the ball from his feet it fell kindly for Paton to pounce and clip the ball forward to Liam Caddis in the ‘D’ who gave his marker the slip to square the ball to McKee on the left-hand side of the box to take a touch or two before curling a cross into the goalmouth over the head of the leaping David McGrath and at his back Caddis arched his back to bullet a header home from 6 yards beyond the reach of keeper Eliasz Zalewski.
Soon after McBeth won a corner which McWaters floated into the six yard box where McMaster won the header before Largs cleared.
Back came the visitors after Sewell nicked the ball from Paton before driving through the middle and then side-stepped Rowe to set up a shot from 18 yards that the advancing Markey deflected wide fora corner kick that was headed clear by Caddis.
Midway through the half Largs won another corner which was curled into the six-yard box where Markey punched the ball clear as Ryan McCreath threatened.
Glens countered through Fraser stabbing a long ball down the right wing for McWaters to chase and cut the ball back to the 18-yard line for McKee to clip the ball first time only for it to dip inches over the bar.
At the other end Craig Pettigrew cut out Sewell’s cut-back from the bye line at the expense of a corner. Lewis Davidson floated the ball into the heart of the box where McBeth and McCreath both stooped to win the header which ended with the ball flying wide of the post and another corner for Largs, despite McBeth’s protest. Davidson played it short to Martin before clipping the return ball to the back post where Cory Hughes won the aerial battle sending the ball high into the air which Markey leapt high from his lie to clutch the ball on its descent under the bar under pressure from McCreath.
On 32 minutes McCreath released a long ball down the left for McMaster to chase and break into the left hand of the box and although his attempt to pick-out the inrushing Sewell was blocked by Rowe he gathered the rebound to drill it back into the danger area only to be blocked by Rowe again, generating loud appeals for hand-ball by a host of Largs players, which were waved away by the referee. The corner kick was played to the near post where McBeth headed it clear out the box and although Largs continued to press, they struggled to create any decent chances.
Glens won a free kick on the outskirts of the box after Davidson had tripped McBeth only for Fraser’s effort to deflect off the wall for a corner that was quickly cleared.
Soon after Largs broke upfield where Ramsay laid off a great ball to David McGrath to drive to edge of the box before driving a low angled shot beyond the reach of the outrushing Markey only to slip inches wide of the far post.
HT Glens 1 Largs 0
Play raged back and forth without either keeper being tested.
On 55 minutes Glens made a change with Michael Moffat coming on for Luke McBeth. Immediately after Sewell found himself in space in the heart of the Glens box only for Pettigrew to close him down and force the striker to retreat wide of the box and settle for a corner kick. Rowe won the aerial battle with Hughes at the expense of another corner which Paton headed clear. Larges continued to press and a ball was whipped in from the right to a pack near post where the ball fell for Stuart Faulds only for his effort to drift wide of target.
At the other end Fraser broke through the middle before weaving his way to the right hand side of the box to crack a low angled shot that keeper did well to get down low and push the ball wide of the post and the corner that followed was cleared.
Mid way through the half Largs won back-to-back corners the second of which saw Markey pull off a fine save blocking a close range shot from Martin. Soon after, another corner was cleared by the Glens defence.
The home side broke forward and Caddis laid off the ball into the path of Paton bursting to the outskirts of the box losing his balance after firing a shot that went high and wide of target. The threatening rain had arrived and continued to the end of the match with a mix of light and heavy showers.
On 71 mins Largs made a double substitution with Daryll Duffy and Blair Devine coming on for David Ramsay and Sean McLeod. Five minutes later Glens brought on Dylan O’Kane for Alex McWaters.
Despite the conditions play continued to ebb back and forth at a decent pace and on 79 minutes Glens doubled their lead with another exquisite goal. After some head tennis by two Largs defenders under pressure from the Glens attack Paton pounced on the loose ball by the centre circle and burst down the right before clipping it to O’Kane tight on the wing. From here the young striker cut inside holding off McGrath and then sent Faulds one-way and another at the edge of the box some six yards from the bye-line before sprinting to the front of the box and with slide rule pass perfectly picked out Michael Moffat who killed the ball dead on he 18 yard line before lobbing it over the heads of a clutch of defenders and beyond the reach of the keeper’s outstretched arms, some two yards off his line, before nestling in the net.
The home side seem to have a comfortable two goal lead with 11 minutes to go. However, three minutes later McMullin from wide on the left sent a harmless looking back-pass to Markey, where the keeper trapped the ball on or about the six-yard line, meanwhile Duffy had already read the pass and burst into the box at speed to close the keeper down and steal the ball, as Markey attempted to dribble past him, and stroke it into the empty net. Glens 2 Largs 1 on 82 minutes.
All to play for again, in the heavy rain and the diminishing light.
On 87 minutes Glens brought on Alan Frizzell for Liam Caddis and a minute late the home side restored their two-goal cushion. Largs were pushed forward in numbers, leaving centre back Hughes on the centre circle, when Lyall Holding broke down an attack and clipped the ball upfield for Michael Moffat to chase down from inside his own half. Also giving chase was the Hughes, but well of the pace, forcing the keeper to run out his box only for Moffat to execute a perfectly weighted nut-meg from 22 yards out and follow the ball into the gaping net, crossing the line seconds before the gallant Hughes arrived.
Into added time when Moffat was tripped on the outskirts of the left-hand corner of the penalty box. Up stepped McMullin to hammer a low shot that Zalewski stopped on the line with both hands before diving to secure the loose ball. At the other end McMaster was tripped on the outskirts of the box and Faulds free-kick flew high over the bar and the final whistle blew soon after.
FT Glens 3 Largs 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 10. Alex McWaters (18. Dylan O’Kane) 4. Luke McBeth (9. Michael Moffat) 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 7. Sam McKee 12. Liam Caddis (16. Alan Frizzell). Subs Not Used: Blair Cousar (gk)
LARGS THISTLE
1. Eliasz Zalewski 2. Sean McLeod (15. Blair Devine) 3. Laurie McMaster 4. Ryan McCreath 5. Cory Hughes 6. Stuart Faulds 7. David Ramsay (12. Darryl Duffy) 8. Lewis Davidson 9. William Sewell 10. David McGrath 11. Jamie Martin Subs Not Used: 14. Simon McBryde 16. John Cumming 21. Matt Johnston.
Glenafton Athletic are delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Caddis as our new manager.
As a player, Ryan enjoyed spells at Ayr United, Stranraer as well as Hurlford United and Ardrossan Winton Rovers amongst others. As a manager Ryan has enjoyed a successful period as manager of Craigmark Burntonians before recently becoming Whitletts Victoria Manager. Ryan’s backroom staff will be made up of
Assistant Manager- Darren Miller,
Goalkeeping Coach-
Scott Gilmour and
First team coaches- David Watters and Tommy McKenna.
Laura Pagan will remain as our club physio.
We are delighted to have appointed Ryan as our new manager and we look forward to welcoming in a new era at the club. We urge all our supporters to get behind the new management team and players, starting with the visit of local rivals Cumnock Juniors on Saturday.
Welcome to Loch Park, Ryan.
Following the appointment of the new management team, we can also confirm that Goalkeeping Coach Gary Waide has now left the club.
Everyone at the Glens would like to thank Gary for his contribution he made to the club, and we wish him and his family well for the future.
All the best Gary.
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Paul Paton stepped up to take the team as the club search for a new manager following the departure of Mark Roberts. Three changes were made to the eleven that started at Shotts last Saturday with Lyall Holding, Dylan O’Kane along with Paul Paton making way for Michael McMullin, Gary Fraser and Liam Caddis.
Irvine Victoria is fighting for promotion from the 2nd Division and currently sit in 3rd position in the league. The Vics had a bye in the 1st Round of West of Scotland Football League Cup.
The game had passed a pitch inspection earlier at 11am and kicked off at 1:30pm as scheduled, on a bitterly cold day despite the glorious sunshine.
Birthday Boy – captain Criag Pettigrew
The home side kicked off and were quickly on the front foot through Lewis McCracken breaking down the right and although Sam McKee was on his heels, he cut inside and from the corner of the box he curled a vicious shot through a ruck of players to the fat post forcing keeper David Markey to get down and push the ball away with both hands. Although Ollie Rowe hooked the ball clear the Vics retrieved the ball through Kyro Crawford to blast a shot from just inside the box that whizzed inches wide of the post – a lively first minute!
Another break down the right, this time by James Maxwell, ended with his cut-back into the box being blocked by Craig Pettigrew at the expense of a throw, that came to nothing.
Glens began to make their mark and won a corner-kick on 5 minutes and played to the near post where Michael Moffat’s shot was blocked sending the ball high into the air which Michael McMullin met on its descent to fashion an overhead kick that drifted well wide of target. Another Glens corner came and went as the visitors continued to press.
Gary Fraser slipped the ball inside to Alex McWaters who in turn threaded a pass down the right for Scott McLean to break into the ball and roll the ball back into the path of the inrushing Moffat only for his shot from 12yards to be blocked by Joel Taylor. Soon after McLean slipped the ball down the right to McWaters to drive to the bye-line and fire a high ball into the goalmouth and although David Smith won the aerial battle with Moffat the ball fell for McKee on the outskirts of the box to clip a high ball to the back post where keeper Connor Wilson leapt to punch the ball from the head of Rowe, before the Glens defender was penalised for barging.
It was all Glens now with waves of attack that were repelled by the Vics as they defended in numbers. Luke McBeth from tight on the right flank clipped the ball inside to Moffat at the edge of the ball who rolled it back for McMullin to leather the ball from a good 30 yards sending it flying over the bar. Keeper Wilson launched the goal kick to the half-way line where McBeth sent a header high back up the park for Michael Moffat to get the jump on three defenders, with Agnew playing him onside despite the raised arms, and control the ball before breaking into the left-hand side, and cut inside the back-tracking Fraser MacDuff before curling a low shot from 10 yards under the keeper’s body and into the net – Glens 1-0 up on 18 minutes.
Midway through the half Markey rolled the ball out to Rowe on the right who launched it upfield for Moffat to chase down the right, with MacDuff on his heels, before breaking into the box to drill a low diagonal shot from 10 yards and although the advancing Wilson got a foot to it, the ball continued to trundle towards the empty net only for the chasing MacDuff to clear it on the line.
Glens continued to press and doubled their lead on 25 minutes. McLean from wide on the right slipped the ball down the touchline for Moffat to whip a ball into the six-yard box where McWaters, with Calum Irvine tight on his back, took a great touch to angle a shot goalward and although keeper Wilson blocked it on the line, Liam Caddis was on hand to stroke the ball into the empty net.
The visitors were not for letting up and on 30 minutes McMullin from wide on the left launched a high ball into the Vics half and although MacDuff beat Moffat in the air it was Liam Caddis that beat Agnew to snap up the loose ball and drive forward unimpeded towards goal forcing the keeper to run to the edge of the box only for the Glens striker from 22 yards to lob the ball high over his head and look on as it dipped under the bar and into the gaping net.
The Vics tried to respond through Lewis McCracken cutting in from the right wing before curling a vicious shot that drifted wide of the back post.
Back came Glens with Rowe tight on the right intercepting a clearance and laying it off to McLean who in turn slipped it forward to McWaters to take out two defenders out with a perfectly weighted diagonal forward pass to match Liam Caddis’s run into the box where he lashed the ball from 16 yards and through the keeper’s legs to make it 4-0 on 34 minutes and complete a 9-minute hat-trick!
The home side responded with a break up the left with Maxwell clipping the ball towards the corner of the box for Crawford to chase only for Pettigrew to act as a blocking guard as the alert Markey rushed from his line and to slide and collect the ball.
Later Pettigrew squared the ball to Rowe to launch another long ball down the right for Moffat to trap and then hook it over MacDuff’s head before controlling the ball on his chest and bursting into the box to drill a low angled shot that was blocked by the outstretched leg of Gaffney.
On 41 minutes McLean from wide on the half-way line lofted a high ball to the edge of the box where Caddis directed a cushioned header into the path of Moffat to take a touch before firing a shot from 12 yards that the keeper did well to block and the loose ball was cleared.
HT Irvine Victoria 0 Glenafton 4
Irvine Victoria made a triple substation with Joel Taylor, Fraser MacDuff and Agnew making way for Ben Strain, Alessandro Saverese and former Craigmark striker Kevin Adam who scored against the Glens in the South Challenge cup two seasons ago.
It was the visitors that were first to threaten after Fraser nicked the ball from the feet of Strain before thundering a shot from 25 yards that crashed off the bar sending the ball soaring high into the sky to be retrieved by McBeth who played a one-two with McKee on the left before switching play to Rowe on the right to slip ball to McLean who jinked past two orange shirts before slotting ball into the box for Caddis to chase down and crack a shot from the corner of the 6 yard box only for Wilson to make another fine save with an outstretched leg and David Smith mopped up the loose ball.
Soon after Smith tripped McWaters as he gathered a pass from Moffat and although the midfielder’s free kick from 25 yards out beat the wall the ball it flew high and wide of target.
Having survived that sustained period pressure the Vics three subs combined to pull one back on 52 minutes. A throw-in from the left was headed on into the box by Adam before Savarese took a touch to lay it off to Kyro Crawford who fired a shot from a tight angle that beat Markey at the near post and nestled in the far corner of the net.
On 64 minutes Glens brought on Dylan O’Kane for Alex McWaters and soon after Vics brought on Ryan Morrow for James Maxwell.
McLean launched a ball down the left for McKee chase and skip past a defender and although his his cross into the box was blocked, he pounced on the rebound but this too was blocked and fell for the incoming but his shot bobbled past the post. McKee then broke down the left again and from the bye-line lofted to the near post only for the keeper to make a clean catch as Caddis threatened.
Vics countered and Calum Irvine won the ball in the centre circle to knock it on for Savarese who held off the challenge from Pettigrew allowing the ball to run on to Crawford only for the striker to be brought down at the edge of the box by a sliding tackle from McMullin. Although McCracken curled the ball round the side wall the ball bounced inches wide of the post.
On 75 minutes Glens brought of Charlie Maxwell for Liam Caddis.
Back came Vics and a neat passage of passing play ended with a shot from inside the box blocked and the rebound fell for Callum to trap it on his chest and try a lob from 22 yards only for it to dip into the arms of Markey.
Glens made their final change with Scott McLean making way for Lyall Holding. The young full back was soon in the thick of the action tracking Strain’s break down the left and into the box where the he stood firm and the winger appeared to lose his balance, only to receive a yellow card presumably for diving.
On 84 minutes the Glens restored their four-goal lead following another run down the left by McKee before whipping he ball into the box where it skimmed of the top of the head of the leaping Owen Densham and the ball fell for the unmarked Charlie Maxwell to send a diving header home beyond the keeper on his line.
Vics continued to plug away and a free kick from the left on the half way-line was launched to the back post and although McCracken won the aerial battle his header dipped wide of the other post. However, on 89 minutes the home side’s effort were rewarded after a great ball from the left was whipped into the busy box where Alessandro Savarese with his back to goal managed to trap the ball with his outstretched left leg before wheeling and prodding the ball from a few yards out despite the combined efforts of McMullin and Markey.
The Glens struck back a minute later through another break down the left by McKee sending Morrow one way then the other before clipping the ball from the corner flag into the six-yard box flying over the head of the leaping Densham at the near post only for the unfortunate leaping David Smith a few yards behind him to send a downward header into his own net.
The final whistle blew seconds later.
FT Irvine Vics 2 Glenafton 6
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 2. Scott McLean (14. Lyall Holding) 10. Alex McWaters (18. Dylan O‘Kane) 4. Luke McBeth 8. Gary Fraser 7. Sam McKee 9. Michael Moffat 12. Liam Caddis (17. Charlie Maxwell).
IRVINE VICTORIA
1. Connor Wilson 2. David Smith 3. Joel Taylor (14. Alessandro Savarese)4. Fraser MacDuff (17. Ben Strain) 5. Steven Gaffney 6. Agnew (12. Kevin Adam) 7. James Maxwell (15. Ryan Morrow) 8. Callum Irvine 9. Kyro Crawford 10. Lewis McCracken 11. Clayton Smith. Other Used :16. Owen Densham. Subs Not Used: 18. Sean Robertson 19. Mark Butler.
Glenafton Athletic 