Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Benburb last Saturday with Michael McMullin, Charlie Maxwell and Liam Caddis making way for Sam McKee, Michael Moffat and Dylan O’Kane.
Shotts Bon Accords currently in 5th position in WOSFL 1st Division only 4 points behind leaders Drumchapel United with a game in hand. Starting for Shotts was former Glenafton defender Chris Meikle.
In very difficult conditions the Shotts took an early lead on 15 minutes after Danny Burns set up Taylor Evans to find the net. Unfortunately 10 minutes later he had to be replaced by P.J. O’Donnell. The home side had a number of chances to increase their lead only to go in at the break a goal ahead.
HT Shotts 1 Glens 0
On 56 minutes Shotts passed up another chance only for a spot-kick to slip past the post. Glens made a change with Liam Caddis replacing Dylan O’Kane and then Charlie Maxwell came on from Michael Moffat.
On 65 minutes Andrew Duffy picked out Paul McGeough to double Shotts lead.
The home side made a double substitution on 73 minutes with Andrew Duffy and Ben Richford making way for Harry Kent and Martin Shiels while soon after on 79 minutes Glens brought on Gary Fraser for Lyall Holding.
On 90 minutes Glens keeper David Markey launched a high ball up the middle and on heavy going Caddis managed to win the ball and lay it off to McKee on the left wing who slogged his way up field to the bye line. From here he gave Meikle the slip before cutting the ball into the box for the inrushing Maxwell and although his shot was blocked, Liam Caddis was on hand to slot the ball into the net from close range. However, it was too little too late for the visitors and to add to their woes Scott McLean earned himself a second yellow card and was sent off before the final whistle.
Liam Caddis
FT Shotts 2 Glens 1
Good luck to Shotss in the next round.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding (8. Gary Fraser) 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 20. Ollie Rowe 2. Scott McLean 10. Alex McWaters 6. Paul Paton 4. Luke McBeth 7. Sam McKee 9. Michael Moffat (17. Charlie Maxwell) 18. Dylan O’Kane (12. Liam Caddis) Subs Used:: 3. Michael McMullin 19. Gary Harkins
SHOTTS BON ACCORD
1. Sandy Thomson 2. Josh Gracie 3. Martin Cassells 4. Robbie Torrance 5. Chris Meikle 6. Ally Martin 7. Danny Burns 8. Andrew Duffy (18. Harry Kent) 9. Paul McGeough 10. Taylor Evans (15. P.J. O’Donnell) 11. Ben Richford (16. Martin Shiels). Subs: 22. Dominic Duffy 12. Andrew Muir 14. Sam Kent 17. Kieran Campbell
Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence of remembrance was observed on this Armistice Day of the 11th November.
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Darvel last Saturday with Gary Fraser and Michael Moffat making way for Paul Paton and Charlie Maxwell.
In the Benburb dug-out was assistant manager and Glenafton legend Ian Gray of the successful side of the 1990s including winning the Scottish Junior Cup and League Championship double in 1992/93.
Bens kicked off with the low sun creating long shadows that stretched across the width of the pitch while the game quickly settled into one which flowed back and forth the length of a pitch at a relentless pace.
There were few clear-cut chances on show until the home side took a short throw-in from deep on the left, only yards from the corner flag, which was headed down by Lewis Lovering and although he seemed to be boxed in by a couple of red shirts he retreated towards the corner flag before whipping a great ball from the bye-line into the busy goalmouth where Declan McDonald leapt to bullet a downward header that beat keeper David Markey on his goal-line and into the net.
Benburb continued to press chiefly through a long ball high into the box that were scrambled clear – including Markey rushing from his line to punch the ball away; Craig Pettigrew hooking a cross away and a clearing header from Ollie Rowe.
On 25 minutes Alex McWaters and Lyall Holding combined down the right, the former’s cross was blocked by a defender and the latter then curled a high ball into the box where Liam Caddis got the better Daryl Convery only for his header from 6 yards to be cleanly clutched by keeper Grant Hay.
Nevertheless, it heralded a period of play where the visitors were on top for a good spell. Luke McBeth was pulled down on the half-way line and it was McBeth that leapt to win Paul Paton’s free kick floated into the box which fell for the inrushing Charlie Maxwell only for his shot from 18 yards, under pressure from Lee Duncanson, to fly over the bar.
Paton nicked the ball just inside the Bens’ half and it fell for McLean down the left from where he cut inside before lobbing the ball into the goalmouth for Caddis to meet on the drop but his acrobatic volley looped high over the bar.
Benburb countered on 33 minutes with a quick break down the right by Olly Smith where a neat one-two with Ally Taylor took him to the edge of the box and although Mick McMullin stripped the ball from him it was quickly retrieved by Taylor to slip a pass to Aaron Black but his hooked shot from inside the box slipped wide of the far post.
Back came Glens and McLean from wide on the left whipped a high ball deep into box where Ryan Livingston won the aerial battle to send the ball skyward while on its descent Caddis tried to guide a header home but keeper Hay gathered comfortably.
HT Bens 1 Glens 0
Glens made a change at the break with Sam McKee on for Mick McMullin.
The visitors were first to threaten and McWaters burst down the right to win a corner which was rolled back to Paton but his ball to the back post was overhit and floated wide. Soon after McLean gathered the ball at the corner of the Glens box and clipped a long ball up the left wing for McKee to chase down, leaving Convery in his wake, only for his cut back for Caddis to be intercepted by Jordan Bow at the expense of a corner. McLean floated the kick to the far side of the six-yard box and although Rowe won the aerial battle Taylor pounced to hook the ball clear as McKee closed in.
On 55 minutes the visitors made another change with Charlie Maxwell making way for Dylan O’Kane.
The Bens responded through Shaun Fraser whipping a ball from wide on the left to the far post for Smith to guide a header across the face of goal for McDonald only for his glancing header to drift wide of target and the ball eventually cleared.
Back came Glens and Paton released McWaters down the right to drive to the touchline before clipping the ball into the box where it was headed on by Caddis and then trapped by McKee who squeezed between two defenders before firing a low angled shot from the side of the six-yard box only for Hay to come of his line and deflect the ball over the bar and onto the roof of the net.
McLean rolled the corner-kick to McWaters to take a touch before unleashing a shot from 18 yards forcing Hay to pull off a great one-handed save to punch the ball wide. McLean clipped the corner low into the box where McKee lost his marker to fire a low angled shot that was blocked.
Paton switched play from the right to McKee on the left who cut inside, turning Smith one way and then the other, before picking out Paton in the middle of the park who slipped the ball to McWaters on the right to float a cross to the back post where it was cut out by Convery’s header only for McKee to meet the ball on the dropand fire a shot that deflected of Convery for another Glens corner. McLean’s kick from the left was partially cleared before Glens recovered the ball and returned to McLean and again his cross was cleared to the outskirts of the box for McWalters to lash a ferocious shot that was deflected high over the bar for another corner, which was eventually hooked clear.
On 63 minutes McDonald won the ball in the centre circle and slotted a diagonal pass into the right- hand side of the box for Black to chase down and then clip the ball square across the face of goal only for the ball to bobble off Pettigrew’s shins allowing Convery to nick in but lost his footing and his attempt to guide the ball home trickled into the hands of Markey, while the referee waved away Benburb’s claims for a penalty.
Glens then mopped up another attack before countering with one of their own. Paton squared a ball from the centre circle to McLean and with a devastating burst pace he left Smith for dead before cracking a shot from 25 yards that bounced before the keeper who still managed to push the ball away with both hands only for it to fall from McWaters but his low angled shot was deflected wide for a corner. After some head tennis in a packed box McKee killed the ball and cushioned a pass to the unmarked O’Kane on the outskirts of six yard only for his shot to be blocked and the keeper pounced on the loose ball.
Benburb launched a free kick from the half-way line high into the box which eventually fell for Shaw only to sky his shot from 12 yards high over the bar – a let off for Glens. The home side continued to press and Markey blocked Lovering’s shot from deep in the box at the expense of a corner which was headed high into the air for McBeth and fell for McDonald only to skew his shot wide under pressure from Paton.
Back came Glens through McLean on the left to release McKee down the wing and give Smith the slip to drive to the bye-line and cut the ball back across the face of goal, but no takers. McWaters then won another corner on the right which was headed clear to the outskirts of the box and it was McWaters that sent a shot whizzing just wide of the post.
On 76 minutes Glens pressure was rewarded with a cracking goal. Paton switched play from wide on the right on the half-way line to wide on the left where McKee chased down the ball before it went out for a shy. He then slowly cut inside to progress to the edge of the box and with Convery blocking his way while backing off, he clipped a perfectly weighted diagonal pass to the outskirts of the front of the box for Scott McLean to laser a sweet strike from 22 yards beyond the reach of the keeper.
Both sides went in search of a winner. O’Kane’s shot from 25 yards was plucked out the air by keeper Hay. At the other end a long throw to the near post was clutched by Markey who then launched a long ball upfield for McKee to chase and chip into the box where Caddis’s glancing header landed at the feet of McWaters but his shot was deflected wide for yet another corner.
The kick was cleared and the Bens broke upfield in numbers but the final ball into box was grabbed under the bar by Markey. The home side pressed again and Markey comfortably held a shot from distance and soon after Lovering’s aerial challenge in the six yard box concluded with both Holding and Pettigrew requiring treatment. Indeed on 87 minutes Glens made their final change with Gary Fraser coming on for Lyall Holding.
In the closing minutes the Glens came closing to claiming all three points on two occasions.
Paton from the centre-circle clipped the ball wide to McLean on the right touchline and in a flash a telepathic one-two with McKee saw McLean drive into the box and from 12 yards drill a low shot that beat the keeper at full stretch before striking the base of the post.
A minute later McLean was fouled on the outskirts of the box and it was McLean that curled the free kick high into the box where Rowe ghosted in at the back post and with an out stretched leg tried to guide the ball home only for it to strike the outside of the post and go out for a goal kick.
Ironically the last kick of the ball fell to the Bens with Markey punching away a corner at his near post.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding (8. Gary Fraser) 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 20. Ollie Rowe 3. Michael McMullin (7. Sam McKee) 10. Alex McWaters 17. Charlie Maxwell (18. Dylan O’Kane) 6. Paul Paton 4. Luke McBeth 2. Scott McLean 12. Liam Caddis Subs Not Used: 19. Gary Harkins
BENBURB
1. Grant Hay 2. Daryl Convery 3. Lee Duncanson 4. Jordan Bow 5. Ryan Livingston 6. Shaun Fraser 7. Olly Smith 8. Ally Taylor 9. Declan McDonald 10. Aaron Black 11. Lewis Lovering. 12. Ryan McCrone 14. Nathan Canning 15. Paul Doyle 16. Jayden McGivern 18. Correy Murray
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence in memory of Ian McLatchie who passed away recently. Ian was great Glenafton supporter and served on their committee some years ago.
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Hurlford on Saturday with Charlie Maxwell and Paul Paton (suspended) making way for Gary Fraser and Liam Caddis. In the Darvel side was former Glens player Leon Murphy while in the dug-out was assistant manager and former Glens striker Davie Winter.
This was the third meeting of the sides this season with Glens winning 2-1 in the opening league encounter at Recreation Park while more recently Darvel ran out 3-0 winners in the ‘big’ Scottish Cup tie at Loch Park. It is also the third meeting of the clubs in the Scottish Junior Cup with Glens winning 4-2 away from home in the 5th round in Season 1961/62 and then again 2-1 away from home, after a 1-1 draw at Loch Park in the 3rd round in Season 1982/83.
Darvel kicked off and within 5 minutes Glens opened the scoring. Ollie Rowe from inside the Glens penalty box launched a long high ball up the middle for Liam Caddis who won the aerial battle against Stephen Bronsky. He was then initially pulled back by the defender before breaking free and then nudged off the ball at the edge of the ‘D’ before the referee awarded a free kick. Caddis took his place at the left hand side of the Darvel wall as Scott Mclean lined up the kick which he threaded through the space left by Caddis as he broke away and the ball flew into the net at the near post with keeper Andy Leishman rooted on the middle of the goal line.
Play raged back and forth and on 9 minutes the visitors won a corner on the left which Leon Murphy floated into the heart of the box where Luke McBeth headed it clear only for it be gathered on the outskirts of the box by Dean Cairns to play a neat one-two with Ross Caldwell before whipping a shot from 24 yards that dipped over the bar. Soon after Jordan Moore held off two defenders on the edge of the before squaring it to Reegan Aitken on the left to cut into the box and tee up a shot from 10 yards that was bravely blocked by a well-timed tackle from Lyall Holding.
At the other end McLean on the left played a forward pass to Michael Moffat and with his back to goal he rolled the ball back to Gary Fraser to thump a shot from 30 yards that sailed over the bar.
Back came Darvel to win a free kick some 30 yards of goal and as David Syme took it quickly the referee demanded a re-take since he hadn’t blown his whistle. A flustered Syme slipped the re-take (again before a whistle had been blown) down the left to the lively Aitken, but with his way into the box blocked, he reversed and laid the ball back to Syme who had advanced 5 yards or so, took a touch then lashed a ferocious shot before slipping to the ground but still got a view of the ball exploding into the top right had corner of the goal giving keeper David Markey no chance. The Cup-tie now all square on 19 minutes.
Glens responded with some good build up play that concluded with Fraser slipping the ball to Alex McWaters tight on the right to whip a ball high to the back post and although Caddis got the jump on Bronsky again, Leihsman leapt highest to cleanly pluck the ball out the air.
At the other end Markey had to be alert to dive at the feet of Jordan Moore. Soon after the Glens box was packed expecting Cairns to float a free kick from tight on the left but instead, he rolled it down the left for Aitken to gather and eye up his options before cutting back to the 18 yard line and unleashing a shot that flew just over the bar, albeit Markey appeared to have it covered.
The home side then enjoyed a decent spell of possession and some half-chances. Moffat on the right clipped a ball to the back post beyond the reach of Leishman for the incoming McLean only for Ross Barbour to intervene and head it wide for a corner. McLean played it to the near post where Moffat’s glancing header crashed off the back of Caldwell before Craig Pettigrew pounced on the loose ball only for his shot from 10 yards to rebound of Syme’s shin and Bronsky engineer an acrobatic overhead clearance.
On the half hour mark Michael McMullin from wide on the left lobbed a ball to the near post for Moffat only for Bronsky to send a flashing header over his own bar. The corner was also fired to the near post where Leishman punched the ball clear from the leaping McBeth, adjudged to have fouled keeper in any case. Another corner followed soon after patient build up play, it fell for Caddis in the six-yard box only for his shot to deflect off Mark Sideserf’s shin.
Darvel countered with a quick break down the right by Jordan Moore to lay the ball back to Aitken as he burst into the box to drill a low shot that the advancing Markey deflected on his six-yard line, the resulting corner was overhit and the chance gone.
Played ebbed back and forth with moves and set pieces breaking down with both keepers safely clutching balls out the air. Matters intensified in the closing minutes of the half. McLean curled a free kick from the corner of box high into the six-yard box over the head of the leaping Syme head which was met on its descent by Caddis only for his bullet header to whizz over the bar.
On 45 minutes Darvel passed up a great chance to go in front at the break. Leishman launched a long ball up the left which was chased down by Murphy who then squared the perfect ball for the incoming Jordan Moore seemingly for a simple tap-in but the big striker lost his footing, tumbled to the ground and the chance was gone.
Glens won another corner on added time which Leishman comfortably collected as Pettigrew waited on any spillage.
HT Glens 1 Darvel 1
Glens kicked off and were first to threaten with Fraser breaking through the middle before releasing McWaters down the right to clip the ball into the box for Moffat only for his shot from 14 yards to be well blocked by Bronsky. Soon after Moffat chased a ball down right and cut into the box drawing Leishman from his line before clipping a low ball past the keeper to Caddis in the six-yard box only for the tracking back Bronsky to intercept and knock the ball wide of target. The corner was rolled back-up the touchline to be floated into box where Pettigrew’s header from 10 yards was gathered by Leishman.
Darvel were seeing a lot ball, with Aitken in particular still busy in and around the box, without creating any clear cut chances until almost the hour mark when Caldwell from the left hand corner of the box curled a ball into the goalmouth for the incoming Syme but he guided his free header a foot wide of the post.
Glens made a change with Sam McKee coming on for Alex McWaters.
Caddis from the left touchline at the half-way life lobbed a ball up the wing for Moffat to chase and give Bronsky the slip before whipping the ball across the goalmouth, taking out 3 defenders, where the inrushing Fraser won the race for the ball and cut it back to McKee on the six yard line only for Sideserf to intercept and the chance was lost.
Midway through the half Darvel brought on Craig Moore for Nathan Aitken.
Just inside Darvel’s half Fraser picked up a pass from Moffat and rode a tackle from Caldwell before nutmegging Cairns and driving forward to slip the ball to Caddis to drill a low shot from the 18 yard line that Leishman got down to save comfortably.
Glens continued to press and won a throw in on the right a few yards from the corner flag only to lose possession. Caldwell snapped up the ball to drive forward and then from the Darvel edge of the centre circle slotted a ball through the middle seemingly for Craig Moore with Rowe closing him down, however the midfielder dummied the ball superbly and let it run on for Jordan Moore to gather and side-step Pettigrew at the ‘D’ before curling a shot beyond the diving Markey and into the net. Darvel lead 2-1 on 71 minutes.
The home side brought on Dylan O’Kane for Liam Caddis.
On 76 minutes Glens came close after McLean burst down the right leaving Sideserf in his wake before cutting into the box and when level with the six yard box clipped the ball back to Moffat on the penalty spot to dive and bullet a header that whizzed inches wide of the far post.
Darvel responded and won a free kick on the edge of a ‘D’ but the Glens wall stood firm to block Craig Moore’s shot.On 79 minutes the visitors brough on Nathan Baird for Mark Sideserf.
Another break down the right by McLean saw him flash a low ball across the face of goal just beyond the reach of O’Kane and the two defenders were glad to marshall the ball out for goal-kick.
On 84 minutes McLean from just inside the Darvel half floated a free-kick into the box which Moffat killed on his chest before volleying the ball past Leishman only to be flagged offside
Darvel countered without a number of breaks but without testing the keeper. On 90 minutes Darvel replaced Leon Murphy. Three minutes into added time and a final break from Darvel ended with Jordan Moore blasting the ball high over the bar.
FT Glens 1 Darvel 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 20. Ollie Rowe 3. Michael McMullin 10. Alex McWaters (7. Sam McKee) 8. Gary Fraser 4. Luke McBeth 2. Scott McLean 9. Michael Moffat 12. Liam Caddis (18. Dylan O’Kane). Subs Not Used: 17. Charlie Maxwell 15. Zak Ross
DARVEL
1. Andy Leishman 2. Ross Barbour 4. David Syme 5. Stephen Bronsky 3. Danny O’Halloran 14. Mark Sideserf (Nathan Baird) 8. Dean Cairns 23. Ross Caldwell 10. Reegan Aitken (16. Craig Moore) 7. Leon Murphy (Mille) 9. Jordan Moore. Subs 21. Andrew Wilson, 15. Graham Wilson, Scott Paterson, Brown
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Dalry Thistle last Saturday with Zak Ross and Gary Fraser making way for Lyall Holding and Charlie Maxwell.
In the Hurlford line-up were former Glens players Paul McKenzie and Davie Wilson while of course on the dug-out was another former Glens player John Dempster now assistant manager to Darren Henderson, a former Glens manager.
In a game of few chances, it was Glens that opened the scoring on 75 minutes when Scott McLean floated a free kick into the goal mouth and former ‘Ford player Liam Caddis to power a header into the net beyond the reach of Davie Wilson and score his first goal for the club
Liam Caddis – scored his first goal for the Glens
However, the visitors struck back two minutes later after Wilson launched a free-kick from just outside his box upfield to the outskirts of the left corner of the Glens box where Lewis Morrison trapped the ball and held off a defender before turning and drilling a low shot from 20 yards that flew in at the near post.
The game finished all square and Glens secured the first home point of the season
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 20. Ollie Rowe 3. Michael McMullin 10. Alex McWaters 17. Charlie Maxwell 4. Luke McBeth 6. Paul Paton 2. Scott McLean; 9. Michael Moffat. Subs Used: 8. Gary Fraser 12. Liam Caddis 18. Dylan O’Kane Other Subs: 15. Zak Ross, 19. Gary Harkins
HURLFORD UNITED
1. David Wilson 2. Liam Miller 3. Ross Love 4. Calder Frew 5. Chris Robertson 6. Hughes 7. Paul McKenzie 8. Jack Whittaker 9. Michael Mullen 10. Lewis Morrison 11. Kris Kerr Subs. 12. Ally Love 14. Calum Watt 15. Craig Reid 16. Taylor Allan 17. Ryan Walker 21. Chris Taylor
Dalry kicked off on an overcast and chilly day but it was Glenafton that would turn up the heat during the early encounters. Scott McLean floated a corner kick into a packed six yard where Luke McBeth got the final touch sending the ball just wide of the post. At the other end a Thistle cross was clutched cleanly under the bar by keeper David Markey.
Back came Glens through McBeth who switched play to McLean tight on the left wing to launch a high ball into the six-yard box and although keeper Derrin Fairns leapt to get both hands on it, he fumbled the ball which fell for Alex McWaters who cracked a well-placed a shot that flew past the grounded keeper and two defenders on the goal-line only for a third defender to block it on the line before rebounding off the back post. The ball was now back in play and eventually recovered by Glens to win a corner kick that came to nothing.
Controversy on 15 minutes when McWaters gathered a through ball and burst forward with Jamie Gray in pursuit and as the Glens midfielder set up to shoot from the 18-yard line the Dalry player got an outstretched foot to the ball simultaneously sending McWaters to the ground. As Gray retrieved the ball and headed upfield the referee arrived to point to the penalty spot and book Gray. However, a trio of Dalry defenders pleaded that the referee talk to his assistant and after some discussion the decision was overturned; to be fair McWalters had no issue with the outcome.
Nevertheless, the home side continued to press and broke the deadlock on 21 minutes. Keeper Derrin Fairns strolled off his line with the ball and passed it to Cameron Fairns at the corner of the box, however he took a bad touch and the alert McLean burst forward to steal the ball and slip it to Michael Moffat to take a good touch on the 18 yard line before casually guiding a well struck shot into the far corner of the net, beyond the back-tracking goalie.
The visitors responded well beginning with a Jamie Gray leathered a shot from inside the box that swerved inches wide of the junction of the post and bar. Glens countered with Michael McMullin down the left slotting the ball into the six-yard for McWalters only for Fairns to bravely dive at his feet to secure the ball.
Another Glens attack was broken down and Thistle countered with a great run upfield by Fraser Cowan trough the middle at first then breaking up the left wing cutting inside along the bye-line skipping past players before tumbling as Craig Pettigrew and Ollie Rowe blocked his way, the referee not impressed all the hard work concluded with a yellow card. Soon after Markey leapt to pluck another Dalry cross from under the bar.
The home side then piled on the pressure with a wave of attacks. McBeth drove forward and rolled the ball into the box for Moffat to chase and drill a low angled shot that was blocked by Tony Etherson and the incoming McBeth pounced on the loose ball only for the keeper’s outstretched leg to block his shot before Paton then fired the rebound over the bar. Soon after Paton chipped a ball into the box were McLean with his back to goal killed it on his chest before swivelling to fire a volley from 12 yards that beat the keeper but whizzed wide of the post.
On 35 minutes the Glens pressure paid off. Rowe robbed the industrious Tinashie Mugwanda of the ball in the centre circle before releasing McMullin down the left to send it up the touchline to McLean only for his attempt to pick out Moffat in the goalmouth to be intercepted by Chris Love’s powerful header sending the ball upfield only to be blasted back by Gary Fraser from 35 yards and to whiz past the keeper before bulging the net.
Thoughts of a stress free half-time on the terracing soon evaporated as Dalry struck back in lethal fashion. Mugwanda broke into the left-hand side of the box only for Rowe to strip the ball from his again and the Paton clear it upfield where Cameron Fairns blasted the ball from 25 yards out and although it was always rising Markey had to tip it over the bar. The corner that followed was cleared at the near post by Fraser.
Back came the visitors and on 40 minutes Gray floated a free kick from inside the Glens half high into right hand side of the box where Chris Love won the aerial battle sending the ball high into the air and on its descent Fairns sent a looping header into the six-yard box where Fraser Cowan got between Rowe and Markey to guide the ball into the net.
It was Thistle that were now doing the pressing and their efforts were rewarded on 45 minutes. From tight on the left-wing Gray played a forward diagonal pass inside to Gary Duggan who quickly picked out Cowan breaking down and from the edge of the box clipped the ball deep into the goalmouth over the heads of defenders at the near post and the unmarked Aidan Catlow was left free to head home from a few yards out.
There was still enough added time for both teams to muster an attack to try and break the deadlock before break but to no avail.
Dalry 2 Glens 2
No doubt words were said at the break about surrendering a two-goal lead in a five-minute spell and within two minutes of the start the Glens regained their lead. They won a free kick some 25 yards from goal outside the right-hand side of the box. McMullin, Fraser and McLean congregated around the ball and it was the latter Scott McLean that stabbed a super free-kick over the jumping wall and through the space between keeper’s finger tips and the underside of the bar. A glorious goal, Glens 3-2 on 47 minutes.
On 55 minutes McLean turned provided after Craig Pettigrew released him down the left with a peach of the pass and from here, he bided his time to accelerate past the covering defender to drive to the left hand side of the box and drill a low ball across the face of the goal where the inrushing Alex McWaters to smash it home at the back post.
Dalry made a double substitution with Cameron Fairns and the industrious Tinashie Mugwanda making way for Fraser McLaughlin and Aaron Miller.
The Glens continued to press in numbers. Paton was hauled down at the edge of the box and McLean’s free-kick dipped over the bar. Soon after McLean picked out Moffat in the box who rolled the ball out to McMullin on the touchline to fire a wicked cross into the goalmouth that Frains did well to push over the bar. Mclean played the corner short to Moffat and then floated the return pass to the back post where Rowe rose to head the ball back into the busy goalmouth only for it to be hooked clear.
Just past the hour mark Thistle broke down another Glens attack when Aidan Catlow nicked the ball in the centre circle before driving forward to the edge of the box before slipping a through ball to Millar only for Pettigrew to intercept and initiate a rapid counter attack which saw Fraser gather the ball and push to the centre circle before squaring to McBeth to drive forward to the outskirts of the box and lay it off to McWaters bursting down the right wing from where he clipped a ball into the six yard box for Moffat to side foot goalward only for Fairns to pull off a great save and guide the ball round the post with an outstretched let. McLean rolled the corner-kick up the touchline for Paton to launch a high ball into the box only for McMullin’s header sail over the bar.
On 64 minutes Dalry made another double substitution with Aidan Downie and Jordan Lynch replacing David McNair and Gary Duggan.
Back came Glens. Paton picked out McWaters on the outskirts of the right-hand side of the box from where he worked his way across to the left hand-side, playing a one-two with Moffat then another with McLean who then burst into the box to gather the final return pass from McWaters before trying to curl the ball home from 8 yards only for Fairns to get down low and push it wide of the post. The corner was headed clear of the box and met by Fraser by his long range shot on this occasion flew high over the bar.
Dalry got into a fankle while trying to play the ball out from the back after McLaughlin’s pass bounced off McLean’s chest and the ball fell for Moffat on the outskirts of the box who in turned laid it off to Luke McBeth to curl a low powerful shot from 18 yards, that beat the keeper at full stretch. Glens 5-2 up on 68 minutes.
The home side then brought on Lyall Holding for Craig Pettigrew.
Five minutes later Fraser launched a long ball down the right for McWaters to chase and clip a high ball into the box for the incoming Moffat only for his header from 6 yards to flash inches wide of the back post.
Alex McWaters earned a richly deserved rest and was replaced with Gary Harkins.
Credit to Thistle they continued to battle and came close to pulling one back on 76 minutes. Millar whipped free kick from the right deep into the six yard box where it was by defenders and attackers before Downie stole in a the back post only for his header to crash off the underside of the bar and the loose ball gratefully grabbed by Markey who quickly initiated another counter-attack.
The keeper rolled the ball out to Zak Ross deep on the right who played a long one-two with Harkins before playing the ball over the top for Moffat to chase (clearly on side with two defenders behind the defender claiming offside) and break to the edge of the box and but with the two defenders in front of him he slipped the ball wide to McLean (also onside) to drill a low shot the Fairns saved well with his feet clearing the ball from the box.
Dalry defended a wave of Glens attacks before enjoying a spell of pressure in the closing minutes as they sought some consolation. Miller switched play from the left to Gray on the left who then cut inside to drive forward into the ‘D’ before thumping a shot that Markey pushed round the post at full stretch. Gray then fired the corner to the back post for the incoming Millar only for Markey to finger-tip the ball out for another corner which was headed clear at the near post by Fraser.
Back came Thistle. Millar nicked the ball in the centre circle and Aidan Catlow gathered to push forward to the edge of the box and although his pass to Cowan was intercepted the ball fell kindly for Downie to blast an angled shot from 15 yards that Markey pushed wide of target and then clutched the corner kick that followed from under the bar.
On 90 minutes McMullin won a corner on the left for the Glens which McLean floated to the near side of the six-yard box where Gary Harkins leapt to send a glancing header into the net at the back post for his first goal for the club.
Then into added time Paton from the centre circle fired the ball high into the box where Michael Moffat killed it on his chest before sweeping the ball home to complete the scoring, 7-2 to the Glens.
FT Dalry 2 Glens 7
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 15. Zak Ross 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) (14. Lyall Holding) 20. Ollie Rowe 3. Michael McMullin 10. Alex McWaters (19. Gary Harkins) 8. Gary Fraser 4. Luke McBeth 6. Paul Paton 2. Scott McLean 9. Michael Moffat. Sub Not Used: Mark Roberts
DALRY THISTLE
Derrin Fairns, Tony Etherson, Chris Love, Cameron Fairns (Fraser McLaughlin), David McNair (Aidan Downie), Jamie Gray, Aidan Catlow, Jamie Catlow, Tinashie Mugwanda (Aaron Millar), Gary Duggan (Jordan Lynch). Subs. Andrew McIntyre, Logan Ellis, Chris Brogan
Glenafton made four changes to the eleven that started against Dundonald Bluebell on Saturday. Ryan Sinnamon (injured), Craig Pettigrew, Gary Fraser and Michael Moffat made way for Zak Ross, Ollie Rowe, Charlie Maxwell and Alan Frizzell.
In the Greenock side were former Glenafton players Paul Murphy a member of the Super League 1st Divisions team (2011/12) and forward Craig Brown a member of the Scottish Junior Cup runner-up squad (2012/13).
The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday October, but was postponed after the pitch was waterlogged after a week-end of heavy rainfall. Tonight, the pitch looked great under the lights while the swirling wind couldn’t make up its mind what direction to blow throughout the game.
Glens kicked off and were quickly on the front foot and passed up a glorious chance to take the lead on 4 minutes with a box-to-box attack. Keeper David Markey rolled out the ball to Zak Ross to push forward and pick out Charlie Maxwell just inside the Greenock half who in turn squared to Alex McWaters tight on the right wing before bursting forward into the box to chase down McWaters ball over the top of the defence and square it for the incoming Alan Frizzell only for his shot from 6 yards to fly over the bar.
Paul Paton picked up a yellow card on 10 minutes for a foul just inside the Glens half. The free kick was drilled low into the box but easily mopped up by the Glens defence.
On 13 minutes the Glens won a corner-kick on the left and Scott McLean after deciding not to play it short to Sam McKee and instead float the ball high into box where Ollie Rowe timed his run perfectly from the 18-yard line to the 6-yard line and bullet a header into the net.
Ollie Rowe
Soon after McLean rolled a corner from the right to the outskirts as an unmarked Paton burst forward to fire a low shot that took a deflection of a defender in the six-yard box and his alert team-mate booted the ball clear for a throw-in. Ross gathered the shy and curled it to the far side of the box where McKee twisted and turned before getting a shot away that was pushed wide for a corner on the left by keeper Bryan Tucker. McLean curled it low into the six-yard where it fell for the inrushing Lyall Holding only for Tucker to pull off another good save.
On 19 minutes Alan Frizzell pulled up with a hamstring injury and the home side enjoyed a decent spell of possession against the 10 men albeit without threatening the Glens goal before Michael Moffat came on as his fellow striker’s replacement.
Greenock floated a free-kick into the box which was cleared for a throw-in which in turn was cleared and to set up a Glens counter-attack up the left which concluded with another corner for the visitors.
McLean played it short with McKee and back-tracked down the left wing to gather the ball and launch it to the back post where Rowe peeled off a static defence to head it across the six-yard line for Holding to head home, only for Tucker who had been guarding the near post to pull off a fantastic save, diving back across his goal- line and clutch the ball.
The home side were beginning to push forward without testing the keeper although a shot from 30 yards drifted wide of the post.
On 30 minutes a loose ball bounced about the centre circle and Maxwell was clear favourite to win the race as Aidan Duffy burst forward from defence and it was the Glens midfielder that gathered the ball and as he turned to back heel it away from the inrushing Duffy the Greenock player couldn’t apply the brakes and took the legs from Maxwell. Duffy was sent off and Maxwell was carried off in some distress with Dylan O’Kane coming on to replace him.
A good move from Greenock saw a drive through the middle and the ball slipped into the box to be laid off to an incoming runner and forcing Markey to race from his line and block at the expense of a corner. Craig Brown fired the ball across the face of the goalmouth only for the header from the six- yard line to fly high over the bar.
Glens began to press again with Paton pushing forward where he challenged for a ball that saw the Jamie Black take a head knock and the referee blow for a free-kick, only for the assistant referee to intervene leading to Paton earning a second yellow card and his marching orders. It was now 10-aside with 5 minutes of the half remaining.
At the other end Greenock tried their luck from 25 yards out but once if flew over the bar wind assisted.
Back came Glens and Luke McBeth broke down the left from deep on his own half. After some patient build up play he pressed into the left hand side of the box to lay off to McKee who gave a defender the slip before drilling the ball low across the face of goal where the unmarked Dylan O’Kane had drifted in from the right and to bullet the ball first time between two defenders and into the net. Glens 2-0 up on 47 minutes and the half-time blew seconds after the re-spot.
Dylan O’Kane
HT Greenock 0 Glens 2
Glens made one change at the break with Lyall Holding making way for Craig Pettigrew.
The wind continued to change its mind as it swirled about the stadium. Play was going back and forth in the opening encounters of the new half without any clear-cut chances on show until the 58th minute when Greenock won a free kick 22 yards out, on the right of the ‘D’. Jamie Black stepped-up and whipped a great ball over the wall which looked goal-bound only for it to crash off the bar and back into play where Markey obstructed while trying to retrieve the loose ball.
Another change from the Glens with Gary Fraser replacing Alex McWalters while five minutes later the home side brought on Tai Beckley and Alan Docherty for Craig Brown and Darren Patton
Played got bogged down in the middle of the park for a spell as possession changed hands again with and decent chances of note.
However, on 68 minutes the Glens extended their lead. Tucker launched the ball upfield which McLean on the half-way line and rolled it forward to McKee on the left wing who flicked it over his shoulder to Moffat, taking a defender out of play, before bursting down the wing to collect the return pass and drive towards the bye-line. From here he took stock as the defender closed in and drifted back a few yards before curling a ball to the back-post where the inrushing Luke McBeth planted his two feet on the ground before bulleting a header into the net. 3-0 the Glens!
Luke McBeth
The home side made another double substitution with Taylor Lindsay and Black making way for Lewis Barclay and Euan Campbell
The tempo of the game increased as played raged back and forth under the dazzling lights with Beckley’s shot from the edge of the box warming Markey’s hand at one end and Tucker diving at the feet of O’Kane.
Meanwhile on 78 minutes Greenock brought on Andy Irvine for Jamie Cunningham and five minutes later the sub pulled one back for the home side after a free kick was floated into the box and he won the aerial battle to head the ball up in the air and then met it one the drop to curl a volley past another defender and into the top corner of the net. Glens 3-1 on 83 minutes.
However, on 85 minutes Glens restored their three goal cushion after Michael Moffat came away with the ball from a hefty tackle and glided past another defender in the box before arrowing a low angled shot beyond the reach of Tucker at full stretch and into the corner of the net.
Michael Moffat
Glens enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the closing minutes and Moffat and came close to bagging a brace after cutting into the left-hand side of the box and drilling a low shot that cracked off the base of the far post.
Into added time O’Kane broke into the right-hand side of the box and lashed a shot inches over the bar. Soon after the young striker blasted a shot from 30 yards that Tucker did well to push away with both hands.
FT Greenock 1 Glens 4
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 15. Zak Ross 14. Lyall Holding (5. Craig Pettigrew) 20. Ollie Rowe 2. Scott McLean 10. Alex McWaters (8. Gary Fraser) 4. Luke McBeth 6. Paul Paton (captain) 17. Charlie Maxwell (Dylan O’Kane); 16. Alan Frizzell (9. Michael Moffat) 7. Sam McKee. Subs Not Used: 3 Michael McMullin 19. Gary Harkins
GREENOCK JUNIORS
26. Bryan Tucker 2. Taylor Lindsay (15. Lewis Barclay) 3. Jamie Cunningham (captain) (14. Andy Irvine) 4. Cameron McPhee 5. Paul Murphy 6. Jamie Black 7. Declan Black (17. Euan Campbell) 8. Travis Stracey 9. Darren Patton 10. Craig Brown (18. Tai Beckley) 11. Aidan Duffy (16. Alan Docherty). Subs Not Used: 1. Nathan Lightfoot 19. Jamie McKenna
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started at Largs last week with Michael McMullin, Charlie Maxwell and Adam Frizzell making way for Lyall Holding, Gary Fraser and Sam McKee. While midweek signing Liam Caddis, from Craigmark Burntonians, was on the bench.
Today’s visitors Dundonald Bluebell currently sit midway in the East of Scotland Premier Division. The two sides played each other in a pre-season friendly in 2019/20 at Cardenden, with the Fife side winning 3-2.
Bluebell kicked off on a sunny crisp day with a blustery breeze for company.
In the opening minute Scott McLean fired a ball down the left wing for Sam McKee to chase all the way to goal line only for his cross to be deflected out for a corner. McLean floated it high to the edge of the six-yard box where the tall keeper leapt high to punch the ball well clear of the box an although the Glens quickly recovered the ball the follow up attack was thwarted as well.
Dundonald countered with a quick break down the left by No. 16 who then cut into box before curling a shot that flew over the bar.
Back came the home side with a break down the right where Alex McWaters cutely back-heeled the ball into the path of Ryan Sinnamon to whip a cross into the goalmouth and although this was cleared McLean snapped up the ball on the left wing and progressed to the edge of the box to pick-out McKee only for his side-footer to sail over the bar.
Soon after Sinnamon on the right floated a high ball to the back post for the inrushing McKee but the keeper was taking no chances and tipped it wide for another corner. McLean clipped a carbon copy of the previous corner and again the keeper came off his line but could only flap the ball away on this occasion past his back post for Glens’ third corner which was comfortably clear.
Sinnamon chipped a ball to the edge of the box where Michael Moffat stooped to cushion a header into the path of Luke McBeth only for his shot from 22 yards to drift wide of the target. McBeth continued to venture forward to support the front men
On 9 minutes Paul Paton clipped a ball down the right for Sinnamon to nod into the box for the incoming McWaters only to skew his shot from 12 yards wide of target.
Although Glens continued to enjoy the bulk of the pressure there were now fewer chances on show as Bluebell got back on numbers and indeed began to break upfield on occasion but suffered the same fate against a well drilled defence with Craig Pettigrew and Lyall Holding at its heart.
On 19 minutes Dundonald countered with a slick and patient passing move that took them to the outskirts of the box where No. 14 attempted to played a one-two with No. 16 only for the latter to be blocked by Pettigrew, at the expense of a free-kick a yard outside the box. No. 16 stepped up only to drill a low shot into the wall, blocked by McLean and cleared by McBeth. The visitors recovered the ball and whipped a cross into six-yard box where Holding headed it wide for a corner, which came to nothing. Soon after, playmaker No. 5 launched a high ball from the half-way line into the six-yard box where keeper David Markey leapt to push the ball away from the head of No. 7.
At the other end McLean drilled a low shot from the edge of the box which the keeper got down low to smother.
On 26 minutes Ryan Sinnamon required treatment after taking a bad knock and soon after was replaced by Zak Ross. In between times No.7 squared a ball from the left-hand side of the box to pick out No. 6 in a busy box, forcing Pettigrew to stand tall with hands behind his back to prevent hand-ball, but his effort from 6 yards slipped wide of the post.
Play raged back and forth with good passing play from both sides defensive intervention of lacking the finished touch ensure the match remained all square and goal-less.
A final flurry before the break saw Bluebell win a free-kick at the right- hand corner of the box which although flew past the two-man wall the ball was comfortably clutched on the line by Markey.
No. 5 launched a free-kick high into the box where Pettigrew leapt to outjump two Bluebells and Ross mopped up the loose ball. Another Dundonald attack saw Paton rob the ball at the left-hand corner of the box and roll it forward to McBeth who played it forward to Moffat to then square to Paton on the right to switch play a long diagonal ball for McKee to chase down the left only for his square ball into the box for the inrushing Moffat to be blocked and the chance gone.
On 45 minutes a Bluebell break broke down at the half-way line and McWalters pounced on the loose ball before clipping a great ball down the left for McKee to burst deep into the box and fire a shot that the keeper deflected wide with an outstretched leg. McLean’s corner-kick was headed clear by No. 5 before the half-time whistle blew.
HT Glens 0 Dundonald 0
Glens kicked off and 3 minutes into the new half broke the deadlock. McBeth pushed up the right wing but with his way blocked the turned before sweeping a long ball to McLean on the left who slipped it up the wing McKee but with his path blocked the rolled it back to McLean who then picked out Gary Fraser in acres of space in the middle of the park to lash an unstoppable shot from 30 yards out beyond the reach of the keeper on his six-yard line to bulge the net. Glens 1-0 on 48 minutes.
Play quickly reverted to back and forth with defences on top.
On the hour mark Glens brought on new signing Liam Caddis for Michael Moffat, while the visitors also made a couple of changes.
The visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure but didn’t make the best of set pieces with a free-kick and corner-kick coming to nothing.
On 70 minutes Glens countered with McKee playing a one-two with Fraser on the outskirts of the box before lashing a diagonal shot from 25 yards that the keeper held. Soon after a ball deep into the box for Caddis saw him hold of a defender before rolling it out to Fraser to blast a low shot from 18 yards only for the keeper to come out on top again.
Back came Bluebell No. 9 chased a ball into the box forcing Markey to rush from his line only for the back-tracking Holding to nick the ball with a well-timed sliding tackle sending it out for a corner. No. 16 floated the ball to the near post where Fraser headed it clear of the box, where No. 12 chested it down before picking out No. 16 on the right to curl a high ball deep into the goalmouth which Markey had to keep an eye on its descent as it dropped over the bar.
At the other end McWalters clipped a ball into the box for Caddis to chase, driving between two defenders, only for one of them to make a timely tackle and the chance was gone.
Bluebell responded with a long throw deep into a busy six-yard box only for Pettigrew to win the aerial battle again and Paton clear the loose ball.
Play went back and forth and the visitors looked certain to equalise on 77 minutes with No. 16 through on goal but for McLean’s well-timed intervention.
Soon after McLean made another fine block on the edge of the box and Fraser squared a pass to McKee facing the Glens box. However aware of No. 2 closing in, he back-heeled the ball and spun 180 before unleashing the afterburners and in a flash, he was at the edge of the Bluebell box where he picked out Caddis in the ‘D’ who from a pocket of defenders rolled it back to Fraser but his shot from 24 yards rebounded off a defender’s back.
Another blistering run down the left from McKee ended with his cross to the back post just go beyon the inrushing McWalters.
At the other end No. 9 weaved his way into the left-hand side of the box before setting up a shot from 6 yards out only for Holding to rob him with another superb tackle.
On 83 minutes McBeth gathered the ball on the outskirts of the Glens box to drive forward before clipping the ball to McKee but with defenders abound, he played it back to McBeth before setting off at speed to collect the return ball over the top and break into the box to fire a low diagonal shot from 15 yards which the keeper got down low to hold.
Dundonald countered immediately and No. 7 gathered a pass on the 18-yard line and with only the keeper the beat but under pressure from McLean he curled his shot high over the bar. A hands-on-heads moment for the visitors but their heads never went down as they went in pursuit of a late equaliser.
Another long throw into a packed box was headed back out by Paton only to be returned by a high looping header from No. 6 which dropped into the six-yard box only for No.7’s backward header to fall safely into the hands of Markey.
Bluebell continued to press as they pegged Glens back in their own half but couldn’t find an opening against a well drilled defence. Indeed, they almost got caught out on added-time as McKee breached their box only for shot to be blocked and cleared. Still, one last chance for the visitors with another long throw into a packed box where McLean won the header, McBeth cleared the loose ball and goal-scorer Fraser had the last kick off the match.
FT Glens 1 Dundonald 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon (15. Zak Ross) 14. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 2. Scott McLean 10. Alex McWaters 4. Luke McBeth 6. Paul Paton, 8. Gary Fraser; 9. Michael Moffat (12. Liam Caddis) 7. Sam McKee. Subs Used: 16. Alan Frizzell, 20. Ollie Rowe
Prior to kick-off the there was a minute’s silence for young Robbie Meiklem who recently passed away . Robbie played for Girvan’s U20 team and previously played for Auchinleck Talbot’s youth side.
Glenafton made four changes to the eleven that started against Irvine Meadow last Saturday with Zak Ross, Ollie Rowe, Sam McKee and Trialist making way for Michael McMullin, Charlie Maxwell, Scott McLean and Alan Frizzell.
On the Largs bench was former Glens striker Scott Adam
The home side kicked off but it was the visitors that were quickly on the front foot and opened the scoring on 4 minutes. Ryan Sinnamon broke down the right flank and whipped a ball to the back post where defender John Tennent won the aerial battled with Michael Moffat knocking the ball high and forward which was then headed out the box by Stuart Faulds where it fell for Paton to blast a low shot that was deflected wide for a corner on the left. Scott McLean curled the kick to the near post where Moffat leapt between Simon McBryde and Craig Forbes to bullet a header high into the net from 3 yards out.
Glens quickly closed down Largs as they struggled to make any progress up the park with Paton in particular robbing the ball and setting up counter-attacks.
On 6 minutes Moffat picked the ball up just inside the Largs half and burst through the middle undeterred until Forbes closed in at the edge of the box forcing the striker to blast a shot that dipped inches over the bar with keeper Matt Johnston rooted to his line.
Glens continued to press with Sinnamon down the right switching play to the left for McLean to gather near the corner flag and roll it back up the touchline to Michael McMullin to break forward and slip it to Charlie Maxwell in the box to crack a low shot that Johnson got down low to push the ball away and the inrushing McMullin’s attempt to bury the rebound flew over the bar.
Largs began to get into the game as an attacking force. David Ramsay from wide on the left floated a cross to the back post where Craig Pettigrew headed it clear only for McBryde to trap it on his chest before slipping wide to Ramsay to fire another cross that was deflected wide for a corner which Stuart Faulds clipped to the near post where on this occasion Luke McBeth intervened to head it out the box.
Play was now flowing back and forth.
Sinnamon and McWaters combined well down the right as did Frizzell and Moffat through the middle without however testing the keeper. At the other end Will Sewell from the left-hand corner of the box curled a shot that just dipped of the bar although keeper David Markey had it covered.
On 20 minutes Faulds floated a corner into the goalmouth and although McBeth beat Sewell to the ball his header fell for Cory Hughes who did well to engineer an acrobatic volley through a busy six yard box only for Markey to dive to his left and grab the ball, hold it tightly on the ground as Ramsay was about to pounce.
Back came Glens through McMullin tight on the left, who picked up a pass from Paton before driving down the wing and launching a high ball into the six-yard box for the incoming Frizzell only for Johnston to leap high and clutch the ball cleanly.
Thistle pressed for the equaliser but the Glens defence scrambled clear back-to-back attacks one from each wing. Paton then intercepted a Largs pass and instantly clipped the ball down the right for Frizzell to chase and hold of the challenge for Hughes, before pulling up clutching the back of his thigh.
On 31 minutes McWaters threaded a ball for Frizzell who then broke into box to fire a low shot only for Hughes to block and send the ball wide for corner. However, before it could be taken Frizzell was clearly in some distress and Hughes had suffered a knock, while team-mate Forbes was also in some pain. Both sides were forced to replace the injured threesome – Glens brought on Dylan O’Kane for Adam Frizzell while Largs brought on Ryan McCreath for Cory Hughes and Lewis Davidson for Craig Forbes. McCreath was soon in the thick of it, heading clear the delayed corner-kick.
Sinnamon gathered a wayward clearance in space and pushed forward before leathering a shot well over the bar from 22 yards out. At the other end Sinnamon blocked Sewell’s cross at the expense of a corner which Moffat blocked at the near post and then Paton blocked Daryll Duffy’s attempt to slam home the loose ball which fell for McLean to hoof clear of the box only for Blair Devine to launch it back in and Pettigrew’s clearing header draw matters to a conclusion.
In the closing minute of the half Ramsay conjured up a volley from the right hand corner of the box that Markey killed on his chest before catching the ball.
HT Largs 0 Glens 1
Largs brought on Laurie McMaster for Simon McBryde at the break.
O’Kane kicked off for the Glens and won a corner in the opening minute subtly playing the ball off the shins of a defender at the bye-line. McLean curled the kick to the back post where McMullin sandwiched between two defenders just failed to make contact and the ball rolled out of play.
Largs pushed forward and McMullin found himself back in a defensive role where he beat Ramsay in a race for the ball and hooked it clear; soon after his towering leap saw him win the aerial battle with Duffy and then his trip on Ramsay set up a free-kick for Davidson from 28 yards but the Glens wall stood firm and McBeth took a sore one on clearing the ball.
Glens were being pinned back deep in their own half. Sean McLeod boxed in at the corner flag on the right managed to switch play to by whipping the ball across the goalmouth but no takers it rolled on to the left wing where it was lashed back across the face of goal with Markey and Ramsay giving chase but to no avail and the ball went out of play.
Controversy on 54 minutes Duffy was fouled on the left touchline earning O’Kane a yellow card despite pleading a case of wrong identity. Soon after McLean just failed to keep the ball in play on the left-hand side and as Largs tried to retrieve the ball away for a quick shy, he threw the ball away and booked accordingly. Soon after Glens won a shy at the same place and the Largs defender picked up the ball and slowly walked back towards his own goal with no action taken!
Play was now raging back and forth with Largs still creating the better of the half-chances. Sewell burst down the left to the corner before firing the ball into the six-yard box where Ramsay got a touch to line a shot but McMullin intervene and his header was cleared out the box by McLean.
On 59 minutes the assistant referee flagged and after a discussion with the referee O’Kane was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident.
Glens regrouped and the 10 men won a corner which was well defended. Largs countered with some fast-flowing football but no shots at goal and on 69 minutes made another change with Jamie Martin coming on for Blair Devine. Soon after Faulds drilled a free-kick from just outside the right- hand-side of the box across the face of goal for Duffy to crack a shot from about the penalty spot only for Markey to pull off a great save with a strong hand to push it high over the bar.
Largs won a free kick on the left about 5 yards in from the corner-flag. Faulds rolled a diagonal pass to Davidson who quickly returned the ball for Faulds to clip a glorious ball high into a packed box where David Ramsay sent a low glancing header into the corner of net beyond the reach of Markey at full stretch to square the match on 72 minutes.
Thistle’s tails were up and it was backs to the walls for the 10 men to soak up another period of sustained pressure. Faulds played a corner from the right short to the corner of the box for McLeod to arrow a shot that whizzed inches over the bar with Markey having it covered with an outstretched arm.
Some respite for the Glens as McWaters burst down the right and rolled a diagonal pass back towards the ‘D’ where the incoming Maxwell thumped a shot that Johnston got down low to push the ball into the ground with both hands sending it over the head of McCleod and McLean met it on the drop to crack a shot that just whizzed over the junction of the bar and post with the keeper stranded on its line.
At the other end McMaster tried to pick out Duffy in the box only for the ball to deflect off Pettigrew high into the air and the alert Duffy readjusted to pull off an acrobatic overhead volley but Markey was his measure clutching the ball cleanly on his line, as Ramsay ws alert to any a spillage. The home side had another couple of half chances that came to nothing.
On 80 minutes Glens won a free kick on the right about 25 yards from goal. McMullin floated a cross into the box where although McBeth beat McLeod to the ball his header fell for the inrushing Maxwell only for the alert McLeod to block his shot.
Play resorted to a spell of back and forth and it was Largs on 82 minutes that got the break to take the lead. McLeod slipped the ball to Duffy in space on the right to fire a cross into the box which although McMullin turned his back on, it struck him on an outstretched arm. Willie Sewell stepped up and sent Markey the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Credit to Glenafton, their heads didn’t go down and they enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure. Keeper Johnston leapt from between a mass of bodies to flick away a corner kick and McMullin’s attempt to clip the ball back into the danger area was deflected wide for another corner which was eventually scrambled clear.
On 89 minutes Largs made their final changes with the impressive Darryl Duffy replaced by the former Glens striker Scott Adam.
Glens continued to press and a free-kick was floated into the box where McBeth’s downward header was booted out the six- yard box for another corner, now into added time. There were nine Largs players (including the keeper) and five Glens player squashed into the six yard box and it was McMullin that beat Adam in the aerial battle only for his header to flyover the bar; while Pettigrew was grounded taking a sore one the back of his heel.
On 93 minutes McCreath and McBeth leapt for the ball and although the Largs man won the contest, he sent the ball back towards his own box where Maxwell on the edge of the ‘D’ stretched his leg to get the slightest of touches to slip it to Alex McWaters on the 18 yard line to hold off McMaster and push forward before drilling a low diagonal shot from 10 yards that went under the keeper’s body and into the net at the near post.
Glens captain Craig Pettigrew had checked with the referee of the remaining time… 30 seconds! From his own half Tennent launched a ball upfield forcing Markey to run from his line and grab the ball as Adam and Sewell gave chase, the latter bundling the keeper to the ground, with no action taken, other than a broad smile from Markey. Pettigrew reminded the referee that the 30 seconds were up and the whistle blew for time.
FT Largs 2 Glens 2
The travelling support congregated at the pavilion steps to clap the players off the park after a tough shift.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon 4. Luke McBeth 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 10. Alex McWaters 17. Charlie Maxwell 6. Paul Paton 2. Scott McLean; 9. Michael Moffat 16. Alan Frizzell (18. Dylan O’Kane). Subs Used: 8. Gary Fraser 14. Lyall Holding 15. Zak Ross
LARGS THISTLE
1. Matt Johnston 2. Sean McLeod 3. Blair Devine (17. Jamie Martin) 4. John Tennent 5. Cory Hughes (18. Ryan McCreath) 6. Stuart Faulds 7. David Ramsay 8. Simon McBryde (16. Laurie McMaster) 9. Will Sewell 10. Daryll Duffy (12. Scott Adam) 11. Craig Forbes (14. Lewis Davidson) Subs Not Used: Jamie McLean, David McGrath
Prior to kick-off the club held a minute’s silence for young Naomi Ferrans who tragically died earlier this week. The thoughts of everyone at Glenafton Athletic are with Wilma and all the family.
The club were also saddened to learn that Charlie Gemmell, a former Glens player of the great early ‘60s side had passed away.
Glenafton made three changes to the side that started against Kello Rovers last Saturday with Lyall Holding, Charlie Maxwell and Alan Frizell making way for Craig Pettigrew, Ollie Rowe and Trialist.
In the Irvine Meadow XI line-up was former Glens player Rhys Wallace signed in Season 2020/21 prior to the club withdrawing from the league.
The first decent chance fell to the Glens after Ryan Sinnamon from corner-kick on the right rolled the ball to Paul Paton just outside the corner of the box to curl a high ball to the back where post Ollie Rowe headed it downward into the six-yard box for the Trialist only for shot slip inches wide of the post.
Glens continued to break forward in numbers with Michael Moffat leading the line but were up against a stubborn Meadow defence. Sinnamon launched a high ball to the left- hand side of the box for the incoming Sam McKee but his shot was comfortably held at the back post. McKee then turned provider after a good run down the left before whipping a high ball to back post over the head of the defender only for the inrushing Alex McWaters’ header to find the side-netting.
Meadow then enjoyed a good spell which saw them win a corner after a lightning break down the right. The kick was whipped across the face of the goal where keeper David Markey appeared to get a finger-tip to the ball which then bounced off the top of Martin Findlay’s head and quickly recovered by Grant Brennan on the left to curl a dangerous ball to the back post only to be missed by attackers and defenders alike.
The visitors took the lead on 12 minutes after Rhys Wallace played slick one-two down the right with Brennan before driving to the bye-line and clip a ball into the box where Jordan Boyd outleapt Luke McBeth on the six-yard line to angle a header beyond the reach of Markey.
Back came Glens to win back-to-back corner kicks the first headed over the bar by a Meadow defender and the second saw Moffat’s back-heeler drift wide of the post. McKee gathered the ball on the half-way line and jinked past two players before playing a one-two with Moffat to progress down the left and cut the ball into the box only for it to be deflected wide for a corner-kick which was headed clear.
Play raged back and forth as Meadow pushed forward. Conor O’Donnel a pass to Brennan down the right who gave Ross the slip before cutting inside and threading the ball into the box for Boyd to chase into the box only for the back-tracking Ross to reach the ball first as Boyd tumbled to the ground and to his credit there were no claims for a penalty. Soon after Meadow won another corner which was headed just wide of the back post while
Glens responded through Zak Ross with a couple of breaks down the left, the second of which ended with a high ball floated deep into the box for the inrushing Rowe, only for his header to sail over the bar. Luke McBeth pushed forward to the half-way line and played a long one-two with Moffat before slipping the ball to Paton who quickly fed McKee tight on the left to burst up the wing and jinked past Wallace before clipping a low ball to the near post where Paul Byrne leaves it for the keeper only for the Trialist to nip in between them forcing the keeper to block his close- range shot.
However, the referee brought play back and awarded Glens a free kick on the touchline for Wallace’s late-tackle on McKee and it was Wallace that headed the kick clear of the box. Paton snapped up the loose ball and switched play to McWaters on the right to curl a high ball into the packed box which was headed clear of the box again to be met by Sinnamon only for his volley form 20 yards to fly wide of the post.
Glens continued to press the ball fell for McWaters on the right to whip a high ball deep into the box for McKee only for Wallace to intercept only for his attempted clearance with his right foot to strike his raised left hand and keeper Marc Waters block it on the line before it was booted out for a throw. Glens claims for a penalty were waved away. Soon after Moffat picked up a short pass from Sinnamon then played one-two with Trialist before drilling a low shot from 18 yards inches wide.
Back came Meadow with a break down the right by Euan Baird and although his attempted one-two didn’t come the ball bounce of the shins of a defender and fell into his path to deliver a great chip into the box for Cammy Ross in space but his header lacked the power to beat Markey.
HT Glens 0 Meadow 1
The visitors were first to threaten after the break with Ross and Baird combining down the left before the latter clipped the ball into the box which although it went over the heads of the forwards it fell for Brennan but his wayward shot flew well off target.
Glens won a free kick which Sinnamon played forward to Moffat to square to McWaters on the touchline who whipped a high ball into the box which was headed clear and fell for McWaters to whip in another cross which was headed clear of the box again and Paton battled to win the ball and lay it off again to McWaters still on the wing, his third cross into the box was won in the air by Rowe but the ball flew wide of target.
McWaters fired a low drive from outside the box that slipped wide of the post that the keeper had covered.
Play back to flow back and forth with quick breaks that would inevitably break down in their opponents’ box.
Substitute Dylan O’Kane chased down a long ball gathered it on the outskirts of the right-hand corner of the box where he turned Byrne one way then another before curling a ball for the far top corner of the goal, with the Trialist making a run to the same post, only for it to slip inches wide.
At the other end Meadow came close to doubling their lead. Baird cut into the left hand side of the box with McBeth blocking he laid the ball off to Ross and although he was quickly closed down by Paton he made a darting diagonal run to create space to blast a curling shot that thundered off the crossbar.
Glens then came close after substitute Alan Frizzell chased a ball down the right before whipping it into the box for Moffat where his shot was deflected wide for a corner which Sinnamon floated into the six-yard box and the incoming McBeth won the aerial battle to bullet a header downward onto the ground which flew up and bounced off the bar to be cleared by a relieved defence.
Paton then launched a long ball from deep on the left into the right-hand side of the box which Moffat chased down but was soon faced with a trio of defenders and rolled the ball back out the box for O’Kane to crack a shot from 20 yards only to be blocked with one got the aforesaid defenders.
Meadow then unleashed a blistering counter attack with Baird gathering the ball in the centre circle and making a diagonal dash to the left hand-side of the ‘D’ before rolling the ball into the path of the inrushing Ross to fire a shot from a tight angle that Markey got down low to block with his foot sending the ball high into the air which dropped kindly for Ross to clip the ball over the head of the risen keeper but also over the bar.
Glens pushed forward in numbers but could not find a way through a packed box.
On 88 minutes Meadow doubled their lead. O’Donnel and substitute Kyle Faulds combined well on the outskirts of the box before the latter lofted a ball into the box where it was headed on by substitute Innes Lambert and the ball instantly hooked back to him by Brennan for Lambert to guide it home from close range.
Another lightning quick counter-attack from Meadow ended with a shot from inside the box that crashed off the bar and the rebound headed home but from an offside position.
In the closing minutes Glens were awarded a free-kick on the ‘D’ after McBeth had been barged off the ball. Substitute Gary Fraser drilled a low shot which although beat the wall drifted wide of the post.
Soon after Glens win another free-kick after Isaac Kerr tripped O’Kane on the junction of the right- hand side of the ‘D’ and 18-yard line. Substitute Michael McMullin steps up and curls a low shot round the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net beyond the reach of Waters.
Michael McMullin
FT Glens 1 Meadow 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon 4. Luke McBeth 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 15. Zak Ross; 10. Alex McWaters 20. Ollie Rowe 6. Paul Paton 7. Sam McKee; 9. Michael Moffat 12. Trialist Subs Used: 3. Michael McMullin 8. Gary Fraser 16. Alan Frizzell 18. Dylan O’Kane. Not Used: 2. Scott McLean 14. Lyall Holding 19. Gary Harkins
IRVINE MEADOW XI
1.Marc Waters (captain) 2. Rhys Wallace 3. Paul Byrne 4. Martin Findlay 5. Isaac Kerr 6. Conor O’Donnel 7. Grant Brennan 8. Jack McDowall 9. Jordan Boyd 10. Euan Baird 11. Cammy Ross. Subs. 12. Kyle Faulds 14. Sean Ewart 15. Ross George 16. Louis Kerr 17. Stewart Davidson 18. Innes Lambert 21. Ally McInnes
Glenafton made six changes to the eleven that started against Gartcairn last Saturday. In came Lyall Holding, Zak Ross, Alex McWaters, Sam McKee and Alan Frizzell replacing Craig Pettigrew, Michael McMullin, Scott McLean, Ollie Rowe and Dylan O’Kane while after returning from holiday David Markey replaced stand-in keeper Scott Johnson.
In goal for Kello was former Glenafton keeper Ryan Dunsmuir however the Rovers were missing six other first-team regulars, including former Glens defender Sean Bennie.
Kello kicked-off and both sides had mounted attacks without testing the keepers before Glens opened the scoring on 6 minutes. Alex McWaters gathered the ball tight on the right wing before skipping past a defender to whip a curling ball high into the box where Michael Moffat got between two defenders to guide a glancing header home from 6 yards out.
Back came Kell and the lively Lochie Reid won the ball near the Glens’ corner flag from where he whipped a cross into the box but just beyond incoming player (No. 12) and the ball drifted wide of the back post.
At the other end the visitors won a corner kick and although it was cleared, the Glens continued to press and on 16 minutes doubled their lead following a well-worked move.
Paul Paton, from just inside his own half, squared the ball to Lyall Holding who clipped it forward to McWaters who in turn fired it up the right wing for Ryan Sinnamon to chase. From here Sinnamon switched play, launching the ball high to the far side where Sam McKee gathered and rolled it back down the touchline for Alan Frizzell to lob it high into the goal mouth and Michael Moffat once again got between two defenders to guide a header into the far corner of the net.
On 20 minutes the Glen extended their lead through a superbly struck free-kick by Alex McWaters from the left-hand corner of the penalty box that whizzed over the Kello wall and in at the near post despite Dunsmuir’s effort to get a glove on it.
The home side were struggling to breach a well marshalled Glens defence while the visitors continued to threaten with counter-attacks down both flanks one of which finished with them winning a corner-kick on the right. Sinnamon clipped a short pass back to Paton on the outskirts of the box to curl a high ball to the back post where Frizzell stooped to get a head on it, only for an attempted clearance from Kello to end up in the opposite corner of the net for an own goal. Glens 4-0 up on 26 minutes.
The visitors were threatening to run riot breaking forward in numbers. Moffat won a corner which Sinnamon floated high into the goal mouth and both Holding and Luke McBeth leapt high above the Rovers defence only for the latter’s header to sail over the bar.
However the home side enjoyed their best spell of the match thus far. Reid and No. 12 combined to break deep into the right-hand side of the box only for Holding to win the ball at the expense of a corner. No. 12’s header at the near post was intercepted by McBeth’s header and the ball cleared only for Rovers to recover it. Reid on the left wing weaved his way past defenders to break into the box and lay the ball off to No. 12, but his shot was blocked by David Markey and deflected out for a corner. The kick was eventually scrambled clear from a packed box as Rovers continued to press.
Paton pounced on the loose ball deep on the right and quickly switched the ball to McKee on the left to skip past two players before releasing Alan Frizzell up the wing, but with his path into the box blocked, he retreated to corner of the penalty box. From here he cracked a thunderous low shot that whizzed past defenders and attackers alike, as well Dunsmuir at the near post who could only look on in expectation that the ball would fly wide of the far post, only for it to smack off the inside of the post and nestle in the net behind the goalie , Glens up 5-0 on 39 minutes.
Although play raged back and forth in the closing minutes of the half it was the visitors that looked more likely to add to their tally with McWaters floating some dangerous crosses to the back post including one for the inrushing McKee, but Dunsmuir was on his toes to pluck the ball cleanly out of the air.
HT Kello 0 Glens 5
Glens kicked off the second half and were immediately on the front foot with Charlie Maxwell driving through the middle before laying the ball off to McKee on the left who then picked out Zak Ross on an overlapping run into the box where he cut the ball back to the inrushing Maxwell only for Nos. 14 & 16 to combine and block his shot.
The visitors continued to press with back-to-back one-twos between Paton and McKee before the latter drilled a low shot from 22 yards that appeared to have Dunsmuir beaten but slipped inches wide of the post
On 52 minutes Glens added a sixth goal. McBeth slipped the ball down the right for McWaters to chase before joining a number of his team-mates in breaking into the Rovers box to compete for the incoming cross. It was Zak Ross that gathered the ball and kept his cool to curl a shot through a defender’s legs and into the far corner of the net beyond the reach of the keeper.
However, great credit to Kello they caught the Glens cold from the kick-off and the alert Reid cut across the face of goal and clipped the ball into a gaping net much to the delight of the young supporters congregated behind the goal. After a brief celebration, he quickly returned to recover the ball and to re-spot it one the centre. Showing a sense of urgent despties Rovers trailin 6-1 but still with 36 minutes of the half remaining!
However, Glens were soon on the front foot again with McKee down the left and McWaters down the right, a cross from the latter was met by Frizzell in the box only for his header to sail over the bar.
On the hour mark Glens made a double substitution with Paul Paton and Michael Moffat coming off for Gary Fraser and Dylan O’Kane.
Matters took a turn on 64 minutes as Glens were reduced to 10 men. Still pushing forward in numbers Maxwell lost control of the ball and his sliding tackle in an attempt to recover it ended with Rovers No.16 taking a sore one on the shin, enough for a red card considered the referee.
Glens immediately made another change with Luke McBeth making way for Ollie Rowe – or ‘Mr. Rowe’ as the assembled ‘fan club’ from the nearby Sanquhar Academy referred to their teacher.
Rovers made the most of the extra man and were clearly determined in their attempts to reduce the deficit. A free kick from the corner of the box was pushed over the bar by Markey. The corner-kick fell for No. 6 with a wall of players from both sides in front of him, his low drilled shot took a wicked deflection off another Kello player sending the ball across the goalmouth beyond the reach of the keeper only for the ball to slip inches wide of the back post.
Glens countered through O’Kane on the left cutting into the box before drilling a low shot from 15 yards from a tight angle that Dunsmuir did well to smother at his near post.
Back came Kello and a free kick was floated deep into the box and although No. 8 made contact his header lacked power to bother Markey.
At the other end Dunsmuir raced from his line to dive at the feet of O’Kane and steal the ball safely. Soon after McKee and Frizzell combined down the right and a ball to the back post for Sinnamon was intercepted at the expense of a corner kick which eventually fell for McWaters to thunder a shot from 15 yards that appeared destined for the top corner only for Dunsmuir to pull off a fantastic reflex save, with his arm at full stretch to finger-tip the ball over the bar.
Rovers cleared the corner-kick and broke upfield only for the cut-back across the face of goal to be easily gathered by Markey. Rowe then broke down another Kello attack sending the ball up the left wing for McKee to chase and break into the box and from within a pocket of 3 defenders curled a shot that Dunsmuir palmed down with both hands.
On 75 minutes Kello won a free-kick on the outskirts of the left hand corner of the box. The ball was whipped past the two-man wall and although the outstretched leg of No. 8 just failed to make contact the ball continued to dangerously fly across the face of goal and beyond the far post.
Play continued to ebb back and forth while half-chances for both sides came and went.
With 10 minutes to go Glens made their final change with Alan Frizzell (who had covered every blade of grass) making way for Gary Harkins.
Kello’s No. 6 then thumped a low shot form the edge of the box which was comfortably held by Markey and soon after the keeper dived at the feet of No. 19 to foil another attack.
Back came Glens and Harkins leapt to head the ball over the last two defenders leaving O’Kane with a free run into the box only for Dunsie to get the better of him again by getting one hand to the ball and then grabbing it with both hands.
Kello then engineered a couple of other chances, a low angled shot from Reid that was well held by Markey. The same player then broke down the left before squaring the ball into the box only for No. 8 to fire his shot wide of target under pressure from Ross.
At the other end McKee forced his way to the left-hand side of the box and as No.4 closed in he clipped a high ball from a tight angle which seemed netl-bound only for Dunsie to leap at the near post and push it over the bar. Rowe then rose to bullet a header over from Sinnamon’s corner.
The game continued to flow from end to end with possibily the better of the chances falling to the home side. Markey got down low to push No. 12’s close-range angled shot out for a corner and soon after Reid burst down the left to drive to the bye-line and cut it back for No. 19 to guide a shot goalward only for Markey to deflect it away with an outstretched leg before the final whistle blew.
FT Kello 1 Glens 6
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon 14. Lyall Holding 4. Luke McBeth (20. Ollie Rowe)15. Zak Ross; 10. Alex McWaters 17. Charlie Maxwell 6. Paul Paton (capt.) (8. Gary Fraser) 7. Sam McKee (19. Gary Harkins); 9. Michael Moffat (18. Dylan O’Kane), 16. Alan Frizzell (19. Gary Harkins)
KELLO ROVERS
Ryan Dunsmuir (capt.), Kiegan Hill, Ally Smith, Robert Hampson, Kieran Pagan, Lewis Lang, Lochie Reid, Archie Scott, Ewan Lawrie, Andy Oram, Robbie Cairns. Subs: David Thompson, Lori Johnson, Alfie McFarlane, Scott Lorimer, Dylan Irving
Glenafton Athletic 