Glens made two changes with to the eleven that started against Cumnock Juniors on Saturday with Adam Caldwell and Ryan Nisbet replacing Dean Currie and Michael Moffat.
In the Auchinleck starting eleven was former Glenafton midfielder Michael Wardrope.
The visitors were first to threaten through Aaron Mason’s shot from 18 yards that sailed over the bar. Soon after Michael Wardrope’s effort from 20 yards was pushed wide for a corner by keeper Aiden Glavin which ended with Wardrope shot from inside the box comfortably saved by Glavin.
The Glens opened the scoring on 6 minutes with a cracking goal. Alex McWaters from deep on his own half in the middle of the park pinged a long diagonal ball to Ryan Nisbet on the right wing inside the Talbot half. After trapping the ball, he cut inside Aiden Wilson and turned on the after-burners leaving the defender in his wake to burst to the edge of the box before whipping a low vicious shot that whizzed beyond the reach of the advancing keeper Marc Fisher and into the net.
After an exhilarating start, the match played got bogged down for large spells with defences of top. Glavin leapt t clutch a Talbot corner into a packed six-yard box while his counterpart Fisher held Nisbet’s low shot from the edge of the box.
HT Glens 1 Auchinleck 0
The half-time oranges kicked in quickly as the Glens doubled their advantage on 48 minutes with Nisbet turning provider on this occasion. From wide on the right and deep in his own half he clipped a high ball upfield for Dylan O’Kane to burst into the box between Wilson and Craig McCraken and from the edge of the six- yard box slip the ball through the legs of the keeper and into the net from a tight angle.
Five minutes Talbot pulled one after Glavin could only parry Wardrope’s shot from 30 yards and Keir Samson was on hand to poke the loose ball from 6 yards out.
The visitors continued to press and instead of shooting for goal Wardrope slipped a free-kick into the left hand-side of the of the box from where the ball was cut-back to the near post and McCracken’s attempt to divert it into the net only for Glavin to block it on the line. A Talbot attack down the right saw Ali Boyle whip a low ball into the six-yard box for the incoming Samson but again the young keeper blocked the shot with his feet.
On 70 minutes Glens brought on Cameron McKenzie for Sam McKee.
The Glens were defending well with Craig Pettigrew and Ollie Rowe winning the aerial battles as Talbot attacked in waves without however creating any chances of note .
On 85 minutes doubled their lead through shear guts and determination from Dylan O’Kane. A Talbot throw from deep in their own squared to Garth Armstrong on the edge of the box and while the defender was trying to get the ball under control O’Kane burst forward from the edge of the centre-circle to nick the ball and then turned the defended, held him and lashed an unstoppable shot past the keeper and into the net at the far post. The young New Cumnock striker’s celebrations were enjoyed supporters and those in the dug-out in equal measure.
Nisbet picked up the ball in the centre-circle before driving forward past one ‘Bot after another and the from the edge of box clipped a low diagonal shot that slipped inches wide of the post with the keeper stranded on his line.
FT Glenafton 3 Auchinleck 1
Four league wins a row takes the Glens to 7th place in the league.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 5. Michael McMullin ; 14. Ryan Nisbet 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters , 7. Sam McKee (19.Cameron McKenzie) 18. Dylan O’Kane, 9. Hugh Kerr. Subs Not Used: Callum McFadyen, Sean McKenzie, Craig Burns (gk).
AUCHINLECK TALBOT
1. Marc Fisher 2. Lewis Crawford 4. Neil McPherson 5. Craig McCracken 3. Aiden Wilson; 7. Ali Boyle (14. Nathan Lennox) 6. Gareth Armstrong 8. Michael Wardrope 11. Ross Taylor; 9. Aaron Mason (12. Ross Mason) 10. Keir Samson
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Petershill on Saturday with Ryan Nisbet and Leon Murphy making way for Hugh Kerr and Michael McMullin.
Captaining Cumnock Juniors was former Glenafton defender Kyle McAusland who played four seasons at the club including the 2016/17 treble-winning season. Also lining up for the ‘Nock was midfielder Findlay Frye who had two spells at the Glens including in the 2013/14 team that were runners-up in the Scottish Junior Cup.
Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence in memory of John Cathcart and James McAusland both of whom passed away recently. John played outside right for Glenafton in the mid-1950’s at Connel Park. James was a regular visitor to Loch Park, making many friends along the way and followed the team to watch his son Kyle enjoy great success with the Glens.
There was little between the two sides in the first half and chances from open play were thin on the ground. Scott McLean’s cross into the box was headed clear and fell for Dylan O’Kane only for his shot to sail over the bar. A similar fate befell Hugh Kerr’s header from a ball curled into the box by Michael McMullin. A Cumnock corner-kick was cleared only for Findlay Frye to return it to the danger area where Andy McLaughlin tapped the ball home bit from an offside position.
The Glens started the second half brightly. Alex McWaters hooked a ball up the middle which was trapped by Kerr and then slipped to Michael Moffat who held up the ball allowing Kerr to advance to the heart of the box and although he just failed to connect with Moffat’s cross the incoming O’Kane dived low to send a header that crashed off the post then his attempt to bury the rebound held by keeper Jamie Barclay.
The home side continued to press with patient build up play. Moffat broke into the left-hand side of the box but his way to goal blocked rolled the ball back to the incoming McMullin who whipped the ball into the goalmouth only for Barclay to push it wide for a corner which was scrambled clear.
At the other end a Cumnock cornered was clutched cleanly by keeper Aiden Glavin. Soon after McLaughlin’s header looped over the bar.
Back came Glens and McMullin’s breaks down followed by dangerous balls into the box were keeping Cumnock on the back foot. The home side broke the deadlock on 59 minutes. Captain Craig Pettigrew gathered the ball in the centre-circle and slid to arrow a superb pass up the left for McLean to knock it further up the wing before giving chase to catch it at the goal-line and curl the ball deep into the box where Hugh Kerr, in space between two defenders, leapt unchallenged to bullet a header into the net.
Hugh Kerr
Another Glens corner was scrambled clear by the ‘Nock and soon after Sam McKee and Kerr combined to set up Moffat on the 18 yard line to curl a shot round the advancing McAusland only for the ball to inches wide of the post with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Cumnock enjoyed a late spell of pressure and Gavin pulled off a fine save from Jamie Wilson’s volley from outside of the box.
Glens brought on fresh legs on 82 minutes with Cameron McKenzie and Ryan Nisbet replacing Sam McKee and Hugh Kerr.
In the dying minutes Cumnock won back-to-back corners with keeper Barclay arriving in the Glens box to add to the numbers. The ball was floated deep into the six yard box and Graham Boyd’s header seemed to be net-bound only for McWaters off the line. Danger over? No! The ball rolled along the goal-line toward the corner-flag and driven back into the box, where the ball struck Moffat on the arm with his back to goal.
Up stepped Findlay Frye, who had recently scored two penalties (one after a re-take) against the Glens in the Scottish Junior Cup semi-final. However, on this occasion he ‘Kane-d’ it well over the bar in what was the final kick of the game. Credit to several Glens players who commiserated with the midfielder. The three points saw the Glens leapfrog Cumnock to 10th place in the league and secure their place in the Premier Division next season.
FT Glens 1 Cumnock 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 20. Dean Currie 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) ; 7. Sam McKee (14. Ryan Nisbet) 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters 18. Dylan O’Kane 35. Michael McMullin; 9. Hugh Kerr (19. Cameron McKenzie) 15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not Used: Callum McFadyen, Craig Burns (gk).
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
Jamie Barclay, Mark McLennan, Kyle McAusland (captain), Steven Tart, George Sewell; Jamie Dolan, Findlay Frye, Jamie Wilson, Andy McLaughlin; Graham Boyd, Cammy Ross. Subs: Adam Strain, Ryan Carnwath, Jamie Conn, B. Skilling, A. Stanborough, C. McClure, E. McBlain
Glenafton made three changes that started against Clydebank midweek. Captain Craig Pettigrew (returning from suspension), Leon Murphy and Sam McKee replaced Mick McMullin (suspended), Adam Caldwell and Hugh Kerr.
The visitors started brightly and would go on to dominate the first half in terms of possession and the half chances that were on show. On 5 minutes Scott McLean released Ryan Nisbet down the right to whip a ball into the box that was intercepted by Jordan Scott and as the loose ball bounced about Michael Moffat met it on the drop sending his shot just wide of the post.
Peasy keeper Josh Bradley-Hurst did well to cut out Leon Murphy’s cross into the box for the inrushing Moffat. Soon after he firmly clutched a Dylan O’Kane’s shot from the edge of the box, curled over the heads of two defenders.
Glens continued to press. Scott McLean robbed Del Hepburn of the ball on the half-way line before breaking forward to slip it wide to Moffat to break into the box and fire a shot that the keeper punched high over the bar, at his near post. Back-to-back corner kicks followed as the Peasy defence stood firm.
Midway through the half Ross McCabe bundled Alex McWaters to the ground just inside the Peasy half. McLean played a short one-two with Murphy before playing a forward pass to Moffat on the outskirts of the box who diverted it diagonally to McWaters and despite defender Conor McGregor tight on his back, he completed the one-two with a delightful back-heel to Moffat now free to advance into the box and body swerve McCabe before drilling a low angled shot to the back post only for the keeper to finger-tip it wide of the post; the corner was cleared.
The home side mounted a counter-attack after Lennon Houston beat O’Kane to the ball on the right wing and then rode a strong tackle from McLean and then another from Ollie Rowe before switching the ball to David Aubrey to break forward and pick out Ben Cappie‘s run into the box only for the offside the flag to be raised to end a fine move.
On 34 minutes Peasy were forced into a substitution with Josh Gracie replacing the injured Terry Hewitt. He was soon in the thick of the action heading a ball to the back post across the face of goal for Houston only for Craig Pettigrew to intercept and head it clear of the Glens box.
Back came Glens through Nisbet breaking down the right and clipping high ball to the near post where Bradley-Hurst leapt above both team-mate McCabe and Moffat to grab the ball with both hands.
At the other end Craig Quinn gathered a knock-on by Houston before firing a low shot from 25 yards that Glens’ goalie Aiden Glavin gathered comfortably.
The half closed with the Glens on the front foot. Moffat forced his way through a wall of defenders into the box, laid the ball off to McWaters for a shot but another brave defensive block sent the ball clear.
Dean Currie then halted a Peasy break, nicking the ball from Hepburn to drive over the half-way line and cut inside to feed Moffat, who quickly dinked the ball down the right for Nisbet to chase and burst into the box before whipping the ball across face of goal by-passing McCabe and the keeper, for the inrushing McAndrews only for McGregor to intercept with a sliding tackle that caused the ball to cannon off the goalie and prevent the dreaded OG.
HT Petershill 0 Glens 0
The half began in the same fashion as the first with the Glens on the front foot and Sam McKee in particular seeing a lot of the ball.
However, the home side began to grow into the game. On 55 minutes Houston intercepted a Glens clearance and sent a high looping header dropping into the ‘D’ where Cappie met it sweetly on the bounce only for his shot to fly over the bar. Soon after Gracie burst down the right driving to the bye-line before sending a high ball to the back post for the inrushing Houston only for Glavin to leap and clutch cleanly.
At the other end the Peasie keeper beat O’Kane to Moffat’s ball into the box and then held McKee’s curled shot from the corner of the box.
On the hour mark Petershill came close to breaking the deadlock, following a lung-bursting run down the left by Hepburn to break into the box and make for the bye-line. With his way to goal blocked he skipped past two defenders to retreat to the edge of the box before fashioning a shot for the far post where Glavin at full stretch got the slightest touch to send it wide, as Hepburn closed in. The keeper then punched Aubrey’s corner kick over the bar and the corner that followed was headed wide by McCabe. Peasie continued to press and Marshall’s speculative shot from distance was well held by Glavin.
Midway through the half Peasie brought on Christian Nade for Craig Quinn.
Some patient build-up play by Glens down the left involving McKee, Pettigrew, Moffat and Murphy concluded with the latter squaring the ball along the six-yard line for the incoming McWaters only for Scott to intervene at the expense of a corner, which was swiftly followed by another that was cleared by McCabe.
Glens continued to press and McWaters blasted a free-kick from 30 yards low and hard that was deflected wide for a corner which McLean played short to McKee, who curled a ball into the heart of the six-yard box for the leaping Rowe, only for the goalie to punch it clear with both fists. The Peasie counter-attack ended with Pettigrew blocking Marshall’s shot.
Play raged back & forth for a spell as both sides chased a winner.
On 41 minutes Glens brought on the fresh legs of Hugh Kerr for Ryan Nisbet.
In a fast flowing box-to-box move, Murphy gathered the ball on the left and played it forward to Moffat who ran along the half way line to play a one-two on the right with Currie before slipping the ball down wing to McWaters who then threaded a defence splitting ball into the box for McLean to chase down before shooting from 12 yards only for the outrushing keeper to block and Scott to rapidly hoof the ball clear.
The visitors made the breakthrough on 89 minutes. McWaters tight on the right wing trapped a clearance from Glens’ attack seconds beforehand, before driving to the bye-line and cutting the ball back for Kerr only for his shot to be blocked by McCabe. Dylan O’Kane pounced on loose ball and volleyed a low shot that bounced off Scott and while a handful of Glens players raised their hands claiming hand ball, O’Kane calmly trapped the loose ball and side-footed it through a ruck of players and past the keeper into the net.
Two minutes later Glens doubled their lead. After a passage of stroking the ball about in the outskirts of the Peasie box, McKee played a one-two with Moffat before breaking into the box, where Scott clicked his heels. Leon Murphy stepped to slot the ball beyond the reach of the keeper Josh Bradley-Hurst, who had an outstanding game.
The visitors played out the additional time deep in the Peasy half.
FT Petershill 0 Glenafton 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 20. Dean Currie 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) ; 14. Ryan Nisbet (9. Hugh Kerr) 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters 18. Dylan O’Kane 11. Leon Murphy 7. Sam McKee, 15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not Used: Adam Caldwell, Callum McFadyen, Cameron McKenzie, Sean McKenzie, Craig Burns (gk)
PETERSHILL
1. Josh Bradley-Hurst 2. Conor McGregor 3. Jordan Scott 4. Ross McCabe (captain) 5. Terry Hewitt (14. Josh Gracie) 6. Jordan Marshall 7. Craig Quinn (15. Christian Nade) 8. Ben Cappie 9. Lennon Houston 10. Del Hepburn 11. David Aubrey. Subs not used: 12. Dean McBride 16. Mario Mendes 17. Ross McPherson 18. Dom Morgan
Glens made four changes to the side that lined up against Cumnock on Friday evening. In came keeper Aiden Glavin, Dean Currie, Dylan O’Kane and Ryan Nisbet for David Markey (injured), Craig Pettigrew (suspended), Paul Paton (suspended) and Leon Murphy.
In the Clydebank line-up was young Calum McEwan, son of Craig McEwan, a regular visitor to Loch Park, during his father’s time at the club as both player and manager. Of course, Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat was also a former Glenafton player.
Glens got off to a flying with a goal on 4 minutes. Scott McLean clipped a corner kick from the right to the near post when Mick McMullin flicked a header towards the back post where Ollie Rowe beat the keeper to the ball and sent a looping header back to the near post where although it was headed off the line by Frazer Johnstone the ball took a bounce and Michael Moffat lashed a low shot that battered off the back post an into the net.
Michael Moffat
The home came close to doubling their lead after McLean floated a free kick deep into the box where McMullin flicked the ball across the face of goal and Hugh Kerr came within a whisker of heading it over the before it bounced off the inside of the post and booted clear by Matt Niven.
At the other end Bankies came close to drawing level. A corner was floated into the box where Jamie Darroch leapt from the six-yard line and although his attempted header failed to connect the ball dropped out from a group of players and seem destined to sneak in at the near post only for keeper Aiden Glavin to get down low and scoop it away with a strong hand catching out the wrong-footed Darroch who could do nothing but deflect the ball wide of target.
However, on 23 minutes, the visitors squared the match as the Glens got into a fankle and Josh Weir chased the ball down holding off Rowe to break into the box and then send a delicate chip over the outrushing keeper and into the net from 14 yards.
Glens enjoyed a piece of good fortune after a Darroch’s diving header from a corner kick looked certain to bulge the net only for Moffat to keep his cool and head the ball of the line.
Two minutes before the break to home side regained the lead courtesy of another McLean corner kick from the right. McEwan and Moffat leapt together at the near post only for the ball skim over their heads and the alert Ryan Nisbet nipped in front of Darroch to side foot the ball home from 2 yards out.
Ryan Nisbet
HT Glens 2 Clydebank 1
The visitors drew level again on 57 minutes after Hamish McKinlay from wide on the right pinged a high ball into the box where Liam McGonigle outleapt two defenders and sent a high looping header into the corner of the net beyond the reach of the keeper.
Back came the Glens and it was another McLean corner, from the left on this occasion, that put them in front. A header flicked on at the near post by Moffat saw the ball bounce up and Hugh Kerr kill it before swivelling and drilling the ball into the ground an onward into the net.
Hugh Kerr
The home side then defended a corner and McLean hooked the ball upfield where Dylan O’Kane trapped the ball and gave a defender the run-a-round before clipping the ball forward to Nisbet on the outskirts of the box who in turn chipped in forward to Moffat. The striker soon find himself confronted with a pocket of defenders and so rolled the ball back to Nisbet who then skipped past a defender into the right-hand corner of the box before firing an angled shot that took a bounce before slipping inches wide of the far post and beyond the reach of the inrushing McMullin.
With three minutes to go Glens were reduced to 10 men after McMullin earned a second yellow card and Sam McKee came on for Hugh Kerr as the home side held on for a valuable 3 points.
FT Glens 3 Clydebank 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 2: Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe 20. Dean Currie 33. Mick McMullin; 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters 18. Dylan O’Kane 14. Ryan Nisbet; 9. Hugh Kerr (7. Sam McKee), 15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not Used: Callum McFadyen, Cameron McKenzie, Sean McKenzie, Craig Burns (gk)
CLYDEBANK
1. Jamie Donnelly 25. Calum McEwan 3. Danny McKenzie 4. Matt Niven 5. Jamie Darroch 6. Frazer Johnstone 17. Larry McMahon 24. Hamish McKinlay 27. Connor Higgins 19. Josh Weir 11. Liam McGonigle. Subs. Lucas Ross (gk), 15. Oisin McHugh, 9. Ciaran Mulcahy, Kelly, Eze, Adam Smith, McLernan
Glenafton made two changes from the 11 that started against Hurlford a fortnight ago. David Markey ame bak from injury to replace on-loan goalkeeper Aiden Glaven (who was cup-tied) while Hugh Kerr replaced Sam McKee up front. On the Glens bench was mid-week signing goalkeeper Craig Burns who played for the Glens for a spell in 2018/19 and the short-lived 2019/20 season.
Captaining Cumnock Juniors was former Glenafton defender Kyle McAusland who played four seasons at the club including the 2016/17 treble-winning season. Also lining up for the ‘Nock was midfielder Findlay Frye who had two spells at the Glens including in the 2013/14 team that were runners-up in the Scottish Junior Cup.
The two sides met each other in the Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round last season where Cumnock ran out winners at Townhead Park after a penalty shoot-out. Penalties would again play a huge part in the outcome of this match albeit within the 90 minutes of regulation play.
Cumnock started off strongly and won a number of set-pieces in the early encounters including an overhit corner kick, a free-kick that was clutched cleanly by keeper David Markey and another that fizzled out.
However, Glenafton quickly grew into the game and were soon on the front foot looking a greater threat in front of goal. On 10 minutes Leon Murphy broke through the middle before picking out Paul Paton to fire a shot from 25 yards to heat keeper Jamie Barclay’s hands.
Leon Murphy breaks forward
Four minutes later Michael Moffat held off Kyle McAusland to burst into the box to drill a low angled shot that Barclay did well to finger-tip the ball sending across the length of goal mouth before drifting wide of the back post. Scott McLean clipped the corner-kick to the near post where Craig Pettigrew outjumped two defenders only for his header to dip inches over the bar.
Craig Pettigrew goes close
The Glens continued to press with another flowing move beginning from the back with Pettigrew sending a powerful header down the left for Moffat to chase down and then roll the ball inside to Paton who quickly switched play to McLean tight on the right who took his time to tee up a perfectly weighted cross to the back post which eluded Barclay and McAusland only for the incoming Alex McWaters to guide his header wide of the post.
Soon after Mick McMullin burst into the left has side of the box to thunder a low shot that Mark McLennan blocked with an outstretched leg and the ball cleared momentarily before Paton snapped it up and curled it down the right for McLean to feed it into the busy box only for it to pop back out and the cycle repeated. Paton picked out McLean again who pinged it to the back post where McAusland’s clearing headed was won by Moffat who rolled it to Murphy only for his shot from 18 yards to be deflected over that bar for a corner. Murphy took the kick which took a vicious bounce at the near post to fall kindly for the alert McWaters at the back post only for his dipping to header to crash off the post, before being hoofed clear – all with just 14 minutes on the clock!
Alex McWaters’ header crashed off the post
Play then ebbed back and forth with a few decent chances on show.
Cammy Ross on the left whipped a high ball to the far post for the incoming Jordan Moore but with McMullin for company Markey managed to push it out the right where Findlay Frye quickly fired the ball deep into the box which was headed cleared by Rowe only for the ball to be quickly returned to the box where Greg Ferry high looping header into the six-yard box was clutched from the head of Moore by Markey.
Craig Pettigrew beats Jordan Moore to the ball
At the other end Moffat whipped a ball into the six-yard box for the inrushing Kerr only for McAusland to intervene and head clear for a corner kick which concluded with McMullin’s volley, under pressure from McLennan, sailing high over the bar.
Back came ‘Nock and on 33 minutes they came close to breaking the deadlock. A corner kick from the left was met at the back post by McAusland only for his diving header to be blocked on the line by Adam Caldwell and Cumnock claims it had crossed that line waved away.
Glens responded through McWaters intercepting a mis-hit square pass and slipping the ball forward to Kerr who delivered a perfect pass to Moffat to crack a low shot from 22 yards that had Barclay scurrying along his line to push the ball round the post for a corner that was well defended.
Shuggy Keer and Kyle McAusland
Another Cumnock claim for a goal was waved away after Jared Willet’s free kick floated into the box was headed across the face of goal by McLennan and the ball poked into the net by Moore, but clearly from an offside position.
However, soon after Andy McLaughlin broke into the left-hand side of the box only to be stripped of the ball with a strong tackle form Caldwell and as Willet attempted to retrieve the loose ball the defender outstretched his leg to win the ball back bringing down Willet in the process. Frye stepped up to slot the spot-kick beyond the reach of Markey to put Cumnock ahead on 43 minutes.
Findlay Frye scores from the spot 1-0
As both sides trooped off at half-time it was hard to take in that the Glens found themselves behind at the break.
Glens 0 Cumnock 1
(sorry to dark for my camera in the second half)
The New Cumnock side started the new half with some patient build up play without creating any chances only for the Old Cumnock side to double their lead on 53 minutes in controversial circumstances.
Frye cushioned a cute forward pass for Moore to gather and progress into the box only to be felled by Rowe’s slide tackle. It was Frye that stepped up again to take the spot kick and although he sent Markey the wrong way the keeper blocked the shot with his foot sending the ball high into the air and McLaughlin headed it back toward goal where Frye’s header looped over the bar. A huge sense of relief engulfed the Glens and their supporters, lifting their spirits only to be dashed by an assistant referee flag deeming that keeper had moved off his line before the kick. Credit to Frye he stepped up again and slotted the ball home and the change in fortunes were there witnessed – Cumnock on a high and Glens deflated.
The game now passed them by for a period and was interrupted on 58 minutes after Cumnock’s Greg Ferry lost his footing, fell awkwardly on his elbow and was clearly in some distress in front of Glens dug-out from where physio immediately Laura Pagan rushed to provide treatment. Glens’ manager Ryan Stevenson joined her to see if he could assist, only for the assistant referee to run down the touchline to order him back into the technical area. Ferry was eventually taken down the tunnel and substituted.
Glens also made a substitution with Alex McWaters making way for Sam McKee. On a brief foray upfield McMullin whipped a ball in from the left which was met by Kerr only for header to be well held by Barclay.
Midway through the half Cumnock extended their lead to 3-0 after a corner kick on the left was launched to the back post for McAusland to clip the ball back into the goal mouth and Jordan Moore lash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
On 75 minutes Willet floated a corner kick, from the right this time, to the back post where although Rowe won the ball in the air unchallenged, he skewed his header sending the ball high into the goalmouth over Markey’s head and despite Pettigrew’s best efforts he could not prevent it dipping it into the net for 4-0. Rowe then hobbled off the park to be replaced by Dylan O’Kane.
The Glens mustered a couple of half chances the first of which saw Moffat kill a McMullin cross on his chest before swivelling and firing a shot that went wide of target. Soon after Paton picked out Murphy and the midfielder drove forward before drilling a low shot from 25 yards, which drifted wide of target.
At the other end the two Cumnock substitutes combined to set up a close range shot from deep in the box only for Markey to block with the sole of his boot.
Glens showed some soul of their own in the dying embers of the match. McKee played a one-two with Paton tight on the right wing before whipping a glorious ball into the box which Hugh Kerr in space flicked a perfectly placed header into the net before McAusland barged him to the ground; 4-1 on 90 minutes.
A minute later Paton clipped a free-kick deep into a busy box where a powerful McAusland header sent the ball back out the box for McLean to meet on his drop and although his fierce shot looked set to go wide of the left post Moffat took the heat out of it to casually side foot the ball into the net.
The scoring had come to an end and soon after an eventful Scottish Junior Cup Semi-final drew to a close with Cumnock Juniors progressing to the final.
FT Glens 2 Cumnock 4
The Glens will look back on the early chances in the first half but Nock’s ‘3rd’ penalty set them up to dominate most of the second half and run out worthy winners. Congratulations to Cumnock and good luck in the final where they will face Rutherglen Glencairn.
Glenafton Athletic
1. David Markey 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe (18. Dylan O’Kane) 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 35. Mick McMullin 3. Scott McLean 6. Alex McWaters (7. Sam McKee) 8. Paul Paton 11. Leon Murphy 9. Hugh Kerr 15. Michael Moffat . Subs: Craig Burns (gk), Callum McFadyen, Ryan Nisbet, Gavin Russel (gk)
Cumnock Juniors
Jamie Barclay, Mark McLennan, Kyle McAusland (captain), Greg Ferry, Jared Willet; Ryan Carnwarth, Findlay Frye, Jamie Wilson, Andy McLaughlin; Jordan Moore, Cammy Ross Subs: Adam Strain, Steven Tart, Ryan McLean, Grant Dickie. Jamie Dolan, Graham Boyd. Jamie Conn
Glens lined up with the same eleven that started against Auchinleck Talbot but ended 15 minutes later after the match was abandoned due to a water-logged pitch and so young keeper Aiden Glavin, on-loan from Kilmarnock, made his formal debut at the second attempt. In the Hurlford line-up was former Glens midfielder Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie while on their bench was Calvin Kemp who left the Glens earlier in the week.
Glens were forced to make an early change on 8 minutes when Leon Murphy took a bad knock and had to leave the pitch after some delay, to be replaced by Dylan O’Kane. On 16 minutes Lewis Morrison opened the scoring for Hurlford. Soon after a super save from Glavin prevented Michael Mullen side from doubling the home side’s lead. However Morrison bagged his brace two minutes into added time with a shot that went in off the post.
Two minutes later Michael Moffat pulled one back for the Glens lashing the ball into the net before the break.
HT Hurlford 2 Glens 1
Glens did most of the pressing in the second half but Hurlford stood firm to hold on to their lead. The visitors were reduced to 10 men on 90 minutes after Paul Paton saw red for dissent. Three minutes later ‘Ford were down to 10 after Ross Love denied Moffat from a clear goal scoring opportunity – after which Alex McWaters free-kick crashed off the bar.
FT Hurlford 2 Glens 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 5. Michael McMullin 3. Scott McLean 2. Adam Caldwell 8. Paul Paton 6. Alex McWaters 11. Leon Murphy (15. Dylan O’Kane) ; 7. Sam McKee15. Michael Moffat. Subs Not used: 9. Hugh Kerr 12. Ryan Nisbet 14. Callum McFadyen 16. Cameron McKenzie 19. Sean McKenzie, 20. Dean Currie Aiden Russell (gk).
HURLFORD UNITED
1. Chris Taylor 2. Liam Miller 3. Sam Lidington 4. Carter Frew 5. Chris Robertson 6. Chris McKnight 7. Paul McKenzie (captain) 8. Jack Whittaker 9. Lewis Morrison 10. Mark McKenzie 11. Michael Mullen, Subs 12. Josh Jack 14. Calvin Kemp 15. Ross Love 16. Alex Bell 17. Ryan Walker 18. Kris Kerr
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Kilwinning Rangers mid-week. Aiden Glavin, on-loan keeper from Kilmarnock made his debut, taking the place of the injured David Markey while up front Sam McKee replaced Hugh Kerr. In the Auchinleck line-up were former Glenafton midfielders Ally Park and Michael Wardrope.
Aiden Glavin
The rain had been falling for an hour before kick-off and there were a number of puddles on the park before kick-off. After 8 minutes of play in very difficult conditions the referee stopped play to speak to managers Ryan Stevenson and Tommy Sloan and after short discussion re-started the game. However, on 15 minutes the referee decided to abandon the match.
Tommy Sloan, referee and Ryan Stevenson
Glenafton 0 Auchinleck 0
Match Abandoned 15 minutes
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Aiden Glavin 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 5. Michael McMullin 3. Scott McLean 2. Adam Caldwell 8. Paul Paton 6. Alex McWaters 11. Leon Murphy; 7. Sam McKee 15. Michael Moffat Subs Not used: 12. Ryan Nisbet 14. Callum McFadyen, Dean Currie, Cameron McKenzie, Aiden Russell (gk).
Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Cambuslang Rangers with Michael McMullin replacing Dean Currie. On the bench for Kilwinning Rangers was Aldin El-Zubadi who had a loan spell from the Buffs to the Glens earlier in the season.
The game kicked off under the lights at Loch Park in wet and windy conditions that would prevail throughout the game and the home side were quickly on the front foot.
Glens were first to threaten through a close ranger header from Hugh Kerr that was blocked by a defender.
Scott McLean and Paul Paton played a slick one-two on the right which concluded with McLean gathering the ball on the box and drilling a low angled shot that was well held by keeper Ally McInnes.
Alex McWaters from wide on the right floated a high ball to the back post for the incoming Michael McMullin only for claims that a defender’s arm deflected the ball wide were waved away. A twist of fate saw Leon Murphy’s corner kick dummied by Michael Moffat at the near post and the ball then bounce onwards to the back post where substitute Aldin El-Zubadi’s attempt clearance cannoned off McMullin’s head and into the net. Glens 1-0 on 15 minutes.
Glens continued to do most of hr pressing. Moffat chased down a McMullin throw into the left hand side of the box and lobbed it high to back post where Kerr’s powerful header bounced off a defender, again appeals for hand-ball were dismissed.
Moffat gathered a McLean pass on the outskirts of the box before threading a ball between two defenders for Kerr to break into the left-hand side of the box forcing McInnes to race from his line and take out the striker with a sliding tackle. Up stepped Leon Murphy to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot and double the Glens lead on 36 minutes.
Glens continued to dominate the game until the break.
HT Glens 2 Kilwinning 0
Both keepers dealt comfortably with free-kicks from well outside their boxes.
Paton picked up a pass from Craig Pettigrew in the Glens half of the centre-circle before guiding a defence splitting ball upfield for McLean to chase down and with the outrushing keeper favouring to cover his near post the Glens midfielder angled his shot for the back post only for the ball to slip inches wide.
Mclean then picked up a pass from Adam Caldwell to break forward and slip a through ball to present McWater swith a free run in on goal and with the keeper off his line he chipped him from the 18 yards only for the ball to dip inches over the bar and bouncing off stanchion.
Buffs rallied for a speel and corner-kick curled deep into the box initiated a lively scramble before Murphy hoofed the ball way upfield. Soon after a Kilwinning cross into a busy box was headed cleared by Ollie Rowe only for a defender to arrive at speed and laser a thunderous shot from 22 yards, and despite seeing the ball late Markey kept his cool to tip it over the bar; the corner that followed was cleared.
Glenafton won back-to-back corners, the second of which was played into six yard box for the incoming McMullin but a shove in the back saw his header at the near post sail out for a throw-in rather in the net!
FT Glens 2 Kilwinning 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 5. Michael McMullin 3. Scott McLean 2. Adam Caldwell 8. Paul Paton 6. Alex McWaters (18. Dylan O’Kane) 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr (7. Sam McKee) 15. Michael Moffat (14. Ryan Nisbet). Subs Not used: 14. Callum McFadyen, Aiden Russell (gk).
KILWINNING RANGERS
1. Ally McInnes 2. Josh London 3. Dom Boland (17. Aldin El-Zubadi) 4. Robbie Torrance 5. Kieren Wood 6. Kenny Marshall 8. Blair McIntyre 9. Thomas Collins 10. Mark Lamont (16. Jordan Stuart) 11. Gavin Millar (14. Ben Lewis) 15. Dylan Mackin Subs Not Used: 12. Ally McColm 18. Chris Millar 19. Jack MacCalman 20. Ewan Henderson
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Beith with Michael McMullin and Sam McKee making way for Craig Pettigrew (returning from injury) and Michael Moffat. On the bench for Glens was young keeper Aiden Russell, recently signed on a dual contract with Glenafton U17.
The sun was shining and the Glens got off to a bright start. Adam Caldwell from the right wing whipped the ball into the box where it was trapped by Michael Moffat sandwiched between two defenders and with his back to goal, he turned to drill a low shot that keeper Andy Wilson at full stretch tipped it away from goal and Alan Reid booted the loose ball out for a throw as Leon Murphy closed in. Alex McWaters collected the shy to feed Moffat who run along the 18 yard line before cracking a low shot that Wilson got down low to stop and clutch the ball as McWaters threatened.
On 3 minutes the Glens early pressure paid off after Caldwell cut in from the right to roll the ball back to Paul Paton on the outskirts of the centre circle in the Cambuslang half from where he side-footed a forward pass to McWaters who cleverly dummied the ball to let it run for Hugh Kerr to kill on the 18 yard line and take a touch before guiding the ball beyond the reach of the advancing keeper and into the net from 14 yards.
Glens continued to press and pegged back Lang into their own half for a spell. Wilson kept his cool to clear his lines as Moffat was ready to pounce and later Reid did enough to put Ollie Rowe off getting his head firmly on Murphy’s corner kick.
Just as the visitors began to string some passes together, they were caught on the counter and the home side doubled their lead on 11 minutes.
Rowe launched a clearance high upfield and Kerr timed his run perfectly to meet the ball 10 yards inside the Lang half and cushion a forward header for Michael Moffat to chase. He burst between two blue shirts and although Reid had given up the chase Calum Scott kept on the striker’s heels deep into the box only for the gap to grow as Moffat approached the six-yard box and two strides further on, with the keeper covering the near post, he cooly clipped the ball with the outside of his boot from the left edge of the six-yard box into the far side of the net from the tightest of angles.
Despite this set-back the visitors began to grow into the game with the movement of Paul Fee and Robbie Leighton catching the eye. Play was much more evenly balanced now in terms of possession albeit much of the activity in the 18 yard box was initiated from set-pieces rather than open play.
Cambuslang came within a whisker of halving the deficit on 31 minutes. Leighton cut in from wide on the right but his way into the box was blocked by Paton at the expense of a throw in. Reid picked out Leighton on the corner of the box who then held off a defender before meeting the ball on the bounce to leather a super shot that dipped to beat the finger tips of keeper David Markey and crash off the crossbar.
Glens countered with a flowing moving down the right starting with Caldwell playing it forward to Moffat who whipped it down the wing for McWaters to drive to the bye line and then cut it back to Moffat now arriving at the edge of the box only for his shot to sail over the bar. Soon after good build up play by Glens ended with McWaters from tight on the left touchline curling a ball deep into the box for Kerr only for Jack Breslin to intervene at the expense of a corner which was readily cleared.
HT Glens 2 Cambuslang 0
Some early pressure from the Glens was soaked up by the Lang defence before the visitors themselves began to turn the screw.
On 50 minutes play was switched from Reid on the right to Scott in acres of space on the left from where he pushed forward before threading the ball upfield to Grant Brennan to break into the box and crack a shot from a tight angle only for Markey to pull a great save and push it round the post with a strong hand. Leighton curled the corner into the six-yard box where Craig Pettigrew won the aerial battle with Breslin to head it clear only for Leighton to recover the ball and clip it back into the box where although on this occasion it was Murphy that got the jump on Breslin the ball fell for Brennan and his shot from 12 yards was comfortably held by Markey. Keiran Boubekri then forced his way deep into the right-hand side of the box but was forced wide by Dean Currie and his low angled shot was then blocked by Pettigrew.
Back came Glens and after one corner kick had come to nothing the one that followed was curled into a crowded goalmouth by McLean and was bravely punched away by the keeper with both fists. As he got back from the ground he could only look on as Moffat quickly returned what seemed to be a net-bound shot only for Leighton to keep his cool on the goal line and head the ball to safety for another corner. This corner like the next one was well defended by the visitors.
At the other end Leighton gathered the ball wide on the right and pushed forward to edge of the box before cutting inside and drilling a low shot that Markey blocked on the six-yard line and Pettigrew was on hand to clear the rebound.
Conditions began to worsen with the persistent rain, albeit not heavy.
On the hour mark the Glens made a treble substitution with Scott McLean, Hugh Kerr and Michael Moffat making way from Michael McMullin, Sam McKee and Calvin Kemp.
A long high clearance by Markey was clipped down the right by McWaters for McKee to chase down and after cutting inside he rolled the ball back to Paton to curl a cross into the box. Here Reid forced McWaters off the flight of the ball which then bounced high and above the reach off the keeper who had rushed off his line only for the incoming McMullin to send his header looping over the bar.
Play was now raging back and forth and Markey dived at the feet of Leighton to bravely grab the ball. However, there was little the keeper could do when Lang found the net on 68 minutes after some great build up play only surpassed by the finish. Breslin played the ball out from the back to Fee on the left who then clipped it up the wing for Brennan to gather and drive to the bye-line and although his cross to the back post was slightly overhit the ball was quickly recovered by Leighton to roll it back to the 18-yard line for Alan Reid to meet on his stride and lash a shot beyond the reach of Markey at full stretch and into the far corner of the net.
The home side came close to restoring the two goal cushion after Kemp nicked the ball on the half way line and with a perfectly weighted pass released McWaters down the right who after a quick glance launched a high ball to the far post for the inrushing McMullin to leap and bullet header from the six yard line that cannoned of the keeper’s body and the chance was gone.
Glens continued to press and after killing the ball on his chest McKee hooked the ball down the right for Murphy to hunt down and whip it high into the box for the inrushing McKee only for Reid to intercept and head the ball high into the air and after battling for the loose ball McMullin cracked a shot from 10 yards that once again rebounded off the keeper and Sam Greenwood mopped up the danger.
It was third time unlucky for McMullin after keeper Wilson raced from his line to clutch the ball out the air and then run to the edge of the box to launch itl upfield. However, his kick fell for McMullin just inside the Lang half who immediately sent a high ball back goalward and beyond the reach of the back-tracking keeper who was relieved to see it drop over the bar.
At the other end the visitors won a free-kick some 25 yards from goal and although Scott curled it round the wall the ball fell comfortably into the keeper’s arms.
On 86 minutes Glens brought on Dylan O’Kane for Alex McWaters who have covered every soaking blade of grass on Loch Park.
The visitors mounted a final push without creating any clear chances and indeed were nearly caught out after Rowe’s throw from the half way line was headed on by Murphy and pounced on by McKee to fire it across the face of goal for the incoming O’Kane only for Wilson to dive and cut out the cross and Greenwood cleaned up again.
The Glen controlled the additional minutes of the game to earn a hard-fought three points.
FT Glens 2 Cambuslang 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 22. Ollie Rowe 20. Dean Currie 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 2. Adam Caldwell 8. Paul Paton 3. Scott McLean (35. Michael McMullin) 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr (10. Calvin Kemp) 6. Alex McWaters (18. Dylan O’Kane) 15. Michael Moffat (7. Sam McKee). Subs Not used 14. Ryan Nisbet, Callum McFadyen, Aiden Russell (gk).
CAMBUSLANG RANGERS
1. Andy Wilson 2. Alan Reid 5. Sam Greenwood 4. Jack Breslin 3. Calum McLean 20. Robbie Leighton 8. Calum Scott 7. Paul Fee 6. Ciaran McPherson 10. Grant Brennan 16. Keiran Boubekri. Subs. 11. Ben Richford 22. Tony Stevenson 18. Sean McGonagle 17. Majid Suleyman 26. Bryn Halliwell.
Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of Glenafton supporter James ‘Curly’ Brown who sadly passed away recently.
Glenafton made four changes to the eleven that started against Irvine Meadow on Wednesday evening with Craig Pettigrew (injured), Calvin Kemp (injured), Michael Moffat, and Sean McKenzie making way for Scott McLean (returning from injury), Sam McKee, Leon Murphy and Alex McWaters – making his first start for the club. On the bench for Beith was keeper Michael McKinven who signed for the Glens before the club decided to close down for the ill-fated 2020/21 season while also in the squad, but not stripped was former Glenafton striker Kit Cummins.
The visitors took the lead on 3 minutes after a free kick from the left was clipped to the near post where Blair Rossiter set up Daniel O’Neil to find the net from a few yards out.
Play went back and forth throughout the half interspersed with free-kicks often loudly debated by the supporters of either side as was the case with those free-kicks not given!
Josh Fowler chased a ball down the right and cut inside along the goal-line forcing David Markey to rush to the edge of the six-yard box to block the cut-back and then pounce on the loose ball.
Glens Sam McKee whipped a ball from the right, high and deep into the busy box where keeper Owen Stott leapt to cleanly clutch the ball from the head of Hugh Kerr.
At the other end Andy Monk drilled a low shot from the edge of the ‘D’ which Markey got down low to comfortably hold.
Back came Glens and Paul Paton’s free-kick into the box, where although Mick McMullin won the aerial battle his high looping header dropped inches wide of the junction of post and bar.
Beith responded through Connor McGlinchey’s perseverance to keep possession of the ball on the outskirts of the box and get his shot away, with 3 Glens defenders closing down, only for it to sail over the bar.
The home side built from the back through Leon Murphy and Scott McLean combining deep on the left before the latter floated a ball into the six yard box where Hugh Kerr leapt between two defenders only for his header to slip wide of the post.
Beith countered through Ruaridh Langan chasing down a ball and riding a sliding tackle from McMullin on the edge of the ‘D’ . With the referee playing advantage Langan advanced into the box to tee up a shot only to lose his footing and fall to the ground while the ball was blocked by Dean Currie. A stramash followed and as Langan got back to his feet he was quickly surrounded by 3 red shirts and the chance was gone.
Soon after Monk nicked the ball from Ollie Rowe deep in the left-hand side of the Glens box before firing a vicious shot from a tight angle only for Markey to pull off a super save and mop up the loose ball before Fowler could pounce.
His counter-part Stott was then in the thick of the action. A high ball into box saw McGlinchley, under pressure from Alex McWaters, hook the ball back out only to be met on the drop by Paul Paton and from 25 yards out he thundered what seemed to be a goal bound shot but for the intervention of the keeper on his six yard line to leap and finger-tip the ball wide of the target and then race to prevent the corner as the lively McWaters closed in.
A further stramash in a packed Glens box saw Adam Caldwell clear the ball, as Frize looked to tee up a shot from six yards, only for Rossiter to recover it and drive to the bye-line where his cut back was deflected for a corner from which Langan’s header sailed high over the bar.
Two minutes later Rossiter’s corner kick was met by Scot Rough on the six yard line and although his glancing header was heading wide of the back post the crouching Declan Hughes tried to divert it goalward only for the ball to loop high over the bar.
Straight up the park and McLean curled a corner into the heart of the six-yard box where Currie got between Stott and Fowler to send a header, inches over the bar – hands on the head stuff.
Play raged back and forth in the closing minutes of the half with defences on top. Murphy and McKee combined down the left to pick out McLean a foot-step outside the box only to be bundled to the ground by Frize. McLean set up to take the free-kick and questioned the referee regardin the distance the wall was from the ball to no avail (despite the marker that the penalty spot is 6 yards from the 18 yard line!) In any case McLean drilled the ball low into the wall and then blasted the rebound which was deflected out for a corner. Rowe met Murphy’s kick at the back post to send a high looping header to the other post where a posse of players from both sides were congregated – it was perhaps Stott that got a hand to the ball and push it wide along the goal-line before it was eventually scrambled clear.
HT Glens 0 Beith 1
Glens got the half off to a flying start when McLean from wide on the left whipped a high ball into the box for the heavily marked Kerr but it was the incoming McKee that met it on the drop and from 7 yards guided the ball high towards the top left -hand corner of the net only for Stott in the nick of time leap and with an outstretched arm got a hand to flick the ball over the bar.
McLean clipped the corner to the near post for the incoming McMullin at the near post but his shot was deflected wide by McGlinchey. McLean’s corner from the left again was headed clear out box before the ball was recovered by the Glens and chipped back in for Kerr to beat McGlinchley in the air only for his header to be tipped over the bar through another fine save from Stott. This corner was also cleared and recovered before McMullin’s cross was deflected wide for a fourth corner in a three minute spell which ended with Stott cleanly collecting the ball.
Some respite for Beith as they too won a corner but Kerr cleared that with a powerful header at the near post to set up a counter-attack which ended with McWaters weaving his way into the right hand side of the box only for Rough to intercept at the expense of yet another corner.
Murphy clipped it to the corner of the six-yard box for McMullin and although he couldn’t get his head to the ball, he chose instead to dummy it and let it bounce onwards into the heart of the box where Hugh Kerr was quickest to react beating Frize to the ball and drilling a low shot home from 6 yards out through a ruck of players and into the net. Glens pressure paying off and the game was all square on 53 minutes.
Beith brought on Lewis Barclay for Ruaridh Langan.
Played then ebbed back and forth for a period with few clear chances on show and although Stott had made some stunning saves, he lived dangerously with a couple of clearances, under pressure from McWaters, as he raced from his line.
Midway through the half McWaters with a perfectly weighted pass took two defenders out of play to release Murphy down the left to break into the box and 4 yards from the bye-line he squared the ball for the inrushing Caldwell only for Kian Burns to intercept and O’Neill mop up the danger.
Caldwell then chased down a long kick-out from Markey down the right and hooked the ball into the box for McWaters only for Rough to cut out the danger at the expense of a corner which was cleared.
Kerr beat Rough in the air to send a header into the box that McWaters chased down with O’Neill and McGlinchey on his heels and after initially holding them off, the latter gained control of the ball only to lose his footing and the ref penalised McWaters.
On 73 minutes Beith regained the lead. A throw on the left, from a few yards short of the bye-line, was headed on by Rowe and Monk leapt to nod the ball down into the six yard where Josh Fowler tpounced to lash the balll home from close range – Glenafton’s strong appeals that he done so from an offside position were waved away.
The visitors replaced Blair Rossiter with Steven Noble.
Back came Glens and McWaters won a corner kick on the left that was knocked out for another corner which was won in the air by Rowe and then his attempt to bury the loose ball was blocked in a packed six yard box by Rough. The ball was then headed out the box by Barclay only for Paton to hook it high back into the danger area from where Kerr’s header drifted wide of target.
Beith countered with a break down the left before the ball was drilled low across the face of goal beating Markey at his near post and Monk looked certain for a tap-in at the back post but failed to connect under pressure from McMullin.
The visitors then enjoyed a good spell of pressure. Markey had to be on his toes to leap and tip a cross from the right over the bar. The corner was played to the far side where although Frize’s attempt to clip it back into the danger area was blocked by McLean he recovered the ball well to fire it across the face of goal past Markey at his post only for Currie to hook it off the line and prevent Barclay scoring from close range.
On 81 minutes Beith made a double substitution with Calum Watt coming on for Paul Frize and Nicky Docherty replacing Kian Burns. Two minutes later Glens replaced Sam McKee with Sean McKenzie.
Glens pressed for a spell but there was little room for manoeuvre against a well drilled defence. Paton played a one-two with Caldwell before floating a ball into the box only for Kerr’ header to be well held by Stott.
At the other end a great into the box for Barclay was cut-out by a powerful two-fisted punch from Markey.
On 86 minutes Glens made a final change with defender Adam Caldwell making way for Michael Moffat. The home side pushed forward in numbers without fashioning an effort on goal and were almost caught out on the counter-attack after Monk slipped the ball wide to Fowler to crack a low angled shot that Markey smothered at his near post.
Four minutes into added time and the final push by the home side saw them win a free-kick inside the Beith half as players from both sides lined up along the 18 yard line and as Murphy floated a high ball into box the line advanced goalward while Stott progress from his goal-line to leapt and clutch the ball with both hands before falling to the ground and holding his prize tightly seconds before the final whistle.
FT Glens 1 Beith 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 22. Ollie Rowe 20. Dean Currie 35. Michael McMullin 2. Adam Caldwell ( 15.Michael Moffat) 8. Paul Paton (captain) 3. Scott McLean 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr 6. Alex McWaters 7. Sam McKee (16.Sean McKenzie) Subs: 5. Craig Pettigrew, Ryan Nisbet 18. Dylan O’Kane. 19. Cameron McKenzie, Callum McFadyen
BEITH JUNIORS
1. Owen Stott 2. Conner McGlinchley 3. Kian Burns (12. Nick Docherty) 4. Scot Rough 5. Daniel O’Neill 6. Declan Hughes 7. Ruaridh Langan (17. Lewis Barclay) 8. Paul Frize (15. Calum Watt) 9. Josh Fowler 10. Blair Rossiter (14. Steven Noble) 11. Andy Monk. Subs: 16. Robbie Scullion, 18. Carlo Monti, 21. Michael McKinven
Glenafton Athletic 