East Kilbride Thistle 1 Glenafton 6

Posted on April 16, 2022 by flowgently
The Kilmarnock Pie
WOSFL Cup 2nd Round		16/04/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Showpark, East Kilbride
East Kilbride Thistle 1 (0)Skinner
Glenafton Athletic 6 (3)Murphy 2, Rowe, Kemp 3

Glenafton made a number of changes to the eleven that started against Rutherglen Glencairn last Saturday with Calum Thomson, James Martin, Jamie McKernon and Hugh Kerr replacing Ross Fisher (injured), David Blyth, Mark Gilmour and Calvin Kemp. Also on the bench from Glenafton was goalkeeper Scott Johnston returning after being out injured.

In the East Kilbride dug-out was former Glenafton striker Aaron Connolly but unfortunately was out through injury.

East Kilbride kicked off and played the ball upfield which was quickly returned to their half where Sam McKee and Hugh Kerr combined to set up before the latter curled a ball into the box for the inrushing James Martin only for his header o whizz wide of the post.

The game got bogged down for spells as play was peppered with petty fouls along with loud shouts of ‘he’s aff ref’ as the lonely referee had no supporting assistants (linesmen).

However, the home side had some decent half chances in the opening 15 minutes. Andrew Skinner burst down the left and although his low cross into the goalmouth was blocked, he recovered the ball and floated it to the back post for the incoming Evan Duffy only for keeper David Markey to clutch it cleanly.

On 11 minutes a long clearance up the park by the Glens was smartly mopped up by the EK defence and the ball gathered by David McKean in the centre circle to play a long superb pass upfield to the right-hand-side of the penalty box for Duffy to instantly dispatch it to the heart of the goal mouth but just inches beyond the reach of the incoming Skinner. However, the home side, as they say recycled the ball brilliantly with a string of passes to set up Adam Edgar deep in the box, only for his shot from a tight angle to bulge the side-netting.

Glens began to get the upper hand in terms of possession and James Martin’s runs were keeping the EK defence on their toes. On 14 minutes he intercepted a clearance from the corner flag and from the right flank cut inside along the 18-yard line skipping past defenders at will before cracking a shot from the ‘D’ that flew wide of the post.  The visitors won a couple of corners that were well defended before Martin cut inside from the right again and on this occasion keeper Harry Purves comfortably held his shot from 20 yards.

James Martin on the ball

Glenafton broke the deadlock on 30 minutes. Another Glens corner-kick was cleared with a long high ball upfield for Skinner to chase only for Alan Cairns to intercept with a header that was gathered at the left hand-side of the centre circle by Martin who twisted and turned to shake off a defender. The midfielder then switched the ball to Jamie McKernon on the right who took another defender out of play before slipping the ball into the box for Sam McKee to give yet another defender the slip before driving to the bye-line and cutting the ball back into a busy six-yard box where although the keeper got a hand to it, the ball fell for Leon Murphy to fire home from 5 yards out.

Glens continued to press and on 37 minutes doubled their lead. Calum Thomson launched a long ball down the right where Kerr won the aerial battle with Cole McIntrye before Sam McKee snapped up the loose ball and after giving McKean the slip he rolled a perfectly weighted pass to Leon Murphy, free on the 18 yard line, to break into the box and from 10 yards out clip the ball beyond the reach of the advancing keeper into the far corner of the goal. Despite protestations (either about Kerr’s challenge or a possible off-side?), the goal stood.

Three minutes later Markey launched a goal kick high upfield where Kerr trapped the ball on his thigh before cutting inside and unleashing a low shot from 30 yards that keeper Purves did well to get down low and push wide for a corner. Murphy floated the corner kick into heart of the six-yard box which by-passed attackers and defenders and fell for McKee at the back post where his shot was deflected by Ross McLellan sending it high in the air back toward Murphy wide on the right of the penalty box who side-stepped Alexander McDonald before clipping a glorious ball to the back post where Ollie Rowe outjumped Paul Smith to send a header past the keeper from 3 yards out. Glens 3-0 up on 41 minutes.

In the closing action of the half Stephen White earned a free kick on the bye-line five yards from the 18 yard box. The ‘short-corner’ however was over-hit and the chance gone leaving a shell-shocked Thistle to go in at the break having conceded three goals in an 11 minute spell.

HT East Kilbride 0 Glens 3

Glenafton made one change at the break with Calvin Kemp coming on for Sam McKee and he was soon off the mark extending the visitors lead on 48 minutes. McKernon released Murphy down the left who jinked past White before slipping the ball to Cairns in the box only for the back tracking White to nick the ball from his feet sending the Glens defender stumbling to the ground. However, Matthew Gray’s attempt to clear the ball saw Cairns, still on knees, nod the ball down into the path of Kerr who swivelled and whipped the ball between two defenders to pick out Kemp on the six yard line to turn and slam the ball home with the keeper stranded at the post and McLellan closing in.

The visitors made a change with Ollie Rowe making way for Aaron Miller.

On 50 minutes Thistle pulled one back after Skinner was impeded at the edge of the box. Smith curled a cracking free-kick over the wall only for the ball to smack off the bar and the alert Skinner to pounce and slot the ball past Markey and into the net.

Incredibly the Glens restored their four-goal cushion a minute later. Gray’s upfield clearance from the bye-line was cut-out by Cairns and played into the path of Kemp who turned before lashing an unstoppable shot from 22 yards. Glens 5-1 up in 51 minutes.

Glens continued to press with captain Craig Pettigrew initiating a number of the breaks, pinging long passes from the heart of the defence. On 54 minutes  Kemp threaded a great ball through for Kerr to chase down in the box only for Purves to rush from his line and deflect the striker’s shot from the penalty spot wide of the post. The corner-kick ignited a good old stramash in the six-yard box with Miller’s shot blocked by McLellan and Kemp’s attempt to bury the rebound battered off the post. The visitors recovered the ball and it eventually fell for McKernon on the left-hand side of the box to curl a shot that beat Purves but slipped past the far post.

Aaron Miller’s shot is blocked

On the hour mark Thistle brought on Dean Fitzpatrick for Alexander McDonald.

Soon after a great through ball from White saw Skinner chase it down in the box only for Markey to block his shot with an outstretched leg and then push away Adam Edgar’s attempt to bury the rebound before Thomson mopped up the loose ball.

Thistle made a further change with Kyle Kidd coming on for Evan Duffy.

Kerr had another lung-bursting run into the box chased by Gray and claims he had been pulled back wee away. Later he showed the defender a clean pair of heels as the broke forward to edge of the box before blasting a ball that dipped over the bar.

Play then flowed from end to end but with defences on top clear cut chances were thin on the ground with the best of those falling to the Glens.  On 82 minutes Murphy curled a corner to the far corner of the six yard box where Pettigrew towered above two defenders to bullet a seemingly net-bound header only for White to head it off the line with the keeper beaten. The loose ball fell for Bennie and his powerful shot smacked the brave White full on the chest and Kemp’s attempt was then held by the keeper.

Craig Pettigrew’s header will be cleared off the line

Glens made their final change with Jamie McKernon, after a great shift, made way for Darren Curtis.

Kemp switched play from eft to right where Kerr held off White to fashion a low angled shot from 10 yards that Purves did well to block with his feet.

Thistle then enjoyed a spell of pressure in the closing minutes winning a corner-kick that was eventually scrambled cleared in a busy box. Soon after the tireless Skinner whipped the ball across the face of goal only for Bennie to block Edgar’s effort and Cairns to clear the ball from Kidd.

However, it was Glenafton that had the final say on 89 minutes. Martin from tight on the right clipped the ball into the box for incoming Kemp to meet it on the bounce and lob it over keeper’s head to complete his hat-trick and the scoring.

The final whistle soon after the Glens celebrations had concluded and the New Cumnock progressed to the 3rd round of the Killie Pie Cuo.

FT East Kilbride Th. 1 Glenafton 6

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Calum Thomson 4.  Sean Bennie 5. Craig Pettigrew (c ) 3. Alan Cairns, 7. James Martin 6. Jamie McKernon (17. Darren Curtis) 8. Ollie Rowe (16. Aaron Miller) 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Sam McKee (12. Calvin Kemp). Subs Not Used: 14. David Blyth 16. Mark Gilmour 21. Scott Johnson (gk)
EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE
1. Harry Purves 2. Stephen White 3. Ross McLellan 4. Matthew Gray 5. Cole McIntyre 6. David McKean 7. Evan Duffy (12. Kyle Kidd) 8. Alexander McDonald (15.Dean Fitzpatrick) 9. Andrew Skinner 10. Paul Smith 11. Adam Edgar Subs Not Used: 14. Jack McKenna)
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East Kilbride Thistle v Glenafton Athletic
Match Photos
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Glenafton 0 Rutherglen 2

Posted on April 9, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 3109/04/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic0 (0)
Rutherglen Glencairn2 (1)Mitchell, Pearson

Glenafton made one change to the 11 that started against Beith last week with striker Calvin Kemp making his Glens debut coming in for the unavailable Hugh Kerr. Meanwhile on the bench for Rutherglen was former Afton striker Kit Cummins.

Glenafton’s unbeaten run of 4 wins and 1 draw came to an end through two second half goals from Rutherglen.

There were few chances in the first half the best of which fell to the visitors when Ross Fisher’s header from a Leon Murphy corner-kick whizzed inches wide of the post.

The visitors broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart. Although their strong appeals for a spot kick after Sean Bennie’s tackle on the left hand-side of the penalty box were waved away the free-kick that ensued was squared into the box where Harry Mitchell clipped a low shot towards goal and despite it lacking the power to bother David Markey a deflection off Ross Fisher put the ball the keeper’s reach and into the net.

The home side came with a whisker of drawing level after free-kick was floated into the goal mouth only to be cleared to the outskirts of the box where it was gathered by David Blyth and after giving a defender the slip cracked a left-footed shot that bounced off the base of the post.

Glencairn passed up a good chance when a good cross into the box ended with a close-range header flying high over the ball and soon after defensive header was sent flying high into the air ad was met on drop by Calvin Kemp only for his shot from 18 yards to dip over the bar.

On 75 minutes Glencairn double their lead. A great cross from tight on the right wing to the far post was headed back into the six yard box where substitute Reece Pearson coolly headed home

The remaining half-chances for both sides came and went as Rutherglen ran out 2-0 winners.

FT Glenafton 0 Rutherglen 2

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey; 2. Sean Bennie  (14. Darren Curtis) 5. Ross Fisher 4. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 7. David Blyth (12. Ryan Nisbet) 6. Ollie Rowe 8. Mark Gilmour (16. Aaron Miller) 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Calvin Kemp 10. Sam McKee. Subs Not Used: 17. Calum Thomson,  James Hart (gk).
RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN
Matt McGinley; Callum Shields, Scott Schoneville, Craig Leitch, Mick O’Byrne, Tam Miller (Connor Neilson), Tommy Lone, Darren Burns (Reece Pearson), Jack McIlveen, Sean McGuire, Harry Mitchell Subs. Imrie, Swan, Craig Murray, Kit Cummins, Fraser Malcolm, Scott McLellan (gk)
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Beith 1 Glenafton 3

Posted on April 2, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 3002/04/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Bellsdale Park, Beith
Beith Juniors1 (0)Fowler
Glenafton Athletic 3 (1)Rowe, Fisher, Murphy

Glenafton made one change to the 11 that started against Cumnock Juniors last Saturday with keeper David Markey returning from suspension and James Hart returning to the bench. Also on the bench for the Glens was midweek signing striker Calvin Kemp. Meanwhile, in the Beith line-up was former Glenafton midfielder Ally Park.

Beith kicked off, up the slope on a crisp and sunny Spring Saturday. The visitors were quick to settle and enjoyed a good deal of the early possession not giving the home side any time to dwell on the ball with keeper Dale Burgess in particular having to clear his lines in jig time.  Nevertheless, it was that evergreen Beith striker Kenny McLean that was first to hit the target when his header from Jordan Duffy’s cross fell comfortably into the hands of David Markey.

On 12 minutes David Blyth nicked the ball from the feet of Jordon Duffy and then weaved his way past Paul Frize before laying the ball inside for Leon Murphy to gather at the half-way line. The midfielder then pushed forward and slipped a great ball down the left wing to match Hugh Kerr’s run enabling the striker to drive to the outskirts of the box before whipping a great ball to the back post for the incoming Sam McKee only for Kai Pearson to intervene and send a diving header flying inches wide of his own goal.

Blyth’s floated the corner to the far end of the six-yard box and with Ollie Rowe timing his run to perfection he arrived as scheduled to rise above three static defenders and head the ball over the keeper at the near post across for Kerr at the back post only for Pearson to get a touch and deflect the ball wide. On this occasion Burgess clutched Blyth’s corner kick unchallenged. Soon after the keeper handled Mark Gilmour’s shot from 30 yards with the same dexterity.

Beith countered through Ally Park picking up the ball in the centre circle and clipping it out to the left for Frize to push up the wing and cut a low cross deep into the box for McLean to take a touch before it fell for Josh Fowler on the edge of the six-yard box with Craig Pettigrew for company. The Glens captain managed to disarm the immediate danger before the ball was eventually cleared after a good old 3-a-side stramash.

Sam McKee and David Blyth with Kai Pearson

On 20 minutes Glens won a shy on the right, in line with the 18-yard box. Sean Bennie launched the throw high into the box and although the ball dropped over the head of Kerr and his marker it took a big bounce forcing Calum Watt in the six-yard box to intervene as Murphy threatened. He headed the ball high into the air pulling a great save out of his keeper who managed to push it onto the bar and then fall to the ground to grab it with both hands preventing Kerr from poking it home from 2 yards out.

At the other end Watt won a corner-kick which was played to Park at the near post only to be cleared by Rowe and although the home side regained possession it soon changed hands again as the Glens defence stood firm.

Glens began to press with attacks down both flanks and on 27 minutes they broke the deadlock. It began from a throw-in from the left where Alan Cairns picked out Kerr only for the striker to be closed down by Pearson and Park and so he returned the ball to Cairns who took a touch to send Park the wrong way before curling a great ball into the box where Ollie Rowe, close to the penalty spot, got the jump on Duffy and head the ball beyond the reach of Burgess and taking a bounce before nestling in the net for the big man’s 7th goal of the season.

The visitors kept the pressure on chasing down every ball and drawing some unforced errors from their hosts albeit without creating any clear-cut chances.

Beith got their bearings and started to ascend the slope through Del Hepburn breaking up the left and whipping the to the back post for McLean only for Cairns to intercept and head out for a corner. Hepburn’s kick to back post was headed clear by Fisher and the ball eventually recovered by Duffy who forced his way to the bye-line only to be robbed by Pettigrew at the expense of a throw which was gathered by Frize who held off a number of defenders before floating the ball across the face of goal but with no takers Park had to chase it to the far touchline only for Rowe to follow suit and with a sliding tackle knock the ball out for a throw.

Mark Gilmour with Ally Park

The hosts continued to press for an equaliser before the break without testing the keeper and Glens finished the half on the front foot with a couple of set pieces that were both well defended.

HT Beith 0 Glens 1  

Glens were now playing up the slope and any fears that their tempo would drop were soon allayed with powerful and determined running from full backs, midfield and forwards. Indeed, it was often the case with Beith chasing the game that defenders tracking back were often left chasing the long shadows up the slope.

Bennie and the jet McKee combined up the right before the latter was impeded on the outskirts of the box. Murphy curled the free kick into a busy box from where Kerr’s header flew wide of the post. At the other end Markey plucked a Beith corner from under his bar. Glens replied with two corners of their own that were repelled. Soon after Murphy on the left, weaved his way to the bye-line before clipping the ball into the box for Kerr only for his volley from 8 yards to drift wide of the post.

Glens continued to press and a lung bursting run up the left by Bennie earned a corner kick. Although Blyth overhit it, McKee chased after the ball with Frize on his heels and prevented a throw-in before turning to head for goal. He then skipped past Frize and from the edge of the box cut the ball back to Pettigrew 10 yards from goal and with four defenders in the six-yard box he picked out Ross Fisher on the edge of the box who coolly back-heeled the ball into the net.  Glens 2-0 up on 55 minutes.

The visitors’ tails were up and soon after McKee and Kerr combined brilliantly to work the ball deep into the box only for Kerr’s cut-back to fall between McKee and Murphy. Another break up the left from Murphy saw his cross into the box trapped well by Blyth only for his shot to drift wide of the post.

Some respite, it seemed, for Beith winning a corner only for Pettigrew to whip the ball from the feet of Fowler at the near post and pick out Blyth on the right wing and with Duffy at his back he laid it off to Bennie. The marauding fullback instantly arrowed a 25 yard pass up the hill to McKee to gather and skip past a defender to drive into the box and from the bye-line tried to pick out the incoming Blyth only for Park to clear the danger at the expense of the corner. This was the Glens young guns at their best and as rewarding to watch as a goal. Blyth then dropped the corner on the head of Rowe in the six-yard box only for Burgess to hold the header.

Hugh Kerr in the box

Beith made their first substitution with Kevin Watt replacing Kai Pearson on the hour mark.

Played rage back and forth for a time with the visitors still looking the most dangerous. Blyth, from the centre circle, took three defenders out of play to release Kerr for a free run into the box only for his cut-back to be deflected into Burgess’s arms by McMahon.

The home side then conjured up their best move of the game so far. Hepburn burst down the left at speed and midway into the Glens’ half he squared the ball inside to Kevin Watt who rolled it back to Calum Watt to fashion a perfectly ball to pick out Hepburn at the corner of the box who then threaded a great pass between two defenders for Fowler to take a touch before firing a low angled shot which Markey did well to get down and hold.

Back came Glens and Pettigrew met a corner on the drop sending the ball high into the air and Burgess with Kerr on the goal did well to rise and clutch the ball safely before falling awkwardly.

At the other end Hepburn and Kevin Watt played a neat one-two down which ended with Markey smothering Hepburn’s low shot from a tight angle.

Beith made another change with Jordan Duffy making way for Lewis Barclay but before he could settle into the game the Glens increased their lead.

On 73 minutes Fisher launched a long ball up the right over the heads of two defenders for McKee to trap brilliantly and cut inside past said two defenders before playing a short one-two with Kerr and then clipping a forward diagonal ball, taking out three other defenders, to match Leon Murphy’s run to the left-hand side of the box who then drilled a low shot past the advancing keeper that found the gaping net via the inside of the back post.

Soon after Glens brought on Ryan Nisbet for David Blyth who left the field to a well earned round of applause from the travelling support and the dug-out. While Beith made their final changes with player/manager Bryan Young replacing Ally Park.

Nisbet was soon in the thick of the action after collecting a header from Fisher on the half-way line. He quickly clipped the ball up the wing into acres of space for McKee to chase down before sprinting upfield into the heart of the box where he met McKee’s cross only for his header to be blocked by Burgess and then collect the loose ball.

The keeper then rolled the ball out to Hepburn who weaved his way free from a clutch of three Glens players before breaking forward to the centre circle and hitting a glorious ball downfield for Young to gather on the right-hand side of the box and whip a wicked all into the six yard box where Josh Fowler bulleted a header into the corner of the net. Beith 1 Glens 3 with 10 minutes to go.

Three minutes later the home side had a glorious chance to pull another goal back after the keeper’s long punt into the box was nodded down by Fowler into the path of Kevin Watt, but by the time he had controlled the ball Fisher was in place to block his shot on the six-yard line.

Glens recovered from the wobble. Murphy trapped a high ball tight on the left touchline at the half-way line and sold a defender a dummy before pushing forward and switching the play to the right of the penalty box for Nisbet to snap up and cut inside past Barclay before firing wide of target under pressure from Danny O’Neill.

At the other end Calum Watt and McLean combined well to work their way into the box by the Pettigrew Fisher combo stood strong and cleared the danger.

In a frantic final five minutes play ebbed back and forth and Nisbet was unlucky not to add a fourth on the final minute of the regulation ninety. Deep in his own half, he intercepted a cross-field pass to Hepburn and bombed upfield slipping the ball past one side of Barclay before sprinting past him on the other to re-unite with the ball and then burst into the right-hand side of the box where his shot from a tight angle was tipped over the bar by Burgess.

Keith Burgess tips Ryan Nisbet’s shot over the bar

The visitors kept control of the ball throughout added-time to finish worthy winners.

FT Beith 1 Glenafton 3

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey; 2. Sean Bennie 5. Ross Fisher 4. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 7. David Blyth (12. Ryan Nisbet) 6. Ollie Burke 8. Mark Gilmour 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Sam McKee. Subs Not Used: 14. Calvin Kemp 15. James Martin 16. Aaron Miller 17. Calum Thomson 18. Darren Curtis, James Hart (gk)
BEITH JUNIORS
: 1. Dale Burgess 2. Larry McMahon 3. Jordan Duffy (14. Lewis Barclay) 4. Danny O’Neill 5. Kai Pearson (18. Kevin Watt) 6. Ally Park (16. Bryan Young) 7. Calum Watt 8. Paul Frize 9. Kenny McLean 10. Josh Fowler 11. Del Hepburn. Subs Not Used: 12. Dean McBride 15. Calum Imrie 17. Jordon Hood 19. Aiden Wood (gk)
Match Photos
Beith Juniors v Glenafton Athletic
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Glenafton 1 Cumnock 0

Posted on March 26, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2926/03/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic 1 (0)Kerr
Cumnock Juniors0 (0)
Glenafton Athletic (early 70s) | Tam Burley back row 3rd from the left

Everyone at Glenafton Atheltic was saddened to hear that former player Tam Burley had passed away recently and their thoughts are with Tam’s family and friends. The big popular full-back played in the Glens side of the early 1970s. Prior to kick-off supporters from both sides joined Glenafton and Cumnock in observing a minute’s silence.

In memory of Tam Burley ( Photo courtesy of Alan Orr)

Glenafton made three changes from the eleven that started against Rob Roy last Saturday. Local goalkeeper James Hart made his debut in goal replacing the suspended David Markey while James Martin and Ryan Nisbet made way for David Blyth and Sam McKee. Meanwhile in the Cumnock starting eleven were former Glenafton midfielders Finlay Frye and Darren McGill.

Both sides were in good form with the visitors winning their last 5 games in a row while the home side had won two and drawn one of their last three. In the season’s head-to-head Glens defeated Cumnock 4-1 in the corresponding league fixture at Townhead while Cumnock knocked the Glens out the Scottish Junior Cup in a penalty shoot-out at the same venue.

Glens were first to threaten through a Leon Murphy free-kick floated high into the box where Ollie Rowe got the better of Alan Murdoch in the aerial battle only for his header to drift wide of the post.

Craig Pettigrew’s headed clearance was snapped up by Hugh Kerr in the centre cricle and quickly picked out David Blyth on the right to break forward before whipping a dangerous ball across the face of goal for the incoming Sam McKee on this occasion Murdoch came out on top to intercept and clear at the expense of a corner kick, which was well defended.

Cumnock responded with a good run through the middle from Ryan Carnwarth before releasing Jordan Moore down the left where he was quickly robbed of the ball by Ross Fisher setting up a counter-attack with a long ball up the right for McKee, only for Steven Tart to block his passage into the box, knocking the ball out for a throw near the corner flag. Sean Bennie’ s shy to Kerr on the edge of the box was instantly returned and his attempt to clip the ball into the box cannoned off Tart sending it high into the air and was clutched safely on its descent by keeper Kieran Hughes at his near post.

Sean Bennie

Back came Cumnock again through Darren McGill, in the centre circle, gathering a pass from Finlay Frye before clipping a perfectly weighted ball down the left for Jordan Moore to chase down and send a low ball across the box but too far ahead of Frye to finish off a good move.

Blyth’s free kick into the box was headed well clear by Murdoch but Mark Gilmour was quick to react and 30 yards from goal controlled the ball with his chest. At the same time McGill sprinted from the box to close him down only to collide with the referee, sending both men crashing to the ground just as Gilmour cracked a great shot to the top corner that Hughes pushed away with both hands before picking up the loose ball. Thankfully both the referee and Darren were able to continue after a nasty looking accidental collision.

Indeed it was McGill that initiated Nock’s next attack switching play from the right with a high ball into the left hand side of the box for Andy McLaughlin only for Bennie to intercept with a well judged header. The loose ball was snapped up by Greg Ferry to launch a high ball to the far side of the box but just beyond the reach of Frye’s outstretched leg.

HT Glens 0 Cumnock 0

The home were first to show after the break through a long ball ball from Bennie for McKee to collect and cut inside only for his short pass to Kerr at the edge of the box to be blocked. McKee regained possession and slipped the ball to Blyth on the right to drive to the bye-line and cut inside before his low-angled shot was deflected wide for a corner.

A game of head tennis in the box followed as ‘Nock repeatedly cleared their lines with the ball eventually falling for Pettigrew on the edge box to blast a powerful volley that was powerfully headed back out by Murdoch. Gilmour pounced on the ball and headed it on to Blyth who was impeded on the ouskirts of the box and although his free-kick curled round the wall it was easily held by Hughes.

The visitors responded through Regan Ross, wide on the right, switching the ball to Ferry, wide on the left, to chest a perfectly weighted ball inoto the box for the inrushing Andy McLaughlin only for Bennie to track back and time his tackle to perfection.

Glens then earned a couple free kicks on the right touchline the first of which whizzed wide of the back post and the second cleanly clutched by Hughes.

On 72 minutes Glens won a shy on the right, level with the 18 yard line. Long throw specialist Bennie opted for a short throw to Blyth and set off down the wing to gather the return ball and fire it into box at waist level before it dipped for Hugh Kerr to meet it first time with his in-step to guide it gloriously into the far corner of the net.

Hugh Kerr

A Cumnock attack broke down in the Glens box and Bennie lauched the ball downfield where McKee and Blyth combined to pick out Gilmour who held off a challenge before drilling a low shot from 22 yards inches just wide of the post.

At the other end McLaughlin’s shot from 25 yards skewed well wide of Hart’s post. The visitors came close to drawing level however Ferry’s close range header from a corner-kick dipped over the bar. Cumnock continued to press with a long ball upfield by McLaughlin that Moore trapped in the box before taking two Glens defenders out of play with a cute ball intended for Smart Osaldor, forcing Bennie to resist risking a tackle, meanwhile Hart rushed from his line to bravely dive at the Nock striker’s feet to claim the ball on the six yard line.

James Hart

In the last action of the match Carlo Monti tried a speculative shot from 30 yards out that trundled well wide of target ensuring Hart a clean-sheet on his debut and three points for the Glens.

FT Glens 1 Cumnock 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. James Hart 2. Sean Bennie 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. Ross Fisher 3. Alan Cairns; 6. Mark Gilmour 7. David Blyth 8. Ollie Rowe 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr. 10.Sam McKee (12. Ryan Nisbet): Subs Not Used: 14. James Martin 15. Aaron Miller 16. Calum Thomson 17. Darren Curtis
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
1, Kieran Hughes 2. Regan Ross 3. Greg Ferry 4. Steven Tart 5. Alan Murdoch 6. Darren McGill 7. Finlay Frue 8. Ryan Carnwarth 9. Jordan Moore 10. Carlo Monti 11. Andy McLaughlin Subs: 12. Nathan Baird 14. Smart Osaldor 15. Alistair Miller 16. Adam Strain (gk)
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Rob Roy 2 Glenafton 2

Posted on March 19, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2819/03/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Guy’s Meadow, Cumbernauld
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy2 (0)Arbuckle, Daily
Glenafton Athletic2 (1)McKernon, Miller

Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Troon last week with James Martin coming in for Leon Murphy.

Kirkintilloch were quick off the mark and earned a corner kick in the opening minute that was headed clear at the near post by Hugh Kerr. Soon after, while defending another Rabs attack the visitors’ centre back pairing of captain Craig Pettigrew and Ross Fisher suffered a nasty looking clash of heads in the box. This forced Fisher to leaver the field of play for attention, however after returning he was unable to continue and was replaced with Aaron Miller on 10 minutes.

A minute later Rabs fashioned the first shot at goal after Robbie Young, on the left, played a short pass to Chris O’Kane who cut inside before firing the ball for the far top corner only for keeper David Markey to claw away the ball with an outstretched arm before gathering the ball.

Play got bogged down with both sides scrapping for loose balls and possession changing from one to the other before the deadlock was broken on 16 minutes.

A long ball down the left for Nisbet to chase saw Rabs defender Cameron Henry get his head to the ball and then prevented the corner-kick by knocking it out for a shy. Mark Gilmour’s short throw to Kerr in the box saw him challenged in the air by both Henry and Dean Cairns and as the Glens striker chased down the loose ball, so too did O’Kane who was adjudged to have caught Kerr in the back of leg and the referee pointed to the spot. The Rabs’ protests fell on deaf ears before Jamie McKernon stepped up to blast the ball and bulge the net to put the Glens ahead, despite keeper Reece Murdoch’s gallant effort.

Play quickly returned to the same pattern as before with determined defences on top and only patches of flowing football on show with chances restricted to the half variety.

On 24 minutes a good passage of play saw the home side string half-a-dozen passes to move the ball from deep on their left to wide on the right upfield, where Michael Baber unleashed a powerful shot from the corner of the penalty box only for it to rebound off the back of Pettigrew and out for a corner. The ball was floated high into the box and headed on by Conner Bell to be met by O’Kane at the edge of the box who cracked a shot that whizzed inches wide of the far post.

Glens responded through Nisbet pouncing on Kerr’s headed knock-on and quickly burst into the right-hand side of the box only for his ball across the face of the goal to be just beyond the incoming Kerr to complete the one-two.

Back came Rabs with Craig Truesdale clipping a ball into the box which was headed clear by Rowe before the ball eventually fell for Baber who tried his luck again with another low rocket shot that Markey did well to get down low and hold the ball tightly, as O’Kane followed in for any spillages.

Chances remained thin on the ground but James Martin for the Glens and Callum Scott for the Rabs both conjured up exciting runs through the middle each weaving through a clutch of opponents before encountering impenetrable defences.

HT Glens 1 Rob Roy 0

Early set pieces ended with a Glens corner kick coming to nothing and O’Kane’s free kick from 25 yards being comfortably held by Markey.

Glenafton made their first change with Sam McKee replacing Ryan Nisbet and soon after he played a lightning quick one-two, tight on the right wing, with James Martin to break upfield only for his cut back from the bye line to be cleared.

Rabs then made a change with Ben Daily replacing Callum Scott and enjoyed a good spell of pressure that kept the Glens defence on their toes and Pettigrew commanding the airways with a number of clearing headers.

The game continued at a hectic pace, back & forth, without either keeper being tested with both defences mopping up the danger which on turn would lead to counter-attacks that suffered the same fate.

On 65 minutes Truesdale from the left-hand side of the box clipped the ball back for Scott Walker to gather and tried a chip from 25 yards but it lacked the height to trouble Markey who clutched it cleanly. Soon after the Glens goalie smothered a low angled shot from Baber, at the base of his post.

Further substitutions saw Glens bring on Leon Murphy for James Martin and Rabs replace Robbie Young with Gary Arbuckle and Michael Baber with Ian Gold.

On 73 minutes the home side drew level from the penalty spot after Pettigrew was adjudged to have pushed a Rabs player before winning another header deep in the box. Tables turned the Glens pleas went unheeded and Gary Arbuckle coolly picked his spot to send Markey the wrong way and level the scores.

Five minutes later Daily and Arbuckle combined to set up Dean Cairns for a shot from the edge of the box only for the midfielder to drag it well wide of target.

Glens then pressed and a great ball from Alan Cairns into the box for Kerr was well intercepted by Henry at the expense of a corner kick. McKernon floated the kick high into the box where Rowe got the better of Henry, arching his back to send a header soaring high into the six-yard box where Aaron Miller leapt to bullet a header over the keeper and into the roof of the net.  Glens 2-1 upon 80 minutes.

Rabs tried to hit back immediately but Daily pulled his shot wide of target, however 5 minutes later the home side were awarded another spot kick after Dean Cairns skipped past his namesake Alans Cairns and went down a yard inside the box, nearn the bye-line from a Gilmour tackle; his plea that he won the ball waved away. Up stepped Arbuckle again only for Markey to block it with his knees and then block Daily’s attempt to hit home the rebound sending the ball well out the six-yard box for Pettigrew to launch it upfield. Only then did the assistant referee raise his flag apparently for Markey coming off his line at the spot-kick. Why the delay?  

Rabs changed penalty-taker and Ben Daily tucked away the kick into the corner of the net, to level the match on 86 minutes.

The ball was placed on the centre-circle for play to resume, however the drama wasn’t over as the assistant referee, now back on the touch line raised his flag again and clearly intimated that Markey, still in his goalmouth, had said something to warrant the referee to march back to within a yard of the keeper and brandish a red card. Full back Sean Bennie was handed the keeper’s jersey and his only action was to clutch a deflected shot to prevent a corner-kick.

The ten men didn’t sit back and went in search of a late winner. Murphy from tight on the right whipped a great ball into the box but just beyond the reach of both the incoming Kerr and Rowe. Four minutes into added time and Glens won a corner kick which was headed back out at the near post for McKernon to float the ball back into the box only for this to cleared and Rabs break upfield with McKernon chasing back to get a tackle in the box before referee blew for time.

FT Rob Roy 2 Glens 2

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Sean Bennie 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. Ross Fisher (18. Aaron Miller) 3. Alan Cairns; 7. James Martin (14. Leon Murphy) 6. Jamie McKernon 8. Ollie Rowe 11. Mark Gilmour 9. Hugh Kerr. 10. Ryan Nisbet (12. Sam McKee) ). Subs not used: 15. David Blyth 16. Fergus Dee 17. Darren Curtis 19. Calum Thomson.
KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY
1. Reece Murdoch 2. Scott Walker 3. Luke Kelly 4. Conor Bell 5. Cameron Henry 6. Dean Cairns 7. Michael Baber (18. Ian Gold)  8. Chris O’Kane 9. Robbie Young (15. Gary Arbuckle) 10. Craig Truesdale 11. Callum Scott  (16. Ben Daily)
Match Photos
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy vs. Glenafton Atheltic
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Glenafton 3 Troon 1

Posted on March 12, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2712/03/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic3 (2)McKernon, Rowe, Kerr
Troon 1 (1)Jamieson

Glenafton’s new management team of Ryan Stevenson and Mark Roberts, in their first match in charge at Loch Park, saw their side come from behind to secure back-to-back league wins.

The Glens made one change from the eleven that started at Hurlford last week with Sam McKee coming in for Ryan Nisbet. On the bench for Troon was former Glens’ midfielder Dale ‘Gunner’ Moore.

The Seasiders enjoyed an early wave of attacks that yielded a couple of decent chances. The first of which saw Sam Jamieson break into the right-hand side of the box to fire a low angled shot that keeper David Markey pushed wide. Two corner-kicks followed in quick succession, the second of which was headed back out towards the touchline only to be snapped up by Jamie Gallagher to drive into the box but his low shot from a tight angle found the side netting.

Glens had a couple of forays upfield without testing keeper Paddy O’Neil other than forcing him to run from his goal-line line to the outskirts of the box to clear a ball being chased down by the tireless Hugh Kerr. A break down the right by James Martin ended with a trip by Gallagher on the outskirts of the box and although Leon Murphy’s free-kick cannoned off the wall the ball, as they say, was recycled and after 4 or 5 passes it was back with Murphy on the left-hand side of the 18-yard line. From here he curled a cross into the six-yard box where Kerr, surrounded by three defenders, got the slightest of touches to send the ball wide of target.

On 20 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock with a touch of quality starting from a throw-in on the left 25 yards from the bye-line. Jack Sherrie took a short throw to Josh Black who quickly returned it to the thrower who then threaded a ball to Jamieson who cut inside to progress parallel with the 18 yard line before squaring a long ball to Mark Morrison in acres of space on the right touchline. Here he pushed forward before clipping the ball high into box where Jamieson trapped it with his right foot and after a couple of touches lashed it home with his left from 15 yards out between two defenders and into the corner of the net beyond the reach of Markey at full stretch.

Soon after Glens suffered another scare from Josh Black’s free-kick floated into a busy box but a resolute defence stood firm to eventually scramble clear the danger.

The home side began to enjoy some decent spells of possession with Kerr holding off defender after a defender as he battled to pick out a pass. During the press Glens won a couple of free-kicks the first cleared and the second saw Jamie McKernon, tight on the left-hand touch line, clip the ball into the box where centre back Darren Miller was penalised, it seems for barging into the back of Kerr. After the Troon protests had quietened down, keeper Paddy O’Brien kept his cool to dive low to his right and saved Murphy’s spot kick with his right hand before clutching the ball safely with both to preserve the visitors’ lead on 30 minutes.

However, Afton heads didn’t drop and they continued to press with McKernon bossing the midfield. McKee wide on the right gave Stephen Wilson the slip before lofting a cross into the box which went over the heads of the tussling Kerr and Ewan McLevy leaving Murphy and Morrison to challenge for the ball only for the Glens midfielder to land awkwardly and in some pain requiring play to be stopped soon after.  Kerr then gave a clutch of Seasiders the run-a-round before being brought down and McKernon smacked the free-kick from 25 yards pulling off a good save from O’Neil, the keeper rising to clutch the ball and then hold it cleanly as he fell to the ground.

Troon responded through Morrison picking out Ben Black in the box but McKee and Fisher doubled up to prevent a shot at goal while Glens counter attack saw them win a free kick on the outskirts the box after Jack Sherrie handled the ball in a challenge with James Martin.

McKernon lined up the free-kick some 22 yards out close to the corner of the penalty box as Troon lined up a three-man wall while another half dozen Glens players and their markers set up for the chip to the far side of the box ande O’Neill planted himself in the centre of his goal-line. In a flash Jambo thumped a vicious low shot whizzing past the left-hand side of the wall and curling it into the near corner of the net with the keeper wrong-footed, to level the match on 39 minutes.

With their tails up, the Glens continued to press. The tide had turned on the rattled Seasiders and the waves of attack were now coming from New Cumnock side. O’Neill had to rush from his line to beat Kerr to the ball. McKernon powered forward with Martin at his side before laying it off to him in the box where the midfielder’s low shot was stopped, fumbled and recovered by the keeper.

Sean Bennie then stripped Jamieson of the ball in the centre circle and McKernon snapped up the loose ball played a one two with Craig Pettigrew and clipped a ball over the heads of a couple of defenders into the box for McKee only for his shot from 8 yards to be bravely blocked by McLevy at the expense of a corner-kick.  Murphy curled a glorious ball into the heart of the six yard box and having timed his run from the penalty spot to perfection Ollie Rowe rose sweetly and unchallenged to nod the ball home to put the Glens ahead on 45 minutes.

By the time the Glen celebrations and the Troon post-mortems had subsided the referee blew to end the half.

HT Glens 2 Troon 1

The new half started with the frustrated Wilson trying to wrestle the ball from McKernon without success only to concede an early free kick that was well defended by Troon. Their rapid counter attack produced the first of multiple and ultimately fruitless corner kicks they would win in the second 45.

Pettigrew headed this one clear and McKee hooked the ball down the right where Kerr robbed Miller of the ball sending it further down the touchline but having to hurdle the fallen centre-back gave the alert O’Neill enough time to abandon his box and knock the ball out for a throw.  Glens pressed again through Alan Cairns clipping a free-kick into the box only for Martin’s high looping header falling into the arms of O’Neill.  

Troon then enjoyed a good spell of pressure pegging Glens back in their own box with Ben Black prominent in the attack keeping Pettigrew & Fisher busy at the heart of the defence.

On 55 minutes Troon replaced Wilson with Dean Fulton and turned up the pressure with free-kicks, long throws and corner-kicks into a mobbed Glens box but again the red shirts stood firm. In one such attack Rowe nicked the ball from the feet of McLevy and released McKee down the right who wasted no time in cutting inside and giving Montgomery the slip at the corner of the box before drilling a low shot from 18 yards that O’Neil held at the second attempt.

Troon turned the screw again and continued to breach the Glens box without testing Markey until the 57th minute when the keeper blocked Ben Black’s close range shot at the expense of a corner which Bennie booted clear at the near post. Another corner from the right followed soon after which Kerr headed away at the near post.

Jamieson then played a superb one-two with Ben Black to burst into the left-hand side of the box only for his shot from a tight angle to be cut out by Bennie and although Markey clutched the resulting corner under the bar it slipped from his hands and the visitors quickly recovered the ball. However, Black’s chip into the box was cleared by Fisher, gathered by Kerr who rolled it back for Martin to drive through the middle evading numerous blue shirts on the way before slipping the ball to McKee on the right to cut inside only to be foiled by Montgomery.

On 63 minutes Glens brought on the fresh legs and replaced Martin and McKee with David Blyth and Ryan Nisbet. Former Troon player Nisbet was soon in the thick of the action flying down the left squeezing between Miller and McLevy to break into the box only for the latter to catch up and recover the ball with a well-timed tackle. Glens recovered the ball through Kerr who had a free run into the box but with only the keeper to beat his’ fresh-air’ shot saw the ball aimlessly run wide of the post.

The visitors brought on Sam McCloskey for Josh Black.

A Troon free-kick was floated into the ‘D’ where Cairns headed it high into the air and as Jamieson met it on the drop to flick it into the box Bennie was penalised and booked for hand-ball. The wall stood firm to block Jamieson’s free kick and the loose ball was scrambled clear. Sherrie then chased a ball down the left before hooking a high ball to the back post where Jamieson tried to guide it home only for Fisher to block and Jamieson then roll the loose ball back to Gallagher but his weak shot from 18 yards bobbled well wide of target.  The visitors piled on the pressure and another corner saw Miller win the aerial battle in the six-yard box but his header dipped over the bar. Soon after another long high ball into the box saw Pettigrew get the jump of Sherrie to head clear.

On 75 minutes Troon brought on Dale Moore for Ben Black.

A breather for the Glens when Blyth clipped a ball down the middle for Nisbet to chase down in the box with McLevy for company but again it was the alert O’Neil that won the race clutching the ball 16 yards from his goal-line.

Back came Troon with Fulton whipping a great ball in from the right and although Jamieson, under pressure from Bennie, failed to get his header on target the ball fell for Moore to lash an angled shot from 14 yards that flew inches wide of the junction of bar and post.

Glens worked themselves back into the game. Blyth picked up a short throw-in from Bennie at the edge of the box and then chipped a great ball over a trio of defenders for the ball to fall for the incoming Murphy only for his shot from 12 yards to be deflected wide for a corner. Murphy played it short to Blyth who clipped it to the far post where Pettigrew headed it back into the danger area only for McCloskey to head it well clear of the box to be quickly returned with a fierce shot from McKernon that dipped over the bar as O’Neil looked on.

On 82 minutes the pressure paid off and the Glens doubled their lead. Another attack had been cleared to the edge of box where Rowe got the better of Montgomery at the second attempt and McKernon beat Jamieson to the loose ball. From here he chipped it forward to the right-hand corner of the box for Nisbet, in acres of space, to chase it down and take a couple of touches before clipping a glorious ball across the face of the goal taking three defenders and the keeper out of play to set up the incoming Hugh Kerr to slam the ball home from 3 yards out. The celebrations matched the quality of the goal.

Centre-back Darren Miller was clearly in some distress and had to leave the field. Nevertheless the 10 men fashioned a couple of chances from set pieces. A corner kick was cleared by Fisher’s header at the near post and later although Sherrie’s free kick from 20 yards beat the wall the ball was held comfortably by Markey.

Glens managed the closing minutes of the game keeping possession with runs down both flanks.

FT Glenafton 3 Troon 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Sean Bennie 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. Ross Fisher 3. Alan Cairns; 7. James Martin (15. David Blyth) 6. Jamie McKernon 8. Ollie Rowe 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr. 10 Sam McKee (18 Ryan Nisbet). Subs not used: 12. Mark Gilmour 14. Aaron Miller 16. Fergus Dee 17. Darren Curtis 19. Calum Thomson.
TROON
1. Paddy O’Neil 2. Ewan McLevy 5. Darren Miller 6. Jack Sherrie 7. Ben Black (11. Dale Moore) 8. Ray Montgomerie 10. Stephen Wilson (14. Dean Fulton) 16. Mark Morrison 17. Josh Black (3. Sam McCloskey) 18. Sam Jamieson 19. Jamie Gallagher. Subs Not Used: 9. Joirdan Vernon 15. Aaron Boyd 20. Kieron McCulloch 21. Marc Fisher (gk)
Match Photos
Glenafton Athletic v Troon
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Hurlford 0 Glenafton 2

Posted on March 5, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2605/03/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Blair Park, Hurlford
Hurlford United0 (0)
Glenafton Athletic2 (0)Murphy (2)

On a glorious day at Blair Park a minute’s applause was held before kick-off in memory of 81 year old Jim Clark, a great servant to Hurlford United as both a supporter and on the committee.

Under the new management team of Ryan Stevenson and Mark Roberts the Glens made no changes to the eleven that started against Bonnyton last Saturday.

In a frantic opening few minutes the visitors were first to show through Sean Bennie’s long throw from near the corner flag that keeper Martin McDonald clutched cleanly at the post as Glens front men Hugh Kerr and Ryan Nisbet threatened.  Another long throw to the near post from Bennie saw Chris Robertson head it clear, back out to the touchline and Bennie duly whipped the ball to the back post where Leon Murphy’s header was mopped up. ‘Ford countered through former Glens player Paul McKenzie releasing Kris Kerr down the right and into the box before his low angled shot was held by keeper David Markey.

Play then went back & forth with neither box being breached before the hosts won a free-kick on 8 minutes which was floated into the six-yard box only for Chris Robertson’s close-range header to sneak inches wide of the post. Three minutes later Markey at full stretch turned a low diagonal shot from Jack Whittaker round the post and the corner-kick that followed was eventually cleared.

Glens were now being pegged back deep into their own half and a powerful run into a busy box by Whittaker was ended with a last-ditch perfectly timed tackle by Bennie before the trigger could be pulled.

captain Craig Pettigrew

Some respite for the visitors after James Martin won a free-kick wide on the right that was clipped into the box by Jamie McKernon where former ‘Ford favourite Ross Fisher leapt like a salmon only for his high looping header to dip over the bar.

Back came Hurlford and a cross from the left to the back was headed out by Craig Pettigrew as Marc McKenzie threatened, only for the ball to be retrieved by namesake Paul McKenzie on the outskirts of the box. Taz then cut back inside giving Alan Cairns the slip before trying to do the same to Pettigrew only for the Glens captain to clip his heels and the referee to point to the spot. Up stepped Marc McKenzie but was foiled by Markey who got down low to push the ball wide of target.

The visitors got a lift and began to push forward only to find Robertson and co-centre back Lewis Magee in determined mood to clear their lines. Back came Ford however and after some pressure won a corner kick on the right that was whipped into the six-yard box and although a quick dart from Taz got him to the ball his glancing header whizzed wide of the back post.

On 28 minutes Glens made the breakthrough in bizarre fashion. A long clearance down the right from Pettigrew saw Martin and Hugh Kerr put Ford defenders under pressure to win a corner kick. Leon Murphy drilled the ball low and hard to the near post where Kerr was being marked by Alex Bell, only for the ball to be missed both players and then deceive the luckless keeper McDonald who unfortunately turned the ball into his own net.

Glens were now the pressing team with lots of action in the Hurlford half and box. A McKernon free kick into a packed box led to the same player floating back-to-back corner kicks into the box and the home rear guard scramble them clear.  Another powerful run down the right touch-line by Martin earned a throw 8 yards from the bye-line that Bennie launched high into the six-yard box where McDonald showed strong hands to rise and clutch the ball above a clutch of players from both sides.

The visitors’ pressure paid off on 41 minutes.  Magee headed the ball upfield from his own half of the centre circle before Ollie Rowe’s powerful header sent the ball back downfield high over the defender’s head for Kerr to collect on the edge of the centre circle. McGee and Robertson gave chase without success as Kerr broke into the penalty box forcing keeper McDonald to rush from his line before taking the feet from the striker with an outstretched leg, earning him a yellow card and the Glens a penalty. Leon Murphy’s sweetly struck spot-kick sent the keeper the wrong way to double their lead.

In the remaining minutes of the half played raged back and forth at a pace with the best chance falling to the visitors after Magee clattered into Murphy a few yards outside the box who then dusted himself to take the free kick only for the Ford wall to do its job.

HT Hurlford 0 Glenafton 2

Glens started brightly with the running of Kerr and Nisbet keeping the Ford defence on their toes. However, it was the hosts that carved out the first chance of the half after Whittaker on the left cut inside only for his low angled shot to be blocked on the six-yard box by Pettigrew sending the ball into the ‘D’ where the inrushing Marc McKenzie cracked a low fizzer of a shot seemingly destined for the back of the net before Markey sprung into action to dive to his left and tip it round the post. Pettigrew won the aerial battle with Robertson to clear the corner-kick that followed.

Davidtips Marc McKenzie’s shot round the post.

On 52 minutes Hurlford made a double substitution with Josh Rennie replacing Lewis Magee and Kris Kerr making way for Will Graham.

Ford forced a couple of corner-kicks the latter of which saw Alex Bell’s header blocked in the six-yard box and an almighty scrambled ensued with bodies strewn in the goal mouth and although Whittaker managed to conjure up a shot at goal the ref spotted an infringement an awarded Glens a free kick. The tireless Nisbet’s run down the right won another Glens corner which McDonald plucked out the air at the back post.

On the hour mark Glens brought on Mark Gilmour for James Martin.

Play was again raging from end to end with the runs of Kerr and Nisbet continuing to be a thorn in Ford’s side. However clear-cut chances were thin on the ground the best of which was Marc McKenzie’s volley from the outskirts of the box that dipped into the safe hands of Markey.

On 70 minutes Hurlford replaced Alex Ball with Macauley Wilson.

Robertson and Kerr shook hands after an accidental clash of heads and soon after the Glens striker was felled by MacDonald’s clearance after he was forced to rush out his box to deal with a loose ball under pressure from Kerr.

Although chances continued to be in short supply the best of them continued to fall for the Ford. On 82 minutes Taz cut inside from the left and went down at the edge of the box from Bennie’s challenge. Although Whittaker superbly curled the free kick round the wall Markey was his match diving low to clutch it at the post and Marc McKenzie’s hope of pouncing on any spillage were forlorn. 

Soon after, Kerr unsurprisingly was floored by cramped and was replaced by Sam McKee.

Glens survived another goalmouth scramble after McKernon headed a Ford free-kick out from the six-yard box and the ball played back in for Marc McKenzie to fashion a shot at goal that was blocked.

The visitors managed the closing minutes of the match in their opponents’ half. Nisbet held off Graham to lob a great ball upfield and over the head of Roberston for McKee to chase down and although he got the jump on Cater Frew, keeper McDonald rushed out his box again to clear the danger. Gilmour and Murphy took the ball a walk down the right and left flanks respectively before the final whistle blew on 49 minutes.

Sam McKeeon the move

FT Hurlford 0 Glenafton 2

ReMarkeyAble
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Sean Bennie 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. Ross Fisher 3. Alan Cairns; 7. James Martin (14. Mark Gilmour) 6. Jamie McKernon 8. Ollie Rowe 11. Leon Murphy; 9. Hugh Kerr (15. Sam McKee), 10. Ryan Nisbet. Subs not used: 12. Calum Thomson 16. Darren Curtis 17. Fergus Dee 18. Cameron Marlow.
HURLFORD UNITED
1. Martin McDonald 2. Chris McKnight 3. Sam Lidington 4. Lewis Magee (16. Josh Rennie) 5. Chris Robertson 6. Carter Frew 7. Paul McKenzie 8. Jack Whittaker 9. Alex Bell (12. Macauley Wilson) 10. Marc McKenzie 11. Kris Kerr (15. Will Graham) Subs not used: 14. Alexander McCow  21. Craig Burns
Match Photos
Hurlford United v Glenafton Athletic
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Bonnyton 4 Glenafton 3

Posted on February 26, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2526/02/2022
KO 2:00 pm		Synergy Arena, Kilmarnock
Bonnyton Thistle4 (1) Walker, Smith, Gilroy, McColm
Glenafton Athletic3 (2)Rowe 2, Nisbet

Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Benburb three weeks ago with captain Craig Pettigrew returning from injury and Ryan Nisbet starting upfront while Sam McKee and Aaron Miller dropped to the bench.

The home side got off to flying start with a goal from Ryan Walker, the son of Glens legend Davie ‘Pele’ Walker, on two minutes. Sandy Robertson, from the centre circle, clipped a high ball into the right-hand side of the box for Walker to gather before lashing a low shot from the 18 yard line into the far corner of the net beyond the reach of keeper David Markey at full stretch.

Two minutes later Walker, from the middle of the park, released Kyle Gilroy down the left to push to the bye line and clip the ball to the far end of the box for the incoming Walker to meet it first time with a left-footed volley, pulling off a fine save from Markey at the base of the near post.

Glens then had a couple of decent runs into the Bonnyton box. The first ended with Ryan Nisbet robbed of the ball by Logan Smith. The second saw Ollie Rowe forcing his way to the bye-line and although his cut-back was missed by the keeper and defender at the near post there were no Glens takers and the ball was cleared.

The visitors continued to press and a ball through the middle for Leon Murphy to chase down saw keeper Jamie Leitch rush from his line to intercept but on doing so stepped outside the box to grab the ball with both hands. After discussion between the match officials the referee sent the unfortunate Leith off and the home side were down to 10 men on 12 minutes. Sadly, for goalscorer Walker he was the sacrificial offering for the replacement keeper; who wasn’t immediately tested as the wall stood up to the free-kick.

Some great control in the middle of the park by Eddie Ablohr set up a Bonnyton attack that ended with Gilroy on a one-v-one with Markey, only for the keeper to track his move and then deflect his shot wide for a corner-kick that was cleared.

Play raged from end-to-end but with defences on top no efforts on goal were fashioned.

On 28 minutes the home side won a corner that Markey punched from under his bar with both fists. The visitors countered down the right through Jamie McKernon who floated a ball deep into the box which Hugh Kerr clipped to the back post for the incoming Rowe only for the keeper to clutch it cleanly.

Glens pegged the 10 men deep into their own half for a spell but couldn’t break down a well drilled and disciplined defence. However, the pressure paid off on 40 minutes after Ollie Rowe got the jump on the full back to chase down a ball into the box before cracking a low angled shot from 8 yards out past the keeper at the corner of his six-yard box and into the far corner of the net.

The visitors continued to press and Nisbet weaved his way into the left hand of the box but was forced to roll the ball back to Craig Pettigrew who curled a ball to the far post where Kerr’s header dropped into the keeper’s hands.

Some respite for Thistle through a blistering run down the left by Gilroy ghosting past opponents on his way to breaking into the box and cracking an equally blistering shot only for the alert Markey to block with his legs sending the ball high into the air.

Glens countered in lethal fashion. Sean Bennie deep in his own half picked up a ball from Murphy and pushed down the right while Nisbet bided his time at the centre-circle to spring the offside trap as Bennie rolled the ball down the wing into acres of open space for the unimpeded Ryan Nisbet to hunt down and draw the keeper from his line (indeed outside the box) before lobbing the ball from 30 yards into the welcoming net. The Glens 2-1 up as the half-time whistle blew.

HT Bonnyton 1 Glens 2  

The visitors were first to threaten after the break through a great run down the right by Nisbet only for his shot from a tight angle sail over the bar. Soon after, Rowe’s low shot from just inside the box slipped inches wide of the post.

However, on the counter-attack Ablohr won a free-kick down the right, 10 yards from the bye-line. Chris Kelly floated the ball into the heart of the box where Logan Smith leapt head and shoulders above all to bullet home a header to draw the sides level on 52 minutes.

Chances were then swapped at either end. Although Ross Fisher got an outstretched leg to McKernon’s free-kick into the box, the ball sneaked wide of the post. At the other end Abhlor forced his way into the box only for Markey to pull off a point bank save and push the ball high and wide of target. Back came Glens and Nisbet’s volley from the edge of the box dipped wide while Gilroy countered with another powerful run down the left only to find no takers for his cut back from the dead ball line.

On 59 minutes the home side got their noses back in front when Kyle Gilroy got a sniff for goal after picking up the ball at the edge of the D and although his route into the box was blocked, he drifted wide along the 18-yard line, still being tracked by a defender, before exquisitely chipping the ball from the edge of the box, over the head of the keeper and into the welcoming net.

The visitors responded well and Thistle survived a penalty claim that Smith had tripped Nisbet in the box. Martin then had a couple of good breaks down the left only to be repelled in the box by a stubborn defence. Nisbet then won a corner and McKernon’s kick was met at the far side of the six- yard box where Ollie Rowe rose to meet the ball sweetly and guide a header into the space between the outstretched hands of the keeper and Robertson on the back post. The match all square at 3-3 on 66 minutes. 

Thistle countered with back-to-back corner kicks that second of which was headed clear by Fisher before Glens made a double substitution on 68 minutes with Sam McKee and Aaron Miller coming on for Ryan Nisbet and James Martin. Two minutes later the two subs combined when McKee drifted wide to the left before laying it off to Miller to cut back inside before threading the ball past defenders into the box for Rowe to pounce and beat the goalie from six yards but the flag was up before the ball hit the back of the net.

Glens continued to press on 75 minutes Kerr won a free kick on the right deep in the Thistle’s half. Murphy floated the ball into the heart of busy box where a Thistle player (No. 10) appeared to lose his footing and send his header backward into the six-yard box where Rowe took control of the bouncing ball to guide it into the net. Arms from sides were then raised, Thistle claiming for offside and Glens initially celebrating the goal before drawing the referee’s attention to the grounded defender that had played the ball before Rowe.  Despite being yards away the referee consulted with his assistant and the goal to the visitors’ disbelief was deemed offside!

Glens continued on the front foot without testing the keeper and were almost caught out on 80 minutes through Gilroy’s counter-attack down the left to break into the box and drill a low angled shot that Markey did well to stop with his foot.

Bonnyton continued to frustrate the Glens as they repelled a wave of attacks including a Kerr header in the box that the keeper smothered comfortably.

Indeed, it was the ten men that came close to breaking the deadlock on 87 minutes with a break into the left-hand side of the box before the ball was rolled back for the substitute (No. 12) to coolly side foot a low shot that beat Markey but slipped inches wide of the back post.

But break the deadlock they did! After another period of intense unrewarded Glens’ pressure. After a counter down the left before the ball was switched to Kelly wide on the right to progress into box and square a long ball for the incoming substitute Dean McColm to lash a left footed shot past Markey at full stretch and into the far corner of the net sparking off joyous celebrations.

After pushing for the winner for 25 minutes the Glens now found themselves having only added time to salvage a point. It wasn’t to be as Kerr’s header from a corner-kick dipped wide of target and McKee’s shot from the edge of the box dipped over the bar.

FT Bonnyton 4 Glenafton 3

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic: 1, David Markey 2. Sean Bennie 4.Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 11. James Martin (17. Aaron Miller) 8. Jamie McKernon 5. Ollie Rowe 10. Leon Murphy 7. Ryan Nisbet (20. Sam McKee) 9. Hugh Kerr . Subs Calum Thomson, Darren Curtis, Mark Gilmour, James Hart (gk)
BONNYTON THISTLE
Match Photos
Bonntyon Thistle v Glenafton Athletic
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Benburb 3 Glenafton 0

Posted on February 5, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2305/02/2022
KO 1:30 pm		New Tinto Park, Govan
Benburb Juniors3 (1) Murphy, Lovering, Taylor
Glenafton Athletic0 (0)

Glenafton made two changes for the side that started against Darvel last week. Out went captain Craig Pettigrew who picked up a bad injury and Mark Gilmour while in came Jamie McKernon returning from injury and James Martin.

Luke Murphy opened the scoring for the home side on 10 minutes. Bens doubled their lead on 70 minutes through Lewis Lovering and seven minutes later a screamer from Ally Taylor completed the scoring and a repeat of the 3-0 victory at Loch Park.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Sean Bennie 3. Alan Cairns 4. Ross Fisher 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Aaron Miller 7. Leon Murphy 8. Jamie McKernon 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Sam McKee 11. James Martin. Subs used: 12. Ryan Nisbet 14. Darren Curtis 15. Trialist
BENBURB JUNIORS
1. Daniel McLean 2. Lee Duncanson 3. David Leadbetter 4. Jordan Bow 5. Ryan Docherty 6. Ally Taylor 7. Ruaridh Langan 8. Ryan McCrone 9. Declan McDonald 10. Luke Murphy 11. Lewsi Lovering Subs: 12. Scott Rough 14. Willie Dawson 15. Scott Jarvie 17. Kia McFarlane.
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Darvel 2 Glenafton 1

Posted on January 29, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2329/01/2022
KO 1:30 pm		Recreation Park, Darvel
Darvel 2 (2)Millar, Allan
Glenafton Athletic 1 (1)Rowe

Glens made three changes to the starting eleven with Arron Miller coming in for the injured Jamie McKernon while James Martin and Ryan Nisbet made way for Mark Gilmour and Sam McKee .

Darvel kicked off with a strong wind at their back and soon forced a series of corner kicks all taken by Darren Miller. One from the left was pushed away from under the bar by keeper Davie Markey while another from the left was headed clear by Mark Gilmour at the near post across the face of goal and out for a corner on the right.  Miller lasered a lethal daisy-cutter that whizzed past a defender and attacker at the near post and although Markey got down low the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line to put the home side ahead on 8 minutes.

Afton managed to push forward against the Januar wind that was blawin cauld but Creag Litle broke down one attack and Daryll Meggatt headed clear another.

Darvel were quickly back on the front foot winning another corner that was cleared then yet another after Markey got down to push a low angled shot from Ian McShane round the back post; the keeper then cleanly clutching Meggat’s header from the corner.

The visitors enjoyed another decent spell of possession with breaks down each flank only for the cut backs into the box by Hugh Kerr on the left and then Ollie Rowe on the right to be readily mopped up. Sam McKee then broke through the middle and released Gilmour down the left to whip a ball into the six-yard box for Kerr only for Meggat to intervene and clear.

Daryll Meggat & Hugh kerr

Back came Darvel winning another couple of corner kicks that came to nothing. On 24 minutes Alan McKenzie broke into the right-hand side of the box and picked out Andrew Stirling in the six yard box to divert the ball goalward only for Markey to get an outstretched leg to the ball and send it high into air and fall for Ross Caldwell to send it back to the far post for David Galt to tap it home but from an offside position.

With the strong wind subsiding for a time play then flowed from end to end with Meggat and Little double-teaming to block McKee’s low shot from inside the box while at the other end Markey pulled off a great save from Galt’s close-range shot.

On 31 minutes Glenafton drew level after McKee put Little under pressure and his short pass to Meggat in the box was intercepted by Ollie Rowe who the rode the tackle from the centre-back to sweep the ball from 15 yards out beyond keeper Chris Truesdale on the six-yard line and into the gaping net.

The home side responded well and Millar’s free kick deep into the box was headed clear by Craig Pettigrew and then headed the second bite at the cherry out for a corner which concluded with Meggat’s header looping over the bar. Second’s later the Darvel captain was wrestling the ball from Kerr in the Darvel box.

Arron Millar recovered the ball for the Glens switching play to the right where Sean Bennie and Ross Fisher combined to win a corner which bobbled about the six-yard box before Darren Millar cleared. Glens continued to press through Bennie bursting down the right and clipping the ball into six-yard box where Kerr was squeezed out in a sandwich between Meggat and Ryan Thomson.

Darvel countered by attacking in numbers down the right only for Alan Cairns and Leon Murphy to combine and nick the ball from Miller for Murphy to launch a long ball down the right for McKee to show Little a clean pair of heels and sprint into the box before drilling a low angled shot that Truesdale’s outstretched leg at the corner of the six-yard box deflected the ball inches wide of the far post.

Sam McKee goes close

The corner was scrambled clear but the ball was quickly recovered by the Glens to return down the right to win a throw, which Bennie lobbed high into the box for Rowe to head goalward, only for Truesdale to gather comfortably.

The keeper launched a long ball upfield where MacKenzie appeared to barge Pettigrew as they challenged for the ball but instead the home side were awarded a free-kick. Millar then blasted a rocket shot forcing Markey to pull off another great save tipping the ball past the post at full stretch for a corner. Millar then whipped the ball into a packed six-yard box which was eventually pushed away from the base of the back post by Markey who then blocked Mackenzie’s attempt from a tight angle sending the ball high into the air which was then gathered by Millar still lurking at the corner flag.  From there he sent the ball back to the far post from where Little headed it back into the heart of the six-yard box for Jordan Allan to coolly kill the ball before swivelling to hook it into the net. Darvel back in front on 42 minutes.

Soon after Glens won a free kick and Miller floated the ball into the ‘D’ for Pettigrew only for his header to drop safely into the hands of Truesdale. Back came Darvel to win yet another corner from which Glens countered with McKee chasing down Pettigrew’s long ball to head for the box where McShane’s challenge ended the first half action.

HT Darvel 2 Glens 1

The early encounters after the break produced half-chances at either end. The home side were first to threaten through Galt’s low shot from the edge of the box that slipped inches wide of the post while at the other end Murphy nicked the ball from Meggat but the alert Truesdale rushed from his line to clear. Back came Darvel throug Allan from wide on the left who whipped a great ball to the back post for the incoming Caldwell only for his volley to be deflected over the bar by Cairns before Gilmour headed clear the corner that followed. Glens responded with Murphy’s shot from the edge of the box that Truesdale held cleanly.

Scott Caldwell goes close

Pettigrew fell awkwardly in the Glens box and was off the field as Glens defended back-to-back corners. He returned soon but quickly pulled up forcing Glens to make a change on 57 minutes with midfielder James Martin coming on and Rowe dropping back to the centre of defence.

Darvel pressed for a spell and added to their corner count from one of which Thomson’s header was saved well by Markey. Glens rallied with Martin and Gilmour combining down the left to set up Murphy to whip the ball high into the goalmouth that Truesdale plucked from under the bar.

On 65 minutes Darvel made a double substitution with Galt and Mackenize making way for Scott Ferguson and Henry Monaghan, the latter soon in the thick of it with a coupler of shots from distance, one whizzing well wide of the far post that other held by Markey at the near post.

McKee released Gilmour down the left to clip the ball into the box for Kerr only for Little to intercept and head clear. Glens then made a double substitution on 75 minutes with forwards Ryan Nisbet and Jordan Ryan coming in for Fisher and McKee.

Aaron Miller pushed forward to slip the ball to Kerr who was quickly surrounded by no fewer than six Darvel players and the ball for McShane to clip back to the keeper who cleared as Miller closed in. Soon after Ryan came within inches of connecting with Murphy’s free kick floated to the far post. Play then went back on forth for a time with defences coming out on top and neither keeper tested.

James Martin breaks forward

On 83 minutes Darvel made their final substitution with Jordan Kirkpatrick coming on for the departing Millar.

Allan made good progress down the left before clipping the ball into the box where it was met sweetly by the instep of Ferguson only to be foiled by a strong hand from Markey and the corner kick came to nothing.

Glens pressed for a late equaliser but could not get the better of a well marshalled Darvel defence that were happy to run the clock down or when the opportunity presented itself set up a counter-attack inevitably leading to another corner-kick or two.

Handshakes

FT Darvel 2 Glens 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey; 2. Sean Bennie 5. Ross Fisher (14. Jordan Ryan) 6. Craig Pettigrew (16. James Martin) 3. Alan Cairns; 10. Leon Murphy 4. Ollie Rowe 8. Aaron Miller 11. Mark Gilmour; 9. Hugh Kerr, 7. Sam McKee (15. Ryan Nisbet) Subs Not Used : 17. David Blyth 18. Calum Thomson 21. Daniel Sloan (gk)
DARVEL
1. Chris Truesdale 11. Ryan Thomson 3. Jordan Allan 5. Daryll Meggatt 19. Creag Little 7. Darren Millar (10. Jordan Kirkpatrick)  6. Ian McShane 15. David Galt (18. Henry Monaghan)  8. Andrew Stirling  9. Alan Mackenzie(17. Scott Ferguson) 20. Ross Caldwell Subs not used: Dominic Boland, Kerr, Cammy McClair, Lyle Avci (gk)
Match Photos
Darvel v Glenafton Athletic
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