Kilbirnie were reduced to 10 men just before the break but still had time to take the lead with a goal from Alan Frizzel. Glens battled back in the second half and a brace from Leon Murphy sealed the points fot the visitors.
Leon Murphy
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Davie Markey; 2. Sean Bennie 5.Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 11. Leon Murphy 4. Ollie Rowe 8. Jamie McKernon 7. James Martin; 9. Hugh Kerr, 10. Ryan Nisbet. Subs Used: Mark Gilmour, Gregor Fotheringham Subs Not Used : Sam McKee, David Blyth 18. Calum Thomson 21. Daniel Sloan
KILBIRNIE LADESIDE
◦77. Joe Wilton ◦2. Alex McWaters ◦3. Johnny Gallagher ◦4. Kyle Girvan ◦5. Paul Murphy ◦6. Josh Meechan ◦7. Liam McGuinness ◦8. Corey Pearson ◦9. Alan Frizzell ◦10. Brendan Sharpe ◦11: Danny Bamford Subs: ◦12. Taylor ◦14. Muir ◦15. Anderson ◦16. Scullion ◦17. Henry ◦52. Lightfoot
The club can announce that central defender and Ryan McChesney has now completed his transfer to Maybole Juniors. A local lad Chessy played as a 12 year-old in the Glenafton youth side that under John Stewart, now club secretary, reached the Scottish Youth Cup final in 2005.
Ryan turned out for Glenafton at the start of Season 2010/11 a few weeks after his 18th birthday. He scored the Glens goal in the pre-season Joe Meldrum Trophy in a 1-1 draw with Glasgow Perthshire at Loch Park; the home side coming out on top in the penalty shoot-out. Ryan signed later in the Season making his debut on 29th January 2011 in a Superleague 1st Division goal-less draw away to Annbank United. The next season Chessy scored his first goal for the Glens in a 3-0 league win over Kilsyth Rangers on the way to promotion to the Premier Division as Super League 1st Division Champions.
Further medals followed over each of the next three seasons 2012/13-2015/15 – West of Scotland Cup winners, Scottish Junior Cup runners-up and an Ardagh League Cup winners. Three more medals were added in the treble winning season of 2016/17 with the Scottish Junior Cup, Super League Premier Championship and Evening Times Champions Cup.
Unfortunately, the Ryan’s Testimonial had to be put on hold as they club elected not to compete that season while Ryan headed for a spell at Dalbeattie Star before returning to Glenafton this season for a handful of games taking his total appearances just shy of a tremendous 300 and bagging 13 goals in the process.
Everyone at Glenafton would like thank Ryan for his magnificent service to the club and wish him every success in the future at Maybole.
We are now in talks with Ryan about arranging his testimonial after this season concludes, and a date for this will be announced imminently. Thanks for the memories Chessy
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence to mark the passing of Jock McKnight, a lifelong Glenafton supporter and Billy Moffat, of the great Glenafton side of the late 1950s/60s/
Early pressure from the home side earned a corner kick after Leon Murphy curled a wicked ball into the box from the right only for keeper Jamie Barclay to see it late before pushing it round the post at full stretch. After some head tennis in the box the Buffs cleared the danger and soon after won their first corner which was punched clear by former Kilwinning keeper David Markey, while the another one after that came to nothing.
The visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure and on 15 minutes came close after a quick break down the left ended which ended with a perfectly weighted cross deep into the box for the incoming David Ramsay and although he beat the outrushing keeper to the ball his header looped high and wide of the target.
David Ramsay goes close.
An early enforced substitution for the Buffs with Ben Lewis replacing the injured Carlo Monti.
Buffs continued to press and two other corners were repelled by Glens the latter mopped up by Sean Bennie to release James Martin on another powerful run down the left wing from box to box before squaring for Sam McKee on the edge of the box to turn and drag a low shot wide of target.
James Martin on the move
The home side then dominated possession for a time without however creating any clear-cut chances. On 30 minutes Hugh Kerr won a free-kick 30 yards from goal after a determined run through the middle, holding off a host of defenders. Jamie McKernon floated the ball into the box which was headed straight back out to him by David Syme and his attempt still from 30 yards out sailed over the bar.
Back came the Glens and after some good build up play McKernon with a peach of a pass from the centre circle released Alan Cairns in space down the left wing who took a touch before clipping the ball into the box where Kerr in a pocket of defenders rolled it back to McKee to side-foot a low shot from 16 yards out only to be foiled by a great save from Barclay, again palming it out for a corner that was scrambled clear.
Craig Pettigrew and Tom Collins
McKernon then floated another free-kick into the box which saw Barclay rush out the six-yard box to punch it away with both fists and set up a blistering counter-attack down the left by Ally McColm only to overhit the high cross into the box allowing Markey to clutch it cleanly before Tom Collins arrived.
A minute later down the same left wing Chris McGowan’s throw in was quickly returned to him before he launched the ball into the six-yard box where David Ramsay got between Cairns and Markey to head the ball home. Buffs 1-0 on 36 minutes.
The visitors’ tails were up and soon after another well-built counter-attack from box-to-box including some fine control from Collins on the half-way line. From here he threaded a glorious pass down the right giving Ramsay a free run into the box to fire an angled shot only for Bennie, who had tracked across from his right back position, to head it wide for a corner. A left off for Glens when Syme’s free-header from six yards flew well wide of the post.
In all but the last action of the half another break-down the right saw Ramsay turn provider and slip the ball into the box for Lewis Gardiner only for Markey to rush from his line to block his shot taking a sore one on the chest for his trouble.
Dave Markey saves from Lewis Gardiner
HT Glens 0 Buffs 1
Within a minute of the restart Kilwinning doubled their lead. Syme clipped a ball into the box and after a couple of attempted clearances it fell for McColm on the outskirts who zipped it back in for Ricky Hanvey and with Craig Pettigrew closing down he squared it to Collins who curled the ball beyond Markey at full stretch and into the far corner of the net.
Glens responded well. A Buffs free kick into the box was cleared by Ross Fisher and picked up by McKee on the goal side of the centre circle from where he set off on a tremendous run to the edge of the Buffs box before giving a clutch of defenders the slip to get to the bye-line and send a great ball over the head of the keeper at the near post and although Ollie Rowe got the jump on McGowan his header dipped over the bar.
Ollie Row heads for goal
Glens continued to press. Murphy curled a free kick from 25 yards over the wall and inches wide of the junction of post and bar. McKernon’s corner was won in the air by Kerr only for Barclay to get both hands to his header from 8 yards out.
Hugh Kerr heads for goal
The Buffs began to get back into the game as play now went back and forth with both sides creating a couple of half chances.
On 65 minutes Ramsay’s close-range header lacked the power to test Markey while at the other Murphy cut in from the right to drill a low shot from 20 yards that was comfortably stopped by Barclay. Kerr then burst into the left-hand side of the box and squared it for the incoming Murphy only for McGowan to nick if from his feet to clear at the expense of a corner which was headed clear by Syme.
On 70 minutes Glens were forced to make a change after Jamie McKernon picked up and injury and was replaced by Gregor Fotheringham and Ryan Nisbet came on for Sam McKee.
Pressure from Buffs saw Glens struggle to clear their lines and the ball eventually fell for Lewis only for Bennie to block his shot from the edge of the box. Soon after Lewis was brought down at the edge of the box by Fisher but Syme blasted the free-kick straight into the wall.
Glens pushed forward and Nisbet on the right clipped a good ball into the box for Fotheringham only for his header to fall into the arms of Barclay.
Both sides used up their remining substitutions with 15 minutes to go. Glens brought on Jordan Ryan for James Martin while Buffs replaced Lewis Gardiner with Struan McArthur and Tom Collins with David Anderson.
McArthur’s run into the edge of the box ended with his shot slipping wide of the post and one soon after from outside the box suffered the same fate.
On 88 minutes Glens halved the deficit. Bennie’s long throw into a packed box was headed clear and then picked up by Murphy to square to Bennie who chipped a great ball back into the goal mouth where Ollie Rowe leapt, shoulders and a bit more above Hanvey to bullet an unstoppable header home from six yards out.
In the last action of the match Cairns floated a free-kick into the box which Kerr nodded down into the six-yard box where Rowe came within inches of getting an outstretched to guide it home.
Ollie goes close
FT Glens 1 Kilwinning 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Davie Markey; 2. Sean Bennie 5.Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 11. Leon Murphy 4. Ollie Rowe 8. Jamie McKernon (17. Gregor Fotheringham) 7. James Martin (16. Jordan Ryan); 9. Hugh Kerr, 10. Sam McKie (14. Ryan Nisbet). Subs Not Used: David Blyth 18. Calum Thomson 21. Daniel Sloan
KILWINNING RANGERS
1. Jamie Barclay 2. Adam Caldwell 3. Chris McGowan 4, David Syme 5. A. Trialist 6. Ricky Hanvey 7. Cartlo Monto (14. Ben Lewis) 8. Lewis Gardiner (16. Struan McArthur) 9. David Ramsay 10. Thomas Collins (12. David Anderson) 11. Ally McColm
Glenafton Athletic was saddened to learn that former player Billy Moffat has passed away after a long illness. Our thoughts are with Billy’s wife Kathy and their son Lawrence and daughter Katrina at this sad time.
Billy holding Western League Cup aloft
Billy joined the Glens in Season 1957-58 as a 21-year-old from his home town club of Queen of the South and scored in his debut in a 1-1 draw in a league match at Cumnock. It is no coincidence that his ten seasons at the club would encompass the ‘Golden Years of Glenafton Athletic’. In 1958-59 at Connel Park they won their first league title since 1934-35 and added the Western League Cup and Vernon Trophy for good measure while Billy finished top goal scorer with 55 goals; before he converted from inside right to right-half. The Irvine and District Cup was lifted the following season in the Glens last season at Connel Park.
Glenafton Athletic Western League Champions 1958/59 | Bill front row, 2nd from left
In 1960 the Glens relocated to a new home at Loch Park and adopted new colours of red and white. They won Western League Section no fewer than five times and converted three of them into Western League Champions – indeed three-in-a row , the first club to do so (outwith Ardeer Recreation during the War Years). Glens progressed to Scottish Junior Cup semi-final for the first time in the club’s history in 1961/62 and went one better the following season finishing runners-up to Irvine Meadow. Glens also won the Ayrshire Cup and couple of Western League Cup during those Golden Years. In Season 1961/62 Billy was selected for the Scotland Junior side to play Perthshire. The following season he captained Scotland, scored in the 3-2 win over Ireland at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock and was acclaimed the ‘outstanding player’ of the match.
Glenafton Athletic August 1960 1st game at Loch Park | Billy, back row, 4th from left
After his playing days Billy would visit Loch Park on special occasions and was with us in the Campbell Hall in 2005 to celebrate Glenafton’s 75th anniversary.
Glens at Connel Park | Billy front row,2nd from left
Billy back row, far right
Billy back row, 3rd from left
1963: Scottish Junior Cup rnners-uplt; Billy back row, 4th from left
1992: John McKnight, Nodder Kirkpatrick, Billy & Danny McCulloch
Glens made the short trip to Old Cumnock to face Cumnock Juniors in the last game of the year with both sides eager for league points as Phase I of the competition is scheduled to to be completed in the early weeks of the new year.
Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against BSC Glasgow with Hugh Kerr unavailable and Sean Bennie returning. In the Cumnock starting eleven were three former Glens players – Kyle McAusland, Finlay Frye and Darren McGill.
The visitors were shading the game in the low winter sunshine and deservedly too the lead on 23 minutes. ‘Nock keeper Adam Strain launched a long ball up the park that was quickly returned down the left wing with Kyle McAusland and Sam McKee giving chase and although the former won the race his clearance was snapped up by James Martin who sprinted down the flank and two yards from the bye-line whipped a glorious cross to the far corner of the six-yard box for the incoming Ollie Rowe to rise and bullet a header into the net.
Ollie Rowe
HT Nock 0 Glens 1
Kyle McAusland made amends on 52 minutes following a Cumnock corner kick that had been cleared a couple of times from the Glens before it fell for the big man to meet it on the volley and crack it home, via the post, from the outskirts of the box.
Kyle McAusland
The visitors bounced back and took the lead again on 57 minutes. Jamie McKernon floated a corner kick from the right deep into the ‘Nock box where it was headed clear to the outskirts and from there hoofed upfield only for the ball to be quickly returned to the unmarked McKernon drifting back from the corner-flag and keeping himself onside. The midfielder coolly broke into the box and cut inside defender Greg Ferry before curling a low shot from 15 yards out beyond the reach of Strain.
Jamie Mc
On 71 minutes Glens doubled their advantaged after Aaron Miller beat Ferry to a loose ball in the Glens half of the centre circle where with super touch stunned the ball to send a perfectly weighted pass into the Cumnock half of the centre circle for McKee to gather from an onside position, the Nock defender tardy in stepping out; and race unimpeded into the box and slot the ball home between the goalie’s legs from 6 yards out.
Glens completed the scoring on 84 minutes after captain Craig Pettigrew gave his marker the slip to bullet a header into the roof of the net from a McKernon corner-kick. The customary classy celebration followed.
In the closing minutes Glens were reduced to 10 men after Aaron Miller was shown a straight red car for an off-the-ball incident.
FT Nock 1 Glens 4
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 7. Aaron Miller 5. Ollie Rowe 8. Jamie McKernon 11. James Martin; 9. Leon Murphy 10. Sam McKie. Subs Used: 12. David Blyth 14. Scott Sherrie Subs: 16. Mick McCann 21. Daniel Sloan (gk)
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
1. Adam Strain 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Greg Ferry 4. Alan Murdoch 5. Ruaridh McIntyre 6. Jamie Wilson 8. Finlay Frye 9. Jordan Moore 10. Jamie Conn 11. Darren McGill Subs: Callan Veith 14. Adam Martin 15. Aidan Berry
Mid-week signing midfielder James Martin made his Glenafton debut against West of Scotland Football League Division 4 side BSC Glasgow. It was Martin’s former Lanark United team-mate Hugh Kerr that gave the home side a 1-0 lead at the break with his first Glens goal. Kerr bagged his brace in the second half and along with a strike from substitute David Blyth the Glens progressed to the 2nd round.
Hugh Kerr & David Blyth
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Aaron Miller 3. Alan Cairns 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 7. Sam McKee (17. Scott Sherrie) 8. Jamie McKernon 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Leon Murphy 11. James Martin (15. David Blyth). Subs: 12. Sean Bennie 14. Calum Thomson 16. Mark Gilmour 21. D. Sloan (gk)
BSC GLASGOW
1. I. Gordon 2. A. Prince 3. J. Falconer 4. G. Forrest 5. D. Morrison 6. T. Boyle 7. M. Beckett 8. L.Weir 9. J. Robb 10. T. Quinn 11. J. McPhee Subs: K.Gunn 14. G. Prince 15. B. Bowie 20. C. Sheerin
Glens hosted Largs with three new signings in the side – goalkeeper David Markey from Irvine Meadow, striker Hugh Kerr from Rossvale and midfielder Ryan Nisbet from Troon in his second spell at the club.
Thick cloud overhead and a rain-soaked pitch underfoot was the order of the 90 minutes that lay ahead.
Glens were first to show after Nisbet intercepted a Largs short pass on the half-way line and burst upfield into the box only for George Sewell to boot the ball clear. Under the conditions play laboured from end to end, halted occasionally with free-kicks for both sides.
On 8 minutes Sam McKee slipped the ball to Hugh Kerr who pushed forward before giving a defender the slip and thumping a shot from 25 yards out that sailed over the bar. Glens pressed again without fashioning an effort at goal as McGoldrick nicked the ball from the feet of McKee.
Hugh Kerr
Largs then broke upfield with good passing play that stretched the Glens defence but here too the move ended without the keeper being tested.
A Glens free-kick from close to the centre-circle was floated into a packed Largs box and after some head tennis between Ross Fisher and Ollie Rowe the ball fell at the feet of Kerr but his shot from the penalty spot was well blocked. The loose ball fell for Leon Murphy at the corner of the six yard box and his shot was bravely blocked by Laurie McMaster sending the ball high into the air and it was Murphy that met it on the drop but his volley flew high over the bar.
Glens pushed down the left and Ryan Nisbet curled the ball into the six yard box with no takers other than safe hands of the keeper Jamie McGowan. Largs countered with a break down the left which ended with a shot from the edge of the box that drifted wide of the post.
On 16 minutes Craig Pettigrew broke threw the middle before picking out Nisbet on the left hand side of the box who curled the ball past the keeper into the net but the offside flag had already been raised beforehand.
Play went back and forth with both sides trying to make the most of the conditions without success in terms of creating any chances of note.
The visitors then enjoyed a good spell of pressure which saw them breach the Glens defence and fashion a shot from the corner of the six-yard box that pulled off a fine point blank save from David Markey. The loose ball was scrambled clear to the left-hand side of the box where the attempt to clip it back into the danger area saw the ball soar high into the air and then drop for Will Sewell, only for his volley to be deflected off Alan Cairns’ back and eventually cleared.
Back came Largs and a high ball into the box was headed into the net by Sean McLeod, but like Nisbet’s effort at the other end, the flag was up well in advance. For Glens Nisbet broke down the left at speed only for his square ball into the box to be cut out by McGoldrick.
On 35 minutes the home side broke the deadlock. Markey launched a long ball upfield which was missed in the air by the leaps of both Kerr and Connor McGoldrick at the outskirts of the box and bounced into the box where Sam McKee was quick off the mark to beat George Sewell to the ball and clip an angled shot past the advancing keeper.
Glens pressed again and Kerr’s perseverance down the left saw him hold off a clutch of defenders before whipping a high ball to the back post which had keeper McGowan back tracking and although he couldn’t get a hand to it the ball drifted wide but was quickly recovered by the home side. Murphy picked out Kerr, now on the penalty spot, who was soon confronted with no fewer than four defenders who finally stripped him of the ball.
Despite this pressure the visitors countered and levelled the match on 41 minutes. A ball from wide on the left aimed for McLeod at the back post was headed wide by Cairns. The corner kick was won in the air by Will Sewell at the back post and although his powerful header was well saved by Markey the striker pounced to drill the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Prior to the break Glens earned a corner-kick that was headed clear at the near post.
HT Glens 1 Largs 1
Nisbet won a corner on the left for the Glens in the opening minutes of the new half and took the kick which was headed clear for another corner on the right. However, Nisbet pulled up in some discomfort and was replaced by David Blyth. Murphy’s corner kick was headed clear and after a scramble the ball fell for Rowe on the edge of the six-yard box to lob the advancing keeper, only for it to drop over the bar.
On 51 minutes Largs took the lead from a corner-kick on the left which saw Connor McGoldrick leap high to nod home from six yards out with the referee disinterested in Ross Fisher’s valid claim of being used as a launch pad.
The visitors continued to press through quick breaks down both flanks with Markey clutching a cross from the right and then Pettigrew cutting out a cross from the left. Soon after Thistle won a free kick on the outskirts of the box but No. 10 drilled it straight into the wall.
Just shy of the hour mark Largs brought on Kier Milliken for Bradley Gray.
Glens came back into the game without creating any efforts from open play while those from set pieces, a free-kick and a couple of corner kicks, were well defended by Largs. Similarly at the other end Fisher’s perfectly timed tackle prevented a free run in on goal from a Largs attack.
On 72 minutes Glens brought on Jordan Ryan for Sam McKee but three minutes later Largs extended their lead with a touch of the bizarre.
The game had stopped to attend to the injured McLeod after which he headed for the left touch-line only to be sent back to the right-touch line. Play restarted and Largs floated a ball deep into the box that Markey raced to punch out the box at which time the referee signalled that the Largs player could return to the field of play which he did in style, the ‘magic sponge‘ saw him sprint out the traps and bolt for 20 yards to snap up the ball generating some good spirited banter between both sets of supporters. However, the smiles were soon of the Glens fans’ faces after he forced his way up the right flank before whipping a wicked ball into the box where McGoldrick struck it sweetly into the net with a low shot from 12 yards outs.
With their tails up Largs went on the hunt for a fourth and after breaking down the left Jack Haggarty cut inside to unleash a ferocious shot that was blocked by Pettigrew.
Although Glens got back into the game in terms of possession neither side created any further chances of note other than in added time when Ryan’s effort from the corner of the six yard box curled inches wide of the far post.
FT Glens 1 Largs 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1.David Markey 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 7. Ryan Nisbet (14. David Blyth) 5. Ollie Rowe 8. Mark Gilmour 11. Leon Murphy 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Sam McKee (15. Jordan Ryan). Subs. Scott Sherrie, Calum Thomson, Aaron Miller, Daniel Sloan (gk)
LARGS THISTLE
1. Jamie McGowan 2. Brad Gray (15. Kier Milliken) 3. Laurie McMaster 4. Connor McGoldrick 5. George Sewell 6. Stuart Faulds 7. Jack Haggarty 8. Simon McBryde 9. Will Sewell 10. Bair MacIntrye (17. Craig Forbes) 11. Sean McLeod (14. Jamie Ballantyne) Subs: 12. Scott Adam 14. Jamie Ballantyne 15. Kier Milliken 17. Craig Forbes 18. Taylor Lindsay 23. Danny Farrell
Glens travelled to face Bo’ness Athletic in the South Challenge Cup 3rd round on the Friday night. Two first half goals by Dylan Paterson gave the home side a well-deserved victory. Paterson opened the scoring on 24 minutes and despite Scott Johnson saving his spot-kick on 32 minutes, the striker was first to react and buried the rebound.
Scott Johnson
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnson 2. Sean Bennie 3. Alan Cairns 4. Ross Fisher 5.Craig Pettigrew 6.Jamie McKermon 7. Sam McKee 8. Gregor Fotheringham 9. Leon Murphy 10.Jordan Ryan 11. Mark Gilmour. Subs, Scott Sherrie, Darren Curtis, Mick McCann, Calum Thomson, Daniel Sloan (gk)
BO’NESS ATHLETIC
1. Currid 2. Owen 3. Shanks 4. W. Paterson 5. Woodburn 6. Mitchell 7. Snedden 8.Rose 9. Rose 10. D. Paterson 11. Daramola
Glens made one change from the eleven that started against Kilbirnie last Saturday with Jordan Ryan replacing Sam McKee as they faced league leaders Pollok.
The home side were first to threaten on 6 minutes when Jamie McKernon gathered a clearance from the Pollok box and lobbed it forward for Leon Murphy to knock it back into the box for Jordan Ryan to slip between two defenders and hook a shot for goal that the advancing Jordan Longmuir comfortably collected on the six-yard line.
Pollok responded with a patient build up that developed into a lung bursting run down the right by Matty Grant to whip a great ball to the near post for the incoming Adam Forde to bullet a glancing header that crashed off the bar and was then headed clear by Ollie Rowe.
A ‘Lok free kick floated deep into the box was punched wide by former ‘Lok keeper Scott Johnson and the corner that followed came to nothing. Glens too had little joy from a couple of free kicks played into the box, the first cleared after some head-tennis hooked away by the lively Grant.
Midway through the half a Longmuir kick upfield was headed clear by Ross Fisher and in a flash Murphy and Gregor Fotheringham combined to release Ryan to break to the outside of the box only for his square pass to be missed by three incoming Glens players and equal number of defenders. However, the ball was picked up at the opposite corner of the box by Sean Bennie who slipped it forward to Fotheringham but his shot was blocked David Brownlie on the six-yard line and the danger eventually cleared. Glens continued to press and a high ball into the box saw Bryan Wharton win the aerial battle and when the ball dropped for Murphy his low shot was hoofed clear by the same player.
Mark Gilmour breaking forward
The home pressure paid off on 26 minutes. Captain Craig Pettigrew broke down a ‘Lok attack and although he picked out Ryan with a long forward pass Wharton was quick to knock it from the striker’s toes just outside the “D. The loose ball was snapped up by Sean Bennie, who after playing a couple of short-one-two’s with Fotheringham, held off the challenge from Ryan McGregor to advance into the box and on trying to pick out Ryan in the box he stroked the ball through Brownlie’s legs and as the unfortunate Bryan Wharton tried to intercept he slipped and sent the ball over the already diving Longmuir and into the net.
Back came Glens as Murphy beat Kyle Bradley to a high ball launched into the Pollok box and hooked it towards the penalty spot where Brownlie hoofed the ball out for a corner which seemed net-bound from the head of Ryan only for Derek Esplin to head it safely wide. On this occasion Fotheringham played this corner to the back-post where it was headed out and then recovered by Pettigrew to play it back to the near post where Rowe’s header was cleared.
Pollok then won a couple of corner-kicks the first was played to the far end of the box where although Wharton’s looping header beat Johnson at full stretch Sean Bennie was on the goal-line to head it clear. Soon after, on 35 minutes, Forde chose to curl the next corner to the edge of the six-yard box where Bryan Wharton was quick off the mark to nod the ball down and into the far corner of the net.
The visitors went on the attack again only for Forde to drag his shot from 18 yards wide of target. Clark’s great ball to the near post for Danny McKenzie was blocked by Bennie at the expense of another corner which ended with the airborne Brownlie’s flying header flying past the post.
A lightning quick counter-attack initiated by Clark breaking from deep on the right and then playing a long one-two with Shaun Fraser to progress down the wing before picking out the incoming Forde in the box only for Pettigrew to block his shot before Johnson blocked the striker’s second attempt. Bennie headed the corner that followed clear of the box and when it was played back in Johnson leapt to pluck it out the air.
Craig Pettigrew & Scott Johnson close down Adam Forde
HT Glens 1 Pollok 1
The visitors were first to show in the second half with a long throw into a packed box and after a good old stramash Grant fired the loose ball over the ball.
The Glens responded through Rowe’s long and high clearance into Lok’s box where Murphy beat Brownlie to the ball before trying to chip it over Longmuir, now back-tracking to his goal-line, where the keeper with an outstretched arm managed to push it away from goal and for Wharton to mop up.
The home side pressed again through Rowe’s header in the box which was scrambled clear followed by Murphy’s teasing run into the box only for his shot, under pressure from 3 defenders, go high and wide.
Back came Pollok and Bradley’s header from a corner-kick dipped over the bar. On 53 minutes Forde’s powerful diagonal header from edge of the box crashed off the base of the post; the provider was of course Clark on the right.
Glens then enjoyed a good spell of pressure and pinned Pollok back in their box but without testing Longmuir. They came close on the hour mark when Bennie’s throw was won in the air by Rowe and the ball fell for Fotheringham in the six-yard box only for Wharton’s sliding tackle forcing him to stroke it inches wide of the post.
Played rage from end to end as both sides went in search of the winner but clear-cut chances were thin on the ground. Although Fotheringham’s free kick from 30 yards beat the wall the ball nestled kindly into Longmuir’s bread basket. At the other end Clark set up Forde to blast a shot from 22 yards only for a deflection to send it wide and the corner-kick eventually cleared. Later Johnston punched a free-kick deep into the box from the head of MacKenzie.
Glens countered with Fotheringham’s break through the middle who released the ball to Murphy before being tripped by Clark but with no advantage played the advantage was lost! The free-kick into Lok’s was cleared for a corner which was cleared from the box.
Leon Murphy & Gregor Fotheringham
On 73 minutes Pollok replaced Shaun Fraser with Johnny Lyon.
Glens continued to press with McKernon winning the ball and feeding Murphy to release Fotheringham for another powerful run into the box only for McGregor, the last defender, to clear for a shy which was launched into a packed box and cleared for another long throw with the same outcome. A Glens corner was then scrambled clear.
On 80 minutes Glens brought on Sam McKee for Jordan Ryan as the game continued to be played at a relentless pace.
The home side were pegging Pollok back into their own half and often deep in their own box but were only rewarded with a couple of corner-kicks for their efforts. Play then fell into the pattern of end-to-end with both defences remaining on top.
Pollok made two further changes in the closing minutes with Callum Graham replacing Adam Forde and Stuart McCann making way for Chris Duff. Two minutes into added time Graham close to nicking the 3 points for the visitors but his close range header drifted wide of the post after another terrific ball from Clark. At the other end the tireless Fotheringham and Murphy combined at the edge of the box only for the latter’s half-volley lack the power to test Longmuir.
Handshakes
FT Glens 1 Pollok 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnston 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 2. Sean Bennie 7. Gregor Fotheringham 8. Jamie McKernon 11. Mark Gilmour; 9. Ryan Jordan (19. Sam McKee), 10. Leon Murphy. Subs: Callum Thomson, Darren Curtis, Scott Sherrie, Daniel Sloan (gk)
POLLOK
1. Jordan Longmuir 2. Matty Grant 3. Danny MacKenzie 4. Bryan Wharton 5. David Brownlie 6. Kyle Bradley 7. Derek Esplin 8. Ryan McGregor 9. Stuart McCann (12. Chris Duff) 10. Adam Forde (18. Callum Graham) 11. Shaun Fraser (16. Johnny Lyon). Subs: 14. Tommy Coyne 15. Jordan Moore 17. Evan Horne 21. Josh Lumsden
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause in memory of Paul Kelly, manager of St. Roch’s F.C. who sadly passed away on Thursday.
In memory of Paul Kelly, St. Roch’s F.C.
Glenafton made two changes to the side that started against Gartcairn last Saturday with David Blyth and Darren Curtis making way for Gregor Fotheringham and midweek signing Jamie McKernon, returning to the club for a third time. In the Kilbirnie line-up wascentre-back Paul Murphy, a member of the Glens 2011/12 side that won the Super League 1st Division title.
A ferocious wind swept across the length of the park joined at times with squally torrential rain and both sides deserve great credit for making the most of the dreadful conditions.
Glens kicked off into the teeth of the wind and it was no surprise that Kilbirnie were soon on the front foot with the wind at their backs. Waves of attacks were broken down by the home defence but possession then often surrendered as goal-kicks and clearances were blown back into their own half or curled out of play for a throw-in to the visitors.
Jamie McKernon & Mark Gilmour with Paul Murphy
In the opening exchanges the lively Jon Scullion running through the middle had a shot from the outskirts of the box blocked by the outstretched leg of Ollie Rowe. Ladeside pressed down both flanks and on 8 minutes switched from right to left via Paul Murphy to John Gallagher who whipped a wicked ball to the near post for the incoming Brendan Sharpe but the former Meadow striker was just a whisker from making contact on the 6-yard line. The visitors won a series of corner kicks only one of which tested keeper Scott Johnson who punched the ball from the head of PaulMurphy.
Conditions continued to vary from horizonal rain to brief bright spells but always with a wind of varying intensity.
The Glens had managed to string some decent spells of passing together with Leon Murphy weaving forward now and then only to hit a wall of defenders in the box. The home side won their first corner on 19 minutes and although it was cleared, they ventured forth again and Sam McKee’s ball in from the right was smothered at the near post by keeper Joe Wilton.
On 28 minutes Kilbirnie came close to breaking the deadlock after a free-kick floated into the box was won in the air by Paul Murphy only for Johnston to pull off a great save and push his bullet header from 8 yards round the post. The keeper then punched the resulting corner to the edge of the packed box and following a stramash the ball popped out to Scullion on the left to curl a ball into the six-yard box that Johnson gathered.
Two minutes later Craig Pettigrew broke down a Ladeside attack deep in his own half and squared to Mark Gilmour on the left to clip the ball upfield where defender Josh Meechan looked favourite to intercept but lost his footing allowing Fotheringham to gather the ball for a free run at goal only for the advancing Walker to narrow the angle and block his shot from the corner of the six- yard box.
Glens then pinned Ladeside back into their own box as Murphy and McKee switched the ball from left to right and then back again before it was cleared only to be recovered by McKernon on the outskirts of the box to play a one-two with Alan Cairns and then curled a deadly ball into the goalmouth where Fotheringham got the jump on John Kelly only for his header to dip over the bar. The home side continued to press and Leon Murphy’s effort from the edge of the box drifted wide of the post.
Played then began to flow, when it could, back and forward as both sides battled with the elements.
On 37 minutes Liam McGuinness and Gilmour challenged for the ball on the edge of the Glens box with both sides shouting “foul” – the decision going the visitors’ way. Dead-ball specialist Scullion’s free kick from 22 yards deflected of the wall and wide of the post and the corner that followed was cleared.
A minute before the break Gallacher on the left cut-inside to lay off the ball to Daniel Bamford who was brought down in the “D” by Fisher. Scullion stepped up again and this time he lasered a low ball that whizzed past the edge of the wall and beyond the reach of Johnson to bulge the right hand corner of the net.
HT Glens 0 Kilbirnie 1
The wind had died down a notch or two as Ladeside kicked off the second half but conditions underfoot remained challenging, nevertheless the visitors made a lively start with short and sharp passing.
Gallacher’s low shot from inside the box was well held by Johnson. The same player was then picked out in the box with a fine ball from Sharpe only for Sean Bennie to nick the ball and set up a counter attack down the right that ended with McKee slipping the ball to Murphy who curled a shot from 16 yards that was clutched by Wilton.
Back came Ladeside and although one attack was repelled the ball was recovered by Kelly who released Gallacher to burst down the left, where the referee played advantage after the chasing McKernon clipped his heels, and drive for the bye-line before cutting a diagonal ball back into the box where the incoming Alex McWatters met it first time to slam the ball into the net from 12 yards. Ladeside 2-0 up on 50 minutes.
Glens responded through McKee on the right whipping a ball into the box that was knocked on by Leon Murphy and as Gilmour looked to lash it home from 6 yards Paul Murphy’s timely tackle cleared the danger momentarily. Rowe launched a long ball down the left for Gilmour to roll back to Cairns to loft a high ball into the box that Fotheringham with his back to goal killed it with his right foot before swivelling and shooting with his left only for Wilton to get down low and tip it inches wide of the post. The corner that followed was cleared only for Glens to continue to press with dangerous balls into the box by McKee and then Bennie.
Gregor Fotheringham goes close
Kilbirnie countered and Bennie was in the right place to prevent Sharpe from slotting a great ball from Scullion in at the near post.
On the hour mark Glens brought on striker Jordan Ryan for Mark Gilmour.
Play now raged from end to end. A Glens’ corner was comfortably cleared and then so too a Kilbirnie one, however the ball was recovered by Scullion to curl a shot from the edge of the box to the far top corner of the goal only for the airborne Johnson at full stretch to push it away.
Back came Glens with a good period of pressure and couple of decent chances. Pettigrew launched a long ball into the box for the inrushing Leon Murphy to try and guide it home at the post but Wilton kept a cool head to gather.
On 70 minutes the Glens halved the deficit. Bennie on the right touchline prevented the ball from being marshalled out by Gallagher for a Kilbirnie throw. Leon Murphy picked up the loose ball, turned his marker and pushed forward to play a one-two with McKee before squaring to Gilmour inside who chipped it into the box where Meechan and Jordan’s aerial battle ended with the ball dropping for Fotheringham to gather and head for goal only for McGuiness to catch him on the shin and send him tumbling – a stonewaller. Up stepped Leon Murphy to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Play quickly fell into a pattern of ‘end to end’ with each side creating a couple of chances. At one end a dangerous cross deep into the box for Gallagher was headed clear by Bennie while at the other McKee’s cut-back across the goal mouth fell between Gilmour and Jordan.
Glens began to press with Leon Murphy’s shot from 30 yards out sailing over the bar and keeper Wilton then diving bravely at the feet of Fotheringham.
With ten or so minutes remaining both sides brought on fresh legs. Glens brought on David Blyth for Mark Gilmour while Ladeside brought on Graham Muir for Daniel Bamford and Corey Pearson for Jon Scullion.
Glens made a final push for a share of the points and came close two minutes into added time. After another scramble in the box the ball fell for Blyth who cracked a powerful shot from 18 yards through a mass of bodies for Wilton to leap from a standing position and with an outstretched arm got fingertips to deflect the ball over bar – a wonderful save.The corner kick was cleared and so too a free kick in the dying seconds.
FT Glens 1 Kilbirnie 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnson 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 7. Sam McKee 5. Ross Fisher (15. Jordan Ryan) 8. Jamie McKernon 11. Mark Gilmour (16. David Blyth) 9. Leon Murphy 10. Gregor Fotheringham. Subs Not Used: 12. Calum Thomson 14. Darren Curtis 19. Mick McCann 21. Daniel Sloan
KILBIRNIE LADESIDE
77. Joe Wilton 2. Kyle Girvan 3. John Kelly 4. Josh Meechan 5. Paul Murphy 6. Liam McGuiness 7. Alex McWatters 8. Daniel Bamford (16. Graham Muir) 9. Brendan Sharpe 10. Joe Scullion (17. Corey Pearson) 11. John Gallagher Subs. 12. Roan Fitzpatrick 14. Dylan Henry 15. Martin McBride Gk Jamie Walker
Glenafton Athletic 