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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Kilbirnie 1 Glenafton 2

Posted on January 22, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2222/01/2022
KO 1:30 pm		Valefield Park, Kilbirnie
Kilbirnie Ladeside1 (1)Frizzell
Glenafton Athletic 2 0)Murphy 2

GLENS FIGHT BACK

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
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Ryan McChesney 2010/11-2021/22

Posted on January 22, 2022 by flowgently

Glenafton’s Ginger Chessy moves to Maybole

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

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Glenafton 1 Kilwinning Rangers 2

Posted on January 15, 2022 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2115/01/2022
KO 1:30 pm		Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic1 (0)Rowe
Kilwinning Rangers2 (1)Ramsay, Collins

Too late too little for Glens

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

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Billy Moffat R.I.P.

Posted on January 5, 2022 by flowgently

LAWRENCE WILLIAM MOFFAT

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
  • 2010: Billy with Nodder
  • 2010: Billy with Eddie Brennan & Danny McCulloch
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Cumnock 1 Glenafton 4

Posted on December 18, 2021 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 2018/12/2021
KO 1:30 pm		Townhead Park, Cumnock
Cumnock Juniors1 (0)McAusland
Glenafton Athletic4 (1)Rowe, McKernon, McKee, Pettigrew

GLENS TO THE FORE

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
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Glenafton 3 BSC Glasgow 0

Posted on December 11, 2021 by flowgently
Killie Pie WOSFL Cup | 1st Round11/12/2021
KO 1:30 pm		Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic 3 (1)Kerr 2, Blyth
BSC Glasgow0 (0)

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
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Glenafton 1 Largs 3

Posted on December 4, 2021 by flowgently
PDM Buildbase WOSFL | Match 1904/12/2021
KO 1:30 pm		Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic 1 (1)McKee
Largs Thistle3 (1)W. Sewell, McGoldrick 2

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
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