Glenafton Athletic

Rutherglen 1 Glenafton 5

Posted on September 18, 2021 by flowgently

PDM Buildbase WOSFL \| Match 13	18/09/2021 KO2:00pm	Hamish B. Allan Stadium, Rutherglen
Rutherglen Glencairn	1 (0)	Pearson
Glenafton Athletic	5 (3)	Fisher, O.G., Fotheringham, Murphy, McKee

Glenafton made a number of changes to the side that kicked off against Craigmark last week. With Calum Thomson, Sam McKee and Ryan Jordan making way for captain Craig Pettigrew, Alan Cairns and Aaron Miller. On the bench for Rutherglen was former Glenafton striker Kit Cummins.

04’ | Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 1 (Ross Fisher)

The visitors got off to a great start with a wonderfully worked goal on 4 minutes that involved no fewer than nine of the team and it all began with Ollie Rowe breaking down a Glencairn attack on the edge of the Afton box. Ross Fisher then retrieved the loose ball and played it forward to Aaron Miller who side stepped a tackle before slipping a diagonal pass for Mark Gilmour to progress to the centre circle and switch the ball wide for Alan Cairns to break forward down left. He then picked out David Blyth but with his way blocked he was forced to give a couple of defenders the slip before returning the ball to Cairns, wide on the left, who quickly sent the ball back down the touch line to Craig Pettigrew on the half-way line who switched play to the right with a fine ball well trapped by Sean Bennie. The young full back squared the ball inside to Fisher who promptly zipped a 20 yard pass upfield for Gregor Fotheringham to hold off a defender and pick out Miller to roll a sublime ball forward into the box for the incoming Ross Fisher to chase down and lash it past the keeper at his near post from a tight angle.

The home side responded well to the early set-back and were very much on the front foot for long spells creating a number of chances including a header that dropped over the bar. The best chance however fell to Sean McGuire who gathered a great ball in the box from Harry Mitchell before drawing keeper Brian McGarrity from his line only for Alan Cairns to block his close range shot on the line. Mitchell also set up Jack McIlveen but he curled his shot from 16 yards wide of the post.

Glens created a couple of chances too. Murphy won a free kick near the left hand corner flag and Fotheringham whipped a wicked ball deep into the goalmouth that was pushed away by keeper McGinley for a corner-kick which eventually fell for Blyth only for his shot from 25 yards to be blocked.

Rutherglen countered through Michael Lone weaving past defenders in breaking into the right-hand side of the box only for his low angled shot to drift wide of the far post. Further pressure forced McGarrity to concede a corner which was won in the air by the visitors but the attempt to volley home the dropping ball never came off.

33’ | Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 2( Aaron Miller / Mick O’Byrne O.G.)

On 33 minutes the Afton doubled their lead. Blyth from the centre circle squared the ball to Miller who then clipped it up the wing to Murphy. With his route blocked he reversed and attempted to pick out Gilmour in the centre circle only for it to rebound off Fisher and fall kindly for Bennie on the right who the burst forward before slipping the ball to Miller. The midfielder wrong footed a defender then drifted inside along the outskirts of the box to play a neat one-two with Fotheringham before hitting a low angle shot that deflected off defender Mick O’Byrne and beyond the reach of McGinley at full stretch.

Again, Rutherglen’s heads didn’t go down as they continued to push forward in search of a goal only to go further behind ten minutes later.

43’| Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 3 (Gregor Fotheringham)

Bennie on the right squared inside to Fisher to ping a ball up the right wing to Murphy tight on the right touch line where he was quickly boxed in and returned the ball to Fisher who chipped a ball high and deep into the box where Gregor Fotheringham leapt between defender and keeper to glance a header into the net.

HT Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 3

The home side came close to pulling one-back soon after the restart. A quick break down the left ended with the ball being squared along the 18 yard line where Mitchell met it sweetly to crack a low shot that McGarrity did will to get down low and push the ball against the base of the post and the alert Cairns was in hand to clear the danger as McIlveen threatened.

Rutherglen continued to press with Rowe, Bennie and Pettigrew all mopping up decent balls into the box before Gilmour blocked a shot with McGarrity at his back.

59’ | Rutherglen 0 Glenafton 4 ( Leon Murphy)

Glens extended their lead when Cairns, on the left and inside his own half, launched a long throw up the wing for Fotheringham to control on his chest before squaring the ball inside for Blyth to play a cute forward diagonal pass to Leon Murphy who took a touch or two before chipping a glorious ball from the 18 yard line over the keeper on 6 yard line and into the net.

The same pattern prevailed with the home side determined to salvage something from the game without testing the keeper other than a powerfully struck low shot that McGarrity blocked with both feet at the corner of the six yard box.

Glens brought on Darren Curtis and Sam McKee for Ross Fisher and David Blyth and soon after replaced Craig Pettigrew.

78’| Rutherglen 1 (Reece Pearson) 1 Glenafton 4

Scott Schoneville made a powerful run down the left flank and from the bye-line whipped a high ball to the back post which was headed home by Reece Pearson while McGarrity protested that Schoneville’s cross had drifted out of play; the goal stood.

The Glens forced a few more corner kicks before completing the scoring in time added on.

91’| Rutherglen 1 Glenafton 5 (Sam McKee)

Gilmour, deep in his own half broke down a Rutherglen attack with a strong tackle that sent the ball flying up the left wing where Sam McKee from the centre circle easily won the race for the ball. He continued his run down the left wing before cutting inside the box and sending the defender one way and then the other before firing a shot through the space between a defender and Fotheringham and beyond the reach of the unsighted keeper.

FT Rutherglen 1 Glenafton 5

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

Brian McGarrity, Sean Bennie, Alan Cairns, Ollie Rowe, Ross Fisher (Sam McKee), Craig Pettigrew (Ryan McChesney), Aaron Miller, Mark Gilmour, Leon Murphy, Gregor Fotheringham, David Blyth (Darren Curtis). Subs: Calum Thomson, Mick McCann, Scott Johnson (gk).

RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN

Marc McGinley, Stewart Hall, Scott Schoneville, Kyle Chrystal, Mick O’Byrne, Craig Leitch (Drew Wingate), Tommy Lone, Sean McGuire, Jack McIlveen (Reece Pearson), Michael Lone ( Kit Cummins), Harry Mitchell

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Rutherglen Glencairn, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 2 Craigmark 1

Posted on September 11, 2021 by flowgently

South Challenge Cup \| 1st Round	11/09/2021 KO 2:00pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic	2 (0)	Ryan, McKee
Craigmark Burntonians	1 (1)	Adam

Glenafton hosted neighbours Craigmark Burntonians in the 1^st round of the South Challenge Cup, a new competition.The home team made a number of changes to the side that defeated Bonnyton last Saturday. Assistant manager Brian McGarrity returned to goal keeping duties for the first time since a serious knee-injury side-lined him two years ago. Ross Fisher returned from injury; Jordan Ryan started up front while young Calum Thomson made his first start for the club in his full debut. Captain Craig Pettigrew picked up an injury, Alan Cairns was unavailable for selection, while keeper Daniel Sloan and Darren Curtis were on the bench.

Craigmark were first to threaten after a slick passing from Grant Kirkwood before Ali Boyle released Darren Smith down the right flank to whip a great ball across the face of goal only for Ollie Rowe to clear for a corner-kick that came to nothing.

Although Glens then enjoyed a good spell of possession, with Calum Thomson making good use of the ball, there were few chances on offer, other than a David Blyth a shot from distance that sailed well over the bar.

On 15 minutes Leon Murphy slipped a well-weighted forward pass for Sam McKee to chase down and break into the box, forcing keeper Darren Johnson to rush 10 yards from his line and get his finger tips to McKee’s shot to push the ball wide of the post. Blyth’s corner kick was won in the air by Fisher; his header from 12 yards zipped wide of the post.

A minute later Jordan Ryan played a neat one-two with Blyth running into the box to collect the return pass before hitting a low angled shot that the advancing keeper stopped on the six-yard line with his foot and the danger was cleared. Glens continued to press without testing the keeper again.

On 20 minutes Craigmark came close to breaking the deadlock. Ali Boyle played a short one-two from a corner-kick with Jordan Cherrie before picking out Ross McIvor on the six-yard line to back-heel a low ball to the far post and before his team-mate Kevin Adam or keeper McGarrity won the race for the ball it drifted inches wide of the post.

Five minutes later the injured Mitchell Ewing was replaced by Darren Boyd who came within a whisker of getting on the end of another dangerous ball into the box, this time from Kevin Adam after being picked out by Boyle.

Although the visitors continued to look lively through Fraser Smith earning a corner kick it was won in the box by Jordan Ryan who pushed forward and curled a pass down the left for Murphy to gather and drive to the edge of the six-yard box before cutting the ball back to Mark Gilmour only for the ball to get stuck under his feet and James Lamont clearing the danger.

Thomson, hemmed in on the right wing played a one-two with Bennie before clipping the ball into the box where Ryan’s header was deflected wide for a corner. Blyth rolled the corner back to Gregor Fotheringham who fired the ball to the far post where Ryan’s header looped over the bar.

Back came Craigmark and fancy footwork from Darren Smith took three Glens players out before he picked out Kyle McCrum and his pass cannoned off the shins of a defender into the path of Adam who drilled his low shot from 18 yards wide of the post.

On 36 minutes Fisher pushed forward and squared to Fotheringham on the half way line to thread a long diagonal ball upfield for Ryan who held of the challenge of Lamont and forced his way into the box where his low angled shot was well held by the keeper. As play raged back and forth Murphy was brought down on the outskirts of the box after weaving past a handful of players, however Blyth’s free-kick flew over the bar.

On 41 minutes Craigmark broke the deadlock with a wonderfully worked goal beginning in the visitors’ box. Cherrie pushed forward and picked out McCrum in the centre circle who slipped it wide to Fraser Smith on the left touchline. He played it back to Cherrie who immediately played it forward to Sloan on the overlap and in a flash the ball was back with Smith on the wing and after a touch he whipped a vicious ball in the box which although was beyond the reach of Boyd and his marker Fisher, it bounced up for the incoming Kevin Adam to slide in and guide the ball into the far corner of the net.

Glens fought back through Murphy winning a corner kick which was cleared and initiated another ‘Mark lightning quick counter attack down the right that ended with an offside flag. In the last action of the half Bennie’s free-kick floated into the box was punched cleared by keeper Johnson,

Half-time: Glens 0 Craigmark 1

The home side forced an early corner which Blyth rolled back to Fotheringham who curled the ball to back post where it was met by the incoming Bennie only for his effort to end wide of target. Glens continued to press without success as a couple of free-kicks into the box came and went. At the other end Adam’s header from a long throw looped over the junction of post and crossbar.

On 57 minutes Glens fashioned an equaliser, worthy of similar praise to that of their opponents’ opening goal. McGarrity rolled the ball out to Rowe on the right-hand side of his box who then squared it to Fisher to push forward before pinging a great forward ball to Ryan who laid it off to Thomson to roll a perfectly weighted ball forward into the box for Jordan Ryan to chase down, with a couple of defenders on his heels, and keep his cool to clip it over the outrushing keeper, who although got a hand to the ball couldn’t stop it nestling in the back of the empty net.

Glens quickly won the ball back from the kick-off and Thomson released McKee down the left with another fine pass only for the striker to be stopped in his tracks with a clumsy tackle. Fotheringham fizzed the ball into a crowded box and Johnson did well to push it over the bar with both hands. From the corner-kick, Blyth played a short one-two with Fotheringham before breaking into the box where he was barged to the ground by Cherrie but claims for a penalty were waved away.

The Glens however continued to push for a second and it arrived on 60 minutes. Darren Smith under pressure from McKee was forced to play the ball back to Johnson, well of his line but Ryan had read the pass and was quick off the mark to just beat the keeper to the ball and knock it forward beyond his reach, free for the incoming Sam McKee to slam it into the empty net. The celebration somersault that followed was nearly as good!

With their tails up the home side were in the mood for third chasing down every ball and pushing forward in packs while ‘Mark were clearly rattled. Blyth and Murphy worked their way to the edge of the box to set Blyth up for a shot that was comfortably held by the keeper.

On 64 minutes Craigmark replaced goalscorer Kevin Adam with Ryan Connelly and he was quick to make his mark but not before Thomson curled another perfectly weighted ball upfield for Ryan to get the jump on Lamont and drive into the box before lashing a shot that whizzed past the post.

Connelly then began to show for the visitors and bring them back into the game beginning with a great run down the left before cutting into the box and firing an angled shot that was blocked by Rowe. He then combined with substitute Steven Tan, on for McCrum, to win a free kick on the left that was whipped into the box and clawed away at the back post by McGarrity.

With Craigmark pushing for the equaliser the Glens made a double substitution with Jordan Ryan, and David Blyth departing to well-earned applause to be replaced with Scott Sherrie and Aaron Miller, returning from injury.

McKee broke down the left and clipped the ball into the box and although Murphy’s attempt to volley home never came off, the ball fell for Sherrie to lay it back to Fotheringham only for his shot to be blocked and the ball booted out for a corner. Sherrie’s kick was cleared and the ball later recovered by Bennie to float it back into the back box where Fisher’s header drifted just wide of the post. Soon after, Glens brought on Ryan McChesney for Ross Fisher, who left to well-earned applause as well, with a solid 75 minutes under his belt after recovering from a lengthy injury.

The visitors mounted another attack as Boyle picked up a header from Tan to drive forward before feeding Connelly on the left to whip another cross into the box where Tan mis-timed his volley. Soon after Tan picked up a square ball from Connelly and curled a shot from the edge of the box wide of the post. At the other end McChesney’s header from a Bennie long-throw dropped over the bar.

On 79 minutes another marvellous box-to-box move from Craigmark ended with Tan holding off two defenders to roll the ball into the path of Connelly breaking into the left hand side of the box to power a seemingly net-bound shot that evaded Bennie’s attempted block only for Brian McGarrity, who would see it late, to pull off a magnificent save at full stretch to push it wide of the back post. Connelly’s corner found an unmarked Tan at the edge of the box but his lot shot was blocked by McChesney.

At the other end Murphy won a corner kick with a cute deflection off Lamont but the visitors cleared and set up a counter-attack which concluded with Boyle releasing Darren Smith wide on the right to cut inside and drill a low shot that McGarrity got down low to hold as Boyd threatened.

Back came Glens and McKee skipped past two defenders into the box to blast a low shot that Johnson stopped on the six yard line with an outstretched foot. Play continued to rage back and forth as Glens looked for a killer third and Craigmark searched for an equaliser to take the cup-tie into extra time.

On 93 minutes in the last action of the match Sherrie broke forward and slipped the ball forward to Murphy for a free run into the box only for Kirkwood to make a last ditch tackle.

Full Time Glens 2 Craigmark 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

19. Brian McGarrity 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Ross Fisher (14. Ryan McChesney) 3. Mark Gilmour 11. David Blyth (12. Aaron Miller) 6. Calum Thomson 8. Gregor Fotheringham 13. Leon Murphy 7. Sam McKee 9. Jordan Ryan (16. Scott Sherrie) Subs Not Used: 1. Scott Johnson (gk), 21. Daniel Sloan (gk), 1. Darren Curtis 20. Mick McCann

CRAIGMARK BURNTONIANS

1. Darren Johnson 2. Darren Smith 3. Fraser Smith 4. Grant Kirkwood 5. James Lamont 6. Jordan Cherrie 7. Alistair Boyle 8. Kyle McCrum (14. Steven Tan) 9. Kevin Adam (12. Ryan Connelly) 10. Ross McIvor 11. Mitchell Ewing (15. Darren Boyd). Subs. 16. Jamie Newton 17. Steven Hill 18. Ross McKay 19. Lee Binnie

Match Photos

Glenafton Athletic v Craigmark Burntonians

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Craigmark Burntonians, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, South Challenge Cup | Comments Off

Glenafton 1 Bonnyton 0

Posted on September 4, 2021 by flowgently

PDM Buildbase WOSFL \| Match 12	04/09/2021 KO 2:00pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic	1 (0)	Pettigrew
Bonnyton Thistle	0 (0)

Glenafton hosted Bonnyton Thistle from Kilmarnock, in the first competitive game between the two clubs. The club is managed by Kilmarnock legends, Alan Robertson and his assistant Paul Wright.

Glens made a couple of changes to the side that drew at Blantyre Victoria. Sam McKee returned to the front line with Sean McIlroy dropping to the bench while Darren Curtis and Gregor Fotheringham filled the central midfield slots vacated by the injured Cammy Marlow and Aaron Miller.

Filling the right back position for Bonnyton Thistle was Rhys Wallace who had a brief spell with Glenafton before the club closed down for Season 2020/21.

Indeed, it was Wallace, along with Dylan Stevenson, that was heavily involved in the first attack of the game down the right flank that won the visitors a corner-kick in the opening 30 seconds! Taken short, the ball was then played into the box where it eventually fell for No. 10 who blasted his shot high and wide of target from the edge of the box .

Glens responded immediately through Pettigrew’s long pin-point pass picking out Sean Bennie tight on the right wing who cushioned the ball brilliantly, before breaking forward to square it for Leon Murphy deep in the box and although his cute touch evaded a defender the ball rolled across the face of goal to be mopped up by Wallace.

On 2 minutes Ollie Rowe gathered a pass from keeper Daniel Sloan at the edge of his own box and slipped past the incoming forward before launching a long ball up the middle for Gregor Fotheringham who burst between two defenders before killing the ball with one deft touch and then with another curling it past the keeper Stephen Barr and into the net. But no, the far side linesman flagged for offside!

Matters settled down after the frantic start and play got bogged down with keepers occasionally called upon to make only simple catches.

Sam McKee won Glens first corner kick which was played to the far side of the box where Pettigrew gathered and made space for a low drive that was booted clear by Wallace. McKee then picked up a pass from Fotheringham and skipped past a clutch of blue shirts before shooting from 22 yards which Barr got down low to push away. Wallace was on hand again to clear up and set up a counter-attack which ended with the striker being robbed of the ball by Pettigrew before he could set up a shot from the edge of the box.

Murphy made a great run into the box only for his shot from 12 yards to be blocked by the advancing keeper and the ball quickly recovered by Fotheringham only for his cross to be cleared for a corner-kick which was taken by David Blyth and cleanly clutched in the air by Barr.

On 20 minutes Pettigrew, from the left, clipped a ball into the box where Murphy got the jump on the defender to bullet a header downward only for Barr to get a late hand to the ball and push it round the post for a corner; which the keeper again claimed securely.

Alan Cairns and Bennie then combined to clear a free-kick floated into the box as Thistle too struggled to make the most of their set pieces; while many of their high balls from open play were headed clear by Rowe and by some distance.

Another Glens corner was headed to the edge of the box where Pettigrew trapped the ball and lashed a shot through a busy box that whizzed wide of the post. Murphy won another corner-kick which came to nothing.

Fotheringham released Murphy down the right and with his way into the box blocked he wrong-footed the defender before curling a dipping shot that Barr pushed over the bar with one hand. Rowe’s looping header from the resulting corner was comfortably gathered by the goalie.

Thistle enjoyed a good spell of pressure after Kris Kerr worked his way deep into Glens’ box but was robbed of the ball by Darren Curtis only for Wallace to recover it and whip it back to the near post where Kerr was beaten to the ball by Rowe at the expense of a corner. This eventually fell for Kerr at the far side of the box only for his cross back into the box to be cleared by the Glens defence.

At the other end Barr comfortably gathered crosses from Fotheringham and then from McKee as Mark Gilmour threatened. Murphy won a couple of corner kicks, one of which was comfortably cleared and the other ended with Rowe’s powerful header blocked on the line, catching the defender sore in the bread basket.

In the last action of the half Cairns floated a high free kick into the six-yard box where Barr, under pressure from both Rowe and Bennie, leapt to push the ball over the bar with his finger-tips. The corner-kick was headed away by Wallace as the whistle blew.

Ht Glens 0 Bonnyton 0

In the early action of the second half Thistle’s keeper continued to deal comfortably with high balls into the box clutching a couple of free-kicks while a third was headed wide by Pettigrew.

Attempts at goal from open play were thin on the ground not for the want of trying particularly from the home side when some decent attacks often broke down in or around the box. Their corner-kick count continued to mount but again the keeper wasn’t seriously tested.

At the other end Sloan was only called upon occasionally and when needed he handled and distributed the ball well.

On 63 minutes McKee’s deflected shot earned the hosts another corner kick which ended with Pettigrew’s downward heading bouncing wide. Kerr made a good run through middle slipping the ball to the left but the incoming cross was cleared and then recovered allowing Kerr to turn and shoot but rather tamely into the hands of Sloan.

The home side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but couldn’t conjure up an opening and Pettigrew’s shot from 25 yards roared over the bar. Corner-kicks came and went, including one which saw Rowe’s downward header bounce up and sneak wide of the post. Soon after, Murphy’s run into the box concluded with his attempt to lob the outrushing keeper drop over the bar.

Thistle responded with Kerr’s angled shot from inside the box being blocked by Curtis and the ball retrieved by Wallace to drive to the bye-line and whip a ball across the face of goal which Sloan held firmly with both hands.

Daniel Sloan cuts out Rhys Wallace’s cross

On 76 minutes Glens made a double substitution with Jordan Ryan replacing Sam McKee and Scott Sherrie coming on for David Blyth and both were soon in the thick of the action.

Sherrie’s corner from the right was partially cleared and recovered wide on the left to be played back into the heart of the box where the incoming Rowe’s header flew over the bar.

Murphy picked up the ball in the middle of park and squared to Gilmour to release the ball forward for Ryan to chase down in the box only for his attempted cross to be deflected wide for a corner. Sherrie’s corner, deep in the six yard was won in the air by Ryan only for the ball to bounce back out to Sherrie who clipped it back to from where it came, and in a flash Craig Pettigrew bulleted a header home from 8 yards out. The captain’s celebrations were of a similar quality as the Glens broke the deadlock on 80 minutes.

Two minutes later Thistle won a free-kick on the left-hand corner of the penalty box only for the Glens’ wall to do its job as Curtis blocked the ball.

There was a new found sense of urgency as Thistle fought to find an equaliser while the Glens didn’t sit back but instead went in search of a second. The final action fell to Bonnyton with a corner-kick which was headed over the bar.

FT Glens 1 Bonnyton 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

1. David Sloan 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 18. David Blyth (17. Scott Sherrie) 8. Gregor Fotheringham 5. Darren Curtis 13. Mark Gilmour 7. Leon Murphy 11. Sam McKee (10. Jordan Ryan). Subs Not Used : Ryan McChesney, Calum Thomson, Brian McGarrity (gk)

BONNYTON THISTLE

Match Photos

Glenafton Athletic v Bonnyton Thistle

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Blantyre Vics 1 Glenafton 1

Posted on August 28, 2021 by flowgently

PDM Buildbase WOSFL \| Match 11	28/08/2021 KO 2:00pm	KG Stadium, Blantyre
Blantyre Victoria	1 (1)	Brennan
Glenafton Athletic	1 (0)	Murphy

Glens made a number of changes to last week’s starting eleven against Lochee Harp. Scott Johnson, Sam McKee and Gregor Fotheringham were unavailable while Darren Curtis was on the bench. In came Daniel Sloan, Mark Gilmour, Sean McIlroy and new signing central defender Ollie Rowe.

In the starting line-up for the Vics was former Glenafton player Simon Eeles.

A minute’s silence was observed before the match in memory of Jim Wyllie, a member of Blantyre Victora’s committee, who passed away recently.

The Glens were immediately on the front foot on the sun-drenched KG Stadium after Leon Murphy nicked the ball within seconds of Vics kicking-off. He released Sean McIlroy down the right to cut the ball across the face of goal just beyond the reach of Mark Gilmour who nevertheless recovered the ball on the left to fire a low shot that keeper David Cherrie saved at the near post.

On 6 minutes Jordan Marshall barged Murphy off the ball on the outskirts of the box and David Blyth curled the free-kick over the wall leaving the keeper rooted to his line only for the ball to crash off the outside of the post.

Blyth and Sean Bennie combined down the right to win a corner which Murphy floated into the box where Craig Pettigrew, at the far corner of the six-yard box, met the ball sweetly on the drop only for his volley to sneak inches wide of the post.

Soon after Gilmour tried his luck from 22 yards but his shot drifted wide of the target.

The tide however began to turn in the hosts’ favour as they began to build attack after attack from the back. Simon Eeles made a great run down the left touch line to the corner flag where he whipped a dangerous ball into the box that keeper Daniel Sloan did well to clutch cleanly under the bar.

On 14 minutes another ball in from the left was headed cleared to the outskirts of the box where P.J. O’Donnel took a touch to create space and crack a low shot that pulled off a great save from Sloan, pushing the ball away with both hands.

The Vics quickly recovered the ball and Eeles tight on the left flank rolled it back to Martin Smith to curl a ball deep into the box where Sloan tipped Craig Kerr’s header over the bar.The corner was cleared only for the hosts to retrieve the ball through Grant Brennan on the left hand-side of the box who then weaved past three of four Glens player before drawing Sloan from his line and although his shot beat the keeper it rolled wide of the back post.

Not unsurprisingly the tempo of the game began to wane in the afternoon heat and although both sides were seeing plenty of the ball, play was often scrappy and chances were thin on the sun-bathed pitch. It also had taken its toll and Glens’ midfielder Aaron Miller failed to recover from a knock and both sides enjoyed a welcome water-break as he was replaced with Darren Curtis.

Play resumed and 10 minutes from the break Sam McKenzie’s shot was deflected wide for a corner that was pushed up and high into the air by Sloan and as it descended Rowe was in the right spot to clear from the feet of Ronan Kearny in the six-yard zone!

New signing Ollie Rowe meets former Glens player Simon Eeles

On 39 minutes Blantyre took the lead through a super solo effort from Brennan, a famous surname from the great Glens’ side of the late 50s and early 60s. It began on the half-way line with Marshall’s crunching tackle on Cameron Marlow after which O’Donnell recovered the ball and returned it to Marshall who quickly slipped it to Brennan to drive forward to the edge of the box by which time he was surrounded by four Glens players and again he managed to weave his way through the pack, retaining the ball before slotting the ball into the net between keeper and post.

Soon after Glens replaced the injured Cameron Marlow with Jordan Ryan.

The visitors responded well to the set back and Blyth brought out a decent save from Cherrie. Murphy then went on mazey run to break into the right of the six-yard box and from within a pocket of four defenders fashioned a shot from a tight angle that was turned round the post with a great one-handed save from Cherrie.

Murphy curled the corner into the six-yard box where Sean McIlroy leapt to bullet a downward header that was blocked on the goal-line by Sam McKenzie at the back post and the loose ball fell kindly into the grateful hands of the keeper.

Soon after McIlroy breaking down the right released Bennie who advanced to the corner flag before whipping the ball into the goal-mouth where Cherrie clutched cleanly as Blyth and Ryan threatened. In the closing action of the half the Vics won a corner-kick which Marshall headed over the bar.

HT Vics 1 Glens 0

Glens were first to threaten after the break when Murphy’s run through the middle was ended abruptly and the midfielder took the free kick which was well saved by Cherrie.

On 56 minutes Vics flashed a free-kick into the box that was pushed away by Sloan at full stretch and the loose ball cleared at the expense of a corner. The kick was cutely cut back to McKenzie lurking unmarked on the outskirts of the box who curled the ball through a busy six-yard box and into the far corner of the goal.

Celebrations quickly deflated after the assistant referee made the referee aware of an infringement, possibly due to Scott Gibson remaining on the goal-line in an offside position after the corner kick had been taken and considered to have prevented the keeper or defender clearing the ball. It certainly seemed a harsh decision but whatever the case the aggrieved “goal-scorer” was then shown a red card for dissent.

The visitors made the “extra man” count in terms of possession with Curtis seeing a lot of the ball in the middle of the park, Pettigrew pushing forward to initiate attacks and Murphy’s meandering runs keeping the Vics defence on their toes.

Midway through the half another Murphy drive through the middle ended with a powerful shot from 22 yards that whizzed wide of the post with Cherrie beaten.

Ryan then made a great bounding down the left only for Gibson to make a well-timed tackle in the box at the expense of a corner which Blyth dropped onto the head of Pettigrew on the six yard line only for the ball to slip wide of the post.

Glens continued to press and Gilmour’s long ball into the ball for Ryan was intercepted by a good leap from Cherrie. Pettigrew then picked up the ball in the centre circle and instead of pinging another attack building pass he pushed forward before unleashing a daisy cutter from 22 yards that beat Cherrie at full stretch and flew just wide of target.

Some respite for the Vics after good work by substitute Lewis McDonald who had come on for Simon Eeles. He nicked the ball from the feet of Pettigrew close on the bye-line and then slip past Sloan at his near post only for Rowe to mop up the danger.

Ten minutes from time Glens brought on Scott Sherrie for the David Blyth, who had put in a good shift while Vics brought on fresh legs for Smith.

On 83 minutes Glens drew level after Leon Murphy picked up a pass from Ryan before driving through the middle and shimmying past O’Donnell to set up a shot he blasted from 25 yards into the corner of the net beyond the outstretched arm of Cherrie.

The visitors went on the hunt for a late winner as they pegged Vics back on their own half without however creating any chances to test the keeper.

Indeed, it was Blantyre on a rare break upfield that came close to securing all three points after Dale Jones low shot from the right-hand corner of the penalty box beat the diving Sloan but the ball slipped wide of the far post.

Still, Glens finished on the front foot. A Murphy corner was headed out for a throw-in, which Bennie launched back into the box where Pettigrew’s looping header dropped into the six yard box but inches from the toes of Ryan.

FT Vics 1 Glens 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

1. David Sloan 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 7. 11. David Blyth (17. Scott Sherrie) 10. Cameron Marlow (15. Jordan Ryan) 8. Aaron Miller ( 16. Darren Curtis) 13. Mark Gilmour 7. Leon Murphy 9. Sean McIlroy Subs: Ryan McChesney , Brian McGarrity (gk)

BLANTYRE VICTORIA

1. David Cherrie 2. Dale Jones 4. Scott Gibson 5. Craig Kerr 3. Martin Smith 7. Sam McKenzie 8. P.J. O’Donnell 6. Jordan Marshall 9. Simon Eeles 10. Grant Brennan 11. Ronan Kearney Subs: Con Boyle, Lewis McDonald Fraser Allan, Eoghan McKeown, Jake Hughes

Match Photos

Blantyre Victoria v Glenafton Athletic

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Blantyre Victoria, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Lochee Harp 2 Glenafton 9

Posted on August 21, 2021 by flowgently

Scottish Junior Cup 1st Round	21/08/2021 KO 2:30pm	Whitton Park, Broughty
Lochee Harp	2 (1)	Scobie, D. Blair
Glenafton Athletic	9 (4)	Fotheringham, Blyth, Bennie (2), Murphy (2), Ryan, McKee (2)

Glenafton travelled to face Lochee Harp in the Scottish Junior Cup 1^st round and due to work being carried out on Harp’s ground the match was played at Whitton Park, home of Broughty Athletic.

The Glens got off to a great start with a well worked opening goal on 10 minutes. Leon Murphy recovered the ball in the centre circle and played it back to Cameron Marlow to play a short forward to Sam McKee who then rolled it back to Alan Cairns on the left-hand side of the half-way line. The wing back took a touch before threading a long ball through a host of players to find Gregor Fotheringham who quickly turned and after a couple of strides drilled a low hard shot from 22 yards that squeezed in at the post beyond the reach of the diving keeper for his first Glens goal.

On 17 minutes the visitors doubled their lead with another flowing move. Marlow from half-way tight on the left touch-line clipped a high ball up the wing which was trapped by Murphy who gave a defender the slip before rolling it into the path of Fotheringham to match his run deep into the box. The midfielder then cut the ball back to David Blyth and after stepping aside of a defender lashed a low angled shot which although the keeper got both hands to it, could not prevent the ball bouncing over the line.

Harp hit back immediately and after stringing some slick passes down the right to take the ball into the box it was squared for the incoming Scobie to stroke the ball beyond keeper into Scott Johnston into the far corner. 18 mins| Harp 1 Glens 2.

Midway through the half Blyth’s shot was deflected over the bar and although the resulting corner was cleared Glens won a free-kick immediately afterwards which Marlow took quickly to Cairns who floated a high ball to the edge of the box where Craig Pettigrew got the jump on a defender to send high looping header into the six-yard box. As the keeper crouched down to gather the ball the incoming Sean Bennie slid in to force the ball over the line for his first Glens goal.

The Glens continued to press Murphy’s corner kick to the back post eventually fell for Blyth to blast a shot that was deflected over the bar. This time Murphy played a short one-two with Fotheringham before clipping the ball into the six-yard box where in a flash Bennie arrived to prod the ball into the net before the keeper got a sniff of the ball. 25 mins |Harp 1 Glens 4.

The hosts passed up a good chance to pull one back after a shot from close range was deflected wide of the post which resulted in back-to-back corner kicks that were cleared by the Glens defence.

At the other end Harp’s keeper did well to get down low and push away a well struck free-kick from Blyth.

HT Harp 1 Glens 4

The half-time oranges had tuned up the Harp who scored within a minute of the restart. A quick-thinking ball down the left wing was then rolled into the path of Dom Blair, breaking deep into box, to guide it home past the advancing Johnston.

On 53 minutes Glens restored their three-goal cushion with another classy goal. Cairns on the half-way line headed a Harp clearance down to McKee who squared it to Fotheringham with a cute back heel before breaking into the left-hand side of the box to gather the perfectly weighted return pass from Fotheringham and square that across the face of goal for Leon Murphy to take a touch before picking his spot from 10 yards out.

Soon after the keeper got down low at the near post to push away McKee’s shot from a tight angle.

Credit to Lochee they enjoyed a good spell of possession tinged with a degree of misfortune. A shot from the edge of the box was deflected and crashed off and over the bar with the header from the corner-kick that following dropping over the bar. A slick move into the box saw Johnston make a great block with his legs and the attempt to fire home the rebound blocked by Pettigrew on the line. A fizzing shot from distance then warmed the hands of Johnston. Harp continued to press and a header from a corner slipped wide of the far post while Johnston was called into action to pull off another save from a thunderous shot.

With the rain now lashing down the Glens got back on the front foot in devastating fashion with four more goals in the closing 20 minutes.

Pettigrew from the centre-circle slipped the ball forward to McKee who turned and broke forward before sending a glorious slide rule pass into the box between two defenders for the inrushing Leon Murphy to bag his brace. 70 mins| Harp 2 Glens 6

Murphy then turned provider albeit at the second attempt after his back heel to substitute Jordan Ryan was blocked by a defender only for Murphy to block his clearance and Ryan snap up the loose ball before rounding the keeper to slot the ball home from close range. 81 mins| Harp 2 Glens 7

It was now Ryan’s turn to turn provider. After picking up a great ball through the middle from Pettigrew the big striker broke forward to the edge of the box before slipping a diagonal pass into the right-hand side of the box for Sam McKee to slam low and hard into the far corner. 82 mins| Harp 2 Glens 8

Johnston launched the ball up the right wing where it was headed on by substitute Sean McIlroy and snapped up by Murphy to twist and turn his way inside before threading the ball into the box for Sam McKee to slam it past the outrushing keeper. 88 mins| Harp 2 Glens 8

In the closing minutes of added time Harp’s appeal for a hand-ball in the box was waved and soon after a second yellow card reduced them to 10 men; joining a substitute that previously been ordered off from the dug-out.

FT Harp 2 Glens 9

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Scott Johnson 2. Darren Curtis (20. Calum Thomson) 4. Sean Bennie 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 8. Aaron Miller 5. Cameron Marlow (16. Jordan Ryan) 11. David Blyth (17. Sean McIlroy) 10. Gregor Fotheringham 7. Sam McKee 9. Leon Murphy. Subs Not Used: 14. Ryan McChesney, 15. Scott Sherrie

LOCHEE HARP

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Cup | Comments Off

Harping back to the Past

Posted on August 20, 2021 by flowgently

Tomorrow the Glens travel the roads and the miles to bonnie Dundee (or Brought Ferry to be precise) to face Lochee Harp in the Scottish Junior Cup 1^st Round.

The two sides have only met once before, way back in Season 1935/36 in the 4^th Round of the competition.

So how did the teams get there?

In the early round the ties were drawn at regional levels.

Scottish Junior Cup 1stRound.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 4 IRVINE VICTORIA 2

McGill scored the opener at Connel Park for the Vics. A few minutes later John Irvine set up a Tommy Langan to draw sides the level. Outside left John Reid then found John Campbell to put the Glens ahead before he added a third putting the finishing touch to a cross from Bill Gray. Vics halved the deficit with a goal from Donnelly before Irvine completed the scoring with a “rocket shot”.

LOCHEE HARP 3 DUNDEE ST. JOSEPH’S 1

The game boiled down to a struggle between the respective half-back lines, and Harp’s trio emerged with honours in the second half. Beattie opened the scoring for St. Joseph’s with a brilliant shot and a clever lob by Forbes saw Adamson equalise. In the second half the Harp forwards saw more of the ball, and good goals by McEwan and Adamson sealed the Joey’s fate.

Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round.

DALRY THISTLE 1 GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 4

A large crowd, augmented by 600 excursionists from New Cumnock, were somewhat disappointed by this display. although McLuckie put the home side ahead, goals from Bobby Hawthorn, John Campbell and a brace from John Reid saw the visitors run out comfortable winners.

LOCHEE HARP 2 DUNDEE STOBSWELL 1

The Harp were still smarting from a severe 8-3 defeat in the Courier Cup at the hands of Stobswell when the two sides faced each other in front of a crowd of 9,000 at Lochee Park. In a dour game Harp were consider the better spoilers. Each side scored from the penalty spot due to impetuous handling by the defenders. Harp’s winner was a fine effort after Adamson and Forbes combined before Reynold banged the ball into the net.

Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 BLANTYRE CELTIC 1

Glenafton went into the 3^rd round draw with other clubs from Ayrshire, Dumbartonshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire and were drawn at home to Blantyre Celtic.

The star of the day was Tom Doyle, the Celtic keeper. This Blantyre lad was a marvel of alertness and courage and well deserved the warm applause given him at the close from friend and opponent. Willie Ferguson broke the deadlock to put the Glens ahead with the last kick of the first half – from the penalty spot. John Reid doubled the home side’s advantage but Rowse pulled one back to ensure a rousing finish

LOCHEE HARP 5 DUNDEE NORTH END 2

Harp went into the 3^rd round draw with other clubs from Forfarshire and Perthshire and were drawn at home to Dundee North End.

The Lochee lads had to fight a lot harder than the score suggests in front of a crowd of 5,000 at Lochee Park. Even late in the second half when Harp had a clear two goal margin, it was still anybody’s game. The pick of the goals a Richie rocket for North End and a brace from Harp’s Adamson.

Scottish Junior Cup 4th Round.

Glenesk Park, Dundee | 2^nd January 1936

The Glens had finished the year in good shape sitting top of the Western Junior League, still in all the domestic cup competitions and were the only Western Junior League side to progress to the 4^th round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

A newspaper report suggested that a local minister, the Reverend William Bodin may have a keen interest in the outcome of the game “his sympathies my lie with the Ayrshire side. In his early days he was a playing member of New Cumnock United, and Glenafton are an off-shoot club”. Indeed the Rev. Bodin was the minister of the parish of New Cumnock from 1920—1926 during which time he had a short spell as New Cumnock United’s goalkeeper including in the 1920/21 Scottish Junior Cup 2^nd round 1-0 victory over Dalry Thistle – the same round the Glens had defeated Dalry this season. The Reverend Bodin and his family later moved to Ardrossan and the in 1929, he filled the vacancy at at St. Luke’s Parish Church, Lochee.

Dundee Courier – Friday 03 January 1936

LOCHEE HARP 2 GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1

10,000 SEE HARP WIN A THRILLER

Harp a diminutive combination in comparison with their Ayrshire opponents deservedly passed into the fifth round of the Scottish Junior Cup at Glenesk Park.

The Dundonians showed their giant opponents crisp and clever football, and delighted a crowd of 10,335, who paid gate money to the extent of £208. It was a sixpenny gate. The exchanges all through were exceptionally keen, and there were frequent displays of temper. It was unfortunate that such a rousing game should be marred by the ordering off of two players. Foster, Harp’s right-back, and Langan, Glenafton’s centre- forward fell foul of each other, and without more ado the referee ordered both to the pavilion. Many were inclined to think the official’s action was harsh, but Mr. C. Kernohan, Glasgow had warned players before the ordering off incident about the 15^th minute.

SECRET OF SUCCESS

Harp owed their success to their ability to carry the ball and make contacts by perfect low passes. The hefty Ayrshire boys were too fond of first-time tactics.

Yet Harp have to thank goalkeeper Mauchland for defying the last-minute efforts of the southerners. A flying leap when Hawthorn connected with the head following a corner was really brilliant. The keeper turned the ball aside when a replay seemed a certainty.

Mauchland did many classic things, and one of the most brilliant was the saving of a penalty in the first-half. Left-back Ferguson took the spot kick, but Mauchland palmed the terrific drive against the crossbar and ultimately cleared.

TWO FOR FORBES

Both Harp goals were scored by Forbes the first in 10 minutes and the second within 60 seconds of the resumption. Reid was the Glenafton marksman. The way in which Forbes notched the goals classed him as a real opportunist. He was well supported with two grand inside men and wingers who know how to cross a ball.

Chaplain played a heroic after he lost his partner, and it was fitting that he and Mauchland should be carried shoulder- high off the field at the end. The Harp trio were also O.K. They seldom made the mistake of lifting the ball when they assayed a forward pass, and altogether showed real craft:

HARP: Mauchland; Foster and Chaplain; Scott, Farquharson and Duffy; Fleming, Duncan, Forbes, Renolds and Adamsom

GLENAFTON: McEwan; Brown and Ferguson; Craig, Gray and Ballantyne; Irvine, Hawthorn, Langan, Campbell and Reid.

ECHO OF GLENAFTON
An echo of Glenafton’s visit to Glenesk has reached me in a statement by a Harp official that the Ayrshire club has notified Lochee club they are absolutely satisfied with the procedure adopted regarding the admission of Dundee Violet’s ticket holders to their game. They also express appreciation the arrangements made for their comfort when in the city and extend best wishes for future success in the “Scottish”. Nice to hear of theses spontaneous compliments from defeated opponents

Footnote: In the Scottish Junior Cup 5th round Lochee Harp drew 3-3 at home to Royal Albert before losing 2-0 in the replay at Larkhall.

Glenesk Park

Of course we have more recent, happier memories in the Scottish Junior Cup at Glenesk Park, home of Dundee Violet.

Posted in GAFC History | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Cup | Comments Off

Troon 4 Glenafton 0

Posted on August 18, 2021 by flowgently

PDM Buildbase WOSFL \| Match 10	18/08/2021 KO 7:00pm	Portland Park, Troon
Troon	4 (2)	B. Black (2), Jamieson (2)
Glenafton Athletic	0 (0)

Troon opened the scoring on 11 minutes after Ben Black picked up a through ball before breaking into the box slot it past advancing keeper Scott Johnson from 15yards.

The hosts came close to doubling their lead when namesake Josh Black’s shot from 25 yyards crahed off the bar.

The Glens enjoyed a decent spell and looked to have drawn level after Craig Pettigrew’s diagonal ball from deep in the left was nodded home by Sean McIlroy from the edge of the six-yard box, only for the striker to be flagged offside.

Luck deserted the visitors again on the stroke of half-time. After clearing a corner-kick the ball was recovered by Ray Montgomerie who curled a cross back into the busy box where Tommy Maitland’s header cannoned off Ryan McChesney’s head sending the ball high into the air and is it dropped, bounced off the top of the bar and fell for Ben Black to poke home from close range.

HT Troon 2 Glens 0

The Portland Parkers added a third goal on 54 minutes after a long forward pass released Sam Jamieson with a free run into the right hand side box drawing Johnson from his line and although the keeper got a foot to the low angled shot the ball still found its way to the back of the net.

Jamieson struck again on 67 minutes with the pick of the goals. Deep in his own half surrounded by Glens players he slipped the ball to Ben Black who quickly completed the one-two by whipped the ball upfield for Jamieson to get another free run into the box and this time choosing to chip the ball over the head of the goalie.

FT Troon 4 Glens 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

1. Scott Johnson 4. Sean Bennie 2. Ryan McChesney 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 11. Scott Sherrie 8. Gregor Fotheringham 5. Aaron Miller 10. Ryan Jordan 7. Sam McKee 9. Sean McIlroy Subs Subs Used: 12. Darren Curtis 16. David Blyth 20. Calum Thomson Not Used: 15. Cammy Marlow 21. Daniel Sloan gk

TROON

1. Matthew Kerr, 2. Aaron Bryson 3. Kian Gilday 4. Ian Gold 5. Daniel O’Halloran 6. Jack Gordon (14. Fraser Scott) 7. Robbie Leighton 8. Ciaran McPherson 9. Gary Arbuckle 10. Sean McMonagle (16. Trialist) 11. Michael Baber (17. Kerr McCormick). Subs: 12. Scott Gold 14. Fraser Scott 15. Callum Scott 16. Trialist 17. Kerr McCormick

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Troon, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 3 Rob Roy 1

Posted on August 14, 2021 by flowgently

PDM Buildbase WOSFL \| Match 09	14/08/2021 KO2:00pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic	3 (1)	Sherrie, McIlroy, Ryan
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy	1 (0)	Arbuckle

Glens played host to a Rob Roy side on a great run of winning their last four league games in a row. Played raged from end to end in the early encounters with the first decent chance falling to the visitors. After a game of head tennis in the box Gary Arbuckle took control of the ball and laid if off to Jack Gordon who drilled a low shot from 18 yards that was blocked by keeper Scott Johnston, who then quickly smothered the loose ball.

At the other end Scott Sherrie’s dipping shot from 20 yards was clutched cleanly by keeper Matthew Kerr. Soon after, Sean Bennie’s long throw to the edge of the six-yard box was headed over the bar by Ryan McChesney.

Back came the Rabs and on 16 minutes Ciaran MacPherson’s shot from the corner of the six-yard box was blocked by Darren Curtis only for MacPherson to recover the ball which after a couple of exchanges fell for Gordon to fire his shot wide of target.

The game continued at a frantic pace often scrappy at times with defences on top scrambling balls clear while Curtis and Aaron Miller were working well together in midfield.

Darren Curtis on the ball and Aaron Miller with Sam McKee & Ryan McChesney

Mark Gilmour’s powerful run down the left wing ended with him being robbed off the ball at the expense of a corner kick which was taken by Sherrie and headed clear by Robbie Leighton before Curtis, from 25 yards out, fired the loose ball over the bar.

The Glens soaked up a period of Rabs pressure and counter-attacked with a wonderful passage of passing play. Bennie, deep in the right, pinched the ball from Leighton’s feet and Curtis gather before to squaring it left to Alan Cairns who played a one-two with captain Craig Pettigrew then clipped the ball forward for Sam McKee to collect in the centre-circle and burst upfield to release Sean McIlroy on the left with two defenders on his tail. The big striker shook off one defender and on reaching the bye-line evaded Ian Gold’s tackle to chip the ball into the box where McKee, on the six yard line, killed it with a raised foot and in a flash Scott Sherrie let the ball bounce before lashing it past two defenders and the keeper into the net. Glens 1-0 up with 29 minutes played with Sherrie celebrating his first competitive goal for the club in style.

Rabs defended Bennie’s long throw into the box and then broke upfield to earn back-to-back corners licks which ended with Leighton’s header drifting high and wide of target.

Cairns, deep on the left, curled a great ball into the box for McIlroy to chase down only for Daniel O’Hallaron and Kian Gilday to combine and allow keeper Kerr to clutch the loose ball.

On 35 minutes Gilmour sent a long ball forward for Curtis to chase only for Gordon on his heels to bring him down at the edge of the box; earning him a yellow card, despite his plea that he got the ball before the man. Although McKee’s free kick beat the two-man wall the ball fell kindly into the keeper’s hands.

Gordon floated a free-kick into a busy box and as the ball bounced loose Arbuckle’s acrobatic attempt to guide it home was comfortably held by Johnston.

Another Bennie’s long throw into the box was cleared and the ball hoofed up the park where it eventually fell for Gordon on the left wing and the Rabs play-maker then clipped a dangerous ball into the box that picked out Arbuckle at the back post and although he drew the keeper off his line, his cut back to set up Leighton for a tap-in, was intercepted and cleared by Pettigrew. The visitors continued to press and Sean McGonagle did well to give a couple of defenders the slip before cracking a shot from a tight angle which was firmly held by Johnston at his near post as Leighton waited on any spillage.

The Glens finished the half on the front foot. Cairns broke into the box only for his cut-back to be cleared and soon after McKee’s free kick from 25 yards was blocked by the wall. Sherrie then hunted down a long ball up the right wing that full back Kilday was determined to usher out of play but was skinned by Sherrie near the corner flag allowing him to drive a low ball into the goalmouth for the incoming McIlroy only for Gold to clear for a corner-kick which then came to nothing.

HT Glens 1 Rob Roy 0

Gold’s early free-kick into the box was readily mopped up by the Glens defence while soon after Pettigrew’s free-kick into the Rabs’ box fell for Sherrie and his attempt from the edge box was deflected over the bar for a corner kick; which he delivered perfectly for McChesney to bullet a header over the bar.

Kerr launched the goal-kick up the park where it was headed on by Arbuckle followed by loud claims that the ball hit Pettigrew on the arm before it entered the box, however play continued and although Michael Baber’s shot beat Johnson at the near post the ball drifted well wide of the back post. Soon after McPherson from the outskirts of the box slipped the ball into the path of Leighton on the overlap to drive deep into the box but his shot from a tight angle flew wide of target.

Back came Glens through a determined drive forward by Curtis and Gilmour that won a corner which was headed just wide at the back post.

On 63 minutes Glens doubled their lead.

Mckee’s shot from 25 yards was blocked and the ball retrieved by Gilmour on the left who rolled a diagonal ball back to Cairns. He took a touch before clipping the ball into the box for McIlroy on the penalty spot closely guarded by O’Halloran but neither player connected with the ball and while the Rabs captain claimed he had been impeded, play continued and Gilday’s attempt to clear the ball fell at the feet of Sean McIlroy to slot the ball past the keeper from 8 yards out. Rabs continued to complain to the referee that O’Halloran had been fouled by McIlroy but after consulting the assistant referee the goal stood.

The visitors then enjoyed a good spell of possession but couldn’t break down the Glens defence to fashion an attempt at goal. Rabs brought on Kerr McCormick for Michael Baber while soon after Glens replaced the injured Scott Sherrie with Jordan Ryan and the big striker was soon in the thick of action firing a shot over the bar from the corner of the penalty box.

Back came Rabs and Leighton’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner kick which was whipped across the face of the goal where Leighton’s glancing header drifted wide of the back post. At the other end Miller picked out Ryan in the box and although his shot was blocked the ball fell for Gilmour only for his shot from 18 yards out to sail high over the bar.

The visitors replaced Sean McGonagle with Trialist as they tried to find a way back into the game but a minute later the task got even tougher as Glens extended their lead. McIlroy made good progress wide on the right and won a throw-in. Up stepped Bennie, giving directions to the strikers, before launching a long throw into the six-yard box where Jordan Ryan, with O’Hallaron at his front and Gold at his back, leapt high to power a glancing header into the net. Glens 3-0 up on 76 minutes.

Three minutes later Rob Roy hit back after a long ball was launched down the left for the Trialist to chase who nicked it from Bennie as he attempted to usher it out for a goal kick and although McChesney managed to get a tackle in the ball cannoned of the Trialist’s shins, who then promptly squared it to Gary Arbuckle to shoot home from close range.

Glens were soon back on the front foot and Kerr did well to rush from his line to beat Jordan to the ball as he raced into the box. McIlroy then whipped a ball in from the left that McKee met on the drop only for his shot to be bravely blocked by Gilday.

Rabs countered through McCormick’s run down the right who tried to pick out Arbuckle in the box only for Johnson to rush from his line and gather the ball safely.

On 83 minutes the industrious Jack Gordon was replaced by Fraser Scott.

The visitors pushed for aspell with a free-kick into the box leading to a corner kick that was cleared and the ball quickly returned to the outskirts of the box from where Arbuckle dragged his shot wide of target. Soon after a long high diagonal ball to the edge of box was chested down by McCormick, who was then brought down in the box after a collision with the back-tracking Cairns, igniting loud penalty claims from the Rabs dug-out but to no avail.

Glens then defended a corner-kick with headers from McChesney and Curtis before Aaron Bryson retrieved the ball on the right touch-line and whipped a cross into the goal mouth that Johnson clutched as the Trialist waited to pounce.

Back game Glens and McKee after being boxed in at the corner flag wriggled himself free to lay it back to McIlroy who fired over the bar from 15 yards out.

Deep into added time the Rabs won another corner-kick that created a number of attempts at goal that each one in turn was blocked in a packed penalty box.

FT Glens 3 Rob Roy 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

1. Scott Johnson 2. Sean Bennie. 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 13. Mark Gilmour 4. Darren Curtis 8. Aaron Miller 11. Scott Sherrie (9. Jordan Ryan) 7. Sam McKee 10. Sean McIlroy Subs Not Used. 12. David Blyth 14. Calum Thomson 15. Mick McCann 17. Daniel Sloan (gk)

KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY

Match Photos

Glenafton Athletic v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Auchinleck 2 Glenafton 0

Posted on August 11, 2021 by flowgently

PDM Buildbase WOSFL \| Match 08	11/08/2021 KO 7:30pm	Beechwood Park, Auchinleck
Auchinleck Talbot	2 (1)	Mason, Samson
Glenafton Athletic	0 (0)

Glens welcomed back Cameron Marlow to the starting line after being sidelined since picking up an injury in the first game of the season at Irvine Meadow.

Auchinleck were forced into make an early substitution bringing on Kier Samson for Graham Wilson. The home side had a number of early chances the best of which saw Kieran Healy head over the bar and Aaron Mason hide wide; both coming from Mark Shankland’s crosses. Soon after Mason fired a shot over the bar.

On the 16^th minute Sam McKee tight on the left flank and whipped a wicked cross into the heart of the box only for keeper Andy Leishman to punch it clear from the former Auchinleck striker Sean McIlroy.

Back came the hosts and Shankland’s corner kick to the back post was headed overt the bar by Jake McDowell.

Scott Sherrie for Glens then broke down before cutting inside between two defenders and giving a third the slip before drilling a low shot through the legs of fourth but without the power to test Leishman.

Auchinleck opened the scoring on 29 minutes through the guile of Shankland’s short corner kick to Aaron Mason at the near side of the penalty box who took a great touch before lashing the ball home from a tight angle.

Shankland was then denied the opportunity to double Auchinleck’s lead only for keeper Scott Johnson getting a strong hand to a shot from close range. The keeper later tipped Shankland’s header at the back post over the bar.

HT Auchinleck 1 Glens 0

At the break Glens replaced Cameron Marlow with Ross Fisher (also recovering from injury) to take up his usual position in the centre of defence whilst Darren Curtis moved forward to his usual midfield tole.

Auchinleck doubled their lead on 53 minutes after Kier Samson broke down the left flank before cutting inside and slotting the ball past Johnson at his near post. A minute later a third goal was denied with a goal line clearance as the hosts continued to create the best of the chances on show with Healy and McDowell going close.

Ross Fisher unfortunately limped off before the half had reached midway and was replaced with striker Jordan Ryan while McIlroy fell back into the centre of defence.

Some respite for the Glens when Bennie launched a long throw into the heart of the Auchinleck box and although Sam McKee got a head to it, the ball glance wide of the post.

The hosts passed up a couple of half chance before Glens almost pulled on back at the death when Ryan chased a through ball into the box to fire a low angled shot that beat Leishman but drifted wide of the back post.

FT Auchinleck 2 Glens 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

1. Scott Johnson 4. Sean Bennie. 5 Darren Curtis 6. Craig Pettigrew, 3. Alan Cairns, 13. Mark Gilmour 8. Aaron Miller 2. Cameron Marlow (14. Ross Fisher(10. Jordan Ryan)) 7 Sam McKee 11. Scott Sherrie (12.Callum Thomson) 7 Sam McKee 10.Sean McIlroy

AUCHINLECK TALBOT

Andy Leishman, William Lyle, Aiden Wilson, Neil McPherson, Steven White, Gareth Armstrong, Jack McDowell (Willie Boyd) , Kieran Healy, Graham Wilson (Kier Samson) , Mark Shankland, Aaron Mason (Dwayne Hyslop)

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 0 Benburb 3

Posted on August 7, 2021 by flowgently

PDM Buildbase WOSFL \| Match 07	07/08/2021 KO 2:00pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic	0 (0)
Benburb Juniors	3 (0)	Ocholi, Docherty, Leadbetter

Ryan McChesney joined fellow defenders Ross Fisher and Iain McKnight on the injury list while keeper Scott Johnstone called off during the warm up and was replaced by Daniel Sloan.

In the Bens dug-out was assistant manager Ian Gray, a great servant to the Glens and a member of the greatly revered 1993 Scottish Junior Cup winning side.

Sloan was quickly called into action when he punched away a corner-kick at the back post in the opening minute. He then dived at the feet of the incoming Aiden Ferris to grab the ball and then saved a shot from 18 yards by the same player.

At the other end, Sam McKee slipped the ball to Leon Murphy who weaved his way into the left-hand side of the box before clipping the ball into the middle for Fotheringham to fire a shot wide from 15 yards. McKee then threaded a through pass for Jordan Ryan to run on to and drill a low angled shot from 12 yards out, that keeper Daniel McLean got down low to hold.

Back came the Bens through Gospel Ocholi who twisted and turned in the box before lashing a a shot from a tight angle that whizzed past the back post. Ryan McCrone then gathered a long throw into the box and his angled shot suffered the same fate.

McKee nicked the ball in the centre circle and released David Blyth to break down the right and into the box where McLean rushed from his line to block the shot. Glens continued to press and a free-kick deep into the box saw Sean Bennie’s header deflected over the bar for a corner which was headed clear by Ryan Docherty.

After a lively start play got bogged down for a period and was often interrupted with a spate of petty fouls.

On 30 minutes Blyth won a corner kick on the right that was headed over the bar by Pettigrew and soon after Docherty headed a Bens’ corner inches wide of the back post. The visitors continued to press and from deep in his own half Lee Duncanson launched a great ball into the right-hand-side of the box that was chased down by Ferris before he flashed an angled shot across the face of Glens goal. Soon after a free kick floated into the box was punched clear from the head of Ryan Livingston.

At the other end Blyth picked out McKee who gave Docherty the slip before hitting a shot from 24 yards which drifted wide of the post. Another Glens attack broke down at the outskirts of the Bens’ box and the ball retrieved by Docherty who then fired a long ball upfield which Livingston controlled to set up a powerful from the corner of the six-yard box only for Sloan to pull off a phenomenal save and push the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner the young keeper cleanly clutched Livingston’s header from the back post.

HT Glens 0 Benburb 0

Twenty seconds into the second half and after winning the ball in the Glens box Ferris slipped it to Livingston to thunder a shot that pulled off another super save from Sloan. The corner was cleared to the outskirts of the box where Murphy gathered and set-off as speed to break deep into the Bens’ box where he slipped past one defender before a slide tackle from a second sent the ball out for a throw.

Back came Bens and Duncanson’s break down the right ended with a great ball being flashed across the face of goal for the incoming Livingston who was inches away from tapping the ball home.

Play was flowing from end-to-end and Blyth’s break down the right won a throw 10 yards from the bye-line which Bennie launched high into the box which Craig Pettigrew hooked overhead to the back post where Ryan’s header was forced out for a corner. After some head tennis in the box the ball was recovered by the Glens for McKee. His ball cut-back into the box was blocked and gathered by Scott Jarvie who took a great touch before launching a long ball upfield for Gospel Ocholi to chase with Glens’ defender Alan Cairns by his side, although Sloan appeared to be favourite to win the ball as he rushed from his goal-line, however he misjudged the bounce of the ball and Gospel Ocholi got ahead of Cairns to roll the ball into the empty net. Bens 1-0 up on 54 minutes.

Although play continued to go from end-to-end it was the visitors that continued to create the better chances. Ocholi came close to bagging a brace only for Sloan to get a hand to his close range shot and Cairns clearing the loose ball of the line.

On 59 minutes the Glens were reduced to 10 men after Fotheringham was shown a second yellow card. Two minutes later Bens doubled their lead. Pettigrew headed clear a corner at the back post and the loose ball trapped by Jarvie before threading it left to Ryan Docherty to drill a low shot from a tight angle that beat Sloan at the near post and crossed the line in the heart of the goal despite Cairns attempt to block it.

Glens brought on Mark Gilmour for David Blyth and soon after Sean McIlroy for Jordan Ryan.

Bens continued to create better of the chances as the 10 men battled to try and get something from the game. A free kick was deflected inches wide of the post and the corner-kick that followed was punched clear high into the air and the near post and eventually fell for Jarvie to thump a shot that was blocked by a wall of Glens defenders.

Glens broke down another attack and from tight on the right Gilmour floated a high ball into the box for McIlroy where McLean rushed from his line punch it clear which was snapped up be McKee who evaded one defender before the keeper dived at his feet to smother the ball.

On 77 minutes Benburb extended their lead after David Leadbetter’s corner-kick dropped to hit off the inside of the back post and over the line.

Glens came close to pulling a goal back two minutes later. Great work from Gilmour earned them a free kick on the bye-line half-way between the corner flag and 18 yard box. Murphy clipped it to the far end of a busy box where Bennie’s diving header appeared to hit off the head of McKee at the near post sending the ball over the head of the grounded goalie who managed to lean back and claw it from crossing the line. Sort of summing up the Glens’ day, the only surprise being the Bens didn’t go up the park and add a fourth!

Glens brought on Scott Sherrie for Sam McKee as they tried to salvage a consolation. Although Pettigrew was denied a chance in the box by the defensive stalwarts Docherty and McLean the last action of the match fell to the visitors with a header flashing wide of the post.

FT Glens 0 Benburb 3

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC

1. Daniel Sloan 12. Darren Curtis 4. Sean Bennie 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 18. David Blyth (13. Mark Gilmour) 5. Aaron Miller 8. Gregor Fotheringham (trialist) 11. Leon Murphy 9. Jordan Ryan (10. Sean McIlroy) 7. Sam McKee (20. Scott Sherrie). Subs not used: Calum Thomson, Scott Johnson

BENBURB JUNIORS

1. Daniel McLean 2. Lee Duncanson 3. David Leadbetter 4. Jordan Bow 5. Ryan Docherty 6. Keir O’Hear 7. Gospel Ocholi 8. Ryan McCrone 9. Ryan Livingston 10. Aiden Ferris 11. Scott Jarvie 12. Andrew Rankin 14. Rhys Devlin 15. Dean McGlaughlan 16. Jamie Campbell 17. Lewis 18. McKay 13. McFarlane (gk)

Match Photographs

Glenafton Athletic v Benburb Juniors

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Benburb, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton Athletic

Rutherglen 1 Glenafton 5

Glenafton 2 Craigmark 1

Glenafton 1 Bonnyton 0

Blantyre Vics 1 Glenafton 1

Lochee Harp 2 Glenafton 9

Harping back to the Past

Scottish Junior Cup 1stRound.

Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round.

Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round.