Glens travelled to face Bo’ness Athletic in the South Challenge Cup 3rd round on the Friday night. Two first half goals by Dylan Paterson gave the home side a well-deserved victory. Paterson opened the scoring on 24 minutes and despite Scott Johnson saving his spot-kick on 32 minutes, the striker was first to react and buried the rebound.
Scott Johnson
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnson 2. Sean Bennie 3. Alan Cairns 4. Ross Fisher 5.Craig Pettigrew 6.Jamie McKermon 7. Sam McKee 8. Gregor Fotheringham 9. Leon Murphy 10.Jordan Ryan 11. Mark Gilmour. Subs, Scott Sherrie, Darren Curtis, Mick McCann, Calum Thomson, Daniel Sloan (gk)
BO’NESS ATHLETIC
1. Currid 2. Owen 3. Shanks 4. W. Paterson 5. Woodburn 6. Mitchell 7. Snedden 8.Rose 9. Rose 10. D. Paterson 11. Daramola
Glens made one change from the eleven that started against Kilbirnie last Saturday with Jordan Ryan replacing Sam McKee as they faced league leaders Pollok.
The home side were first to threaten on 6 minutes when Jamie McKernon gathered a clearance from the Pollok box and lobbed it forward for Leon Murphy to knock it back into the box for Jordan Ryan to slip between two defenders and hook a shot for goal that the advancing Jordan Longmuir comfortably collected on the six-yard line.
Pollok responded with a patient build up that developed into a lung bursting run down the right by Matty Grant to whip a great ball to the near post for the incoming Adam Forde to bullet a glancing header that crashed off the bar and was then headed clear by Ollie Rowe.
A ‘Lok free kick floated deep into the box was punched wide by former ‘Lok keeper Scott Johnson and the corner that followed came to nothing. Glens too had little joy from a couple of free kicks played into the box, the first cleared after some head-tennis hooked away by the lively Grant.
Midway through the half a Longmuir kick upfield was headed clear by Ross Fisher and in a flash Murphy and Gregor Fotheringham combined to release Ryan to break to the outside of the box only for his square pass to be missed by three incoming Glens players and equal number of defenders. However, the ball was picked up at the opposite corner of the box by Sean Bennie who slipped it forward to Fotheringham but his shot was blocked David Brownlie on the six-yard line and the danger eventually cleared. Glens continued to press and a high ball into the box saw Bryan Wharton win the aerial battle and when the ball dropped for Murphy his low shot was hoofed clear by the same player.
Mark Gilmour breaking forward
The home pressure paid off on 26 minutes. Captain Craig Pettigrew broke down a ‘Lok attack and although he picked out Ryan with a long forward pass Wharton was quick to knock it from the striker’s toes just outside the “D. The loose ball was snapped up by Sean Bennie, who after playing a couple of short-one-two’s with Fotheringham, held off the challenge from Ryan McGregor to advance into the box and on trying to pick out Ryan in the box he stroked the ball through Brownlie’s legs and as the unfortunate Bryan Wharton tried to intercept he slipped and sent the ball over the already diving Longmuir and into the net.
Back came Glens as Murphy beat Kyle Bradley to a high ball launched into the Pollok box and hooked it towards the penalty spot where Brownlie hoofed the ball out for a corner which seemed net-bound from the head of Ryan only for Derek Esplin to head it safely wide. On this occasion Fotheringham played this corner to the back-post where it was headed out and then recovered by Pettigrew to play it back to the near post where Rowe’s header was cleared.
Pollok then won a couple of corner-kicks the first was played to the far end of the box where although Wharton’s looping header beat Johnson at full stretch Sean Bennie was on the goal-line to head it clear. Soon after, on 35 minutes, Forde chose to curl the next corner to the edge of the six-yard box where Bryan Wharton was quick off the mark to nod the ball down and into the far corner of the net.
The visitors went on the attack again only for Forde to drag his shot from 18 yards wide of target. Clark’s great ball to the near post for Danny McKenzie was blocked by Bennie at the expense of another corner which ended with the airborne Brownlie’s flying header flying past the post.
A lightning quick counter-attack initiated by Clark breaking from deep on the right and then playing a long one-two with Shaun Fraser to progress down the wing before picking out the incoming Forde in the box only for Pettigrew to block his shot before Johnson blocked the striker’s second attempt. Bennie headed the corner that followed clear of the box and when it was played back in Johnson leapt to pluck it out the air.
Craig Pettigrew & Scott Johnson close down Adam Forde
HT Glens 1 Pollok 1
The visitors were first to show in the second half with a long throw into a packed box and after a good old stramash Grant fired the loose ball over the ball.
The Glens responded through Rowe’s long and high clearance into Lok’s box where Murphy beat Brownlie to the ball before trying to chip it over Longmuir, now back-tracking to his goal-line, where the keeper with an outstretched arm managed to push it away from goal and for Wharton to mop up.
The home side pressed again through Rowe’s header in the box which was scrambled clear followed by Murphy’s teasing run into the box only for his shot, under pressure from 3 defenders, go high and wide.
Back came Pollok and Bradley’s header from a corner-kick dipped over the bar. On 53 minutes Forde’s powerful diagonal header from edge of the box crashed off the base of the post; the provider was of course Clark on the right.
Glens then enjoyed a good spell of pressure and pinned Pollok back in their box but without testing Longmuir. They came close on the hour mark when Bennie’s throw was won in the air by Rowe and the ball fell for Fotheringham in the six-yard box only for Wharton’s sliding tackle forcing him to stroke it inches wide of the post.
Played rage from end to end as both sides went in search of the winner but clear-cut chances were thin on the ground. Although Fotheringham’s free kick from 30 yards beat the wall the ball nestled kindly into Longmuir’s bread basket. At the other end Clark set up Forde to blast a shot from 22 yards only for a deflection to send it wide and the corner-kick eventually cleared. Later Johnston punched a free-kick deep into the box from the head of MacKenzie.
Glens countered with Fotheringham’s break through the middle who released the ball to Murphy before being tripped by Clark but with no advantage played the advantage was lost! The free-kick into Lok’s was cleared for a corner which was cleared from the box.
Leon Murphy & Gregor Fotheringham
On 73 minutes Pollok replaced Shaun Fraser with Johnny Lyon.
Glens continued to press with McKernon winning the ball and feeding Murphy to release Fotheringham for another powerful run into the box only for McGregor, the last defender, to clear for a shy which was launched into a packed box and cleared for another long throw with the same outcome. A Glens corner was then scrambled clear.
On 80 minutes Glens brought on Sam McKee for Jordan Ryan as the game continued to be played at a relentless pace.
The home side were pegging Pollok back into their own half and often deep in their own box but were only rewarded with a couple of corner-kicks for their efforts. Play then fell into the pattern of end-to-end with both defences remaining on top.
Pollok made two further changes in the closing minutes with Callum Graham replacing Adam Forde and Stuart McCann making way for Chris Duff. Two minutes into added time Graham close to nicking the 3 points for the visitors but his close range header drifted wide of the post after another terrific ball from Clark. At the other end the tireless Fotheringham and Murphy combined at the edge of the box only for the latter’s half-volley lack the power to test Longmuir.
Handshakes
FT Glens 1 Pollok 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnston 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Ross Fisher 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 2. Sean Bennie 7. Gregor Fotheringham 8. Jamie McKernon 11. Mark Gilmour; 9. Ryan Jordan (19. Sam McKee), 10. Leon Murphy. Subs: Callum Thomson, Darren Curtis, Scott Sherrie, Daniel Sloan (gk)
POLLOK
1. Jordan Longmuir 2. Matty Grant 3. Danny MacKenzie 4. Bryan Wharton 5. David Brownlie 6. Kyle Bradley 7. Derek Esplin 8. Ryan McGregor 9. Stuart McCann (12. Chris Duff) 10. Adam Forde (18. Callum Graham) 11. Shaun Fraser (16. Johnny Lyon). Subs: 14. Tommy Coyne 15. Jordan Moore 17. Evan Horne 21. Josh Lumsden
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause in memory of Paul Kelly, manager of St. Roch’s F.C. who sadly passed away on Thursday.
In memory of Paul Kelly, St. Roch’s F.C.
Glenafton made two changes to the side that started against Gartcairn last Saturday with David Blyth and Darren Curtis making way for Gregor Fotheringham and midweek signing Jamie McKernon, returning to the club for a third time. In the Kilbirnie line-up wascentre-back Paul Murphy, a member of the Glens 2011/12 side that won the Super League 1st Division title.
A ferocious wind swept across the length of the park joined at times with squally torrential rain and both sides deserve great credit for making the most of the dreadful conditions.
Glens kicked off into the teeth of the wind and it was no surprise that Kilbirnie were soon on the front foot with the wind at their backs. Waves of attacks were broken down by the home defence but possession then often surrendered as goal-kicks and clearances were blown back into their own half or curled out of play for a throw-in to the visitors.
Jamie McKernon & Mark Gilmour with Paul Murphy
In the opening exchanges the lively Jon Scullion running through the middle had a shot from the outskirts of the box blocked by the outstretched leg of Ollie Rowe. Ladeside pressed down both flanks and on 8 minutes switched from right to left via Paul Murphy to John Gallagher who whipped a wicked ball to the near post for the incoming Brendan Sharpe but the former Meadow striker was just a whisker from making contact on the 6-yard line. The visitors won a series of corner kicks only one of which tested keeper Scott Johnson who punched the ball from the head of PaulMurphy.
Conditions continued to vary from horizonal rain to brief bright spells but always with a wind of varying intensity.
The Glens had managed to string some decent spells of passing together with Leon Murphy weaving forward now and then only to hit a wall of defenders in the box. The home side won their first corner on 19 minutes and although it was cleared, they ventured forth again and Sam McKee’s ball in from the right was smothered at the near post by keeper Joe Wilton.
On 28 minutes Kilbirnie came close to breaking the deadlock after a free-kick floated into the box was won in the air by Paul Murphy only for Johnston to pull off a great save and push his bullet header from 8 yards round the post. The keeper then punched the resulting corner to the edge of the packed box and following a stramash the ball popped out to Scullion on the left to curl a ball into the six-yard box that Johnson gathered.
Two minutes later Craig Pettigrew broke down a Ladeside attack deep in his own half and squared to Mark Gilmour on the left to clip the ball upfield where defender Josh Meechan looked favourite to intercept but lost his footing allowing Fotheringham to gather the ball for a free run at goal only for the advancing Walker to narrow the angle and block his shot from the corner of the six- yard box.
Glens then pinned Ladeside back into their own box as Murphy and McKee switched the ball from left to right and then back again before it was cleared only to be recovered by McKernon on the outskirts of the box to play a one-two with Alan Cairns and then curled a deadly ball into the goalmouth where Fotheringham got the jump on John Kelly only for his header to dip over the bar. The home side continued to press and Leon Murphy’s effort from the edge of the box drifted wide of the post.
Played then began to flow, when it could, back and forward as both sides battled with the elements.
On 37 minutes Liam McGuinness and Gilmour challenged for the ball on the edge of the Glens box with both sides shouting “foul” – the decision going the visitors’ way. Dead-ball specialist Scullion’s free kick from 22 yards deflected of the wall and wide of the post and the corner that followed was cleared.
A minute before the break Gallacher on the left cut-inside to lay off the ball to Daniel Bamford who was brought down in the “D” by Fisher. Scullion stepped up again and this time he lasered a low ball that whizzed past the edge of the wall and beyond the reach of Johnson to bulge the right hand corner of the net.
HT Glens 0 Kilbirnie 1
The wind had died down a notch or two as Ladeside kicked off the second half but conditions underfoot remained challenging, nevertheless the visitors made a lively start with short and sharp passing.
Gallacher’s low shot from inside the box was well held by Johnson. The same player was then picked out in the box with a fine ball from Sharpe only for Sean Bennie to nick the ball and set up a counter attack down the right that ended with McKee slipping the ball to Murphy who curled a shot from 16 yards that was clutched by Wilton.
Back came Ladeside and although one attack was repelled the ball was recovered by Kelly who released Gallacher to burst down the left, where the referee played advantage after the chasing McKernon clipped his heels, and drive for the bye-line before cutting a diagonal ball back into the box where the incoming Alex McWatters met it first time to slam the ball into the net from 12 yards. Ladeside 2-0 up on 50 minutes.
Glens responded through McKee on the right whipping a ball into the box that was knocked on by Leon Murphy and as Gilmour looked to lash it home from 6 yards Paul Murphy’s timely tackle cleared the danger momentarily. Rowe launched a long ball down the left for Gilmour to roll back to Cairns to loft a high ball into the box that Fotheringham with his back to goal killed it with his right foot before swivelling and shooting with his left only for Wilton to get down low and tip it inches wide of the post. The corner that followed was cleared only for Glens to continue to press with dangerous balls into the box by McKee and then Bennie.
Gregor Fotheringham goes close
Kilbirnie countered and Bennie was in the right place to prevent Sharpe from slotting a great ball from Scullion in at the near post.
On the hour mark Glens brought on striker Jordan Ryan for Mark Gilmour.
Play now raged from end to end. A Glens’ corner was comfortably cleared and then so too a Kilbirnie one, however the ball was recovered by Scullion to curl a shot from the edge of the box to the far top corner of the goal only for the airborne Johnson at full stretch to push it away.
Back came Glens with a good period of pressure and couple of decent chances. Pettigrew launched a long ball into the box for the inrushing Leon Murphy to try and guide it home at the post but Wilton kept a cool head to gather.
On 70 minutes the Glens halved the deficit. Bennie on the right touchline prevented the ball from being marshalled out by Gallagher for a Kilbirnie throw. Leon Murphy picked up the loose ball, turned his marker and pushed forward to play a one-two with McKee before squaring to Gilmour inside who chipped it into the box where Meechan and Jordan’s aerial battle ended with the ball dropping for Fotheringham to gather and head for goal only for McGuiness to catch him on the shin and send him tumbling – a stonewaller. Up stepped Leon Murphy to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Play quickly fell into a pattern of ‘end to end’ with each side creating a couple of chances. At one end a dangerous cross deep into the box for Gallagher was headed clear by Bennie while at the other McKee’s cut-back across the goal mouth fell between Gilmour and Jordan.
Glens began to press with Leon Murphy’s shot from 30 yards out sailing over the bar and keeper Wilton then diving bravely at the feet of Fotheringham.
With ten or so minutes remaining both sides brought on fresh legs. Glens brought on David Blyth for Mark Gilmour while Ladeside brought on Graham Muir for Daniel Bamford and Corey Pearson for Jon Scullion.
Glens made a final push for a share of the points and came close two minutes into added time. After another scramble in the box the ball fell for Blyth who cracked a powerful shot from 18 yards through a mass of bodies for Wilton to leap from a standing position and with an outstretched arm got fingertips to deflect the ball over bar – a wonderful save.The corner kick was cleared and so too a free kick in the dying seconds.
FT Glens 1 Kilbirnie 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnson 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 7. Sam McKee 5. Ross Fisher (15. Jordan Ryan) 8. Jamie McKernon 11. Mark Gilmour (16. David Blyth) 9. Leon Murphy 10. Gregor Fotheringham. Subs Not Used: 12. Calum Thomson 14. Darren Curtis 19. Mick McCann 21. Daniel Sloan
KILBIRNIE LADESIDE
77. Joe Wilton 2. Kyle Girvan 3. John Kelly 4. Josh Meechan 5. Paul Murphy 6. Liam McGuiness 7. Alex McWatters 8. Daniel Bamford (16. Graham Muir) 9. Brendan Sharpe 10. Joe Scullion (17. Corey Pearson) 11. John Gallagher Subs. 12. Roan Fitzpatrick 14. Dylan Henry 15. Martin McBride Gk Jamie Walker
Glenafton faced Gartcairn in the first meetings between the two clubs in the so-called “Preliminary Round” of the Killie Pie West of Scotland Football League Cup! The Airdrie side are enjoying a great season sitting in 3rd place in Conference B and are through to the 4th Round of the Scottish Junior Cup.
The Glens made two changes to the side that started against Rossvale last week with keeper Scott Johnson replacing Brian McGarrity and Mark Gilmour coming in for Aaron Miller.
The Glens won an early corner-kick from which Sean Bennie’s volley was blocked and the loose ball fell for Craig Pettigrew only for his shot to be deflected wide for another corner that was headed clear.
Gartcairn responded through Barry Frew breaking down the middle to set up Ross McNeil to blast a shot from the 18-yard line that Scott Johnson stopped with both hands and Ollie Rowe cleared the rebound as Frew closed in. The visitors recovered the ball however and continued to press before Ross Fisher mopped up the danger.
The game was being played at a hectic pace as Gartcairn were quick to close down play and the ball changed hands (or feet) as both sides tried to mount attacks.
Busy space
On 10 minutes Liam Craig’s deflected shot dropped kindly for David Sinclair unmarked in the “D” but his volley ended well wide of the target. Glens countered but their third corner-kick served only to set up another break by Frew with the ball eventually falling for Fraser Team but his shot from 20 yards sailed over the bar.
Glens then enjoyed a decent spell of pressure without testing keeper John Hutchison although Fisher came close as his header from a Rowe cross slipped wide of the post. Mark Gilmour skipped past a defender to get to the bye-line and pick out Sam McKee in the box only for Ben Cappie to strip himof the ball and initiate a counter-attack that ended with the visitors camped in and about the Glens’ box for a time before McNeil’s shot from a tight angle whizzed wide of the back post.
David Blythe breaks down the right tracked by Ben Cappie
Midway through the half Frew picked up the ball in the centre circle to drive forward before unleashing a thunderous shot from 25 yards that saw Johnson leap and push the ball high into the sky with both hands. From the resulting corner Terry Hewitt won the header in a packed six-yard box and although Johnson got a hand to the loose ball it bobbled about the box before falling into the keeper’s arms.
At the other end Alan Cairns took three defenders out of play with a great ball into the box for McKee only for Hutchison to clutch his cross out the air.
The visitors pressed and created a number of decent chances. Sinclair’s free kick from the edge of the box fell straight into the hands of Johnson. Soon after Craig broke down the right to clip a cross for the incoming Frew at the back-post only for Johnson to clutch the ball under his bar. Team then sprinted down the left to set up Frew to shoot from 16 yards only to be foiled by Johnson again, pulling off a great save to push it round the post and then cleanly clutch the resulting corner kick.
Scott Johnson pushes Barry Frew’s shot round the post
At the other end Hutchison cut out another McKee cross before Gartairn called Johnson into action again. Bennet cutting in from the right slipped the ball to McNeil at the edge of the yard box only for the keeper’s shins to block his shot. Johnson then smothered a Craig cross into the goal mouth and soon after Hewitt headed a free-kick into the box over the bar.
Unsurprisingly the tempo of the game dropped a notch and play was scrappy as both sides won and surrendered the ball in equal fashion.
HT Glens 0 Gartcairn 0
The visitors were quickly on the front foot after the restart. Although Craig’s free kick from the outskirts of the box beat the wall it dropped safely into the hands of Johnson. Soon after, Craig’s head was in his hands in disbelief when his curled shot from inside the box was heading for the top corner only for Johnson, at full stretch, to tip it over the bar. The corner that followed was headed clear from under the bar by Bennie and Cairns released Murphy down the right but the break fizzled out.
Scott Johnson foils Liam Craig
Back came the visitors through Frew down the left to whip the ball to the back post where Johnson punched it from the head of the incoming Team and the ball played back into the busy box by Barry Eley only for Johnson to wrestle the ball from the feet of Cappie.
Some respite for the Glens when a long throw into the box from Bennie was won in the air by Pettigrew and the loose ball eventually fell into a pack of players where Fisher, with his back to goal, hooked the ball over his head sending it inches wide of the post. Gartcairn won a corner-kick on the left and the ball fell for McNeil in the far side of the box to lash a low angled shot that Johnson got down low to hold.
Ross Fisher’s overhead kick
On the hour mark Glens made their first change with midfielder Mark Gilmour making way for striker Jordan Ryan while soon after Gartcairn brought on Eddie Ferns for Barry Frew. In between times McKee, from wide on the left, floated a great ball to back post where Murphy came within a whisker to get a touch and test Hutchison.
Glens continued to press and Blyth’s powerful run into the box won him a corner-kick on the right which he floated high into the heart of the box and the ball fell for Murphy on the left-hand side which he chipped to the far corner of the six-yard box where Rowe attempted to guide a header to the back post only for Hutchson on his line to push it away with both hands and Rowe’s second bite at the cherry was deflected wide for a corner. It was Rowe that leapt above all around to bullet a header from 8 yards out that Hutchison jumped to clinch with both hands.
John Hutchison saves from Ollie Rowe
Play went back and forth for a short spell before Glens threatened again. Blyth cracked a shot from inside the corner of the box that was deflected over the bar and Hutchison got the jump on Rowe to pluck the corner out the air. At the other end a Gartcairn corner was cleared before another period of back & forth played resumed.
On 70 minutes Glenafton broke the deadlock. Blyth broke into the right-hand side of the box but with his way to goal blocked he rolled it back out to Murphy to clip a perfectly weighted ball for Ryan on the penalty spot only it seemed to come off Hewitt’s head sending the ball into the air before the alert Jordan Ryan turned and leapt to loop an exquisite header over Hutchinon, rooted two yards of his line, and into the far corner of the net.
Glens kept the pressure on and earned another corner that was headed clear by Hewitt leading to a counter attack that ended with Ferns shot being blocked in the box by McKee.
The home side made another change with David Blyth making way for Scott Sherrie who was quickly in the thick things. He picked out Ryan in the box where he evaded Hewitt’s tackle only to be robbed by Cappie who then stumbled to the ground and appeared to accidentally handle the ball before keeper Hutchison gathered. Red shirts loud claims for a spot kick fell on deaf ears!
On 80 minutes Glens made their third change with Calum Thomson replacing Sam McKee.
Sherrie danced into the box to win another corner that came to nothing while Gartcairn responded with back-to-back corners which saw the latter leading to a free kick on the right wing. Ferns floated the ball to the back post where Craig clearly pushed Bennie before winning a header that dipped inches over the bar.
Liam Craig goes close
The visitors came close to drawing level on 83 minutes after a free kick from the centre circle was launched deep into the box where Hewitt headed the ball towards the near post and McNeil’s header sent it skyward only for it to nestle on the roof of the net.
The game finished with another period of play raging from end to end without either keeper being tested and on 94 minutes the referee blew for time.
FT Glens 1 Gartcairn 0
A tough shift for two evenly matched sides with Glens keeper Scott Johnson in top form and Jordan Ryan breaking the deadlock with a perfectly weighted header. Glens will now host BSC Glasgow in the 1st Round!
Ollie Rowe and Scott Johnston
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnson 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns; 7. David Blyth (14. Scott Sherrie) 5. Ross Fisher 8. Darren Curtis 11. Mark Gilmour (15. Jordan Ryan); 9. Leon Murphy 10. Sam McKee (12. Calum Thomson). Subs Not Used: 16. Mick McCann
GARTCAIRN
1. John Hutchison 2. Barry Eley 3. Ben Cappie 4. Scott Stevenson 5. Terry Hewitt 6. Ryan Bennet 7. Liam Craig 8. David Sinclair 9. Ross McNeil 10. Barry Frew (12. Eddie Ferns ) 11. Fraser Team. Subs Not Used: 14. Michael Tuohy 15. Graham Watson 16. M. Casey
Glenafton’s unbeaten run of 5 league games (a draw followed by 4 wins) came to an end on Saturday after the proverbial game of two halves with Rossvale scoring twice in the first and Glens pulling one back in the second.
Glens made two changes to the side that started against Kello Rovers last Saturday with Brian McGarrity and Ross Fisher coming in for Scott Johnson and Gregor Fotheringham.
The two sides met each other on league business only 3 weeks ago, however with both having a free Saturday away from cup football, today’s fixture was agreed at short notice. Perhaps as a consequence the referee was not accompanied by assistant match officials and volunteers, one from each team, held the flags.
Big Jim’s back
The sides were evenly matched in the early encounters, each winning a corner kick that came to nothing. From open play Rossvale’s Robbie Torrance deep on the left launched a ball into the box that the lively Rico Diack was a hair’s breadth from getting a head to it before the ball slipped wide of the post. For Glens, Ross Fisher took the bull by the horns to drive forward and play a neat one-two with David Blyth to continue his run into the box only to be robbed of the ball on the touchline by Dillon Young.
On 14 minutes Rossvale took the lead after Hugh Kerr picked up the ball midway into the Glens half and with his way to goal blocked clipped the ball wide to James Dolman who with quick feet skipped past two men before cutting inside to curl a shot from the edge of the box that keeper Brian McGarrity at full stretch appeared to have it covered only for it to take a bounce and finish in the back of the net.
Glens responded well through Darren Curtis threading a ball for Sam McKee to break into the box, shaking one defender off before Young, with another well-timed tackle, stripped the ball from the striker some 8 yards from goal. The home side continued to press and a long throw from Sean Bennie was headed out for a corner-kick at the near post by Conor Morgan under pressure from Ollie Rowe. Rossvale cleared the corner-kick and countered with a quick attack down the left which ended with Dolman picking out Diack in the middle to drive into the box and after being forced wide by Craig Pettigrew he whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal just beyond the reach of the incoming Euan Rodger.
The visitors were producing all the fluent play on show and were soon on the front foot again. Kerr and Dolman combined down the left before switching the ball to Torrance breaking into the right-hand side of the box where he rolled the ball back to Mikey McWilliams only for Rowe to block his shot. Back came Vale with McWilliams releasing Torrance down the right to whip another wicked ball into the box that Kerr just failed to meet as Rowe challenged.
Rossvale doubled their lead on 22 minutes with a wonderfully worked goal. A long clearance up the park from McGarrity was headed out from the edge of the box by Ross Urquhart, hooked on by Torrance and the flicked on by the head of Diack at the half-way line. Rodger gathered the ball but with no way through returned it to Diack to lay it off inside to McWilliams who quickly picked out Urquhart in the centre-circle and from here he pushed forward before stroking a 15-yard pass to Hugh Kerr on the outskirts of the box and as Urquhart continued his run to complete the one-two, Kerr instead turned and leathered a low unstoppable shot from 22 yards past McGarrity at full stretch.
Glens mustered a response with several half-chances. Both Murphy and McKee had shots from within the box blocked by Morgan while Fisher then had another determined run through the middle before drilling a low shot from 25 yards out that drifted wide of the far post.
On 32 minutes were forced in to a change with Aaron Miller coming off to be replaced by player-manager Mick McCann.
The visitors were soon back on the front foot playing fast flowing football. The impressive Josh Hogg, from the centre circle in his own half, picked out Rodger on the outskirts of the box who laid it off to McWilliams and after giving a couple of defenders the slip struck a low shot from 22 yards which McGarrity got down low to stop and then quickly reacted to punch the ball from the feet of Kerr looking for the tap in.
Brian McGarrity beats Hugh Kerr to the ball
Attacks down both flanks quickly followed. Diack and McWilliams combined down the right to set up Young to whip a cross to the back post up where Kerr just failed to connect. While down the left Dolman played a slick one-two with Rodger clipping the ball into box where claims that it had struck a Glens arm fell on deaf ears before Pettigrew cleared the danger.
In the closing minutes of the half McCann won a free-kick on the left-hand corner of the penalty-box and although the McKee’s kick beat the two-man wall the ball fell into the safe hands of keeper Craig Gordon. Blyth then floated another free-kick into a busy box that was won in the air by Fisher only for the header to drift wide of the post.
At the other end Rossvale quickly switched play from the right wing to the left for Dolman to whip another great ball to the near post only for McGarrity to clutch cleanly at the feet of Kerr. The keeper launched a long ball up the park where although McCann got the jump on Morgan in the box Gordon rushed from his line to punch the ball away from the striker’s head.
HT Glens 0 Rossvale 2
Early signs were not good for the home side as Rossvale were first to show after the restart through Diack breaking the down the right and then cutting into the box before lashing a shot that whizzed inches over the bar. However, from that point on the home side took control of the second half.
Blyth’s powerful run down the right won Glens a corner that Blyth clipped into the box where Pettigrew’s volley was deflected off target and then cleared by Hogg.
Soon after, Gordon’s high goal kick was won in the centre circle by Fisher and his header then flicked on by McCann with a cute back heel to release Murphy to break into the box only for his cut-back for the incoming McCann to be intercepted by Gordon. Darren Curtis then cleverly broke down a Rossvale attack in midfield before driving forward and hitting a low shot from 25 yards that the keeper held comfortably.
On 53 minutes the Glens pressure paid off. McGarrity rushed from his line to pluck a free kick floated into the box and immediately launched it upfield where it was trapped by McCann and promptly laid off to Blyth who pushed it wide back to McCann now on the right-hand side of the box. Holding off one defender before nutmegging a second and as a third closed in McCann casually slipped the ball to David Blyth who took a touch with his right and in a flash lashed a left-footed thunderbolt from 16 yards into the net.
A minute later the Glens passed up a great chance to draw level. Pettigrew cut out a Rossvale pass into the box and instantly picked out McKee wide on the left where he turned his marker before bursting up the wing and then clipping a perfectly weighted forward pass for Murphy to knock it first time into the path of the incoming McCann to kill with his right foot and seemingly certain to stroke it home from six yards with his left, only for the ball to sneak wide of the post.
Lots of ‘hands on heads’ but the Glens heads didn’t go down as they continued to press for the equaliser.
Mick McCann close to drawing the sides level
Alan Cairns sent a high cross into the box that McCann chested the ball back out Fisher but his effort from the edge of the “D” flew high over the bar.
The visitors made the occasional visit to the Glens box, more often than not from a set-piece play which typically would conclude with the home side mounting a counter-attack.
On 64 minutes Sean Bennie’s long throw into the six-yard box was headed back toward the edge of the box by Morgan where Bennie gathered and clipped high into the packed box where McCann’s volley from six yards out dipped over the bar; claims it was deflected over by Young waved away.
Rossvale made a double substitution with Diack and McWilliams having both put in a good shifts were replaced by Micky Mallon and new signing Sam Ghoul.
Glens continued to press against a determined performance from back-to-the-walls Vale and clear-cut chances were hard to find, however on 74 minute they were foiled by a super save from Gordon. Blyth floated a corner-kick into a jam-packed six yard box where the ball popped out and fell for Murphy and although his first attempt from 10 yards was blocked by Torrance, his second deflected off Kerr and the ball seemed destined for the back of the net but the quick-footed Gordon set up to dive to the right, dived to the left at full stretch to push the ball to safety.
The visitors enjoyed a brief spell of respite with possession in the Glens half without fashioning any efforts at goal.
Scott Sherrie replaced David Blyth n 78 minutes with the young goal scorer departing to well-earned applause from the home support.
Glens were back on the front foot and Fisher slotted a through ball for Murphy to chase down in the box only for his cut back to be headed past his own post by Young and Gordon clutched the resulting corner. Soon after Rowe picked out Bennie on the right hand side to curl a ball into heart of the box for the incoming McCann to beat Young to the ball only for his shot to dip over the bar. Sherrie then clipped a free kick into the box and although McCann got the jump on his marker his header slipped wide of the post.
On 84 minutes Sherrie’s corner-kick was met at the edge of the six-yard box by Pettigrew to guide the ball goalward only for Gordon to block with his feet with Fisher in close attention. McKee pounced on the loose ball but his shot from 4 yards out was clawed away a yard from the goal-line by the alert goalie who then cut out McKee’s attempted cut-back with an outstretched leg before finally clutching McKee’s third attempt to fashion the equaliser.
Rossvale took great heart from Gordon’s heroics and defended and attacked in equal measure to see out the game and claim the three points.
FT Glens 1 Rossvale 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Brian McGarrity 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 6. Craig Pettigrew (c ) 3. Alan Cairns; 10. Aaron Miller (13. Mick McCann) 5. Ross Fisher 8. Darren Curtis 11. David Blyth; (16. Scott Sherrie) 9. Leon Murphy 7. Sam McKee. Subs 12. Calum Thomson 21. Scott Johnson (gk)
ROSSVALE
1.Craig Gordon 2. Robbie Torrance 3. Josh Hogg 4. Conor Morgan 5. Dillon Young 6. Ross Urquhart (c ) 7. Rico Diack (16. Mikey Mallon) 8. Euan Rodger 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Mikey McWilliams (17. Sam Ghoul) 11. James Dolan Subs 13. Josh Doherty (gk) 14. Danny Mefford 15. A. Johnstone
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Cumnock on Wednesday evening with Scott Johnson, Ollie Rowe and Darren Curtis coming in for Brian McGarrity, Ross Fisher and Mark Gilmour.
Glens and Kello had faced each other at Loch Park in a pre-season friendly which the home side eventually edged 3-1 after the first half ended all square at a goal the piece. The first half of today’s cup-tie also ended all square albeit goal-less mainly through three great saves by former Glenafton goalkeeper Ryan Dunsmuir in the Kello goal.
HT Glens 0 Kello 0
Glens broke the deadlock on the hour mark after Craig Pettigrew cut out a Kello cross into the box and the ball fell for Aaron Miller to drive to the half-way line before releasing Scott McKee down the left who left two Rovers in his wake before whipping the ball into the box which evaded four other Rovers before bouncing up for Leon Murphy to clip it past Dunsmuir at his near post from 10 yards out.
Leon Murphy
Just as he done in the aforementioned friendly, Mark Armour drew the sides level after gathering a loose ball on the right wing and breaking forward before playing a neat-one-two to pick up there return ball on the right-hand side of the box before lashing a vicious shot past Johnson at full stretch into the far corner of the net.
Mark Armour
On 75 minutes the home side edged ahead again after Alan Cairns slipped a ball to McKee wide on the left to float a cross into the box which clipped off the head of a defender only for the ball to cannon off the shin of another and Leon Murphy slam it home from 12 yards for his 10th goal of the season.
Just as he done in the aforementioned friendly, Mark Armour drew the sides level again; on 85 minutes from a well worked corner kick which saw the striker rush from the ‘D’ to the nearside of the six-yard box and hook the ball into the net with his back to goal.
FT Glens 2 Kello 2
Scott Sherrie
Glens took the lead for a third time in the first period of extra-time after substitute Calum Thomson won the ball in the centre circle sending the ball upfield where fellow sub Mick McCann laid it off with his chest to fellow sub Scott Sherrie on the right to break up the wing before cutting inside and lashing a low shot home from 20 yards out. Just as he done in the aforementioned friendly, Mark Armour drew the sides level again; in the last minute of extra-time.
AET Glens 3 Kello 3
The penalty shoot-out followed the same pattern of the game albeit briefly with Kello pegging back Glens to make it 1-1. However, although the home side continued to find the visitors were stalled after Scott Johnson pulled off back-back saves before the Glens made it 4-1 to progress to the 3rd round of the South Challenge Cup.
Scott Johnson
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Scott Johnston 18. Sean Bennie 6. Craig Pettigrew 4. Ollie Rowe 3. Alan Cairns 5. Darren Curtis (12. Calum Thomson) 10. Gregor Fotheringham (17. Mick McCann) 11. David Blyth (16. Scott Sherrie) 8. Aaron Miller 7. Scott McKee 9. Leon Murphy
KELLO ROVERS
1. Ryan Dunsmuir 2. Chris Martin 3. Thomas Shirkie 4. Dylan Clark 5. Declan Hill 6. Aiden Lang 7. Lori Johnson 8. Paul Weir 9. Mark Armour 10. Ally Smith 11. Kieran Pagan Subs: 12. Robert Hampson 14. Ross Costello 15. Marcus Robertson 16. Josh Blackwood 17. Ewan Lawrie 18. Taylor Stewart
With centre-back Ollie Rowe and striker Jordan Ryan unavailable for selection the Glens made a couple of changes to the side that faced Cumbernauld at the week-end. Ross Fisher dropped back from the midfield to partner captain Craig Pettigrew at the heart of the defence while David Blyth took Fisher’s place. As cover for Ryan manager Mick McCann was on the bench.
Under the Townhead floodlights it was Glenafton that were first to shine. Gregor Fotheringham gathered the ball in the centre circle and clipped the perfect pass down the right wing for Leon Murphy to chase down and cut inside the full back at the corner of the penalty box to curl a glorious shot beyond keeper Adam Strain at full stretch and into the far corner of the net.
Leon Murphy
Aaron Miller, Sam McKee and Murphy then combined with some nifty footwork to set up the latter for a close range shot that was blocked by Strain. Down the left David Blyth drove to the bye-line before whipping the ball across the face of the goal for the incoming Murphy only for Alan Murdoch to clear.At the other end although Smart Osadolor won the ball in air he was penalised for fouling keeper Brian McGarrity before Adam Martin slammed the loose ball into the net.
Back came Glens as McKee weaved into the box to pick out Fotheringham only for the ball cleared before he could tee up a shot. Cumnock countered with a lightning quick break through the middle and into the box by Callan Veitch only for shot to be blocked by an outstretched leg of the outrushing McGarrity. Miller nicked the ball from Findlay Frye deep in the Glens half and slipped it to Blyth to release McKee down the right and force his way into the box to fire a shot that was blocked and although his appeal that it struck a Cumnock hand was ignored, he recovered the ball only fir his second shot to go wide of target.
HT Cumnock 0 Glens 1
It was Cumnock that started the second half brightly and drew level on 48 minutes after Osadolor slipped a superb ball to twice former Glens player Findlay Frye and in flash lashed a low angled shot past McGarrity and into the net.
A minute later matters went from bad to worse for the New Cumnock side after Gregor Fotheringham earned a second yellow card for a pull a Jamie Wilson’s shirt. Soon after Glens brought on Ryan McChesney for Ross Fisher who had to leave the field through injury (broken nose!).
The home side continued to press and on 63 minutes after Sam McKee was adjudged to have brought Osadolor down in the box. Up stepped Frye but McGarrity was his match diving at full stretch to his left to hold the ball. Glens broke down another attack in the box and Craig Pettigrew launched a long ball upfield where Murphy gathered and cut between two defenders in the box only for Strain to pull of a great point blank save. At the other end McGarrity denied Martin with a super save at the near post. Ten men Glens mopped up the Cumnock pressure to take the tie to penalty kicks.
FT Cumnock 1 Glens 1
The home side were 4 out of 4 when Strain saved from McChesney and then Osadolor made it 5-3 with the last kick.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Brian McGarrity, Sean Bennie, Alan Cairns, Ross Fisher (Ryan McChesney), Craig Pettigrew David Blyth, Aaron Miller, Gregor Fotheringham, Mark Gilmour; Leon Murphy, Sam McKee. Subs: Darren Curtis, Scott Sherrie, Mick McCann, Scott Johnson (gk).
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
Adam Strain, Ruaridh McIntyre, Darren McGill, Greg Ferry, Alan Murdoch, Jamie Wilson, Owen Bell, Findlay Frye, Smart Osadolor, Callan Veitch, Adam Martin. Subs: Jamie Conn, Paul Smith, Liam Douglas, Ryan MacLean, Aidan Berry
Glenafton made one change to the side that started against Rossvale last Saturday with David Blyth making way for Ross Fisher.
Early action saw the visitors try a couple of shots from distance that had run out of steam before reaching keeper Brian McGarrity. At the other end a corner kick fell for Leon Murphy at the back post to cut back for Craig Pettigrew to fire a shot over the bar from 18 yards out.
On 8 minutes the Glens opened the scoring with a move beginning and ending with Mark Gilmour. The midfielder intercepted a header on the half-way line to the nod the ball forward for Murphy who quickly flicked it on for Sam McKee to gather and break down the left before whipping a low ball to the near post where the incoming Aaron Miller met it first time on the six-yard line only for keeper Michael McGee to pull off a point blank save. The loose ball drifted to the far side of the six-yard box where in a flash the incoming Gilmour got the jump on Stephen McDevitt to slam it into the net before McGee could reach it.
United fashioned another couple of chances. Top scorer Kieran Bouberki collected a long pass in the centre circle and body-swerved one Glens defender before progressing to the edge of the penalty box where he body-swerved another before curling a fierce shot that McGarrity clutched to his chest. Full back Lee Davidson, who would impress throughout, made a determined run down the left before weaving into the box only for the equally impressive Ollie Rowe to block his low shot.
Back came Glens through Gregor Fotheringham on the left to float a threatening ball high and deep into the box where as a pair each of defenders and attackers jockeyed for position McGee rushed from his line to rise above them all and push the ball to safety.
keeper Mark McGee clears
Play got scrappy for a time and was littered with free-kicks leading to a few yellow cards being brandished and disputed.
On 25 minutes a United corner-kick was safely plucked out the air by an unchallenged McGarrity and soon after another was cleared at the near post.
At the other end Pettigrew gathered a short throw from Alan Cairns and rather than clip the ball into the box as expected the Glens captain skipped past two blue shirts before rifling a low shot from 18 yards that seemed net bound only to be deflected wide by Jordan Kennedy. Ross Fisher’s downward header from the corner kick was blocked in a packed six yad box.
Another Cumbernauld corner was swallowed up by McGarrity and his throw out set Gilmour off on a long run upfield before drilling a low shot from 30 yards that drifted wide of the target.
Briann McGarrity clutches a corner
Three minutes from the break Aaron O’Hare burst down the left wing to clip a great ball into the box for David Cameron to leap and power a goal-bound header only for McGarrity to clutch under the bar. The quick-thinking keeper then lobbed the ball to McKee on the outskirts of the box to sprint down the left, leaving his marker in his wake, before cutting inside at the half way-line and wrong-footing McDevitt to drive through the middle before picking out Fotheringham at the edge of the box with a pin-point diagonal pass, only for the flag to go up as the midfielder clipped the ball over the keeper and into the net. A let off for ‘Nauld!
A dour half that had started so well drew to a close.
HT Glens 1 Cumbernauld 0
In stark contrast to the first half there was a glut of chances in the second half created from open play and the vast majority by the home side.
The first came just two minutes after the break when Fotheringham nicked the ball from the feet of McDevitt and slipped it to Murphy who run into the box to clip it past the outrushing keeper only for ball to hit the inside of post before being cleared by Davidson.
On 49 minutes the Glens doubled their lead with a deadly passage of flowing football. On the right wing and deep in his own half, Sean Bennie stripped Bouberki of the ball and picked out Gilmour who then played a slick one-two with Murphy to push forward over the half way-line. From there he drifted infield and laid the ball into the path of Sam McKee who switched on the after-burners to bomb past McCabe into the box and from a tight angle slotted the ball past the advancing McGee into the net.
Glens continued to press with shots from distance, first from Fotheringham and then Murphy after some great build up play. Bennie’s long throw into the busy box bounced high in the air and Rowe was first to react to beat the outrushing keeper to the ball only for his header to drop over the bar.
Ollie Rowe goes close
On 58 minutes Murphy cut inside from the right wing and clipped the ball into the box where in a flash Fisher bulleted a header from 6 yards out that the keeper pushed over the bar with both hands. It was the head of Fisher that met the resulting corner, powering the ball inches wide from close range.
Some respite from the visitors with a decent spell of pressure. Davidson advanced down the left to the touchline before whipping a cross into the heart of the box for Bouberki only for Pettigrew to intercept and head clear. Bouberki and McCabe then combined well down the right before the latter fired a dangerous low ball into the goalmouth which was smothered by McGarrity at his near post.
Back came Glens with Miller playing a one-two with Fotheringham before feeding Murphy on the outskirts of the box only for his curled shot to sail over the bar.
On 70 minutes Ross Fisher made way for Jordan Ryan.
Soon after Murphy intercepted a cross field pass from McDevitt and skipped past a couple of defenders on the way to the edge of the box before picking out Ryan, only for the striker to lose his footing and sky his shot over the bar.
The Glens made another change with David Blyth replacing Aaron Miller who had earlier picked up a rather harsh yellow card.
The menacing Murphy effortlessly strolled down the right before cutting inside to pick out Ryan in the box who rolled the ball back to Gilmour to drill a low shot from 22 yards that whizzed wide of the post. Glens broke down another fruitless United attack and Ryan from wide on the left found Murphy in the box who squared it to Blyth to blast a shot from 16 yards over the bar. Rowe won the ball in the centre circle and clipped the ball up-field for Blyth to pick out Murphy but his shot too, finished over the bar.
On 85 minutes the visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure. Davidson and substitute Jay Blair combined down the left to win a corner which skimmed off the head of McDevitt and the ball recovered on the right by Cameron to win another corner. This was headed clear only to be recovered again by Davidson to loft a ball deep into the box that was punched out by McGarrity and hooked up-field by McKee for Blyth to chase down with McCabe on his heels throughout his run into the box where his heels were clipped for a stonewall penalty. The unfortunate McCabe was shown a second yellow card and made the short walk to the dressing room. However, a glimmer of hope for the 10 men was restored when McGee saved Murphy’s spot kick and then blocked his attempt to bury the rebound.
At the end of the regulation 90 minutes Glens made their final substitution as Mark Gilmour with a goal and an assist made way for Darren Curtis.
Glens continued to press and McKee set up Blyth in the box only for his shot to drift wide of the far post. On 94 minutes Curtis gathered the all in the centre circle and laid the ball off to Blyth who slipped it to Murphy to cut inside an whip a wicked shot from 24 yards that McGee managed to push up into the air with both hands and as the ball seemed certain to drop into the net the keeper somehow managed to claw it away with one hand as Jordan Ryan closed in. However, the danger was not over as the Glens striker turned quickly and beat Blair to the ball, now at the corner of the six-yard box, another nifty turn gave Blair the slip and the room to lash a low angled shot beyond the hapless McGee and into the net.
The final whistle blew soon after.
Glens extended their unbeaten run to 7 games and have accrued 13 from a possible 15 points in their last 5 league games to climb to 11th place in Premier Division.
FT Glens 3 Cumbernauld 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Brian McGarrity 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ollie Rowe 6. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 7. Aaron Miller (11. David Blyth) 5. Ross Fisher (16. Jordan Ryan) 8. Gregor Fotheringham 13. Mark Gilmour (15 Darren Curtis) 9. Leon Murphy 10. Scott McKee. Subs: 12. Calum Thomson 14. Ryan McChesney 17. Scott Sherrie 18. Scott Johnson (gk)
CUMBERNAULD UNITED
1. Michael McGee 2. Jack McMahon 3. Lee Davidson 4. Jack Harrison 5. Jordan Kennedy 6. Stephen. McDevitt 7. Paddy McCabe 8. Dale Fulton 9. Aaron O’Hare 10. Kieran Bouberki 11. David Cameron Subs: 12. Jay Blair 14. Danny Boyle 15. Craig Sideserf 16. Klark Thomson 17. Tom Neill 18. Chris Zok 21. L. Forbes
Glenafton made one change from the starting eleven at Rutherglen last Saturday with Ross Fisher making way for Sam McKee, who had come on as a sub last Saturday and scored late on.
It was Sam McKee that scored early on, 3 minutes, to give Glens the lead on a rain-soaked Petershill Park. Glens continued to press and won three corner-kicks in quick succession without testing the keeper.
Sam McKee
Rossvale soon found their feet and earned a corner that concluded with a shot drifting wide of the post soon after shot from outside the box sailed over the bar.
The game fell into a pattern of play flowing back at forth with the visitors edging it in terms of possession albeit with a few chances of note.
On 30 minutes Glens came close after a long throw into the box from Sean Bennie found the ball finding its way back to the full-back wide on the right to float it to the far post where Ollie Rowe’s header dipped over the bar.
A fast-flowing Rossvale move that was foiled by Brian McGarrity’s dive at the feet of the forward. He quickly released the ball to Craig Pettigrew to initiate a counter-attack and three passes later McKee blasted a shot from 30 yards to sting the hands of keeper Craig Gordon.
Just before the break Leon Murphy broke down the right and wrong-footed a defender before whipping a great ball to the far post where the inrushing McKee met it head-on; only for his header to crash off the outside of the post.
HT Rossvale 0 Glens 1
McKee was first to threaten with a shot over the bar after good build up play.
It was from good build up play down the left that Rossvale fashioned an equaliser on 48 minutes with Jamie Dolan putting the finishing touches with a low drilled shot from 10 yards out.
The home side enjoyed a good spell with a shot from distance held by McGarrity and then a close- range header flashing over the bar. Glens had a good spell of pressure before Rossvale came close to taking the lead. After some keepy-up on the left wing the ball was played into the box where it was gathered and lashed just wide of the post.
Glens began to force their way back into the game and Murphy corner-kick was played short to Gregor Fotheringham at the edge of the box to curl a shot that was pushed away by keeper Craig Gordon. Soon after a long throw into the box from Bennie fell for McKee to lay off for Murphy and his snap shot drifted just wide of the post.
Midway through the half Glens brought on Jordan Ryan for David Blyth.
Play was again, despite the conditions, flowing from end to end as both sides when in search of a winner, by way of example Glens won a corner—kick from which Rossvale countered to pull off a good save from McGarrity.
From wide on the right Leon Murphy whipped a free-kick deep into the packed goal-mouth which was headed clear to the outskirts of the box where Fotheringham returned it with a high-looping header which was met by Ryan and his header seemed net-bound only for Gordon at full stretch to finger-tip the ball over the bar.
While Murphy was preparing to take the corner-kick Jordan Ryan weaved about the packed box in an attempt to lose his marker and as the ball emerged through a pack of players in the six-yard box he was free at the far end of that box to drive a low shot into the net. Glens 2-1 on 82 minutes.
Jordan Ryan
Soon after Glens brought on Ross Fisher for Aaron Miller.
Both sides had decent chances before the end. An angled shot from the left-hand corner of the box flashed wide side of the far post. Glens countered with McGarrity launching a long ball upfield which Ryan headed on for McKee to pick-up and roll the ball into box for the incoming Murphy to hit it first time only for Gordon to pull off another fine save and push the ball wide for a corner.
In the last action of the game a Rossvale shot from outside the box whizzed high over the bar.
FT Rossvale 1 Glens 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Brian McGarrity, Sean Bennie, Alan Cairns, Craig Pettigrew ( c), Ollie Rowe, Aaron Miller (Ross Fisher), David Blyth (Jordan Ryan), Gregor Fotheringham, Mark Gilmour, Sam McKee, Leon Murphy Subs: Ryan McChesney, Darren Curtis, Calum Thomson, Scott Sherrie, Scott Johnstone (gk)
ROSSVALE
Craig Gordon, Jonathan Hogg, Robbie Torrance, Dillon Young, Conor Morgan, Mikey McWilliams, Ross Urquhart (c), Jonathon Kavanagh, Conor Macdonald, Hugh Kerr, Jamie Dolan Subs: Josh Doherty (Gk), Ross McKenzie, Aboubacar Karamoko, Jamie Young, Rico Diack, Mallon, Danny Mefford
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leon Murphy
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.
Sam McKee
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
Glenafton Athletic 