| Friendly | 10/07/2021 KO 1:00pm | Loch Park, New Cumnock |
|---|---|---|
| Glenafton Athletic | 9 (5) | Blyth 2, McIlroy 3, McKee 3, Ryan |
| Glenafton Amateurs | 0 (0) |
HT Glenafton 5 Glenafton Amateurs 0
FT Glenafton 9 Glenafton Amateurs 0
| GLENAFTON ATHLETIC |
| GLENAFTON AMATEURS |
| Friendly | 07/07/2021 KO 7:00pm | Loch Park, New Cumnock |
|---|---|---|
| Glenafton Athletic | 2 (0) | Murphy, Blyth |
| Maybole Juniors | 1 (1) | Reilly |
Maybole took an early lead when Michael Reilly took advantage of slack marking by the Glens defence when a free kick found him with time to head the ball past the home keeper one nil Maybole. Both teams struggled to put any passing game together and very few chances fell to either team and the game finished 0-1 at half time.
HT Glens 0 Maybole 1.
The home side came out determined to put on a better display and Leon Murphy blasted an unstoppable shot past the away keeper to draw the Glens level. 1-1. Glenafton took control of the game and five minutes after Glens first goal another flowing passing move seen a brilliant finish by David Blyth and a 2-1 scoreline for the home side. 2-1. Maybole pressed for the equaliser but resolute defending by the Glens seen any of the away side chances few and far between. So the game finished with no more goals and the home team securing a win with the loudest shout all night of the young team behind me celebrating a Denmark goal.
Full Time Glens 2 Maybole 1
Report Courtesy of Glenafton TV
| GLENAFTON ATHLETIC |
| MAYBOLE JUNIORS |
| Friendly | 03/07/2021 Ko 1:00pm | Loch Park, New Cumnock |
|---|---|---|
| Glenafton Athletic | 4 (2) | McKee, Ryan, Murphy, McIlroy |
| Whitletss Victoria | 0 (0) |
It took the Glens less than 10mins to take the lead with a flowing move down the right saw the ball crossed into the box and dispatched past the away keeper 1-0 Glens(McKee). The home side were dominating the opening 25mins and it didnt take long for goal number two for the home side and it looked like a carbon copy of the first when another flowing move and cross this time from the left was blasted past the Vics keeper giving Glenafton a 2-0 (Ryan)deserved scoreline. The away team slowly got to grips with the home teams attacking forward line and started to get some play without really testing the Glens defence, and the first half ended at half time 2-0 to the home side.
Half Time Glens 2 Whitletts 0
The Glens started on the front foot right from the start and scored goal number three with Scotlands Billy Gimour in attendance and impressed with the young Glenafton team it was looking like a comfortable lead at. 3-0. (Murphy) The homeside were now dominating the game and goal number four was well deserved in a good team performance against a well organised Vics team.4-0 ( Mcilroy) Full time came and the scoreline was a true reflection on the game and how Glenafton played today.
Full Time Glens 4 Whitletts 0
Report Courtesy of Glenafton TV
| GLENAFTON ATHLETIC |
| WHITLETTS VICTORIA |
| Friendly | 26/06/2021 Ko 1:00pm | Loch Park, New Cumnock |
|---|---|---|
| Glenafton Athletic | 2 (1) | Blyth (12), Bennie (64) |
| Largs Thistle | 4 (1) | Milliken (25), W.Sewell (66, 71), Faulds (70) |
Glenafton had Alan Cairns, Leon Murphy, Jordan Ryan and Scott Sherrie all unavailable for selection while midfielder Dean Hawkshaw returned from holiday to make his first appearance in the pre-season friendly.
Largs Thistle had kindly accepted the short-notice invitation to play at Loch Park following the cancellation of the Glens planned trip for face Dalbeattie Star.
The early encounters settled into a period of end-to-end play without either side fashioning any clear-cut chances.
The visitors began to gain the upper hand in terms of possession and won a free-kick on the right-hand corner of the penalty box. Although the kick was blocked Thistle recovered the ball and Craig Forbes quickly switched play to the left wing for Jack Haggerty to whip a great ball into six-yard box where Ross Fisher headed clear for Glens as Keir Milliken and George Sewell both challenged. Soon after keeper Scott Johnson had to sprint from his line and dive at the feet of the incoming W. Sewelll to strip him of the ball.
Glens countered through Blyth picking up the ball with his back to goal only to be wrestled to the ground by the attentive Forbes. The young striker stepped up to take the free-kick and from 30 yards out lashed a shot beyond the reach of keeper Jamie McGowan at full stretch to bulge the net almost to bursting. Glens 1-0 after 12 minutes.
Largs responded well and enjoyed a decent passage of pressure. Milliken, on the left, clipped a ball into the box which Simon McBryde hooked goalward only for captain Craig Pettigrew to get a head to it and Johnson dive on the loose ball. Another good move ended with Stuart Faulds curling a ball over the bar from 29 yards out. Johnstone had to be alert again and race to the edge of his box to beat McBryde to the ball.
Some respite for Glens after Sean Bennie’s long throw into the box kept Thistle’s defence on their toes and although the ball was cleared at the second attempt it eventually fell for Dean Hawkshaw on the half-way line to float a long ball deep into the box only for Fisher’s knock down for the incoming Cameron Marlow to be cut out by McGowan.
At the other end Milliken broke into the box but his attempt to chip the advancing keeper was foiled by a strong pair of hands. Back came Glens and Marlow’s determined run ended with him slipping a great through ball for Sam McKee to break into the right-hand side of the box to drill a low angled shot that beat the diving keeper on the six-yard line only to slip past the far post.
On 25 minutes Milliken won a free kick 10 yards inside the Glens half. Faulds clipped a great ball into the box for Millken to meet first time on the drop and deftly guide in into the net to draw Largs level.
Chances were then exchanged by both sides. Marlow’s shot from 22 yards out sailed over the bar. Millken’s header from a free-kick into the box was cleanly clutched by Johnson while at other end Iain McKnight’s header from 8 yards bounced just wide. Another menacing ball into the Glens box ended with Fisher outjumping Faulds to head clear.
The visitors enjoyed another sustained spell of pressure only to meet a resolute GlenS defence ably supported with some tenacious tackling by Darren Curtis. Glens did carve out a couple of counter attacks, these too were repelled by a well-disciplined rear guard.
HT Glens 1 Largs 1
The hosts made a couple of changes at half-time with Daniel Sloan replacing Scott Johnson in goal and Ryan McChesney replacing Iain McKnight in the centre of defence. The visitors too made a couple of changes with two trialists 12. and 14. coming on.
Largs were quickly on the front foot and forced a corner on 51 minutes which was played to the back post where Laurie McMaster’s header battered off the post. The visitors continued to press and both Pettigrew and Fisher both sustained knocks.
Bennie and McKee combined well down the right to gallantly try and get Glens further upfield but the visitors stood firm. Back came Largs with a great run by Trialist 12 that ended with a timely tackle by McChesney in the box.
On 57 minutes Glens were forced into a double substitution after both Craig Pettigrew and Ross Fisher failed to recover from their knocks and were replaced with Calum Thomson and manager Mick McCann slotting into a defensive role.
Largs resumed their offensive and Sloan rushed from his line to clatter the incoming W. Sewell on the outskirts of the penalty box. Sewell’s free-kick was deflected over the bar and the ensuing corner kick was partially clearly before Thistle set up another attack that again was repelled with red bodies putting their bodies on the line.
Glens at last breached Thistle’s box through Bennie’s long throw which was won in the air by McChesney only for McGowan to get down low and save the bullet header. Sloan then raced from his line to bravely face the incoming attacker and launch a long ball through the middle that was chased down by Blyth who broke into the box before firing a low shot that the keeper got fingers too but couldn’t hold. McKee fed the loose ball back to Blyth only for his cut back to be booted upfield where Curtis released Sean Bennie down the right and cut inside the box, gave McMaster the slip, and drill a low angled shot into the far corner. Glens back ahead on 64 minutes.
The lead however was short-lived as Largs got into their stride again and scored now fewer goals in a five-minute spell.
It began with a break down the left and the ball played to the far side of the box where Forbes squared to William Sewell to slam home the equaliser home from six yards out on 66 minutes.
Soon after McGowan launched a long ball upfield and Trialist12 made a great run into the box only to skew his close range shot wide of target. He quickly made amends by playing a neat one-two to set up Stuart Faulds to stroke the ball home from 8 yards to put Largs ahead for the first time on 70 minutes.
Glens tried to steady the ship but an attack was broken deep in the Largs half and a great forward diagonal ball gave Trialist12 a free run into box before taking a great touch to set up a shot from the 18 yard line that cracked oof the post to fall for William Sewell to thump the ball off the ground to send it over the head of Sloan and into the net. Largs 4-2 on 71 minutes.
A brief respite for Glens before back came Largs and Sloan pulled off a great save from Milliken’s close-range shot. Soon after Trialist14’s effort from the six yard box dipped over the bar.
Nohar made a break down the right and his effort from outside the box also dipped over the box while at the other end Blair McIntyre’s attempt to lo the advancing Sloan drifted wide of the goal mouth. In the last action McKee’s free kick from distance stung the fingers of McGowan before the handshakes.
FT Glens 2 Largs 4
| GLENAFTON ATHLETIC |
| 1. Scott Johnson (19. Daniel Sloan) 2. Sean Bennie 4. Iain McKnight (5. Ryan McChesney) 6. Craig Pettigrew (12. Callum Thomson) 3. Ross Fisher (17. Mick McCann) 10.Cameron Marlow 7. Darren Curtis 8. Dean Hawkshaw 14. Liam Nohar 9. Sam McKee 11. David Blyth |
| LARGS THISTLE |
| 21.Jamie McGowan 2. Craig Forbes 3. Laurie McMaster 4. Cory Hughes 5. George Sewell 6. Stuart Faulds 7.Simon McBryde 8.Blair McIntyre 9. Keir Milliken 10. William Sewell 11. Jack Haggerty Subs: 12. Trialist 14. Trialist 15. Trialist GK Daniel Farrell |
| MATCH PHOTOGRAPHS |
| Glenafton Athletic v Largs Thistle |
| Friendly | 19/06/21 KO 1:00pm | Loch Park New Cumnock |
|---|---|---|
| Glenafton Athletic | 2 (2) | Sherrie (28), Ryan (36) |
| Girvan | 0 (0) |
The second friendly of the season saw the Glens host Girvan with several changes to the side that faced Kello Rovers the week before.
The home side were quick off the mark after Mark Gilmour pushed into Girvan’s half before clipping a high ball into the box for David Blyth to get ahead of two defenders only for his glancing header to be blocked by keeper Sam Gibson.
Play quickly settled into an end-to-end pattern without either keeper being tested. Glens won a corner kick that went just beyond the reach of Craig Pettigrew at the back post while at the other end Martyn Brown attempt from distance flew over the bar.
Finn Taylor broke down the left to whip a great ball into the box for Mark Curragh only for Ross Fisher to win the aerial battle and Stuart Bennie mop up the loose ball. Midway through half and Fisher won the aerial battle in the Girvan box but his header from a Scott Sherrie corner kicked looped high over the bar. Blyth then found Sherrie wide on the right and his floated ball to the back post for the incoming Leon Murphy was cut-out by the leaping Gibson.
Girvan countered with a quick break down the right before Craig Harvey cut inside and threaded a perfectly weighted pass for Stephen McLelland to gather and drill a low shot from the edge of the box that although it beat the advancing keeper the ball slipped wide of the far post.
Back came Glens with Blyth driving to the by-line to whip a wicked ball across the goal mouth only for the keeper to get a hand to it and Keiron Balfour clear hit it behind for a corner-kick as Murphy threatened at the back post. Sherrie clipped the kick into the heart of the box and although Orr appeared to beat Pettigrew to the ball the Glens captain (and others) claimed the Girvan defender had handled the ball. Play continued and Sherrie recovered the ball only for the unperturbed Orr to block his cross and clear the ball.
Girvan won a free-kick some 28 yards from goal which Orr blasted into the wall and after recovering the rebound playing a neat one-two before leathering the ball high and wide of target.
On 28 minutes the home side broke the deadlock. Sloan launched a long goal-kick up the right hand side which Girvan recovered only for Curtiss to rob Taylor of the ball and slot a measured pass up the line for Scott Sherrie to gather and cut inside past one defender before cracking a low angled shot between two defenders past the diving goalie at his near post.
Both sides had a couple of decent attacks repelled before the Glens doubled their lead on 36 minutes after a period of patient possession. Pettigrew picked up the ball in the middle of the park and squared to Curtiss on the left who quickly turned his marker to feed Gilmour tight on the touchline who quickly rolled it up the line to Murphy in space to curl a cross to the edge of the six yard line and although Orr beat Ryan to the ball in the air it fell to Sherrie on the far side of the box who killed it dead allowing Blyth to promptly dispatch it back into the danger area where Jordan Ryan got the better of Orr on this occasion, to coolly side-foot the ball into the back of the net.
Glens finished the half with the better of the few chances on show. Pettigrew tried his luck with a thunderous shot from 30 yards out that dipped over the bar, albeit the keeper had the top corner kick. Ryan, back defending, nicked the ball from the feet of Orr on the 18 yard line and slipped it to Curtiss to strike a great ball up the middle for Blyth to chase by the alert Gibson sprinted out his box to clear the danger.
The home side won another couple of corner kicks before the break that were well defended.
H/T Glens 2 Girvan 0
The visitors enjoyed an early spell of pressure through pushing men forward. A long throw deep into the box by substitute Sean Millarvey was headed back out by Ryan McChesney and Millarvey then floated the ball to the back post where Fisher headed clear. Ross Clark then managed to squeeze a shot through a ruck of players that dipped over Sloan’s bar and soon after Mark Curragh won a corner-kick that was mopped up by the Glens defence.
Pettigrew was spraying passes about the park as the Glens came back into the game and the captain tried another long range effort at goal that dropped over the bar.
On 58 minutes Girvan won another corner that Sean Bennie cleared at the back post only for the ball to fall for Martyn Brown but his shot was blocked by Ryan which set up a counter-attack from the Glens from which Murphy earned a corner kick. Sherrie dropped the kick into a crowded box and McChesney came out on top with his header sailing wide of the post.
Pettigrew stroked a free-kick from wide on the right to pick out Murphy on the left hand side of the box where he danced by one defender before drilling a low ball across the face of the goal that evaded the keeper leaving Bennie and Taylor to slide in at the back post sending the ball back to the keeper who did well to push it out beyond the six yard box. Ryan snapped up the loose ball and managed to seek out Blyth on the 18 yard line and his attempt to chip it into goal was thwarted by the alert Gibson.
Another long throw from Millarvey for Curragh at the near post was won in the air by McChesney and the ball safely gathered by Sloan. The young keeper then rushed from his line to beat McClelland to a great through ball into the box.
Fisher navigated his way out a pack of Girvan players on the half-way line to pick out Ryan on the right who then released Sherrie down the line to clip a cross to the back post for the incoming Murphy only for Gibson to block his attempt to nick the ball into the net.
On 65 minutes Glens brought on Liam Nohar and Callum Thomson for Scott Sherrie and Darren Curtiss.
Bennie’s long throw into the heart of the Girvan box was headed cleared and Girvan built a counter-attack with Harvey slipping a great ball into the box to match Curragh’s run and although the striker’s low shot beat the advancing keeper the ball sneaked inches wide of the far post.
Glens made their final change with Sean McIlroy replacing Jordan Ryan up front.
Play continued to flow from end to end without either keeper being tested. Glens came close after the Bennie played a one-two with Blyth down the right before whipping the ball into the box for Fisher to power and header wide of the post.
On 78 minutes some fine control by Bennie before picking out Nohar to roll a through ball into the box saw Blyth beat the offside trap to lash a shot from 15 yards that the outrushing Gibson pushed over the bar. Nohar fired the corner kick to the edge of the six yard box where McIlroy met it first time and his volley smacked off the post and the ball eventually cleared.
Girvan then enjoyed a good spell of pressure with Clark cutting back a great ball to McClelland only for his shot from 6 yards blocked by the feet of Sloan, the keeper later denied Clark with a shot of his own.
Back came Glens through a Murphy shot from the edge box that Gibson clutched cleanly. At the other end Girvan pressed and won back-to-back corner kicks but couldn’t find a way through a stubborn defence. Another attacked ended with Harvey from deep in the box lashing an angled shot over the bar.
Pettigrew broke down another Girvan attack on the half way line and played the ball forward for Nohar to clip the ball to the far side of the box from Murphy and although his shot from a tight angle beat the keeper the ball flew harmlessly across the face of the open goal.
The Glens finished on the front foot and the last action of the game had Gibson foil Blyth’s attempt to chip the ball into the net.
FT Glens 2 Girvan 0
| GLENAFTON ATHLETIC |
| 19. David Sloan 2. Sean Bennie 4. Ryan McChesney 5. Ross Fisher 3. Mark Gilmour 7. Scott Sherrie (14. Lewis Nohar) 6. Craig Pettigrew 8. Darren Curtiss 11. (12. Callum Thomson) Leon Murphy 9. Jordan Ryan (15. Sean McIroy ) 10. David Blyth. Subs 16. Scott Johnson (gk) 17. Mick McCann |
| GIRVAN |
| Girvan: 1. Sam Gibson 4. Martyn Brown 2. Ross Clark 5. Alan Orr 3. Jack Taylor 11. Antonio Sissi 6. Kieron Balfour 8. Stephen McLelland 10. Finn Taylor 7. Craig Harvey 9 Mark Curragh Subs 17. David Oliphant 14 . Sean Millarvey |
| Match Photographs |
| More photos here |
| Friendly | 12/06/2021 KO 1:00PM | Loch Park, New Cumnock |
|---|---|---|
| Glenafton Athletic | 3 (1) | McKee (2), Pettigrew (72), McIlroy (88) |
| Kello Rovers | 1 (1) | Armour (45) |
The Glens under the new management team of Mick McCann and Brian McGarrity had to rebuiId a team having closed down and released all their players at the beginning of last season. Several, thankfully, agreed to return while a number of new faces have also been signed up. Rovers opted to play last season looking to continue to build on great progress made the season before, only for the league to close down.
The sun was shining tempered by a cold wind (yes football’s back) and both sides with a sprinkling of trialists on show served up an entertaining match.
Glens opened the scoring after two minutes with a well-worked goal. The ball was switched from Darren Curtis on the right via Cameron Marlow to Mark Gilmour and then onto Alan Cairns wide on the left. He curled a low ball towards the penalty spot, taking 3 defenders out of play, for Sam McKee to pounce and beat a fourth defender to the ball before slotting it home from 10 yards past the advancing goalie Ryan Dunsmuir.
Rovers recovered from the early set back and menacing runs from Mark Armour kept the Glens back-four on their toes. From a short corner the striker weaved into the box and although he temporarily lost the ball, he won it back forcing Iain McKnight to concede another corner. This one was floated into the heart of the box and headed clear by Ross Fisher but again it was Armour that retrieved the ball to drive into the box, only to be dispossessed by Craig Pettigrew.
The midfield battles were intensifying as both sides tried to build attacks. Cairns and Gilmour combined well down the left with the latter earning a corner. Leon Murphy’s kick was flicked on by from Glens keeper Dunsmuir, who then gathered Pettigrew’s attempt to guide the loose ball home. Up the other end and an excellent run through the middle by Aiden Lang ended with him slipping the ball to Armour to break into the right- hand side of the box only for keeper Scott Thomson to narrow the angle and force the striker to send his low shot wide of the far post.
Back came Glens and David Blyth’s perseverance won the tussle with Andrew Struthers to release the ball to Marlow to thump a shot from 25 yards that whizzed passed Dunsmuir at full stretch and inches wide of the post. Soon after Thomas Shirkie’s free kick from the same sort of distance beat the Glens wall but sailed high over the bar.
On 15 minutes a patient build-up from Glens ended with McKnight in the centre circle slipping a through ball for Blyth to chase down and crack a low shot from the 18-yard line only for the outrushing Dunsmuir to block it with an outstretched leg. Fisher and Murphy then combined well down the right to pick out McKee on the edge of the box to flash a shot from a tight angle that bulged the side netting.
Kello won another free-kick just outside the box and although Armour curled it wide of the wall the ball fell comfortably into the hands of the keeper. Up the park and Blyth drilled a daisy-cutter from 22 yards out which Dunsmuir got down quick to smother. Some excellent defending with McKnight robbing Armour of the ball deep in Glens’ box to set up a break upfield that ended with Struthers perfectly timing his tackle to nick the ball from the feet of Blyth as he burst into the box. Back came Kello and Johnson eluded a pocket of Glens defenders to set up a shot that flew well over the bar.
On 37 minutes Murphy curled a corner-kick to the back corner of the six-yard box for McKnight to bullet a header that Dunsmuir dived to hold at the near post. Fisher and Murphy combined down the right before feeding McKee tight on the touchline to whip the ball into the goalmouth only for it to find the top of the net. Cairns and Gilmour then followed suit combining down the left before picking out Blyth in the box only for Smith and Dunsmuir to block his attempt at goal.
On the stroke of half-time Kello drew level through a fantastic strike. A corner kick was headed clear at the near post by Marlow and the loose ball pounced on by Lang to take a touch before squaring it for Lori Johnson to casually clip it into the box where Mark Armour, with his back to goal, turned and lashed home an unstoppable shot from 17 yards out.
HT Glens 1 Kello 1
Glens made two changes at half-time with keeper Daniel Sloan replacing Scott Johnson while Mark Gilmour made way for Jordan Ryan.
The tall striker was soon in the thick of the action gathering a slide-rule pass from Fisher and slipping the ball into the path of Blyth to run into the box and drill a low angled shot that Dunsmuir got down low to push it away. Ryan chased down the loose ball his claims he was impeded by Declan Hill before he collided with the unfortunate Struthers and the ball booted upfield. Play raged on Curtis threaded a great through ball for McKee to thunder a shot from 25 yards which Dunsmuir blocked with his feet, while his team-mate Struthers was still lying injured on the corner of the six yard box. It was Ryan that snapped up the loose ball again and as Blyth burst into the box for the cut-back his claims that Hill pulled him back were also waved away and Ryan’s squared ball was blocked by Dunsmuir. As Kello tried to clear their lines common sense prevailed and play was stopped to attend to Struthers while players from both sides saw the funny side.
No laughing matter when Pettigrew’s attempt to clear the ball from the box cannoned off team-mate McKnight and headed goalward but Sloan was alert to get down and clutch the ball cleanly.
Glens enjoyed a good period of possession in the Rovers half without creating any clear-cut chances against a hard-working defence.
Play then entered a period of the end to end variety. Dunsmuir launched a goal-kick upfield and after some good build up play Lang forced his way to the bye-line but his cut-back to Armour caught the striker wrong-footed and the chance was gone. Back came Glens and McKee and won a corner-kick that was well defended while Rovers responded through a Liam Fleming header that Sloan punched away as Lang closed in. David Thomson, from within a ruck of defenders in the box, cracked a low powerful shot that had Sloan diving at full stretch only for it to sneak wide of the post. At the other end Fisher won a corner and then was in place to clip into the six-yard box where Dunsmuir punched it clear from the head of Ryan.
The Kello goal survived a scare when McKnight’s header from a corner-kick looped over the head of Dunsmuir and bounced along the goal line with two defenders frozen to their respective posts. McKee then clipped it back into the danger area only for it to be cleared.
Midway through the half Glens brought on striker Sean McIlroy for David Blyth as the home side continued to threaten. A corner kick was cleared up field and the ball recovered by McKee to thunder a shot from 25 yards out that Dunsmuir pushed away with both hands. Soon after Ryan on the bye line cut the ball back to Marlow to drill a low angled shot that was deflected wide of the far post. Murphy’s corner kick eventually fell for McKee in a crowded box to curl a powerful shot from 8 yards out that somehow Dunsmuir, having seen it late, managed to get down to push the ball away only for Craig Pettigrew to leather it home from the corner of the six yard box and put the Glens ahead on 72 minutes. Glens continued to press and another couple of corner-kicks were cleared by the Rovers rear guard.
On 78 minutes Glens brought on fresh legs with Ross Fisher and Darren Curtis making way for Scott Sherrie and Calum Thomson and both made a quick impression. Young Thomson combined down the right wing with Ryan and with a bit of trickery took two Rovers out of play to break into the box and slip the ball to Sherrie only be denied a shot by a third defender.
Although Rovers were still in the game the Glens were creating the better of the chances and turned up the pressure in the closing five minutes with a couple of corner kicks and close-range shots that Dunsmuir dealt with admirably. However, with two minutes to go McKee gathered the ball, some 30 yards out and wide on the left, before launching a ball deep into the six yard box where Sherrie trapped it brilliantly before slipping the ball through Dunsmuir legs only for it to nestle at the back post but Sean McIlroy got the jump on the defender to clip it over the line.
Glens continued to push and McKee’s shot from 18 yards was deflected over the bar for a corner which was duly cleared. In the last action Dunsmuir stretched out an arm to cut out McIroy’s cut-back across the face of the goalmouth.
| GLENAFTON ATHLETIC | |
| 1. Scott Johnson ; 5. Ross Fisher 3. Iain McKnight 6. Craig Pettigrew 17. Alan Cairns; 15. Leon Murphy 8. Cameron Marlow 9. Darren Curtis 14. Mark Gilmour; 11. David Blyth, 10. Sam McKee Subs. 2. Jordan Ryan 7. Scott Sherrie 8. Sean McIlroy, 12. Calum Thomson, 19. Daniel Sloan (gk) | |
| KELLO ROVERS | |
| 1. Ryan Dunsmuir 3. Kieran Pagan 4. Lori Johnson 5. Andrew Struthers 6. Aiden Lang 7. Evan Crombie 9. Mark Armour 10. Liam Fleming 11. Declan Hill 12. Steven Parker 16. Alistair Smith 17. Michael Kane 18. Thomas Shirkie ) 19. David Thomson |
| Match Photographs |
| More Photos Here |
34 year old defender Craig began his junior career with Lugar Boswell Thistle before stepping up to the seniors in 2005 with Ayr United. In the summer of 2008, he joined Auchinleck Talbot and during six seasons at Beechwood won three Scottish Junior Cups and two Premier Division titles as well as being capped for Scotland. Back to the seniors with Stranraer for two seasons and then Dumbarton for another before returning to Stair Park for a brief spell. Craig returned to Talbot in 2017 but within a few months moved on to Kilwinning Rangers. He joined Glenafton in Season 2019/20 and made 22 appearances while chipping in with a couple of goals before football closed down. Following the Glens decision to withdraw from the league in 2020/21 Craig joined St. Cadoc’s.
Welcome back to Loch Park, Craig.
The 23 year-old midfilelder has signed for the Glens for the third time! After coming through the Kilmarnock U17 and U20 sides he stepped up to the first team squad in Season 2017/18. He had loan spell at Stranraer before Craig McEwan signed him for the Glens at the start of the following season. Dean made only 5 appearances before heading south to play for Halesowen Town and then returning to turn out for Airdrieonians. Southy signed Dean again for the Glens at the beginning of the ill-fated Season 2021/21. After the Glens withdrew from the WOSFL at the start of season the management team and several players, incuding Dean joined St. Cadoc’s.
Welcome back to Loch Park, Dean.
Leaon’s story has a similar ring to that of Dean’s. The 22-year-old (tomorrow) came through the Ayr United U17 and U20s sides before stepping up to the first team squad in Season 2017/18. The following season Leon made enjoyed a succesful loan period with Glenafton making over 32 appearances for the club and scoring 5 goals before returning to Ayr United. Manager Craig McEwan signed Leon again for the Glens at the beginning of the ill-fated Season 2021/21. After the Glens withdrew from the WOSFL at the start of season the management team and several players, incuding Leon joined St. Cadoc’s.
Welcome back to Loch Patk, Leon.
17 year old Mauchline lad David Blyth joined the youth set up as a 7 year-old and was at Somerset through to the U15. He then moved to the Kilmarnock Youth set-up where he was part of the 03 squad that former Glens coach Craig Kyle worked with for a spell. Last year he scored a ‘worldie’ as Kilmarnock beat Hearts 2-1 in the Scottish Youth Cup Semi-final but unfortunately due to the pandemic the final was not played. David can play wide on the left or up front and is an exciting prospect.
Welcome to Loch Park, David.
We can now set our sights on moving forward and hopefully welcoming fans back at some point in the new season. This decision gives us all some clarity and the opportunity to look at starting next season a bit earlier than normal. Further details will be announced in due course.
Please continue to follow the Scottish Government guidelines and Stay Safe.
At the start of the season, the then Interim Management Group confirmed that 50% of matches across all divisions would be required to be played to allow the League to be determined on a points per game basis, should the League competition have to end prior to the completition of all fixtures. An average of 10 rounds of fixtures are required to be played to achieve that milestone and allow all clubs to have played each other at least once. With the Premier Division Champions requiring to be determined no later than 22nd May to allow possible participation in the Lowland League Play-offs, this would require Clubs to play both weekend and midweek fixtures from the 17th April. Therefore should it become clear that this will not be possible, the League will be declared null and void and the focus will thereafter be on planning for the start of the 21/22 season.Meanwhile the League welcome the announcement from the Scottish Government regarding the easing of lockdown restrictions but would remind Clubs that the current suspension of training remains in force until we receive a further update from the Scottish FA.
Yours John Stewart
Stuart was at Celtic and Kilmarnock as a youth before signing pro as a 16 year-old with Livingston and later moved to St Mirren. In the Junior ranks Stuart had spells with Darvel, Lugar, Kello, Hurlford, Girvan and Troon. Following a time at Glenburn Amateurs decided step to into the coaching. Mick speaks very highly of Stuart and is confident he will be a great asset for the club. Everyone at Glenafton Athletic would like to welcome Stuart to Loch Park.
Glenafton Athletic 