A close range strike from Evan Maley put the Glens ahead. Although the Craigmark keeper saved a Mick McCann spot-kick the striker was quick off the mark to slot home the rebound. The Dalmellington side pulled one back from the spot after the break before Maley restored the two goal cushion with a neat finish from inside the box. Although Craigmark missed a penalty they halved the deficit again before the final whistle to conclude an entertaining match.
Glens fought back to overcome a 2-0 deficit at the break with three second-half goals from Mick McCann, Ross Cameron and Dale Moore.
FT Annbank 2 Glens 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Craig Burns 3. Craig Pettigrew 6. Craig Menzies 19. Ryan McChesney 5. Edward Campbell 12. Evan Maley 7. Cameron Marlow 9. Tony McParland 11. Lee Gallacher 15, Michael McCann 18. Ross Cameron. SUBS: 2. Rhys Wallace 4. Alan Cairns 8. Dean Hawkshaw 10. Leon Murphy 14. Dale Moore 16. Joe Andrew 17. Calum Thomson.
In this the inaugural season of the WOSFL the Premier Division comprises of 20 teams which would require each team to play 38 league fixtures. With the season yet to start due to the COVID-19 restrictions then clearly is unrealistic that the fixtures would be completed.
Consequently, the Premier Division has been divided into two Groups of 10 teams. Teams in the same group will play each other Home and Away, i.e. 18 fixtures. The teams in one group will play the teams in the other group once, either Home or Away, giving another 10 fixtures. The league season will therefore be reduced form 38 to 28 league fixtures.
As previously defined 7 teams will be relegated from the Premier Division at the end of the season.
West of Scotland Football League
Premier Division 2020/21
Group 1
Group 2
Auchinleck Talbot
Beith Juniors
Benburb
Cumbernauld United
Blantyre Victoria
Cumnock Juniors
Bonnyton Thistle
Darvel
Clydebank
Hurlford United
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Kilwinning Rangers
Irvine Meadow
Pollok
Kilbirnie Ladeside
Rossvale
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
Rutherglen Glencairn
Largs Thistle
Troon
The opening day fixtures have been published| Saturday 10th October 2020.
PREMIER DIVISION
Match 01
Group 1
Auchinleck Talbot
v
Irvine Meadow
Blantyre Victoria
v
Bonnyton Thistle
Clydebank
v
Kilbirnie Ladeside
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
v
Largs Thistle
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
v
Benburb
PREMIER DIVISION
Match 01
Group 2
Pollok
v
Beith Juniors
Kilwinning Rangers
v
Cumbernauld United
Rossvale
v
Cumnock Juniors
Rutherglen Glencairn
v
Hurlford United
Troon
V
Darvel
Glenafton hosted Largs Thistle in the last match before lockdown it was their last competitive game as Junior clubs. The two sides are now scheduled to meet again at Loch Park in their first competitive game as Senior clubs.
Kilwinning took an early lead and double that soon after. Leon Murphy halved the deficit before the break only for Buffs to restore their two goal lead straight from kick-off. Leon struck again but once again Buffs struck back to end up 4-2 winners
Glenafton Athletic began life under the West of Scotland Football League (WOSFL) banner with a friendly against Muirkirk Juniors. The match was played behind closed doors at Loch Park in accordance with the current Covid-19 guidelines. Both clubs are to be congratulated on their pre-match preparations to ensure they complied with the guidelines including the Glens gate staff confirming only those allowed entry gained entry, as well as checking their temperature … a first for New Cumnock!
Glenafton physio Michelle McInnes
Both teams arrived at the grounds in their strips and had allocated sections of the ground to prepare for the match. Substitutes were allocated socially distanced spaces in the Mick Morran Stand. Spare a thought too for the match referee, with no assistants and a multitude of substitutions to manage througout the game.
Of course the first game of the season also provided the opportunity to welcome the summer signings to the club. Returning to the Glens for a second spell were midfielders Leon Murphy and Dean Hawkshaw along with defender Rhys Wallace who trained with the club last season. Making up the new faces were keeper Michael McKinven, midfielder Evan Maley, striker Ross Cameron and player-coach Tony McParland.
Michael McKinven
Rhys Wallace
Dean Hawkshaw
Tony McParland
Leon Murphy
Evan Maley
Ross Cameron
And so to the match. It was the WOSFL Tier 6 Glenafton Athletic that dominated the early play against their Tier 7 Conference A counterparts Muirkirk Juniors. A first minute corner kick was cleanly clutched by Muirkirk’s keeper Nathan Bogle and soon after he made a fine save from McParland’s curled shot from the edge of the box, after he had run onto a perfect through ball from Craig Pettigrew. Cameron then held off two defenders to lay the ball back to Dale Moore to lash an angled shot from 20 yards that Bogle pushed high into the air before recovering the loose ball.
On 10 minutes Lee Gallacher won another corner kick and played it short to Wallace on the right flank who squared to Cameron Marlow to thump a low shot from outside the box but again the keeper came out on top. Another short corner, from the left, saw the ball eventually fall for Murphy on the outskirts of the six yard box and although he slipped the ball past the advancing goalie it drifted inches wide of the back post.
Glens continued to press as Muirkirk were content to sit in. Chances from set pieces continued to come and ago while Bogle continued to pull off some decent saves. Midway through the half he made an excellent block to prevent Moore from breaking the deadlock.
Dale Moore denied by Nathan Bogle
The visitors began to venture forward with some neat touches and powerful running from their bustling centre forward Aidan Ferris. Pettigrew was forced to track back to break up an attack deep in the Glens box. He then mopped up the loose ball to set up a counter-attack which saw Murphy, not once but twice, whip a dangerous ball into the box, the latter of which saw Bogle pull off a point blank save a close range bullet header.
On 27 minutes Muirkirk broke upfield once again. Ferris threaded a perfectly paced forward pass for Nathan Gordon to chase down and as the Glens defence were caught out expecting play to stop for offside (as did the photographer!) the midfielder gathered the ball and lashed an unstoppable shot from 14 yards into the top corner of the net.
Nathan Gordon about to open the scoring!
Glens were soon back on the front foot and although they forced another corner kick and tried shots from distance it was a confident Muirkirk that carved out another great chance as Gordon turned provider with a fine pass to release Ferris upfield; only for a tight call of offside to halt his free run into the box.
Sustained pressure from the Glens was met with a well drilled defence and a keeper on top of his game. Cameron and Alan Cairns combined down the left before the latter whipped a dangerous ball to the back post only for Bogle to rise and grab it with both hands under pressure from the incoming Moore.
Nevertheless the Glens finally got the better of the gallant goalie on 37 minutes after Gallacher released Leon Murphy with a killer pass that allowed the midfielder to run unimpeded into the box and coolly pick his spot to roll the ball past the advancing Bogle and into the net.
The remaining chances of the half were shared with McKinven saving a low drilled shot from the lively Gavin Goodall while at the other end a pair of shots from Cameron were well held by the keeper. A couple of corner kicks from Muirkirk came to nothing while Pettigrew’s free kick from outside the box thundered off the brave wall.
HT Glens 1 Muirkirk 1
The Glens made five changes at the break with Edward Campbell, Dean Hawkshaw, Evan Maley, Joe Andrew and Mick McCann replacing Alan Cairns, Dale Moore, Tony McParland, Leon Murphy & Ross Cameron.
First chance of the half fell to the visitors with Gordon’s low angled shot from outside the box whizzing past the far post. At the other end McCann showed defender Josh Rodgers a clean pair of heels as he charged to the edge of the box only for Bogle to rush from his line and kick the ball upfield, taking a painful knock in the process.
The home side turned up the heat as Maley twisted and turned his way into the box and set up Marlow for a cross that was cut out for a corner kick. This was the first of three in a row during which period a Craig Menzies header from close range was headed off the line and over the bar and then Andrew’s low shot through a crowded box was stopped by Bogle.
Cameron Marlow and Nathan Gordon
Maley’s deflected shot from outside the box earned another corner kick for the Glens which was headed on by Menzies and fell for Pettigrew but his hook shot to flew wide of the back post. Maley then whipped a great ball into the box only for Andrew’s attempt to guide it home slip wide. From a corner kick Gallacher played a neat one-two with Hawkshaw before floating the ball to the back post and although it was partially cleared it was recovered by Andrew to fire a fierce shot which whizzed over the corner of post and bar. Hawkshaw’s shot from outside the box suffered a similar fate.
Dean Hawkshaw breaks forward
Respite for Muirkirk on 58 minutes after Ferris’s determination won his side a corner which was met at the back post by Calum Bryan only for his header to sail high over the bar. Glens responded with a corner of their own which Bogle cleanly gathered at the near post. He then got down low to save Hawkshaw’s low shot from 22 yards. Soon after he pushed McCann’s shot wide for another corner kick which was comfortably cleared.
Muirkirk countered with a well worked move down the right flank ending with Ferris clipping a marvellous ball to the far post for the incoming Dillon McLauchlan only for Wallace to time his tackle to perfection at the expense of a corner which was headed clear by McCann.
Rhys Wallace blocks Dillon McLauchlan’s shot
Glens immediately broke upfield and there was McCann in the six yard box to get on the end of a super ball from Gallacher to head it down for Joe Andrew to get the jump on Josh Rodgers to guide the ball home. Muirkirk’s claims for offside were waved away and the home side were now ahead on 67 minutes.
Soon after the visitors made the last of their substitutions including replacing keeper Nathan Bogle with John Fleming.
Glens continued to enjoy much of the possession and the best of the build up play with some fine passing play on a difficult surface. Chances were thin on the ground at either end in the closing stages the best of which fell to McCann just before the final whistle only for Fleming to pull of a great save.
Mick McCann denied by John Fleming
FT Glens 2 Muirkirk 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Michael McKinven 2. Rhys Wallace 4. Alan Cairns (5. Edward Campbell) 6. Craig Menzies 3. Craig Pettigrew 7. Cameron Marlow 14. Dale Moore (8. Dean Hakshaw) 9. Tony McParland (12. Evan Maley) 18. Ross Cameron (16. Joe Andrew) 10. Leon Murphy (15. Mick McCann) 11. Lee Gallacher
MUIRKIRK JUNIORS
1. Nathan Bogle 2. Lee Cruickshanks 3. Josh Rodgers 4. Calum Bryan 6. Peter Marshall 8. Dean Patrick 9. Aidan Ferris 10. Nathan Gordon 12. Josh Rodgers 14. Darryl Still 15. Gary Nugent 17. Ross Gemmell 18. Jason McCuaig 21. John Fleming 23. Gavin Goodall 27. Dillon McLauchlan 37. Ryan Cowie 77. Martin McAdam
All at Glenafton Athletic were saddened to learn that Glens legendary goalscorer Danny McCulloch has passed away. He won 4 Western League titles (+one with Kilwinning) and a hoard of cup medals with his home town club. Our thoughts and prayers are with Danny’s family and friends.
We can confirm that the funeral of Glens legend Danny McCulloch will take place on Thursday 4th June, at 2-30 pm and the hearse be leaving Glenafton’s Loch Park at 2.15 p.m.
In line with the wishes of his son Danny and all the family, they would like all Glens supporters and his friends to wear the famous “ Red/White” as a mark of respect as we all know the club was the love of his life.We hope we can line both sides of the road and maintain social distancing measures and to give Danny a lovely send off.
Glenafton Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Michael McKinven. He leaves Linlithgow Rose of the EOSFL to return west where he previously played with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and Pollok.
Glenafton Athletic are delighted to announce that we have agreed a deal to sign former Troon player 21 year old midfielder Evan Maley for next season. Evan came through the youth system at Kilmarnock before joining Stranraer as a 17 year-old. While at Stair Park he had two loan periods at Troon before signing for Seasiders in July 2017 where he has enjoyed a goal or two against the Glens.
Glenafton Athletic 5 (3) | Moore 2, Andrew 2, Gallacher
Largs Thistle 1 (0) | Love
Glenafton to the Fore plus One
Glenafton hosted Largs Thistle in a league fixture six weeks (and 2 games) since the two sides last met at Loch Park in the West of Scotland Cup tie. On that occasion Thistle scored what proved to be the winner 5 minutes after the restart through former Glens striker Scott Adam before repelling wave after wave of Glens attack to secure their passage to the 3rd round of the competition. Today Adam was missing from the visitors’ line-up due to suspension and Thistle’s goal when it came 5 minutes from time proved to be a consolation as Glens had netted no fewer than 5 times in a 35 minute spell. The score did not reflect Largs’ contribution to the game as under difficult conditions they played some neat passing football from box to box, only for their touch in either box to let them down while Glens were clinical in their finishing.
The gusting wind caused problems for both sides on a difficult surface as well as in the air. Nevertheless, played raged from end to end as possession often came and went before any decent chances, including from corner kicks, could be fashioned. On 10 minutes Craig Pettigrew, from deep on the right flank, picked out Joe Andrew in a busy box to turn a hit a low diagonal shot that was well held by keeper Jamie McGowan as the lively Lee Gallacher waited to pounce on any loose ball. George Sewell was at the heart of a number of Thistle’s breaks and on 18 minutes he struck the ball sweetly from 25 yards out that sailed high over the bar.
At the other end Pettigrew clipped a ball high into the box for Gallacher that George Sewell headed clear only for Kyle McAusland to meet the ball on the drop and thunder a shot from 22 yards that pulled off a great save from McGowan who pushed the ball over the bar.
Gallacher delivered the corner kick high into the heart of the box where Ross Love’s attempt to clear Dan Orsi’s downward header rebounded off Ryan McChesney and the ball fell for Dale Moore to guide home from 3 yards out to break the deadlock on 23 minutes.
Largs responded with a couple of breakaways the best of which saw Kane O’Neill cut in from the left and slip a forward pass to George Sewell on the 18 yard line who did well under pressure from Alan Cairns to curl a shot that keeper David Wilson pushed high into the air from under the bar before safely clasping the ball on its descent. The same player from the right flank then whipped a ball into the box that was cleared by Craig Menzies who then blocked O’Neill’s attempt to fire home the loose ball from 18 yards.
Glens broke up the right through Orsi to win a throw. Pettigrew picked out McAusland who quickly returned the ball for his teammate to float into the box only for Stuart Faulds to head it clear as far as McAusland who opted to keep the ball on the ground. Although his attempted pass to Andrew in the box was cut out by Darren Hynes the ball bobbled up into the air where Dale Moore controlled it brilliantly before holding off Stuart Faulds and cutting inside the unfortunate Hynes to lash an unstoppable shot into the net from 18 yards. Glens 2-0 up on 30 minutes.
As before the visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure after conceding a goal with Ben Black and then William Sewell menacing down the right, the latter then crashing a shot against the outside of the post from the tightest of angles. Blair McIntyre’s low shot from the edge of the box was comfortably held by Wilson but soon after he unleashed a more powerful dipping one from 25 yards out that battered of the top of the bar and the ball eventually cleared by McChesney.
McIntyre then fired a low ball into the six-yard box looking for William Sewell to get a touch only for Wilson to block and then gather it safely. The keeper then launched a long ball upfield where the bounce was misjudged by Hynes allowing Joe Andrew to give chase and drive into the box drawing the keeper from his line before slotting the ball through his legs and into the net to make it 3-0 on 38 minutes.
On cue Largs pushed forward and an excellent run from McIntyre ended with a ferocious shot from 20 yards that Wilson, at full stretch, pushed away with both hands only for George Sewell to recover the ball on the left hand side of the box and curl a vicious shot that beat Wilson but whizzed inches wide of the back post. Thistle continued to press and Ben Eardley lofted a free kick int0 a packed post where a brave Wilson jumped high above a mass of attackers and defenders to punch the ball away; McChesney picking up an injury in the process.
At the other end his counterpart McGowan tipped an Andrew shot over the bar before Gallacher’s corner-kick picked out Moore at the near post only for his header to flash over the bar.
HT Glens 3 Largs 0
The injured McChesney was replaced by Ally Park and Glens reshuffled with McAusland filling the centre back role. Park was soon in the thick of action and after gathering a ball from Orsi deep down the right he whipped it high into the box where although it was missed by attacker and defender alike it was retrieved by the alert Gallacher at the junction of the bye-line and the penalty box. As Eardley closed in, he calmly chipped a low ball to the near post for Joe Andrew, where with Hynes marking him tightly and the keeper tighter on his post, he lifted his left foot to cutely back-heel the ball with the deftest of touches to roll itunimpeded into the net for 4-0 on 48 minutes.
Largs’ heads remained aloft as they quickly earned a corner-kick that was comfortably defended and soon after a Glens corner suffered the same fate.
Largs made their first change and brought on Kieran Brophy for Kane O’Neill
On 57 minutes Wilson did well to get down low and stop William Sewell’s close-range glancing header with a strong hand at the base of the post.
In a flash Glens carried the ball from box to box beginning with Cairns deep on the left playing it forward to Andrew to lay off to McAusland on the half way line. From here he played it infield to Frye who switched play to Park wide on the right where the midfielder threaded a superb long forward pass for Moore to chase down before clipping the ball into the box and although Eardley prevented it reaching the incoming Orsi the ball fell for Lee Gallacher to take a touch before blasting it home from 10 yards. Glens now 5-0 up with 58 minutes on the clock.
On the hour mark Mick McCann replaced Joe Andrew who had taken a knock.
Soon after Dan Orsi made way for young Gabe Skeoch recently signed from Ayr United on a loan deal while Largs also brought on Simon McBryde for Ben Black.
The rain came on for a spell and conditions underfoot worsened as the temp of the game dropped during a scrappy period of play.
On 77 minutes Brophy did well to strike a sweet shot from 18 yards under pressure from Pettigrew only for the ball to fly wide of the target. Glens responded with a quick break down the right through McAusland who picked out Frye at the edge of the box to lay off to Skeoch who smacked a left-footed shot that McGowan tipped over the bar to deny him a goal on his debut.
Gallacher whipped another dangerous corner kick which was met at the near post by the head of Eardley sending the ball over his keeper and heading for the far corner only for Brophy to head it clear; Glens claims the ball had crossed the line dismissed.
Back came Glens and Skeoch evaded McBryde’s tackle before slipping the ball forward for McCann to break into the box and get his shot away as back-tracking defenders chased him down only for the advancing keeper to get a foot to it before the ball was mopped up.
With 5 minutes to go William Sewell’s persistence earned him a corner-kick that was brilliantly trapped by Ross Love before he turned to leather home a well struck angled shot for a worthy consolation goal for a side that never gave up.
The day however belonged to Glenafton who defended stoutly, controlled the midfield and finished clinically.
FT Glens 5 Largs 1
Glenafton Athletic: 1. David Wilson 2. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney (14. Ally Park), 6. Kyle McAusland 7. Dan Orsi (17. Gabe Skeoch) 8. Findlay Frye 9. Joe Andrew (12. Mick McCann), 10. Dale Moore 11. Lee Gallacher. Subs Not Used: 15. Cameron Marlow 16. Matthew Reilly
Largs Thistle: 1. Jamie McGowan 2. Ben Eardley 3. Laurie McMaster 4. Darren Hynes 5. Ross Love 6. Stuart Faulds 7. George Sewell 8. Blair McIntyre 9. William Sewell 10. Kane O’Neill (12. Kieran Brophy) 11. Ben Black (14. Simon McBryde) Subs Not Used: 15. Ross Lundy 16. Stuart Davidson
Glenafton Athletic 