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.
Welcome to Loch Park, Michael.
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.
Welcome to Loch Park, Evan.
Glenafton Athletic are delighted to announce that Anthony McParland has joined the club as player/coach.
Tony has senior experience with Celtic, Barnsley, Wycombe, Livingston, QOS and Queen’s Park and has had spells at Arthurlie and Irvine Meadow.
Welcome to Loch Park, Anthony
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
The home side got off to a flyer with Liam Miller scoring in the opening minute and Eddie McTernan doubling their lead five minutes later with a tap in. Glens fought back and midway through the half Findlay Frye halved the deficit from close range after a goalmouth scramble. On 57 minutes the visitors drew level after Kyle McAusland outjumped the Meadow defence to head home from 8 yards Lee Gallacher’s pinpoint free kick. With 9 minutes to go Dale Moore burst into the right hand side of the box at speed, with a Meadow defender on his heels, before slipping the ball under the keeper who had advanced to the corner of the six yard box to complete an impressive fight back.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. David Wilson 2. Craig Pettigrew 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney (12. Cameron Marlow) 6. Kyle McAusland 7. Dale Moore 8. Findlay Frye 9. Joe Andrew (14. Mick McCann) 10. Dan Orsi 11. Lee Gallacher (15. Ryan Nisbet) Subs. 16. Ally Park 17. Craig Potter 18. Craig Burns (gk)
Glens took the field on Burns Day clad in all blue but there was to be no sweet ending for the Afton. The home side crashed out the of West of Scotland Cup following a smash and grab raid by the Viking-boat-badged Largs Thistle who sunk their only real chance of the game while repelling wave after wave of attacks by their opponents.
The home side’s first chance fell on four minutes after good work by Ally Park saw him set up Joe Andrew for a shot from the left-hand side the box that was deflected wide for a corner kick. The kick was cleared and soon after Park, who had picked up an injury, was replaced by Dan Orsi.
On 10 minutes Alan Cairns floated a free-kick into the box which saw Ryan McChesney get the better of three black and gold strips only for his header to drift wide of the post. Two minutes later Mick McCann won a corner kick which was scrambled clear by a well drilled defence.
At the other end Paul Harkins’ free kick into the box was won in the air by McChesney and the loose ball snapped up by Kane O’Neill to fire a low angled shot from the outskirts of the box only for the big Glens defender to block that too. Although Thistle enjoyed a decent spell of pressure with Scott Adam holding the ball up well, albeit without creating an effort on goal.
Back game Glens and midway through the half Andrew hooked a ball from the edge of the box wide of the post and two minutes later Lee Gllacher laid of the ball to Dale Moore to clip a shot from 25 yards that beat airborne keeper Jamie McGowan only to skim off to the top of the crossbar.
Orsi from wide on the right chipped a dangerous ball into the six-yard box for the incoming Gallacher only for Craig Forbes to keep his cool and head the ball towards his keeper to kill it with his chest before clutching it to the aforesaid torso.
The home side continued to press and Findlay Frye forced his way to the bye-line only for his cutback to be cut-out by McGowan.
The visitors countered occasionally but again without penetrating the Glens box or engineering any shots at goal. In stark contrast the Glens turned the screw in the closing 10 minutes of the half and forced no fewer than four corner kicks the most threatening of which saw McChesney outleap Adam on the six-yard line and power a header that appeared to rebound of the keeper, rather than be saved by him.
The loose ball was recovered by Glens and following a patient build up Frye picked out Moore on the corner of the box to lash a ferocious shot that beat McGowan at full stretch but zipped inches wide of the post. The last action of the half saw the last corner-kick of the four headed clear by centre half Ross Love, having a tremendous game at the heart of the Largs defence.
HT Glens 0 Largs 0
The home side picked up from where they left off as Mick McCann held off Harkins at the bye-line to roll the back for Andrew only for Love to clear before the Glens recovered and the busy Gallacher mounted another attack down the left before George Sewell robbed him off the ball.
On 50 minutes Blair MacIntrye released Simon McBryde to break down the left before squaring the ball along the 18 yard line where Kane O’Neill met hit first time to hook a low drive that although keeper Davie Wilson got down low to stop with one hand former Glens striker Scott Adam pounced to tap home the loose ball from two yards out.
The Glens responded well and dominated the remainder of the half with Largs content, on occasion, to give away free kicks in their own half which they defended resolutely.
Gradually the Glens turned up the heat and on 63 minutes Orsi and McCann combined in the box to set up Moore to fire a shot across the face of goal that Gallacher came within a whisker of getting a touch before the ball flew inches wide of the back post.
Gallacher then switched play from left to right and from the bye-line McAusland chipped the ball into the heart of box where Andrew’s shot from 10 yards was blocked by George Sewell while Harkins blocked Frye’s attempt to bury the rebound before the keeper could get back on his feet.
There was little respite for Largs as back came Glens with McAusland slipping a ball through to McCann on the penalty spot who although was quickly closed down by Forbes and the outrushing keeper managed to guide the ball past them only for Sewell to scoop the ball off the line which then fell to Orsi to blast an angled shot that was blocked and cleared at the expense of a corner-kick.
Gallacher’s kick was knocked on by Moore in a packed box and although Orsi won the ball his shot sailed high and wide of target.
The visitors who had earlier brought on Ben Black for O’Neill did occasionally venture upfield but often too short in numbers to mount any serious attacks.
On 75 minutes keeper Wilson from deep in his own half lined up to launch a free kick into the Largs’ box but instead slipped the ball wide to Craig Menzies to move forward before whipping the ball into the box for Moore to power a header from 15 yards screaming wide of the post.
At the other end another tussle between Adam and McChesney ended with a yellow card for the defender, as is often the case in these encounters, and a free kick from the edge of the box. The visitors frittered the chance away before Frye mopped up the danger.
With numbers still upfield Thistle mounted a break down the left through Black only for his cross to be headed clear by Menzies at the near post. The visitors recovered the ball and fed Black down the left again only for his cross to suffer the same fate as before with Menzies clearing. Although the ball fell for McBryde to crack a shot it was blocked by Frye.
On 77 minutes Glens brought on Ryan Nisbet for Mick McCann.
Moore’s free kick deep into the Largs box was headed over the bar by Harkins and although Gallacher delivered a peach of a corner-kick into the heart of the six-yard box there were no takers from either side and the ball rolled aimlessly on for a goal kick.
Nevertheless Glens kept the pressure on. Although Gallacher’s free kick into the box was headed clear the midfielder recovered the ball to feed Moore to clip it high into the box where McChesney beat Adam in the air again and Andrew pounced on the ball before lashing a shot from the corner of the six yard box only for McGowan to pull off a great point blank save to turn the ball round the post.
The keeper punched clear the corner kick that followed but back came Glens through Gallacher on the left and his ball into the box was headed clear by the towering Love.
Largs countered through Adam and MacIntyre who combined to drive forward to the left-hand side corner of the penalty box where the latter curled a shot that sailed high over the bar.
Into added time and Glens pushed to try and take the tie to a penalty shoot-out. Frye slipped the ball to Moore on the corner of the penalty box to whip into the box where Harkin’s headed clearance sent the ball high into the air forcing the keeper to rush from his line to punch it clear from the head of Andrew only for it to be met by Frye to thunder a shot that whizzed inches wide.
Gallacher then won a corner kick, Glens 10th of the match, that was frantically cleared upfield where Largs gave away what proved to be the last free-kick of the game. Keeper Wilson came forward to take it, as every other player packed the box, but his counter-part had the last say as he leapt high to clutch the ball safely.
FT Glens 0 Largs 1
Glenafton Athletic: 1. David Wilson 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Ally Park (15. Dan Orsi) 7. Lee Gallacher 8. Findlay Frye 9. Mick McCann (16. Ryan Nisbet) 10. Joe Andrew 11. Dale Moore. Not Use 17. Cameron Marlow 18. Craig Burns
Largs Thistle: 1. Jamie McGowan 2. Craig Forbes 3. Paul Harkins 4. George Sewell 5. Ross Love 6. Stuart Faulds 7. Simon McBryde 8. Blair MacIntyre 9. Scott Adam 10. Kane O’Neill (12. Ben Black) 11. Laurie McMaster Subs not used. 14. Ross George 15. Kieran Brophy 16. Ross Lundy
Glens unbeaten six match league run (5 wins, 1 draw) came crashing to an end at Portland Park as home side Troon game from a goal down to win by four goals to one.
The visitors opened the scoring on 15 minutes after Kyle McAusland’s throw-in picked out Joe Andrew and his deft touch took 3 defenders out of play as he guided the ball into the path of former Troon midfielder Dale Moore to hold off another defender before picking his spot from 6 yards out.
Dale Moore
On 26 minutes the home side drew level after Dean Fulton chased down John Gemmell’s flick into the box and held off Craig Menzies before slotting the ball from a narrow angle.
HT Troon 1 Glens 1
Just after the hour mark the home side were forced to make a substitution after Ray Montgomerie suffered a bad injury and was replaced by Evan Maley, while Dylan Pooler replaced Ben Reilly soon after. The substitutes were soon in the thick of the action. A corner-kick eventually fell for Pooler in the box to take a touch and set up John Gemmel to slam home from close range and put Troon ahead on 73 minutes.
On 80 minutes the home side doubled their lead after Glens’ keeper David Wilson misjudged his throw-out and the ball was snapped up by Fulton to instantly square the ball for Maley to thunder home a shot from 25 yards out. Four minutes later after some terrific build up play Maley ran on to a cute back heeler and although Ally Park got a touch the ball bounced up to a perfect height for the substitute to unleash a ferocious shot into the top corner of the net.
FT Troon 4 Glens 1
Glenafton Athletic: 1. David Wilson 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Edward Campbell 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Ally Park 7. Dale Moore 8. Lee Gallacher 9. Joe Andrew 10. Dan Orsi 11. Matthew Reilly Subs. used: 12.Mick McCann 14. Findlay Frye. Subs not used 15. Craig Potter 19. Craig Burns
Troon: 1. Scott Johnstone 2. Mark Morrison 3. Jack Sherrie 4. Dean Keenan 5. Andy Strachan 6. Ross Barbour 7. Ben Reilly (14. Dylan Pooler) 8. Ray Montgomerie (14. Evan Maley) 22. John Gemmell (12. Todd Henderson) 10. Scott Chatham 11. Dean Fulton
Glenafton would like wish Ray Montgomerie a speedy recovery after suffering a double break to his collar bone.
Glenafton were Clydebank’s first footers in the first game of the new decade. The home side struck the woodwork twice in a first half that ended goal-less. The Bankies opened the scoring on 54 minutes after a great run from former Glens midfielder Conor Lynass which ended abruptly at the edge the box and with advantage played Paul Byrne gathered the loose ball to cross from Nicky Little to head home at the back post.
Five minutes later Matthew Reilly broke down the left to the touchline before cutting the ball into the box where former Bankie Joe Andrew got the better of Jamie Darroch and although he slipped the ball past keeper Scott Morrison it was cleared off the line. Andrew retrieved the ball and picked out Ally Park to shoot from 6 yards only for Chris Black to stoop and block the shot with his arm at the expense of a red card for him and a penalty for the Glens. Kyle McAusland to send the keeper the wrong way and level the match on 60 minutes.
Two minutes later Glens scored again after Alan Cairns launched a long ball upfield where Mick McCann’s header sent the ball sideways and after a bounce on the 18 yard line substitute Dan Orsi hooked low hard shot that beat the outstretched Morrison before finding the back of the net.
On 72 minutes the ten-man drew level after the ball was hoofed high into the air from the half-wayline and dropped in the right hand side box where Little killed it brilliantly with his right foot before guiding it past keeper David Wilson with his left foot.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. David Wilson 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4 . Craig Menzies 5. Craig Pettigrew 6. Cameron Marlow 7. Matthew Reilly 8. Ally Park 9. Joe Andrew 10. Mick McCann 11. Lee Gallacher Subs Used: Dan Orsi (12) Not Used. 16. Ryan McChesney 17. Craig Burns( gk)
Glenafton finished the decade with a 2-1 win over league leaders Kilwinning Rangers at Loch Park. Joe Andrew opened the scoring from close range in the first half.
Photo courtesy of Ross McKenzie
Matthew Reilly doubled the lead in the second half with a wonderful run through before weaving his way through defenders in the box and although the keeper advance to block his shot from 12 yards the young striker reacted quickly to bury the rebound.
Photo courtesy of Ross McKenzie
The Buffs halved the deficit through Ben Lewis and in the closing minutes substitute and former Buffs striker Ryan Nisbet received his marching orders as Glens held on for the three points.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. David Wilson 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4 . Craig Menzies 5. Craig Pettigrew 6. Cameron Marlow (14. Dan Orsi) 7. Ally Park 8. Findlay Frye 9. Joe Andrew (12. Mick McCann) 10. Matthew Reilly 11. Lee Gallacher (15. Ryan Nisbet) Subs Not Used. 16. Ryan McChesney 17. Craig Burns(gk)
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Irvine Meadow with Cameron Marlow and Lee Gallacher replacing Dale Moore and Mick McCann.
The visitors dominated the opening encounters with Matthew Reilly on song particularly down the left wing skipping past black and white shirts at will. On 2 minutes he drove deep into the box before cutting the ball back for Ally Park only for Craig McLeish to make a timely tackle. A minute later Joe Andrew’s shot from 25 yards took a deflection off Alan Murdoch to divert the ball inches wide of the post and Lee Gallacher’s corner kick that followed was headed over the bar by Cameron Marlow.
A Cumnock free kick from wide on the left fell for Ryan Caddis on the far side of the box and although he got to the bye-line his cut back for Chris Campbell was ably cleared by Craig Pettigrew.
Back came Glens through Reilly who had temporarily switched to the right flank where he glided past Murdoch on his way to the bye-line before clipping the ball back for Park only for Kyle Faulds to intervene and clear the danger.
On 10 minutes Findlay Frye picked out Reilly on the left and after being boxed in at the corner flag he rolled the ball back to Alan Cairns to curl a ball high into the box where Gallacher’s header from 12 yards out drifted just wide of the post. Reilly broke down the left again before cutting inside to a busy box and passing it to Frye to square to Cairns on the flank to curl a low ball into the six-yard box for the incoming Andrew only for Murdoch to slide in and clear.
Glens quickly recovered the ball and Craig Menzies, joining the attack, combined with Reilly to earn another corner kick. Although the kick was cleared the ball fell for Frye on the outskirts of the box to drive forward and unleash a low drive from 18 yards through a ruck of players which keeper Ally Semple did well to get down low and at full stretch tip the ball inches wide of the post.
This corner too was cleared but again the Glens continued press through Frye in the middle of the park picking out Gallacher wide on the right who fed McAusland on the overlap to fire a ball to the back post where although Frye got the jump on two defenders his header dipped over the bar.
A minute later the New Cumnock side’s pressure paid off. Park collected the ball in the centre circle and squared it right to McAusland to push forward before threading a forward pass to Gallacher who quickly picked out Andrew in the box to kill the ball and touch it onto McAusland to crack the ball from the 18 yard line which Semple pushed away with both hands. However the alert Andrew beat the static defence to snap up the loose ball on the right hand side of the six yard box and cut the ball back beyond the reach of the goalie the for the incoming Findlay Frye to see off Faulds challenge and force the ball into the gaping net from 3 yards out to put Glens 1-0 up on 16 minutes.
Soon after Andrew was released into acres of space down the left only for his cut-back into the box to be mopped up by a relieved ‘Nock defence.
Cumnock then began to grow into the game and enjoyed a decent spell of pressure as Glens faded for a spell. Jamie Conn broke down the right and his cross from the bye-line picked out the unmarked Ryan Caddis at the back post but his header from 8 yards dropped tamely into the hands of keeper David Wilson. Soon after Caddis’s cross from deep on the left was clawed out the air by Wilson and quickly gathered as Faulds threatened. Alistair Miller was next to show with a low angled shot from 20 yards that drifted well wide of the post. On 28 minutes the home side passed up a great chance to draw level after Chris Campbell weaved his way down the right to the bye-line before his cross was headed on at the near post and the ball fell for Faulds but under pressure from Park he blasted the ball over the bar from 7 yards out.
Glens found their feet again and earned another corner kicked which Gallacher viciously whipped into the heart of a packed six-yard box only for Semple to grab Pettigrew’s glancing header with a firm pair if hands. On 36 minutes Glens had another shout for a penalty after Gallacher released Reilly down the left to square the ball into the box for Andrew who was wrestled off the ball by Faulds before it was booted clear.
In the closing minutes of the half Wilson cleanly clutched a Cumnock free-kick floated into the goalmouth while at the other end McAusland’s free kick from 24 yards was well blocked by the Cumnock wall. The home side’s first corner of the match was headed clear by Pettigrew. Fittingly the last chance was created by Reilly who after picking up the ball in his half broke down the right before cutting inside and thundering a thirty-yard shot that although beat Semple dipped inches over the bar.
H/T Cumnock 0 Glens 1
The home side were first to threaten after the break through Conn who gave two defenders the slip to break into the left-hand side of the box before curling a shot that flew over the bar.
Glens responded with Andrew’s shot from just inside the box that swerved wide of target. Glens won their fifth corner kick of the game which Gallacher delivered directly into the danger area but neither attacker or defender made contact.
On the hour mark the Glens made their first change with Lee Gallacher making way for Ryan Nisbet.
Back came Cumnock and Conn made good progress down the left before a sliding tackle by Menzies sent him crashing at the corner of the box. Caddis curled a low ball past the two-man Glens’ wall to the near post for Conn, only for McAusland to intercept and clear the ball at the expense of a corner kick which was met at the back post by Alan Murdoch to send a looping header over the keeper’s head and into the far corners. Game all square after 66 minutes.
Soon after Glens brought on striker Mick McCann for midfielder Cameron Marlow.
The home side with their tails up began to stroke the ball about and created several half chances. Good work by Conn on the left took him to the bye-line before whipping a low ball across the face of a goal where Caddis was denied a tap-in by a tremendous tackle from Cairns. McCleish then picked out Campbell near to the right-hand corner of the box but his low diagonal drive flew well wide of the far post. Soon after he had another effort from outside the box that suffered the same fate.
On 72 minutes Cumnock made their first change with Ruaridh McIntyre replacing Kyle Faulds.
Glens fought their way back into the game and Reilly’s ball from wide on the left had Semple and Greg Ferry scramble the ball away from the feet of Nisbet at the near post. McCann followed with a strong run through the middle before firing a shot from 18 yards out that Semple finger-tipped round the post and Nisbet’s corner-kick was cleared.
With 10 minutes to go Cumnock made their final change with Chris Campbell making way for Kieran McLaughlin.
The visitors continued to press and Cairns whipped a great ball deep into the box for Andrew and Nisbet marked closely by two defenders only for the ball to take a bounce and clutched by Semple. Cumnock broke upfield and Caddis looked set to score the winner only for Wilson to make a great block and Pettigrew mop up the loose ball.
To rub salt in the wound the Glens counter-attacked in lethal fashion as Pettigrew progressed up the right wing before squaring the ball to Park in the centre circle who quickly rolled it wider to Cairns. The full back pushed forward unchallenged before threading a forward pass that slipped past McCleish on its way to Andrew at the edge of the box who took the pace of the ball before his deft touch took Murdoch out the game and set up Findlay Frye to lash home at Semple’s near post. Glens ahead on 84 minutes.
With the home side deflated the Glens controlled the closing minutes of the game. Reilly ran the home side ragged down the left flank and with a minute his wicked ball across the face of the goal came with an inch of being tapped home by Nisbet.
In added time the Glens were forced to defend McLaughlin’s great cross from wide on the right before Reilly took the ball for another timely run down the left.
F/T Cumnock 1 Glens 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. David Wilson 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Craig Pettigrew 6. Cameron Marlow (12. Mick McCann) 7. Findlay Frye 8. Ally Park 9. Joe Andrew 10. Matthew Reilly 11. Lee Gallacher (15. Ryan Nisbet) Subs. 14. Ryan McChesney 16. Edward Campbell 19. Craig Burns (gk)
CUMNOCK JUNIORS: 1. Ally Semple 2. Nathan Baird 3. Greg Ferry 4. Alan Murdoch 5. Andy Dowie 6. Craig McCleish 7. Chris Campbell (15. Kieran McLaughlin) 8. Kyle Faulds (12. Ruaridh McIntyre) 9. Jamie Conn 10. Ryan Caddis 11. Alistair Miller Subs. 14. Iain Anderson.
Glenafton Athletic 