Glenafton made three changes to the starting eleven that faced Rutherglen Glencairn. In came Craig Pettigrew (back from suspension), Kyle McAusland and Joe Andrew to replace Edward Campbell, Cameron Marlow and Ryan Nisbet (unavailable for selection.
In terrible conditions for both sides the Glens couldn’t repeat the victory at Blair Park that they enjoyed at the beginning of the season in the West Sectional Cup match. Hurlford took the lead on 3 minutes through Ryan Caddis. For the third league game out five the Glens were reduced to 10 men after Ryan McChesney received two yellow cards in a ten minute spell. Soon after, on 23 minutes Liam Caddis doubled the home side’s lead to complete the scoring with the best of the remaining chances falling to Hurlford.
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Craig Burns 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns (14. Edward Campbell) 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Findlay Frye 7. Dan Orsi 8. Ally Park 9. Mick McCann 10. Joe Andrew 11. Lee Gallacher (12. Cameron Marlow) Subs Not Used: 15. Craig Potter
Glens made a number of changes from the starting eleven that drew at Benburb last Saturday. A starting debut was given to new signing and former Kilmarnock Youth player Edward Campbell (left) while both Alan Cairns and Cameron Marlow returned from injury. Making way were Craig Menzies (injured), Dale Moore (unavailable) and Kyle McAusland.
Glenafton came out on top of the battle of the Glens in a close encounter at Loch Park. The first half played in bright sunshine proved to be one of few chances with the home side enjoying the best of these.
Attacking full back Dan Orsi was in the thick of early action whipping a wicked ball in from the right flank that was well grasped at the back post by keeper Gary Whyte. Soon after Campbell and Mick McCann combined to feed Orsi to drive through the middle and crack a low shot from 20 yards that beat the keeper at full stretch but whizzed inches wide of the post. On 15 minutes Mick McCann collected the ball at the corner of the box and rolled it back for Findlay Frye to fire an effort from 20 yards over the bar. Five minutes later Lee Gallacher released Orsi down the right to whip another cross into the box where McCann outjumped two defenders only for his header to sail over the bar.
Dan Orsi and Lee Gallacher
There were only glimpses of Glencairn as an attacking force in the early encounters with the endeavours of Dale Simeon catching eye without however creating any clear-cut chances. On 24 minutes Frye broke down a Glencairn attack just inside the home side’s half before slipping the ball to Cammy Marlow to take a touch or two before delivering a defence splitting pass to release Nisbet for a free run into the goalmouth only for the advancing keeper to judge his dive at the nippy striker’s feet to perfection and steal the ball cleanly. A minute later Gallacher gathered the ball deep in the Glencairn half and left a couple of defenders in his wake as he drove to the edge of the box only for his attempt to lob the advancing keeper fall safely into his hands.
Ally Park robs Jordan Leyden
The visitors then enjoyed a good 10-minute spell of pressure but time again their attempt to breach the Glens goal were thwarted with Ally Park in his unusual role in the centre of defence having an outstanding game. Jason McKay tried to wriggle his way into the penalty box but Park stubbornly stuck to him denying him the chance to cut inside and forcing McKay to the touchline before surrendering possession. Simeon from the right squared the ball across the edge of the box for Jordan Leyden only for Park’s block to prevent his shot at goal.
Ryan Nisbet on the move with Edward Campbell and Lee Gallacher in support
Glens countered with a couple of breaks that came to nothing before Simeon once again made good progress down the right and into the box before squaring for McKay but Park was on hand to coolly divert it out for a corner-kick which was headed over the bar by Stephen Kerr. Glencairn continued to press and a Leyden effort drifted wide of target before a free kick from the edge of the box was well defended by the home side. Leyden’s diagonal run ended at the outskirts of the box when the ball was stripped from his by Park’s tackle who repeated the feat by robbing Gavin Mackie of the loose ball in the same determined fashion.
Kris Gebbie’s header coming off the bar
On 38 minutes Glenafton came close to breaking the deadlock. Orsi and Gallacher combined down the right to earn a corner kick which the latter lofted high to the hedge of the six yard box to be met by the head of defender Kris Gebbie only for the ball to crash of the bar and the loose cleared for another corner which was eventually cleared.
At the other end Antony Fraser whipped a free kick into the box which was cleared for a corner-kick which was headed clear by Ryan McChesney.
HT Glens 0 Glencairn 0
In stark contrast the second half kicked off in heavy rain that would come and go through the half. Despite the conditions play now was at greater tempo with plenty of goalmouth action and the half chances came and went for both sides.
The first came in 47 minutes in what was the best move of the match. Alan Cairns and Nisbet combined down the left before the latter cut inside to lay the ball off to Frye on the edge of the “D” who quickly rolled the ball into the box which McCann in an offside position let go for the incoming Nisbet to snap up and clip over the leg of the advancing keeper at the corner of the six yard box only for the ball to roll wide of the back post.
Glencairn countered with a break down the right which ended with full back Gebbie’s over hit cross into the box dipping tantalisingly over the bar. On 53 minutes the visitors passed up a great chance to break the deadlock after Simeon was picked out in acres of space and from 12 yards out, under pressure from Cairns, he skewed his shot wide of target. Further attacks down either flank then petered out to nothing.
Ryan McChesney and Jason McKay with Ally Park looking on
At the other end Nisbet laid off to Marlow and his ambitious effort from 30 yards or so flew high and wide of the target. On the hour mark Glens brought on Joe Andrew for Edward Campbell who had given a good account of himself on his debut. Although Nisbet continued to nip away at the visitors’ defence they stood firm with Chrystal leading by example.
Back came Glencairn through a break down the right by Simeon and although the back-tracking Park appeared to have won the ball with a fine tackle the visitors were awarded a free kick. This was played deep into the box and headed clear by Marlow which fell for Gebbie to try his luck from 20 yards but the ball drifted just wide of the post. Glencairn continued to look threatening on the break without testing the keeper.
Midway through the half Glenafton brought on defender Kyle McAusland for Lee Gallacher to fill the right back position and push Orsi forward down the flank and the change quickly paid dividends. On 71 minutes Andrew returned a throw-in from the left to Cairns who then lofted the ball high into the box where although Chrystal beat McCann to the header the ball fell for Dan Orsi to meet it with a brilliant touch and lash it low into the corner of the net.
Dan Orsi lashes home the opener
Three minutes later Glens almost doubled their lead after Marlow’s cross from the left was headed on by Nisbet and the ball bounced off a defender to fall for Andrew but his shot from inside the six- yard box was brilliantly blocked by the keeper.
Glens continued to press and on 76 minutes doubled their lead with Orsi the architect. He intercepted Fraser’s pass in his own half and powered down the right flank to clip the ball into the box where it grazed off the top of Andrew’s head before being headed back towards the penalty spot for the incoming Findlay Frye to crack home a shot from 10 yards.
Findlay Frye fires home to make it 2-0
Credit to Rutherglen they continued to look dangerous on the break and on 80 minutes Simeon burst into the box and was brought down by keeper Craig Burns. Although the young keeper saved substitute Gary Smith’s spot-kick he could do nothing to prevent the former Arthurlie striker from stroking home the rebound.
Gary Smith follows up to score from his saved penalty
The bright sunshine of the first half returned for the closing ten minutes and the visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser with Smith and Simeon both creating decent chances but to no avail as Glens held on to secure their first league victory of the season.
FT Glens 2 Glencairn 1
Celebrations after Glens go 2-0 up
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Craig Burns 2. Dan Orsi 3. Alan Cairns 4. Ally Park 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Findlay Frye 7. Edward Campbell (12. Joe Andrew) 8. Cameron Marlow 9. Mick McCann 10. Ryan Nisbet 11. Lee Gallacher (16. Kyle McAusland) Subs Not Used: 14. Craig Menzies 15. Craig Potter
Rutherglen Glencairn: 1. Gary Whyte 2. Kris Gebbie (15. Matt Divers) 3. Thomas Miller 4. Kyle Chrystal 5. Stephen Kerr 6. Antony Fraser 7. Jordan Leyden 8. Sean McGuire (12. Gary Smith) 9. Jason McKay 10. Dale Simeon 11. Gavin Mackie (14. Callum McRobbie) Subs not used: 16. Gavin Lachlan 21. Scott McLellan.
Glens made two changes to the eleven that started against Meadow in the midweek with Lee Gallacher and Ryan Nisbet replacing Craig Pettigrew (suspended) and Joe Andrew (unavailable for selection) while the bench included injured Alan Cairns and Cameron Marlow along with trialist Campbell. In the Benburb dug-out was Ian Gray who played for the great Glenafton side of the early 1990’s including winning the Scottish Junior Cup and Ayrshire League in 1992/93.
Goal celebrations as Lee congratulates Fin
Perhaps a draw was a fair outcome for both sides, however either could have a strong claim to the three points. Benburb on the one hand enjoyed a great deal of possession , territorial advantage and scored a peach of a goal while on the other hand Glens also scored a peach of a goal and struck the woodwork twice while leading 1-0!
After a period of sustained pressure from the home side the visitors began to threaten and on 33 minutes earned a free kick on the outskirts of the box. Kyle McAusland’s effort thundered into the wall before Ryan Nisbet rolled the loose ball back to Findlay Frye who lasered it from 18 yards to the top right hand corner beyond the outstretched arm of keeper Connolly.
Findlay Frye fires the opener
Two minutes later from the right had goal-line Lee Gallacher cut the ball across the face of goal where Ally Park took a touch at the near post before Mick McCann smashed the ball off the crossbar. Two minutes from the break Ryan Nisbet, from wide on the left, gave a defender the slip before advancing to the corner of the penalty box before cracking a super short that incredibly keeper Connolly with a strong hand pushed onto the crossbar. H/T Bens 0 Glens 1
Bens started the second half in the same fashion they had the first and forced several corner kicks that the Glens defended manfully. Their pressure paid off on 58 minutes when Ciaran Diver , on as a substitute at half-time, picked up the ball on the half-way line and off he went on a mazy run past red shirt after red until he reached the edge of the box to drill a low shot into the left hand bottom corner of the net.
Ciaran Diver bags the equaliser
The Bens continued to press for a second before the Glens fought their way back into the game with Nisbet, McCann and Frye all creating half-chances. F/T Benburb 1 Glens 1
Ian Gray and Fin shake hands
Glenafton Athletic: 1 Craig Burns 2. Dan Orsi 3. Kyle McAusland 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Findlay Frye 7. Lee Gallacher 8. Ally Park 9. Mick McCann 10. Ryan Nisbet 11. Dale Moore Subs . 12. Cameron Marlow 14. Alan Cairns 15. Edward Campbell (trialist) 17. Craig Potter
Glenafton made a number of changes to the line-up that started at Auchinleck on Saturday. Keeper Craig Burns and defender Ryan McChesney replacing the injured Brian McGarrity and Cameron (as they had at Beechwood) while Lee Gallacher and Ryan Nisbet made way for Ally Park and Joe Andrew.
The home side got off to a great on 5 minutes after Meadow only partially cleared a corner-kick and Kyle McAusland (right) gathered the loose ball wide on the left before progressing to the corner of the penalty box to drill a low shot through a crowd of players into the net.
Ten minutes before the break Meadow drew level through a fine glancing header from Darren Jones. Soon after Glens were reduced to 10 men for the second game in succession after a Craig Pettigrew challenge was adjudged worthy of a red card .
H/T Glens 1 Meadow 1
The 10 men battled manfully throughout the half in which both sides created some decent chances and the keepers made some fine saves. The home side almost snatched all three point as Ally Park came close in the closing minutes.
F/T Glens 1 Meadow 1
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Craig Burns 2.Craig Menzies 3. Kyle McAusland 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Findlay Frye 7. Dan Orsi 8. Ally Park 9. Mick McCann 10. Joe Andrew 11. Dale Moore : Subs used 12. Ryan Nisbet 14. Edward Campbell (trialist) Subs not used: 15. Craig Potter 16. Alan Cairns
Irvine Meadow XI. 1. Shaun Newman 2. James Latta (15. McLaughlin) 3. Darren Miller 4. Mark McLennan 5. Neil Slooves 6. Jared Willet 7. Ben Carson 8. Reece Pearson 9. Adam Forsyth (14. Sharpe) 10. Darren Jones (12. Eddie McTernan) 11. Ryan Carnwarth Subs not used: 15. Andy McLaughlin 16. Jordan McGuire 19. Phil Bannister (gk)
Glens kicked off their league campaign with a short trip to face champions Auchinleck Talbot with their hosts mindful that the New Cumnock were the only team to inflict a league defeat on them last season. Of course, the visitors would be more mindful that they lost 4-0 to Talbot on the same ground last Saturday in the opening game of the West Region Sectional League Cup, albeit the result was not a true reflection of the Glens’’ contribution to a game that was a lot tighter than the score-line suggested.
In glorious sunshine the home side dominated the first half with lightning quick breaks, slick accurate passing, strength in tackle along with a of host of chances and would argue but for a number of fine saves from Glens goalie Brian McGarrity that the 2-0 lead at the break far from flattered them.
Glens had a decent early chance when Dan Orsi powered down the right to break into the box before drilling a low angled shot past two back-tracking defenders and beyond the reach of keeper Andy Leishman only for the ball to slip inches wide of the far post. Minutes before the break Mick McCann and Ryan Nisbet combined to set up a shot from the edge of the box that was comfortably saved by the keeper. In between times the few corner kicks they won were comfortably cleared by the Talbot defence.
In stark contrast Talbot attacked with menace throughout the half with Mark Shankland often the instigator. On 12 minutes he gathered the ball in the middle of the park and slipped the ball down the left for Kier Samson to hunt down before clipping a low angled shot that beat McGarrity but drifted narrowly wide of the back post. Shankland then whipped three corner kicks in quick succession into heart of the six-yard box each of which were frantically cleared by the Glens defence including the last of which was bravely punched clear by McGarrity. Graham Wilson then picked out Samson in the box with a peach of the pass but the striker’s attempt to bury the ball in the far corner was denied by the outstretched arm and strong hand of McGarrity. A minute later the keeper then pulled off a point blank save from Samson’s shot from 8 yards out.
On 27 minutes the home side broke the deadlock following some excellent build up play. Samson slipped the ball to Wilson on the outskirts of the box and after a few twists and turns rolled the ball to Shankland in space on the left hand side of the box only for his attempt to curl to ball into the net to be pushed away by McGarrity before the incoming Samson forced the ball over the line from a few yards out. The visitors unfortunately were down to 10 men with at the time with Cameron Marlow requiring treatment on the touchline.
Samson opens the scoring
Marlow was still off the park when Auchinleck doubled their lead two minutes later. Samson earned the home side another corner-kick after McGarrity got down low to push his angled shot wide of the far post. Wilson got his head to Shankland’s kick and defender Dylan Young was in place to head home the loose ball from a few yards out.
Young makes it 2-0
With Cameron Marlow failing to recover from his knock he was replaced by Ryan McChesney who teamed up with Craig Pettigrew at the heart of the defence while captain Craig Menzies moved to fill Marlow’s position at right back. The big defender was soon in the thick action and blocked Samson’s attempt to find the empty net after having given McGarrity the slip. A minute before the break the keeper then got a hand to a net-bound close-range header from Stephen Wilson.
HT Auchinleck 2 Glens 0
The Glens were forced to make a change at half-time with Brian McGarrity unable to continue due to a knee injury that required a visit to the hospital at the close of the game. Craig Burns who covered for Brian at the end of last season took his place.
The visitors started positively with Lee Gallacher on the left switching play to the right for Orsi to gather and drive forward from the half way-line to the corner of the penalty box only for his shot to sail over the bar. Glens won a free-kick 30 yards from goal that thundered into the wall initiating a counter attack which concluded with Burns pulling off a good save from Samson. A minute later the keeper showed a safe pair of hands after hold Shankland’s free kick from the corner of the box as Young threatened to pounce on any spillage. Graham Wilson then broke into the left hand of the box and although his shot beat the keeper the ball crashed off the bar.
Craig Pettigrew on the ball
Glens steadied the ship and enjoyed a good spell of possession as the push men forward. Menzies floated a ball into the box only for Leishman to make a clean clutch to deny McCann a header. Frye and Orsi combined wide on the left and earned a throw in yards from the corner flag. It was taken quickly and trapped by Nisbet before he weaved past two defenders to fire the ball into the danger area only for the ball to strike the arm of Willie Lyle to fall foul of the new hand ball rule and referee point to the spot. Despite the Talbot defender’s protest, similar to Glenafton’s on two occasions at Beechwood last Saturday, Findlay Frye fired the spot-kick into the corner of the net beyond Leishman at full stretch to halve the deficit on 57 minutes.
Findlay Frye scores from the spot 2-1
Glens continued to press and contended well with a couple of Talbot counter-attacks. On the hour mark Gallacher, from within a pocket of black and gold strips, found McCann on the edge of the box who slipped it wide to Nisbet on the overlap to drill the ball to edge of the six yard box for the inrushing Frye only for Leishman to make a brave two footed block to clear the danger.
Talbot were now camped in their own half but try as they might through runs by Nisbet and Orsi or by balls floated into the box by Menzies, Pettigrew and Dale Moore the Glens couldn’t convert these into clear goal scoring chances.
Dan Orsi breaks with Craig Menzies
Midway through the half the home side made a double substitution with Mark Shankland and Gareth Armstrong replaced by Kieran Healy and Jamie Glasgow and slowly the Talbot began to grow back into the game.
On 76 minutes the Glens from wide on the left squared the ball across the front of their own penalty box before passing it back to Burns to clear only for the keeper to miskick it directly to Samson who accepted he gift and slotted the ball home for 3-1. With their tails up Talbot pushed for a quick fourth but Burns denied Graham Wilson with a fine save.
Ryan Nisbet and Gareth Armstrong
Two minutes after going two down Glens went down to 10 men. Gallacher didn’t take too kindly to an elbow in the face during an aerial challenge and shoved Glasgow to the ground in the aftermath, earning a second yellow card, both for retaliation.
Credit to the Glens they regrouped continued to compete. Orsi fashioned an overhead kick in a crowded Talbot box that was gathered by Leishman. In the closing minute the keeper got down low to stop a thundering low shot from Kyle McAusland and then save McCann’s attempt to bury the rebound, albeit the effort was flagged for offside. Lucky white heather and Leishman launched the ball upfield which fell for substitute Hamish McKinlay, on for Samson, who cracked the ball home in some style to make it 4-1 with the last kick of the game.
McKinlay makes it 4-1
Auchinleck 4 Glens 1
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity (19. Craig Burns) 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Cameron Marlow (12. Ryan MChesney) 4. Craig Menzies 5. Craig Pettigrew 6. Findlay Frye 7. Dan Orsi 8. Dale Moore 9. Mick McCann 10. Ryan Nisbet 11. Lee Gallacher Subs not used: 14. Ally Park 15. Edward Campbell (trialist).
Glenafton created a host of chances in the first half but could not get the better of Darvel. Ross McPherson struck twice in the second half to secure the points for the Championship side.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Cameron Marlow 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Findlay Frye 7. Dan Orsi 8. Dale Moore 9. Ryan Nisbet 10. Joe Andrew 11. Lee Gallacher .
Gordon Pope opened the scoring with a spot kick on 17 minutes and doubled the home side’s lead on 52 minutes through converting another penalty. The visitors enjoyed a good spell before Talbot added a third on 72 minutes through Hamish McKinlay. Deep in injury time substitute Mark Shankland completed the scoring.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns (12. Dan Orsi) 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Cameron Marlow 7. Lee Gallacher 8. Ally Park (15. Craig Potter) 9. Mick McCann (14. Ryan Nisbet) 10. Joe Andrew 11 Dale Moore
Pre-Season Friendly | MAGGIE BUCHAN MEMORIAL SHIELD
Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic 2 (2) Cumbernauld United 2 (0)
Glens wins 5-4 penalties
Glenafton hosted Championship side Cumbernauld United in the inaugural Maggie Buchan Memorial Shield pre-season friendly. Prior to kick-off Glens manager Craig McEwan and club captain Craig Menzies unveiled Maggie’s memorial bench situated in front of the clubhouse in the presence of Maggie’s daughter Lorraine and other members of the family.
In the Glenafton line-up were defender Craig Pettigrew and midfielder Lee Gallacher two of their three summer signings. Keeper Brian McGarrity was also in the starting line-up having missed the closing games of last season through injury. In the Cumbernauld line-up was former Glenafton youth midfielder Klark Thomson.
The home side were soon on the front foot and on 7 minutes birthday boy Ryan McChesney’s header, from the first corner of the match, looped over the bar. Cameron Marlow then tried his luck from 25 yards only for his shot to drift wide of target while at the other end John Cunningam’s 30 yard effort suffered the same fate.
The Glens continued to press and Craig Menzies breached United’s box with a foot & head combination before the ball dropped for Joe Andrew to lash a shot that dipped over the bar. The home side switched play from left to right for Lee Gallacher to drive to the bye-line and cut the ball back for Ally Park only for his shot to be blocked. Alan Cairns then picked out Andrew in the box with a peach of his pass but his shot too was blocked by Ross McCabe and deflected wide for a corner kick that was headed clear.
On 17 minutes Park nicked the ball as United looked to break and rolled it upfield for Andrew to gather at the right-hand corner of the penalty box to clip the ball into the goalmouth where Mick McCann nicked in front of the defender to guide the ball home from six yards out.
The goal temporarily spurred Cumbernauld into action for although they had been stroking the ball about well, they had yet to threaten Brian McGarrity in the Glens goal. Another slick passing move ended with Alan Cairns blocking Klark Thomson’s cut back from the goal-line at the expense of a corner kick which was headed on at the near post for Chris Hall to meet at the back post only for his shot to slip wide. Soon after another corner kick was headed clear by Menzies.
Back came Glens and back-to-back corner kicks concluded with Marlow whipping a ball deep into the goalmouth that was missed by attackers and defenders alike to whiz past the back post. Dale Moore then snapped up a loose ball at the edge of the box before drilling a low shot that flew wide of target.
On 32 minutes Glens doubled their lead with a well worked goal. McCann killed a long clearance from McGarrity deep in the United half and squared the ball to Moore on his left. Head down the midfielder burst into the left hand side of the box, leaving one defender for dead while attracting the close attention another, before clipping a delightful ball over head of the keeper and a third defender at the near post for the unmarked McCann to ghost in at the back post to side foot the ball into the empty net.
Five minutes later Cairns picked out Andrew in the box and his knock-on was chased down by Park but keeper Darren Hill was alert to the danger and rushed from his line to bravely pounce on the ball. The home side finished the half with a flurry of chances. Gallacher, not for the first time, cleverly switch played from right to left with a fine ball to Moore to drive deep into the box only for Hill to get down low and save his shot comfortably. Gallacher then cut inside to curl a powerful shot from 22 yards that was pushed away by the keeper and although McCann’s attempt to drill home the loose ball beat the keeper at full stretch the ball sneaked inches wide of the post.
HT Glenafton 2 Cumbernauld 0
Glens brought on Craig Burns for Brian McGarrity while Cumbernauld made four changes at the break with keeper Graeme Murphy replacing Darren Hill, Alan Benton for Jack Harrison, Paddy McCabe for John Cunningham and Cameron Taylor for David Mackay. And so, began the second half of the proverbial game of two halves!
Paddy McCabe won an early corner that was headed clear at the near post by Cairns as the visitors pressed from kick off. On 54 minutes Hall showed good composure in a crowded box to pick out Keiran McAleenan who side stepped McChesney to set up a shot at goal that was well saved by Burns. A fine move saw the ball quickly moved from deep on the left to upfield on the right where Benton whipped a wicked ball across the face of goal that whizzed inches wide at the back post. The same player then drilled a low angled shot from inside the box that Burns did well to block at the near post before McChesney cleared the danger for a corner kick as the lively McCabe threatened. The corner was cleared and the Glens had some respite but were struggling to break with any sort of menace into their opponents’ half.
Back came United and on 65 minutes McCabe burst into the box but his shot was blocked by McChesney and Hall’s attempt to bury the rebound sailed wide of the post.
On 70 minutes Glens brought on youth player Nick Terry for Mick McCann and pushed Moore up front as the youngster moved to wide on the left. Five minutes later John O’Hagan, another youth player replaced Joe Andrew. Cumbernauld had also made several changes with Josh MacDonald, Jamie MacDonald and Jamie Harrison replacing Klark Thomson, Conor Stevenson and Tony Stevenson respectively.
Cumbernauld continued to dictate play and on 80 minutes their efforts were rewarded. Paul Callander won the ball in the centre circle before passing it to Hall who then slid the ball to match Paddy McCabe’s run into the box who finished in style with a low angled shot into the net.
Glens countered with Moore breaking down the right and looping a high ball into the box which was met well on the drop by Terry only for his volley to sail wide of target.
At the other end Cumbernauld’s claim for a hand-ball was waved away the ball bouncing off Pettigrew’s shoulder. On 85 minutes however the visitors levelled the match after Benton whipped a wicked ball in from the right and Hall clipped it high over the head of the diving keeper and despite Menzies’s acrobatic attempt to clear the descending ball on the line, it nestled in the net.
FT Glenafton 2 Cumbernauld 2
Glens kicked off the penalty shoot-out with Marlow and McChesney scoring before keeper Murphy saved from Park. Cairns and Gallacher then scored for Glens to make it 4-4 leaving Cameron Taylor the chance to win it for Cumbernauld only to blast the ball over the bar. Pettigrew made it 5-4 for Glens and after some delay Paddy McCabe stepped up for United only for Burns to pull off a fine save.
Glens win 5-4 penalties.
Maggie’s grandson Liam Miller then presented the Maggie Buchan Memorial Shield to Craig McEwan and Craig Menzies.
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity (19. Craig Burns) 2. Craig Menzies 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Pettigrew 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Ally Park 7. Lee Gallacher 8. Cameron Marlow 9. Mick McCann (14. Nick Terry) 10. Joe Andrew (12. John O’Hagan) 11. Dale Moore. Sub not used 15. Craig McEwan
Cumbernauld United: 1. Darren Hill (1. Graeme Murphy) 2. Klark Thomson (15. Josh MacDonald) 3. David Mackay (12. Cameron Taylor). 4. Tony Stevenson (17. Jamie Harrison) 5. Ross McCabe 6. Jack Harrison (16. Alan Benton) 7. Paul Callander 8. Connor Stevenson (15. Jack MacDonald) 9. Chris Hall 10. John Cunningham (18. Paddy McCabe) 11. Kieran MacAleenan
Glenafton hosted Championship side Cumbernauld United in the inaugural Maggie Buchan Memorial Shield pre-season friendly. Prior to kick-off Glens manager Craig McEwan and club captain unveiled Maggie’s memorial bench situated in front of the clubhouse in the presence of Maggie’s daughter Lorraine and other members of the family.
In the Glenafton line-up were defender Craig Pettigrew and midfielder Lee Gallacher two of their three summer signings. Keeper Brian McGarrity was also in the starting line-up having missed the closing games of last season through injury. In the Cumbernauld line-up was former Glenafton youth midfielder Klark Thomson.
In the proverbial game of two halves Glens came out on top in the first half with a brace from Mick McCann. The first arrived on 17 minutes after Ally Park nicked the ball as United looked to break and rolled it upfield for Joe Andrew to gather at the right-hand corner of the penalty box to clip the ball into the goalmouth where Mick McCann nicked in front of the defender to guide the ball home from six yards out.
On 32 minutes Glens doubled their lead with a well worked goal. McCann killed a long clearance from McGarrity deep in the United half and squared the ball to Moore on his left. Head down the midfielder burst into the left hand side of the box, leaving one defender for dead while attracting the close attention another, before clipping a delightful ball over head of the keeper and a third defender at the near post for the unmarked McCann to ghost in at the back post to side foot the ball into the empty net.
HT Glens 2 Cumbernauld 0
Glens brought on Craig Burns for Brian McGarrity while Cumbernauld made four changes at the break with keeper Graeme Murphy replacing Darren Hill, Alan Benton for Jack Harrison, Paddy McCabe for John Cunningham and Cameron Taylor for David Mackay. And so, began the second half of the game of two halves!
Although Cumbernauld dictated play it would the 80th minute before their efforts were rewarded. Paul Callander won the ball in the centre circle before passing it to Chris Hall who then slid the ball to match Paddy McCabe’s run into the box who finished in style with a low angled shot into the net.
On 85 minutes however the visitors levelled the match after Benton whipped a wicked ball in from the right and Hall clipped it high over the head of the diving keeper and despite Menzie’s acrobatic attempt to clear the descending ball on the line, it nestled in the net.
FT Glens 2 Cumbernauld 2
Glens kicked off the penalty shoot-out with Marlow and McChesney scoring before keeper Murphy saved from Park. Cairns and Gallacher then scored for Glens to make it 4-4 leaving Cameron Taylor the chance to win it for Cumbernauld only to blast the ball over the bar. Pettigrew made it 5-4 for Glens and after some delay Paddy McCabe stepped up for United only for Burns to pull off a fine save.
Glens win 5-4 penalties.
Maggie’s grandson Liam Miller then presented the Maggie Buchan Memorial Shield to Craig McEwan and Craig Menzies.
Glens made a number of changes from the starting eleven that drew at Benburb last Saturday. A starting debut was given to new signing and former Kilmarnock Youth player Edward Campbell (left) while both Alan Cairns and Cameron Marlow returned from injury. Making way were Craig Menzies (injured), Dale Moore (unavailable) and Kyle McAusland.
The home side got off to a great on 5 minutes after Meadow only partially cleared a corner-kick and Kyle McAusland (right) gathered the loose ball wide on the left before progressing to the corner of the penalty box to drill a low shot through a crowd of players into the net.
Glenafton Athletic 