Pollok 1 Glenafton 2

Posted on November 12, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 08

Saturday 12th November 2016, Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow

POLLOK 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (2)

Glenafton completed the league double over Pollok with a well-deserved 2-1 at Newlandsfield with man-of-the-match Ryan Borris scoring his first goal for the club.

The New Cumnock side were quickly on the front foot with Ryan Borris setting up a couple of chances. Firstly for Ally Park only for his snapshot to fly wide of the far post and then for Joe Andrew his shot from the corner of the box pulling off a good save by keeper Jordan Longmuir, getting down low to smother the ball at the near post. Joe Andrew gathered a short throw in on the bye-line before rolling the back to Darren McGill to quickly square the ball for Park in the box and although his shot had the keeper rooted to his line the ball ended inches wide of the post.

Colin Williamson’s glancing header from a free kick whipped into the box suffered the same fate. The former Cumnock midfielder’s half-hearted claim for spot kick was waved away after his cut-back was fired against the arm of Park and the ball deflected wide for a corner, from which Paul Gallacher came within a hair’s breadth of heading home.

Glens soon were back on the front foot and a break upfield ended with Borris’s cross from the night being headed clear by Gary McCann as McGill looked set to pounce. The resultant corner was only partially cleared and snapped up by McGill only for his shot from distance sail over the bar. Another shot from the same player from a similar distance finished the same way as did an effort from Cameron Marlow. A slick passing move ended with Andrew collecting the ball centrally at the edge of the box with his back to the goal before swivelling and pulling his shot just wide of target.

On 33 minutes the visitors’ pressure was rewarded with the opening goal. McGill’s free aa_ryanborriskick from wide on the left just inside the Pollok half was floated into the far corner of the box where Ross McCabe’s weak headed clearance was snapped up at the edge of the box by Ryan Borris (right) with his back to goal. After wheeling round and giving Williamson the slip his low drilled shot from 22 yards deceived Mark Sideserf and his attempted clearance on the six yard line finished with the ball in the net sparking special celebration for Borris’s first goal for the club.

The Glens continued to press and Borris’s curled free kick was cleared by both fists of Longmuir and the ball recovered McGill and fed to Kyle McAusland on the overlap down the right to fire a cross deep into the six yard box where it was headed clear by Tam Hanlon as Mick McCann threatened.

aa_mickmccannSome respite for Pollok as a free kick into the box ended with McCabe’s header looping over the bar. Back came the Afton and McGill’s free kick into a packed box was killed instantly by Andrew and in a flash he spun and lashed the ball goalward only for Longmuir to push it wide of the post. Borris chipped the corner deep beyond the back post for the intended target Park to loop a header back into the danger area that dipped beyond McCabe’s attempt to head clear and fell for Mick McCann (left) to nick between two defenders and hook the ball into the net.  Glens 2-0 up with 38 minutes gone.

In time added on the visitors mopped up a Pollok attack to break upfeld only for possession to be lost inside the hosts’ half where Williamson gathered the ball and clipped a cute pass down the left flank for Allan McKenzie to get the jump on the back tracking Glens defence. He picked out David Winters and with time and space to pick his spot the hitman gave McGarrity no chance and halved the deficit to take some of the sting out the half-time oranges. H/T Pollok 1 Glens 2

Glens were first to threaten when McChesney’s headed from a corner-kick flashed wide of the post. Borris’s free kick from 30 yards was well held by keeper Longmuir. The visitors continued to press and create the best of the half chances in the opening spell of the half.

For the hosts Liam Rowan’s free-kick into the box was partially cleared before being fired back into the box where Gallacher’s effort was blocked by Chris Meikle. Back came Glens and McGill robbed Hanlon deep on the right flank and quickly passed to Andrew and although his lob from 30 yards beat the keeper, who had wandered off his line,  the ball dipped over the bar.

Pollok pressed for an equaliser and back-to-back corners concluded with substitute Michael Daly’s at the back post crashed off the self-same post. Rowan’s header from Sideserf’s cross looked goal-bound only for McChesney’s goal-line header to send the ball over the bar.  Keeper McGarrity then pushed close-range header from Gallacher round the post before plucking the corner-kick that followed cleanly out the air. The final chance fell to Daly but his header from 10 yards out looped well over the bar. F/T Pollok 1 Glens 2

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Craig Menzies 4. Chris Meikle (14. Daniel Orsi) 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Cameron Marlow (12. Chris Dallas) 7. Ryan Boriss (15. Conor Lynass) 8. Ally Park 9. Mick McCann 10. Joe Andrew 11. Darren McGill Subs. 16. Alan Cairns 17. Kieran McAnespie

Pollok: 1. Jordan Longmuir 2. Tam Hanlon 3. Mark Sideserf 4. Paul Gallacher 5. Ross McCabe 6. Liam Rowan 7. Gary McCann 8. Colin Williamson 9. David Winters (15. Michael Daly) 10. Allan McKenzie (14. Chris Walker) 11.  Kieran McAleenan ( 16. Del Hepburn) . Subs 12. Grant Evans GK Ben Lawton

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Hurlford 2 Glenafton 3

Posted on November 5, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 07

Saturday 5th November 2016, Blair Park, Hurlford

HURLFORD UNITED 2 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (0)

GLENS SPARKLE ON BONFIRE DAY!

A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off as a mark of respect for the passing of Mrs Jean Robertson the wife of Scottish SJFA Secretary Scott Robertson. Glenafton Athletic would like to offer their deepest condolences to Scott and his family and this very sad time.

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Although the Glens fell behind twice in this pulsating match before Mick McCann cancelled out Hurford’s lead on both occasions and substitute Dan Orsi struck a sublime late winner there was little question that the best footballing team on the day were worthy winners.

Glenafton made three changes to the line-up that kicked off against Cumnock last week with David Gray (injured), Chris Dallas (work commitments) and Dan Orsi making way for Cameron Marlow, Darren McGill and Mick McCann.

The sun shone brightly on Blair Park to take some of edge of the bitterly cold breeze.

The visitors were first to threaten with a quick ball into the box forcing an early error by the ‘Ford defence earning the Glens a corner that was punched away at the near post by keeper Ally Brown. His counterpart Brian McGarrity pulled off a fine save to push a Ryan Donnelly shot behind for a corner kick. This appeared to have come to nothing as the Glens recovered possession only to surrender it quickly allowing Stuart McColm to gather the ball and bolt down the left-wing to whip the ball into box where Donnelly stooped to guide a glancing header into the net with 3 minutes gone.

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Ryan Donnelly heads home for Hurlford

Glens bounced back and good build up play set up Darren McGill at the outskirts of the box but his shot was well off target. Minutes later his free kick from a similar range proved to be more threatening as it whizzed past the junction of bar and post. On 11 minutes Kyle McAusland lobbed the ball down the right-wing for Joe Andrew to gather in the box and slip past Chris Robertson before firing past keeper Ally Brown from a tight angle; only for an early offside flag to curtail celebrations.  Soon after Brown comfortably clutched a close range header from Ally Park as the Glens continued to press.

Another blistering run down the left by McColm topped off with a peach of a cross to the back post ended with McGarrity pulling off a stunning save to push John Gemmell’s header on to the bar; before the whistle went for the towering striker’s push on Craig Menzies.

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Joe Andrew with Martin Brown and keeper Ally Brown

Back came the Glens earning back-to-back corner kicks the latter of which was only partially cleared before the ball was played back into the box by Chris Meikle to be gathered by Joe Andrew and his quick turn and shot was brilliantly saved by Brown on 31 minutes. Some respite for ‘Ford through McColm on the left advancing deep into box but his cross was missed by Gemmell’s toe-nail at the near post and the ball continued harmlessly across the face of goal.  Glens’ next chance ended in a similar fashion after Ryan Borris combined well with McAusland down the right before the defender fired the ball across the face of goal and although it deceived Brown tight on the near post it skimmed inches wide of the back post.

Although both sides conjured up a couple of half chances before the break there was no more scoring and the home side held on to their narrow lead.

H/T Hurlford 1 Glenafton 0 

Within 2 minutes of restart Glenafton drew level. Darren McGill quickly recovered his corner kick, which had been cleared at the near post, and from the outskirts of the box curled a shot for goal only for Mick McCann to intercept the ball with a glancing header to redirect its flight into the net at the back post with the keeper completely wrong-footed.

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Mick McCann loops a header home for 1-1

A minute later Cameron Marlow switched play from the left to pick out Borris on the right for the former ‘Ford player to burst into the box and clip an angled shot beyond the reach of Brown at full stretch only for the ball to bounce inches wide.

On 63 minutes Hurlford had a half-hearted shout for hand-ball in the box after Gemmell’s shot cannoned off Meikle’s arm.  Efforts from Darren Moffat for the hosts and then Ally Park for the visitors were comfortably saved as the ebb and flow of the game matched that of a cup-tie. Controversy came calling on 54 minutes when Menzies’ tackle on Moffat was adjudged to be inside the box and John Gemmell blasted the spot kick into the goal to give ‘Ford the lead again. The striker’s choice of celebrations in front of the travelling support and assistant referee left the referee with little choice to issue a red card.

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John Gemmell blasts home from the penalty spot , 2-1 for ‘Ford

Five minutes later Joe Andrew brilliantly held off a couple of defenders in the box before flashing a shot at goal forcing the airborne Brown to pull of the save match with a powerful punch sending the ball to safety.

Hurlford brought on Stuart Kean for Donnelly while Glens replaced McGill and Borris with Connor Lynass and Dan Orsi; changes that proved to be more effective for the visitors.

On 76 minutes Marlow, deep in the ‘Ford half, slipped the ball down the left to Menzies on the overlap and on receiving the ball back considered his options before rolling the ball into the box for Andrew. Again he skilfully held off defenders with ease to force his way to the corner of the six yard box and although his shot beat keeper Brown at his near post the ball was blocked by the heel of his namesake Martin Brown on the line only for Mick McCann to pounce and lash the ball home.

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Mick bags his brace and it’s 2-2

With their tails up the visitors pushed for the winner. Park and McAusland combined to release Orsi down the right and his swerving shot from the outside the box was well held by Brown.  Another Glens attack followed when Menzies wide on the left passed the ball infield and then received it back at the edge of the box, after clever build play by Park and Andrew, before brushing aside two defenders and stroking the ball past the Brown at his near post only for the ball to run the length of the open goal and thud off the base of the far post.

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Zee beats the goalie but not the back post

The New Cumnock side piled on the pressure and on 86 minutes their efforts were rewarded with a wonder goal. McChesney’s clearance upfield was headed back to the half-way line where Marlow killed the ball dead with a cute header infield to Dan Orsi who then wheeled past his marker Michael Kelly before releasing McAusland to push on down the right. With his way blocked at corner of the box by former Glens player Richie McKillen and the back-tracking Kelly the Glens defender knocked the ball sideways at a perfect pace for Orsi to meet first time and lash a screamer of a shot from 22 yards into the top corner of the net and spark off joyous celebrations.

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Kyle looks on as Dan lashes the ball for goal

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The ball begins its descent to goal

The visitors continued to dictate play however a glimmer of hope of Hurlford with a long throw to the back post only for McChesney to get the better of McKillen in the aerial battle and Menzies partially clear the ball. Kelly gathered the loose ball and whipped the ball to the back post where McChesney again came out on top, Robertson the combatant on this occasion. The tireless McCann, who it seemed had covered every blade of Blair Park, picked up the clearance on the half way line and forged his way upfield before thundering a shot from 25 yards out that screamed past Brown at full stretch and inches wide of the woodwork. No hat-trick for Mick, however he left to a rousing reception from the travelling support after he was replaced with Kieran McAnespie as the game entered that time added on phase.

F/T Hurlford 2 Glenafton 3

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Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Craig Menzies 4. Chris Meikle 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Cameron Marlow 7. Ryan Borris (12. Dan Orsi) 8. Ally Park 9. Mick McCann (15. Kieran McAnespie) 10. Joe Andrew 11. Darren McGill (14. Connor Lynass) Not Used: 15. Andrew Hunter Gk. Blair Lochhead

Hurlford United: 1. Ally Brown 2. Hodge 3. Richie Mckillen 4. Martin Brown 5. Chris Robertson, 6. Ross Chisholm, 7. Darren Moffat 8. Craig Molloy 9. John Gemmell 10. Ryan Donnelly 11. Stuart McColm Subs used: 12 Stewart Kean, 14. Michael Kelly Subs not used 15 Paul Byrne, 16. Iain Fisher, Chris Murchie (gk)

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Glenafton 1 Cumnock 1

Posted on October 29, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 06

Saturday 29th October 2016, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

CUMNOCK JUNIORS 1 (1)

Points shared and honours evened in the local derby. The home side were first to threaten after David Gray’s free kick from the right was cleared at the near post before the midfielder regathered the ball and floated it into the box where Ryan Borris met another headed clearance on the drop only for his effort to be deflected wide for a corner kick.

Cumnock responded through a long clearance up-field and Sean McKenzie’s pace saw him burst through the narrow gap between the Glens central defensive pair before cracking a left shot that was well held by the advancing keeper Brian McGarrity.

Back came Glens and an excellent run through the middle by captain Craig Menzies ended with picking out Borris wide on the left to cut the ball back to Gray to thunder a shot form 25 yard out which was parried by keeper Darren Johnstone before his defender got a timely foot to the loose ball before Chris Dallas could bury the rebound.

Menzies was soon in action at the other end clearing a cross deep into the box from the feet of Scott Anson only for the ball to be quickly returned as Cumnock pressed but Anson’s weak header fail to test McGarrity and float wide of target. The keeper then made light work of Del Elspin’s shot from distance.

Glens enjoyed a spell off pressure from set pieces. Gray’s free kick from the left had McChesney’s glancing header caused concern in the Cumnock box and the ball partially cleared at the expense of a corner. A game of head tennis between McChesney and Chris Meikle followed before the ball fell for their fellow Kyle McAusland only for his close range shot to be blocked in a sea of bodies.

The home side continued to press and Ally Park rode a couple of tackles before the referee blew for a free kick some 30 yards from goal.  Even for dead-ball expert David Gray the distance appeared ambitious for a crack at goal, but crack he did with a thunderous shot that was past the wall before they could turn their collective heads and watch the ball fly beyond the reach of their keeper at full stretch and bulge into the corner of the pokey!

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Photo courty of Glenafton TV

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Photo Courtesy of Glenafton TV

Celebrations were short lived. Johnstone launched the ball up-field and Anson beat Meikle in the aerial battle to send the ball on its way up the park where the clean pair of heels of Sean McKenzie left McChesney in his wake before the striker kept his cool to slot the ball past the advancing McGarrity and into the welcoming net.

H/T Glens 1 Cumnock 1

Glen started the second half well with McAusland clipping the ball over a clutch of defenders for Dallas at the corner of the penalty box to head infield where the inrushing Park met the ball on the drop and his sweetly struck shot whizzed past the keeper and post.

Cumnock then enjoyed a good period of pressure and the best of the chances. Ray Montgomerie and Seam McKenzie combined well in box only for the latter’s shot at goal to be deflected wide for corner kick. The visitors again with numbers in the box could find no way through and the ball played back to Keir Samson on the outskirts of the box only for his shot to end wide of the post.

McChesney made an excellent tackle to prevent the impressive McKenzie breaking into the box forcing the striker to feed Montgomerie wide on the left and his cross into the box evaded everyone and the ball sneaked harmlessly wide of the  far post. Paul Burns then had a shot that was deflected wide. Another long clearance was hunted down by substitute Callum McRobbie who did well to engineer a fine shot at goal as McChesney closed in.

The Glens almost snatched the points at the death after Keiran McAnespie outwitted a defender wide on the right before whipping the ball across the face of goal, which was missed by the keeper at the near post and Mick McCann looked certain to score only for the defender to make a great block on the line.

F/T Glens 1 Cumnock 1

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Craig Menzies 4. Chris Meikle 5. Ryan McChesney 6. David Gray 7. Dan Orsi 8. Ally Park 9. Chris Dallas 10. Joe Andrew 11. Ryan Borris subs used 12. Mick McCann 14. Darren McGill 16. Kieran McAnespie Not Used: 15 Andrew Hunter Gk. Blair Lochhead

Cumnock Juniors: 1. Darren Johnstone 2. Keiren Wood 3. Andrew Muir 4. James Lundie 5. Stephen McKenna 6. Paul Burns 7. Keir Samson 8. Del Esplin 9. Sean McKenzie 10. Scott Anson 11. Ray Montgomerie Subs. 12. Steven Crawford 14.Mark Williams 15 Johnstone 16. Callum McRobbie

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Glenafton 8 Livingston 1

Posted on October 22, 2016 by flowgently

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round

Saturday 22nd October 2016, LochPark, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 8 (3)

LIVINGSTON UNITED 1 (0)

A squad of former Glenafton players from the 1950’s through to the 1980’s enjoyed hospitality in the Hunter Suite during today’ Scottish Junior Cup tie.

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Glens get together

 

Glens cruised into the 3rd round of the Scottish Junior Cup with an emphatic win over Livingston United who gave their all from start to finish. Chris Dallas opened the scoring on 12 minutes after leaping to meet David Gray’s corner kick and bullet home a header from 8 yards outs.

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Chris Dallas opens the scoring

Five minutes later Dallas doubled the lead after fine build up play ended wide on the left for Joe Andrew to whip the ball across the face of goal and the big striker side on to the goal cooly flicked the ball past the rooted keeper.

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Chris Dallas 2-0

Chances continued to come Glenafton’s way and on 39 minutes they extended their lead with the goal of the game when David Gray collected the ball inside the D of the penalty box and before chipping the ball with perfect weight and pin-point accuracy to float it over a host of players and let it drop between the narrow space of the bar and the outstretched arm of the forlon keeper.

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David Gray makes it 3-0

H/T Glens 3 Livingston 0

Chris Dallas bagged his hat-trick from close range while half-time teas were still heating the hands of supporters from both sides. Gallant Livingston struck back within four minutes after a corner-kick saw the ball bobble about a ruck of players in the six yard box and the never-say-die Kieran McKee was first to react to leather the ball into the roof of the net, to make it 4-1.

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Kieran McKee (No.2 ) fires home for 4-1

Glens brought on the fresh legs of Mick McCann and Darren McGill for Chris Dallas and Dan Orsi. Ten minutes later Andrew was the architect again and from deep in the left hand side of the box he picked out McGill to blast the ball past keeper Mark McArthur from 8 yards out to make it 5-1 after 69 minutes.

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Darren McGill and it’s 5-1

Another pair of fresh legs saw Andrew Hunter replace Cameron Marlow as the Glens continued to press. On 71 minutes McArthur made a fine save from McCann to turn the ball home and from Gray’s resultant corner-kick Ryan McChesney headed home from deep inside the six yard box.

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Ryan McChesney heads home 6-1

With 5 minutes to go David Gray bagged his brace with a late run into the box to pick up a Craig Menzies pass and without breaking his stride whacked an unstoppable shot home from 15 yards to make it 7-1.

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David Gray 7-1

Two minutes later McChesney chased down an overhit free-kick on the left handside of the box and wheeled round to play a one-two with McCann before trying to pick out Ally Park at the back post only for the ball to elude his team-mate and make its way to goal  before a frustrated defender got a final touch on the line but couldn’t prevent Ryan McChesney’s double.

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Ryan McChesney looks on as his cross finds the net

F/T Glenafton 8 Livingston 1

Glenafton Athetlic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Craig Menzies 3. Cameron Marlow (15. Andrew Hunter) 4. Chris Meikle 5. Ryan McChesney 6. David Gray 7.  Dan Orsi (14. Darren McGill) 8. Ally Park  9. Chris Dallas (12. Mick McCann) 10. Joe Andrew 11. Ryan Borris Subs. 16. John Paul Boyle GK Blair Lochhead

Livingston United  1. Mark McCarthur 2. Kieran McKee 3. Jack McWilliams 4. Robert Thomson 5. Gareth Roberts 6. Craig Russell 7. Callum Mitchell 8. Richard Kay 9. Ross Gowrie 10. Aaron Kane 11. Kieran McGurk 12. John Stewart 14. Sean McIntosh

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Glenafton 3 Carluke 2

Posted on October 15, 2016 by flowgently

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup 1st Round

Saturday 15th October 2016, LochPark, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

CARLUKE ROVERS 2 (0)

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Mick McCann

Glenafton made a strong start to this West of Scotland 1st round tie with two early goals. On 7 minutes keeper Blair Lochhead quickly launched a long ball up the right flank which was headed on by Chris Dallas before the ball was brilliantly killed on his chest by Mick McCann then flicked into the box for Dallas, with the afterburners applied, to burst between two defenders and beat the advancing keeper by a whisker to nick the ball into the net.  The home side doubled their lead on 11 minutes after Mick McCann caught the visitors sleeping with a quick dart from the penalty spot to the near post to clip  home a David Gray corner-kick. Credit to Carluke they didn’t crumble and gave as good as they got during the remainder of the half where some decent changes came and went for both teams.

H/T Glens 2 Carluke 0

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Chris Dallas

The Rovers replicated the Glens  feat of the first half with two quick goals. On 53 minutes good build up play down the right flank ended with the ball being whipped to the far post where Ian Watt got the jump on the home rear-guard to head the ball home from close range. Two minutes later the match was all square with another passage of slick play down the right that earned the Rovers a corner kick. The kick was quickly taken to the right hand side of the box for the incoming Scott Burns and although his shot cannoned off a defender the ball shot up into air and descended at the back post where Greg Fernie’s outstretched leg guided the ball past a clutch of defenders and keeper for a deserved equaliser.  The second half continued to mimic the first with both sides creating chances in equal measure until the closing minutes when the Glens had the upper hand. Lochhead’s long ball up the middle was headed on by McCann, trapped by substitute Joe Andrew and slipped into the path of Chris Dallas to dart into the box and chip the ball over the advancing keeper Gordon Bruce.

F/T Glens 3 Carluke 2

 Glenafton Athletic: 1. Blair Lochhead 2. Andrew Hunter 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Chris Meikle 6. David Gray 7. Dan Orsi 8. Kyle McAusland 9. Chris Dallas 10. Mick McCann 11. Ryan Morris 12. Joe Andrew 14. Ryan McChesney 15. Darren McGill 16. Cameron Marlow Gk. Brian McGarrity

Carluke Rovers: 1.Gordon Bruce , 2. Scott Burns, 3. Sam Biggart, 4. Reece Lowdon, 5. John Renwick, 6. Chick McCole, 7. Stuart Mitchell, 8. Mark Haddow, 9.Ian Watt, 10. Greg Fernie 11. Mark Weir, 12. Scott Bellew, 14, Jordan Duncan, 15. Stark, 16. Wullie Souter, Gk. Daniel Tobin

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Glenafton 1 Beith 3

Posted on October 8, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 05

Saturday 8th October 2016, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (0)

BEITH JUNIORS 3 (2)

Glenafton Athletic secretary John Stewart presented Beith Juniors president John Boal with a memento to mark Beith’s achievement in winning the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time in the clubs history last season.

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On a more sombre note a minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in a mark of respect for Ryan Baird from nearby Sanquhar who tragically lost his life last Saturday when the Nith Valley Loyal Rangers Supporters bus crashed on its way to Ibrox.

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The game kicked-off in bright October sunshine and it was the Glens that came close to scoring the quickest goal at Loch Park for many a season when on 17 seconds a Mick McCann low shot from inside the box struck the base of the Beith post.

Four minutes later the visitors passed up a great chance after Darren Christie got the jump on the Glens defence to break into the box and slip the ball to the incoming Kenny McLean and although he was put off by the attention of Ally Park the ball rolled on for Richie Burke but he blasted his effort well over the bar.  Four minutes after that Christie pushed forward again forcing keeper Brian McGarrity to advance to the outskirts of the box to make a strong block and leave captain Craig Menzies clear up the loose ball.

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Cammy Marlow breaks free

On 13 minutes luck deserted the Glens again after Kyle McAusland on the overlap down the right flank picked out Joe Andrew on the corner of the six yard who quickly turned a couple of Beith defenders only for keeper Stephen Grindlay to get a foot to his snap shot. Two minutes later the home side spurned a golden opportunity to take the lead. Cameron Marlow broke free down the left and with a clear route into the box made excellent progress and just as the back-tracking Nick Docherty closed him down he took out him of play by calmly squaring the ball for Conor Lynass in acres of space only for his shot from 8 yards to squirm wide of the post.

Beith were quickly back on the front foot and progressed to dominate the remainder of the half seldom giving their opponents a minute to dwell on the ball and forcing them to hurry their passing which more often than not resulted in the surrender of possession. Their pace up front was causing the Glens defence all sorts of problems while their centre backs were literally all over the Glens front men,  John Sheridan and Mark McLaughlin a formidable force.

On 17 minutes a lung-bursting run down the left wing by Docherty ended with the ball being whipped towards the goal mouth only for Ryan McChesney’s outstretched leg diverting the ball over the bar as McLean the predator prepared to pounce; the corner kick that followed was safely cleared.

Christie was McLean’s next provider as he shook a couple of defenders before slipping the ball into the box for his unmarked team mate to chase down but the alert McGarrity rushed from his line to execute a goal-saving block and Menzies mopped up the loose ball.

On 27 minutes Beith made the breakthrough after a Glens free kick into their box was partially cleared only to be recovered by the Glens before Jamie Wilson stole the ball back and set Docherty free on the counter-attack who in turn released Kenny McLean for a free run at goal, tempting McGarrity to advance to the edge of his six yard box before unleashing a powerful shot from 20 yards that exploded beyond the keeper’s outstretched hand an into the roof of the net.

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Kenny McLean opens for Beith

The visitors continued to look the more threatening and six minutes later doubled their lead. A free kick from the left was floated to the back post and headed clear by Park only for the ball to be snapped up by Christie who made for the bye-line before delicately chipping it back into the heart of the six yard box where although McLaughlin’s header was off target the ball bounced perfectly at the far corner of the six yard box for John Sheridan to meet it first time and thunder a volley into the net with panache that manager John Millar would have been proud of in his playing day.

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John Sheridan makes it 2-0

The game continued in a similar pattern with Beith doing all the meaningful pressing while Glens struggled to create the space and time to get their passing game going. In the closing action of the half a Sheridan shove gave the Glens a free kick just outside the box but too close to the bye-line to allow Gray a pop at goal and it was fitting that the impressive McLaughlin won the aerial battle and cleared the ball with another determined header.

HT Glens 0 Beith 2

McGarrity was the first keeper to be called into action after break with a stunning save on 51 minutes to push a low angled shot from Christie past the post and then pluck David McGowan’s header from the resultant corner out of the air. Grindlay made similar light work of Park’s header at the other end a minute later.

Glens then made a couple of changes on with Conor Lynass and Ally Park replaced by Dan Orsi and Ryan Borris.

Although Beith’s attacking intensity was not at the level of the first half their defence was still getting the better of their opponents’ attacks. McChesney got the jump on Sheridan to head a free kick goalward only for the keeper to save comfortably again. On 58 minutes Beith had greater success after a free-kick from the right was met at the near post by a leaping David McGowan and his glancing header beat McGarrity at full stretch to send the ball into the far corner of the net.

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David McGowan (right) puts Beith 3-0 up

Three-nil down with 30 minutes to go and a glimmer hope for Glenafton after Borris released McCann to run into the box and although he beat man-of-the-match McLaughlin to the ball  the defender timed his slide tackle to perfection and blocked the striker’s shot at goal.

Midway through the half Mick McCann made way for the fresh legs of Chris Dallas and Glens continued to seek out a breakthrough. Gray appeared to set up to float another free-kick into the box only to play a short one-two before striding forward and thundering a shot that Grindlay saw late but still got down low to push the ball wide of the post.  Gray’s corner-kick was met at the corner of the six yard box by McChesney and his powerful volley whizzed inches wide of the post, the referee spotting something worthy of another corner-kick that was headed clear by Sheridan.

The home side were now enjoying their best spell of the game and were rewarded on 75 minutes when Chris Dallas capitalised on a slip by Grindlay on the outskirts of the box and before Sheridan could close him down lashed the ball into the empty net in some style.

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Chris Dallas fires home a consolation goal

Glens pushed for a second through a clever run from Marlow after a one-two with Andrew saw him progress to the edge of the box and although his cute ball took the Beith centre-backs out of play it was just beyond the reach of Dallas leaving  the keeper to clear up. With 10 minutes to go Beith began their first of three substitutions the best of the remaining chances fell to the Glens when Dallas and Andrew combined in the box only for  Grindlay to block the latter’s effort and the former’s attempt to bury the rebound deflected wide by Sheridan. Back-to-back corners kicks followed neither of which tested the keeper.

Glenafton’s unbeaten run in the league ended by a very impressive Beith side.

F/T Glens 1 Beith 3

Glenafton Athetlic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairnd 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. David Gray 7. Conor Lynass (15. Dan Orsi) 8. Ally Park (14. Ryan Borris) 9. Mick McCann (12. Chris Dallas) 10. Joe Andrew 11. Cameron Marlow Subs. 16. Andrew Hunter GK Blair Lochhead

Beith Juniors: 1. Stephen Grindlay 2. Conor McGlinchey 3. Nicky Docherty 4. Martin McLaughlin 5. John Sheridan 6. Jamie Wilson 7. David McGowan (15. Calum Watt) 8. Paul Frize 9. Kenny McLean (12. Thomas Collins) 10. Darren Christie (14. Ross McPherson) 11. Richie Burke Subs 16. Iain Fisher 17. Josh McArthur

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Glenafton 3 Broxburn 1

Posted on October 1, 2016 by flowgently

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup 1st Round replay

Saturday 1st October 2016, LochPark, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (0)

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 1 (0)

The visitors were forced to make an early change after keeper Connor Wallace picked up an injury after 10 minutes and was replaced by young goalie Shaun Donoghue. Both sides created a number of chances with the Glens perhaps creating the best of these on offer, without however finding the net before the half ended goal-less.

It was Broxburn, as they had at home, that broke the deadlock three minutes after the break. Glens lost possession in the middle of the park and the ball  quickly despatched down the right flank for Ross Nimmo to gather and break into the box before picking out the incoming Scott McNaughton in the far side of the box who took a touch or two before composing himself before curling a peach of shot over a clump of defenders and into the top corner of the net. Deja vu and David Gray struck again six minutes later as the ‘No.6’, as he had at Broxburn, drew the sides level with a trademark free-kick; this one perhaps the pick of the two with the powerful strike from 28 yards out flying over the wall before violently dipping into the top corner with the keeper at full stretch.

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David Gray

Broxburn responded well and came close on a couple of occasions to restoring only to be denied by keeper Brian McGarrity with a save low at his near post and then later a goal-line clearance. Glens fought back and Donoghue made a good save from substitute Mick McCann’s flying header but could little to stop the striker putting the home side in front. A long ball lofted into the box saw Joe Andrew get the better of three defenders to fashion a backward header into the path of the inrushing Mick McCann and after allowing the ball to bounce once before guiding past the advancing keeper on 82 minutes.

Five minutes later and the Glens sealed their passage to the second round after captain Craig Menzies broke down a Broxburn attack just inside his own half and set of on his own Great Scottish Run with Joe Andrew for company but with the keeper and two defenders closing in at the corner of six yard box, he stopped in his tracks and rolled the ball back to Cameron Marlow to drill a low shot home from 18 yards out; the impressive Zee still having the puff to partake in the celebrations. The visitors ended the match with 10 men after Nimmo earned a second yellow card.

Later that day received a home draw in the second round and will host Livingston United.

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Cameron Marlow 4. Craig Menzies 6. David Gray 7. Dan Orsi  (15. Andrew Hunter) 8. Alan Cairns 9. Chris Dallas (12. Mick McCann) 10. Joe Andrew (14. Ryan Borris) 11. Conor Lynass Subs 12. Chris Meikle GK Blair Lochhead

Broxburn Athletic: 1. Connor Wallace (GK Shaun Donoghue) 2. Michael Browne 3. Mark Mambya , 4. Darren Cole 5. Marcus Miller 6. Nicholas Locke 7. Ross Nimmo  8. Michael Linton 9. Scott McNaughton 10. Scott Richards 11. Keiran Anderson Subs 15. Ross Donnelly , Lewis Cole, Nathan Donnelly Kay, Craig Scott

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Broxburn 3 Glenafton 3

Posted on September 24, 2016 by flowgently

Scottish Junior Cup 1st Round

Saturday 24th September 2016, Albyn Park, Broxburn

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 3 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (1)

GLENAFTON’S GREAT ESCAPE

For a split second after the final whistle blew on this Scottish Junior Cup 1st round tie I envisaged the ghost of Steve McQueen scrambling his motorbike up the red rugged barren bings of Broxburn that overlook Albyn Park. Instead, the Great Escape had been played out in the dying minutes of the match as 10 men Glenafton scored two late goals, in the 90th and 93rd minutes, to secure a 3-3 draw and force a replay against a bewildered Broxburn side that appeared to be cruising into the second round. Just like the Cooler King, the Glens got out of jail – even Donald Pleasance could have seen that!

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Broxburn began brightly stroking the ball slickly across the synthetic surface and pegging back the visitors deep into their own half. Midfielders Nicky Locke and Ross Nimmo combined well to set up the first chance in the first minute with the latter’s shot from the edge of the box dipping over the Glens bar. Although Locke was dictating play he was caught in possession on the outskirts of his box by Ally Park and David Gray before the loose ball fell to Chris Dallas and his snapshot from 24 yards whizzed past the post. Back came Broxburn and with the Glens struggling to clear their lines the ball eventually fell to Scott Richards in the six yard box but his shot was blocked by Craig Menzies before being booted clear by Kyle McAusland.

On 18 minutes another powerful run by Lowe ended with the midfielder being clipped by Cammy Marlow five yards out from the 18 yard line.  Kieran Anderson delicately chipped the free kick into the box and up leapt Scott Richards unchallenged to loop an equally delicate header beyond the reach of keeper Brian McGarrity to give the home side a deserved lead.

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Scott Richards heads home 1-0

Midway through the half the tide began to turn in terms of possession as the Glens got to grips with the game. A couple of corner kicks came and went, the first cleared comfortably and the second ended with Chris Dallas’s clever hook shot falling safely into the hands of keeper Connor Wallace. On the half hour mark Conor Lynass picked up the ball tight on the left touchline on the half-way line and skipped past a couple of defenders before cutting inside and feeding Dan Orsi wide on the right who in turn beat defenders before whipping the ball to the back post where Joe Andrew’s attempt to slot the ball home was blocked by defender and keeper combined.

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David Gray and Nicky Locke

Lynass then burst down the left and shrugged off a pull-back from defender Craig Purves before clipping the ball into the goalmouth for Chris Dallas, only for the whistle to sound and the visitors left aggrieved at the advantage not being played. Play resumed and David Gray’s vicious angled free-kick was pushed away by the keeper at the near post and the chance gone.  Glens continued to push and earned a free-kick on the right hand corner of the penalty box after centre back Darren Cole barged into Andrew. Up stepped David Gray to lash an unstoppable free-kick beyond the wall and the keeper at full stretch before the ball tested the tensile strength of the bulging net and levelled the cup-tie with 34 minutes gone.

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David Gray’s unstoppable free kick 1-1

Tails up the visitors turned the screw and Orsi progressed down the right before picking out Andrew and his cute back-heel put the ball into the path of Dallas at the edge of the box only for his shot to be deflected wide for a corner-kick which was partially cleared; the same fate fell to another corner that was earned soon after. On the stroke of half-time McAusland’s long ball into the box saw Dallas get the jump on Gavin Grant only for his first time snap shot sail wide of target. H/T Broxburn 1 Glens 1

Glenafton replaced Conor Lynass with Mick McCann at the break. The tide that had turned in favour of the visitors ebbed away within two minutes of the restart.  A free-kick from the left was headed well clear by Ryan McChesney with the ball quickly snapped up by Nimmo who threaded an exquisite ball into the box that was gathered by Scott Richards and in flash he twisted and turned to shake off the centre-backs fired a low angled shot into the corner of the goal.

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Scott Richards restores Broxburn’s lead 2-1

Broxburn continued to badger the Glens defence and McGarrity had to be on his toes to block Locke’s angled shot at the near post after another powerful run by the midfielder. A throw-in from the left was headed on its way to the back post by Richards where Nimmo with space and time looked certain to double Broxburn’s lead but he skewed his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat from close range. On 57 minutes the hosts’ pressure produced a third goal after a corner kick appeared to have evaded attackers and defenders alike before Craig Purves‘ late run deep into the box to bullet a header into the net put Broxburn 3-1 ahead.

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Craig Purves (grounded left) makes it 3-1

Glenafton rallied and a minute later Gray clipped a free kick into the penalty box where an Orsi header sneaked inches wide of the post before the incoming Dallas could get a touch on it. Soon after it was McChesney that headed on Gray’s free-kick and although McAusland got a touch at the back post the keeper caught the ball cleanly. The visitors continued to press but couldn’t convert corner kicks into clear-cut chances.

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A busy Broxburn box

On 70 minutes Park was penalised for a hold on Lowe on the outskirts of the box and although the resultant free kick was curled round the wall and McGarrity saw the ball late the keeper managed to push it wide for a corner kick that was mopped up by the Glens defence. Four minutes later a cheeky lob from wide on the left had McGarrity scurrying along his line and relieved to see the ball bounce just wide of the post.

Played raged from end to end for a spell with neither keeper tested until 84 minutes when another Gray free-kick brought out a fine save from the keeper. Three minutes later any hopes Glenafton had off salvaging anything from the game appeared to be extinguished after Ally Park earned a second yellow card and the New Cumnock side reduced to 10 men.

A ray of hope flickered in the darkening sky on 90 minutes when Marlow took a quick throw-in and a Dallas’ flick-on into the box took three defenders out the game before the ball was snapped up by Joe Andrew who held off the challenge of Cole before clipping a low shot beyond the reach of the keeper and into the far corner; 3-2 Broxburn.

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Joe Andrew fires for goal 3-2

A minute later the home side conceded another free-kick and Gray’s cross from the left was won in the air by McAusland only for his header to scream a hairbreadth’s wide with the keeper rooted.  On 93 minutes Broxburn brought another Glenafton attack to an abrupt end five yards outside the penalty box, perfect striking range for Gray. With keeper and the three-man wall unclear of his intentions he took the latter out of play and three more red shirts as he lofted the ball to the back post where the incoming Kyle McAusland powered a header goalward and although the keeper got hand to the ball he couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line.

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Kyle McAusland late equaliser 3-3

Starkly contrasting scenes of despair and joy in the home and away camps ensued and the final whistle brought an enthralling cup-tie to an unlikely end.

F/T Broxburn 3 Glens 3

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Cameron Marlow 4. Craig Menzies 6. David Gray 7. Dan Orsi 8. Ally Park 9. Chris Dallas 10. Joe Andrew 11. Conor Lynass (16. Mick McCann). Subs 12. Chris Meikle 14. Alan Cairns 15. Andrew Hunter GK Blair Lochhead

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Glenafton 3 Auchinleck 1

Posted on September 17, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 04

Saturday 17th September 2016, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (0)

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Glenafton’s unbeaten run in the league continued with a convincing 3-1 win over reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot Loch Park.  Conor Lynass gathered a cute pass from Chris Dallas before waltzing past three defenders and firing home from close range  to put the home side ahead on 15 minutes . Although Dan Orsi’s low drive from the 18 yard line was blocked by a Talbot boot Joe Andrew pounced to slam the loose ball into the net in a flash and double the Glens’ lead on 34 minutes.  H/T Glens 2 Talbot 0

Soon after the break Glenafton went 3-0 up with a peach of a goal. Orsi on the half way line and wide on the right clipped a ball down the flank for Ally Park to kill brilliantly and leave one defender in his wake before curling a killer ball across the face of goal as three others closed in. The ball then then evaded two other defenders and the keeper to arrive at the back post for Joe Andrew to lash home in style.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men following Graham Wilson’s second yellow card. His namesake    Stephen Wilson pulled one back for Talbot but this proved to more of a consolation than a lifeline as the New Cumnock side ran out comfortable winners and created several opportunities before the final whistle.  F/T Glens 3 Talbot 1

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Cameron Marlow 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney  (15. Chris Meikle) 6. David Gray 7. Dan Orsi  (14. Ryan Borris) 8. Ally Park 9. Chris  Dallas (12. Mick McCann) 10. joe Andrew 11. Conor , Lynass
Subs – 16. Alan Cairns ,  Blair Lochhead (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot: 1. Andy Leishman 2. William Lyle 3. Gordon Pope 4.Ross Harvey, 5.Boyle, 6.Craig McCracken, 7. Bryan Young 8. Dwayne Hyslop 9. Keir Milliken 10. Graham Wilson 11. Dylan Stevenson Subs – Dylan Pooler, Stephen  Wilson, Thomson, Martin McGoldrick, Steven White

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Kilbirnie 0 Glenafton 3

Posted on September 10, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 03

Saturday 10th September 2016, Valefield Park, Kilbirnie

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 0 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (1)

Glenafton had the ball in the net after 10 minutes when Joe Andrew guided home a David Gray free kick into the net from close range, only for the offside flag to curtail the visitors celebrations. Both sides created a couple of decent chances before the New Cumnock side broke the deadlock three minutes before the break. Former Glenafton played Chris Malone rash tackle at the edge of the box was punished by former Ladeside player David Gray’s superbly struck free kick, matching the one he scored in the same fixture last season.

H/T Kilbirnie 0 Glens 1

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Chris Dallas

On 53 minutes the visitors doubled their lead after a passage of fine flowing football was finished off in some style. Glens pushed forward in numbers as Chris Dallas switched played from deep on the left to Dan Orsi wide on the right who then skipped past a defender before driving for the bye-line to cut the ball back for the inrushing Ally Park to sweep the ball into the net.  The hosts were further punished after giving away possession and the loose ball retrieved by Chris Dallas to coolly chip the ball over the keeper to make in 3-0 after 69 minutes. There were was to be no repeat of last season when Kilbirnine had fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and it was the Glens that looked the likelier to add to their tally with Dan Orsi and Cameron Marlow each going close.

F/T Kilbirnie 0 Glens 3

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Cameron Marlow 4. Craig Menzies   5. Ryan McChesney 6. David Gray 7. Dan Orsi 8. Ally Park  9. Chris Dallas 10. Joe Andrew 11. Conor Lynass Subs Blair Lochhead (gk), 12. Chris Meikle 14. Andrew Hunter 15. Ryan Borris 16. Kieran McAnespie

Kilbirnie Ladeside: 1.Hughes 2.Gray 3.Malone 4.Staunton 5.O’Byrne 6.Rafferty 7.McTernan 8.Green 9.Forde 10.Meechan 11.McElroy Subs Used 12. Donnelly 15. Gold 16. Gormley Not Used 19. Brannan

 

 

 

 

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