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

More Photos here

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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

More photos here

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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

More photos here

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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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Kilwinning 1 Glenafton 1

Posted on September 3, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 02

Saturday 3rd September 2016, Abbey Park, Kilwinning

KILWINNING RANGERS 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (0)

Squad: Cameron MarlowGlenafton fell behind 10 minutes before the break when Ben Lewis gave the Buffs the lead from the penalty spot. The visitors drew level 10 minutes after the break after Cameron Marlow gathered the ball at the edge of the box and drilled and low unstoppable shot into the net.

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

 

 

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Glenafton 1 Pollok 0

Posted on August 27, 2016 by flowgently

McBoookie.com West of Scotland League Super League Premier Division: Match 01

Saturday 27th August 2016, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

POLLOK 0 (0)

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Glenafton began their league campaign with a 1-0 victory over Pollok at Loch Park and truth be told there was much more between the two sides on the day than Ally Park’s headed goal on 18 minutes. The home side outplayed their opponents throughout the length of the park. Lone striker Chris Dallas led the line with a tireless display while Dan Orsi’s powerful runs down the right flank and Conor Lynass’s quick-thinking down the left had the ‘Lok defence on the back foot for long spells. The midfield trio of David Gray, Cammy Marlow and Park seldom gave their counterparts an inch of space or a second to dwell on the ball. The back four of Kyle McCausland, captain Craig Menzies, Ryan McChesney and Alan Cairns were resolute in its defending and in particular in the closing minutes as the visitors piled on the pressure in pursuit of a late leveller. Last but not least keeper Brian McGarrity’s immaculate handling throughout the game played a key role in delivering the clean sheet.

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David Gray & David Winters

The Glens were first to threaten on 7 minutes after Orsi’s low drive from outside the box was stopped and the loose ball then pounced on by keeper Jordan Longmuir. Four minutes later Marlow snapped up a defensive header from Paul Gallacher, forced his way into the box before taking Mark Sideserf out of play as he squared the ball for the inrushing Orsi only for the back-tracking Del Hepburn to time his tackle perfectly and prevent the Glens midfielder firing from 12 yards out.

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Conor Lynass slips past Tam Hanlon

Pollok made progress down the right and the unusually quiet Gary McCann managed to get to the dead-ball line only for his cut-back into the box cleared at the near post by Menzies. The loose ball was gathered by Cairns who combined with Dallas to set Lynnas off and running down left wing after giving former Glens player Findlay Frye the slip and then sending the ball up the line to chase only for central defender Ross McCabe to come across with no intent (or chance) of playing the ball and hacked down the Glens winger, out of character of the big defender it has to be said. The referee immediately pulled out a card and to the disbelief of the home support and bench (and perhaps many of their Pollok counterparts), the card flashed was yellow in hue.

Tempers cooled, play resumed and on 15 minutes the visitors won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box and although Carlo Monti’s free kick beat the wall the ball sailed harmlessly wide of the post – setting the scene for the visitors’ below par set plays throughout the game.

On 18 minutes the home side put a free-kick wide on the left to greater use. Gray clipped the ball deep into box wher Ally Park, in the space between Sideserf and McCabe, jumped unchallenged to bullet a downward header from 8 yards out that flashed into the net beyond the reach of the keeper.

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Ally Park heads home

Four minutes later Park came within a whisker of doubling Glenafton’s lead following clever build up play between Lynass and Dallas that took the ball into the Pollok before it was rolled back for Park to thunder a shot from 22 yards out that whizzed past Longmuir at full stretch and inches wide of the post. Glens continued to press and Lynass outjumped Hanlon to get a head to Orsi’s cross only for McCabe to head clear. Soon after another cross into the box evaded McCabe only for Marlow to loop his header over the bar.

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Cameron Marlow and Tam Hanlon

Before the break Pollok enjoyed a spell of pressure through a free kick floated into the back post and a couple of corner kick none of which resulted in McGarrity in goal being tested.

H/T Glens 1 Pollok 0

In the first action after the break Hanlon’s cross to the back post from wide on the right was cleanly clutched under the bar by McGarrity as Conti challenged. The keeper’s throw-out began another Glens attack deep in their half and that ended with Lynass breaking free to skip round the advancing keeper at the edge of his area and close in on the empty goal only for Hanlon to keep the visitors in the hunt with a last ditch tackle.

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Brian McGarrity clutches as Carlo Monti threatens

The Glens came back again with powerful runs for Park and then Orsi to the bye-line, the latter earning a corner-kick which was won in the air by McChesney and the ball snatched from the head of Dallas by Longmuir.

At the other end Monti collected a ball from Frye at the edge of box before turning and shooting but his low angled shot was easily gathered by McGarrity.  A game of head tennis initiated in the Glens box after a free kick was floated to the back post ended with the keeper claiming the ball from the heads of McAusland and Hepburn.

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Ally Park’s skill has Pollok fan scratching their head

On the hour mark the visitors suffered a scare when a misdirected pass back wrong-footed Longmuir but the keeper kept his cool and caught up with the ball before it found the gaping net to boot it out for a throw-in from which the Glens won a corner-kick. Park once again got the better of the Pollok backline only for his glancing header from inside the 6 yard box to go wide of target.

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Chris Dallas and Paul Gallacher

Pollok pushed forward for a spell with David Winters firing a couple crosses in from the left both of which were cleared by the head of McChesney.  Back came Glens with Lynass breaking down the left before picking out Orsi in the box to quickly feed Marlow but his snapshot sailed high and wide of goal.

On 70 minutes the visitors won a corner-kick which was headed on by Gallacher at the near post with the ball falling to substitute Colin Williamson and under pressure from Orsi his close range shot sailed over the bar. Soon after, Williamson was brought down on the outskirts of the box by Park but Hanlon’s poorly struck free kick deflected of the wall and out for a corner kick that was mopped up McAusland.

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Kyle McAusland picks out Chris Dallas

Lynass gathered the ball wide on the left at the half-way line and cut inside bfore threading the ball into the box for Marlow and as the midfielder tried to set up the shot the ‘Lok defence took no chances and booted the ball out for a corner which ended with McChesney’s header being held by the keeper.

On 87 minutes Glens brought on Chris Meikle for Craig Menzies, the visitors having used all their substitutes by this time. Two minutes later the Glens almost secured the points after Dallas held the ball up at the edge of the box before slipping it to Orsi on the right to chip the ball to the back post where it was met first time by Marlow only for his volley to thunder over the bar from the tightest of angles.

Longmuir was now launching long balls up the park as Pollok looked to sneak a point at the death and it almost paid off. Substitute Liam Rowan tried his luck from the edge of the box but his shot was blocked by Meikle and in the scramble for the loose ball the hopes of Michael Daly, McCabe and Hepburn of engineering an equaliser were undone with Meikle clearing the danger.

F/T Glens 1 Pollok 0

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

Pollok: 1, Jamie Longmuir 2. Tam Hanlon 3. Mark Sideserf 4.Paul Gallacher 5. Ross McCabe 6. Finlay Frye (16. Liam Rowan) 7. Gary McCann 8. Allan McKenzie 9. David Winters 10. Carlo Monti (14. Colin Williamson) 11. Del Hepburn (14. Colin Williamson)  Subs 12: Chris Walker 17. Grant Evans

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Lugar 0 Glenafton 5

Posted on August 20, 2016 by flowgently

Ardagh Cup Section 4 : Match 5

Saturday 20th August, Rosebank Park, Lugar

LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE  0 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 5 (2)

Glenafton travelled to Lugar for the concluding sectional match in this season’s Ardagh Glass Cup in the knowledge their hopes of qualifying stages would require a win and either of Auchinleck or Cumnock to lose their matches.

The visitors welcomed club captain Craig Menzies back from injury while Joe Andrew and Mick McCann joined Ryan Borris on the injury list. Familiar faces in the Lugar line-up where former Glenafton players Steven Shankland, Jim Wilson and Klark Thomson with Davie Clapperton on the bench.

The Glens were quickly on the front foot in the relentless Rosebank rain and opened the scoring on 11 minutes after Kyle McAusland made good progress down the right flank before clipping the ball into the box for Cameron Marlow to gather and slam the ball home before defenders closed him down.

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Cammy opens the scoring

Two minutes later the home side came within a whisker of an equaliser following a breakdown in communication at a pass-back between keeper Brian McGarrity and McAusland only for the full back to keep his nerve and boot the ball to safety as it rolled towards the gaping empty net.

Normal service resumed and back came Glens through Connor Lynass weaving his way past defenders down the right before unleashing a low angled drive that pulled off a great save from the keeper Ronnie Davis followed by a fine block as Chris Dallas tried to bury the rebound.

On 21 minutes Lugar were caught napping at quickly taken throw-in deep on the left allowing Dallas to take the ball to the deadline before cutting it back for Cameron Marlow to side-step a couple a defenders before clipping  a delightful angled shot beyond the reach of the keeper trying to cover his near post.

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Cammy bags his brace

Four minutes later and a cute pass from Ally Park released Dallas to break into the box and shrug off Craig Muir before striking for goal only for the outrushing Davis to get a foot to the ball and push it wide for a corner-kick which was eventually scrambled clear by the Boswell back line.

Soon after the Jaggy Bunnets created their best chance of the half after Shankland slipped the ball into the box for Wilson to get the jump on McAusland but as the striker looked certain to stroke the ball past the advancing McGarrity, the Glens defender recovered to slide in and send the ball wide of the post for a corner-kick.

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Kyle McAusland and Jim Wilson with Brian McGarrity

Glenafton continued to push for a third with Dallas denied by Davis from close range, the keeper then saving Darren McGill’s shot from 20 yards and McAusland’s header from a corner-kick looping over the bar.

H/T Lugar 0 Glenafton 2

The visitors having introduced Andrew Hunter and Dan Orsi for Ally Park and Darren McGill were soon on the attack. Marlow’s snapshot from the edge of the box was well held by the keeper in difficult conditions and later the midfielder then latched onto a cross from Dallas only for his shot to whizz over the bar.

At the other end the Lugar substitute gathered the ball with his back to goal and turned brilliantly to shake off a clutch of defenders before hitting a thunderous shot but McGarrity was his match and got down low to parry the ball away with both hands.

Glens extended their lead on the hour mark after a great run by Dan Orsi from deep in his own half to the edge of the Lugar box where he turned the defender outside in before drilling the ball from 18 yards which then deflected off the defender’s foot and wrong footed the keeper before nestling in the corner of the net.

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Dan’s deflected shot finds the net

A minute later David Gray clipped a great ball into a busy box for Dallas who killed it dead with some style to set up another chance only to be felled by a defender. The striker stepped up to take the spot kick and Davis pulled off a fine save to push the ball wide of the post.

At the other end McGarrity foiled a Wilson effort and then cleanly clutched the ball from the head of Muir from the resultant corner-kick. Glens won a corner soon after when Marlow’s attempt to clinch his hat-trick was deflected over the bar by Thomson.

Midway through the half Chris Dallas’s efforts were rewarded with the goal of the game. Collecting the ball in his own half his blistering place took him deep into the Lugar box and as the keeper advanced from his line he picked his spot and slammed the ball into the net.  Glens then made their final substitution with Chris Meikle coming on for Cameron Marlow.

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Chris Dallas makes it 4-0

Shankland did well to carve out an opening but Menzies and McGarrity combined to block the effort as Lugar looked for a lifeline. Meanwhile Glens were looking to add to their tally as David held a low drive from Lynass then palmed a blistering shot from Dallas over the bar.

On 83 minutes another powerful run by Orsi found the midfielder deep in the Lugar box with only the advancing keeper to beat and unselfishly roll the ball to the far post for the incoming Connor Lynass to guide the ball home.

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Connor guides home goal no 5.

Chances continued to come the way of the Glens and less often to Lugar who came close to bagging a consolation after good work by Wilson ended with a low angled shot in the box that although beat McGarrity it sneaked wide of the far post. Glens finished with a flurry of the chances including shots from Gray and Lynass and a header form Dallas all of which could not get the better of Davis.

In the last action of the match McGarrity turned a low drive from Shankland round the post and the held the corner-kick that followed as Wilson waited to pounce.

FT Lugar 0 Glenafton 5

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. David Gray 7. Ally Park (14. Andrew Hunter) 8.Cameron Marlow (15. Chris Meikle) 9. Chris Dallas 10. Connor Lynass 11. Darren McGill (12. Dan Orsi)  Subs. Blair Lochhead (gk), 16. John Paul Boyle

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