Glenafton Athletic

Glenafton 2 Arthurlie 2

Posted on April 4, 2015 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 20

Saturday 4th April, Loch Park , New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (2)

ARTHURLIE 2 (1)

Glenafton made a number of changes to the side that won at Shotts with captain Craig Menzies , Jamie Hay and Brian McGarrity all returning while Ryan McChesney was unavailable for selection and Craig McGuffie and keeper David Buchanan were on the bench.

The hosts made the early running with former Arthurlie player Joe Andrew proving a handful down the left flank. The midfielder had an early header that went wide and later left a defender floored as he jinked his way into the box before the ball was cleared. Andrew gathered the ball from the resultant throw-in and gave Gavin Rushford the slip at the corner of the penalty box before whipping the ball across the face of goal where Alain Kinney stole in between two defenders to lash home from 6 yards and put the home side ahead on 5 minutes.

Alain Kinney slams home the opener

Although the visitors looked decidedly uncomfortable at the back during the opening encounters they saw plenty of the ball going forward and forced a string of corner-kicks the most threatening of which on 15 minutes concluded with Eddie McTernan firing wide of target. Two minutes later at the other end Andrew collected a throw-in and held off the challenge of Kevin Green at the bye-line before hooking the ball back into the heart of the goal only for Mark Blakey to head clear as Kinney threatened to strike again.

On 20 minutes the home side doubled their lead after Daniel Orsi got the better off Blakey in an aerial battle on the 18 yard line and Joe Andrew got the jump on Rushford to collect the knock-down and make for the left edge of the six yard box before clipping the ball beyond keeper Michael White from a tight angle.

Joe Andrew guides home the second

Two minutes later Kinney won the ball in the centre circle, pushed forward and took a couple of defenders out of the play with a cute ball to Jamie McKernon on the left only for his cross to go just beyond the incoming red shirts and the ball clutched cleanly by White. In an excellent passage of play Alan Cairns deep on the left played a one-two with McKernon to break into the middle of the park before picking out Michael Wardrope on the right who in turn fed the overlapping Orsi tight on the touchline to fire the ball into the box only for Rushford to get in front of Andrew on this occasion and head the ball clear.

The tide however turned in favour of the visitors in dramatic fashion in the closing 15 minutes of the half. The ‘Lie were beginning to carve out some dangerous chances and good work down the right by Connor McGlinchey set up McTernan in the box who darted between two defenders before curling a sweet shot for the top corner which, with the keeper beaten, went inches wide of target. Corner-kicks came and went with Jamie McGeoghegan and Craig Menzies mopping up the aftermath of consecutive scrambles in the Glens’ box. Keeper Brian McGarrity made light work of a low drilled shot by Ryan McGregor from 15 yards and then had his fingers warmed by an angled drive from McTernan.

At the other end Andrew earned a corner kick which was partially cleared and Orsi’s attempt to bury the loose ball from 18 yards out was blocked by a ruck of players. Back came Arthurlie and on 42 minutes Allan McPherson’s ball into the box was chased down by McTernan and defender Chris Meikle while McGarrity raced from his line, seconds later all three were on the ground with the ball in the keeper’s hands. Meikle’s pleas that he had got a touch to the ball were waved away and after he had been shown a red card Connor McGlinchley kept his cool to send McGarrity the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Connor’s spot-on

A minute later and the drama intensified when Craig Palmer, deep in his own half, fouled Wardrope and the young midfielder’s reaction earned him a straight red card and Glenafton were down to 9 men with half the game to go. H/T Glenafton 2 Arthurlie 1

Craig McEwan had to shuffle the pack with Kinney now the lone front man and the attacking menace of Andrew and Orsi on the flanks diluted as they slotted into more defensive roles. Although the Glens won an early corner kick the visitors with their two man advantage soon stamped their authority on the match and but for a stunning save by McGarrity from a powerful McGregor shot would have been level two minutes after the restart.

Brian pushes Ryan’s shot over the bar

The visitors were making use of both flanks as they tried to spread the Glens thin red line even thinner but McGeoghan, Menzies and Jamie Hay were holding their own in the aerial battles for the balls fired into the box from open play and a host of corner kicks. Rhys Devlin fashioned a couple of good chances from open play, the first drilled low and inches wide of the post and the second skewed wide of the other post. Substitute Gary Smith then headed wide after fine build up play down the right.

Remarkably the Glens had the ball in the net on the hour mark. Lone wolf Kinney hunted down a long through ball that evaded Devlin at the edge of the box and his challenge on White ended with the keeper dropping the ball and the striker burying the loose ball, only for the assistant referee’s flag to deflate the celebrations.

Alain – need to wait on No. 23

On 63 minutes Arthurlie were back on level terms. McTernan’s tenacity won him the ball in a busy box before he picked out Ryan McCardle with space and time to thrash a swerving shot that saw the ball explode off the inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net. The crestfallen red shirts scattered about the box slowly picked themselves up and regrouped to face the revitalised visitors. Two minutes later Devlin at last found the target with a blast from the edge of the box only for McGarrity to block it with both hands before smothering the loose ball. The keeper then palmed the ball from the head of MacPherson and Menzies was at hand to hoof the ball clear.

Ryan blasts home the equaliser

Some respite for the home side with Andrew foraging up the left only to be repelled by a bank of blue shirts. He then combined with Kinney who switched the ball to the right for McKernon to make a lung bursting run into the box and win the home side a precious corner-kick. A scramble in the box ensued and although McGeoghegan held off defenders the ball would not sit nicely to allow a shot at goal. Kinney and McKernon double-teamed on the outskirts of the box as ‘attack became the best form of defence’ for the depleted home side and another corner was earned. McKernon’s kick was won in the air by Kinney, out-jumping four blue shirts, only for the ball to fly over White’s bar.

At the other end the Glens’ defence, grateful for the breather, were soon back to keeping the squadron of blue shirts from getting behind their lines, with Cairns making a crucial block on Smith.With three minutes to go Kinney left to rapturous applause from the home support to be replaced with Aaron Connolly welcomed by an equally loud reception.

Jambo leading the attack!

Arthurlie’s attempts to unpick the home rear-guard had by now hit a brick wall and it was the home side that looked more energetic up front. McKernon’s unstoppable engine as he chased down another long clearance forced White to sprint from his line and blast the ball out the park. Connolly gathered the throw in and turned his marker before striking the ball from the corner of the penalty box, one of his favourite spots, only for the ball to sail high over the bar. The visitors had time for one final attack and a low angled drive by Devlin was blocked by McGarrity and cleared by McGeoghegan.

The final whistle, if truth be told, came as a relief to both sides. Glenafton, on their last home league game of the season, were given a tremendous ovation as they headed for a clubhouse by their supporters appreciative of the fantastic efforts of the nine men on the day and for the team throughout the season. F/T Glenafton 2 Arthurlie 2

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McGeoghegan, Menzies, Meikle, Cairns; Orsi, Hay, McKernon, Wardrope; Kinney (Connolly) & Andrew. Subs. McGuffie, Thomson, Buchanan (gk)

Arthurlie: White; Rushford, Palmer, Devlin, Green, Blakey, McGlinchey, McGregor, MacPherson, McTernan, McArdle subs Stewart, Smith, Rafferty, Lyden, Mailey (GK)

More photos here

Posted in GAFC Fixture | Tagged Arthurlie, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Shotts 0 Glenafton 1

Posted on March 21, 2015 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 19

Saturday 21st March, Hannah Park , Shotts

SHOTTS BON ACCORD 0 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (0)

Sunshine on Shotts,

Glenafton made number of changes to the side that started at Meadow last week with captain (and new dad) Craig Menzies, Jamie Hay, Darren McGill, Aaron Connolly all unavailable for selection. In came Joe Andrew, Michael Wardrop and Craig McGuffie while Alan Cairns returned from injury.

The fantastic looking Hannah Park was bathed in glorious sunshine from start to finish with not an eclipse in sight. Jamie McKernon made the most of the bowling green surface switching play from flank to flank with his trademark passes and was well supported in the middle of the park with the lively pairing of Michael Wardrope and Craig McGuffie.

On 7 minutes, after McKernon had won the ball, Wardrope threaded a clinical pass down the left for Alan Cairns to gather and clip the ball into the box for the incoming McGuffie only for the midfielder’s header to flash inches wide of the post with keeper Gary Whyte rooted on his line.

Craig McGuffie goes close

With quarter an hour gone the home side earned a corner kick and although keeper David Buchanan lost control of the ball under the bar he did enough to force it to the back post where Gary McStay’s cut back across the face of gaol was booted clear by Ryan McChesney.
Back to back headers from Chris Meikle repelled another Shotts corner kick while at the other end Glens’ first corner of the game caused little concern for the home defence. The visitors quickly recovered the ball and Alain Kinney released Wardrope down the left. Although his cross into the six yard box went beyond the incoming Joe Andrew the ball found Jamie McGeoghegan at the back post and his cut-back was eventually cleared by a pack of defenders.

Alan Cairns with Chris Meikle and Ryan McChesney in support

On 24 minutes Daniel Orsi collected the ball on the outskirts of the box and turned Douglas MacKay before drilling a low angled shot that was cleanly held by Whyte. At the other end Buchanan did well to swipe the ball clear from under his bar. On the half hour mark MacKay pounced on a misjudged clearance and forced his way into the box but his shot lacked power and was comfortably clutched by Buchanan. Five minutes later the impressive Cairns blasted down the left and on reaching the edge of the 18 yard box whipped a wicked ball across the face of goal that evaded three defenders and the outstretched arm of the keeper but was just beyond the reach of Kinney ghosting in at the back post.

With five minutes of the half remaining another corner for the home side ended with Chris Walker’s header from a corner-kick sailing over the bar as did McKernon’s free kick at the other end in the final action of the half. HT Shotts 0 Glens 1

Buchanan was first in action after the break clutching the ball cleanly at the near post. On 51 minutes McGuffie gave a couple of defenders the slip on the outskirts of the box before slipping the ball to Kinney who then forced his way into the box way past the self-same defenders only for Whyte to dive at his feet and get both hands to the ball – resulting in polarised calls from opposing sets of supporters of ‘dive’ and ‘penalty’ – while the official got the call right and waved play on.

Gary Whyte saves from Alain Kinney

McKernon’s free kick from 30 yards out whizzed over the bar and then McGuffie’s run into the box ended with a timely tackle on the goal-line as the visitors began to turn up the heat on the sun-bathed pitch. Andrew combine with McGuffie who then jinked past a number of defenders in a packed box before being dispossessed with the ball eventually falling for McKernon on the outskirts of the box and his thunderbolt of a shot exploded off the back of a brave defender.

Joe Andrew makes the breakthrough

On 65 minutes the visitors’ pressure told when Joe Andrew beat the offside trap and with a defender on his tail and the keeper advancing from his line, the striker kept his cool to slot the ball home from 15 yards out and score his first goal for Glenafton.

Two minutes later Andrew deep in the box turned his marker to pick out Orsi who with his back to goal turned quickly only for his snapshot from 10 yards through a ruck of defenders to finish wide of target. Soon after, McGuffie’s cross from wide on the left flank was headed home by Kinney in the six yard box only for it to be flagged offside.

Shotts enjoyed a second wind but found McChesney and Meikle at the heart of the Glens’ defence in a mean mood come out on top on ground and air. Ten minutes from time Andrew outstripped a tiring home defence and made his way into the Shotts’ box where once again Whyte had advanced from his line and on this occasion the keeper came out on top getting both hands to push the attempted chip wide for a corner. Although this came to nothing another wicked cross from Cairns caused considerable panic in the home box after finding Orsi at the back post but his neat header back into the danger area was cleared.

Antone heads Chessy’s header off the line

At the other end Anthony Traynor’s effort was mopped up before Glens won another corner kick and although McChesney’s downward header beat Whyte the ball was cleared off the line by the head of Anton McDowall. Whyte and McDowall then combined well to force Orsi fire wide from the corner of the six yard box. Shotts enjoyed a final flurry in search of an unlikely equaliser without however testing the keeper. Shotts 0 Glens 1

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Glenafton Athletic: Buchanan; McGeoghegan, McChesney, Meikle, Cairns; McGuffie, Wardrope, McKernon; Orsi, Kinney, Andrew. Subs Thomson

More photos here

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football, Shotts Bon Accord | Comments Off

Irvine Meadow 1 Glenafton 1

Posted on March 14, 2015 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 18

Saturday 14th March, Meadow Park , Irvine

IRVINE MEADOW 1 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (0)

Following a goal-less first half Irvine Meadow nosed in front when a corner-kick for the home side was forced home by Grant Evans. The visitors struck back through Alain Kinney slotting home his 21st goal of the season.

Glenafton Athletic: Buchanan; Menzies, McChesney, Meikle, McGeoghegan; Orsi, Hay, McKernon; Connolly, Kinney, McGill. Subs Wardrope, McGuffie, Andrews, Thomson, Kerr (Gk)

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Irvine Meadow, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Glenafton 4 Troon 2

Posted on March 7, 2015 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 17

Saturday 7th March, Loch Park , New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 4 (1)

TROON 2 (0)

Applause in memory of Stuart McGrady

A round of applause was held before kick-off in memory of Maybole Juniors captain Stuart McGrady who tragically passed away last week-end. The thoughts of everyone at the game today were with Stuart’s family and friends.

With keeper Brian McGarrity out through injury Glenafton gave a first start to David Buchanan, who had come off the bench last week’s following McGarrity’s ordering off while on the bench was midweek signing Joe Andrew.

The swirling wind gusting around Loch Park failed to prevent both sides serving up another six goal thriller as they had done in the corresponding league fixture at Portland; however today Glenafton deservedly claimed the spoils as opposed to sharing them.

The home side forced two corner-kicks in the opening minutes the second of which ended with keeper Darren Johnston getting an outstretched hand to push Aaron Connolly’s cute overhead kick from the edge of the six yard box high into the air and gather the ball on its descent.

Aaron’s overhead saved by Darren

Like the wind play was soon breezing from end-to-end and Troon carved out a decent chance when Pat Walker combined with Dale Moore on the outskirts of the box but just as the former Glens striker burst free into box, play was pulled back for a trip on his team-mate and Walker’s free kick was blocked by the wall.

On the 11th minute Glenafton grabbed an early lead. Following a series of ‘no quarter given’ tackles on the right touchline the ball was captured by Jamie McKernon and after driving forward split Troon’s defence with a peach of a pass for Darren McGill to burst free and from 20 yard out chip the ball over the advancing Johnson in some style.

Darren McGill tees up to score the opener

Two minutes later the visitors won a free-kick at the edge of the box and Dean Keenan’s effort was blocked by Buchanan before the ball smacked off the base of post before the Glens’ defence eventually scrambled the loose ball to safety.

Midway through the half and the home side came within a whisker of doubling their lead. McGill on the left slipped the ball inside to Connolly who in turned rolled it to the right hand side of the box for the incoming Alain Kinney whose shot at goal was blocked by Johnson. The ball was partially cleared before Connolly and Kinney combined again only for the striker to be foiled by Johnson as the keeper got down low to tip the ball inches wide of the post.

Glens go close

Chances began to wane at both ends for a period and didn’t resurface until the closing ten minutes of the half. A corner-kick for Troon eventually fell for David Gillies at the back post who whipped the ball across the face of goal where it was met by Stevie Wilson, but under pressure from Glens’ captain Craig Menzies he fired his shot high over the bar.

Soon after Glens won possession in the middle of the park through Jamie Hay who quickly found McKernon to release Alan Cairns down the left and his cross into the box was won in the six yard box by Kinney. After muscling his way between Keenan and Gavin Collins the striker’s effort was well saved by Johnson.

David Buchanan saves from David Gillies

At the other end keeper David Buchanan denied David Gillies with two stunning back-to-saves to ensure the home side went in at the break a goal to the good.

The first from a corner-kick after the ball was met full on by the head of Gillies and seemed destined for the roof of the net before Buchanan’s leap to push it high into the air and Menzies then snuffed out Walker’s attempt to bury the rebound with his keeper grounded. The danger wasn’t over and seconds later Gillie’s flashing header was pushed away by Buchanan at full stretch. H/T Glens 1 Troon 0

If Troon harbour(ed) any thoughts of starting off the second half the way the first had finished then these were quickly quashed. Glens won a free-kick just a few yards out from the corner of the 18 yard box on the right hand side. Up stepped Aaron Connolly to lash the ball beyond the wall and the reach of the airborne keeper and high into the roof of the net.

Aaron’s free kick sails into the net

Although the home side continued to press it was Troon who struck next and halved he deficit on 56 minutes after Wilson picked out Dale Moore, the former Glenafton youth player, who turned a defender or two before cutting back from the bye line and lashing home from an acute angle.

Dale Moore (out of picture) fires home

On the hour mark the home side restored their two goal advantage when McKernon gathered a pass from Cairns on the left hand side of the box and after shaking off one defender thread the ball between three others to set up the incoming Alain Kinney to nip in between two other defenders and give the keeper no chance from seven yards out.

Alain Kinney blasts home his 20th goal of the season

Troon responded well and a Keenan free-kick from distance was pushed away by Buchanan and substitute Craig Harvey headed the rebound over the bar. On 68 minutes Dean Keenan was impeded at the edge the box and regained his composure to drill the resultant free kick low and hard past the wall and beyond the reach of Buchanan to reduce the deficit to one.

Dean Keenan blasts home

Glens passed up the chance to strike back from the kick off after another determined run by McGill into the box leaving Collins in his wake only for the midfielder to be caught in the two minds of shoot or pass, with the pass option just taking the ball beyond Kinney.

Back upfield and Martyn Cairns’ cut back from the bye-line caused a degree of panic in the Glens’ six yard box with both Buchanan and Gillies scrambling on the ground to try and gain control of the ball before Daniel Orsi stepped in and booted the ball to safety. A Gillie’s effort then flirted with the crossbar as the visitors when in search of the equaliser.

Aaron makes it 4-2

Alan Cairns had to hobble off having failed to recover from an earlier knock and was replaced by Joe Andrew with the new signing making an immediate impact. On 73 minutes Kinney’s header from a corner-kick was headed clear off the line by Tony Murphy before Andrew drilled the ball into the mix and Aaron Connolly was first to react and guided the ball past three defenders on the line to repeat the feat of doubling the home side’s lead again.

Ryan, Joe and Jamie celebrate

Play continued to flow from end to end and Buchanan comfortably clutched a close range shot from Harvey while his counterpart Johnson did well to push away a shot from Andrew after a good run into the box. Substitute Michael Reilly then raced down the right and his cross was met by Moore at the near post and although his header seemed net bound the ball clipped off McGeoghegan. The corner kick found its way through a mass of bodies and fell for former Glens’ striker Reilly only for his close range shot to be blocked by Andrew.

Both teams made changes with the home side bringing on Michael Wardrope and Craig McGuffie for Orsi and Connolly while Troon brought former Glenafton striker Gareth ‘Bo’ Armstrong on for Moore.

In the closing minute of regulation time Kinney burst into the box and from the corner of the six yard box clipped the ball past Johnson and both players could only look on as the ball rolled along the mouth of the empty goal and agonisingly wide of the far post. Keenan’s final free kick of the game cannoned off the Glens’ wall and wide of target before Buchanan punched the resultant corner kick from under the bar to safety. F/T Glens 4 Troon 2

Glenafton Athletic: Buchanan; McGeoghegan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns (Andrew); Orsi (Wardrope), Hay, McKernon, McGill; Kinney & Connolly (McGuffie) . Subs: Meikle, Thomson

Troon: Johnson, Cairns, Armstrong, Keenan, Collins, Chatham, Moore (Armstrong), Wilson, Gillies (Reilly), Walker (Harvey), Murphy. Subs Wyllie, Brown

More photos here

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football, Troon | Comments Off

Joe joins Glens

Posted on March 2, 2015 by flowgently

Joe Andrew with Cameron Marlow at Loch Park

Glenafton are delighted to announce the have signing of striker Joe Andrew from Clydebank. Joe has had senior experience with Dundee United and Alloa and played junior with Maryhill, Arthurlie (two spells) and Rutherglen Glencairn before Budgie McGhie signed him for the Bankies three seasons ago.

Welcome to Loch Park, Joe

Posted in GAFC Squad | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Glenafton 1 Petershill 2

Posted on February 28, 2015 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 16

Saturday 28th February, Loch Park , New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

PETERSHILL 2 (1)

The home side remained unchanged from the team that had drawn against Beith in the previous week, with the Glens looking for the 3 points that would take them to 24 points which is normally enough for Superleague Premier Division survival.

Alain Kinney

The home side started strongly and opened the scoring on the 25th minute from the penalty spot through striker Alain Kinney.Following a good run from the lively Darren McGill, the ball fell to Kinney and he appeared to be held back by the Petershill defender which resulted in a penalty being awarded. Kinney stepped up to send Petershill goalkeeper Steven McNeil the wrong way .

The Glens continued to dominate possession without really creating many clear cut chances. The turning point in the match happened in the 42nd minute, following the award of a penalty to Petershill and the dismissal of goalkeeper Brian McGarrity.

A short pass back to McGarrity from central defender Jamie McGeoghegan was intercepted by the Petershill striker and as he tried to round McGarrity the keeper brought him down, giving the referee little choice but to award a penalty. Although the referee initially showed a yellow card to McGarrity following a discussion with his assistant this was subsequently upgraded to a red card.

This forced the Glens into a reshuffle with full back Craig Menzies being replaced by backup goalkeeper Buchanan, with Daniel Orsi switching from central midfield to right back. After a lengthy delay,midfielder Kieran Daw’s powerful penalty gave Buchanan no chance.

H/T Glens 1 Petershill 1

Although down to ten men for the full second half, Glens still enjoyed the majority of the possession and were unlucky to take the lead through midfielder Jamie McKernon. A great driving run by McKernon saw him drift past three Petershill players before firing a shot against the inside of the post with the ball falling to Kinney however his weak effort was blocked and cleared.

Petershill against the run of the play went into the lead on the 79th minute. A deep cross from the left hand side picked out the unmarked Michael Daly and although Buchanan managed to get a hand to it, his close range header proved to be too powerful.

Glens went close to equalising shortly afterwards through substitute Craig McGuffie. A deep McKernon corner picked out Ryan McChesney and his header back into the danger area found McGuffie however his close range header went closely over.

F/T Glens 1 Petershill 2

Glens will look to bounce back from this disappointing result when they welcome Troon to Loch Park on Saturday.

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity, Menzies (Buchanan), McChesney, Cairns, McGeoghegan, Cairns, Orsi, Hay (Wardrope), McKernon, McGill, Connolly (McGuffie), Kinney

Subs- Meikle, Adam

Thank you to Steven Kerr for the report

Posted in GAFC Fixture | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Petershill, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Glenafton 2 Beith 2

Posted on February 21, 2015 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 15

Saturday 21st February, Loch Park , New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)

BEITH JUNIORS 2 (0)

Both Glenafton and Beith returned to winning ways last Saturday and with only two points separating the sides in the league a close encounter was always on the cards and so it proved.

The visitors were first to show with Andy Reid breaking down the right and winning an early corner-kick which was dealt comfortably by the home defence. Another corner followed on 10 minutes and keeper Brian McGarrity made light work of clutching Marc McShane’s header. On 13 minutes the Glens took the lead with a touch of good fortune. Alain Kinney gathered the ball on the outskirts of the box and held off a couple of defenders before driving into the penalty area and cutting the ball across the face of goal where Nicky Docherty’s attempted clearance cannoned off Darren McGill and the ball looped over the head of keeper Adam Strain and into the net.

Darren McGill opens the scoring

In a scrappy half, peppered with free-kicks, twenty or so minutes passed before the next notable attempt at goal with McGill’s low pile-driver from 22 yards forcing Strain to get down and at full stretch push the ball wide. Aaron Connolly’s header from the resultant corner was blocked by Andy Reid and the danger cleared.

Jamie Hay and Paul Frize

On 37 minutes the home side came close to doubling their advantage after great work by Jamie McKernon. Gathering a flick-on by Kinney in the ‘D’ the midfielder twisted and turned into the box, wrong-footing both Stephen McKeown and Kevin McDonald , before lashing his shot from 12 yards out beyond the reach of the advancing Strain only for the ball whiz wide of the post.

Jambo goes close

The visitors finished the half with two corners in quick succession won by Sean McKenna and Darren Christie in turn, but the quality of the kicks didn’t match the build-up play. H/T Glens 1 Beith 0

Five minutes into the new half and Ryan McChesney deep in his own half squared to Craig Menzies who surged forward into Beith’s half before picking out Aaaron Connolly. The striker skipped past a couple of defenders before his shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide for a corner-kick which ended with Alain Kinney, sandwiched between two defenders, bulleting a downward header into the net.

Alain Kinney doubles the Glens lead

Beith responded well and on 55 minutes McGarrity pulled off a strong one-handed save from a close range header by McShane. Four minutes later the keeper got a fist to a glancing header from Reid. The visitors pressure paid off and they pulled one back on 62 minutes. David McGowan pounced on an attempted clearance at the edge of the box and although his clipped shot was blocked by McGarrity the keeper could do little to prevent the incoming Andy Reid from guiding home the loose ball.

Andy Reid halves the deficit

The visitors made a double substitution with Joe Bradley and Kenny McLean coming on for McKenna and Donnelly and with their tails up went in search of the equaliser. McGowan and McLean played a neat one-two at the edge of the box to set up the former with a shot at goal only for McChesney’s sliding tackle to clear the danger.

Straight up the field and a slick passing move involving Daniel Orsi and Connolly set up McGill for an angled shot from the edge of the box which although saved well by Strain the loose ball caused panic in the Beith box and a pass-back to the reluctant keeper. Inevitably the free kick from 7 yards with nine players on the line was blocked, first by Strain and then by four pairs of legs as Orsi tried in vain to bury the rebound.

Beith wall block Daniel Orsi

Glens replaced Jamie Hay with Michael Wardrope and play was now flowing much more regularly from end to end albeit still interrupted with a fair number of free-kicks and yellow cards. On 81 minutes Bradley whipped a free-kick deep into the six yard box and McChesney and McGarrity combined as McShane threatened. Initially caught out by the short corner-kick the Glens defence regrouped and Wardrope nicked the ball from the feet McLean in the nick of time. Minutes later and a Beith counter-attack set Bradley tearing down the left before thrashing a wicked ball across the face of goal and inches wide of the far post.

With six minutes to go the Glens came within a whisker of killing the game off after a lung bursting run by Menzies down the right flank before laying the ball off to Kinney who bided his time before rolling the ball at a perfect pace for the overlapping Menzies to gather and continue his run in on goal. Evading the back-tracking Docherty’s tackle his shot for goal was then blocked by the outstretched leg of Strain and the ball sent spinning high in the air to hit off the bar and fall kindly for Reid to clear.

Craig Menzies denied by Adam Strain

At the other end and with no way through the Glens defence Bradley tried his luck from the edge of the box but his shot dipped over the bar. With four minutes to go Glens brought on Craig McGuffie for Connolly and the young midfielder was soon in the thick of things, but not before Beith drew level a minute later. Bradley picked out McGowan wide on the left and after forcing his way to the bye-line fired the ball across goal where it was met sweetly by Darren Christie and volleyed into the top corner beyond the airborne McGarrity at full stretch.

Darren Christie volleys home the equaliser

Beith continued to press and Bradley and McLean both had efforts blocked before the home side almost recovered their lead in time added-on after Kinney’s low angled shot from inside the box was pushed away by Strain before Docherty was on hand to usher the ball out for a corner as McGuffie closed in.

Alain Kinney goes close

A minute later McGuffie challenged for a high ball into the box and was left pole-axed by Strain’s challenge as the ball bounced inches wide of the empty net and the home side’s forlorn appeals for a penalty dismissed. In the fifth and final minute of added time a Glens free-kicked ended with Kinney forcing his way between defenders again only for his header from 6 yards flashing wide of the post. FT Glens 2 Beith 2

Glenafton Atheltic: McGarrity; Menzies, McChesney, McGeoghegan, Cairns; Orsi, Hay (Wardrope) , McKernon, McGill; Connolly (McGuffie), Kinney. Sub Buchanan, Meikle, Thomson.

Beith Juniors: Strain, Donnelly (Bradley), Docherty, K. McDonald, McShane, McKeown, Christie (Ryan), Frize, McKenna (McLean), Reid, McGowan Subs S. McDonald, Sheridan,

More photos here

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Beith, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Kilbirnie 2 Glenafton 3

Posted on February 14, 2015 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 14

Saturday 14th February, Valefield Park , Kilbirnie

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 2 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (1)

Players and supporters joined in a minute’s applause in memory of former Kilbirnie goalkeeper Tom McQueen, a member of Ladeside’s Scottish Junior Cup winning side of 1952 and father of former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen.

Glenafton in their first competitive game under the new management team of Craig McEwan, Stevie Kerrigan and Craig Potter introduced new signing Jamie Hay to the starting line up while loan signing Craig McGuffie was on the bench.

Kilbirnie were quickly on the front foot and excellent build up play between Ryan Borris and Adam Forde set up Graham Boyd with a great chance in the six yard box only for the alert Craig Menzies to nip in and steal the ball from the big striker and clear the danger. At the other end Aaron Connolly came within inches of connecting on a Daniel Orsi cross before the ball was gathered safely by former Glenafton goalie Chris Fahey. His counterpart Brian McGarrity then cleanly clutched the ball from under the bar following a clever chip by Borris from outside the box.

On 16 minutes a cute pass by Alan Cairns sent Michael Wardrope careering down the left flank and his wicked ball across the face of the goal was cleared for a corner kick. Although this was also cleared the Glens were now enjoying much more possession with Hay and Jamie McKernon controlling play in the middle of the park and the opener arrived on 19 minutes. A forward ball by Hay was cut out only for Connolly to pick up the pieces and quickly feed the ball wide to Wardrope in the box who completed the one-two with great style for the incoming Aaron Connolly to burst between two defenders and drill the ball low and hard past Fahey from 10 yards out.

Aaron Connolly opens the scoring

Five minutes later Fahey pulled off a great save to turn a clever flick from Alain Kinney round the post. The resultant corner-kick was headed clear by Scott Gair before the ball was returned into the box by Cairns where Ryan McChesney’s knock down was met by Kinney and his snap shot blocked by the stretched out leg of Fahey.

Alain Kinney tests Chris Fahey

Ladeside fought their way back into the game and an excellent run by Borris down the right to the bye-line ended with his cut-back being blocked by Jamie McGeoghegan. Boyd’s shot from an acute angle beat McGarrity but slipped past the far post and just before the break Chris Malone pulled his shot wide of target. H/T Kilbirnie 0 Glenafton 1

A lively start to the second half saw play flow back and forth beginning with McKernon breaking into the box and giving defender Chris Wilson the slip before the covering Gair came to the rescue. The home side’s Malone tried his luck from the edge of the box but again pulled his shot wide of target while at the other end Kinney beat the offside trap only for Fahey to win the chase for the loose ball and punch it clear. Kinney was then foiled by Gair as he tried to control a cut-back from Orsi, after another lung-bursting down the right by the midfielder. Back upfield and Darren McLean’s curled shot from the corner of box beat McGarrity at full stretch but sailed inches wide of junction of post and bar.

Daniel Orsi on the move again

The goal that was on the cards arrived on 56 minutes and it fell to Glenafton. Orsi exploded down the right before squaring the ball along the 18 yard line where Kinney with his marker close by diverted it back to Jamie McKernon who with a cool head skipped past one defender into the box before placing the ball with some aplomb in the far corner of the net.

Celebrations as Glens double their lead

End to end play resumed and McGarrity did well to see off the challenge of Boyd and gathering the ball at a second attempt. McKernon then found himself in unknown territory with a free run in on goal, after fine play by Connolly and Kinney, only for Fahey to keep his side in the hunt with a brave save at the midfielder’s feet.

Midway through the half substitute Richie Barr muscled his way behind the Glens’ defence but his attempt to dink the ball home beyond McGarrity was blocked by the keeper’s knee. Soon after Barr broke into the box from the right and again McGarrity came out on top after narrowing the angle and getting both hands to the striker’s shot. On 74 minutes Barr’s effort were rewarded. Adam Forde burst through on goal and after rounding the keeper his shot from an acute angle was cleared off the line by McGeoghegan. Having recovered the ball Forde squared it across the face of goal only for his team-mate to miscue his shot but the ball fell kindly for Richie Barr who slammed the ball home via the underside of the bar.

Richie Barr rifles home to halve the deficit

Glenafton replaced Hay with Darren McGill and the substitute was immediately in the thick of the action. Orsi made excellent progress down the right wing before picking out Kinney in the centre to roll the ball along the 18 yard line for the incoming McGill to take a touch before shooting for goal only for the ball to strike Billy Gibson’s arm and the referee award the visitors a penalty kick. Alain Kinney stepped up and sent Fahey the wrong way to restore the Glens two goal advantage on 77 minutes.

Alain Kinney slots home the spot kick

Three minutes later the home side halved the deficit again after a free kick from wide on the right was lofted high into the six yard box where Billy Gibson got the better of McGarrity to glance a header home.

Both sides created a number of chances in a frantic finish with McGarrity pulling off saves from Borris and Stevie Meechan while Fahey held a low drive from substitute Craig McGuffie. F/T Kilbirnie 2 Glenafton 3

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Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; Menzies, McChesney, McGeoghegan, Cairns; Wardrope, Hay (McGill), McKernon; Orsi, Connolly, Kinney (McGuffie). Subs: Buchanan, Meikle, Thomson

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Kilbirnie Ladeside: Fahey, Coleman, Chris Wilson, Gibson, Gair, MCLean, Borris, Meechan. Boyd, Forde, Malone Subs: Barr

more photos here

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Kilbirnie Ladeside, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Honest Man Craig on loan

Posted on January 30, 2015 by flowgently

Glenafton Athletic are delighted to announce that they have signed Ayr United U20 defender / midfielder Craig McGuffie on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The 18 year-old from Troon featured strongly for the Ayr U20s in the pre-season Joe Meldrum Trophy at Loch Park, scoring in the Honest Men’s win over St. Cuthbert Wanderers and in the narrow defeat to the Glens in the final.

Welcome to Loch Park, Craig

Posted in GAFC Squad | Tagged Ayr United, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Glenafton appoint new management team

Posted on January 19, 2015 by flowgently

After careful consideration Glenafton Athletic can confirm that they have appointed a new management team as follows,

Manager: Craig “Southy” McEwan
Assistant Managers: Craig Potter & Stevie Kerrigan,
Coach: Craig Potter

It has been a thorough process and the club has been overwhelmed with the quality of applications. It was a very difficult decision to make but we have decided to go with Craig’s team all of whom have been involved in football at professional level and in the junior game for numerous years now. It was also a big factor that all three were involved with the club in the past and know our aims and ambitions.

The club would like to thank all the other applicants for their applications and hope they understand why we came to this decision.

Finally I would like to thank Arthurlie for giving us permission to speak to Craig McEwan regarding the vacant managerial position.

Yours In Sport John Stewart (Club Secretary)

Posted in GAFC Club | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Glenafton Athletic

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Irvine Meadow 1 Glenafton 1

Glenafton 4 Troon 2

Joe joins Glens

Glenafton 1 Petershill 2

Glenafton 2 Beith 2

Kilbirnie 2 Glenafton 3

Honest Man Craig on loan

Glenafton appoint new management team

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