Glenafton 2 Beith 0

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 20
Glenafton Athletic 2 (1)Taggart, Mullen
Beith Juniors0 (0)
Sat 01 Mar 2025KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Hurlford last Saturday with Jordan Allan, Sam McKee and Chris Erskine making way for Ollie Rowe, Cammy Ross and Jamie Taggart

In the Beith dug-out was former Glenafton manager Mark Roberts, joining the current league champions at the start of the season as assistant to boss Chris Strain.

Captain Craig Pettigrew and Paul Frize and mascot Reece

Glenafton kicked off but quickly lost possession allowing Abe Osemeke to progress to the outskirts of the box where he was brought down and up stepped Carlo Monti to whip the ball wide of the right-hand side of the four-man wall only for it to drift wide of the far post too.

At the other end Hugh Kerr was fouled wide on the right, some 10 yards from the box. Ross Lindsay clipped the ball high into the box and as keeper Scott McLellan rushed to edge of six-yard box he fumbled the ball sending it wide for a corner kick, which was scrambled clear at the near post.

Back came Glens as Kerr chased down a ball into the Beith half with three defenders on his tail, down to two by the time he reached the penalty spot, only to lose his balance as he overstretched to get a shot and tumbled in the six-yard box.

At the other end Monti floated a free kick from the left, just inside the Glens, into a packed box where Scott Rough leapt for a free header but sent the ball well wide from yards out. Soon after Callum Graham chased down a long ball into the box and although keeper David Markey won the race to punch it away Monti snapped it up at the corner of box before driving to the bye-line and squaring it across the face of the goal for Graham but couldn’t get a clean strike under pressure from Ollie Rowe.

Indeed, Ross Lindsay cleared the ball upfield for Jamie Taggart to hunt down and together with Cammy Ross he combined to win a corner, which Ross curled high to the back post where Lewis Currie got the jump on a clutch of defenders to win the header only for it to drop in the hands of the keeper.

Lewis Currie’s header goes close

Back came Glens as the lively Taggart from the corner flag, with Jude McLymont in close attention, whipped the ball to the far corner of the penalty box, where the incoming Jared Willet gathered, only for his shot to be blocked and cleared.

Play continued to go back and forth before Glenafton broke the deadlock on 17 minutes. Michael Mullen switched play from tight on the left to Cammy Ross on the right to drive inside towards the ‘D’ taking a sore one and fell badly, sandwiched between two Beith players. However, Jamie Taggart, from within a pocket of four Beith players, pounced on the loose ball to rifle it from 17 yards out, beyond the reach of McLellan and into the net for his first Glenafton goal jointly celebrated with his team mates.

The home side enjoyed a good spell with Ryan McCubbin and Lindsay managing the midfield while the pace of Taggart and Ross continued to torment Beith. Ross broke down the right and floated a ball into a packed goalmouth where Kerr won the aerial battle to bullet a header just wide of the back post. Mullen then held off Paul Frize and gave Lewis Lovering the slip before drilling a low shot from 25 yards that drifted wide of the left post.

At the other end Osemeke cut in from the left and tried to pick out Monti in the box only for Currie to intercept and clear the ball only for it to be instantly fired back by a Beith player, forcing keeper David Markey to leap and tip the ball over bar. Robbie Scullion curled the corner kick from the left to the near post where Ross leapt to head it high into the air and over the bar. The corner that followed as tipped over the bar by Markey while the third corner in a row was overhit and float out of play.

Beith continued to press through a Monti free-kick from the left that was floated towards near post where Osemeke won the aerial battle and his downward header bounced up from the six-yard line, only for Markey’s outstretched arm to tip the ball from under the bar, which was then headed back toward goal by Graham only for Rowe to head it clear of the box.

On 29 minutes Beith were forced to make a change with Alan Docherty replacing the injured Calum Graham.

Back came Glens as Lindsay clipped a free kick from the left on the outskirts of the box to the edge of the six-yard box and although the ball was scrambled clear it was quickly retrieved by Ross to burst down the right and fire the ball into the goalmouth where the keeper fumbled and Rough hoofed it clear as Kerr closed in.

Lewis Currie closes down Carlo Monti with Jared Willet and David Markey in attendance

A Beith attack was mopped up and Mullen who quickly launched the ball upfield over the heads of a clutch of defenders for Taggart to chase with Kerr for company. McClellan rushed out the penalty box to tackle Taggart and as he tried to retrieve the loose ball Max Brown pulled him to the ground, a yard outside the box. No response from the referee but soon after he was alert to Mullen being brought down by Lovering and Frize for good measure. Although Lindsay’s free kick from 24 yards beat the wall it fell comfortably into hands of McLellan.

Soon after, Lindsay floated the ball to the outskirts of six-yard box where Mullen had drifted behind the defenders but his header lacked the power and direction and was cleared by Rough

Back came Beith as Brown played the ball up the right for Monti but with Currie and Willet in close attendance he was forced to retreat into his own half with Willet still on his tail, both players tussled before Monti lashed out an caught Willet on the face, fortunate to only be shown a yellow card.

For much of the remainder of the half the Glens were on the front foot without creating any chances.

HT Glens 1 Beith 0

Beith made a change at the brake with Evan Dunne on for Jude McClymont.

Brown fired a free-kick from just inside the Glens half high into a packed box where Pettigrew won the aerial battle sending the ball high into the air while its descent kicked off a scramble that concluded with Willet launching it upfield. Scullion gathered the loose ball just inside the Beith half only for the tenacious Taggart to hunt down his pass back and clip it forward for Michael Mullen to chase, forcing keeper McLellan to race from his goal-line and reached the penalty spot before the Glens striker calmly and confidently lobbed a perfectly weighted ball over the stranded keeper’s head and into the gaping.  Glens 2-0 up on 48 minutes, sparking joyous celebrations.

Played then raged back and forth with neither keeper tested until 55 minutes when Taggart picked up a short pass from Mullen and skipped into the box before drilling a low angled shot the McLellan got down low to hold.

The home side enjoyed a good spell of pressure particularly down the right. On 65 minutes Lindsay gathered the ball in his own half and gave Frize the slip before releasing Taggart down the right who rolled a pass into the right-hand side of the box to match Mullen’s run only for his low angled shot deflected wide by Lovering, while Lindsay’s corner to the near post was headed wide by Docherty.   Glens quickly recovered the ball through Ross and his trademark lung-bursting run down the right ended with his low ball into the box for the inrushing Taggart to be intercepted by Lovering at the expense of another corner. Lindsay lofted this one high into the goal mouth and although Ollie Rowe won the ball in the air it was eventually scrambled clear.

On 68 minutes Beith brought on Ben Lewis for Abraham Osemeke. Soon after they won a free kick on the outskirts of the Glens only for Monti’s effort to be blocked by the leaping defensive wall.

Back came Glens and Kerr outjumped Scullion to nod the ball down to his right for Ross to pounce and burst into the box to unleash a powerful shot that whizzed wide of the post. Soon after Kerr pushed down the right and skipped past Rough into box to square the ball to Mullen and although Lewis intercepted the striker recovered the loose ball and turned on a tanner before cracking a powerful shot from 10 yards and with McLellan diving at full stretch across the goal line the ball battered off the base of the post.

The home side continued to press with Ross bursting down the right and cutting into the box a couple yards from the goal line only for his cross to be blocked by Scullion and deflected wide. Lindsay floated the corner into a packed six-yard box and as it was scrambled clear Kerr’s claim for hand-ball was waved away.

Cammy Ross on the move

Another spell of play ebbing back and forth followed on 80 minutes by a trio of substitutions, a forced one for the Glens with the injured Cammy Ross replaced with Lyall Holding. As for Beith, a subdued Paul Frize was replaced by Andy Monk while Jordan Stuart made way for Connor O’Donnel.

Taggart burst down the left, for a change, with Rough tracking him into the box and evading the tackle he drilled a low angled shot to the back post only for the diving McLellan to get his finger tips to the ball pushing it wide for a another corner. Lindsay curled this one high into the box and although the keeper leapt with an out-stretched arm he missed the ball and it drifted out wide of the back post.

Beith countered down the right with Monti driving to the bye-line only for his cut-back to be blocked by Currie and then cleared of danger with an overhead kick by Mullen which fell for Taggart to break down the left again and on this occasion his low angled shot from deep in the box was comfortably gathered by the keeper.

Back came Beith with a powerful shot from the edge of the box by Andy Monk that cannoned of Pettigrew and fell for Monti but with a line of 4 red shirts between him and Markey in goal he rolled it back for Lovering at the left hand corner of the box only for it to rebound off the post.

On 85 minutes Glenafton brought on Ryan Walker for Michael Mullen, after another great shift.  After another spell of back and forth play Glens made a double substitution on 90 minutes with the tireless Jamie Taggart and Ross Lindsay making way for Jordan Allan and Finn Monaghan from the Glenafton U20s, the youngster taking a great touch in his first action.

Finn Monaghan

The 3 minutes of added time drew to a close with the home side worthy winners.

FT Glens 2 Beith 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe 3. Jared Willet; 7. Cammy Ross (12. Lyall Holding) 6. Ryan McCubbin 8. Ross Lindsay (16. Jordan Allan) 11. Jamie Taggart (15. Finn Monaghan) 9. Shuggy Kerr, 10. Michael Mullen (14. Ryan Walker) Not Used: Dylan Small, Keon Thurston (gk).
BEITH JUNIORS
1. Scott McLellan 2. Max Brown 3. Jude McClymont (14. Evan Dunne) 5. Scot Rough 4. Lewis Lovering 8. Paul Frize (captain) (17. Andy Monk) 10. Jordan Stuart (16. Conor O’Donnell) 6. Robbie Scullion 7. Carlo Monti 11. Abraham Osemeke (15. Ben Lewis) 9. Callum Graham (18. Alan Docherty). Subs Not Used: 12. Steven Noble
Match Photos
Glenafton Athletic vs. Beith Juniors

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Hurlford 3 Glenafton 2

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 19
Hurlford United3 (1)Kerr 2, Morrison
Glenafton Athletic2 (1)Mullen 2
Sat 22 Feb 2025KO 2:00 pmBlair Park, Hurlford

Glenafton made four changes from the eleven that started against Cumnock last Saturday with keeper David Markey returning for stand in keeper Ally Semple while Ollie Rowe (unavailable), Ryan Walker and Jamie Taggart made way for Jordan Allan, Ryan McCubbin and Chris Erskine.

Of course, there are several Glenafton connections with Hurlford with manager Darren Henderson, coach John Dempster and Captain Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie on their 12th the season at Blair Park following the great Loch Park exodus (aka ‘The Blair Switch Project’) at the start of 2012/13 season. More recently Ross Fisher and Liam Caddis both returned for another spell at Blair Park while former Glens manager and striker Mick McCann sadly suffered a bad injury on his Ford debut at the end of January.

Hurlford kicked-off in the bright sunshine and were first to threaten in the early stages. Paul McKenzie picked up the ball in the centre circle just inside the ‘Ford half before clipping it up the right for Kris Kerr to chase down and cut into the edge of the box to drill a low shot that was well held by former Ford keeper David Markey at his near post. Soon after, the leaping Carter Frew’s header from a corner-kick was cleared off the Glens goal-line by the leaping Craig Pettigrew’s header.

The visitors countered in lethal fashion after Chris Erskine snapped up the ball in the Glens half before driving and weaving through the middle to clip a forward pass to match Michael Mullen’s run into the left-hand side of the box and after a touch or two the former Ford striker slammed a shot from 14 yards that flew past keeper George O’Connor and smashed off the inside of the post to end up in the far corner of the net. Glens 1-0 up on 11 minutes.

Play began to rage and forth with only a few half chances on show, the majority of which fell to the home side. Lewis Morrison and Kerr combined to press their way deep into the box only for Markey to come off his line and smother the ball. Jack Whittaker then breached the Glens box and slipped a ball to Morrison on his left who lashed a low angled shot that beat the advancing Markey only to slip inches wide of the back post. Ford won a couple of corner kicks each of which were defended well.

At the other end Sam McKee burst down the right before squaring into the box for the incoming Erskine only for Frew to intercept and clear the danger. Soon after Erskine stole the ball from a Ford attack on the edge of the Glens box and burst upfield and on reaching the centre circle clipped the ball right for Shuggy Kerr to chase only for his shot to be blocked by the back-tracking defenders.

Back came Hurlford with an attack down the right where the ball was pinged to Morrison to take a touch on the 18-yard line before rolling it wide into the path of the incoming Kris Kerr to slam the ball home from 10 yards into the net past the advancing Markey.  1-1 on 35 minutes.

(apologies no photo camera probs)

The Glens responded with McKee’s break into the right-hand side of the Ford box and three yards from the bye-line, with Ben Hughes closing in, he clipped the ball back for the inrushing Mullen only for Ross Love to intercept at the expense of a corner-kick which was cleared.

Two minutes from the break Shuggy Kerr burst into the Ford box leaving defenders in his wake only for keeper O’Connor to rush from his line and block Kerr’s shot on the penalty spot.

HT Hurlford 1 Glens 1

Glens brought on Jamie Taggart at the break for Chris Erskine who had picked up an injury

During the half-time break heavy dark clouds had gathered over Blair Park and soon after they unloaded their heavy rain, forcing spectators to pack the covered enclosures, while credit to both teams in bravely battling the elements. During this period Glens made another change with Jordan Allan making way for Lyall Holding.

It would be the hour mark before the rain subsided and soon after sun broke through again as play ebbed back and forth.

Glens won a corner kick on the left. McKee played a one-two with Pettigrew at the near post who quickly returned it for McKee to float the ball into the box only for it to be headed clear and gathered by Pettigrew at the corner of the box to curl a shot that flew wide of target.

Hurford countered with an attack down the left only for Kris Kerr to lose control off the ball under pressure from Ross Lindsay leaving Whittaker and Holding to challenge for the loose ball, the young Glens defender adamant he had won the ball, but the referee thought otherwise and awarded Ford a free kick. Lewis Morrison stepped up to whip a stunning free-kick that flew over the heads of the leaping two-man wall and the outstretched arm of the leaping Markey on the centre of his goal line and into the the far corner of the net. Hurlford 2-1 on 68 minutes.

Glens brought on former ‘Ford player Ryan Walker for Sam McKee.

The home side’s tails were up and several good chances came and went in a five-minute spell. Lidlington, from tight on the left, fired a low ball across the face goal for the inrushing forwards at the near post forcing Jared Willet to knock it past the back post as Kris Kerr threatened. The corner was played short and eventually cleared. Hughes, also from tight on the left again, whipped a ball into goalmouth only for Markey to cleanly clutch it from under the bar. Morrison, yes from the left again, lashed a low shot that beat Markey at the near post before slipping wide of the back post.

Some respite for the Glens as Taggart beat Blair Anderson for the ball deep in the Ford box only for keeper O’Connor to rush from his line and dive on the loose ball. Soon after, Taggart was back in the Glens box to win the aerial battle against Morrison to clear the danger.

On 84 minutes Glens brought on Cammy Ross for Ryan McCubbin.

Back came ‘Ford through Anderson breaking down the right and from the corner of the box squared the ball for Kris Kerr to turn and drill a low shot that was well held by Markey. Soon after Whittaker from wide on the left picked out Morrison on the edge of the box at the ‘D’ and as three defenders closed in, he turned and drilled a low shot that beat Markey at the near post, but again another effort drifted just wide of the back post.

Glens countered as Willet switched play from deep on the left to wide on the right for Ross to drive up the touch line before cutting into the box to drill a low angled pass between two defenders which was trapped by Michael Mullen on the six-yard line and with his back to goal with Anderson in close attendance he turned on a tanner and slammed the ball into the net. Hurlford 2 Glens 2 on 88 minutes.

Ford were quickly on the front foot and a free-kick from tight on the right was floated high into the box and tipped over the bar by Markey as the heavy rain returned. Into added time and the corner from the left was met at the back post by Frew, his header flying past Markey only to be cleared off the line by Lewis Currie, sending the ball high into the air and after another goalmouth scramble it was knocked out for a goal-kick.

At the other end Ross broke into the right-hand side of the box before drilling a low shot beyond two back-tracking defenders only for the advancing keeper to punch it high and back towards Ross and with defenders closing in, he quickly rolled the ball to Walker on the touchline to lob it into the goalmouth only for Frew’s diving header to send it wide for a corner. Lindsay curled the kick to the near post where it dipped over the head of the leaping Hughes before taking a bounce a few yards from the goal line where O’Connor pushed it further out into a pack of players and eventually the ball was booted upfield.

The visitors recovered the ball and Taggart from wide on the left whipped a high cross for Shuggy Kerr at the back post only for the airborne O’Connor to clutch it cleanly and hold it tightly as he crashed to the ground.

With the Glens up in numbers the Ford countered to clinch the winner. Whittaker was released down the left (the away support claiming for offside) and his lung bursting run took him just inside the Glens box and a yard from the bye-line only for his attempt to cut the ball across face of goal deflect off the outstretched boot of the back-tracking Willett and pop up and fall perfectly for the inrushing Kris Kerr to volley home from 4 yards on 92 minutes.

FT Hurlford 3 Glens 2

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 4. Lewis Currie 5. Jordan Allan (16. Lyall Holding)3. Jared Willet; 7. Sam McKee (12. Ryan Walker) 6. Ryan McCubbin (14. Cammy Ross) 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Chris Erskine (17. Jamie Taggart), 9. Shuggy Kerr 10. Michael Mullen Not Used:, Mason McDougall, Finn Monaghan, Keon Thurston (gk).
HURLFORD UNITED
1. George O’Connor 2. Gareth Armstrong (12. Blair Anderson) 3. Sam Lidlington 4. Carter Frew 5. Ross Love 6. Ben Hughes 7. Paul McKenzie 8. Calum Watt 9. Jack Whittaker 10. Lewis Morrison (16. Liam Miller) 11. Kris Kerr Subs Not Used: 14. Lewis Mackle 15. Kyle Dunnet 22. Ross Fisher
Match Photos
Hurlford United v Glenafton Athletic
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Glenafton 1 Cumnock 0

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 18
Glenafton Athletic 1 (0)Allan
Cumnock Juniors0 (0)
Sat 15 Feb 2025KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Pollok last Saturday with Ryan McCubbin and Chris Erskine making way for Ryan Walker and Jamie Taggart while keeper David Markey was attending the birth of his second child and Ally Semple gratefully stood in at short notice.

In the visitors dug-out was former Glenafton player and treble-winning manager Craig McEwan, now assistant manager at Cumnock Juniors.

Prior to kick off a minute’s silence was held in memory of Calum Carmichael and the everyone at Glenafton passed on our condolences to Calum’s family and friends at this sad time.

After a goal-less first half Glenafton scored what proved to be winner with a glorious header from substitute Jordan Allan.

FT Glenafton 1 Cumnock 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rollie 3. Jared Willet; 7. Sam McKee 6. Ryan Walker (Jordan Allan) 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Jamie Taggart (Cammy Ross): Subs Not Used: Ryan McCubbin, Mason McDougall, Finn Monaghan, Keon Thurston (gk).
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
1. Blair Currie 2. Daniel Higgins 3. Sam Ellis 4. Little 5. Darren Brownlie 6. Robbie Buchanan 7. Cammy Chalmers 8. Jamie Wilson (captain) (Stefan McLuskey) 9. Sam Duruh (Josh Jack) 10. Dylan Dykes 11. Jon Craig Subs: Adam Strain, Luke Watt, Stefan McLuskey, Joe McKee, Barlow, Benji Wright, Josh Jack

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Pollok 1 Glenafton 2

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 17
Pollok1 (0)Duncanson
Glenafton Athletic2 (0)McKee, Mullen
Sat 08 Feb 2025KO 2:00 pmNewlandsfield Park, Pollok,

A goal-less first half thanks a combination of good saves from both keepers and two or three decent chances slipping just wide of the uprights.

Glenafton broke the deadlock on 61 minutes on the back of a deadly counter-attack.  Josh Tran floated a free-kick from wide on the left into the Glens box only for Craig Pettigrew to head the ball clear where the alert Michael Mullen gathered the ball giving Jamie Bain and Lee Duncanson the slip before drilling a low ball deep into the Pollok half for Chris Erskine to chase down with Sam McKee running on his left for company. On reaching the outskirts of the right-hand side of the Pollok box Erskine dinked a perfectly weighted pass into the box with the outside of his left boot to match Sam McKee’s run who met it sweetly with the outside of his right boot to guide the ball into the left-hand corner of the net beyond the reach of keeper Ben Fry at full stretch.

Sam McKee

On 68 minutes Glenafton doubled their lead in a much more direct fashion coupled however with another exquisite finish. Keeper David Markey launched a ball high up a busy left wing where it fell for Michael Mullen to trap and then take a touch as he cut inside before unleashing a lethal low diagonal shot from 25 yards that took a bounce deep in the box to beat the keeper at his near post; what an eye for goal he has!

Michael Mullen

Pollok pulled one back on 90 minutes with a determined spell of possession. The Trialist battled well to win the ball wide on the right before laying it off for Jay Nelson to cut inside and pick out substitute Sean O’Donnell who quickly switched the ball to Josh Tran on the left who in turn rolled it back to Lee Duncanson to thunder an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the top left hand corner of the net.

FT Pollok 1 Glenafton 2

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe 3. Jared Willet; 7. Sam McKee 6. Ryan McCubbin (12. Ryan Walker (14. Jordan Allan)) 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Chris Erskine (17. Jamie Taggart) 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen Subs Not Used: 16. Mason McDougall, 21. Keon Thurston (gk).
POLLOK
21. Ben Fry 23. Jamie Bain 4. Scott Forrester 5. Calum Gow 2. Lee Duncanson 6. Kyle Faulds 22. Andrew Gaffney 17. Jay Nelson 14. Liam Lapsley (7. Sean O’Donnell)15. Josh Tran 12. Trialist. Subs Not Used: 1. Ryan Truesdale 3. Ryan Wallace 16. Chris O’Kane 19. Declan Black 8. Trialist

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Auchinleck 6 Glenafton 0

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 16
Auchinleck Talbot6 (2)McAvoy 2, Wardrope, Boyd 3
Glenafton Athletic0 (0)
Wed 05 Feb 2025KO 7:30 pmBeechwood Park, Auchinleck

Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Johnstone Burgh on Saturday with Lyall Holding, Ryan Walker and Chris Erskine making way for Cammy Ross, Ollie Rowe and Jamie Taggart.

Talbot’s starting eleven included former Glens midfielder Michael Wardrope.

Prior to kick off the match officials along with both Auchinleck and Glenafton teams lined up at the centre circle to pay their respects to the memory of lifelong Talbot fan and supporter Kevin Higgins, who sadly passed away recently.

Auchinleck took an early lead on 10 minutes through Kyle McAvoy’s header from six yards out. On 24 minutes Michael Wardrope doubled the home side’s lead with an angled shot from inside the box.

HT Auchinleck 2 Glens 0

Connor Boyd made it 3-0 with a header on 58 minutes and turned provider on 64 minutes after keeper David Markey pushed the ball onto the bar only for Kyle McAvoy to bag his brace by firing home the rebound.

Connor Boyd bagged his brace on 76 minutes after slamminb home a rebound and then completed his hat-trick on 89 minutes.

FT Auchinleck 6 Glens 2

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lewis Currie 4. Ollie Rowe (Captain) (14. Craig Pettigrew) 5. Jordan Allan 3. Jared Willet; 7. Cammy Ross 6. Ryan McCubbin 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Jamie Taggart 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen. Subs used: 12. Ryan Walker 14. Craig Pettigrew Subs not used:15. Sam McKee 16. Mason McDougall 17. Darren Jamieson, 21. Keon Thurston (gk).
AUCHINLECK TALBOT
1. Corey Armour 2. Ross Clark 3. Andy Kerr (Andrew Miller) 4. Neil McPherson 5. Aiden Wilson 6. Austin Sime (Scott Schoneville) 7. Michael Wardrope 8. Luke Gillies (Ruaridh Langan) 9. Connor Boyd 10. Kyle McAvoy (Tarek Abed) 11. Ewan Thomson (Alex Nimmo)

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Johnstone Burgh 2 Glenafton 1

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 15
Johnstone Burgh2 (2)M. Kerr, Mason
Glenafton Athletic1 (0)H. Kerr
Sat 01 Feb 2025KO 1:30 pmKeanie Park, Johnstone

Glenafton made three changes to the starting eleven that faced Darvel last Saturday with Cammy Ross, Jamie Taggart and Ollie Rowe (unavailable) making way for Lyall Holding, Jared Willet and Ryan Walker. Meanwhile Evan Maley, Craig Pettigrew and Sam McKee all remain on the ‘injured list’.

In the Johnstone Burgh squad is Glenafton’s 2017/18 Treble winning captain Craig Menzies, a spectator for the day. Despite the overcast weather the pitch looked in great condition in the impressive bowl of Keanie Park.

Shuggy Kerr, captain for the day, kicked off for the Glens.

Burgh were first to threaten on 2 minutes after Ross Smith won the ball deep in the Glens box only for his shot at goal to be blocked by Jordan Allan sending the ball high into the air before Graham Dorrans’ attempt to head home the loose ball was clutched out the air by keeper David Markey.

Glens replied through Michael Mullen gathering the ball inside the Burgh half and pushed forward to the outskirts of the right-hand side of the box before lashing a low diagonal shot from 25 yards out that keeper Luke Scullion did well to get down low and push wide and although Jared Willet chased down the loose ball his shot from the edge of the six-yard box was blocked by the back-tracking Fraser Mullen.

On 14 minutes Chris Erskine gave two defenders the slip on the right-hand edge of the box before cracking a ferocious shot only for Scullion to pull off a great save, leaping to claw the ball away from the near post. Glens recovered the loose ball and won a corner kick which was well cleared.

Back came Glens with Lyall Holding breaking down the right the touchline only to lose out on a 50-50 tackle with the young defender having to be carried off and replaced with Cammy Ross on 18 minutes.

Play continued to flow back and forth at pace without either keeper being tested until the 24th minute. Smith weaved his way to the outskirts of the box to the right of the ‘D’ only to be clipped by Willet. Strangely, the referee sprayed the line for the Glens wall about a foot inside the box and the spot for the free-kick some 6 or 7 yards from the wall (making it more difficult for the kicker probably). However, up stepped Max Kerr to curl the ball over the heads of the leaping wall and beyond the reach of Markey at full stretch before crashing off the inside of the post and into the net. Burgh 1 Glens 0.

The home side’s tails were up and they swept forward in numbers and doubled their tally on 26 minutes. Ross Davidson, loanee from Stirling Albion,  gathered the ball deep in the Glens half and played a slick one-two with Fraser Mullen tight on the right wing before threading a perfectly weighted forward pass into the box for Aiden Gilmartin to take a touch before squaring his pass between two Glens players to Smith who stabbed it back a few yards for Aaron Mason to drill a low shot from just inside the box into the left-hand corner of the goal. Burgh 2 Glens 0.

Burgh kept the pressure on. Graham Dorrans robbed the ball from Erskine before breaking forward only for his shot from 20 yards, under pressure from Allan, drifted wide of the post. Soon after Smith burst down the left to break into the box and although his low angled shot beat the outrushing Markey the ball drifted inches wide of the back post.

At the other end Michael Mullen and Kerr combined to breach into the Burgh box but were quickly outnumbered and the ball cleared up the left wing by Cammie Eadie for Gilmartin to chase down only for Markey to rush from his line and block the striker’s shot from the edge of the box.

Jared Willet clears

On 39 minutes Glens countered down the right from where Mullen cut the ball inside for Ross Lindsay to slip it forward for Erskine to weave his way past two Burgh boys before slipping the ball into the box for the incoming Willet to fire a low diagonal shot as Daniel O’Neill closed in, only for the ball to crash off the post and knocked out for a corner-kick which ended with Lewis Currie’s header drifting wide.

Another passage of possession football from Burgh concluded with Fraser Mullen whipping the ball from wide on the right to the back post where the leaping Ross headed clear as Kerr and Mason waited to pounce.

At the other end Glens won a free-kick tight on the right wing some 25 yards from the bye-line. Ross Lindsay whipped the ball which cannoned off the two-man wall at the corner of the box sending the ball high into the air and although Scullion leapt to clear the ball it bounced off the side-netting and out for a corner-kick that ended with Allan’s header sailing over the bar.

The last action of half ended with Mason’s low shot from 22 yards sail well wide of target.

HT Burgh 2 Glens 0

From the kick-off, Burgh quickly broke upfield with Max Kerr breaking into the left hand side of the box before squaring the ball to Mason to drill a low shot that Markey blocked with his feet and the rebound was cleared.

At the other end Michael Mullen gave two defenders the slip and then threaded a ball between two others to pick out Erskine on the right-hand side of the ‘D’ only for his shot to sail high and wide of target,

Back came Burgh and Gilmartin’s low angled shot from the right hand-side of the box was blocked by the advancing Markey at the expense of a corner on the right which was scrambled clear for a corner on the left which saw O’Neill’s close range header dip over the bar.

Glens then enjoyed a decent spell of possession in Burgh’s half. On 57 minutes Kerr chased down a ball into the box and while leaping to control it, he was pushed from behind on his behind by Gilday sending him tumbling to the ground, but no action from the referee.

Burgh then broke upfield where Markey and Currie combined to rob Gilmartin of the ball on the six-yard line. The ball was quickly returned to the danger area and fell for Max Kerr with seemingly only Markey to beat, but a touch too much allowed Currie to close him down and force him to shoot wide.

A Glens attack broke down at the edge of the Burgh box and the counter attack ended with the lively Mason driving into the right-hand side of the box and although his low angled shot beat the advancing Markey it slipped inches wide of the back post.

Although play continued to flow back and forth the visitors never seriously tested the keeper while the home side constantly posed a threat.

Ryan McCubbin

Smith’s determination won the ball on the right corner of the Glens box and slipped the ball to Gilmartin who managed to break free of a pocket of defenders before lashing a low shot that Markey got down low to push away with both hands.

Another Glens break upfield was pushed back by the Burgh attack while the lethal counter-attack set up Gilmartin in the box with only the keeper to beat, however as Allan closed in, he drilled a low shot from close range wide of Markey’s reach but also wide of the far post – a ‘head in the hands’ moment for the slick striker.

Midway through the half Burgh won a debatable free-kick after Lindsay had stripped Dorrans of the ball on the outskirts of the box.  Davidson curled the kick over the wall, only for Markey to come to the rescue again, getting down low and to push the ball wide, the keeper then punched the ensuing corner-kick from under his bar well clear of his box.

David Markey punches clear

Back came Glens and Allan released Michael Mullen up the left from where he pushed to the bye-line before cutting inside to the edge of six-yard box to clip the ball for the inrushing Kerr only for keeper Scullion to punch clear.

On 73 minutes Glens brought on Jamie Taggart for Ryan Walker while soon after Burgh made triple substitution with Gilmartin, Smith and Kerr making way for Gary McCann, Darren Christie and Kenzie McCrystal

Mason continued to pose a threat and looked certain to score as he broke deep into the box only for Markey to swipe the ball from his feet with a perfectly timed tackle.

On 82 minutes Glenafton made their final change with Mason McDougall coming on for Erskine.

In the closing minutes play continued to rage back and forth and it was the visitors that found net on 90 minutes.

Ross broke up the right, only for his cross for the inrushing Taggart to be intercepted by Kilday, his header sending the ball well clear of the box, which Davidson looked to gather only for McDougall to nick it. The youngster drifted wide right, giving Dorrans the slip, and from the outskirts of the right-hand corner of the box, lobbed a perfect ball high into the box where captain Shuggy Kerr outleapt captain Danny O’Neill on the six yard line to bullet a downward header into the far corner of the net beyond Scullion at full stretch. Burgh 2 Glens 1.

The late goal spooked Burgh and once the team had lined up for the restart Mason on the far side was brought off to be replaced by Malky McDonald and 90 seconds later the referee blew for time.

FT Burgh 2 Glens 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding (12. Cammy Ross) 4. Lewis Currie 5. Jordan Allan 3. Jared Willet; 7. Ryan Walker (14. Jamie Taggart) 6. Ryan McCubbin 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Chris Erskine (15. Mason McDougall) 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen. Subs not used: Darren Jamieson, 21. Keon Thurston (gk).
JOHNSTONE BURGH
1. Luke Scullion 2. Fraser Mullen 3. Kian Gilday 4. Cammy Eadie 5. Danny O’Neill 6. Ross Davidson 7. Aaron Mason (17. Malky McDonald) 8. Graham Dorrans 9. Aiden Gilmartin (16. Darren Christie) 10. Ross Smith (18. Kenzie McCrystal) 11. Max Kerr (14. Gary McCann) Subs: Alan Cook, Callum Law, Blair Rossiter
Match Photos
Johnstone Burgh v Glenafton Athletic
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Glenafton 2 Darvel 2

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 14
Glenafton Athletic2 (0)Kerr, Mullen
Darvel 2 (1)Love, Barbour
Sat 25 Jan 2025KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Massive thanks to Marie Walker for sponsoring the match ball for yesterday’s match.Marie sponsors the match ball each year in memory of her husband and lifelong Glens fan Jim Walker.Marie is pictured before the match, with Darren Jamieson from Glenafton U20’s who was part of yesterday’s match day squad.Thanks again Marie.

Glenafton made four changes to the starting eleven at Tranent last Saturday Lyall Holding, Jared Willet, Sam McKee (injured) and Craig Pettigrew (injured) making way for Cammy Ross. Jordan Allan, Ryan McCubbin and Hugh Kerr. Meanwhile in the Darvel line-up was former Glens player Leon Murphy.

Darvel kicked-off and enjoyed the best of the few chances on show. Glens keeper David Markey blocked a shot from Ally Love and later had the ball in the net but from an offside position. On 37 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock after Connor McGlinchey drilled a low diagonal corner kick from the right for the inrushing Ross Barbour and although his shot was blocked the ball, after a stramash in a packed box, eventually fell for Ally Love to lash the ball into the roof of the net.

Glens responded through Michael Mullen playing a slick one-two with Chris Erskine gathering the return ball, in the right-hand side of the box, before cracking a low shot that beat keeper Andrew Wilson only to bounce off the inside of the far post and cleared. Soon after the keeper palmed away a close-range shot from Ross Lindsay.

HT Glens 0 Darvel 1

The visitors doubled their lead on 57 minutes after winning a corner on the left. McGlinchey clipped the ball into the box where Steven Boyd played it back towards the corner flag under pressure from Lindsay tight on his back, McGlinchley duly returned the ball which deflected off Linday’s hand down at his side. Ross Barbour stepped up and slammed the spot kick low beyond the reach of Markey and into the left corner of the net.

The home side halved the deficit on 62 minutes after winning a shy on the right midway into the Darvel half. Ryan McCubbin returned a short throw to Lewis Currie who then curled a glorious towards the back post by which time Shuggy Kerr had peeled away from his marker to leap unchallenged and send a looping header over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Shuggy Kerr

Back came Darvel with a couple of excellent chances from corner kicks floated in front the right, the first saw Jason Naismith’s effort headed off the line by Jared Willet while the second saw McGinchley meet the ball sweetly only for his shot to crash off the post.

At the other end Lindsay floated a free kick into the box that Kerr met on the drop only for the ball whizzed wide of the far post.

On 89 minutes Glens drew level with a stunning equaliser. Jordan Allan from tight on the left just inside the Darvel half launched a high ball upfield where Michael Mullen watching its flight broke into the box with his back to goal and then timed his swivel to perfection and hook the ball first time past the keeper at full stretch and into the net.

Michael Mullen

In the closing minutes Glens came close to clinching all three points Mullen weaved his way into the right-hand side of the box and squared the ball across the face of goal for the inrushing Kerr only for a defender to force a mishit and the keeper grab the ball.

FT Glens 2 Darvel 2

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Cammy Ross (14. Jared Willet) 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 3. Jordan Allan; 7. Jamie Taggart (12. Ryan Walker) 6. Ryan McCubbin 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Chris Erskine 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen. Subs not used: Lyall Holding, Darren Jamieson, Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
DARVEL
1. Andrew Wilson 2. Ross Barbour (captain) 3. Nick Docherty 5. Jason Naismith 7. Leon Murphy 8. Scott Walker 9. Scott Lewis 10. Steven Boyd 14. Ally Love 15. Archie Graham 22. Conner McGlinchey Subs: 21. Jack Howie 6. Keiran Healy 12. Evan Edgar 16. Johnny Black 17. Aidan Callaghan 20. Cammy Williamson 25. Aidan Laverty

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Tranent 4 Glenafton 3

SJFAScottish Junior CupRound 5
Tranent F.C. 4 (3)Bauld, Hutchings (2) , Girdwood
Glenafton Athletic3 (0)Mullen, Erskine, Ross
Sat 18 JAN 2025KO 2:30 pmForesters Park, Tranent

Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Drumchapel United, some 4 weeks ago, in a league match at Loch Park with Ryan McCubbin (cup-tied) and Evan Maley (injured) making way for Ollie Rowe and midweek signing Jamie Taggart on loan from Partick Thistle.

Glenafton Athletic and Tranent Juniors have previously met four times in the Scottish Junior dating back to Season 1966/67. The 2nd round tie ended in a 3-3 draw at Loch Park with McWatters bagging a brace for the Glens and Carmichael the other while the replay at Foresters Park finished goalless. Rutherglen Glencairn hosted the 2nd replay where McWatters bagged another brace and Nodder Kirkpatrick the other in a 3-0 win.

In Season 1990/91 when Glens triumphed won 2-0 in the 3rd round with goals from Malky Adams and a Malcolm O.G. It was a return to Foresters Park in Season 1994/95 in the 5th Round where Glenafton manager Alan Rough faced a Tranent side managed by Roy Baines, both former keepers having each had spells at Celtic and Hibernian. The Glens looked to be heading out only for Stevie Farrell to score an 87th minute equaliser. The replay at Loch Park proved to be more comfortable for the Glens, running out 3-0 winners with goals from Tom McKenzie, Stephen Quigg and Davie Walker, his son Ryan in the Glens squad today. The fourth meeting, in Season 2001/02 saw the Glens progress to the 3rd round after 2-0 win at Loch Park.

As Tranent Juniors, the club were crowned East of Scotland Champions in Season 2022/23 and after defeating Dalbeattie Star and then Darvel in the play-offs they gained entry into the Scottish Lowland League, changing their name to Tranent F.C.

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of Scott Robertson, Honorary Vice President of the SJFA, who recently passed away.

Glenafton kicked off and play quickly fell into a pattern of back and forth with few chances on show. On 10 minutes Tranent won a corner-kick on the left that Ben Miller curled into a packed box and keeper David Markey cleanly clutched the ball from under the bar.

At the other end Jamie Taggart gathered a pass from Chris Erskine before breaking down the left and whipping a ball into the box for the inrushing Ollie Rowe only for keeper Kelby Mason to intervene and gather the ball. Soon after Erskine weaved his way down the right and clipped the ball deep into box but again Mason mopped up as Taggart closed in.

Back came Tranent through Joe Viola to fire a shot from the 18-yard line that was deflected wide for a corner, although Glens hands were raised in unison for some offence, the kick went ahead. Miller again delivered it into the packed box and it was Euan Bauld that got the crucial touch to force the ball over the line. Tranent 1-0 up on 21 minutes.

Two minutes later the visitors came close to drawing level after Taggart burst down the left before whipping a ball between two defenders into the heart of the box where Michael Mullen got the jump on Jake Hutchings to send a looping header towards the back post, beyond the reach of the keeper scurrying along his line only for the ball to slip inches wide of the post.

Tranent then dominated the remainder of the half with some neat free flowing football. Although a corner kick from the right was just too high for the leaping Danny Handling at the near post it was met a few yards on by Hutchings only for his close-range header to be blocked by Lewis Currie, sending it clear of danger. Viola then gathered the ball at the right-hand corner of the box with Handling teeing up for the cross only for the ball to float high over the bar.

On the half-hour mark Harry Girdwood and Ben Stirling cleverly combined down the right with the latter driving to the bye-line before cutting the ball back to the former to push forward into the six-yard box and with Lyall Holding cloing in he picked out Viola to curl what appeared to be net bound shot only for Markey to dive at full stretch and push the ball wide of the post.

Stirling curled the corner in from the right and the ball skimmed over the head of the leaping Rowe and fell for Jake Hutchings to get between Craig Pettigrew and Currie to bullet a downward header into the net. Tranent 2-0 up on 31 minutes.

Glens responded with a break through the middle only for Mullen to be fouled 10 yards from the penalty box and although the striker curled the ball over the wall it fell kindly into the arms of keeper Mason.

On 34 minutes Glens made a change with Sam McKee making way for Shuggy Kerr who was quickly in the thick of the action breaking down the right and slipping the ball inside to Mullen on the 18-yard line from where he knocked it on to Erskine, to turn 3 defenders before being brought down in the ‘D’. Mullen’s free kick flew over the wall but high and wide of target.

Half-chances came and went at either end before Girdwood was impeded in the Glens box as he tried to force his way between Pettigrew and Ross Linsday.  On 45 minutes up stepped Dean Brett to drill the spot-kick only for Markey pull off a great save pushing the ball wide of the post.

The corner kick from the right was floated to the back post were Rowe won the aerial battle sending the ball behind for another corner which resulted in a goal mouth stramash with efforts from Hutchings and Handling cleared off the line. Viola chased after the ball as it rolled out towards the right-hand side of the box to quickly loft it back into the goalmouth where Kerr’s headed clearance was gathered by Miller at the edge of the box only for his shot to be blocked and the gathered on the left-hand side of the box by Handling who threaded it through to Jake Hutchings on the penalty spot from where he pushed right between two defenders before stopping abruptly to stab the ball into the net. Tranent 3-0 up on 46 minutes.

HT Tranent 3 Glens 0

A shell-shocked Glens had trundled off the park at the break while supporters were at the most hoping for damaged limitations in the second half . Instead, they witnessed one of the club’s finest fightbacks in living memory, albeit they had to endure watching a Tranent corner kick in the opening minute of the half – which was headed clear of the box by Lindsay and gathered by Taggart. The home side continued to press and Miller’s shot from the edge of the box sailed over the bar.

On 51 minutes Glenafton made a change with Jordan Allan replacing Lyall Holding. A minute later the Glens pushed down the right with Taggart who progressed to the 18-yard line before clipping the ball high into box with Kerr and Rowe as targets only for Hutchings to intervene and head the ball upfield where it was met by Michael Mullen to drill a low diagonal shot from 25 yards or more that beat the keeper at full stretch at his back post before bulging the net. Tranent 3 Glens 1 on 52 minutes.

The visitors continued to press as Taggart chased down a ball into the box and although he gave Bauld the slip the keeper was alert to rush from his line to clear. Soon after Taggart gathered a clearance on right and squared the ball inside to Rowe who burst into the box only to be forced wide on the right before drilling a low ball to the corner of the six-yard box for Jared Willet who held of a defender before slipping the ball to Kerr.  Although the striker’s close range shot at the near post was blocked, he quickly recovered the loose ball and holding off defenders he attempted to guide the ball in at the far post, only for it drift wide of the target.

Tranent then enjoyed a decent spell of pressure, particularly down the right with Stirling and Viola whipping balls into the box for Girdwood and Handling respectively only for Pettigrew to clear on both occasions. Another run by Viola saw him reach the bye-line and pick out Handling on this occasion but his header drifted wide of the target.

Glens countered through Mullen bursting down the left and from deep in the box squared the ball into the goalmouth for Erskine only for substitute No.19 to intercept and clear. Back came the visitors and Rowe’s high looping header landed on the roof of the net. Allan then floated a free-kick into the six-yard but beyond the reach of both Kerr and Rowe as it dipped over the bar.

On 71 minutes Tranent came close to regaining a three-goal cushion. Substitute Ross Gray gathered the ball wide on the right and fired a cross to the far post for the incoming Girdwood only for Pettigrew to intercept sending his header high into the air which fell kindly for Handling to meet it on the drop and thunder a left-footed shot that crashed off the crossbar before Girdwood pounced to volley a shot from six yards that Pettigrew cleared off the line only for the ball to rebound off the grounded Girdwood and roll into the hands of the welcoming by Markey.

On 73 minutes Glens brought on Cammy Ross for debutant Jamie Taggart and 30 seconds later the visitors scored another cracker. As Handling broke forward Lindsay robbed him of the ball just inside the Tranent half and drove forward before slipping it inside for Chris Erskine to gather and burst through the middle and after feigning right to go past two defenders, he instead cut inside to tee up a shot between both of them to blast the ball from 25 yards out and although keeper Mason was airborne and at full stretch the ball was already nestling in the bottom right hand corner of the net. Tranent 3 Glens 2 on 74 minutes.

The home side countered and won a corner on the right which was floated into a packed goalmouth where Rowe managed to stoop and get his head to the ball before Lindsay pounced and cleared it from the box. Soon after a corner kick from the left was headed off the line by Allan.

Back came Glens with Ross bursting down the right to whip a ball deep into the box with Rowe, Mullen and Kerr in attendance only for Hutchings to head it clear. Soon after Erskine stripped the ball from Miller and Hutchins at the centre circle before clipping the ball into box where Rowe won the aerial battle and Kerr pounced on the loose ball at the corner of the six-yard box with Hutchings tight on his back as both tumbled to the ground and the ball rolled out of play, while the loud Glens appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears.

On 82 minutes Cammy Ross single-handedly set off on a lethal counter-attack from the centre-circle through the middle with substitute Connor Duthie on his heels, but unable to close the gap. Meanwhile, teammate Kerr was matching his run down the left, marked by Hutchings while Robert McIntyre peeled off to the right to chase down Ross forcing him to drift to the right edge of the ‘D’ before cracking an unstoppable shot from the 18-yard line beyond the reach of the keeper, rooted on the six-yard line, and into the net. Tranent 3 Glens 3 on 82 minutes.

Having drawn level, the Glens celebrations were understandably more animated, both on and off the pitch.

With their tails up the visitors went in search of a winner. Mullen broke down the left and from the bye-line clipped the ball back towards the 18-yard line where Erskine’s shot rebounded off a defender and was quickly mopped up. Allan then launched a long throw from the right to the near post, where defenders and attackers alike had congregated, where the ball was scrambled clear at the expense of a corner. Allan floated the ball into the six-yard box where Hutchings headed it towards the penalty spot from where Ross drilled a low shot that was deflected inches wide of the post.

Lindsay returned to corner-kick duties and floated the ball deep into the goal mouth where the keeper, surrounded with players from both sides and Kerr airborne at the back post, did well to claw the ball away before gathering and with a long throw launched a counter-attack up the left that fizzled out.

Back came the Glens with Erskine and Ross combining down the right to win a shy just short of the corner-flag which Allan propelled high into the box only and Rowe won the aerial battle at the expense of a clash of heads, only for the ball to loop high over the bar.

On 90 minutes it was Rowe from deep in the box that won another corner-kick on the right. After a game of head-tennis, which saw the ball go back and forth into the box, it was cleared with a long punt up the right and although Tranent regained possession to build another attack it was halted by Ross.

Both sides were now going in search of a late winner and it came on 93 minutes. Glens had repelled a Tranent attack forcing them to play the ball back to Dean Prett, wide on the right just inside the Glens half, from where he launched the ball high and deep into the left-hand side of the box where Bauld did well to swipe the ball across the face of goal for Guy McGarry only for Markey to block his shot on the line which fell kindly for Harry Girdwood to stroke into the gaping net. Tranent 4 Glens 3 on 94 minutes.

In the aftermath Jordan Allan was ordered off following an incident. 

Try as they might the Glens were unable to conjure up a late chance in the closing couple of minutes of added time. A real bitter-sweet feeling after such a determined fight back.

FT Tranent 4 Glenafton 3

Good luck to Tranent in the next round.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding (15. Jordan Allan) 5. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie 3. Jared Willet; 9. Jamie Taggart (16. Cammy Ross) 8. Ross Lindsay 6. Ollie Rowe 7. Sam McKee (Hugh Kerr) 11. Chris Erskine 10. Michael Mullen. Subs not used: Ryan Walker, Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
TRANENT
1. Kelby Mason 3. Robbie McIntyre 4. Euan Bald 6. Jake Hutchings 9. Harry Gordon 10. Danny Handling 12. Harry Girdwood 15. Dean Brett 17. Joe Viola 24. Ben Stirling 25. Ben Miller Subs: Used 7. Guy McGarry 11. Conner Duthie 37. Ross Gray
Match Photos
Tranent v Glenafton Athletic

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Glenafton 1 Drumchapel 1

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 13
Glenafton Athletic1 (0)Mullen
Drumchapel United1 (1)Hopkirk
Sat 21 DEC 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, NewCumnock

Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Clydebank last Saturday with the unavailable Cammy Ross making way for Ryan McCubbin, returning from injury.

Despite kicking off against the wind the Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession and won a handful of corner-kicks in the opening 25 minutes.  The most threatening of which saw Ross Lindsay float the ball to the far side of the box where it was hooked clear of the box and gathered by Sam McKee who quickly played a one-two with Lindsay before curling the ball to the back post for the incoming Lewis Currie only for keeper Ryan Scully to get a touch and as the ball was scrambled off the goal-line Jarred Willet’s shot was deflected over the bar and the ensuing corner cleared.

The best chance from open play fell when a defender’s sclaffed clearance sent the ball back into the Drumchapel box and Michael Mullen chased it down before twisting wide of two back-tracking defenders he curled a low shot that beat the diving keeper at full stretch only for the ball to slip wide of the post.

The flood lights were now on as conditions began to deteriorate as the scoreline did for the home side. Drumchapel broke towards the box where Jared Willet raised his knee in an attempt to prevent No. 10 gathering the ball only for him to tumble to the ground and despite the home side pleas the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped David Hopkirk to slam the ball home past keeper David Markey and put Drumchapel ahead on 26 minutes.

The goal sparked a good spell of pressure from the visitors including a shot from 25 yards drilled through a busy box that drifted wide of the post and another that was well held by Markey.

Glens countered and Lindsay on the outskirts of box squared to Evan Maley, his shot flew over the head of the leaping keeper and the bar.

Play then entered a period of back and forth with both sides winning corner-kicks that were comfortably dealt with the respective defences.

HT Glens 0 Drumchapel 1

Drumchapel kicked off against a wind that was getting stronger and they enjoyed a spell of pressure that with crosses into the box but with no takers.

Glens countered through substitute Jordan Allan driving down the left to the bye-line before whipping the ball into the goalmouth where defender and keeper combined to hold off McKee, at the expense of a corner, which Lindsay whipped in from right only for the ball to bounce off the top of the bar and out for goal kick.

Chris Erskine collected ball inside Drum’s half and released McKee on the right to drive forward and curl a ball deep into box as Willet and Mullen arrived, however the keeper did well to clutch it cleanly in worsening conditions.

On 59 mins Erskine gathered the ball inside the Drum half and threaded a forward pass between two defenders to Willet who quickly completed the one-two, for Erskine to drive to the edge of the box, where with the ball at his feet he circled before pinging a ball to McKee breaking down the right, to take a touch before squaring a perfectly weighted pass along the six yard line, taking out 2 defenders,  for the inrushing Michael Mullen to cutely guide the ball wide of the  keeper and into the ne to drwa level.

Michael Mullen with his 10th goal of the season

Another break on the right by McKee saw him forced to cut across the face of the box and lay the ball off to Mullen to crack a ferocious angled shot the Scully got both hands too, and the gathered the loose ball as Erskine threatened.

At the other end Drumchapel broke up the right and the ball was whipped into the six-yard box  only for Markey to clutch and hold as the inrushing striker hoped to pounce on any spills.

The squalls were now blowing horizontal rain from the Glens goalmouth to Drumchapel one both sides deserve great credit for continuing to make a game of it, in such difficult conditions.

The visitors floated a free kick from the right into a packed box where a glancing header was heading wide only for a team-mate to intervene and lash a vicious shot from a tight angle that flew inches wide of the far post. At the other ended Erskine’s shot from the edge of the box sneaked wide of the post.

The rain stopped but the wind continued with Drumchapel fighting fiercely against it, a free kick from the left whipped into box was scrambled clear by the Glens defence.

The home side made another substitution with Ross Lindsay making way for Ollie Rowe.

Scully’s clearance upfield was caught in the wind and McKee was in the right place in the centre circle to cushion the ball on its descent and clip it down the right for Mullen to chase down into the box but his low angled shot flew wide of the post.

The home side came close in the closing minutes following a break down the left from where the ball was floated into the box as  Erskine and Rowe were arriving, only for the cushioned header from Erskine to drift wide of the post.

FT Glenafton 1 Drumchapel 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie 3. Jared Willet; 9. Evan Maley (15. Jordan Allan) 8. Ross Lindsay (14. Ollie Rowe) 6. Ryan McCubbin 7. Sam McKee 11. Chris Erskine 10. Michael Mullen. Subs not used: 16. Brandon Arthur 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
DRUMCHAPEL UNITED
Ryan Scully; Martin Orr (captain), Martin McNiff, Ruaridh McIntyre, Jamie Mills; Greene, David Templeton, Dom McLaren; Kieran Moore, Argyll McCoist, David Hopkirk. Subs: Crawford, Jamie Bradley, Munir Idris

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Glenafton 1 Clydebank 1

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES
WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 12
Glenafton Athletic 1 (0)Mullen
Clydebank1 (0)Mulcahy
Sat 14 DEC 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against Gartcairn last Saturday with Hugh Kerr (injured) making way for Cammy Ross.

In the Clydebank starting eleven was former Glenafton player Lee Gallacher of course the Bankies manager Gordon Moffat is another former Glens player

Glens were first to show as Michael Mullen forced his way into the Bankies box and although surrounded by a clutch of defenders he got a shot away which was comfortably saved by keeper Andy Leishman. Soon after Chris Erskine burst through the middle only to be pulled back by Davie Syme and Mullen’s free-kick trundled wide of the right post.

The tide soon turned though as the visitors pressed time and again.

On 14 minutes Cieran Mulcahy broke down the left before cutting inside, 10 yards short of the bye-line, chipped the ball into the goalmouth and although it was just too high for Lee Gallacher and his guard Jared Willet at the nearside post it took a bounce in the six yard box and fell nicely for the inrushing Nicky Little as keeper David Markey scurried along his line, Little clipped it over his outstretched leg only for the ball to crash off the post.

Back came Bankies, Mulcahy won back-to-back aerial battles knocking the ball towards the ‘D’ for Liam McGonigle to chase with Lyall Holding on his heels before cracking a low shot from 18 yards only for the outrushing Markey to push wide with another outstretched leg then pick himself up to block the inrushing Little’s fierce shot before the loose ball was eventually scrambled clear before Craig Pettigrew launched it upfield.

The home side countered through the lively Erskine who gathered the ball 25 yards out and with his back to goal, a quick turn left Syme stranded before he leathered the ball which whistled past Leishman on his six-yard line and just wide of the post.

Play went back and forth with patient build-ups from both sides.

On 28 minutes Chris McGowan floated a free-kick high from the centre-circle into the Glens box and although Lewis Currie won the aerial battle with Oison McHugh his header was nodded high towards the back post by Dean Cairns where Currie and Pettigrew double-teamed to hold off Syme, Little and McGonigle, only to realise the offside flag had been raised.

Glens countered as Erskine outjumped McHugh to flick on a header for Mullen to gather and drive to the outskirts of the ‘D’ before slipping the ball to Erskine on the edge of the box from where he rolled it back to Evan Malley to drill a low shot from 25 yards out, this too drifted wide of the left post.

At the other end Bankies won a free-kick some 10 yards from the 18 yard-line from where Gallacher clipped it over the 4-man wall into the heart of the goalmouth only for Syme’s header, under pressure from Pettigrew, to fly well-wide of target.

In the closing minutes of the half Bankies won a corner which was cleared only be headed back towards the outskirts of the Glens box where Mullen gathered and with cheeky back heel released Erskine up the left to pick out McKee further up the wing but with his way blocked he played a one-two with Jared Willet before squaring to Maley in the middle who quickly switched play to Cammy Ross who in turn fed Holding on the overlap to whip the ball deep into the goalmouth which took  a bad bounce preventing the inrushing Willet having a shot at goal – great build up though.

The visitors had the final say of the half with a free kick floated high into the box only for Syme’s downward hard to bounce high and fall safely ‘into the arms of Mar(ke)y’ without a Quiver!

Played raged back and forth, now at a pace, but the first half concluded goal-less.

HT Glens 0 Bankies 0

The smirr now coating Loch Park would endure for much of the second half.

Bankies were quick off the mark and forced an early corner kick after some excellent touches in a confined space between Nicky Low, McGowan and McGonigle. Glens defence stood strong and cleared the danger and the second attempt.

The visitors continued to press and won and free 10 yards inside the Glens half which was floated into the box and cleared at the second attempt. Erskine pounced on the loose ball and in flash ghosted up the only seemingly to be pole-axed on the half way-line, play-on waves the ref, only for Ross to gather the loose back and burst up the left only to be pole-axed by Cairns some 8 yards inside the Bankies half, with the ref in no doubt. Willet floated the ball high into the box and the line of combatants drifted back in unison some 6 yards or so, other Michael Mullen who held back waiting to pounce on any clearance and he did so with great aplomb smacking the ball low through a gap in the fragmented line and beyond Leishman rooted 2 yards of his line, into the left-hand corner of the net. Glens 1-0 on 52 minutes.

Back came Bankies and a free kick from wide on the right was launched into the box and the ball took a bounce before heading for the back post where Ross and Mulcahy tried to chase it down only for them both to end up on flat on the ground, Mulcahy staying there for some time in the hope of a penalty while Ross was up challenging the claim as well as the ref’s decision to award a corner-kick! The kick was whipped to the far side of the box where Little had smartly positioned himself for effectively a free header which Markey cleanly clasped with both hands.

The Glens then enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Bankies half albeit without seriously testing Leishman, however the visitors struck back in clinical fashion. McHugh, on the left 10 yards inside the  Bankies half, squared the ball to Syme who then pushed forward to the half-way line before drilling a deadly diagonal ball to Little who in turn threaded a perfectly weighted pass between Maley and Currie into the box, beyond the reach of Pettigrew, for the incoming Cieran Mulcahy to clip it wide of the advancing Markey and into the net. Glens 1 Bankies 1 on 61 minutes.

Glens made a change with Cammy Ross making way for Ollie Rowe while the Bankies brough on James Grant for Chris McGowan.

The visitors’ tails were up and Gallacher burst into the right-hand side of the box before driving along the bye-line and cracking a low shot that Markey blocked with a foot and gathered the loose ball at a crowded post. Soon after Gallacher floated a free-kick into the box only for Syme’s header to looopr over the bar.

On 70 minutes Bankies made a double substitution with Nicky Litte and Liam McGonigle making way for Keir Samson and Craig Truesdale.

Some respite for Glens as Mullen picked up a pass just inside the Bankies half and quickly switched the ball to wide on left for McKee to break down the wing before whipping the ball into the far side of the box for the inrushing Maley only for Leishman to intercept and grab the ball on his six-yard line.

At the other end the visitors passed up a glorious chance of taking the lead when Mulcahy gathered the ball in the box and held off the challenge of Holding only to scoop the ball over Markey and the bar. Bankies continued press only for Glens defence to stand firm.

On 76 minutes Glens brought on Jordan Allan for Sam McKee.

Glens were slowly beginning to get back into the game as am attacking force. Rowe won the tackle on Bankies 18-yard line allowing Erskine to pick up the loose ball and switch it to the left for Allan to blast a low shot that cannoned off a defender and fell for Willet on the 18 yard only for his shot to sail high over the bar.

Allan’s long throw in from the right directed for Rowe was headed wide by Grant for a corner which was played to the near post by for Erskine but although it seemed to be deflected by Cairns a goal kick was awarded.

On 84 minutes Bankies made their final substitution with Lee Gallacher making way for Tiwi Daramola. Glens followed suit and Ryan Walker replaced Ross Lindsay.

Plenty of goalmouth action at either end in difficult conditions as both sides went all out for the 3 points on offer.

On 89 minutes Mullen broke into the box with Hodge on his heels and Syme closing in but still got his shot away which Leishman clutched in difficult conditions.

At the other end Truesdale, from wide on the left, curled a free kick into the far side a packed box where the ball took a bounce and Grant stooped to head into the path of Syme but his shot was blocked by Rowe and Cairns effort to bury the rebound was held by Markey on his line.

Soon after Low and Truesdale combined on the left of the box to set up a low shot for the latter that Markey held at the base of the near post. The keeper then held a Syme header from a Truesdale cross on his line.

In the closing minute Glens had the Bankes pegged back and a throw in was intercepted by who sent a delicate lob to the right-hand side of the box where although McHugh had a head start Erskine chased him down and won the ball a yard from the box and a yard from the bye-line before cutting inside and drilling a low shot from the edge of the 6 yard box only for the advancing Leishman to block with his left foot.

…and yet there was another chance, as Bankies broke upfield with Daramola bursting forward with three defenders tracking back and it was Holding that made a timely tackle which deflected the ball back into the arms of Markey!

A share of the points and the Glens extend their unbeaten run to 6 games (4 wins, 2 draws) while the Bankies maintain their unbeaten league form (8 wins, 2 draws)

FT GLENS 1 BANKIES 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie; 9. Cammy Ross (14. Ollie Rowe) 6. Evan Maley 8. Ross Lindsay (12. Ryan Walker)7. Sam McKee (15. Jordan Allan) 3. Jared Willet; 10. Michael Mullen, 11. Chris Erskine Subs not used: 16. Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
CLYDEBANK
1. Andy Leishman 2. Adam Hodge 19. Chris McGowan (24. James Grant) 16. Oisin McHugh 22. David Syme 23. Nicky Low 7. Lee Gallacher (21. Tiwi Daramola) 8. Dean Cairns 9. Cieran Mulcahy 10. Nicky Little (16. Craig Truesdale) 11. Liam McGonigle (17. Keir Samson). Subs Not Used: 20. Connor Keaney 3. Danny MacKenzie 5. Jamie Darroch
Match Photos
Glenafton Athletic v. Clydebank

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