Glenafton Athletic

Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Gartcairn last Saturday with Kyle Fraser, Jamie Taggart and Evan Maley making way for Lyall Holding, Sam McKee and David Craig.

In the Clydebank starting eleven was former Glenafton player Lee Gallacher and off course the Bankie’s manager was former Glens player Gordon Moffat.

Prior to kick-off Glenafton players, manager and coaching staff formed a guard of honour to applaud Clydebank players, manager and coaching staff on being crowned Premier Division Champions Season 2024/25.

After a fairly even start Clydebank won a corner on left on 4 minutes which Lee Gallacher floated to the back post and was headed out by Ryan McCubbin and cleared by David Craig.

Back came Bankies switching play from wide on the right to wide on the left in a slick regimented fashion – captain Little, Cairns, McGowan & Truesdale – the latter whipping the ball into the box for Little now stationed there, only for captain Ollie Rowe to intercept and the thin blue line cleared the danger, for now!

Truesdale gathered the ball on the left on the 18 yard line and advanced to the bye-line before cutting the ball across the face of the goal by-passing a clutch of defenders and a couple of Bankies at the near post and was met by the inrushing Nicky Little, nicking between two more Glens players, to drill a low angled shot from 8 yards out into the net. Bankies 1 Glens 0, 7 minutes.

Cammy Ross broke down the right, tight on the touchline, leaving Low and McGowan in his wake before whipping a cross into the box for the incoming Michael Mullen only for Matt Niven to launch off the Glens striker’s shoulder and head the ball clear.

Soon after Chris Erskine outleapt the stationary David Syme to knock on a header that Mullen gathered and before Syme got near, fired a shot from 22 yards that was blocked by McGowan.

Bankies countered in a far from regimented fashion this time, beginning with Niven pinging a diagonal pass from just outside the box to McGowan on the left who then rolled the ball into the Glens half to Truesdale tight on the left to lob the ball, between Ryan McCubbin and Lyall Holding, high to the edge of the box where Keir Samson got the jump on Jared Willet to head the ball back to Little to crack a shot from 22 yards that flew high over the bar.

Play raged back and forth before Glens enjoyed a spell of possession in the Bankies half. Ross chased down a ball into the right-hand side of the box before driving towards the bye-line only for his cross into the goalmouth to deflect off the back-tracking Truesdale’s head allowing the ball to drop for Niven to hoof clear. McKee then broke down the right, slipping past Cairns, before chipping a ball high towards the corner of the six-yard box for Mullen, only for Syme to win the aerial battle on this occasion.

On 19 minutes Ross Lindsay stripped Truesdale of the ball on the Glens 18 yard line and clipped it upfield to the half-way line for Mullen to gather and drive forward, cutting inside between Niven and Syme before slipping the ball to Erskine to knock it towards the Bankies box and although he left Syme in his wake, Leishman raced from his line to hoof the ball clear.

Soon after, Holding nicked the ball from Truesdale on the edge of the Glens box and picked out Erskine who released the ball to the half-way line for Mullen to body swerve Niven before squaring to David Craig who quickly slipped it up the left wing for McKee to drive into the box only for the chasing James Grant’s sliding tackle to knock the ball out for a corner.

Lindsay curled the corner kick, high to the outskirts of the six-yard box, but with no takers it rolled out towards the far touchline and although Holding won the race for the ball his attempt to float it into the goalmouth was blocked by McGowan, Holding then gathered the rebound to launch the ball into the box again to be headed clear by Niven. It was Craig’s turn to snap up the loose ball and pick out Erskine to run circles round Little and Truesdale before slipping the ball to Craig who gave the static Cairns the slip on his way into box before releasing Ross down the right to whip the ball across the face of goal falling eventually wide on the left near the corner which was quickly swamped by players from both sides. 

The Bankies had now recovered the ball after a period of sustained pressure by Glens, albeit without the visitors having tested Leishman, and countered in lethal fashion.

Gallacher picked out Truesdale deep in the Bankies box before sprinting upfield by which time Truesdale had launched the ball to Samson, some 10 yards inside the Glens half, from where he clipped the ball back into the Bankies half for the advancing Gallacher to gather and push forward before threading a perfectly weighted ball between two defenders to match Keir Samson’s run into the right hand side of the box, his first touch enough to angle the ball past the advancing Markey into the far side of the net. Bankies 2 Glens 0, 23 minutes.

Five minutes later Gallacher cut inside from tight on the right touchline to ping a ball to Samson in the ‘D’ who tried to play it short for Little but the ball slipped past and fell for McKee but his attempt to square to Ollie Rowe drifted wide and the inrushing Craig Truesdale pounced on the ball to clip it past Markey from the six-yard line. Bankies 3 Glens 0, 27 minutes.

A shell-shocked Glens pushed forward and Ross won a corner on the right which Lindsay floated to the outskirts of a crowded six-yard line where McCubbin won the aerial battle sending the ball high into the air falling for Rowe but his header with his back to goal drifted wide of the post.

Soon after Glens stifled another Bankies attack and countered through Erskine who nutmegged Syme on the centre circle before pushing on and riding a tackle from McGowan only to be floored by Truesdale’s sliding tackle from behind some 6 yards short of the box. Lindsay curled the free-kick over the wall only for Rowe’s glancing header to sail wide of the pack post.

Niven intercepted a cross for Mullen sending the ball high into the air as both players positioned themselves for its descent, a few yards inside the box. The Glens striker had little chance of winning the ball as Niven tightly clenched his upper arm with both hands, to win the header and although McCubbin beat McGowan to the loose ball out by the corner flag. he was pushed in the back. Lindsay floated the free-kick high into the six yard box only for Leishman to come off his line and pluck the ball out the air as Rowe challenged.

On 36 minutes Glens continued to press and Erskine picked out McCubbin who slipped it forward to Mullen on the edge of the ‘D’ although faced with a line of 4 defenders he managed to blast a shot from 18 yards that Leishman, at full stretch, managed to finger-tip the ball inches wide of the post before plucking the corner that followed, clean out the air.

Leishman then launched a long throw down the left for Low to gather before he launched the ball to switch play to the right where Gallacher trapped and dinked the ball into the box for the inrushing full back Grant and although his low angled shot beat Markey, Ross was in hand to clear the danger.

Soon after Bankies added a fourth as Syme pushed forward before picking out McGowan tight on the left to drive forward and whip a great ball into the box where Keir Samson bulleted a downward header into the net from six yards out. Bankies 4 Glens 0, 37 minutes.

Back came Glens through Ross breaking down the right to curl a great ball high into the six-yard box for the inrushing Erskine only for Leishman to leap and gather the ball cleanly.

At the other end Little’s shot from 22 yards out zoomed over the bar although Markey appeared to have it covered.

Erskine then broke into the Bankies half only for the chasing McGowan to take his turn and take the feet from him.   Lindsay played the free kick short to Erskine who skipped past Lowe to break deep into the right-hand side of the box but his cross was headed out for a corner by McGowan which was then headed off the line by Samson.

On 43 minutes Deans brought down Erskine some 32 yards from goal as Bankies built a wall at the ‘D’, up stepped Mullen to leather the ball that flew past the diving keeper and just past the post.

HT Bankies 4 Glens 0

Chris Erskine had picked up an injury and was replaced with Shuggy Kerr at the break.

The Bankies kicked off but it was Glenafton that were first to threaten through Ross bursting down the right touchline and disentangling himself from Truesdale’s grip to whip a cross high into the six-yard box as McGowan closed in for the inrushing Kerr, breaking between Niven and Syme, only for his header to loop high over Leishman and the bar.

Bankies then enjoyed a period of pressure in and around the Glens beginning with Samson drilling a low angled shot from the left-hand side of the box that Markey blocked at the near post at the expense of a corner, while denying Samson his hat-trick. The corner was floated to the far side of the six-yard box where Syme bulleted a header that cracked off the post and bounced off the bar before Little’s attempt to head the descending ball was penalised, possibly a hand ball? Soon after, Gallacher floated a free-kick from wide on the left into the box where the Syme and Samson head tennis ended with the ball going well wide of target.

At the other end Kerr held off Syme and McGowan before laying the ball off to Mullen who released McKee to break down the right before whipping a high ball into the box for the inrushing Kerr and although he outleapt Grant and Niven his header drifted out of play.  

On 59 minutes Bankies brought on Oisin McHugh for Nicky Low and he was soon in the thick of the action as the home side broke into the Glens box in numbers which concluded with Grant’s header falling for McHugh on the 18-yard line to thunder a shot that dipped over the bar.

More changes on 68 minutes saw Bankies replace Lee Gallacher and Chris Truesdale with Liam McGonigle and Aaron Black. The home side continued to press and hat-trick hunter Samson flashed a low angled shot that whizzed inches wide of the post, albeit Markey had it covered.

McKee broke down a Bankies attack deep on the right and clipped the ball to Kerr in the centre-circle who in turn rolled it back to Lindsay before breaking through the middle with Niven for company while Mullen peeled off to the right to collect Lindsay’s pass.  With Niven and Syme covering Kerr at the edge of the box, Mullen cut inside and pushed forward to the right of the ‘D’ only for the back-tracking Cairns to push him in the back, but not with the strength to deter the Glens striker, who then guided a low shot from 14 yards past Syme only for Leishman to fumble and it was Michael Mullen that was first to react to beat both Leishman and McHugh to the loose ball and clip it into the far side of the net. Bankies 4 Glens 1, 72 minutes.

On 75 minutes Glens made a double substitution with Ryan McCubbin and Sam McKee making way for Dean Currie and Ryan Walker.

Mullen continued to torment the Bankies back-line as he gave Niven the slip before breaking into the box only for his shot to fly over the bar.

On 82 minutes Bankies made a double substitution with Danny McKenzie replacing James Grant and Matt Niven making way for Jamie Darroch in his last game for the club before his retirement.

Glens broke down a Bankies attack allowing Willet to gather the ball and drive through the centre circle before slipping the ball wide to Kerr who then cut inside to lash a shot from 25 yards that dipped just wide of the post.

On 83 minutes Glens brought on Kyle Fraser for Cammy Ross.

Bankies broke forward in numbers again and in a busy box Little’s low shot was blocked by Currie while Mullen picked up the loose ball before firing it down the left for Kerr only for McGowan to intercept and head out for a throw.

Lindsay gathered Willet’s shy and clipped the ball forward to Mullen who played it up the wing for Walker who then rolled it back to Willet to lay it off for Craig to cut inside and feed Fraser on the outskirts of ‘D’ and from here he pushed forward before clipping a diagonal pass for Michael Mullen to take a touch before blasting a low shot from 22 yard that took a bounce and beat the Leishmann at full stretch into the far corner of the net. Bankies 4 Glens 2, 87 minutes.

Back came Glens as Craig pounced on Darroch’s chested clearance and slipped it wide to Mullen to burst down the right to the corner of the box to curl a low ball into the far side of the six-yard box but just beyond the inrushing Kerr.

At other end in the closing minute of the game, Samson still hungry for his hat-trick, burst into the right-hand side of the box only for his shot to fly high over the bar.

Into added time and Bankies won a corner which McGonigle floated high into the heart of the box where Darroch won the header sending the ball back towards the right hand side of the box where Kerr headed it clear to the outskirts of the box only for Black to head the ball back into box for Syme to head into the path of the inrushing McGonigle to lay off to Samson with Willet tight on his back who was adamant he got a touch on the ball before McGonigle collided with Samson, leaving his team-mate rolling on the ground clutching his shins.

The referee had a different view and awarded a spot-kick. Jamie Darroch was handed the ball to take his last kick in a distinguished career and ultimately his last goal. Bankies 5 Glens 2, 94 minutes.

Congratulations again to Clydebank, on winning the Premier Division title, worthy Champions.

FT Clydebank 5 Glenafton 2

Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against Shotts Bon Accord last week with Shuggy Kerr making way for Chris Erskine. On the bench was midweek signing Dean Currie on his second spell with the club.

The Troon starting eleven included former Glenafton attacking midfielder Dario Viviani while in the dugout was the former Glens assistant manager Andy Bell and legendary attacking midfielder Craig Bingham.

An early chance for Troon when a free kick from the left was floated to the far side of the box where Mark Morrison headed the ball back across the face of goal for Sam Jamieson to crack a shot that was deflected off Ollie Rowe sending the ball high over the bar.  The corner kick from the right was played short before switching play to the far side of the box where the ball was clipped into the six-yard box to be headed clear by former Troon midfielder Evan Maley.

Morrison from just inside the right-hand side of the box threaded a forward pass between a clutch of defenders for Kyle Gilroy to drill a low angled shot into the net, however from an offside position.

Troon continued to press, breaking forward in numbers with slick passing, without however forcing keeper David Markey into making a save.

Similarly, Glenafton had enjoyed the occasional break up the right wing without any joy, until midway through the half, when the visitors broke the deadlock. 

Cammy Ross bombed up the right with Sam McCloskey in his wake and 12 yards from the bye-line he squared the ball to Michael Mullen on the penalty spot only for the back-tracking Logan Smith to intercept and sliding to knock the ball out for a corner.  Ross Lindsay kick from the right was curled high into the heart of the goalmouth where Mullen on the six-yard line cushioned his header between two defenders towards the back post where Ollie Rowe arrived to slide and guide the ball into the net between Morrison and Jamie Gallacher; Glens 1-0 up 25 minutes.

The goal not only put the Glens in front, for just like nearby Barassie beach the tide was about to turn on Portland Park as the visitors began to enjoy long spells of possession with Ryan McCubbin, Ross Lindsay and Evan Daley in the midfield, Cammy Ross and Jamie Taggart on the wings and Chris Erskine and Michael Mullen spearheading attacks.

However, it was the defence played their part in the Glens doubling their lead after Jared Willet lofted a free kick from the centre circle into the left-hand side of the box for Rowe, only for Luke Watt to get a touch and knock the ball out for a corner-kick.

Lindsay curled the ball high to the back post over a packed six-yard box and although it escaped the grasp of the leaping keeper Burgess it was headed cleared beyond the penalty spot by Smith only for Erskine to meet it on the drop and blast a low vicious shot that deflected off a group of three players and bounce up beyond the reach of Burgess on his six-yard line before being blocked by Morrison’s raised hand, in full view of the referee. Despite the Troon pleas the official pointed to the spot and up stepped Michael Mullen to send the keeper the wrong way, slamming the ball low into the right corner.  Glens 2-0 up on 40 minutes.

The visitors continued to press through McCubbin gathering the ball, just outside the centre circle in the Troon half, before squaring to Taggart on the left to burst up the wing and then twist and turn to shake off Callan Veitch before progressing a few yards from the bye-line to clip the ball to the back-post for Erskine and Ross, both tightly marked, and it was the former that got his head to ball only for Burgess to clutch it on his goal-line.

Troon took brief comfort and a determined break down the left won a corner which the masked Leyton Dunlop floated into the goal-mouth where Markey leapt to punch clear with both hands from which the Glens countered with a lightning attack. Ross gathered the ball wide on the right and released Maley who then cut inside at the half-way line and with Dario Viviani on his heels he slipped the ball to Mullen who with further assistance from Maley pushed forward to the junction of the left-hand side of the 18 yard box and the bye-line to win a corner by deflecting the ball of the shins of Viviani.

The kick was scrambled clear of the box and the ball snapped up by Erskine to send opponents one way and then the other before slipping it wide to Ross on the right who drilled it up the wing for McCubbin to hold off defenders and progress to the corner flag to whip it into the six yard box for Taggart but he was unable to leap as Morrison appeared to have a fistful of his shirt, out of view from the officials.

Troon countered with a break down the left with Viviani trying to make his way into the box only for Kyle Fraser to stand his ground forcing him instad to pick out Dunlop to switch play to the right- hand side of the box for Gilroy only for the ball to drift over the bye-line.

HT Troon 0 Glens 2

Troon kicked off and two minutes later Glenafton came close to adding to their tally with a scintillating move. Erskine gathered inside the Glens half who took Dunlop out of play with a pass to Mullen on the centre spot who squared it right to Ross who quickly cut inside and as McCloskey and Watt threatened, he laid the ball back Erskine to prod it forward towards the box before chasing it down forcing Burgess to race some 16 yards from his line and then get the slightest of touch on Erskine’s chip to deflect the ball out for a corner kick which was cleared.

Glens pegged Troon deep in their own half with Ross’s runs down the right in particular presenting all sorts of problems as Mullen and Erskine hovered about the box.

On 55 minutes Troon made a double substitution with Sam McCloskey and Kyle Gilroy making way for Stephen Bronsky and Dean Fulton. Soon after, a break down the right saw Jamieson drive to the bye-line and chip the ball into the goalmouth for the inrushing Fulton only for Markey to leap and clutch it cleanly.

At the other end Lindsay picked out Erskine on the edge of the ‘D’ to weave deep into the box between Dunlop and Bronsky but the alert Burgess rushed from his line again to strip the ball from striker before getting a shot away.

On 64 minutes the lively Taggart took a sore on the back as he challenged for a ball with Smith, the towering centre-back landing on top of him.

Midway through the half Lindsay floated a free kick into the box where Rowe got the jump on Smith to bullet a diagonal header that left Burgess stranded at the near post only for the ball.

Troon replied in dramatic fashion after Dario Viviani gathered the ball some 25 yards from within a cluster of red shirts in front of him before cracking a superb dipping shot that left Markey rooted to his line as it flew into the net. Troon 1 Glens 2 on 70 minutes.

Glens made a substitution on 72 minutes with the injured Jamie Taggart having to leave and making way for Sam McKee.

Play continued to rage back and forth at a relentless pace while defences remained on top.

On 84 minutes Troon made a final substitution with Jack Allan replacing Sam Jamieson and soon after Glens made a change with Chris Erskine making way for David Craig.

The visitors came close to securing the points on 89 minutes after Mullen blasted a low shot from just shy of 30 yards only for Burgess on his six-yards line to dive at full stretch and finger-tip the ball inches wide of the post.

At the other end a ball from wide on the right was whipped to the back post for the inrushing Viviani only to come within a whisker of getting a touch as Markey rushed across his line. Back came Troon with a break down the left and again the ball fired to the back post for Allan only for Willet to win the duel and head the ball to the outskirts of the box where it was quickly recovered by the home side and fine play for Morrison to fire the ball across the goal only for Markey to smother it at the near post as Fulton and Viviani lurked to pounce.

Evan Maley, who had covered every blade of grass of his former hunting ground had taken a knock and was replaced with Ryan Walker. On 96 minutes Rowe took a sore one in the face in accidental clash of heads.

Tension was high and thoughts drifted back to the game at Loch Park when Shuggy Kerr equalised for the Glens on the 95^th minute in a 2-2 draw.

Troon continued to press and Dunlop from wide in the right whipped the ball high into a packed box where Lindsay won the header sending the ball out for a shy some 18 yards from the bye-line. Watt, recently known for scoring twice straight from the corner, launched the ball high into the six-yard box where Bronsky under pressure sent his header high into the air before descending, with snow on it, behind the net.

30 seconds later, on 98 minutes the referee blew for time, 3 valuable points for Glenafton.

FT Troon 1 Glens 2

A special mention for the Troon physio who treated both the Troon and Glenafton knocks and injuries today.