Beith 1 Glenafton 0

Posted on September 27, 2014 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 4

  • Saturday 27th September, Bellsdale Park, Beith

BEITH JUNIORS 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 0 (0)

Aaron Connolly, having recovered from injury, returned to the starting line-up and partnered Alain Kinney up front while in an attack minded side Glens played with three at the back.

The visitors started brightly in the sunshine at Beith and a Connolly cross from the right cut out by John Sheridan in the opening minute earned a corner which was duly cleared by the home defence. Two minutes later Kinney’s angled drive from was deflected by the outstretched leg of Kevin McDonald deep in the six yard box and Sheridan on hand to lash the loose ball to safety.

Alain Kinney with Stuart McDonald and Paul Frize

Alain Kinney with Stuart McDonald and Paul Frize

Adam Strachan kept the pressure on as he gathered the ball at the centre circle and skipped past one opponent and wrong footed another for a free run down the left flank only for Stuart McDonald to cut out his square ball into the box as Kinney and Connolly waited to pounce. Strachan returned for seconds with a more direct route into the left hand side of the box and although his cut-back was beyond Connolly at the near post, Michael Wardrope at the back post was poised to connect only for Gary Wilson to get a timely contact on the ball. It would be a similar outcome when Jamie McKernon released Daniel Orsi down the right and his cut-back fell betwixt and between Connolly and Cameron Marlow at the either posts.

Adam Strachan on the move

Adam Strachan on the move

On the quarter hour mark the visitors were awarded a free kick tight on the left touchline which was only partially cleared by the Glens defence before the ball fell to Sheridan and although the defender did well to engineer a shot at goal the ball flew just wide of target. Three minutes later an incisive run inside by Connolly ended with a clip from Stuart McDonald and keeper Strain saved McKernon’s 30 yard free kick comfortably. Connolly then ghosted past the other McDonald before lashing the face of goal but just beyond the reach of strike partner Kinney.

Midway through the half Darren Christie’s knock-on header set up Andy Reid to run in on goal only for Chris Meikle to knock the ball from the striker’s feet with a goal saving tackle. The visitors defended Beith’s back-to-back corner kicks before breaking up field with a slick passage of passing play. McKernon picked out Strachan In the centre circle and a surging run took him to the outskirts of the box before slipping the ball to Orsi on the right wing who immediately knocked it down the line to Kinney only for both his first and second attempts to pick out teammates blocked by outstretched legs of defenders and the ball eventually sailing across the face of goal with Strain stranded on the ground.

Jamie McKernon takes control

Jamie McKernon takes control

On 25 minutes Strachan’s free kick from wide on the left saw the ball headed clear to the edge of the box and met by McKernon and his thunderous shot whizzed inches wide of the post and boomed off the advertising hoarding. Glens continued to press and another assault on the Beith box was defended well and the ball gathered by Paul Frize who picked out Reid wide on the right, the striker then launching the ball up the wing for Christie, before continuing his climb up the Bellsdale slope. Christie, now boxed in at the corner by Jamie McGeoghegan, managed to whip the ball into the box where a touch by David McGowan took the sting out of it before it fell for Andy Reid who lashed a low angled drive into the corner of the net beyond keeper Brian McGarrity at full stretch to put the home side ahead on 28 minutes.

Andy Reid leads the charge for the opening goal

Andy Reid leads the charge for the opening goal

Shell-shocked Glens had to be on their toes as Frize combined well with McGowan and then later Christie as the home side looked to double their advantage.

On 37 minutes Kinney’s determination won the ball in the middle of the park and a defence splitting pass picked out Marlow and with only the keeper to beat the Glens top scorer appeared caught in two minds and fired wide of target. The visitors forced a couple of corners that came nothing while at the other end McGarrity comfortably held a Reid free kick and an Christie’s effort from outside the box sailed over the bar. H/T Beith 1 Glens 0

The visitors again started brightly as the sunshine continued to bathe Bellsdale. Orsi made excellent progress up the right flank twice while there were no takers for his first cut-back he found Connolly with his second but the striker’s attempt from 8 yards skewed wide of target. At the other end Christie’s powerful shot from the of the box was blocked by McGeoghegan.

Aaron Connolly and John Sheridan

Aaron Connolly and John Sheridan

On 55 minutes a clever ball from Marlow found Wardrope in the corner of the box who in turn tried to pick out Kinney only for McShane to slide in and clear the ball. A minute later the striker gave McShane the slip to get a shot away from 15 yards out and although it beat the advancing Strain the ball slipped wide of target.

On the hour mark the impressive Sheridan broke down another Glenafton attack and the ball quickly dispatched down the left flank where an excellent pass by Christie took out three defenders and found Joe Bradley with time and space in the box but with the keeper to beat he sliced his shot wide.

Both sides made changes but further clear cut chances were thin on the ground. A free-kick from substitute Darren McGill sailed over the bar at one end while Reid blasted wide at the other.

With 15 minutes to go Strachan released Orsi in the box only for his square ball for Kinney to be cut out by Frize and from the resultant corner Meikle’s header looped over Strain’s bar. Five minutes later the keeper flapped at a Strachan corner-kick but the loose ball fell kindly for the home defence and Nicky Docherty and Wilson combined to clear the danger.

Daniel Orsi

Daniel Orsi

As the visitors pressed for the equaliser Beith broke at pace down the right through McGowan who then played the ball infield for Docherty in turn to release Frize for a run into the box only for Ryan McChesney to time his tackle to perfection and keep the visitors hopes alive.

However, the Glens couldn’t penetrate the Beith box and a couple of late chances from free-kicks at the edge of the box didn’t test the keeper. F/T Beith 1 Glens 0

Beith Juniors: Strain, McShane, Wilson, K. McDonald, Sheridan, S. McDonald, Bradley, Frize, Christie,. Reid, McGowan Subs: McKeown, Docherty, McKay, Ryan, Calder (GK)

.
Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McChesney, McGeoghegan, Meikle; Orsi (Reilly), Strachan, McKernon, Wardrop (McGill), Marlow; Kinney & Connolly. Subs. McEwan, Menzies, Adam

More photos here

Posted in GAFC Fixture | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Beith 1 Glenafton 0

Petershill 4 Glenafton 3

Posted on September 13, 2014 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 3

  • Saturday 13th September, Petershill Park, Glasgow

PETERSHILL 4 (3)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

Alain Kinney

Alain Kinney

The visitors raced into the lead with Alain Kinney heading home a Daniel Orsi cross with only 10 seconds on the clock. Peasy picked themselves up and were soon back on level terms through a Scott Sally header before on 27 minutes a solo effort from Richie Burke put the home side ahead. From the kick-off Glens forced their way upfield and Kinney was felled in the box, the striker stepped up to slot home the spot-kick for his 5th goal in five games.

Midfielder Tony Stevenson restored the home side’s advantage with a 25 yarder that flew into the top corner beyond the reach of keeper Brian McGarrity. Astonishingly, the Glens almost squared matters when Pat Walker, on for the injured Adam Strachan, raced clear but keeper Steven McNeil pushed the ball on the post and collected the rebound before Kinney closed in. H/T Peasy 3 Glens 2

Glenafton had the better of the second half in terms of possession with Jamie McKernon pulling the strings. With 17 minutes to go the visitors got back on level terms after a fine passage of passing play ended with Cameron Marlow slotting home the equaliser. The New Cumnock side continued to dominate and went in search of a winner only for substitute Robert Wright to smash home a screamer of stoppage time winner from 25 yards out . F/T Peasy 4 Glens 3

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McEwan, McChesney, McGeoghegan, Cairns; Orsi (Connolly), McKernon, Wardrope, Marlow; Kinney & Strachan (Walker) Sub not used: Reilly.

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Petershill 4 Glenafton 3

Glenafton 1 Hurlford 3

Posted on September 6, 2014 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 2

Saturday 6th September , Loch Park, New Cumnock.

Glenafton began with the same starting eleven for the third game in a row as they hosted Hurford in their first home league game of the season. The early chances fell the way of the visitors with the first coming in 3 minutes when a header by Danny Mitchell from a Paul McKenzie free-kick whizzed over the bar from close range. Five minutes later Ross Robertson’s angled shot from the corner of the six yard box was parried well by Brian McGarrity. The home side counter-attackedimmediately with Cameron Marlow’s pass releasing Adam Strachan down the left at pace only for his cut-back to be partially cleared by Neil McGregor before Alan Cairns returned the ball into box where it was cleared again at the expense of a corner-kick. This came to nothing as did the ‘Ford’s corner-kick a minute later.

On 13 minutes a glorious Glenafton passing move paved the way for the home side taking the lead. Alain Kinney collected a short throw at the half way line on the left flank and with little chance of progress upfield he played the ball back across field to Craig McEwan deep on the right. The full back played a neat one-two along the touchline with Daniel Orsi before then picking out Kinney, now wide on the right and with McGregor at his back, who clipped a clever ball for the overlapping Michael Wardrope to run unchallenged into the box and then tempt Ally Brown from the line before lashing home a left footer.

Two minutes later and Orsi wide on the right laid the ball to the incoming McEwan who thundered a low drive from the corner of the penalty box which Brown was relieved to watch zoom wide of the post. Meanwhile Hurlford huffed and puffed in front of goal as they created a number of chances that came and went including on 28 minutes another Mitchell header from a free-kick that narrowly missed its target. At the other end Strachan swapped from left to right flank and back again but with little reward other than corner-kicks that were well defended. The last chance of the half fell to Hurlford when another McKenzie free-kick from the corner of penalty box was floated to the back post only for Robertson’s header go the way of Mitchell’s earlier efforts.

HT Glens 1 Hurlford 0

The first chance of the second half fell to Glenafton within a minute of the restart when Wardrope released Jamie McKernon who in turn picked out Marlow in the far side of the box only for his shot to be well held by Brown. At the other end Watt curled his shot from the edge of the box over the bar. On 52 minutes Brown clutched McEwan’s cross out of the air and then beat Strachan to the chase as he hunted down another Glens’ ball into the box. The keeper fluffed the clearance allowing Kinney to pounce on the loose ball and run in on goal only for Brown, by this time at the edge of his box, to block the striker’s shot and send the ball soaring into the air and although Strachan met it first time as it descended his volley flew wide of the empty net.

Two minutes later an Orsi ball through the middle for Wardrope to chase caught the ‘Ford defence flat-footed, however as the young midfielder entered the box the back-tracking Chris Robertson timed his tackle to perfection and although the loose ball was gathered by Strachan his cross to the back post was cleared. The visitors responded in clinical fashion. Paul Cameron wide on the right flashed a ball across the face of goal and although McGarrity got a hand to Ross Robertson’s header the ball finished in the net to tie the scores on 56 minutes. Soon after Glenafton replaced Cameron Marlow, who had sustained a cut-eye in the first half, with Chris Meikle but within a minute found themselves a goal behind.

On 63 minutes Chris Robertson soared high above the Glens’ defence to bullet home a powerful header goal-ward only for McGarrity to get a fantastic fist to the ball to send it high into the air and Neil McGregor then pounced to head beyond Cairns on the line. Five minutes later McKernon got in behind the visitors’ defence and from 8 yards out Meikle crashed his cut-back off the underside of the crossbar, only for an offside-flag to slightly dampen the agony.

The uphill task got decidedly steeper for the home side on 71 minutes after McEwan earned a second yellow card for a tackle on Ross Robertson and the home side reduced to 10 men. Nevertheless Glenafton rallied and Kinney forced his way into the box but was shut out by the two Robertsons. Strachan them made a fantastic run from deep in his own half but just over ran the ball as he tried to skip past McGregor in the box. Although Hurlford continued to threaten the game was still in the balance and Glens brought on Pat Walker for Wardrope. Kinney engineered a shot from inside the box that Brown dealt with comfortably. Try as they might the 10 men couldn’t fashion an equaliser. Hurlford had the last say in the last minute through an unlikely source. McKenzie menaced his way through the box to the bye-line to cut the ball across the face of goal for Paul Cameron on hand to slam the ball into by the way of a ricochet off Meikle and over the head of the keeper

FT Glens 1 Hurlford 3

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kilbirnie 1 Glenafton 3

Posted on September 3, 2014 by flowgently

Ardagh Glass Cup Semi-final

Wednesday 3rd September, Valefield Park, Kilbirnie

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

Glenafton fielded the same starting eleven that kicked off in the win over Clydebank on Saturday and talking off fields Valefield looked in great nick in the evening sunshine. The home side got off to a flyer and took the lead within 2 minutes. The Glens cheaply conceded a corner-kick which was duly won by the head of Darren McLean and although keeper Brian McGarrity got a hand to the ball it ended in the back of the net.

Kilbirnie celebrate the opener

Kilbirnie celebrate the opener

Although play was end to end there were too many stray final passes resulting in a scrappy period of play in which neither side created any real chance of notes. Eventually the visitors began to get the upper hand and earned a number of set pieces that were well defended until the equaliser was fashioned on 22 minutes. A Jamie McKernon corner-kick from the right was met by the head of the airborne Ryan McChesney, launched from near the penalty spot, and his looping header found that sweet spot between the head of the defender on the near post and the crossbar before the ball bulged the net.

Chessy's header heading for the net

Chessy’s header heading for the net

Ladeside struggled to recover from the blow as the Glens took heart and continued to press with McKernon pulling the strings in the middle of the park. Former Glens keeper Chris Fahey blocked an effort in the six yard from the bustling former Kilbirnie striker Alain Kinney. In a flash Daniel Orsi and Adam Strachan combined down the left , the latter whipping the ball to the back post where Cameron Marlow’s acrobatic volley whizzed over Fahey’s head and over the bar. Strachan, down the left again, slipped the ball to Alan Cairns and his cross to the back post was headed across the face of goal by Orsi creating a moment of tension between Kilbirnie’s keeper and defender before the ball was cleared.

The Jamies - McKernon and McGeoghegan

The Jamies – McKernon and McGeoghegan

On the half hour mark McKernon picked out Kinney deep in the box and his shot blocked by a wall of defenders, a Ladeside leg then prevented Strachan lashing home the loose ball. The ensuing corner initiated a game of head tennis with Marlow’s header headed clear and Jamie McGeoghegan’s return header clinched by Fahey.

Alain Kinney puts the Glens in front

Alain Kinney puts the Glens in front

The goal that was on the cards was dealt on 38 minutes beginning with a measured chip from Kinney deep in his own half that was gathered by Marlow on the left hand side of the box before turning back with the ball, leaving a defender for dead, and then rolling it to the 18 yard line where it was reunited with Alain Kinney and drilled low and hard shot and wrong footing Fahey before nestling in the net.Kilbirnie countered with a corner kick only for the shot at the near post to edge wide of target. HT Kilbirnie 1 Glenafton 2

Following an early free-kick played into the box which saw a handful of Glens players beat the offside and yet unable to engineer a shot at goal it was the home side that found a second wind and went in search of what had seemed an unlikely equaliser.

A series of angled flashing shots from inside the box got progressively closer target while Brian McGarrity was far the busier of the two keepers. Midway through the half Kilbirnie won a free kick on the edge of the box and although the ball beat the wall McGarrity showed a clean pair of hands to cleanly gather the ball in the line.

Adam Strachan on the ball

Adam Strachan on the ball

Although the visitors created a couple of half chances it is fair to say their third goal netted on 71 minutes came against the run of play. Pat Walker who had replaced Orsi minutes earlier and with his back to goal collected the ball deep in the box form Marlow after determined play down the flank. A twist and a turn left him and his marker on the ground, only after he had skilfully guided the ball into the path of Adam Strachan to drive the ball home from a few yards out beyond the frozen Fahey.

Adam strachan makes it 3-1

Adam Strachan makes it 3-1

Five minutes later the game took another twist after Kinney earned a second yellow card for a rash tackle and the Glens reduced to 10 men. Nevertheless the two goal cushion rejuvenated the visitors and they were eager to add to their tally. Ladeside carved out a few chances of their own, including another free kick from the edge of the box, which although curled beyond the wall sailed over the bar. In the closing minutes frustrations surfaced and Ladeside were reduced to 9 men for picking up their second bookings.

FT Kilbirnie 1 Glenafton 3

.

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McEwan, McChesney, McGeoghegan, McEwan; Orsi (Walker), McKernon, Marlow, Strachan (Meikle); Kinney and Wardrope Sub not used : Thomson

More photos here

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Kilbirnie 1 Glenafton 3

Clydebank 1 Glenafton 2

Posted on August 30, 2014 by flowgently

Stagecoach Western Super League Premier Division : Match 1

  • Saturday 30th August, Holm Park, Clydebank

CLYDEBANK 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (0)

Glens battle back to beat Bankies

Glens made a couple of changes from the starting eleven at Whitletts on Wednesday with full back Alan Cairns returning from injury and Alain Kinney making his first start of the season, having come off the bench mid-week to score a late equaliser. Young Klark Thomson started in the bench while Pat Walker was unavailable for selection.

A lively start to the much saw a Kinney header from the corner of the six yard box flash wide of the back post. Both keepers then dealt comfortably with free kicks before the Bankies stormed into the lead on 5 minutes and in some style.

Scott Walker released Stevie Gardiner down the right flank who then played the ball quickly onto Jamie Campell and after twisting and turning in the box past two Glens defenders he returned it to Campbell only for his attempt to set up Reece Paterson for a tap-in that was blocked by Craig McEwan but a perfectly placed Jordan Shelvey fired home the loose ball.

Bankies take the lead

Bankies take the lead

Campbell weaved his way through the Glens box again to tee up a shot which was comfortably held by Brian McGarrity. The keeper then pulled off another fine save after a cute pass from Gardiner had set up Paterson for an angled shot. The Bankies tails were well up and with Ian Gold on one flank and Gardiner on the other they were giving the visitors plenty of food for thought while in stark contrast the visitors were being starved of access down their flanks and any chances being created from these sources.

Daniel Orsi with Ian Gold

Daniel Orsi with Ian Gold

Kinney was having some success through the middle and on 18 minutes his good run was ended on the edge of the box by a crunching tackle from Paul Bell. The resultant free-kick cannoned off the Bankie’s wall and cleared for a corner-kick which was defended well and in a flash Shelvey set off on the counter-attack only for his long range effort to end well wide off target. A minute later and Gold picked up the ball deep in his own half on the left before driving for the centre circle and releasing Gardiner wide on the right, who then cut into the box and although his low drive beat McGarrity it finished wide of the back post.

Ryan McChesney challenges Ian gold

Ryan McChesney challenges Ian gold

Glenafton enjoyed their best spell ten minutes before the break. Former Bankie Adam Strachan tried his luck from distance and  keeper Robert Hamilton, wrong footed by a deflection, was glad to see the ball goes inches wide. Two minutes later Strachan’s short corner initiated a game of head tennis in the Bankies box before the ball was cleared only for it to be gathered by Michael Wardrope and his shot from 25 yards pulled off a great save from the keeper, Hamilton at full stretch pushing the ball past the post. This corner too was only partially cleared before Jamie McKernon recovered the ball on the outskirts of the box and his snap shot finished wide of target.

Alain Kinney in control

Alain Kinney in control

On 39 minutes the hosts had loud appeals for a penalty after the ball struck the outstretched arm of Jamie McGeoghegan and soon after another wicked cross from Gardiner was headed clear at the near post by McEwan as Shelvey looked to bag his brace.

HT Bankies 1 Glens 0

Following the break the opening encounters were much more encouraging for the visitors with Daniel Orsi having an early shot at goal that was held well by the keeper. Strachan made an excellent run down the left, getting to the bye-line for the first time, and his cut back causing some uncertainty in the Bankies defence before the ball was cleared.

'He's Off - Darren McGill takes out 3 Bankies'

‘He’s Off – Darren McGill takes out 3 Bankies’

On 55 minutes Darren McGill came on for Orsi and the midfielder was soon in the thick of things. Another lung bursting run down the left by Strachan ended with a cut-back to McGill who hammered the ball from the edge of the box only for the ball to be blocked by Andy Paterson. Two minutes later McGill was the architect of Glenafton’s equaliser after picking up the ball from McEwan wide on the right in his own half. Powering his way down the wing he shrugged off the challenge of Gold and then skipped past two other Bankies (as they collided at the touch line) and although his cross into the box was cut out by Bell the defender’s clearance was snapped up by Strachan who with the deftest of touches rolled the ball into the path of Cameron Marlow and in an instant he curled a left-footed drive into the net beyond Hamilton at full stretch.

Cameron Marlow curls home the equaliser

Cameron Marlow curls home the equaliser

Match all square on 62 minutes. Four minutes later, the visitors took the lead in text book fashion. After gathering a Cairns throw-in deep on the left Strachan left Graham Mort for dead before making for the bye-line and whipping the ball to the back post where Alain Kinney, head and shoulders above two defenders, bulleted a downward header off the ground and into the net.

Alain Kinney heads Glens ahead

Alain Kinney heads Glens ahead

With 15 minutes to go Glens were forced to replace Darren McGill, who had sustained a couple of knocks, and bring on summer signing Chris Meikle, in his first appearance for the club. The sting and zing had gone out of the Bankies play and the visitors were looking the more inventive of the two sides. Nevertheless the home side still created a few chances that McGarrity dealt with comfortably, while set pieces lofted into the box were inevitably won in the air by Ryan McChesney. Another burst of speed by Strachan, this time through the middle, set up Marlow on the left and his cut back found Kinney, only for his turn and shot to be blocked by Andy Irvine.

Adam Strachan and Paul Bell

Adam Strachan and Paul Bell

With five minutes to go Cameron Marlow was replaced by Klark Thomson and as the game drew to a close each side had a chance to add to their tally. For the visitors Strachan’s lob from 30 yards, after an outrageous piece of keepy-uppy, dipped over the bar. While for the home side Graeme Ramage cut the ball back from the bye-line intended for fellow substitute Joe Andrew at the near post only for McGarrity to dive bravely at his feet and gather the ball safely. FT Bankies 1 Glens 2

.
Clydebank: Hamilton; Walker, Irvine, Bell, Paterson; Gardiner, Pearson (Ramage), Mort, Gold; Shelvey (Andrew) & Campbell

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McEwan, McChesney, McGeoghegan, Cairns; Orsi (( McGill) (Meikle)), McKernon, Marlow (Thomson), Strachan; Kinney & Wardrope Subs nout used. Johnstone (GK)

More photos here

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Clydebank 1 Glenafton 2

Farewell Fin

Posted on August 28, 2014 by flowgently

‘Glenafton  have reluctantly accepted a bid from Pollok for centre midfielder Findlay Frye. There was a fair bit of interest from other clubs but Finlay has decided to help Pollok in their promotion bid following their relegation last season. After the sad news that ex Glenafton captain Willie Howie has again tore his cruciate ligament the Newlandsfield side consider Fin was the perfect replacement and everyone at the Glens wishes Willie well with his recovery.

aa_a_fin

Findlay asked me to state he cannot thank the Committee , supporters and all the players for a tremendous time at a tremendous club, he also said it was the best time of his football career and will never forget the support he got in his time at Glenafton,‘

We at Glenafton wish Findlay all the best with his new club and have no doubt he will have the same effect with the Pollok support as he had on those the “Glens”

John Stewart, Club Secretary

aa_a_fin02Findlay quickly made a huge impression on the Glenafton support with a tenacity, passion and fighting spirit that epitomised our season.

He made 42 appearances for the Glens and scored 5 goals including the unforgettable winning goal against Camelon in the semi-final second leg of the Scottish Junior Cup Final.

 

DSC_0434

 

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES FIN   ….. more photos here

 

 

Posted in GAFC Squad | Comments Off on Farewell Fin

Whitletts 2 Glenafton 2

Posted on August 27, 2014 by flowgently

Wednesday 27th August,  Dam Park, Ayr

Ardagh Glass Sectional Cup Quarter-Final

WHITLETTS VICTORIA  2 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (0)

  • Glenafton win 2-0 on penalties

Drama at Dam Park as Brian holds back the Vics

Glenafton travelled to face Whitletts in the Ardagh Cup Quarter-final and could name only two substitutes as the injury list continue to take its toll. Bodies may be thin in the ground but the same couldn’t be said about chances as the New Cumnock side started off strongly. In the opening minutes shots from both Pat Walker and Craig McEwan tested Keith Ross, the keeper spilling the latter which resulted in back to back corners kicks for the visitors.

Vics responded with a corner kick of their own on 6 minutes that found former Glenafton striker Jim Wilson at the back post and his powerful volley was pushed behind the post by Brian McGarrity, the keeper then rising to cleanly clutch the resultant corner.

Thoughts of an end-to-end game quickly evaporated as Glenafton took control of the match. Jamie McGeoghegan picked out Walker in the box and his first time shot from 8 yards was well held by the keeper. On 11 minutes Walker turned provider after turning three defenders in the box and rolling the ball back from Cameron Marlow only for his measured shot to skim of the top of the bar.

Cammy's (far left) shot skims the bar

Cammy’s (far left) shot skims the bar

Five minutes later Strachan’s pace down the left took him to the bye-line and Ross showed a clean pair of hands as Michael Wardrope waited to pounce. A rare break saw the home side  break up the park but McGarrity’s bravery saw him beat Tony Balfour to the ball.

Glens responded with Strachan and Walker combining to pick out Wardrope and in a flash the young midfielder leathered the ball from the right corner of the 18 yard box, Ross happy to see it whiz past the post.

Michael Wardrope with Cameron Marlow in support

Michael Wardrope with Cameron Marlow in support

Just before the half hour mark Jamie McKernon clipped the ball into the box where Walker got the jump on the Vics defence and skipped by the outrushing Ross only for the back-tracking Lee Holland to make a goal-saving tackle on the six yard line with the empty net beckoning. The chance was still alive and young Klark Thomson knocked the ball to the back post for Strachan but Martin Lawrie kept his composure to clear the ball over his own bar.

The corner-kick was cleared and Balfour bombed down the left wing before crossing for Michael O’Connor but his shot was comfortably gathered by McGarrity. Buoyed by the chance Whitetts then won a free-kick at the edge of the box and Tony Balfour belted the ball low and hard beyond the Glens’ wall and into the corner of the net, to put the home side ahead on 32 minutes.

Tony Balfour beats the Glens wall

Tony Balfour beats the Glens wall

Shell shocked Glens bounced back and three minutes later Strachan’s cross from the right found Walker but his header from the six yard line to crashed off the bar. The visitors continued to press and although they created a host of chances from open play and corner-kicks alike the keeper was seldom tested and the Vics went in at the break a goal to the good. HT Whitletts 1 Glens 0

Goalscorer Balfour lasted only a few minutes of the new half and Glens also made changes with Darren McGill replacing Thomson and Alain Kinney, in his first appearance of the season, came on for Cameron Marlow. In between times, in a game which was now more evenly balanced in terms of possession, Whitletts came close to extending their lead only for Daniel Orsi to head the ball clear from under the bar following a wickedly taken corner-kick.

aa_pat

Pat Walker celebrates the equaliser

Glens continued to win corners too and number ten had come and gone by the time the visitors drew level on 72 minutes. A neat flick on by Kinney was gathered by Pat Walker and with a defender either side of him he kept his cool and from 20 yards out guided the ball beyond the out-rushing Ross into the corner of the net.

Three minutes later McGill’s cross from the right was met by Kinney, airborne at the edge of the six yard, but his header looped over the bar. Another McGill cross was intercepted in the Vics’ box and in an instant the home side broke up the right flank courtesy of the fresh legs of substitute Shaun Allan, just on the park,  who set up Michael O’Connor to fire home in some style and put the home side ahead again with ten minutes to go.

Adam Strachan gives Jim Wilson the slip

Adam Strachan gives Jim Wilson the slip

Glenafton dug deep, pressed tirelessly for the equaliser and looked to have engineered a great escape with a minute to go when Walker wriggled his way into the box to lay off the ball to McGeoghegan who drilled the ball from the corner of the six yard box only for the advancing Ross to make a fantastic block.

Alain Kinney (far right) lashes home a late equaliser

Alain Kinney (far right) lashes home a late equaliser

A minute into added time and claims for a penalty fell on deaf ears after Walker’s strike was stopped by a defender’s hands. Still the visitors kept going and on 93 minutes Wardrope played a clever ball to Strachan who stole to the bye-line, taking two defenders with him, before cutting back an inch perfect pass to the incoming Alain Kinney to lash a left foot shot from 12 yards out through a clutch of players and beyond the clutches of Ross into the net for a richly deserved equaliser, with what was all but the last kick off the ball. FT Whitletts 2 Glenafton 2

Shoot-out star Brian McGarrity saves another

Shoot-out star Brian McGarrity saves another

However, the drama was far from over and in an incredible penalty shoot-out Glens keeper Brian McGarrity saved four penalties in a row. Adam Strachan and Jamie McKernon fired home their spot-kicks either side of Craig McEwan’s effort thundering off the cross-bar to secure a 2-0 shoot-out victory over the Vics.

Whitletts Victoria: Ross ; Longair, Lawrie, Buchanan, Holland, Love ,Hanvey (Ewart), Kerr (Allan), O’Connor, Wilson , Balfour (Wallace) Subs (not used) Nisbet, Patterson

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; Orsi, McGeoghegan, McChesney, McEwan; Thomson (McGill), McKernon, Wardrope , Strachan; Walker & Marlow (Kinney)

More photos here

Glenafton will travel to play the winners of Kilbirnie Ladeside v Irvine Meadow in the semi-final next Wednesday 3rd September.

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Scottish Junior Cup 1st Round Draw

Posted on August 26, 2014 by flowgently

Glenafton Athletic  received a bye in the draw for the 1st round of the Scottish Junior Cup made at Pollok this evening.

  • The ties will be played on Saturday 27th September

Scottish JunioCup1stround

 

Posted in GAFC Fixture | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Scottish Junior Cup 1st Round Draw

Lugar 0 Glenafton 6

Posted on August 23, 2014 by flowgently

Ardagh Glass Ayrshire Sectional League Cup

Section 4: Match 5

Saturday 23rd August,  Rosebank Park, Lugar

LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE  0 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (6)

Ryan Campbell

Ryan Campbell

Glens travelled to Lugar with a depleted squad following call-offs from Alan Cairns, Findlay Frye and Adam Strachan while Aaron Connolly, although also on injury list, was suspended. Partnering  Pat Walker up from was trialist Ryan Campbell from Glenafton U19s, while two more of his U19s team-mates were on the bench.

With both sides of 7 points , the winner would go through to the knock-out stage, while a draw would see the Glens go through unless Cumnock could beat Muirkirk and by some margin in their match at Townhead.

Of course in the corresponding fixture last season Lugar enjoyed a remarkable 7-1 victory over the Glens but although the winning margin was again by six goals it was the New Cumnock side that emerged the victors.

Squad: Cameron Marlow

Cameron Marlow

It was Pat Walker, on his return to his old stomping ground, that put the Glens ahead before Cameron Marlow doubled the visitors lead before the break.

After the re-start Ryan Campbell rattled in a brace to put Glenafton in control . A late double from Cameron Marlow to complete his hat-trick made it 6-0 and sent the Glens through to a quarter-final meeting with Whitletts at Ayr.

.

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; Orsi, McChesney, McGeoghegan, McEwan (trialist); Thomson, McKernon (trialist), Wardrope, Marlow; Walker & Campbell

Other Scores: Cumnock 16 Muirkirk 0, Kello 1 Auchinleck 4

ArdaghTable

.

 

Posted in GAFC Fixture | Leave a comment

Glenafton 1 Auchinleck 2

Posted on August 20, 2014 by flowgently

Ardagh Glass Ayrshire Sectional League Cup

Section 4: Match 4

Wednesday 20th August,  Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC  1 (0)

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (1)

After each side had created a half chance in the opening encounters the Glens came close to opening the scoring on 10 minutes after Pat Walker slipped the ball into the box for Aaron Connolly to twist and turn and leave a string of defenders as spectators before firing for goal from close range only for keeper Andy Leishman thrust out a strong right arm to push the ball wide of the post.

Andy Leishman saves from Jamie McKernon

Andy Leishman saves from Jamie McKernon

The resultant corner kick was won in the air by defender by Mark Campbell and the ball eventually cleared to the outskirts of the box to be met by Jamie McKernon to unleash a thunderbolt from 25 yards but again Leishmann performed heroics and launched himself to push the ball over the bar for another corner.

Just as the home side started to stamp their authority on the match the visitors caught them cold and got their noses in front on 17 minutes. David Gormley deep in the Glens half gathered a short throw tight on the right hand side and despite being seemingly trapped on a pocket of three white shirts managed to whip a ball towards the back post where Graham Wilson got the jump on Ryan McChesney to glance a header beyond Brian McGarrity and into the net.

The Glens recovered quickly and were soon taking control off the game. McKernon was calling the shots in the middle of the park while Adam Strachan’s pace was forcing defenders to back-off as the home side pressed for the equaliser.

Aaron Connolly on the move

Aaron Connolly on the move

Countless corner-kicks were won which seldom varied in outcome with an uncharacteristically uncertain Talbot defence struggling to clear their lines; but clear them they did as the Glens struggled to seriously test Leishman again. Indeed, a minute before the break the visitors almost punished their hosts again as a Keir Milliken cross from left hand side picked out William Boyd in the six yard box only for Walker’s presence to do enough to force the midfielder to head high over the bar.  H/T Glens 0 Talbot 1

Within five minutes of the re-start the home side carved out a great chance. Daniel Orsi gathered the ball on the right and took out two defenders to feed Cameron Marlow’s clever run into the box where he gave Campbell the slip before angling the ball beyond the reach of the advancing Leishman but also inches wide of the post.

Adam Strachan with Aaron Connolly in suport

Adam Strachan with Aaron Connolly in suport

Two minutes later and Orsi down the right flank slipped the ball past defender Gordon Pope for Craig McEwan to burst into the space and whip a glorious ball across the face of the goal but again Leishman leapt high between Connolly and Walker to grab the ball cleanly and quickly initiate a Talbot attack . Deep and wide on the left Gormley fended off McChesney to lay the ball off to Craig McCracken to crack a sweetly struck drive and despite the best efforts of McGarrity the net bulged as the Talbot doubled their lead on 51 minutes.

Four minutes later a shell-shocked Afton came close to conceding a third as Dwayne Hyslop engineered space in the box, however McGarrity stood his ground forcing the midfield into a low angled shot that skimmed wide of the post. The Glens gave the visitors a taste of their own medicine. McKernon had the home side straight back up the park where Connolly blocked an attempted clearance by Campbell before forcing his way into the box only to be clipped from behind by Boyd to earn the Glens a spot-kick which on 55 minutes was blasted home by Adam Strachan .

Re-energised, the Glens took the game by the scruff of the neck with ‘quarter-back’ McKernon dictating play while the pace of Strachan and the forceful running of Orsi down the right flank pegged the visitors deep in their own half. Glenafton corner-kicks were again in abundance and on the hour mark after Leishman, under pressure from Jamie McGeoghegan, dropped the ball for the first time hopes were high of a reward from this source at last, only for Ally Park to get a timely block on Walker’s shot at goal.

Daniel Orsi drives past Gordon Pope

Daniel Orsi drives past Gordon Pope

The home side freshened up things with Darren McGill coming on for Marlow and Walker making way from Michael Wardrope soon after. In between times Orsi’s power took him to the dead-ball line and although his cross eluded Leishman there were no takers at the back post. Park also cut out a telling cross from Strachan at the expense of a corner-kick, which was mopped up by a determined defence.

Craig McEwan on the overlap

Craig McEwan on the overlap

Strachan released the overlapping McEwan down the right to fire in another peach of a cross for the awaiting Orsi and Connolly it was the orange clad leaping Leishman that came out on top as clutched the ball cleanly in the failing light.

In the closing minutes Connolly pulled up with a hamstring injury as he hunted down another through ball with Findlay Frye taking his place. The Glens continued to press but couldn’t break down the Talbot defence and it was the Auchinleck side that secured the points to maintain their 100% record in the section. F/T Glens 1 Auchinleck 2

.
Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McEwan, McGeoghegan, McChesney, Cairns; Orsi, Marlow (McGill), McKernon, Strachan; Connolly (Frye), Walker (Wardrope)

.
Auchinleck Talbot: Leishman, Park, Lyle, Campbell, Pope; Hyslop, Boyd, McCracken, Milliken; Gormley, Wilson Subs:Spence, Armour, White

more photos here

Other Section scores : Kello 3 Cumnock 4; Muirkirk 0 Lugar 4

ArdaghTable

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Glenafton 1 Auchinleck 2