West of Scotland Cup 1st Round draw
General maintenance work has started for next season with various projects in place. Also remedial works to playing surface is ready to be started. If you can spare some time then why not come along to Loch Park and join the Moaners and Groaners team!
Saturday 19th July Joe Meldrum Trophy, Loch Park
Saturday 26th July
Wednesday 30th July, Dam Park 7:00pm
Saturday 2nd August, Loch Park
Sandy Selkirk
The club received a letter from former Glenafton goalkeeper Sandy Selkirk addressed to the Glenafton players following their recent excellent run in the Scottish Junior Cup.
Sandy signed up as goalkeeper for Queen of the South in 1956/57, sadly however a serious injury ended his senior career at the end of that season.
Following his recovery Stonehouse-born Sandy joined the junior ranks.
In August 1958 he signed for Glenafton Athletic, then based at Connel Park, and was the first choice goalkeeper in the side that went to win the Western League Championship, Western League Cup and Vernon Trophy treble and finished runners-up in the Irvine & District Cup final.
Glenafton Athletic 1958/59
Back Row: Western League Flag, Billy Scott, Charlie Healy, Tom Graham, Lachlan Rogerson
Middle Row: Haddow Nisbet, Billy Clapperton, Sammy Boyd, John McNaught, Sandy Selkirk, Robert Paterson, John McKenzie, Bert Murray, Jim Sloan, Wullie Edwards Front Row: Billy McLeish, Billy Moffat (Westen League Cup), Roy Douglas, Danny McCulloch (Vernon Trophy) John Wallace
The following season in their last season at Connel Park the Glens won the Irvine District Cup. In 1960/61 Glens moved to Loch Park and went on to win the Western League (South Section) and enjoyed a good run in the Scottish Junior Cup , only to lose out at the Quarter-Final stage, after two replays. Sandy suffered a serious shoulder injury and made a limited number of appearances.
He stayed with the club until season 1963/64, enjoying the glory years at the Glens when they became the first team (outwith the War Years) to win the Western League Championship 3 years in a row .
Chandlers Ford,
Eastleigh
Hampshire
Dear All,
I am sorry I was unable to come up to Scotland for your cup final on Sunday. Having lived here in the south of England for nearly 30 years we do not get much info about the Scottish, especially the Juniors. So I did not know until the week-end the Glens lads were in the Junior Cup final and it was too late for me at my age to get up there.
You are all obviously very disappointed that you did not come out on top and I share that disappointment with you. Nevertheless you should all be proud to teach the final in the first place as we all know the Junior Cup is one of the most difficult competitions to achieve that feat.
Having been part of the great Glens team of the late 1950s’ and early 60s I know more than most just how gutted you will be feeling as we lost to Irvine Meadow in the final at Hampden in the early sixties.
Still it remains one of my fondest memories in football. I did not play in the final as my career was coming to an end because of a constantly dislocating shoulder. Roger Niven was the first choice goalkeeper, so my disappointment was twofold – not playing and losing.
However Glenafton Athletic was very good to me. I did not qualify for a medal, as there no subs in those days, but the club presented me with a specially inscribed cup for the final, which I still treasure. That is just the type that I and now you play for.
I also fondly remember the camaraderie of all the old players including Danny McCulloch, Laurie Moffat and Jock McKenzie, Roy Douglas, Johnny McNaught, Eddie Brennan and the rest. Then there are the great Glens fans and the community of New Cumnock. My wife Jean and I remember all the great nights of celebration we had in those days. I am sure you guys had at the weekend.
So my great memories are simply;
What a great time I had with them all and I am sure your disappointment will ease a lot as you continue to enjoy playing in your association with the fans and the very best Junior team in the country ‘Up the Glens’
I wish you all the very best,
Alex (Sandy) Selkirk
Thank you Sandy!
Sandy signs up
Glenafton Athletic 1958/59
The Glens side that defeated Darvel 3-2 in the last game of the Western League (South) campaign and then went on to beat newly crowned Scottish Junior Cup winners Irvine Meadow in the Championship decider to clinch the Western League title.
Back row: Haddow Nisbet (trainer), Sammy Boyd, Billy Moffat, John McKenzie, Sandy Selkirk, Johnny McNaught, Bert Murray and Jim Sloan (Secretary). Front Row: Billy McLeish, Billy Scott, Roy Douglas, Danny McCulloch (captain) and John Wallace. Robin Paterson played in the League Decider against Meadow, in place of Scott.
The Glenafton side line up for the first game at Loch Park. A 3-2 win over Cumnock Juniors set them on their way to win the Western League (South Section)
Back Row: Davie Black, Jimmy McKnight, John Milligan, Billy Moffat, John McKenzie,Sandy Selkirk, John McNaught, John Japp, Jim Sloan, Wullie Edwards Front Row: Haddow Nesbit, Elijah Porte, Eddie Brennan, Roy Douglas, Danny McCulloch, John Wallace.
Sandy Selkirk and Danny McCulloch
Sandy and Danny at Loch Park Sep 2007
Goalkeeper Sandy and goal-machine Danny meet up at Loch Park in September 2007.
Derek Gemmel and Pat Walker 2005/06
Glenafton Athletic have signed striker Pat Walker. Patch is no stranger to Loch Park.
He began his playing career in the Junior ranks in Season 2003/04 as an 18 year old with Lugar Boswell Thistle. He scored a late equaliser for the Jaggy Bunnets at Loch Park in the Ardagh Cup sectional match in 2005/06, the Glens going on to win the cup defeating Cumnock in the final.
.
Pat stepped up to seniors with Albion Rovers at the start of 2006/07 and made over 100 appearances for the Cliftonhill side over four seasons and scored 26 goals.
Courtesy of Albion Rovers
In 2010/11 he joined Annan Athletic and while there went on a loan spell with Dumbarton. This earned Pat a permanent move to the Sons in 2011/12 and altogether he made over 60 appearances and scored 13 goals for the club.
In February 2013 he rejoined the Rovers and scored 6 goals in 32 appearances.
Welcome to Loch Park, Pat.
Photo: Courtesy Dumfries and Galloway Standard
Glenafton have signed 22 year old midfielder Daniel Orsi.
A former Scotland Youth international Dan joined his home town team Queen of the South at youth level before signing up for the first team squad in July 2010.
Dan made 28 appearances for the Queens and a loan spell with Annan Athletic. He later signed for the Galabankies on a permanent better in December 2013 and in total made 14 appearances for Annan.
Welcome to Loch Park, Dan
Pre-Season Friendly
Wednesday 6th August, Loch Park, New Cumnock
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)
ANNBANK UNITED 0 (0)
The home side dominated the first half and took the lead in 15 minutes after fine play down the left by Adam Strachan to set up Darren McGill to blast the ball home from 5 yards out.
Five minutes later Cameron Marlow picked out Patrick Walker who outwitted Bankies defence before picking our Aaron Connolly to drill home from the edge of the six yard box. Glens continued to press without adding to their tally.
Darren McGill on the ball
The young Annbank side, including former Glens player Jamie Donnelly, were transformed in the second half and created numerous chances but found their former keeper Brian McGarrity in splendid form as well as hitting the woodwork and side net. The home since created chances of their own and added third four minutes from time after Adam Strachan was brought down in the box and converted the spot-kick.
Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McEwan, Menzies, McGeoghegan, Cairns; Marlow (Frye), McGill (Thompson), McKernon, Strachan; Connolly, Walker
Annbank United: Ronnie Davis, Blair Anderson,Gregory Ferry,Jamie Donnelly (C)
Robert Kirkland;Marc Logan,Ryan Hill,Calum Nairn,Rory Tait,Cammy Barr, Adam Forsyth Subs:Perry Uppal,Scott McNamara,Lee Anderson,Trialist, Stevie Gilmour
Barr Scottish Junior Cup Final
Sunday 1st June 2014, Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Glenafton Athletic 0 Hurlford United 3
Mr John Vass a regular visitor to Loch Park with his wife Violet kindly provided the following cup final photographs. Thank you John and Violet.
1.
Alain Kinney and Paul Cameron
2.
Aaron Connolly with Paul Byrne
3
Jamie McKernon and Jamie Wilson
4
Findlay Frye and Danny Mitchell
5
Jamie McGeoghegan and Brian McGarrity with Findlay Frye
6
Craig Menzies and Paul McKenzie
7
Craig McEwan and Callum Watt
8
Jambo stares out Danny
9
Craig Menzies and Ross Robertson
10
Aaron Connolly and Paul Byrne
Barr Scottish Junior Cup Final
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 0 (0)
HURLFORD UNITED 3 (0)
Glenafton line up at Rugby Park
Glenafton Athletic’s dream run in the Scottish Junior Cup ended in defeat to red hot favourites Hurlford United in the final at rain soaked Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. After 30 minutes the New Cumnock side found themselves behind after conceding two spot kicks that were duly converted and a man down. The ten men lost a third goal 10 minutes from time as Hurlford went on to win the Holy Grail of junior football for the first time in the club’s history. While the Blair Park side celebrated their fantastic achievement the crestfallen players and management of Glenafton were soon uplifted by an overwhelming ovation of chanting and cheering from the rank and file of an appreciative #Afton Army.
Craig Menzies and Ryan McChesney with Stewart Kean
Glenafton kicked off and were immediately on the front foot with a couple of quick attacks that were stunted at the edge of the ‘Ford box. The first ended after Alain Kinney was penalised for a high foot as Glen Mitchell attempted to head the ball clear and the second after the arm of Mark Brown blocked a flick on by Aaron Connolly, the infringement unnoticed by the match official.
On 2 minutes a third Afton attack was broken down and the ball fell to Paul McKenzie in the centre circle who clipped it between the Glens’ central defenders for Ross Robertson to chase into the box and as the back tracking Ryan McChesney caught up his former team-mate went down in the box. The referee adjudged contact had been made and pointed to the spot before booking McChesney. After the dust settled Stewart Kean stepped up and poetic justice appeared to have been served, if only momentarily, when his spot-kick hit off the inside of the post before nestling in the net to put Hurlford ahead after 3 minutes.
Glens composed themselves and responded quickly when Alan Cairns deep on the left flank lofted a long ball upfield where it was trapped by Kinney before he wheeled and shook off Paul Byrne to chip the ball into the box for Cameron Marlow, only for his angled header from 8 yards out to be well saved by Ally Brown. Soon after, the keeper mopped up the first corner kick of the game with ease.
Cameron Marlow
At the other end from tight on the left flank, overlapping full back Paul Byrne fired the ball across the face of goal for Kean, but with Craig Menzies in close call, the striker on the six yard line ballooned his shot over the bar.
In a slick passing movement initiated in the centre circle by Jamie McGeoghegan and propagated by both Findlay Frye and Connolly who picked out Marlow down the left. The midfielder then played a one-two with Kinney before crossing for Connolly, only for Brown to punch the ball clear. On ten minutes Frye’s name went into the book after a late tackle on Jamie Wilson and Robertson was fortunate not to join him five minutes later after a nasty challenge from behind on McChesney. The impressive Kinney killed the ball brilliantly before threading the ball for Jamie McKernon’s run into the box but his cut-back for Connolly was well read and then cleared by Mark Brown.
Findlay Frye
On 18 minutes Marlow became the third Glens’ player to receive a yellow card following a foul on McKenzie. From the resultant free-kick Hurlford won a corner which was headed clear at the near post only for the ball to arrive at the back post where Robertson’s attempt to place a header home ended on the roof of the net.
A string of passes, with Kinney again the lynch pin, saw the Glens move the ball from the right to left flank and Cairns lob into the box was headed back by Marlow for Connolly but he sliced his shot well wide of target. Midway through the half Kinney was sandwiched between the Mitchell brothers and from the free kick McKernon thundered the ball inches wide from 30 yards out.
Alain Kinney with Glen Mitchell
Byrne made good progress down the left before picking out Callum Watt in the box who played a neat one-two with Danny Mitchell before shooting for goal only for Menzies to block and then keeper Brian McGarrity deny Kean from poking the loose ball home from 6 yards. Hurlford pressed again and Kean’s header from the middle of the park set Robertson free to run in on goal with McChesney in pursuit. On the outskirts of the box the young defender’s hand brushed the striker’s shoulder enough to send him sprawling to the ground before the ball was safe in the hands of McGarrity. Following McChesney’s red card and a yellow for McGarrity the spot-kick was slammed home by Kean to double Hurlford’s lead on 30 minutes.
Again Glenafton, now 10 in number, gathered themselves and stood firm with McGeoghegan dropping back from midfield to the centre of defence. Five minutes before the break Wilson burst into the box between Cairns and McKernon and having lost control of the ball opted to brush against the latter before tumbling to the ground. Lacking the guile of Robertson the midfielder left the referee little option but to break his duck and book a Hurlford player, ironically for diving. H/T Glenafton 0 Hurlford 2
Ford flew out the traps and created a handful of excellent chances in the opening eight minutes of the new half. The first came within 30 seconds when a Danny Mitchell drive from the edge of the box was superbly pushed behind by McGarrity. Soon after Robertson rampaged his way into the box before flashing the ball across the face of goal where McGeoghegan’s clearance cannoned off the chest of McGarrity and just as Kean seemed certain to score from 4 yards out, an alert Frye forced the ball to safety with a brave tackle.
Brian McGarrity with Danny Mitchell
On 50 minutes, after a fine passage of passing play down the right, Cameron crafted a superb ball to the back post where Kean, eager for his hat-trick, got between two defenders but his powerful downward header ricocheted off the Rugby park surface and over MGarrity’s bar – the prolific striker struggling to repeat his successes from 12 yards. Three minutes later a Hurlford corner-kick was headed well clear of the box, only for the ball to be met sweetly by Wilson and thrashed goalward from 30 yards out but again McGarrity pulled off another fine save. The keeper, a clear contender for man-of-the-match, then made a more comfortable save after Robertson couldn’t match his excellent build up play with a close range low angled shot that lacked power.
Aaron Connolly with Craig McEwan in support
Some respite for the 10 men in white and red as they enjoyed a bit of a purple patch. On 55 minutes Kinney weaved his way past Glen Mitchell into the box and then turned Byrne outside, only for Mitchell to recover the situation and poke the ball from the feet of the Glens’ striker as he set up to shoot from the corner of the six yard box. The resultant corner came to nothing but the Glens quickly regained possession at the centre circle through McGeoghegan who quickly picked out Marlow and although his one-two with Kinney was intercepted at the edge of the box, Frye quickly recovered the ball and when his blast from 20 yards appeared to strike Mark Brown on the arm, shouts for a penalty rang out but fell on deaf ears.
Alain Kinney goes close
Undeterred McEwan won the ball back in the middle of the park, drove forward and picked out McKernon who in turn found Marlow and in a flash he turned a defender before rolling the ball into box for the incoming McEwan, but with Byrne closing in, Southy sliced his shot wide of target. Glenafton’s fight-back prompted Hurlford to introduce fresh legs, with Steven Masterton replacing Jamie Wilson.
Jamie McKernon with Danny Mitchell
On 64 minutes Marlow capitalised on a slip by Masterton and stole the ball before releasing Kinney on the left hand side of the penalty box who smacked the ball first time forcing Brown to pull off a fine save at his near post. Two minutes later a Robertson corner kick was met at the near post by Kean but his flick on was well held by McGarrity.
Glenafton introduced Stevie Miller with Cameron Marlow leaving to a well-earned reception from the Afton Army, still in good voice. Masterton’s name went in the book after taking Connolly out of play. Minutes later the Glens striker collected a cute lay-off from Kinney on the half-way line and quickly dispatched the ball to McKernon before continuing his run upfield to gather than one-two. After shaking off the attention of Watt and Glen Mitchell and forcing his way deep into the box and with Cameron closing in he fired for goal only for Brown to pull a point-blank save and push the ball behind.
Aaron Connolly denied by Ally Brown
The corner-kick was headed clear and the ball picked up by McKenzie who sprinted up the right with McGeoghegan in pursuit, the Glens defender getting a touch on the ball and as McKenzie tried to regain possession he took the incoming Cairns out of play with a challenge that on another day may have merited more than the yellow card flashed his way.
Jamie McGeoghegan
With 10 minutes to go striker Michael Reilly replaced Alan Cairns, with the New Cumnock support showing their appreciation for the young defender’s contribution. At the same time Hurlford replaced Ross Robertson with John Dempster and within a minute the substitute won his side a corner kick which was floated to the near post for Paul McKenzie to glance home a header; 3-0.
McEwan was booked for taking Watt down as he made for the box and Masterton crashed the subsequent free-kick off the base of the post. During the closing minutes Aaron Connolly left to a huge cheer from a defiant Glenafton support to be replaced by Darren McGill and the young midfielder was soon in the thick of it with a trademark run that was ended by a shirt pull from Byrne.
Darren McGill takes on Hurlford
The final substitution of the match saw Callum Watt replaced by Jack Steele, the sixth former Glenafton player to feature for ‘Ford in the final and that had made the switch to Blair Park this season. In the final seconds of regulation time the tireless Alain Kinney won the gallant ten men another corner kick, two minutes later the final whistle heralded great scenes of delight for Hurlford United – players, management and supporters – as they celebrated an historic win. FT Glenafton 0 Hurlford 3
Afton Army
Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; McEwan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns (Reilly); McGeoghegan, Frye, McKernon, Marlow (Miller); Connolly (McGill) & Kinney.
.
Hurlford United: A.Brown; Cameron, G.Mitchell, M. Brown, Byrne; McKenzie, Wilson (Masterton), D.Mitchell, Watt (Steele); Kean & Robertson (Dempster)
Glenafton Athletic 