Glenafton Athletic

Cumnock 1 Glenafton 2

Posted on November 16, 2013 by flowgently

West Region Stagecoach Premier Division : Match 10

Saturday 16th November, Townhead Park, Old Cumnock

CUMNOCK JUNIORS 1 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (0)

CLASSIC DERBY FINISHING BY GLENS

Local derbies are often tense and heated affairs and although the league clash between Cumnock and Glenafton was littered with yellow cards and three red cards the match was far from the proverbial ‘dirty’ game. Similarly the final score-line, 2-1 in favour of the visitors, perhaps didn’t truly reflect the Glens superiority in terms of creating the best of the goal-scoring chances.

Glenafton created the first decent chance of the game on 7 minutes when a head-flick by Alain Kinney was gathered in the box by Cameron Marlow only for his attempt to lob the ball over the outrushing Ally Semple denied by a fantastic finger tipped save from the keeper.

Cammy denied by Ally

The hosts responded with a drive from the edge of the box by Robert Love which flew wide of the post, albeit keeper Brian McGarrity had the goal well covered in any case. Soon after McGarrity showed a clean and safe pair of hands to clutch a header from Keiran Woods – a sign of things to come as the Glens keeper handling proved to be immaculate throughout the match.

On the quarter hour mark Kinney again fended off the home defence and tried to pick out Connolly’s run into the box only for Semple to win the race for the ball. Two minutes later Connolly turned provider after a determined run to the goal-line and a cut-back for Findlay Frye but Ray Montgomerie timed his tackle to perfection and the chance was gone. A Connolly free-kick from the edge of the box was then clutched firmly under the bar by Semple.

On 20 minutes Cumnock conceded another free-kick at the edge of the box after Wood brought down Connolly. Jamie McKernon lined up apparently to curl it beyond the wall but instead calmly rolled the ball into the box for Alain Kinney who blasted the ball goal-ward only for Semple to pull off a stunning point blank save and have the presence of mind to smother the rebound as a posse of red shirts waited to pounce.

Alain Kinney fires for goal

Cumnock had the ball in the net on 26 minutes but Love was well offside deep in the box when receiving a through pass from Paul McInnes. Two minutes later, in the move of the half, Kinney left McInnes and Gary McMenamin for dead on the half-way line before finding Frye with an exquisite pass and the tireless midfielder stormed to edge of the box with Chris McKnight in pursuit before slipping the ball to right for the incoming Connolly and although his first time shot beat Semple the ball soared inches over the bar.

Findlay flying

The game began to get bogged down with play being regularly disrupted for free-kicks some of which were accompanied by the brandishing of yellow cards at a frequency that seemed unnecessary. In any case neither side conjured up any further clear cut chances and the half ended goal-less. HT Cumnock 0 Glenafton 0

With 3 minutes of the new half gone the home side showed their teeth at last with a McMenamin free-kick from the corner of the box which McGarrity pushed onto the inside of the post and then bravely grabbed the loose ball as Wood threatened.

Brian Mcgarrity Glens No. 1

Glens responded with Jamie McGeoghan and John Craig combining on the right and the latter’s cross finding Connolly at the back post only for his shot to be pushed out for a corner by Semple; the former Cumnock striker yet to get the better of the former Glenafton keeper.

However, on 55 minutes Connolly was cock-a-hoop . Craig sold McMenamin a delicious dummy before picking out Connolly down the right flank with perfectly weighted pass and the striker’s glorious cross from the right whipped to the back post was met by Findlay Frye and his delightful downward header nestled in the corner of the net with Semple rooted on his line.

Finldlay Frye heads home

Yellow cards continued to be flashed and on 63 minutes John Craig earned his second of the match as he challenged McMenamin for a 50:50 ball in the middle of the park. The home side took heart and forced a corner-kick only for McGarrity’s unflappable handling to deny them again.

Howzat!

Midway through the half 10 man Glens shuffled the pack with Aaron Connolly leaving to great applause from the travelling support after another tireless shift with midfielder Stevie Miller his replacement. Four minutes later it was ten-a-side after a series of tackles of the right flank ended with Cumnock substitute Stephen Maguire shown a straight red card for his flying tackle on Craig Menzies.

With parity restored the visitors came close to doubling their lead after Kinney’s header from a narrow angle crashed off the outside of the post. The loose ball recovered by the Glens and returned to Kinney to slot home, but not before the offside flag was waved.

Glenafton continued to press and as McKnight and Richard Hanvey tried in vain to clear their lines the latter adjudged ti have tripped Frye as he shot for goal from the outskirts of the box; earning him his second yellow card and reducing Cumnock to 9 men. Miller blasted the resultant free-kick just wide of target much to the relief of Semple.

Kinney then powered his way beyond McKnight into the box and on reaching the bye-line whipped the ball across the face of goal, taking McMenamim, Semple and James Lundie out of the game, leaving the incoming Cameron Marlow free to tap the ball home at the far post and double the Glens lead with 12 minutes remaining.

Cammy clips home the second

Thoughts of comfortably seeing the game out with an extra man quickly vanished two minutes later when Cumnock at last showed a touch of guile in the box with Robert Love’s deft touch clipping the ball from an acute angle beyond the reach of McGarrity.

Robert Love gives Cumnock heart

Kinney continued to haunt the home defence and yet another forceful run saw him skin McMenamin on the right flank and drive along the bye line only to be stopped at the base of the post by Wood at the expense of a corner-kick, which came to nothing. At the other end McGarrity soared again to clutch a Cumnock corner.

In the last minute of regulation time substitute Craig Brown ghosted into the Cumnock box and with the advancing Semple to beat fired just wide of target. Deep into the four minutes of added time striker John Bradford was left with his hands on head as a half-chance went a-begging and the ball comforted in the safe and reliable hands of keeper Brian McGarrity. F/T Cumnock 1 Glenafton 2

Cumnock. Semple; Lundie, McKnight, Wood, McMenamin , Johnston, Montgomerie, McInnes, Hanvey; Bradford & Love Subs. McGuire Crawford Williamson McGill O’Donnell

Glenafton: McGarrity; McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns (McEwan); Craig, Frye, McKernon, Marlow (Brown); Connolly (Miller), Kinney. Subs – Maltoni, Dimilta

More photos here

Glenafton TV 1st half highlights 2nd half highlights

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

Glenafton 1 Clydebank 2

Posted on November 9, 2013 by flowgently

West Region Premier Division : Match 9

Saturday 9th November, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

CLYDEBANK 2 (0)

Alain Kinney

The Bankies were quickly on the front foot with the play of Adam Strachan in particular catching the eye but try as they might they struggled to conjure up an opening goal.

Fewer chances came the home side’s way and yet in on 26 minutes they took the lead. Aaron Connolly pounced on a poor clearance by keeper Robert Smith from an ambitious pass-back and burst into the box where he was adjudged to be brought down to by the back-tracking Austin McCann. Despite the defender’s plea that he had made a clean contact with the ball a penalty kick was awarded and Alain Kinney blasted it home with some aplomb.

The breakthrough spurred the Glens on and Cameron Marlow tested the keeper from distance. Just before the interval Smith was on top form to tip a fantastic 25 yard free-kick by Connolly over the bar. H/T Glens 1 Clydebank 0

Aaron Connolly

Three minutes into the new half and the visitors were on level terms. Andy Paterson’s cut back from the left wing missed its intended target but the ball rolled on into the path of on rushing Scott Walker who struck in sweetly beyond the reach of keeper Brian McGarrity.

Bankies with their tails erect again pressed with Strachan ghosting his way about the Loch Park time and again. Yet, on 66 minutes it was the Glens that created the biggest scare with another stunning Connolly free-kick and although it beat Smith this time the ball crashed off the under-side of the bar.

With 15 minutes to go the visitors took the lead when Marc Russell rose to bullet home a Strachan corner-kick. In the dying minutes the home side had a strong appeal for a penalty as Walker tangled with Connolly in the box, but the claims were waved away and Bankies took the points and the plaudits. F/T Glens 1 Bankies 2

Glenafton: McGarrity; McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns; Craig, Frye, McKernon, Marlow; Connolly and Kinney Subs Miller

Clydebank: Hamilton, Walker, Russell, McCann, Paterson; Gold, Martin Wilson, Strachan, Berry , McPherson subs

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Glenafton 3 Kilbirnie 2

Posted on November 2, 2013 by flowgently

West Region Premier Division : Match 8

Saturday 2nd November, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 2 (1)

A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in memory of Davie MacFarlane who passed away in the midweek. Time for many memories to flood back for those on the terracing who will forever remember the magical midfielder’s contribution to the great Glenafton sides of the 1990s and in particular the glorious season of 1992/93 when the Glens won the terrific treble of Scottish Junior Cup, Ayrshire League title and Ayrshire Cup.

For Davie

Glenafton kicked off with the same starting eleven that overcame Lugar Boswell in the Scottish Junior Cup last week-end. Starting up front for Kilbirnie was John Paul Boyle and the former Glenafton striker was soon in the thick of the action as the visitors dominated the opening 15 minutes.

The Blasties had the ball in the net within a minute only for an offside flag to curtail the celebrations of Boyle’s headed goal from a corner kick. Jamie McGeoghan and Ryan McChesney then combined in the six yard box to block Chris Strain’s shot at goal. Passages of delightful one touch passing saw the visitors continue to press and on 10 minutes Josh Mullin’s cut across the face of goal just missed Boyle and McGeoghan cleared at the expense of a corner kick – which came to nothing. Four minutes later Boyle conjured up a shot at goal from the edge of the box which had keeper Brian McGarrity at full stretch to push the ball round the post.

From the ensuing corner-kick Glenafton broke upfield and in some style with a string of telling passes that concluded with Alain Kinney’s shot at goal blocked by Joe Coleman before Aaron Connolly’s attempt to fire home the loose ball was forced out for a corner by Kevin McDonald. The chance may have gone but the game quickly swung the way of the home side and in dramatic fashion.

On 19 minutes Craig Menzies on the half-way line picked out Connolly who drove forward before finding Findlay Frye who then picked out Cameron Marlow on the left outskirts of the box. The midfielder took Mullin out of the game by rolling the ball into the box for the incoming Connolly who muscled off the challenge of Darren McLean before feeding the ball to Cameron Marlow to lash a left footer home from 12 yards out.

Cameron Marlow fires home the opener

A minute later a McGeoghan cross from wide on the right was just out of Marlow’s reach as it whizzed past the far post. Soon after Connolly, who doesn’t know the meaning of lost causes, hunted down McDonald and robbed him of the ball wide on the right touch line before breaking into the box and drilling a low angled shot that was pushed wide of the post by keeper Daniel McLeay. Although McChesney rose unchallenged at the near post to meet Jamie McKernon’s corner-kick the ball sailed over his head and the keeper’s attempt to punch it clear with one hand ended up in the back of the net.

Celebrations as Glens double their lead

The home side went in for the kill and former Kilbirnie striker Kinney was unfortunate not to put the Glens further ahead in a torrid three minute spell. First McLeay punched a corner-click clear from the striker’s head and then pulled off a super reflex save from his attempt to bury a John Craig cross and finally his low drive from deep in the box whizzed past the post.

Back came the Blasties and McChesney had to be at his best to disarm the menacing Chris Craig in the box. McGarrity then got down low to save a Boyle shot from the edge of the box and minutes later the striker did well to evade McChesney in the box but his ball to back to the back post was beyond the reach of Chris Hamilton. Ten minutes before the break the former Afton lad had the ball in the net but again from an offside position.

However, on 39 minutes the flag stayed down when Chris Malone’s header from a corner kick was headed home at the back post by John Paul Boyle.

JP heads home

In the last serious action before the break McLeay had to be alert to push a Connolly cross from tight in the right flank round the post from which the Glens earned a couple of back-to-back corner kicks, but neither came to anything. H/T Glens 2 Kilbirnie 1

The visitors created the first chance after the break when Boyle’s cross forced McGeoghan to head clear for a corner from which Malone’s attempt at the back post was blocked by McKernon. On 52 minutes Marlow fed Connolly down the right who skipped past McDonald into the box and whipped the ball to the back post but despite a lung bursting run by live-wire Findlay Frye his effort went inches wide. Less than a minute later Kilbirnie drew level after Liam McGuiness slipped the ball to Hamilton in the left of the box and his cut back caught out the Glens defence and the incoming McGuinness guided the ball home.

Liam McGuinness squares the match

Play flowed from end-to-end and on the hour mark Glenafton regained the lead. Kinney won the ball in the box and as it fell to Frye he in turn found Cameron Marlow to drive the ball into the net from 8 yards out, despite McLeay getting a hand to it.

Cammy bags his brace

On 65 minutes Ladeside made a double substitution including Boyle coming off for Michael Moore and although JP received the usual reception reserved for former players by the home support, most were delighted to see the visitors danger man leave the field of play.

Glenafton enjoyed a good spell of pressure winning a series of corner-kicks each of which were repelled by the Blasties defence. At the other end a timely tackle by Alan Cairns blocked Craig’s path to goal and Moore’s header from a free kick sailed over the bar.

With 10 minutes to go Kinney barged his way into box and powered the ball for goal only for McLeay to pull off the save of the match and there was no further scoring,

Credit to both sides for serving up an entertaining game in such poor conditions.

F/T Glenafton 3 Kilbirnie 2

Final whistle celebrations from captain Zee

Glenafton: McGarrity; McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns; Craig, McKernon, Frye, Marlow; Connolly, Kinney. Subs Maltoni, Dimilta, Brown, McEwan

Kilbirnie: McLeay; Mullin, McDonald, Coleman, Malone; Strain, McGuiness, McLean, Hamilton; Boyle, Craig. Subs used Moore, McGeown and Barclay

More photos here

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Davie MacFarlane (1967-2013)

Posted on October 30, 2013 by flowgently

Glenafton Athletic were saddened to learn that former midfielder Davie MacFarlane passed away today. ‘Mighty Mac’ was a member of the great Glens side of season 1992/93 that won the Scottish Junior Cup, Ayrshire League Championship and Ayrshire Cup .

Ayr-born Davie stepped up from Ayr United Boys Club to sign for Rangers as a 17 year-old at the start of the 1984 season. He made 7 appearances for the Ibrox side, including coming off the bench to replace Ian Durrant in the 1986 Scottish League Cup Final in the 2-1 victory over Celtic. In the Rangers side that day was former Glens player Ted McMinn, while future Glens player Tony Shepherd was in the Celtic team.

During his spell at Rangers he went went on loan to Kilmarnock (December 1987-1988) and also had a loan spell at Dundee before signing on permanently at Killie for £100,000 in October 1988. He scored 7 goals in 26 appearances for the Ayrshire side.

Davie had a brief spell with Sunshine George Cross in the Victoria League Australia before joining Glenafton Athletic in Season 1990-91 as part of the Alan Rough revolution. Of course he was quick to remind his new boss that his best ever goal was when playing for Rangers against Hibernian at Easter Road “when he chipped Roughie him from 40 yards”.

Davie, Tom Brown , Mick Morran and Alan Rough with the Scottish Junior Cup

Davie, Tom Brown , Mick Morran and Alan Rough and young mascot Alison’ with the Scottish Junior Cup

Davie quickly established himself as a firm favourite with Glenafton supporters and played in three consecutive Scottish Junior Cup Finals for the New Cumnock side.

The thoughts of all at Glenafton Athletic are with Davie’s family and friends at this sad time.

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Lugar 0 Glenafton 2

Posted on October 27, 2013 by flowgently

Scottish Junior Cup 2nd round

Sunday 27th October, Rosebank Park, Lugar

LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE 0 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)

Despite the atrocious conditions a good crowd turned up at Rosebank to take in the Scottish Junior Cup 2^nd round tie between Lugar and Glenafton which had been put back to the Sunday in order to avoid a clash with the cup ties at nearby Auchinleck and Cumnock.

A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in memory of former Lugar player Brian Gilmour, who also had played for the Glens, the two sides joined by the local boys’ team to pay their respects.

Jamie McKernon returned to the Glens starting line-up have recovered from injury and was soon in the thick of the action as the visitors went on to dominate the first half in terms of both possession and in the few clear cut chances that were created, the first of which came in 10 minutes. Aaron Connolly picked up the ball in the middle of the park before feeding Jamie McGeoghan who in turn picked out John Craig wide on the right to float the ball high into the box where Connolly pounced on an attempted clearance only for keeper Ally McInnes to pull off a fine save.

A minute later a fine passage of passing play initiated by McGeoghan deep in the right and finishing with Alan Cairns wide on the left lofting the ball into the box where it was met by the head of Findlay Frye at the back post before being instinctively punched behind by the keeper. McGeoghan drove forward again and a slick one-two between Connolly and Alain Kinney ended with the former’s low drive whizzing past the post. As the heavens opened the visitors’ pressure came to a head on the 26 minutes when a Connolly corner kick was met at the near post by the air-borne Alain Kinney and headed powerfully into the home net.

Alain Kinney heads home

Two minutes later McGeoghan launched the ball high into the box and although Cameron Marlow did well to chest the ball down his volley finished high and wide of target. Five minutes before the break the midfielder was denied by a timely intervention in the six yard box by Seamus McGeady to cut out a Connolly cut-back after good build up play by McGeoghan and Craig.

As the half drew to a close Lugar carved out their best chance 9since having won a corner kick in the opening minutes) when Steven Harris broke free down the right but his cut back was well blocked by the safe hands of keeper Brian McGarrity. In the last action Kinney conjured up a cute overhead kick that slipped just over the bar. H/T Lugar 0 Glens 1

The second half appeared to be going the way of the first as the Glens forced an early corner and Connolly’s header dipped over the bar. However, the home side’s half-time oranges kicked in and Lugar took the game by the scruff of the neck against a strong head wind. A determined run by Marti Watt had him advance deep into the Glens box with white (well nearly white) shirts in forlorn pursuit but the advancing McGarrity blocked his shot at goal. On 55 minutes the keeper was on top form again holding a Chris Todd drive through a ruck of players. Three minutes later Stuart Wark released Martin Reilly down the right into acres of space and yet again McGarrity came to the rescue, rushing to block the shot at goal and forcing Reilly to go wide to retrieve the ball , allowing Ryan McChesney time to get back and head the subsequent shot clear at the expense of a corner.

Clean sheet from Brian McGarrity

Soon after on 63 minutes and against the run of play, the visitors were presented the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot after Kinney was the filling in a Lugar sandwich in the box. However, Jamie McKernon spot-kick crashed off the outside of the post. Nevertheless, it heralded another turning point in the game as Glenafton began to get a foothold on the game, despite conditions underfoot. Marlow’s chip into the box was headed on by McKernon and as Kinney threatened to pounce McInnes and Craig Muir combined at the near post to usher the ball to safety. A Craig cross from the right whizzed across the face of goal but just out the reach of both Kinney and Marlow. At the other end an alert McGarrity prevented Todd from punishing a slack pass back and later stopped the same player’s angled drive with a fine save at the foot of the post.

A big hand for Alain

His counterpart McInnes then lost his footing and fell on his back as he prepared to catch a long ball lofted into the box; amazingly he kept his cool and caught the ball safely with outstretched arms – howzat! The keeper then blocked a Marlow drive in a more conventional fashion but minutes later as the midfielder drove into the box he was brought down unceremoniously by an exasperated Martin Reynolds. Penalty duties handed to Alain Kinney, who duly thumped the ball home to effectively seal the tie with six minutes to go – with his sixth goal of the competition – and send the Glens into the draw for the third round. F/T Lugar 0 Glens 2

Lugar Boswell Thistle : McInnes, McGeady, Frame, Reynolds, Muir, Harris, Watt, Cuthbertson, Wark, Todd, A.Paterson. Subs – Reilly, Black, Sloan, Stevenson, I.Patterson.

Glenafton Athletic : McGarrity, McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies (McEwan), Cairns; Craig, Frye (Miller), McKernon, Marlow; Connolly (Brown), Kinney. Subs, Dimilta, , Maltoni.

Photos here

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Emirates Scottish Junior Cup, Glenafton Athletic, Lugar Boswell Thistle, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Glens and Lugar meet again in Scottish – after 40 years!

Posted on October 23, 2013 by flowgently

On Sunday Glenafton Athletic travel to face Lugar Boswell Thistle in the Scottish Junior Cup 2nd round. Incredibly, it is only the second time the two clubs have met in the competition, the first some 40 years ago, also in the second round and at Rosebank.

There is a wee bit more to the story than meets the eye.

Lanemark vs. Lugar Boswell

Lanemark Football Club was formed in 1877 and were based at Connel Park in the parish of New Cumnock, their pitch owned by Lanemark Collieries. A senior side, their first recorded match was an Ayrshire Cup tie in 1877/78 against Rankinston Mountaineers. The following season Lugar Boswell were formed and in Season 1881/82 they played host to Lanemark in the Scottish Cup 1^st round and enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win. The two sides never met again in the senior Scottish Cup.

Traces of Lugar Boswell competing as a senior side in the Ayrshire Cup disappear after season 1901/1902 and the club resurfaces in the junior ranks a few years later. Lanemark continued to play until the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 and folded soon after its conclusion.

New Cumnock United vs Lugar Boswell

The footballing gap was filled by junior side New Cumnock United, who were also based at Connel Park, the pitch now owned by New Cumnock Collieries. The “U’s”, as they were known, competed in the South Ayrshire League and won three titles in a row from 1921/22 through to 1923/24, while Lugar Boswell didn’t join the league until 1926/27 and in some style by winning the title. New Cumnock United folded at the end of the next season as the fall in demand for coal impacted the community. During their brief existence my incomplete records suggest that United and Boswell never met each other in the Scottish Junior Cup.

Glenafton Athletic vs. Lugar Boswell

In 1930, Glenafton Athletic rose from the ashes of United, playing at the Connel Park pitch with many of the United players in their ranks and won back to back South Ayrshire League titles, while Lugar finished in bottom place in both these seasons. The days of the small southern league were numbered and it collapsed. Many of the clubs including Glens and Lugar applied for admission to the Western League, comprising chiefly of north Ayrshire teams, but all were rejected. Although there was no league football in season 1932/33 the two sides met in the Mauchline Cup final (held over from the season before) at New Station Park, Cumnock. The Glens retained the trophy with first half goals from Adair and Blair before McCall pulled one back for Lugar after the break.

Glenafton: Kinnaird; Ferguson & Penrose; Jackson, McHallum & Ballantyne; Carmichael, Campbell, Adair, Shankland & Blair. Lugar: White; Barbour & Johnstone; Baird, Gilmour & Torrance; Hesset, McCall, Newman, Kerr & Kelly

However, the two sides never did meet in the Scottish Junior Cup and the following season Glenafton Athletic ( along with Kello Rovers and Auchinleck Talbot) were admitted to the Western League, while Lugar Boswell folded.

Glenafton Athletic vs. Lugar Boswell Thistle

After World War II Lugar Boswell re-formed as Lugar Boswell Thistle at the start of Season 1945/46 and the ‘Jaggy Bunnets’ were born. A decade later they reached the final of the Scottish Junior Cup but lost out to Petershill in the Hampden final. Almost another ten years would pass before Glenafton reached the final for the first time, they too going down at Hampden, to Irvine Meadow. It would be near on another decade, during Season 1973/74, before Glenafton and Lugar would meet in the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time.

Rosebank was the venue for the Scottish Junior Cup 2^nd round tie and two goals in quick succession, from Holland in 58 minutes and Cairns two minutes later, put the visitors ahead. Gilmour pulled one back for the Thistle but it was the Glens that progressed to the 3rd round.

Glenafton: Carruthers; Sturgeon, McAughtrie; Mackie, Stirling, McEwan; Cairms, Leonard, Holland, Shields and Graham. Sub- Peck. Lugar : Wilson; Burley, Pearson; Wright, Ferguson, Cree; Blackwood, Kane, Bradford, Gilmour & Lee. Subs -Burns and Hunter.

The Glens team below from the early 70’s includes Harry Carruthers, Willie Mackie, Hugh Holland and Drew Peck that faced Lugar – while the home team’s full backs that day were Burley and Pearson -perhaps Tom and Donald that had previously played for the Glens.

Glenafton Athletic ca. 1970-72

Back row: Will Kerr, Jim Marshall, Tom Burley, Donald Pearson, Harry Carruthers, Jim Laidlaw, Hugh Holland, Jimmy Anderson, Hugh Campbell

Front Row: Mick Morran, ?, Drew Peck, Jim Clark, Matt Fulton, Bobby Neil, Willie Mackie, Martin Campbell.

Forty years ….where did they go!

Posted in GAFC Feature | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Lugar Boswell Thistle, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Cup, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Glenafton 2 Largs 3

Posted on October 19, 2013 by flowgently

NCA West of Scotland Cup

1st Round

Saturday 19th October, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (0)

LARGS THISTLE 3 (2)

Little and Largs have the last laugh

Holders Glenafton exited the West of Scotland Cup at the first round despite a spirited second half fight back against Largs. The visitors went in at the break two goals to the good only for Glens to get back on level terms by the hour. However on 70 minutes Thistle’s Nicky Little smashed home what proved to be the winner.

Glens midfielder Jamie McKernon failed to recover from a calf injury sustained in the league match at Auchinleck last week and Findlay Frye returned to the starting eleven.

As in the recent league encounter between the two sides at Loch Park the visitors raced to an early lead when on 7 minutes centre half Creag Little rose to power a header home from a corner kick.

The game began to flow back and forth like the Millport Ferry with both sides creating decent chances. Good work on the right by Stevie Miller set up Alain Kinney but his header flashed over the bar. At the other end Largs looked to have doubled their lead when a throw in was launched deep into the box and Willie McLure’s knock-down was slammed home by Graham Muir, but the McClure adjudged to have unfairly challenged keeper Brian McGarrity.

The home side enjoyed a good spell of pressure beginning with Aaron Connolly playing a neat one-two with Kinney before testing Ryan McWilliams, the keeper coming out on top with a fine save. Miller making good progress down the right picked out Cameron Marlow at the back-post only for McWilliams to make another good block and the Glens midfielder’s attempt to bury the rebound deflected wide of target. Soon after a Miller corner kick saw Jamie McGeoghan win the ball in the air and Kinney’s follow-up header thunder off the base of the post.

On 28 minutes however the visitors doubled their lead following some excellent individual skill from Andy Monaghan. After gathering the ball from a throw in deep in the Glens half on the left flank he skipped past Miller and cut into the box where he side stepped past Ryan McChesney before firing the ball across the face of the goal and although McGarrity got a hand to it Graham Muir was on hand to poke the loose ball home.

Glenafton responded well and Frye and Miller combined to set up Connolly, his diving header saved well by McWilliams. The keeper topped that save from the head of Marlow when he tried to guide home the ball after a miscued clearance. A long kick upfield from McGarrity was left by the Largs defence to bounce seemingly harmlessly into the box but instead left Connolly and McWilliams in a chase for the ball, the two meeting wide on the left and Connolly floored. Appeals for a penalty were waved away and the Glens forward booked. H/T Glens 0 Largs 2

Cameron Marlow

The home side started the new half on the front foot and on 54 minutes halved the deficit. From the half way line Alan Cairns lofted the ball into the box where Kinney rose to head the ball down for Cameron Marlow who was well positioned to crack a first time volley into the net from 12 yards out.

Glens continued to press and on the hour mark drew level after Alain Kinney’s aerial prowess saw him bullet home a header from a peach of a Miller cross.

With their tails up the home side went in search of a third and forced a couple of corner kicks before Largs struck back in some style. On 70 minutes a free kick from Scott Keogh was launched into the box and the ball headed clear by McChesney only for Nicky Little to meet it sweetly and thump it home from 20 yards out.

The home side tried to counter when Craig Menzies worked his way into the box and rolled the ball into the path of Marlow but his low driven angled shot whizzed past the far post. At the other end McGarrity comfortably held a Creag Little header. Glens second half substitutes David Dimilta and Craig Brown combined well in the box before the latter’s shot was stopped by McWilliams and Largs held onto their lead and progress to the second round.

Glenafton: McGarrity; McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns (Dimilta); Miller (Brown), Frye, Craig, Marlow; Connolly, Kinney . Sub. Maltoni (gk)

Largs: McWilliams; Keogh, Fisher, Walton, C. Little, Muir (Thomson), Stanton,N. Little , Monaghan, McLure (McLaughlin),Struthers (Marks) . Subs. McStay, Weir( gk)

Video Highlights : Courtesy of Glenafton TV

First Half

Second Half

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Largs Thistle, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football, West of Scotland Cup | Comments Off

Auchinleck 2 Glenafton 1

Posted on October 12, 2013 by flowgently

West Region Premier Division

Match 7

Saturday 12th October, Beechwood Park, Auchinleck

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

Glenafton began with the same starting eleven that defeated Arthurlie last Saturday after Alan Cairns recovered from a knock sustained at Dunterlie.

The visitors were first to threaten on 5 minutes through Cameron Marlow advancing deep into the box only for his square ball for John Craig to be cut out and cleared by Colin Spence. Two minutes later keeper Brian McGarrity was well positioned to gather Keir Milliken’s shot from close range in a crowded Glenafton box.

Craig Menzies with Cammy Marlow in support

The home side began to get the upper hand in terms of possession and were using both flanks to great effect, the ball at times being switched from one to the other in a flash. Nevertheless the Glens defence marshalled by captain Craig Menzies and with Ryan McChesney in splendid form, kept the Talbot at bay – no better exemplified than on 25 minutes as the home side penetrated the Glens’ box in numbers. First McChesney blocked James Latta’s attempt to nick the ball home at the near post and after Willie Lyle picked up the loose ball he was forced to retreat by Menzies’ presence and pick out the irrepressible Bryan Young whose twists and turns left three red shirts on the ground only for his shot at goal to be well held by McGarrity as Latta waited to pounce on any spillage.

Aaron Connolly vs. Andy Leishman

Two minutes later the visitors carved out a great chance. Following a Jamie McKernon free kick which blasted off the Talbot wall the ball was played into the box from the right and Alain Kinney rose above the remains of the wall to head the ball down into the six yard box where the alert Aaron Connolly beat Andy Leishman to the ball and clip it goalward only for the giant keeper to show great agility to turn, dive and scoop the ball off the line; more than atoning for his howler when facing the same player in the previous meeting at Beechwood.

Aaron Connolly vs Andy Leishman

Sixty seconds on and Kinney out-jumped Lyle at the edge of the box and his header was again gathered by Connolly who left the centre backs for dead only for Leishman to deny him with another, albeit painful, block.

Colin Spence opens the scoring

Play was now flowing from end-to-end and on 37 minutes the home side made the breakthrough. An unforced error saw the Glens surrender the ball to David Gormley on the left who broke into the box and although his cross was over-hit, Milliken gathered and fed Latta in a central position who in turn picked out Colin Spence and the midfielder took a touch or two before lashing the ball into the net.

Although end to end play resumed it was the Talbot that had the best chance before the break with MGarrity saving a Gormley header. H/T Auchinleck 1 Glens 0

Cammy Marlow’s shot saved by Andy Leishman

The visitors replaced Stevie Miller with Findlay Frye at the break and within a minute of the restart almost drew level. Craig lofted the ball high into the box and Kinney’s aerial prowess helped it on its way to Marlow on the corner of six yard box, who then out-muscled Lyle before firing for goal from an acute angle, only for Leishman’s fingertips to force the ball across the face of the empty goalmouth.

David Gormley makes it 2-0

The home side doubled their lead on 53 minutes when David Gormley dived to head home a Young cross at the near post, a touch of class from the former Glenafton forward.

Glens almost halved the deficit four minutes later after Martin McGoldrick’s headed clearance was gathered brilliantly by Marlow at the edge of the box and although his shot left Leishman rooted to the spot the ball whizzed inches over the bar. Soon after the big keeper got a better view of McChesney’s header from a corner kick and saved comfortably.

Back came Talbot with Milliken driving forward from the half way line before picking out Gormley on the right and his low angled drive pulling out a fine save from McGarrity. Another home goal would surely have killed off the contest but instead on 66 minutes the Glens clawed their way back into the game.

Alain slams home

Jamie McGeoghan, on the overlap down the right, whipped in a superb ball into the box for Aaron Connolly and Alain Kinney to compete for, the latter rising above his sandwich of McGoldrick and Lyle to head the ball down and then hold off the defenders to stretch out a leg and guide the ball beyond Leishman – a gutsy goal by any standard,

Martin McGoldrick and Alain Kinney

The home side licked their wounds and were soon on the front foot with some exhilarating attacks. Gormley galloped down the right and his cross from the dead-ball line eventually landed at the feet of MGoldrick, via White and Milliken, but Craig did enough to force the defender to pull his close range shot wide of target. Another Talbot corner kick was manfully defended only for the ball to fall for Craig Pettigrew but his shot too failed to hit the target.

Glens continued to make a game off it without creating any further clear cut chances while the home side came up against a resilient defence including their former keeper Brian McGarrity in fine form, and on one occasion the woodwork to ensure there would be no further scoring. F/T Auchinleck 2 Glens 1

Glenafton: McGarrity; McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns; Miller (Frye), Craig, McKernon (Brown), Marlow; Connolly & Kinney. Subs. Maltoni (gk), Dimilta, Trialist

Auchinleck: Leishman; Lyle, MGoldrick, Pettigrew, Park; Latta (Faulds), White, Spence (K.Connolly), Young; Milliken & Gormley (McCann) Subs. Reilly & Armour.

more photos here

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

Arthurlie 1 Glenafton 3

Posted on October 5, 2013 by flowgently

West Region Premier Division

Match 6

Saturday 5th October, Dunterlie Park, Barrhead

ARTHURLIE 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (0)

Despite going behind to an early goal at Dunterlie the visitors turned the game around with three second half goals to secure all three points which has Tommy Bryce’s troops climb to fourth place in the league.

Tommy and Aaron share a laugh

Top goal scorer Gary Smith turned provider and set up Stevie Dymock with a tap in to put Arthurlie ahead after only 6 minutes. The home side continued press but clear cut chances were thin on the ground. Glenafton began to force their way into the game as the half progressed and had opportunities to draw level but couldn’t capitalise on a couple of slip ups in the home defence. H/T Lie 1 Glens 0

Jamie McKernon

On 51 minutes the visitors were awarded a spot kick after a cross into the box was stopped by an outstretched arm. Jamie McKernon stepped up to slot the ball home past keeper Kevin Macklin.

Glenafton were now very much on the front foot and took the lead through an own goal after Alain Kinney’s attempt to tap the ball home was blocked by one ‘Lie defender before striking another and crossing the line.

Aaron Connolly

With the visitors well on top the home side appeared to have been given a lifeline when a linesman’s flag had suggested an infringement in the Glenafton box, but play continued and no award given. Macklin kept his side in the game with a string of good saves the best of which came with five minutes from time after Jamie McGeoghan picked out Kinney in the box, only for the keeper to make a point blanks save and scramble away the rebound. In time added-on Aaron Connolly eventually got the better of Macklin to slip home the third goal, his tenth of the season. F/T Lie 1 Glens 3

Glenafton: McGarrity; McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns (Brown); Miller, Craig, McKernon, Marlow; Connolly , Kinney. Subs: Dimilta, Maltoni

Arthurlie: Macklin, Miller, Blakey, Jordan, Dillon, Bonar, Rafferty, McSorley, Smith, Dymock, McArdle Subs Lyden , McGregor,Ramsay, Green, Docherty (GK)

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

Moaners and Groaners Club

Posted on September 30, 2013 by flowgently

By request we have started a club for all retired, semi retired and any Glenafton supporters or members to head to Loch park every Tuesday to get involved in some ground works & maintenance etc.

It will be every Tuesday 10 am so all come along for a wee blether and a cuppa tea, please pass the word around.

Club Secretary John Stewart