A game of two halves saw Gartcairn shade the first half while Glenafton shone in the second half and were rewarded with a goal on 85 minutes through a classy finish from Chris Erskine. Squiddy chased down a perfectly weighted pass to the outskirts of the box and took a touch before clipping the ball over the advancing keeper from 10 yards out and into the right hand corner of the net.
FT Gartcairn 0 Glenafton 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie; 7. Sam McKee 6. Evan Maley 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Chris Erskine 3. Jared Willet; 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen. Subs Used: Cammy Ross Subs Not Used: Dylan O’Kane, Ryan Walker.
GARTCAIRN
1. Kieran Hughes 3. Ryan Lockie 4. Scott Rumsby 6. Andrew 15. 20. Kamil Krol 10 Harry Mitchell 15. Keiren Wood 17. Aaron Black 9. Robert Thomson 12. Andrew Stirling 16. Ross Caldwell Subs: 21. Jamie Owens (gk) 7. Gavin Millar 8. Kyle Hutton 11. Dal Simeon 14. Adam McAdam
Glenafton travelled to West Lothian for face Bathgate Thistle in the 4th round of the Scottish Junior Cup on St. Andrew’s Day. Thistle play in the East of Scotland Football League and currently sit 2nd top of the Second Division.
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Troon three weeks ago with Ally Semple, Ryan McCubbin (cup-tied) and captain Craig Pettigrew (injured) making way for mid-week keeper David Markey returning to the Glens on a loan-deal from Whitletts Victoria, Jared Willet and Chris Erskine.
Although Glenafton kicked off it was Bathgate that enjoyed the early pressure with keeper David Markey forced to race from his line to block a shot from the inrushing striker Ryan Wilson. Attacks down both wings saw Thistle breach the Glens box but with no reward. A free kick from the left on the outskirts of the box was headed clear by captain for the day Ollie Rowe. Soon after, Thistle’s captain Glenn Thomson clipped a perfectly weighted ball through the middle for Wilson to break between two defenders and curl a low shot from 18 yards only for the keeper to make a great block with an outstretched right leg. A hectic opening 5 minutes for the visitors!
Glens began to grow into the game with Chris Erskine bossing the midfield and Cammy Ross and Jared Willet pushing up their respective wings; Ross enjoying tussles, ‘twists and shouts’, with Lennon Smith. Michael Mullen intercepted a pass inside the Thistle’s half and laid the ball off to Hugh Kerr who in turn fed Willet on the overlap down the left to whip the ball into the far side of the box which was headed high and clear by the lively Smith and although Evan Maley met it sweetly on the drop the ball flew well wide of the post.
The visitors continued to press through Mullen, on the outskirts of the box, gathering Lyall Holding’s throw-in from the right, only to be forced wide where Jordan Rodger clicked his heels. Ross Lindsay, from a few yards out from the right-hand corner of the box, whipped the free-kick wide of the one-man wall and the ball bounced just beyond the outstretched leg of defender Lewis Peddie and although it also eluded the inrushing Mullen and Rowe it continued its way into the far corner of the net with keeper Craig Saunders rooted on his line. Glenafton 1-0 up on 12 minutes.
Glens continued to dominate the midfield with Erskine and Maley leading the way, however although enjoying the lion’s share of possession there were few chances on show.
Midway through the half the visitors were forced to make a change with Jordan Allan coming off to be replaced with Lewis Currie.
Maley gathered the ball in the centre circle and drifted right before rolling the ball back to Holding who burst infield to ping an inch-perfect pass to Mullen to take a touch before slipping past McKenzye Campbell and cracking a shot from 25 yards that was deflected just wide of the post by Ryan Stevenson. Lindsay floated the corner in to the heart of the box where Willet rose head and shoulders above all, only for his header to skim to the right edge of the box where it was snapped up by Erskine who slipped past Thomson to drive to the bye-line and drill a low cut-back into a packed six-yard box that was booted out for a throw.
Play began to rage back and forth for a spell with Glens still looking the more threatening. Lindsay won a tackle tight on the left, just inside Thistle’s half, and Willet picked up the loose ball before laying it off to Mullen to burst forward and release Hugh Kerr on the overlap. The tireless striker pushed forward to the bye-line only for his cut-back to be cleared to the edge of the ‘D’ where Maley was ready to pounce only for Smith to strip him off the ball with a great tackle and set up a counter-attack that fizzled out.
On 24 minutes the visitors came close to doubling their lead. Willet dinked a great ball down the left for Kerr to chase and then whip a great ball into the six-yard box which took a bounce and as Mullen looked to side the ball into the net it deflected off Peddie and seemed destined for the top corner only for Saunders to pull off a great reflex save and claw the ball away.
Back came Bathgate through Campbell picking the ball up in the centre-circle and clipping a clever ball down the left for Smith to play a slick one-two with Wilson before driving for the bye-line only for his cross into the box blocked by his ‘shadow’ Ross. Smith perhaps overcooked the corner kick as it sailed over the bodies gathered in the six-yard box and Markey on his line out for a goal-kick.
Glens countered and won a corner on the left that Lindsay floated into the six yard box where some head-tennis by the Thistle defence cleared the immediate danger before Currie won the ball in the box and rolled it wide left to Lindsay to float another cross into the heart of the box where Kerr outleapt two defenders to send a glancing header towards the back post and as it seemed to be drifting wide, Rowe quickly intervened to guide the ball past the diving keeper. However, the assistant referee raised his flag immediately for offside while others would suggest either Stevenson and Peddie or both played Rowe on, with 31 minutes gone.
The visitors pressed again after Erskine gathered the ball on the left and skipped past two defenders before squaring a 20-yard pass to Willet on the left to instantly roll a perfectly weighted ball into the left hand side of the box to match Erskine’s run, who then whipped a low diagonal ball to the edge of the six yard box just beyond the reach of the inrushing Mullen while the incoming James Macadam blasted the ball out for corner, which was cleared.
There followed a spell of play going back and forth without either keeper being tested.
In the closing minute of the half Glenafton came close again, beginning and ending with Ross. The winger curled a ball deep into the six-yard box which Saunders punched away with both hands only for Erskine to gather the ball on the outskirts of the ‘D’ and play a one-two with Kerr in a packed box and although he was stripped of the ball it was quickly recovered by Lindsay who combined with Kerr to set up Willet on the left hand corner of the box to float a ball to back post for Ross arriving at speed only for his header flash across the face of the goal.
HT Bathgate 0 Glens 1
A lively start to the second half with play raging back and forth for a time before a fine run by Ross won the Glens corner which was floated into a packed six-yard and the leaping Willet’s header soared high over the bar. Soon after Mullen tried a shot from the edge of the box that bumped its way wide of the post.
At the other end Thistle’s long throw to the near post ended with a shot squirming past the post while a corner soon after was headed wide of target. Back came Glens and Maley burst down the left before cutting inside an breaking into the box only for his low shot to drift wide of the far post.
On the hour mark Thistle made a double substitution.
Ross took a short throw-in, from deep in the right, to Erskine who quickly returned the ball for Ross to float the ball to the far end of the six-yard box where Willet cushioned a header into the six-yard box for the incoming Kerr only for his header, under pressure from keeper and defender, to drift wide of target.
The home side enjoyed good spells of possession in the Glens half but without creating any chances of note.
On 65 minutes Glenafton made a change with Chris Erskine making way for Sam McKee.
A minute later the visitors doubled their lead as Thistle were pushing forward. Saunders launched the ball deep into the Glens half from where Holding powerfully headed the ball high into the air to drop onto the half-way line only for substitute Nathan Williamson to lob a high ball back into the Glens half from where Rowe burst forward to bullet a header over the heads of the well-advanced central defenders while the Glens strikers burst forward, Kerr peeling left to block Macadam’s run while Michael Mullen chased down the ball, and let it bounce a couple of times, before cracking a low shot from 16 yards beyond the advancing keeper . Glens 2-0 up.
The visitors continued to press and straight from the kick-off Ross nicked the ball from Williamson and laid it off to Kerr who turned to forge his way between two defenders before lashing a shot from 20 yards that flew wide of target.
Soon after McKee and Willet played a slick one-two down the left freeing McKee to break to the corner of the 18 yard box and pick out Kerr at the edge of the six yard only for his attempt to guide the ball home comfortably collected by the keeper on his line.
A long clearance form Markey was gathered by Mullen who weaved his way to thump a low shot from 25 yards out that Saunders spilled and Kerr’s attempt to bury the loose ball was foiled by Stevenson’s clearance only to be recovered by McKee leading to another corner for the Glens. Another session of head tennis eventually saw the ball cleared only to be recovered by Maley who combined with Holding set up Mullen to skip past a defender and whip a ball to the far post just a touch high for the inrushing Kerr.
On 78 minutes Glenafton made a double substitution with Lyall Holding and Shuggy Kerr making way for Ryan Walker and Dylan O’Kane.
It proved to be a hectic finish as both play ebbed back and forth.
McKee was proving a handful down the left and floated a ball to the back post which fell for Maley only for his shot to drift wide.
On 85 minutes the home side conjured up a great chance that could have made the closing 5 minutes a lot more tense for the visitors. Substitute Jay Tapping picked up a pass in the centre-circle before driving forward and stroking the ball into the left-hand side of the penalty box for Smith to chase down only for his low angled shot to fly past Markey, but the keeper had his angles covered, as the ball flew wide of the back post.
Play continued to flow from end to end but the defences were on top until practically the last kick of the game. Mullen held up the ball on the right touchline and held of Smith as he slowly dragged the ball to the corner-flag where he escaped his clutches to progress along the bye-line and into the box. From here Mullen cut the ball back to O’Kane only for his shot to be blocked by Stevenson but the young striker recovered the ball and rolled it back out the box for Lindsay to crack a low shot from 22 yards and although Peddie appeared to have blocked the shot, he lost control and the ball trundled onward to the six-yard line where the alert Dylan O’Kane pounced to clip the ball over the keeper on the ground, having already dived in an attempt to save Lindsay’s shot. Glens 3-0 up on 90 minutes.
The final whistle blew soon after and an entertaining game came to a close;
FT Bathgate 0 Glenafton 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding (17. Ryan Walker) 5. Ollie Rowe (Captain) 4. Jordan Allan (14. Lewis Currie); 7. Cammy Ross 6. Evan Maley 8. Ross Lindsay 11. Chris Erskine (16. Sam McKee) 3. Jared Willet; 9. Hugh Kerr (15. Dylan O’Kane) 10. Michael Mullen. Subs Not Used: 16. Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
BATHGATE THISTLE
22 Craig Saunders 2. Kyle Mooney 3. Lewis Peddie 4. Ryan Stevenson 5. James Macadam 6. McKenzye Campbell 7. Jordan Rodger 8. Fraser Cormack 9. Ryan Wilson 10. Glenn Thomson (captain) 11. Lennon Smith Subs. Cody Thomson, Nathan Williamson, Brayden Docherty, Stewart Thomson, Jay Tapping, Finlay Mackay, Ally McInnes
Footnote The teams met once before in the Scottish Junior Cup back in the 2nd Round 1990 at Loch Park with Glens running out 5-2 winners. John McCulloch, Andy Dunlop, Malky Adams and Norman Montogomery (2) scored for the Glens while Bathgate’s Hill and Conville put the two past keeper Alan Rough.
Glens were drawn away to Tranent in the 3rd round and will now travel to face Tranent in the 5th round of the competition.
With tomorrow being Remembrance Sunday, a minute’s silence was observed before kick-off to remember the service and sacrifice made by those that lost their lives while defending our freedoms.
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Shotts two weeks ago with Jared Willet (unavailable), Sam McKee (unavailable) and Chris Erskine (injured) making way for Cammy Ross, Evan Maley and Jordan Allan, making his debut for the club.
Jordan Allan, Glens debut
In the Troon line-up was former Glenafton midfielder Dario Viviani while former defender Aldin El-Zubadi was on the bench. In the dug-out were former Glenafton players, assistant manager Andy Bell and coach, the legendary Craig Bingham.
Glenafton kicked-off and were first to threaten after Ross Lindsay curled a ball deep into the box where Jordan Allan and Mark Morrison challenged for a header that saw the ball drop over the bar, each claiming it was the other that won the battle – goal kick to Troon.
Play quickly fell into a pattern of back and forth with few chances on show.
On 10 minutes Dean Fulton broke into the right-hand side of the Glens box before drilling a low-angled shot only for keeper Ally Semple to get down and smother the ball on his line.
At the other end on 25 minutes, another determined run down the right by Cammy Ross saw him pick out Jordan Allan in and around the penalty spot but with Morrison tight on his back he rolled the ball back to Michael Mullen on the 18-yard line only for his shot to fly over the bar.
The visitors responded in deadly fashion. The goal-kick was played short and gathered by Jamie Gallagher inside the ‘D’ from where he drove diagonally to the right and from 10 yards within the Troon half he clipped the ball upfield into the right hand side of the Glens box for Morrison to chase with Craig Pettigrew for company, meanwhile Semple raced off his line but failed to get a grip of the ball, leaving Morrison to drive to the corner of the six yard box before slipping the ball towards Fulton, sparking a melee of red and blue shirts in and around the six-yard box. With Semple still well off his line, Lyall Holding stood guard as Fulton looked to line up a shot however Ollie Rowe made a timely block only for the ball to fall to Dario Viviani, by which time Semple and Pettigrew were back in the fray. Another superb tackle by Rowe robbed Viviani of the ball which fell kindly for Leyton Dunlop to curl the ball from 16 yards past his grounded team-mate Fulton and into the roof of the net beyond the reach of Semple. Troon 1-0 up in 27 minutes.
Soon after Morrison cracked a vicious dipping shot from 25 yards that took a bounce before Semple safely gathered. The visitors continued to press and from a corner kick the ball eventually landed at the feet of Callan Veitch on the edge of the ‘D’ but his low shot lacked the power or direction to trouble Semple.
The floodlights were now on and things began to brighten up a bit for the home side with a good spell of possession in the Troon half. On 40 minutes Lindsay whipped a free kick from 10 yards inside the Troon half into the box where it bounced up off the six-yard line and the inrushing Kerr beat Gallagher to the ball only for his bullet header to crash into the side net, albeit the air-borne keeper Dale Burgess had his near post well covered.
Glens continued to push down the right with Ross and Evan Maley, however the only reward was a corner kick which came to nothing.
HT Glens 0 Troon 1
The visitors had an early free-kick floated into a packed box but a poor connection saw the ball end safely into Semple’s hands.
At the other end a neat move saw Mullen hold off defenders on the outskirts of the box before laying it off to Ross overlapping down the right only for his square ball to Kerr box to be intercepted at the expense of a corner which was headed out for a throw. Allan launched the shy high to the near corner of the six-yard box for Kerr and although the striker was arm-locked by both Logan Smith and Dario Viviani he managed to nod the ball back for Ross only for his shot fromm 12 yards to be deflected over the bar for a corner. Lindsay clipped the ball into a packed six-yard box, about 7-a-side, after the ensuing stramash Burgess was able to collect it at his near post.
Glens came close to drawing level on 52 minutes when Mullen’s header from a Lindsay free-kick thundered of the cross bar towards the left-hand side of the box from where Kerr then sent a looping header back across the goal mouth beyond the reach of Burgess only to drift inches wide of the back post. The home side continued to push. Allan launched a shy from the right into the heart of the box for Rowe but a blatant shirt-pull by Smith saw him win the header and sent Rowe tumbling to the ground.
Nevertheless on 62 minutes the home side’s pressure paid off through sheer determination. Another Glens attack was booted clear from the Troon box only for Pettigrew, from the centre circle, to leap and send a powerful header back towards the edge of box for Mullen who in turn laid it off to Maley to skip past a couple of players before drilling a low diagonal ball for Kerr only for Wharton to intercept but fail to control the ball. It was the quick-thinking Kerr that got between the two centre-backs to retrieve the ball and hold off Morrison’s advances before laying it into the path of Michael Mullen to blast a low shot into the net from 15 yards out.
Play was now raging back and forth.
Allan gathered the ball in the centre circle and quickly picked out Ross at the right hand corner of the box who gave Jack Sherrie the run around before cutting across the 18 yard line and slipping the ball to Mullen deep in the box who was forced to roll it back out for Ryan McCubbin to tee up a shot from 20 yards that was deflected wide by Callan Veitch and the corner cleared.
At the other end Fulton chased down a long ball on the right and from the bye-line whipped a great ball into the heart of the box for the inrushing Dunlop only for Rowe to intercept with a clearing header which was quickly recovered by the visitors and following some patient buildup play by Veitch who gave McCubbin the slip before driving forward at speed into the ‘D’ where he appeared to lose control of the ball and caught Lindsay a sore one the shin as the Glens player cleared the danger. Another stramash followed and soon after a ‘staff member’ from each of the dug-outs was shown a red card for verbal altercations and gesticulations!
Back came Troon and Wharton’s throw-in from deep on the left was headed clear across the goalmouth by Rowe and pounced on by Maley to hoof it upfield where Morrison gathered the ball before driving forward only to lose control and catch McCubbin on the ankle both players falling to the ground and the free-kick given to Troon!
Both sides were going at it to snatch a late winner. On 83 minutes Kerr gathered the ball in his own half and burst up the middle, with Mullen breaking to the right, but as he crossed the half-way line Wharton cynically took the feet from him in full expectation of a yellow card.
Semple launched a long ball upfield to the outskirts of the Troon box for Kerr but with Sherrie climbing all over him the ball was lost and seconds later Smith fired it back through the middle for the striker to chase, only to be beaten to the ball by the outrushing Semple. However, the referee brought play back adjudging that Rowe had impeded Fulton on the left, inside the Troon half. Veitch curled the free-kick into the packed box where Wharton won the aerial battle only for his high looping header to drop over the bar.
Back came Troon and Fulton’s determination saw him win the ball on the left just inside the Glens’ half and break forward before cutting inside and clipping the ball between the back-tracking Rowe and McCubbin, however he appeared to overhit it and Rowe seemed to get an outstretched leg to the ball before Fulton tumbled to the ground, and then tripped McCubbin as he collected the loose ball. However, the referee deemed otherwise and awarded a free-kick to Troon before brandishing a second yellow-card and sending the Glens centre-back off, with a minute of the regulation 90 remaining.
Glens made a change with Michael Mullen making way for Lewis Currie.
Up stepped Callan Veitch and from 22 yards curled the free kick over the Glens wall to sneak in at Semple’s far post, Troon 2-1 up on 90 minutes.
Glens brought on Dylan O’Kane for Cammy Ross but try as they might the Glenafton struggled to find another opening …..until the 95th minute.
Troon had pegged the Glens back deep in their own half from where Lyall Holding collected a pass tight on the right touchline only to be quickly closed down by Grant Brennan, however the youngster turned him brilliantly to create space and square the ball to Pettigrew who pushed forward before picking out Allan on the left. The debutant took a few steps forward and from 10 yards inside the Glens’ half he spotted the raised arm of Kerr trotting tentatively towards the Troon box with Smith a few yards in front of him, before launching the ball high into the box where ‘Kerr & Smith’, now together, more less on the penalty spot, and although they leapt in unison there was only one winner as Shuggy Kerr guided his header over the head of Burgess, rooted three yards from his goal-line, into the back of the net.
The celebrations on and off the park were joyous as the ten men fought back for a precious and well-deserved point.
Glens 2 Troon 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 4. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 5. Ollie Rowe 7. Cammy Ross (12. Lewis Currie) 11.Evan Maley 6. Ryan McCubbin 8. Ross Lindsay 3. Jordan Allan 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen (15. Dylan O.Kane) Subs Not Used: 14. Ryan Walker 16. Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston
TROON
1. Dale Burgess 3. Sam McCloskey (6. Jack Sherrie) 5. Logan Smith 8. Leyton Dunlop 10. Kyle Gilroy ( 20. Lenon McDonnell) 12. Callan Veitch 14. Dean Fulton 15. Mark Morrison (captain) 16. Bryan Wharton 17. Dario Viviani (18. Grant Brennan) 19. Jaime Gallagher Subs Not Used. 4.Aldin El-Zubadi 7. Rhy Oyegbesan 11. Keiran Logan 21. Rohan Harkins
Glenafton made two changes from the eleven that started against Deveronside last Saturday with Ryan Walker and Dylan O’Kane making for Hugh Kerr and Ryan McCubbin making his G debut.
Today they face a Shotts side that trounced them 4-1 in the West of Scotland League Cup at Loch Park only three weeks ago at Loch Park, with Taylor Evans scoring all four goals for the visitors. Once again at the heart of Bon Accord’s defence was former Glenafton player Chris Meikle.
It was the visitors that opened the scoring on 26 minutes after a good run down the left by Danny Burns to whip the ball to the corner of the six yard box for Evans and although he could not make contact under pressure from Ollie Rowe the ball fell for Ally Small to guide through the keeper Ally Semple’s legs and into the net.
Glenafton struck back immediately after they had briefly lost possession from the kick-off Ryan McCubbin stole the ball from Chris Meikle from the centre-circle. inside the Shotts’ half, before picking out Chris Erskine on the right who instantly threaded a ball between two defenders into the box for Shuggy Kerr to chase down and then curl it home from 12 yards past the advancing keeper Sandy Thomson.
However, back came Shotts and a long throw from the left into a packed six-yard box saw Chris Meikle’s leap, with his back goal, send a looping header into the far corner to take the lead on 33 minutes.
Shuggy Kerr
The home side drew level on the stroke of half-time. Ross Lindasy gathered the ball on the left just inside the Shott’s half and slipped it to Michael Mullen, who held the ball up as a posse of Shott’s players closed in, before laying it off to Jared Willet on the overlap tight on the left wing and break forward to the outskirts of the box and curl a great ball into the six yard box for the inrushing Shuggy Kerr who got the better of Meikle and Thomson’s fankle and prod the ball home.
HT Glens 2 Shotts 2
Chris Erskime
Ross Lindsay pinged a ball to Chris Erskine on the centre spot and from here he weaved his magic. Driving forward for 15 yards before drifting slightly to the left, with no fewer than four Shotts players beginning to close in, but with Willet tight on the wing as a decoy, he cut inside leaving the pack chasing shadows to make his way to the edge of the ‘D’ tempting Meikle to come out the box but instead he wrong footed the defender dragging the ball with his left foot to the 18- yard line before smacking an unstoppable shot with his right. Scenes of joy ensued and rightly so it proved to be a match winner, and Chris’s first goal for the club, on 81 minutes!
FT Glens 3 Shotts 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 3. Jared Willet 4. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Ryan McCubbin 7. Sam McKee 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen 11. Chris Erskine. Subs Not Used: 12. Evan Maley 14. Ryan Walker 15. Dylan O’Kane 16. Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston
SHOTTS BON ACCORD
1. Sandy Thomson 2. Joe Sexton 3. Josh Gracie 4. Chris Meikle 5. Andrew Duffy (12. Ben Richford) 6. Ally Martin 7. Jack Gordon (15. Rico De Marco) 8. Adam Hunter 9. Ally Small (16. Fraser Anderson) 10. Danny Burns 11. Taylor Evans . Not Used: 21. Tomas Starrs 14. Kieran Campbell 17. Blair Mulvany
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Shotts Bon Accord two weeks ago with Lewis Currie, Cammy Ross (suspended) and Hugh Kerr (injured) making way for Lyall Holding, Dylan O’Kane and Sam McKee.
Today’s opponents, Deveronside JFC, are based at MacDuff, Aberdeenshire at the mouth of the River Deveron. ‘The Side’ currently sit mid-table of the McBookie North Region Championship and progressed to the 3rd round of the Scottish Junior after a 3-2 victory at home over Stoneyburn.
Although the Glens kicked off it was the visitors that made a lively start. No. 10 weaved his way past a clutch of defenders into the right-hand side of the box before squaring the ball to the inrushing No. 9 only for his shot to be blocked by Lyall Holding, sending the ball over the bar. The corner kick was cleared from the box but fell for No. 6 and his low shot from distance was deflected high over the bar. for another corner which came to nothing. Soon after the visitors were left feeling aggrieved after a quick break down the left leaving the winger with seemingly a free run into the goalmouth only for a late offside flag to bring play to a halt, looked like a let-off for the Glens.
The home side countered through Sam McKee only for his shot from 25 yards to sail over the bar. Chris Erskine then gathered a ball on the outskirts of the box and jinked past a defender before lashing a shot from 22 yards which whizzed over the outstretched hand of the leaping keeper before dipping well over the bar.
Deversonside passed up a great chance to take the lead on 10 minutes after No. 7, with only the keeper to beat, sliced his shot from 10 yards sending the ball well wide of the post.
Play was flowing back and forth now. Erskine on the move and from within a pocket of defenders slipped the ball to Dylan O’Kane to drive forward only for his low shot from 20 yard to trundle wide of the post.
On 15 minutes Glenafton broke the deadlock after a spell of pressure in and around a busy box the ball fell for Ross Lindsay in the ’D’ who picked out McKee wide on the left-hand side of the box who quickly clipped a perfectly weighted ball over the head of the keeper to the back post for Michael Mullen to nod it home from a yard out.
The home side continued to press. O’Kane gathered a great ball from Ryan Walker before driving into the box with defenders giving chase only to earn a yellow card for his tumble in the box.
Soon after, Mullen’s headed flick was met on the drop by Jared Willet who lobbed the ball into the box for O’Kane to chase down only for his attempted chip to be palmed away by the keeper and then scrambled clear.
Mullen gathered the ball at the edge of the box and rolled it back to Walker to fire the a low shot from 25 yards that beat the keeper but drifted wide of the post.
On 25 minutes captain Craig Pettigrew took a sore one while stripping the ball from No. 7 and although he returned to the field after treatment, he was unable to continue and was replaced by Lewis Currie.
Mullen gathered the ball on the left-hand side of the box and held off one defender before weaving past two others as he drove towards the near post only for the keeper to bravely dive at his feet to clutch the ball.
The visitors began to enjoy possession deep in the Glens albeit without creating any decent chances.
Nevertheless, the home side continued to look the more threatening in particular with Erskine roaming about the pitch at ease and initiating further attacks.
On 41 minutes O’Kane burst free from the centre circle before slipping the ball to McKee on the right-hand side of the box only for his low shot to be blocked and his attempt to fire home the rebound was deflected for a corner which was headed over the bar by Ollie Rowe.
At the other end Deveronside won a free kick on the outskirts of the Glens box which was curled round the side of the Glens wall forcing keeper Ally Semple to get down low on the goal line and push it away towards the right touch-line where No.7 won the race for the loose ball and whipped a wicked cross deep into the six-yard box where Semple under pressure from No.4 clutched it cleanly, before being ‘nudged’ over the goal-line.
As the half drew to a close Erskine gathered Lindsay’s header in the centre circle before bursting between two players and after slipping the ball to McKee on the right, he high-tailed it down the wing to complete the one-two and collect the ball on the right-hand side of the box to drill a low ball into the six-yard box for the inrushing Mullen, only for No. 5 to intercept and send the ball over the keeper and the bar. Although the corner was won in the air by Currie the ball was cleared from the box only for McKee to whip it back in, where it was trapped by Willet and his shot from 10 yards flew high over the bar in the last action of the half.
HT Glens 1 Deveronside 0
A lower key start to this half with play going back and forth with the best chance falling to the visitors No. 9 however his close range shot at goal lacked the power to trouble Semple.
On 57 minutes Glens came close to doubling their lead after O’Kane gathered the ball at the right hand corner of the box before driving towards the near post and cutting the ball back to Mullen to drill a low shot from 8 yards and although he beat the keeper the ball was cleared off the line by a defender at the back post.
Glenafton made a change on the hour mark with Dylan O’Kane making way for Stephen McLelland. Soon after the home side won a free kick just wide on the left and as Lindsay looked to float it high into the box only to drill the ball up the touchline for Erskine to collect and cut into the box and square it to the inrushing Mullen only for the keeper to get a strong hand to it and the danger was cleared.
The visitors then broke up the right through No. 10 forcing his way to the bye-line before flashing the ball across the face of goal for No. 11 at the back only for McKee to intervene and the chance was gone momentarily. Deveronside recovered the loose ball and it fell for No. 10 but his shot from the 25 yards sailed high over the bar.
Back came the home side and won a corner on the left only for the keeper to come off his line to clutch the ball cleanly. McKee then broke down the right to win a throw a few yards from the corner-flag which he lobbed high into the heart of the box where the ball was eventually scrambled cleared and fell at the feet of Ross Lindsay at the edge of the ‘D’ from where his sweet strike sailed inches above the reach of the keeper’s finger tips as he leapt high from the six-yard line with his arm at full stretch and he could only look on as the ball dipped inches under the bar and into the gaping net. Glens 2-0 up on 70 minutes.
Five minutes later Erskine released the tireless Willet down the left and his cut-back from the bye-line was slammed home by Mullen from 3 yards out, before Willet was deemed to have crossed the line and the score remained 2-0.
Played now raged back and forth with decent chances at both ends. Lindsay’s free-kick deflected off the two-man wall and McKee’s attempt to divert it into the net from the corner of the six-yard bow was well held by the keeper.
At the other end a corner from the right was met by a glancing header from No. 12 that initiated a scramble in a packed six-yard box that concluded with McKee’s clearance.
Back came Glens and Erskine glided to the edge of the box before threading a low shot through a busy goalmouth and past the stranded keeper only to drift wide of the far post.
On 83 minutes the Glens made a double substitution with Ross Lindsay and Michael Mullen making way for Brendan Arthur and Mason McDougall.
A minute later Deveronside came close to halving the deficit but No.10 under pressure from Currie couldn’t get his shot on target.
On 90 minutes Glens made it 3-0 after Willet gathered the ball in the ‘D’ and with no way forward he still managed to weave himself free from 4 or 5 defenders to slip the ball to McKee on the right who who skipped past a defender before whipping a ball from the bye-line to the near post and although it floated over the head of McDonald and his marker the young keeper, having played so well, fumbled the ball and the inrushing Stephen McLelland forced the ball over the line.
Credit to the visitors as they fought for a late consolation with No. 11 pulling off a great save from Semple and soon after another attack ended with a shot being deflected over the bar for a corner which sparked off another scramble in the Glens box.
FT Glens 3 Deveronside 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 3. Jared Willet 4. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) (14. Lewis Currie) 5. Ollie Rowe 6. Ryan Walker 7. Sam McKee 8. Ross Lindsay (15. Brandon Arthur) 9. Dylan O’Kane (12. Stephen McLelland) 10. Michael Mullen (16. Mason McDougall) 11. Chris Erskine Subs Not Used: 22. Keon Thurston (gk), Evan Maley.
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Largs Thistle last Saturday with Lyall Holding making way for Craig Pettigrew, returning from injury and midweek signing Chris Erskine making his debut.
In the Shotts line up was former Glenafton defender Chris Meikle
The two sides met each other at Loch Park at the Quarter-FinaLstage of the West of Scotland Football League Cup last season ending with the visitors progressing to the semi-final after a 2-0 win.
Glenafton got off to a great start after winning on a corner-kick on the right which was whipped to the near post by Ross Lindsay and although Jared Willet’s shot with his right foot was blocked, he stayed alert to fire the rebound home with his left. Glens 1-0 on 3 minutes. Soon after they woodwork prevented a second.
Jared Willet
However, Shotts put a shaky start behind them and drew level on 31 minutes through Taylor Evans looping a header over keeper Ally Semple’s head from the edge of the six yard box. There would be no further scoring in the first-half and the cup-tie was all square at the break.
HT Glens 1 Shotts 1
The second half proved to be one-sided affair in terms of goal action as the visitors called the shots and Taylor stitched up the Glens with a clinical second half hat-trick. On 58 minutes a corner from the left was curled into the goal mouth where the alert Taylor Evans burst forward to bullet the ball home. Four minutes later after a short spell of head tennis between the sides the ball fell kindly for Taylor Evans on the 18 yard line to lash an unstoppable shot beyond Semple at full stretch and into the top left hand corner. On 69 minutes a corner from the right was clipped to the near post for Taylor Evans to nod the ball into the net from a few yards out.
FT Glens 1 Shotts 4
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 3. Jared Willet 4. Lewis Currie (12. Dylan O’Kane) 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. Ryan Walker 7. Cammy Ross (15. Stephen McLelland) 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen 11. Chris Erskine (14. Sam McKee) Subs Not Used: 22. Keon Thurston (gk) 17. L. Morrison.
SHOTTS BON ACCORD
1. Sandy Thomson 2. Joe Sexton 3. Josh Gracie 4. Robbie Torrance 5. Chris Meikle 6. Ally Martin y Anderson) (14. Finla7. Jack Gordon 8. Andrew Duffy (15. Ethan O’Neill) 9. Fraser Anderson (17. Michael Foley) 10. Taylor Evans (12. Adam Hunter)11. Ben Richford (18. Kieran Campbell) Subs Not Used. 22. Thomas Starrs, 16. Martin Cassells
Paul Paton, in his first game as manager at Loch Park, made two changes to the eleven that started against Ellon United last Saturday with Cameron Ross and Ryan Walker replacing Stephen McClelland and Liam Caddis.
Largs Thistle took the lead on 14 minutes through Jamie Martin. Glens came close to drawing level in the closing minute of the half after Sam McKee’s strike came off the crossbar. Striker Will Sewell doubled the visitors’ lead on 50 minutes.
Glenafton hit back on 67 minutes after Cammy Ross broke down the right and from the bye-line whipped the ball into the six-yard box and although a defender sent a clearing header skyward it was Shuggy Kerr that won the ball on its descent to head it home despite a valiant attempt by keeper Joe Wilton.
Shuggy Kerr
The keeper made a great a save in the closing minute to secure Largs victory, the Glens by this time down to 10 men after Cammy Ross earned a second yellow card on 80 minutes/
FT Glens 1 Largs 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 3. Jared Willet 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. Ryan Walker 7. Sam McKee 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen 11. Cammy Ross. Subs Used: Dylan O’Kane, Liam Caddis. Subs Not Used: Keon Thurston (gk), Craig Pettigrew, Andrew Strachan, Arthur
LARGS THISTLE
1. Joe Wilton 2. Sean McLeod 3. Laurie McMaster 4. Kieran Brady 5. Cory Hughes 6. Stuart Faulds 19. Ryan Deas (10. Travis Stracey) 8. Lewis Davidson 7. Jamie Martin 9. Will Sewell 20. Blair Devine Subs Not Used: 12. Cole Ojungu 14. John Cumming 15. Ryan McCreath 18. Conor Bradley GK Matt Johnson.
Glenafton travelled north to face Ellon United in the 2nd Round of the Scottish Junior Cup with new manager and former Glens player Paul Paton at the helm along with coach Alan Muir.
The two sides met each other in the 3rd round of the competition six years ago in Season 2018/19 at The Meadows, where Glens fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 through headers from Chris Dallas, Mick McCann and Dale ‘Gunner’ Moore. Ellon currently sit in 3rd place in the North Region Premier League with Pl7 W5 D1 L1 F16 A9 16 Pts. record,
Prior to kick-off the team captains Ollie Rowe and Neil Irvine posed with 5 young local mascots, including a babe-in-arms and the match referee which was followed by a minute’s silence.
Ellon kicked off under an overcast sky and play soon raged back and forth and with defences very much on top, particularly winning the aerial battles of balls floated high into the box.
On 11 minutes Glenafton made the breakthrough. Lyall Holding pushed into the Ellon half and slotted the ball up the right flank for Sam McKee where he was quickly closed down by Johny Cain, who was then penalised for clicking the winger’s heels. Ellon set up a two-man wall at the corner of the box while half-a-dozen players from both sides congregated in the vicinity of the penalty spot. Ross Lindsay stepped up to whip a low vicious free-kick wide of the wall which also by-passed the outstretched legs of Michael Mullen and Cain in turn but not the stooping Calum Irvine his header seemingly heading for his own net only for the inrushing Ollie Rowe to get the final touch and guide the ball over the line past keeper Daniel Adamson.
The visitors continued to press with the mobility of Shuggy Kerr, Liam Caddis and Mullen keeping the home defence on their toes. Ellon countered with a number of high balls into the box from free-kicks and open play all of which were headed cleared either by Rowe or Stuart Currie or plucked out the air by keeper Ally Semple, taking a few knocks in the process.
Glenafton doubled their lead on 25 minutes after Michael Mullen chased down a ball on the left-hand side of the box before setting off on a diagonal run between the back-tracking Calum Irvine and the outrushing keeper towards the far corner of the six-yard box from where he side-footed the ball into the gaping net.
Coincidentally the overcast sky had transformed to blue sky and fluffy clouds, casting long shadows on the lush green of The Meadows.
Back came Glens and Kerr held off the strong challenge of Cain to nod the ball into box where Mullen gathered and with two defenders closing in, he rolled it back to the outskirts of the box where the visitors won another free-kick. On this occasion Lindsay’s effort deflected off the jumping members of wall and dipped inches over the bar while the corner-kick that followed saw the keeper claw the ball way from the head of the leaping Rowe.
Kerr and Mullen remained busy on the outskirts of Ellon’s box with Stephen McClelland, Caddis and Ross feeding their runs. Another ball clipped upfield for Kerr was intercepted by Sam Harrison and Cain whipped the loose ball up the left for James Bain to chase down and push forward to the edge of the left-hand side of the box where Rowe’s tackle was deemed worthy of a free-kick. James Cain curled a cracker of a free kick wide of the four-man wall and into the top corner of the back post with Semple rooted on his line to halve deficit on 30 minutes.
Play went back and forth and soon after Ellon won another free kick deep on the left from where Calum Irvine clipped the ball into the six-yard box for Stewart Gray only for Semple to clutch the ball safely.
On 37 minutes Glenafton were forced to make a change after Stephen McClelland pulled up and was replaced with Ryan Walker.
Both sides continued to push and try to add to their tally before the break but without success.
HT Ellon 1 Glens 2
The home side enjoyed a strong start to the second half. Cain was presented with another free-kick in a dangerous position on the outskirts of the box only this time his shot battered off the back of the leaping Ross.
Glens countered after Jared Willet trapped a clearance on his chest and laid the ball off to Walker to drive to the bye-line before drilling it across the face of goal for the inrushing Mullen only for the keeper to intercept and smother the ball, meanwhile the visitors’ loud appeals that Walker’s cross had struck Harris Chubb’s hand were waved away.
At the other end the Glens wall did its job again as Cain’s free-kick was deflected out for a corner which fell for Finlay Armstrong deep in the box to flick the ball up, wheel round and volley a shot that flew over the bar
Play fell into the ‘back and forth’ mode once again with the home side more successful in breaking into their opponent’s box albeit without seriously testing the keeper. For the Glens, Willet was busy down the left flank teaming up with Kerr and Walker but here too there was no end product. However, later a high ball was headed to the edge of the box where Willet launched himself into the air to head it goalward only for Chubb to intercept and clear.
Ellon then breached the Glens box three times in quick succession with Currie the clearer on each occasion. At the other end a Rowe header from a free-kick floated into the box was comfortably held by the keeper.
On 72 minutes Glens replaced Liam Caddis, after a great shift, with Dylan O’Kane and the young winger was soon in the thick of the action.
Willet was sandwiched between two defenders deep on the left wing and it was O’Kane that clipped the free-kick over the two-man wall into the six-yard box where Michael Mullen drifted free of his marker into the space between Calum Irvine and keeper Adamson to nod the ball home from 3 yards out. Glens 3-1 up on 74 minutes.
On 77 minutes Glens made it 4-1. Kerr was brought down 30 yards from goal and although the free-kick beat the keeper at full stretch it crashed off the inside of the back post and flashed across the face of goal past the grounded keeper and O’Kane looked certain to score but a mis-kick sent the ball wide off target only for the alert Sam McKee to pounce and from two yards out squeeze the ball between Callum Irvine and the back post – understandably Sam and Dylan celebrated the goal with smile of joy and relief!
On 81 minutes Kerr came close to adding fifth, drilling a low powerful shot from 10 yards only for Adamson to stick out a foot and send the ball wide off target. Three minutes later Michael Mullen pulled up with an injury, having covered every inch on the park, and was replaced with Mason McDougall, the Glens U20 player making his debut.
Ellon enjoyed a late flurry but the Glens stood firm to prevent any consolation.
FT Ellon 1 Glens 4
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 3. Jared Willet 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. Stephen McClelland (12. Ryan Walker) 7. Sam McKee 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen (15. Mason McDougall/U20) 11. Liam Caddis (14. Dylan O’Kane). Subs Not Used: 23. Keon Thurston/U20.
ELLON UNITED
1. Daniel Adamson 2. Ben Milne 3. Sam Harrison 4. Harris Clubb 5. Johny Cain 6. Calum Irvine 7. Aaron Buckle 8. Neill Irvine (captain) 9. James Bain 10. Finlay Armstrong 11. Stewart Gray. Substitutes: 12. Stuart Smith 14. Logan Tough 15. Ben Riddell 16. Aarron Gerrard 17. Jordan Tallis 18. Scott Gray
Former Glenafton player Paul Paton has returned to Loch Park to take up the vacant managerial position. Paul joined the Glens at the beginning of Season 2022/23, signed by Ryan Stevenson and went to make 74 starts in his two seasons at Loch Park.
MANAGERIAL APPOINTMENT:
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our former player Paul Paton as the next Glenafton Athletic manager.
Paul has enjoyed an illustrious career in the game playing for and captaining clubs amongst others such as Partick Thistle and Dundee United. Paul joined the Glens at the start of the 2022/2023 season before leaving to join Irvine Meadow XI FC at the start of this season.
Paul’s leadership skills and knowledge of the game, made him the outstanding candidate for the job, and we are delighted Paul has chosen Glenafton as the club to begin his managerial career with.
We will announce Paul’s full backroom team in due course.
We urge all our supporters to get behind the club and Paul, ahead of Saturday’s clash against Ellon United.
We would also like to thank everyone who applied for the job, and to the people who offered to help out in the interim.
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Glenafton Athletic can confirm that manager Ryan Caddis has left the club by mutual agreement. Ryan was appointed manager in November 2023 and helped secure Glenafton’s place in the Premier Division.
Assistant manager and Darren Miller and coach David Watters will also leave the club.
Glenafton Athletic 