Tranent 4 Glenafton 3

Posted on January 18, 2025 by flowgently
SJFAScottish Junior CupRound 5
Tranent F.C. 4 (3)Bauld, Hutchings (2) , Girdwood
Glenafton Athletic3 (0)Mullen, Erskine, Ross
Sat 18 JAN 2025KO 2:30 pmForesters Park, Tranent

Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Drumchapel United, some 4 weeks ago, in a league match at Loch Park with Ryan McCubbin (cup-tied) and Evan Maley (injured) making way for Ollie Rowe and midweek signing Jamie Taggart on loan from Partick Thistle.

Glenafton Athletic and Tranent Juniors have previously met four times in the Scottish Junior dating back to Season 1966/67. The 2nd round tie ended in a 3-3 draw at Loch Park with McWatters bagging a brace for the Glens and Carmichael the other while the replay at Foresters Park finished goalless. Rutherglen Glencairn hosted the 2nd replay where McWatters bagged another brace and Nodder Kirkpatrick the other in a 3-0 win.

In Season 1990/91 when Glens triumphed won 2-0 in the 3rd round with goals from Malky Adams and a Malcolm O.G. It was a return to Foresters Park in Season 1994/95 in the 5th Round where Glenafton manager Alan Rough faced a Tranent side managed by Roy Baines, both former keepers having each had spells at Celtic and Hibernian. The Glens looked to be heading out only for Stevie Farrell to score an 87th minute equaliser. The replay at Loch Park proved to be more comfortable for the Glens, running out 3-0 winners with goals from Tom McKenzie, Stephen Quigg and Davie Walker, his son Ryan in the Glens squad today. The fourth meeting, in Season 2001/02 saw the Glens progress to the 3rd round after 2-0 win at Loch Park.

As Tranent Juniors, the club were crowned East of Scotland Champions in Season 2022/23 and after defeating Dalbeattie Star and then Darvel in the play-offs they gained entry into the Scottish Lowland League, changing their name to Tranent F.C.

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of Scott Robertson, Honorary Vice President of the SJFA, who recently passed away.

Glenafton kicked off and play quickly fell into a pattern of back and forth with few chances on show. On 10 minutes Tranent won a corner-kick on the left that Ben Miller curled into a packed box and keeper David Markey cleanly clutched the ball from under the bar.

At the other end Jamie Taggart gathered a pass from Chris Erskine before breaking down the left and whipping a ball into the box for the inrushing Ollie Rowe only for keeper Kelby Mason to intervene and gather the ball. Soon after Erskine weaved his way down the right and clipped the ball deep into box but again Mason mopped up as Taggart closed in.

Back came Tranent through Joe Viola to fire a shot from the 18-yard line that was deflected wide for a corner, although Glens hands were raised in unison for some offence, the kick went ahead. Miller again delivered it into the packed box and it was Euan Bauld that got the crucial touch to force the ball over the line. Tranent 1-0 up on 21 minutes.

Two minutes later the visitors came close to drawing level after Taggart burst down the left before whipping a ball between two defenders into the heart of the box where Michael Mullen got the jump on Jake Hutchings to send a looping header towards the back post, beyond the reach of the keeper scurrying along his line only for the ball to slip inches wide of the post.

Tranent then dominated the remainder of the half with some neat free flowing football. Although a corner kick from the right was just too high for the leaping Danny Handling at the near post it was met a few yards on by Hutchings only for his close-range header to be blocked by Lewis Currie, sending it clear of danger. Viola then gathered the ball at the right-hand corner of the box with Handling teeing up for the cross only for the ball to float high over the bar.

On the half-hour mark Harry Girdwood and Ben Stirling cleverly combined down the right with the latter driving to the bye-line before cutting the ball back to the former to push forward into the six-yard box and with Lyall Holding cloing in he picked out Viola to curl what appeared to be net bound shot only for Markey to dive at full stretch and push the ball wide of the post.

Stirling curled the corner in from the right and the ball skimmed over the head of the leaping Rowe and fell for Jake Hutchings to get between Craig Pettigrew and Currie to bullet a downward header into the net. Tranent 2-0 up on 31 minutes.

Glens responded with a break through the middle only for Mullen to be fouled 10 yards from the penalty box and although the striker curled the ball over the wall it fell kindly into the arms of keeper Mason.

On 34 minutes Glens made a change with Sam McKee making way for Shuggy Kerr who was quickly in the thick of the action breaking down the right and slipping the ball inside to Mullen on the 18-yard line from where he knocked it on to Erskine, to turn 3 defenders before being brought down in the ‘D’. Mullen’s free kick flew over the wall but high and wide of target.

Half-chances came and went at either end before Girdwood was impeded in the Glens box as he tried to force his way between Pettigrew and Ross Linsday.  On 45 minutes up stepped Dean Brett to drill the spot-kick only for Markey pull off a great save pushing the ball wide of the post.

The corner kick from the right was floated to the back post were Rowe won the aerial battle sending the ball behind for another corner which resulted in a goal mouth stramash with efforts from Hutchings and Handling cleared off the line. Viola chased after the ball as it rolled out towards the right-hand side of the box to quickly loft it back into the goalmouth where Kerr’s headed clearance was gathered by Miller at the edge of the box only for his shot to be blocked and the gathered on the left-hand side of the box by Handling who threaded it through to Jake Hutchings on the penalty spot from where he pushed right between two defenders before stopping abruptly to stab the ball into the net. Tranent 3-0 up on 46 minutes.

HT Tranent 3 Glens 0

A shell-shocked Glens had trundled off the park at the break while supporters were at the most hoping for damaged limitations in the second half . Instead, they witnessed one of the club’s finest fightbacks in living memory, albeit they had to endure watching a Tranent corner kick in the opening minute of the half – which was headed clear of the box by Lindsay and gathered by Taggart. The home side continued to press and Miller’s shot from the edge of the box sailed over the bar.

On 51 minutes Glenafton made a change with Jordan Allan replacing Lyall Holding. A minute later the Glens pushed down the right with Taggart who progressed to the 18-yard line before clipping the ball high into box with Kerr and Rowe as targets only for Hutchings to intervene and head the ball upfield where it was met by Michael Mullen to drill a low diagonal shot from 25 yards or more that beat the keeper at full stretch at his back post before bulging the net. Tranent 3 Glens 1 on 52 minutes.

The visitors continued to press as Taggart chased down a ball into the box and although he gave Bauld the slip the keeper was alert to rush from his line to clear. Soon after Taggart gathered a clearance on right and squared the ball inside to Rowe who burst into the box only to be forced wide on the right before drilling a low ball to the corner of the six-yard box for Jared Willet who held of a defender before slipping the ball to Kerr.  Although the striker’s close range shot at the near post was blocked, he quickly recovered the loose ball and holding off defenders he attempted to guide the ball in at the far post, only for it drift wide of the target.

Tranent then enjoyed a decent spell of pressure, particularly down the right with Stirling and Viola whipping balls into the box for Girdwood and Handling respectively only for Pettigrew to clear on both occasions. Another run by Viola saw him reach the bye-line and pick out Handling on this occasion but his header drifted wide of the target.

Glens countered through Mullen bursting down the left and from deep in the box squared the ball into the goalmouth for Erskine only for substitute No.19 to intercept and clear. Back came the visitors and Rowe’s high looping header landed on the roof of the net. Allan then floated a free-kick into the six-yard but beyond the reach of both Kerr and Rowe as it dipped over the bar.

On 71 minutes Tranent came close to regaining a three-goal cushion. Substitute Ross Gray gathered the ball wide on the right and fired a cross to the far post for the incoming Girdwood only for Pettigrew to intercept sending his header high into the air which fell kindly for Handling to meet it on the drop and thunder a left-footed shot that crashed off the crossbar before Girdwood pounced to volley a shot from six yards that Pettigrew cleared off the line only for the ball to rebound off the grounded Girdwood and roll into the hands of the welcoming by Markey.

On 73 minutes Glens brought on Cammy Ross for debutant Jamie Taggart and 30 seconds later the visitors scored another cracker. As Handling broke forward Lindsay robbed him of the ball just inside the Tranent half and drove forward before slipping it inside for Chris Erskine to gather and burst through the middle and after feigning right to go past two defenders, he instead cut inside to tee up a shot between both of them to blast the ball from 25 yards out and although keeper Mason was airborne and at full stretch the ball was already nestling in the bottom right hand corner of the net. Tranent 3 Glens 2 on 74 minutes.

The home side countered and won a corner on the right which was floated into a packed goalmouth where Rowe managed to stoop and get his head to the ball before Lindsay pounced and cleared it from the box. Soon after a corner kick from the left was headed off the line by Allan.

Back came Glens with Ross bursting down the right to whip a ball deep into the box with Rowe, Mullen and Kerr in attendance only for Hutchings to head it clear. Soon after Erskine stripped the ball from Miller and Hutchins at the centre circle before clipping the ball into box where Rowe won the aerial battle and Kerr pounced on the loose ball at the corner of the six-yard box with Hutchings tight on his back as both tumbled to the ground and the ball rolled out of play, while the loud Glens appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears.

On 82 minutes Cammy Ross single-handedly set off on a lethal counter-attack from the centre-circle through the middle with substitute Connor Duthie on his heels, but unable to close the gap. Meanwhile, teammate Kerr was matching his run down the left, marked by Hutchings while Robert McIntyre peeled off to the right to chase down Ross forcing him to drift to the right edge of the ‘D’ before cracking an unstoppable shot from the 18-yard line beyond the reach of the keeper, rooted on the six-yard line, and into the net. Tranent 3 Glens 3 on 82 minutes.

Having drawn level, the Glens celebrations were understandably more animated, both on and off the pitch.

With their tails up the visitors went in search of a winner. Mullen broke down the left and from the bye-line clipped the ball back towards the 18-yard line where Erskine’s shot rebounded off a defender and was quickly mopped up. Allan then launched a long throw from the right to the near post, where defenders and attackers alike had congregated, where the ball was scrambled clear at the expense of a corner. Allan floated the ball into the six-yard box where Hutchings headed it towards the penalty spot from where Ross drilled a low shot that was deflected inches wide of the post.

Lindsay returned to corner-kick duties and floated the ball deep into the goal mouth where the keeper, surrounded with players from both sides and Kerr airborne at the back post, did well to claw the ball away before gathering and with a long throw launched a counter-attack up the left that fizzled out.

Back came the Glens with Erskine and Ross combining down the right to win a shy just short of the corner-flag which Allan propelled high into the box only and Rowe won the aerial battle at the expense of a clash of heads, only for the ball to loop high over the bar.

On 90 minutes it was Rowe from deep in the box that won another corner-kick on the right. After a game of head-tennis, which saw the ball go back and forth into the box, it was cleared with a long punt up the right and although Tranent regained possession to build another attack it was halted by Ross.

Both sides were now going in search of a late winner and it came on 93 minutes. Glens had repelled a Tranent attack forcing them to play the ball back to Dean Prett, wide on the right just inside the Glens half, from where he launched the ball high and deep into the left-hand side of the box where Bauld did well to swipe the ball across the face of goal for Guy McGarry only for Markey to block his shot on the line which fell kindly for Harry Girdwood to stroke into the gaping net. Tranent 4 Glens 3 on 94 minutes.

In the aftermath Jordan Allan was ordered off following an incident. 

Try as they might the Glens were unable to conjure up a late chance in the closing couple of minutes of added time. A real bitter-sweet feeling after such a determined fight back.

FT Tranent 4 Glenafton 3

Good luck to Tranent in the next round.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding (15. Jordan Allan) 5. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie 3. Jared Willet; 9. Jamie Taggart (16. Cammy Ross) 8. Ross Lindsay 6. Ollie Rowe 7. Sam McKee (Hugh Kerr) 11. Chris Erskine 10. Michael Mullen. Subs not used: Ryan Walker, Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
TRANENT
1. Kelby Mason 3. Robbie McIntyre 4. Euan Bald 6. Jake Hutchings 9. Harry Gordon 10. Danny Handling 12. Harry Girdwood 15. Dean Brett 17. Joe Viola 24. Ben Stirling 25. Ben Miller Subs: Used 7. Guy McGarry 11. Conner Duthie 37. Ross Gray
Match Photos
Tranent v Glenafton Athletic

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Glenafton 1 Drumchapel 1

Posted on December 21, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 13
Glenafton Athletic1 (0)Mullen
Drumchapel United1 (1)Hopkirk
Sat 21 DEC 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, NewCumnock

Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Clydebank last Saturday with the unavailable Cammy Ross making way for Ryan McCubbin, returning from injury.

Despite kicking off against the wind the Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession and won a handful of corner-kicks in the opening 25 minutes.  The most threatening of which saw Ross Lindsay float the ball to the far side of the box where it was hooked clear of the box and gathered by Sam McKee who quickly played a one-two with Lindsay before curling the ball to the back post for the incoming Lewis Currie only for keeper Ryan Scully to get a touch and as the ball was scrambled off the goal-line Jarred Willet’s shot was deflected over the bar and the ensuing corner cleared.

The best chance from open play fell when a defender’s sclaffed clearance sent the ball back into the Drumchapel box and Michael Mullen chased it down before twisting wide of two back-tracking defenders he curled a low shot that beat the diving keeper at full stretch only for the ball to slip wide of the post.

The flood lights were now on as conditions began to deteriorate as the scoreline did for the home side. Drumchapel broke towards the box where Jared Willet raised his knee in an attempt to prevent No. 10 gathering the ball only for him to tumble to the ground and despite the home side pleas the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped David Hopkirk to slam the ball home past keeper David Markey and put Drumchapel ahead on 26 minutes.

The goal sparked a good spell of pressure from the visitors including a shot from 25 yards drilled through a busy box that drifted wide of the post and another that was well held by Markey.

Glens countered and Lindsay on the outskirts of box squared to Evan Maley, his shot flew over the head of the leaping keeper and the bar.

Play then entered a period of back and forth with both sides winning corner-kicks that were comfortably dealt with the respective defences.

HT Glens 0 Drumchapel 1

Drumchapel kicked off against a wind that was getting stronger and they enjoyed a spell of pressure that with crosses into the box but with no takers.

Glens countered through substitute Jordan Allan driving down the left to the bye-line before whipping the ball into the goalmouth where defender and keeper combined to hold off McKee, at the expense of a corner, which Lindsay whipped in from right only for the ball to bounce off the top of the bar and out for goal kick.

Chris Erskine collected ball inside Drum’s half and released McKee on the right to drive forward and curl a ball deep into box as Willet and Mullen arrived, however the keeper did well to clutch it cleanly in worsening conditions.

On 59 mins Erskine gathered the ball inside the Drum half and threaded a forward pass between two defenders to Willet who quickly completed the one-two, for Erskine to drive to the edge of the box, where with the ball at his feet he circled before pinging a ball to McKee breaking down the right, to take a touch before squaring a perfectly weighted pass along the six yard line, taking out 2 defenders,  for the inrushing Michael Mullen to cutely guide the ball wide of the  keeper and into the ne to drwa level.

Michael Mullen with his 10th goal of the season

Another break on the right by McKee saw him forced to cut across the face of the box and lay the ball off to Mullen to crack a ferocious angled shot the Scully got both hands too, and the gathered the loose ball as Erskine threatened.

At the other end Drumchapel broke up the right and the ball was whipped into the six-yard box  only for Markey to clutch and hold as the inrushing striker hoped to pounce on any spills.

The squalls were now blowing horizontal rain from the Glens goalmouth to Drumchapel one both sides deserve great credit for continuing to make a game of it, in such difficult conditions.

The visitors floated a free kick from the right into a packed box where a glancing header was heading wide only for a team-mate to intervene and lash a vicious shot from a tight angle that flew inches wide of the far post. At the other ended Erskine’s shot from the edge of the box sneaked wide of the post.

The rain stopped but the wind continued with Drumchapel fighting fiercely against it, a free kick from the left whipped into box was scrambled clear by the Glens defence.

The home side made another substitution with Ross Lindsay making way for Ollie Rowe.

Scully’s clearance upfield was caught in the wind and McKee was in the right place in the centre circle to cushion the ball on its descent and clip it down the right for Mullen to chase down into the box but his low angled shot flew wide of the post.

The home side came close in the closing minutes following a break down the left from where the ball was floated into the box as  Erskine and Rowe were arriving, only for the cushioned header from Erskine to drift wide of the post.

FT Glenafton 1 Drumchapel 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie 3. Jared Willet; 9. Evan Maley (15. Jordan Allan) 8. Ross Lindsay (14. Ollie Rowe) 6. Ryan McCubbin 7. Sam McKee 11. Chris Erskine 10. Michael Mullen. Subs not used: 16. Brandon Arthur 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
DRUMCHAPEL UNITED
Ryan Scully; Martin Orr (captain), Martin McNiff, Ruaridh McIntyre, Jamie Mills; Greene, David Templeton, Dom McLaren; Kieran Moore, Argyll McCoist, David Hopkirk. Subs: Crawford, Jamie Bradley, Munir Idris

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Glenafton 1 Clydebank 1

Posted on December 14, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 12
Glenafton Athletic 1 (0)Mullen
Clydebank1 (0)Mulcahy
Sat 14 DEC 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against Gartcairn last Saturday with Hugh Kerr (injured) making way for Cammy Ross.

In the Clydebank starting eleven was former Glenafton player Lee Gallacher of course the Bankies manager Gordon Moffat is another former Glens player

Glens were first to show as Michael Mullen forced his way into the Bankies box and although surrounded by a clutch of defenders he got a shot away which was comfortably saved by keeper Andy Leishman. Soon after Chris Erskine burst through the middle only to be pulled back by Davie Syme and Mullen’s free-kick trundled wide of the right post.

The tide soon turned though as the visitors pressed time and again.

On 14 minutes Cieran Mulcahy broke down the left before cutting inside, 10 yards short of the bye-line, chipped the ball into the goalmouth and although it was just too high for Lee Gallacher and his guard Jared Willet at the nearside post it took a bounce in the six yard box and fell nicely for the inrushing Nicky Little as keeper David Markey scurried along his line, Little clipped it over his outstretched leg only for the ball to crash off the post.

Back came Bankies, Mulcahy won back-to-back aerial battles knocking the ball towards the ‘D’ for Liam McGonigle to chase with Lyall Holding on his heels before cracking a low shot from 18 yards only for the outrushing Markey to push wide with another outstretched leg then pick himself up to block the inrushing Little’s fierce shot before the loose ball was eventually scrambled clear before Craig Pettigrew launched it upfield.

The home side countered through the lively Erskine who gathered the ball 25 yards out and with his back to goal, a quick turn left Syme stranded before he leathered the ball which whistled past Leishman on his six-yard line and just wide of the post.

Play went back and forth with patient build-ups from both sides.

On 28 minutes Chris McGowan floated a free-kick high from the centre-circle into the Glens box and although Lewis Currie won the aerial battle with Oison McHugh his header was nodded high towards the back post by Dean Cairns where Currie and Pettigrew double-teamed to hold off Syme, Little and McGonigle, only to realise the offside flag had been raised.

Glens countered as Erskine outjumped McHugh to flick on a header for Mullen to gather and drive to the outskirts of the ‘D’ before slipping the ball to Erskine on the edge of the box from where he rolled it back to Evan Malley to drill a low shot from 25 yards out, this too drifted wide of the left post.

At the other end Bankies won a free-kick some 10 yards from the 18 yard-line from where Gallacher clipped it over the 4-man wall into the heart of the goalmouth only for Syme’s header, under pressure from Pettigrew, to fly well-wide of target.

In the closing minutes of the half Bankies won a corner which was cleared only be headed back towards the outskirts of the Glens box where Mullen gathered and with cheeky back heel released Erskine up the left to pick out McKee further up the wing but with his way blocked he played a one-two with Jared Willet before squaring to Maley in the middle who quickly switched play to Cammy Ross who in turn fed Holding on the overlap to whip the ball deep into the goalmouth which took  a bad bounce preventing the inrushing Willet having a shot at goal – great build up though.

The visitors had the final say of the half with a free kick floated high into the box only for Syme’s downward hard to bounce high and fall safely ‘into the arms of Mar(ke)y’ without a Quiver!

Played raged back and forth, now at a pace, but the first half concluded goal-less.

HT Glens 0 Bankies 0

The smirr now coating Loch Park would endure for much of the second half.

Bankies were quick off the mark and forced an early corner kick after some excellent touches in a confined space between Nicky Low, McGowan and McGonigle. Glens defence stood strong and cleared the danger and the second attempt.

The visitors continued to press and won and free 10 yards inside the Glens half which was floated into the box and cleared at the second attempt. Erskine pounced on the loose ball and in flash ghosted up the only seemingly to be pole-axed on the half way-line, play-on waves the ref, only for Ross to gather the loose back and burst up the left only to be pole-axed by Cairns some 8 yards inside the Bankies half, with the ref in no doubt. Willet floated the ball high into the box and the line of combatants drifted back in unison some 6 yards or so, other Michael Mullen who held back waiting to pounce on any clearance and he did so with great aplomb smacking the ball low through a gap in the fragmented line and beyond Leishman rooted 2 yards of his line, into the left-hand corner of the net. Glens 1-0 on 52 minutes.

Back came Bankies and a free kick from wide on the right was launched into the box and the ball took a bounce before heading for the back post where Ross and Mulcahy tried to chase it down only for them both to end up on flat on the ground, Mulcahy staying there for some time in the hope of a penalty while Ross was up challenging the claim as well as the ref’s decision to award a corner-kick! The kick was whipped to the far side of the box where Little had smartly positioned himself for effectively a free header which Markey cleanly clasped with both hands.

The Glens then enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Bankies half albeit without seriously testing Leishman, however the visitors struck back in clinical fashion. McHugh, on the left 10 yards inside the  Bankies half, squared the ball to Syme who then pushed forward to the half-way line before drilling a deadly diagonal ball to Little who in turn threaded a perfectly weighted pass between Maley and Currie into the box, beyond the reach of Pettigrew, for the incoming Cieran Mulcahy to clip it wide of the advancing Markey and into the net. Glens 1 Bankies 1 on 61 minutes.

Glens made a change with Cammy Ross making way for Ollie Rowe while the Bankies brough on James Grant for Chris McGowan.

The visitors’ tails were up and Gallacher burst into the right-hand side of the box before driving along the bye-line and cracking a low shot that Markey blocked with a foot and gathered the loose ball at a crowded post. Soon after Gallacher floated a free-kick into the box only for Syme’s header to looopr over the bar.

On 70 minutes Bankies made a double substitution with Nicky Litte and Liam McGonigle making way for Keir Samson and Craig Truesdale.

Some respite for Glens as Mullen picked up a pass just inside the Bankies half and quickly switched the ball to wide on left for McKee to break down the wing before whipping the ball into the far side of the box for the inrushing Maley only for Leishman to intercept and grab the ball on his six-yard line.

At the other end the visitors passed up a glorious chance of taking the lead when Mulcahy gathered the ball in the box and held off the challenge of Holding only to scoop the ball over Markey and the bar. Bankies continued press only for Glens defence to stand firm.

On 76 minutes Glens brought on Jordan Allan for Sam McKee.

Glens were slowly beginning to get back into the game as am attacking force. Rowe won the tackle on Bankies 18-yard line allowing Erskine to pick up the loose ball and switch it to the left for Allan to blast a low shot that cannoned off a defender and fell for Willet on the 18 yard only for his shot to sail high over the bar.

Allan’s long throw in from the right directed for Rowe was headed wide by Grant for a corner which was played to the near post by for Erskine but although it seemed to be deflected by Cairns a goal kick was awarded.

On 84 minutes Bankies made their final substitution with Lee Gallacher making way for Tiwi Daramola. Glens followed suit and Ryan Walker replaced Ross Lindsay.

Plenty of goalmouth action at either end in difficult conditions as both sides went all out for the 3 points on offer.

On 89 minutes Mullen broke into the box with Hodge on his heels and Syme closing in but still got his shot away which Leishman clutched in difficult conditions.

At the other end Truesdale, from wide on the left, curled a free kick into the far side a packed box where the ball took a bounce and Grant stooped to head into the path of Syme but his shot was blocked by Rowe and Cairns effort to bury the rebound was held by Markey on his line.

Soon after Low and Truesdale combined on the left of the box to set up a low shot for the latter that Markey held at the base of the near post. The keeper then held a Syme header from a Truesdale cross on his line.

In the closing minute Glens had the Bankes pegged back and a throw in was intercepted by who sent a delicate lob to the right-hand side of the box where although McHugh had a head start Erskine chased him down and won the ball a yard from the box and a yard from the bye-line before cutting inside and drilling a low shot from the edge of the 6 yard box only for the advancing Leishman to block with his left foot.

…and yet there was another chance, as Bankies broke upfield with Daramola bursting forward with three defenders tracking back and it was Holding that made a timely tackle which deflected the ball back into the arms of Markey!

A share of the points and the Glens extend their unbeaten run to 6 games (4 wins, 2 draws) while the Bankies maintain their unbeaten league form (8 wins, 2 draws)

FT GLENS 1 BANKIES 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (Captain) 4. Lewis Currie; 9. Cammy Ross (14. Ollie Rowe) 6. Evan Maley 8. Ross Lindsay (12. Ryan Walker)7. Sam McKee (15. Jordan Allan) 3. Jared Willet; 10. Michael Mullen, 11. Chris Erskine Subs not used: 16. Mason McDougall 21. Keon Thurston (gk)
CLYDEBANK
1. Andy Leishman 2. Adam Hodge 19. Chris McGowan (24. James Grant) 16. Oisin McHugh 22. David Syme 23. Nicky Low 7. Lee Gallacher (21. Tiwi Daramola) 8. Dean Cairns 9. Cieran Mulcahy 10. Nicky Little (16. Craig Truesdale) 11. Liam McGonigle (17. Keir Samson). Subs Not Used: 20. Connor Keaney 3. Danny MacKenzie 5. Jamie Darroch
Match Photos
Glenafton Athletic v. Clydebank

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Gartcairn 0 Glenafton 1

Posted on December 7, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 11
Gartcairn0 (0)
Glenafton Athletic1 (0)Erskine
Sat 07 DEC 2024KO 2:00 pmMTC Stadium, Airdrie

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

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Bathgate 0 Glenafton 3

Posted on November 30, 2024 by flowgently
SJFA Scottish Junior CupRound 4
Bathgate Thistle0 (0)
Glenafton Athletic3 (1)Lindsay, Mullen, O’Kane
Sat 30 Nov 2024KO 1:30 pmCreamery Park, Bathgate

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
Match Photos
Bathgate Thistle v Glenafton Athletic

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.

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Glenafton 2 Troon 2

Posted on November 9, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 10
Glenafton Athletic2 (0)Mullen, Kerr
Troon2 (1)Dunlop, Veitch
Sat 09 Nov 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

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
Match Photos
Glenafton Athletic v Troon

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Glenafton 3 Shotts 2

Posted on October 26, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 09
Glenafton Athletic3 (2)Kerr 2, Erskine
Shotts Bon Accord2 (2)Small, Meikle
Sat 26 Oct 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

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

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Glenafton 3 Deveronside 0

Posted on October 19, 2024 by flowgently
SJFASCOTTISH JUNIOR CUPRound 3
Glenafton Athletic3 (1)Mullen, Lindsay, McLelland
Deveronside0 (0)
Sat 19 OCT 2024KO 2:30 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

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.
DEVERONSIDE JFC
Sorry no team lines
Match Photos
Glenafton vs. Deveronside

Huge congratulations to Sam McKee in making his 100th start for Glenafton today.

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Glenafton 1 Shotts 4

Posted on October 5, 2024 by flowgently
Indigo Unified CommunicationsWOSFL CupRound 1
Glenafton Athletic1 (1)Willet
Shotts Bon Accord4 (1)Evans 4
Sat 05 OCT 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

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 

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Glenafton 1 Largs Thistle 2

Posted on September 28, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 08
Glenafton Athletic1 (0)
Largs Thistle 2 (1)Martin, Sewell
Sat 28 SEP 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

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.  

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