Bill and Tommy
Manager Tommy Bryce hands over a signed Glens top to Bill Morran as part of his 60th birthday celebrations organised by his family.
Mick Morran
The presentation took place in front of the Mick Morran Stand, named in honour of Bill’s late father and Glenafton’s legendary physio. 
Bill and his wife Nora, daughter Erin and sons Liam and Neil enjoyed their day at Loch Park.
West Region Premier Division
Match 5
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)
LARGS THISTLE 1 (1)
Glenafton began with the same starting eleven that earned a point at Pollok last week. Playing up front for Largs was James Marks, in his second spell with the club, who was on the score sheet for Arthurlie on his last visit to Loch Park.
The north Ayrshire side got off to the best of starts taking the lead with only 8 minutes gone. With his path down the right flank blocked full back Ian Fisher rolled the ball back into his own half for Michael Holden to launch it high into the box where it sailed over the head of Marks and his marker Ryan McChesney and was gathered by Euan Lindsay who turned Jame McGeoghan before drilling a low hard shot into the net.
Glens first chance began with a determined run by Craig Menzies and a defence splitting ball that freed Cameron Marlow to break down the left and into the Largs box before squaring for Scott Adam. The big striker took a touch before keeper Ryan McWilliams blocked his shot and the Largs defence stood firm as Marlow and then Aaron Connolly tried to bury the loose ball.
At the other end Fisher’s fine cross from the right touch line found the head of Marks in the six yard box only for keeper Brian McGarrity to safely clutch his powerful downward header. The home side responded with a corner kick which was partially cleared and the ball retrieved by Connolly at the edge of the box who engineered a shot at goal which whizzed wide of the post.
Glens continued to press and Stevie Miller’s cross from deep in the right saw both Adam and Connolly challenge for the ball at the back post, with latter’s header going wide. Miller’s corner kick from the left was then hooked out the box only for the alert Menzies to instantly pick out Miller, still wide on the left, with a peach of a pass. The midfielder then skipped past Willie Boyd before lofting the ball to the back post where the head of the incoming Aaron Connolly guided the ball into the roof of the net to draw the team’s level after 32 minutes.
Glens carved out another couple of decent chances before the break both of which ended with shots from the edge of the box, one save comfortably by McWilliams, the other swerving wide of target. H/T Glens 1 Largs 1
Largs were first to threaten after the break with some fast flowing passing play down the right culminating in a cross into the box for Marks, but again his header was off target. The Glens replied with a break down the right by MGeoghan and a cut back to Findlay Frye who then rolled the ball into the path of Jamie McKernon to smack the ball first time from 20 yards only for McWilliams to pull off a great save at the expense of a corner kick. Miller then drove down the right and picked out Connolly in the box but his flying header flew past the post. A couple of corners in quick succession for the visitors were defended well, McGarrity saving well from the head of Marks.
The visitors passed up a great chance of regaining the lead after a long through ball was killed in the box by Marks and then knocked beyond the advancing McGarrity for the incoming Andy Monaghan only for the ball to be stolen from his toes by an outstretched leg of the back tracking Menzies. Soon after a Largs corner was won at the back post by Marks but his shot was wide of the mark.
Cameron Marlow
On 77 minutes the Glens took the lead after Frye found substitute Craig Brown who took a touch before delicately chipping the ball over the Largs defence into the box for Cameron Marlow to chase and slot home first time from a narrow angle.
The visitors luck deserted them when the irrepressible Marks won another ball in the air deep in the box which fell for John McStay only for his well worked shot to skim off the outside of the post.
FT Glenafton 2 Largs 1
Glenafton: McGarrity; McGeoghan, McChesney, Menzies, Cairns; Miller, Frye, McKernon, Marlow (Dimilta); Connolly & Adam (Brown} Subs. Craig, Maltoni
Largs: McWilliams, Fisher , C. Little (Mcstay), Walton, Holden, Thomson, Boyd, Muir, Marks, Monaghan (N. Little), Lindsay. Subs. Gilbride, Keogh, Lappin
Glenafton TV : 1st half highlights here
Glenafton TV : 2nd half highlights here
Glenafton are delighted to announce that midfielder Craig Brown and goalkeeper Bruno Maltoni have signed amateur contracts with the club. Both players have featured as trialists. Welcome to Loch Park , Craig and Bruno
West Region Premier Division
Match 4
POLLOK 2 (0)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)
Glenafton made one change from last week-end’s starting line-up. New signing Alan Cairns was introduced at left back with Jamie McGeoghan switching to the right back slot and Stevie Miller pushing forward to wide right while John Craig was on the bench. Only Liam McVey, one of the host of former Glens players at Newlandsfield, made Pollok’s starting eleven with John Kane on the bench and Willie Howie, Steven Reilly, Robbie Henderson out through injury.
Although the home side enjoyed a fair share of possession in the opening twenty minutes the best of the chances fell to the visitors. The first came on 6 minutes after Cameron Marlow picked out Aaron Connolly wide on the left who cut into the box to fire a shot that curled wide of the far post, albeit keeper Johnny Murdoch appeared to have it covered. Two minutes later Connolly killed a ball fizzed in from the right by Stevie Miller and took a touch or two before lashing it for goal only for Murdoch to get a strong hand to it and push it over the bar. Miller’s corner-kick to the near post caused a scramble in the box before the ball fell for Marlow but his header looped over the bar.
On 18 minutes former Pollok midfielder Stevie Miller got the better of former Glens’ defender Liam McVey deep in the box and his shot from a tight angle was well blocked by Murdoch at the expense of a corner-kick. Seven minutes later Pollok’s best chance of the half fell to Thomas Sinclair but although his close range header looked to have the beating of McGarrity the ball dropped over the wrong side of the bar.
Findlay fights for the ball
With 15 minutes of the half remaining the visitors began to dominate and Jamie McKernon and Findlay Frye controlled the middle of the park with Marlow and Miller on the flanks in support and the movement of Connolly and Adam up front posing problems for the home rear-guard. Miller and Adam combined well down the right but the latter’s cut-back into the box fell just behind the Connolly and Marlow. Soon after Marlow found Adam and the big striker’s shot from 20 yards out whizzed inches wide of the post. Adam then sent Connolly down the right and although his cut-back was met by the lively Frye on the penalty spot his shot was drilled into the ground and bounced wide of target.
A couple of minutes before the break a couple of Pollok attacks came to nothing with McGarrity making comfortable saves. On the stroke of half-time a sublime piece of passing play by the visitors was justly rewarded with the opening goal. It finished with Adam rolling the ball between central defenders Reece McGillion and Chris McGowan to feed Aaron Connolly on the edge of the box who then turned the back-tracking McGowan again before lashing the ball beyond the reach of the airborne Murdoch and into the back of the net.
H/T Pollok 0 Glenafton 1
Pollok began the second half with a fresh determination forcing two corner kicks in quick succession but suffered a scare on 53 minutes when a Miller effort from wide on the right skimmed past the far post. Four minutes later Marlow gathered the ball wide on the left and made good headway across the pitch before feeding Miller on the right and his low drilled shot was pushed out for a corner by Murdoch.
Pollok too won a corner as play began to flow from end to end but McGarrity was on his toes to make a clean catch. A forceful run by Marlow ended at the edge of the box with a brilliantly timed tackle by substitute and former Glens’ midfielder John Kane.
Cameron Marlow and John Kane
Ryan McChesney matched that effort with a brave block after good interplay between Richie Barr and substitute Ross Hepburn, who added a new dimension to the home side’s play. Back up the park and on 69 minutes Connolly’s pace unlocked the ‘Lok defence and although his cut-back from the bye-line found Miller, McAleenan was on hand to clear the ball to prevent the visitors from doubling their advantage.
Pollok cleared their lines and the ball swiftly played up the park and into the box for Ian Diack to collect and hit the deck following a challenge from McChesney, the resultant spot kick awarded by the assistant linesman. Despite the away side’s protestations Richie Barr stepped up and squared the match with 72 minutes on the clock.
As the Glens licked their wounds the home side looked to rub salt in them as they laid siege to the visitors’ goal. Diack deep in the box drilled his low angled shot beyond the reach of McGarrity and although the ball was going wide, Hepburn poked it home at the back post but from an offside position. The Glens keeper then punched the ball clear from the head of McGillion up for a corner and soon after Diack’s header from close range was off target. However, the home side’s pressure was rewarded on 79 minutes after McGarrity made a brave block from Richie Barr only for the ball to spin high in the air and fall at the feet of the striker who guided it home from the narrowest of angles in some style.
Glens were down but far from out and four minutes late were back level after a perfect pass from Frye split the Pollok defence and found Stevie Miller wide on the right who single-mindedly drove into the box and before McGillion could make his tackle the Barrhead boy fired the ball into the far corner, to spark off joyous celebrations. Two minutes later he combined well down the right with Jamie McGeoghan and his cross met by Connolly only for his header to fall straight into the arms of Murdoch.
From a corner kick on 88 minutes McGillion leaped free in the six yard box and powered a downward header destined for goal only for captain Craig Menzies to keep his cool and clear the ball off the line. McGarrity then held Sinclair’s speculative shot from 20 yards.
Captain Zee to the rescue
Glens substitute David Dimilta then made excellent progress down the left before picking out Miller in the box only for his angled shot to flash wide off the post. Pollok won a free kick deep in injury time, but nothing came of it and the points were shared.
FT Pollok 2 Glenafton 2
Glenafton: McGarrity; Cairns, McChesney, Menzies, McGeoghan; Miller (Brown), Frye, McKernon, Marlow (Brown); Connolly & Adam Subs: Maltoni (gk), Craig
Pollok: Murdoch, McLennan, McVey, McGillion ,McGowan, Hamilton (McAleenan) , Waddell (Kane), Sinclair Diack, Barr,Easton (Hepburn)
more photos here
Glenafton are delighted to announce the signing of defender Alan Cairns from Cumnock Juniors.
Alan was with the Kilmarnock youth set up for two seasons before moving in 2011/12 to St. Mirren and from there to Townhead in February of last year.
Welcome to Loch Park, Alan
Glenafton striker Gareth Armstrong has signed for Troon. The longest serving member of the current squad ‘Bo’ joined the Glens in January 2010 under then manager Mark Shanks. Highly respected throughout the Junior game he quickly attained ‘legendary’ status at Loch Park and scored 75 goals from 98 starts with thirty odd more appearances from the bench. That tremendous goal ratio saw him finish top goalscorer for the club in each of the last four seasons, including a tally of 27 in 2011/12 helping Glens to claim the Super 1st Division Championship.
Top goalscorer Gareth Armstrong
Bo was renowned for his explosive goal which would be greeted with an equally explosive smile that will be sorely missed by all at Glenafton. Fittingly his late goal in the West of Scotland Cup final last season forced the game to a penalty shout and up stepped Bo to slot home the winning spot kick.
The club would like to thank Gareth for his loyal service to the club and wish him every success at Troon.
Gareth Armstrong settles it
Glenafton are delighted to announce that David Dimilta has signed for the club in a two year deal. The midfielder joined Hamilton Accies U16’s in season 2003/04 and was four seasons with the New Douglas Park club. David then had a season with Albion Rovers and two seasons with Bellshill Athletic before returning to the seniors with Arbroath. He helped the Red Licthies win the 3rd Division title in season 2010/11 before moving on to local rivals Montrose.
Welcome to Loch Park, David
West Region Premier Division
Match 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 0 (0)
HURLFORD UNITED 2 (0)
Glenafton hosted newly promoted Hurlford in the first Premier Division meeting between the two sides. The home side started with the same eleven that won at Petershill last Saturday while the visitors had four former Glens players in their eleven and two more in the dug-out alongside the former Glens management team.
The home side, facing a stiff breeze, were first to show and on three minutes appeals for hand ball after a free-kick was driven into the box were waved away. Five minutes later another Glens free kick was punched away by keeper Ally Brown and eventually cleared for a corner kick, which came to nothing.
Aaron Connolly with takes on Glen and Danny Mitchell
On 11 minutes, a ‘Ford free kick was partially cleared and from 20 yards out Paul McKenzie tried his luck but his effort lacked the power to seriously test Brian McGarrity in the Glens goal. Nevertheless, it heralded a twenty minute period of play that saw the visitors on the front foot. A Stewart Kean shot flashed past the post and timely tackles by Ryan McChesney on Ryan Sullivan and Craig Menzies on McKenzie in turn broke down dangerous attacks. McChesney then did enough to prevent Kean connect with a header at the near post and although the ball was then knocked in at the back post by Danny Mitchell, the whistle had already been blown for an infringement.
The game changed in favour of the Glens and just before the half hour mark Findlay Frye turned Kevin Neilson on the touchline to drive into the box and win a corner kick which again came to nothing. On 36 minutes there was a good old fashioned stramash in the ‘Ford box as the visitors struggled to clear their lines with McChesney and Aaron Connolly in the thick of things. Two minutes later Scott Adam picked out John Craig on the right hand side of the penalty box who then turned two defenders before curling the ball goal-ward only for Brown to pull off a stunning save
Ally Brown saves from John Craig
In the last action of the half Neilson head-flicked on a ‘Ford free kick which fell kindly for Kean but he shot tamely from the corner of the six yard box and McGarrity saved with ease.
HT Glens 0 Hurlford 0
Five minutes into the new half a through ball from McKenzie was gathered at the edge of the box by Kean and as the striker geared up to fire home the back-tracking McChesney, with no margin for error, timed his tackle to perfection.
On 55 minutes Connolly’s determination earned a corner kick from which an equally determined Cameron Marlow forced his way into the six yard box only for Sullivan’s last ditch tackle keep the game goal-less at the expense of another corner, which was punched clear by Brown.
Findlay Frye on the move
Although the Glens continued to press, clear cut chances were thin on the ground. On 68 minutes John Craig was replaced by trialist David Dimilita. Five minutes later Jamie McKernon did well to engineer a shot a goal from the corner of the 18 yard box which was well held by Brown.
On 77 minutes the home side contrived to give away a corner kick and paid dearly when former Glens midfielder Danny Mitchell on the six yard line headed the ball down, through the legs of Dempster and into the net.
Although the Glens pushed for the equaliser they couldn’t get the better of a well organised defence. With five minutes to go striker Gareth Armstrong came on for right back Stevie Miller while the visitors replaced one former Glens striker with another as Dempster came off for Ross Roberston. A minute later a ball from the right was headed on by McKenzie and Robertson, in acres of space at the back post, picked his spot to slam the ball home and secure the points.
FT Glenafton 0 Hurlford 2
Glenafton: McGarrity; Miller (Armstrong), McChesney, Menzies, McGeoghan; Craig (Dimilta), Frye, McKernon, Marlow; Connolly & Adam
Hurlford: Brown; McGregor,Neilson, G.Mitchell, Sullivan; McKenzie, D.Mitchell, Masterton, Cameron; Kean (Watt) & Dempster (Robertson)
More photos here
West Region Premier Division
Match 2
PETERSHILL 1 (0)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)
Brian McGarrity
Glenafton welcomed back keeper Brian McGarrity from injury and introduced new signing Cameron Marlow, who had impressed in recent trials with the club, and so for the first time this season, Tommy Bryce’s team started with 11 signed players.
The two sides had previously met at Petershill’s new park on four occasions and the visitors had yet to register a win, having lost twice and drawn the other two but today they put that record to the sword and in some style.
Scott Adam
On 12 minutes Scott Adam skinned centre-back Ryan Jordan of the ball before giving Michael White no chance and slamming home the opener.
Twelve minutes later the visitors were dealt a blow after John Craig earned a second yellow card; the first still being debated by the away support having been flashed as early as the second minute
Nevertheless the 10 men continued to compete well and indeed Aaron Connolly had a great opportunity to double the visitors lead but after collecting the through ball in style couldn’t apply the finishing touch. FT Peasy 0 Glens 1
The home side began the second half on the front foot as they went in search of the equaliser and found it fairly quickly on 57 minutes when Chris Mackie picked up the ball in a crowded box before drilling it beyond Brian McGarrity.
Jamie McKernon
Peasy’s tails were up but so were the heads of ten man Glens as they soaked up the pressure. A draw looked to be on the cards until seven minutes from time when Jamie McKernon thundered the in the proverbial ‘goal worthy of winning any match’ into the net a seal the points for the New Cumnock side. FT Peasy 1 Glens 2
Glenafton: McGarrity; Miller, McChesney, Menzies, McGeoghan; Frye, Craig, McKernon,Marlow; Connolly & Adam subs Dimilta, Brown and Paulo
Petershill; White, Chisholm, McCabe, Jordan, Palmer; Smillie, Girvan, McLuskey; Mackie & Woods Subs McGladrigan, Craig, O’Keane, Black
Cammy bags one at Beechwood
Glenafton are delighted to announce that they have signed midfielder Cameron Marlow. With Ayr United youths , Cammy has recently returned from a youth scholarship with LA Galaxy and has has trials with St. Johnstone and Hamilton. Cammy has played a few games as a trialist with the Glens and scored a cracking volley against Auchinleck in the recent Ardagh Cup match at Beechwood.
Welcome to Loch Park, Cameron
Glenafton Athletic 