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
Cheers Richie, all the best!
Following lengthy discussions with Richie McKillen in an attempt to have him stay at Loch Park the club has reluctantly conceded to his transfer request and he has joined East Region champions Linlithgow Rose.
Richie first signed for the Glens, then under Mark Shanks, on a loan deal from Dumbarton in November 2009, and the unassuming big defender soon made a big impression on the Loch Park support. He signed on a permanent deal at the beginning of 2010/11, with Greg Denham now in charge, and went on to make 116 starts for the club and scored 6 goals, including a coupe of Richie rockets, over three and half seasons with the Glens. Richie leaves New Cumnock with a Super League 1st Championship medal and a West of Scotland Cup winners medal.
A hard working honest player, Richie played left-back for much of his time at the club and it was easy to get the impression he would have played in any position for the team. However, a huge part of the club’s successful end to last season saw Richie at his favoured centre-back slot, where he struck a purple patch with a master class in text book defending.
Always on the terracing, home and away, encouraging him through every game was his father David, a true gentleman, and he too will be sorely missed at Loch Park.
We would like to wish Richie all the best at Linlithgow Rose and are delighted that he has this opportunity at such a well respected club, we’re sure he will be a success.
West Region Premier Division
Match 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)
IRVINE MEADOW 3 (2)
Glenafton hosted Irvine Meadow in the opening league game of the season, both sides almost unrecognisable from the season before when the New Cumnock side had come out on top in all three meetings – twice in the league and once in their successful West of Scotland Cup campaign.
The home side started with three trialists and six summer signings along with Ryan McChesney and Craig Menzies at centre-backs. Meanwhile Meadow had a handful of former Ashfield players that had followed manager Stevie Rankin from Saracen Park. One in particular, striker Paul Maxwell, had made his mark at Loch Park in the past , having scored five goals here in back to seasons when the sides faced each other in the Super 1st Division; and today he proved to be the match winner again with a first half brace.
The opener came as early as the third minute after a long ball was launched from tight on the left touchline deep into the box and Maxwell outjumped Jamie McGeoghan to guide a close range header into the top corner.
Paul Maxwell heads home
Within a minute the home side were level, after trialist Cameron Marlow outfoxed Mark Thomson to send in a wicked cross to the near post where it was met by the flashing head of Scott Adam, only for Medda’s trialist keeper Corr to pull off a stunning save although he could do nothing to stop Aaron Connolly blast home the loose ball for his fifth goal of the season.
Aarron Connolly blasts home the equaliser
The Glens began to enjoy a good spell of possession with some fine passing play. On 15 minutes a strong run from the centre circle by Connolly delivered the ball to Findlay Frye at the edge of the box but the former Meadow’s midfielder crack at goal whizzed over the bar. The pace and play of Gary McCann down the right for the visitors also caught the eye but the home defence starved the forwards of any clear chances.
On 35 minutes Connolly gathered the ball on the far side of the box before turning inside and drilling for goal, but the ball deflected off Adam and sailed over the bar. A minute later Adam won a header in the box to send the ball skyward and somehow Connolly positioned himself to meet the ball on its descent and his volley from inside the six yard box deserved more.
Meadow broke down the left and another high ball lofted into the box was gathered by McCann and although his effort at goal was blocked well by the keeper, Paul Maxwell was well placed to pick his spot from a few yards out.
Maxwell hammers homes his second
Two minutes later McCann’s endeavours earned the visitors a corner-kick and a free header at the back post came within inches of doubling Meadow’s lead. H/T Glens 1 Meadow 2
Glens were quickly on the front foot and on 49 minutes a Marlow rocket from 20 yards out was superbly saved by Corr and Frye’s attempt to play the ball back into the danger area blocked at the expense of a corner. Three corner-kicks followed in quick succession without the keeper being seriously tested. The home side continued to press and on 55 minutes Connolly broke down the right but there was no takers for the ball into box.
Aaron Connolly on the ball
With just over an hour on the clock the visitors extended their lead when Mark Sideserf on the left sent a ball across the face of goal which struck the unfortunate McGeoghan and flew into his own net.
Gareth Armstrong replaced trialist Craig Brown as the Glens tried to claw back a two goal deficit. However, it was Meadow’s substitute Kevin Finlayson that came close to extending the visitors lead after a splendid piece of passing set up the former Bellshill player deep in the box only for Craig Menzies presence to force him to fire wide of the post.
The home side’s passing game of the first half was less evident now and although they tried to push forward they came up against a determined Meadow side in no rush to push on and look for a fourth. Glenafton’s luck deserted them on 71 minutes when a Jamie McKernon stunning free kick from 30 yards out cracked off the post with Corr beaten and seven minutes later an Armstrong header flashed wide of the post. With time running out Meadow stood firm and secured the points. FT Glens 1 Meadow 3
Glenafton Athletic: Trialist; Miller, McChesney, Menzies, McGeochan; Frye, Trialist-Marlow, McKernon, Trialist-Brown (Armstrong); Connolly and Adam. Subs Craig, trialists x 3
Irvine Meadow: Corr; Darroch, Halliday, Staunton, Thomson, D McGeouch , McCann . McStay, Maxwell, Fraser, Sideserf Subs P McGeough, Buchanan , Finlayson, Stokes , Calder (gk)
more photos here
