Glenafton have signed striker Ryan Millar from Alloa Athletic on loan until the end of the season. Ryan was previously with Falkirk U19s and made a couple of first team appearances while at the Bairns before moving to the Wasps last season. He has been on loan at Sauchie Juniors since November. Welcome to Loch Park, Ryan.
Jack Steele (photo courtesy of Annan Athletic)
Glenafton have secured the signature of former Annan Athletic midfielder Jack Steele. With Queen of the South at U13 through to U17, Jack moved on to Dalbeattie Star before signing for Annan Athletic in 2009 and made over 100 appearances for the Galabank side. In January 2013 this year, due to work commitments, he was released by the club by mutual consent. The 23 year old midfielder has signed until the end of the season. Welcome to Loch Park, Jack
Glenafton have signed forward John McMillan until the end of the season. John was on Motherwell’s book as a youth before joining St. Mirren and from there went on to play three seasons at Stranraer. He joined the Glens for the first time in 1998/99 only to move on to Cumnock that season. Former Glenafton manager Gary Faulds, secured his signature for Kilwinning Rangers in what was rumoured to be a transfer fee record and John spent five seasons at the Buffs. Short spells at Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Irvine Meadow before rejoining the Glens in 2006/07, he scored the winner against Kilsyth in his ‘debut’. John returned to Townhead in 2008/09 and later joined up with Darren Henderson at Dalry Thistle.
Welcome back John
JP (centre) with Paul McKenzie and Robbie Henderson
John Paul Boyle, who was loaned out to Kilbirnie Ladeside early last month, has now joined the Super League 1st Division side on a permanent basis. The striker joined the Glens in November 2011 making his debut in the 4-1 win away at Hermes in the Scottish Junior Cup.
JP scored 7 goals from 13 starts (+ 6 subs) including four goals in the last 5 league games of the season in the run-in to claiming the Super League 1st Division Championship.
This season JP fired in 4 goals in 12 starts (+ 7 subs) including the crucial match winner in the 1-0 win over Cumnock at Townhead. All at Glenafton would like to thank John Paul and wish him every success at his new club. Good luck, JP
Stagecoach West Region Premier Division
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)
CLYDEBANK 2 (0)
The match survived a 9:30am pitch inspection after the lines had been cleared off snow. By kick-off time the surrounding hills were still a blanket of white while Loch Park was a patch of green – if only temporarily as the snow began to fall. The Mitchell brothers Glen and Danny returned to the side while four of the Glenafton U19 side occupied places on the bench. There was no place in the Clydebank side for former Glenafton payer Gordon Moffat, still recovering from injury.
The visitors got off to a flying start and earned a couple of corners in quick succession but to no avail. Glens came close on three minutes when Ross Robertson curled a free kick from 20 yards out into the side netting. The home side were now firmly on the front foot. Five minutes later from a corner kick Richie McKillen at the back post headed the ball past keeper Robert Hamilton and across the face of goal where Paul McKenzie was inches short of touching it over the line only for Ian Gold to clear at the other post and the ball fall kindly into the keeper’s arms.
Richie goes close
On 12 minutes another wave of Afton attacks concluded with Bankies partially clearing the ball to the edge of the box where it was picked up by Craig Potter and his run into the danger area was matched by Andy Paterson who slipped on the wet surface before getting his tackle in, ending with the Glens man on the deck and assistant linesman flagging for a foul. Bankies’s protests went unheeded and manager Budgie McGhie was sent to the stand before Ross Robertson slammed home the spot-kick beyond Hamilton at full stretch.
Rosco slams home the spot kick
Back came the visitors to force a corner but Robertson back defending won the aerial battle against Ross Campbell and the danger cleared. At the other end the Glens striker, with Martin McInnes glued to his back, chested down a free-kick launched high into the box and as he attempted to gather the loose ball the Bankies’ captain was adjudged to have had a tug at his arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Robertson’s spot kick crashed off the right hand post and the ball returned to almost from whence it came where Gareth Armstrong guided it inches over the line via the inside of the opposite post to put Glens two up with 17 minutes gone.
There snow business like Bo business
As the snow continued to fall clear cut chances were few and far between. Ross McPherson did no more than warm Semple’s fingers with a long range free kick and Bobby Colligan returned the favour to heat Hamilton’s hand with a volley from inside the box. On 38 minutes Armstrong hobbled off to warm applause from the home support to be replaced by John Dempster.
The visitors had a flurry of activity before the break but could only add to their corner tally. However in the closing minute McPherson looked certain to halve the deficit after being released by a dinger of a ball from Paul Bell only for Danny Mitchell’s presence enough to force the striker to fire well wide of target. H/T Glens 2 Bankies 0
As forecast the snow fall became heavier after the break and the playing surface followed suit. The Bankies began brightly, a free kick from the right was headed on and met by Paterson at the back post who done well to get his volley away only for Semple to save and then smother the loose ball. Campbell then came close at a corner kick and soon after an airborne McPherson could only look on as his header from a free-kick was scrambled clear by the home defence leading to a Glens break which ended with a speculative lob from Dempster that Hamilton held well.
Ross McPherson airborne
With conditions deteriorating moves were breaking down almost as quickly as they started and yet there were still much to be appreciated with the quality of some of the play on show, McKenzie and Gus Cochrane for the home side and Berry and Joe Andrew for the visitors catching the eye. Campbell’s courage carved out another half chance but his effort went just wide while at the other end Colligan’s blistering pace took him into the box but his shot too was wide of target. The sides swapped corner kicks but defences to their great credit stood firm on the slippery surface.
Just before the hour mark the visitors made a double substitution, the impressive Bell one of the casualties, as Bankies sought to take something from the game. The changes looked to have made a telling impact as the home side sustained a period of pressure, with Glen Mitchell and McKillen strong in the air. On 64 minutes the visitors were caught on the break when McKenzie’s tenacity released Dempster deep inside the Glens’ half and after driving forward he took no fewer than four white shirts out of play as he threaded the ball through their ranks for Danny Mitchell to give chase. The Glens midfielder slid along the snowy surface to get a foot to the ball as Hamilton raced to the edge of the box, the ball bouncing off the keeper’s chest and in a flash Bobby Colligan left MacAdam for dead in the race for the loose ball and curled it into the empty net from the corner of the 18 yard box.
Boby Colligan – catch me if you can
Fearing that only the game being called off could prevent the three points staying at Loch Park other ideas were soon placed in the heads of the happy home support as the Bankies battled back. On 69 minutes Vince Berry went down in the box after a trip by Glen Mitchell and Joe Andrew sent Semple the wrong way from the spot kick, Bankies two behind with twenty minutes to go.
Paul McKenzie on the ball
The visitors continued to press but couldn’t find a way through a resolute defence until five minutes from the break when a Wilson free kick was headed into his own net by Ross Robertson. The drama continued and two minutes from time Cochrane was ordered off after earning a second yellow card. The ten men survived the five minutes of added time to secure a precious three points. FT Glens 3 Bankies 2
Glenafton: Semple; McEwan, G.Mitchell, McKillen, Potter; McKenzie, Cochrane, D.Mitchell, Colligan; Robertson, Armstrong (Dempster). Subs. Dunsmuir (gk), Naismith, Blackwood
Clydebank: Hamilton; Walker, Bell (McAdam) McInnes, Paterson; Gold (Allum) , Campbell, Berry, Wilson; R McPherson (Burns) Andrew
Apologies we were unable to collect the programme from the printers on time please download a PDF here 12_Clydebank_League_16Mar2013
Other Scores: Arthurlie 3 Ashfield 1 , Petershill 1 Pollok 1
The draw for the West of Scotland Cup 3rd round and quarter-finals was made last night. Having defeated Ayrshire sides Troon and Irvine Meadow in the previous rounds the Glens will travel to Glasgow to face Super League 1st Division side and Scottish Junior Cup quarter-finalists Rutherglen Glencairn. The winners will face either Pollok or Largs in the quarter-final.
New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup 3rd Round
Rutherglen v Glenafton
Pollok v Largs
Blantyre Vics v Rob Roy
Saltcoats v Perthshire
Hurlford v Ardrossan
Beith v Arthurlie
Renfrew v Maryhill
Petershill v Shotts
New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup Quarter Finals
Pollok or Largs v Rutherglen or Glenafton
Beith or Arthurlie v Petershill or Shotts
Hurlford or Ardrossan v Saltcoats or Perthshire
Blantyre Vics v Renfrew or Maryhill
Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup Quarter Finals
Glenafton or Ardeer v Beith or Auchinleck
Kello v Irvine Vics or Largs
Cumnock v Maybole
Lugar or Irvine Meadow v Kilbirnie
Glenafton Athletic called up two youth academy players Danny Naismith and Josh Blackwood for the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup match away at Dalry Thistle yesterday. Both came off the bench to give a good account of themselves.
Team-mate and goalkeeper Ryan Dunsmuir, who has already enjoyed first team experience, also came off the bench and all three helped ensure the Glens kept a clean-sheet.
Well done and congratulations Danny & Josh and Ryan
Next Sunday, the boys will be part of the Glenafton U19s squad that travel to Newlandsfield, Glasgow to face St. Cadoc’s in the Scottish Youth Cup semi-final.
Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup, 1st Round
DALRY THISTLE 0 (0)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 4 (3)
With Ryan McChesney recuperating after coming though his long awaited operation, striker Ross Robertson partnered Richie McKillen at the centre of Glenafton’s defence. Up front Graeme Eaglesham paired up with Gareth Armstrong while on the bench were new signings from Glenafton’s U19s side Josh Blackwood and Danny Naismith
It was also a new look Dalry side that kicked off the game which quickly burst into action. The visitors forced two corners in quick succession but to no avail while Thistle hit back but Glens new look defence were giving nothing away.
The Glens were moving the ball well and Bobby Colligan was proving a thorn in the home side’s defence as he and Eaglsham continually switched wings. A goal was on the cards and on 11 minutes Colligan cutting in from the left fairly rattled the post with keeper Stewart Strachan beaten. Two minutes later Ross Robertson, up for a corner, cracked a header off the face of the bar and following up slammed home the opener.
Bobby Colligan
Thistle were trying to play football but the visitors were in rampant mood with Colligan continuing to run riot, next laying it on a plate only for Gareth Campbell to shoot high over the bar. On 25 minutes after constant pressure Bobby Colligan cut in from the right and from the edge of the box he curled a great ball round the defensive wall and the helpless keeper.
Seven minutes from the break the visitors were given a timely wake-up call when Stephen McLarty got through on goal but Ally Semple was in determined mood to keep a clean sheet. A minute later Bobby Colligan ran into the box and slammed home an unsaveable shot to put the Glens three up at the break. H/T Dalry 0 Glens 3
Thistle began the second period with a more hustling style and Glens were knocked out of their stride for a wee spell. Danny Naismith came into the back four and helped steady the ship.
Back came the visitors with Eaglesham putting the ball into Colligan’s path but he shot high over the bar. In the 61st min Robertson thundered a header off the underside of the bar and the loose ball frantically scrambled clear by an over worked Dalry rear-guard.
Semple was rested and Ryan Dunsmuir took his place in goal while Josh Blackwood came on at right back, the U19 team-mates helping the visitors to maintain their clean-sheet through the game’s conclusion. Glenafton completed the scoring through Gareth Campbell after his shot from outside the box took a wicked deflection past the stranded Strachan. F/T Dalry 0 Glens 4
Dalry: Strachan Smith Cuddihy Todd Cochrane Wilson Pettigrew McGeachey Friels McLarty Lorne subs Muir Jamie Friels Mochan Pelamie
Glenafton: Semple Potter Robertson McKillen McEwan Colligan McKenzie Cochrane Eaglsham Armstrong Campbell subs: Dunsmuir Naismith Blackwood ; not used Dempster.
Saturday 2nd March, Inverurie
Colony Park 0 Glenafton Athletic 3
First half goals from Jordan Graham and Danny Naismith (penalty) put the Glens two up at the break against a very good Colony Park side that had passed up some excellent chances and found Glens’ keeper Ryan Dunsmuir in inspired form. The home side started the second half in determined fashion by Dunsmuir was not to be beaten, drawing applause from both sets of supporters. Ryan Campbell calmed the visitors’ nerves after crashing home a third goal with a stunning volley from 20 yards out.
Saturday 2nd March, Stevenston
Tass Thistle 0 Glenafton 4
Glenafton Athletic U13’s at Loch Park, 29/10/11
In an extremely tight first half the Glens took a 1-0 lead with a well taken, goal from Connor Jackson near to half time, this takes his tally to 51 so far this season ! A sweetly struck penalty from Luke Colville doubled the visitors lead after the break and a Shaun Brady brace, including an excellent free kick. saw the young Glens win 4-0.
Stagecoach West Region Premier Division
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 4 (2)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 0 (0)
With Paul Murphy loaned out to Bo’ness United the captain’s armband was adorned by Paul McKenzie as Glenafton faced league leaders Auchinleck at an overcast Beechwood.
The home side were soon on the front foot moving the ball the length and breadth of the pitch with slick passing and quick thinking, former Glenafton striker David Gormely a key lynch pin in link up play with both flanks. On 5 minutes Richie McKillen was in the right place to head off the line as Graham Wilson looked to prod home a Bryan Young cross. The resultant corner kick was partially cleared and the ball lofted back out to the right for an airborne James Latta to head it back across the face of the goal where Colin Spence looked certain to head it home from a few yards out, only for Ally Semple to get down low and push the ball away and Ryan McChesney block Spence’s second bite at the cherry. Talbot continued to peg back the visitors with Young and Latta each getting to the bye line but their cut-backs were well defended.
Ally Semple saves from Colin Spence
Glenafton were content to launch high balls into the box and on 11 minutes the ploy looked to have paid off when the John Dempster beat Gavin Collins and Willie Lyle in the air to knock the ball down for Ross Robertson who from the corner of the six yard box drilled the ball low beyond the reach of Andy Leishman. The unlucky striker soon realised he was to have a third ‘goal’ in two games disallowed, this one for offside, a tight call but probably the right one.
Ross Robertson disallowed goal
Two minutes later Robertson saw off the aerial challenge of Collins and the ball fell for Danny Mitchell and his shot from 20 yards out cannoned off Gordon Pope and a flat-footed Leishman was relieved to look on as the ball dropped just over the bar. Brother Glen Mitchell won the header from the corner-kick and an alert Spence nicked in to deny McKillen at the expense of another corner, which Leishmann punched clear from under the bar as Danny Mitchell hovered with intent.
A quick break brought respite to Talbot defence and in a lightning quick move Wilson was through on goal but shot wide of target while later McChesney muscled Gormley off the ball allowing Semple to gather. In 28 minutes the home side took the lead when Young cut in from the left and the ball eventually picked up by Spence on the edge of the box who drove to the right before drilling a low hard shot beyond the outstretched leg of Semple, only for Graham Wilson to put the finishing touch to the net-bound ball. Glenafton raised arms claiming he had done so from an offside position waved away.
A speculative snap shot from distance by Gareth Campbell flew well wide of Leishman’s post as the visitors tried to strike back immediately. McKenzie and Danny Mitchell combined well down the right flank and for once the Glens got to the bye-line only for Leishman to clutch the cut-back safely as Dempster threatened. While at the other end Semple made a fine block at the near post as Talbot carved out another corner-kick.
Paul McKenzie with Steven White giving chase
With five minutes of the half remaining Talbot doubled their lead and again Glenafton appeals for offside were dismissed. Semple raced from his line to narrow the angle and make an excellent point-blank save from the wily Wilson who had worked his way into the box. As the ball rebounded Wilson lobbed it past the keeper to James Latta who headed it home him past McKillen, who appeared to be the only player between him and the goal-line.
Just before the break a free-kick played into the Talbot box saw Roberston fend off Wilson and Pope and feed the ball to Glen Mitchell in the six yard box but Wilson recovered to force the defender to shoot wide of target. H/T Auchinleck 2 Glenafton 0
Within a minute of the re-start the home side came close to extending their lead when Wilson fired from close range only for the ball to be blocked by Danny Mitchell and Semple and Craig McEwan join forces on the goal-line to snuff out Gormley from squeezing the loose ball home. A minute later McKenzie gathered the ball in the centre circle and showing Pope a clean pair of heels headed down the right flank only to have the aforesaid heels clicked before he broke into the box by the backtracking the defender, who was duly accepted the yellow card.
Paul McKenzie with Gordon Pope
Collins cleared Dempster’s attempt from the resultant free-kick. The home side continued to press and Robertson’s determination in the box earned the visitors another corner which was partially cleared before being played back into a packed penalty box where the ball fell for Glen Mitchell and although he struck the ball sweetly it thundered inches wide of Leishman’s post. Up the park and a wicked shot from the impressive Wilson whistled narrowly wide with Semple stranded.
On 57 minutes Craig Potter and John Dempster were replaced by Gus Cochrane and Bobby Colligan and the latter was soon in the thick of it, but his final shot didn’t match his excellent run and it was well held by Leishman.
Talbot responded by laying siege to the Glens’ goal beginning with a fine passage of play down the left which saw Gormley break into the box and try to slot home from a narrow angle only for Semple to reach for a telling touch and Cochrane clear for a corner. The ensuing kick caused chaos Semple scurrying across his line to see off Latta and then make a stunning block at his post as Wilson tried to bury the loose ball. The keeper then rose to punch the corner kick clear as Wilson waited to head home.
Ally Semple punches clear
The home side were not to be denied and on 63 minutes Pope and Gormley combined down the left to release Bryan Young who danced his way into the box and drove the ball home low and hard into the net at the far post.
Glenafton replaced the hard-working Robertson with Gareth Armstrong who was soon enjoying some classic tussles with Collins as the visitors tried to salvage something from the game. However, on 74 minutes, it was the home side that struck again. Gormley deep in the box set up Wilson whose effort from a few yards out was brilliantly beaten away by Semple but the keeper could do nothing to prevent substitute Kyle Faulds from lashing the ball into the gaping net. It was to be Gormley’s last action with Mick McCann his replacement. Three minutes from time Talbot almost added a fifth but the ball crashed off the junction of post and bar. Glenafton’s misery was complete when Gareth Campbell earned a second yellow card following a tackle on Craig Pettigrew. FT Talbot 4 Glenafton 0
Glenafton: Semple; McEwan, McChesney, G.Mitchell, McKillen; McKenzie, Potter (Cochrane), D.Mitchell, Campb ell; Robertson (Armstrong), Dempster (Colligan)
Auchinleck: Leishman; Lyle, Pettigrew, Collins, Pope; Latta, Spence, White, Young; Gormley, Wilson. Subs – Faulds, McCann, Hyslop
Other League Scores: Beith 0 Arthurlie 2, Irvine Meadow 2 Clydebank 0, Kirkintilloch 2 Petershill 3, Pollok 1 Cumnock 3, Shotts 1 Ashfield 1
Siney Productions:
Glenafton Athletic 