Ellon 1 Glenafton 4

Posted on September 21, 2024 by flowgently
SJFASCOTTISH JUNIOR CUPRound 2
Ellon United1 (1)Cain
Glenafton Athletic4 (2)Rowe, Mullen 2, McKee
Sat 21 SEP 2024KO 2:30 pmThe Meadows, Ellon

Glenafton travelled north to face Ellon United in the 2nd Round of the Scottish Junior Cup with new manager and former Glens player Paul Paton at the helm along with coach Alan Muir.

The two sides met each other in the 3rd round of the competition six years ago in Season 2018/19 at The Meadows, where Glens fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 through headers from Chris Dallas, Mick McCann and Dale ‘Gunner’ Moore. Ellon currently sit in 3rd place in the North Region Premier League with Pl7 W5 D1 L1 F16 A9 16 Pts. record,

Prior to kick-off the team captains Ollie Rowe and Neil Irvine posed with 5 young local mascots, including a babe-in-arms and the match referee which was followed by a minute’s silence.

Ellon kicked off under an overcast sky and play soon raged back and forth and with defences very much on top, particularly winning the aerial battles of balls floated high into the box.

On 11 minutes Glenafton made the breakthrough. Lyall Holding pushed into the Ellon half and slotted the ball up the right flank for Sam McKee where he was quickly closed down by Johny Cain, who was then penalised for clicking the winger’s heels.  Ellon set up a two-man wall at the corner of the box while half-a-dozen players from both sides congregated in the vicinity of the penalty spot. Ross Lindsay stepped up to whip a low vicious free-kick wide of the wall which also by-passed the outstretched legs of Michael Mullen and Cain in turn but not the stooping Calum Irvine his header seemingly heading for his own net only for the inrushing Ollie Rowe to get the final touch and guide the ball over the line past keeper Daniel Adamson.

The visitors continued to press with the mobility of Shuggy Kerr, Liam Caddis and Mullen keeping the home defence on their toes. Ellon countered with a number of high balls into the box from free-kicks and open play all of which were headed cleared either by Rowe or Stuart Currie or plucked out the air by keeper Ally Semple, taking a few knocks in the process.

Glenafton doubled their lead on 25 minutes after Michael Mullen chased down a ball on the left-hand side of the box before setting off on a diagonal run between the back-tracking Calum Irvine and the outrushing keeper towards the far corner of the six-yard box from where he side-footed the ball into the gaping net.

Coincidentally the overcast sky had transformed to blue sky and fluffy clouds, casting long shadows on the lush green of The Meadows.

Back came Glens and Kerr held off the strong challenge of Cain to nod the ball into box where Mullen gathered and with two defenders closing in, he rolled it back to the outskirts of the box where the visitors won another free-kick. On this occasion Lindsay’s effort deflected off the jumping members of wall and dipped inches over the bar while the corner-kick that followed saw the keeper claw the ball way from the head of the leaping Rowe.

Kerr and Mullen remained busy on the outskirts of Ellon’s box with Stephen McClelland, Caddis and Ross feeding their runs. Another ball clipped upfield for Kerr was intercepted by Sam Harrison and Cain whipped the loose ball up the left for James Bain to chase down and push forward to the edge of the left-hand side of the box where Rowe’s tackle was deemed worthy of a free-kick. James Cain curled a cracker of a free kick wide of the four-man wall and into the top corner of the back post with Semple rooted on his line to halve deficit on 30 minutes.

Play went back and forth and soon after Ellon won another free kick deep on the left from where Calum Irvine clipped the ball into the six-yard box for Stewart Gray only for Semple to clutch the ball safely.

On 37 minutes Glenafton were forced to make a change after Stephen McClelland pulled up and was replaced with Ryan Walker.

Both sides continued to push and try to add to their tally before the break but without success.

HT Ellon 1 Glens 2

The home side enjoyed a strong start to the second half. Cain was presented with another free-kick in a dangerous position on the outskirts of the box only this time his shot battered off the back of the leaping Ross.

Glens countered after Jared Willet trapped a clearance on his chest and laid the ball off to Walker to drive to the bye-line before drilling it across the face of goal for the inrushing Mullen only for the keeper to intercept and smother the ball, meanwhile the visitors’ loud appeals that Walker’s cross had struck Harris Chubb’s hand were waved away.

At the other end the Glens wall did its job again as Cain’s free-kick was deflected out for a corner which fell for Finlay Armstrong deep in the box to flick the ball up, wheel round and volley a shot that flew over the bar

Play fell into the ‘back and forth’ mode once again with the home side more successful in breaking into their opponent’s box albeit without seriously testing the keeper. For the Glens, Willet was busy down the left flank teaming up with Kerr and Walker but here too there was no end product. However, later a high ball was headed to the edge of the box where Willet launched himself into the air to head it goalward only for Chubb to intercept and clear.  

Ellon then breached the Glens box three times in quick succession with Currie the clearer on each occasion. At the other end a Rowe header from a free-kick floated into the box was comfortably held by the keeper.

On 72 minutes Glens replaced Liam Caddis, after a great shift, with Dylan O’Kane and the young winger was soon in the thick of the action.

Willet was sandwiched between two defenders deep on the left wing and it was O’Kane that clipped the free-kick over the two-man wall into the six-yard box where Michael Mullen drifted free of his marker into the space between Calum Irvine and keeper Adamson to nod the ball home from 3 yards out. Glens 3-1 up on 74 minutes.

On 77 minutes Glens made it 4-1. Kerr was brought down 30 yards from goal and although the free-kick beat the keeper at full stretch it crashed off the inside of the back post and flashed across the face of goal past the grounded keeper and O’Kane looked certain to score but a mis-kick sent the ball wide off target only for the alert Sam McKee to pounce and from two yards out squeeze the ball between Callum Irvine and the back post – understandably Sam and Dylan celebrated the goal with smile of joy and relief!

On 81 minutes Kerr came close to adding fifth, drilling a low powerful shot from 10 yards only for Adamson to stick out a foot and send the ball wide off target. Three minutes later Michael Mullen pulled up with an injury, having covered every inch on the park, and was replaced with Mason McDougall, the Glens U20 player making his debut.

Ellon enjoyed a late flurry but the Glens stood firm to prevent any consolation.

FT Ellon 1 Glens 4

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 3. Jared Willet 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe (captain) 6. Stephen McClelland (12. Ryan Walker) 7. Sam McKee 8. Ross Lindsay 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Michael Mullen (15. Mason McDougall/U20) 11. Liam Caddis (14. Dylan O’Kane). Subs Not Used: 23. Keon Thurston/U20.
ELLON UNITED
1. Daniel Adamson 2. Ben Milne 3. Sam Harrison 4. Harris Clubb 5. Johny Cain 6. Calum Irvine 7. Aaron Buckle 8. Neill Irvine (captain) 9. James Bain 10. Finlay Armstrong 11. Stewart Gray. Substitutes: 12. Stuart Smith 14. Logan Tough 15. Ben Riddell 16. Aarron Gerrard 17. Jordan Tallis 18. Scott Gray
Match Photos
Ellon United v Glenafton Athletic
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Paul Paton appointed Glenafton manager

Posted on September 17, 2024 by flowgently

Former Glenafton player Paul Paton has returned to Loch Park to take up the vacant managerial position. Paul joined the Glens at the beginning of Season 2022/23, signed by Ryan Stevenson and went to make 74 starts in his two seasons at Loch Park.

MANAGERIAL APPOINTMENT:

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our former player Paul Paton as the next Glenafton Athletic manager.

Paul has enjoyed an illustrious career in the game playing for and captaining clubs amongst others such as Partick Thistle and Dundee United. Paul joined the Glens at the start of the 2022/2023 season before leaving to join Irvine Meadow XI FC at the start of this season.

Paul’s leadership skills and knowledge of the game, made him the outstanding candidate for the job, and we are delighted Paul has chosen Glenafton as the club to begin his managerial career with.

We will announce Paul’s full backroom team in due course.

We urge all our supporters to get behind the club and Paul, ahead of Saturday’s clash against Ellon United.

We would also like to thank everyone who applied for the job, and to the people who offered to help out in the interim.

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Ryan resgins

Posted on September 15, 2024 by flowgently

Glenafton Athletic can confirm that manager Ryan Caddis has left the club by mutual agreement. Ryan was appointed manager in November 2023 and helped secure Glenafton’s place in the Premier Division.

Assistant manager and Darren Miller and coach David Watters will also leave the club.

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Glenafton 0 Dalry Thistle 2

Posted on September 14, 2024 by flowgently
CARMAT KINGSSOUTH CHALLENGE CUP Round 2
Glenafton Athletic0 (0)
Dalry Thistle 2 (0)J. Catlow, Cowan
Sat 14 SEP 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of Glenafton supporter Jimmy Carmichael who passed away recently.

Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Benburb last week with Ross Lindsay and Stephen McClelland making way for Jared Willet and Ryan Walker

The first half ended goalless as neither side could convert the few half chances on show. On 55 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock after Gary Dugggan won the ball inside the Glens half and slipped it wide to Fraser Cowan who clipped it inside towards the centre circle for Tinashi Mgwanda to trap and push forward before completing the one-two with Cowan who rolled the ball  it into the box for the incoming Jamie Catlow to gather before driving forward and slotting the ball past the advancing keeper Ally Semple.

Five minutes later Glenafton came close to drawing level after Michael Mullen floated a corner into a busy box only for substitute Liam Caddis’s header to crash off the post.  

On 63 minutes Thistle doubled their lead after Fraser Cowan leathered the ball home from 12 yards.

Soon after Glens hit the woodwork again after Craig Pettigrew slotted a ball through the middle for Dylan O’Kane to gather in the centre circle before turning and driving forward to slip the ball up the right for Cammy Ross to whip a great ball into the box only for Caddis’s header to thunder of the bar.

At the other end Dalry won a corner on the left which Pettigrew headed clear of the box before Aidan Catlow raced some two yards to crack a thunderous low shot from 22 yards which somehow Semple got down low to stop before gathering the loose ball.

The Glens pushed forward in number in the closing minutes only for Dalry to stand firm and keep a clean sheet.

FT Glenafton 0 Dalry 2

So for the second time in two weeks the Glens were knocked out of another cup competition by a 3rd Division side.

Good luck to Dalry in the next round.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple Cammy Ross 4. Lyall Holding (14. Lewis Currie) 5.Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Jared Willet 11. Dylan O’Kane 6. Ollie Rowe 8. Cammy Crooks 7. Ryan Walker 9. Hugh Kerr (12. Liam Caddis) 10. Michael Mullen, Subs Not Used: 23. Keon Thurston (gk) Ross Lindsay, Andy Strachan  
DALRY THISTLE
1. Darren Fairns 2. Aidan Catlow 3. Jamie Catlow 4. Aaron Lewis 5. Cameron Fairns 6. Munchie Connolly 7. Gary Duggan 8. David McNair 9. Fraser Cowan 10. Tinashi Mgwanda (captain) 11. Kyle Taylor. Subs: Joe McKeown, Ali Johnstone, Nathan Gordon, Seyi Fadun

Everyone at the club would like wish Cammy Crooks all the best as he moves to Germany to start an internship with Puma as part of his degree at Strathclyde Uni. We hope to see Cammy back in a Glens jersey next season and would like to thank him for his efforts.

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Benburb 3 Glenafton 0

Posted on September 7, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 07
Benburb3 (1)McDonald, Turay, McGuire
Glenafton Athletic0 (0)
Sat 07 SEP 2024KO 2:00 pmNew Tinto Park, Glasgow

Glens kicked off in the sunshine in a what proved to be a fairly uneventful first half until the closing minutes. The first decent chance fell to the Bens on 12 minutes when Hamish McKinlay broke into the right-hand side of the box before squaring the ball through a ruck of player to Jacob Glass with seemingly only the keeper to beat but with Dylan O’Kane closing in from behind, he fired his shot into the side netting.

Play raged back and forth with Cammy Ross in particular busy up the right flanks.

Midway through the half the lively McKinlay progressed to the outskirts of the box before slipping the ball to Declan McDonald only to be stopped in his tracks by Craig Pettigrew, deemed to a free-kick from 22 yards on the edge of the ‘D’. It was McKinlay that curled the kick round his right-hand side of the four-man wall aiming to squeeze it home at the post, only for keeper Ally Semple to dive at full stretch and push the ball wide with both hands. Like its predecessor Ryan McCrorie’s corner kick came to nothing with Lyall Holding clearing.

On 41 minutes another burst down the right saw Ross shrug off McCrorie’s shirt pull continue his run before cutting the ball inside, between McCrorie and Glass, for O’Kane to gather and break into the box only for his diagonal shot from 10 yards to be blocked by Eaun Clark and then headed clear by Glass. Ross Findlay recovered the ball and laid it off to Ross with the intent to head up the wing but Glass firmly pulled him back at the expense of a free kick which Findlay floated to the far corner of the six-yard box for Shuggy Kerr but sandwiched between Lorenzo Giovanazzi and Ryan Livingston with the latter winning the aerial battle allowing McCrorie to hook the ball clear of the box.

On 44 minutes the Bens won a free-kick of the left some 10 yards outside the box, too far the need of the wall. McKinlay curled the ball high towards the far corner of the six-yard box where the leaping Livingston won the aerial battle again with his header falling short of the near post and the danger apparently only for Declan McDonald to get the jump on Semple on his line, to guide the ball home between the post and the keeper. Benburb 1-0.

HT Benburb 1 Glenafton 0

The home side were first to threaten through McKinlay darting deep into the Glens box before picking out Reece McGuire in space only for Pettigrew and Ollie Rowe to block his progress forcing him to retreat without getting a shot away.

At the other end Lindsay launched a free kick high into the box with Stephen McClelland and Michael Mullen setting off their runs deep into the box only for keeper Grant Hay to rush some 10 yards off his line and stretch both arms to finger tip the ball away. Soon after Lindsay, from tight on the right just inside the Bens half, launched another free kick high into the box and although the leaping Kerr won the header some 12 yards from goal the ball drifted wide of the post

Back came Bens through McGuire chasing a ball deep into Glens’ box only for Semple to rush from his line and block his shot before Lyall mopped up the loose ball.

On the hour mark Glens brought on Liam Caddis for Shuggy Kerr.

Soon after Lindsay from wide on the left floated free kick into a busy box where the ball skimmed the off the top of Clark’s head and behind him Glass stooped sending a low header goalward forcing keeper Hay to scurry across his goal-line only for the ball to crash of the inside of the post before falling into the hands of Hay, now on his knees.

Glens continued to press and two minutes later the Bens goal lived a charmed life again. Mullen chased down a ball with Livingston tight on his heels while Hay rushed from his line, and on entering the box the Glens striker lobbed the ball high over the keeper leaving him stranded, however Livingston kept his head and continued his run to clear the descending ball a yard from the gaping goal before he ended up in the back of the net.

Livingston wasn’t finished however. Lindsay curled a corner deep into the six yard box beyond the reach of the leaping keeper and destined for Pettigrew at the back post only for Livingston to intercept with a powerful headed clearance.

Soon after Lindsay’s corner-kick was floated high towards the penalty spot with Pettigrew the target again only for Livingston to win the aerial battle.

Midway through the half Bens brought on Salla Turay for Hamish McKinlay and Glens replaced Cameron Crooks with Ryan Walker.

Turay was quickly in the thick things and although he blasted a free-kick form 22 yards into the Glens wall he soon made amends gathering a great ball up the left from Livingston and driving deep into the box skipping past defenders before driving a low angled shot that flew past the diving Semple at the near post and bulged the net at the back post. Bens 2 Glens 0 on 74 minutes, a blow to the visitors after a having enjoyed a good spell of possession and a couple of goal-line chances.

Benburb’s tails were now up with McGuire forcing Semple to pull off good saves low at either post before another burst into the box by Turay saw his shot bulge the side-netting.

On 85 minutes Glens countered with O’Kane breaking into the right hand side of the box and drawing Hay from his line to the corner of the six-yard box where the keeper blocked the shot and Glass mopped up the loose ball.

On 90 minutes Bens won a corner-kick and were happy to run down the time to a certain extent. However, when the opportunity presented itself they seized on the chance to make it 3-0 with Reece McGuire lashing a ferocious shot from the corner of the six yard box over the head of Semple at the near post and into the roof of the net. Bens 3-0 on 93 minutes.

FT Benburb 3 Glenafton 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Cammy Ross 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Lyall Holding; 7. Dylan O’Kane 6. Ross Lindsay 8. Stephen McLelland 11. Michael Mullen; 9. Hugh Kerr (12. Liam Caddis) 10. Cammy Crooks (14. Ryan Walker). Subs Not Used: 23. Keon Thurston (gk) Lewis Currie, Andy Strachan  
BENBURB
1. Grant Hay 2. Lorenzo Giovanazzi 3. Jacob Glass 4. Jordan Bow 5. Euan Clark 6. Mikey McWilliams 7. Reece McGuire 8. Ryan McCrorie (captain) 9. Declan McDonald 10. Ryan Livingston 11. Hamish McKinlay Subs: 12. Ross Urquhart 14. Ally Taylor 15. Olly Smith 16. Sallu Turay 17. Lewis Young 18. Dylan Watt 19. Robbie Halliday
Match Photos
Benburb v Glenafton Athletic

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Glenafton 2 Threave Rovers 4

Posted on August 31, 2024 by flowgently
SCOTTISH GASSCOTTISH CUPPrelim Round 2
Glenafton Athletic2 (0)Mullen, O’Kane
Threave Rovers4 (3)Kerr 3, Irving
Sat 31 AUG 2024KO 3:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made one change from the 11 that started against Beith last Saturday with Lewis Currie making way for Liam Caddis

Glenafton and Threave Rovers met each other at Loch Park n the 1st Round of the William Scottish Cup in Season 2017/18. Glens gained entry as Premier League Champions (and Scottish Junior Cup Winners while Threave were members of the South of Scotland League. The Glens ran out 4-0 winners with goals from Mick McCann (2), Joe Andrew and Dale Moore and went to reach the 3rd round losing out 2-0 at Livingston United.

Today both clubs play in the West of Scotland Football League, Glenafton in the Premier Division and Threave in 3rd Division and both gained entry into the competition as SFA member clubs. Today it was the Castle Douglas side that triumphed with a convincing 4-2 victory.

Aiden Kerr opened the scoring for the visitors on 25 minutes from a corner kick that was nodded into the six-yard box for Kerr to slam home. Kerr doubled Rovers’ lead on 38 minutes firing home a cut-back from the touchline before completing his hat-trick on the stroke of half -time, stroking the ball home from 18 yards.

Glenafton pulled one back on 61 minutes after Michael Mullen headed home a cross into the six-yard box.

Michael Mullen

However back came Threave to restore their 3 goal cushion on 75 minutes after Ross Irving cuts into the left hand side of the box to drill a low angled shot past the outrushing Ally Semple. In time added-on Dylan O’Kane completed the scoring with a late consolation for Glenafton.

Dylan O’Kane

Good luck to Threave in the next round.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Jared Willet 3. Sam McKee; 7. Michael Mullen 6. Stephen McLelland 8. Ryan Walker 11. Dylan O’Kane; 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Liam Caddis. Subs Used: Cammy Ross, Cammy Crooks, Ross Linday and Evan Maley. Subs Not Used: 23. Keon Thurston (gk) Lewis Currie, Andy Strachan
THREAVE ROVERS
1. Sam Henderson 2. Liam Park 3. Callum Summerbee 4. Charlie Watson 5. Liam Douglas 6. Ross Thomson 7. Lewis Downie 8. Harry Officer 9. Aiden Kerr 10. Dylan Cairnie (captain) 11. Ross Irving Suns: 12. Alex Henderson 13. Kieran McCulloch 14. Tom Coles 15. Liam Nish 16. Calum Johnstone

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Beith 2 Glenafton 1

Posted on August 24, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 06
Beith Juniors2 (0)Frize 2
Glenafton Athletic 1 (1)Kerr
Sat 24 AUG 2024KO 2:00 pmBellsdale Park, Beith

Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Hurlford on Tuesday 13th August with Sam McKee replacing Cammy Ross. The bench was made up of three players from Glenafton U20s, two Trialists and Ross Lindsay (still carrying an injury).

Prior to kick-off a minute’s applause was held in memory of Community Coach Graham Greig who sadly passed away recently. His son Callum lead the Beith team out as the club mascot.

Beith kicked off down the slope and it was Glens that were first to show in the opening minute after Sam McKee beat Ricky Little to chase the ball uphill into the right hand-side of the box only for this ight angled shot to be comfortably held by keeper Owen Stott at the corner of the six-yard box.

Back came the visitors through Dylan O’Kane breaking up the left wing and then weaving his way along the bye-line to the edge of the six yard box to hold off Evan Dunne before threading a pass through the legs of Scot Rough for the incoming Shuggy Kerr to sweep the ball into the net beyond the reach of the keeper and Ricky Little on the line. Glens 1-0  on 3 minutes.

Beith responded well and were busy in and around the Glens box, both Lyall Holding and Stephen McLelland in turn blocked efforts from Alan Docherty and Jordan Stuart before Ryan Walker cleared the danger from the box.

Back came Glens with a long ball up the middle which Michael Mullen, with Ricky Little tight on his back, headed back to Kerr to crack a shot from 25 yards that drifted wide of the post. 

Play was raging back and forth (or up and down).

On 15 minutes Carlo Monti from the right whipped a corner-kick to the near post where Little fouled keeper Semple before ending up in the net while the ball sailed high and wide of the target.

Soon after, Monti trapped the ball on the edge of the box before blasting up a shot from inside the ‘D’ for the top right-hand corner only for the airborne Semple to pull off a great save, pushing the ball wide with both hands.

Dylan O’Kane picked up a pass on the centre spot and then pushed forward to fire a shot from 25 yards that Stott held well. Later on O’Kane broke up the left and gave Scot Rough the slip before curling a shot from the edge which sailed over the bar

Meanwhile at the other end Beith’s corner-kick count continued to mount with limited success as the Glens defence scrambled them clear, however on 30 minutes Semple had to be on his toes to outleap Dunne and punch the ball clear.

On 38 minutes Beith came close to levelling after Monti, from wide on the right, curled the ball high towards the penalty spot where Little won the aerial battle with Holding only for Semple to pull off a great save leaping to push the glancing header onto the bar while Lewis Currie and Ollie Rowe combined to clear their lines.

Jared Willet broke down another Beith attack on the outskirts of the box robbing Monti of the ball before threading a pass to Mullen in the centre-circle who took a touch before stroking the ball upfield between the central defenders for Kerr to chase and burst into the right hand side of the box and as the back-tracking Little closed in, he cutely took a touch with the inside of his right foot to set up a shot with his left only for Stott to get down low and push it wide of the post for a corner-kick which was headed clear.

Mullen gathered a Semple clearance wide on the left and whipped a long ball up the hill for McKee to chase with Little in pursuit, however it was his team-mate Stuart that arrived in time to block the angled shot from deep in the box.

In the closing minute Beith passed up a great chance to square matters before the break. A from wide on the right was floated to the back post where Lewis Lovering outleapt McKee and Holding to the nod the ball down to the unmarked Monti but rather than try to place it in either corner he blasted a shot at Semple only for the keeper to pull off great point blank save to push the ball away.

HT Beith 0 Glens 1.

The second half started off at a frantic pace with playing raging forth and back (or down an up) without either keeper being tested.

On the hour mark Monti from the outskirts of the box curled a free-kick over the wall which dipped over the bar.  Beith continued to press with Robbie Scullion trapping the ball just inside the box, before turning and clipping a low angled shot that had Semple at full stretch to push the ball past the far post.  Monti from the right floated the corner deep into the goal mouth where Paul Frize while backing into Semple, more less on the goal line, got a touch to send the ball into the net. Despite claims of foul play from the Glens the goal stood and yet if Semple had pushed Frize a penalty would surely have followed. Beith 1 Glens 1 on 63 minutes

Soon after Glenafton manager Ryan Caddis aired his views to the match official and having already been booked was shown a red card.

The rain came and went as the home side continued to press with substitute Andy Monk looking lively up the left flank. On 75 minutes he chased a ball hooked up the wing by Monti weaved his way into the box to drill a low angled shot that Semple blocked with the soles of his boots and the rebound was gathered by sub Max Brown who back-heeled the ball into the path of Scullion only for his shot from 18 yards to be cleared by McClelland.

Frize then burst up the left before whipping the ball to the corner of the six-yard box where substitute Fraser Malcolm took a touch with the outside of his boot sending the ball over the bar. Soon after, Monk on the left laid the ball off to Frize to blast a shot from 25 yards that Semple at full stretch pushed away. It was eventually cleared to the outskirts of the box by Currie where it was gathered by Kerr only to be dispossessed by Little’s sliding tackle and as Willet looked to win the ball he caught Brown which harshly earned him a second yellow card and his marching orders. Glens down to 10 men on 78 minutes.

Sam McKee

Monti lined up to take the free-kick into the box but played a short one-two instead with Frize before drilling a low shot through a crowded box only for Semple to get down low and smother the ball.

Another period of play ebbing back and forth foolowed before Beith scored what proved to be the winner in a controversial manner. Monk broke into the left-hand side of a packed box before picking out Monti to blast a shot that was blocked by McClelland, the midfielder falling awkwardly to the ground in the process, the ball landed on the outskirts of the box where as Ryan Walker hoofed the ball downfield into the Beith half, was caught on the shin from behind by Frize, already on a yellow card, leaving him writhing in pain in front of the referee. Nevertheless, play continued despite the ball now deep in the Beith half, from where Little laid the ball off to Steven Noble on the left to push up the wing and picking out Monti to roll into the path of Paul Frize to run past the floored and injured Walker into the box before drilling a lethal low shot from 16 yards that beat Semple at his near post. Beith 2 -1 on 85 minutes.

While Beith celebrated the Glens physio was allowed on the park and appeals to the referee were waved away. Meanwhile Stephen McClelland was replaced by Trialist (coach Darren Millar).

Glens pushed for an equaliser and won two corner kicks deep in added time the second of which saw Kerr’s header sail high over the bar.

Although the pain of the 9-0 defeat at Bellsdale last season has dissipated somewhat and to be fair it was a true reflection of that game, it was just as painful today as the Glens didn’t deserve to come away with nothing from the game.

FT Beith 2 Glens 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Lewis Currie 3. Jared Willet; 7. Sam McKee 6. Stephen McLelland (Trialist 1) 8. Ryan Walker 11. Dylan O’Kane; 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen Subs Not Used: Ross Lindsay Keon Thurston (gk), Morrison, Small; Trialist 1, Trialist 2, 3
BEITH JUNIORS
1. Owen Stott 2. Evan Dunne 3. Lewis Lovering (12. Max Brown) 4. Ricky Little 5. Scot Rough 6. Ben Lewis (15. Steven Noble) 7. Carlo Monti (14. Martin Findlay) 8. Paul Frize (captain) 9. Alan Docherty (17. Fraser Malcolm) 10. Robbie Scullion 11. Jordan Stuart (18. Andy Monk) Subs:, Conor O’Donnell, Scott McLellan (gk).
Match Photos
Beith Juniors v Glenafton Athletic
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Glenafton 1 Hurlford 1

Posted on August 13, 2024 by flowgently
GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 05
Glenafton Athletic1 (0)McLelland
Hurlford United1 (0)McPherson
Tue 13 AUG 2024KO 7:30 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made four changes to the eleven that started against Cumnock on Saturday with Craig Pettigrew (injured), Evan Maley, Sam McKee and Amand Dollani making way for Lewis Currie, Cammy Ross, Dylan O’Kane and Hugh Kerr.

In the Hurlford starting eleven were former Glens players Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie and Ross Robertson while Ross Fisher was on the bench. Of course, the ‘Ford manager Darren Henderson and his assistant manager John Dempster were former Glens’ manager and striker respectively.

The first half finished goal-less with both goalkeepers pulling off fine saves.  The visitors were denied an early lead after Ally Semple pushed a powerful shot from close range over the bar and then blocked another one soon after.  At the other end George O’Connor tipped Dylan O’Kane’s shot from a tight angle over the cross bar.

HT Glens 0 Hurlford 0

Half-time substitute Ciaran O’Connor broke the deadlock on 54 minutes. A Glens attack was broken down deep in the Hurlford box and the ball played up the right touchline from where it was slotted to the centre-circle for Lewis Morrison to gather and give a defender the slip before bursting into the box and laying the ball off to O’Connor to guide it beyond Semple and into net.

The home side responded well and enjoyed a good spell of pressure which finally bore fruit on 73 minutes. A free kick from the centre-circle was fired into a busy Ford box only to be headed back upfield where an alert Lyall Holding chased it down and then gave the inrushing Morrison the slip before curling the ball, high and deep into the box where a diving Stephen McLelland got between two defenders to bullet an unstoppable header into the net; his first goal for the club.

Stephen McClelland

Both sides went in search of a winner and the best chances fell to the visitors from close range headers, the first brilliantly saved by Semple the other dipping inches over the bar.

In the added time substitute Liam Caddis was sent off after earning a second yellow card.

FT Glens 1 Hurlford 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe 3. Jared Willet; 7. Cammy Ross 6. Stephen McLelland 8. Ryan Walker 11. Dylan O’Kane ; 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen Subs Used: Sam McKee, Armand Dollani, Liam Caddis
HURLFORD UNITED
1. George O’Connor 2. Blair Anderson 3. Sam Lidington 4. Carter Frew 5. Ross Love 6. Liam Miller 7. Paul McKenzie (capt.) 8. Jack Whittaker (Ciaran McPherson) 9. Ross Robertson (Kyle Dunnett)10. Lewis Morrison 11. Kris Kerr  Subs Not Used: Alistair Brown (gk), Chris Robertson, Gavin Mackie, Ross Fisher, Chris McKnight

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Cumnock 3 Glenafton 0

Posted on August 10, 2024 by flowgently

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 04
Cumnock Juniors3 (2)Dykes, Orr, McKenzie
Glenafton Athletic0 (0)
Sat 10 Aug 24KO 2:00 pmTownhead Park, Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic with members of the Watt family, sponsors ot the club’s strips.

Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Johnstone Burgh last Saturday with Hugh Kerr (unavailable) and Cammy Ross making way for Amand Dollani and Sam Kerr, while Ross Lindsay and Cammy Crooks (long term) remain on the injury list.

In the Cumnock dug-out was former Glenafton player and treble-winning manager Craig McEwan now assistant manager to Cumnock’s new manager Stephen Swift.

The Cumnock pitch was bathed in bright sunshine with a brisk breeze blowing albeit not strong enough to turn those windfall windmills on Hare Hill, back in the parish of New Cumnock! Although the Glens kicked off it was the ‘Nock that quickly took control of the game in whirlwind fashion.

On 3 minutes Cammy Chalmers from inside the box drilled a low angled shot that Ally Semple got down low to push wide for a corner preventing a posse of ‘Nockians getting a touch at the back post. Luke Watt played the kick short to Dylan Dykes to whip the ball into the goalmouth only for Lyle Holding’s clearance to be instantly fired back goalward by Watt which was deflected wide for another corner. Watt floated this one to the near post for the incoming Jon Craig to leap lively and send a looping header of the bar.

Glens eventually ventured into the Cumnock half albeit without breaching their box and were quickly back in defensive mode as the impressive Watt broke down the right and lofted a ball high into the box where Craig Pettigrew’s clearing header bounced out for a corner. Watt picked out the leaping Craig at the near post again only for his header to be blocked by Willet before it was deflected wide off a ‘Nock player and out for a goal kick.

Still only 5 minutes on the clock!

Ryan Walker and Jamie Wilson

The visitors enjoyed some spells up both flanks but again without causing any panic in the penalty box while a Michael Mullen shot from distance flew wide of the target.

Back came Cumnock through Chalmers clipping a ball to the edge of the box for Dykes but his header, under pressure from Holding, drifted wide of the post. Jamie Conn burst into the left-hand side of the Glens box and drilled a low ball to the back post beyond the reach of Semple and team-mate Thomas Orr arriving at speed at the back post. Soon after Robbie Buchanan picked up a pass from Dykes to push forward to the outskirts of the ‘D’ with Amand Dollani giving chase and adjudged to have brought the midfielder down. Watt curled the free-kick over the wall only for the ball to fall safely into the hands of Semple.

On 20 minutes Cumnock made the break-through following a coming together of Conn and Holding in the Glens box leaving both players tumbling to the ground holding their shins – the referee in no doubt the Glens man was the culprit and up stepped Dylan Dykes to send Semple the wrong way and slot the spot kick into the corner of the net.

The Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Cumnock half and yet still the penalty box proved to be a no-go area.

Cumnock countered down the right with Watt curling a ball to the back post and although Semple saw the ball late the keeper got down to nudge it away from the goal then quickly get back on his feet to block the inrushing Dykes’ attempt to fire the loose ball home, only for the striker to knock it past the post. Soon after Watt from the right curled another killer cross to the back post for Dykes but under pressure from Holding his header sailed high over the bar.

On 34 minutes Glenafton finally found their way into the Cumnock box. Willet from the half-way line lofted a ball to the outskirts of the box where Mullen did well to trap and flick it forward into the box only for Brownlie to head it back out before Stephen McLelland pounced to drive forward and clip the ball across the goalmouth beyond the reach of diving keeper Blair Currie, but alas also the inrushing Dollani.

Stephen McClelland’s cut back across Cumnock goal

Back came ‘Nock and inevitably Watt was the instigator with back-to-back crosses from wide on the right both aimed for Dykes in the box only for Pettigrew and Holding respectively to win the aerial battles. Third time lucky and Cumnock doubled their lead on 38 minutes. Watt down the right again played a couple of one-twos with Chalmers before the latter cut into the box between two defenders and then clipped a low ball between two more defenders and the keeper at the near post for Thomas Orr to guide the ball home despite Semple’s forlorn effort to block it..

Back came Cumnock and Dykes from within the ‘D’ surrounded by a pocket of Glens players rolled the ball back to Buchanan but his shot from 22 yards flew high over the bar.

On 45 minutes Mullen won the Glens their first corner of the match which Ryan Walker floated high into the heart of the box only to be headed clear by Buchanan.

HT Cumnock 2 Glenafton 0

Glens made two changes at the break with Sam McKee and Amand Dollani making way for Cammy Ross and Dylan O’Kane while Cumnock brought on Allan McKenzie for Thomas Orr and Benji Wright for Higgins.

Cumnock were first to threaten when despite the visitors appeals for offside Conn chased down Dykes’s lob into the box unhindered and although he drew Semple from his line the keeper came out on top pushing his shot wide to be mopped up by Willet.

Play now fell into a pattern of back and forth and the visitors were enjoying greater spells of possession within their opponent’s half with Ross, Mullen and O’Kane pushing forward but still in terms of creating chances the home side well ahead.

Cammy Ross on the move

McKenzie’ shot from 8 yards was blocked by Holding at the expense of a corner which was cleared to the outskirts of the box by Holding only to be gathered by Buchanan who picked out Dykes on the left to curl a ball to the back post where a powerful Pettigrew header sent the ball flying out the box again only for it quickly returned for Craig to try and head home from a few yard, but flattened Holding in the process.

Glens then pressed down both flanks, switching from one to another at times, but without creating any chances of note.  One such attack saw Cumnock Craig win the ball near his own corner flag before pushing up the left and in a flash the ball was switched to right and series of short pssed ended with Wilson whipping a ball from the corner flag high into the box forcing Semple to make an acrobatic leap to touch the ball over the bar. The corner that followed was headed clear by Pettigrew initiating another period of Glens’ pressure.

Michael Mullen wins the header

On 63 minutes Cumnock brought on Callum Scott for Cammy Chalmers.

Wilson intercepted a McLelland header on the half way line before pushing forward and slipping the ball to Conn on the overlap to break into the right-hand side of the box to drill a low angled shot that Semple dived to stop on the six-yard line and then grabbed the loose ball as Buchanan closed in.

Cumnock made a double substitution on 68 minutes with Dylan Dykes and Jamie Conn replaced by Josh Jack and Joe McKee.

Glens pressed up the right and although Ross’s determined attempts to break into the box were repelled a game of head tennis followed and McClelland outjumped Wilson to knock the ball forward to Mullen only to be barged in the back but the free-kick from the edge of the box came to nothing.

On 78 minutes Glens brought on Andy Strachan for Craig Pettigrew who had taken a knock which delayed a free-kick that Cumnock won tight on the touchline.  Joe McKee played it short to Watt before breaking up the touchline to receive a pass from Watt before chipping a perfectly weighted ball that more or less landed on Allan McKenzie’s head to bullet home a downward header to putit Cumnock 3-0 to the good.

Glens made a final substitution with Evan Maley making way for Lewis Currie.

In the closing minutes Glens won a corner-kick after Brownlie intercepted a cross to bullet a header over his own bar. O’Kane’s kick was headed clear. Soon after Willet floated a free-kick into the six- yard box where Rowe outleapt Brownlie only for his header to be headed clear.

The home side however still held ambitions to add their tally and Jack came close with a flashing downward header from the six-yard line that beat Semple only for Strachan to hook it off the line as McKenzie looked to pounce.

FT Cumnock 3 Glenafton 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (capt.) (15. Andy Strachan); 3. Jared Willet; 11. Evan Maley (15. Lewis Currie) 6. Stephen McLelland 8. Ryan Walker 7. Sam McKee (16. Cammy Ross); 9. Amand Dollani (12. Dylan O’Kane) 10. Michael Mullen Subs Not Used: 23. Keon Thurston (gk)
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
1. Blair Currie 2. Luke Watt 3. Jon Craig 4. Daniel Higgins (Benji Wright) 5. Darren Brownlie 6. Jamie Wilson (capt.) 7. Cammy Chalmers (Callum Scott) 8. Robbie Buchanan 9. Thomas Orr (14. Allan McKenzie) 10. Dylan Dykes (Jack) 11. Jamie Conn (Joe McKee). Subs Not Used: Adam Strain (gk), Sam Ellis, Josh Jack, Stefan McCluskey
Match Photos
Cumnock Juniors v Glenafton Athletic
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Glenafton 0 Johnstone 4

Posted on August 3, 2024 by flowgently

GREENVERSITY
RENEWABLES		WOSFL Premier DivisionMatch 03
Glenafton Athletic0 (0)
Johnstone Burgh4 (1)Moore 3, McCann
Sat 03 Aug 2024KO 2:00 pmLoch Park, New Cumnock

Thank you Chelsea Carruthers and her father for sponsoring the match ball, joined here with Glenafton chairman John Stewart and Glenafton manager Ryan Caddis.

Glenafton made three changes to the 11 that started against Darvel on Tuesday evening with Sam McKee, Andy Strachan (unavailable) and Ross Lindsay (injured) making way for Ollie Rowe, Cammy Ross and Ryan Walker.

On the Burgh bench was former Glenafton captain and ‘Hall of Famer’ Craig Menzies,  who enjoyed 9 successful seasons at the club.

Today’s match between Glenafton Athletic and Johnstone Burgh marks the first meeting of the two clubs in the West of Scotland Football league following Burgh’s promotion after finishing in 3rd place in last season’s First Division. The teams first met on league business back in Season 2002/03 in the newly formed West Region Super League with Glens joining as ‘The Last Champions of Ayrshire’ and Burgh as ‘The Last Champions of Central’!

Burgh kicked-off on a sun-drenched pitch and were quickly on the front foot creating a clutch of half-chances. Darren Christie’s header from a corner was plucked out the air by keeper Ally Semple; Daniel O’Neil’s close range shot from a free-kick drifted wide of the target and Blair Rossiter’s shot through a ruck of players from 16 yards out was well held down low by Semple.

Although the visitors continued to enjoy the bulk of the possession the Glens passed up a great chance to take the lead on 12 minutes. Shuggy Kerr clipped a ball into the right-hand side of the box where Michael Mullen held off the challenge from Kian Gilday to head the ball back to Cammy Ross who quickly squared the ball between the two centre backs for the incoming Jared Willet only for his shot from 8 yards to be comfortably collected by keeper Luke Scullion.

Back came Burgh and a free-kick floated in a packed Glens box was won in the air by O’Neil and his downward header seemed destined to sneak in at the post only for Semple at full stretch to push wide for a corner which again was won by O’Neil only for this header to fly well wide of target.

Midway through the half Rossiter from wide on the right cut inside the Glens box and slipped past two red shirts before picking out Aaron Mason who weaved past another defender before blasting a shot from 8 yards over the bar.

Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Burgh half without breaching their box until 25 minutes when Michael Mullen, under pressure from O’Neil, drilled a low shot from 16 yards which beat the keeper but sneaked inches wide of the post.

The visitors duly responded with another wave of attacks. Mason was denied from close range after a perfectly time tackle in the box by Lyall Holding. Rossiter and Mason combined down the left before the latter squared the ball to Jordan Moore at the corner of the six-yard box only for Rowe to give him no room, other than retreat. Full-back Fraser Mullen then blasted and low angled shot from the edge of the box only to cannon off Evan Maley’s back sending the ball high into the air and fall safely into the hands of Semple.

On 32 minutes Johnstone Burgh broke the deadlock in deadly fashion. Cammy Eadie from the centre circle fired a low forward pass to Mason who held off Holding before stroking the ball toward the 18- yard line where Moore took the heat out of the pass to let the ball roll into the path of the inrushing Gilday to complete the one-two with Jordan Moore who then burst into the space between the central defenders and slot the ball under the diving Semple on the six-yard line.

The home side responded well and Ross’s perseverance down the right won a corner which he floated to the back post where Mullen’s header whizzed wide of the post. Soon after Mullen won another corner which keeper Scullion did well to wade through a packed six-yard box and clutch the ball out from Kerr’s head before falling on the ground.

At the other end the lively Gilday whipped a ball from wide on the left to the back post forcing Semple to come off his line and pluck the ball from a gathering of yellow shorts.

Play the fell into a pattern of back and forth with a handful of se-pieces which were handled well by respective defences.

HT Glens 0 Burgh 1

Glenafton made one change at the break with Cammy Ross making way for Dylan O’Kane.

A lively start to the half as the Glens earned an early corner which O’Kane floated into the six-yard bow where after some head the ball descended for the leaping Rowe to sending a looping header goalward where it was clutched under the bar by Scullion.

At the other end Fraser Muller whipped a ball in from the right for the alert Moore to pounce on the ball in a busy box only to be forced wide where he holds off a defender before his shot blazes over the bar.

Back came Glens through Ryan Walker launching a long ball down the right for Michael Mullen to chase with Eadie for company to be joined by his keeper racing from his line and although Mullen got a shot away the ball zipped inches wide of the post.

On 55 minutes Burgh doubled their lead through Gilday pressing down the left before squaring a ball from the touchline to Malky McDonald on the 18-yard form where he drove forward and with Rowe closing he cracked a low angled shot from 10 yards which Semple did well to get down to finger the tip the ball away across the face of goal only for Jordan Moore, with a free run, to pounce and side foot the ball into the net from 3 yards out.

After Evan Maley took a sore one tight on the right touch-line O’Kane floated the free-kick over the two-man wall and deep into a packed six-yard box where Holding won the aerial battle with Gilday only for his header to be firmly held the keeper.

On 61 minutes Glens brought on Amand Dolani for Shuggy Kerr.

The home side enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Burgh half. Michael Mullen forced his way down the right to the corner to then cut the ball back towards the penalty spot from where Dollani cracked a vicious rising shot that was pushed over the bar by the airborne Scullion.

O’Kane’s corner was won in the air by Rowe before scramble over the bye-line and claims for another corner for the home side waved away.

At the other end Mason from wide on the left whipped a ball into the box for the incoming Moore only to be robbed of the ball by Rowe and then Rossiter’s attempt to fire home the loose ball bravely blocked by Stephen McClelland.

Some controversy on 71 minutes after Dollani held off O’Neil on the right touchline until the frustrated Burgh defender pulled him the ground as the referee when for his yellow card, O’Neil punched the ball in anger and was lucky not to get a second yellow for dissent. To rub salt in the wound the free-kick was overhit and out of play at the back post.

The visitors then mounted attacks down both wings and although the Glens defence stood firm Burgh added a third on 75 minutes with that man Jason Moore. A ball launched up the right where Moore with Rowe tight on his back headed it on for Mason on the overlap to burst into the right hand of the box and squared it across towards the penalty spot seemingly for the substitute Max Kerr, but no the inrushing Jason Moore intercepted the ball on his stride to slam it into the back post beyond reach of the diving Semple on the six-yard line. 3-0 Burgh, hat-trick for Moore.

Glenafton made another change with Stephen McLelland making way for Sam McKee.

Played ebbed back and forth and seemed to be drawing to conclusion only for Burgh to make it 4-0 following a deadly counter-attack in the closing minutes.

Michael Mullen clipped a ball down the right for O’Kane to chase and in turn cut it back into for McKee only for substitute Graham Dorrans to intercept and then from the near post flick it forward to Eadie who picked out Kerr on the left on outskirts of the box before breaking forward to complete his first one-two. Eadie then stroked the ball forward to Mason and gathered the one-two before pushing into the centre circle to break into centre circle from where he clipped the ball forward to set substitute Gary McCann with a free run to the Glens box and drawing Semple well off his line before slamming home a low shot from 16 yards, 4-0 on 89 minutes.

FT Glens 0 Burgh 4

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 3. Lyall Holding 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (capt); 2. Cammy Ross (14. Dylan O’Kane) 6. Ryan Walker 7. Evan Maley 8. Stephen McLelland (15. Sam McKee) 2. Jared Willet; 9. Hugh Kerr (12. Amand Dollani) 10. Michael Mullen   Subs Not Used: 16. Lewis Currie 23. David Markey (gk)
JOHNSTONE BURGH
1. Luke Scullion 2. Fraser Mullen 3. Kian Gilday 4. Cammy Eadie 5. Daniel O’Neil 6. Del Esplin 7. Darren Christie 8. Malky McDonald 9. Jordan Moore 10. Blair Rossiter 11. Aaron Mason. Subs: 12. Jason Naismith 14. Graham Dorrans 15. Max Kerr 16. Gary McCann 17. J. Lyon 18. Craig Menzies 13 A Paton
Match Photos
Glenafton Athletic v Johnstone Burgh
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