Glenafton 3 Ashfield 1

Posted on October 27, 2012 by flowgently

Stagecoach West Region Premier Division

Saturday 27th October , Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

ASHFIELD 1 (1)

Glenafton secured their first league win of the season with a dominant display against Ashfield at Loch Park and extended their unbeaten run to four matches. In doing so they also claimed their first league victory over the Saracen Park side having drawn two and lost two of the previous encounters.

The scene was set as early as the second minute when the visitors’ central defence was left chasing the clean pair of heels shown by John Paul Boyle as he broke into the box. After rounding keeper Stephen Hall the Glens’ striker was left an impossible angle from which to score and there were no takers for his chip into the six yard box. Three minutes later Gareth Armstrong’s diving header from eight yards out was parried by Hall at full stretch and in a flash Boyle had nicked the loose ball, turned defender Jamie Coll, and delivered another telling cross into the danger area only for it to be cleared by Jamie Darroch.

On 11 minutes Ashfield showed their teeth when Paul Maxwell, who had bagged 5 goals in his previous two visits to Loch Park, got behind the Glens’ defence but his square ball across the face of the goal fell betwixt and between team-mates Willie Ferguson and Gary McCann and the chance was gone.

Back came Glenafton when Paul McKenzie released Craig Menzies down the right and his cut back from the dead ball line escaped the grasp of the grounded Hall and found Paul Murphy who hit a low drive from 15 yards out only for Darroch, with his keeper stranded,  to come to the rescue again. The home side’s pressure delivered the opening goal on 17 minutes after Armstrong with his back to goal and on the outskirts of the penalty area fended off the attention of Jim Smith to touch the ball into the path of Gus Cochrane who met it first time and cracked a left footer into the net from 20 yards out beyond the wrong-footed Hall.

Gus grabs opening goal

Ashfield tried to strike back in double quick time but Maxwell and Ferguson lost the aerial battle as central defenders Glen Mitchell and Ryan McChesney snuffed out the danger before Craig Potter mopped up the loose ball. At the other end Murphy took time out from bossing the midfield to thunder a shot from 25 yards that flashed just wide of Hall’s post and minutes later he beat Mark Thompson to head the ball into the box where it was gathered by John Paul Boyle and then volleyed with venom beyond Hall at full stretch to double the home side’s lead with 24 minutes gone.

JP Boyle slams home the second

Although Ashfield mustered the occasional attack the home side continued to press and appeared to have extended their lead ten minutes from the break. A Craig McEwan free-kick was double-fisted cleared by Hall only for the ball to be returned into the packed box and fall for Armstrong who prodded the ball home from the six yard line, but from an offside position. Three minutes later the game took on a new complexion when the visitors conjured up a classy goal. A quick passing move that took the ball from box to box, including a brilliant back-heel, ended with  McCann on the right drilling the ball to the near post where the incoming Shaun Fraser saw off the challenge from Menzies and keeper Ally Semple to guide the ball home.

Fraser finds the net

Before the half-time whistle Hall tipped a Murphy shot wide of target and then punched clear the resultant corner to keep his team in the hunt at the break. H/T Glens 2 Ashfield 1

Ashfield began the new half brightly winning an early free kick at the edge of the box but although Smith’s effort beat the wall it flew high over the bar.  A cross from the right flashed across the goalmouth where Mitchell got a vital touch to deny the incoming Maxwell and Armstrong headed clear the resultant corner.

Gradually Glenafton got a grip of the game again and a perfectly timed tackle deep in the box by Darroch brought another excellent run by Boyle to an end. An Armstrong free kick skimmed over the bar, albeit Hall seemed to have it covered. On 55 minutes Cochrane skipped over Thomson’s tackle on the half way line and released Boyle down the left who made a bee-line for the box where he turned Smith inside out and, before Darroch could prevent him, then fired for goal which beat Hall at full stretch only for the ball to crack of the base of the post. Seven minutes later a McEwan free kick from wide on the left and high into the box evaded the outstretched arm of the high leaping Hall and everyone else in the danger area, all of whom could only watch as the ball skimmed inches wide of the far post.

Inches wide!

The game entered a spell of end-to-end play where both sides carved out a couple of chances that lacked the finishing touch. Ashfield’s substitute Chris Hall cut the ball across the face of goal but again it missed the intended target Maxwell.  A long throw-in from the left initiated some head tennis in the Glens’ box the ball eventually won by doubles partners Mitchell and McChesney. At the other end a Murphy cross to the back post was met by Armstrong but Hall did well to get low to push the ball behind for a corner. On 74 minutes the keeper pulled off the save of the match to again foil Armstrong after Boyle had burst into the box at pace and picked out his fellow striker on the six yard line only for Hall to bravely spread himself across the goal and brilliantly block the ball. Minutes later a knock down in the box by Armstrong saw Boyle nick in behind the central defenders but the alert Hall bravely rushed to edge of his six yard box to clutch the ball at the feet of the Glens’ live-wire.

Save of rhe match from Stephen Hall

Two minutes later an injured Paul McKenzie was replaced by Richie McKillen. In no time the substitute set up Glenafton’s third goal when his cut back from the bye-line into a packed penalty box ended with Darroch for once mistiming his tackle and flooring Boyle. On 79 minutes up stepped Gareth Armstrong to send Hall the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Bo makes its 3-0 for Glens

On 78 minutes a Cochrane corner kick was lofted to the far side of the box and as McChesney made his run for his header his heels were clicked by Wright earning the Ashfield man a second yellow card and Glenafton a second penalty. The outstanding Hall got the better of Armstrong and at full stretch got both hands to parry the ball back into the danger area where Maxwell’s presence did enough to ensure that Cochrane’s attempt to net the rebound only found the side netting.

With five minutes to go Armstrong left to a rousing reception from the home support while the fresh legs and pace of his replacement Bobby Colligan gave the visitors’ 10 men some more anxious moments but thanks chiefly to the Hall’s heroics there was no further scoring. F/T Glenafton 3 Ashfield 1

Glenafton: Semple, McEwan, McChesney, Mitchell, Menzies; McKenzie (McKillen), Murphy, Potter, Cochrane; Armstrong (Colligan), Boyle. Subs Bell (trialist), Dunsmuir (gk)

Ashfield: S Hall, Coll, Darroch, Smith, Coll; McCann, Thomson, Fraser, Wright; Maxwell, Ferguson. Subs C. Hall, Mackay, Chalmers, McShane, Martin

More photos here

Other Scores: Auchinleck 5 Clydebank 1, Irvine Meadow 2 Cumnock 1, Pollok 2 Kirkintilloch 2, Shotts 0 Petershill 0

Footnote:  The Glenafton Athletic Boys Club 2000s visited Loch Park with the wonderful trophy that they won in Parma, Italy last Sunday after defeating hosts ACD Colorno (1-0) and UP Vitrus (2-0) in the triangular tournament. Proud parents, families and friends gathered to join the crowd in showing their appreciation during the boys’ lap of honour.

Glenafton Athletic Boys Club 2000’s with the Parma 2012 Trophy

Well done Afton Lads!

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Glenafton 3 Clydebank 2

Posted on October 20, 2012 by flowgently

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup 2nd round

Sat 20th October, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

CLYDEBANK 2 (2)

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE

A gutsy Glenafton maintained their 100% cup record over Clydebank (albeit three games) despite going behind twice in the brilliant sunshine at Loch Park to the side that had outshone them at Holm Park three weeks ago.

Gareth Armstrong returned to the front-line partnering Gareth Campbell up front, while Gus Cochrane came in for the suspended Danny Mitchell. In the visitors ranks was former Glenafton defender Gordon Moffat.

Both sides came out of the blocks in best cup-tie fashion and in the opening minutes keeper Robert Hamilton cut out a dangerous cut-back by Gareth Campbell while at the other end a cracking Chris Wilson drive whistled wide of Ally Semple’s post, taking a nick on the way to win a corner. Panic ensued in the home box when the ball took a wicked bounce from a Wilson shot and foiling Semple but the keeper recovered to make a brave block from Ross Macpherson only for the Bankies to come back for a second and third bite as the home guard struggled to clear their lines. Eventually the breakthrough came when a clever pass by Andrew Paterson from the centre circle picked out Joe Andrew,  wide on the right and breaking into the busy box, who then drilled the ball low and hard into the far corner of the net, just shy of the five minute mark.

Joe Andrew (10) scores the opener

However, within two minutes the home side were on level terms when Paul McKenzie tight on the right-touchline whipped the ball into the goal mouth but it was too near Hamilton to cause any damage, or so it seemed, before the unfortunate keeper let the ball slip from his clutches and fall into the net.

Paul McKenzie takes the plaudits

The sides swapped chances as play continued to move from end to end and both keepers came out on top in aerial battles, Semple denying MacPherson and Hamilton fending off Gareth Armstrong.  With a quarter of an hour gone Glenafton conjured up their best move when Craig Potter deftly lofted the ball over the Bankies back-line into the box for the overlapping Craig McEwan to gather and then drive for the outskirts of the six yard box before blasting the ball for goal from an acute angle only for it to bulge the side netting. A series of corner of kicks at both ends came and went with neither side able to convert them into a lead.

On 20 minutes however the Paterson and Andrew combination put Clydebank ahead for a second time.  Paterson pushed his way up the left flank unimpeded before chipping a perfectly placed ball over the heads of the Glens’ defence for the alert Joe Andrew who then killed the ball expertly before rounding the keeper and slamming the ball home.

Joe Andrew bags his brace

Four minutes later Armstrong won the ball in the air and his knock down into the box was met by Campbell who fended off the attention of Paterson only for Hamilton to rush from his line and make a fine block. Up the park and the Bankies won a free kick 25 yards out and although Macpherson’s well struck attempt beat the wall it sailed over Semple’s bar. The visitors enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure creating a number of half chances that were mopped up by the home defence; however they could only look on when fine play by Wilson ended with his fierce shot beating Semple at full stretch but whiz wide of the post. End-to-end play resumed but neither side could add to their tally before the break. H/T Glenafton 1 Clydebank 2

Injuries forced the Glens to replace Richie McKillen with Craig Menzies and captain Paul Murphy with John Paul Boyle. The fresh faces were soon in the thick of the action as the home side’s determination saw them take the ball down the right to the bye-line where Menzies cut the ball across the face of goal for Campbell  but he sclaffed his shot high and wide of target.  On 50 minutes Hamilton got his fingers to a thunderous free-kick from McEwan to tip the ball over the bar as Glenafton continued to press.  Soon after Boyle breached the Bankies box skipping past Martin McInnes to home in own goal but his shot from the narrowest of angles found the side netting.  Just after the hour mark Glenafton were back on level terms.  Great work by Potter and Menzies down the right touch line ended with the latter firing the ball from the corner to the far side of the box where McKenzie headed it back into the mix. As both sides fought for the loose ball Ryan Kelly’s attempted clearance was met by the blocking foot of the incoming Craig Potter on the penalty spot and the ball flew into the bottom corner of the net.

Craig Potter pots the ball in the far corner

Bankies bounced back and quickly forced a corner kick which was won in the air by substitute Ross Campbell only for Semple to plummet to the ground and clutch the loose ball. The keeper then bravely dived at the feet of Andrew after a lightning break down the left by substitute Ally Graham had set up the striker for a sniff at his hat-trick. At the other end a Campbell drive from 20 yards was helped on its way by McKenzie some 10 yards out from goal but Hamilton parried the ball and gathered it safely before Boyle could hunt down the loose ball.

Midway through the half the Clydebank came within a whisker of taking the lead for the third time. Another exquisite pass into the box was met first time by Andrew and his flick at goal was blocked by Semple on the edge of the six yard box who then dived to grab the loose ball only for Graham to kick it goalward from his grasp but Glen Mitchell was on hand to clear it off the line. The ball then fell conveniently into the arms of the grounded keeper, who held it tightly and saw off the hefty challenge from Gold.   Semple then held a well struck shot from 20 yards out by Paterson and soon after Ryan McChesney and Mitchell double-teamed to prevent Tommy Martin from testing the keeper after fine play saw him menace his way into the box.

With two minutes of regulation play remaining Glenafton got their noses in front for the first time with Menzies again the provider. His quickly taken throw-in from wide on the right was returned by Boyle and the ball instantly whipped over deep into the box where Gold’s attempt to head clear was gathered by Paul McKenzie and then drilled for goal the ball deflecting of the leg of Gold and into the roof of the net.

Taz fires home the winner

In a frantic finish Boyle released Campbell but Hamilton won the race for the ball rushing to the 18 yard line to block the Glens’ striker.  At other end Martin won a corner-kick which was cleared with conviction by McChesney, Mitchell & Co.  In the Bankies’ last throw of the die, Gold launched a long throw deep into the box with defender Gordon Moffat the target only for Menzies to get a toe to the ball and his clearance greeted by the final whistle. F/T Glenafton 3 Clydebank 2

Glenafton: Semple; McEwan, McChesney, G. Mitchell, McKillen (Menzies); McKenzie (Colligan), Murphy (Boyle), Potter, Cochrane;  Armstrong, Campbell Subs. Dunsmuir (gk)

Clydebank: Hamilton Bell Paterson Kelly McInnes Moffat Gold Martin Macpherson Andrew Wilson Subs. Clark, Graham, Berry, Walker, Campbell

Full report to follow

More photos here

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Shotts 1 Glenafton 1

Posted on October 13, 2012 by flowgently

Stagecoach West Region Premier Division

Saturday 13h October 2012 , Hannah Park,  Shotts

SHOTTS BON ACCORD 1 (1)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

Glenafton made three changes to side that defeated Troon in the West of Scotland Cup last week as they travelled to face fellow promoted side Shotts Bon Accord in the first Premier Division encounter between the two sides at Hannah Park since February 2011, when goals from Stephen Docherty and Paul McKenzie help secure a 2-1 victory. In came Richie McKillen, Craig Potter and Gareth Campbell while Craig Menzies, Gareth Armstrong and John Paul Boyle took their place on the bench.

The visitors got off to a determined start in the pouring rain pressing back the home side on a very slippy pitch and forcing three corners in a row, all of which were frantically scrambled cleared by the Shotts defenders. The home side responded in style and in 6 minutes Ally Semple brilliantly tipped over a net bound shot from Tam Hanlon. Back came Glenafton and on 11 minutes midfielder Paul McKenzie won possession in a very crowded penalty box and picked his spot to place the ball beyond keeper Johnny Murdoch.

Super Ally

The visitors were now moving the ball about well in difficult conditions and the back division was looking pretty solid. However, just before the half hour mark Danny Mitchell earned a straight red card for a two footed tackle to reduce Glenafton to ten men. Momentum swung Shotts way as the home side probed for openings with Colin Williamson dictating play in the midfield. Four minutes from the break Allan McKenzie burst through and hammered the ball home for the equaliser. Two minutes later former Glens’ striker Adam Coakley earned his side a penalty, but the visitors would feel justice was done when Semple pulled off a fine diving save to keep Coakley’s effort out. H/T Shotts 1 Glens 1

Shotts applied pressure to the Glens defence who were in no mood to give anything away as the second period got going. Apart from mopping up through balls Semple looked quite comfortable. McChesney who was outstanding took a real sore knock and had to leave the game with Craig Menzies slotting perfectly into the middle of the back four. While later Gus Cochrane and JP Boyle provided much needed fresh legs for the 10 men side. The hosts huffed and puffed and tended at time to over play the ball. Glens stuck to their system rigidly and deserved the well-earned point as well as the well-earned round of applause from the travelling fans.  F/T Shotts 1 Glens 1

Shotts: Murdoch  Finnigan  Burns  Wharton  Walker  Williamson  Hanlon  Scott  Coakley  McKenzie  Sideserf.   Subs Gray  Whelan  Kerr

Glenafton:  Semple  McEwan  McChesney  G. Mitchell  McKillen  McKenzie  Murphy  Potter D. Mitchell  Campbell  Colligan  subs.  Cochrane  Menzies  Boyle  Armstrong  Dunsmuir ( gk )

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Glenafton 2 Troon 0

Posted on October 6, 2012 by flowgently

New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup 1stround

Sat 6th October, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)

TROON  0 (0)

Ryan McChesney returned to the centre of the Glens defence following the midweek departure of Robbie Henderson to Rob Roy while Gareth Armstrong recovered from injury partnered John Paul Boyle. Vistors Troon, winners at Loch Park last season in the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup Semi-final had former Glenafton players Dougie Ramsay and Martin Ure in their starting eleven.

Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie

The home side got off to a flying start and in 2 minutes Paul McKenzie turned inside and gave keeper Martin Barclay no change to give the Glens an early lead. Three minutes later Ure was perfectly placed to clear the ball off the line after Bobby Colligan beat the goalie. Some neat passing place set up Boyle to crack a screamer only for Barclay to pull off a brilliant save.  Troon found their feet as well as their passing game and the match opened up with long spells of end-to-end play. Semple in Glenafton’s goals now saw much more of the action and conjured up two good saves to preserve the home side’s narrow lead. H/T Glens 1 Troon 0

Gareth ‘Bo’ Armstrong

The second half proved very much to be a mirror image of the first when the home side enjoying the early pressure and again finding the net two minutes into the half. As Boyle burst free in the box he was hauled back by the defender and after consultation the referee awarded the home side a penalty, a decision that divided opinion – one view the defender was fortunate to stay on the park, the other the home side were fortunate to get the award. In any case Gareth Armstrong eventually stepped up to score from the spot and double the home side’s advantage.  Boyle came close to extending the lead but his diving header whizzed past the post. Troon again fought back aided by the introduction of Dale Moore and Tony Murphy both with strong Glenafton connections. In turn the home side shored up the back line with Richie McKillen and welcomed back midfielder Gus Cochrane to the fold and saw the game out, not without a scare or two. F/T Glens 2 Troon 0

Glenafton: Semple; McEwan, McChesney, G.Mitchell, Menzies; McKenzie, Murphy, D.Mitchell, Colligan; Armstrong, Boyle. Subs McKillen, Cochrane, Potter, Dunsmuir (gk)

Troon: Barclay; Ure Roy Keenan Cairns Armstrong Ramsay Chatham Wilson Gillies Gilmour Subs Moore Murphy Seymour Rae

 

 

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Robbie to Rob Roy

Posted on October 2, 2012 by flowgently

Robbie bows out at Bankies

Having reluctantly placed Robbie Henderson on the transfer list at the player’s own request last week Glenafton have completed the transfer of the club captain to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.  Robbie joined the Glens in March 2011 and made 66 appearances for the club,  scoring two goals and captained the side to the Super League 1st Division championship last season.

Glenafton would like to thank Robbie and wish him all the best for the future. .

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Gus returns to Glens

Posted on October 1, 2012 by flowgently

Gus Cochrane leaves Troon beached

Glenafton are delighted to announce that Gus Cochrane has returned to Loch Park. The midfielder joined the Glens on a loan deal from Stranraer in February last season. He made 17 appearances for the club and scored two goals including a cracker in the 5-0 promotion clinching match over East Kilbride Thistle. Welcome back Gus.

In other squad news, striker John Dempster will be out through injury for six weeks while Gareth Armstrong is yet to recover from the knock sustained against Arthurlie.

Glenafton have been drawn at home to Clydebank in the 2nd Round of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup. The full draw can be found here .

Ties to be played on Saturday 20th October.

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Clydebank 3 Glenafton 0

Posted on September 29, 2012 by flowgently

Stagecoach West Region Premier Division

Saturday 29th September , Holm Park, Glasgow

CLYDEBANK 3 (3)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 0 (0)

A quick thinking and slick-passing Clydebank proved too hot to handle for Glenafton in a first half at Holm Park which ended with the impressive home side three goals to the good. The visitors got their passing game going after the break but couldn’t convert any of the number of chances they created to cut the deficit before the Bankies found a second wind when they too saw some good chances go a begging.

Transfer-listed captain Robbie Henderson teamed up with Glen Mitchell at the heart of the Glenafton defence. There was no place however for injured strikers John Dempster, who will be out for six weeks, and top goalscorer Gareth Armstrong and the visitors started with John Paul Boyle and Gareth Campbell up front.  In the Bankies side was former Glenafton defender Gordon Moffat, fresh from his brace of penalty kicks in the cracking 4-0 win over Bathgate in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup 1st round  last week-end.

In the opening minute Campbell caught Clydebank cold and released Boyle down the right who burst into the box before drilling a low drive that was well held by keeper Robert Hamilton.   The promising start disappeared quicker than the overhead planes on their descent to Glasgow Airport as the Bankies propelled themselves into a two goal lead on just beyond the quarter hour mark. On 9 minutes live wire Paul Allum forced his way down the right and as he cut into the penalty area clipped the ball forward for Ally Graham to gather and square it across the six yard line where Ross McPherson was on hand to poke the ball home beyond the reach of Ally Semple.

Ross McPherson opens the scoring

Seven minutes on, McPherson lined up to fire a free kick from 25 yards out, or so it seemed, instead he calmly rolled the ball into the box for Paul Allum to peel off the end of the Glens’ wall, collect the ball and drill a low shot past Semple from an acute angle.

Although the visitors got themselves back into the game and enjoyed an equal share of possession their efforts, particularly those of Campbell who chased every ball, failed to generate any chances that severely tested Hamilton. At the other end, with 32 minutes gone, Semple pulled off a stunning save after Graham finished a blistering run down the left with a stinging shot.  Six minutes later the home side extended their lead with the move of the match.  It began in the Bankies’ box with Andy Paterson bringing a Craig Menzies attack to an end and feeding Ian Gold, tight on the left touch-line, who instantly despatched the ball up field for it to be played across the middle of the park in stages before arriving at Allum wide on the right who in turn played it down the flank to Vinny Berry but with his way to goal blocked by Richie McKillen he returned the ball to Allum who whipped it high into the 6 yard box and although the leaping McPherson failed to connect there was the instigator of the move Ian Gold on hand to bend low and guide the ball over the line.

The Glens almost cut the Clydebank cushion to two within a minute.  Craig McEwan and Menzies combined well down the right before Menzies picked out Danny Mitchell on the edge of the box who shielded the ball from Tommy Martin and took Moffat out of play with a cute pass to the incoming Boyle who cracked a great shot only for Hamilton at full stretch to push the ball wide of target.

JP Boyle denied by Robert Hamilton

The keeper then leaped above all and sundry to punch the resultant corner kick half way up the park. A minute later Hamilton did enough to take the sting out of a 25 yard thunderbolt from McEwan and collect the loose ball at the second attempt. H/T Clydebank 3 Glens 0

As in the first half the visitors caught the home side wanting from the kick-off. Again Campbell found Boyle who burst into the box between Paul Bell and Paterson but the latter managed to get a touch to force the Glens man to go wide of the grounded Hamilton and well wide of the gaping goal. Boyle then and cut the ball back to Paul McKenzie whose chip into box was headed clear but found its way back to midfielder and his subsequent drive at goal blocked by a host of Bankies back in defence. The Glens continued to press and Hamilton again showed a clean pair of hands to rise and clutch another dangerous ball into the box.

The home side conjured up some respite with a quick slick passing move between Allum and McPherson setting up Graham but his close range header sailed over the bar without troubling Semple. Back came Glenafton to force a couple of corners that were eventually mopped up by an unnerved home guard. Clever thinking and a burst of speed on 51 minutes saw Menzies defeat the Bankies offside trap and gather the ball wide on the left before firing it across to the far side of the box where McKenzie killed the ball and tried a delicate chip shop which skimmed over Hamilton’s crossbar. Seven minutes later and another Glens’ corner kick was met full on by the head of Glen Mitchell but with Hamilton beaten Bell was on hand to block the ball from crossing the line.

Paul Bell clears Glen Mitchell’s header off the line

On 65 minutes McPherson through on goal looked certain to add to his and the Bankies’ tally only for Semple to pull off a stunning save. Nevertheless the chance confirmed that the home side had weathered the storm of the visitors start to the second half unscathed and the closing quarter of the match was much more even in terms of possession and chances. The pick of Glenafton’s chances arrived on 71 minutes when a McEwan free-kick played into the box was touched on by Paul Murphy to Richie McKillen who beat Allum to the ball but although his shot from 10 yards out soared past the airborne Hamilton the ball crashed off the bar.

Richie’s shot crashes off the bar

For the Bankies, McPherson came close to capping off a fine performance on 83 minutes when his shot from the corner of the box beat the keeper but drifted inches wide off the far post. In the last minute of the match Gareth Campbell, received a second yellow card for leading with a raised arm when jumping for the ball, a bit harsh on the workhorse of the Glenafton team who had himself to contend with some robust defending throughout the match. F/T Clydebank 3 Glenafton 0

Clydebank: Hamilton Bell Paterson Martin McInnes Moffat Allum Berry R. McPherson Graham Gold  subs Andrew Wilson Kelly Campbell C.McPherson (gk)

Glenafton:  Semple; McEwan, G. Mitchell, Henderson, McKillen; McKenzie, D.Mitchell, Murphy, Menzies (Colligan); Boyle (McManus), Campbell.  Subs McChesney, Cochrane, Dunsmuir (gk)

More photos here

Other scores: Arthurlie 2 Auchinleck 3; Beith 1 Petershill 4; Cumnock 3 Shotts 0; Pollok 1 Ashfield 0

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Robbie Henderson transfer listed

Posted on September 24, 2012 by flowgently

Robbie Henderson

It is with regret, following a meeting with manager Darren Henderson, that Glenafton Athletic have accepted club captain Robbie Henderson’s request for a transfer. Robbie feels he cannot commit to travelling due to work commitments and as such the club has reluctantly placed him on the transfer list and will listen to offers as from today.

Interested parties should contact club secretary John Stewart at 07831232638.

 

 

 

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Glenafton 1 Arthurlie 2

Posted on September 15, 2012 by flowgently

Stagecoach West Region Premier Division

Saturday 15th September , Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

ARTHURLIE 2 (1)

Captain Robbie Henderson and Glen Mitchell returned to the heart of the Glenafton defence for the visit of Arthurlie as both clubs looked to secure their first league win of the season. The Barrhead side got off to the best of starts with a goal in the opening minute when Paul ‘Tiny’ Stewart darted into the box to gather a header from former Glens’ defender Chris Merrilees and beat the outrushing Ally Semple to force the ball into the gaping net.  Six minutes later Semple came out on top when he dived at the feet of the striker to prevent him prodding the ball home at the near post.

Paul Stewart opens the scoring

Good chances were proving to be thin on the ground for the hosts and in a ten-minute spell they were forced to replace strikers Gareth Armstrong and John Dempster after both had suffered knocks, with Scott McManus and former Arthurlie striker John Paul Boyle coming on in their place.

On the half-hour mark the Glens came close when keeper Paddy Macklin got down low to stop a Danny Mitchell shot from 12 yards out. Five minutes later the keeper  took his eye off a harmless looking pass back and let the ball slip under foot and was mightily relieved to see the ball slip past his post.  At the other end, after an excellent run down the left, Caolan McAleer picked out Stewart deep in the box but again Semple had his measure as he rushed forward to narrow the angle and block the shot.  Five minutes later the keeper pulled off a fine save from a Mark Blakey free kick some 25 yards from goal.

Danny Mitchell’s shot finds the net

As the half drew to a close Glenafton enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure which paid off on 43 minutes. McManus deep in the box and with his back to goal did well to engineer an overhead kick that was headed clear at the near post by Merrilees.  The visitors’ defence struggled to clear the resultant corner and were pegged back in their own when the ball fell for Paul Murphy on the penalty spot to roll it back to Danny Mitchell and from the 18 yard line the midfielder thundered an unstoppable shot high into Macklin’s top right hand corner. H/T Glens 1 Lie 1

In the opening minute of the new half McManus came close to emulating Stewart’s opener as he chased a high lob into the box only for Macklin, who had stormed off his line, to arrive a split second too soon and bravely clutch the ball to the safety.  Five minutes later Boyle beat Merrilees to a header on the six yard line and although Macklin fumbled the loose ball he recovered it at the second attempt.  The home side’s promising start was dealt a deadly blow two minutes later when a cross from the far right found Caolan McAleer in acres of space at the far side of the box where he stooped to send a diving header high into the roof the net.

Paul McKenzie on the move

The home side responded well through a powerful run down the right by Gareth Campbell and a cut-back into the box which was lashed goal-ward first time by McManus only for Macklin to pull off a stunning save. On 69 minutes the Glens’ cause suffered another set-back when Craig Potter received a second yellow card for tripping McAleer, twice in quick succession.  Nevertheless the hosts were still very much in the hunt with Paul McKenzie the driving force in the search for the equaliser as he skipped past the Barrhead sky-blues time and again. He picked out Boyle and in turn his cross into the box was met by a Danny Mitchell header which Macklin grabbed with a safe pair of hands. Back up the park and the menacing McAleer conjured up a cracking shot with the outside of his right foot that whizzed inches over Semple’s bar.

JP heads for goal

On 81 minutes Boyle nicked the ball from the toes of Merrilees at the edge of the box and played a delicate one-two with McManus before driving through the gap between Steven Crawford and Blakey and drilling a shot low and hard beyond the reach of the wrong-footed Macklin on his six yard line only for the ball to drift inches wide of target – ending a move that deserved so much more.  Two minutes into added-on time and McAleer came close to topping off a fine display with a left-footed blast from a tight angle only for Semple to dive at full stretch and push the ball wide. FT Glens 1 Lie 2

Glenafton: Semple; Potter, G.Mitchell, Henderson, McKillen; McKenzie (Colligan), Murphy, D.Mitchell, Campbell; Armstrong (McManus), Dempster (Boyle) Subs. McEwan, McChesney, Menzies, Dunsmuir (gk)

Arthurlie: Macklin; Merrilees, Blakey, Hodge, Crawford; McKeown, McKay, McGregor, McAller; Dymock, Stewart. Subs Dallas, Marks, Muir, Deas, Shepherd (gk)

more photo here

Other league scores: Ashfield 4 Cumnock 2; Auchinleck 4 Pollok 0; Kirkintilloch 4 Beith 0; Petershill 2 Irvine Meadow 2; Shotts 1 Clydebank 1

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Kirkintilloch 7 Glenafton 3

Posted on September 8, 2012 by flowgently

Stagecoach West Region Premier Division

Saturday 8th September , Adamslie Park, Kirkintilloch

KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY 7 (6)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (2)

With captain Robbie Henderson suspended and Glen Mitchell and Craig Menzies unavailable for selection the Glens reshuffled their back-line with Ryan McChesney and Paul Murphy partnering each other in the centre of defence while Gareth Campbell filled the right back slot.

The visitors were first to show when Bobby Colligan buzzed down the left flank before drilling a low drive which was well held at the near post by Stephen Robertson. The keeper launched the ball up-field and when the bounce beat Campbell and McChesney in nipped Iain Diack who expertly lobbed it high over the out rushing Ally Semple for it to plummet into the empty net with 90 seconds gone. The home side doubled their lead on six minutes after Diack set Scott Adam free down the left and his cross was crashed home at the near post by former Kettering Town midfielder Steven Meechan. Three minutes later Diack was through on goal again only for the back-tracking Richie McKillen to deny the hit man a double with a timely tackle. Seconds later however Willie Easton, hooked home a splendid volley from just outside the box.  On 12 minutes Scott Adam lashed home the fourth and two minutes later Diack got behind the Glens defence to chip the ball over Semple at full reach for probably the pick of the Rabs’ five goals in a devastating fourteen minute spell.  Semple stopped a sixth with a stunning save from Meechan before the Glens conjured up some much needed respite and respect with a battling fight-back.

John Dempster forces home Glens’ second

Midway through the half the visitors forced their first corner kick of the match which was scrambled clear only to be hooked back into the danger area by Paul McKenzie where the ball was met by Gareth Armstrong but his diving header went inches wide of target. On 24 minutes the Glens continued to press and pulled one back when Danny Mitchell gathered the ball and fired from outside the box, the ball taking a wicked deflection to wrong foot the helpless Robertson. Both sides created a couple of half-chances before the visitors struck again on 32 minutes after Armstrong rose majestically at the near post to head flick a Colligan corner into the six yard box where John Dempster’s determination saw him beat two defenders and the keeper to the ball and force it over the line. Two minutes later Glenafton’s hopes of a sensational comeback suffered a serious set-back when Mitchell earned a second yellow card for a sliding tackle on Adam at the half-way line.

Iain Diack celebrates his hat-trick with Chic

The momentum swung back to the hosts and six minutes from the break Diack completed his hat-trick, cutting in from the left and curling the ball beyond the reach of an air-borne Semple. H/T Rob Roy 6 Glens 2

To their credit the gallant Glens gave a good account of themselves in the second half and honours were very much shared in terms of possession, chances and ultimately goals. McChesney, up for a corner, came close when he hooked the ball over his head and the packed penalty box only for the ball to drop over the bar while substitute Scott McManus’s close range header was just wide of target.  At the other end Semple saved from the lively Adam and Kevin Bradley looked certain to score at the back post but drilled his shot into the ground forcing the ball to bounce up and over Semple’s bar.

Bo keen for more

On 81 minutes Gareth Armstrong punished some indecision in the home defence to break into the box and place the ball beyond the advancing Robertson. The goal may have been considered less of a consolation if soon after a strong shout for a hand ball in the box had been given, presenting the visitors a chance of cutting the deficit to two. Five minutes later however, it seemed fitting that the last word went to Iain Diack who fired home his fourth goal of the game in a master class of finishing. F/T Rob Roy 7 Glens 3

Glenafton: Semple; Campbell (McEwan), McChesney, Murphy, McKillen; McKenzie, Potter, D.Mitchell, Colligan (McManus);  Armstrong, Dempster.

Rob Roy: Robertson; McLachlan, Smith, Ohakam, McVey; Bradley, Meechan, Connolly, Easton; Adam, Diack

More photos here

Other league scores: Arthurlie P Shotts P; Auchinleck 4 Ashfield 1; Beith 2 Cumnock 3; Clydebank 1 Irvine Meadow 0; Pollok 0 Petershill 3

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