Glenafton Athletic held the Player of the Year Awards for Season 2011/12 at the Campbell Hall, Loch Park, New Cumnock.
Before the individual awards were presented the gathering of management, players, committee, supporters and friends and acquaintances reflected on an excellent season that delivered promotion back to the Premier Division – a real Team Award.
The Roll of Honour and photos from the evening can be found here.
Evening Times Cup Winners Cup Quarter-Final
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (1) (Talbot win 4-1 pens)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)
Almost a season separates this meeting of Talbot and Glenafton and the previous one back in August when the visitors humbled their hosts by inflicting a hefty 4-1 hammering. Now as then, the sun again bathed the Beechwood baize giving some credence to the local appellation of ‘God’s Little Acre’, albeit a name coined in that best Boswellian tradition of ‘taking critical liberties’. Summer football however has its drawbacks and the ‘Malahide midgies’ temporarily abandoned their habitat on the Kirkland Green to descend upon the terraces in Goudie-esque numbers. Unlike the pit-bull terrier that ‘invaded’ the pitch on a couple of occasions their bite proved to be worse than their bark.
The Glens were first to show their teeth with a shot by Paul McKenzie stinging the hands of keeper Brian McGarrity in the opening minute. Three minutes later Mick McCann came within a whisker of putting the home side ahead but just failed to get his head on the ball a few yards from the goal-line. Soon after the former Meadow striker cracked a shot off Semple’s near post from close range.
On 26 minutes Bobby Colligan flicked the ball over Gordon Pope’s head and into the box for John Dempster to gather. Leaving Gavin Collins for dead he then evaded the back-tracking Craig Pettigrew before getting his shot away only for McGarrity to drop down low and knee the ball out at the expense of a corner; the keeper then mopping this up punching the ball clear from Gareth Campbell’s head. Two minutes later McCann was released down the right and after showing the Glens’ back line a clean pair of heels he fired for goal from an acute angle but Semple blocked well and clutched the rebound to safety. McCann’s perseverance finally paid off and on 31 he wheeled on the goal line to blast a wicked corner kick into the roof of the net, converting probably the most difficult of his chances with some aplomb.
McCann can
The visitors responded strongly and Gareth Campbell, on for the injured Craig Potter, tested McGarrity with a low shot from the corner of the six yard box but once again the keeper’s knee (one of them) was put to good use. Glenafton upped the tempo and made several raids into the Talbot box. On 38 minutes Craig Menzies dispossessed Colin Spence and burst into the box and wrong footed Pope before squaring the ball to Armstrong who hit it first time from the penalty spot but once again the alert McGarrity had the measure of his opponent and having advanced to the six yard line trapped the ball dead between his feet.
Bo-w wow
The keeper however was less keen to handle the pit-bull terrier that wandered into the penalty area and it was left to Bo-w Armstrong to collar the invader. Four minutes before the break it was the turn of Glenafton’s terrier Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie to cause panic in the Auchinleck rear guard and draw the sides level . It began with Armstrong rising to beat Collins and head the ball on to Dempster who perplexed Pettigrew and Pope before picking out McKenzie deep in the box albeit surrounded by black and gold shirts. A few Taz twists and turns had Steven White chasing the lengthening shadows and tempted Rikki Robb into a last ditch lunge but too late his low drive from 10 yards out was already net bound.
Taz tucks it away
Fan-Taz-Tic
A minute later McGarrity had to rush from his line to punch the ball from Armstrong’s head and as Campbell collected the loose ball he was bundled to the ground by former Afton defender Robb but the appeals for the penalty were waved away. Just before the break Collins timed his tackle perfectly after Colligan skinned Pope and raced for goal. H/T Talbot 1 Glens 1
The second half proved to be an end-to-end affair and although engrossing it fell short of the first forty-five in respect of goalmouth action. Glenafton’s best chance fell midway through the half after McKenzie broke free from Ally Park to take the ball to the bye-line and whip in a vicious cross for Campbell to rise above Collins and Pope but although his header appeared destined for the corner of the net, McGarrity thought otherwise and dived full stretch to push the ball wide of its target.
Brian’s Ba’
Minutes later at the other end substitute David Gillies looked certain to score but instead blasted the ball into the side-netting from a few yards out. The last decent chance of the game fell to Talbot with two minutes to go with a cracking shot from Martin McGoldrick and an equally impressive save from Semple. F/T Talbot 1 Glens 1
Ally Semple got his hands to penalty kick specialist Gordon Pope’s attempt but still the ball found its way into the net to put the Talbot one up. Gareth Campbell almost burst the net to level the scores. Man-of-the-match Brian McGarrity saved consecutive kicks from Bobby Colligan and Ian Cashmore and with David Gillies and Kyle Faulds having converted their kicks Martin McGoldrick stepped up and blasted home the winning kick.
Auchinleck: McGarrity Robb Pope Pettigrew (MCGoldrick) Collins White Spence (Gillies) Milliken (Latta) McCann Faulds
Glenafton: Semple; Menzies, McChesney (Cashmore), McKillen, McEwan; McKenzie, Potter (Campbell), Murphy, Colligan; Armstrong (Boyle), Dempster
The game brings Glenafton season’s to a conclusion with promotion to the Premier Division in the bag and still an outside chance of the title. Throughout the season the team has had the opportunity to face a number of Premier sides – Auchinleck (2), Beith, Clydebank, Cumnock, Irvine Meadow and Pollok and given a good account of themselves and look forward to returning to God’s Little Acre on league business next season, midgies or not.
West Region Super League 1st Division
SHOTTS BON ACCORD 3 (2)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)
Glenafton travelled to Hannah Park secure in the knowledge that not only is automatic promotion to the Premier Division already guaranteed but that victory over Scottish Junior Cup winners Shotts Bon Accord would clinch the Super League 1st Division championship. The hosts too , sitting 4th in the league and trailing the New Cumnock side by 10 points but with 4 games in hand, were very much still in the hunt for the title although as yet automatic promotion had to be secured.
With Paul McKenzie serving the second of his two match suspension Glenafton made one change from the team that had defeated East Kilbride to clinch promotion to the Premier Division, Gareth Campbell replacing Gus Cochrane.
Understandably the opening period was a scrappy and nervy affair with both sides surrendering possession cheaply as they struggled to find fluency in their play. Nevertheless, the game quickly settled into a pattern of chances being created at either end. The first flurry of goalmouth activity arrived on 8 minutes when Mark Sideserf whipped the ball across the face of goal from wide on the left only for Richie McKillen to head it clear from the incoming Allan McKenzie and Colin Williamson then fire the loose ball over the bar. Two minutes later at the other end Gareth Campbell’s attempt to pick out John Paul Boyle in the box appeared to have been blocked by the arm of Brian Wharton, but the visitors’ penalty appeals were waved away. Two minutes after that John Dempster wide on the right side-stepped Wharton and left Paul Burns trailing in his wake as he stormed his way into the box heading for goal before rolling the ball back for Campbell but the alert Williamson nicked in to steal the ball as the Glens man prepared to strike.
John Dempster closes in on goal
On 14 minutes the home side won the first corner of the match but keeper Ally Semple was the match of McKenzie punching the ball clear of the striker’s head. Soon after Gareth Armstrong sprung high above Darren Ferguson and his header from 12 yards out forced Craig Brown to dive low to push the ball round the post – the keeper then safely clutching the resultant corner. A minute later a long ball released McKenzie upfield and he has raced into the box Semple simultaneously rushed from his line, only for the back-tracking Ryan McChesney to rob the striker of the ball with a perfectly timed tackle. Six minutes later Craig Menzies lofted the ball over the heads of the Shotts back line into the box for Armstrong to chase but Brown raced from his line to bravely bundle the ball to safety.
Glenafton made the breakthrough on 29 minutes after some excellent play by John Paul Boyle. Forced tight on the right hand touchline by Wharton he twisted and turned and taking advantage of Dempster shielding Burns made his way to the bye-line where he whipped the ball to the far side of the six yard box for Gareth Campbell to bullet a header beyond Brown and over the line despite Paul Finnigan’s best attempt to make a last ditch clearance. The home side’s protests resulted in the referee, who had given the goal, consulting with his assistant who firmly stood by their decision.
Gareth Campbell heads the Glens ahead
Shotts responded well to the set back and forced a couple of corners that were scrambled clear before drawing level on 38 minutes. Sideserf’s route to the bye-line down the left flank was blocked by Menzies so instead he played the ball back to Burns who instantly fired a wicked cross to the back post for Tony Fleming to slam home, the visitors appeal for offside waved away and accepted without fuss. Two minutes later the home side almost got their noses in front when a superb ball from John Boyack picked out McKenzie down the left who lobbed the ball over the head of Semple, the keeper having sprinted to the edge of his box, and both could only look on with contrasting hopes as the ball bounced narrowly wide of the gaping net.
Tony Fleming fires in the equaliser
A minute before the break Wharton broke up a Glenafton attack and launched the ball up the park where Alan McKenzie gathered and shielded off the attention of McChesney before coolly lifting the ball high over Semple on his six yard line and into the welcoming net. H/T Shotts 2 Glens 1
Despite the half-time interruption Shotts’ tails were still up and they were first to show after the re-start. Although the free kick won near the corner flag failed to beat Glenafton’s wall the resultant corner caused more of a panic with Dempster winning the first header before Robbie Henderson’s header finally clearing the danger. Five minutes later in the other box Paul Murphy beat Wharton to the ball and his header fell for Armstrong with his back to goal, but the striker’s overhead kick went wide of Brown’s post.
Tony Fleming puts Shotts 3-1 up
Both sides exchanged half chances before Shotts doubled their lead on 63 minutes when a touch of finesse from Finnigan saw him jink past McKillen to get to the bye-line and send over a stunning cross for Tony Fleming to head home from under the bar at the far post. Six minutes later Semple kept the visitors in the game when he dived full length to push away a Boyack blast from 25 yards and then spring to his feet to prevent substitute Craig Miles from side-footing the rebound home. A minute later an Armstrong looping header from 12 yards out left Brown anxiously looking on as the ball went over his bar.
On the hour mark JP Boyle made way for Bobby Colligan and the change almost paid off immediately. Picking the ball up 25 yards or so from goal his blistering pace left Finnigan and Wharton for dead before he blasted the ball from 8 yards out but Brown, by now on his six yard line, pulled off a stunning save. A minute later Colligan combined with McKillen who floated the ball into a packed penalty box where Gareth Armstrong beat Fleming to the ball and prodded it through a ruck of defenders into the far corner of Brown’s net.
Gareth Armstrong halves the deficit
Five minutes later Semple denied substitute Murray Watson and from then on the home front men were content to hold on to the ball while the defence held Glenafton at bay. Deep into time added on Armstrong tried valiantly to convert a head flick into the box by Dempster, but the Glens striker had to overstretch and the ball sailed wide of target. F/T Shotts 3 Glens 2
Shotts: Brown Finnigan Burns Wharton Ferguson Boyack Fleming Williamson McKenzie Scott Sideserf Subs: Miles Watson Jack McStay Sullivan McKenna Murdoch
Glenafton: Semple; Menzies (McEwan), McChesney, Henderson, McKillen; Campbell, Potter, Murphy, Dempster; Boyle (Colligan), Armstrong. Subs Cashmore, Dunsmuir
West Region Super League 1st Division
SHOTTS BON ACCORD v GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton travel to Hannah Park this evening secure in the knowledge that not only is automatic promotion to the Premier Division already guaranteed but that victory over Scottish Junior Cup winners Shotts Bon Accord will clinch the Super League 1st Division championship.
Although this will be the Glens last league game of the season Shotts still have a further four more games to play – Cumbernauld (A), Girvan (H), Thorniewood (A) and Rutherglen (A) – and so no matter the outcome of the match there are still a number of matters to be resolved in both the race for the title, automatic promotion and the play-off positions.
Good luck Glenafton – Come Awa’ the Afton!
The Glenafton Athletic Boys Club 2000s celebrated the end of a great season with an awards presentation at Loch Park last night.
Congratulations to all at Glenafton 2000s
West Region Super League 1st Division
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 5 (1)
EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE 0 (0)
On the 23rd May Glenafton Athletic 1993 won the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time in the club’s history. On the anniversary of that glorious day the class of 2011/12 delivered a result, that arguably in the current climate is just as significant, which ensured the club would return to the top flight of league football in the West Region. With the home side requiring a point for promotion and the visitors East Kilbride eager to add to their points tally in their battle to avoid relegation the first half proved to be tentative affair which exploded into life five minutes before the break with a spectacular goal from Craig Menzies to put Glenafton ahead. The dregs of half-time teas were still being supped when Gareth Armstrong doubled the home side’s lead and although East Kilbride rallied with a string of corners there was to be no stopping Darren Henderson’s men as Craig Potter, Paul Murphy and Gus Cochrane controlled the midfield ensuring that chances aplenty were created and further goals from John Paul Boyle, Murphy and Cochrane completed the famous five and secured automatic promotion.
The nervous pre-match anticipation of the home support intensified with the news that Paul McKenzie, so often the victim of some robust tackling, would miss the Glens last two league games of the season due to suspension while Gareth Campbell, who bagged a brace in the draw at Kilsyth, was unavailable for selection due to work commitments. East Kilbride arrived buoyed by the three points garnered with the home win over in-form Shotts on Monday evening.
The home side were first to show with two minutes gone when a free kick played into the box was won by a Richie McKillen header and the ball gathered by Gareth Armstrong on the six yard line who played it back to John Dempster and his snapshot from 10 yards out when inches wide. A quick retort by the visitors saw some excellent control by Chris Dallas set up a clear shot at goal but the finish lacked the accuracy of the build-up. Glenafton soon got a grip on the game but struggled to fashion a clear shot at goal against a well organised defence. The Jags, content to take their time in the pursuit of the opener, were less prolific as an attacking force but they too hit a brick wall in front of goal.
Craig Menzies’ shot beats the goalie
The breakthrough came on 40 minutes in spectacular fashion and from an unlikely source. After some fine build up play a superb pass by Craig Potter from just inside his own half picked out Craig Menzies battering down the right flank with John Paul Boyle matching his run to break into the box, however with the three Thistle defenders at close quarters the option to feed the forward was high risk. Instead ‘Zee’ killed the ball dead, spotted keeper Ryan Maley off his line and chipped the ball over the head of the airborne goalie into the far corner of the net – an unforgettable first goal for the club.
Zee Zee Tops!
The visitors’ new found sense of urgency failed to rattle the home defence as Robbie Henderson, Ryan McChesney and Ally Semple closed the door on Dallas and co. H/T Glens 1 East Kilbride 0
Hands up for Bo!
Four minutes into the new half a posse of Glens’ players closed in on Paul Bain deep in his own half and Gus Cochrane came away with the ball and rolled it wide to Gareth Armstrong who lashed a low drive from 20 yards out and although Maley got down quick to block the ball rolled under his body and into the net. Thistle responded well end enjoyed their best period of possession and forced a series of corners the majority of which were mopped up by Glenafton but one or two caused some concern including an Ally Morgan header that flashed past Semple’s post.
Bo’s no go 😦
Back came the home side and the midfield trio took control with Craig Potter breaking down Thistle moves while Paul Murphy and Cochrane, almost telepathically picked up the pieces to push the home side forward, ably assisted by big John Dempster who stubbornly refused to give up any lost cause in any area of the pitch grinding down the visitors in the process. On 72 minutes the Glens looked to have increased the lead when another attack had been partially cleared only for Potter to direct a header the ball back into the box which, with his back to goal, Armstrong killed on his chest and then almost in slow motion executed an exquisite overhead kick to put the ball over the head of the advancing Maley into the net – but the euphoria was waved away by the assistant referee’s flag, although many thought it was a case of mistaken identity with the inactive Cochrane in the offside position.
JP’s Fan Club
With quarter an hour to go Menzies and Dempster left to rapturous applause to be replaced by the fresh legs of Craig McEwan and Bobby Colligan …. and what fresh legs for ten seconds later Colligan exploded from a standing start to beat Michael Daley to the ball and burst into the box. Although the defender recovered to block the direct path to goal Colligan kept his cool to square the ball across the face of goal where it was missed by defender Findlay and the incoming Cochrane but fell perfectly for John Paul Boyle who took a touch on the six yard line before rifling the ball into the roof of the net, just reward for another menacing performance.
Murphy’s Ba’
Two minutes later Colligan weaved his way into the box and fired for goal only for Mailey to pull off a great save and push the ball over the bar. The vocal home support cheered off JP as he made way for Ian Cashmore with five minutes to go. Two minutes later Cashy and Armstrong challenged for a Cohcrane corner at the near post and when the ball re-emerged Paul Murphy was first to react and pounced to side-foot the ball home from 8 yards out.
Magnificent 7
Two minutes after that Murphy played the ball to Cashmore tight on the right touchline who lofted the ball into the box for Armstrong to roll it back to Gus Cochrane on the outskirts of the box and with Dailly closing in and Armstrong heavily marked in the box he spotted Mailey off his line, and from 23 yard outs nonchalantly nicked the ball out of the reach of the keeper at full stretch and into the gaping net for the fifth of the famous five. F/T Glens 5 East Kilbride 0
“We are going up, we are going up”
The final whistle was greeted with relief and joy in equal measure and the Glenafton players, management and supporters gathered for the obligatory chorus of ‘We are going up…’.
Glenafton: Semple; Menzies (McEwan), McChesney, Henderson, McKillen; Potter, Cochrane; Dempster (Colligan), Armstrong, Boyle (Cashmore). Subs Dunsmuir, Trialist
East Kilbride: Mailey; Dempsey, Morgan, Conway, Daley, Kelly, Gorman, Bain, Dallas, McVey, Chaplain. Subs McGinlay, Stewart, Hutcheson, Findlay
Siney’s club house celebrations
Salt and Sauce
Today’s Scottish Cup final between Hearts and Hibernian got me thinking of connections between the Edinburgh clubs and Glenafton Athletic.
In recent seasons Jonathan Baillie (Hibernian 2003/2007) and Joe Quitongo (Hearts 1997/99) have played for the Glens while of course Derek Ferguson (Hearts 1990/93), a record £750,000 signing for the Tynecastle side, managed the club for a short spell. Sticking with football punditry former Glenafton goalkeeper and the club’s most successful manager Alan Rough (Hibernian 1982/88) made 175 appearances for the Easter Road side while another great Glens’ goalie Henry Smith (Hearts 1981/96) turned out 476 times for the Tynecastle club. Returning to the world of punditry Roughie brought Craig Paterson (Hibernian 1979/82) to Loch Park.
There are sure to be other connections in an era when former senior players saw out their playing days or cut their teeth in management in the Junior ranks.
The opposite was the case in the pre-World War II war era when many Junior players stepped up to the senior ranks. Understandably in the case of Glenafton of those players that did step up it was typically to west of Scotland clubs and in particular Kilmarnock. However, there are a few exceptions.
Glenafton were formed in 1930/31 and played in the South Ayrshire League before gaining admission to the powerful Western League in 1933/34 and a season late they were crowned Western League Champions. From that side David Logan (right-half, back row, 2nd from left) and John Millar (inside right, front row 3rd from left) signed for Hibernian, where they enjoyed mixed fortunes. After Millar’s debut in the Scottish Cup replay against Aberdeen he made only 13 league appearances for the club, over that season and the following two; his only goal coming against Albion Rovers. David Logan also made his debut against Aberdeen, in a league match on 24th August 1935 and would go on to make 109 league appearances before the outbreak of war; his last appearance was in 1941 against Hearts in a Southern League Cup tie.
A few seasons later, in Season 1938/39, centre forward Willie Anderson was attracting interest from Hearts and Blackpool, having played trials for both clubs while at Glenafton, but instead he signed for his home town team Kilmarnock but was never called up. Willie then signed provisionally for Hibernian and ‘in a fine gesture he presented Harry Brown the treasure of the Supporters Club with a handsome cheque’. He made a few appearance for the Glens at the start of season 1939/40 before making a permanent move to Easter Road and scored 30 goals for the club in 70 appearances.
Wed 16th May, Loch Park, New Cumnock
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (0)
TROON 2 (1)
Glenafton suffered another semi-final set back at Loch Park as Ayrshire District side Troon ended their run in the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup. In stark contrast to the recent defeat to Irvine Meadow in the West of Scotland Cup where the Glens had the Premier side on the ropes for a spell, it was Troon that were always in the driving seat until a late strike by the home side ignited hopes of salvaging a penalty shoot-out.
Ian Cashmore partnered Gareth Campbell up front for Glenafton as Gareth Armstrong , John Dempster and John Paul Boyle, all recovering from recent injuries, took their place on the bench, while Craig McEwan replaced the rested Craig Menzies.
No fewer than five former Glens’ players – Martin Ure, Johnny Baillie, Cameron, McKinnell, Dougie Ramsay and Tony Murphy – formed the Troon starting eleven and were joined by Dale Moore, former Glenafton Boys Club star.
Cammy’s back
The home side were first to show with a neat passage of play which saw Gus Cochrane beat Ramsay to the ball and evade the challenge of Scott Chatham before feeding the ball to Paul McKenzie wide on the right who fired in a first-time cross for Campbell on the six yard box only for McKinnell to come out on top of the aerial battle for the ball. The defender was less fortunate later when the two players challenged for the ball which earned Campbell a yellow card and resulted in the Troon man being unable to shake off the injury and was replaced by Dean Keenan with 17 minutes gone. By this time the promising start by Glenafton was a distant memory as they struggled to keep a hold of the ball and too often surrendered possession with high balls up the middle which were mopped up with ease by Baillie.
Paul McKenzie with Dougie Ramsay
Troon too struggled to create any clear cut chances but their play from box to box was much more inventive and Martin Ure was more often than not the instigator with crisp passing at pace as he broke down the right flank time and again. Little surprise then that he played a significant part in the visitors opening goal. On the half-hour mark Baille blasted a free kick from deep in his own half straight up the middle, Stevie Wilson out-jumped Ryan McChesney to head flick the ball to the edge of the box where Darren Baird saw off the challenge of Robbie Henderson before exquisitely squaring the ball to Ure who quickly returned the ball back from where it came and although it was behind Baird the incoming Wilson met it perfectly to slam the ball home.
Glenafton’s woes continued and Martin Fraser in the Troon goal was having a quiet time although he was called into action 10 minutes before the break when Baillie was beaten in the air, for the first time, by McChesney pushed up for a free kick but his header was well held by the keeper. Just before the break his counter-part Ally Semple denied Baird with a brave block when the loan signing from Ayr United looked destined to double the visitors lead. F/T Glens 0 Troon 1
John Paul Boyle replaced Ian Cashmore at the break and made an immediate impact as the Troon box became the busier of two – for a time at least. On 50 minutes a Boyle volley from 12 yards out had Fraser stretching to ensure the ball was going ball over the bar, while five minutes later the keeper was left grounded as Boyle appeared to have levelled the scores. A quickly taken free kick from the edge of the box by Campbell was rolled to Paul Murphy who cut the ball across of the face of the goal for the incoming Boyle to tap in, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised in a flash and the goal disallowed. The Glens continued to press and with half an hour to go brought on top goalscorer Gareth Armstrong for McKenzie and five minutes after that John Dempster for Cochrane.
Gus Cochrane
The visitors however were still menacingly dangerous on the break and on seventy minutes Semple pulled off a great save from Moore and soon after he doubled-team with McEwan to prevent Wilson from bagging his brace. At the other end Fraser tipped a Boyle drive over the bar but could only look on as McChesney’s header from the resultant corner cannoned off Tony Murphy’s head and the ball sneak inches wide of the post. Back upfield and again a McEwan last ditch tackle, Baird the aggressor on this occasion, kept Troon at bay. On 78 minutes however the striker’s efforts were rewarded. The home defence had several attempts to clear an incoming free kick before Chatham headed the ball back into the box for Wilson to flick out to the left where Baillie beat off Henderson to shoot for goal only for a stunning save from Semple to push the ball onto the bar and Baird to storm in and crash the ball into the net.
With two minutes of the regulation ninety to go Glenafton were thrown a life-line through a Gareth Armstrong special. Semple launched a long ball high up the middle for Armstrong who was pushed off the ball by Martin Cairns but the defender’s header looped high in the air and Paul Murphy beat Ramsay to the loose ball at the edge of the box and headed it back to Armstrong who smacked the ball first time from 25 yards out beyond the reach of Fraser. Try as they might the Glens couldn’t carve out an equaliser in the five minutes of additional time and Troon held on for a well deserved victory. F/T Glens 1 Troon 2
Glenafton: Semple, McEwan, McChesney, Henderson, McKillen; Cochrane (Dempster), Potter, P.Murphy, McKenzie (Armstrong); Cashmore (Boyle), Campbell. Subs: Menzies, Dunsmuir
Troon: Fraser, Ure, McKinnell, Baillie, Moore; Chatham, Ramsay, Cairns, Murphy; Baird, Wilson. Subs Smith, McKay, Keenan, Roy, Lyle, Leavy.
West Region Super League 1st Division
KILSYTH RANGERS 2 (0)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (0)
League leaders Glenafton Athletic travelled to face second placed Kilsyth Rangers in the knowledge that a victory would secure one of the automatic promotion places to the Premier Division, while a win for the hosts would re-ignite their own aspirations to ascend to the top flight. The game took on the mantle of a cup-tie and indeed the lush Duncansfield playing surface looked more than worthy of hosting a cup-final with the hard graft of the Kilsyth committee illuminated by glorious sunshine. The bus-load of young and vocal Glenafton supporters, including an enthusiastic drummer boy, further enhanced the cup tie theme.
As is often the case in a game of such magnitude it struggled to rise to the occasion and the first half proved to be a tense nervy affair. With a stiff breeze at their back the visitors were first to threaten when on 9 minutes John Dempster, deep in the six yard box, tried to guide home a Richie McKillen free-kick only for the ball to spin over the bar. Two minutes later the home side responded through Graham McLaren who after shaking off defender Ryan McChesney broke into the box and drilled a low shot from 10 yards out only for keeper Ally Semple to block at his near post and then push the loose ball from the feet of the incoming Joe Barclay, allowing McChesney to clear the danger.
Midway through the half McChesney looked to have broken the deadlock when he bulleted a header from a corner kick beyond the reach of keeper Michael Duke but Stephen McPeake executed his near post duties with great precision for although his body was well over the goal-line the contact between his head and ball was on the line, and the Glenafton claims for a goal were in vain.
Chessy’s header cleared off the line.
Glenafton continued to press and enjoyed much of the possession but without seriously testing Duke particularly from the numerous set-pieces they earned. Kilsyth broke forward in flashes but more often than not the good work of Francis Kelly on the right flank and the endeavours of Barclay failed to yield any end product. H/T Kilsyth 0 Glenafton 0
The visitors started the second half in determined fashion and waves of attacks saw them breach the Kilsyth box four or five times in as many minutes with McKenzie and John Paul Boyle darting past the blue shirts at will. A McKenzie volley whizzed wide of Duke’s post and then the keeper showed a safe pairs of hands to hold a Paul Murphy shot. On 50 minutes and in their first attack of the half Darren Dalrymple, the recipient of a throw-in deep on the left wing, whipped the ball over the face of the Glenafton goal and although Graham McLaren’s header crashed off the post Francis Kelly stooped to head the rebound home. A minute later Robbie Henderson was alert to bravely block a Dalrymple drive as the home side looked to double their advantage.
Kelly eyes the goal
The visitors regrouped and on 56 minutes drew level when pressure from McKenzie and Dempster forced Dalrymple to attempt a pass back to his keeper but in nipped Boyle to steal the ball and skipped past Duke and headed for the empty net only for a touch to take him wider than intended. Although Duke had given up the ghost his central defenders homed in on Boyle, but the Glens man regained his composure and calmly cut the ball back for the inrushing Gareth Campbell to blast the ball into the gaping net from 8 yards.
Gareth grabs Glens’ goal
Chances fell at either end with Barclay forcing Semple to race from his line to foil the front man again while at the other end Duke did well to hold a McKenzie drive from 15 yards through a cluster of players gathered for a corner kick. On 72 minutes a Graham McLaren shot from the edge of the box whizzed over Semple’s bar only for the visitors to go up the park and get their noses in front after Gareth Campbell got a sniff of goal. As his team-mates and their markers congregated in the six yard box for the expected long throw-in from McKillen, instead a short throw was received by Boyle who clipped the ball back to the unmarked hit man who took a touch before drilling the ball low and hard to beat the unsighted Duke at his near post.
Gareth bags his brace
Once again the game resumed a pattern of end to end play with both sides going all out for the next goal and it came with 5 minutes of regulation time remaining. A Kilsyth free-kick from the half way line was lobbed into the Glenafton box and after two or three attempt s to clear the danger the ball fell for substitute Daniel O’Neill who laid it off for Graham McLaren to fire past Semple from 6 yards. Chances continued to fall at either end in the closing five minutes and indeed in the five minutes of added on time, but if this had been a cup-tie it was destined to end in penalty shoot-out to separate the sides. F/T Kilsyth 2 Glenafton 2
Glenafton: Semple; Menzies, McChesney, Henderson, McKillen; McKenzie (Cochrane), Potter, Murphy, Campbell; Boyle (McEwan), Dempster (Colligan). Sub . Armstrong, Dunsmuir
Kilsyth: Duke, Reid, Doyle, Watters, Hamilton, McClelland, Kelly, McPeake, Barclay, McLaren, Dalrymple. Subs Dolan, Dempsey, Hughes, Scott, Carr, O’Neill
Glenafton remain six points clear of Kilsyth and with both sides having two games of their league campaign remaining the Duncansfield club can only match the New Cumnock’s side points tally while hoping to overcome a goal difference margin of 7goals in the process. With Renfrew losing at Girvan today Glenafton are guaranteed at least a play-off place. Shotts win over Ardrossan leaves them trailing the Glens by 16 points but with 8 games in hand. Both Glenafton and Kilsyth have to travel to Hannah Park to face Shotts.
West Region Super League 1st Division
CUMBERNAULD UNITED 2 (2)
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 5 (2)
Hosts Cumbernauld, fresh from slamming in seven against East Kilbride on Monday, raced to an early lead against league leaders Glenafton at Guy’s Meadow as they continued to harbour hopes of an outside chance of staking a claim for a play-off place. Fine work by Kenny Jarvis down the left saw him pick out Dominic O’Halloran in the box and although the striker’s shot at goal was blocked by Robbie Henderson the ball spun in the air and keeper Ally Semple was adjudged to have impeded Paul Thomson’s attempt to gather the ball and a spot kick awarded. Up stepped captain James Steel to despatch the ball into the corner beyond Semple’s reach with three minutes gone. Cumbernauld continued to push forward with some slick moving passing play without threatening to add to their tally.
Paul Murphy’s makes it 1-1
The visitors finally began to make their mark on the game and with 17 minutes gone John Paul Boyle fed on the scraps of a free kick played into the box but keeper Dave Buchanan foiled his attempt from 6 yards out. Ten minutes later a Paul McKenzie cut-back from the bye-line was met by Gareth Armstrong on the six yard line only for his shot to be blocked by James Brown and Buchanan then to punch the ball clear as Armstrong hoped to head home the rebound and the chance appeared to have gone. Paul Murphy had other ideas, first his shot from 12 yards was blocked by Thomson then he recovered the ball back and skipped past Thomson and Craig Boreland before drilling the ball into the net past the keeper and his central defenders.
John Paul Boyle picks his spot from 22 yards
Three minutes on and the visitors took the lead. A ball through the middle forced Buchanan to run from his box in support of Brown’s attempt to prevent Armstrong having a free run in on goal but the ensuing defensive fankle ended with the ball falling for John Paul Boyle who kept his cool and from just inside the ‘D’ guided the ball expertly over the head of Brown and into the empty net.
Although Boyle and McKenzie’s trickery kept the home side on the back foot as the visitors looked to double their lead Cumbernauld struck back with 10 minutes of the half remaining. From a throw in deep in the Glens half the ball was worked into the box with neat exchanges between Thomson and Gary Gibson (as well as a decoy run by Steel) to set up Dominic O’Hallaron to pick his spot from a few yards.
Glenafton were dealt a blow as Armstrong hobbled off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Bobby Colligan but were soon on the front foot again. A Henderson header from a corner flashed past Buchanan’s left hand post and then the keeper did well to push an audacious effort from Boyle from under his bar and he could only watch as a Gareth Campbell blast from 12 yards whizzed past his right hand post. H/T Cumbernauld 2 Glenafton 2
The visitors started the second half in determined fashion as they pushed forward in waves and their efforts were rewarded within two minutes. Ryan McChesney lobbed the ball into the box where, despite Boreland’s close attention, John Paul Boyle met it first time and thrashed it home via the underside of the bar from 12 yards out and although the spin on the ball brought it back into play there was little doubt it had previously crossed the goal-line.
JP celebrates at the double
On 61 minutes another killer ball into the box looked to have set up Boyle up for his hat-trick before David Marsh dumped him on the penalty spot and as the defender headed for an early bath Gareth Campbell slotted home the penalty kick.
Gareth Campbell’s spot-on
Colligan’s pace added to the menace of McKenzie and Boyle and with 15 minutes to go he came close to claiming Glenafton’s fifth goal as he burst into the box , shrugging of the chasing defender, and lobbed the ball over the outrushing Buchanan but it bounced just wide of target. Credit though to Cumbernauld the 10 men kept their composure and when they could break forward it was always in some style with quick, sharp passing. In the closing minutes they forced a number of set pieces that caused a degree of alarm in the Glens’ box and in what proved to be their final threat Brown was unfortunate that the ball didn’t fall better and his shot was miscued well wide of target. Glenafton had the final say and in the fading light Bobby Colligan’s stunning strike from the corner of the six yard box threatened to take the roof of the net. F/T Cumbernauld 2 Glenafton 5
Glenafton: Semple; Menzies, McChesney, Henderson, McKillen; McKenzie, Potter, Murphy, Campbell (Cochrane); Boyle (Cashmore), Armstrong (Colligan). Subs McEwan, Dempster, Dunsmuir
Cumbernauld: Buchanan, Boreland, Petrucci, Marsh, Brown, Jarvis, McCabe, Thomson, O’Hallaron, Steel, Gibson. Subs McInally, Mcewan, Hanlon, Hayman, Hill, Elliot
Glenafton Athletic 