Glenafton Athletic

November

There were fireworks at Hamilton Park on the 5^th November as Girvan banged in five goals to repeat the 5-0 drubbing they handed out to the Glens the season before. A first half double from former Arthurlie forward John Bradford had the home side going in 4-0 at the break. To add to the Glens’ woes top goalscorer Gareth Armstrong hobbled off injury. Bradford missed out on his hat-trick when he blazed a second half penalty over the bar but a minute later Sean McKenna fired in the fifth to complete the rout and bring to an end the Glens unbeaten league run.

Glenafton’s trip to Lanark saw former Glenafton striker Stuart Tullis give the Yowes the lead with a sensational strike just before the hour mark.  The home side passed up chances to kill off the game before the Glens grabbed an equaliser on 82 minutes when Paul McKenzie run in at the back post to slot home the ball whipped across the goalmouth by Craig Potter. The home side lost their discipline in the closing minutes and were reduced to 9 men, in between the ordering offs the Glens came close to nicking all three points but Gareth Campbell’s courageous header crashed off the post.

Craig Potter sets up the equaliser

Gareth Armstrong returned from injury to open the scoring in a 3-0 win over Kello Rovers in a friendly at Cumnock but failed a late fitness test before the league match against Cumbernauld United at Loch Park, as second top hosted second bottom in the league. Johnny Boyle headed home a corner kick in two minutes to put the visitors ahead. Glenafton responded well and on 18 minutes their pressure paid off when Gareth Campbell rifled home the equaliser. However, the home side couldn’t capitalise and Cumbernauld fought their way back into the game and took the lead when James Steele slotted home a controversial spot kick. After a spell of end to end play the game deteriorated and was littered with free-kicks with Cumbernauld looking comfortably in control of the match with a Paul McKenzie header that bounced of the bar the nearest the home side came to salvaging a point.

Cumbernauld clear Glenafton clear

The league malaise of having garnered two points from their last four games was put to one side as the Glens travelled to the Bridge of Don to face Hermes in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup 3^rd Round.  The Glens gave a start to new signing John Paul Boyle from Arthurlie and he was instrumental in setting up Gareth Armstrong to head home the opener in 13 minutes. The home side levelled the tie on the hour mark when Craig Macklin slotted home a spot kick but three minutes later Steven Wilson put through his own goal to give the Glens the lead. Andy Bell and Paul Murphy added to the visitors tally to put the Glens in the hat for the 3^rd round.  The match proved to be Lewis Sloan’s last for the club and he joined his home town team Dalbeattie Star.

Celebrations at Hermes

Three days later the Glens faced a strong Stranraer squad in a friendly at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre. In a hugely entertaining game the plastic pitch brought out the best in the Glens passing game and saw them runny out worthy 2-0 winners with goals from trialist John Dempster and Paul McKenzie.

 December

Bad weather all but decimated the Junior card during December with only a handful of league and cup games going ahead. The Glens home league game against Hurlford United and the home West of Scotland Cup 2^nd Round tie against Pollok were both victims of the call-offs.

A friendly match with Premier Division side Irvime Meadow XI ended in a 2-2 draw with Glenafton goals scored by Ian Cashmore and Gareth Campbell. Once again former St.Mirren, Stranraer, Cowdenbeath, Stenhousemuir and Cumnock striker John Dempster turned out for the Glens and signed for the club later that month.

The year drew to a close with Glenafton sitting third in the league with a record of PL12 W5 D5 L2 F22 A20 Pts20, two points behind league leaders Kilsyth Rangers, who have played a game less.

In the Cup competitions , the Glens topped the Ardagh Cup Section before going out to Girvan in the Quarter-Final after a penalty shoot-out and have progressed to the West of Scotland Cup 2^nd Round where host Pollok and to the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup 4^th Round where they will travel to face Kilwinning Rangers.

Well done Glenafton, let’s push on in 2012.

September

The month began with the visit of newly promoted Thorniewood United for a league match at Loch Park.  Wood’s top goalscorer Stevie Mullen took only two minutes to add to his season’s tally and on 15 minutes Robert Allan fired home a fantastic free-kick to put the visitors in control, however several other chances went a-begging that possibly could have killed the game off.  Just after the hour mark Gareth Armstrong slotted home a spot-kick to put the Glens back in the game. With 10 minutes to go the home side were awarded another penalty but on this occasion keeper John Connolly denied Armstrong a double with a stunning save. However, Glens top goalscorer had the last say when he headed home a late equaliser.

Glens travelled to league leaders Ardrossan Winton Rovers and retuned with all three points in a seven goal thriller. Rovers took the lead twice in the first half only for Gareth Armstrong to draw the Glens level on both occasions, including one from the penalty spot. Gareth Campbell passed up a chance to put the visitors ahead before the break when his spot-kick crashed off the post.  The Glens took the lead after a fine passage of passing play was finished off by a stunning strike from Craig McEwan. The visitors doubled their lead when new signing Ian Cashmore (from Girvan) fired homed the Glens’ third penalty of the match.  Deep into injury time Stephen Reid pulled one back for the home side, but it was too late for a Rovers’ Return.

Leaving the Loch Park club were striker Jim Wilson who moved on to Whitletts Victoria and defender Cammy McKinnell who joined his home town team Troon, while the Glens signed midfielder Paul Murphy on a month’s loan from Stranraer.

Glenafton maintained their 100% away league record with a 1-0 win away at Hurlford United. Top goalscorer Gareth ‘Bo’ Armstrong bagged the vital goal in the first half and Ally Semple saved a last minute penalty from ‘Ford’s Robert McPhee.  The drama not yet over for in injury time Gareth Campbell received a second yellow card for late late early bath

The Glens finished the month in second place in the league, two points behind leaders Ardrossan with a game in hand.

Big Hand for Ally Semple after saving a last minute penalty

October

Although the Glens had won all three of their away league games they had drawn all of their home games and so when Shotts came calling there was a feeling of inevitably as the match ended all square. After a goal-less first half Gordon McKenna put the visitors ahead only for Gareth Armstrong to fire home the equaliser.

The following week Glenafton entertained Girvan and again the match was goal-less at the break. However a second half goal half blitz of three goals (Armstrong 2, Murphy) in 9 minutes put the Glens in control. Alan Love scored a late consolation for Girvan, but the points were safe and the unbeaten Glens recorded their first home league win of the season to go top of the league.

Craig Potter, Scott McQuade, Gareth Armstong and Stuart Peacock

A trip to Clydebank in the 1^st Round of the West of Scotland Cup provided the Glens the opportunity to test themselves against Premier Division opposition. The First Division side started brightly and had their hosts on the back foot in the early stages only for the Bankies to come more into the game as the half progressed. The dynamic Stevie Dymock headed the home side ahead on 58 minutes but the Glens drew level four minutes later with a looping header from Gareth Armstrong. With 8 minutes to go the Glens won the tie with a stunning goal from Paul McKenzie, weaving his through the Bankies defence before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Celebrations at Cup win over Clydebank

The trip to Rutheglen Glencairn in the league saw the Glens lose their 100% away league record  but maintain their unbeaten league record run in a goal-less draw. The home side were reduced to 10 men in the first half and keeper Allan Colquhoun saved a second half penalty from Gareth Armstrong, bring his terrific run of scoring in seven consecutive games to an end and yet his season’s tally stood at an impressive 12 goals in 12 appearances.

Although the Glens were drawn away to Newmains United in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup 2^nd round the Central 2^nd Division club agreed to swap the tie to Loch Park, with concerns of their pitch being playable. With Gareth Armstrong rested on the bench the Glens started the game with Ian Cashmore and Gareth Campbell up front. Cashy opened the scoring in the 5^th minute and Lewis Sloan added a second some ninety-seconds later. To their credit Newmains knuckled down and kept the home side at bay until deep into the second half when a Craig McEwan free-kick put the home side three up. Gareth Campbell and Ian Cashmore completed the scoring with two late strikes.

Mud and Glory

The month drew at conclusion with Glenafton top of the league having collected 19 points from 9 games with Ardrossan two points behind having played two games less.

July

New faces continued to arrive at Loch Park with the signing of Craig Potter (Dalry), Lewis Sloan (Stenhousemuir), Kris Mitchell (Kilwinining Rangers), Gareth Campbell (Cumnock Juniors) and young New Cumnock goalkeeper Ryan Dunsmuir (Cumnock Juniors U16s). Meanwhile Loch Park leavers were Paul McInnes (Kilbirnie Ladeside) and Kevin McBride (Kirkintilloch Rob Roy).

Pre-season friendlies began with a 4-2 home win over Annbank, where Gareth Campbell bagged a brace, and a 2-0 defeat away to an Airdrie United XI. After a goal-less draw with St. Cuthbert Wanderers the Glens defeated Troon 3-1, with goals from Paul McKenzie (2) and Gareth Armstrong, to retain the annual pre-season Joe Meldrum Trophy.

Glenafton with the Joe Meldrum Trophy

The Ardagh Sectional Cup matches began with a comfortable 6-1 win at Muirkirk with captain Robbie Henderson topping the goal scoring charts with a pair of headers. The derby match against Cumnock at Townhead ended goal-less. The Glens came close to opening the scoring in the first half but Craig McEwan’s shot crashed off the bar. In the second half Glens Cammy McKinnell was sent off for preventing a goal scoring opportunity but former Glens favourite Chic Connolly blasted the resultant free kick over the bar.

A close call at Cumnock

August

The Glens completed the Ardagh Sectional Cup matches in style with three consecutive wins to top the section. Lugar Boswell Thistle (4-0) and Kello Rovers (3-1) were both defeated at Loch Park but it was the game sandwiched between these two that caught the eye, the 4-1 taming of the Talbot at Beechwood. Young Lewis Sloan, who proved to be a thorn in the Talbot’s side all match opened the scoring in 12 minutes and Craig McEwan doubled the visitors advantage two minutes later. The home side halved the deficit 10 minutes from the break when with Robbie Henderson off receiving treatment, David Gillies headed home from close range. Unruffled the Glens restored the two goal cushion when Gareth Armstrong bulleted home a header on 41 minutes from 8 yards out. Midway through the second half the striker lashed a 25 yard free-kick into the Tabot’s top corner to end the scoring and to the cries of EEKA PEEKA PUKA BO!

The Glens got off to an extraordinary start at Renfrew. The visitors took the lead through an own goal but were then reduced to 10 men after a Craig McEwan trip in the box only for Ally Semple saved the resultant spot kick.  A Gareth Armstrong header put the 10 men two up, however before the break Frew were back on level terms and the Glens down to 9 men following the dismissal of Gareth Campbell. In the opening minute of the second half Cammy McKinnel headed the Glens ahead again and the visitors to a man held firm for the ensuing 44 minutes and Frew’s misery compounded when they were reduced to 10 men in injury time.

Girvan took the lead at Loch Park in the Ardagh Sectional Cup Quarter Final only for the Glens to draw level through a stunning free kick from Gareth Armstrong. The Seasiders however came out on top in the penalty shoot-out only to lose out to eventual cup winner Talbot in the semi-final.

Kris Mitchell with Graeme Barbour at Dalry

The first home league match of the season ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw with Whitletts. Paul McKenzie put the Glens ahead early in the second half but the visiting Vics survived a period of intense pressure before hitting back twice to take the lead before Jim Wilson headed home an equaliser. Darren Henderson enjoyed a winning return to Merksworth Park as the Glens proved too strong for Dalry Thistle. Goals from Lewis Sloan (2) and Gareth Armstrong put the visitors 3-0 up at the break. Richie McKillen made it 4-0 before former Glens striker Graeme Barbour fired home a free kick for a late consolation goal. The three points saw the Glens climb to second place in the league two points behind leaders Ardrossan Winton Rovers sitting atop with a 100% record.

Glenafton faced Petershill in the 1^st leg of the promotion/relegation play-off on Saturday 4^th June at Loch Park.  The match failed to live up to cup-tie like expectations and a rather tense affair with defences on top ended goal-less. The hosts’ best chance arrived in 18 minutes but Gareth Armstrong’s close range shot through a ruck of players was blocked on the line by David Barr, with Glens’ appeal for hand ball waved away.  Deep in the second half the visitors’ claim that David Dickson’s attempt to convert a Mark McVittie cross was stopped by a Glens’ hand was also declined.

Hands up for hand ball !

Although everything was still to play for in terms of the play-off, the outcome of the title race was decided after Ashfield defeated Girvan at Saracen Park to pip Clydebank to the flag on goal difference.

Congratulations Ashfield …. now welcoming Premier Division visitors

In stark contrast to the first leg the concluding leg at Petershill Park on the Wednesday night burst into life from the kick-off with Glenafton carving out three decent chances in the opening 10 minutes.  The home side responded with a couple of close calls of  their own as a pattern of end to play was established that ensured the first forty-five flew by, albeit without a goal.

Willie Howie

Two minutes after the restart  Peasy’s Paul McLaughlin was denied by a super save from Ally Semple and two minutes after that Glens’ Stephen Docherty beat Scott Black with a thunderous shot from 25 yards but the ball crashed off the post. This heralded 15 minutes of power play from the visitors as they pinned Peasy back but try as they might with captain Willie Howie leading the way the Glens failed to the find the net. Petershill were on the ropes but the Glens couldn’t find the killer punch and inevitably were undone by a sucker-punch on 65 minutes when Stephen McGladrigan headed home a long throw from Mark McVittie.  The visitors regrouped but again converting chances into goals proved elusive and McLadrigan looked to have killed off the game with ten minutes to go but for a last-ditch tackle by Ryan McChesney. In the closing minutes Kevin McBride leathered a free kick low and hard and although a deflection left Black rooted to the spot the ball went agonisingly inches wide. The home side held out for the win and held on to their Premier league status while a gallant Glenafton faced another season in the Super League 1^st Division.

Peasy Play-Off Winner – Congratulations Petershill.

Six days after the play-off heartbreak manager Greg Denham began his remoulding of the side and transfer-listed a number of players, include the club captain Willie Howie, the longest-serving member of the current squad having signed for Glenafton in 2005/06. Two days later the club announced the manager had left Glenafton by mutual consent.

Glenafton Management

On the 20th June, former Dalry Thistle manager Darren Henderson was unveiled as the new manager of Glenafton with his former Dalry mentors John Garroch and Sammy Conn joining Stevie Kerrigan as assistant managers.

While Willie Howie joined Cumnock Juniors four former Dalry players Andy Bell, Cammy McKinnell, Cameron Menzies and Craig Potter all made the move to Loch Park. The month ended with the reassuring re-signing of new club captain Robbie Henderson.

Glenafton kept their promotion hopes alive with a 3-2 defeat of Kilwinning Rangers in a rip roaring Monday night encounter at Loch Park. The home side took an early lead through a Gareth Armstrong header in 5 minutes and the Glens leading goal scorer lobbed a spectacular second from 25 yards out ten minutes later. Trialist Chris McGroarity nipped in at the back post to tap in a third with half an hour gone. The Buffs battled back and a Ben Lewis header before the break and a stunning strike from Kris Mitchell ten minutes reduced the deficit to a single goal. Try as they might neither side could add to their tally as keepers Ally Semple and Scott Wilson and the woodwork stood firm.

Five goal thriller at Loch Park

Clydebank’s victory at Hurlford two days later ended the slimmest of chances the Glens had of winning the league as the Bankie’s  re-established their 8 point lead over the Loch Park side, with only two games remaining of their campaign.  Glenafton’s real threats from the promotion place were the chasing pack of Whitletts, Girvan, Ashfield and Shotts.

The visit of Ashfield, a proverbial six-pointer ended in a dismissal 3-0 defeat for the Glens. After a goal-less first half the visitors took the lead through a Tony Chalmers spot-kick before Paul Maxwell bagged a brace, to leave the Saracen Park side trailing second placed Glens by one point with three games in hand.  While Glenafton’s only real hope of promotion was now via the play-off place, league leaders Clydebank’s win at Bellshill ensured their promotion to the Premier Division, and only Ashfield could deny them of the Championship by winning all of their three remaining games.

Jim Wilson hopes in vain against Champions in waiting Ashfield

Glenafton hosted Shotts on Saturday 14^th May in their last league game of the season where the Hannah Park side still harboured hopes of homing in on the play off place, trailing the Glens by four points with two games in hand. After a goal-less and yet keenly contested first half the Glens made the breakthrough within 2 minutes of the restart, a Willie Howie releasing the Paul McKenzie into the box and the magical midfielder’s cut-back from the bye-line was drilled home by Gareth Armstrong, his 18^th goal of the season.  The Glens defence stood firm and the three crucial points secured to ensure the Glens finished with a league record of PL26 W12 D7 L7 F41 A32 43pts.

Play-off here we come as Glens shoot down Shotts

Ashfield were still one point behind 2^nd placed Glens with three games in hand and were odds on to secure the other remaining automatic promotion place. Of greater concern for the Glens were fourth placed Girvan who now required 5 points from their remaining three games to pip the New Cumnock side to the promotion play-off place. Glenafton were now spectators as the closing league games played out to a conclusion.

Two days later Ashfield completed the formality of securing promotion with a 5-2 thrashing of Hurlford at Saracen and on the following Saturday beat Clydebank at Holm Park to close the gap on the leaders to three points with 1 game to play. Of greater interest to the Glens was Girvan’s draw at Shotts, which simplified the arithmetic too to the Seasiders requiring to accumulate four points from their final two games, home to relegation threatened Renfrew and away to title chasing Ashfield.

The agony for on-watching Glenafton was prolonged when the Girvan v Renfrew game was scheduled for Sat 21^st May, leaving mid-week bare of fixtures – summer football anyone! However, the wait was worth it as ‘Frew fought off relegation fears with a 1-0 victory, ensuring the Glens would finish 3^rd in the league and face 3^rd bottom in the Premier Division in a two leg play-off.

Petershill  appeared destined to be Glenafton’s opponents but a 3-1 win over Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood saw them leapfrog Cumnock, leaving the Townhead side the task of having to beat Rob Roy the following week to secure their Premier Division status.  Former Glenafton player Chic Connolly missed a first half penalty for the ‘Nock while another former Afton lad, Chris Zok scored to give the Rabs a 2-0 lead at the break and a Glenafton v Cumnock play-off was on the cards. Stevie Farrell’s fighters fired in five second half goals while Kirkintilloch fired blanks and the Glens would indeed face Petershill in the play-off.

Gareth Armstrong gave the Glens a first half lead at Blair Park before Hurlford drew level from the penalty spot, after a Willie Howie handball, just before the hour mark. The Glens were reduced to 10 men in the closing minutes following Armstrong’s second yellow card and the game drew to a close with the sides settling for a share of the points.

Stevie Kerrigan, former Camelon manager, joined the club as assistant manager to Greg Denham.

Bo bags one at Blair Park

The home league game against Annbank was one of only three league games that survived an early-March snowfall. Gareth Armstrong made it three goals in three games as he gave the Glens a first half lead. The home side were reduced to 10 men soon after the break when trialist Robbie Henderson collected a pair of yellow cards. Armstrong allayed any fears of a Bankies comeback by completing his hat-trick and after the Glens were reduced to 9 men (following Paul McKenzie’s straight red card), Bo added a fourth.

Cup football took centre stage beginning with the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup 1^st round match at home to Ayrshire District side Troon. A first half strike by Paul McInnes in a keenly fought contest was enough to settle the tie in favour of the Glens.  New signing Robbie Henderson made his debut in the West of Scotland Cup 2^nd round against Auchinleck at Loch Park. In another close encounter the Premier side progressed to the 3^rd round courtesy of a David Gillies freak goal and a second from Brian Young in injury time; Steven Greenlees shown a second yellow for trying to stop the Talbot man on way to goal.

Kevin McBride and Bryan Slavin

Despite collecting four points from two league games the month closed with the Glens sitting 8^th in the league (W5 D6 L5), 11 points behind leaders Clydebank and 7 points behind second placed Whitletts, with Girvan a point further back in third place. Of greater concern only four points separated the Loch Park side from the relegation zone, where Vale of Clyde, Hurlford and Cumbernauld were lurking all with games in hand, while Annbank appeared doomed to drop isolated on bottom spot with seven points.