Glenafton made four changes to the eleven that started against Cumnock on Saturday with Craig Pettigrew (injured), Evan Maley, Sam McKee and Amand Dollani making way for Lewis Currie, Cammy Ross, Dylan O’Kane and Hugh Kerr.
In the Hurlford starting eleven were former Glens players Paul ‘Taz’ McKenzie and Ross Robertson while Ross Fisher was on the bench. Of course, the ‘Ford manager Darren Henderson and his assistant manager John Dempster were former Glens’ manager and striker respectively.
The first half finished goal-less with both goalkeepers pulling off fine saves. The visitors were denied an early lead after Ally Semple pushed a powerful shot from close range over the bar and then blocked another one soon after. At the other end George O’Connor tipped Dylan O’Kane’s shot from a tight angle over the cross bar.
HT Glens 0 Hurlford 0
Half-time substitute Ciaran O’Connor broke the deadlock on 54 minutes. A Glens attack was broken down deep in the Hurlford box and the ball played up the right touchline from where it was slotted to the centre-circle for Lewis Morrison to gather and give a defender the slip before bursting into the box and laying the ball off to O’Connor to guide it beyond Semple and into net.
The home side responded well and enjoyed a good spell of pressure which finally bore fruit on 73 minutes. A free kick from the centre-circle was fired into a busy Ford box only to be headed back upfield where an alert Lyall Holding chased it down and then gave the inrushing Morrison the slip before curling the ball, high and deep into the box where a diving Stephen McLelland got between two defenders to bullet an unstoppable header into the net; his first goal for the club.
Stephen McClelland
Both sides went in search of a winner and the best chances fell to the visitors from close range headers, the first brilliantly saved by Semple the other dipping inches over the bar.
In the added time substitute Liam Caddis was sent off after earning a second yellow card.
FT Glens 1 Hurlford 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 4. Lewis Currie 5. Ollie Rowe 3. Jared Willet; 7. Cammy Ross 6. Stephen McLelland 8. Ryan Walker 11. Dylan O’Kane ; 9. Hugh Kerr (captain) 10. Michael Mullen Subs Used: Sam McKee, Armand Dollani, Liam Caddis
HURLFORD UNITED
1. George O’Connor 2. Blair Anderson 3. Sam Lidington 4. Carter Frew 5. Ross Love 6. Liam Miller 7. Paul McKenzie (capt.) 8. Jack Whittaker (Ciaran McPherson) 9. Ross Robertson (Kyle Dunnett)10. Lewis Morrison 11. Kris Kerr Subs Not Used: Alistair Brown (gk), Chris Robertson, Gavin Mackie, Ross Fisher, Chris McKnight
Glenafton Athletic with members of the Watt family, sponsors ot the club’s strips.
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Johnstone Burgh last Saturday with Hugh Kerr (unavailable) and Cammy Ross making way for Amand Dollani and Sam Kerr, while Ross Lindsay and Cammy Crooks (long term) remain on the injury list.
In the Cumnock dug-out was former Glenafton player and treble-winning manager Craig McEwan now assistant manager to Cumnock’s new manager Stephen Swift.
The Cumnock pitch was bathed in bright sunshine with a brisk breeze blowing albeit not strong enough to turn those windfall windmills on Hare Hill, back in the parish of New Cumnock! Although the Glens kicked off it was the ‘Nock that quickly took control of the game in whirlwind fashion.
On 3 minutes Cammy Chalmers from inside the box drilled a low angled shot that Ally Semple got down low to push wide for a corner preventing a posse of ‘Nockians getting a touch at the back post. Luke Watt played the kick short to Dylan Dykes to whip the ball into the goalmouth only for Lyle Holding’s clearance to be instantly fired back goalward by Watt which was deflected wide for another corner. Watt floated this one to the near post for the incoming Jon Craig to leap lively and send a looping header of the bar.
Glens eventually ventured into the Cumnock half albeit without breaching their box and were quickly back in defensive mode as the impressive Watt broke down the right and lofted a ball high into the box where Craig Pettigrew’s clearing header bounced out for a corner. Watt picked out the leaping Craig at the near post again only for his header to be blocked by Willet before it was deflected wide off a ‘Nock player and out for a goal kick.
Still only 5 minutes on the clock!
Ryan Walker and Jamie Wilson
The visitors enjoyed some spells up both flanks but again without causing any panic in the penalty box while a Michael Mullen shot from distance flew wide of the target.
Back came Cumnock through Chalmers clipping a ball to the edge of the box for Dykes but his header, under pressure from Holding, drifted wide of the post. Jamie Conn burst into the left-hand side of the Glens box and drilled a low ball to the back post beyond the reach of Semple and team-mate Thomas Orr arriving at speed at the back post. Soon after Robbie Buchanan picked up a pass from Dykes to push forward to the outskirts of the ‘D’ with Amand Dollani giving chase and adjudged to have brought the midfielder down. Watt curled the free-kick over the wall only for the ball to fall safely into the hands of Semple.
On 20 minutes Cumnock made the break-through following a coming together of Conn and Holding in the Glens box leaving both players tumbling to the ground holding their shins – the referee in no doubt the Glens man was the culprit and up stepped Dylan Dykes to send Semple the wrong way and slot the spot kick into the corner of the net.
The Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Cumnock half and yet still the penalty box proved to be a no-go area.
Cumnock countered down the right with Watt curling a ball to the back post and although Semple saw the ball late the keeper got down to nudge it away from the goal then quickly get back on his feet to block the inrushing Dykes’ attempt to fire the loose ball home, only for the striker to knock it past the post. Soon after Watt from the right curled another killer cross to the back post for Dykes but under pressure from Holding his header sailed high over the bar.
On 34 minutes Glenafton finally found their way into the Cumnock box. Willet from the half-way line lofted a ball to the outskirts of the box where Mullen did well to trap and flick it forward into the box only for Brownlie to head it back out before Stephen McLelland pounced to drive forward and clip the ball across the goalmouth beyond the reach of diving keeper Blair Currie, but alas also the inrushing Dollani.
Stephen McClelland’s cut back across Cumnock goal
Back came ‘Nock and inevitably Watt was the instigator with back-to-back crosses from wide on the right both aimed for Dykes in the box only for Pettigrew and Holding respectively to win the aerial battles. Third time lucky and Cumnock doubled their lead on 38 minutes. Watt down the right again played a couple of one-twos with Chalmers before the latter cut into the box between two defenders and then clipped a low ball between two more defenders and the keeper at the near post for Thomas Orr to guide the ball home despite Semple’s forlorn effort to block it..
Back came Cumnock and Dykes from within the ‘D’ surrounded by a pocket of Glens players rolled the ball back to Buchanan but his shot from 22 yards flew high over the bar.
On 45 minutes Mullen won the Glens their first corner of the match which Ryan Walker floated high into the heart of the box only to be headed clear by Buchanan.
HT Cumnock 2 Glenafton 0
Glens made two changes at the break with Sam McKee and Amand Dollani making way for Cammy Ross and Dylan O’Kane while Cumnock brought on Allan McKenzie for Thomas Orr and Benji Wright for Higgins.
Cumnock were first to threaten when despite the visitors appeals for offside Conn chased down Dykes’s lob into the box unhindered and although he drew Semple from his line the keeper came out on top pushing his shot wide to be mopped up by Willet.
Play now fell into a pattern of back and forth and the visitors were enjoying greater spells of possession within their opponent’s half with Ross, Mullen and O’Kane pushing forward but still in terms of creating chances the home side well ahead.
Cammy Ross on the move
McKenzie’ shot from 8 yards was blocked by Holding at the expense of a corner which was cleared to the outskirts of the box by Holding only to be gathered by Buchanan who picked out Dykes on the left to curl a ball to the back post where a powerful Pettigrew header sent the ball flying out the box again only for it quickly returned for Craig to try and head home from a few yard, but flattened Holding in the process.
Glens then pressed down both flanks, switching from one to another at times, but without creating any chances of note. One such attack saw Cumnock Craig win the ball near his own corner flag before pushing up the left and in a flash the ball was switched to right and series of short pssed ended with Wilson whipping a ball from the corner flag high into the box forcing Semple to make an acrobatic leap to touch the ball over the bar. The corner that followed was headed clear by Pettigrew initiating another period of Glens’ pressure.
Michael Mullen wins the header
On 63 minutes Cumnock brought on Callum Scott for Cammy Chalmers.
Wilson intercepted a McLelland header on the half way line before pushing forward and slipping the ball to Conn on the overlap to break into the right-hand side of the box to drill a low angled shot that Semple dived to stop on the six-yard line and then grabbed the loose ball as Buchanan closed in.
Cumnock made a double substitution on 68 minutes with Dylan Dykes and Jamie Conn replaced by Josh Jack and Joe McKee.
Glens pressed up the right and although Ross’s determined attempts to break into the box were repelled a game of head tennis followed and McClelland outjumped Wilson to knock the ball forward to Mullen only to be barged in the back but the free-kick from the edge of the box came to nothing.
On 78 minutes Glens brought on Andy Strachan for Craig Pettigrew who had taken a knock which delayed a free-kick that Cumnock won tight on the touchline. Joe McKee played it short to Watt before breaking up the touchline to receive a pass from Watt before chipping a perfectly weighted ball that more or less landed on Allan McKenzie’s head to bullet home a downward header to putit Cumnock 3-0 to the good.
Glens made a final substitution with Evan Maley making way for Lewis Currie.
In the closing minutes Glens won a corner-kick after Brownlie intercepted a cross to bullet a header over his own bar. O’Kane’s kick was headed clear. Soon after Willet floated a free-kick into the six- yard box where Rowe outleapt Brownlie only for his header to be headed clear.
The home side however still held ambitions to add their tally and Jack came close with a flashing downward header from the six-yard line that beat Semple only for Strachan to hook it off the line as McKenzie looked to pounce.
FT Cumnock 3 Glenafton 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (capt.) (15. Andy Strachan); 3. Jared Willet; 11. Evan Maley (15. Lewis Currie) 6. Stephen McLelland 8. Ryan Walker 7. Sam McKee (16. Cammy Ross); 9. Amand Dollani (12. Dylan O’Kane) 10. Michael Mullen Subs Not Used: 23. Keon Thurston (gk)
CUMNOCK JUNIORS
1. Blair Currie 2. Luke Watt 3. Jon Craig 4. Daniel Higgins (Benji Wright) 5. Darren Brownlie 6. Jamie Wilson (capt.) 7. Cammy Chalmers (Callum Scott) 8. Robbie Buchanan 9. Thomas Orr (14. Allan McKenzie) 10. Dylan Dykes (Jack) 11. Jamie Conn (Joe McKee). Subs Not Used: Adam Strain (gk), Sam Ellis, Josh Jack, Stefan McCluskey
Thank you Chelsea Carruthers and her father for sponsoring the match ball, joined here with Glenafton chairman John Stewart and Glenafton manager Ryan Caddis.
Glenafton made three changes to the 11 that started against Darvel on Tuesday evening with Sam McKee, Andy Strachan (unavailable) and Ross Lindsay (injured) making way for Ollie Rowe, Cammy Ross and Ryan Walker.
On the Burgh bench was former Glenafton captain and ‘Hall of Famer’ Craig Menzies, who enjoyed 9 successful seasons at the club.
Today’s match between Glenafton Athletic and Johnstone Burgh marks the first meeting of the two clubs in the West of Scotland Football league following Burgh’s promotion after finishing in 3rd place in last season’s First Division. The teams first met on league business back in Season 2002/03 in the newly formed West Region Super League with Glens joining as ‘The Last Champions of Ayrshire’ and Burgh as ‘The Last Champions of Central’!
Burgh kicked-off on a sun-drenched pitch and were quickly on the front foot creating a clutch of half-chances. Darren Christie’s header from a corner was plucked out the air by keeper Ally Semple; Daniel O’Neil’s close range shot from a free-kick drifted wide of the target and Blair Rossiter’s shot through a ruck of players from 16 yards out was well held down low by Semple.
Although the visitors continued to enjoy the bulk of the possession the Glens passed up a great chance to take the lead on 12 minutes. Shuggy Kerr clipped a ball into the right-hand side of the box where Michael Mullen held off the challenge from Kian Gilday to head the ball back to Cammy Ross who quickly squared the ball between the two centre backs for the incoming Jared Willet only for his shot from 8 yards to be comfortably collected by keeper Luke Scullion.
Back came Burgh and a free-kick floated in a packed Glens box was won in the air by O’Neil and his downward header seemed destined to sneak in at the post only for Semple at full stretch to push wide for a corner which again was won by O’Neil only for this header to fly well wide of target.
Midway through the half Rossiter from wide on the right cut inside the Glens box and slipped past two red shirts before picking out Aaron Mason who weaved past another defender before blasting a shot from 8 yards over the bar.
Glens enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Burgh half without breaching their box until 25 minutes when Michael Mullen, under pressure from O’Neil, drilled a low shot from 16 yards which beat the keeper but sneaked inches wide of the post.
The visitors duly responded with another wave of attacks. Mason was denied from close range after a perfectly time tackle in the box by Lyall Holding. Rossiter and Mason combined down the left before the latter squared the ball to Jordan Moore at the corner of the six-yard box only for Rowe to give him no room, other than retreat. Full-back Fraser Mullen then blasted and low angled shot from the edge of the box only to cannon off Evan Maley’s back sending the ball high into the air and fall safely into the hands of Semple.
On 32 minutes Johnstone Burgh broke the deadlock in deadly fashion. Cammy Eadie from the centre circle fired a low forward pass to Mason who held off Holding before stroking the ball toward the 18- yard line where Moore took the heat out of the pass to let the ball roll into the path of the inrushing Gilday to complete the one-two with Jordan Moore who then burst into the space between the central defenders and slot the ball under the diving Semple on the six-yard line.
The home side responded well and Ross’s perseverance down the right won a corner which he floated to the back post where Mullen’s header whizzed wide of the post. Soon after Mullen won another corner which keeper Scullion did well to wade through a packed six-yard box and clutch the ball out from Kerr’s head before falling on the ground.
At the other end the lively Gilday whipped a ball from wide on the left to the back post forcing Semple to come off his line and pluck the ball from a gathering of yellow shorts.
Play the fell into a pattern of back and forth with a handful of se-pieces which were handled well by respective defences.
HT Glens 0 Burgh 1
Glenafton made one change at the break with Cammy Ross making way for Dylan O’Kane.
A lively start to the half as the Glens earned an early corner which O’Kane floated into the six-yard bow where after some head the ball descended for the leaping Rowe to sending a looping header goalward where it was clutched under the bar by Scullion.
At the other end Fraser Muller whipped a ball in from the right for the alert Moore to pounce on the ball in a busy box only to be forced wide where he holds off a defender before his shot blazes over the bar.
Back came Glens through Ryan Walker launching a long ball down the right for Michael Mullen to chase with Eadie for company to be joined by his keeper racing from his line and although Mullen got a shot away the ball zipped inches wide of the post.
On 55 minutes Burgh doubled their lead through Gilday pressing down the left before squaring a ball from the touchline to Malky McDonald on the 18-yard form where he drove forward and with Rowe closing he cracked a low angled shot from 10 yards which Semple did well to get down to finger the tip the ball away across the face of goal only for Jordan Moore, with a free run, to pounce and side foot the ball into the net from 3 yards out.
After Evan Maley took a sore one tight on the right touch-line O’Kane floated the free-kick over the two-man wall and deep into a packed six-yard box where Holding won the aerial battle with Gilday only for his header to be firmly held the keeper.
On 61 minutes Glens brought on Amand Dolani for Shuggy Kerr.
The home side enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Burgh half. Michael Mullen forced his way down the right to the corner to then cut the ball back towards the penalty spot from where Dollani cracked a vicious rising shot that was pushed over the bar by the airborne Scullion.
O’Kane’s corner was won in the air by Rowe before scramble over the bye-line and claims for another corner for the home side waved away.
At the other end Mason from wide on the left whipped a ball into the box for the incoming Moore only to be robbed of the ball by Rowe and then Rossiter’s attempt to fire home the loose ball bravely blocked by Stephen McClelland.
Some controversy on 71 minutes after Dollani held off O’Neil on the right touchline until the frustrated Burgh defender pulled him the ground as the referee when for his yellow card, O’Neil punched the ball in anger and was lucky not to get a second yellow for dissent. To rub salt in the wound the free-kick was overhit and out of play at the back post.
The visitors then mounted attacks down both wings and although the Glens defence stood firm Burgh added a third on 75 minutes with that man Jason Moore. A ball launched up the right where Moore with Rowe tight on his back headed it on for Mason on the overlap to burst into the right hand of the box and squared it across towards the penalty spot seemingly for the substitute Max Kerr, but no the inrushing Jason Moore intercepted the ball on his stride to slam it into the back post beyond reach of the diving Semple on the six-yard line. 3-0 Burgh, hat-trick for Moore.
Glenafton made another change with Stephen McLelland making way for Sam McKee.
Played ebbed back and forth and seemed to be drawing to conclusion only for Burgh to make it 4-0 following a deadly counter-attack in the closing minutes.
Michael Mullen clipped a ball down the right for O’Kane to chase and in turn cut it back into for McKee only for substitute Graham Dorrans to intercept and then from the near post flick it forward to Eadie who picked out Kerr on the left on outskirts of the box before breaking forward to complete his first one-two. Eadie then stroked the ball forward to Mason and gathered the one-two before pushing into the centre circle to break into centre circle from where he clipped the ball forward to set substitute Gary McCann with a free run to the Glens box and drawing Semple well off his line before slamming home a low shot from 16 yards, 4-0 on 89 minutes.
FT Glens 0 Burgh 4
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 3. Lyall Holding 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (capt); 2. Cammy Ross (14. Dylan O’Kane) 6. Ryan Walker 7. Evan Maley 8. Stephen McLelland (15. Sam McKee) 2. Jared Willet; 9. Hugh Kerr (12. Amand Dollani) 10. Michael Mullen Subs Not Used: 16. Lewis Currie 23. David Markey (gk)
JOHNSTONE BURGH
1. Luke Scullion 2. Fraser Mullen 3. Kian Gilday 4. Cammy Eadie 5. Daniel O’Neil 6. Del Esplin 7. Darren Christie 8. Malky McDonald 9. Jordan Moore 10. Blair Rossiter 11. Aaron Mason. Subs: 12. Jason Naismith 14. Graham Dorrans 15. Max Kerr 16. Gary McCann 17. J. Lyon 18. Craig Menzies 13 A Paton
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against St. Cadoc’s on Saturday with Cammy Ross and Ollie Rowe (unavailable) making way for Lyall Holding and summer signing Jared Willet making his Glens debut.
In the Darvel line-up was former Glenafton midfielder Leon Murphy.
On a glorious evening Recreation Park as the Scottish Junior Cup winners Darvel hosted Glenafton in their first competitive game of the season. The two sides met here in the opening game of the league campaign last season with a Michael Moffat double cancelling out Murphy’s strike for Glens to take the three points. The sides also met in the last game of the season with Jordan Moore scoring the only goal of the game to secure the three points. Both Moffat and Moore have since moved on.
Although the first half proved to be a tight contest with little in the way of clear-cut chances for either side the second half started brightly for Darvel breaking the deadlock on 54 minutes. The home side stroked the ball from left to right just inside their own half before Connor McGlinchey pinged a low diagonal pass to the right-hand side of the ‘D’ where Declan McDonald with his back to goal, turned and lashed a ferocious shot into the far side of the net.
Glenafton drew level on 62 minutes after winning a free kick tight on the left-hand touchline just inside the Darvel half. Jared Willet launched the kick high and deep into the box where keeper Andrew Wilson advanced to the six-yard line to leap and grab the ball only to let it slip from his hands and bounce back about up shoulder high and as the keeper tried to punch it clear Shuggy Kerr was quick off the mark and with his hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the gaping net.
On 82 minutes the visitors scored what proved to be the winner after Darvel pass was intercepted not far from where Willet’s free kick had been launched into the box. On this occasion it was clipped high to the far side of the ‘D’ where Michael Mullen trapped the ball with a defender tight on his back, the striker then feigned to the left as if to strike the bouncing ball only to switch to right and roll a diagonal ball into the right hand of the box for the overlapping Evan Maley to coolly curl the ball beyond the reach of the keeper.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 3. Lyall Holding 3. Andy Strachan 5. Craig Pettigrew (capt.) 2. Jared Willet ; 8. Stephen McLelland 7. Sam McKee 6. Ross Lindsay 11. Evan Maley; 9. Shuggy Kerr 10. Mick Mullen Subs: 15. Lewis Currie 21. David Markey (gk) Subs Used :20 Cammy Ross 12. Ryan Walker 14. Dylan O’Kane 16. Amand Dollani 17. Cammy Ross Subs Not Used: 15. Lewis Currie, David Markey (gk)
DARVEL
Darvel: 1. Andrew Wilson 2. Ross Barbour 3. Nicky Docherty 7. Leon Murphy 9. Aaron Murphy 16. Jonny Black 17. Aidan Callaghan 20. Cammy Williamson 22. Connor McGlinchey 23. Jordan Allen (capt.) 24. Declan McDonald Subs. 5. Jack Duncan 8. Ross McKenzie 11. Reegan Aitken 14. Trialist 15. Aidan Quinn 16. Sam Culbert 21. Jack Howie
Glenafton hosted St. Cadoc’s on the opening game of the 2024/25 league season. The home side have been busy during the close season and seven players, including two of the bench, made their debuts.
St. Cadoc’s finished 3rd in the league last season only 6 points adrift champions Beith Juniors, however by way of some consolation they signed The Mighty’s top goalscorer Ciaran Diver, who was also the league’s top scorer with 29 goals, including a hat-trick against the Glens in the game we do not speak of! In the St. Cadoc’s side was former Glenafton defender Richie McKillen.
The visitors kicked off and were quickly on the front foot with Neil McLaughlin firing a low angled shot from inside the box in the opening minute that slipped wide of the back post. A minute later some excellent build up play set up Lewis McTaggart deep in the Glens box for a close range shot that was deflected wide for a corner kick which eventually fell for McLaughlin only for his shot to be blocked and then mopped up by Craig Pettigrew before picking out Cammy Ross who set off on a lung-bursting run upfield only for Andy Lithgow to intercept his pass to Kerr of the edge of the ‘D’.
Back came Saints with Ciaran Diver driving into the right hand side of Glens box only to be brilliantly stripped of the ball by Ross Lindsay. Soon after Ollie Rowe broke down another Cads attack and Andy Strachan snapped up the loose ball to release Ross down the right-wing giving BJ Coll the slip, not for last time, before whipping the ball into box only for Shuggy Kerr’s looping header to drop wide of the back post.
Play continued to flow back and forth. Gary Muir gathered a throw-in tight on the right and from the half-way line he lasered a superb ball to the left-hand corner of the Glens box dipping over Strachan’s head to fall perfectly for the inrushing McLaughlin to chest the ball down before lashing a low shot that the outrushing Semple blocked with his shins.
Soon after Muir drilled a low free kick from the right into a packed box only for the ball to rebound off players and fall for Evan Maley to lob it up to the centre circle where Kerr’s head-flick was trapped by Michael Mullen to quickly play a diagonal pass back to Ross Lindsay on the left from where he curled a long ball to the outskirts of the far corner of the box for Ross to chase only for Marc Kelly to head it out for a Glens throw. A free kick followed after Coll impeded Ross on the touch-line which Lindsay whipped nto the box where Ollie Rowe leapt from the six-yard line head and shoulders above defenders Lithgow and Muir to bullet a downward header that bounced a yard from the goal line and then high into the net past the keeper Max Currie rooted to the spot. Glens 1-0 up on 13 minutes.
Midway through the half the visitors won a corner on the right which was floated to the back post where Pettigrew got the jump on McKillen with a looping header to the edge of the box where further headers from McKee and then McClelland saw the ball well clear of danger.
With their way back into the box well marshalled by the Glens defence St. Cadoc’s looked to stroke the ball about the centre circle but were caught out after Ronan Hughes weakly hit square ball to Coll was intercepted by Mullen who burst through the middle with McKee for company and three defenders chasing behind. The striker blasted a low shot from 15 yards that the outrushing keeper did well to get down low to push away to his right only for McKee to gather the ball on the outskirts of the six-yard box. With Muir in pursuit he retreated and slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Kerr now breaking into the penalty box before sprinting past Hughes and drilling a low angled shot from 10 yards that evaded the leaping McKillen’s attempt to block and the static keeper as it fell for Michael Mullen to slam the ball into the net beyond the reach of captain Coll on the goal-line. Glens 2-0 up on 22 minutes!
However, the tide quickly turned and St. Cadoc’s were level some 6 minutes later.
Semple launched a long high ball down the left and Mullen made a spectacular effort to stop the ball going out for a throw only for Muir tight on his back to pounce on the loose ball and clip it back up field into the right hand side of the box for Lewis McTaggart to chase down unopposed before firing a low pass to edge of the six yard box for the inrushing Ciaran Driver but under pressure from Strachan he couldn’t connect properly and the ball took a slight deflection before bobbling toward the back post for Neil McLaughlin to lash home and halve the deficit on 26 mins.
Soon after Glens gave away possession with the ball falling for Muir to push forward and although his attempt to curl a pass into the box for Diver deflected off Pettigrew it fell for Kelly who slipped the ball to McTaggart wide on the right to drill it across the face of goal for Ciaran Diver to slam it home from 6 yards out. Game all square at 2-2 on 28 minutes.
Play continued to rage back and forth at a pace without any further scoring although the home side came close in the closing minutes. Glens switched play from right to left with a string of passes that concluded with Evan Maley tight on the touchline to curl a ball to the far side of the six-yard box where Ross’s attempt to head the ball across the face of goal was blocked by Coll’s forearm, igniting loud appeals for a penalty from Glenafton players, dug-out and supporters alike, while Coll was content to concede a corner.
Although the corner-kick was cleared the Glens quickly recovered the ball on the outskirts of the box from where Maley squared the ball to Pettigrew tight on the right touchline to roll it up the line for Mullen. The striker weaved between Jack Breen and Kelly to break into the box before giving Muir the slip only for his shot from the corner of the six yard box to be blocked by Lithgow.
At the other end Diver chased down a pass into the box but Semple was quick off the line to smother the ball and the danger.
HT Glens 2 St. Cadoc’s 2
Glens kicked off and were first to threaten after Maley cut in from the left and pushed forward before unleashing a shot from 25 yards which flew over the keeper, well off his line, before dipping over the bar.
St Cadoc’s countered through McTaggart from deep in the box hooking a ball to the near post which was smothered by Semple while Rowe was in place to protect his keeper from the inrushing Diver.
Back came Glens with Mullen breaking deep into the left hand side of the box before whipping the ball into the goalmouth for the incoming Kerr only for McKillen to head it wide for a corner kick which was cleared by a powerful Lithgow header.
St. Cads then enjoyed a good spell of pressure in and around the Glens box with the best chance falling to McLaughlin in the six-yard box from a McTaggart cross but despite his great leap his header drifted wide of target.
On 64 minutes Glenafton made a change with Sam McKee making way for Ryan Walker.
The visitors continued to press and McLaughlin clipped a great ball through the middle for Breen to burst into the box only for the back-tracking Rowe to make a goal-saving tackle. Soon after Strachan blocked McLaughlin’s from a few yards out at the expense of a corner.
Some respite for the home side after Mullen and Ross combined to pick out Kerr in the box where the striker gave Coll the slip before thumping a shot that deflected off Lithgow for a corner which keeper Currie punched away from under the bar.
St. Cadoc’s countered in lethal fashion with a break down the length of the right wing but with defenders closing in substitute Daniel McManus rolled the ball back to Muir on the touchline who in turn laid it off inside to Hughes to clip a glorious ball deep into the Glens box where Jack Breen go between Ross and Rowe to stoop and guide a glancing header beyond the reach of Semple. The visitors getting their noses in front on 80 minutes.
Glens made a change with Dylan O’Kane replacing Cameron Ross and soon after Armand Dollani came on for Evan Maley both wide men having kept St. Cadoc’s on their toes throughout the match. On 83 minutes Glens came close to drawing level after O’Kane’s powerful run down the right and clipping the ball to the near corner of the six-yard box where Mullen got between McKillen and Lithgow to guide a cushioned header beyond the reach of Currie’s outstretched arms only for the ball to crash off the underside of the bar and then hoofed clear.
Back came Glens and won a corner on the left which Lindsay floated high into the box where both Mullen and Rowe outleapt defenders and it was Ollie Rowe that bulleted an unstoppable header that whizzed between the keeper and defender on the post before bulging the net. Match all square at 3-3 on 83 minutes.
The Glens tails were up and St. Cadoc’s heads were down and it was the home side that took the lead a minute later through a wonder strike from Michael Mullen. St. Cadoc’s played a long ball up the park for Diver only for Rowe to intercept and roll the ball forward to Lindsay in the Glens half of the centre circle from where he clipped the ball upfield to match Mullen’s run to the outskirts of the left side of the box. However, a sliding tackle from Muir saw the Glens striker momentarily lose possession only to fend off another tackle from the grounded defender to win the ball and lash a shot from 18 yards that whizzed over the leaping Currie before bulging the net and sparking glorious celebrations. Glens 4-3 on 84 minutes.
The home side continued to press and Walker from wide on the left lobbed a high ball into the box for Dollani to chase only for Currie to win the race and boot the ball clear from the six-yard line.
In the closing minutes play continued to flow back and forth without either side creating any clear-cut chances and the three points were staying in New Cumnock.
FT Glens 4 St. Cadoc’s 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 3. Andy Strachan 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (capt.); 2. Cammy Ross (17. Dylan O’Kane) 8. Stephen McLelland 7. Sam McKee (12. Ryan Walker) 6. Ross Lindsay 11. Evan Maley (14. Amand Dollani) ; 9. Shuggy Kerr 10. Mick Mullen Subs: 15. Lewis Currie 16. Lyall Holding 21. David Markey (gk)
ST. CADOC’S
1. Max Currie 2. Gary Muir 3. BJ Coll (capt.) 20. Richie McKillen 5. Alan Lithgow 6. Jack Breen 7. Marc Kelly 8. Ronan Hughes 9. Ciaran Diver 10. Lewis McTaggart 11. Neil McLaughlin Subs. 12. Anton Brady 14. Bob McHugh 15. Reece McGuire 16. Daniel McManus 17. Kyle Munro 18. Mark McLuckie
Prior to kick-off a minute’s applause was held in memory of Jimsie Kirkland, who passed recently. Jimsie was manager of both clubs and several others in the ‘Ayrshire Juniors’.
Jimsie as Lugar manager back at Loch Park some seasons ago
Glenafton got off to a flying start after winning a corner on the left. Evan Maley drilled the ball low into the box towards the penalty spot for Shuggy Kerr only for the centre-back to clip his heels. Kerr picked himself and slammed home the spot-kick on 4 minutes.
Lugar quickly regrouped and enjoyed a good spell of possession in the Glens half keeping the home defence and midfield on their toes.
However, Glens threatened again on 11 minutes after McKee played a neat one-two with Kerr before leathering the ball from the outskirts of the box only for the keeper to pull off a great save, at full stretch to push the ball round the post. Soon after Kerr’s header from a McKee cross flashed wide of the far post. Stephen McLelland under pressure from a defender on the left-hand side of the box did well to lay the ball off to Evan Maley to slip his way deep into the box only for his curling shot to be deflected wide for a corner, which like the previous one was cleared.
At the other end substitute No. 12 weaved his way to the edge of the box before laying it off for No.11 only for his shot to scream wide of the post. Indeed, it was No. 12 that drew the sides level on 26 minutes following some sustained pressure from Lugar after successive crosses into the box were headed clear by Ollie Rowe and then by Craig Pettigrew, the latter was chested down at the ‘D’ before drilling a low ball that was deflected wide and fell for No. 12 at the back post to guide home from 2 yards out as keeper Ally Semple scrambled along his goal-line.
The visitors continued to press through floating balls high into the box initiating some head tennis from McLelland, Ross Lindsay and Rowe, all winning their aerial battles, while soon after another high ball from a free-kick dipped over the Glens bar. Semple quicky gathered the ball and rolled it out to Pettigrew at the corner of the box to launch it upfield for Kerr to chase it into the box with No. 4 on his heels and although the Glens striker seemed to have lost control deep in the box, he held off the defender and rolled the ball back to the inrushing Sam McKee to first time a vicious a shot from 20 yards to fly between two defenders and beyond the reach of the keeper at full stretch. Glens 2-1 up on 33 minutes.
Two minutes later Michael Mullen was released down the right and with a free run into the box forced the keeper to advance from his six-yard box and block his shot with his shins. Soon after Kerr chipped the ball into the box for Mullen to skip past one defender only for a back-tracking defender to perfectly time his slide-tackle and block his shot from 7 yards out.
Back came Glens through Cammy Ross to burst down the right before whipping the ball into the heart of the box for Kerr only for his glancing header to be held cleanly by the keeper. Maley then attacked from the left floating a high ball to back post or the incoming Mullen but the keeper leapt to tip the ball away in the nick of time.
HT Glens 2 Lugar 1
Glenafton made three changes at the break with Ally Semple, Lyall Holding and Stephen McLelland making way for David Markey, Lewis Currie and Ryan Walker.
The home side enjoyed a blistering opening ten-minute spell beginning with a header from Kerr that flew inches wide of the post. On 50 minutes Ross, from deep and wide on the right, floated a cross into the heart of the box where Kerr leapt to send a high looping header that beat the keeper but slipped inches wide of the post. Soon after, Ross switched play from wide on the right to wide on the left for Maley to gather and clip the ball into the six-yard box where the incoming Michael Mullen got between two defenders and with a cute back-heel nicked the ball over the head of the diving keeper,to score on his debut. Glens now 3-1 up on 53 minutes.
Two minutes later Glenafton struck again. Ross Lindsay gathered the ball on the left and picked out Kerr in a busy Boswell box before breaking to the edge of the box to collect the return pass and feed Mullen deep in the box who knocked it back to Sam McKee to smash a low volley from 17 yards out and although the keeper looked to have it covered it slipped through his hands and into net.
Glens made a couple of other changes with Dylan O’Kane and Armand Dollani coming on for Cammy Ross and Michael Mullen.
The home side continued to press as Lugar, after a competitive first half, had seemingy lost their way. Maley released Kerr down the left to lob a high ball to the edge of the six-yard box where Dollani leapt head and shoulders above the centre-back to bullet a header wide of inches.
On 61 minutes Walker broke down the left and curled a ball high into the box as Kerr and Dollani lined up, only for it to go over the head of the former and although the full back blocked it from reaching the latter, it was a poor touch sending the ball deep into the six-yard box where Shuggy Kerr got the jump on the advancing goalie and poked the ball into the empty net from 4 yards to make it 5-1.
Some respite for the visitors as a break down the right created some panic in the Glens box as No. 12 looked to add to his tally only to be denied by a strong sliding-tackle by Pettigrew and although Lugar recovered the ball the follow-up attack was mopped up by Currie and the danger cleared.
Glens were back on the front foot with Maley breaking down the left before clipping a cross into the box where Kerr and No.4 leapt together only for the ball to bounce free and fall for Sam McKee on the right-hand corner of the box to laser an unstoppable shot which whizzed past the diving keeper and cracked off the inside of the post at the junction with bar before bulging the net. A fantastic hat-trick from Sam to put Glens 6-1 up on 70 minutes.
Walker came close to making it 7-1 after driving to the edge of the box before drilling a low shot beyond the reach of the diving keeper only to come back off the post.
Credit to Lugar as they camped in the Glens box for the closing ten minutes in search of a late consolation. The tall No. 10 gathered the ball in the six-yard box and although marshalled by Rowe and Markey he managed to squeeze it across the open goal mouth for No. 14 but again Pettigrew’s sliding tackle sent the ball behind for a corner. Rowe and Markey combined to clear but only briefly as Lugar picked up possession and No. 12 fired a shot from 6 yards that bounced off Rowe’s back and flew over the bar. From the corner on the left the ball eventually fell for No. 16 on the right hand side of the box to drill a low angled shot through a mass of bodies only to slip wide of the back post.
FT Glens 6 Lugar 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic: 1. Ally Semple (David Markey) 3. Lyall Holding (14. Lewis Currie) 4. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (capt.); 2. Cammy Ross (16. Dylan O’Kane) 8. Stephen McLelland (14. Ryan Walker) 7. Sam McKee 6. Ross Lindsay 11. Evan Maley; 9. Shuggy Kerr 10. Mick Mullen (12. Amand Dollani)
Glenafton were delighted to welcome Partick Thistle to Loch Park today and to meet up again with former player Luke McBeth who clearly has made a great impression on the Harry Wraggs! Of course, Thistle’s manager Kris Doolan was no stranger to Loch Park, having starred for neighbours Kello Rovers and Auchinleck Talbot. Before kick-off both clubs and their supporters joined together for a minute’s applause in memory of the late Gerry Collins.
Sadly, the heavens opened at kick-off but thankfully conditions would improve later but no matter what, a vocal section of the large travelling support sang out whether rain and sun!
Although, the visitors looked lively from the kick-off, whipping balls across the face of the Glens goal from both flanks it was home side that came close to opening the scoring on 3 minutes. Ewan Maley after a great run from the centre circle was finally up-ended on the outskirts of the box and curled the ensuing free kick over the Thistle wall only for keeper David Mitchell to leap and at full stretch push the ball high over the bar. The corner-kick that followed was floated beyond the back post where Danny McBeth headed it back into the danger only for it be cleared to the edge of the box where Craig Pettigrew rolled it back to Ross Lindsay to curl a shot the flew just wide of the post.
Back came Thistle and a break down the right ended with Wasiri Williams whipping a great ball into the six yard box for the inrushing Robbie Crawford only for Ally Semple to brilliantly block his shot on the goal-line from where Lewis Currie hooked the loose ball to the ‘D’ where it was gathered by Kyle Turner who quickly squared it left for Harry Milne to drive to the bye-line before chipping the ball into goalmouth for the incoming Brian Graham to get between two defenders and leap to bullet a downward header into the corner of the net from 3 yards out. Thistle 1-0 up on 7 minutes.
On 11 minutes the visitors doubled their lead with Williams from the right-hand corner of the box floating a perfectly weighted ball to the back post for Brian Graham to get the jump on Lyall Holding and another downward header the bounced over the diving Semple.
Played ebbed back and forth for a time with defences on top and a few chances on show. Semple got down low to hold Aidan Fitzpatrick’s low shot from inside the box. Midway through the half Turner chipped a ball into the goalmouth for Graham who did well to bring it under the control before trying to flick it over the head of Semple only for the keeper to pull off a great reflex save to bend over backwards and push the ball over the bar.
Glens mopped up another attack and Pettigrew played the ball out to Currie on the left who quickly picked out Armand Dollani on the half-way line to switch the play to Holding breaking up the right flank to float a ball where Shuggy Kerr leapt between Luke McBeth and Aaron Muirhead to flash a header dipped over the junction of the far post and bar.
On 30 minutes a stramash on the outskirts of the Thistle box between defenders McBeth, Muirhead & Ben Stanway and Kerr & Dollani ended with the Glens appeals for a free-kick being waved away and McBeth setting up a quick counter-attack which concluded with Crawford playing a slick one-two with Graham before slipping a pass to Aidan Fitzpatrick who curled a low shot from 12 yards beyond the reach of Semple and into the corner of the net. Thistle 3-1 up on 31 minutes.
The visitors finished the half strongly with Semple, Pettigrew and Daniel McBeth forced into goal mouth saves and blocks alike and when it seemed they had weathered the storm added a fourth on 44 minutes after Crawford whipped a low free-kick into the box where Brian Graham from the six- yard line got the slightest of touches to divert the ball into the net for his first-half hat-trick.
HT Glens 0 Thistle 4
On the bright side. Loch Park was now bathed in sunshine as the second half kicked off.
Both sides made four changes at the break.
Glenafton brought on Paul O’Brien, Andy Strachan, Cammy Ross and Ryan Walker for Lee Currie, Daniel McBeth, Sam McKee and Armand Dolani.
Thistle brought on keeper Mason McCready, Ricco Diack, Daniel O’Reilly and Daniel MacKay for keeper David Mitchell, Brian Graham, Aaron Muirhead and Logan Chalmers.
The visitors were first to threaten after Diack, a former team-mate of Shuggy Kerr at Rossvale, broke into the left hand-side of the box slipping past two defenders to drive for the bye-line and faced with Semple guarding the post he cut the ball back into the goalmouth for Daniel MacKay only for his shot from 4 yards to be blocked by O’Brien sending the ball spinning wide for corner which was scrambled clear.
Soon after, Milne, now with the captain’s arm-band, burst into the left-hand side of the box and squared the ball across the face of the goal but despite his best efforts the inrushing Diack stretched leg failed to make contact.
Stanway then weaved his way forward to the edge of the box before cracking a shot a vicious shot that Semple did well to push it round the post with both hands.
On 57 minutes Thistle made three changes with Robbie Crawford, Kyle Turner and Wasiri Williams making way for James Lyon, Zander MacKenzie and Che Campbell. The Glens followed suit soon after with Lewis Kennedy and Dylan O’Kane coming on for Craig Pettigrew and Evan Maley.
The Glens pulled one back on 62 minutes after Kerr had been impeded a yard outside the right-hand side of the box. Thistle set up a two-man wall while O’Kane and Ross Lindsay both set up as if to take the kick and it was the latter that curled a glorious shot over the leaping-wall and beyond the reach of the airborne keeper to bulge the net.
Tails were up and O’Brien from deep on the left skipped past two Jags before playing the ball forward to O’Kane who gave another two the slip as he drove forward to the edge of the box only for his shot to drift wide of the target.
Thistle made another couple of substitutions Jamie Taggart and Sallu Turay coming on for Aidan Fitzpatrick and Harry Milne, who passed the captain’s armband to Luke McBeth.
Another great run through the middle by O’Kane ended at the edge of the ‘D’ after McBeth nicked the ball from his toe, however the home side quickly recovered the ball allowing Lindsay to release Ross down the right and whip the ball into the goalmouth where O’Kane from the corner of the six yard box clipped it to the box post for the incoming Walker only for Campbell to make a superb sliding tackle two yards from the goal-line sending the ball back across the face of goal where McBeth’s sliding tackle prevented O’Kane from prodding the ball home, Kerr then tried to recover the ball from a tangle of limbs only for Stanway to steal the ball from the scrum and clear the danger.
On 73 minutes Glens made their final substitution with Ollie Rowe making way for Aaron Carmichael.
The visitors enjoyed a good spell. Campbell and Turay combined down the right where O’Brien and Kennedy combined to lock any crosses into the box, albeit at the expense of a corner which was met at the back post by the leaping O’Reilly only for Semple to get down low and save the header at the base of the post. Campbell from wide on the right gathered a long ball and cutely cushioned a cross to the edge of the six- yard box from where Turay leapt to glance a glorious header into the net, but from an offside position.
Thistle continued to press and were winning many of the aerial battles in the box with headers dipping over the bar, or inches of the post before it seemed O’Reilly had made a breakthrough but although it beat Semple, O’Brien was in place to head it off the line.
The Glens however, would have the final say on 87 minutes. O’Kane, in the centre circle, gathered the ball from O’Brien from where he weaved his way through the middle before being tripped by MacKay, some 25 yards from goal on the outskirts of the ‘D’. As before O’Kane and Lindsay lined up to take the free-kick and as before it fell to Lindsay who curled a low strike round the four-man wall and although the keeper got down to low to get two hands to it the ball shot up into the air, the alert Aaron Carmichael was first to react and guide the ball past the rising keeper and into the net.
A couple of half chances at either end came and went before a thoroughly entertaining match enhanced by a great atmosphere at Loch Park, throughout the day. Gerry would have loved it!
FT Glens 2 Thistle 4.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. Ally Semple 2. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 14. Daniel McBeth 3. Lewis Currie 7. Sam McKee 6. Ross Lindsay 20. Ollie Rowe 11. Evan Maley 9. Hugh Kerr 10. Armand Dollani Subs: 4. Andy Strachan 8. Cammy Ross 12. Ryan Walker 16. Aaron Carmichael 17. Lewis Kennedy 18. Dylan O’Kane 19. Paul O’Brien 20. Cammy Ross
PARTICK THISTLE
1. David Mitchell 3. Harry Milne 4. Wasiri Williams 5. Aaron Muirhead 6. Kyle Turner 9. Brian Graham (captain) 10. Logan Chalmers 14. Robbie Crawford 19. Luke McBeth 21. Aidan Fitzpatrick 26. Ben Stanway. Subs 24. Mason McCready 7. Daniel MacKay 20. Daniel O’Reilly 27. James Lyon 29. Zander McKenzie 32. Sallu Turay 33. Jamie Taggert 34. Ricco Diack 36. Che Campbell
Everyone at Glenafton Athletic was saddened to learn of the passing of former Glens manager Gerry Collins after a long battle with illness. We have many happy memories of Gerry and very grateful for the success he brought in the Cup Double Season of 2005/06. Our thoughts are with Gerry’s family and friends at this sad time.
Gerrry Collins at Loch Park (photo Robert Guthrie)
John Timpany, club President at the time brought Gerry to Loch Park as manager during the latter part of Season 2004/05, however at the end of the season a number of high profile players left the club under freedom of of contract. Gerry along with Andy Dunlop and Davy Kennedy were then faced with enhancing remaining core of the team with several new recruits.
Rockware Ayrshire League Cup
The early season Rockware Ayrshire League Cup saw the Glens finish 2nd top in their section behind leaders Cumnock Juniors following wins over Auchinleck Talbot, Muirkirk Juniors, Kello Rovers; a draw with Lugar Boswell Thistle before losing out to Cumnock 2-1, in the last of the section games. Glens travelled to Maybole Juniors in the Quarter-Final and triumphed 2-0 before beating Beith Juniors in the Semi-final in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.
Glenafton and Cumnock met in the cup final at Somerset in October 2005 and it was favourites’ Nock that opened the scoring only for Glens to fire in three goals before the break – a double from Stevie Agnew either side of Brian Blair’s strike. Cumnock drew level from a controversial penalty but back came the Glens and substitute Paul Deeney’s header sealed
Gary Matthews, Peter McAninch, John McCaig, Liam Paterson, Davy Stewart, Craig Bingham (Brian Miller), Willie Howie, Brian Blair, (Craig Callachan), Stevie Agnew, Scott Houston
Paul Deeney, Willie Howie (captain), Gerry Collins (manager), Scott Houston | Photo courtesy of John Vass
Glenafton Athletic (photo John Vass)
Glenafton Athletic at Loch Park (photo Robert Guthrie)
Whyte & McKay West of Scotland Cup
Glenafton hosted Wishaw Juniors in the 1st round and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners, with goals from Brian Blair, Scott Houston (2) and Brian Miller. The 2nd round at home to neighbours Kello Rovers proved to be more problematical with the Glens drawing level through Craig Callachan’s spot-kick to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out where keeper Gary Matthews saved the crucial kick for a 4-3 win. The Glens hosted fellow Premier League side Renfrew in the 3rd round and a goal from young Zander Allan settled the match. History repeated itself in the 4th round when Glens beat Shotts Bon Accord at Loch Park with Zander scoring the only goal of the game. Finally, an away tie, with the Glens travelling to face Hurlford United where an early goal from Brian Miller was enough to put them through to the final.
The Glens faced favourites Maryhill who had taken the Premier League scalps of Cumnock, Pollok and Arthurlie en-route to the final at Pollok’s Newlandsfield Park. It was the Glasgow side that took the lead in the first half only for a Steven McGregor header in the second half to level the tie. Glens were never behind in the shoot-out after Gary Matthews saved Maryhill’s first kick from deadly striker Bryan Dingwall and went on to win 4-3.
Gary Matthews, Robbie Mitchell. Steven McGregor, John McCaig, Graham Mathie, Brian Miller (Brian Blair), Willie Howie (Craig Bingham), Dale Beattie, Stevie Agnew, Darren Johnstone, Zander Allan, Scott Houston. Subs Liam Paterson, Peter McAnich
Gerry Collins with Steven McGregor & Brian Miller (Robert Guthrie 2006)Glenafton Athletic West of Scotland Cuo Winners 2005-06 (photo Robert Guthrie 2005-06)
Gerry stepped down as Season 2006/07 drew a close and left with the best wishes of the club.
Both sides met each other in the opening league game of the season at Recreation Park where Leon Murphy opened the scoring on his Darvel debut only for a Michael Moffat double to secure the three points for the Afton. Later in the season Darvel beat the Glens 3-0 in ‘big’ Scottish Cup and 2-1 in Scottish Junior Cup at Loch Park – Vale having since progressed to the final where they will face Arthurlie. Today both sides meet in the final league game of the season.
Although Darvel kicked off under the overcast sky it was Glens that were first to threaten after Dylan O’Kane won a corner-kick on the right which Alex McWaters drilled into the box for Liam Caddis only for his shot to be deflected wide for another corner. McWaters floated this one high to the six-yard line where Craig Pettigrew won the aerial battle with Stephen Bronsky only for his header to sail high over the bar.
Glens continued to press with Harvey Gilmour and Cammy Crooks combining in the middle of the feeding O’Kane down the right and McWaters down the left. It was the latter than won the Glens third corner and then curled it into the six-yard box where it was headed clear by Mark Sideserf.
On 17 minutes Darvel won their first corner which was floated to the back post where Bronsky came out on tops on this occasion only for his header to fall to into the clutches of keeper David Markey.
Back came Glens with a sustained period of passing play. The Caddis brothers combined in the centre circle before feeding Gilmour who slipped it back to Crooks to quickly release Ryan Sinnamon down the right to pick out Gilmour at the corner of the penalty box and although there was no way through the Glens regrouped and strung another series of slick passes before losing possession in the Darvel box; while the visitors counter-attack fizzled out.
Glens pressed again with Crooks picking out O’Kane on the right to loft a long ball into the box for Liam Caddis only for Bronsky to intervene with a powerful header. The ball was later launched up the park where Jordan Moore and Pettigrew challenged only for the latter to trip (or be tripped?) while the former broke into the box before cracking a shot beyond the reach of the diving Markey; Darvel 1-0 on 22 minutes.
Meanwhile, throughout the half overcast conditions had progressed to drizzle which was now heavier.
The home side responded well with Gilmour slipping a glorious ball down the right for Sinnamon to chase down and gather at the edge of the six-yard box only for his cut-back for Liam Caddis to be cut-out by Bronsky. Indeed, much of the remainder of the half was played in the Darvel half without Glens however creating any real chances – Ryan Caddis had a couple of shots from the outskirts of the box which drifted wide of target while McWaters low driven free-kick was comfortably smothered by the keeper Wilson.
Five minutes before the break Darvel threatened to double their lead after Moore chased down a through ball and managed to squeeze a shot from 18 yards between Pettigrew and Crooks that drifted just wide of the far post.
HT Glens 0 Darvel 1
Darvel started well Moore cracked a low shot from right hand corner of the six-yard box that Markey blocked with an outstretched leg, to deny Sideserf behind him a tap-in. However the alert Moore snapped up the rebound (rather than take the corner) and whipped the ball into the outskirts of the six-yard box where the incoming No. 6, under pressure from Ollie Rowe, clipped it over the bar.
Glens came close to drawing level on 51 minutes. Liam Caddis seemingly stuck in a pocket of three blue shirts slipped the ball out to Gilmour in the centre circle in the Darvel half who then threaded a great forward diagonal pass to O’Kane wide on the right with Sinnamon arriving for support. O’Kane floated the ball high into the box where it was gathered by Liam Caddis and with David Syme tight on his back, he picked out Sinnamon breaking into the right hand side of the box to drill the ball across the face of goal for Ryan Caddis at the back post only for Bronsky to slide in and send the ball goalward where keeper Wilson kicked it off the goal-line.
Darvel countered down the right through Moore and on reaching the corner of the box he chipped the ball to the left-hand side for Sideserf to trap and then push back out toward the 18 yard line from where he curled a shot that bounced off the side of the post back towards Moore to hit the ball first time, sending it inches wide of the near post.
Back came Glens and O’Kane’s burst of speed along with twists and turns were proving to be a handful for the Vale. Inevitably some of these ended with the feet being taken from him without however the Glens making the most of the set-pieces. From open play on the right Sinnamon launched a long ball into the far-side of the six-yard box where the inrushing McWalters beat the defender to the ball only for his angled shot to be well held by the goalie.
Play continued to rage back on forth on the wet surface. On the hour mark a Darvel shot from 30 yards on the right was deflected wide for a corner on the left which was headed clear to the edge of the box by Crooks. Her O’Kane gathered the ball before slipping it back to Lyall Holding who quickly launched it upfield for Crooks, who then set off on a great run holding off one defender and forced to go wide with two others but still managed to fire a low shot from 20 yards out that flew wide of the back post.
Soon after Sinnamon from the right pushed forward into the Darvel half and curled a ball to the edge of the box where although Syme took a touch, Ryan Caddis pounced on the loose ball and set up a shot from the ‘D’ that was blocked by Bronsky and the ball cleared.
Down the right again and Sinnamon slipped the ball up the touchline to O’Kane who then, faced with two defenders, cut the ball back inside to Gilmour who in turn held off two blue shirts before playing it back to Pettigrew. The Glens captain then completed the cycle by slotting it back up the wing for O’Kane, now in space, to whip a ball deep into the box for Liam Caddis, only for Bronsky to get between him and the keeper to lay the ball off to Syme to clear.
Back came Glens with O’Kane breaking into the Darvel half and clipping the ball inside to Liam Caddis who completed the one-two with a perfectly weighted pass threaded between two defenders into the box only for the ball to be nicked from O’Kane’s feet.
Soon after Pettigrew pushed forward before sending the ball up right where Liam Caddis and Sinnamon combined to win a corner which McWalters played short to Sinnamon at the corner of the box to curl a ball into the six-yard box for Pettigrew only for it to glance off a defender’s head diverting it goalward and although the airborne keeper failed to get a hand to it, the defender on the line, headed it back out before Syme hoofed it clear.
On 72 minutes Darvel broke up the right and Moore trapped the ball at the edge of the box only to be robbed by Rowe and the loose ball mopped up by Crooks to roll it out to O’Kane and so began one of the finest breaks seen at Loch Park in many a year. Off he buzzed up the right and on crossing the half-way line cut inside and soon had a blue shirt on his tail that he held off all the way to the outskirts of the box where Bronsky attempted to close him only for the young striker to lash a shot that whizzed over the fingertips of the flying keeper at full stretch only for the ball to crash over the bar and fall kindly to a blue shirt to be cleared.
At the other end (almost) Bronsky leathered the ball from the edge of the centre circle in the Glens half but it was still rising as it flew over the keeper and the bar. Soon after Moore gathered the ball in the left-hand side of the Glens box and rolled it back out to No. 6 who curled a shot from the ’D’ that whizzed inches wide of the right post.
Back came Glens through McWaters blasting a low angled shot from 25 yards that Wilson did well to get down low and hold the ball firmly.
On 78 minutes the home side then made a triple substitution with Ryan Caddis and soon after Harvey Gilmour and Alex McWaters all came off to appreciative applause and were replaced with three trialists from the Glenafton U20 side, who all gave a good account of themselves.
The visitors broke down the right before the ball was cut back to the six yard line for the incoming blue shirt only for his shot to be blocked by Markey at the expense of a corner which was lofted into a busy six yard box where Bronsky’s header was held on the line by Markey.
At the other end Crooks and Caddis combined to win the ball on the outskirts of the box before it was slipped wide to O’Kane in space to break into the right hand side of the box and cut inside Sideserf before drilling a low shot between him and Bronsky only for Wilson to safely clutch the ball.
Into added time and O’Kane had time for another mazy run. He shook off a shirt pull tight on the right and cut inside on a diagonal run to far side of the 18 yard line only for Bronsky to block his shot.
FT Glens 0 Darvel 1
In a hugely entertaining game the Glens were unfortunate not to get a share of the points while Darvel completed the treble over the Glens at Loch Park.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 14. Lyall Holding; 19. Dylan O’Kane 17. Harvey Gilmour (Trialist 3) 15. Cammy Crooks 10. Alex McWaters (Trialist 4); 9. Ryan Caddis, 12. Trialist 1 -Ryan Caddis (Trialist 2) Subs Not Used: 21. Ally Semple.
DARVEL
A.Wilson, Brown, Bronsky, David Syme (captain), Duncan, Sideserf, Baird, Walker, R. Cairns, Ronney, Jordan Moore Subs: Paterson, McGee, Carmichael, Miller, O’Halloran, Andy Leishman (gk)
A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in memory of former Glenafton defender Mick Neil who played for the club in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against St. Cadoc’s on Tuesday evening with Alex McWaters and Liam Caddis (injured) making way for Sam McKee and Michael Moffat. The penultimate league match of the season for the home side, currently sitting 4th bottom, where a victory would ensure their Premier Division status.
The first Glenafton v Cumnock local derby dates back to August 1930, over 93 years ago. The latest meeting between the New Cumnock and Old Cumnock two sides was brought forward to the Friday evening to avoid a clash with a live televised Glasgow derby to be played on the Saturday afternoon, although the date of the first clash between these two teams is hotly disputed by some supporters of either team! Whatever the case the switch had the desired outcome with a good-sized crowd congregating on the terracing and the bonnie bonnie bankings of Loch Park.
Although Glenafton kicked off in the glorious evening sunshine it was Cumnock that made a bright start winning an early corner that former Cumnock keeper Ally Semple pushed away from the far post. The ball was quickly recovered by the ‘Nock allowing Sam Jamieson to drive to the bye-line only for his cut-back to the inrushing Allan McKenzie to be intercepted and held by Semple at the near post. The visitors continued to press but the finishing touch continued to elude them.
Glens countered through Shuggy Kerr’s header into the left-hand side of the box which was chased down by Michael Moffat and although he threaded his cross between two defenders and over the head of a third, keeper Jamie Barclay clutched the ball from under the bar as Cammy Ross threatened in the six-yard box.
Play began to rage back and forth, often punctuated with free kicks which typically were played into a box busy with defenders and attackers in equal number and the ball eventually cleared to safety.
On 20 minutes Cumnock came close to breaking the deadlock. Andy McLauchlin burst down the right to hunt down a ball bouncing into the box and met it on the nick of the time on the bye-line to cut it back into the goalmouth where Sam Jamieson got in between two defenders and blast a shot from 6 yards that crashed off the top of the post. The force of the shot sent the rebound out to the right where Robbie Buchanan won the race to retrieve it before drilling the ball back into the six-yard box only for Craig Pettigrew to clear as Jamieson hoped to pounce again. The chances sparked a good spell of Cumnock possession pegging the Glens back but their defence stood firm.
The tide began to turn in the home side’s favour with a wave of attacks. Sam McKee gathered the ball tight on the left then skipped past defender Andy McLaughlin before driving to the edge of the box and floating a high ball to the far corner of the six-yard box where Ross leapt to send a header that looped high over the bar.
Soon after Ollie Rowe headed another ‘Nock attack clear and in a flash Moffat and Kerr combined to win a corner on the left which was pinged low to Pettigrew at the near corner of the six-yard box only for Jamie Wilson to rob the ball with a well-timed slide tackle.
Back came Glens with playmaker Payton clipping the ball to Moffat who quickly laid it off to Ross on the right. The two then combined down the wing to win another corner which McKee floated high into the box where it was eventually cleared and recovered by the home side to win another corner on the right. McKee floated an identical high kick to the edge of the six-yard box where Ollie Rowe leapt between McLaughlin and MacKenzie to bullet a header between the keeper and the unmarked near post. Glens ahead on 60 minutes.
Cumnock quickly countered and launched a free kick into the box that was cleared and promptly clipped back into the goalmouth where McKenzie and Semple leapt together with the keeper clutching the ball under the bar before falling to the ground. Soon after Buchanan and Wilson were robbed of the ball by Pettigrew on the edge of the Glens box before slipping the ball to Paton to curl it upfield for Kerr to chase. On reaching the ‘D’, with the back-tracking Alan Cook closing in from behind and keeper Barclay racing from his line, Kerr opted to lob the goalie but the adrenalin rush sent the ball high into the flight path for Prestwick!
Moffat gathered a short throw-in from Lyall Holding deep on the left and gave two defenders the slip to drive to the bye-line before cutting it back for Ross only for McLennan to intercept and clear it the edge of the box where Fraser met it first time to blast a shot from 22 yards that deflected off Wilson and out for a corner on the right. On this occasion McKee’s kick was headed clear by McLaughlin as Rowe was well marked by Cook.
At the other end Jared Willet played a short-corner on the right to Jamieson to drive along the bye-line only for Sinnamon to nick the ball from him at the edge of the six-yard box.
Sam McKee and Cammy Ross
Cumnock continued to press and on 42 minutes Jamieson from the right, close to the corner flag whipped a ball across the face of goal where Callan Veitch, under pressure from Paton, did well to trap it and set up a shot from six yards only for Rowe to make a great block. Fraser pounced on the loose ball and squared to Ross who set off on a lung-bursting up the right wing only to be tripped by Willet. Paton floated the free-kick high into the heart of the box where Kerr won the aerial battle with Cook only for his header to sail high over the bar.
Soon after, Fraser killed MacLennan’s clearing header on his chest before leathering a shot from 22 yards that was deflected wide for a corner on the left which McKee delivered to the near side of the six-yard box only for Pettigrew’s header dipped over the bar.
HT Glens 1 Cumnock 0
Cumnock kicked off with the sun now beginning to set behind the Glens goal and were first to threaten. Cook launched a free-kick from inside his own half to the right hand side of the box where MacKenzie’s downward header was trapped by McLauchlin at the corner of the six-yard box who rolled it wide to McLaughlin to fire it back to the near post where Semple safely gathered.
At the other end Paton clipped a free-kick from wide on the right into a busy box where a scramble ensued before Pettigrew managed to tee a shot up from 12 yards which from its trajectory must have deflected off a defender as it sailed high over the bar, but a goal kick awarded. Sinnamon then curled a great cros from wide on the right, high into the six yard box for Kerr only for Barclay to leap and pluck the ball out the air.
Back came Cumnock who were up in the numbers in the Glens box only for MacKenzie to lose possession allowing Fraser to fire the ball upfield for Kerr to chase albeit Cook had a clear head start, however under pressure, he was forced to play the ball back to his keeper now rushing to the edge of the box. By this time Kerr was in the box and Barclay not wanting to handle the back pass chested the ball down and pushed it out beyond the edge of the ‘D’ to boot the ball upfield with Moffat closing in. However McKee was quick to react and lobbed the ball back high over the head of the stranded keeper and Kerr leaving Cook no option it seemed but to dive and handle the ball in the six-yard box to prevent it going into the gaping net. The unfortunate centre-back was shown a red card and Shuggy Kerr stepped up to slam home the spot kick. Glens 2-0 up on 54 minutes against the 10 men of Cumnock.
Cumnock made a change with Andy McLauchlin making way for Ruari Ellis. The ‘Nock responded well breaking in numbers upfield again, to win a corner on the left which was curled to the near post where Jamieson’s glancing header bounced up to fall kindly for Ellis only for his header to drift wide of the back post.
At the other end Moffat held off three defenders at the edge of the ‘D’ before knocking the ball forward to Kerr, played onside by McLaughlin, to break into the box only for Barclay to come off his line, forcing the striker wide and his shot then deflected wide by the keeper. The corner kick was cleared and Cumnock countered in numbers which ended with Buchanan’s low angled shot beating Semple at the near post only for the ball to drift inches wide of the back post.
The home side then large spells of possession as they broke forward in numbers. On 65 minutes Sam McKee, after a great shift with both assists, made way for Alex McWaters.
Glens continued to press and on 69 minutes extended their lead in fine style. Sinnamon clipped a ball from the edge of the ‘D’ forward to Kerr in the centre-circle who then broke to the left of McLennan while Michael Moffat broke to the right of the defender to collect his team-mate’s pass before skipping past Ellis to burst into the box and guide a shot from 12 yards beyond the reach of Barclay, diving at full stretch on the six-yard line, and into the bottom corner of the net.
Glenafton made a double substitution with Michael Moffat and Gary Fraser leaving to loud applause from the jubilant home support to be replaced by Cammy Crooks and Dylan O’Kane. Three minutes later Cammy Scott received the same reception from the fans on making way for young Harvey Gilmour.
It was very much one-way traffic and the Glenafton substitutions made a big contribution to extend their lead. Crooks from deep and tight on the right played a slick one-two with O’Kane before gliding past Willet and clipping a high ball into the box where Alex McWaters killed it before cracking a glorious shot from 16 yards over the heads of two defenders into the far corner of the net with Barclay rooted to the spot. Glens 4-0 up on 82 minutes.
Credit to Cumnock as they continued to seek out a consolation and came close after Willet curled a wicked corner to the back post only for Crooks to leap above two blue shirts to win the ball allowing Pettigrew to launch it up the park where Gilmour gathered on the left and on feigning to cut inside, he instead slipped the ball up the wing for O’Kane to cut into the box only for McLaughlin to clip his heels. Up stepped Shuggy Kerr and although Barclay guessed ‘which way’ on this occasion he couldn’t prevent the striker’s spot kick nestling in the net, to make it 5-0 on 86 minutes.
As the match drew to a close Cumnock won another corner kick and came close to a consolation only for MacKenzie’s header to flash across the face of goal and mopped up by the Glens. Rowe launched the ball down the left where it was gathered by Gilmour tight on the wing before giving McLennan the slip to curl a great ball to the far side of the box for the incoming Crooks only for his shot to be blocked by Willet.
Three minutes added time brought the match to a close and of course there were loud cheers in recognition of doing the league double over their local rivals in such an emphatic fashion while it would be fair to say these feelings of joy were swamped with those of relief felt by the players, supporters and management & staff in retaining Premier Division status after a long and stressful season.
FT Glens 5 Cumnock 0
Getting a wee bit dark for photos!!
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
21. Ally Semple 11. Ryan Sinnamon 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 14. Lyall Holding; 2. Cammy Ross (17. Harvey Gilmour) 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser (15. Cammy Crooks) 7. Sam McKee (10. Alex McWaters); 9. Michael Moffat (19. Dylan O’Kane) 18. Hugh Kerr Subs Not Used: 1. David Markey 3. Michael McMullin
CUNOCK JUNIORS
1. Jamie Barclay 2. Andy McLaughlin 3. Jared Willet 4. Mark McLennan 5. Alan Cook 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Robbie Buchanan 8. Andy McLauchlin 9. Sam Jamieson 10. Allan MacKenzie 11. Callan Vietch Subs: Ruari Ellis, Grant Dickie, Robbie Young, Jacob Pagan, Adam Strain (gk)
Glenafton Athletic 