Glenafton Athletic

Troon 2 Glenafton 0

Posted on April 20, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 25
Troon	2 (0)	Gilroy 2
Glenafton Athletic	0 (0)
Sat 20 Apr 2024	KO 2:00 pm	Portland Park, Troom

Glens lined up with the eleven that started against Beith on Tuesday night. In the Troon line up were former Glenafton favourite Dale ‘Gunner’ Moore and centre back Aldin El-Zubaidi who had short spell on loan from Kilwinning Rangers last season. Meanwhile on the bench was Dario Viviani who also haf short spell at the Glens on loan from Ayr United earlier this season and is now on loan at Troon from the Somerset side.

Although Troon kicked off in the glorious sunshine it was the Glens that looked lively from the start. Cammy Ross breaking down the right before switched the ball to the left where Sam McKee and Michael McMullin combined to win a corner kick which Dean Fulton cleared under pressure from McMullin.

Play began to flow back and forth with the visitors creating the better of the few chances on show. Shuggy Kerr broke down the right with two defenders giving chase and while Ross was tight on the right on the overlap the striker opted to cut inside to the edge of ‘D’ taking another defender out of play before slipping the ball into the box for the unmarked Crooks only for keeper Dale Burgess to race from his line and swipe the ball from his feet.

On 15 minutes Troon won a free-kick inside the Glens half after Crooks and Paul Paton closed down Mark Shankland. James Gallagher launched the kick high into the box where keeper David Markey came off his line to leap head and shoulders above all combatants to clutch the ball cleanly.

Glens countered with the lively Ross driving down the right to the half way line before clipping the ball infield for Cross to push on before slipping it to McKee who progressed to the left-hand side of the box where he pinged the ball beyond the outstretched leg of Dale Moore, playing at right-back, to the near post for Kerr arriving in the six-yard box with Gallagher in close attention, only for his touch to send the ball wide of target.

At the other end Moore, down the right, whipped a ball deep into the six-yard box where Paton and Ollie Rowe, shut out Kyle Gilroy while Markey gratefully gathered the ball. Soon after Leyton Dunlop, from the right, on the outskirts of the box, chipped the ball to the near post for Fulton but he lost control under pressure from Paton. McKee gathered the loose ball and played a slick one-two with Ross to break up the left but his attempt to pick out Kerr was intercepted by Moore and with his back to McKee he tried to hook the ball over both their heads only for it to hit him full on the face as the Glens midfielder backed in.

A free kick was awarded and the ball fired up-field where it fell for Jack Sherrie deep on the left-hand side of the box to lay it off for Shankland, who with his back to goal turned and gave Kerr the slip before sweetly striking a powerful shot from a tight angle that crashed off the cross-bar and out of play with 21 minutes on the clock.

Glenafton responded immediately in a similar fashion. Kerr began a series of passes that included McKee, Ross and Gary Fraser before the ball was returned to Kerr to drive forward to the edge of the ‘D’ where he was brought down by Smith; hotly disputed by the Troon defenders. Up stepped Fraser to blast a shot that beat the four-man wall and Burgess rooted on his line only for the ball to thunder off the post and the rebound was cleared.

On 30 minutes Glens came close to breaking the dead-lock. By this time McKee and Ross had switched wings and it was the latter that gathered a ball floated deep into the left-hand side of the box over the head of Moore and from here he pushed across to the outskirts of the corner of the six-yard box to thread a low shot in the space between the keeper at the near post and the back-tracking El-Zubaidi and all three could only look on as it agonisingly drifted an inch wide of the back post.

Glens continued to press but were almost caught out as Kyle Gilroy burst into the six-yard box at breakneck speed and although he was first to get his foot to the ball the advancing Markey got enough of a touch and Craig Pettigrew quickly hooked the loose ball to safety. Soon after the keeper leapt at the back post to punch a corner-kick away from the head of the likewise leaping El-Zubaidi.

Back came Glens to finish the half strongly. Crooks floated a high ball into the box for the inrushing Kerr at the back post only for Smith to intercept at full stretch and hook the ball back to the outskirts of the box where it was trapped by Ross before he pushed towards the bye-line and whipped the ball past two defenders towards Kerr, still at the back post, only for El-Zubaidi to intervene with a more acrobatic clearance than his team-mate Smith; the former Glens defender was have an outstanding game.

Crooks and Paton combined to release McKee down the right only for his cross to be cut out by Sherrie at the expense of a corner which McKee floated high into the goalmouth which was scrambled clear.

Another super run by Ross had Fulton literally chasing shadows on the sun-drenched Portland Park and Dunlop was next up but he opted instead to hurl the Glens man to aforementioned sun-drenched park! Paton curled a great free-kick to the heavily populated far corner of the six-yard box but there was no aerial battle and the ball deflected wide to a corner from the right. Again McKee floated it high into the goalmouth and although it dipped over the heads of aerial combatants Kerr and El-Zubaidi it was McMullin’s glancing header that battered of the back-post guarded by Moore and incredibly rebounded back across the face of goal through the narrow gap between the keeper and McMullin and on through the group congregated at the back post where eventually Rowe positioned himself to volley a low shot that was either blocked by Burgess or hit the back post and it was Rowe that was first to react to gather the rebound only for this shot from a tight angle to fly wide of target.

Quite a finish to a competitive first half.

HT Troon 0 Glens 0

Although Glens kicked off still under glorious sunshine it was Troon that looked lively from the start of the second half.

Shankland cracked a low angled shot from the ‘D’ which flew inches wide of the far post with Markey rooted on his line at the near post. Soon after Moore’s effortfrom close range flew over the bar under pressure from McMullin.

Play went back and forth for a short spell before Troon were back on the front foot.

Gilroy cut in from the left and side-stepped Pettigrew before curling a shot from the outskirts of the six yard that slipped wide of the far post. A minute late Moore from tight on the right clipped a ball to the near post where Shankland’s glancing header bounced of the base of the far post and Lyall Holding mopped up the loose ball.

Paton broke down another Troon attack and launched the ball up the park for Kerr to chase with El-Zubaidi for company and the big defender sent a high looping header towards his own box only for Kerr to continue to the chase, forcing keeper Burgess to rush to the 18 yard line to leap with the Glens striker and get the first touch to the ball before exiting the box momentarily!

Glens pushed forward in numbers and Sherrie found himself boxed in at the corner before squaring to Dunlop to whip the ball up the left where Kyle Gilroy nicked the ball from Paton just inside the Troon half before tearing down the left with Rowe in pursuit, however a clean pair of heels took him deep into the box before slotting the ball past Markey from a tight angle to put the home side ahead on 58 minutes.

Glens made a change with Sam McKee making way for Liam Caddis to partner Kerr up front.

Ross pushed forward for the Glens driving between two blue shirts before being tripped by a third. Fraser stepped up to leather a free kick from 28 yards that beat the wall and continued goalwards, only for Burgess to keep his eye on the ball and smother it on the line as Rowe closed in.

From just inside the Troon half Kerr threaded a ball up field where Caddis stayed onside before giving chase and leaving El-Zubaidi and Moore in his wake, however once again the alert Burgess raced out his box and swiped the ball clear of Caddis. However, Ross gathered the loose ball wide on the left belted up the left wing before whipping the ball across the face of the goal by which time Burgess had returned to the near post and pull off a fine save, pushing the ball up into the air beyond the reach of Caddis lurking at the back post, nevertheless he recovered the ball and rolled it back to the incoming Crooks and although his shot looked to give Burgess little chance, Smith intervened and cleared it from the six yard line.

At the other end Shankland’s low diagonal shot from inside the box was well held by Markey.

Back came Glens and Holding from deep on the right launched a high ball to the left hand-side of the box for Caddis only for Moore to get a touch at the expense of a corner which was curled to the near post and punched away by the leaping Burgess.

On 72 minutes Troon made a change with Ewan McLevy coming on for Dean Fulton and two minutes later Glens brought on Michael Moffat for Cammy Ross.

The home side came close to doubling their lead on 76 minutes as Gilroy cut into the right hand side of the box and evaded tackles from Pettigrew and Rowe before picking out the unmarked Shankland on the far end of six yard line to drill a low shot that beat the outstretched leg of Markey before smacking off the inside of the post sending the ball bouncing along the face of the goal where Moore from close range curled a shot round Rowe only for Pettigrew to head the ball off the line.

Glens countered through Moffat breaking up the left to the edge of the box and rolling the ball back for Kerr to fire a shot from 18 yards only for Burgess to pull off a fine save before Smith hooked the loose ball out of the danger area and initiating a deadlier counter which concluded with Kyle Gilroy again cutting into the right hand of the Glens box, drawing Markey from his line and skipping past him to fire the ball into the net from a narrow angle beyond the reach of the back-tracking Rowe; Troon 2-0 up on 77 minutes.

The visitors rallied and won a corner on the left which Fraser floated to a crowded near post where it was cleared back out towards Fraser who lobbed it high into the near post again where the keeper and Kerr challenged and both collapsed to the ground after a clash of heads. Play was stopped at the outskirts of the box and possession returned to Paton loft a high ball back into the box where the recovering Kerr won the header to send it deeper into the six yard box only for the recovering Burgess to claw the ball away from its target, Moffat.

On 83 minutes Mark Shankland rightly left to warm applause from the home support to be replaced by young Darion Viviani.

The visitors continued to press against a stubborn defence their closing chances were restricted to a Fraser shot from distance that flew wide of target and the Crooks shot from 25 yards that Smith bravely headed clear from the edge of the box.

FT Troon 2 Glens 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 2. Cammy Ross (9. Michael Moffat) 15. Cammy Crooks 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 7. Sam McKee (12. Liam Caddis) 18. Hugh Kerr Subs Not Used: 10. Alex McWaters 11. Ryan Sinnamon, 17. Harvey Gilmour, Craig Johnston, Ally Semple (gk)

TROON
1. Dale Burgess 5. Logan Smith 6. Jack Sherrie 9. Mark Shankland (17. Dario Viviani) 10. Kyle Gilroy 11. Dale Moore (captain) (20. Rabin Omar) 12. Aldin El-Zubaidi14. Dean Fulton (2. Ewan McLevy) 16. Leyton Dunlop 18. Grant Brennan 19. Jamie Gallagher. Subs Not Used: 3. Sam McCloskey 7. Ben Black 15. Aaron Boyd 21. Robbie McBlain (gk)

Match Photos

Troon v Glenafton Athletic

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Troon, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 0 Beith 0

Posted on April 16, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 24
Glenafton Athletic	0 (0)
Beith Juniors	0 (0)
Tues 16 Apr 2024	KO 7:30 pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made one change to the side that started against Auchinleck two weeks ago with Cammy Ross replacing Dylan O’Kane (unavailable). Making his 100^th start for Glenafton was defender Ollie Rowe, congratulations Ollie.

Ollie Rowe in his 100th start for Glenafton

Opponents Beith are currently sitting his 2^nd in the league 4 points behind Clydebank with 3 games in hand.

Glens kicked off under the lights with Shuggy Kerr rolling the ball back to Paul Paton on the edge of the semi-circle from where he launched the ball high up-field with keeper Owen Stott keeping a close eye on its descent and leapt with an upstretched arm, just in case, as the ball dipped over the bar.

Michael McMullin nicked the ball from Aaron Mason just inside the Glens half which fell for Sam McKee to clip the ball up-field for Hugh Kerr to trap and lay off to Cammy Crooks on the overlap, who got the better of two defenders before drilling a low shot from just inside the box that beat Stott at full length only for the ball to drift wide of the far post.

At the other end Ciaran Diver did well to get on the end of a cross but his shot from close range flew inches over the bar.

Back came the home side through Paton floating a free-kick high into the box for Rowe at the back post only for an Beith interception to divert the ball out for a corner. McKee’s kick was met sweetly on the drop by McMullin and under pressure from Steve Noble he lashed a shot just high and wide of target.

On 12 minutes Daniel O’Neill pounced on a clearance from the Glens box to blast a shot from 30 yards that whizzed wide of the post. A minute later keeper David Markey did well to get down low and push away Mason’s strike from the edge of the box only for Diver to slam the loose ball into the net but from an offside position.

Diver then guided a looping header high into the 6 yard box for Mason to tee-up a spectacular volley only for Rowe to block it and beat Robbie Scullion to the loose ball only for it to fall for Alan Docherty to hit a low angled shot that Markey blocked with his feet sending the ball high into the air which was gathered and cleared by McMullin.

Beith continued to press and O’Neill, from wide on the left, whipped the ball into the heart of a busy box where Diver’s attempted strike headed skyward. Crooks brought the lively Paul Frize down at the edge of the box but the free-kick was blasted into the Glens wall and McKee hooked the ball up the park where although loan striker Kerr leapt to get a touch ahead of Scot Rough the ball was mopped up by fellow defenders.

The Glens then enjoyed a good spell.

Gary Fraser gathered a short throw from McMullin and whipped the ball into the box where Crooks sent a header wide of target.

On the half hour mark Cammy Ross picked up a pass from McKee on the edge of the ‘D’ and pinged it to Crooks wide on the right who rolled it back to Paton to curl a ball to the back post where Ewan Dunne’s clearing header was met by McMullin on the outskirts of the box to unleash a shot only for Stott to pull off a fine save to fingertip the ball over the bar. McKee’s corner was floated into the six-yard box where although Rowe won the aerial battle but the ball was hoofed out the box and eventually cleared.

Back game Glens through McKee, tight on the right on the half-way line, who slipped past Frize before clipping the ball forward to Crooks breaking through the middle who then fed Ross wide on the left. The midfielder cut inside to the edge of the ‘D’ and squared to Fraser on the right who couldn’t quite tee up his shot properly and his effort from edge of the box skewed wide of target.

Beith ventured forth and a long ball into the box saw Rowe outleap Diver and his header then headed out the box by Crooks which fell for Ewan Wilson at the edge of the ‘D’ to fire a low shot that drifted wide of the post.

Back up the park and Kerr chased down a ball into the box and with his back to goal was caught in a pocket of three defenders from which he escaped to side-foot the ball back to Fraser to blast a daisy-cutter from 25 yards only for Stott to stand firm on his line and drop to his knees to hold the ball cleanly.

Soon after Kerr collected the ball in the centre circle andpushed forward attracting another threesome including Docherty who opted to take the feet from the striker accepting the yellow card without fuss. Paton floated the free-kick into the box from where it returned immediately through a powerful header from Rough which was gathered by Frize but the promising counter-attack fizzled out thanks to Lyall Holding’s intervention.

Craig Pettigrew and Rowe combined to snuff out another counter-attack with the latter heading the ball back to the safe hands of Markey. Back came Beith with another fine run by Mason down the left only for his cut-back from bye-line to be intercepted by the back-tracking McKee. Mason floated the corner kick to the back post where Pettigrew leapt head and shoulders above two of the Mighty to head the ball to the outskirts of the box where Fraser gathered and displayed a clean pair of heels as he left Frize in his wake before clipping the ball up the left for Ross to chase down and then cut inside past two defenders to square to the inrushing Crooks only for his shot from the ’D’ to fly over the bar.

An even 45 minutes drew to a close with the game goal-less.

HT Glens 0 Beith 0

Beith kicked off and were soon in action with a high ball into the box where Markey and Diver leapt together at the near post and the striker managed to head it from the keeper’s clinch only for Markey to reclaim it after the first bounce.

Play then raged back and forth with both keepers coming off their lines to collect the ball.

On 55 minutes Beith made a double substitution with Alan Dochery and Steven Noble making way for Andy Monk and Carlo Monti.

Soon after Glens won a corner-kick which McKee floated deep into the 6-yard box and Stott leapt to punch it with both fists well clear the box where Paton gathered and lofted a high ball back into a packed box. Rowe won the header and the ball fell for McMullin to hit a volley from 16 yards which appeared to strike off the raised hand of Rough, which immediately saw all the Glens players in the vicinity raise their hands claiming hand-ball, but no joy from the referee who was well positioned.

Diver then had a chance from the ‘D’ but shot wide of target under pressure from Pettigrew. Soon after Mason cut in from the left and from the corner of the penalty box cracked a vicious shot between two defenders only for the diving Markey to smother it at the corner of the six-yard box. The visitors continued to press and Monk pushed forward before drilling a shot from 25 yards that crashed off the crossbar with Markey beaten but the keeper kept his wits about him and leapt to tip rebound away from the head of Diver who seemed certain to score.

Monti broke down the right and cut along the bye-line where a well timed tackle at the edge of the box by Ross prevented the cross at the expense of a corner which was punched off the line by Markey under pressure from Diver.

On 65 minutes Glens made a double substitution with Liam Caddis and Michael Moffat coming on for the Cammy Ross and Shuggy Kerr, his shift as a lone striker over and both players earning appreciative response from the home support.

Pollok however kept up the pressure with Mason’s shot from the edge of the box and soon after Frize broke into the left hand-side of a busy box and laid it off to Diver who rolled it back to the edge of box where Monk thumped a low angled shot that beat Markey only for McMullin to keep his cool and clear the ball off the line.

On 74 minutesr Gary Fraser who had covered every blade of grass, picked up a booking, and was wisely substituted with the fresh legs of Alex McWaters.

Glens won a free-kick at the right corner of the penalty box from where Paton chipped into a packed box which was headed clear for Crooks to snap up and then set up McWaters for a shot that was blocked and the rebound gathered by McMullin but his shot was blocked by a wall of defenders.

On 82 minutes the visitors made their final substitution with Robbie Scullion making way for Mikey Williams. Beith pressed but Markey was mopping up any balls into the box,

Glens countered with a slick break as Moffat broke forward and almost effortlessly glided past two defenders before cracking a shot from the edge of the box only for Stott on his six-yard to pull off a fine save and push the ball round the post.

Owen Stott saves Michael Moffat’s rocket.

McKee lofted the corner high to back post where Paton sent a high looping header back towards the near post and Crooks downward header looked to sneak in at the base of the post only for Stott at full stretch to tip it round the post again. McKee floated the ball deep into the six-yard box over a clutch of heads and try as he might Paton could not get the ball under control.

Beith countered and although Docherty run along the length of the 18-yard line he could not find a crack in the Glens defence to break into the box. The wily Frize had other ideas as he weaved past four red shirts and into the box but met his match with Pettigrew’s block, albeit at the expense of a corner kick on the right. Caddis won the header deep in the goalmouth sending the ball out for a corner on the left which was then scrambled clear by McWaters.

Into added time and Beith launched a long throw from the right deep into the box where Frize’s header at the near post fell for Monk at the back post who blasted the ball over the bar from 3 yards out!

The visitors won a free kick just inside the Glens half, tight on the right flank, where Monti floated it deep into the box only for Pettigrew to beat two of the Mighty and power a header to this side of the centre circle.

Soon after McWaters broke up the right and chipped the ball over the head of a defender to breech the box and then picked out Caddis who was forced out the box only for his return pass to McWaters to be intercepted and cleared.

The last throw of the dice, on 94 minutes, saw three players from each side, challenge for a Beith throw into the box and was the Men in Red that forced the ball out the box only to be recovered by the Galaxy Defenders (Men in Black) to set up a shot for the tireless Frize from the 18-yard line but with the red shirts closing in, the ball flew high and wide of target.

FT Glens 0 Beith 0

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 2. Cammy Ross (9. Michael Moffat) 15. Cammy Crooks 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser (10. Alex McWaters )7. Sam McKee 18. Hugh Kerr (12. Liam Caddis) Subs Not Used: 11. Ryan Sinnamon, 16. Craig Johnston, 17. Harvey Gilmour, Ally Semple (gk)

BEITH JUNIORS
1. Owen Stott 2. Evan Dunne 3. Steven Noble (18. Carlo Monti) 4. Scot Rough 5. Daniel O’Neill 8. Paul Frize (captain) 6. Ewan Wilson 7. Robbie Scullion (16. Mikey McWilliams) 11. Alan Docherty (17. Andy Monk) 10. Aaron Mason) 9. Ciaran Diver. Subs Not Used: 21. Scott McLellan 12. Martin Findlay 14. Declan Hughes 15. Andrew Lind

Match Photos

Glenafton Athletic v Beith Juniors

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Beith Juniors, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 2 Auchinleck 1

Posted on April 2, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 23
Glenafton Athletic	2 (1)	Kerr 2
Auchinleck Talbot	1 (0)	Slooves
Tues 02 Apr 2024	KO 7:30 pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against Irvine Meadow XI on Saturday with Dylan O’Kane replacing Michael Moffat.

In Auchinleck’ starting line-up was former Glenafton goalie Aidan Glavin while former Glens midfielder Michael Wardrope was on the bench.

Glenafton got off to a great start with a goal on 6 minutes. Captain Craig Pettigrew intercepted Gareth Armstrong’s ball into the Glens box knocking it forward to Sam McKee who rolled it back to Paul Paton and from deep in his own half he launched the ball upfield for Shug Kerr to chase into the Talbot box and although the back-tracking Neil Slooves got the first touch he lost control under pressure from Kerr who nicked the ball before holding off another challenge from the inrushing Aiden Wilson and then stepping aside of Slooves to curl a powerful shot from 12 yards into the net beyond the reach of the keeper .

The visitors responded well and created several chances

A corner floated in from the left to the back post saw Michael McMullin win the aerial battle only for the ball to edge of the box where a low shot was drilled through a ruck of players and cleared off the goal-line by Lyall Holding. Talbot won a free-kick wide on the right and as they packed the Glens box the ball was played short down the right before a good break deep into the box for the ball to be played back to the six-yard line where Slooves did well to divert it goalwards but lacking the power to trouble keeper David Markey.

Midway through the half Markey double fisted a corner-kick, curled to the top corner of the back post, far upfield where it was collected by Ali Boyle before unleashing a thundering shot from 30 yards only for the keeper to push the ball straight up high in the air and then catch it cleanly on its descent. Talbot continued to press and Neil McPherson from the outskirts of the box played a perfectly weighted pass into the box to match Tarek Abed’s diagonal run to the corner of the six yard only to sky the ball over the outrushing Markey and high over the bar.

Glens responded with Kerr chasing a long ball down the right put pressure on Slooves to play the ball back to keeper Glavin who quickly played to McPherson on the opposite side of the box but the defender got into a fankle on the outskirts of the box and was stripped off the ball by the inrushing McKee to break forward to lash a low diagonal shot from 15 yards that the advancing Glavin did well to push out towards the touchline. Gary Fraser gathered the loose ball and played a one-two with Paton before launching it high into the goalmouth only for the ball to drift wide of the back post, while Cammy Crooks claim of being barged in the box waswaved away.

HT Glens 1 Auchinleck 0

Auchinleck got off to great start and equalised 6 minutes in the second half. Schoneville curled a vicious free-kick from 22 yards round the Glens wall and the ball seemed certain to find the top corner of the net only for Markey to leap and push it over the bar with a strong hand. The corner-kick, from the right, was whipped into a packed box and a flying header saw the ball shoot back to the corner from where it had come and was then clipped to the back post where Neil Slooves leapt, head and shoulders above the defence, to guide a header into the net.

Soon after Ross Smith gathered the ball on the ‘D’ and cut into the box to fire a low diagonal shot that Markey did well to block with his feet. Talbot continued to press with some fine build up play. McPherson from inside the Glens half rolled a ball up to the right had corner of the box where Abed played the ball, with a cute back heel, into the path of the incoming Boyle to progress towards the six-yard box and play a square pass to Connor Boyd, however he struggled to get the ball under control through pressure from Holding and Fraser and stumbled to the ground, the chance gone. Back came the visitors and McPherson pushed to the bye-line before cutting the ball across the face of goal where Markey dived at the feet of the inrushing striker to clutch the ball.

Markey launched the ball far up field where Kerr trapped it and laid it off to Cammy Crooks to drive into the box and as he tried to skip past Slooves the defender appeared to try and take the feet from Crooks and then pulled him back by his arm, sending him crashing to the ground, to the astonishment of the players, his team-mates and the home ground, the referee waved play on!!

Back came the visitors through Schoneville launching a long high ball up the left which was headed on and then chased down by Smith to progress to the edge of the ‘D’ to fire a low shot only to be pushed wide by Markey who had rushed some 15 yards off his goal line. Soon after a determined run by Abed saw him break into the right-hand side of the box to and weave paste defenders before squaring the ball along the six-yard line where Smith let it run by him before swivelling to lash an angled shot that beat Markey but slipped inches wide of the back post.

On 78 minutes it was the home side that broke the deadlock after winning a free-kick just short of 30 yards from goal. McMullin lined up to take the kick but rather than have a shot at goal he floated it over the Talbot wall and the unmarked Shug Kerr was free to drift between two defenders into the six-yard box and sweep the ball home.

Kerr came close to hitting hat-trick in the closing minutes. Paton released McKee down the right to drive to the bye-line before whipping a ball to the far side of the box for the incoming Cammy Ross and although his shot was blocked the ball fell for Crooks. The lively midfielder then broke into the box only to be forced wide to the left-hand side and clip the ball back into the goal mouth where Kerr was first to react to win the ball and drill a low shot from inside the six-yard box only for it to slip wide of the keeper’s outstretched leg and agonisingly wide of the post.

There was still time for Talbot to seek out an equaliser. A corner kick from the left was punched clear from under the bar by Markey and gathered by Boyd on the outskirts of the right hand side of the box from where he played a one-two with McPherson before driving deep into the box and whipping low ball across the face of goal but their were to be no takers and the chance was gone.

FT Glens 2 Auchinleck 1

A crucial three points from Glenafton in their first home league win of the season.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 15. Cammy Crooks 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser (2. Cammy Ross) 7. Sam McKee (10. Alex McWaters) 19. Dylan O’Kane (12. Liam Caddis) 18. Hugh Kerr Subs Not Used: 10. Alex McWaters 11. Ryan Sinnamon. Harvey Gilmour, Ally Semple (gk)

AUCHINLECK TALBOT
1. Aidan Glavin 2. Neill McPherson 3. Scott Schoneville 4. Neil Slooves 5. Aiden Wilson 6. G. Gareth Armstrong (captain) 7. Ross Urquhart (Kyle McAvoy), 8. Ali Boyle (Michael Wardrope) 9. Connor Boyd 10. Ross Smith (Ruaridh Langan) 11. Tarek Abed (Luke Gillies) Subs Not Used Chris Henry (gk). Ryan Kennedy.

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Irvine Meadow 2 Glenafton 4

Posted on March 30, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 22
Irvine Meadow XI	2 (1)	McDowall, Cruden
Glenafton Athletic	4 (1)	Moffat, O’Kane, Kerr, Fraser
Sat 30 Mar 2024	KO 2:00 pm	Meadow Park, Irvine

Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started against Arthurlie with Cammy Crooks making way for Hugh Kerr.

Hosts Meadow were sitting bottom of the league with 12 points from 23 games while Glens sat 3 places below with 20 points from 20 games as both sides went on search of precious points.

It was the home side that took an early lead on 5 minutes after winning a free-kick a few yards inside the visitors’ half. George Sewell lofted the ball high into the Glens where Brendan Sharpe won the aerial battle with Michael McMullin to head the ball on for the alert Jack McDowall to guide his header into the net from 12 yards out.

Glens drew level on 15 minutes after keeper David Markey launched the ball upfield only to be headed high back towards the half-way line where Paul Paton on the run sent a looping header over the top of the Meadow defence to the edge of the box where Hugh Kerr nicks the ball as Stuart Davidson tries to get it under control and then draws the keeper to the corner of the six- yard box before rolling the ball across the box toward the penalty box for Michael Moffat.

HT Meadow 1 Glens 1

Into the second half and the visitors made a couple of changes with Cammy Ross and Michael Moffat making way for Alex McWaters and Dylan O’Kane. Play continued to ebb back and forth and a Meadow corner from the right clipped off a head to run out for a throw-in to the Glens on the opposite of the park. Gary Fraser took a quick throw to McWaters and on picking up the return ball he launched it long and high up the flank for Dylan O’Kane to chase and gather of the corner of the box and his quick feet took him to the corner of the six-yard box unchallenged and slip it past the keeper and into the net. Glens 2-1 up on 69 minutes.

Back came Meadow to draw level on 74 minutes following a game of head tennis between both sides to and fro across the half-way line after the ball fell for Simon McBryde to gather and burst down the right before squaring the ball into the box where the incoming Thomas Cruden met it sweetly to rifle it home from 15 yards out.

Another Meadow break down the right, ended with the ball into the box being cleared and snapped up by O’Kane who instantly rolled it back to Paton, before heading upfield at speed. Meanwhile Paton slipped the ball to McWaters on the right to chip a perfectly weighted forward pass over the head of a defender and to match O’Kane’s run who took a touch before breaking into the box only to be bundled to the ground by the back-tracking Stuart Davidson. Up stepped Shug Kerr to slam the spot kick past keeper Kyle King to put the Glens 3-2 up on 79 minutes.

Glens made another change with Sam McKee making way for Cammy Crooks.

The visitors added a fourth on 86 minutes after Paton gathered the ball tight on the right-hand touchline, just inside the Glens’ half, from where he picked out Kerr with an exquisite lob up the wing which was trapped by the striker who then held off Sewell and Paul O’Byrne to drive deep into the Meadow box and cut the ball across the face of the goal for the inrushing Gary Fraser to kill it with his left foot before slotting it home with his right foot from 6 yards out.

FT Meadow 2 Glens 4

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 2. Cammy Ross (10. Alex McWaters) 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 7. Sam McKee (15. Cammy Crooks) 9. Michael Moffat (19. Dylan O’Kane) 18. Hugh Kerr Subs Not Used: 11. Ryan Sinnamon 12. Ryan Caddis 16. Craig Johnston, Trialist

IRVINE MEADOW XI

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Irvine Meadow, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 1 Arthurlie 1

Posted on March 26, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 21
Glenafton Athletic	1 (1)	McKee
Arthurlie	1 (1)	Dykes
Tues 26 Mar 2024	KO 7:30 pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of former Glenafton player and lifelong supporter John Hamilton who sadly passed away last week.

Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Cumnock Juniors on Saturday with Cammy Crooks replacing Hugh Kerr (unavailable).

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of former Glenafton player and lifelong supporter John Hamilton who sadly passed away week.

With a 7:30pm kick-off the match was played under the Loch Park lights with biting cold wind blowing from east to west along the length of the pitch. The home side kicked off with the wind at their back once, that is, the ball could be settled on the centre spot!

Although Arthurlie enjoyed some early possession including some goalmouth scrambles. However, Glenafton soon got a grip of the game recent signings Cammy Cross and Cammy Ross looking lively in their first home game.

It was good build up play down the left with Crooks, Mick McMullin and Sam McKee combining before the latter engineered his was into a busy box. From here McKee clipped fashioned a shot that had the home support filling their lungs with the cold air in anticipation, as the ball seemed at first to be heading wide of the back post only to curl as commanded and find the space between the upright and keeper Clarke at full stretch before bulging the net. Breathe out and cue celebrations Glens 1-0 on 12 minutes.

The Glens continued to press and the strong wind was playing with havoc the keeper’s several not getting any distance and swerving out for throw-ins. The home side won several corner-kick, including three in quick succession but it was visitors’ rearguard that were winning the aerial battles.

Arthurlie weathered the storm and drew level on 35 minutes. A determined break down the left saw them keep possession winning tackle after tackle leaving a ‘Lie attacker free to chase a loose ball making its way into the edge of the box forcing keeper David Markey to race from his line and the collision that followed earned him a booking and Arthurlie a penalty. Up stepped Dylan Dykes to slam home the equaliser.

Glens responded an won a couple of free-kicks on the outskirts of the box the second which McMullin floated to the back post where Ollie Rowe won the aerial battle to head the ball home but deemed to be from an offside position.

HT Glens 1 Arthurlie 1

Arthurlie made a double substitution at the break with Lee Roulston and Tam McGaughey making way for Conor Bolger and Max Kerr. The wind had eased, but just a little, while the temperature dropped in harmony.

Play raged back and forth with few clear-cut chances on show. Glens brought on fresh legs with Cammy Ross coming off to warm applause and replaced by Dylan O’Kane. There were now four players on the park calling Dylan – all blowing in the wind.

O’Kane looked lively in an around the box and won a free kick at the edge of the ‘D’ but this too was cleared by the ‘Lie defence.

Glenafton’s best chance of the half fell to Michael Moffat who won the ball on the left, just inside the ‘Lie half, and then skipped past two defenders to the corner of the box before drilling a low angled shot that beat the keeper but drifted inches wide of the back post.

At the other end Arthurlie came close to grabbing all three points with a cracking volley that crashed off the cross bar. In a further push for the winner, they brought on striker Scott Anson for Dykes.

However, both sides had to settle for a share of the points.

FT Glenafton 1 Arthurlie 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 2. Cammy Ross (19. Dylan O’Kane) 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 15. Cammy Crooks 7. Sam McKee 9. Michael Moffat Subs Not Used: 10. Alex McWaters 11. Ryan Sinnamon, 16. Craig Johnston, Trialist

ARTHURLIE
Max Clarke, Mark Docherty (captain), Jordan Duncan, MacNeil, Ryan Wharton, Jordan Leyden, Lee Roulston (Conor Bolger), Dylan McGuigan, Tam McGaughey (Max Kerr), Dylan Dykes (Scott Anson), Dylan Fletcher Subs not used: Momodou Sugufara, Ciaran McPherson

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Arthurlie, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Cumnock 1 Glenafton 2

Posted on March 23, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 20
Cumnock Juniors	1 (1)	Frye
Glenafton Athletic	2 (1)	Pettigrew, McKee
Sat 23 Mar 2024	KO 2:00 pm	Townhead Park, Cumnock

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in honour of Social Club founding member and lifelong Cumnock supporter Billy Morton.

Glenafton made five changes from the eleven that started against Shotts last Saturday with Ryan Sinnamon, Craig Johnston, Alex McWalters, Dylan O’Kane and Carlos Lyon making way for Gary Fraser, Sam McKee, Michael Moffat and new signings Cammy Ross and Hugh Kerr, on his return to the Glens.

In the Cumnock starting eleven was former Glenafton midfielder Findlay Frye.

Glenafton made the breakthrough on 43 minutes when captain Craig Pettigrew head and shoulders above the ‘Nock defence to power a header beyond the reach of keeper Jamie Barclay. However, a minute later Cumnock’s captain Findlay Frye levelled the score before the break.

The winner came on 71 minutes after Sam McKee’s cross deceived Barclay and finished in the net to the delight of the large travelling support.

Cumnock Juniors 1 Glenafton Athletic 2

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin . Cammy Ross 6. Paul Paton 8. Gary Fraser 7. Sam McKee 9. Michael Moffat Hugh Kerr. Subs Used. 10. Alex McWaters, Cammy Crooks, 19. Dylan O’Kane Subs Not Used: 11. Sinnamon, 16. Johnston, Trialist

CUMNOCK JUNIORS
1. Jamie Barclay 2. Luke Watt 3. Jared Willet 4. Ruari Ellis 5. Mark McLennan 6. Jamie Wilson 7. Andy McLaughlin 8. Andy McLauchlin 9. Allan MacKenzie 10. Findlay Frye 11. Robbie Buchanan Subs: Andrew Strachan, Ji Stevenson, Callan Veitch, Grant Dickie, Sam Jamieson, Adam Strain (gk)

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Cumnock Juniors, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 0 Shotts Bon Accord 2

Posted on March 16, 2024 by flowgently

INDIGO COMMS	WOSFL Cup	Quarter Final
Glenafton Athletic	0 (0)
Shotts Bon Accord	2 (1)	Kent, Richford
Sat 16 Mar 2024	KO 2:00 pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was held in memory of life-long Glenafton supporter Robert White who sadly passed away last week. He will be sorely missed at Loch Park and our thoughts are with Robert’s family and friends at this sad time.

Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy last Saturday with Ally Semple (injured), Liam Caddis (suspended) and Michael Moffat (unavailable) making way for David Markey, Ryan Sinnamon and Carlos Lyon. Sam McKee returned from injury and was on the bench. Gary Fraser is still suspended and unfortunately Scott McLean’s injury puts him out for the rest of the season.

In the Shotts line-up was former Glenafton defender Chris Meikle, a member of the treble winning squad of 2016/17. The First Division side currently sit in 5^th position with a considerable number of games in hands over the four team above them and of course they knocked Glenafton out of the South Challenge Cup earlier in the season at Hannah Park. Their travelling support was enhanced with a large ,vocal and well mannered contingency of the Shotts Bon Accord Girls Football Academy – ‘No Bonny No Party’ was their cry!

The visitors enjoyed a lively start. Adam Hunter floated a corner kick to the back post where Chris Meikle had peeled off into space to control the ball and fire a shot from close range as two Glens players closed in, only for keeper David Markey to pull off a fine save and push the ball with both hands over the bar. The corner that followed was eventually cleared of the box.

Glens broke down another Shotts attack and countered with Ollie Rowe driving over the half way line before slipping the ball to Craig Johnston to break up the right and skip past Andrew Muir to crack a shot from the edge of the box that keeper Sandy Thomson took blocked with both hands before recovering the loose ball.

Shotts then countered and Harry Kent’s attempt to cut into the left-hand side of the six yard box was blocked by Paul Paton at the expense of a corner that was overhit over the heads of a plethora of players from both sides squeezed into the goal mouth.

Mick McMullin and Alex McWaters combined to release Dylan O’Kane down the left touchline and then ten yards from the goal-line he cut inside past Robbie Torrance only to be tripped by Jack Gordon before breaching the penalty box. McWaters curled the free-kick over the heads of the two-man wall and as it dipped into the goalmouth Thomson pushed the ball from under his bar and out for a corner which was scrambled clear.

McWaters from wide on the right floated the ball into the box where Chris Meikle won the aerial battle sending the ball to far left of the box where McMullin gathered and clipped to the back post and although Gordon won the header McWalters pounced on the loose ball to fire it back into the six yard box only for Paul McGeough to head it clear to the ‘D’ where Craig Pettigrew slipped it wide to McMullin to clip another ball into the box only for Meikle to win the ball again and on this occasion his header was gathered by the goalie.

Back came Glens and Carlos Lyon put Meikle under pressure on the edge of the left side of the box where the defender settled for conceding a shy which was gathered by McWaters who curled a shot from the corner of the box which Thomson comfortably saved.

Glens were enjoying a good spell of possession in the Shotts’ half and McWaters and O’Kane pushed deep down the left where the latter was tripped on the outskirts of the box. McWaters chipped the free kick to the back post where it was headed out to the right hand side of the box from where Craig Johnston drilled a low angled shot to the near post that saw Andrew Duffy lose his balance and fall to the ground while keeper Thomson advanced to grab the ball which appeared to have been trapped under Duffy’s arms – meanwhile the arms of several Glens players were raised claiming for hand-ball while the referee waved play-on.

Soon after O’Kane gathered the ball on the left just inside the Shotts half and a quick turn saw him burst through the tight gap between Torrance and McGeough and then drive forward to skip past Duffy and continue his run to the edge of the box where he cut inside giving Duffy the slip again before drilling a low shot from the ‘D’ between Gordon and Meikle but the mazy run had taken the power from his legs and the ball fell safely into the hands of the keeper.

Back came Shotts with a couple of attacks which were repelled before they broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. A ball through the middle was chased down by Harry Kent forcing Markey to rush from his line and the two came together a yard or so inside the box only for Kent to get the critical touch to clip the ball under the diving keeper’s body before the collision had them both stretched out on the ground from where they watched the ball roll undeterred into the gaping net. While Shotts celebrated the Glens goalie required some attention and although keeper Ally Semple was on the bench he was also on the injured list. After a six minute delay Markey was in a position to carry on and the game restarted.

Play fell back into spells of back and forth without any shots on goal until 40 minutes when Pettigrew evaded Hunter’s tackle at the edge of the ‘D’ only for his powerful shot to drift wide of target. Later, McWaters switched play from tight on the right to McMullin wide on the left from where he curled a low ball into the six-yard box only for Lyons’s attempt to side foot the ball home to deflect off Duffy’s foot sending it high into air before dropping safely into the welcoming arms of Thomson.

Spotting the keeper off his line McWaters tried his luck from 35 yards on the right wing only for the ball to drift wide of the right post.

HT Glens 0 Shotts 1

At the break Shotts replaced Harry Kent with Josh Gracie while Glenafton replaced Carlos Lyons with Sam McKee after being on the injured list for seven weeks. The winger was quickly in action combining with McMullin down the left who then whipped the ball across the face of the goal where Muir miskicked his attempted clearance which in turn wrong footed Rowe and the Shotts defender was relieved to boot the loose ball to safety.

At the other end Hunter intercepted a Holding clearance and then brushed off the defender’s shirt tug to break into the right hand side of the box and fire an angled shot that the outrushing Markey pushed away with both hands across to the other side of the box where the alert McGeough won the race for the loose ball and tried to clip a shot in at the base of post only for Markey to get there on time to push it away again and Holding and Pettigrew combined to clear the danger.

Play then raged back and forth but with defences on top there were few shots at goal.

On the hour mark Danny Burns broke up the left and cut into the box before skipping past Sinnamon to drive to the bye-line where he unleashed a low shot from the edge of the six-yard box that Markey blocked at the base of the post and Sinnamon cleared the loose ball.

On 70 minutes Glens brought on Dario Viviani for Alex McWaters and soon after Shotts replaced Adam Hunter with Reece Paterson.

Viviani, wide on the right, gathered the ball on the half way-line and pushed on before clipping a forward pass inside for McKee to drive into the box between Torrance and Duffy only to be robbed off the ball by Paterson sending McKee tumbling to the ground and appeals from the Glens bench were waved aside.

On 76 minutes the visitors doubled their lead in clinical fashion after Glens had switched off from a Shotts throw in from left. The ball was then played into the box unchallenged where McGeough with his back to goal laid it off to the inrushing Ben Richford to blast a shot from the corner of the six yard box over the outstretched arm of Markey and into the net.

Glens made another change with Taylor Buchanan replacing Dylan O’Kane

The game quickly resorted to type with waves of attacks up and down the park with few clear-cut chances on show. On 85 minutes Shotts won a free kick on the outskirts of the Glens box and although Burns clipped the ball over the wall it sailed over the bar as well.

On 89 minutes Shotts made their final change with Ben Richford making way for James McDonald and the game slowly petered out to its conclusion.

FT Glens 0 Shotts 2

All the best to Shotts in the semi-final and to Shotts Bon Accord Girls Football Academy.

New Cumnock Striders

Thank you to New Cumnock Striders for sponsoring today’s match-ball.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 11. Ryan Sinnamon 14. Lyall Holding 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 16. Craig Johnston 20. Ollie Rowe 6. Paul Paton 15. Carlos Lyon (7. Sam McKee) 10. Alex McWaters (17. Dario Viviani) 18. Dylan O’Kane (4. Taylor Buchanan) Subs Not Used: 21. Ally Semple, Darren Miller

SHOTTS BON ACCORD
1. Sandy Thomson 2. Robbie Torrance 3. Andrew Muir 4. Andrew Duffy 5. Chris Meikle 6. Jack Gordon 7. Ben Richford (16. James McDonald) 8. Adam Hunter (15. Reece Paterson) 9. Harry Kent (12. Josh Gracie) 10. Paul McGeough 11. Danny Burns. Subs Not Used: 22. Derek Barnes

Match Photos

Glenafton Athletic v Shotts Bon Accord

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Shotts Bon Accord, WOSFL_CUP | Comments Off

Kirkintilloch 1 Glenafton 1

Posted on March 9, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 19
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy	1 (1)	Pirrie
Glenafton Athletic	1 (1)	Moffat
Sat 09 Mar 2024	KO 2:30 pm	Guy’s Meadow, Cumbernauld

Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Benburb last Saturday with Ryan Sinnamon, Gary Fraser (suspended) and Scott McLean (injured) making way for Dylan O’Kane, Michael Moffat and midweek signing Craig Johnston.

It was a bitterly cold and dull overcast day with an icy wind biting its way across Guy’s Meadow, however the Rabs turned he heat up from the start.

In the opening 20 minutes the home side’s constant pressure yielded no fewer than 4 corner kicks and 3 free-kicks on the outskirts the box which created a couple of good chances. Jamie Pirrie’s free-kick from 22 yards dipped over the bar while No. 7’s header from 8 yards suffered the same fate. Pirrie also tried his luck form open play only for his shot drift high and wide of target.

During this opening period the visitors did occasionally venture forth but without creating any chances of note. However, as the half progressed, Glenafton were seeing more of the ball although it was Rob Roy that continued to carry the goal threat.

Another Rabs corner-kick flew across the face of the Glens goal without a touch from either defenders or attackers.

On 28 minutes No.11 drilled a low angled drive from 25 yards and keeper Ally Semple got down low to push it wide only for No. 7 to quickly retrieve the ball on the bye-line and cut it back for Pirrie to clip a shot that was blocked by Lyall Holding sending the ball back to Pirrie only for his second attempt to take a deflection before being cleared off the line by Mick McMullin and No. 9 pounced but under pressure from Craig Johnson his shot flew wide of the back post.

Soon after No. 7 floated a corner to the near post where Caddis headed in back and No. 7 whipped the ball to the back post where although Kevin Green won the aerial battle the ball drifted well wide. Another corner quickly followed which after a scramble at the back concluded with No 4. shot blocked by Ollie Rowe at the expense of …… another corner … which was overhit.

At the other end, Caddis, at the left-hand corner of the box, spotted the keeper of his line at the near post and tried a speculative lob only for it to drop wide of the far post as the keeper sprinted along the goal mouth. Glens continued to press but couldn’t breach the Rabs’ box and indeed the home side countered and No. 9 chased down a through ball only for his shot from 22 yards to whiz well of the post.

On 38 minutes O’Kane gathered the ball deep in his own half and broke through the middle before lofting a high ball to the left-hand corner of the box for McWaters to skip past the full back and drive to the bye-line before chipping the ball high into the six-yard box for Caddis only for Green to bullet a clearing header to the outskirts of the box where Moffat met it first time to blast a shot just wide of the post.

No. 7 broke down the left only for Holding and Paton to combine to relieve him off the ball before the latter clipped a great ball to the ‘D’ for Moffat to chase only for the alert keeper to race from his line and stick out a foot out and rob the ball allowing Green, at the second attempt, to clear the danger.

Play was now raging back and forth and on 41 minutes Rob Roy broke the deadlock with a well worked goal. It began in their own box through No. 2 curling a ball from the 18 yard line down the left for No. 7 to chase and after leaving Holding in his wake he continued down the wing and some six yards from the bye-line he cut inside to the edge of the box before drilling an angled pass back to No. 9 on the penalty spot and with his route to goal blocked he rolled the ball back to No. 6 in the ‘D’ who quickly picked out Pirrie with space in the box to curl a perfectly place shot into the far corner of the net beyond the unsighted Semple.

End to end stuff now and it was the visitors that capitalised on some uncertainty in the Rabs box on 47 minutes to draw level. The keeper and Green got into a fankle and Moffat from the ‘D’ nicked the ball forcing the goalie to try and win it back just inside the box only for Moffat to knock the ball to his right but with a heavy touch sending it to the far right of the box a few yards from the bye-line with the determined keeper still in pursuit, meanwhile Green placed himself on the goal-line. The chance appeared to have gone but Moffat engineered a perfectly weighted ball past an inrushing defender back to O’Kane on the edge of the box only for No.6 to clumsily barge him off the ball a step inside the penalty area. Up stepped Michael Moffat now oblivious to the missed chance and sent the keeper the wrong way to draw the Glens level.

The half-time whistle went before the ball was spotted on the centre circle.

HT Rob Roy 1 Glens 1

The Glens started the half positively enjoying a good spell of possession and another break on 51 minutes saw Caddis challenge for the ball with in the air with Green tight on his back. The defender threw his arms up in the air before falling to the ground landing on his side with one leg sticking up bent at the knee before lashing out at Caddis catching him full on the upper thigh with his studs, sending the striker to the ground in considerably pain. The Rabs captain pleaded his innocence and the referee with no support from his assistance who had a clear view of the incident, took no action other than speak to both players! Rabs very fortunate not to be down to 10 men.

Back to the game and Rob Roy chalked up another corner which floated into the heart of the goalmouth from the left and headed clear by McMullin for a throw on the right which was headed on from the 6-yard box into the goal mouth where Semple held off the challenge of No. 9 to eventually get both hands on the ball.

Play opened up and was now flowing back and forth at pace, however with a few clear-cut chances on show.

Mid way through the half Glens made a double substitution with Alex McWaters and Liam Caddis making way for Dario Viviani and Carlos Lyon. Soon after Rabs brought on No. 17 for No. 11.

On 77 minutes Pirie made a determined run through the middle before cracking a low shot from 22 yards that whizzed wide of the post, although the diving Semple appeared to have it covered. Soon after No.6 rifled a shot from 30 yards that Semple held well on his line, as No. 8 hoped to capitalise on any spillage.

Back came Glens and Paton switched play from the half-way line on the right to O’Kane on the left who cut inside and then slipped the ball between two defenders to Lyon on the edge of the box to quickly completed the one-two only to be brought down on the edge of the ‘D’. O’Kane dusted himself down to take the free-kick only to smack his unfortunate team-mate Johnston full on the face, who didn’t duck quick enough while standing on the outer edge of the wall!

On 85 minutes Moffat broke through the middle before picking out O’Kane on the left-hand corner of the box who cut inside before curling a shot that was blocked by No. 6, the loose ball eventually fell Johnston only for his chip into the box for Moffat to be intercepted by Grant

Both sides went all out for a winner and the pace was taking its toll with some players suffering cramp but the match ended all square into four minutes added time.

FT Rob Roy 1 Glens 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic: 21. Ally Semple 14. Lyall Holding 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 3. Michael McMullin 18. Dylan O’Kane 16. Craig Johnston 6. Paul Paton 10. Alex McWaters (17. Dario Viviani) 9. Michael Moffat 12. Liam Caddis (15. Carlos Lyon) Subs Not Used: 1. David Markey 4. Taylor Buchanan. 1. David Markey 4. Taylor Buchanan 11. Ryan Sinnamon, 25. Trialist

KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY
Apologies no team lines.

Match Photos

Kirkintilloch v Glenafton

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Glenafton 0 Benburb 1

Posted on March 2, 2024 by flowgently

PDM HUWS GRAY	WOSFL Premier Division	Match 18
Glenafton Athletic	0 (0)
Benburb	1 (0)	Bow
Sat 02 Mar 2024	KO 2:00 pm	Loch Park, New Cumnock

Glenafton made four changes to the eleven that started against Larkhall last Saturday with Taylor Buchanan, Dario Viviani, Dylan O’Kane and Carlos Lyon making way for Michael McMullin, Paul Paton, Scott McLean and Alex McWaters. Meanwhile, Michael Moffat was unavailable for selection.

This was the first game for the newly appointed Benburb management and coaching team including former Glenafton midfielder Chris Cameron.

Although the Glens kicked off in the early Spring sunshine it was Benburb that made the bright start with left back and long throw specialist Jordan Allan pulling the strings. The first was launched from the left, high to the near post only for Ally Semple to come off his line through a clutch of defenders and leapt to snatch the ball from the head of Lewis Lovering. Soon after Allan hurled another throw from the left to near post which was headed back towards the edge of the box where it was nodded back into the goalmouth to be gathered by Semple.

Bens continued to press and won a free kick on the left and it was Allan that floated a high ball into the six-yard box where Semple punched the ball from the head of Olly Smith and although Mick McMullin beat Aaron Black to clear the loose ball Robbie Halliday pounced and slipped it down the right where Black then cut along the bye-line and drilled a low cross that was cleared again by McMullin.

On 7 minutes Glens won a corner on the right which was floated into the heart of a packed six-yard box where Pettigrew stretched to guide a header toward to the top right-hand corner only for Halliday on the line to bullet a header to the 18-yard line where it was hoofed up the park by Shaun Fraser.

Craig Pettigrew heads for goal
Cleared off the line

Bens pushed forward in numbers again but could not breach the Glens box as Lyall Holding and Paul Paton hunted down the ball. Glens countered down the right and McWalters from tight on the wing launched a high ball into the box and although Ollie Rowe won the aerial battle against two defenders his looping header dropped behind the back post.

Back came the visitors and Declan McDonald’s shot from the edge of the box sailed high over the bar and soon after Semple got down low to stop Smith’s low diagonal shot from the right-hand corner of the box. Glens were struggling to get out of their own half and keep possession. Again, with the Bens up in numbers Black from wide on the right clipped a ball to the corner of the six-yard box where McDonald dragged his shot wide of the back post.

Some respite for the home side on 20 minutes after Rowe was hauled down by Shaun Fraser about 25 yards from goal from where Scott McLean floated the free-kick in to the six-yard box and although Liam Caddis managed to get between two defenders his touch sent the ball well wide of the back post.

The visitors were soon back on the front foot and a number of goalmouth scrambles ensued as the Glens frantically cleared their lines. The ball fell for Black deep in the box only for his shot to be blocked by team-mate MacDonald with Holding and Semple at his back.

On 31 minutes another melee deep in the Glens box ended with MacDonald slotting the ball into the net only after Holding had been fouled and the ball kicked from Semple’s grasp; no goal! Bens then won a corner onthe right which Smith clipped into the box and Allan got in front of the defence only for his header from six yards to whizz wide of the post.

Thick dark cloud was now gathering over Loch Park as Smith from the outskirts of the box curled a free-kick into the goal mouth only to miss Black’s run and instead catching Holding full in the midriff who then cleard the ball upfield, while a host of Bens players raised their arms were claiming handball.

Five minutes later and another Bens free-kick from just outside the corner of the right-hand box caused chaos in the box as Smith clipped the ball high into the goalmouth just beyond the reach of the leaping Shaun Fraser and skim off Paton’s head deflecting the ball wide only for the inrushing Jordan Bow to get down low and bullet a diving header that was blocked, then held at the near post, by Semple.

Although the visitors continued to peg the Glens deep into their own half, they couldn’t conjure up another decent chance and went off at the break bewildered that the half had finished all square.

HT Glenafton 0 Benburb 0

Normal service quickly resumed as Allan floated free-kick into the box where it was headed down by Euan Clark only for Holding’s attempted clearance to rebound off Black and fall kindly for Smith inside the six-yard box but his shot flew over the head of the advancing Semple and the bar.

However, Glnafton then enjoyed their best spell of pressure in the match thus far. McLean broke down the left and although his first cross was cleared, he quickly recovered the ball and whipped in another that was met by Caddis to seemingly flash a header for the top corner only for the keeper Hay to get a strong hand to the ball and push it over the bar.

Liam Caddis heads for goal

McWaters from the left floated a corner into the box for Caddis and Rowe only for Clark to win the header sending the ball out to the right-hand side of the box where Pettigrew gathered and quickly returned it to the left-hand side from where McWaters drilled a low angled shot that Hay held low at his post.

Another break down the left from McLean ended with a cross fired to the near post for the inrushing Caddis only for Hay to clutch the ball cleanly. Glens continued to press and McMullin, from wide on the left, launched the ball to back post beyond reach of the keeper only for Allan’s diving header to send it wide under pressure from the inrushing McWaters. The corner that followed was readily cleared.

On 55 minutes Glenafton made a double substitution with Ryan Sinnamon and Alex McWaters making way for Dario Viviani and Dylan O’Kane. A reshuffle saw Rowe falling back into defence while Viviani filled his midfield role and O’Kane supported Caddis upfront.o strip the ball from the striker. Pettigrew then beat Black to the loose ball with a sliding tackle, only for the Bens midfielder to trip over the Glens skipper and lie spread-eagled on the ground before screaming for a penalty much to the chagrin of the home support!

In the meantime, the home side countered through O’Kane bursting up the right flank before attempting a one-two with Caddis only to be blatantly taken out by Clark. Paul Paton curled the free-kick, high and deep, into the box where Hay came off his line to leap and safely grab the ball.

Soon after O’Kane pounced on a headed clearance and broke into the right-hand side of the box only for his cut-back to Caddis to be intercepted by Clark and the ball cleared upfield to set up a counter-attack. Pettigrew and MacDonald challenged for the ball on outskirts of the Glens box with both players tumbling to the ground while Black snapped up the loose ball in the box and with Rowe in pursuit, he lost his balance and fell to the ground and by the time he had stopped rolling about Semple had gathered the ball. In any case the referee adjudged Pettigrew had been fouled.

Play now raged back and forth as both sides strived to break the deadlock.

Another O’Kane burst down the right ended with him being clattered by Shaun Fraser and inevitably the free kick was headed clear by Allan. At the other end Pettigrew and Holding double teamed to rob MacDonald off the ball as he forced his way into the box.

O’Kane, then wide on the right, trapped a cross field pass from McLean and cut inside to drive to the edge of the box giving Lovering the slip before Allan intercepted to initiate a counter-attack down the right which ended with Smith floating a ball to the back post for Black in space, only for Holding to intervene and head the ball high over the bar. The corner that followed was mopped up and cleared by Viviani.

Midway through the half Gary Fraser unleashed a trademark 30 yard shot that rebounded of Bow’s back to go out for a corner which floated inches over Viviani’s head before being headed clear by Allan.

It was Allan that later launched a long throw deep into the Glens box where Rowe won the aerial battle heading the ball to the outskirts of the box and McLean headed it forward for Caddis to complete the one-two with another header. McLean then progressed into the Bens half and took Clark out of play by slipping a diagonal forward pass for the overlapping Viviani to chase down and drive into the box before drilling a low shot which struck the feet of the outrushing keeper and rolled a foot wide of the post. O’Kane’s corner from the left was headed out the box by Allan and chased down by Viviani who rolled the ball to Paton to square it for Pettigrew to take a touch before lashing a shot that was blocked by Allan.

At the other end Lovering broke into the left-hand side of the box and his low angled shot deflected off Holding for a corner which was floated to the back post where Shaun Fraser launched himself high into the air on the back of Pettigrew only for his header to slip inches wide of the target.

Back came Glens with McMullin’s cross from left headed on by Caddis only for Allan to beat O’Kane to the loose ball.

Bens countered and Ally Taylor won a corner on the right which Smith clipped high into the six-yard box where Jordan Bow muscled his way in front of McMullin to bullet a downward headward beyond the reach of Semple and into a gaping net, the visitors breaking the deadlock on 79 minutes.

Glenafton made an immediate change with defender Mick McMullin replaced by striker Carlos Lyon. The home side pushed forward with O’Kane brave to chase down a ball into the box and take a sore one as keeper got their first.

A set-back for the Glens on 84 minutes when Gary Fraser raised a high boot but immediately attempted to draw out of tackle but still collided with the Bens player by which time the referee had already decided the outcome was a red card, which seemed more over the top than the tackle!

Once the dust had settled Black curled a glorious free-kick from 20 yards over the heads of the three-man wall only for the ball to crash of the inside of the post with Semple beaten only for the ball to run across the gaping face of the goal with no takers – Bens or Glens!

Two minutes later Bens won another free-kick almost from the same spot but this time Black’s free-kick was driven into the wall and cleared.

Deep into added time the ball was played to O’Kane on the right-hand side of the box with Lovering at his back and there appeared to be contact as the Glens striker tumbled to the ground. The heads of the Bens defenders went down while the Glens claimed for a penalty only for the referee to catch up with play and to rub salt in the wound booked O’Kane, which didn’t go down well with the home support considering the earlier shenanigans in the Glens box. The final whistle blew a minute later.

Lucky to go in at the break all square the Glens were unlucky no to secure a share of the points in he second half.

FT Glens 0 Benburb 1

FT Glenafton 0 Benburb 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
Glenafton Athletic: 21. Ally Semple 11. Ryan Sinnamon (17. Dario Viviani) 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 14. Lyall Holding 3. Michael McMullin (15. Carlos Lyon) 10. Alex McWaters (18. Dylan O’Kane) 20. Ollie Rowe 8. Gary Fraser 6. Paul Paton 20. Scott McLean 12. Liam Caddis Subs Not Used: 1. David Markey 4. Taylor Buchanan

BENBURB
Benburb: 1. Grant Hay 2. Robbie Halliday 3. Jordan Allan 4. Jordan Bow 5. Euan Clark 6. Shaun Fraser 7. Olly Smith 8. Ally Taylor 9. Declan MacDonald 10. Aaron Black 11. Lewis Lovering. Subs: Ryan Livingston, Ryan McCrone, Mason Durham, Jamie Menzies, Luke Lickrish, Jayden McGivern and Callum Law

Match Photos

Glenafton Athletic v Benburb

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Benburb, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, West of Scotland Football League | Comments Off

Larkhall 1 Glenafton 1 (Glens 4-3p)

Posted on February 24, 2024 by flowgently

INDIGO COMMS	WOSFL Cup	4th Round
Larkhall Thistle	1 (1)	Stevenson
Glenafton Athletic	1 (1)	Pettigrew
Sat 24 Feb 2024	KO 1:30 pm	Gasworks Park, Larkhall

Glenafton win 4-3 penalties

Glenafton made five changes to the eleven that started against Hurlford United last Saturday with David Markey, Mick McMullin, Scott McLean, Paul Paton and Alex McWaters making way for Ally Semple, Lyall Holding, Taylor Buchanan, Dario Viviani and Dylan O’Kane.

Larkhall Thistle currently sit mid-table of the 2^nd Division with a number of games in hand on several teams above them. The two sides last met in Season 2019/20 in the West of Scotland Cup 1^st round at Loch Park, with Glens winning 4-1 to progress to the next round.

[It’s 18 years since Glens last visited Gasworks Park and there was a warm welcome at the gate and a club programme for sale and a chance for a blether – including to learn thb e programme was produced by the gateman. Big changes to the covered enclosure with a considerable section seated. The young club mascot proudly lead his team on to the park to pose for photos with the captains.]

The visitors enjoyed a strong start with the lively Carlos Lyon winning two corners the second of which was deflected wide for a third which was headed clear and fell for Taylor Buchanan to drill a low angled shot that slipped wide of the far post.

Thistle responded and pressed forward in numbers. Craig Pettigrew headed clear a free kick deep into the box and soon after Lyall Holding mopped up another set-piece. On 12 minutes No.16 fired a low-angled shot from the left of the box which was well held by Ally Semple at the near post.

Glens countered through Liam Caddis and Lyon combining on the outskirts of the box only for the final pass to Dylan O’Kane to intercepted and cleared.

Back came the home side with a long throw deep into the box which was headed clear by Ollie Rowe and soon after No. 19 chased the ball into the right-hand side of the box only to collide with the outrushing Semple who snapped up the loose ball before the forward tumbled to the ground in some pain. Thistle continued to press with No. 17 breaking down the right before whipping the ball into the goal mouth which was headed clear by Holding. The same player then chased down another pass into the right-hand side of the box only for Pettigrew to block his cut-back at the expense of a corner which was headed clear by Petts.

On 23 minutes Larkhall’s pressure paid off after the busy Connor Phairs brought the ball under control before driving to the bye line from where he drilled the ball along the face of goal bypassing Semple and Holding at the near post, and while it’s not clear if the adjoining Thistle striker got a touch of the ball, it rolled onward to the back post where Michael Stevenson beat Sinnamon to the ball to fire home for 6 yards out.

Soon after Semple comfortably held a shot from distance on his goal-line.

Glens regrouped and enjoyed a spell of pressure down the left winning back-to-back corners the second of which was floated to the back post over the head of the leaping No. 16 and fell perfectly for Craig Pettigrew to bullet an unstoppable header past the keeper and into the net. The cup-tie all square at 1-1 on 27 minutes.

The home side won a corner immediately after the restart and came close to restoring their lead only for No. 12’s high looping header to drop inches over the bar. Glens countered with some fine play which saw Caddis chipping the ball forward for Lyon to trap on the outskirts of the box before squaring to O’Kane to blast a shot that the keeper tipped over the bar, the resultant corner was cleared. The visitors then pressed down both flanks but could not breach the Thistle box.

On 34 minutes Larkhall passed up a great chance to get their nose in front again. A long ball over the top was gathered by No. 19 at the right-hand corner of the box drawing keeper Semple off his line to the corner of the six- yard box. The Thistle player approached tentatively before sprinting away from the goalie, but the Glens now had players back in the box including one on the line, and when he slipped the ball to the inrushing No. 4 in the ‘D’, Rowe stripped him off the ball only momentarily and then as he tackled Sinnamon the ball deflected kindly into Semple’s hands.

Played raged back and forth as the half drew to a close with Larky’s keeper pulling off two great saves from powerful shots from distance. Dario Viviani then made a great run down the right with defenders left in his wake and on reaching the 18-yard line he blasted a shot that the keeper parried and the loose ball was cleared. In the closing minute Caddis’s claim for a penalty was waved away.

HT Larkhall 1 Glens 1

Thick low cloud had now gathered over the Gasworks Park and although the rain came to nothing the conditions underfoot were proving difficult for some and yet very much a feature of the half was to be the home side’s quick breaks down both flanks and through the middle!

Both sides made early substitutions with Glens bringing on Alex McWaters for Carlos Lyon.

On the hour mark Semple rushed from his line to snatch the ball from the feet of No. 23. Midway through the half the home side won a corner on the right which Caddis, sandwiched between two Thistle players, leapt to head clear.

At the other end O’Kane, from wide on the left, whipped a great ball to the near post for the leaping Viviani only for the keeper to get a touch before falling to the ground. Rowe’s attempt to blast the loose ball home was blocked on the six-yard line while Sinnamon’s attempt to curl it into the top corner was headed high into the air by another defender and on its descent, it was headed out the box to set up a Larky counter-attack, which concluded with Holding cutting out a ball squared across the Glens goalmouth.

On 75 minutes another speedy break from Larkhall down the right saw the ball switched over to the left-hand side of the box where the incoming No. 23 in plenty of space didn’t meet it right and fired the ball well wide of target from the corner of the six-yard box.

Back came Glens and Caddis ploughed his way up the left flank and on breaching the box played a one-two with McWaters before clipping the ball into the goalmouth for the incoming Rowe only for his shot to sail high over the bar.

Play continued to ebb back and forth in cup-tie style as both sides searched out a winner. No. 23’s lightning break through the middle left a number of defenders in his wake only for Pettigrew track across to nick the ball at the edge of the box. McWaters from inside the Glens half on the right fizzed a diagonal forward pass to O’Kane who in turn chipped the ball into box for Viviani to chase down only for the keeper to make a fine block on the six-yard line before diving on the ball.

Another Thistle break, down the right, won the home side a corner which was headed clear by Caddis and although the ball was quickly recovered and floated back into the box Rowe won the aerial battle and the danger was cleared. Viviani and Sinnamon then combined to win the Glens a corner which was won in the air by Pettigrew only for his header to be cleared out the box and the inevitable Thistle counter-attack with No. 23 doing the spade-work again only for his lung-bursting run to be ended on the outskirts of the Glens box with a well-timed tackle from Holding.

Back came Glens with McWaters releasing O’Kane down the left to break into the box before cutting the ball back from the goal-line for Caddis only to be quickly robbed off the ball. At the other end a long ball into the box forced Semple to race 15 yards or so from his line to clutch it cleanly, just as Thistle’s No. 4 threatened.

Into added time and Rowe trapped a headed clearance some 25 yards out before unleashing a low flying thunderbolt that the keeper got down low to firmly hold. In the last action Buchanan launched a free kick into a packed box which was won by Thistle and on this occasion the customary counter-attack was ended on the half-way line by the full-time whistle.

FT Larkhall 1 Glenafton 1

A very competitive cup-tie concluded all square and Glens were first to go in the penalty shoot-out.

0-1: Thistle keeper dived to his right to save Alex McWaters kick. Thistle’s kicker sent Ally Semple the wrong way.

1-1: Thistle keeper came close but could not stop Ryan Sinnamon curling his kick into the keeper’s left. Semple dived to his left to save Thistle’s kick.

2-2: Gary Fraser sent the keeper the wrong way while the Thistle kicker did likewise.

3-3: Ollie Rowe sent the keeper the wrong way while the Thistle kicker drilled his home down the middle.

4-3: Liam Caddis fired his shot down the middle while the keeper went to his right. Ally Semple saved the Thistle’s kicker attempt to send it to the keeper’s right.

Glenafton progress to the Quarter-Finals, all the best to Larkhall for the rest of the season.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
21. Ally Semple 11. Ryan Sinnamon 20. Ollie Rowe 5. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 14. Lyall Holding 4. Taylor Buchanan 8. Gary Fraser 17. Dario Viviani 18. Dylan O’Kane 12. Liam Caddis 15. Carlos Lyon ( 10. Alex McWaters) Subs Not Used: 1. David Markey 2. Scott McLean 6. Paul Paton

LARKHALL THISTLE
Apologies no team-lines

Match Photos

Larkhall Thistle v Glenafton Atheltic

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Larkhall Thistle, New Cumnock, WOSFL_CUP | Comments Off

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