Meadow had a chance to take an early lead from the penalty spot only for David Markey to deny Callum Graham with a fine save. The striker made amends on 26 minutes stroking the ball home from a tight angle deep in the box. It proved to be the only goal of the game as Meadow completed a league double over the Glens.
FT Irvine Meadow XI 1 Glenafton 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Adam Caldwell (7. Sam McKee) 22. Ollie Rowe 20. Dean Currie 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain); 10. Calvin Kemp 15. Michael Moffat (11. Leon Murphy) 8. Paul Paton 35. Michael McMullin; 9. Hugh Kerr (Alex McWaters), 16. Sean McKenzie Subs: 14. Ryan Nisbet 18. Dylan O’Kane. 19. Cameron McKenzie, Callum McFadyen
IRVINE MEADOW XI
1. Marc Waters 2. Rhys Wallace 3. Paul Byrne 4. Martin Findlay 5. Isaac Kerr 6. Neil Slooves 7. Kyle Faulds (15. Mick Lennox) 8. Ross Urquhart 9. Callum Graham (16. Fraser McMillan) 10. Conor O’Donnel (14. Louis Kerr) 11. Connor Boyd Subs: 12. Cammy MacNair 17. Sam McCloy 18. Lewis Black 21. Joshua Bysouth
Glenafton fielded the same eleven that started the game against Darvel last season.
In the Talbot starting eleven was former Glenafton midfielder Michael Wardrope.
In an evenly match cup-tie both sides could only conjure up a few chances the first of which fell to the home side with Glens keeper David Markey pulling of a good save from Craig McCracken’s header deep in the box. At the other end Dylan O’Kane released Adam Caldwell down the right to roll the ball into the box for the incoming Hugh Kerr only for keeper Marc Fisher to rush from his line and deflect Kerr’s shot over the bar. In the second half Talbot substitute Mark Shankland blazed a shot over the bar from 12 yards and Glen striker end Michael Moffat trapped a ball inside the before flashing a shot that dipped over the bar.
FT Auchinleck 0 Glens 0
Penalty Shoot-out
Mark Shankland scored for Tabot before Marc Fisher saved Michael Moffat’s kick. | Talbot 1-0
Aaron Mason scored and Calvin Kemp cracked his shot off the bar. | Talbot|2-0
Ryan Sinnamon’s shot sailed over the bar and Mick McMullin sent his shot wide of the post. |Talbot 2-0
Keir Samson has his shot saved by David Markey and Fisher saves Paul Paton’s kick. | Talbot win 2-0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe 20. Dean Currie 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain); 7. Sam McKee (33. Michael McMullin) 18. Dylan O’Kane (16. Sean McKenzie) 8. Paul Paton 11. Leon Murphy; 15. Michael Moffat 9. Hugh Kerr (10. Calvin Kemp) Subs: 14. Ryan Nisbet 19. Cameron McKenzie, Callum McFadyen
AUCHINLECK TALBOT
1. Marc Fisher 2. Chris Stafford 3. Aiden Wilson 4. Neill McPherson 5. Craig McCracken 6. Gareth Armstrong 7. Ross Taylor (15. Bryan Boylan) 8. Michael Wardrope (14. Aaron Mason) 9. Keir Samson 10. Ross Smith (16. Ryan Sinnamon) 11. Kieran Healy (12. Mark Shankland) Subs: 17. Lewis Crawford 18. Jamie Ballantine 19. Nathan Lennox
Glens made four changes to the eleven that started against Bellshill Athletic last Saturday with Adam Caldwell, Dean Currie, Dylan O’Kane and Hugh Kerr replacing Scott McLean (injury), Mick McMullin (suspension), Calvin Kemp (illness) and Sean McKenzie. Meanwhile on the Glens bench was midweek signing Alex McWaters.
In the Darvel dug-out was former Glenafton player and manager Craig McEwan.
Play went back on forth on a rain-soaked Recreation Park before Darvel enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure. On 8 minutes Jordan Kirkpatrick, wide on the right, clipped a cross deep into the box which was headed wide by Craig Pettigrew but Ian McShane’s corner-kick came to nothing. Andrew Stirling was looking lively down the left and it was from here that he cut inside to curl a fierce shot that was deflected wide for another corner which was blocked at the near post by Hugh Kerr and the loose ball gather up by keeper David Markey.
On 13 minutes Darvel took the lead in controversial circumstances. Stirling broke down the left touchline and before reaching the bye-line whipped a ball to the near post for the incoming Allan MacKenzie to guide it past Markey from a tight angle and into the far corner of the post. However, the striker was being marked by Pettigrew and from behind he clearly pulled the defender’s arm sending him tumbling to the ground leaving him free to make his run to the near post. The Glens captain’s protest to the match referee fell on deaf ears.
Two minutes later Craig Moore tried a clever lob from 25 yards only for Markey, on his six-yard line, with an outstretched arm and strong hand diverted the ball over the bar. Kerr was on hand to head McShane’s corner clear of the box only for Darvel to quickly retrieve the ball and McShane curl a great ball to the near post where Moore under pressure from Pettigrew still managed to divert the ball goalward only for Markey to pull off a super save and push the ball wide of the post. The corner concluded with Sam McKee being fouled in the box, spotted by the referee.
Markey launched the ball upfield where Kerr won the aerial battle with Cameron Eadie before Dylan O’Kane snapped up the loose ball to play a one-two with Kerr and progress to the left-hand side of the box. From here he clipped a ball into the goal-mouth which just went beyond Moffat, breaking between two defenders, but fell for Adam Caldwell on the far side of the box, to play it back to Sam McKee. The pair then played a couple of one-two’s, however with defenders in close proximity McKee was forced to retreat out of the penalty area and curl a ball into the heart of the goal where Hugh Kerr leapt to guide a header past keeper Chris Truesdale rooted on his line.
Match all square on 19 minutes … but No!, centre-back Andrew McDonald raised his arm claiming offside which was a close call, one way or the other, but certainly it appeared that his defensive partner Cameron Eadie played him on. The travelling support expressed their discontent at the officials!
Still, this appeared to galvanise the team and Glens were seen much more of an attacking force and Darvel were given less time on the ball to build methodically from the back. Leon Murphy and Adam Caldwell pushed up the flanks while O’Kane & McKee buzzed around seeking out the ball and Paton & Moffat patrolled the midfield. Meanwhile Darvel were now restricted to attempts from outside the Glens box without troubling Markey.
Paton floated a free kick deep into the box where although Kerr won the aerial battle vs. Eadie again sending the ball high into the air, on its descent it was booted upfield by McDonald as Ollie Rowe challenged. Dean Currie quickly returned the ball from the Glens half and soon after the incoming Kerr collided with Truesdale on the six-yard line as both competed to win the high ball into the box; Kerr earning a yellow card.
Glens continued to press and Paton slipped a ball down the right for Kerr to chase only for the striker to be wrestled to the ground by McDonald. The free kick was booted clear of the box. Murphy regained possession for the visitors in his own half and his attempted one-two with Kerr ended prematurely as the striker was felled from behind by Kirkpatrick; earning a yellow card.
Paton’s free kick deep into the box was headed clear by MacKenzie. Soon after a counter-attack saw the striker at the other end send Markey flying through the airto avoid MacKenzie’s sliding tackle with his studs showing. The referee was distinctly disinterested in Markey’s appeal for protection.
On 33 minutes McKee snapped up a loose pass deep on the left and rolled the ball back to Rowe on the edge of the box who quickly switched it to Caldwell on the right. From here he pushed forward before slipping the ball up the right flank for O’Kane to chase down and cut inside McDonald to break into the box only for the defender, close on his heels, to push him on the back and send him tumbling to the ground. Stonewall penalty – No!, – the referee deemed the offence to be outside the box and a yellow card for the offender.
However, justice was served after Paton curled a glorious free-kick high and deep into the box where Hugh Kerr leapt unchallenged to bullet a header beyond the reach of Truesdale at his near post and into the far corner of the net. All eyes on the ref, no infringements – game all square at 1-1 on 36 minutes.
The home side found a new sense of urgency
Pettigrew blocked MacKenzie’s shot from deep inside the box and Kerr headed clear the corner-kick that followed. Soon after McShane gathered the ball just inside the Glens half and pinged a peach of pass forward that was dummied at the edge of the box by MacKenzie allowing Kirkpatrick to run on to the ball and slam a low angled shot that Markey did well to block with his instep on the 6 yard line sending the ball high into the air. It descended just outside the ‘D’ where MacKenzie and Currie both challenged and fell to the ground; MacKenzie winning the free-kick! Moore’s free-kick was blocked by the wall and eventually cleared out the box.
HT Darvel 1 Glens 1
The Glens had a couple of breakaways in the opening five minutes of the second half. Moffat threaded a forward pass for Kerr to beat the offside trap and push forward into the box but his angled shot was held on the six-yard line by Truesdale. Soon after Caldwell intercepted a pass deep in his own half and after a lung-bursting run slipped the ball to O’Kane on the outskirts of the box but his low shot from 25 yards trundled well wide.
On 51 minutes Darvel regained the lead in clinical fashion. McShane from the left and just inside his own half lasered a delightful diagonal pass to Meechan on the right flank just inside the Glens half. From here he clipped the ball forward and wide of Murphy to curl it into the box and match Kirkpatrick’s run and from three yards short of the bye-line he gathered the ball and squared it across the face of the goal at speed through the gap between Markey and Pettigrew for the inrushing Craig Moore to side foot the ball home from a few yards out.
Glens responded well and O’Kane won a corner-kick on the right, which Murphy curled to the back-post just beyond the reach of Moffat. The home side countered only for McShane’s cut back from the bye line to be intercepted and cleared by O’Kane.
The visitors drew level for the second-time on 54 minutes through perseverance. It began with Paton breaking down a Darvel attack on the outskirts of the box and stroking the ball back to Currie who launched it upfield for Kerr to chase and gather, the finding himself boxed in at the corner flag, he rolled the ball back up the touchline to McKee. With defenders back in numbers he held up the ball, allowing Kerr to make his way into the box, and then played a one-two with Paton before clipping the ball, high to the edge of the six-yard box and although Stirling won the header it was Kerr that pounced on the loose ball and his quick feet took both McDonald and McShane out of play before he slipped a pass wide to the unmarked Michael Moffat to take a touch before drilling a low shot from 12 yards through the legs of Eadie to beat Truesdale at his near post and score his first goal for the Glens.
Back came Darvel through Stirling to fire a ball into the box for MacKenzie to leap and flash a header wide of the far post. Minutes later a corner from the left suffered the same fate from Moore’s header.
Play then went back and forth for a spell with only a couple of half chances on show and neither keeper tested.
On 70 minutes Stirling won a free-kick near the left-hand corner of the box. McShane curled the kick over the wall, however Markey was his match taking the sting out of it with both hands at the near post before smothering the loose ball as Kirkpatrick closed in.
The home side continued to press and a corner-kick from the left glanced off a Glens’ head at the near post sending the ball to back post where Rowe, despite being under pressure from McDonald, managed to hook it as far as the ‘D’, where as they say the ball was recycled a number of times as Darvel shots struck the sea of shins in the box and the Glens goal remained unbreached.
On 74 minutes Sam McKee had picked up an injury and left to great applause from the travelling support and was replaced with new signing Alex McWaters.
Alex McWaters on his Glenafton debut
Two minutes later Darvel made a triple substitution with Stirling, Kirkpatrick and Moore making way for Jamie Glasgow, Lewis Morrison and Scott Ferguson.
It was Glasgow that made the first contribution cutting in from the left touchline and skipping past two defenders before drilling a low angled shot from the corner of the box which Markey did well to get down low and hold. Ferguson then slipped a pass to Meechan in space on the right hand side of the box to whip a ball into the goalmouth but again Markey clutched it cleanly.
On 79 minutes Glens brought on Sean McKenzie for Hugh Kerr who had covered every blade of grass on the park and more, and he too departed with the Glens support showing their appreciation.
Some brief respite for the visitors as they enjoyed some possession in the Darvel half, however without fashioning any shots at goal.
Back came Darvel and a tremendous mazy run by Ferguson took him to the edge of the box before laying it off to McShane who in turn slipped it to Glasgow on the left to loft a high ball to the back post but MacKenzie failed to connect and the chance was gone.
A minute after the regulation 90 minutes, Dylan O’Kane, who had an exceptional game, pulled up with an injury and he too departed to a great reception from the Glens fans while Ryan Nisbet took his place in the closing crucial minutes.
Currie and Rowe combined to block another attack deep into the Glesn box. Three minutes into added time and Darvel came within a whisker of nicking all 3 points. Chris McGowan from wide on the left clipped a ball to the near post where Morrison back-heeled it across the face of the goal, sending Markey scurrying along his goal-line, only for the inrushing Glasgow to get to the ball first, but somehow contrived to scoop it over the bar.
The last possession of the match fell to Craig Pettigrew 🙂
FT Darvel 2 Glenafton 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Adam Caldwell 22. Ollie Rowe20. Dean Currie 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain); Sam McKee (6. Alex McWaters) 11. Leon Murphy18. Dylan O’Kane (14. Ryan Nisbet) 8. Paul Paton 11. Leon Murphy; 15. Michael Moffat 9. Hugh Kerr (16. Sean McKenzie) Subs: 19. Cameron McKenzie Calum McFadyen
DARVEL
1. Chris Truesdale 2. Cameron Eadie 6. Ian McShane 8. Andrew Stirling (22. Jamie Glasgow) 9. Allan MacKenzie 10. Jordan Kirkpatrick (23. Lewis Morrison) 12. Andrew McDonald 14. Ross Meechan 16. Craig Moore (17. Scott Ferguson) 18. Chris McGowan 26. Robbie McNab. Subs: 3. Jordan Allan, 4. David Syme, 11. Thomas Reilly 21. Lyle Avic
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Drumchapel United with Craig Pettigrew and Michael Moffat replacing Jamie McKernon and Hugh Kerr.in the Bellshill dug-out was co-manager Neil Rowatt, who played for the Glens under Alan Rough & Andy Dunlop in the 1990s.
The two sides had previously met each other four times in the Scottish Junior Cup with the outcome all square at 2-2. Glenafton’s last trip to Bellshill, back in Season 2007/08, ended in a 3-1 victory for the New Cumnock side, with 19 year-old strike David Gormley bagging a brace. A local lad, David turned up to watch the game today and had a few words with Glens’ manager Ryan Stevenson, former team-mates at Ayr United, before kick-off.
Over 700 supporters packed into Rockburn Park to witness the Scottish Juniot Cup Quarter-Final.
Although Bellshill kicked-off it was Glenafton that were quickly on the front foot through Michael Moffat’s flick-on being gathered by Sean McKenzie to drive deep into the right-hand side of the box only for his cut-back for Sam McKee to be intercepted at the expense of a corner kick which was eventually scrambled clear.
The visitors continued to press and took the lead on 4 minutes. Calvin Kemp flicked the ball to Scott McLean who instantly returned it with a cushioned header and Kemp flicked it back to McLean sending two Bellshill players back and forth chasing shadows. McLean then pushed forward and tried to pick out McKenzie in the box only for the ball to rebound off the heel of a defender and fall back into his path before he took a touch and then lashed a low left-footed drive from 20 yards that flew into the bottom corner of the net, beyond keeper Hutchison rooted to the goal-line.
Soon after Leon Murphy from wide on the left whipped a great ball into the box over the head of the leaping defender at the near post to fall for McKenzie but his mis-timed leap sent the ball high into the air before falling safely into the hands of the welcoming keeper.
On 9 minutes Glenafton doubled their lead. Paul Paton from the half-way line slipped the ball up the left wing for Moffat to gather and hold off a defender before rolling the ball into the path of Sam McKee who struck it first time ,whizzing along the ground, past 3 or 4 defenders and beating the wrong-footed keeper at the near post.
Credit to the home side as they began to enjoy more possession. A long ball upfield had keeper David Markey rushing out his box to head it clear and soon after a long throw into the box was headed on and gathered by Kieron Markey to force his way between Craig Pettigrew & Paton only to lose control of the ball, appealing loudly to the referee that his run had been impeded, but to no avail.
At the other end the Glens pushed forward in numbers although one attack was stifled the ball fell to McLean on the right who clipped a cross into the 6 yard box where it was headed clear to the edge of the box to be met first time by the lively Kemp only for his shot to fly over the bar.
Play was now raging back and forth peppered with free kicks to both sides and the occasional corner.
On 27 minutes Luke Currie did well to set up a shot from 20 yards but it trundled along the ground and was easily held by Markey. Soon after, a free-kick floated high and deep into the box saw the Glens keeper leap between to Bellshill players to get a vital touch on the ball with McKee on hand to clear it upfield. A throw in from the left was hooked cleared from a busy Glens box by Moffat and fell for D. Wilson who curled a shot from 25 yards out, but it drifted high and wide of target.
Glens then pegged the home side back in their own half for a period. Moffat won a corner kick down the left which was headed clear. Moffat then clipped a great ball from the centre circle up to the outskirts of the box for McKenzie to chase down, with Brady Craig close on his heels and although the Glens man won the race it was the centre-back that made a timely tackle from behind to knock the ball out for a corner, which was met and blasted wide by Paton.
On 39 minutes, Kemp gathered a short throw-in deep on the left and skipped his way past defenders to the bye-line before progressing to the edge of the box only to be fouled as he got his cross away. Paton floated the free-kick into the six-yard box where McKenzie outleapt Wilson only for his powerful header to crash off the top of bar and out for a goal kick.
The visitors later won another corner which Murphy played to the back post where the incoming Pettigrew’s cushioned shot to drift wide of the other post.
In the closing minutes of the half Currie fashioned a good run and after weaving past a number of Glens players fired a shot from 22 yards that sailed over the bar.
HT Bellshill 0 Glenafton
The half-time talk in the travelling support was a reminder that Bellshill had gone in at the break 2-0 down at home to Kilbirnie in the previous round, only to go on and beat the Ayrshire side on penalties!
The visitors however were quick off the block as Paton clipped a ball into the right-hand side of the box where McKenzie killed it on his chest before rolling it wide to Kemp who quickly whipped the ball to the near post where Hutchison took no chances and pushed it wide for a corner, which was headed clear.
Bellshill countered with a long throw into the box which although Ollie Rowe won the aerial battle and the ball recovered by Bellshill and a shot from the edge of the box blocked and the rebound floated high towards the back post where Markey leapt to clutch the ball cleanly.
The high tempo continued and a Bellshill clearance was returned upfield with a powerful header from Pettigrew that McKenzie chased down into the box and touched it back to Kemp to drill a low shot from 20 yards which looked to be drifting wide only for it to strike the instep off a defender to divert the ball toward the other post forcing Hutchison to dive and prevent the corner.
Back came Bellshill and Rowe and Mick McMullin combined well to break down a Bellshill attack deep in their box.
On 53 minutes Glens came close to adding a third. Moffat was tripped in the centre-circle and Paton floated the free-kick into the box where McKenzie’s header picked out Moffat who killed the ball before firing a shot forcing Hutchison to pull off a point blank save. The visitors continued to press and Murphy’s cut-back across the face of goal was missed by both the keeper and McKenzie and Craig did enough to prevent the incoming McLean from burying the loose ball.
At the other end keeper Markey had to rush from his line and leap to beat Mark Kyle to the ball and soon after Kieron Markey leapt head shoulders above everyone in the box but his header from a corner-kick flew wide of target and was booted clear. The keeper then cleanly clutched Robert Thomson’s cross to the near post as Kyle Caig threatened.
On 66 minutes Glenafton made a double substitution with front two Michael Moffat and Sean McKenzie making way for Hugh Kerr and Dylan O’Kane and both were soon in the thick of the action.
Three minutes later McLean launched a long ball upfield for Kerr only for Craig to intercept but his header sent the ball back towards goal allowing O’Kane to chase down with a free run into the box only to clip the ball well over the head of the advancing keeper and the bar … the head may have went down by Kerr was quick to applaud the effort of the young striker.
Two minutes later O’Kane picked up a pass from McKee and knocked the ball along the 18 yard line as he burst past Calvin Cowie and with Wilson on his heels he pushed forward before curling a rasper of a shot between Wilson and Craig high into the net beyond the reach of the keeper. Glens 3-0 up on 71 minutes. The celebration that followed and the outpouring of joy as Dylan ran towards the Glens dug-out (with an entourage of team-mates in pursuit) to leap into the arms of coach Alan Kerr was a very special moment in the club’s Scottish Junior Cup escapades.
Bellshill now with a mountain to climb responded with a triple substitution and to their credit continued to create chances. Markey had to dive at his near to post to stop a low angled shot from inside the box. Soon after Caig curled a free kick from 28 yards over the Glens’ wall but again Markey gathered cleanly as his name-sake Kieron Markey looked to prosper from any spillages.
The Glens were in no mood to sit back and McLean played a one-two with Kemp before unleashing a ferocious angled shot from 25 yards that beat the keeper at full stretch only to dip inches over the bar.
On 81 minutes the visitors extended their lead after Dylan O’Kane bagged his brace. It began with Paton from just inside in his own half clipping a high ball down the right from Kerr to kill on his chest before squaring it inside to O’Kane on the outskirts of the box to burst past Wilson before drilling a low shot beyond the reach of Hutchinson at his near post with the ball nestling in the far corner. The celebrations were more subdued.
Bellshill pushed for a consolation as the large home support continued to get behind their team. A corner was whipped in from the right and headed out the box by Paton only for it to be lobbed back into the busy box and then headed out by Pettigrew before it came back again before McMullin booted it clear.
Handshakes followed soon after.
FT Bellshill 0 Glenafton 4
Glenafton Athletic
1. David Markey 3. Scott McLean 22. Ollie Rowe 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 35. Mick McMullin; 11. Leon Murphy 10. Calvin Kemp 8. Paul Paton 7. Sam McKee; 15. Michael Moffat (9. Hugh Kerr) 16. Sean McKenzie (18. Dylan O’Kane) Subs: 2. Adam Caldwell 14. Ryan Nisbet 19. Cameron McKenzie 20. Dean Currie
Bellshill Athletic
Bellshill: 1. JC Hutchison 2. Ross Girdwood 3. Robert Thomson (Lee Dixon) 4. D. Wilson 5. Brady Craig (Ben Elliot) 6. Owen Lee 7. Mark Kyle (Brandon Mann) 8. Calvin Cowie 9. Kieron Markey (Kyle Lauchlan) 10. Kyle Caig 11. Luke Currie
Glenafton made three changes to the eleven that started against Troon on Wednesday evening with Ollie Rowe, Leon Murphy and Hugh Kerr (injured) making way for Craig Pettigrew, Dean Currie and Michael Moffat.
In goal for Drumchapel United was Blair Lochhead, a member of the Glens treble winning squad of 2016/17.
This was the first meeting between Glenafton Athletic and Drumchapel United, the Glasgow side currently strongly challenging for promotion from the WOSL 1st Division.
There were few clear-cut chances for either side the best of which for the Glens was Paul Paton’s powerful shot from 22 yards that was well held by Blair Lochhead while at the other Ryan Deas, a playmaker with many Junior clubs, fired a shot from a similar distance that whizzed over the bar. However, it was Deas that broke the deadlock two minutes before the break after picking a short pass before driving forward to the edge of the box and lasering an unstoppable shot into the net; some 5 years after his last goal against for Glens while playing for Clydebank.
HT Glens 0 Drumchapel 1
Drumchapel doubled their lead on 50 minutes after Jamie Mills whipped in a great ball from wide the left deep into the goalmouth for Daniel Finnegan to rise and bullet a downward header into the net.
Glens made a double change with Ollie Rowe replacing Dean Currie and Sam McKee making way for Leon Murphy and then soon after brought on Dylan O’Kane for Michael Moffat.
Played raged back and forth with both sides searching for that next crucial goal and it came in the 79th minutes. Paton floated a free kick from wide on the left high into a packed box where Sean McKenzie leapt unchallenged to send a glancing header past the keeper.
However, within a minute Drumchapel restored their two goal cushion with a well worked goal. Keeper David Markey launched a long ball up the park which was duly returned to the Glens where it was gathered by Drumchapel and a perfectly weighted ball slipped into the box for Josh Winton to chase down and clip over the advancing Markey to make it 3-1 for the visitors.
Glens pulled one back on 88 minutes after Paton curled a free kick into the box and shirt-pull from a defender had the referee pointing to the spot and Jamie McKernon sent the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.
The home side continued to press and although McKenzie beat the defender in a race to chase down a ball into the box and his shot rom a tight angle beat Lochhead the ball drifted inches wide of the back post. Soon after Scott McLean’s shot from inside the box was deflected wide for a corner from Lochhead pulled off a great save from Rowe’s powerful header to secure Drum’s passage into the 5th round.
In the closing encounters former Drumchapel player Michael McMullin was sent off.
FT Glenafton 2 Drumchapel 3
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 3. Scott McLean 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 20. Dean Currie (22. Ollie Rowe) 35. Mick McMullin 10. Calvin Kemp 6. Jamie McKernon (captain) 8. Paul Paton 7. Sam McKee (11. Leon Murphy) 15. Michael Moffat (18. Dylan O’Kane) 16. Sean McKenzie Subs: 2. Adam Caldwell 14. Ryan Nisbet 19. Cameron McKenzie
Glenafton made two changes to the eleven that started against Rob Roy on Saturday with Jamie McKernon and Paul Paton returning while Craig Pettigrew and Dean Currie are on the bench. Also on the bench was new signing, striker Michael Moffat on loan from Ayr United.
In the Troon starting eleven was former Glenafton midfielder Dale ‘Gunner’ Moore.
In difficult windy conditions it was Troon that opened the scoring on 10 minutes after Kyle Gilroy’s break down the right and his cut-back from the bye-line was swept home from 6 yards by Sam Jamieson. Both sides hade some decent chances and Dale Burgess pulled off a fine save to fingertip a Jamie McKernon shot round the post.
Glens’ striker Hugh Kerr suffered a nasty knock and had to limp off to be replaced by Craig Pettigrew.
On 21 minutes Troon doubled their lead with a stunning strike from Jamie Gallagher. A cross from wide on the right deflected off a defender sending the ball high into the air and descending just inside the corner of the box where Gallagher let it take a bounce before cracking the ball beyond defenders and keeper alike into the far corner of the net. Gallagher came close to bagging a brace only for his close-range effort to clip off the cross bar.
At the other end a good break by the Glens ended with Burgess comfortably saving a close range shot from Sam McKee.
HT Troon 2 Glens 0
David Markey pulled off a couple of great point-blank saves as Troon pressed after the break.
On 54 minutes Glens brought on Michael Moffat for Ollie Rowe and he was soon in the thick of the action. Calvin Kemp burst down the right wing and picked out the inrushing Moffat in the ‘D’ who took a touch and although he was forced wide of the six yard box his attempted cut-back struck the outstretched arm of Dale Moore and the referee pointed to the spot. With 61 minutes on the clock Scott McLean, who had scored three goals in his last (and first) two games for the Glens, drilled a low shot that was smothered by keeper Burgess.
Glens brought on Dylan O’Kane for Sean McKenzie
On 75 minutes Troon extended their lead after Kyle Gilroy broke down the left before cutting into the box and although his shot was well blocked Pettigrew it took a deflection off a defender and fell kindly for Gilroy to drill a low shot into the net beyond the wrong-footed Markey.
In a late flurry Moffat and Kemp both had shots that were blocked in a busy box while at the other end Markey denied Jamieson his double.
FT Troon 3 Glens 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 3. Scott McLean 22. Ollie Rowe (15. Michael Moffat) 35. Mick McMullin 11. Leon Murphy 10. Calvin Kemp 6. Jamie McKernon (captain) 8. Paul Paton 7. Sam McKee 9. Hugh Kerr (4. Craig Pettigrew) 16. Sean McKenzie (18. Dylan O’Kane )Subs: 2. Adam Caldwell 14. Ryan Nisbet 19. Cameron McKenzie 20. Dean Currie
TROON
1. Dale Burgess 2. Ewan McLevy (4. Blair Richardson) 3. Sam McCloskey 5. Logan Smith 6. Jack Sherrie (captain) 9. Kyle Gilroy (20. Jack Marks) 11. Dale Moore (8. Ray Montgomerie) 16. Mark Morrison 17. Josh Black (7. Ben Black) 18. Sam Jamieson 19. Jamie Gallagher. Subs: 14. Dean Fulton 15. Aaron Boyd 21. Marc Fisher (Gk)
Glenafton made one change from the eleven that started on Wednesday against Petershill with captain Craig Pettigrew returning from injury replacing Paul Paton (suspension).
At the centre of Rob Roy’s defence was former Glenafton player Ross Fisher currently on a month loan-deal from Hurlford.
Craig Pettigrew back from injury
Although Glens kicked off it was the visitors that were first to threaten in the opening minute when Adam Martin chased down a loose ball into the box forcing keeper David Markey to rush from his line and dive at the forward’s feet to snatch the ball.
The home side enjoyed a good spell of possession and came closing on 6 minutes after Calvin Kemp clipped a great ball down the right for Scott McLean to chase and then drive into the box before drilling a low angled that not only slipped wide of the advancing keeper Kevin McAllister but also the far post.
The Glens then scrambled clear a couple of Rabs’ attacks before taking the lead on 9 minutes. McMullin from wide on the left and deep in clipped a high ball upfield, where although Daniel O’Halloran won the aerial battle Hugh Kerr snapped up the loose ball and quickly picked out Scott McLean on the outskirts of the right-hand side of the box from where he drilled another low angled shot that found the far corner of the net beyond the reach of the wrong-footed keeper. Glens 1-0 on 9 minutes.
Play then raged back and forth with both sides seeing plenty of the ball without creating any clear- cut chances.
On 19 minutes Robbie Young burst into the left-hand side of the Glens box before cutting the ball back to Martin only for his shot to be deflected over the bar for a corner-kick which was headed clear by McMullin setting up a fast flowing counter-attack involving Kemp, Sean McKenzie and ended with Sam McKee’s run into the box halted by a well-timed slide-tackle by Scott Walker.
The visitors then created a number of half-chances. On 25 minutes Alan Woodhouse’s close-range header from Jordan’s Duncan’s corner kick fell kindly into the arms of keeper Markey. Five minutes later a cleverly worked free kick saw O’Halloran ping the ball along the ground from the centre circle to Young upfield who then turned to slip the ball through to Jamie Barclay to fire a shot from the edge of the ‘D’ only for the ball sail just wide of junction of post and crossbar. Soon after, Young burst through the middle with McMullin and Leon Murphy closing him down and although Jordan Duncan was unmarked on the right of the box , Young continued his run before cracking a shot from the ‘D’ that dipped over the bar.
busy box
On 33 minutes the Glens had the ball in the net after McClean from the right whipped a cross from the bye-line to the near post where keeper McAllister leapt and with his arm at full stretch pushed the ball away with his finger-tips as Kerr challenged with both players stumbling over the goal-line, leaving Sean McKenzie free to guide the ball into the net from 2 yards out. No goal, as the referee awarded Rabs a free-kick for Kerr’s challenge on McAllister.
At the other end Kemp’s challenge on Duncan in the ‘D’ earned the Rabs a free-kick which although Martin curled the ball over the wall it dipped it over the bar. Soon after Barclay’s low angled from 20 yards, through a crowded box was well held by the diving Markey.
In the closing minute of regulation time Kemp clipped a ball through the middle for McKenzie to chase and although he alluded Ross Fisher’s tackle at the edge of the box it forced the Glens strike wide to the corner of the six yard from where he chipped the ball past two other defenders and into heart of the goalmouth for the incoming Kerr only for his header to be grasped under the bar by McAllister.
HT Glens 1 Rob Roy 0
Rabs brought on Connor Hughes at the break for No?
A lively start to the second half as both sides pressed. McAllister launched a free kick from the outskirts his box to outskirts of the Glens box where McLean returned the favour and launched the ball just beyond the centre circle where Kerr once again evaded Fisher’s tackle to open a free run deep into the Rabs’ box only for his cut-back for the inrushing McKenzie to be intercepted by O’Halloran and the chance gone.
former team_mates Hugh Kerr & Ross Fisher
Play continued to flow from end to end and Markey had to rush from his line to steal the ball from Woodhouse’s feet. On the hour mark McKenzie slotted a pass between two defenders for McKee to chase down into the box where Kian Gilday stripped the ball from his feet with a perfectly timed slide-tackle only for McLean to pounce on the loose ball to thunder a shot that powerful it took the feet from McAllister after blocking it with both hands.
Rabs made a change with Alan Woodhouse making way for Derek McNab but two minutes later the Glens doubled their lead!
The Rabs defence was caught on the hop and it was a case of 3 vs 2 in Glens’ favour as McKee chased down a ball with Kerr to his inside and further out on the left was Murphy while the back-tracking Fisher and Walker were struggling to close the gap leaving McKee the time and space to drill a low shot from 10 yards out between the legs of the advancing keeper and into the net. Glens 2-0 on 67 minutes.
Soon after McKenzie burst two defenders to the left-hand side of the box then tried to chip the keeper only for the ball to dip over the bar. At the other end Martin’s shot from a tight angle was blocked by Markey and loose ball smothered. McNab then conjured up a great effort at an overhead kick in the Glens box but just lacked the power to trouble Markey who caught the ball cleanly.
On 79 minutes Glens made a double change with Sean McKenzie making way for his brother Cameron and Dylan O’Kane coming on for Hugh Kerr. Rabs also made another change?
Both sides continued to press but defences were on top until 86 minutes. O’Kane nicked the ball on the outskirts of the ‘D’ but soon found himself with two Rabs blocking his route to goal he rolled the ball to the right where Scott McLean trapped it on the 18 yard line before taking a touch and lashing another low pile driver that flew under the keeper’s body and into the corner of the net.
In the closing minute Glens brought on Calum McFadyen for his competitive debut replacing Sam McKee and he was soon in the thick of the action which continued to the final whistle.
Callum McFadyen on his competitive debut
FT Glens 3 Rob Roy 0
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 3. Scott McLean 4. Craig Pettigrew (captain) 20. Dean Currie 5. Michael McMullin 11. Leon Murphy 10. Calvin Kemp 22. Ollie Rowe 7. Sam McKee (12. Calum McFadyen) 9. Hugh Kerr (18. Dylan O’Kane) 11. Sean McKenzie (19. Cameron McKenzie) Subs: 2. Adam Caldwell, 14.Mathew Hoffin, 15. Ryan Nisbet
ROB ROY
1. Kevin McAllister 2. Scott Walker 3. Kian Gilday 4. Ross Fisher 5. Daniel O’Halloran 6. Jamie Barclay 7. Jordan Duncan 8. Jack Gordon 9. Robbie Young 10. Alan Woodhouse 11. Adam Martin Subs: 12. Connor Hughes 14. Derek McNab 15. Colin Granger 16. Louis Campbell 17. Jon Millerick 18. J. Connelly 19. A. Gallacher
Glenafton hosted Petershill under the lights at Loch Park on Burns Night. The home side made one change from the eleven that started against Pollok (14th January) with Ollie Rowe returning in place of Jamie McKernon (suspended).
A goal frenzy either side of half-time saw the Glens run out 3-1 winners against the Peasy.
The home side made the breakthrough on 38 minutes. Michael McMullin intercepted a headed clearance in the centre circle and burst through the middle to slip the ball forward to Sean McKenzie in the ‘D’ who instantly clipped it forward into the path of Leon Murphy breaking into left hand side of the box and although his diagonal cut-back from the bye-line was missed by McKenzie it fell for Scott McLean on the far side of the box to sweetly strike a low unstoppable shot from 16 yards out to beat the keeper at the post. A cracking first goal for the Glens in only his second game.
Scott McLean (Courtesy Stranraer FC)
Two minutes later the Glens doubled their advantage with a wonderfully worked goal beginning and ending with Hugh Kerr. The striker broke down a Peasy attack deep in his own half and McLean gathered the loose ball to instantly return it to Kerr who quickly rolled it back to Paul Paton. Still deep in their own half, Paton clipped the ball forward to McLean on the right wing from where he played it inside to Calvin Kemp who whipped the ball down the right for McLean to chase, and then chip it into the box where the inrushing Kerr got between two defenders to bullet a powerful header home from 6 yards out.
Hugh Kerr
However, a minute later Christian Nade halved the deficit and the hal finished Glens 2 Petershill 1 at the break.
The Glens restored their two goal cushion on 48 minutes after Leon Murphy whipped a corner in from the right and the incoming Ollie Rowe had the space and time to guide a header into the net through a throng of players fro the six yard line.
Ollie Rowe
FT Glens 3 Petershill 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 3. Scott McLean 20. Dean Currie 5. Michael McMullin 11. Leon Murphy 10. Calvin Kemp (17. Dylan O’Kane) 22. Ollie Rowe (captain) 8. Paul Paton 7. Sam McKee 9. Hugh Kerr (17. Dylan O’Kane) 11. Sean McKenzie (Cameron McKenzie) Subs: Adam Caldwell, Craig Pettigrew, Callum McFadyen, Mathew Hoffin, Ryan Nisbet
Glenafton made two changes to the side that started against Kilbirnie with new signing Scott McLean making his debut and Sean McKenzie (returning from suspension) replacing captain Craig Pettigrew (injury) and Adam Caldwell. On the bench was local lad Matthew Hoffin alongside fellow Glenafton U17 / Glenafton Athletic dual contract team-mate Calum McFadyen.
In the Pollok starting eleven was Glenafton’s treble-winning captain and ‘Hall of Famer’, Craig Menzies, always welcome at Loch Park.
Pollok took the lead on 14 minutes after Shaun Fraser slipped a ball down the left for Darren Christie to gather and cut inside where from the edge of the box he clipped a ball to the far post which was missed by attackers, defenders and keeper alike, before bouncing into the corner of the net. Although the visitors enjoyed the best of the few remaining chances on show there was to be no further scoring before the break.
HT Glens 0 Pollok 1
Chances remained thin on the ground and Glens suffered a set-back just before the hour mark after captain Jamie McKernon was ordered off on receipt of a second yellow card. The visitors took full advantage of the extra man and pressed for a second with Christie coming close after his low angled shot sneaked inches wide of the back post.
On 81 minutes Pollok doubled their lead after a free kick was floated into a busy box and knocked on by Calum Gow high into the six yard box where Chris Duff leapt to send a glancing header beyond the outstretched hand of keeper David Markey. The home-side claims that the ‘Lok man had come from an offside position to win the ball were waved away. In the closing minutes Christie burst into the Glens box and was denied his brace by the outrushing Markey blocking his shot.
FT Glens 0 Pollok 2
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 3. Scott McLean 20. Dean Currie 5. Michael McMullin 11. Leon Murphy 10. Calvin Kemp (17. Dylan O’Kane) 6. Jamie McKernon (capt.) 8. Paul Paton 7. Sam McKee 9. Hugh Kerr (15. Ryan Nisbet) 11. Sean McKenzie Subs: Adam Caldwell, Cameron McKenzie, Callum McFadyen, Mathew Hoffin
POLLOK
1. Jordan Longmuir 2. Craig Menzies 3. Mark Sideserf (17. Sean Burns) 4. David Brownlie 5. Calum Gow 6. Derek Esplin 7. Darren Christie (16. Robbie Buchanan) 8. Shaun Fraser (18. Gary McCann) 9. Stuart McCann (15. Adam Forde) 10. Johnny Lyon (12. Stephen Docherty) 11. Chris Duff Subs 14. Kamil Krol 21. Josh Lumsden
Glenafton made one change to the eleven that started against Largs Thistle with Jamie McKernon coming in for Ollie Rowe. In the Largs line-up was former Glens’ striker Chris Dallas a member of the 2016/17 treble squad and who scored 62 goals in 3 ½ seasons at Loch Park. Former Kilmarnock player Shaun Dillon recently returned to the hot seat at Ladeside with Gary Harkins, a League Cup winner with Killie, joining his coaching staff.
Striker James Marks kicked off for Kilbirnie as the first-footers at Loch Park at 2023. However, it was Glens that were first to threaten on 2 minutes through a low angled shot from Adam Caldwell on the right-hand side of the box that keeper Joe Wilton held comfortably.
At the other end Marks broke into the right-hand side of the box only for Slick’s shot to slip inches wide of the far post.
Play then got bogged down for a period and it was Marks on 15 minutes that had another pop at goal from inside the box after picking up a pass from Nathan Wade but this time he his shot flew high and wide of the target. Nevertheless, it sparked a good spell of pressure from the visitors. Andy Duffy on the right clipped a high ball to the back post where Dean Currie got the better of Marks in the aerial battle to head clear. Ladeside recovered the ball and won back-to-back corners, the second of which keeper David Markey punched clear from the head of Marks. A long throw from the right was chested down by Dallas in a packed box but Jamie McKernon pounced to clear the danger.
Midway through the half Glens came out on top in a midfield battle to win control of the ball which was then released to Mick McMullin on the left to curl a ball into the box where Hugh Kerr bustled his way between two defenders only for his header from 10 yards out to loop high over the bar.
Back came Kilbirnie and Marks won a corner that was floated to the far side of the six-yard box where centre back Jack Wilson guided a strong header to the near post which was gratefully grabbed by both hands of Markey. The keeper quickly threw the ball to McMullin on the outskirts of his box which sparked of a slick flowing move with Sam McKee and Leon Murphy combining to pick out Kerr in the box and although he was stripped off the ball the Glens quickly retrieved it and there was now a real sense of urgency in their play with a wave of attacks.
On 28 minutes Calvin Kemp burst down the right wing and from the corner clipped a perfectly weighted ball to the far corner of the six-yard box for the incoming Kerr and McMullin and it was the latter that leapt above Duffy only for his header to lack power and direction to trouble the keeper who held it safely. Clearly annoyed with himself, McMullin soon took matters into his own hands as the Glens continued to press. He gathered a clearance from Markey deep in the Ladeside half and soon Kerr was by his side with two defenders for company. It seemed he would surely slip the ball into the box for Kerr to chase, but no ….. instead from 22 yards out he swung a left foot sending a ferocious 4-iron of a shot through the gap between attacker and defender and beyond the reach of the keeper, four yards off his line, and into the corner of the net. The celebrations equally glorious as Glens take the lead on 30 minutes.
Two minutes later however, Ladeside were back level with Marks the architect bursting through the middle holding off Currie as he entered the box then firing a ferocious shot as Pettigrew closed-in that whizzed past the advancing Markey only for the ball to thunder off the base of the post and rebounding at an acute and at speed out past the aforementioned four protagonists and to fall Mark Alexander to strike the ball sweetly into the gaping net from 6 yards out. The celebrations were equally sweet, match all square on 32 minutes.
Tails up, Kilbirnie launched a high ball upfield for Marks only for Pettigrew to intercept and guide a powerful to release Kemp down the right held and although he was stripped off the ball at the corner flag the momentum had switched back to the Glens with Paul Paton and McKernon breaking down counter-attacks in the middle of the park. McKee gathered the ball and picked out Kerr in the ‘D’ who slipped it wide to McMullin on the left to whip it high the far side of the six-yard box where Kemp met it on the drop sending an overhead kick back to Kerr at the edge of the box to lash a shot that whizzed over the bar.
Some respite for the visitors when Dallas wide on the left rolled the ball back to Alexander to whip a ball to the edge of the box where Dean Scott’s overhead kick had Markey scurrying along his line and happy to see the ball slip inches wide of the post.
Markey launched a high ball down the left for McMullin only for the leaping Duffy to climb all over him and concede a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Both sides lined up 5 players along the 18-yard line and as Paton floated the ball to the far side of the six- yard, Kemp was first to peel off the line and square the ball past the keeper along the face of the goal where Sam McKee got the jump on a handful of defenders to knock the ball over the line from a yard out with Ross McKenzie in close attendance. 3 goals in 7 minutes, to put the Glens 2-1 up on 37 minutes.
Play then raged back and forward with each side coming close to adding to their tally. On 43 minutes McKee from wide on the right clipped a ball high into the six-yard box where Kerr leapt between two defenders sending a glancing header towards the back post to fall kindly for McMullin and looked certain to score from 2 yards out only to send it wide of the other post.
At the other end, on the stroke of half-time, Scott pounced on a loose pass and found himself on the 18-yard line with only keeper to beat but with Murphy and Pettigrew closing in fast, he chose to cut inside and then curl the ball past Pettigrew in an attempt sneak the ball in at the post, only for Markey to see it late and push it wide and although Marks recovered the loose ball the chance was gone.
HT Glens 2 Kilbirnie 1
Kilbirnie won an early corner on the left which was headed clear and the ball for McKenzie on the right to clip back into the box setting up Wilson for a shot that was held at the near post by Markey.
Glens then enjoyed a spell of pressure with Kerr, Kemp & McKee all breaking into the box albeit without testing the keeper other than another Kerr run which ended in a collision with the keeper racing to the edge of the box to bravely grab the ball.
On 54 minutes Ladeside came within a whisker of drawing level. Dallas gathered the ball just inside the ‘D’ and held off two defenders before squaring it to Scott on the right hand side of the box to drill a low shot through a ruck of players and beyond the reach Markey’s dive, only for the ball to sneak wide of the post.
Back came Glens with McKee driving to the bye-line cutting the ball back into the six-yard box but just the wrong-side of the incoming Kerr. The home side kept pressing and won a corner on the right which was played short but well defended by the visitors.
The skies darkened the and rains fell on Loch Park!
On 62 minutes Ladeside brought on Owen McGinty for Dean Scott and he was soon in the thick of it down the right laying the ball off to Liam Harris only for his cross to be blocked by McKernon and out for a corner which ended with Currie getting the better of both Marks & Dallas to head the ball clear.
Played raged back and forth and a rainbow to the north made a brief appearance at the Glens goal but there was to be no pot of gold for Ladeside, as the home defence stood firm. Indeed, it was the Glens on 70 minutes that came close to doubling their lead. McMullin broke down the left into Ladeside’s half and clipped the ball forward to Kerr who then cut inside two defenders taking him to the far side of the penalty box from where he squared the ball to the inrushing Paton to fire a shot from 10 yards only for Wilton to get down low and pushed the ball away with both hands before Wilson booted the ball out for a corner. McKernon’s kick initiated a scramble deep in the box, followed by another soon after before Ladeside finally cleared their lines.
On 74 minutes Ladeside brought on Connor Hamilton for James Marks, with Dallas now moving in from the left to the take up the centre-forward role. However, the task got doubly difficult for the visitors and 20 seconds later Hugh Kerr broke into the box and held off the Trialist to advance to the corner of the six-yard box and stroke the ball past the advancing goalie and into the far corner of the net. Glens 3-1 up with 15 minutes to play.
However, a minute later Kilbirnie passed up a good chance of halving the deficit. McGinty’s free kick from 22 yards bounced back off the Glens wall and the ball was scrambled clear of the box only to fall for McGinty who lofted a high ball back into the box where Hamilton’s glancing header deflected off Pettigrew and fell into the path of Dallas but with only the keeper to beat, he skewed his shot wide of the post.
Ladeside made another change with Liam Harris making way for Corey Pearson.
Kerr, from just inside in his own half, released Kemp to burst down the right where he shook off the chasing Alexander before progressing into the box and cutting the ball back for Paton only for his close range to be deflected wide for a corner kick that was quickly cleared.
On 85 minutes Craig Pettigrew pulled up with an injury and was replaced with Ollie Rowe and at same time Sam McKee made way for Cameron McKenzie.
Play went back and forth the closing minutes with few clear cut chances on show other than McGinty’s cross that flashed a cross he the face of the Glens goal and was deflected wide for a corner kick that came to nothing.
FT Glens 3 Kilbirnie 1
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC
1. David Markey 2. Adam Caldwell 4. Craig Pettigrew (capt.) (Ollie Rowe) 20. Dean Currie 3. Leon Murphy 10. Calvin Kemp 6. Jamie McKernon 8. Paul Paton 35. Mick McMullin 9. Hugh Kerr 11. Sam McKee (Cameron McKenzie).
KILBIRNIE LADESIDE
77. Joe Wilton 2. Andy Duffy 3. Mark Alexander 4. Jack Wilson 5. Trialist 6. Liam Harris 7. Dean Scott 8. Nathan Wade 9. James Marks 10. Ross McKenzie 11. Chris Dallas. Subs: 52. Graham Black 12. Andrew Lavelle 14. Corey Pearson 15. Owen McGinty 16. Connor Hamilton
Glenafton Athletic 