Glenafton 6 Newton Stewart 0

Posted on August 12, 2017 by flowgently
  • William Hill Scottish Cup
  • Preliminary Round 1
  • Loch Park, New Cumnock
  • Saturday 12th August 2017
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 6 (3)
    • Chris Dallas 2, David Gray,
    • Cameron Marlow, Kyle McAusland, Ryan McChesney
  • Newton Stewart 0 (0)

GLORIOUS GLENAFTON SHINE IN SCOTTISH CUP DEBUT

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Vice President John Campbell with shirt sponsor Roy Howat, Managing Director of Alba Planning Consultants Ltd.

  • Glenafton starting XI
  • Back row: Ryan Borris, Joe Andrew, Jamie McKernon, Chris Dallas, Brian McGarrity, Ryan McChesney.
  • Front Row: Alan Cairns, Craig Menzies (captain), Darren McGill, David Gray, Kyle McAusland

The Glorious 12th August 2017 will go down as another major milestone in the history of Glenafton Athletic Football as they played for the first time in the ‘senior’ Scottish Cup. The New Cumnock side earned entry into Scottish Football’s oldest national competition as Scottish Junior Cup Winners & West Premier Division Champions and handled the occasion in fine style, defeating Newton Stewart of the South of Scotland League by six goals to nil, with three goals in each half.

The home side took the lead on 4 minutes after some fine build up play beginning with Jamie McKernon’s cross field pass from the right to Darren McGill to drive forward before picking out Joe Andrew on the edge of  the box who quickly squared the ball  to Kyle McAusland on the left flank and in a flash he returned the ball to the unmarked Chris Dallas in the heart of the box to fire a low shot into the corner of the net from 12 yards out.

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The Creesiders countered through a good run into the box by Robert Middleton only for a perfectly timed tackle by Ryan McChesney preventing a shot at goal. Glens doubled their lead on 10 minutes after Dallas’ heels were clicked on the outskirts of the box and deadly dead-ball expert David Gray from 22 yards out curled the free-kick beyond wall and keeper.

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Jamie McKernon and Gray were combining well in the middle of the park initiating Glens attacks through Ryan Borris and Darren McGill on both flanks, supported by the overlapping backs Kyle McAusland and Alan Cairns.  Corner-kicks came and went as the home side continued to press while shots from Dallas, Andrew and Ryan Borris all sneaked inches wide of the post.

The visitors had their moments. Another Middleton run was ended by McChesney’s intervention and the ball mopped up by captain Craig Menzies; not impartial to breaking forward when the opportunity presented itself. Midway through the half Ryan McKie made excellent progress down the right before clipping a great ball to Middleton on the far side of the box and his perfect touch set up Ryan Dawson with a clear shot at goal, however his connection was poor and he gifted the ball to birthday boy Brian McGarrity. Dawson made amends minutes later when an audacious attempt from 30 yards out wide on the left had the Glens keeper scurrying backwards along his line into his goal and glad to see the ball land on the right side of the roof of their net. On 37 minutes McGarrity then advanced to the corner of the six- yard box to block an angled shot from McKie and quickly gather the loose ball.

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Still enjoying the lion’s share of possession, the pride of dear New Cumnock roared forward and McKernon skipped a series of tackles to prowl into the box only for Stuart Cluckie to block his shot. Dallas with his way to goal blocked rolled the ball back to Borris and his powerful low shot from inside the D zipped wide of the post. Andrew played a one-two with McGill to advance further into the box before being abruptly halted by Cooksley, however from the deck he managed to feed the ball back to Borris to fashion a cracking shot that was brilliantly saved by Drysdale and pushed round the post.  Once again, the corner kick was cleared beyond the box and the ball eventually fell for McKernon who combined with Borris and McAusland before feeding Andrew just inside the box where he was impeded by defender Micky Wilson. A quick confab between the East Kilbride cohort Gray and Dallas concluded with the latter taking the spot-kick and lashing the ball into the net to put the Glens 3-0 ahead on 44 minutes.

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H/T Glenafton 3 Newton Stewart 0

Glens replaced Darren McGill with Cameron Marlow at the break and within two minutes of his introduction the midfielder added a fourth. Picking up the ball in the middle of the park he hit a forward pass to Andrew on the outskirts of the box who then released  Alan Cairns to motor down the left flank and pick out Marlow who had now arrived in the box to side foot the ball beyound the advancing keeper.

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The home side continued to turn the screw with another couple of corner-kicks that ended without reward. The tireless Kyle McAusland broke upfield and shook of a defender before firing a shot from the corner of the penalty that sailed over the bar; a trial run for what was to follow. At the other end the equally tireless McKie cutting in from the right was defied again by a fine save from McGarrity.

On the hour mark Glens freshened up the front line with Andrew and Dallas making way for John Carter and Mick McCann.  Three minutes later the Glens extended their lead after Kyle McAusland chased down a knock-on from Carter and single-mindedly broke upfield shirking off defenders while electing not to use his nearby team-mates McCann and Marlow but instead a further few strides took him deep into the box and as the keeper advanced from his six-yard box the defender coolly picked his spot to stroke the ball into the net.

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Credit to the Creesiders they continued to seek out crumbs of comfort and Middleton found himself in space only for his shot to dip over the bar. A free-kick floated into the box caused a bit of a scramble before the ball fell for substitute Rory Drysdale only for his close range shot to be blocked by Cairns.

With 15 minutes to go Marlow warmed the fingers of keeper Drysdale with a shot from 18 yards and four minutes later he beat the keeper with a low angled shot from well inside the box only for the ball to bounce off the base of the post and eventually cleared for a corner-kick from the left; which was quickly followed by another from the right. This time Gray’s kick was attacked at the edge of the six-yard by Ryan McChesney to bullet home a header that gave the keeper no chance to make it 6-0 on 80 minutes.

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In the closing action of the game the defiant Drysdale pulled off fine saves from McCann and then Carter in a man-of-the-match performance for his side. The final whistle blew, handshakes exchanged and Glenafton will now host Golspie Sutherland in the 2nd Preliminary Round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

F/T Glenafton Athletic 6 Newton Stewart 0

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Jamie McKernon 7. Ryan Borris 8. David Gray 9. Chris Dallas (14. John Carter) 10. Joe Andrew (16. Mick McCann) 11. Darren McGill (12. Cameron Marlow) Subs not used 15. Dale Moore 17. Iain McKnight GK Scott Watson

Newton Stewart: 1. Euan Drysdale 2. Roddy Cooksley 3. Martyn Henry 4. Scott Forrester 5. Micky Wilson 6. Stuart Cluckie 7. Ryan McKie 8. Graeme Blain 9. Robert Middleton 10. Robbie Thomson 11. Ryan Dawson. Subs used: 16. Rory Drysdale 18. John Kiltie Sus Not Used: 12. Jason McAuley 14. Marc Whyte 15. Russel McQuaker

More photos here

 

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Cumnock 0 Glenafton 2

Posted on August 9, 2017 by flowgently
  • Ardagh Glass Sectional Cup
  • Section 4: Match 3
  • Townhead Park, Cumnock
  • Wednesday 9th August 2017
  • CUMNOCK JUNIORS 0 (0)
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)
    • David Gray, Chris Dallas
Glenafton Athletic squad (4)

David Gray

David Glenafton made in 3 wins in a row on the road with a well deserved local derby victory.

The visitors opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Darren McGill was fouled just outside the box after gathering a pass from David Gray. It was Gray that stepped up to whip one of his  text book free-kicks beyond the wall and into the corner of the net outwith the reach of keeper Darren Johnson.  The New Cumnock side bossed the remainder of the half albeit without adding to their tally .

Although Cumnock came more into the game in the second half the Glnes were creating the bettter of the chances on show and Gray was unlucky not to bag his brace after his shot crashed off the bar.  With two minutes remaining Kyle McAusalnd gathered the ball inside his own half and from tight the right-wing clipped a great ball over the heads of the Cumnock defence for Mick McCann to chase it down in the box and on reaching the goal-line whip it across the face of goal beyond the keeper for the incoming Dallas to chest into the gaping net for 2-0 at the back post.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Ally Park 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Kyle McAusland 6. David Gray 7. Ryan Borris (15. Ryan McChesney)8. Jamie McKernon 9. Chris Dallas 10. Joe Andrew (14. Mick McCann)11. Darren McGill (16.John Carter) Subs not used: 12. Dale Moore

 

 

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Muirkirk 1 Glenafton 3

Posted on August 5, 2017 by flowgently

 

  • Ardagh Glass Sectional Cup
  • Section 4: Match 2
  • Burnside Park, Muirkirk
  • Saturday 5th August 2017
  • MUIRKIRK JUNIORS 1 (1)
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (1)
    • John Carter 2, Kyle McAusland

Glenafton gave starting debuts to summer signings Scott Watson, Iain McKnight (who came off the bench against Talbot) and Dale Moore.

The visitors opened the scoring on 6 minutes after keeper Robbi Wilson lost control of the ball from a corner kick and John Carter was well placed to force the loose ball home from 3 yards out. The keeper’s claims of being impeded fell on deaf ears. aa_DSC_6902

Wilson made a couple of good saves as Glens pressed, first from a Cameron Marlow ball whipped across the face of the goal and then a Ryan McChesney’s shot from deep in the box before his luck deserted him again and he was replaced on 30 minutes by Jordan Platt.

Muirkirk were very much in the game and on 40 minutes Ross Ballantyne broke forward and slipped a pass to Shaun Murtagh on his left to drive into the box and thump a lot angled shot that was saved well by a strong hand from Watson.

Three minutes later Ballantyne gave the Glens defence the slip to set up a free shot at goal from goal only to be denied by a super save from Watson to turn the ball round the post. The Glens keeper could do little from stopping the hosts equalising from the resulting corner kick as striker Graeme Condon leapt to loop a well placed header into the net.

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H/T Muirkirk 1 Glens 1

Glenafton quickly regained the lead four minutes after the break. Mick McCann’s looping header was heading for the back post before Platt did well to push the ball over the bar. David Gray’s corner kick was picked up by McCann who rolled it back for John Carter to drill the ball from 8 yards out through a ruck of players and into the roof of the net.

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The home side almost hit back immediately from  corner kick that fell to Ballantyne who did well to engineer a shot at goal only for it to be blocked by Kyle McAusland. Soon after a header at the back post dropped just over the bar with the Watson’s beaten. The Glens began to take control and chances were coming thick and fast. Marlow’s close range header sailed over the bar and on 63 minutes Moore and McCann combined to set up the midfielder to break into the box to shoot from 6 yards only for Platt to pull of a point blank.

Midway through the half the visitors brought on Chris Dallas and Jamie McKernon for Mick McCann and David Gray as they tried to shake off a stubborn Muirkirk; again still very much in the game at 2-1. Platt got the better of Marlow again blocking his shot from 12 yards out and snapping up the loose ball. On 84 minutes a delicate chip from McKernon released Carter to run to the bye-line and cut the ball across the face of goal beyond the keeper’s reach only for Dallas to clip the ball wide of the post. A couple of other chances came and went for the striker before McChesney’s header was pushed wide for a corner kick. McKernon’s delivery was met by the dipping head of McAusland to bullet the ball home (and survive a kick in the head by team-mate McKnight!) to double the Glens lead on 88 minutes.

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FT Muirkirk 1 Glenafton 3

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1.Scott Watson 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns. 4. Iain McKnight 5. Ryan McChesney 6. David Gray (12. Jamie McKernon) 7. Dale Moore 8. Ally Park 9. Mick McCann (14. Chris Dallas) 10. John Carter 11. Cameron Marlow

More photos here

 

 

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Auchinleck 0 Glens 1

Posted on August 2, 2017 by flowgently
  • Ardagh Glass Sectional Cup
  • Section 4: Match 1
  • Beechwood Park, Auchinleck
  • Wednesday 2nd August 2017
  • AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 (0)
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (0)
    • Chris Dallas

IGlenafton Athletic squad (10)n another close encounter between the two sides Glenafton came out on top again courtesy of an 89th minute spot kick from striker Chris Dallas.

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Ally Park 3. Cameron Marlow 4. Kyle McAusland 5. Cameron Menzies (16. Iain McKnight) 6. David Gray 7. Ryan Borris 8. Jamie McKernon 9. Chris Dallas 10. Joe Andrew 11. Darren McGill

 

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Annbank 0 Glenafton 1

Posted on July 25, 2017 by flowgently
  • Pre-season Friendly
  • New Pebble Park, Annbank
  • Tuesday 25th July 2017
  • ANNBANK UNITED 0 (0)
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC  1 (0)
    • own goal

Glenafton played some good football in the first half and Annbank tried without luck to catch the Glens on the break, but with the teams level at halftime both might feel a wee bit unlucky not to have broke the deadlock. The second half saw Glenaftons passing game dominating the second 45mins which seen the pressure resulting in an own goal by an unfortunate Annbank player in the 55th minute. The Glens had further chances to kill this game but failed to take them. Annbank were quite happy to try and catch the Glens with quick breakaways but resolute defending snuffed out any clear goal scoring chances.The game then got a wee bit feisty and some of the tackles warranted the ref having to book an Annbank player and speak to one or two from both sides to cool down a bit. But with no more goals the game finished 1-0 to Glenafton.

Report courtesy of Glenafton TV

 

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Glenafton 4 Rutherglen 0

Posted on July 22, 2017 by flowgently
  • Joe Meldrum Trophy
  • Loch Park, New Cumnock
  • Saturday 22nd July 2017
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 4 (2)
    • Ryan Borris, Cameron Marlow, Joe Andrew, Chris Dallas
  • Rutherglen Glencairn 0 (0)

Glenafton hosted Rutherglen in the pre-season Joe Meldrum Trophy at Loch Park and the final score-line does not wholly reflect their part in a very competitive match.

The home side opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Ally Park’s header from just inside Rutherglen’s was gathered by John Carter in the box where he twisted past one defender only to be dispossessed by tackle of another, however the ball fell kindly for Ryan Borris to take and fine the space and curl the ball home from 12 yards. Glenafton doubled their lead on 32 minutes after Cameron Marlow anticipated a pass back to the keepr and was in the right place to snap up the hurried clearance and clip the ball past the belegaured KP McAllister.  The keeper made amends later with a stunning one-handed save from the same player from close range. H/T Glens 2 Rutherglen 0

Although both teams created a number of chances after the break it would be 80 minutes before the second stale-mate was broken. David Gray played a short corner-kick to Alan Cairns and his cross into a crowded box was headed clear with the Glens defender quickly recovering the ball before delicately with the outside of his foot lobbing the ball over the head of three defenders deep into the box where former Glencairn forward Joe Andrew gathered before mimicking his team-mate’s touch to lob the goalie. Five minutes later Cairns turned provider again with a ball into the box for Chris Dallas who was having his shirt pulled by a defender at his back; the big striker stepped up to lash the resulting spot kick home and complete the scoring. F/T Glens 4 Rutherglen 0

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity, Park, Cairns, Menzies, McAusland, Marlow, Borris, McKernon, Andrew, Carter, McGill. Subs: Dallas, Gray, Moore, McKnight, Potter, Watson.

Rutherglen Glencairn: McAllister, McGregor, Neil, Donaldson, Fraser, McGuire, Hall, Hamilton, Smith, McArdle, McKay. Subs: Savarese, Team, Ndlovu, Young, Grier, Dempsey, McGurgan, Hutchison.

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Photo courtesy of Glenafton TV

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Glenafton 5 Maybole 1

Posted on July 15, 2017 by flowgently
  • Pre-season Friendly
  • Loch Park, New Cumnock
  • Saturday 15th July 2017
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 5 (3)
    • Chris Dallas, Darren McGill, David Gray (2), Mick McCann
  • MAYBOLE JUNIORS 1 (0)
Glenafton Athletic squad (4)

David Gray double

Glens opened the scoring after Cameron Marlow’s marvellous through ball from the centre-circle into the penalty box was chased down by Joe Andrew who rounded the keeper before clipping the ball to the back post for an unmarked Chris Dallas to hook into the gaping net. After a period of patient build play Marlow lobbed a ball over the heads of the Maybole defence and into the box for Dallas to gather and thump  a shot at goal that the keeper blocked with both hands but could do little to stop the darting Darren McGill stroking home the loose ball.  The home side went three ahead after Kyle McAusland long ball down the right flank was collected by Ally Park and the ball quickly cut back into the box where Dallas took a touch to set up for the in rushing David Gray to lash the ball into the net.

H/T Glens 3 Maybole 0

McGill picked up the ball wide on the left at that half-way line and picked out John Carter to take a great touch and feed Gray to ride a tackle from a defender before pushing forward to the edge of a tackle to skip past another defender before sweetly curling the ball into the corner of the net from 16 yards out. Gray then turned provider with a peach of pass from the centre circle to Mick McCann from the left hand corner of the penalty box where the striker played a one-two with Carter before drilling a low angled shot that squeezed beyond the reach of the keeper at full stretch and into the corner of the net. Maybole’s efforts were rewarded after a loose pass in the middle of the park was snapped up and three slick short passes later the ball was gathered in the box and the forward slipped the ball past the advancing keeper Scott Watson.

F/T Glens 5 Maybole 1

 

 

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Ins and outs at Loch Park for 2017/18

Posted on June 30, 2017 by flowgently

Preparations for new seasons begin with a number of changes to the playing squad.

Leaving Loch Park

Dan Orsi

Glenafton Athletic squad (18)

photo courtesy John B Vass

Dan Orsi has signed for Annan Athletic (22nd June 2017) returning to the Galabank club form where Tommy Bryce signed the midfielder for Glenafton at the start of season 2014/15.  He won his first honour with the club shorty after following the Glens defeat of Auchinleck Talbot in the Ardagh Glass Sectional Cup final. Dan quickly established himself as a fans favourite with his attacking runs into the box. He made 80 starts and 100 appearances for the Glens over three seasons. Dan scored 14 goals including that memorable match winning goal in a crucial 3-2 league win over Hurlford United and of course the winning goal against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic in the Scottish Junior Cup Semi-final 1st leg at Loch Park earning him the man-of-the-match award and indeed ensured the Glens progressed to the final on a 1-0 aggregate win.  Dan also won the man-of-the-match award in the Scottish Junior Cup final where his run down the right and cross set up Cameron Marlow to guide home Glenafton’s equaliser in their 2-1 win over Auchinleck Talbot.  In a memorable final season he made 30 starts and 40 appearances as Glenafton completed the treble of West Region Super Premier Division Champions, Scottish Junior Cup and Evening Times League Winners Cup.

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Dan with his Scottish Junior Cup final Man-of-the-Match Award

 

Blair Lochhead and Chris Meikle

Blair Lochhead and Chris Meikle have left the club by mutual agreement as both players seek out opportunties for starting places at new clubs.

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Blair Lochhead (left) and Chris Meikle (right) – photo courtesy John B. Vass

Goalkeeper Blair was signed by Craig McEwan at the beginning of 2016/17 from Albion Rovers. He made 8 starts from the club during the season and was loaned out for a period to Dalry Thistle for first team acion. Blair played in the end of season Evening Times League Winners Cup keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 the win over Glasgow Perthshire in the final.

Central defender Chris was signed  from Harmony Row at the start of Season 2014/15 by Tommy Bryce.  He made 44 starts and over 50 appearances for the club including 22 in this memorable treble year for Glenafton Athletic.

Glenafton would like to thank Dan, Blair and Chris for their time at Loch Park and wish them every success at their new clubs,

New signings at Loch Park

Jamie McKernon and Dale Moore

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Glenafton Athletic are delighted to announce the signings of Jamie ‘Jambo’ McKernon (26th June 2017) and Dale ‘Gunner’ Moore (30th June 2017). Jambo played for the Glens in season 2013/14 and 2014/15 before signing for Queen’s Park while Gunner played for Glenafton youth sides before joining Ayr United youth and then Troon in Season 2012. Welcome back to Loch Park Jamie and Dale,

 

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Glenafton 2 Glasgow Perthshire 0

Posted on June 10, 2017 by flowgently
  • Evening Times League Champions Cup
  • Final
  • New TintoPark, Benburb
  • Saturday 10th Jue 2017
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)
    • David Gray, Cameron Marlow,
  • GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 0 (0)

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Premier Division champions Glenafton travelled to New Tinto Park, home of Benburb Juniors to face Central 2nd Division Champions Glasgow Perthshire in the final of the Evening Times League Champions Cup. The two sides last met in the West of Scotland Cup final  in 2012/13 where a Gareth ‘Bo’ Campbell goal three minutes from time forced a penalty shoot-out. It was Bo, a substitute for Craig McEwan – now the Glens boss, that stepped up to strike home the decisive spot-kick to take the cup to New Cumnock.

Glenafton got off to a great start in their quest to complete the ‘treble’ with an opening goal within 3 minutes. Perthshire’s Ryan Gemmell tripped Cammy Marlow at the edge of the box and up stepped David Gray to clip the ball over the defensive wall and dip into the net beyond the reach of keeper Chris Calder – reminiscent of first competitive goal for the Glens, scored on this ground in a 5-1 win over hosts Benburb.

On 11 minutes Kyle McAusland on the overlap down the right was fouled before he reached the dead-ball line. Instead of chipping the free-kick into the box Gray rolled the ball back to the outskirts of the “D” where it was met first time by Marlow to drill a low hard shot that whizzed wide of the post. Two minutes later a bloody-nosed Dan Orsi tried his luck from 30 yards out to pull off a decent save from Calder; before temporarily leaving the field of play to change his blood-stained short.

Shire began to make an impact on the game with some eye-catching silky runs through the middle by midfielder Scott Forrester. On 15 minutes keeper Blair Lochhead had to be alert to clutch a free-kick from under his bar as target man David Kirkwood waited to pounce.

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Blair Lochhead and David Kirkwood

Glens pressed down both flanks through Orsi on the right and Ryan Borris on the left and although Andrew and John Carter were getting a lot of service clear-cut chances were thin on the ground as the Shire defence closed them down.

Fraser Malcolm’s foray forward on 20 minutes was halted on the D of the box by a timely tackle from captain Craig Menzies. Back came Malcolm with another break down the left before bursting into the box and squaring the ball for Forrester in the six yard box only for Alan Cairns to nick the ball from his toes and clear the danger.

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Joe Andrew

Play was now ebbing from end to end with Glens responding through a speculative dipping shot from 30 yards out from Andrew that was well held by Calder. At the other end Kirkwood’s near post header from a corner-kick was blocked and cleared by McAusland. Neat build up play between Forrester and Craig Smith set up the striker with a low angled shot from deep in the box that Lochhead smothered at the near post. On 29 minutes Smith broke through the middle before cracking a powerful shot from 22 yards out that screamed over the bar. The Glasgow side kept up the pressure with a corner-kick which saw Logan McIntyre’s shot blocked by McAusland and Forrester’s attempt to bury the rebound blocked by Orsi.

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Fraser Malcolm with Chris Meikle closing in

Glens countered with shots from Orsi and then Andrew, the former dipping over the bar and the latter saved by the keeper. On 39 minutes Andrew forced his way deep into the box to flash a ball across the face of goal past the keeper at his near post but just beyond the reach of Carter. A minute later Borris, after twisting and turning down the left, unleashed a fierce dipping shot that Calder kept is eye and clutched cleanly with both hands. Back upfield and the nippy Forrester threatened again only to be eventually undone deep in the box by the combined efforts of Cairns and Lochhead. Two minutes from the break Orsi and Andrew played a slick one-two at pace to release Orsi in the box only for his low drive from 15 yards to be stopped and then held by the diving Calder.  An entertaining half ended with a Shire corner-kick being mopped up by the Glens defence.

H/T Glens 1 Shire 0

The first chance of the second half fell to Shire’s Jordan Currie-McLean but under pressure from Cairns his shot drifted well wide of target.  At the other end Marlow slipped the ball to Andrew who worked his way into the box before his shot from a close range took a deflection of a defender to sail over the bar. The resulting corner-kick was only partially cleared and quickly followed by another that came to nothing.

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Ryan Borris gives Ryan Gemmell the slip

On 57 minutes Lochhead was forced to rush out of the penalty box to beat Forrester to the ball only for it to allude them both and Menzies to chase it down deep in the box as Forrester closed in.

Although the tempo of the game had dropped it was still very much in the balance as both sides realised the next goal would be crucial in deciding the outcome. Calder was called into action and dealt comfortably with a Gray free-kick and a Borris shot from the edge of the box. While at the other end Malcolm’s chip into the six yard box was met by the head of Forrester only for the ball to dip over the bar. On 69 minutes the Glens came within a whisker of doubling their lead after fine play down the right by McAusland ended with an inch perfect cross for Andrew who although he met it sweetly first time at the corner of the six yard box the shot flashed wide of target.

In an instant the ball was launched upfield and gathered by Menzies who set off on a characteristic lung-bursting up the right flank and just as it seemed he been stripped off the ball by  Mark Thompson he recovered the ball to drive into the six yard box before cutting it back for the incoming Cameron Marlow to slot home on 70 minutes.

The Glens freshened up the side with Chris Dallas coming on for Ryan Borris and Mick McCann replacing the injured and man-of-the-match Craig Menzies.

The New Cumnock side pushed for a third and Orsi shot from 15 yards was well blocked by Calder and although Andrew slammed home the rebound, it was from an offside position.

At the other end Forrester picked out Smith in the box but despite their best efforts the Shire couldn’t get the better of a squad of blue shirts defending manfully. Lochhead then pushed a shot from distance over the bar and Kirkwood couldn’t properly connect with the resulting corner-kick, his header drifting wide of target.

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Chris Calder saves from Chris Dallas

Back came Glens and Dallas released Carter to run into the box only for a timely tackle from McIntyre preventing the striker from shooting for goal. In the final minute of the game Dallas broke free into the Shire half and from there into the right hand side of the box before drilling a low angled shot that Calder got down to low to push away. The loose ball was snapped up by Andrew on the left hand side of the box and squared back across the face of goal for Dallas only for his second bite at the cherry to be deflected wide off a defender and the final whistle went before anything could become of the corner-kick.

So concluded a quite remarkable season for Glenafton Athletic the magnificent Evening Times trophy on its way to New Cumnock to join the West Region Super Premier League trophy and th Scottish Junior Cup to complete a fantastic treble.

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Goalscorers Cammy & Davie with Mn-of-the-Match Zee in the middle

FT Glenafton Athletic 2 Glasgow Perthshire 0

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Blair Lochhead 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies (14. Mick McCann) 5. Chris Meikle 6. Cameron Marlow 7. Dan Orsi 8. David Gray 9. John Carter 10. Joe Andrew 11. Ryan Borris (12. Dallas)

Glasgow Perthshire: 1 Chris Calder 2 Logan McIntyre 3 Bryan McLaughlin 4 Mark Thompson 5 David Kirkwood 6 Scott Forrester 7 Jordan Currie-McLean 8 Craig Munro 9 Craig Smith 10 Ryan Gemmell 11 Fraser Malcolm Subs: Gordon Brown, Andrew Gibson, Stewart Brodie Mark McDonnell

More photos here

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Glenafton 3 Girvan 1

Posted on June 7, 2017 by flowgently
  • Evening Times League Champions Cup
  • Semi-final
  • Loch Park, New Cumnock
  • Wednesday 7th Jue 2017
  • GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 3 (1)
    • John Carter, Cameron Marlow, David Gray
  • GIRVAN 1 (0)
    • Robert Patterson

Super League Premier Division champions Glenafton hosted Super League 1st Division champions Girvan in the semi-final of the Evening Times League Champions Cup. The Glens formed a guard of honour to applaud Girvan on to the pitch and in a move that Robbie Shepherd of “Tak the Floor” fame would have appreciated the visitors reciprocated and formed a guard of honour for their hosts.

Both sets of players then received their champions medals in turn before posing for team photographs with their respective league trophies; the Glens also displaying the Scottish Junior Cup for good measure.

There were plenty of chances on show in an entertaining first half but the finishing generally lacked the bite of the cloud of man-eating midgies that descended on the Loch Park to munch on players and supporters of both persuasions in equal measure.

Girvan’s early chances fell to Andy Stevenson (his goal had knocked the Glens out of the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup at Girvan) and Robert Patterson – their respective header just off target. At the other end Ryan McChesney met a corner kick sweetly only for his volley to slip wide of the post and soon after keeper Scott Johnstone rushed from his line to foil Conor Lynass’s run into the box.

Chances continued to come and go at either end with Stevenson & Patterson going close for Girvan with John Carter & Cameron Marlow replying likewise for the Glens.

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Glenafton enjoyed a sustained period of pressure beginning on 28 minutes with a scramble in the box and the ball falling for Lynass only for Johnstone to narrow the angle to force the midfielder to drill his shot inches wide of the back post. The keeper then got two strong hands to push away a thumping free-kick from David Gray. Ten minutes before the break Marlow took out the Girvan defence with a superb pass into the box for Joe Andrew who quickly fired a low-angled shot that slipped beyond the advancing keeper but again the ball finished just wide of the post.

A minute later the home side were almost caught out with a self-inflicted sucker punch. Chris Meikle’s pass-back header caught Blair Lochhead well off his line leaving the keeper to chase after the ball heading to the gaping net and although the ball won the race it also hit the post and bounced back into the hands of the relieved goalie.

Back up the field and finally a breakthrough borne out of John Carter’s determination. The striker played a one-two with Lynass on the outskirts of the box before firing a shot from just inside the box that was blocked by the outstretched leg a defender. Unperturbed Carter chased down the loose ball and as he fell to the ground managed to fire a shot between two defenders and beyond the keeper rooted to the spot and into the net. Glens 1-0 on 37 minutes.

Glens pressed for a second, winning three corner-kicks in a row before the last chance fell for the tireless Ryan Borris only for his shot from 20 yards to dip over the bar.

H/T Glens 1 Girvan 0

The home side picked up where they had left off at the start of the second half firmly on the front foot. A couple of corner-kicks were cleared and efforts from Borris and Carter kept the keeper on his toes.

Girvan gradually worked their way back into the game to draw level on 63 minutes after a deadly break up the right that ended with Robert Patterson being picked out in space at the back post where he kept his cool to guide the ball beyond Lochhead’s valiant attempt to block it with an outstretched leg.

Two minutes later the visitors brought on the fresh legs of the former Glenafton striker Michael Reilly for Andy Stevenson and the visitors now had a spring in their step and, like the midgies, tasted blood.  On 67 minutes a corner kick played to the near post was met by the leaping Patterson to flash a powerful header that seemed destined for the goal only for Lochhead to powerfully punch the ball to safety.

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John Carter on the move

Another change for Girvan with 10 minutes to go saw Marc Cameron replace David Jardine as both sides chased for the goal that would preclude the dreaded penalty shoot-out and another twenty minutes of midgie torture (yes, they were that bad!). The substitute almost made an immediate impact as he picked out Jack McDowall in a packed box who quickly turned to blasted the ball from 6 yards out only for Lochhead, his view blocked by a defender, to pull off a magnificent save and push the ball wide for a corner kick.

Play was then halted for some time after a Girvan players had noticed that Conor Lynass was in some distress and the Glens midfielder was stretchered off and replaced by Dan Orsi.

Play resumed and the Glens defended the Girvan corner-kick with Kyle McAusland and Borris breaking upfield on the counter-attack which although was eventually cleared up, it heralded a determined final push by the home side which was rewarded on 88 minutes. The ball fell for Orsi on the outskirts of the box and trapped within a pocket of defenders he slipped the ball to Cameron Marlow who lashed a shot from 22 yards out that caught Johnstone rooted to his goal-line with a perfect view to watch the ball crash off the post into the net.

Girvan had little left to give as the Glens continued to push forward in waves and scored again as the game entered time added-on. Carter chased down a seemingly lost cause to win a corner-kick which was floated into the box by Gray and met by Carter only for his header to be blocked by the raised arm of the unfortunate Scott Dinwoodie. Up stepped David Gray to bulge the net from 12 yards out and send the Glens on their way to the Evening Times League Champions Cup final and a possible treble – suddenly the midgies didn’t seem that bad!

F/T Glens 3 Girvan 1

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC: 1. Blair Lochhead 2. Kyle McAusland 3.Alan Cairns 4. Chris Meikle, 5. Ryan McChesney 6. Cameron Marlow 7. Ryan Borris 8. David Gray 9. John Carter 10. Joe Andrew 11. Conor Lynass (15. Dan Orsi). Subs not used: 12. Chris Dallas 14. Mick McCann 17. Brian McGarrity (g/k)

GIRVAN: 1. Scott Johnstone 2. Craig Reid 3. Mark Doolan 4. Steven McCreadie 5. John Frame 6. Scott Dinwoodie 7. James Hilton 8. Jack McDowall 9. Andy Stevenson (16. Michael Reilly), 10. Robert Patterson 11. David Jardine (14. Marc Cameron) Subs not used: 12. Stephen Auld, 15. Sean Robertson

More photos here

Footnote: Happy to report that Conor’s injury although a sore one was not as bad as first feared. Here’s to a speedy recovery

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