Glenafton Athletic

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

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

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Ardagh Glass Cup, Cumnock Juniors, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

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.

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

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Ardagh Glass Cup, Glenafton Athletic, Muirkirk Juniors, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

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

I Glenafton 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

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

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

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Annbank United, Friendly, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

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.

Photo courtesy of Glenafton TV

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Glenafton Athletic, Joe Meldrum Trophy, New Cumnock, Rutherglen Glencairn, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

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)

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

Posted in GAFC Fixture | Tagged Friendly, Glenafton Athletic, Maybole Juniors, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

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

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.

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.

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,

Posted in GAFC Squad | Comments Off

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 2^nd 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Evening Times League Champions Cup, Glasgow Perthshire, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

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 1^st 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.

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.

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

Posted in GAFC Match Report | Tagged Evening Times League Champions Cup, Girvan, Glenafton Athletic, New Cumnock, Scottish Junior Football | Comments Off

Auchinleck 1 Glenafton 2

Posted on June 4, 2017 by flowgently

Scottish Junior Cup
Final
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Sunday 4th June 2017
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (1)
- Keir Milliken
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)
- Cameron Marlow, Alan Cairns

GLENAFTON GANG FIGHTBACK TO SETTLE OLD SCORES

Auchinlek Talbot 1 Glenafton Athletic 2

Glenafton came into their sixth Scottish Junior Cup final some 24 years after their only previous triumph in the competition against Tayport from Fife. The New Cumnock side is often reminded that they lost all other four finals to Ayrshire sides including to Auchinleck 25 years ago and more recently, three seasons ago, against Hurlford here at Rugby Park. To add to the omens their only other two Scottish Junior Cup appearances at Rugby Park, in the semi-final, had also ended in defeat. Today at Rugby Park those monkeys were removed from their backs in emphatic fashion with the defeat of not only an Ayrshire side, but the defeat of Auchinleck Talbot a side that’s name is synonymous with the Scottish Junior Cup going for their 12th ‘gold star’.

Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was observed through the stadium as mark of respect for the victims of the terrorist attack in London on Saturday 3^rd June. Five minutes after kick-off both sets of supporters joined in a minute’s applause in memory of former Talbot and Glens player Sam McCulloch; the 57-year-old New Cumnock man having passed away in January this year.

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The early encounters saw Talbot enjoy the better start before the Glens began to get a foothold on the game and win several free-kicks on the outskirts of the box which where comfortably dealt with keeper Andy Leishman. However, the Afton head of steam was extinguished on 17 minutes after a classic Auchinleck counter-attack. Stevie Wilson picked up the ball deep in his own half and burst upfield with the Glens defence back-tracking before him while supported with a team-mate to his left and right. When the wall of red shirts stood firm he gave them the slip to the right hand side of the box and then slip a perfectly weighted ball for Keir Milliken to drill a low angled shot and beat Brian McGarrity as his near post; the first goal the keeper has conceded in the competition since the 2^nd round.

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Soon after Dwayne Hyslop passed up a decent chance to double the holders’ lead only to head well wide a Bryan Young pin-point cross from close range. The Glens regrouped and began to press for the equaliser without however fashioning a clear attempt at goal. Midway through the half the New Cumnock side were almost caught on the break again after Martin McGoldrick launched the ball upfield from the corner of the Talbot box for Graham Wilson to chase down in the Glens box only for captain Craig Menzies and Ryan McChesney to pair up and clear the danger.

Dan Orsi fends off Willie Lyle

Back came Glens and on this occasion McGoldrick got a clear view of Chris Dallas’s clean pair of heels as the striker collected a through ball before hitting a cracking first time shot from the edge the box which Leishman did well to cleanly catch. Meanwhile Young countered with a shot at the other end that sailed high over McGarrity’s bar.

Chris Dallas sets up a shot

An old fashioned stramash in the centre-circle ended with Darren McGill emerging with the ball to drive into the Talbot half where White and Young’s attempt to recover the ball was undone by an alert Dan Orsi who quickly forced his way up the right-wing. With time on his side and Dallas screaming for the ball at the near-side corner the midfielder elected instead to float an exquisite cross to the far side of box where it was met by Cameron Marlow’s late run and equally exquisite touch from 8 yards out to guide it beyond the outstretched hand of the keeper. The match all square on 28 minutes.

Keeper Andy Leishman looks on as Cameron Marlow (out of shot) scores

The game continued to be played at a frantic pace and ebbing back on forth on the sun-drenched Rugby Park pitch with a few clear-cut chances on show. The best for Talbot’s was Wilson’s long range shot that whizzed past the post with McGarrity at full stretch. While for the Glens, a long throw into the six yard box ended with Dallas’s shot deflected wide for a corner-kick which was delivered by McGill, met by Marlow and his drive well saved by Leishman.

H/T Auchinleck 1 Glenafton 1

Glenafton kicked off second half and early on forced back-to-back corner kicks that were cleared. At the other end Young chipped a free kick into the six-yard box that was punched clear by McGarrity, soon after the keeper then foiled Graham Wilson’s attempt to convert Milliken’s cross into the near post.

Ryan McChesney and Dwyane Hyslop (Photo courtesy of John B. Vass)

The Glens were patiently building attacks from the back with Kyle McAusland and Orsi on the right flank in particular seeing a lot of the ball while the Talbot preferred the more direct route trying to pick out their mobile forwards.

On 55 minutes Glenafton won the first of three corner-kicks in quick succession the third one concluding with McGill’s shot from outside the box drifting wide of the post. Talbot countered through a low angled drive by Milliken which McGarrity did well to get down and hold on his line. The keeper and his captain then survived a scare after Graham Wilson failed to capitalise on their misunderstanding in the box and a golden chance to restore Talbot’s lead was lost.

Mick McCann challenges Steven White

Mick McCann and Dallas combined to keep the Talbot defence on their toes as the Glens continued to press. Another corner-kick midway through the half ended with McCann’s glancing header flying wide of target. The former Talbot striker made way for Joe Andrew on 68 minutes and five minutes later Conor Lynass replaced Darren McGill; the fresh legs quickly helping to ensure that Glenafton maintained their momentum in controlling the game.

Dallas and Andrew combined well on the right before the latter chipped the ball over the top of the Talbot defence for Marlow and Dallas’s runs into the box only for Ross Harvey to break down the attack and launch the ball upfield where it was quickly snapped up by Ally Park. In acres of space the former Talbot midfielder quickly switched play to the left with a perfectly weighted square pass to Alan Cairns now breaking forward at speed with Lynass available to collect the ball wider to his left. However, the defender took one touch and then launched an unstoppable left foot shot from 30 yards out that screamed over the airborne Leishman at full stretch and into the far corner of the net.

Alan Cairns scores when he wants – his first for the club (Photo Courtesy of John B. Vass)

The goal sparked off celebrations of sheer joy with Cairnsy’s smile wider than the Afton Dam as he ran towards the Glenafton support in the Frank Beattie stand with his overjoyed team-mates in hot pursuit. What a way to open your goalscoring account for the club!

Alan Cairns with Conor Lynass and Ally Park on his way

The Glens had fought back to the lead on 75 minutes and the contrast in red & white elation and black & gold deflation couldn’t be more stark. The New Cumnock side were more than aware that a wounded Talbot was a dangerous beast but this was a Glenafton side that had shown great character to be crowned league champions and had completed the league double over their formidable neighbours.

Talbot responded by replacing midfielder Craig McCracken with Mark Shankland while soon after the Glens brought on the fresh legs of John Carter for fellow striker Chris Dallas with attack remaining on of the key forms of Afton’s defence.

Joe Andrew keeps possession

With the Glens defence comfortably breaking down Talbot attacks at one end and the Glens attack frustrating the Talbot back-line with their defiant hold up play at the other the clock ticked on without any further clear-cut chances being created. Three minutes of added time ended with the sweet shrill of the referee’s whistle and for the Afton sweet joy was flowing amang thy green baize of Rugby Park.

The Final Whistle

F/T Auchinleck 1 Glenafton 2

Glenafton Athletic: 1. Brian McGarrity 2. Kyle McAusland 3. Alan Cairns 4. Craig Menzies 5. Ryan MChesney 6. Ally Park 7. Dan Orsi 8. Cameron Marlow 9. Chris Dallas (15. John Carter) 10. Mick McCann (14. Joe Andrew) 11. Darren McGill (16. Conor Lynass). Subs not used 12. David Gray GK. Blair Lochhead

Auchinleck Talbot: 1. Andy Leishman 2. Ross Harvey 3. Willie 4. Martin McGoldrick 5. Steven White, 6.Stephen Wilson 7. Bryan Young 8. Craig McCracken (12 Mark Shankland) 9. Keir Milliken 10. Graham Wilson 11. Dwayne Hyslop. Subs Unused: Dylan Pooler, Klark Thomson, Neil McPherson, Dylan Stevenson.

Dan Orsi collected his man-of-the-match award before lining up with his team-mates to mount the podium where captain Craig Menzies lift the Scottish Junior Cup aloft. In their first full season in charge manager Craig McEwan and his assistant Craig Potter had delivered the Western League and Scottish Cup double a truly remarkable achievement. Come Awa’ the Afton.

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In their first full season in charge manager Craig McEwan and his assistant Craig Potter had delivered the Western League and Scottish Cup double a truly remarkable achievement. Come Awa’ the Afton.