2011 Review April: Afton Push for Promotion

Posted on December 25, 2011 by flowgently

The month began with a defeat away to holders Cumnock in the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup 2nd round, a Steven Murray header separating the sides.

The cup exit cliché of concentrating on the league bore fruit for Glenafton with four league wins in 13 days as midweek football ensured a busy calendar.  It began with a crucial win over promotion pusher Girvan. The Seasiders were reduced to 10 men just before the break and the home side made the numerical advantage count with goals from Gareth Armstrong and Paul McInnes; only seven points now stood between third top and third bottom in this the most competitive league in the West Region.  Jim Wilson and Gareth Armstrong proved to be a handful for Hurlford and both scored either side of the interval before the Paul McKenzie fired in a late third.  Armstrong and McKenzie with a stunning free kick) were both on the scoreboard again and gave the Glens a 2-0 lead at the break away at Vale of Clyde. Substitute Aaron Scoular cracked in a contender for the goal of the season from the edge of the ‘D’ late in the game to secure another 3 points.

Vale of Clyde outnumbered by McChesney, Howie, Henderson, McBride and McKillen

The mid-week trip to face promotion hopefuls Whitletts Vics at Dam Park was decided on the hour mark by an indirect free kick six yards from the goal, the ball touched to Gareth Armstrong to blast home.  Thanks to an unbeaten run of two draws and five wins the Glens had climbed to 2rd place in the league with 30 points, 3 points behind leaders Clydebank, with both teams having played 20 games; albeit many of the teams chasing the promotion spots had two or three games in hand.

Armstrong, Wilson and McKenzie celebrate Bo's winner at Whitetts (photo courtesy John Vass)

Striker Gareth Armstrong had scored in every game of the unbeaten run amassing a total of 10 goals, while in the five wins in a row the Glens defence hadn’t conceded a goal with a key feature undoubtedly the blossoming of young Ryan McChesney under the tutelage of the experienced Robbie Henderson and the week in week out consistency of keeper Ally Semple, the real super Ally!

The unbeaten run drew to a conclusion in coupon-buster circumstances with a 1-0 home defeat to second bottom Cumbernauld United, the visitors well worthy of their win.  Gareth Armstrong put the Glens ahead 10 minutes before the break at Kilwinning in the midweek match but the Buffs struck back through a cracking volley from Kris Mitchell with 20 minutes to go and the points were shared. Captain Willie Howie, back to his best, inspired a hard fought win at East Kilbride. A superb passage of passing play ended with trialist Chris McGroarty smashing an unsaveable shot into the roof of the net as the interval loom. The home side’s hopes of salvaging a point were dashed by indiscipline and their numbers reduced to nine during the second half.

Bound for Pastures New - Kris Mitchell and Willie Howie

The Glens ended the month in 2nd place in the league with 37 points but were now 8 points behind leaders Clydebank, both sides having played 23 of their 26 league games. While the pack chasing for promotion places were waiting to pounce – , Girvan (Pl 20/34pts), Whitletts (23/34), Ashfield (20/33) Renfrew (21/32) and Shotts (21/30)

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2011 Review March: Bo to the four!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by flowgently

Gareth Armstrong gave the Glens a first half lead at Blair Park before Hurlford drew level from the penalty spot, after a Willie Howie handball, just before the hour mark. The Glens were reduced to 10 men in the closing minutes following Armstrong’s second yellow card and the game drew to a close with the sides settling for a share of the points.

Stevie Kerrigan, former Camelon manager, joined the club as assistant manager to Greg Denham.

Bo bags one at Blair Park

The home league game against Annbank was one of only three league games that survived an early-March snowfall. Gareth Armstrong made it three goals in three games as he gave the Glens a first half lead. The home side were reduced to 10 men soon after the break when trialist Robbie Henderson collected a pair of yellow cards. Armstrong allayed any fears of a Bankies comeback by completing his hat-trick and after the Glens were reduced to 9 men (following Paul McKenzie’s straight red card), Bo added a fourth.

Cup football took centre stage beginning with the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup 1st round match at home to Ayrshire District side Troon. A first half strike by Paul McInnes in a keenly fought contest was enough to settle the tie in favour of the Glens.  New signing Robbie Henderson made his debut in the West of Scotland Cup 2nd round against Auchinleck at Loch Park. In another close encounter the Premier side progressed to the 3rd round courtesy of a David Gillies freak goal and a second from Brian Young in injury time; Steven Greenlees shown a second yellow for trying to stop the Talbot man on way to goal.

Kevin McBride and Bryan Slavin

Despite collecting four points from two league games the month closed with the Glens sitting 8th in the league (W5 D6 L5), 11 points behind leaders Clydebank and 7 points behind second placed Whitletts, with Girvan a point further back in third place. Of greater concern only four points separated the Loch Park side from the relegation zone, where Vale of Clyde, Hurlford and Cumbernauld were lurking all with games in hand, while Annbank appeared doomed to drop isolated on bottom spot with seven points.

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2011 Review February: Bankies make their move

Posted on December 21, 2011 by flowgently

Hannah Park proved to be a happy hunting ground as the Glens came back from a goal down at the break to secure the three points with goals from Stephen Docherty, his first for the club, and Paul McKenzie. The win extended Glenafton’s unbeaten league run to six games (W3 D3) and catapulted them to 5th in the league, now six points behind leaders Whitletts, each having played 11 games.

Stephen Docherty heads up at Hannah Park

Aspirations of closing the gap crumbled when a classy Clydebank came calling and cuffed the Glens 3-0, including a brace from the dynamic Dymock known as Stevie.  Defender Scott Wilson, making his home debut saw red and due to a long-term injury has been side-lined ever since. More woes at Western Park as the Glens failed to break down the Renfrew defence marvellously marshalled by Neil Shearer, while the ‘Frew converted two of their handful of chances.  The Glens bombarded Bellshill in the early exchanges at Loch Park but had only a Jim Wilson goal to show for their dominance before the visitors drew level through a Stephen Bennet.  Danger-man Sean McKenna, who had scored all 4 goals in Bellshill Scottish Junior Cup win over Glens earlier in the season, put the visitors ahead with a 25 yard screamer, before Gareth Armstrong ensured the points were shared with a low drive five minutes from time. By the close of the month the Glens were 8th in the league with a W4 D5 L5 record, 2 points ahead of the relegation zone and 9 points behind leaders Clydebank.

Richie McKillen blocks Bankies

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2011 Review January: Point at Pebble

Posted on December 19, 2011 by flowgently

Bad weather had wiped out the Junior card from late November 2010 through to early January 2011. The Glens had first footed the New Year precariously placed 9th in the 14 team league, in which the bottom four faced relegation at the season’s close. The Loch Park side had a symmetrical league record of W3 L3 D3 and were 10 points behind league leaders Whitletts Victoria.

Ryan gets a helping hand of experience from Scott and Southy

With the weather still impacting on the fixture list game-rusty Glens relied on friendlies to stretch the legs and amassed 10 goals in three days with victories over Troon (5-2) and Ayr United U19s (5-1).  Finally on the 29th January, some 10 weeks after their last competitive match, the Glens travelled to New Pebble Park to face bottom of the league Annbank United.  Manager Greg Denham introduced a new defensive line up with a back three comprising debutants Craig McEwan (from Pollok) and Scott Wilson (Linlithgow Rose) and New Cumnock lad Ryan McChesney making only his second start of the season.  A clean sheet was duly delivered, however not only by the Glens but also by their hosts with keeper Brian McGarrity saving a spot-kick for the home side from man-of-the match McEwan.

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Fabi steadys the Buffs

Posted on December 17, 2011 by flowgently

With the Glens’ West of Scotland Cup match against Pollok postponed due to a snowbound Loch Park manager Darren Henderson and John Garroch were in attendance at Abbey Park to find out first hand who Glenafton would face in the 4th round of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup.

Afton Lads at Abbey Park

Two former Glenafton players, striker  Michael Hart and central defender Roland Fabiani featured in the starting eleven while two others, Kevin Deeney and Gary Robertson were on the bench. However, it was Fabi’s defensive partner and former Renfrew stopper Neil Shearer that hogged the first half headlines with a brace of goals and whetting the Abbey Park faithful’s appetite for that once common footballing phrase  a ‘Shearer hat-trick’.

The home side passed up a number of chances to extend their lead and the deficit was halved mid way through the second half with a close range effort from Darren O’Donnell and the Vics sensed the game could yet be saved.  Fate on the other hand thought otherwise. The visitors were reduced to 10 men when two yellow cards were brandished in quick succession to Paul Gray – one for protesting the denial of spot kick following a hand ball in the Buffs box and then a minute later for kicking the ball away after a free kick was awarded for a foul on the impressive David ‘Harpo’ Smith. Before the unfortunate defender was in the early  bath the Groucho cigars were being passed round after Fabi was in hand to head home the telling third goal from a few yards out.

Fabi takes a bow

Over the piece the Buffs were well worth their win. Apart from the ‘Shearer and Sutton, sorry Fabiani, Show’ the aforementioned David Smith always looked dangerous on the break while Ben Lewis proved a handful for the Blantyre back-line.

more photos here

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Dempster teams up with Darren

Posted on December 16, 2011 by flowgently

Having guested for Glenafton in the two recent friendlies against Stranraer and Irvine Meadow the club is delighted to announce that they have signed striker John Dempster.  Of course John is well known to Glenafton manager Darren Henderson, the pair having played together at Cumnock Juniors and Stenhousemuir under Campbell Money.

Courtesy of Cowdenbeath FC

John began his senior career at St.  Mirren (2002) before moving to Stranraer later that season and then joining the Junior ranks, where he starred for Cumnock Juniors.  When then Cumnock manager Campbell Money took over the hot seat Stenhousemuir he returned to Townhead in the January (2007) transfer window to take both  John and Darren to Ochilview.  With 17 goals in 36 appearances for the Warriors, John stepped up a division the following January and joined Cowdenbeath, helping the Blue Brazil to back-to-back promotions from 3rd Division to 1st Division. John went on to score 20 goals in make almost 100 appearances for the Fife side before being released by Jimmy Nicholl in May.

Welcome to Loch Park,  John.

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Glenafton v Pollok

Posted on December 15, 2011 by flowgently

The cup-tie was originally scheduled for Saturday 14th December 2011 but was postponed due to the unseasonally cold weather in New Cumnock at that time. The SJFA convened a panel of their finest planning consultants to set a new date for the tie.

Great to see the Lok back at Lok Park!

New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup 2nd Round

Sat 14th January , Loch Park, New Cumnock KO 1:45pm

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC v POLLOK

Weather permitting Glenafton will play their first competitive game in three weeks since the victory over Hermes in the Scottish Junior Cup. A couple of worthwhile friendlies,  2-0 win over Stranraer and 2-2 draw with Irvine Meadow, may have helped maintain the match fitness of the players but only enhanced the supporters appetite for a game before the New Year.

Few would argue that a home game against Pollok is the perfect pick me up for football hungry fans, who have sorely missed league games against the Glasgow giants in recent seasons, having previously enjoyed sharing seven seasons in the top flight together. Few would also argue, that by their own high standards (including no fewer than 4 West Region Premier titles) the current league campaign is disappointing and unlikely to end with a fifth flag flying over Newlandsfield.  Similarly, the Glens’ recent run of league games has not yielded the same return in points as those garnered earlier in the season and the escapism of cup football may be just the tonic for both clubs.

Update from Saturday 14th December 2011

Both clubs have played one competitive match since the postponement of the tie in December. Pollok travelled to Clydebank last Saturday where the Bankies completed the ‘league double’ over the ‘Lok with ex-Glenafton defender opening the scoring in the 3-1 win, while the Glens recorded a 1-0 home win over Rutherglen in the league.

Stevie Agnew and Joe Carruth reunited at Loch Park

West of Scotland Cup

Pollok last won the West of Scotland Cup in season 1999/00 when they defeated ……. Glenafton Athletic.  The two sides met on midsummer’s day of the new millennium at Cambuslang Rangers’ Somervell Park. The Glens opened the scoring in the first half when former ‘Lok player Boris McLaughlin picked out Scott Archer in the box and although his effort crashed off the underside of the bar Robbie Newall rushed in to thump the rebound home.

Early in the second half a ball across the face of goal by Pollok skipper Ian Morrison set up former Kilbirnie Ladeside striker Alex Eadie to tap in the equaliser. In the last-minute Eadie headed home a corner kick to win the West.

Glenafton: Smith, Carruth, Kennedy, Agnew, Archer, Slater, Brown, Gibson, Houston, Newall, McLaughlin Subs. O’Brien, Waite

Pollok: Hanley, O’Neil, McWilliams, Copeland, Pacitti, Prytz, Morrison, Eadie, Main, McPhee,McGregor Subs: Johnstone, Hendry, Wilson, Craig, Black

In later years two players in the Glens’ team that day,  captain Joe Carruth and midfielder Richie Newall,  joined Pollok, However, today following the departure of Jamie Doyle last week there are no former Glenafton players in the current Pollok squad, although Stephen Docherty is on the coaching staff.

In Season 2001/02 the two sides met in the second round of the competition at Loch Park and a Stuart Boyd strike from the edge of the box settled the tie in favour of Glenafton.

Glenafton last won the West of Scotland Cup in season 2005/06 ….. at Newlandsfield.  Kevin Murray gave Maryhill the lead at the interval but man-of-the-match Steven McGregor rose head and shoulders above the ‘Hill defence to head home the equaliser. Robbie Mitchell put the Glens one up in the penalty shoot-out and then keeper Gary Matthews blocked Bryan Dingwall’s spot kick to make it advantage Glens, an advantage they didn’t surrender on their way to winning the West for the second time.

Legendary Glens’ goalie Gary was forced to change his top at the beginning of the game and played throughout the final in a Pollok shirt loaned by the hosts, while of course in later seasons Bryan Dingwall would go on to attain legendary status with Pollok as a prolific goalscorer.

Gary Matthews saves from Maryhill's Bryan Dingwall

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Scottish Junior Cup 4th round draw

Posted on December 15, 2011 by flowgently

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup 4th Round draw

Kilwinning Rangers or Blantyre Victoria v Glenafton Athletic

Saturday 21st January 2012

The Glens and Kilwinning Rangers have faced each other five times in the Scottish Junior Cup. The Buffs came out on top in the first meeting in 1934/35 with the Glens triumphing in the following four 1960/61, 1982/83, 1987/88 and most recently in 1988/89.

Blantyre Vics won two of the three pevious encounters between the clubs in 1946/47 and 1981/82 with the Glens victorious in 1960/61.

Full draw

Armadale Thistle or Kilsyth Rangers v Arthurlie
Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Maybole
Cambuslang Rangers or East Craigie v Shotts Bon Accord or Annbank United
Carluke Rovers v Dunipace or Irvine Meadow XI
Dundee Violet v Whitletts Victoria or Ashfield
Girvan or Broxburn Athletic v St. Roch’s
Kelty Hearts or Camelon v Whitburn or Glentanar
Kilbirnie Ladeside or R.A.F. Lossiemouth v Troon
Kilwinning Rangers or Blantyre Victoria v Glenafton Athletic
Lanark United v Kinnoull
Largs Thistle v Arniston Rangers
Larkhall Thistle v Bellshill Athletic or Greenock
Musselburgh Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot
Neilston or Sauchie v Bo’ness United
Pollok v Lochee United
St. Andrews United v Cumnock

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Glenafton 2 Irvine Meadow 2

Posted on December 9, 2011 by flowgently

Friendly

Friday 9th December ,KO 8:00pm

KA Sports Pitches, Almswall Park, Kilwinning

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1) v IRVINE MEADOW 2 (1)

Glenafton were without club captain Robbie Henderson while Andy Bell, Gareth Armstrong and JP Boyle were rested due to slight injuries. John Dempster partnered Paul McKenzie up front.

The game started well with the Glens having most of the posession and it paid off with some good hold up play by Dempster and Ian Cashmore slotted the ball home. The Glens could have went further ahead as Taz broke clear but sliced the ball past the post.With 5 minutes of the half remaining Meadow capitalised on a slack clearance and former Glens player Simon Eeles fired home the equaliser.  An enforced substitution saw Bob Hay replace Richie McKillen who had picked up a shin injury. H/T Glens 1 Meadow 1

Goalscorers Ian Cashmore, Gareth Campbell & Simon Eeles

Goalscorers Ian Cashmore, Gareth Campbell & Simon Eeles

Ally Semple, who had a relatively quiet first 45, was replaced by young goalkeeper Ryan Dunsmuir – the Glens only remaining sub – at the break.  There was little to choose between the two sides but with 25 minutes to go Gareth Campbell was brought down in the box and in the freezing conditions he coolly slammed home the spot kick. Meadow made use of all of there seven substitutes but it was Simon Eeles who struck again to level the scores. With 10 minutes to go Hay was carried off and Richie McKillen was re-introduced at centre-forward and five minutes later Campbell limped off as the Glens finished with 10 men. F/T Glens 2 Meadow 2

Glenafton:  Semple (Dunsmuir 45), McEwan, McChesney, Menzies, McKillen,(Hay 35) Campbell, Murphy, Potter, Cashmore, Dempster McKenzie

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Glenafton v Irvine Meadow

Posted on December 8, 2011 by flowgently

Friendly

Friday 9th December ,KO 8:00pm

KA Sports Pitches, Almswall Park, Kilwinning

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC v IRVINE MEADOW

With no scheduled fixture this Saturday the Glens will face Premier Division champions Irvine Meadow at Almswall Park, Kilwinning. The Medda currently sit in 5th place in the league seven points behind leaders Petershill, but with four games in hand.

The First Meeting

Coincidentally when the two teams met for the first time, way back in August 1933,  Meadow were the reigning Western League Champions.   The Glens and fellow south Ayrshire teams Talbot and Kello gained entry into the Western League that season and the New Cumnock side beat Meadow 5-2 at Connel Park and drew 3-3 at Meadow Park in the league clashes. However, the clubs had already clashed in the 2nd round of the Moore Trophy and a gate of £27 at Connel Park watched the Glens mow the Meadow by 5 goals to 1 , a brace each from Montgomerie and Irvine and an own goal from the visitors.

The Last Meeting

The Glens went to the top of the league after beating Meadow 3-1 at Loch Park in October 2009, with a W4 D1 Lo record. The home side went two up within seven minutes with a 25 yard lob from Craig Feroz and a20 yard thunderbolt from Chris Zok.  Seven minutes before the break Stephen Swift rose like a lark to head home and half the deficit. Chris Zok rifled a stunning volley into with 20 minutes to go to seal the points.

Craig Feroz holds off former Glens players Chic Connolly and Stevie Farrell

By the time the two sides met in the corresponding fixture at Meadow Park, the Glens had plummeted to 8th in the league (en-route to a play-of loss to Lanark) whole while the Medda were top of the league (en-route to the title).  Goals from Chris Strain and David Hamilton gave the home side a 2-0 victory, the Glens going close through Simon Eeles, but his shot crashed off the post.

Former Afton Lad

Simon Eeles

Simon joined Glenafton from Hurlford United at the beginning of season 2007/08, signed by then manager Gordon Dalziel. His previous clubs were Stirling Albion, Largs Thistle, Stenhousemuir, Tarff Rovers, Gretna, Kilbirnie Ladeside, Linlithgow Rose, Auchinleck Talbot and Saltcoats Victoria before moving to Blair Park. Simon made 53 starts (and about half as many again substitute appearances) for the Glens over the three seasons at Loch Park and scored 12 goals. On his game an exciting player who could take on defences with relish and score the odd cracking goal or two.  Simon’s last appearance for the Glens was at the start of season 2010/11 before he moved on to a second spell at Kilbirnie Ladeside and from there to Meadow at the beginning of last season.

Simon scores at Maybole

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