Hurlford United 0 GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1

Scorer: Miller

The Glens to face a Hurlford team that is still very much in contention for promotion to the Premier Division, in an all Ayrshire Whyte & McKay West of Scotland Cup Semi-Final clash. United had already claimed the cup scalps of Premier league Auchinleck Talbot and cup-holders Troon Juniors at Blair Park and so the Glens knew that the passage to their second cup-final of the season was sure to be a tough one. 

A goal 3 minutes from the kick-off by Brian Miller suggested that the task may not have been so great as it had first seemed, particularly since he had turned and twisted his way into the Hurlford penalty box unchallenged, before finishing with relative ease ad great style. The Glens passed up a number of first-half chances to extend their lead in the first half, the best of which saw Craig Bingham play a perfect ball,across the face of the Hurlford goal, but the incoming Dale Beattie just failed to make contact, for what would have been a certain goal. The same player had earlier denied Hurlford with a goal saving tackle on the six yard line, after a fine move down the left wing by the home side, and the ball played into the path of the Hurlford forward, but before he could get his shot away, Beattie pounced and the danger was cleared.

Half-time: Hurlford United 0 Glenafton Athletic 1

Hurlford were now playing with the strong wind at their backs and certainly appeared to have the lion's share of possession in the second half but a combination of fine defending and some poor finishing prevented them from making the breakthrough. The Glens looked dangerous on the break, until it came to the final ball into the box, where too often there were no takers, or the ball in had to be delayed until any takers arrived.  Deep into injury time the home-side were awarded a free-kick on the half-way line, up came their goalie to launch it into a packed Glens penalty box and the ball eventually fell to one of the Hurlford 10, but his attempt glanced off the outside of the post and away to safety.

Full-time: Hurlford United 0 Glenafton Athletic 1

The Glens now wait the winners of the Arthurlie vs. Maryhill semi-final, which will be played at Dunterlie next Saturday. Well done and congratulations to Gerry and the team.

Goal celebrations with Brian Miller

Dale Beattie

Darren Johnstone

Darren Johnstone and Brian Blair

 

Glenafton Athletic: Matthews; Mitchell, McCaig (Blair), Stewart, Mathie; Bingham (McAninch) , Howie, Beattie, Agnew (Allan); Miller, Johnstone.

What a season this could turn out to be . Hard fought result , against a team who already disposed of Talbot , Troon (holders) and Petershill . A great acheivment in reaching the west "Final" . Well done boys , to every one concerned !!!:):)