Ashfield F & A C 3 Cumnock Juniors 1 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 2pm


Ashfield welcomed Cumnock to Saracen Park for the first time in 54 years and the match turned out to be worth waiting for especially for the home faithful. Both teams were in their changed strips this afternoon & the game started in blustery conditions. Ashfield had an early scare when Joe Gold in the Cumnock wing drove into the Ashfield Box only to be denied by a last gasp tackle from Jamie Reilly. Ashfield also started with confidence buoyed by their great win last weekend and the front two of Maxwell & O`Donnell were causing the Cumnock defence problems. No more so than in the 19th Minute. Darren O`Donnell picked up the ball up wide on the right & managed to break free of his marker before delivering an inch perfect cross for Paul Maxwell to glance his header into the corner of the net. Ashfield 1 Cumnock 0.

A great start for Ashfield and the home side began to dominate the middle of the park with Shaun Fraser winning his fair share of tackles. Cumnock were showing glimpses of being a very good team and Gareth Armstrong was proving a handful for the Ashfield back four, who remember Gareth from his Irvine Meadow days when he scored the winner in the Semi Final of the Evening Times Cup against the `field.

The Referee was taking a `no nonsense` approach & the No3 & No 5 of Cumnock were booked for their first offences. Following a Free Kick from the half way line in the 26th Minute, Ashfield increased their lead. Jim Smith, who passed a late fitness test, whipped in the Free-Kick which was met by Paul Maxwell on the edge of the box and his powerful header deceived the Cumnock keeper and ended up in the corner of the net. Ashfield 2 Cumnock 0.

This was a great start to the Match for Ashfield and they were well in control now and almost increased their lead 4 minutes later. An inswinging corner was met by Gordon Passmore and his net bound header was cleared off the line. In the 32nd Minute Darren O`Donnell almost produced a wonder goal after breaking free of his marker again and unleashing a 25 yarder which was well saved by the Cumnock keeper.

Cumnock came back strongly at Ashfield and had two chances in this excellent encounter. The Cumnock No 11 found some space 20 yards out and delivered a curling shot which was pushed round the post by Chris Prior. From the resultant corner Cumnock narrowly missed the upright with a header. Just on half time it was Ashfield`s turn again to go close. A lovely free-kick from Mark Thomson was met again by Paul Maxwell and his glancing header came back off the post to the relief of the Cumnock Team.

HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 2 CUMNOCK 0

It had been a great first half performance from Ashfield however Cumnock had a real go at Ashfield at the start of the second forcing early corners and they got their reward in the 51st Minute when a ball was played in from the right. Joe Gold, the Cumnock winger, reacted the quickest to half volley a right foot shot into the back of the net. It was `game on `now & Ashfield were determined not to lose a 2 goal lead as they had done earlier in the season against Glenafton. Ashfield 2 Cumnock 1

Ashfield fought hard to stem the Cumnock advance and the game was getting bogged down in Midfield, however in the 66th Minute Ashfield had a let off when a corner was met by a Cumnock forward and his header came back off the bar and was cleared to safety. Ashfield brought on Alan Smith for his brother Jim, and Tony Chalmers replaced Jamie Coll as the `field started to impose themselves again in the Match. With 7 Minutes remaining Ashfield sealed this terrrific win with a great goal by Darren O`Donnell. From a long throw in, Darren picked the ball up on the edge of the box before depsatching a curling shot into the top corner of the net to delight of the bench & home support. Ashfield 3 Cumnock 1.



The Match finished with both teams trying to increase their goal tally and Chris Prior in the Ashfield goal had to make two terrific saves to deny Cumnock and Ashfield`s sub Craig Smith had a low drive well saved by the Cumnock keeper.

The Referee brought proceedings to an end and Ashfield will be proud of their efforts against a very good Cumnock side. That`s 3 League games won in a row in this very competitive League and this has resulted in hoisting the Possil Side to 3rd Position with 2 home games coming up against Maybole & current League Leaders Kilsyth Rangers.

FINAL SCORE:- ASHFIELD 3 CUMNOCK 1

Man of the Match:- An all-round team effort from Ashfield, however Paul Maxwell proved a real handful for the Cumnock defence as well as winning a fair few defensive headers.

Attendance:- 100 approx.

Photographs by:- Inga