Ashfield F & A C 2 Glenafton Athletic 2 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 2pm

Ashfield welcomed our friends from New Cumnock to Saracen Park for the first time in many years this afternoon. Both teams were looking to bounce back from opening day defeats last weekend.

At long last the sun welcomed the teams onto the Saracen Park turf with Ashfield starting the quicker side, playing in their Black and White Hoops. The first clear chance fell to Craig Smith after a corner had been whipped into the Glens penalty box. Smith swivelled and shot but the Glens defence blocked well after ten minutes.

Both teams were confident on the ball but the Ashfield midfield of Thomson and Fraser were pressing hard and making some telling passes. It did not take long for the first goal to arrive after fifteen minutes and what a beauty it was. Ashfield were awarded a free kick twenty five yards out on the left side of the Glenafton penalty area. Mark Thomson stepped up and curled a perfect shot that pierced the top corner of the net to give the 'Field' a deserved early lead. Ashfield 1 Glenafton Ath.0

Glenafton looked shocked after this goal with the Home side pressing forward looking for a second and it did not take long for the Possil men to increase the lead. A floated pass was played over the Glens defence to the onrushing Smith after nineteen minutes. Smith edged infront of the Defender and slanted his shot across the Glens keeper from twelve yards into the corner of the net. Ashfield 2 Glenafton Ath.0

What a great start for Ashfield and this continued as Maxwell and Smith tormented the Glens Defence. Glenafton had their first chance after twenty minutes with a scissor kick volley resting in McGovern's arms in the Ashfield goal.

Ashfield responded straight away with Thomson releasing Craig Smith who cut into the Glens box but saw his shot go tamely into the arms of the keeper.

Glenafton slowly started to get back into the match with Feroz trying his luck with an overhead kick that just went over the Ashfield bar after thirty minutes. Two minutes later the Glens produced a great cross to the back post area which was met by a vicious left foot volley but it sailed over the bar.

The remaining minutes of the half were played from end to end but neither side could break down the defences.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 2 GLENAFTON ATH. 0

It was an excellent display from Ashfield in the first half but the Glens were determined to overturn their deficit as the second half commenced still in sunshine. A corner was awarded to the visitors after forty eight minutes which was not cleared properly by the Ashfield defence but they were reprieved as the resultant shot soared over the bar from fifteen yards.

Shaun Fraser was the next player to show his skills as he waltzed past four Glens players before being tripped with a yellow card being shownto the offender.

Ashfield were still solid all over the pitch chasing and harrassing the Glenafton Players, giving them no space to play their football. Paul Maxwell headered a long throw over the bar after fifty three minutes from six yards out to maintain the pressure on the Glens.

As the game ebbed and flowed the visitors started to push Ashfield further back and McGovern had to produce and excellent save after seventy minutes getting down to smother a Glens free kick from twenty five yards out.

Mark Thomson was the next player to try his luck after seventy three minutes trying his luck from a free kick from a tight angle which almost deceived the Glens Keeper.

The Glens should have scored after eighty one minutes but Feroz again saw his shot sail over the bar after a corner from the right side.

It did not take long however for Feroz to get his name on the scoresheet after eighty two minutes. A nice ball was played to Feroz who outpaced Coll for Ashfield and prodded the ball low into the net from six yards out to give the Glens a lifeline. Ashfield 2 Glenafton Ath. 1

This goal did not deter Ashfield though as Craig Smith passed to Ali Martin after eighty six minutes who fired a shot that looked netbound but the Glens Keeper got down brilliantly to palm the ball wide of the post for a corner.

Time was now against the visitors but they dramatically scored the equaliser on the ninety minute mark. A long throw was delivered into the Ashfield box which was headered out but only to the Glens player, Livingston, who smashed the ball goalwards from twenty yards that squirmed under the body of McGovern and into the net. Ashfield 2 Glenafton Ath. 2

It was harsh for the home side as they had dominated most of the match but credit to the Glens who never gave up. It's a trip down next weekend to Annbank for the 'field' in the League and a Cup Semi-Final against Arthurlie at Saracen on Tuesday night. Exciting times for the club!!.

FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 2 GLENAFTON ATH 2 .

Man of the Match:- Many contenders in the Black & White hoops this afternoon against a good footballing team, however Shaun Fraser`s performance, who has assisted fellow Midfielder & team captain Mark Thomson since the start of the season, was exceptional this afternoon.

Attendance:- 130

Photographs by:- Inga