Rutherglen Glencairn 2 Ashfield F & A C 1 - Fullarton Park, Glasgow - Kick-off 7pm

Ashfield travelled to Fullarton Park, Home of Vale of Clyde this evening to face fellow challengers Rutherglen Glencairn. Both teams were really needing the points and it turned out to be a real cracker of a match. With both teams at virtually full strength the game kicked off at a frantic pace and amazingly Glencairn scored with the 1st attack of the match. A long throw was delivered into the Ashfield goalmouth and was scrambled clear to the edge of the box where a Glencairn player drilled the ball goalwards and 'the glens' number 9 tapped it in from a yard out. Glencairn 1 Ashfield 0.

A real stunning blow to Ashfield so early on but they rolled their sleeves up and came back at Glencairn almost immediately. Mark 'Thomo' Thomson sprayed a deep pass over the 'glens' left back to an onrushing Darren O'Donnell who controlled it well but lashed the ball high over the bar from 15 yards. A great chance for Ashfield went begging.

It was evident to see that Glencairn were starting to take control of the midfield area with Lee McShane having a fantastic game for them in the middle of the park. Alan 'Spider' Smith had a real tangle with a Glencairn forward and both players went head to head with each other, but the referee (who had an excellent match) saw sense and gave them both a yellow card.

Neither team could take real control of the match as the game went from end to end but it was Ashfield that got a well deserved equaliser after approx 30mins. Kevin Miller in the Ashfield midfield picked the ball up just over the half way line, swivelled past 2 onrushing glens players and stroked a pass to Davie Gumley on the right wing. Gumley went to the bye line and produced a telling cross onto the forehead of Paul Maxwell who bulleted it down and into the corner of the net. Glencairn 1 Ashfield 1.


This was now 'game on' as both teams pressed forward but Glencairn seemed to take a step up and started to put Ashfield under pressure with some telling crosses. Jamie Reilly in the Ashfield defence was having a great game and was making some timely challenges to thwart the glens forwards. Half time was fast approaching and it looked like both teams would go in level at the interval but Glencairn produced a killer blow on the stroke of Half time. Glencairn delivered a corner to the back post area where Lee McShane rose above the Ashfield defence and steered it across McGovern and into the net. It was clear to see that this was a major goal for Glencairn as McShane ran half the length of the park to celebrate. Glencairn 2 Ashfield 1.

Half Time: Glencairn 2 Ashfield 1

Ashfield ran out in the 2nd half determined to get back on level terms after the body blow just before half time. Stevie Martin in the Ashfield midfield could have produced the leveller but his rasping shot from 25 yards went over the 'Glens' bar. At the other end McGovern kept the game alive when McShane was again given a free header however was finger tipped to safety by the Ashfield stopper. Ashfield tried to edge back in the match by changing their formation and playing 3 forwards but Glencairn were holding firm. O'Donnell should have done better when he was clear on the right hand side of the area but sliced his shot wide of the Glens post.

Glencairn looked to have produced a 3rd goal when McShane drilled a left foot shot goalwards from close range after a Glens corner but the dependant Reilly was on the goalline to clear to safety.

As much as Ashfield tried they could not break down the Glencairn defence and eventually the referee brought the game to a close. Ashfield battled hard but the scoreline was probably a correct result. If only Ashfield had taken their chances in the 1st half.

Full Time: Glencairn 2 Ashfield 1

Ashfield now face Lanark Utd on Saturday at Moor Park. Lanark United are undefeated in the League but I'm sure the Springburn outfit will rise to the occasion.

Man of the Match:- Only 1 man can stand out tonight and that is Jamie Reilly, was superb in the challenge.

Attendance: Approx 100-120


Photographs by:- Inga - MORE PICS HERE, PLEASE CLICK