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RENFREW VICS   0      GLENIFFER THISTLE  1
 
Gleniffer U17's got their league campaign for season 09 / 10 off to a flyer with a narrow one - nil victory away to last season's league champions Renfrew Vics at Kirklandneuk on Saturday. The park, despite recent heavy rain, was in excellent condition and those watching anticipated an entertaining first match.
Gleniffer settled immediately and opened with a sparkling first ten minutes before the home side got to the pace of the game but the damage was done by then as Thistle were already on the score sheet with the goal that eventually decided the match.
Gleniffer's football in this period was a joy to watch with quick passing to feet from the midfield four and clever movement from the unlikely front pairing of MacKenzie and Bryson. The shape gave Bryson's usual strike partner Jamie White, playing slightly behind the front pair, acres of space to play in on the Gleniffer right and he took full advantage driving into the area or whipping dangerous balls across the six yard box on numerous occasions.
Thistle's opener came from a free kick awarded on the half way line after only five minutes. With the six feet four of Davy Wardrop holding the attention of the Vics' defence Gary Pettigrew sent the ball deep towards the back post where Jamie White struck it on the volley back across the keeper and into the net to give Gleniffer the lead.
The remainder of the half turned out to be a much more of an  even affair with the Gleniffer defence under greater pressure than previously but they coped well and Sean Baird had not a particular save of note in the opening forty five thanks mainly to the dominance of Davy Wardrop in the arial contest and two quite superb tackles by Scott Crawford preventing what might have been danger for Thistle.  Thistle one up at the break and well deserved.
If the first half belonged to Gleniffer the second belonged to the home side for long spells and but for the determination of the Thistle defence coupled with some wayward finishing from Renfrew the defending champions might well have drawn level. The largely unemployed Gleniffer keeper Baird of the first half made some fine stops and one superb save, taking a bad knock for his trouble.
The fresh legs of Stevie McKee, on for the exhausted Bryson and the introduction of David Morrow on the Gleniffer left helped turn the tide and as Renfrew continued to press Thistle became ever more dangerous on the break with a series of efforts just clearing the crossbar and a golden chance for McKee late on to wrap up the points but having done the hard part almost single handed in making the chance his effort on goal slipped just wide of the far post.
Gleniffer were definitely hanging on when the final whistle sounded but they were just about worthy of their narrow victory.
 
 
GLENBRAE  1      GLENIFFER THISTLE  3
 
Gleniffer U17's continued their good start to the season with a hard earned three points at a windy Racecourse on Saturday but required every minute of the 90 played to record the victory. Playing against the wind in the opening half any ball played in the air was more likely to head in the direction of Sean Baird in the Thistle goal than its intended target at the other end of the field.
The Gleniffer players had the good sense to play the ball on the ground and this approach brought its reward as early as the second minute. Excellent interplay between Bryson and MacKenzie saw the Thistle front men work the ball to the edge of the Glenbrae area where the move was brought to an abrupt end when Bryson was dumped to the turf. The free kick was awarded 22 yards out and Jamie Henderson smacked it into the net with the aid of a slight deflection which wrong footed the Glenbrae keeper.
For 80 of the remaining 88 minutes the wind was the main contributor to the match with neither side managing to fully master the conditions or to produce much in the way of quality play. The home side, with the wind at their backs, pressed Gleniffer back for most of the remainder of the first half but with players having difficulty reading the flight of the ball the game was frequently interrupted with free kicks and Thistle were forced to concede a succession of corners. After 33 minutes Glenbrae finally took advantage of their many flag kicks and their unmarked striker had the simple task of nodding the ball home at the back post.
Highlights in the remainder of the half were few and far between but Scott Crawford did make one superb goal saving tackle inside his area to add to the two he made last week against Renfrew Vics and Matt McStay had a sparkling right wing run brought to an end by a tackle from behind which earned the defender a yellow card. No further goals however and the half ended level at one apiece.
The second period was a mirror image of the first with Gleniffer and the wind on the offensive and the home side forced to defend, unfortunately the quality of the play remained much the same. Thistle freshened up bringing on David Morrow to add pace on the left and within the first ten minutes also added Conor McFadden and Ali Herrington in the midfield and Stevie McKee up front.
Despite the fresh legs for Gleniffer it was Glenbrae who should have taken the lead after 70 minutes. A quick break on the right saw an excellent ball delivered into the Thistle box, a superb header bulleted towards the back of the Gleniffer net and an unbelievable save from Sean Baird, possibly his only involvement in the second half.
The Glenbrae midfield and backline coped well with everything that Thistle could throw at them until the 88th minute. With the draw looking the most likely result Kris Bryson took possession on the edge of the Glenbrae box, turned inside his marker and curled a left foot beauty inside the far post. To add insult to injury Alexander Crossan floated the last kick of the ball, a 30 yard free kick, into the top right hand corner of the goal to give Gleniffer the 3-1 win. 

 

Under 17 Scottish Cup 2nd round

Gleniffer Thistle 0 Drumchapel Amateurs 3    

Gleniffer got off to the worst possible start in this Scottish Cup 2nd round match at Moredun on Saturday going a goal down after only three minutes, a blistering strike from the angle of the box flying high into the net past an unsighted Sean Baird who might well have struggled to reach it even if he had seen it coming.

Thistle could have taken the lead even earlier themselves, forcing a corner straight from the kick off, but when MacKenzie's delivery into the box was met by the head of the inrushing Scott Bramma the ball flew an inch the wrong side of the post.

As the game settled after the opening flurry Gleniffer fell further behind conceding the classic route one goal. A huge kick out from the visiting keeper was allowed to bounce just short of the Thistle area, falling perfectly for the Drumchapel striker who raced past the advancing Baird and stroked the ball into an open net.

Thistle buckled down to the task of forcing their way back into the match and no player could be faulted for effort as they became the more offensive side for the remainder of the first half driving forward across the width of the field. McStay and Bryson carried threat on the right, Bramma and McFadden on the left but the Amateurs defence worked hard to keep Thistle out and anything loose in the visitors area always seemed to be reached by a defenders foot and booted clear.

On the stroke of half time Alexander Crossan set off on a super run from the half way line charging all the way to the penalty spot but hit his shot straight at the keeper when it looked easier to score, perhaps an indication that this wasn't going to be Gleniffers' day.

Thistle brought on Declan Graham, a recent addition to the Gleniffer squad, at the start of the second half and he produced a fine performance showing composure on the ball, accurate passing and an awareness of what's going on around him.

Both sides produced some excellent play as the second half progressed but tended to cancel each other out and their was very little in the way of clear cut chances.

The visitors decided the match with ten minutes remaining curling a beauty of a free kick into the top right hand corner from 20 yards. The final chance of the game fell to the home side when Jamie White burst through the Drumchapel back line but was denied his opportunity when the referee called play back for offside against strike partner Crawford who didn't appear to be in a position to affect play.

Despite the disappointing result their were positives to be taken from the match for Gleniffer with good performances from Crossan and Pettigrew, an excellent second half from MacKenzie and new signing Graham looks to be a very good player.

Next match away to Johnstone Burgh Saturday 26/09/09

No report given for Johnstone Burgh game, if any player out there can assist it would be appreciated.

 Barrhead  1   Gleniffer Thistle  0

This match between the top two in the league took place in a howling gale at Cowan Park on Saturday with the wind helping neither side and hindering both. The conditions ensured that there was very little constructive play from either side and the ball probably spent at least a third of the match out of play.

As might be expected it was a match of few chances, two to be exact, one for each side with Gleniffers' coming inside the opening five minutes. A quickly taken Declan Graham free kick found Alexander Crossan inside the box but he drove his effort into the side net. Despite the best efforts of both sides that was about it for a goalless first half as each team cancelled the other out, neither keeper called into action and the wind the main contributor to events on the field.

The second half followed the pattern of the first almost exactly and in 65 minutes the second of the chances in the match arrived this time for the home side. Good close control allowed the Barrhead winger to cut the ball back from the dead ball line to the edge of the box where it was smashed high into the Gleniffer net from 18 yards for the goal which decided the match.

 

 

Under 17s League match

Gleniffer Thistle 3  Renfrew Vics 1

 

Occasionally the chance arises to watch a match that makes you wonder why you ever wasted £25 buying a ticket to watch the so called elite of the country when you can just as easily stand on the sidelines at Kirklandneuk and watch an U17's match packed with quality play and entertainment for free. This was that match and a conscious effort was required to remind yourself that of the 26 players involved none have reached their 17th birthday and more than a few even their 16th.

Gleniffer got off to a flyer with an early goal in the previous meeting of these two sides but it was Renfrew's turn for the early chance in this game and they probably should have gone ahead inside the first minute. Straight from kick off the ball was lofted to the edge of the Gleniffer box where Thistle's Pettigrew and Bramma collided as they both rose to head clear. The Vics' striker raced through and was only kept out by a brilliant diving save from Gleniffer keeper Baird, the first of at least three he would make before the final whistle.

Gleniffer settled quickly after their early fright and both sides proceeded to provide a master class in controlled passing football as the match became concentrated in the midfield. Determined to be constructive and keep possession when they had the ball the two teams adopted a short pass and move game, played at pace and to feet, progressing forward in skilful triangular movements through the middle or wide to runners on both flanks. The long ball and the "hoof up the middle and everybody chases it" were nowhere to be seen and not in the least missed either. The excellent play only required a goal to put the icing on the cake and it arrived after 15 minutes. Thistle were awarded a free kick on the touchline just inside the opposition half. Gary Pettigrew curled the ball to the six yard line where, after four years at the heart of the Gleniffer defence, David Wardrop rose to nod Thistle in front with his first ever goal for Gleniffer.

If anything the quality of the match improved another notch as Gleniffer enjoyed the boost of the goal and Renfrew pulled out all the stops in their search for the equaliser. Thistle were in great form in all areas of the field but none more so than the four in midfield where team captain Crossan was at his driving best and partner Graham quite superb both in possession and distribution and that at probably only 75% fit. But both of these were overshadowed by the performances of the two Jamie’s, Henderson in the midfield holding role and White in right sided attack. Henderson missed nothing and didn't waste a ball in the entire match and White was simply unplayable. 

With Gleniffer's back four also in good form and front pair McFadden and Bryson a constant threat a lesser side might well have been overrun but at no stage were Renfrew ever out of the match nor was it a one way procession as the Vics were every bit as inventive and attack minded as Thistle and with a touch more composure in the final third they could well have converted some of the good chances they made. And of course there was Sean Baird the Thistle keeper. Just before the break the ball was thumped through a ruck of players and somehow or other Baird got down to it to push it round the post. I don't know how he did that. I suspect he doesn't either.

 The half time whistle ended as good a half as I've seen in some time with Gleniffer holding a slender one-nil lead.

Thistle brought on the fresh legs of Matt McStay at the start of the second half which thankfully turned out to be every bit as good as the first.

Again it was the Renfrew side that started the sharper and inside two minutes they got the equaliser their attacking play deserved. Clever passing sent their right sided winger away and when he hung up a fine cross at the back post the ball was bundled home to level the match. Three minutes later Gleniffer reclaimed the lead after superb combination play between Bryson and White won a corner for the home side. The tallest Thistle player, Wardrop, had given Gleniffer the lead with a header in the first half and when Declan Graham swung the corner to the near post the head of the shortest, Matt McStay, repeated the process with a well directed nod.

Renfrew threw another player forward as they once again tried to fight their way back level and Gleniffer responded by replacing a now tiring front man Bryson, who had chased everything and got to most of it, with Ali Herrington who took to the unaccustomed role of centre forward like a duck to water and ten minutes after coming on single handily made the goal of the game to further extend Thistle's lead. Receiving the ball about 25 yards out with his back to goal Herrington's immediate control allowed him to turn, sell his marker an outrageous dummy, burst into the box, evade the fullback's tackle with a clever drag back, repeat the drag back trick on the goalkeeper and still have the composure to roll the ball across a now empty six yard area where man of the match White topped his excellent display with as easy a finish as he's ever likely to get.

Still Renfrew weren't done, pushing yet another player forward, determined to play the full 90 minutes. Unfortunately they came up against an equally determined Gleniffer back line which although stretched refused to break. Crawford, Pettigrew, Wardrop and Bramma coped with everything that came their way, Crossan and Henderson, another deserving candidate for man of the match, broke up attack after attack in the midfield and keeper Baird made a couple of good saves and another brilliant one as Gleniffer weathered the storm.

Gleniffer brought on the speedy and tricky David Morrow for the excellent but exhausted Graham and with so many committed forward Renfrew were frequently short at the back. Thistle had four on three on a number of occasions and when you're chasing a game the last thing you need is somebody with Morrow's pace racing down your left flank. Only a goal line clearance and a fine save from the Vics' keeper prevented Morrow from adding a couple to the score line.

Referee Bickerstaff's final whistle brought a cracking match to an end and he also deserves to be applauded for one of those fine "invisible referee" performances. Renfrew Vics will play half as well and win by a barrow load and Gleniffer were as good as I've seen them in years.

 

 

Under 17 League match

Gleniffer Thistle 1 Glenbrae Colts 1

This 17s match turned out to be a disappointment for Gleniffer Thistle, as they failed to re-capture the fine form that they had shown the previous week. 

Both sides struggled to get any real fluency into their play, with the result being it took until the 22nd minute before any real goalmouth action occurred: Glens' 'keeper Sean Baird brought off a fine save from a 12-yard angular drive.  In the next minute Thistle had a glorious opportunity to take the lead, after Conor McFadden was brought down in the box. Jamie Henderson stepped up, only to see his spot-kick clip the top of the crossbar.

Worse was to follow, as Glenbrae pushed forward, Thistle defender, Scott Bramma had the misfortune to see his header fly the helpless Sean Baird for the opening goal.

After the break, the pattern set in the first-half continued, with both sides failing to keep the ball on the deck.

Skipper Alex Crossan, who had a fine match in the Glen's engine room, was the architect for the equaliser in the 80th minute. Collecting the ball on the half-way line he made a surging run on the left, before sending a beautifully-weighted chip, from the edge of the box, to allow David Morrow to cut in from the wing before coolly slotting home an angled drive, to give the 'keeper no chance.

Both sides played out time and by full-time, a sharing of the points was a fair result. 

 

BARRHEAD  1   GLENIFFER THISTLE  2

 

Gleniffer started only their second competitive match since the beginning of October at Cowan Park on Saturday in a hastily arranged U17 League Cup tie against Barrhead B.C. The long layoff didn't appear to have affected either side as those watching were treated to a cracking match fiercely contested from start to finish and in the balance until the last kick.

Gleniffer got off to the worst possible start when the central defence and the keeper got themselves in a tangle allowing Barrhead striker Darren Boyle to steal the ball from all three of them and roll it into an open net to give the home side the lead after only eight minutes. To make matters worse an injury to Gleniffer full back Scott Morrow minutes later forced Thistle into an early substitution and reorganization with Jamie White coming on up front, MacKenzie dropping back into midfield and Jamie Henderson moves to the full back slot.

The changes seemed to work in Gleniffer's favour as Crossan and Herrington took a grip of the midfield and Thistle's passing provided plenty off ball for strikers Bryson and McFadden but efforts on goal were mainly from distance as the well organised home defence protected their area with good strength and no lack of skill as might have been expected from a side who have won every league and League Cup match they've played this season.

With Gleniffer the more offensive side and Barrhead defending well it was going to take something special from Thistle to get themselves level and in the 39th minute something special was exactly what Gleniffer produced. Excellent pass and move football between Crossan, Herrington and MacKenzie carried them from deep in their own half to the edge of the Barrhead box where Kris Bryson, despite the close attention of two defenders, managed to turn, find a gap no wider than the ball and strike home with a perfectly placed shot low to the keeper’s right.

Having got themselves level Thistle kept up their attacking pressure and just before half time Bryson again found a yard of space on the right hand side of the box. His fiercely struck shot across the keeper could only be parried and strike partner White raced in at the back post to slam the ball into the back of the net to give Gleniffer a just about deserved 2-1 half time lead.

Thistle could well have extended their lead inside the first five minutes of the second period when a good opportunity was manufactured for Ali Herrington 20 yards out but his powerful drive skimmed the cross bar on the way over. Not long after a quite fabulous solo run from Jamie White took the Gleniffer striker into the box and his curling shot across the keeper missed the back post by an inch.

The complexion off the match changed entirely for the final half hour with Barrhead becoming the more offensive side as they pushed for an equaliser and Gleniffer were hemmed in for almost all of that period. Full backs Henderson and Bramma responded to the challenge, tackling everything that moved, centre half  David Wardrop worked his socks off and sweeper Pettigrew seemed to be everywhere.

A 20 yard free kick came within half an inch of giving Barrhead an equaliser but keeper Baird somehow managed to finger tip it on to the bar and over.

Another positional change saw Thistle striker White fall back into midfield and MacKenzie moved forward to use his pace on the break and Matt McStay brought on for the tiring McFadden. Although MacKenzie's pace did get him in behind on a couple of occasions he couldn't work the keeper and the direction of play remained firmly towards Sean Baird's goal. With time slipping away the home side threw everything forward but Gleniffer were determined to hold out and defended as if their lives depended on it.

Barrhead forced a series of corners which resulted in two twenty player pile ups in the box but somehow Gleniffer managed to keep the ball out, indebted on one occasion to scorer White for a clearing header off the goal line.

The home side were still driving forward when referee Traynor's final whistle brought a cracking match to an end.

Excellent football from all 28 players involved over the ninety minutes and everyone of them can be proud of their contribution.

 

 

GLENIFFER THISTLE  5   ERSKINE  0
 
  Gleniffer U17's took on Erskine in the West Region Cup at the excellent new facility at Ralston on Saturday, running out comprehensive winners by five goals to nil.
Despite the impressive victory it was a strangely disjointed opening ten minutes from both sides with neither able to keep possession and more passes going astray than finding their intended targets, perhaps due to a lack of recent competative action.
 Thistle eventually settled and took control of the match, Crossan and Herrington in charge in the midfield and man of the match Matt McStay in dazzling form in the wide left berth.
 Gleniffer's opener arrived in the 24th minute. McStay's mazy run took him to the 18 yard line where he laid the ball off to Bryson who turned his marker and drove the ball goalward. The Erskine keeper could only parry the shot and and Conor McFadden made no mistake at the back post, driving the ball into the net to give Thistle the lead.
 The goal gave Gleniffer the boost they needed and they poured forward in wave after wave of attack with McStay, in particular, charging down the left flank at will, tormenting the full back and creating a multitude of chances. His run on 30 minutes set up MacKenzie but his drive from 20 yards crashed back off a post.
 No mistake following McStays next drive forward however. When his cross was delivered to the far side of the area Jamie White rattled it into the net for Thistle's second and Gleniffer were well worth their 2-0 lead at the break.
  Two minutes into the second half Thistle more or less put the result beyond doubt when they added a third and it was that man McStay again. When his run was illegally stopped Alexander Crossan whipped the free kick on to the head of central defender Davy Wardrop who nodded home from a couple of yards.
 With the match now practically a one way affair Gleniffer were guilty of squandering a host of chances but they did add a fourth 15 minutes from the end and for once McStay wasn't the provider, but probably only because he was the scorer. Another excellent free kick delivery from Crossan and a well placed header allowed McStay to round off a first class performance with a goal.
 Although Erskine were on the defensive for most of the match they did manage to fashion a couple of chances late on; ex Thistle man McKee flashed a half chance an inch over the bar from 20 yards and a cross cum shot looped over keeper Baird's head but bounced back into his arms off the inside off his far post.
 With only minutes remaining Gleniffer added number five, Kris Bryson burstng through the Erskine back line and setting up McFadden with a tap in  for his second of the match.
 A good performance from Gleniffer after the first ten minutes with McStay practically unplayable and good to see the return of Scott Crawford after a long time out who managed the last 20 minutes without difficulty.

 

 

 GLENIFFER THISTLE  4   INVERCLYDE  1
 
Despite the comprehensive scoreline, and but for an excellent performance from Inverclyde keeper McRae it would have been even more comprehensive, it was the visitors who started the better and were well in control of the match in the first ten minutes. On the ten minute mark Inverclyde deservedly took the lead. A well delivered free kick into the Gleniffer box was nodded clear but was met on the volley 20 yards out and it fairly flew into the Thistle net to give the visitors an early lead.
  The next 80 minutes belonged to Gleniffer and they needed only two of them to get themselves level. Jamie Henderson danced through three tackles in the Inverclyde box before he was clattered to the turf. The penalty was awarded and the same player drove the ball home though the keeper went the right way and did get a hand on it but not enough to keep it out of the net.
  The goal settled Thistle and they produced some sparkling passing football as they pressed for the lead which duly arrived in the 35th minute. Delightful passing involving Henderson and Herrington allowed the ball to be delivered to front man MacKenzie. Great close control from the Gleniffer striker made him a yard of space to get his shot away. Incredibly the keeper managed to parry the effort but Kris Bryson showed great composure to take a touch before cracking the ball into the net to give Gleniffer a lead which they held until the half time whistle.
  A single second half minute was all that Thistle required to extend their lead and once again it was Gleniffer's passing play which produced the chance. Crossan, Herrington and MacKenzie played a clever triangle of passes in the midfield allowing Crossan to make the killer pass through the Inverclyde backline The ever alert Bryson peeled off his marker and finished with a drive across the keeper, who again got a hand on it, but not enough to prevent the ball nestling in the corner of the net.
  The visitors may have felt hard done by after making such a good start to the match to find themselves two behind and they pressed forward trying to close the gap, although Thistle keeper Baird's only serious involvement in the second half saw him punch clear a curling corner kick. Gleniffer remained in control of the match and with several tackles varying between "tasty" and "rash" the referee was forced to produce a flurry of yellow cards.
  Gleniffer put the match beyond any doubt in the 60th minute with the goal of the match. Again pass and move football you'd pay money to watch took the ball forward to the feet of MacKenzie who laid it in the path of the inrushing McKee who hit an absolute screamer into the roof of the net from the angle of the penalty area.
  Thistle were forced into a series of changes following injuries to both full backs. Scott Bramma, a candidate for man of the match, and Scott Crawford were forced to withdraw being replaced by striker MacKenzie on the left, midfielder Henderson on the right and McKee and McFadden retaking the field to fill the gaps.
  Another flurry of cards of the red variety saw the visitors finish the match with only nine players. An excellent performance from every Gleniffer player with Bramma, Henderson and Herrington in particular catching the eye.