1997 AGE GROUP
Giffnock SC Juventus - 2
Gleniffer Thistle - 5
Gleniffer’s Under 15’s were looking to keep up their impressive start to the season in this tough encounter in the PJ&D Division 1.
Both sides were unbeaten going into this match and the hosts were seeking revenge for a 6-1 defeat in the same fixture last season. The start of the match was frantic with the home side starting the better of the two teams. It took Thistle around ten minutes to get a foothold in the game and by that time they found themselves a goal behind. Giffnock played a nice passing move, advancing from defence to attack, and as Thistle failed to stop the Giffnock attacker he fired in a low shot from outside the area low past Ciaran McKean. This was the jolt that was needed to spark Gleniffer into life, and they started to put together some good passing moves of their own. Full backs Lee McDonagh and Conor Higgins were providing a real threat from the flanks and the tireless running and relentless pace of front-men Cameron Boyd and Mark Garner ensured that the Giffnock back line had an eventful shift.
The equaliser came after a spell of prolonged Jags pressure. A free kick on the right was swung into the box by McDonagh, and Garner leapt highest, heading the ball back across goal. The home keeper was left stranded and Conor Higgins rushed in to smash the ball home at the back post despite the hosts’ appeals to the referee for offside.
Thistle were firing on all cylinders now and the Giffnock goalie kept out a long range Lindsay Inch free kick and efforts from Boyd and Fraser Thomson. Along with Inch and newly appointed captain Daryl Convery, Thomson was marshalling the midfield and it was he who set up the next goal. A fantastic pass split the defence allowing Garner to race clear. His initial effort was well stopped by the keeper, but the striker followed up well to fire the ball across goal and into the net.
The Jags weren’t finished there and the lead was extended only two minutes later. Boyd chased down a seemingly aimless ball forward and in a moment of madness the Giffnock keeper came racing from his goal out to the left wing. Boyd dispossessed the stranded goalie and had a shot on goal from a tight angle, but had to look on in vain as his attempt came back off the post. However, Convery was following up from midfield and composed himself before slotting the ball past two defenders who had got back onto the goal line.
It looked as though Thistle would go into half time 3-1 up, but against the run of play the hosts gave themselves a lifeline. A hopeful ball forward caused confusion in the Gleniffer box, and despite the first attempt being blocked on the goal line by Aidan Higgins, the follow up attempt was put into the net.
The second half performance from Thistle was composed and efficient. Giffnock came forward time and again, but every time their attacks were thwarted, mainly due to the stand out performance of Ross Armstrong in the sweeper role, and Ciaran McKean in the Gleniffer goal. Armstrong made several timely interceptions, tackles and blocks, while McKean was in top form, making three great saves and dealing with everything Giffnock threw at him. The speed of the Thistle front men allowed them to hit Giffnock on the break time and again in the second period, and the fourth goal came from one such attack. A great ball forward by Boyd caught the defence square, and again Garner raced clear and slotted the ball past the helpless goalie. And the scoring was completed shortly after this as Boyd grabbed a well deserved goal with a superb strike. McDonagh made an interception on the wing, surged forward and slipped a pass inside to Boyd. The striker was around 25 yards out as he received the ball and without taking a touch, he sent a dipping shot into the net. It was a fitting end to a fantastic Gleniffer performance.
Under 15 league Match Gleniffer Thistle 2 Barrhead 0
The Jags under15 side got their league campaign off to a winning start with an impressive performance. Gleniffer started brightly with Lindsay Inch coming close to giving them the lead with a fierce drive which came back of the crossbar. The early pressure finally paid off when man of the match Lee McDonagh finished from close range following a Lindsay Inch corner.
The jags were in command with Fraser Thomson and Daryl Convery controlling the midfield, any threat from Barrhead was dealt with by a resolute defence lead by Aidan Higgins. The second goal arrived after good interplay from midfield between Lee McDonagh and Daryl Convery with the ball being played wide right for Ian Campbell who held off his marker before crossing for strike partner Mark Garner to finish off with a low strike to the corner of the net.
Barrhead started the second half with the wind at their backs but rarely troubled keeper Ciaran McKean with Conor Higgins and Ross Armstrong ensuring there was no way through the jags backline. Cameron Boyd came close on a couple of occasions to adding to the lead as Gleniffer ran out deserved winners.
Under 15 Scottish Cup Gleniffer Thistle 3 Vale of Clyde 0
The Jags started brightly and on the sixth minute Mark Garner connected with a ball crossed in from the wing and slammed it past McArthur and into the visitors goal. Glens were doing all the pressing and came close on a few occasions to going further in front.
Just before half time it was the troublesome Gardner who created a shooting opportunity after he went down the wing but his shot was pushed away by the vale keeper.In the second half the visitors had a better start but were restricted to long range efforts which were comfortably dealt with by Glens keeper Ciaran McKean. Vale were making the most of the strong wind but the Glenny defence held firm. As the young Jags regained control, along ball out of defence found Blair Smith on the right hand side and his curled shot found the back of the net. Glens then started to grind down the visitors and it was the hard working Gardiner who put the game beyond doubt when his first shot hit the bar, but he was first to react and passed the ball into the goal. A great performance from Glens who look forward to the next round.
Under 15s League Everton BC – 0 Gleniffer Thistle – 3
The weather wasn’t ideal for playing attractive football with the rain unrelenting throughout the match, and the heavy grass at ‘The Racecourse’ meant the ball would stick if passes weren’t played firmly enough. As a result the opening exchanges consisted of both sides playing direct football down both flanks. In-form Gleniffer striker Mark Garner was putting in a lot of running without seeing much of the ball, while his strike partner Ian Campbell was having more joy, holding the ball up and linking well with the midfield. Campbell stung the palms of the Everton goalie in the 10th minute with a rasping shot from the angle of the box, and then followed that up two minutes later, exchanging passes with Max Rosie before driving at goal, this time off target though. The breakthrough came for The Jags in the 15th minute after a fantastic passing move involving Campbell, Garner, Rosie and Blair Smith. Left winger Smith played a one-two with Campbell before moving the ball on to Garner, whose defence splitting through ball found Rosie racing into the Everton box. The little midfielder opted to take his shot first time from 12 yards but it cannoned back off the far post. However, Fraser Thomson had made a late run into the box from midfield and smashed the ball home on the rebound to put the visitors in front. Everton looked to respond quickly and caught the Gleniffer defence out on a couple of occasions with the long ball game, but they couldn’t find a way past Ciaran McKean in goal for Thistle who was mopping up every forward ball.
Things turned sour for Gleniffer in the 25th minute when, after a scuffle with an Everton player, Daryl Convery was sent off for attempting to headbutt the opposing player. The referee was left with no choice but to brandish the red card. Rather than feel sorry for themselves Thistle seemed to grow stronger after this setback. Lee McDonagh tested the keeper with a long range strike and Campbell brought another great save from The Blues’ number one. And in the 35th minute they extended their lead, with Thomson again the scorer. Garner collected the ball at the far post before firing a shot on goal that the keeper couldn’t hold and again Thomson came rushing in to bundle home from close range.
The second half was all Gleniffer with attempts on goal from Campbell, Garner, Connor Higgins and Lindsay Inch all going close. The third goal came after the Gleniffer front pair of Campbell and Garner pressured the Everton defence into conceding possession in their own half. Blair Smith picked up the loose ball and lifted it over the defence onto the onrushing Garner who volleyed past the stranded keeper. A fourth goal could have been notched after more great play by man of the match Campbell. He took on three defenders before being tripped in the box and a penalty was given. He stepped up to take the kick himself but put the shot high over the bar. Thistle saw out the game by sitting back, soaking up the pressure, and hitting the hosts on the break. Ross Armstrong and Aidan Higgins dealt with everything that Everton had to offer, and Ally McNaughton, Dylan Brown and Kyle Sinclair were introduced as fresh legs to help close out the victory.
Under 15 Scottish Cup
Gourock YAC-1 Gleniffer Thistle-4
Gleniffer’s Under 15’s looked to keep up their 100% start to the season in this Scottish cup tie at fellow PJ&D league side Gourock, and they didn’t disappoint.
They made their intentions clear from the off and attacked Gourock relentlessly in the first half. Gourock’s keeper denied Ian Campbell and Mark Garner, and Lindsay Inch had several attempts on goal blocked or saved by the keeper. However, the failure to take any of their chances early on cost Thistle dear as YAC snatched the lead against the run of play.
Gleniffer didn’t let this set back affect their play though and they equalised in style. Mark Garner was taken down by a YAC defender as he raced in clear on goal, but instead of awarding a free kick the referee allowed play to continue before stopping it for treatment to be given to the Thistle striker. The sense of injustice in the Gleniffer ranks was clear and they used this to level. Lindsay Inch contested the drop ball, winning it and forcing the ball onto Ian Campbell. The big striker spun his marker before laying the ball off to the sinned against Garner, who took the ball in his stride before lashing it high into the top corner of the net.
Gleniffer never looked back from this point on and they went into half time with the lead. Man of the Match Lee McDonagh linked up well with Daryl Convery on the right before cutting in towards the angle of the box. The big full back didn’t think twice as the YAC defence opened up before him and he smashed the ball at goal, sending it flying into the net via the far post leaving the Gourock goalie helpless.
The second period was all Gleniffer, but it took a great strike from Campbell to ensure that the win was secured. He picked the ball up 25 yards out, twisted and turned, and forced his way past his man before blasting the ball into the top corner from just inside the box.
With five minutes remaining, Garner notched his brace with a tremendous effort. A corner from the right was perfect for the striker who rose high above his marker to head home from close range, completing the scoring and wrapping up a great win for the Paisley side.
Gleniffer now face Eskmill FC in the last 32 of this year’s Scottish Cup at home on November 20th.
Saturday 5th November
Gourock YAC-2
Gleniffer Thistle-3
Gleniffer’s Under 15’s travelled to Darroch Park in Gourock for the second weekend in a row, this time taking on YAC in the league. It proved to be a much tighter affair than the previous week’s match, but Thistle still came away with the win.
The Jags set out to make it a double against Gourock, but they found the hosts in determined mood and clearly feeling that the in-form Jags were there for the taking. Thistle were dealt a blow early in the game when sweeper Ross Armstrong had to be replaced after being kicked in the face by team mate Conor Higgins. Armstrong was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose and a re-shuffle in defence was required. Lee McDonagh switched from right back to sweeper and went on to have an excellent game. Neither side created any real chances in the first half hour, but in one of their better moves of the first half Gleniffer took the lead. Ian Campbell controlled a long kick out from goalkeeper Ciaran McKean and played the ball to Lindsay Inch in the middle of the pitch. Inch took a look up before sending a perfectly weighted pass in behind the Gourock back line, which Mark Garner raced onto before smashing the ball past the on-rushing YAC keeper.
It looked like Thistle would take the lead into the break after McKean produced a great low save from a long range strike, but Gourock snatched an equaliser with only two minutes until half time. A soft free kick was conceded on the edge of the box by Thistle and they were made to pay as the ball was whipped into the danger area and Aidan Higgins headed past McKean in an attempt to clear his lines.
The break gave Thistle a chance to regroup and perhaps came at a good time as YAC had been pressing for the closing stages of the half. Gleniffer played much better in the second period, but still struggled to reach the heights that they had in previous matches, and Gourock looked dangerous every time they went forward. McKean again kept Gourock at bay, saving an attempt from just inside the box. Daryl Convery and Blair Smith both made great clearances to prevent YAC from snatching the lead while Campbell and Garner linked up well on a number of occasions, fashioning openings and testing the home keeper. Out of nothing though, Gleniffer retook the lead. The excellent Kyle Sinclair received a pass from Convery on the right and faked to play a return pass, before checking back and sending a great ball through the defence. Garner again rushed into the box on the blind side of the defence, this time rounding the keeper and finishing brilliantly from a tight angle. This seemed to deflate Gourock and further chances for Garner and substitute Cameron Boyd came and went. Campbell narrowly missed out on connecting with a Garner cross to the back post and Inch had a goal bound shot blocked six yards out. This was Gleniffer’s best spell of the game but ironically it was YAC who grabbed the next goal. The ball was sent forward into the Gleniffer box from another free kick and despite appeals from the Jags for offside, the Gourock striker controlled and finished brilliantly in off the post.
McKean came rushing from his line to save at the feet of a Gourock attacker and a dogged display of defending ensued as Fraser Thomson and Lindsay Inch dug-in in midfield to contribute to the cause. And the win was snatched by Thistle as they played a great passing move to unlock the defence one final time. The ball was played out of defence and through midfield, finding its way to Boyd outside the area. He took a good touch before lifting the ball over the defence and Ian Campbell ran in on goal, composed himself and drilled the ball low past the Gourock goalie to seal a much needed three points for the visitors.
Saturday 26th November 2011
Scottish Cup 4th Round
Gleniffer Thistle – 4 Eskmill FC – 3
Gleniffer’s Under 15’s made it through to the last 16 of the Scottish cup with this hard fought victory over Eskmill from Penicuik. The conditions on the day were less than ideal for football, but Thistle managed to produce some good passing moves and cut through the visitors’ defence on several occasions in the opening 10 minutes.
In truth Gleniffer could, and probably should, have been a couple of goals to the good in this opening spell of pressure, but Cammy Boyd, Ian Campbell and Lindsay Inch all passed up good opportunities to take the lead. And they were made to pay as with a swift attack Eskmill opened the scoring. A high ball into the Gleniffer box caused mayhem and after both Conor and Aidan Higgins missed the ball completely, the striker nipped in to lob the ball over Ciaran McKean in the Thistle goal. The visitors have been flying in their league this season with a 100% record and they were making life difficult for The Jags with a five man midfield. The opener gave them a boost and they took hold of the game for a good 10 minute spell. Ironically though, it was Gleniffer who scored next with a counter attack. Fraser Thomson picked up a clearance from an Eskmill corner outside the Thistle area and drove forward. Looking up, he spotted Mark Garner making a run forward. Thomson sent a perfectly weighted pass in behind the defence for Garner to run onto. The big striker took a great first touch to set himself and volleyed the ball high over the stranded keeper to level the scores.
Thistle were their own worst enemy at times in the match and some slack play at the back led to the visitors retaking the lead. Keeper McKean played a short goal kick to Conor Higgins but the left back allowed the ball to run under his foot straight to an attacker. Despite the best efforts of Higgins to get back and retrieve the ball the Eskmill player was through on goal and he pulled the ball back for his team mate to drill home and restore the lead. The lead, however, lasted only a minute. Garner was again on hand to equalise with a powerful finish from inside the box after being teed up by midfielder Inch. And The Jags wasted no time in grabbing a third with a fantastic team goal. Some great passing play between Inch, Garner and Boyd led to the ball finding its way to the outstanding Ian Campbell on the edge of the area. The big front man took a touch before rifling the ball into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. An eventful first half came to a close with Gleniffer in possession of a narrow one goal lead.
The second period was extremely difficult for Thistle with the visitors throwing everything at them and they had to defend stoutly. Lee McDonagh and Blair Smith were in fine form at the back for Thistle and worked hard to keep Eskmill at bay. They could do nothing though as the away side levelled the scoring. A shot from outside the area skidded across the wet surface and past McKean into the bottom corner sending the large travelling support wild. Fortunately for Gleniffer McKean was not to be beaten again as he produced two outstanding saves to deny Eskmill. His best stop was a flying one handed save, tipping the ball over the bar after a shot from ten yards out.
Campbell dropped back into midfield to shore things up and the pace of Garner and Boyd were vital to Thistle playing on the break. With five minutes left one such counter attack gave Gleniffer the lead and secured their passage to the fifth round. Boyd found Garner on the edge of the area with a cut back and the front man shaped to shoot before sliding the ball through to Fraser Thomson who had made a late run from midfield. Thomson composed himself before sending a left footed shot beyond the goalie for the winning goal.
Under 15 League
Gleniffer Thistle – 1 Mojams - 1
Gleniffer’s Under 15 side were looking to keep up their unbeaten start to the league campaign and did so against a fired up Mojams side.
The match was evenly balanced throughout and the visitors were clearly in no mood for coming out second as they crunched into tackles and won the physical battle in midfield. Despite this, Gleniffer had the better of the chances. This season’s top goal scorer Mark Garner was unlucky not to give Gleniffer the lead on a couple of occasions early on, firstly seeing a shot from outside the area hit the bar, and another attempt scraped the outside of the post. However it turned out to be third time lucky for the striker as he was sent clear by fellow front man Ian Campbell, blasting the ball high past the keeper. The first half fizzled out, with only one more chance falling the way of The Jags, but Lindsay Inch was unlucky to see his long range shot saved by the away goalie.
The second period was more about Mojams, with the visitors controlling the bulk of possession and pinning Thistle back for long periods. However the Gleniffer back four, marshalled by Lee McDonagh at sweeper, kept out just about everything that Mojams could throw at them. The equaliser came from one of the only situations that looked like beating the Thistle defence, and so it proved as the away side levelled from a direct free kick. The strike that the Mojams left back produced was a peach, sending a rocket of a shot into the top corner from fully 35 yards.
In the dying minutes Gleniffer almost snatched a winner when Ally McNaughton picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his goal bound shot was blocked and Mojams held on for a well deserved and hard fought share of the spoils.
Under 15 League Cup
Parkmoor – 0 Gleniffer Thistle - 2
Thistle’s Under 15’s kicked off their league cup section with a comfortable win against the side from Erskine.
The tone was set from the kick off as Parkmoor packed the midfield and played with one man upfront, but the confident passing play from Thistle allowed them to pass their way through their opponents time and again. This resulted in a hatful of chances created but only one was taken in the first half. Aidan Higgins won the ball in defence for Gleniffer and played it to Lee McDonagh. Mark Garner had made a great run in behind the Parkmoor defence and McDonagh picked him out with a fantastic diagonal pass. Once the striker was clear he composed himself before lobbing the keeper giving him no chance. Ciaran McKean was a virtual spectator in the opening period, largely thanks to the solid defending of the back four and work rate of the Thistle midfield. Dylan Brown and Ally McNaughton were given starts in this match, and both had a great game, while Scott Kirk was solid in midfield on his debut.
Gleniffer completely controlled the game in the second half, and the excellent Ian Campbell was unfortunate to see a couple of attempts stopped by the home keeper. The big striker has been in top form lately and he continued that form in this game, causing the defence all sorts of problems throughout. Given the circumstances of the previous week’s game, Thistle knew that a one goal lead was not enough and stepped up their attempts to get a killer second goal. And it came midway through the second period with a gem of a strike from Max Rosie. McDonagh got his second assist of the afternoon as he swung a cross into the box from the right and as everyone watched the ball sail over their heads, Rosie made a perfectly timed run in at the back post and caught the ball on the volley, sending it back across goal and into the net.