Following the 4-1 derby day victory over Benburb the Ants went into this game with confidence but once again injuries and holiday meant that John and Ronnie were unable to name the same side to build on the result as Neilston emerged 3-0 winners at Brig O Lea. The first half was a half bereft of many chances with Heron going close for the Ants and Stewart always a thorn in the side for the home side and the teams went in at the break deadlocked at 0-0. Neilston took the lead in the 52nd minute when Paul Stewart opened the scoring and ‘Tiny’ doubled his and Neilston’s tally in the 59th minute heading home from a good cross to make it 2-0 to the Farmers Boys. Martin Curren put the cherry on the cake for Neilston when he added a third after 79 minutes to give Neilston their first win of the group and move the Ants bottom of the section on goal difference.

Match Report first produced in Glasgow Evening Times Monday 7th August – Original article here

A hat-trick of goals from Chris Gordon – all from the penalty spot – along with a typical opportunist Willie Duncan counter were enough to claim the Govan derby honours for the Ants at New Tinto Park.

Yet this fully deserved victory probably hinged on a terrific 55th minute penalty kick save by their own goalkeeper Sean Patrick

One-time Rossvale striker Gordon’s first spot kick conversion, awarded when he himself was tripped, and Duncan’s score from an acute angle after rounding Bens goalkeeper Lee Hollis, had the visitors 2-0 ahead following a first half where both sides had earlier hit woodwork.

San Gallagher’s free kick on top of the crossbar for Benburb was accompanied by his team’s defensive frailties that led to mix up that saw Duncan strike the upright with a close range effort when it looked easier to score.

Some strong words from home team gaffer Paul Lovering had the effect of his players looking decidedly more determined and intent on making attacking inroads on the resumption.

And payday arrived just minutes after they survived going 3-0 behind when Hollis saved at the feet of a through on goal Gordon as a floated ball into the St Anthony’s penalty box brought a rare moment of hesitation that allowed home team substitute Dean Scott to prod the ball beyond Patrick to half his team’s deficit.

Buoyed by this early breakthrough, Benburb continued to dominate territorially and minutes later the dangerous Scott cut inside the area only to be felled by a combination of three sliding-in St Anthony’s players giving whistler Andy Taylor no option other than to point to the spot.

The roars of approval from Bens supporters were instantly turned to groans as Patrick guessed correctly in diving to his right to beat away Ryan Livingstone’s tame effort

And the spot kick miss was punished minutes later when St Anthony’s midfielder Chris McLaughlin was downed by a rash Josh Meechan tackle and Gordon expertly tucked the ball away for a 3-1 scoreline.

The hitman put away his third sublime strike from 12e yards just five minutes from time after a scramble inside Benburb’s penalty area saw his own netbound shot handled on the line by Scott who duly received his marching orders.

Proof if needed that it was not Benburb’s afternoon came when Livingston crashed a shot off the crossbar.

However, there were no hard luck stories offered up by gaffer Lovering at the final whistle and neither did he take the easy option of blaming whistler Taylor.

The Bens boss had substituted Ryan McCrone with just three minutes played after the midfielder had launched himself into a horrific two-footed challenge that should have earned him a red card.

“It wasn’t the referee who was making basic mistakes out there today – we did that and got our just desserts as a result.

“The guys never played as well as we can but that’s not to take anything away from St Anthony’s who worked so much harder than us to make themselves the better team overall and we can have no complaints.”

The broad smiles on the faces of Ants co-gaffers John Doyle and Ronnie McDonald walking off New Tinto Park told of their delight over a performance that the latter named felt was no more than the visitors deserved.

McDonald said: “I think Benburb expected to turn us over today on the back them winning last Wednesday along with our 5-1 opening Sectional Cup defeat by Pollok, but John and I knew we had players to come back into the team to make us stronger .

“The team has laid down a marker out there by winning in the manner they did but other players have yet to come back from holidays and I’ll be disappointed if this is as good as it gets for us this season.

“We have been blown away by the potential in our dressing room and it may yet take a bit more chopping and changing before our best team is known.”

 

The Ants sectional league cup campaign got off to a bad start with Pollok running out 5-1 winners at McKenna Park. Pollok looked to have taken the lead after only a minute but the Ref had blown for offside. With 5 minutes on the clock the visitors took the lead when Stefan McCluskeys effort skidded off the wet surface and caught Wallace in the Ants goal out, squirming under his grasp and into the net. The Ants keeper had no chance though after 25 minutes when Pollok’s Gary McCann unleashed an unstoppable effort from fully 30 yards that flew into the top corner and the teams went in at the half time whistle with the visitors holding a 2-0 lead.

HALF TIME – ANTS 0 v 2 POLLOK

The second half saw the Ants reduce the deficit in the 54th minute when Jack Heron opened his competitive Ants account with a fine header from an Andy Scanlan cross to give Longmuir no chance and it was game on….for three minutes until Prentice’s smart turn in the Ants box caught out a couple of Ants defenders and he fired past Wallace to regain ‘Loks two goal advantage. A slack pass from defence saw the ball land at the feet of Gary McCann and he took full advantage to run past a couple of Ants defenders and slot home number 4. Lok put the gloss on the scoreline in the 74th minute when Stuart McCann headed home from a corner kick.

A disappointing start for the Ants but still some positives to take out of the match for the new management team and they will be hoping to work on these positives as we travel to New Tinto Park to face our old rivals Benburb.

 

Kilwinning ran out 2-0 winners in an entertaining friendly at Abbey Park on Friday night with goals from Frye and Wardrope enough to put the Ants to the sword. There was only 8 minutes on the clock when Kilwinning had a great chance to go ahead when the ref pointed to the spot despite no claims from….well anyone really, but Patrick in the Ants goal made a great save from Winters and the deadlock remained unbroken. It would stay like that until the 30th minute when a quick free kick caught the Ants defence flat footed and Frye could make no mistake from a yard out. Kilwinning had the lions share of possession but the Ants looked dangerous on the break with Gordon and Heron linking up well to see the latter shoot just over then just before half time Milarvie had a great chance to level but he leaned back and fired over.

The second half started in the same way as the first…With a penalty to Kilwinning, this time an Ants defender was judged to have deliberately handled the ball inside the box. Wardrope stepped up and made no mistake from the spot making it 2-0 to the home side. The Ants to their credit kept plugging away and came close a couple of times but to no avail. The match ended on a somewhat sour note when Kilwinning were reduced to 10 men when a Sub caught Neossi with an elbow as he challenged for a high ball, Ants were also reduced to 10 as Ronnie McDonald was sent off for protesting to the player about the challenge, and shown a second yellow by the ref and then in the last minute defender Chris Black was stretchered off with a knee injury after his studs appeared to get caught in the Abbey Park surface.

Another good workout for the Ants as they build towards the start of the season. Thanks very much to everyone at Kilwinning for the match and good luck to the Buffs this season

The Ants suffered a pre-season to defeat to East Kilbride at the Showpark but the result was perhaps a little harsh on the visitors. As always the main purpose of these friendlies isn’t the result itself really, more the chance to try players and tactics in preparation for the forthcoming season.

East Kilbride looked sharper in the first half and they found the net after only four minutes when a cross into the box was being gathered by Wallace, however the keeper seemed to be bundled over by one of his team mates and the ball fell to McClung who tapped the ball into the empty net. Thistle were buoyed by the early goal and kept the pressure on for most of the first half, doubling their lead in the 30th minute when former Ants man Alistair Morgan found the net. A ball was played back to Wallace who looked to clear the ball up-field by the Ants ‘keeper, but the ball hit a bobble and went right over his foot and Morgan was first to react to slot home despite Gavin’s best efforts to get back in time.

Towards the end of the half the Ants started to come into it a bit more and got their reward when David Donnelly got on the end of a corner to slide the ball past Noble to reduce the deficit to a single goal. It looked like the Ants would go in a goal behind at the break but in first half injury time Thistle regained their two goal lead when from an EK corner, McLean was afforded time and space to turn and fire a good strike past Wallace.

The second half, like Saturday’s friendly over Stoneyburn was interrupted by both teams making a number of changes, with EK making 4 changes and the Ants 7. East Kilbride sealed the win when Douglas Ryan netted from the penalty spot after 65 minutes after the ref had deemed that Donnelly had fouled an EK player, although it looked like both players were holding. The Ants did have the better of the chances in the second half with Noble the busier keeper but couldn’t find the net and EK retained the Tommy McGrane trophy.

Full Time – East Kilbride 4 v 1 Ants

The Ants pre-season got off to a flier with a 5-1 victory away to Stoneyburn. A number of new faces, led out by Mark McManus put the Fulshie to the sword with a first half performance that seen them put five past the home side keeper without reply.

The Ants thought they had got off to the perfect start when McLaughlin’s free kick was headed home by Gordon but the Ref had blown for offside much to the strikers displeasure. Stoneyburn then had a good chance but the shot clipped the post and rebounded out of play. The Ants took the lead when Wullie Duncan got the first goal after only 10 minutes. Good link up play with Chris Gordon saw the latter’s shot saved by the keeper only for Duncan to be on hand to stroke home. Not to be outdone by his strike partner two minutes later Gordon found the net himself, a wonderful mazy run saw him go past a number of Stoneyburn defenders before rounding the keeper and firing home from a tight angle.

The Ants played some good stuff despite the conditions, using the strong wind to their advantage and beating the home side’s offside trap and in the 30th minute they extended their lead. Duncan this time rounded the keeper, but rather than just fire the ball home he composed himself and with the outside of his boot fired home into the far corner in off the post. The Ants almost made it four two minutes later when Donnelly’s header was blocked on the line and Neossi couldn’t get on the end of the loose ball and the chance was gone.

The Ants didn’t have long to wait for the fourth goal, Duncan this time turning provider putting Gordon in on goal and he made no mistake with another fine finish. Gordon completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute with a neat finish and the half finished with the Ants 5-0 ahead.

The second half was a tighter affair with Stoneyburn coming into the match a bit more, Wallace making a good save low down to his left from a free kick after only 3 minutes of the re-start. As is the way with these pre-season matches the rhythm was upset with both sides using the half to bring on substitutes with Heron, Williams, Nyame, Brennan and Sichi making their Ants debuts, Duncan, McKay, Gordon, Scanlan and Smith making way.

Heron almost marked his debut with a goal but he never connected properly with his shot yet the ball found it’s way past the keeper only to hit the post and roll back into the keepers arms. Stoneyburn to their credit kept plugging away and got rewarded for their efforts with a goal. Number 7 slotting home after 76 minutes to give the home fans something to cheer about in the howling wind and rain.

A good work out and win for the Ants with a number of the new players impressing on their debuts, their attention now turned to their second friendly on Monday Night away to East Kilbride.

All the best to Stoneyburn for the rest of the season, thanks again for the great hospitality and hopefully the number 5 is ok after he was taken to hospital following a 50/50.

The Ants got 2017 off to a flying start with a fine 3-1 win away to Gartcairn at MTC Park. The match started with both teams getting a feel for the ball in their first competitive games since the winter break and shaking off the rustiness. Gartcairn were first to create a chance but Ants player co-manager Ronnie McDonald got in a great block as Love was about to shoot then the Ants had their opening salvo’s at goal but first Maxwell’s shot was blocked by Eadie and from the resultant corner the ball got stuck under Kelly’s feet and was cleared to safety. A nice move down the left hand side saw Gartcairn’s Henderson work the ball again to Love but as with his earlier effort McDonald got in a good block and the chance was gone. The Gartcairn striker was getting into some dangerous positions and after 22 minutes almost opened the scoring only to see Campbell save well with his legs.

In the 31st minute Gartcairn thought they had taken the lead, a corner from the right was tipped out of play by Campbell and from the resultant corner Gartcairn fired home only for their celebrations to be cut short by Mr Burns’ whistle for a foul on the keeper. Gartcairn had been piling on the pressure with the Ants defending well but the Ants came out of the spell unscathed and almost took the lead 5 minutes later when Kelly was sent through on goal, he chose to pass to Maxwell who shot just wide of the post but maybe should have went for goal himself.

The same two Ants players were involved in another great chance when McDonald set Kelly up with a great through ball that had the ‘Cairn keeper scampering to the edge of his box to clear with Kelly challenging for the ball, the ball broke to Maxwell who tried to curl the ball into the net only to see Grier save well with his leg. The Ants were starting to dominate for a spell themselves and captain Miller thought he had broken the deadlock only to see the outstretched hand of the home side’s goalie tip the ball onto the crossbar, then The Ants had a goal of their own disallowed when Miller’s shot was turned home by Maxwell who was deemed to be offside by the man in the middle. Jordon Love’s day was not getting any better infront of goal as he had the last chance of the half but his half volley was well turned over by Campbell in the Ants goal and the half finished goal-less.

The second half saw the Ants come flying out the traps and after only a minute of the half almost took the lead but Maxwell couldn’t get power into his header and it was easily held. The Ants took the lead in the 52nd minute, A ball through from Miller saw Maxwell put Marshall under pressure and his short back pass was intercepted by GRANT KELLY who rounded the keeper and fired home from an acute angle. Within 5 minutes it was 2-0, McDonald intercepted a clearance and played a one two with Crawford before slipping GRANT KELLY through on goal, this time the Ants hitman showed great composure selling the keeper a stepover and then knocking the ball into the empty net.

Gartcairn almost pulled a goal back straight from Kick Off but Chris Dolan’s knockdown to O’Donnell saw Ants keeper Campbell make a great save down to his left and the ball was cleared. The Ants had the taste for goals now and on the 61st minute they had went 3-0 ahead. McDonald picking up his second assist of the match with a great slide rule pass through to that man GRANT KELLY who once again rounded Grier and rolled the ball home sending the Ants fans into raptures although the execution on his celebration left a bit to be desired.

It looked like game set and match but the nerves kicked in on the 69th minute when Gartcairn were awarded a penalty after McDonald was judged to have fouled a Gartcairn forward, It looked harsh as he seemed to have played the ball but the Man in the Middle had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. JORDON LOVE stepped up to take the spot kick and this time made no mistake despite Campbell going the right way to reduce the deficit to 3-1. Campbell and Love continued their duel with the striker seeing a free kick well saved by the Ants number 1 as Gartcairn went hell for leather for another goal to reduce the deficit. Despite having most of the possession for the remainder of the match the Ants defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the break. With two minutes to go Kelly almost scored his and the Ants fourth but his lob attempt lacked the power and was slapped out of play by the Gartcairn goalkeeper and the chance was gone.

Ants Website Man of the Match – Grant Kelly