New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Juniors Cup, round 2,
Saturday 14th January 2012,
Ashfield’s three strikers grabbed a goal each to put paid to any thoughts which Cumnock had of the Cup this season, leaving them in hold to next season.
The visitors had to alter positions but even taking that into consideration they were disappointing at times as they had problems mustering that ‘get up and go’ which teams are expected, particularly in cups. Also playing against a competent team didn’t help. Ashfield realised they were going to win early on, so all and all, the game just wasn’t one which the supporters will remember for long.
Before the game Cumnock did have good news with George Wallace and Willie Howie being able to play.
Cumnock almost got caught out in five minutes. Ashfield’s Robert Halliday came inside from the left and his header rattled the bar. Cumnock s Aaron Connolly hit back and sent a curling shot from 22 yards and although it was wide at least he showed his colleagues the way.
After that explosive start there were no shots to speak of until 26th minutes. During that time Ashfield had the ball mostly in the Cumnock half and their two wingers Wright and Halliday caused problems to the visitors. Robert Halliday got behind the defence and sent a low inviting cross right along the six yard line. There were players from both sides determined to meet it and winger Robert Wright dived feet first right in front of the empty goal but missed connecting with it by inches.
Both no 9′s worked hard but Cumnock’ Aaron Connolly had little support and had to keep playing deeper than he would have liked. Ashfield’s Paul Maxwell was much more in his own territory. He had the Cumnock defence having to keep back to watch him and with regular crosses from both wings it made him very dangerous. Good play from the Cumnock central defence, with George Wallace helping there, although they had a busy afternoon and even though Cumnock lost three goals they managed to stop most which came their way.
Cumnock’s Chris McKnight sent a great shot from well out of the box and grazed the bar giving his team some confidence.
By the half hour mark Chic Connolly got a yellow card, which was the fifth yellow card. Pity as there were no bad tackles - mostly niggling fouls and possibly talking back to the referee. The game could easily have been ruined by second yellow cards and not a bad tackle in sight. Referee David Cockburn did manage to calm things down, both the players and himself and he didn’t play a bad game.
The home side continued to have more of the ball and they scored in the 40th minute. The ball came the way again it had done before. Left winger Robert Halliday made for the bye-line then sent a low cross along the 6 yard line. Right winger Robert Wright was at the far post and put it in the net. Ashfield 1 Cumnock Juniors 0.
That same situation continued when Robert Halliday again sent a low tempting cross near the goal with his colleagues coming quickly in front of goal but Cumnock’s Stevie Murray got to the ball first.
Just before half-time Cumnock captain Chris McKnight spurred his players on and got a sight of goal from 22 yards but went over the bar.
Half-time: Ashfield 1 Cumnock Juniors 0.
As the second half started Ashfield looked for another goal as central defender Jim Smith took a free-kick outside the Cumnock box. The wall did not do it’s job as his low shot whistled below it but a good save from Andy Kennedy, who watched it right from the start and was down to save.
Then Paul Maxwell turned quickly inside the Cumnock box and flashed a shot which hit the out-side of the net.
Two minutes later, in the 59th minute William Ferguson ran along the right heading for the bye-line. His dangerous low cross was there for Paul Maxwell to slide it into the net.
Ashfield 2 Cumnock Juniors 0.
Stevie Farrell brought Ally Patrick on for Sean Quinn in the 63rd minute and his long passes gave some width to the visitors although some of the intentions didn’t work, but at least he tried.
Ashfield thought they might get another when a thunderbolt of a shot from Jim Smith was on target and beating keeper Kennedy but there was some players near the line and a leg from Stuart McDonald redirected the ball past the post. A good run from Ashfield’s Shaun Fraser split the Cumnock defence, leaving him on his own. Keeper Kennedy was out and managed to put him off to send his shot past the post.
Cumnock’s Aaron Connolly continued to try and again from just outside the box, this time was well over the bar.
The third goal came in the 73rd minute from Robert Halliday. Some good defending work kept the ball out of the net, particularly from Stuart McDonald but the ball went to Robert Halliday who from an acute angle he blasted it into the net.
Ashfield 3 Cumnock Juniors 0.
Ashfield had another chance two minutes to go when substitute Tony Chalmers hit the bar.
Not the best by Cumnock. They did have good points though and some good individual efforts such as Chris McKnight and Aaron Connolly who both were determined Cumnock were going to win throughout the game, no matter what.
Ashfield – McLenaman, Boyle, Davie MacKay, Brand, Smith, Cairlly, Wright, Fraser, Maxwell, Ferguson Halliday.
Subs – Martin, Chalmers, Thomson, McShane, Dougie MacKay, Coll, Broadfoot.
Cumnock – Kennedy, McDonald, Quinn, Murray, Wilson, Howie, C. Connolly, McKnight, A. Connolly, Wallace, McMenaman,
Subs - Patrick, Miller, Farrell, Watterson.
Referee – David Cockburn (Glenboig).
