Glen’s victory is delivered easily
Rutherglen side glide forward in Scottish Junior Cup
Glencairn coasted into the last 16 of the Macron Scottish Junior Cup with a 7-1 demolition of Ashfield.
This was the fifth time this season that The Glens have scored seven or more goals in a match, and it could have been quite a few more.
Glencairn absorbed early Ashfield pressure and then showed a ruthless streak as they took the lead in the 8th minute. Dale Simeon pounced on a defensive slip to fire past goalkeeper Gary McLenaghan.
Keigan Parker should have equalised for Ashfield in the 15th minute as he raced in on goal, but Scott McLellan made a fine block.
The visitors continued to pass up chances as John Gaynor’s free header was glanced off target.
Glencairn made it 2-0 in the 31st minute as McArdle’s deflected cross deceived the Ashfield defence, leaving Harry Mitchell free at the back post to tap into the net.
Eight minutes later the match was over as a contest as Glencairn made it 3-0. Gormley’s deflected cross looped over McLenaghan right into the path of Ryan McArdle who couldn’t miss with his open goal header.
Glencairn were well on top as the second half got underway, and Mitchell volleyed wide from 18 yards before another volleyed effort by Del Esplin was beaten away by McLenaghan.
It was only a matter of time until the lead was increased. Simeon’s corner on the hour mark picked out the head of Stevie Kerr, and he nodded into the net to make it 4-0.
The roof was about to collapse on Ashfield’s defensive house. A cross from the left bounced off a defender into the path of Dale Simeon, and he made no mistake as he made it 5-0 after 71 minutes.
Top goal scorer Gary Smith was on hand to drill past the helpless ‘keeper in the 82nd minute to make it 6-0, Smith’s 18th goal of the season.
A minute later Del Esplin’s shot seemed to take a strange bounce and skipped past McLenaghan into the net for 7-0.
Ashfield pulled a goal back near the end as a corner from the left was head flicked on and John Gaynor fired into the net at the back post.
Glencairn: McLellan, McGregor, Ryan Kerr, Grier (McGuire), Stevie Kerr, Fraser, McArdle (McKay), Esplin, Gormley (Smith), Simeon, Mitchell. Subs not used: Donaldson, Whyte.
This Saturday, Glencairn are back in league action with a home match against Neilston Juniors who are currently placed just below mid table.
Willie Harvey’s men will be looking to close the gap on leader Benburb, who are sitting five points above them in the league - but with a game in hand.