Match Report and Pics for Season 2025/2026
Match No: 1 - Lochmaben 0 Ashfield 4 - Pre-Season Friendly - Whitehills Park, Lochmaben DG11 1QP - KO 2pm
Well hear we go again as the `field start their 140th Season in existence and a Pre-Season Trip to the lovely town of Lochmaben in Dumfries and Galloway. Peter Hill and his Management Team have been extremely busy during the close season and have brought in circa 12 new players to compliment an existing 8/9 from last Season.
Lanarkshire Referee Roark McShane got proceedings underway on a heavy Whitehills Park and the rain was not far away from making the conditions more challenging. The visitors started well playing with pace and urgency and within 5 minutes got their reward for a bright opening. Kieran Findlay playing on the right wing outpaced his marker down the right flank before cutting in and delivering a low hard cross which the Lochmaben Keeper Thomas Cruikshank could only parry into the path of David Aitken who finished well to put the `field 1-0 up. Lochmaben 0 Ashfield 1. The home side were rocked and struggled to make inroads into the Ashfield rearguard however a couple of dangerous free-kicks into the box tested the Ashfield defence before Ashfield were awarded a penalty on the 20th minute. A corner from Ashfield broke out to edge of the box and a shot cannoned off the arm of a Lochmaben defender with Referee McShane pointing immediately to the spot. Up stepped Ashfield Captain Connor Hughes and although he hit the ball well, the young Lochmaben Keeper pulled off a tremendous save to keep the score at 1-0. A couple of minutes later he was called into action following a lovely move and again he thwarted Hughes with a parried save round the post. The home side themselves had an appeal for a penalty which was waived aside before Cruikshanks was again called into action saving low down to his right from Ross McDonald. Ashfield eventually went further ahead in the 35th minute when Kieran Findlay picked up the ball on the left hand side of the box before making room for himself and thrashed the ball high past Cruikshanks to the delight of the travelling support. Lochmaben 0 Ashfield 2. A great goal from Findlay who was looking extremely sharp. The game continued in the same vein right up until Half time as the rain began to come on heavier.
HT:- LOCHMABEN 0 ASHFIELD 2
Ashfield had been forced into a change at the back before half time bringing on Ex-Yoker Euan Bonham to replace the injured Corey Hanlon as the game started off at great pace again. The home side were working extremely hard but chances were at a premium for them as the `field back four looked pretty solid. At the other end a succession of early corners were well defended by the back two of Lochmaben however on 53 minutes a lovely ball from McDonald saw them caught on their heels as David Aitken raced through and as the Keeper advanced he placed the ball into the far corner of the net to put the `field 3-0 ahead. Lochmaben 0 Ashfield 3. The `field made a couple of substitutions over the next period of time bringing on Matthew Montgomery, Nathaniel Black and Paddy McHugh before Balwan Jamal came on later. The `field managed to keep the tempo high despite changes and it was good to see Nat Black utilise his pace going forward. With 15 minutes to go the `field went on to score the `goal of the game` when Kieran Findlay picked up the ball 22 yards out before weaving past a couple of tackles and unleashing a rising shot which hit the roof of the net in seconds to cap off an impressive performance from last year`s top scorer. Lochmaben 0 Ashfield 4. Shortly after that the `heavens opened` and the players were subjected to a real soaking as both teams still put on a spectacle despite the weather. As the Referee brought proceedings to a close this had been a great work out with the `field looking impressive on this outing. Lochmaben entertain Gretna next week in their pre-season preparations and we would like to thank them for their kind hospitality.
The `field will now prepare for the Only Sports North Glasgow Cup being held at Lochburn Park, Maryhill over the weekend of 12th & 13th July 2025........`mon the `field !
FT:- LOCHMABEN 0 ASHFIELD 4
Ashfield`s Team:- A Hughes, L Robertson, J Kavanagh, C Hanlon, L Martin, G Chalmers, K Findlay, R McDonald, C Hughes (Capt), S Allan and D Aitken. Subs:- P McHugh, M Montgomery, E Bonham, N Black, B Jamal, K Robertson and M Connor.
Man of the Match:- A performance full of energy, pace and skill by Kieran Findlay capping off a fine performance with 2 goals. Special mentions to the back four, Ross McDonald & Greg Chalmers with David Aitken looking lively up front.
Attendance:- 60
Referee:- Roark McShane
Match Report & Pics:- Ewan Murray
Match No 2:- Ashfield 2 St Anthony`s 0, Saturday 12th July 2025 - KO 10.45am - Lochburn Park, Maryhill, Glasgow G20 9AQ - Only Sports North of Glasgow Cup Semi Final.
It was an early start for both teams as the Players and Officials of Ashfield and St Anthony`s arrived to full preparations from hosts Maryhill FC both on and off the Park. What was prevalent was the intense heat at this time of the Morning and by Kick-Off it was not far off 27c. This was the `field`s and St Anthony`s 2nd outing in Pre-Season and it was quite ironic that our U20s Development Teams had `locked horns` the night before at McKenna Park with Calum Coghill`s young Ashfield Team prevailing 2-1.
Peter Hill & his Management Team had ` tinkered` slightly with the First Team following last weeks impressive showing at Lochmaben with Centre Back Partnership of Ian Begg & Aeron Fitzpatrick in for Euan Bonham & Luke Martin. Aaron Chauhdry was also making his Ashfield debut & it was he who `caught the eye` in the opening minutes with some lovely wing play. Ashfield pressed the `Ants` right back in the opening stages and were looking good and it came as no surprise that on the 5th Minute the `field went ahead. A ball was played into David Aitken on the edge of the box who swivelled with his back to goal drilling a low hard shot which had Ryan Cooper in the Ants goal beaten only to see the ball crack off the post with Connor Hughes first to react side footing the ball into the far corner of the net to put the `field ahead. Ashfield 1 St Anthony`s 0. A good goal from Ashfield following some excellent build up. The Match continued in the same form with the `field dominating proceedings however the Ants back four were defending well. A couple of shots from outside the box from Chauhdry and Chalmers were well held by Cooper before Kieran Findlay picked the ball up on the left hand side. The Ashfield striker cut in from the left and unleashed a drive, similar to his strike at Lochmaben the week before, however this time Kieran was denied a goal by the finger tips of the Ants Keeper. A wonderful move and save. Both sets of players were playing at a good pace despite the tremendous heat and a `drinks break` was more than welcome after half an hour. The game became more even for the last 15 minutes of the half with St Anthony`s pressing forward however found the Ashfield back four in commanding form. As it was there was no further incidents before Referee Cheney brought proceedings to a halt & a much earned rest for the players.
HT:- ASHFIELD 1 ST ANTHONY`S 0
The `field made one change for the start of the second half with Aaron Chauhdry being replaced by Sean Allan as the game started off in similar vein. Despite the `field`s dominance in the first half they knew that there was only one goal in it and were keen to extend. The Ants however made 3 changes at Half time and the fresh legs in the heat made a difference as the game went on and the Govan side managed to get their passing game together and certainly had `stepped up a gear`. Chances were at a premium as the game became rather embroiled in Midfield and Peter Hill was forced into a number of substitutes with a quarter of the game to go bringing on Kaine McFarlane, Ger Stevenson and Evan Higgins and within a couple of minutes Ashfield should have scored when a wicked cross from Kaine on the left hand side evaded the Ants defence & Connor Hughes at the back post failed to make a good enough contact as the ball bounced just before it arrived. As the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, the Ants had their best spell of the Match knocking the ball about well and carving some half chances and with less than a minute to go should have been level when a weaving run by Gordon saw his cut back into the path of Wilson who had his first shot blocked by Angus Hughes before the ball fell to another Ants player who went for power and his shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar before being cleared to safety. To make matters worse for the Govan side, Connor Hughes for Ashfield picked up a loose pass from an Ants defender and managed to squeeze a shot past the advancing Callum Dillon into the far corner of the net on 90 minutes to settle the Match and a place in the Final for Ashfield. Ashfield 2 St Anthony`s 0.
Both teams deserve enormous credit for putting on a good show in the `searing`heat which is a phrase you do not hear very much in our Country.
FT:- ASHFIELD 2 ST ANTHONY`S 0
Ashfield`s Team:- T Starr, L Robertson, J Kavanagh, A Fitzpatrick, I Begg, G Chalmers, K Findlay, R McDonald, C Hughes, A Chauhdry and D Aitken. Subs:- G Stevenson, A Hughes (GK), K McFarlane, E HIggins, S Allan, and P McHugh.
Man of the Match:- Making his debut for Ashfield this afternoon was `Close Season` Signing Ian Begg. He and his fellow defender Aeron Fitzpatrick both from Clydebank kept the Ants team at bay as the `field made it 2 wins out of 2 so far in Pre-Season Friendlies ensuring a place in the North Glasgow Cup Final v Maryhill, who narrowly defeated Glenvale 2-1 in the afternoon game, tomorrow.
Attendance:- 105
Referee:- Joseph Cheney
Match Report & Pics by Ewan Murray
Match No 3:- Maryhill 1 Ashfield 1 (Maryhill won 4-1 on Penalties), Only Sports North Glasgow Cup Final - Sunday 13th July 2025 - KO 2.30pm - Lochburn Park, Maryhill, Glasgow G20 9AQ
Again the sun was beating down in North Glasgow as `all roads led to Lochburn Park`. With Glenvale securing 3rd Place with an impressive win over St Anthony`s, the destiny of the Inaugural North Glasgow Cup was to be decided between the hosts Maryhill and their old neighbours Ashfield. As the Crowd swarmed into Lochburn it was a change of strips for both teams before Referee McShane got proceedings underway with Maryhill playing in their Centenary Strip of Blue & White Vertical Stripes and Ashfield in their traditional Black and White Hoops.
Although extremely warm there was partial cloud cover and a nice breeze today as Ashfield started off the brighter team and the Maryhill defence had to withstand some early Ashfield pressure. The `field had two changes from the Ants game with Ger Stevenson replacing Connor Hughes and Kaine McFarlane replacing Aaron Chauhdry. It took 18 minutes to have our first serious attempt at goal and what a strike it was. Following neat interplay between the Ashfield midfielders, Ross McDonald found some space for himself circa 22 yards out and delivered a dipping net-bound effort which was brilliantly palmed over the bar by the Maryhill Keeper. Following a couple of corners, Ian Begg managed to win the ball in the six yard box with the ball breaking out to McDonald again and his low drive was cleared off the line by a Maryhill defender. This `kick-started` the home side and a lovely delivery from the right saw the Maryhill Centre guide a header goal-wards which was well saved by Thomas Starr. That had been a warning for Ashfield and on 29 minutes a similar whipped in cross to the back post this time was met by Hood who guided his header into the corner of the net to the delight of the home support. Maryhill 1 Ashfield 0. The home side gained confidence from this and a couple of efforts, one which hit the outside of the post saw the hosts have their best spell of the Match. The `field still looked dangerous on the break and a curling shot from Kaine McFarlane on 38 minutes looked to have beaten the `hill Keeper however clipped the outside of the post also. The game was being played like a Cup tie and not a Pre-Season Friendly with a water break built in too as the game ebbed and flowed right up until Half time with the home side going in ahead.
HT:- MARYHILL 1 ASHFIELD 0
The Ashfield Management Team changed the formation slightly with Sean Allan coming on and his introduction coincided with the `field having their best spell of the Match. The Maryhill defence however were well marshalled and despite some pressure, chances remained at a premium. Again the Match continued to be played at a fierce pace as changes and water breaks did not deter the focus. Similar to the first half when the hosts had a good period, it was now Ashfield`s turn to have a sustained period of pressure and were incredibly unlucky when with 20 minutes to go, Ger Stevenson found some space again around 22 yards out and his curling shot cannoned off the inside of the post before being cleared to safety. Sean Allan was next up with a mazy run however was thwarted by the legs of the Maryhill Keeper in the 6 yard box. The hosts also had their moments too however the Ashfield back four remained resolute as the game went into the last 10 minutes. On the 82nd Minute Ashfield were awarded a Free-Kick some 25 yards out. Ross McDonald & Greg Chalmers both stood over it however it was Ross that took the kick curling a wicked shot into the far corner of the net to the delight of the Ashfield support. A real cracker of a shot from the Stand-In Ashfield Captain and the delight on the players faces was there to see. Maryhill 1 Ashfield 1. With time fast running both teams had a `real go` at each other before the Referee brought proceedings to a halt with the Cup to be decided on Penalty Kicks.
The home side took 4 out of 4 excellent Kicks with the `field missing their first two to leave a `mountain to climb` and as it was Maryhill who triumphed by 4-1 and lifted the Trophy.
Congratulations to Maryhill in winning the Cup and a big well done to the `field for ensuring a pulsating 90 minutes. Also to Glenvale and St Anthony`s and for all the Staff and Committee at Maryhill FC for all their hard work in hosting a memorable weekend.
FT:- MARYHILL 1 ASHFIELD 1
(Maryhill won 4-1 on Penalties to win the Only Sports North Glasgow Cup)
Ashfield`s Team:- T Starr, L Robertson, J Kavanagh, A Fitzpatrick, I Begg, G Chalmers, K Findlay, R McDonald (Capt), G Stevenson, K McFarlane and D Aitken. Subs:- A Hughes (GK), E Higgins, S Allan, Trialist and P McHugh.
Man of the Match:- A very good all round team performance from Ashfield against a good Maryhill side ensured a pulsating 90 minutes at Lochburn today. Special mentions to the Ashfield back four who defended extremely well throughout the 90 minutes & to Ger Stevenson who was so unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet however `stand-in` Captain Ross McDonald put in a tremendous shift. Not only did he bring out the best in the Maryhill Keeper in the first half but equalised for Ashfield 9 minutes to go to take the game to pens in which he scored one also.
Attendance:- 160
Referee:- Roark McShane
Match Report & Pics by Ewan Murray
Match No 4:- Saltcoats Victoria 1 Ashfield 3 - Pre-Season Friendly - Tuesday 15th July 2025 - KO 7.15pm - Campbell Park, Saltcoats, North Ayrshire
Ashfield travelled to a very wet north Ayrshire to face 4th division side Saltcoats Victoria in their 4th pre season friendly of the 25/26 campaign.
It was much changed Ashfield side from Sundays game against Maryhill with , Angus Hughes , Luke Martin , Paul Gordon (trialist), Evan Higgins and Liam Coogans all coming into the `field`s starting 11 .
It was Ashfield who kicked off the game with the away side going on the front foot early doors , Ger Stevenson and Kieran Findlay creating clear cut chances in the opening minutes of the game and Ashfield should have been probably two up after 10 minutes but it was the home team who struck first after a free kick from 30 yard was spilled by goalkeeper Hughes and the incoming Saltcoats player tapped the ball in from 3 yards out . Saltcoats Vics 1 Ashfield 0. First half continued in a similar fashion with Ashfield controlling majority of the possession and moving the ball about well and still creating chance after chance but just couldn’t find the back of the net .
The equaliser came just before the half hour mark when a Ross McDonald corner was whipped in and young centre half Aeron Fitzpatrick got on the end and directed a brilliant header into the bottom corner of the Saltcoats net . Saltcoats Vics 1 Ashfield 1 .
The game continued and it was Ger Stevenson who linked up well with Coogans making his Ashfield debut , Coogans played an inch perfect pass through to Stevenson who put the ball centimetres wide of the Saltcoats post and both teams went in level at the interval .
HT:- SALTCOATS VICS 1 ASHFIELD 1
Second half started & Ashfield had made 3 changes at half time with , Greg Chalmers , Euan Bonham & trialist Patryk Dygulski coming on .
It was the home side however who started better with Ashfield changing formation at half time taking 15/20 minutes to get going again and following a bit of pressure from Saltcoats it was defender Ian Begg who brought down the Saltcoats forward in the box and a penalty was awarded to the home side . The Saltcoats forward stepped up but young Ashfield keeper Hughes went the right way and kept the game at 1-1 .
It took the penalty to get the field going again and Ashfield got a foothold back in the game, got into their rhythm and started to dictate the play again . Two more changes were made on the 60 minute mark when Jonny Kavanagh and Kaine McFarlane came on to replace. Ger Stevenson and Luke Martin . Shortly after that last years top goal-scorer Kieran Findlay walked onto an inch perfect pass from Ross McDonald rounding the keeper and passed it into an empty net . Saltcoats Vics 1 Ashfield 2 . Findlay getting his 3rd goal in 4 games so far this pre season .
70th minute and two more changes for the field when promising young u20s striker Cian Kinney came on to replace Liam Coogans who had impressive debut and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet himself tonight and winger Nat Black who came onto replace Kieran Findlay .
It wasn’t long before the young striker was involved and found himself 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper only for the youngest to crack the post . The 3rd goal came on the 81st minute when Kaine McFarlane evaded a few Saltcoats players and passed the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-1 to the field . Saltcoats Vics 1 Ashfield 3.
The game finished with the field creating a few more chances where they should have capitalised on and made it a more comfortable victory than what it was already The Saltcoats goalkeeper pulled of some great saves to keep the score down .
Overall It was a good performance from Ashfield tonight the only thing wasn’t being clinical in front of goal but that should come as the weeks go on . Another good win for Peter Hill`s Ashfield side who are unbeaten in 90 minutes for 4 games now and only conceding 2 goals in these games .
Next up the field travel to Fullarton Park to face 1st Division side Vale of Clyde in what will be the last game of the pre season schedule .
FT:- SALTCOATS VICS 1 ASHFIELD 3
Ashfield`s Team:- A Hughes, P Gordon, L Martin, A Fitzpatrick, I Begg, R McDonald (Capt), G Stevenson, E Higgins, L Coogans, D Aitken and K Findlay. Subs:- E Bonham, G Chalmers, C Kinney, J Kavanagh, K McFarlane and P Dygulski
Man of the Match:- MOTM was young centre half Aeron Fitzpatrick who was outstanding for 45 minutes today .
Attendance:- 70
Referee:- Daniel Boyle
Match Report by Peter Hill
Match No 5:- Vale of Clyde v Ashfield, Pre-Season Friendly, Saturday 19th July 2025 - KO 2pm - Fullarton Park, Tollcross, Glasgow G32 8LD
Match Report and Pics to follow....................
HT:- VALE OF CLYDE - ASHFIELD
Match Report and Pics to follow...................
FT:- VALE OF CLYDE - ASHFIELD
Ashfield`s Team:-
Man of the Match:-
Attendance:-
Referee:- James Quinn
