The Ants 2019/20 season got off to a nightmare start as they were hit for six away to Renfrew in the Sectional League Cup group 7.

Renfrew opened the scoring in the 15th minute when slack play at the back allowed McKenna to find Jordan Davidson unmarked in the middle and he slammed the ball past Wright. The Ants almost hit back but Leszczynski’s effort cannoned back off the bar and was cleared to safety. With 31 minutes on the clock the home side doubled their lead when a ball over the top saw a shot blocked by the Ants defence but landed to Craig Dallas who’s deflected shot made it 2-0 to the home side after 27 minutes. It was 3-0 after 35 minutes hitting the Ants on the counter attack after Taylor’s shot was saved and a cross found the head of Scott Morton who headed home only four minutes after replacing McKenna through injury.

HALF TIME RENFREW 3 v 0 ANTS

The Ants had barely got started in the second half when they found themselves 4 goals down when Sean McCall sent a looping cross-come-shot over the head of Wright and into the top corner. With 65 minutes on the clock it was 5-0 when the ball hit of Scott Morton in the box after a shot by McIntosh and went into the net despite Jack McIlvaney’s efforts to stop it on the line.  Williams forced McLeay into a good save from a free kick as the Ants tried to give their small band of supporters something at least to cheer but it was to no avail as Scott Morton grabbed his third and Renfrew’s sixth as he got on the end of a cross in injury time.

FULL TIME RENFREW 6 v 0 ANTS

The Ants were 90 seconds away from winning the D&K Lafferty Contractors Oban Saints tournament in what was a great day at Mossfield Stadium and Glencruitten.

The Ants started off the day with a 2-0 victory over Alloa Athletic 19s in a 15 minute a half format, KAMIL LESZCZYNSKI opening the scoring in the first half before his brother PAWEL LESZCZYNSKI scored a goal of the season contender with his first touch, coming off the bench to rifle a 25 yarder right into the top corner giving the Alloa keeper no chance.

Our second match of the tournament saw us face off against Hamilton Academical 19s who had us under pressure for pretty much the full half hour, but FRASER WILLIAMS bundled home a Kris Littler throw in as the game approached injury time to give the Ants a 1-0 win and six points from six.

Our third match of the tournament had us face Dundee United 19s and a poor first half saw United take a two goal lead into the break but the Ants rallied in the second half, reducing the deficit almost immediately after the break after great play between Connor Milne and Johnny McKay saw the latter jink through 3 or 4 players and cut the ball back to FRASER WILLIAMS to lash into the net from a yard out. Despite creating a good number of chances after this, the Govan men couldn’t find an equaliser and United held on to hand the Ants their first defeat in the tournament.

The fourth match was vs South Lochaber Thistle and the Ants got back on the winning track with a 2-0 win, KAMIL LESZCZYNSKI scoring a goal at the end of the first half, and the start of the second to give us a chance of winning the tournament going into our last game which would be against tournament hosts Oban Saints.

The Ants final match took place at Mossfield Stadium and it was Oban Saints who took the lead when Donald Campbell smashed home from the edge of the box. The Ants levelled 5 minutes later when GARY MCGARROCH netted from the spot after being brought down, then the Ants took the lead when FRASER WILLIAMS gave the Saints keeper no chance with a rasping shot from inside the box to put the Ants 2-1 ahead. It remained 2-1 until the final 90 seconds when a crazy spell saw Oban score twice to run out 3-2 winners, leaving the Ants hopes of winning the tournament in tatters.

It was to be Hamilton Academical who would win the tournament after a 1-0 win v Dundee United in the last game of the day saw them beat the Tannadice youngsters on goal difference by 2 goals. The Ants finishing 3rd a point behind both sides

Speaking to the Ants website after the game Ants gaffer John Kelly said “Firstly I would like to thank Oban saints for the invitation to play in this tremendous tournament. I would also like to say a huge thank you to the Royal Hotel for putting the squad and committee up and looking after us again and also to marbill coaches for there first class transport.

The tournament its self was yet again fantastic. The teams were much more competitive than last year which made for a even better tournament.

We took up a depleted side but I cant be any more prouder of my boys for the effort they put in and to come within 90secs of winning the tournament shows you the mentality our squad has.

I think we were just physically drained at the very last minute but for me the trip was yet again another success for us and I hope the people who came to Oban with us enjoyed it.”

Heres hoping we can, if invited, hold on a bit longer next year and bring the trophy back to McKenna Park

Ants fans, Followers, Junior fitba people local businesses and everyone else THE ANTS NEED YOU!

Today we are launching our Crowdfunding campaign to raise £3000 towards a Spectator covered enclosure at McKenna Park. As a lot of you will know the club does not have the funds required on its own to build a stand, but with a little help from our friends, and their friends, and their friends as well as club funds we can get in a position where we can apply for a grant, which will give us the funds required for a covered spectator area at McKenna Park

Please see our Ants Stand Fundraiser page or visit Just Giving Crowdfunding page for more information and for the different rewards available for your donation.

Thanks in advance

#itsacrowdfundingantsthing #gimmeshelter

The new arrivals keep coming at McKenna Park, with midfielder Jonny McStay the latest addition to the squad as the new season closes in. Having previously played junior with Neilston, Jonny was part of the Alba Thistle side that made the semi finals of last year’s amateur Scottish Cup semi-final and is no stranger to Ants assistant manager Colin Smith, who was Jonny’s manager at Johnstone Burgh a while back. Ants manager John Kelly was quick off the mark to beat potential suitors to Jonny’s signature

This deal was done quite quickly to be honest but having watched jonny a few times last season for alba and previously with neilston I know he has the quality to play in any position in midfield. He is very good and clever on the ball which will suit us he also comes with good references from a few guys in the squad and Colin who had him at the Burgh. We are Delighted he has chosen to apply his trade at the ants next season as he also had an offer to go and play elsewhere.

Welcome on board Jonny

Season tickets for the Ants league campaign for season 2019-20 are now available to buy online for the first time ever. An adult season ticket costs just £35 and is amazing value, gaining you entry to 14 league matches at McKenna Park, which works out at just £2.50 per game. Our OAP/Concession Season ticket is priced at just £25 for the season, which  is under £1.80 per game. To get your hands on one visit our online season ticket portal and we will get your season ticket sent out before the first league game of the season

Thanks for your interest

#ITSASEASONTICKETANTSTHING

The club are delighted to announce that Motherwell academy first aider and 3rd year Physiotherapy student Jonathon Cameron has joined the clubs backroom staff, he will provide match day assistance to long time Ants first aider John “Munchie” McMonigle but his main role will be at training sessions where he will provide his sports massage and treat players when needed.

Jonathon is a 3rd year physiotherapy student with qualifications in sports massage, sports first aid and sports taping. he has a keen interest in the physiotherapy side to sport and is currently working with the Motherwell academy providing first aid cover on match days. This involves treating and assessing the severity of the players injuries as they occur as well as advising different ways in order to manage any injuries.

Working with us will help Jonathon gain vital experience as he looks to embark in a career within the game and hope this experience helps him achieve this aim. Welcome on board

Part one saw the Ants finally get some league points on the board after four one goal defeats on the bounce to start the season and they started September with a good 2-0 win away to Larkhall in a friendly as they were the free team in the league, a game where Scott Arthur made his Ants debut alongside Tony Quinn however that was as good as it got in September, with only one point gained, having thrown away a 3-1 lead away to Ardeer to draw 3-3 which was the meat in the sandwich of two defeats from Lanark and Vale of Clyde (A match where Kamil Leszczynski scored on his debut as a trialist), both at McKenna Park.

The draw for the 2nd round of the Macron Sports Scottish Junior Cup hadn’t been kind to the Ants either, drawn up against West Region Premiership side Irvine Meadow at McKenna Park, Despite giving a good account for themselves, the Ants found themselves out of the cup for another season with a 3-0 defeat.

 

 

As bad as September had been, October and most of November saw a massive upturn in the Ants season, beginning away to Forth Wanderers, a matchday that didn’t get off to the best of starts when Ants players Owen McCallum and Ronnie Nicholson were involved in a traffic accident on the way to the match and ended up with the pair visiting hospital for treatment, Given that Owen was the clubs only goalkeeper, coach Tony ‘Tiger’ Curran had to pull the gloves back on as cover, but come full time there were smiles of joy as the Ants ran out 3-1 winners, a result which was to spark a run which would let thoughts of promotion enter the heads of the Ants fans.

Before the start of the game the following week our social media feeds received a massive boost when italian giants AS Roma, who were tweeted by Ants committee man James McKenna Jnr suggesting they made the Ants their Scottish team, did exactly that, throwing support behind the club for Non League Day, This gave the boys a massive boost and a Grant Kelly Hat-trick saw the Ants run out 3-1 winners over Johnstone Burgh for their first league win at McKenna Park and a 2nd win in succession for the first time that season. Grant’s hat-trick also saw him hailed as the King of Glasgow by the Roma account as the club accounts started to develop a great bond which has continued since. Our very own Graeme Crawford then attempted the AS Roma lupetto challenge which saw us in a competition with Sunderland AFC who’s admin’s had also attempted the lupetto, although this was one occasion we couldn’t come out victorious but it also led to a friendship forming between ourselves and Sunderland (More on that later)….

On the park, the team continued its great run, winning a further 3 league games on the bounce with wins v Thorniewood (a), Saltcoats Vics (a) and Newmains (h),however they crashed out of the Ardagh Glass West of Scotland cup when they again faced West Region Premiership opposition, this time Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, who scored a last minute goal to seal a 3-1 victory at Guys Meadow. The Ants bounced back with a fine 1-0 win v Vale of Leven (a) to stretch their unbeaten league run to six matches, before Thorniewood ended the 6 game winning run with a 2-1 victory at McKenna Park, scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes after the Ants had gone infront.

Off the park the club received mentions on the breakfast show on MAX Radio in Lagos, Nigeria with Mark Otabor and Debs Xtra updating Lagos on signings and results, Agreed a deal to put Balls to Cancer on the shorts of our home kit, and signed up to the On the Ball campaign to supply free sanitary products at McKenna Park on home match days.

 

We got back to winning ways with a win over Annbank at McKenna Park as November came to a close, but a disappointing 5-1 defeat at home to Muirkirk followed by a draw at home to Ardeer and defeat away to Lanark saw the Ants promotion hopes take a bit of a setback. We were delighted though to have had our first Ants Foodbank Collection, which saw us fill a van up 3 days before Christmas with supplies for the local Glasgow South West Foodbank and we headed into the new year full of optimism.

 

 

 

 

It was all change once more for The Ants as season 2018/19 got underway. John Kelly was announced as the new

Ants manager and he set up his backroom staff of Alan Turner and Tony ‘Tiger’ Curran as assistant manager and coach respectively. On a player front the club had only 4 players re-sign from the previous season, Chris McLaughlin, Grant Kelly, Ralph Gamba and Anton Conway who had been the captain the previous season. Anton was promoted to Club captain, whereas on match days Chris McLaughlin would captain the team on the park.

John used his contacts in the amateur game to bring on board a whole squad basically, signing 20 players, most of whom would be making their debut at the Junior grade with only a couple having played at this level before.  Their first pre-season test was in the Oban Saints Annual tournament, which this season consisted of Oban Saints, Dundee United, St. Johnstone and Hamilton Academical. The new Ants gave a good account of themselves, starting off with a 0-0 draw with hosts Oban Saints, The second game saw the Ants face St. Johnstone and a John Ball strike in the first half gave the Ants a 1-0 win before two defeats to Hamilton Academical and Dundee United.

 

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The Ants team for the Oban Tournament.

July the 9th saw the Ants travel to James McGrory Park to play St Roch’s in the annual Mark Ritchie memorial trophy match with a Derek McGrory strike being enough to get the Ants the win and the trophy on what was a cracking night for a legend who is sadly missed. A last pre-season match against Fauldhouse saw old Ants keeper Jon Connolly bring his East Region side to McKenna Park and they ran out 3-2 winners in a good final warmup for the Ants.

The league cup section had been revamped for the first time in over 10 years with the Ants now facing Greenock, Port Glasgow and Renfrew in the section and new signing Peter McKnight got the campaign off to a flier with a goal four minutes from time to give the Ants a 1-0 victory at Ravenscraig Stadium setting up a top of the section clash with nearby Renfrew who were still in buoyant mood following their promotion to the top division the season before. Old faces came back to haunt the Ants with former players of the year Thomas Miller and Kieron Maxwell playing their part by both grabbing goals, Renfrew opened the scoring midway through the first half, Maxwell doubled the lead with 15 minutes to go, a third goal followed two minutes later  and Miller grabbed the last of the game in the 86th minute as Renfrew ran out 4-0 winners. The chance to win the group had suffered a major blow and it was put to bed in the 3rd and final game of the section when they lost 1-0 to Port Glasgow at Parklea.

Despite finishing bottom of the section, there was plenty to look forward to for the Ants as they had played some really good football in the sectional and hadn’t really been outplayed in any of the matches despite being the lowest ranked team in the group, with the teams above all coming from higher divisions.

The league campaign didn’t get off to the best of starts, The Ants losing their opening four games with a single goal as Lesmahagow (H 0-1), Ashfield (A 1-2), Saltcoats (H 2-3) and Muirkirk (A 1-2), all came out on top, and team captain Chris McLaughlin leaving to join Neilston however August did finish with a ray of light at the end of the tunnel with a the trip away to Carluke, Ralph Gamba and Tony Duffy netting as the Ants came back from a goal down to win 2-1

The club are delighted to announce that the Govan Law Centre has signed a 2 year sponsorship deal with the club which will see their logo appear on both our home and away shirts for seasons 2019/20 and 20/21. The Govan Law Centre are a registered charity and provide free legal resources from their offices on Orkney Street in Govan. They defend the legal rights of people who cannot afford a lawyer and are specialists working in their local community to uphold justice and advance equality defend the legal rights of people who cannot afford a lawyer enabling them to uphold justice and advance equality.

Not only do they provide free legal resources but they also provide free or low cost educational training and information seminars on a large scale, as well as writing an extensive number of leaflets, articles, media work, websites, journals and legal text books.

We are delighted to link up with such an amazing organisation and assist in highlighting projects they are working on through our social media channels as well as having their name proudly on the front of our beloved hoops.

This season we have gone a slightly different route to normal by designing our own home and away kits and we are delighted to share them with you now

If you are interested in owning one of these please email us antskits@theants.co.uk to register your interest and when we have worked out the pricing we will be in touch with an early bird offer as a thank you for your support.

#itsagovanlawcentreantsthing

A Kamil Leszczynski hat-trick saw the Ants break the 40 point barrier as their season came to an end and helped the Ants run out 6-0 winners at Victoria Park but it was Greg Marshall’s 35 yard free kick that everyone was talking about come full time.

The Ants got off to the best possible start with only two minutes on the clock, Smith was fouled near the corner flag on the left wing and he floated in the resultant free kick which saw GRAEME CRAWFORD put the ball into the net from inside the six yard box and the Ants were a goal up. Smith provided his second assist of the match 4 minutes later when his corner kick found the head of KRIS LITTLER who headed past Meek to double the Ants advantage.

It was pretty much all Ants in an attacking sense and it was almost 0-3 after 18 minutes but Gallachers header came off the crossbar and from the rebound Smith’s header from a deep Crawford cross was blocked. A long ball from Curran sent Gallacher through on goal but Meek produced a fine save as the Ants piled on the pressure with Leszczysnki starting to come more into the game, A turn and shot from a short corner was well held by Meek, then the keeper thwarted the Ants striker again with a fine save to turn the ball past the post after he had been played in behind the Newmains defence and then he fired over from the edge of the box. In the 28th minute they did make it three when finally KAMIL LESZCZYNSKI, surrounded by 4 Newmains players, turned and fired past Meek much to the joy of the small band of travelling Ants fans and committee.

Meek and Lezczynski were having a right battle as the Keeper once again scuppered the Ants striker with another great save only 3 minutes after the goal, getting a strong hand to the strikers shot to deny him and at the break it was

NEWMAINS 0 v 3 ANTS (CRAWFORD 2, LITTLER 6, LESZCZYNSKI 28)

The second half was more of the same with the Ants spending the majority of the half on the front foot but the first chance of the half was a free kick for Newmains, but they didn’t get the proper connection on it and it went well over Curran’s crossbar. The Ants had made a half time sub with the match winner v Forth Fraser Wheatley replacing Paul Smith and he almost made it 4-0 but his header from a Crawford corner clipped the outside of the post.

Despite having little to do Curran had to be alert in the 60th minute when Janik found himself with space in the box and fired goalwards but Curran made a fine save and the ball was cleared by Conway. In the 65th minute the Ants had a golden chance to add a fourth when KAMIL LESZCZYNSKI was fouled in the box by Anderson and the Polish hitman dusted himself down to take the penalty himself, beating Meek from the spot for his second and the Ants fourth of the match. Credit to Newmains that they didnt throw in the towel and they almost grabbed a consolation goal when Sneddon fired a half volley inches wide of the post.  Leszczynski was in the hunt for his hat-trick but once again Meek denied him as he was put through on goal then Taylor almost grabbed his second goal in Ants colours but he couldn’t direct his header on target and headed over.

The Ants had held a goal of the season competition online prior to this match and we felt pretty silly that we hadn’t waited after GREG MARSHALL netted his first goal for the Ants with a free kick which he smashed past Meek from fully 35 yards, with the keeper rooted to the spot after 85 minutes to make it 5-0 before KAMIL LESZCZYNSKI put the cherry on the cake with his hat-trick goal in the 90th minute, another fine turn and finish from 12 yards to make the final score

NEWMAINS 0 v 6 ANTS (CRAWFORD 2, LITTLER 6, LESZCZYNSKI 28, 65,90, MARSHALL 85)

 

A good result and performance to sign off on John Kelly’s first season as manager and it’s now a waiting game to see where we finish in the league.