Monday, 6 June 2022

Ten Man Saints Lose Out To Champions Elect

Saturday 4th June 2022

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Oban Saints 0 - 3 St Patrick's FP

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr John McNab

Following the previous Saturday's basement battle with Eastfield where Premier Division status was secured for another season Oban Saints had the chance to influence proceedings at the other end of the table when title chasing St Patrick's FP visited Glencruitten last Saturday.

Work commitments kept Manager Willie Gemmell away from the touchline once again leaving Manager Elect Ross Maitland in charge. The usual mixture of injuries, suspensions, work and family commitments restricted Maitland's options however his woes were eased slightly with the inclusion of Dene Cassells who interrupted his retirement to slot in at the back alongside Steven MacLeod. Daniel MacCuish demonstrated his versatility by taking the central striker's role flanked by Zander Craik and Kyle Cooper.

Groundsman Iain Hay had the Glencruitten turf in good condition for Saints penultimate home fixture of a long and arduous season with just the visit of Bannockburn left to complete the league fixtures.

The D&K Lafferty and MKM Building Supplies sponsored Saints got proceedings underway attacking the railway line end in glorious June sunshine and crafted a decent opening after just five minutes. Skipper Scott Maitland sent Zander Craik scurrying up the left wing from where he found Daniel MacCuish in support in the middle. MacCuish picked out Kyle Cooper bursting into the box on the right and the young strikers low strike was turned behind for a corner kick by St Pat's keeper Brian Gallacher. Daniel MacCuish was on the end of Gavin Forgrieve's delivery to the back post but couldn't keep his cushioned volley beneath Gallacher's crossbar.

Young Zander Craik was giving St Pat's right back Neil Allan plenty to think about and another good run from a Dene Cassells pass brought Saints forward again after fifteen minutes. Daniel MacCuish took over driving into the box and sending a cutback from the byeline to Cammy Clark whose side foot finish slipped agonisingly wide of the far post.

Neil Allan's late challenge on Zander Craik gave Gavin Forgrieve the chance to put the ball into the danger area and he duly picked out Daniel MacCuish whose downward header was followed in by Zander Craik with the youngster unfortunate to see his hooked effort on the turn clear Brian Gallacher's crossbar by a matter of inches.

Scott Maitland who has now taken the Skipper's arm band following the retirement of Craig MacEwan joined the attack with a strong thirty second minute run which won a corner kick on the left. Gavin Forgrieve's delivery into the six yard box was well dealt with by St Pat's keeper Brian Gallacher getting good distance on his punch under pressure from Dene Cassells.

Gallacher was tested again from the corner flag sixty seconds later this time making a clean catch in his crowded six yard box.

Having been on the receiving end for the majority of the first half the visitors struck to give themselves a slender advantage going into the interval. Saints couldn't clear a long throw-in from the left and the bouncing ball fell kindly for Scottish Amateur international striker Ciaran Mcelroy who poked to ball home from close range.

The second half began in disastrous fashion for Saints when an unfortunate slip by Dene Cassells, the one blip in an excellent performance from the big central defender, allowed Kevin Mcelroy to race into the box. Graham Douglas came off his line to meet him but only succeeded in bringing down the veteran striker. Douglas was cautioned by Referee John McNab but much worse was to follow when Steven MacLeod received an extremely soft red card for a push on Ciaran Mcelroy. Graham Douglas was beaten from the spot by Kevin Mcelroy leaving Saints to chase a two goal deficit with just ten men.

Young striker Kyle Cooper was sacrificed in favour of Alex Craik with the veteran defender playing a significant role alongside Matty Kelly, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland in keeping the visitors at bay until the dying minutes.

Ten man Saints kept plugging away with both Scott Maitland and James Ford coming close however it was the visitors who had the luxury not just of an extra man but also a strong bench which they would use to good advantage.

Ciaran Mcelroy dropped deep and tee'd up Martin Currie for an eighty fifth minute shot which beat Graham Douglas on his left but came back off the inside of the post. This would be Currie's last involvement and his replacement young Dylan O'Shea would make an instant impact on proceedings. The speedy striker was sent clear by Ciaran Mcelroy and kept his composure to lift the ball over the advancing Graham Douglas to round off the scoring.

The 3 - 0 final score line, although harsh on Saints who contributed greatly to an entertaining spectacle, sets St Pat's up nicely for Monday night's visit from Fallin where a win will secure the Premier Division title for the Dumbarton men.

Steven MacLeod and Matty Kelly keep a close eye on Ciaran Mcelroy

Kevin Mcelroy

Brian Gallacher

Zander Craik with Neil Allan in pursuit

Dene Cassells

Scott Maitland and Michael Symington

Daniel MacCuish

Graham Douglas

Martin Currie

Dylan O'Shea

#monthesaints

Sunday, 5 June 2022

Saints Toil In Tuesday Night Away Trip

Tuesday 31st May 2022

Fallin 6 - 2 Oban Saints

Central Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
Paterson Park
Fallin
FK7 7ZH
Kick-off 7pm

Referee Mr. Michael Kerr

Oban Saints made a Tuesday evening trip to Fallin to complete their final away fixture of the season and did so with an understandably thin squad. Full credit must go to the small travelling party who ensured the continuation of the club's proud reputation for never shirking the challenge of a midweek away fixture.

Torrential rain preceded the match however as kick-off approached the rain abated and evening sunshine broke through to shine on the excellent grass surface at Paterson Park.

Scott Maitland's free-kick from the half-way line gave Saints their first chance when Zander Craik headed Maitland's delivery into the path of Cammy Clark who sent his shot into the arms of keeper Michael Watson.

After a good start Saints fell behind to a fifteenth minute Stuart Henderson strike when the Fallin wide man took full advantage after Saints had passed up several opportunities to clear their lines from a throw-in on the Fallin right.

Parity was restored five minutes later from a good move on the Saints left. Skipper Scott Maitland won the ball well on the half-way line allowing Preston Macintyre to venture into Fallin territory. Macintyre played the ball up to Kyle Cooper who held off the challenge of Adam Green before picking out Zander Craik whose shot from eighteen yards smacked the inside of Michael Watson's left hand post before nestling in the net.

The back to back East of Scotland Cup winning hosts regained the lead in controversial circumstances just before the half hour. Stuart Henderson appeared to be well offside when his back heel sent Andrew Mochan away on the left wing however Referee Michael Kerr waved play on. Mochan didn't wait about to debate the decision and raced forward before picking out Michael Weir at the front post for a side foot finish across Graham Douglas.

Fallin's pace and trickery on the wings opened up the Saints defence again in the thirty eighth minute after central defender Adam Green was allowed to carry the ball a long way out from the back before finding Stuart Henderson on the right wing. Henderson got in behind the Saints defence and sent over a well measured cross for Kyle Henderson to head home unchallenged.

Saints came within a whisker of halving the deficit eight minutes into the second half. Cammy Clark threaded a pass through the inside right channel for Zander Craik. The young striker outpaced Fallin fullback Colin Brannan and sent a shot across goalkeeper Watson but inches wide of the far post.

The good start to the second period was undone in the fifty eighth minute after good work on the right wing by Andrew Mochan who found Michael Weir with a cutback from the bye-line which was converted from close range.

Mochan was causing trouble again two minutes later this time cutting in from the right to test Graham Douglas with a low shot which the Saints number one held well.

Coach Ross Maitland made the only change available to him for the final third of the match sending on James Conington to replace young Preston Macintyre who impressed on the left wing.

Saints kept probing for the opening which would bring them back into the match and it was their sense of adventure which lead to the fifth goal for the hosts. A promising sixty fifth minute attack broke down on the edge of the Fallin box and, with Saints over committed in attack, Fallin countered in devastating style for Michael Weir to complete his hat-trick despite Graham Douglas getting a hand to Weir's shot.

Michael Watson gave a glimpse of the form which has attracted the attention of Scottish Amateur National Select Manager Colin MacLeod with an excellent double save to deny Kyle Cooper a seventieth minute consolation after good work on the left from Scott Maitland and James Conington.

Joseph McGuckin had been a constant threat since coming on as a forty ninth minute substitute for Stuart McMeechan and, after speeding past Jack Wright on the left wing, he cut into the Saints box and steered a low finish across Graham Douglas and into the far bottom corner.

To their credit Saints refused to give up and came close again with another Zander Craik effort just wide of target when sent though in the eighty fourth minute by Kyle Cooper.

Saints finally netted for a second time when Cammy Clark cut in from the left and curled a right foot finish past Michael Watson.

Referee Michael Kerr must have been in a hurry to get home as he blew for full time immediately after the restart with three minutes of the ninety plus stoppage time still remaining.

Despite hosts Fallin being worthy winners Saints can take encouragement from the number of chances created against the Scottish Amateur Cup losing finalist and, with a bit of better fortune in front of goal, the final score-line would have been far more presentable.

Scott Maitland gets away from Stuart Henderson

Cammy Clark

Daniel MacCuish

Kyle Cooper and Adam Green

Graham Douglas

Gavin Forgrieve

Stuart Henderson

Ross Maitland

Zander Craik shoots just wide

Zander Craik and Matthew Cooper

#monthesaints

Monday, 30 May 2022

A Share Of The Points Is Good Enough For Saints

Saturday 28th May 2022

Eastfield 1 - 1 Oban Saints

Central Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
Broadwood Stadium
1 Ardgoil Drive
Cumbernauld
G68 9NE
Kick-off 3pm

Referee Mr. Ryan Stevenson

Oban Saints travelled to Cumbernauld last Saturday to face fellow league strugglers Eastfield in a Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division match which could decide which of the two will have to face a relegation play-off against the third placed side in the Championship. Nothing less than a victory was required for the home side whereas a share of the points would be sufficient for Saints to confirm their Premier League status for another season.

The previous weekend's selection woes eased sufficiently for Gaffer Willie Gemmell to add a full substitutes bench to the bare eleven which had travelled to Kirkintilloch. Goalkeeper availability however remained a major problem with new signing Daniel Terry being thrown straight into the starting eleven in preference to veteran David Dunlop who joined the Gaffer and youngsters Cammy Clark, Zander Craik and Preston Macintyre on the bench.

Saints kicked off attacking the stadium end at Broadwood and forced a corner kick on the left inside the first minute. Gavin Forgrieve tried to pick out the near post run of Thomas McCrindle with the tall youngster just beaten to the header by Gary McCulloch.

The visitors continued their promising start with a Kyle Cooper shot just wide of Eastfield keeper Michael Robertson's left hand post after a good move from left to right involving Scott Maitland, Daniel MacCuish and Gavin Forgrieve.

Eastfield Skipper Mark Hansen soon started to show the form which has caught the attention of National Team Manager Colin MacLeod and, after getting free on the left, send a cutback to the edge of the box for Stuart Doherty who drew a smart save from Daniel Terry low to his right.

After sending a curling effort of his own wide of target Hansen sent another cutback from the left this time for right fullback Cammy McGhee who blasted a very presentable chance high over the Saints crossbar.

Kyle Cooper's eighteenth minute shot from the right edge of the Eastfield box was well held by Michael Robertson at his near post before Hansen tee'd up Jack Sloss for another off target effort for the hosts.

Saints Skipper Scott Maitland was enjoying a lot of space on the Saints left and strode forward to fizz a twenty fourth minute left foot drive just wide of Robertson's left hand post.

After Kyle Cooper had been brought down on the turn twenty four yards out Gavin Forgrieve lofted the resulting free-kick into the grateful arms of Michael Robertson.

Off target efforts followed from Kyle Cooper and Daniel MacCuish before Cooper opened the scoring after racing onto a thirty first minute Gavin Forgrieve through ball and thumping the ball past Robertson.

The hosts freshened up their attack early in the second half sending on Daniel McDonald to replace Robert Johnston who had bagged a brace in Eastfield's 7 - 3 victory at Glencruitten at the beginning of April.

The change bore fruit for Eastfield when McDonald poked home a Hansen cutback from the right in the sixty sixth minute setting up a rousing finale in the late May sunshine.

Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell made a change in the sixty eighth minute sending on Cammy Clark to replace Thomas McCrindle in a straight swap in central midfield.

A share of the points was of no use to Eastfield who kept pressing forward in search of a second goal which would have come with fifteen minutes remaining but for a sensational goal-line clearance from Jack Wright.

Alex Craik and Steven MacLeod's vast experience was a massively steadying influence at the back as Saints stood firm to withstand everything which the home side could throw at them. Anything that did get past the Saints back four was comfortably dealt with by Daniel Terry who produced a solid performance on his debut.

Up front the pace of Kyle Cooper and Zander Craik gave the home defence plenty to think about and only a perfectly timed sliding interception by Gary McCulloch prevented Cooper from delivering a hammer blow with six of the regulation ninety minutes remaining.

Referee Ryan Stevenson played seven nerve jangling additional minutes which Saints successfully negotiated with Gavin Forgrieve and Daniel MacCuish, frustratingly for the opposition, running down the clock by the corner flag.

The share of the points assures Saints of Premier Division football next season however 2019 Scottish Amateur Cup losing finalists Eastfield must now play-off against the third placed team in the Championship for the last remaining 2022-23 Premier Division place.

The home side may not have secured the required victory but they did however win the banter battle with the "f**k up ya teuchter balloon" volley aimed at Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell who joined the remainder of the Saints contingent in wishing Eastfield all the best for the impending play-off match.

Saints commence their three remaining fixtures this coming Tuesday night with a trip to Paterson Playing Fields to face East of Scotland Amateur Cup winners and Scottish Amateur Cup losing finalists Fallin. Saturday sees the return to Glencruitten of title chasers St Patrick's F.P. with Bannockburn the visitors for the final match of the season on 11th June.

Kyle Cooper and Mark Hansen with Referee Ryan Stevenson

Daniel Terry

Corner Flag

Kyle Cooper

Michael Robertson

Gavin Forgrieve

Scott Maitland

Thomas McCrindle

Willie Gemmell

Jack Wright

Daniel MacCuish

Steven MacLeod

Mark Hansen

Steven MacLeod heads clear

Gavin Forgrieve and Daniel MacCuish run down the clock

#monthesaints

Sunday, 22 May 2022

Five Star Hares Too Strong For Young Saints

Saturday 21st May 2022

Harestanes 5 - 0 Oban Saints

Central Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
Merkland Outdoor Recreation Centre
Merkland Place
Kirkintilloch
G66 3SN
Kick-off 12 noon

Referee Mr. Dougie Gunning

A threadbare Oban Saints squad featuring five teenagers travelled to Kirkintilloch last Saturday for a Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter with title chasing Harestanes. Despite returning home on the wrong side of a five nil score-line the make-shift Saints were far from disgraced and will reflect on a number of missed opportunities which would have given the final score a more presentable appearance.

The all to familiar story of injuries, suspensions, work and family commitments had already taken it's toll on the match day squad so when Seville travel related withdrawals reduced the travelling party to just eleven the odds were firmly stacked against the visitors. Manager Willie Gemmell and Coach Ross Maitland were among the absentees leaving Secretary David Buchanan in sole charge.

Veteran central defender Alex Craik partnered teenager Thomas McCrindle in central defence and in a landmark moment for the former Saints Manager his son Zander joined Kyle Cooper in attack.

Saints number one Graham Douglas had already produced three saves when the hosts opened the scoring in the twelfth minute. Craig Young stretched the Saints defence on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross for Liam Johnson to slam the ball into the roof of the net at the back post.

The first threat from the visitors came when Douglas did well to intercept a Liam Johnson cross from the right and launched a counter-attack where Scott Maitland and Kyle Cooper linked up to send a through ball for Zander Craik which was fractionally too heavy for the young striker.

James Ford had a twenty two yard shot well held by Hares keeper Chris Calder before a controversial decision by Referee Dougie Gunning gave the hosts the chance to double their advantage from the penalty spot. Mr Gunning penalised Jack Wright for handball a decision which Wright and his team-mates hotly disputed. The Referee carefully explained his reasoning and later advised that his interpretation of the handball rules had been confirmed by a Referee on the senior list rumoured to be a Mr W. Collum. Paul McLaughlin made no mistake from the penalty spot tucking the ball into the bottom corner sending Graham Douglas the wrong way in the process.

Zander Craik had an excellent chance to half the deficit when played in by Gavin Forgrieve in the thirty first minute but the youngster couldn't steer his finish beyond the reach of Chris Calder who made an important save.

Harestanes capitalised fully on this let-off just two minutes later when wingers Liam Johnson and Craig Young combined again this time with Johnson providing a right wing cross for Young to head in at the back post.

Saints opened up the home defence again ten minutes before the interval with Kyle Cooper's finish leaving Chris Calder well beaten before slipping agonisingly wide of the keeper's right hand post.

The Johnson and Young combination struck again for the hosts ten minutes after the restart. Johnson's shot was well saved by Graham Douglas low to his right however the Saints defence couldn't clear the danger and Craig Young pounced to send the ball into the net past the stranded Saints keeper.

To their credit the makeshift Saints refused to let their heads drop and kept probing for the opening which would give them a deserved consolation. Hares number one Chris Calder however was in no mood to give up his highly prized clean sheet and made an excellent one handed save low to his right to keep out a Kyle Cooper shot which looked bound for the bottom corner.

The fifth and final goal of the afternoon had an element of good fortune about it when Graham Douglas' punched clearance went straight to Craig Young who looped a header over Douglas and into the unguarded net to complete his hat-trick.

Dead ball opportunities from the edge of the Harestanes box followed for James Ford and Gavin Forgrieve but on each occasion Chris Calder was equal to the task. Calder also made a comfortable save from a Gavin Forgrieve shot after a deflection had taken the sting out of Forgieve's effort after a strong run forward from the half-way line.

The hosts made all five changes available to them for the closing stages however Saints, despite one or two more scares, dug in well to complete the ninety minutes plus stoppage time without conceding again.

Referee Dougie Gunning, who had a good game, brought to an end his fiftieth match of the season with half of his match fee once again going to the Beatson Cancer Charity. This has been a magnificent fundraising effort by Mr Gunning for a very worthy cause. You can support Dougie in his efforts on his JustGiving page 'Dougie's Charity Refereeing'.

The win for Harestanes lifts the East Dunbartonshire men to the top of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division ahead of Drumchapel on goal difference. Also still very much in the title race are Lesmahagow and St Patrick's F.P. ensuring a fascinating four-way tussle for the Premier Division trophy.

A similarly exciting climax to the season is assured at the other end of the table where despite Greenock High School F.P's and Drumchapel United PYM's relegation to the Championship being confirmed some time ago Saints remain embroiled in a battle with Eastfield and Uddingston Anvil to avoid a play-off place with the third placed Championship side.

Saints fans were due a midweek treat this coming Wednesday when title hopefuls St Patrick's F.P. were scheduled for a return to replay last September's league fixture which was abandoned after a nasty collision between Scott Maitland and St. Pat's goalkeeper Dominic Donaldson. However with the League's Fixture Secretary still trying the shoehorn in St. Pat's eight remaining fixtures they have been spared a trip to Oban in favour of a match closer to home.

This coming Saturday Saints play their penultimate away fixture when they travel to Broadwood to face Eastfield in a match which will go a long way to deciding the final standings at the foot of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.

Team Captains Scott Maitland and James Mulvay with Referee Dougie Gunning

Graham Douglas

Alex Craik

Jack Wright and Craig Young

Referee Dougie Gunning

Gavin Forgrieve and Paul McLaughlin

Kyle Cooper

Chris Calder

Scott Maitland

#monthesaints

Sunday, 15 May 2022

DJ Forbes Leaves Saints In A Spin

Saturday 14th May 2022

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Oban Saints 0 - 1 Drumchapel Amateurs

Oban Community Sports Field

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Tony McCann

Oban Saints welcomed title contenders Drumchapel Amateurs to Oban High School last Saturday afternoon for a Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division clash with three more valuable league points up for grabs.

Despite competing well against the league leaders the home side ultimately succumbed to a second half headed goal from veteran midfielder and legendary disc jockey David Forbes which sent Drumchapel three points clear at the top of table and leaves Saints still perilously close to the relegation places.

Work commitments kept Manager Willie Gemmell away from the touchline therefore Coaches Ross Maitland and Peter MacCallum and Secretary David Buchanan once again took charge of team affairs. The familiar story of injuries, suspensions, work and family commitments hampered the Management team's options and necessitated call-up's for Kenneth Black, Ollie Sharp and David Smith to bolster the squad numbers.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Jack Wright, Alex Craik, Thomas McCrindle and Scott Maitland. Holding the midfield were Gavin Forgrieve and Daniel MacCuish with James Ford, Matty Kelly and Captain Craig MacEwan behind central striker Kyle Cooper. On the substitutes bench were Kenneth Black, Cammy Clark, David Dunlop, Ollie Sharp and David Smith.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Cammy Clark

Ollie Sharp

Unused substitutes:-

Kenneth Black

David Dunlop

David Smith

Making his final appearance before retirement Saints Skipper Craig MacEwan got the action underway attacking the Glencruitten end and had a hand in setting up the first opportunity of the afternoon in the second minute. Linking up well on the left with Matty Kelly and Kyle Cooper, MacEwan picked out James Ford on the edge of the box for a low right foot shot which grazed the outside of Drumchapel keeper Stephen Mather's right hand post.

Mather made an excellent double save four minutes later to deny James Ford and Matty Kelly. Kelly cut in well from the left and found Ford for a shot from twelve yards which Mather did well to stop. The big keeper couldn't hold Ford's shot but recovered quickly to smother Kelly's effort on the rebound.

Teenage striker Kyle Cooper was inches away from connecting with Scott Maitland's eighth minute cross from the left as the bright start continued for the home side.

Visitors Drumchapel have shown remarkable resilience to recover from last month's devastating defeat to Tollcross Thistle in the much delayed 2020 Scottish Amateur Cup Final and they slowly began to gain the upper hand in the vital midfield battle.

Saints right fullback Jack Wright did well to head a twentieth minute Alan Kelly right wing cross behind for a corner kick and repeated the feat to head away Kelly's delivery from the corner flag.

Dead ball expert Kelly's deep twenty third minute corner kick from the right picked out Kerr Hunter at the back post however, under pressure from Daniel MacCuish, the big striker couldn't direct his header on target.

Stephen Mather positioned himself well to reach up and catch Gavin Forgrieve's attempted lob from the edge of the box before launching a counter attack which saw Jamie Ross curl a delightful left foot effort beyond the reach of Graham Douglas and onto the crossbar.

The visitors had the ball in the net in the thirty third minute however Referee Tony McCann, who handled proceedings well, correctly ruled that David Forbes had strayed offside to head home a Jamie Ross cross from the left.

Central defender Paul McConachie joined the attack in the thirty sixth minute and delivered a dangerous cross come shot from the right which Graham Douglas could only palm across the face of goal with Jack Wright fortunately on hand to mop up the danger.

Douglas' handling was assured in claiming a flicked on throw-in from the right before launching a counter-attack which saw Kyle Cooper send a cutback from the right fractionally behind the supporting run of Matty Kelly.

Not the tallest on the park by some distance veteran Drumchapel midfielder David Forbes still posed the greatest aerial threat with his fortieth minute header from an Alan Kelly corner kick from the right flying inches wide of target.

The Kelly and Forbes combination produced the only goal of the game in the fifty fourth minute when Forbes' header from Kelly's free-kick was parried by Graham Douglas but only back into the path of Forbes who poked home from close range.

Saints responded with a deep cross from Craig MacEwan which Scott Maitland did well to reach with a diving back post header which was well held by Stephen Mather followed by a Gavin Forgrieve shot from twenty five yards which flew just wide of the postage stamp corner.

Daniel MacCuish's sixty seventh minute trip on Alan Kelly gave Kelly another dead-ball opportunity which he gratefully accepted with a curling effort which had Graham Douglas at full stretch to push behind for a corner kick. Kelly went short from the corner flag accepting a return pass before jinking into the box and lofting a cross for David Forbes whose header was parried by Graham Douglas before being thumped clear by Gavin Forgrieve.

Injury cut short Thomas McCrindle's afternoon with Cammy Clark joining the action as his seventy seventh minute replacement. In Saints only other change Ollie Sharp's recent impressive performances for the club's second string were rewarded with a first team debut at the expense of James Ford.

Kyle Cooper's strong running on the right forced an eighty seventh minute corner kick on the right from where Craig MacEwan's downward header was taken off the toes of Ollie Sharp by Sean Keegan.

That was as close as Saints would come to breaching the Drumchapel defence who remained relatively untroubled during the five additional minutes allowed by Mr McCann confirming a narrow but fully deserved victory for the visitors.

Saints face another massive test this coming Saturday when they travel to Kirkintilloch to face second placed Harestanes who are in a four way fight for the Premier Division title with Drumchapel, Lesmahagow and St Patrick's F.P.