Cabin Fever

Allan MacKay scores from the penalty spot to send Saints through against Glasgow Harp

 

 

Saturday 14th December 2013

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Oban Saints AFC - v - Haldane United AFC

Glencruitten 2, Oban

Kick off 2pm

Referee Mr Gordon Hay

 

Last Saturday at Glencruitten Saints turned in an excellent performance against top Caledonian Premier League side Glasgow Harp to progress to the fourth round of the Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup. A goal a piece for this season's joint top goal scorers Craig MacEwan and Allan MacKay gave Saints a thoroughly deserved victory against the strongly fancied Bishopbriggs side who the season before last had reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Amateur Cup. This was a major scalp for Saints who must now await the outcome of the Jordanhill Campus versus Giffnock North third round tie before learning whom they must face in round four.

 

 

 

Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup

 

 

On Tuesday 10th December Saints were drawn away from home against Dennistoun Vale AFC in the fifth round of the Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup. This tie is due to be played on 11th January 2014. Dennistoun Vale are flying high in the Strathclyde Saturday Morning League and will provide another stern test of Saints Scottish Cup ambitions.

 

In other cup news Saints have been drawn away from home in the second round of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy against Argyll rivals Lochgilphead Red Star. A date has yet to be set for this fixture but it is already eagerly anticipated by players and supports of both sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haldane United 2013 - 14 Squad

 

 

Saints return to league business this weekend with a tricky home match against Haldane United. Haldane have made a very impressive start to life in the SAFL top flight and are currently fifth in the Premier Division with eleven points from six games. An away defeat at St Joseph's has been the only black mark in a difficult run of fixtures which has seen them play all of the likely title contenders. 

 

Haldane United's SAFL Premier Division record so far:-

 

17th August Castlemilk 3 - 3 Haldane United

21st August Haldane United 5 - 2 Alba Thistle

24th August Haldane United 3 - 3 Oban Saints

31st August Finnart 1 - 2 Haldane United

14th September Thorn Athletic 1 - 3 Haldane United

5th October St Joseph's 3 - 0 Haldane United

 

Haldane are also still going strong in the Scottish Amateur Cup and have a massive fifth round tie to look forward to when they welcome last season's beaten finalists Colville Park to Inler Park. Saints took Colville Park to a replay in the seventh round of  last season's Scottish Cup before being losing out by three goals to one at Glencruitten against their more illustrious opponents. Haldane will hope to go one better than Saints and will carry the best wishes of all SAFL teams when they take on one of the biggest names in Scottish Amateur football.

 

 

Mattie Rippon about to slot Saints into a 3 - 0 lead at Inler Park in August

 



The Saints players will need no reminding of their only previous league encounter with Haldane United when they surrendered a three goal lead in thirty crazy second half minutes against ten men. Indeed had the match lasted any longer Saints would have probably lost all three points such was the momentum built up by Haldane in the closing stages. That match was played as recently as August of this year but Saints have already lost the services of Brian MacKay and Willie Gemmell from their starting line up that day. Both have subsequently decided to leave the Saints to go travelling. One in Australia and the other in the Scottish Highlands! 

 

Saturday's match presents Saints with an opportunity not only to atone for that slip-up but to leapfrog Finnart at the top of the league. A win for Haldane would bring them to within one point of Saints with a game in hand. An exciting match is therefore in prospect so come along and watch if you can.

 

 

 

 

Haldane United's excellent new facilities

 

 

Haldane have recently unveiled their new club house close to their home ground Inler Park. "The Cabin" as it's known is a wonderful new facility and is likely to be the envy of most of the teams that visit. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Manager's Office where a post match refreshment can be taken

 

 

 

 

 

 

The official opening ceremony!

 

 

 

#monthesaints 







Harping On A Bit

 

The Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup

 

 

Saturday 7th December 2013

Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup Third Round

Oban Saints AFC -v- Glasgow Harp AFC

Glencruitten 2, Oban. Kick Off 1.30pm

Referee - Mr James Litster

 

 

Oban's premier night spot the "Loch"

 

 

Last Saturday at Glencruitten Saints extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seventeen matches with a convincing 6 - 0 win over Ellon Amateurs in the Foster's Scottish Cup fourth round. The Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association Division One (East) side were slightly under strength for this tie and after sampling the delights of some of Oban's top night spots the night before the match may have been under the weather, or perhaps even still under the influence. Saints however were in unforgiving mood and turned in an excellent performance which could have been even more emphatic had this season's top scorer so far Allan MacKay had his shooting boots on.

 

 

 

 

 

This Saturday Saints face the toughest test of the season so far when they entertain Glasgow Harp of the Caledonian Premier League in the West of Scotland Cup. Glasgow Harp are based in Bishopbriggs and have an impressive haul of sixteen league and cup successes since 1995, the most recent of which was the Douglas Smith League Cup in October of this year. In addition to their trophy collection Glasgow Harp also have an admirable record in the "majors" having reached the semi-finals of the West of Scotland cup in 2002 and the quarter-finals in 2003 and semi-finals in 2012 of the Scottish Amateur Cup. 

 

 

 

Glasgow Harp celebrate victory over Cambusbarron Rovers in the Douglas Smith League Cup Final 2013 played at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

 

Glasgow Harp in the Douglas Smith League Cup 2013:-

 

24th August Glasgow Harp 5 - 1 Cambria

31st August Dumbarton Academy FP 0 -4 Glasgow Harp

7th September Glasgow Harp 2 - 1 Milton

21st September Glasgow University 0 -1 Glasgow Harp

2nd October Cambusbarron Rovers 0 - 2 Glasgow Harp

 

Glasgow Harp are currently in sixth place in the Caledonian Premier League with 11 points from seven games played.

 

Glasgow Harp's league season so far:-

 

10th August Dumbarton Academy FP 0 - 1 Glasgow Harp

13th August Glasgow Harp 2 - 0 Cambria

17th August Cambusbarron Rovers 1 - 4 Glasgow Harp

21st August Giffnock North 2 - 1 Glasgow Harp

28th August Glasgow Harp 2 - 2 St. Mungo's

12th October Glasgow Harp 1 - 2 Milton

2nd November Doune Castle 2 - 2 Glasgow Harp

 

Glasgow Harp are also going strong in this season's Scottish Cup:-

 

Round Two 26th October Cumbernauld Rovers 0 - 10 Glasgow Harp

Round Three 9th November Glasgow Harp 3 - 1 Cambusbarron Rovers (sick of the sight of Harp?)

Round Four 30th November Glasgow Harp 3 - 0 Auchterarder Primrose 

 

Glasgow Harp reached the third round of the West of Scotland cup by beating Kelvin 3 - 0 at Bishopbriggs. Saints have yet to play in this competition this season having had no tie in round one a walkover in round two when Dalmilling of the Ayrshire Amateur Football League declined to fulfil the second round fixture.

 

Saturday's match promises to be a cracker between two formidable sides capable of excellent football. The match will be played to a finish with extra time and penalty shoot out if required. The winners will face either Giffnock North of the Caledonian League or Glentyan of the Paisley and District League in the fourth round. The tie is arguably the pick of the third round and should provide a welcome distraction from the delights of Christmas shopping. I certainly know where I'd rather be whatever the weather!

 

 

Winning In The Rain!

 

 

 

On Sunday 1st December Saints provided four players for the Scottish Amateur Football League Select which took on the Scottish Amateur International team at Colville Park Country Club. The SAFL Select turned in an impressive performance in a 5 - 1 defeat which flattered their international opponents.

 

 

 

SAFL Select:Donald Campbell (back left), Myles McAulay (back 4th from left), Marc MacCallum (front 4th from left) and Lewis Cameron (front 5th from left)

 

 

 

Donald Campbell in an unfamiliar right midfield role

 

 

 

 



 

 

Saints Secretary David Buchanan looks on

 

 

 

Finally,

 

 

One of my first ever drinking experiences. How it didn't put me off drink for life is a mystery.



 

 

#monthesaints



East is East

 

 



Saturday 30th November 2013

Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup 4th Round

Oban Saints AFC -v- Ellon Amateurs

Glencruitten 2, Oban. Kick off 2pm

Referee - Mr Allan Loch

 

Saints had yet another blank weekend last week, this time due to the withdrawal of Shawlands FP from the Jimmy Marshall Cup. Saints therefore progress to the second round by virtue of a walkover.

 

 

 

East is East

 

 

 

 

 

This Saturday will see Saints continue their Scottish Amateur Cup campaign with a home tie against Ellon Amateurs of the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association Division One (East). The town of Ellon lies on the river Ythan approximately sixteen miles north of Aberdeen, roughly half way between Aberdeen and Peterhead.

 

 

Ellon Amateurs 2010

 

 

Ellon Amateurs (not to be confused with Ellon Thistle) play their home fixtures at the Meadows Sports Centre, Ellon. They are currently in fourth place in the league having amassed seventeen points from their opening seven games, winning five and drawing two.

 

Despite their good league form Ellon have already exited all of their regional and league cup competitions with the exception of one league cup which has yet to commence. Their passage to the Scottish Cup fourth round includes the scalps of two Aberdeenshire Premier Division sides and an away win at Jimmy Johnstone Academy of the Glasgow Colleges Amateur Football Association.

 

Ellon Amateurs' passage to the fourth round:-

 

Round 1 - Ellon Amateurs 4 - 0 Rattrays XI

Round 2 - Ellon Amateurs 2 - 1 Alford

Round 3 - Jimmy Johnstone Academy 3 - 4 Ellon Amateurs

 

 

 

Ellon have featured in both North and East sections of the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football League

 

 

Ellon Amateurs in the Aberdeenshire AFA:-

 

2007/08 Division Two (East) 14th (of 15) Relegated

2008/09 Division Three 2nd Promoted

2009/10 Division Two (East) Champions Promoted

2010/11 Division One (East) 8th (of 14)

2011/12 Division One (North) 11th (of 14)

2012/13 Division One (North) 6th (of 13)

 

 

A reminder of Saints progress to the fourth round:-

 

Round 1 - Bye

Round 2 - Oban Saints 3 - 3 Independent

Round 2 Replay Independent 2 - 8 Oban Saints

Round 3 Oban Saints 6 - 1 Rosyth

 

 

 

Craig MacEwan and Allan MacKay celebrate Allan's goal in the 3 - 3 draw with Independent

 

 

 

 

Marc MacCallum's rampaging run ends with him being brought down for a penalty in Saints 6 - 1 win over Rosyth

 

 

Ellon's famous sons and daughters:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

World renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie

 

 

 

 

Scottish International and former Arsenal Ladies player Natalie Ross

 

 

On Sunday 1st December Saints players Marc MacCallum, Donald Campbell and Lewis Cameron will join up with the Scottish Amateur Football League Select to play the Scottish Amateur Football Association Select at Colville Park Country Club. The very best of luck to boys!

 

#monthesaints 















Wandering Free

Saturday 16th November 2013
Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup Third Round
Oban Saints AFC -v- Rosyth FC
Glencruitten 2, Oban
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Derek Park

Last Saturday's scheduled Scottish Amateur Cup tie against Rosyth was postponed due to the Rosyth manager being involved in a road traffic accident. Happily he wasn't too badly injured and the match has been rescheduled for this Saturday. The winners of this match have been drawn at home in the fourth round to the winners of the Jimmy Johnstone Academy AFC versus Ellon AFC third round tie which is also due to be played this Saturday having been postponed last week.

As if two weekends without a match wasn't bad enough, Saints were dealt a further blow when SAFL Select squad member Willie Gemmell announced his immediate departure from the Club to sign for Highland League perennial strugglers Fort William. Willie's talents in midfield and defence will be sorely missed, as will his long throw and dead ball prowess.

Another deadly free kick from the recently departed Willie Gemmell

The disappointing news that Willie Gemmell has joined former Club Captain Keith Millar in succumbing to the lure of the Highland League has been tempered by the return of veteran Jamie Graham. A Saints man through and through, Jamie has had no hesitation in swapping his carpet slippers for football boots to bolster the squad for this season and his looking forward to resuming his defensive partnership with young Alex Craik.

 

Jamie Graham gets the boots back on

On their most recent league excursion Saints endured a 200 mile round trip for nothing more than a pitch inspection at a waterlogged Peter Brownlie Park in Cambuslang where they were due to play Castlemilk in the SAFL Premier Division. Despite the players having packed their scuba diving gear the referee deemed the pitch unplayable and the Saints contingent returned home somewhat earlier than originally anticipated.

Heavy going

Saints resume their Scottish Amateur Cup campaign this weekend with a home tie against Fife Amateur Football Association Premier Division side Rosyth. Saints entered this season's competition at the second round stage where they were drawn at home against Stirling and District League Division One outfit Independent. With the match at Glencruitten ending in a 3 - 3 draw a replay was required to separate the sides which Saints won comfortably by eight goals to two.

 

No more wandering for Rosyth

 

 

Saturday's opponents were founded in 1998 as Rosyth Wanderers but have been re-branded this season as Rosyth F.C. The Wanderers started their football existence in the Dunfermline and District Sunday Welfare League where they remained until 2003 before leaving to join the Fife Amateur Football Association in League Division Two. Promotion to Division One came by virtue of a second place finish in season 2009 - 10. Wanderers narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier Division in season 2011 - 12 and again last season. However a slight league re-organisation has allowed them to kick off their new existence in the Premier Division.

 

 

 

 

Rosyth have found life difficult in the top flight and currently sit third from bottom of the league with three points from four games.

 

Rosyth's league season so far:-

 

17th August Dysart 1 - 3 Rosyth

21st September Rosyth 0 - 3 St Andrews Amateurs

5th October Pittenweem Rovers 3 - 0 Rosyth

26th October Rosyth 0 - 2 Burntisland United

 

Rosyth's Scottish Cup campaign so far:-

 

1st Round 28th September Rosyth 5 - 2 Riverside

2nd Round 12th October Carronshore Athletic 1 - 2 Rosyth

 

 

Saints recent Scottish Cup pedigree should make them favourites to progress to the fourth round. Hopefully the memory of the mad thirteen second half minutes against Independent where Saints threw away a three goal lead will be fresh enough in the players' mind's to guard against any complacency.

 

 

 

 

 Rosyth Public Park commonly known as San Siro home of Rosyth FC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Stadio Guiseppe Meazza, Milano also commonly known as San Siro

 

 

 

 

 

Wandering since 1958

 

 

#monthesaints

Milk Round

Saturday 2nd November 2013
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Castlemilk AFC -v- Oban Saints AFC
Peter Brownlie Park, Westburn Road, Cambuslang, Glasgow G72 7LQ
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Michael Auld

With their passage to the third round of the Scottish Amateur Cup having been safely secured by virtue of last Saturday's resounding 8 - 2 victory at Independent, Saints return to league duty this Saturday with a trip to Cambuslang to face Castlemilk AFC.

Saints remain unbeaten in the league having won four and drawn three of their seven matches so far which puts them in second place on fifteen points just one point behind league leaders Finnart.

Saturday's opponents "The Milk" are currently in eighth place with six points from five games, their only defeat having come at the hands of high flying Finnart.

Castlemilk's league fixtures thus far:-

17th August Castlemilk 3 - 3 Haldane United
21st August Kilbowie Union 4 - 4 Castlemilk
24th August St Joseph's 3 - 3 Castlemilk
31st August Castlemilk 3 - 0 Inverclyde
5th October Castlemilk 2 - 6 Finnart

"The Milk" have also progressed to the final of the Centenary Cup, a run which included penalty shoot out victories over Finnart and Haldane United. They will face St Joseph's in the final on 13th November which should be an excellent match to be played at the home of Maryhill Juniors.

Castlemilk's recent record in the SAFL:-

2006/07 Division One A Undefeated Champions Promoted
2007/08 Premier Division Two 2nd Promoted
2008/09 Premier Division One Champions Promoted
2009/10 Premier Division 8th 17 points
2010/11 Premier Division 4th 23 points
2011/12 Premier Division 5th 29 points
2012/13 Premier Division 4th 31 points

"The Milk" have made steady year on year improvement in the top flight and must be considered as serious contenders for the league title this season.

The Milkmen

League meetings between the clubs:-

2009/10
Oban Saints 4 - 0 Castlemilk
Castlemilk 1 - 4 Oban Saints

2010/11
Castlemilk 0 - 4 Oban Saints
Oban Saints 2 - 1 Castlemilk

2011/12
Oban Saints 3 - 2 Castlemilk
Castlemilk 0 - 1 Oban Saints

2012/13
Oban Saints 1 - 0 Castlemilk
Castlemilk 2 - 1 Oban Saints

Saints have enjoyed an excellent record against The Milk the only blemish being the 2 -1 away defeat towards the end of last season where the rapidly running out of steam Saints were well beaten by a resurgent Castlemilk side.

This is another tough match for Saints and they will have to be at their best to keep their unbeaten record intact.

 Some other Milkmen:-

Bulgarian favourite

50% 75% 90% of the Two Ronnies

Driver of the fastest milk cart in the West

Has a few confessions

Some other comedian

 

Two pints, there you go

 

 

 

And Monty Python's cautionary tale:-

 





 

Tempting

 

Tempted

 

Following

 

 

 

Locked in the bedroom..................................





.....................................................with this lot!

 

 

 

#monthesaints