With the sensational news from Old Trafford that Sir Alex was about to hang up his stopwatch still reverbarating around the football world, Oban Saints Manager Iain Jackson launched a late bid to succeed the septuagenarian supremo in the Manchester United hot seat by leading his side into this crucial semi-final tie with Haldane United.
Knowing that only a victory would keep his hopes of ascension to the Old Trafford throne alive the Saints Manager named his strongest available starting line up and for good measure named three strikers amongst his substitutes.
Saints started strongly comfortably knocking the ball around on the excellent playing surface. As early as the third minute Saints had their first scoring opportunity when, after and excellent turn in the box, Craig MacEwan saw his shot hit the post and go out for a goal kick. The game soon settled into a pattern of good Saints possession but little penetration. As the half wore on the breeze blowing in Haldane's favour started to increase in force and their long balls from the back had the Saints defence in trouble on a couple of occassions. Saints had one more good chance when Donald Campbell curled a shot over the bar from the edge of the box after good work by his strike partner Craig MacEwan. Half time arrived without any scoring and the match officials retired to the pavillion for a cup of tea leaving the teams on the sidelines to prepare for the second half.
Half time team talk and the Saints player look on incredulous as Manager Iain Jackson implores them to keep his Old Trafford dream alive.
With their Manager's words still ringing in their ears the Saints players took the field for the second half but had to endure a frustrating five minute wait while the match officials polished off the last of the Hobnobs back in the pavillion. Eventually the second half got underway and the Saints were immediately on the front foot. Chances fell to Donald Campbell and Ross Maitland both of whom were thwarted by either the woodwork or the Haldane goalkeeper. With frustration building on the sidelines Saints eventually found a break through with Dene Cassells netting on 70 minutes from just inside the box.
Haldane who had offered nothing until this point were stung into action and started pressing for an equaliser. Some nervous moments in the Saints defence were giving encouragement to their opponents so Manager Jackson decided to strengthen the midfield by replacing the tiring Ross Maitland with Paul Kerr. The change brought immediate reward with Donald Campbell landing the killer second goal on 82 minutes. Saints comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure a place in the final against Hillington AFC.
The palyers head back to the pavillion.
As the players headed back to the pavillion to see if the match officials had left any tea and biscuits news began emerging from Old Trafford that the soon to be out of contract Everton Manager David Moyes would succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United Manager. Sources at Manchester United revealed that Saints Manager Iain Jackson had been very much in United's thoughts but the compensation package payable to Saints would probably be beyond United's budget. Saints Secretary Davie Buchanan later confirmed that he would have settled for two new match balls and a years subscription to MUTV.
Our source at Manchester United.
With news of his appointment at Old Trafford now confirmed we can reveal that David Moyes rates his appearance for Celtic against Oban Saints at Mossfield in 1982 as his greatest achievement in football to date. Moyes was alleged to have said "to complete 90 minutes against Peter MacCallum and not be hospitalised is surely my proudest moment".
So with Manager Iain Jackson still at the helm the Saints go marching ON, ON, ON!
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