Saturday 20th July 2013
Oban Saints AFC 4 - 0 Westerlands AFC
Another satisfied customer for Brian Cassells!
On a day better suited to knotted handkerchiefs and ice cream cones than football Saints and Westerlands served up an entertaining friendly match for the small crowd who had braved the un-Oban-like weather conditions.
Injuries and holidays limited Manager Iain Jackson's selection options to a squad of sixteen but also ensured that everyone received plenty game time. As is often the case in pre-season friendlies the 90 minutes were divided into thirds rather than halves. Continuing the good form shown in the D & K Cup Saints were quickly into their stride against their Caledonian League Premier Division opponents. Well taken goals from Donald Campbell and Brian MacKay had Saints 2 - 0 up inside 20 minutes. More was to follow on 23 minutes when an excellent passing move involving Donald Campbell and Brian MacKay released Ross Maitland in the box who tucked away a neat finish past the Westerlands 'keeper.
Saints went further ahead early in the second third when Paul Kerr curled a shot from the edge of the box into the postage stamp corner. The intense heat was now starting to take it's toll on the players and the pace of the game dropped considerably allowing Westerland to come back into the match. Westerlands finished the second third strongly forcing two excellent saves from Saints 'keeper Graham Douglas. Graham has been in excellent form since taking over from the injured Daniel Cassells at the end of last season and Saints are extremely fortunate to be able to call on his services.
The final third was played without further scoring and with little incident until the closing minutes. Westerlands appealed for a penalty for what appeared to be a perfectly clean tackle in the box by Saints central defender Marc MacCallum. Referee John Scott who had handled the match well correctly dismissed the Westerland appeals. Perhaps harbouring a sense of injustice at the dismissed penalty claim, and taking exception to a badly timed tackle by Colin Carswell, Westerlands defender Liam MacIntyre aimed at a kick at the recent Saints recruit which threatened to bring tempers to the boil. Referee Scott quickly defused the situation and brought the game to a halt without taking action against either player.
This was a stiff test for Saints against formidable opponents. Westerlands are a quality side reaching the semi finals of Scottish Amateur Cup last season and finishing second in the Caledonian League Premier Division by one point to champions Giffnock North.
Credit is also due to referee John Scott who not only handled this game excellently but did so immediately after officiating at Oban Athletic's 4 - 1 victory over Westerlands second XI. When asked what had kept him going all afternoon John admitted to consuming two bananas between the two fixtures but refused to comment on the rumoured four pints of lager in the Rugby Club.
Wednesday 24th July 2013
Saints lost the services of Club Captain and Scottish Amateur Football League Hall of Fame inductee Keith Millar when he left the club to join Highland League club Fort William.
Keith Millar
Keith's replacement as Club Captain is Marc MacCallum. Marc was arguably Saints best player last season and his appointment as Captain is well deserved.
New Club Captain Marc MacCallum
Oban Saints 1 - 1 Milton AFC
A Sonin Kurishita header from a Donald Campbell free kick earned Saints a draw against Milton of the Caledonian League Premier Division. Saints had the chance to win the match when Allan MacKay won a penalty after being brought down in the box. Allan took the kick himself but unfortunately his effort was well saved by the Milton goal keeper.
Sonin Kurishita
Part Two will follow soon.
#monthesaints
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