Winning In The Rain: The Coatbridge Independents

Saturday 19th October 2013
Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup Second Round
Oban Saints AFC v Independent AFC
Glencruitten, Oban Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr G. Yuille

Saints versus Alba Thistle was the only fixture played in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division last weekend and Saints took full advantage of the late change from cup to league duty. A two goals to nil victory over the Premier Division newcomers lifted Saints to the top of the league for the first time this season. An added bonus for Saints was having another league fixture successfully completed before the distraction of the cup competitions and the inevitable fixture disruption of winter match postponements.

Independent AFC celebrate winning the 2013 Robertson Cup

Saturday's visitors to Glencruitten are Independent AFC from Coatbridge. Independent play in the Stirling and District Amateur Football League Division One and currently sit in 7th place in what is the second tier of that particular league set up.

Independent's league season so far:-

21st September Independent 2 - 2 Milton

28th September Tillicoutry 3 - 2 Independent

12th October Independent 2 - 3 Drumpellier

A mixed start but Independent do already have some silverware in the trophy cabinet this season having defeated Fallin by five goals to three in the Robertson Division One League Cup Final last month.

Independent have made rapid progress in their short time in the Stirling and District Amateur Football League.

2011/12 Division Three Champions Promoted
2012/13 Division Two 2nd Promoted

Independent progressed to the second round of this season's Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup by defeating Thorn Athletic's Paisley and District League side by three goals to one in Johnstone. This Thorn team (not to be confused with their SAFL side) currently sit bottom of Division Three of the Paisley and District League with just one point from a possible twelve.

Saints come into this fixture not only in good league form but with a very respectable Scottish Cup pedigree.

Saints recent Scottish Amateur Cup record:-

2006/07 Quarter Finals lost 3 - 0 away to eventual losing finalists Cupar Hearts
2007/08 Second Round lost 2 - 1 away to Harestanes
2008/09 Quarter Finals lost 5 - 1 away to 2010 winners Eddlewood
2009/10 Fifth Round lost 4 - 2 away to Falkirk
2010/11 Second Round lost 5 - 2 away to Arthurlie
2011/12 Sixth Round lost 5 - 2 away to Cambusbarron
2012/13 Seventh Round lost home replay 3 - 1 to eventual losing finalists Colville Park after an away 2 - 2 draw.

Saints will be hoping for another extended run in the premier cup competition,described by some as the Holy Grail of amateur football, and looking forward to pitting their wits against some of the top amateur teams in the country.

Some other independents you may or may not have heard of:-