Winning In The Rain: 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)