Winning In The Rain: A Spanner In The Works

Saturday 22nd February 2014
Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup 6th Round Replay
Thorn Athletic AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Johnstone Community Sports Hub
Beith Road
Johnstone
Renfrewshire
PA5 0LR
Kick Off 3.00pm
Referee Mr Hugh Service

This Scottish Amateur Cup replay should have been played last Saturday but unfortunately the grass pitch at McMaster Park fell victim to the continuing atrocious weather conditions and the game was called off on the Friday afternoon. Having already suffered last minute cancellations at Castlemilk and Kilbowie Union this season the Saints management and players were thankful of the early warning from their hosts. With there being little chance of McMaster Park recovering quickly Thorn Athletic have booked the 3G pitch at Johnstone Community Sports Hub for Saturday's replay where surely only a flood of biblical proportions can render the surface unplayable.

Recently spotted stocking up on gopher wood and pitch!

The 3G pitch at Johnstone Community Sports Hub

The cancellation last week has served only to heighten the sense of anticipation amongst players and supporters of both sides and another thriller between these two keen rivals is guaranteed.

Have another look at last week's preview to whet your appetite ahead of the biggest match of the season so far.

Last Time Out

Thorn Athletic Goalkeeper Liam McWilliams

Saints were left to rue a string of missed chances against SAFL Premier Division rivals Thorn Athletic in last Saturday's Scottish Amateur Cup 6th Round tie. The grass park at Glencruitten was deemed unplayable due to the heavy rain which had fallen all morning but Saints had taken the precaution of booking an alternative venue so the game went ahead on the 3G pitch at Oban High School. Saints were in front in 17 minutes when an excellent through ball from Donald Campbell found Craig MacEwan bearing down on goal. Craig, on his first outing since his snowboarding accident, calmly converted the chance to score and re-join Allan MacKay at the top of the Saints scoring charts. Saints remained on top for the majority of the match and created several decent scoring chances, however whenever Saints managed to breach the Thorn defence they found Thorn goalkeeper and birthday boy Liam McWilliams in excellent form. The Thorn keeper certainly earned his birthday drinks with a string of excellent saves of which those from efforts by Lewis Cameron, Donald Campbell, Paul Kerr and Allan MacKay were the pick of the bunch.

Despite Saints dominance Thorn kept plugging away and got their reward in the 90th minute when a shot from John McLister took a wicked deflection off Saints defender Dene Cassells which sent the ball spinning past the reach of keeper Daniel Cassells into the net. The Thorn players and large travelling support went wild with delight and, with the referee blowing for full time only a short time later, continued their celebrations all the way home.

McMaster Park, Johnstone

Saints must therefore make the journey to Johnstone for the replay where their record against Thorn is marginally better than at home. A 1 - 0 victory in the last game of last season gave Saints their only win against Thorn to date. Games between Saints and Thorn are never dull and with a place in the Scottish Amateur Cup 7th round at stake this is guaranteed to be a cracker. A home tie against Eastfield of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division awaits the winners. Both sides have decent Scottish Cup pedigrees but for Thorn a win would see them qualify for the last 16 for the very first time. A win for Saints would mean a fourth 7th round appearance in eight years.

Saints record in Johnstone:-

28th August 2010 SAFL Premier Division
Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 Oban Saints

29th January 2011 Jimmy Marshall Trophy First Round
Thorn Athletic 3 - 2 Oban Saints

31st March 2012 SAFL Premier Division
Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 Oban Saints

8th June 2013 SAFL Premier Division
Thorn Athletic 0 - 1 Oban Saints

Thorn Athletic's progress in the Scottish Amateur Cup this season:-

Round 2                          Thorn Athletic 4 - 0 Irvine Town
Round 3                          Thorn Athletic 3 - Shawlands F.P.
Round 4                          Thorn Athletic 6 - 0 Highland Hotel
Round 5                          Thorn Athletic 2 - Drumchapel Amateurs
Round 5 Replay Drumchapel Amateurs 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic
Round 6                              Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic

Saints progress in the Scottish Amateur Cup this season:-

Round 2              Oban Saints 3 - 3 Independent
Round 2 Replay Independent 2 - 8 Oban Saints
Round 3              Oban Saints 6 - 1 Rosyth
Round 4                        Saints 6 - 0 Ellon Amateurs
Round 5       Dennistoun Vale 0 - 1 Oban Saints
Round 6               Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic

The Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup

Thorn Athletic's Scottish Amateur Cup finishes in recent seasons:-

2008/09 6th Round Lost 3 - 2 at home to Cambusbarron Rovers
2009/10 6th Round Lost 3 - 0 away to Kennoway
2010/11 5th Round Lost 3 - 2 at home to Cupar Hearts
2011/12 5th Round Lost 1 - 0 away to Dailly
2012/13 1st Round Lost 5 - 1 away to Greenock HSFP

Saints Scottish Amateur Cup finishes in recent seasons:-

2006/07 Quarter Finals Lost 3-0 away to Cupar Hearts
2007/08 2nd Round Lost 2 - 1 away to Harestanes
2008/09 Quarter Finals Lost 5 - 1 away to Eddlewood
2009/10 5th Round Lost 4 - 2 away to Falkirk
2010/11 2nd Round Lost 5 - 2 away to Arthurlie
2011/12 6th Round Lost 5 - 2 away to Cambusbarron Rovers
2012/13 7th Round Lost 3 - 1 at home to Colville Park

Local attractions in Johnstone:-