Winning In The Rain: Thorn In The Side

Saturday 8th February 2014

Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup 6th Round

Oban Saints AFC v Thorn Athletic AFC

Glencruitten, Oban

Kick Off 2pm

Referee Mr Thomas Gilchrist, Motherwell

Last Time Out

Three Saturday's in a row!

Without a game since their Scottish Cup 5th round win over Dennistoun Vale on 11th January Saints could scarcely have asked for a bigger fixture to get their stop/start season up and running again. A visit from SAFL rivals Thorn Athletic is always eagerly anticipated and the prize of a place in the 7th round of the Scottish Cup adds considerable spice to the mix. Since first crossing swords in season 2009/10 Saints and Thorn have developed a keen rivalry which has produced many thrilling encounters and has captivated the imagination of onlookers from far and near.

Thorn Athletic, the SAFL years:-

2008/09 Premier Division Two Champions (Promoted)

Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners

2009/10 Premier Division One Champions (Promoted)

Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners (knocking Saints out in quarter final)

2010/11 Premier Division 3rd

2011/12 Premier Division 3rd

2012/13 Premier Division 8th

Thorn endured the most difficult season in their 14 year history last season when they avoided relegation from the SAFL Premier Division by the narrowest of margins. Indeed had Saints managed to win by more than a solitary goal in the final match of last season at McMaster Park it would have meant relegation for Thorn for the first time in their history. Chastened by this near miss Thorn re-grouped during the close season and despite a slow start now look to be hitting top form again.

Thorn come into this fixture on the back of a ten game unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to mid September which includes last Saturday's very impressive Scottish Cup 5th round replay win over Drumchapel Amateurs.

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

Round 2 Thorn Athletic 4 - 0 Irvine Town

Round 3 Thorn Athletic 3 - 0 Shawlands F.P.

Round 4 Thorn Athletic 6 - 0 Highland Hotel

Round 5 Thorn Athletic 2 - 2 Drumchapel Amateurs

Round 5 Replay Drumchapel Amateurs 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic

In addition to their Scottish Cup endeavours Thorn are also still in the West of Scotland Cup and have been drawn away from home in the fourth round to Busby of the SAFL Premier Division.

Central defender Alex Craik fires in a shot in Saints last home game against Glasgow Harp

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 Oban Saints 6 - 0 Ellon Amateurs

Round 5 Dennistoun Vale 0 - 1 Oban Saints

Saints remain undefeated in thirteen league and cup matches this season, however if they are to progress to round 7 of the Scottish Cup for a second consecutive season they must do what they have never done before and beat Thorn Athletic at Glencruitten. Saints came agonisingly close to banishing their Thorn hoodoo earlier this season but a last minute concentration lapse from Saints scorer on the day Craig MacEwan gifted Thorn a share of the points. Thorn have never before reached the last 16 of the Scottish Cup and to reach that landmark in Oban would give them a double cause for celebration. With fixtures piling up in league and cup a draw on Saturday, and subsequent replay next week, will be the last thing either team wants. A highly competitive match with both teams going all out for victory is therefore in prospect. Thorn have booked a 49 seater coach for the trip which looks like being a sell out. Hopefully a large crowd of locals will give Saints good backing as the Thorn crowd will be their usual vociferous selves.