Winning In The Rain: Snow More Heroes

Coach and Driving Force Peter MacCallum

Saturday 29th March 2014
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Alba Thistle v Oban Saints
Seedhill Park, Lacy Street, Paisley PA1 1QR
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Andrew Seymour

Last Time Out

Saints played their first league match since 12th October at the 3G Oban Community Pitch last Saturday afternoon. The game had been scheduled for the grass park at Glencruitten which was in remarkably good condition the previous Saturday for Oban Athletic's West of Scotland Amateur Football League Challenge Cup match against Lochfyneside. However heavy rain during the week followed by snow on Friday rendered Glencruitten unplayable. The game would therefore be switched to the 3G pitch but only if the snow could be removed from the playing surface. Thanks to the efforts of a small band of players, club officials and volunteers the snow was cleared from the pitch and the game was given the green light.
Saints started the match brightly with a third minute shot from Craig MacEwan forcing a good save from Castlemilk keeper Craig Lowe. Just one minute later Saints survived what looked like a decent shout for a penalty when Jamie Graham found himself on the wrong side of Castlemilk striker Jono Spence. The Milk striker's run into the box was halted by Saints keeper Daniel Cassells but with the Milk bench and coaching staff screaming for a penalty referee Gary Logan signalled for a corner. Clear cut chances were few and far between for both teams in an even first half. Saints best efforts came from a Craig MacEwan shot which flew past the keeper's right hand post and a Ross Maitland left foot shot from the edge of box, well held by the Castlemilk keeper, following a good knock down by Allan MacKay. Castlemilk were making good use of their long throw-ins into the box, a weapon missing from the Saints armoury with the departure of Willie Gemmell, and came close to opening the scoring on a couple of occasions. In the 43rd minute Castlemilk did just that when Jono Spence repeated his earlier feat of getting in behind the Saints defence and dispatched an excellent shot low past Daniel Cassells' outstretched right hand and into the net for a slightly flattering 1 - 0 half time lead.
Saints started the second half strongly and were on level terms within the first two minutes. Castlemilk keeper Craig Lowe spilled a weak Lewis Cameron shot straight to the feet of Ross Maitland who gleefully snapped up the chance to score his second goal of the season. Saints continued to press forward but struggled to get any change out of an experienced and well marshalled Castlemilk defence. The Milk continued to threaten on the counter attack and but for an excellent save from Daniel Cassells would have doubled their goal tally. Saints best opportunity of the second half came in the 88th minute when Donald Campbell was played onside by the Castlemilk right full back and found himself through one on one with goal keeper. Normally lethal in those situations Donald beat the keeper easily but somehow squeezed his shot past the keeper's right hand post.
The match finished 1- 1 with both teams feeling they could have won so a draw was most probably the correct result.

Ross Maitland scorer of Saints equalising goal against Castlemilk

Next up for saints is a first away trip to Premier Division new boys Alba Thistle of Paisley. Alba are currently in 8th place in the SAFL Premier Division with 12 points from 14 games. With only four league fixtures remaining the Paisley side have a fight on their hands to avoid an immediate return to the Premier Division One which they won in such convincing style last season. Thistle recorded a welcome 2 - 0 victory over Haldane United last weekend and will be desperate to build on that result against Saints.

Alba Thistle's league season thus far:-

17th August 2013 Alba Thistle 1 - 2 St Josephs
21st August 2013 Haldane United 5 - 2 Alba Thistle
24th August 2013 Alba Thistle 1 - 0 Thorn Athletic
31st August 2013 Alba Thistle 3 - 1 Kilbowie Union
14th September 2013 Busby 3 - 1 Alba Thistle
12th October 2013 Oban Saints 2 - 0 Alba Thistle
2nd November 2013 St Josephs 5 - 1 Alba Thistle
16th November 2013 Kilbowie Union 3 - 2 Alba Thistle
30th November 2013 Alba Thistle 3 - 6 Castlemilk
11th January 2014 Castlemilk 1 - 2 Alba Thistle
8th February 2014 Alba Thistle 0 - 2 Busby
22nd February 2014Inverclyde 8 - 2 Alba Thistle
15th March 2014 Alba Thistle 2 - 4 Finnart
22nd March 2014 Alba Thistle 2 - 0 Haldane United

Alba Thistle's recent league history:-

2007/08 Paisley and District Division Two Champions (Promoted)
2008/09 Paisley and District Division One Champions
2009/10 Paisley and District Division One Champions (Undefeated)
2010/11 SAFL Division Three Champions (Promoted)
2011/12 SAFL Division Two Champions (Promoted) (Undefeated)
2012/13 SAFL Division One Champions (Promoted)

Saints lost last season's Centenary Cup Final to Alba Thistle 5 - 4 on penalties following a 0 - 0 draw after 120 minutes

Alba Thistle have had early exits in the cup competitions going out of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy, the Scottish Amateur Cup and the West of Scotland Cup at the first, second and third round stages respectively. The defence of the their Centenary Cup title, secured thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Saints in last season's final, stalled in the second round thanks to a 4 - 2 defeat away at Shawlands FP of Division 1A.

Saints main rivals for the Premier Division title this season are the very impressive St Josephs and Finnart. Although Saints remain unbeaten in the league this season their good early season form seems to have deserted them recently and a return to winning ways is essential if they are remain in the hunt for the Premier Division title. Saints will be without Captain Marc MacCallum, who is still nursing an injury picked up in the West of Scotland Cup defeat at Giffnock North, and Dene Cassells serving the last of his four match suspension from Scottish Amateur Cup tie against Thorn Athletic.

No Kicks On The A816

Saints Jimmy Marshall Trophy Second Round match against Lochgilphead Red Star due to be played on Sunday 23rd March was postponed when a Saturday morning pitch inspection found the pitch to be unplayable. A new fixture date has yet to be set.

The Ropework Park, Lochgilphead

Scottish Amateur Football League Select Squad

Saints midfielders Donald Campbell and Myles McAuley have been included in the SAFL Select squad to play Stranraer in a friendly match at Ralston Sports Centre, Paisley. The match takes place on Tuesday 1st April with a 7.45pm kick off. Saints captain Marc MacCallum was also selected however injury is almost certain to rule him out.