Saturday 26th April 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Finnart AFC
Glencruitten, Oban
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr David Cameron
Last Time Out
Buoyed by their midweek Jimmy Marshall Trophy demolition of Argyll rivals Lochgilphead Red Star Saints travelled to Johnstone last Saturday to test their Premier Division title hopes against Thorn Athletic. The match was played in bright sunshine on the excellent 3G pitch at Johnstone Community Sports Hub. The excellent weather had the follically challenged searching for the Factor 40 for the first time this year making a pleasant change from the seemingly incessant rain of recent months. Matches between Saints and Thorn are invariably tight affairs and Saturday's game was no exception.
Despite welcoming Craig MacEwan back into the squad Saints Manager Iain Jackson stuck with the same eleven that had started against Red Star on Wednesday night. Saints started brightly and came close to opening the scoring in the first minute when Lewis Cameron brought Liam McWilliams into the action for the first save of what was to be another solid performance from the Thorn keeper. Saints continued to test the Thorn defence and came agonising close when a Donald Campbell free kick came crashing back off the cross bar in the 4th minute after Allan MacKay had been brought down on the edge of the box.
Thorn were gifted their first opportunity when a slack pass from Myles McAuley was intercepted by Craig McGlone but Saints keeper Daniel Cassells was quickly off his line to make a vital interception just inside the box. At the other end Myles had a good chance himself but his header from twelve yards was well saved. Saints had a good shout for a penalty in the 15th minute when Lewis Cameron appeared to be fouled in the box but referee Gary Logan was unimpressed. Allan MacKay was next to come close when he expertly rolled his marker only for his deft chip to spin wide of the goal despite a last gasp attempt by Ross Maitland to reach it. Saints continued to press forward and eventually came the breakthrough they had been searching for. Excellent build up play from Lewis Cameron, Myles McAuley and Donald Campbell resulted in the ball being played up to Allan MacKay inside the Thorn penalty area. Allan dummied the ball completely deceiving the Thorn defence and allowing Ross Maitland to steal in and net his 5th goal of the season.
Saints were worthy of their lead at this point with the goal forcing Thorn to be a bit more adventurous. Thorn were rewarded for their endeavours in the 36th minute from a free kick wide on the right. Stalwart defender Paul Young swung in a trademark deadly accurate left foot delivery which was turned in at the back post by the on-rushing David Gallagher. The action continued to rage from end to end with Ross Maitland having the last chance of the half when his header was well saved by Liam McWilliams after a strong run and cross from Donald Campbell.
The second half ebbed and flowed with neither team creating much in the way of clear cut chances. Saints were finding it difficult to breakdown the resolute Thorn defence and when a chance did fall to Ross Maitland one on one with the Thorn keeper he snatched at it sending the ball wide of the post. Manager Iain Jackson rang the changes on the hour mark replacing Dene Cassells and Roy McLuckie with Jamie Graham and Craig MacEwan. Jamie slotted into the defence with Craig taking up his accustomed left midfield role giving Ross Maitland the chance to try his luck on the right. Saints again came close when Lewis Cameron's 70th minute shot was well saved by Liam McWilliams after some excellent work by Allan MacKay. With time running out Craig MacEwan celebrated his call up to the SAFL select squad by sealing victory for Saints with a magnificent effort from twenty five yards. Cutting in from the left touchline he fired an unstoppable right foot shot low into the bottom left hand corner of the Thorn net. Moments later Allan MacKay had an excellent chance to make the points safe for Saints but his powerful shot flew inches past the post with the keeper beaten. Saints survived a late appeal for a penalty and took the sting out of the final minutes successfully running the clock down to seal a narrow victory.
Daniel Cassells launches the ball upfield while substitutes Craig MacEwan and Jamie Graham err warm up on the touchline
Craig MacEwan's late long range strike catches everybody (including the cameraman) out to give Saints all three points
Paul Kerr congratulates Craig MacEwan
Saints welcome fellow title contenders Finnart to Glencruitten on Saturday for a vital match in the league title race. Finnart currently occupy second spot in the SAFL Premier Division with 27 points from 13 games. Saints are two places further back on 25 points but have played two games less. Only three points separate leaders St Joseph's FP and fourth placed Saints with Haldane United in third spot completing the quartet of title hopefuls. Saints remain undefeated in the league while Finnart's only two league defeats have come at the hands of Haldane United the most recent being last weekend at Inler Park, Balloch. The defeats to Haldane sandwich an excellent run of results for Finnart which has not only kept them firmly in the title race but saw them reach the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Amateur Cup and the Sixth Round of the West of Scotland Cup losing out to top Central Scottish League sides Colville Park and Bannockburn respectively.
Saints held the upper hand in last season's fixtures but Finnart are a far more formidable proposition this season currently boasting the league's most potent attack with 42 goals in 13 games. Saturday's visitors are sure to provide a stern examination of Saints frugal defence and another afternoon of entertaining football is eagerly anticipated. Whilst it is too early to talk of deciders, Saturday's match gives both teams an opportunity to put a dent in the others title aspirations. Whatever the outcome on Saturday the title run-in is going to be extremely tight with a further three top four clashes still to come.
Finnart's league season so far:-
17th August 2013 Finnart 4 - 1 Thorn Athletic
24th August 2013 Inverclyde 2 - 6 Finnart
31st August 2013 Finnart 1 - 2 Haldane United
21st September 2013 Kilbowie Union 1 - 3 Finnart
28th September 2013 Finnart 3 - 3 St Joseph's FP
5th October 2013 Castlemilk 2 - 6 Finnart
26th October 2013 Finnart 3 - 1 Inverclyde
9th November 2013 Finnart 4 - 4 Kilbowie Union
1st February 2014 Finnart 1 - 1 Castlemilk
15th March 2014 Alba Thistle 2 - 4 Finnart
29th March 2014 Busby 1 - 3 Finnart
16th April 2014 Finnart 3 - 1 Busby
19th April 2014 Haldane United 4 - 1 Finnart
Finnart's SAFL record:-
2010/11
Premier Division Two Champions (Promoted)
2011/12
Premier Division One Champions (Promoted)
Centenary Cup Runners Up to Postal United
2012/13
Premier Division 7th
Saints and Finnart head to head:-
3rd November 2012
SAFL Premier Division
Oban Saints 4 - 1 Finnart
11th May 2013
SAFL Premier Division
Finnart 0 - 1 Oban Saints
Scottish Amateur Football League Select
The SAFL Select earlier this season
On Sunday 20th April Saints SAFL select squad regulars Donald Campbell, Myles McAuley and Lewis Cameron were joined by debutant Craig MacEwan for the annual match against the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football League select. An excellent display from the SAFL boys saw them record a convincing 5 - 1 win gaining revenge for last season's defeat. Lewis Cameron had a hand in three of the goals with Craig MacEwan marking his debut by getting on the score sheet. Saturday's opponents Finnart were represented by Andy Blair and Martin McCann.
Other News
Saints unbeaten league run and cup exploits this season have not gone unnoticed in the corridors of power at Old Trafford as they begin the search for a successor to the recently departed David Moyes. Saints Manager Iain Jackson has once again come on the Manchester United radar just twelve months after being narrowly pipped to the coveted managerial post by the "chosen one". Sir Alex Ferguson is once again to be the Kingmaker and has silver foxes Jacko, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho firmly in his sights. With money at United not as abundant as it once was the level of compensation due to other clubs could become a deciding factor in the final selection process. Sir Alex has already been in touch with Saints Secretary Davie Buchanan to enquire about Jackson's availability. Understandably Saints are not willing to divulge too much information at this early stage but Davie Buchanan has confirmed that Saints would not release Jackson for any less than 6 match balls and a new set of bibs. Further developments are expected in the near future.
Jacko
Carlo
Maureen Yo
"That's a lot of balls Davie. Deary me."
#monthesaints
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