Wednesday 30th April 2014
Scottish Amateur Football League
Jimmy Marshall Trophy Quarter Final
Jamestown AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Argyll Park, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire G83 0SE
Kick Off 6.30pm
Referee Mr James Litster
Last Time Out
Lewis Cameron skips through the Finnart defence to set up Saints third goal
Saints kept their league championship ambitions on track with a hard fought 3 - 0 victory over title rivals Finnart at Glencruitten last Saturday. In an enthralling match which kept the large crowd of spectators royally entertained Saints were indebted to goalkeeper Daniel Cassells for two stunning penalty saves and an all round top class performance to blunt the Finnart attack. At the other end, moments of brilliance from Lewis Cameron and Mattie Rippon tipped the balance in Saints favour in what would otherwise have been a fairly even affair.
Finnart were quickest out of the blocks and were unlucky to see a 7th minute effort cleared off the goal line by Colin Carswell in what was to prove their only effort to beat the inspirational Daniel Cassells in the Saints goal. This was the wake up call that Saints needed and they gradually got themselves into the game. Allan MacKay had a gilt edged chance to open the scoring when an excellent right wing cross from Ross Maitland found the Saints top scorer unmarked on the six yard line. Unfortunately Allan's 17th minute header managed only to find the safety of Finnart goal keeper Daniel Terry's arms. Lewis Cameron then made the first of his telling interventions with a scintillating run down the left wing before delivering a brilliant cut back which Ross Maitland volleyed into the roof of the net. Saints then conceded the first of two penalties when Colin Carswell was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box. Finnart Captain Brian Blair struck the penalty well but Daniel Cassells read it and made a fine save diving full length to his right. From the resulting corner kick a stramash broke out in the Saints penalty area which saw Danny Simpson and substitute John Jack of Finnart and Saints Craig MacEwan receive red cards. Referee David Cameron restored order and a game of football broke out again. The first half came to an end without further incident with Saints jsu about worthy of their narrow lead.
Both teams being a man light allowed for more space in midfield the question now being which of the teams would be best placed to capitalise. Finnart again started well and in the 52nd minute forced a corner from which Donald Campbell conceded a penalty. Donald protested his innocence but the referee was well placed to make the award. Once again Brian Blair took on the responsibility of the spot kick but unfortunately for the big Finnart skipper Daniel Cassells made another excellent save. This second set back took the wind from Finnart's sails and Saints began to control the match. Saints were forced to withdraw Allan MacKay with a knee injury replacing him with Mattie Rippon. Mattie was to have a massive impact on the game but not before the Saints defence enjoyed another let-off when, that man again, Brian Blair rose at the back post to head a corner a matter of inches wide.
Saints new front two of Lewis Cameron and Mattie Rippon then began to torment the tiring Finnart back line. An excellent turn wide on the right by Mattie Rippon gave him space to hit the bye-line and pick out Donald Campbell on the edge of the box. Unfortunately Donald was unable to keep his shot down. Saints were pushing hard for a second goal and got their reward after 83 minutes when Mattie Rippon burst through the Finnart defence to thump an unstoppable right foot shot low into the bottom right hand corner of the Daniel Terry's net. Just two minutes later Saints sealed the victory when Lewis Cameron once again skipped through the Finnart defence before cutting the ball back to Mattie Rippon to fire home from close range. The scoring over, and Finnart rueing their missed opportunities, the match was brought to a halt by referee David Cameron who must take credit for handling a tricky encounter extremely well. Although flattered by the eventual winning margin, and indebted to their goalkeeper's heroics, Saints deserved their victory over a very capable Finnart side. The two sides will meet again at Finnart's Glasgow Green home in what could yet turn out to be a title decider but with five teams still mathematically in with a chance of winning the league there will be plenty of twists and turns before anything is decided.
Ross Maitland opens the scoring for Saints
Daniel Cassells keeps Saints in front with his second penalty save
Mattie Rippon's emphatic right foot finish puts Saints 2 - 0 up
Mattie Rippon turns in Lewis Cameron's cut back to seal the three points for Saints
Lewis congratulates Mattie as coach Peter MacCallum dances a jig of delight
The Jimmy Marshall Trophy
On Wednesday night Saints travel to Argyll Park, Alexandria to take on Jamestown in a Jimmy Marshall Trophy quarter final tie. Jamestown are currently in third place in SAFL Premier Division 2 with 34 points from 17 games. Although the league title is now beyond their grasp Jamestown are still very much in the chase for a second successive promotion and with their final league match being at home to title favourites East Kilbride Jamestown can still have a major say in the final destination of the league trophy.
Jamestown's league season so far:-
17th August 2013 Jamestown 2 - 3 Port Glasgow United
24th August 2013 Dunoon Athletic2 - 4 Jamestown
31st August 2013 Jamestown 2 - 2 Goldenhill
7th September 2013 Jamestown 3 - 1 Lochgilphead Red Star
14th September Jamestown 1 - 2 Glencastle Sparta
21st September 2013 Easthall Star 3 - 1 Jamestown
16th November 2013 Goldenhill 3 - 6 Jamestown
30th November 2013 Jamestown 2 - 1 Clydebank
7th December 2013 Jamestown 4 - 1 Port Glasgow
18th January 2014 Jamestown 5 - 1 Dunoon Athletic
1st February 2014 Jamestown 3 - 0 Easthall Star
1st March 2014 Port Glasgow 1 - 2 Jamestown
15th March 2014 Lochgilphead Red Star 4 - 3 Jamestown
22nd March 2014 Clydebank 1 - 2 Jamestown
5th April 2014 Glencastle Sparta 2 - 9 Jamestown
19th April 2014 Port Glasgow United 1 - 2 Jamestown
26th April 2014 East Kilbride 7 - 3 Jamestown
Jamestown's progress in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy:-
First Round
29th March 2014
Jamestown 2 - 0 Kings Park Rangers
Second Round
12th April 2014
East Kilbride 1 - 5 Jamestown
Saints progress in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy:-
First Round
23rd November 2013
Oban Saints v Shawlands - Walkover to Saints
Second Round
23rd March 2014
Lochgilphead Red Star P - P Oban Saints
16th April 2014
Lochgilphead 0 - 8 Oban Saints - Match played at Glencruitten
Jamestown's other cup exploits this season have seen them exit the West of Scotland Cup in the first round losing 6 - 3 away at Bearsden of the Caledonian League, the Scottish Amateur Cup in the second round losing out in a replay away at Shortlees of the Ayrshire League and the Centenary Cup in the second round losing 3 - 1 away at Kilbowie Union.
Saints convincing second round win over Lochgilphead Red Star, also of Premier Division 2, should stand them in good stead for this quarter final tie, however Jamestown's potent attack looks set to provide the Saints rear guard with a tougher examination than Red Star could muster. Saints Manager Iain Jackson will hope not to be beset with too many work related call offs but unfortunately that is the reality of midweek away ties in the amateur game. This match bears all the hallmarks of an exciting cup tie especially as it must be played to a finish on the night. If the sides cannot be separated at 90 minutes penalty kicks will decide the winner. Saints have a poor recent record in penalty shoot-outs and will require another inspirational performance from last Saturday's hero Daniel Cassells if penalties are required.
Daniel Cassells
#monthesaints
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