Winning In The Rain: Last Milk Round

Saturday 5th April 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Castlemilk AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Castlemilk High School, 223 Castlemilk Drive, Glasgow G45 9JY
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Darren Murray

Last Time Out

Saints finally reached the half way point in their league campaign with a hard fought win over last season's Premier Division One and Centenary Cup winners Alba Thistle last Saturday. The match was played at the Seedhill Sports Complex in Paisley where the facilities were excellent but the pitch left a lot to be desired. However, despite the short length of the pitch, soft bumpy surface and patches of exceptionally long grass, the teams coped well with the underfoot conditions and produced a thoroughly entertaining game of football for the small crowd of supporters.

Injuries, suspensions and work commitments took a heavy toll on the Saints travelling party forcing Manager Iain Jackson to name himself and Coach Peter MacCallum among the substitutes for this crucial match in the league campaign. The match was only two minutes old when Alba forced a corner. The corner was headed clear by Donald Campbell but the ball feel invitingly to Thistle's Adam Kerr to lob into the top right hand corner of the net over the head of Ross Maitland who was guarding the post. If Ross was just few inches taller he would have cleared off the line! Saints were back on level terms within sixty seconds when a long Daniel Cassells clearance found Ross Maitland on the edge of the Thistle box and the "wee man" cleverly lobbed Grant Carnachan in the Thistle goal. Saints Manager Iain Jackson at this point remarked "this could end up 5 - 5!" How close he was with that prediction.

Despite Saints having the advantage of the strong breeze it was Alba who were making most of the early running but without creating any clear cut chances. In the 17th minute Alba took the lead for the second time when Saints once again failed to deal with a corner. A goal bound effort by Jonathan MacKay was cleared by Ross Maitland but the referee ruled the ball had crossed the line. Saints came back strongly and had Alba pinned back in their own half for a long spell during which they had a decent shout for a penalty turned down and a great chance for Donald Campbell thwarted by a highly contentious off side decision after a powerful run by Myles McAuley. On their first foray into Saints territory since taking the lead Alba forced another corner and incredibly Saints conceded again this time from a free header inside the six yard box by Owen Fletcher. Saints were immediately back on the attack and had another good chance when Mattie Rippon delivered a fine cross from the right wing, Myles McAuley got in a good header but with insufficient power to beat the Alba keeper. Saints left the field at half time scarcely able to believe they were 3 - 1 down and resolving to put things right in the second half.

Saints were immediately on the attack after the re-start and had Thistle pinned back in their own half. An aerial tussle in the box with Colin Carswell lead to an Alba defender handling the ball in clear view of the referee who immediately signalled for a penalty. The Thistle player protested that Colin had nudged him in the build up to the hand ball but the referee stood firm. Allan MacKay slotted home the penalty to give Saints the foothold in the match they so desperately needed. Saints were playing some really good stuff now with Lewis Cameron in particular causing the Thistle defence problems. The equaliser came in the 62nd minute when Allan MacKay volleyed home his fifteenth goal of the reason after excellent approach play by Mattie Rippon, Myles McAuley and Lewis Cameron. Saints continued to dominate and took the lead in the 67th minute when Allan MacKay made a strong run in the inside right channel and fired in a fierce shot on goal. The Thistle keeper parried the ball out to his right and into the path of the on-rushing Donald Campbell who bravely turned the ball over the line colliding with a Thistle defender and the goal keeper in the process.

With twenty minutes remaining Saints Manager Iain Jackson withdrew central defender Alex Craik who had picked up an ankle knock replacing him with Roy McLuckie. Paul Kerr moved back into the centre of the back three with Roy taking Paul's place in midfield. It later emerged that the substitution was purely precautionary to ensure Alex remained fit to drive the mini bus home. Saints fifth came in spectacular style from Donald Campbell who lobbed the Thistle keeper from fully thirty five yards. The official match report on www.sportfocus.com/webpro/obansaints casts doubt on whether it was a shot or a miss hit cross but I'll give Donald the benefit of the doubt and say that he definitely meant it.
Saints were in complete control at this stage and passed up several great opportunities to put the result beyond doubt. Saints were almost made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when a 79th minute Alba goal brought the score to 5 - 4 in favour of the visitors which made the closing stages of the match a lot more nervy than they should have been.

With only five minutes remaining Allan MacKay was withdrawn and Shaun MacIver was given his senior team debut. During his short time on the field Shaun acquitted himself very well putting the tiring Alba defence under constant pressure. There was no further scoring and the relieved Saints contingent headed home with their unbeaten league run still intact.

Allan MacKay brings Saints back into the match from the penalty spot

Donald Campbell puts Saints 5 - 3 ahead with an audacious 35 yard lob

Last Milk Round

With rumours afloat that Castlemilk are about to leave the SAFL for a fresh challenge in the Caledonian league this could be Saints last trip to Castlemilk, unless of course the sides are drawn together in the major cup competitions. "The Milk" would therefore appear only to have pride to play for in the league but will be keen to repeat last season's feat when they recorded their only ever victory over Saints to put a serious dent in Saints title ambitions. Only two weeks have elapsed since this season's reverse fixture on which occasion The Milk held Saints to a deserved 1 - 1 draw. Since then The Milk have also held Haldane United to a 2 - 2 draw at Balloch which is never an easy place to get a result. This represents a significant steadying of the ship by The Milk following heavy reverses against Busby and St Joseph's. The Milk will look to continue this upturn in fortunes for what remains of their season.

Castlemilk's league campaign so far:-

17th August 2013 Castlemilk 3 - 3 Haldane United
21st August 2013 Kilbowie Union 4 - 4 Castlemilk
24th August 2013 St Joseph's 3 - 3 Castlemilk
31st August 2013 Castlemilk 3 - 0 Inverclyde
5th October 2013 Castlemilk 2 - 6 Finnart
9th November 2013 Thorn Athletic 1 - 0 Castlemilk
23rd November 2013 Castlemilk 6 - 3 Kilbowie Union
30th November 2013 Alba Thistle 3 - 6 Castlemilk
11th January 2014 Castlemilk 1 - 2 Alba Thistle
18th January 2014 Castlemilk 2 - 4 Busby
1st February 2014 Finnart 1 - 1 Castlemilk
22nd February 2014 Busby 7 - 1 Castlemilk
1st March 2014 Castlemilk 1 - 3 St Joseph's
15th March 2014 Inverclyde 1 - 1 Castlemilk
22nd March 2014 Oban Saints 1 - 1 Castlemilk
29th March 2014 Haldane United 2 - 2 Castlemilk

League meetings between Saints and Castlemilk:-

2009/10
Oban Saints 4 - 0 Castlemilk
Castlemilk 1 - 4 Oban Saints

2010/11
Castlemilk 0 - 4 Oban Saints
Oban Saints 2 - 1 Castlemilk

2011/12
Oban Saints 3 - 2 Castlemilk
Castlemilk 0 - 1 Oban Saints

2012/13
Oban Saints 1 - 0 Castlemilk
Castlemilk 2 - 1 Oban Saints

2013/14
Oban Saints 1 - 1 Castlemilk

Castlemilk have only one more league fixture remaining after Saturday's home match against Saints, their final league fixture being at home to West of Scotland Cup Quarter Finalists Thorn Athletic. The Milk also have an opportunity to leave the SAFL clutching silverware as they have the Centenary Cup Final against current league leaders St Joseph's to look forward to.

The Milk

Saints have nine league fixtures remaining however, despite being unbeaten so far, four draws from nine games coupled with the excellent form of both St Joseph's and Finnart, has left Saints no margin for error in their pursuit of the SAFL Premier Division title. If they are to mount a serious challenge Saints must quickly eradicate the defensive frailties which have emerged in recent weeks. In the league Saints were averaging just one goal against per game until last week when they conceded four in one match. With very little to choose between the likely title contenders goal difference may prove crucial. A swift return to the obdurate defending which has seen Saints record the fewest goals against in three of the last four league seasons is therefore essential.
On what may turn out to be their last trip to Castlemilk for some time Saints can expect another stiff test against a capable and very experienced Castlemilk side. With injured skipper Marc MacCallum likely to be side lined for several weeks Manager Iain Jackson will welcome the return from suspension of Dene Cassells. Marc's absence and work commitments aside Iain should have a good pool of available players to choose from.

Action from the recent Saints v Castlemilk match in Oban:-