And Then There Were Two

Saturday 24th May 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Inverclyde AFC
Glencruitten, Oban
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Kevin McIntyre

Last Time Out

Saints safely negotiated the first of the three hurdles standing between them and Premier League glory with a hard fought victory over fellow title aspirants Finnart at Glasgow Green last Saturday. Going into the fixture Finnart knew that they must take at least a point to keep their fading title hopes alive whereas a victory for Saints would eliminate Finnart from the running. Injury and suspension deprived Saints of the services of Dene Cassells and Craig MacEwan. A trip to sample the delights of Newcastle's Bigg Market also ruled out Colin Carswell and Myles McAuley. Youngsters Shaun MacIver and Gregor Cook were therefore added to the travelling party bringing the total number in the squad to 14.
An evenly contested first half was played out in a constant drizzle with neither team carrying much in the way of an attacking threat. Anything that did get through the resolute defences was comfortably dealt with by the respective goalkeepers and any chance of a breakthrough looked remote. Referee Michael Auld brought the first half to a close with the score tied at 0 - 0.
Finnart started the second half brightly and almost took the lead within two minutes of the restart. Finnart made good progress up the right wing and played a dangerous ball into the box which was dispatched well out of the reach of Saints keeper Daniel Cassells but straight at the chest of Davie McArthur standing on the goal line. The rebound was also smacked on target but this time the Saints keeper turned the ball over the cross bar for a corner kick. Saints Manager Iain Jackson made a rare change to the Saints formation opting for a three man attack which immediately had the Finnart defence under pressure and turned the match in Saints favour. Saints were also winning the midfield battle and began creating chances. Mattie Rippon had a  48th minute goal bound shot deflected wide for a corner. On 63 minutes Davie McArthur was unlucky to see his well timed volley beat the keeper at his near post but hit the side netting. With 66 minutes gone Paul Kerr had a powerful shot from the edge of the box blocked after a good run and cut back from Lewis Cameron. Allan MacKay had a great chance from a Donald Campbell cross in the 70th minute but his back post header went agonisingly wide. A minute later Donald Campbell brought out the save of the match from the Finnart keeper who somehow managed to turn Donald's 25 yard pile driver round the post.
Iain Jackson then made a like for like swap withdrawing Davie McArthur from the action and replacing him in right midfield with Roy McLuckie. In the 76th minute Finnart keeper Daniel Terry made another excellent save this time from Mattie Rippon. A second Saints substitution followed with Allan MacKay being replaced by Shaun MacIver. Saints had dominated almost the entire second half and finally got their reward in the 86th minute. A clever passing move involving Lewis Cameron, Donald Campbell, Mattie Rippon and Shaun MacIver carved open the Finnart defence and found Ross Maitland just inside the Finnart box. Spotting the Finnart keeper off his line the Saints wide man curled the ball over the keeper and into the far corner of the net. The relief in the Saints camp was tangible and Ross was mobbed by his delighted team-mates.
A slightly nervy final four minutes, followed by a further four minutes added on for stoppages ensued but despite the nerves Saints remained in control and denied Finnart any opportunities to equalise.

Davie McArthur hits the side netting with a well timed volley

Paul Kerr is a bit miffed to be given offside with this back post run and header

Ross Maitland curls home the winner

Ross Maitland is engulfed by his delighted team mates

And The There Were Two

Thanks to last Saturday's win at Finnart the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division is now a two horse race between Saints and Haldane United. Saints must negotiate a tricky home fixture against relegation threatened Inverclyde before a final day showdown against Haldane United at Glencruitten. On Thursday night Inverclyde slumped to 8th place in the Premier Division table with 16 points from 17 games when they were leap frogged by Thorn Athletic who had recorded a convincing 6 - 1 victory over already relegated Kilbowie Union. Inverclyde can also still be overtaken by Alba Thistle in what is a fascinating finish at both ends of the league table.
Saints have an excellent recent record against Inverclyde, in fact you have to go back to season 2007/08 to find the last time Saints lost to the 'Clyde. However Inverclyde came agonisingly close to rectifying that situation last season. A year ago almost to the day Inverclyde came to Oban in a similarly perilous league position as they are in now and in desperate need of points to maintain their Premier Division status. Saints took an early lead through a Willie Gemmel free kick but Inverclyde rallied and raced into a 3 - 1 lead before late goals from Assen Gaydarzhiev and Keith Millar gave Saints a share of the points. Ultimately the single point gained was enough for Inverclyde to avoid relegation. Whatever happens on Saturday Inverclyde will face an anxious wait for fellow relegation candidates Thorn Athletic and Alba Thistle to complete their fixtures before their fate can be determined.
Saints endured a difficult afternoon on their last home fixture when Busby held them to a 2 - 2 draw after successfully executing an ultra defensive game plan coupled with two excellently finished counter attacks. If the 'Clyde choose to employ similar tactics a nail biting afternoon is in prospect for the Saints faithful.
The two sides will meet again on Wednesday night in the final of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy at McKenna Park, Glasgow. Both sides will have a keen eye on the other fixture being played that night at Inler Park, Balloch where Haldane United entertain Thorn Athletic the outcome of which will be of massive importance at both ends of the table.

The 'Clyde

Saints home record v Inverclyde in the SAFL Premier Division

2007/08
Oban Saints 0 - 1 Inverclyde

2008/09
Oban Saints 1 - 1 Inverclyde

2009/10
Oban Saints 5 - 2 Inverclyde

2010/11
Oban Saints 2 - 1 Inverclyde

2011/12
Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde

2012/13
Oban Saints 3 - 3 Inverclyde

#monthesaints