Winning In The Rain: Make Mine A Double (Part One)

http://youtu.be/wyLjbMBpGDA

Saints rounded off a memorable season with the capture of an historic league and cup double in a nerve wracking four day spell last week starting with the Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final on Wednesday and culminating with the Premier Division title in a final day showdown against Haldane United at Glencruitten on Saturday.

Wednesday 28th May 2014
SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final
Inverclyde 0 - 2 Oban Saints
McKenna Park, Govan
Kick off 7pm
Referee: Gordon Kelso
Assistants: Michael Auld and Mark Kane

Saints line up:

Daniel Cassells, Jamie Graham, Alex Craik, Marc MacCallum (Captain), Mattie Rippon, Myles McAuley, Paul Kerr, Donald Campbell, Ross Maitland, Lewis Cameron, Allan Mackay (David McArthur). Unused substitutes: Roy McLuckie, Colin Carswell

After two cup final disappointments last season Saints finally managed to get their hands on some silverware with the capture of the elusive Jimmy Marshall Trophy. Defeats in the 20007 and 2013 finals and numerous semi final defeats were finally avenged on Wednesday night with a 2 - 0 victory over Inverclyde at McKenna Park, Govan. Jimmy Marshall Trophy finals are normally played at Somervell Park, Cambuslang and the change in venue to a happier hunting ground brought with it the desired change in fortune for Saints.
Despite their lowly league position opponents Inverclyde have a good record in the competition, winning the trophy in 2006 and reaching the final on four subsequent occassions. There may have been 25 points and 8 league places separating the teams going into this match but cup finals are great levellers so Saints could ill afford to take anything for granted.
Saints started brightly and had the ball in the net early on but Assistant Referee Mark Kane flagged Lewis Cameron offside giving the benefit of a tight decision to the Inverclyde defence. In the 8th minute Saints broke the deadlock when, after some trickery on the left wing, Lewis Cameron picked out Allan Mackay in the penalty box and the Saints top scorer made no mistake from his favoured distance of six yards. Despite going ahead so early Saints struggled to fully impose themselves upon the match and found themselves pinned back by Inverclyde for long spells. The 'Clyde were dominating possession without creating much by way of chances and Saints continued to look threatening on the break, Myles McAuley was unlucky to have a good shout for a penalty kick turned down when he appeared to have his heel clipped just as he was about to shoot after a strong run through the Inverclyde defence. On 32 minutes Allan Mackay flashed a near post header wide from a Lewis Cameron corner. Inverclyde's best chance of the half came from a well rehearsed free kick routine culminating in a low left wing cross along the six yard line being directed goalwards but thankfully for Saints straight into the grateful arms of Daniel Cassells.
Half time arrived without any further scoring. The match officials and Inverclyde trooped off to the changing rooms but Saints elected to stay on the field for their half time refreshments and team talk. Mobile phones were then checked for news of the night's league fixtures which could affect matters at both ends of the table. Any hopes that Saints had of Thorn Athletic producing an upset against Haldane United at Inler Park were quickly dashed when it became apparent that Haldane were 5 - 0 up at half time and Thorn had travelled with just eleven players. There was no news of the Finnart v Alba Thistle fixture which Inverclyde desperately needed to go in Finnart's favour.
Inverclyde started the second half in determined fashion and would have been in on goal in the 50th minute but for a decisive interception on the edge of the penalty box by Mattie Rippon. Mattie immediately launched a Saints counter attack with Lewis Cameron finding Allan Mackay in the inside right channel. Myles McAuley and Donald Campbell came flooding through in support but Allan elected to shoot and his near post shot was comfortably saved by the Inverclyde keeper. The 'Clyde continued to enjoy the majority of the possession but still failed to breakdown a resolute Saints defence. A second strong penalty claim then went against Saints when an Inverclyde player blocked a Mattie Rippon right wing cross with an outstretched arm. Assistant Referee Michael Auld was perfectly placed to see the incident but ruled that it was "ball to hand" much to the disgust of Saints fan and former whistler Alex Carmichael who let the official know exactly what he thought of the decision. Saints again came close in the 72nd minute when Paul Kerr got on the end of a good knock down from Mattie Rippon, unfortunately Paul was unable to keep his shot down and the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar. Saints were looking far from comfortable at this stage and an equaliser for Inverclyde would have forced the tie to a penalty shoot-out. It was therefore a bold, but ultimately successful move by Manager Iain Jackson to withdraw number one penalty taker Allan Mackay. Manager Jackson pushed Mattie Rippon up front alongside Lewis Cameron hoping that the extra pace would catch Inverclyde on the break. Mattie's place on the right of midfield was taken by substitute David McArthur.
Inverclyde had one final chance to score in the 86th minute when Jamie Docherty found himself unmarked on the edge of the Saints box but thankfully for Saints he sent his shot high over the bar. With the Saints contingent and their small band of supporters nervously checking their watches victory was finally secured in the 92nd minute when Mattie Rippon set David McArthur off on a run down the right wing. David picked out Lewis Cameron in the box and Man of the Match Lewis tucked the ball away at the second attempt after his initial shot had been saved by the unfortunate Inverclyde keeper. Referee Gordon Kelso played a further two minutes before bringing the match and Saints long wait for the Jimmy Marshall Trophy to an end.
Defeat must have been hard to take for the Inverclyde boys who had contributed so much to the match but worse was to follow for them with the news that Alba Thistle had pulled off an unlikely away win at Finnart to send Inverclyde down to Premier Division One. There was no news of a Thorn Athletic comeback at Inler Park so it would be a title decider for Saints and Haldane at Glencruitten in just three days time.