No Bucketeers

The Bucket of Water Song

Saturday 30th August 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Thorn Athletic AFC v Oban Saints AFC
McMaster Sports Centre, Greenend Avenue, Johnstone, Renfrewshire PA5 0LD
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Stuart Cormack

Last Time Out

Saints got the defence of their Premier Division title off to a winning start against Kings Park Rangers at Glencruitten last Saturday.Kings were below full strength for what was also their opening league fixture however they more than made up for this by implementing a disciplined defensive strategy which very nearly gained them a share of the points. Despite enjoying the vast majority of first half possession Saints passing lacked the crispness necessary to penetrate the massed ranks of the Kings defence. Any effort that did make it through the Kings back line was comfortably dealt with by goal keeper Jim McLaughlin. The breakthrough for Saints came in the 36th minute when last season's top scorer Allan Mackay rose unchallenged in the box to head home a Ross Maitland free kick. Saints almost doubled their lead four minutes later when a Craig MacEwan header from a Ross Maitland corner looped over the goalkeeper and landed on top of the cross bar before bouncing behind for a goal kick. In a move that was ultimately to prove decisive Manager Iain Jackson withdrew central defender Alex Craik prior to the start of the second half replacing him with striker Dean Smith. Saints started the second half brightly and created a few decent chances all of which failed to hit the target. Unfortunately for Saints the encouraging start didn't last long and the game fell flat for long spells. With Saints struggling for inspiration Kings grew in confidence and began to push bodies forward in support of lone striker Dean McCallum. Eventually this more adventurous approach paid off for the visitors and from a throw in on the right wing Dean McCallum hit the bye-line and sent in a low cut back which found Kings Martyn Reid exactly where you would expect to find Alex Craik. Instead of the danger being cleared the ball was knocked home from close range to bring Kings level. Despite not having the best of afternoons Saints responded well to this set back and regained the lead in the 88th minute. A neat turn and low shot from substitute Dean Smith finally knocked the stuffing out of Kings and secured the victory for Saints. Definitely not a vintage Saints performance but a winning start to the league campaign nonetheless.  

New signings Dougal Graham and Scott Maitland make their competitive debuts for Saints

Allan Mackay opens the scoring

Dean Smith marks his return to the Saints fold with an 88th minute winner

Saints play their first away fixture of the season on Saturday and they could hardly have asked for a stiffer challenge than a trip to face old foes Thorn Athletic. Saints have never tasted a league defeat away to Thorn but have been made to battle hard for every point won. Saints can expect yet another difficult afternoon in Johnstone for although Thorn have flirted with relegation in the past two seasons they have worked extremely hard in pre-season and have been steadily building up a head of steam for the new campaign. An eight match pre-season schedule including matches against Junior sides Benburb and Troon has seen Thorn hit the ground running scoring eight goals in their opening two league fixtures. Almost a third of the way to matching last season's goals tally already, Thorn have been playing some excellent football and will seriously fancy their chances of mounting a sustained challenge for the Premier Division title. A home win against newly promoted Eaglesham followed by an away draw at strongly fancied Finnart has set Thorn up nicely for the visit of the reigning champions. Thorn's renewed prowess in front of goal will provide a stern test for the curmudgeonly Saints defence which has conceded the fewest league goals in four of the last five Premier Division seasons. Always a fixture that captivates the imagination, not only of the players and supporters of both sides but also of the wider amateur football world, Saturday's match is sure to be another no quarter asked or given affair with both teams desperate to take the three points.



Thorn Athletic SAFL record:-

2013/14 Premier Division 6th
2012/13 Premier Division 8th
2011/12 Premier Division 3rd
2010/11 Premier Division 3rd
2009/10 Premier Division One Champions (Promoted)
2008/09 Premier Division Two Champions (Promoted)



Saints league record in Johnstone:-

2013/14 Thorn Athletic 1 - 2 Oban Saints
2012/13 Thorn Athletic 0 - 1 Oban Saints
2011/12 Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 Oban Saints
2010/11 Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 Oban Saints

Thorn Athletic on their pre-season trip to Galashiels

Other News

In other news congratulations to Saints winger Ross Maitland and his partner Claire Gilpin on the birth of their son (no name yet but Santi gets my vote) another future Saints star.

In other, other news Saints and Thorn both declined to accept a nomination from Inverclyde AFC to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge which is a major surprise as both sets of players normally never shirk a challenge and are known to take a good bucket.

Craig MacEwan's stunning late strike seals the points for Saints on their last visit to Johnstone

#monthesaints

Start!

http://youtu.be/dktlq3-gNvk

Saints skipper Marc MacCallum hoists the SAFL Premier Division trophy after last season's thrilling final day victory over Haldane United

Saturday 23rd August 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Kings Park Rangers AFC
Glencruitten 2
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Saints begin the defence of their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title with a home game against newly promoted Kings Park Rangers at Glencruitten this Saturday. The return of KPR to the top flight sees the resumption of one of the leagues oldest remaining rivalries with the two sides having almost ninety years of SAFL membership between them. Since first meeting in the Scottish Amateur Cup 40 years ago the paths of Saints and KPR have crossed on numerous occasions up and down the league with many enduring friendships being made along the way.
KPR's 51st season in the SAFL brings with it a welcome return to the top flight for the boys from Croftfoot. The club will be hoping to fare considerably better than on their last season in the Premier Division when they finished bottom of the pile and without a single point. KPR have prepared well for the new season with tough friendly matches against Gartcosh United of the Caledonian League Premier Division, Barrhead YM of the Greater Glasgow Premier League Division One, Wellhouse of the Central Scottish Premier Division and Carlton YMCA of the SAFL Premier Division Two.
KPR made their return to competitive action on Wednesday night where they surrendered a two goal lead away at Easthall Star of Premier Division Two in the Centenary Cup first round. Despite a thrilling comeback by the home side to level the tie at 2 -2 the visitors eventually prevailed winning the penalty shoot out 3 - 2. KPR will now face Finnart at home in round two. The first round draws for this season's major cup competitions have also given KPR home advantage. In the Scottish Amateur Cup they will face Mauchline United of the Ayrshire Amateur Football League First Division, in the West of Scotland Cup they will face last season's quarter finalists Eastfield of the Central Scottish League Premier Division.  

The Kings Park Rangers squad celebrating last season's 2 - 1 victory at Kintyre Park over Champions Campbeltown Pupils which finally sealed their promotion back to the Premier Division

Kings Park Rangers recent SAFL record:-

2013-14 Premier Division One 2nd (Promoted)
2012-13 Premier Division One 7th
2011-12 Premier Division 10th (Relegated)
2010-11 Premier Division One 3rd (Promoted)
2009-10 Premier Division One 4th
2008-09 Premier Division One 7th
2007-08 Premier Division 10th (Relegated)
2006-07 Premier Division 5th

Saints recent record against Kings Park Rangers:-

2011-12
19th May 2012 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
17th September 2011 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 5 Oban Saints

2007-08
24th May 2008 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 3 Oban Saints
25th August 2007 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers

2006-07
28th April 2007 Oban Saints 0 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
23rd September 2006 Kings Park Rangers 3 - 3 Oban Saints

Kings Park Rangers on a recent away trip (well, recent-ish)

Despite the disappointment of the cancellation of their final pre-season warm-up game against Tynecastle of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League, and the necessity to request a free Saturday last week, the Saints squad have been working hard in training and are eager to mark their return to competitive action with a home victory. With the exception of long term injury victims Donald Campbell, Dene Cassells and Coin Tindall Manager Iain Jackson has a full squad to select from as he seeks to mastermind the defence of the league title. This season's SAFL Premier Division has the makings of an extremely competitive league with Saints title rivals last season Haldane United, Finnart and St Joseph's already setting down markers with impressive away wins last Saturday. An exciting campaign for players, officials and fans alike is about to Start!

#monthesaints

The Perfect Pre-Season?

This weekend will see the climax of Saints preparations for the new season with a free week requested due to non availability of key players. This hastily arranged event to be attended by a significant number of players completes the set of especially recreated "actual season scenarios" meticulously planned by Manager Iain Jackson to prepare his squad for the season ahead. Always at the forefront of innovative coaching methods Jackson planned Saints pre-season to replicate as closely as possible the difficulties likely to be encountered during the season. Saints seldom play in sunshine during the course of a normal season therefore every pre-season match was played in heavy rain. Saints rarely get a chance to play any more than two consecutive games without interruption so no fixture was arranged for the weekend following the D&K Cup Tournament. In a league so competitive as this season's Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division there will be no easy games therefore a high intensity match was arranged against Greenock High School Former Pupils where no quarter was given or asked. No season is complete without at least one serious injury and Saints managed to sustain two in one game. There is always a crunch match that has to be faced without a host of first choice players so the Saints squad that took on Ashvale Victoria was missing five of last season preferred starting eleven. Every winter sees matches called off either the night before or on the morning of the game so when Tynecastle cancelled last Saturday's trip to Oban on the eve of the game this ticked another box in Jackson's plan.
Jackson is always very cautious not to reveal any of his coaching methods and has been quoted in the Oban Times as being disappointed that the Tynecastle game was cancelled, however he is believed to be secretly delighted that his audacious plans were almost entirely completed. The only missing piece in the jigsaw was for the D&K Cup Tournament to be abandoned due to bad weather but this plan had to be scrapped when tournament sponsors D&K Lafferty Contractors refused to pay for an artificial snow machine.


On a serious note the injuries sustained by Paul Kerr and Donald Campbell in the friendly against Greenock HSFP have turned out to be much worse than anticipated. Paul will definitely lose his two front teeth and Donald's broken metatarsal will keep him in plaster for several months. Paul will be able to return to action soon but Donald will not play at all this season. Donald's injury is a devastating blow for the club and of course for Donald himself. Never before having missed a single game through injury the rehabilitation period is sure to feel like an eternity for Donald but I'm sure that the Saints boys will keep his spirits up and he will be back next season raring to go.

Hands up if you thought Martin Bonar would be Saints top scorer in pre-season

#monthesaints

Eastenders

Saturday 9th August 2014
Oban Saints AFC v Tynecastle AFC
Pre-season Friendly
Glencruitten 2
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott

Saints face their final pre-season test on Saturday with the visit to Glencruitten of top Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League side Tynecastle AFC. Established in 1978 Tynecastle hail originally from Tynecastle Street in Glasgow's East end and with thirty four completed seasons are their league's longest serving current members. Since joining what was then known as the Civil Service League for the 1978/79 season Tynecastle have notched up 4 league titles and 3 cup successes. After a nip and tuck league campaign last season Tynecastle eventually finished runner-up to undefeated champions Whitefield Rovers. Missing out on the title by just three points Tynecastle's only league defeat came in their final match of the campaign at the hands of the eventual champions. Tynecastle also narrowly missed out on silverware in the Challenge Cup Final losing 4 - 2 after extra time to Blochairn Star. However in a re-match in the Tommy Marshall Trophy Tynecastle avenged this defeat to ensure that the didn't end an excellent season trophyless.

Tynecastle AFC Roll of Honour:-

1989/90 Division 2A Champions (promoted)
1995/96 Division 1 Champions (promoted)
2005/06 Strathclyde Cup Winners
2008/09 Premier Division Champions
2010/11 Premier Division Champions
2011/12 Strathclyde Cup Winners
2013/14 Tommy Marshall Trophy Winners

Tynecastle AFC Tommy Marshall Trophy Winners 2013 - 14

Tynecatle have lead a slightly nomadic existence with spells playing at, amongst others, Greenfield, St John's, Cranhill School, Garthamlock School, Mount Ellen and Westwood. They currently play their home matches at Lochend Community High School, Easterhouse which is approximately 2.5 miles from their spiritual home in Tynecastle Street.

Tynecastle AFC in league action against Shawbridge at Lochend Community High School

Tynecastle have drawn all three of their pre-season games so far against F.C. Baillieston of the Glasgow Sunday Amateur Football League, Maryhill Thistle of the Glasgow Colleges Football Association Premier Division and Mearns Amateurs of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A.

Ross Maitland in action against Busby last season

Saints will be without injury victims Donald Campbell, Dene Cassells and Paul Kerr but on a more positive note Ross Maitland is now back in training and will join up with what will be a strong Saints squad. This is Manager Iain Jackson's final opportunity to assess his squad in match conditions before the season starts in earnest so once again everybody will get some game time. With a host of new faces added to the squad competition for starting places is sure to be fierce which bodes well for the season ahead. Saturday's opponents Tynecastle boast a number of former professionals and top amateur players among their playing and coaching staff which will provide another stiff test for the Saints boys against highly experienced opposition.

#monthesaints

No Way Through

Saturday 2nd August 2014
Pre-season friendly
Glencruitten 2
Kick off 2.30pm
Referee Mr John Scott
Oban Saints AFC 0 - 1 Ashvale Victoria AFC

Substitutes:-

Stuart Alexander
David Beaton
Martin Bonar
Daniel Cameron
Shaun MacIver
PJ Sinclair

Last Saturday at a rain soaked Glencruitten Saints played host to Ashvale Victoria of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League in the penultimate warm up match for both sides before the season begins in earnest. The Vic's were quickest out of the blocks and  in just the 2nd minute caught Saints cold with what turned out to be the only goal of the afternoon. It wasn't only the Saints defence that was caught cold as this intrepid reporter was still adding the Saints line-up to his notes when the net bulged. Doh! What I can tell you is that there were strong Saints appeals for offside but referee John Scott, fresh from an appearance at the Lorn Show, ruled that a touch from Saints keeper Daniel Cassells had played the Ashvale goal scorer onside. It took Saints a while to get over this set back with their usually assured defence looking more than a little shaky. Saints were also struggling to keep hold of the ball in midfield putting the defence under unnecessary pressure. In the 12th minute Saints again conceded possession needlessly allowing the Vic's to run through on goal. The Vic's attacker rounded Daniel Cassells and sent a shot net bound however a last gasp sliding interception from David MacPhee cleared the ball off the line and kept the deficit to one. Saints eventually started to get into the game and created a few half chances. Dean Smith came close with a header from a Scott Maitland corner before Roy McLuckie and Allan Mackay both sent shots wide of the target. Allan thought he had equalised when he skillfully took down a Myles McAuley through ball before dispatching a neat finish beyond the Vic's goal keeper. Regrettably for the second week in succession referee John Scott denied the Saints striker a goal adjudging him to be offside. In the 30th minute a good move down the right hand side involving Myles McAuley and Jamie Graham gave Dean Smith a shooting opportunity just inside the box but with Ashvale defending in depth his shot was charged down. The Vic's had another good spell leading up to half time forcing a succession of corners which the Saints defence did well to repel. Saints had one last chance in the first half with a good low cross from Jamie Graham being snatched off the toe of the on rushing Allan Mackay by the Vic's goal keeper.
Saints were again under the stewardship of Secretary David Buchanan and Coach Peter MacCallum while Manager Iain Jackson continued to top up his tan abroad. The stand-in management duo made three changes for the re-start withdrawing Roy McLuckie, Jamie Graham and Dean Smith replacing them with Daniel Cameron, Stuart Alexander and Martin Bonar. Saints had an early opportunity to restore parity from a free kick 27 yards out but Scott Maitland's tame left foot effort looped harmlessly into the grasp of the Vic's keeper. Saints continued to probe without any success and with 63 minutes on the clock striker Allan Mackay was replaced by young David Beaton. Saints then survived two scares in as many minutes when first Craig MacEwan and then Alex Craik made timely interventions in the penalty box to keep Saints in the game. At the other end Saints were getting no change whatsoever out of a very well disciplined Vic's defence. In the 73rd minute Craig MacEwan made way for another youngster Shaun MacIver. In the 80th minute Captain Marc MacCallum made a rare charge forward but his fierce low right foot shot from 25 yards grazed the outside of the right hand post with the keeper well beaten. The Vic's were now content to hold onto their slender lead and denied the youthful Saints forward line any glimmer of an opportunity to equalise. Saints made one final change before full time when in the 82nd minute PJ Sinclair replaced Marc MacCallum on the left hand side of the defence.
Saints were frustrated throughout the 90 minutes by a very well organised Ashvale Victoria side who were well worthy of their victory and but for some last gasp Saints clearances would have won by a far more convincing score line. On the plus side for Saints this was another good workout against quality opposition with all the available players getting some game time and the new players gaining more valuable experience which should stand them in good stead for the season ahead.

Ashvale Victoria commence their league campaign this coming Saturday with an away fixture at Gourock Athletic. The match will also see the Central League debut of former Scottish Amateur Football League referee James Gallacher. Winning In The Rain wishes James all the best for this new chapter in his refereeing career.

More offside frustration for Allan Mackay

Dean Smith, Allan Mackay and Myles McAuley probe for an opening in the Vic's defence

Scott Maitland's free kick is easily saved by the Vic's keeper

Allan Mackay is crowded out by two Ashvale Victoria defenders

Saints will face their final pre-season test on Saturday with the visit of Tynecastle of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Premier Division. Kick off at Glencruitten 2 is 2pm.

#monthesaints 

Victoria

http://youtu.be/6VzsQoR806c

Saturday 2nd August 2014

Pre-season Friendly

Glencruitten 2

Oban Saints AFC v Ashvale Victoria AFC

Referee Mr John Scott

Saints welcome Central Scottish Amateur League team Ashvale Victoria to Glencruitten on Saturday for what should be another good workout for the squad. The "Vics" endured a difficult 2013-14 season when a return of just 7 points from 20 games saw them finish bottom of the Central Scottish Premier Division and suffer relegation to Division 1B. The club's management team have been working hard throughout the summer months on reinforcing their squad for the new campaign and have made a number of new signings in key positions. The "Vics" play their home matches at the home of Benburb Juniors which, until the end of last season, was the now closed Tinto Park, Govan. At present both Ashvale and Benburb are technically homeless while they await the completion of Benbrub's superb new 4G park and Clubhouse which should be ready in September. 

The new season commences for the "Vics" at Gourock Athletic a week on Saturday where they will be desperate to hit the ground running and put last season's disappointments behind them. A swift return to the Premier Division is the target for the "Vics" but competition for promotion will be fierce. Saints can therefore expect another high tempo match from a team itching to get their season off to a flying start.  

The "Vics" have played two friendlies so far this pre-season firstly against Greater Glasgow Amateur Football League Premier Division Renfrew Thistle followed by Saints Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division rivals Finnart.

Ashvale Victoria's pre-season matches so far:-

19th July 2014 Renfrew Thistle 1 - 5 Ashvale Victoria

29th July 2014 Ashvale Victoria 1 - 2 Finnart   

Ashvale Victoria's recent record in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League:-

2013-14 Premier Division 11th (Relegated)

2012-13 Premier Division 7th

2011-12 Premier Division 4th

2010-11 Division One Champions (Promoted)

               Robert Whyte Memorial Trophy Winners

Ashvale Victoria Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division One and Robert Whyte Trophy Winners 2010 - 11 

This is Saints penultimate game before the season starts in earnest and will give the boys another stiff test against quality opposition. Saints will be without Lewis Cameron who is on holiday plus the injured quartet of Donald Campbell, Dene Cassells, Paul Kerr and Ross Maitland. On the plus side last week's absentees Daniel Cassells, Dougal Graham, Jamie Graham and Myles McAuley should all return to the squad.

Donald Campbell in action against Greenock HSFP before injury cut short his pre-season

#monthesaints