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.
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