In The Pink

Saturday 20th September  2014
Scottish  Amateur  Football  League  Premier  Division
Oban Saints AFC  v Busby AFC
Glencruitten 2
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott

Last Time Out

Saints edged a highly competitive Argyll Derby against Campbeltown Pupils at Kintyre Park last Saturday afternoon thanks to a 59th minute Allan Mackay strike. The last time this fixture was played was in 2009 but absence doesn't always make the heart grow fonder and this was a typically hard fought encounter from which Saints were delighted to take all three points. Victory however came at a cost for Saints with central defender Alex Craik joining the lengthy injury list when he suffered a back strain after just ten minutes. On the plus side midfield anchorman Paul Kerr once again demonstrated his versatility by dropping into defence where he produced an accomplished display in the sweeper role.

Busby

This Saturday Saints host Busby in what is the East Renfrewshire side's first away match of the league season. Busby's last visit to Oban was for their final match of the 2013-14 season but was nothing like the end of season fixture that might have been envisaged. Saints were involved in a four way tussle at the top of the league with Haldane United, Finnart and St Joseph's while Busby had already secured their Premier Division status for another season. Busby in their Shocking Pink away kit produced a disciplined defensive performance which Saints found extremely difficult to penetrate while hitting Saints on the break with some lightning quick counter attacks. Two goals from Busby striker Billy McGhee threatened to de-rail Saints title charge but an inspirational closing twenty minutes from Donald Campbell and two goals from talismanic striker Allan Mackay finally secured a share of the points keeping Saints title hopes alive.
Saints currently occupy third spot in the SAFL Premier Division behind St Joseph's and league leaders Thorn Athletic. Saturday's opponents Busby are currently in seventh place with three points from their opening four fixtures. Although Busby have endured a difficult start to the season they enjoy a good record in Oban and will once again prove to be tough opponents for a Saints side still struggling to rediscover their title winning form of last season. Saints will again be without Scott Maitland who remains on the injured list with long term absentees Donald Campbell, Dene Cassells and Colin Tindal. On a more positive note both Alex Craik and Jamie Graham should be available for selection.

Busby's league fixtures so far this season:-

Busby 3 - 6 Finnart
Busby 7 - 4 Eaglesham
Busby 0 - 3 St Joseph's
Busby 0 -  2 Campbeltown Pupils

Busby's recent record in Oban:-

2013-14 Oban Saints 2 - 2 Busby
2007-08 Oban Saints 2 - 3 Busby

Busby's recent SAFL record:-

2013-14 Premier Division 5th
2012-13 Premier Division One 4th Promoted
2011-12 Premier Division One 4th
2010-11 Premier Division One 7th
2009-10 Premier  Division One 3rd
2008-09 Premier Division One 5th
2007-08 Premier Division 9th Relegated
2006-07 Premier Division One Champions Promoted

Other News

In other news Saints players Lewis Cameron, Myles McAuley and Craig MacEwan featured for the Scottish Amateur Football League Select in a 2 - 2 draw against a Lothian and Edinburgh Select last Sunday. All three Saints players had a good game with Lewis getting on the score sheet with a particularly eye catching performance.

Och Aye

Campbeltown Loch Och Aye

Saturday 13th September 2014
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Campbeltown Pupils AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Kintyre Park, Limecraigs Road, Campbeltown PA28 6JT
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

Last Time Out

Saints lucky white kit made it's first appearance of the season against Eaglesham at Glencruitten last Saturday and brought with it a return to the high tempo football missing from the Saints armoury in recent weeks. Saints took the game to the visitors straight from the kick off with Eaglesham content to sit back and hit Saints on the break. In a goalless first half Saints were frustrated by an inspired performance by Hams keeper Gordon Taylor who produced a string of excellent saves to keep his team in the match. At the other end the Saints rear guard restricted the Hams to just two attempts on target both of which were well saved by keeper Daniel Cassells. Manager Iain Jackson was forced to make a change at half time when Scott Maitland was unable to continue following a knee knock picked up in the closing minutes of the first half. Scott had put in a good performance alongside Paul Kerr and Myles McAuley in the Saints engine room, hopefully he will recover quickly from this injury set-back. Scott's place in the line-up was taken by namesake Ross who took up his accustomed position on the right wing with Roy McLuckie moving infield.
The first half pattern continued in the opening stages of the second half with Lewis Cameron, Roy McLuckie and Craig MacEwan all coming close to breaking the deadlock. Saints eventually made the breakthrough in the 65th minute from a Ross Maitland low near post corner. Stretching to reach the ball at the near post, Saints Skipper Marc MacCallum got the slightest of touches which caused the Hams keeper to spill the ball straight to Craig MacEwan who made no mistake from 4 yards out. The goal for Saints brought about a change in tactics from Eaglesham who began to push forward in search of an equaliser. Despite enjoying their best spell of the match the Hams were unable to create any clear cut chances. Eaglesham's best opportunity of the second half came when Lewis Cameron's attempted bicycle kick clearance on the edge of the Saints box was harshly penalised for dangerous play. The resulting free kick was expertly clipped over the Saints wall forcing Daniel Cassells into an excellent diving save low down at his right hand post. The Hams were now leaving more space at the back for Saints to exploit and Saints came close to increasing their lead firstly when Myles McAuley was thwarted by Gordon Taylor in the Hams goal, then when Lewis Cameron flashed a header wide from a Ross Maitland free kick.
The match ended 1 - 0 to Saints who will be pleased not just to get back to winning ways but also with a far more "Saints-like" performance. Although defeated Eaglesham can take great credit for a spirited performance with their keeper Gordon Taylor earning top marks for an inspired display.

Heavy first half downpour

Scott Maitland lets fly in the 42nd minute

Eaglesham keeper Gordon Taylor makes another fine save

Craig MacEwan nets the only goal of the game

78th minute Eaglesham free kick well saved by Daniel Cassells

Lewis Cameron sends a glancing header narrowly wide from a Ross Maitland free kick

Saints take the Kintyre Trail on Saturday to face Argyll rivals Campbeltown Pupils in what is widely considered to be the biggest of all the Argyll derbies. As derby matches go Pupils v Saints is not exactly local but the 88 or so miles between the two clubs does nothing to diminish their fierce rivalry. The battle for football supremacy in Argyll has raged long and hard since Saints gained admission to the Scottish Amateur Football League in 1976 paving the way for the other Argyll teams. Saints and Pupils have been by far the most successful of the Argyll clubs with both enjoying spells as "top dogs". Saints may have been first to join the SAFL but it was Pupils who were first to fulfill the criteria for admission to the Premier Divison. Similarly it was Pupils who were the first Argyll club to be crowned SAFL Premier Division Champions beating their Oban rivals to this prestigious accolade by 10 years. Since then the balance of power has swung towards Saints with the Oban club now in it's 13th consecutive season in the top flight during which time Pupils have yo-yo'd between the three divisions in the Premier League set-up. 

After an absence of five seasons Pupils return to the Premier Division on the back of two consecutive league championships. The foundation for this resurgence has been Pupils' phenomenal home record of just two defeats in three seasons. That particular crown has begun to slip somewhat at the start of this new season with two heavy home reverses against title contenders St Joseph's and Haldane United.

Saints have found goals hard to come by in their three league games so far this season and will hope to capitalise on Pupils' defensive frailties. Joining the lengthening Saints injury list are Dougal Graham, Jamie Graham and Scott Maitland so Manager Iain Jackson will have his resources fully stretched for what is sure to be a full blooded affair for local bragging rights. 

Campbeltown Pupils SAFL Premier Division fixtures so far this season:-

16th August 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 2 - 6 St Joseph's FP

30th August 2014 Busby 0 - 2 Campbeltown Pupils 2

6th September 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 2 - 7 Haldane United

Campbeltown Pupils SAFL Premier Division One Champions 2013-14

Campbeltown Pupils' recent record in the SAFL:-

2013/14 Premier Division One Champions Promoted
2012/13 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2011/12 Premier Division Two 4th
2010/11 Premier Division One 9th Relegated
2009/10 Premier Division One 7th
2008/09 Premier Division 10th Relegated
2007/08 Premier Division One 3rd Promoted
2006/07 Premier Division One 5th

Kintyre Park, Campbeltown

On 30th November 2013 an incredible crowd of 550 spectators packed Kintyre Park to witness Pupils' 3 - 1 Scottish Amateur Cup 3rd round victory over near neighbours Carradale. In the foreground, braving the winter chill in short sleeves is Campbeltown's answer to die-hard Saints fan David MacPhee. David's only concession to the on-set of winter is to add a wooly hat and gloves to his usual T-shirt and shorts ensemble!  

In other news

The draw for the second round of the Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup was made on Tuesday 9th September at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Saints were drawn away to Wallacetoun Sporting Club of the Ayrshire Amateur Football League Second Division. Saturday's opponents Campbeltown Pupils were drawn at home to Tannahill of the Paisley and District Amateur Football League Division One A. The second round ties are scheduled to be played on Saturday 4th October.

Saints Manager Iain Jackson ponders Saturday's team selection

#monthesaints 

Radio Radio

Radio Radio

Saturday 6th September 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League
Oban Saints AFC v Eaglesham AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban PA34 4EH
Kick off 1.45pm
Referee Mr Gordon Kelso

Last Time Out

Unbeaten on the road for fifteen months, Saints proud run finally came to an end last Saturday ironically on the very ground where the run began. The excellent playing surface at Thorn Athletic's "Field of Dreams" McMaster Park was an ideal setting for one of the Scottish Amateur Football League's most eagerly anticipated fixtures, unfortunately for Saints it was the home team who prevailed on this occasion. Saints were far from convincing in their 2 -1 opening fixture victory over Kings Park Rangers and their struggle to find top gear continued at the home of their great rivals from Johnstone. Despite being second best for long spells it was Saints who took the lead in the 70th minute with a well placed Lewis Cameron header from a pinpoint Scott Maitland left wing cross. Regrettably the lead lasted barely a minute when Saints conceded a needless free kick 25 yards from goal. Thorn always pose a threat from set pieces but they sprang a surprise when their usual dead ball expert Paul Young stood aside to allow recent signing Ryan McCay to take the kick. The powerful free kick went through the legs of the Saints wall and beat the despairing dive of keeper Daniel Cassells just inside his left hand post. This was a bitter disappointment for Saints to concede such a soft goal having until that point dealt reasonably comfortably with everything the Thorn attack had to offer. Saints pressed forward again and were unlucky when Thorn keeper Liam McWilliams nicked the ball off the toes of Ross Maitland with the "wee man" about to skip round him on the edge of the box. Saints then shot themselves in the foot in the 76th minute by conceding a needless penalty for a rash rash challenge inside the box. Ryan McCay took the spot kick which he dispatched beyond Daniel Cassells via the inside of the big keeper's left hand post.
Saints threw everything at Thorn in the closing stages but couldn't find an equaliser. With Saints pressing hard at the other end Thorn were able to exploit the gaps in the Saints defence and, on several occasions, came close to increasing their lead. In the end although Saints will be disappointed to have gifted Thorn their two goals there is no denying that Thorn were the better team on the day and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Allan Mackay's first half shot is comfortably saved by Liam McWilliams

Craig MacEwan and Thorn's Niall Kennedy enjoyed a fascinating battle throughout the match

Skipper Marc MacCallum finds himself in an unfamiliar outside left position

Substitutes Lewis Cameron and Scott Maitland gave Saints more of an attacking threat

Lewis Cameron heads Saints into a short lived lead

Roy McLuckie shoots narrowly over the bar late in the second half

A last minute stramash in the Thorn penalty area

This Saturday Saints will hope to return to winning ways when newly promoted Eaglesham visit Glencruitten. The "Hams" won promotion to the Premier Division thanks to a third placed finish in last season's Premier Division One and Castlemilk's defection to the Caledonian League. The Hams first two matches of the new season were high scoring away defeats firstly at Thorn Athletic where they lost out by the odd goal in nine, followed by a 7 - 4 reverse at near neighbours Busby. On their last outing the Hams recorded a 2 - 1 home win over last season's Premier Division runners up Haldane United a result which will have raised a few eyebrows among keen followers of the Scottish Amateur Football League.
Saints have an excellent record against the Hams and must ensure that runs continues if they are to keep in touch with the league's early pace setters St. Joseph's F.P. With the exception of long term injury victims Donald Campbell, Dene Cassells and Colin Tindall Manager Iain Jackson should have a full squad at his disposal for this important fixture. Please note the earlier than normal kick off time of 1.45pm, come early to avoid the rush!



Eaglesham's recent SAFL finishes:-

2013/14 Premier Division One 3rd Promoted
2012/13 Premier Division 10th Relegated
2011/12 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted
2010/11 Premier Division Two 3rd Promoted
2009/10 Premier Division One 9th Relegated
2008/11 Premier Division One 4th
2007/08 Premier Division One 5th
2006/07 Premier Division One 5th
2005/06 Premier Division One 4th
2004/05 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted



Saints recent record v Eaglesham:-

Jimmy Marshall Trophy Quarter Final
25th April 2009 Eaglesham 1 - 7 Oban Saints

Jimmy Marshall Trophy 1st Round
17th October 2009 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Eaglesham

SAFL Premier Division
20th April 2013 Eaglesham 0 - 4 Oban Saints
5th May 2013 Oban Saints 2 - 0 Eaglesham

Eaglesham's 2011/12 promotion winning side

Some Other Hams:-

#monthesaints