Winning In The Rain: 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