The gate post at King George V Playing Fields, Ayr photograph courtesy of Scott Struthers
Saturday 11th October 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League
Eaglesham AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Eaglesham Playing Fields, Gilmour Street, Glasgow G76 0LG
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Alan Lamb
Last Time Out
A combination of injuries, holidays and work commitments deprived Saints of almost an entire team of players for last Saturday's trip to Ayrshire. It was therefore a most unfamiliar line-up that took the field against Ayrshire Amateur Football League Division Two leaders Wallacetoun Sporting Club in the Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup 2nd round. Saints resources were so stretched that first choice goalkeeper Daniel Cassells emerged from the changing rooms wearing the number 10 shirt with Thomas McCulloch taking Daniel's place between the posts. The small contingent of Saints supporters were left rubbing their eyes in disbelief at this unexpected change but that disbelief was soon dispelled when Daniel produced an excellent performance in the Saints attack alongside Allan Mackay. The new look forward line was ably supported by an equally unfamiliar looking midfield consisting of Martin Bonar, Dean Smith, David McArthur and Dougal Graham in front of Paul Kerr in his familiar anchor role. Only the defence had a look of normality about it with Alex Craik flanked by Captain Marc MacCallum and fit again Jamie Graham.
Saints were on the attack from the first whistle and almost opened the scoring in the first minute when Daniel Cassells got on the end of an Allan Mackay header to fizz the ball across the Wallacetoun goalmouth with Dean Smith only inches away from connecting at the back past. In the eighth minute Daniel Cassells fed David McArthur in the inside left channel, Dean Smith was again the target at the back post but David's cross was deflected behind foe a corner. Saints opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Allan Mackay had been fouled 25 yards from goal. Allan took the free kick himself and his low shot totally deceived Matt McClymont in the Wallacetoun goal beating him just inside his left hand post. Saints were having a lot of joy on the left wing with Dougal Graham and David McArthur linking up well with the strikers to create several decent scoring opportunities which unfortunately nobody was able to convert. The Saints defence was coping well with the Wallacetoun attack limiting them to just a few long range efforts. Wallacetoun's closest attempt came from a well taken 37th minute free kick which cleared the Saints wall but was well fielded by Thomas McCulloch in the Saints goal.
Saints continued to take the game to the home side in the early part of the second half and came close to doubling their advantage when Daniel Cassells fed Dean Smith just inside the box only for Dean's well struck shot to be saved by the Wallcetoun keeper. Wallacetoun were enjoying much more of the play in the second half and at only 1 - 0 down were still very much in the tie. With half an hour remaining Wallacetoun made a bold double substitution increasing their options up front. The change paid off quickly when in the 66th minute a slip by Alex Craik was quickly pounced upon setting up Wallacetoun striker Mark MacLean on the right hand side of the box. The tall striker strode forward and lashed an unstoppable shot high into the net past a helpless Thomas MacCulloch. The home side had their tails up now and sensed that there may be something in the game for them after all. Saints continued to create chances and came close again with another Allan Mackay free kick from a similar position to his first half opener, unfortunately on this occasion Allan's free kick was narrowly off target. In the 74th minute Saints Manager Iain Jackson made what was to prove a match winning double substitution when he replaced Daniel Cassells and Dougal Graham with youngsters Shaun MacIver and David Beaton. The fresh legs were proving difficult for the tiring Wallacetoun defence to cope with and in the 85th minute Wallacetoun's central midfielder Glass who had been impressive throughout was booked for a cynical trip on David Beaton as the youngster threatened to break through on goal. Dean Smith hoisted the resulting free kick into the Wallacetoun box where Allan Mackay beat his man in the air to flick the ball accross the face of goal narrowly evading the outstretched leg of substitute Daniel Cameron who had replaced Martin Bonar after 61 minutes. With the prospect of a replay at Glencruitten on everybody's minds second half substitutes Shaun MacIver and David Beaton combined well to put David through on goal in the 90th minute. With only the goalkeeper to beat David was unceremoniously hauled down by Wallacetoun Captain Nicky Warren leaving the referee an easy decision to award a penalty kick and issue the Wallacetoun skipper with a red card. Regular penalty taker Allan Mackay safely dispatched the spot kick to give Saints a narrow but deserved victory over a decent Wallacetoun side who look well on course to secure a third successive promotion in their bid to reach the top tier of the Ayrshire Amateur League.
An early chance for David McArthur
Allan Mackay opens the scoring with a 25 yard free kick
Daniel Cassells was a revelation at Centre Forward
Daniel Cameron at the back post was unable to convert this Allan Mackay flick-on
David Beaton rushes to congratulate Allan Mackay on his 90th minute winner
This Saturday Saints are back on their travels again when they visit newly promoted Eaglesham. 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. Eaglesham currently occupy 7th place in the SAFL with three points from their opening four fixtures. The Hams opened their league campaign with two 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 only home appearance so far 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. The Hams' last league action was their away trip to Oban five weeks ago where despite a battling performance they lost out to a second half Craig MacEwan goal. Since their visit to Oban the Hams have been in SAFL Centenary Cup and SAFA Scottish Amateur Cup action. In the Centenary Cup they edged past local rivals Busby 5 - 4 on penalties after a 2 - 2 draw before exiting the competition at the Quarter Finals stage losing 3 - 2 to Hillington. In the Scottish Amateur Cup Eaglesham joined thirty other SAFL teams in the hat for the third round draw with a 2 - 0 away win at Carlton YMCA of SAFL Division 1B.
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 Thorn Athletic and St. Joseph's F.P. who go head-to-head on Saturday at Johnstone Community Sports Hub. Saints will still be without their long term injury victims however a good number of last weeks absentees should return to the squad for this important league fixture.
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
6th September 2014 Oban Saints 1 - 0 Eaglesham
Eaglesham's 2011/12 Promotion Winning Side
Craig MacEwan scores the only goal of the game in last month's reverse fixture
In Other News
The draw for the third round of the Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition took place in Dalgetty Bay, Fife on Wednesday 7th October. Saints were drawn at home to face either Chryston of the Central Amateur Football League Division 1B or Giffnock North of the Caledonian League Premier Division. The Chryston and Giffnock North 2nd round tie was postponed last week so they will try again this Saturday. The third round tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday 1st November.
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