Preserving The Old Ways

The Kinks - Village Green Preservation Society

Saturday 29th November 2014
Umbro Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Finnart AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Glasgow Green Football Centre
28 Kings Drive
Glasgow
G40 1HB
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Gordon Hay

Last Weekend's Fixture

An out of sorts Saints had their proud unbeaten home league run halted by in-form St Joseph's FP at Glencruitten last Saturday. Saints last tasted league defeat on home soil on 19th May 2013 also against the Saints from Duntocher. More worrying for Saints was the margin of the defeat, 5 - 2 is Saints heaviest reverse for many a long year and continues this season's trend of costly defensive errors. Saints desperately need to re-discover the defensive solidity that last season's league and cup double success was built upon before it is too late. In mitigation, a settled starting eleven was also key to last season's success which is something Saints have been unable to name this season with twelve different starting line-ups in as many matches.
Last Saturday's started reasonably well for Saints with Dougal Graham and Allan Mackay combining well to set up Donald Campbell to open the scoring with a well placed 9th minute shot. Despite conceding a quick-fire equaliser from a Ryan Holmes shot Saints continued to give a good account of themselves against a very sharp looking St Joe's side. Honours even at half-time was just about right on the balance of play with little indication of what was to follow. The second half was barely one minute old when a speculative David Gallagher shot took a wicked deflection off Alex Craik sending Daniel Cassells the wrong way before nestling in the Saints net. St Joe's doubled their advantage four minutes later when John Paul Seagrave easily out-jumped Alex Craik at the back post to head home a corner kick. Saints looked shell shocked at this point and were being given the runaround by the visitors who went 4 - 1 up in the 58th minute with Blair Mulgrew exploiting yet another defensive lapse. Manager Iain Jackson made a triple substitution introducing David Beaton, David McArthur and Ally McKerracher at the expense of Dougal Graham, Scott Maitland and Allan Mackay. The changes reinvigorated Saints to steady the ship and produce a decent closing half hour. However, despite a 71st minute Craig MacEwan goal there was to be no way back against a well drilled St Joe's defence. In stoppage time the visitors rubbed salt into Saints wounds by capitalising on another moment of hesitation in the Saints box to set up Ryan Holmes for a simple tap-in.

Time To Get Back To Old Ways

Saints must endure another thorough examination of their title credentials this Saturday when they travel to Glasgow Green to face Finnart. Bridgeton's finest currently occupy third spot in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division with 14 points from 7 games and are the league's top scorers with 24 goals. Finnart are already out of both major cup competitions losing out to Shortlees in the second round of the Scottish Amateur Cup and Winlinton Wolves in the first round of the West of Scotland Cup. Finnart have, however, secured a place in this season's SAFL Centenary Cup final where they will face Premier Division One side Goldenhill.

Finnart have made an impressive start to the league campaign with only Busby and league leaders St Joseph's FP managing to keep a clean sheet against their free scoring attack. Saints could therefore not have asked for a tougher fixture in their quest to return to the frugal defending which has seen them concede the fewest league goals in four of the last five seasons. Saints will be without the unavailable Scott Maitland and the injured Dougal Graham. Work commitments may also rule out Ross Maitland and Myles McAuley. 

Finnart's league fixtures so far this season:-

16th August Busby 3 - 6 Finnart

23rd August Finnart 3 - 3 Thorn Athletic

13th September Haldane United 1 - 5 Finnart

18th October Campbeltown Pupils 3 - 6 Finnart

25th October St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 Finnart

1st November Finnart 4 - 0 Kings Park Rangers

8th November Finnart 0 - 0 Busby

Finnart's SAFL record:-

2010/11
Premier Division Two Champions (Promoted)

2011/12
Premier Division One Champions (Promoted)
Centenary Cup Runners Up to Postal United

2012/13
Premier Division 7th

2013/14
Premier Division 4th

Saints record at Finnart:-

2012/13
Finnart 0 - 1 Oban Saints

2013/14

Finnart 0 - 1 Oban Saints 

The Bridgeton Umbrella

Ross Maitland's deft second half chip gave Saints a 1 - 0 win when the sides met at Glasgow Green in last season's title run-in

http://youtu.be/T7lKP1vRuLI

Arthur Montford, doyen of Scottish football commentators, who sadly passed away this week

#monthesaints

Hey Joe

Hey Joe

Saturday 22nd November 2014
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v St Joseph's FP AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

Last Week's Fixture

Saints progressed to the fourth round of the Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Cup with an eventually convincing 7 - 1 victory over SAFL Division 1B side Rosehill Star at Netherpollock last Saturday. Due to injuries and other commitments Saints travelled without a number of key players including Ross Maitland and Myles McAuley who were left stranded on Colonsay due to bad weather on Friday night.
The match was played on an extremely difficult surface which Saints took a while to come to terms with. During this initial period Saints were unable to get their normal passing game going and it was the hosts who made the better start. Rosehill Star striker Gary MacLeod had the best of the early chances and was unlucky to see his 5th minute shot from the edge of the box come back off the post with Daniel Cassells in the Saints goal well beaten. Saints eventually began to gain the upper hand with Donald Campbell, Jamie Graham and Craig MacEwan all coming close with long range efforts.
A devastating twelve minute spell from the visitors either side of the half time interval put the final result beyond any doubt. Three quick-fire goals from Dean Smith, Donald Campbell and Lewis Cameron in the 38th, 39th and 41st minute respectively gave Saints a comfortable half-time lead. Saints were back on the attack after the break and increased their lead in the 50th minute when Lewis Cameron thumped home a terrific right foot shot to make it 4 - 0. This was the cue for some changes and Saints Manager Iain Jackson withdrew David McArthur and Scott Maitland replacing them with Martin Bonar and new signing Ally McKerracher. On the hour mark Saints added a fifth when substitute Martin Bonar was on hand to bundle home from close range after Star keeper Chris Morrison had failed to hold a Craig MacEwan shot. Donald Campbell got his second goal of the game in the 76th minute when his excellent run from midfield was picked out by a pin-point pass from Lewis Cameron. Donald calmly slotted past the Star keeper to make it two goals in as many games since his return from injury. Ally McKerracher's otherwise promising Saints debut was spoiled slightly when he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Star midfielder Scott Docherty in the Saints box. Gary MacLeod slammed home the spot kick to give Rosehill Star the consoltion goal their persistence deserved. The scoring was completed in the 81st minute when Martin Bonar and Donald Campbell combined well to set up Lewis Cameron for his hat-trick and a convincing 7 - 1 victory for Saints.

Saints friends Postal United clearly didn't think much of the playing surface 

New signing Ally McKerracher. You can watch Ally's induction into the Saints Singer's Hall of Fame on the Saints Facebook page www.facebook.com/obansaintsafc

Hey Joe

After six weeks on cup duty Saints return to league action with a home fixture against in-form St Joseph's FP from Duntocher. St. Joe's currently sit in second place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division with 14 points from 6 games, 3 points behind league leaders Thorn Athletic who have played two games more. St Joe's are the only remaining unbeaten side in the Premier Division and have lost only one match in fifteen outings in all competitions so far this season. The solitary defeat came ten weeks ago in the Quarter Finals of the SAFL Centenary Trophy against Premier Division One side Goldenhill. Since that defeat St Joe's have taken valuable league points from title rivals Finnart, Haldane United and Thorn Athletic. St Joe's have also progressed to the fourth round of the "big two" cup competitions where they will play Clark Drive in the Scottish Cup and East Kilbride or Stewarton United in the West of Scotland Cup. 

Saints go into this fixture two points behind the visitors knowing that a win will see them leap-frog their opponents in what is already shaping up to be an extremely tight league race. Saints will hope to add David Beaton, Marc MacCallum, Allan Mackay and Roy McLuckie to last week's squad which will give Manager Iain Jackson some interesting selection dilemas. Plans to airlift Myles McAuley and Ross Maitland from Colonsay in time for the match are also at an advanced stage.

St Joseph's FP AFC Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division fixtures so far this season:-

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

23rd August 2014 St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 Alba Thistle

27th August 2014 Busby 0 - 3 St Joseph's

20th September 2014 St Joseph's 1 - 1 Haldane United

11th October 2014 Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 St Joseph's FP

25th October 2014 St Joseph's 3 - 0 Finnart

St Joseph's FP Scottish Amateur Cup fixtures so far this season:-

1st Round 6th September 2014 St Joseph's FP 4 - 2 Auchinairn Star

2nd Round 4th October 2014 Drumley 2 - 5 St Joseph's FP

3rd Round 1st November 2014 Silverburn 4 - 4 St Joseph's

3rd Round Replay 8th November 2014 St Joseph's 4 - 0 Silverburn

St Joseph's West of Scotland Cup fixtures so far this season:-

2nd Round 18th October 2014 Clydeside Athletic 1 - 6 St Joseph's FP

3rd Round 15th November 2014 St Joseph's FP 3 - 1 Catrine

St Joseph's FP AFC recent Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-

2006/07 Premier Division One 4th

2007/08 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted

2008/09 Premier Division Champions

2009/10 Premier Division 6th

2010/11 Premier Division 6th

2011/12 Premier Division 6th

2012/13 Premier Division 5th

2013/14 Premier Division 3rd

Saints home record against St Joseph's FP:-

2008/09 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP

2009/10 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 0 St Joseph's FP

2010/11 Premier Division Oban Saints 8 - 1 St Joseph's FP

2011/12 Premier Division Oban Saints 3- 1 St Joseph's FP

2012/13 Premier Division Oban Saints 0 - 1 St Joseph's FP

2013/14 Premier Division Oban Saints 1 - 1 St Joseph's FP

Action from last season's 1 - 1 draw at Glencruitten

Donald Campbell in aerial combat with the St Joseph's defence

Allan Mackay and St Joseph's central defender Craig Cameron

Paul Kerr and St Joseph's Keiron Timoney battle it out in midfield

In Other News

The West of Scotland Cup fourth round draw took place on Monday 17th November. Saints were handed as tough a draw as they could have wished for when they were paired away from home against Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders Harestanes. Saints are provisionally scheduled to make the trip to Merkland Playing Fields, Kirkintilloch on Saturday 13th December however this date may be subject to change owing to Harestanes' involvement in the Scottish Amateur Cup. Harestanes are widely considered to be the top amateur football team in Scotland at present and will provide a massive test for Saints.

#monthesaints

Thirteen

Big Star - Thirteen

Saturday 15th November 2014
Rosehill Star AFC v Oban Saints AFC
West of Scotland Cup 3rd Round
Netherpollock Playing Fields, 49 Haggs Road, Glasgow G41 4AP
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr C. Crouch

Unlucky Thirteen

Saints had their interest in this season's Scottish Amateur Cup cruelly halted in controversial circumstances against Giffnock North at Northolm Park, Giffnock last Saturday. After 180 minutes of pulsating cup football the two evenly matched sides were finally separated in stoppage time by the thirteenth goal of the match which left Saints no chance of a comeback. The match had started well for Saints when Allan Mackay headed them in front in the 13th minute from a Scott Maitland corner. Even after the North had equalised in the 40th minute Saints managed to re-establish their lead just before half-time from a perfectly executed Ross Maitland free-kick. At this point Saints were looking well placed to hold on for a hard fought victory but in the second half the vastly experienced home side took a strong grip on the match twice clinically punishing slack marking in the Saints rear-guard to take a 3 - 2 lead. Saints drew level in the 63rd minute when Allan Mackay sent over a tempting cross from the right wing for Craig MacEwan to out jump the North goalkeeper and defenders to power a header high into the net but the North were still looking menacing going forward. Despite the best efforts of both teams to conjure a winner the tie looked set for an additional thirty minutes but in torrential rain and deteriorating light their was to be one final twist. Saints lost possession deep inside the Giffnock half and the home side wasted no time in launching one last attack up the right wing where they had enjoyed considerable success throughout the second half. A deep cross left Jamie Graham one on one with Peter Gemmell at the back post. The Giffnock striker appeared to control the ball with his arm before rolling the ball into the net past a helpless Daniel Cassells in the Saints goal. Despite vociferous protests from Saints Captain Marc MacCallum and goalkeeper Daniel Cassells the Referee eagerly seized the opportunity to get out of the rain and awarded the goal much to the consternation of the Saints management team.
After such a close contest it was perhaps inevitable that only a moment of brilliance, a mistake or a controversial decision would ultimately decide the outcome. Unfortunately for Saints it was the latter however that unlucky thirteenth goal shouldn't overshadow an excellent cup tie in which Saints acquitted themselves well against top quality opposition.  

Alex Craik makes an important interception

Craig MacEwan's header from a Scott Maitland corner went narrowly wide

Donald Campbell's return to action is a welcome sight for Saints fans

Craig MacEwan

The North defence keep a high line for this second half free kick

North central defender Mark Shanta sticks close to Allan Mackay

It was a wee bit wet!

West of Scotland Cup

Saints are on the road again this week when they travel to face fellow Scottish Amateur Football League club Rosehill Star in the West of Scotland Cup Third Round. Rosehill Star are currently in fourth place in Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B with 16 points from 9 games.
With their involvement in the Scottish Amateur Cup at an end Saints ambitions for an extended run in a major cup competition now rest solely with the West of Scotland Cup. Saints have not enjoyed the best of fortune in this competition and a decent run is long overdue.
43 league places in the Scottish Amateur Football League set-up currently separate Saints and Rosehill Star which should make Saints favourites, however nothing can be taken for granted in a cup tie. The hosts will be desperate to pit their wits against the reigning Premier Division Champions so Saints will have to be at their best if they are to progress to next Monday night's fourth round draw.
Saints will be without latest injury victim Roy McLuckie and unavailable pair Allan Mackay and Marc MacCallum. Returning to the squad after missing last week's match are Lewis Cameron and David Beaton who will be joined by new signing Ally McKerracher.

Saints recent record in the West of Scotland Cup:-

2006/07 Third Round
East Kilbride Amateurs 2 - 0 Oban Saints

2007/08 Third Round
Templeton Albert 2 - 0 Oban Saints

2008/09 Fifth Round
Eddlewood 5 - 1 Oban Saints

2009/10 Third Round
Milton 2 - 1 Oban Saints

2010/11 Second Round
Oban Saints 1 - 2 Kilsyth

2011/12 Fourth Round
Oban Saints 1 - 1 Knockentiber (1 - 2 After Extra Time)

2012/13 Fourth Round
Shortlees 2 - 2 Oban Saints (4 - 2 After Extra Time)

2013/14 Fourth Round
Giffnock North 2 - 2 Oban Saints (2 - 2 After Extra Time) ( 3 - 2 on penalties)

Rosehill Star AFC winners of the 2014 Corkerhill Pre-Season Tournament

Rosehill Star recent SAFL finishes:-

2006/07 Division 1A 6th

2007/08 Division 1A 6th

2008/09 Division 1A 6th

2009/10 Division 1A 9th

2010/11 Division 1B 6th

2011/12 Division 1B 2nd

2012/13 Division 1B 5th

2013/14 Division 1A 5th

Rosehill Star's SAFL Division 1A fixtures so far this season:-

16th August 2014 Carlton YMCA 2 - 3 Rosehill Star

23rd August 2014 FC Argyll 2 - 3 Rosehill Star

30th August 2014 Rosehill Star 6 - 2 Whitehill FP

13th September 2014 Rosehill Star 6 - 2 Rossvale

4th October 2014 FC Clydebank 7 - 0 Rosehill Star

11th October 2014 Rosehill Star 1 - 3 Shawlands FP (B)

25th October 2014 Rosehill Star 4 - 2 Eaglesham (B)

1st November 2014 Rosehill Star 2 - 2 Milton of Colquoun

8th November 2014 Tarbert 4 - 2 Rosehill Star

Rosehill Star's progress in this season's West of Scotland Cup:-

1st Round

20th September 2014

Holytown Youth Colts 3 - 7 Rosehill Star

2nd Round

18th October 2014

Rosehill Star 3 - 0 FC Partick

In Other News

Myles McAuley

Another impressive midfield performance from Myles McAuley against Giffnock North caught the attention of Scottish Amateur International Assistant Manager John Brown. Representatives from the Scotland set-up will continue to monitor Saints matches over the next few weeks to keep tabs on Myles and Lewis Cameron who is also on the radar of the national management team.

#monthesaints

Do It Again

Do It Again

Saturday 8th November 2014
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
3rd Round Replay
Giffnock North AAC AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Northolm Sports Complex, Braidbar Farm Road, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6HU
Kick off 1.30pm
Referee Mr James Cotton

Last Time Out

At Glencruitten last Saturday Saints and Giffnock North served up a cracking Scottish Amateur Cup tie before Saints band of loyal supporters and a healthy turnout of visiting fans who had accompanied their favourites on their day trip to Oban. In a blistering opening two minutes Lewis Cameron and Ross Maitland linked up well on the right wing to find Paul Kerr bursting through the inside right channel. Paul's goal bound shot from the edge of the box was well blocked by the Giffnock North defence. The action quickly swung to the other end where Roy McLuckie was very harshly adjudged by referee Peter Laing to have fouled Giffnock striker David Devine just inside the Saints box. The incident looked to be no more than an accidental collision but the referee pointed to the spot much to the astonishment of the assembled Saints faithful. However Saints sense of injustice was soon lifted when Daniel Cassells pulled off an excellent save from Eugene Forde's spot kick before the ball was bundled behind for a corner. After this let-off Saints slowly began to gain the upper hand and in the 14th minute were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty kick when Allan Mackay was felled on the very edge of the Giffnock North penalty box. The referee again gave the benefit of the doubt to the visitors and ruled that the infringement had taken place outside the box. Allan took the free kick himself but his curling right foot shot failed to clear the Giffnock defensive wall and bounced to safety. Saints fell behind in the 18th minute when North midfielder David Kneale was allowed time and space to measure a precise long range shot which beat Daniel Cassells low down to his right. Saints recovered from this setback and created some excellent goal scoring opportunities. Scott Maitland curled an excellent left foot shot just wide of target with Craig Marshall in the Giffnock goal well beaten. Scott was also unlucky to see his well timed run to collect a precise Lewis Cameron pass go unrewarded when the Giffnock keeper made a fine save from Scott's shot from just inside the box. In the 33rd minute Craig MacEwan met a Lewis Cameron in-swinging corner from the left wing to send a powerful header inches over the crossbar. Just two minutes later Saints were again slow to close down in their own half allowing David Devine space to fire an unstoppable shot past Daniel Cassells' despairing left hand. The home side came close to pulling one back in the 40th minute when Allan Mackay rose above the North defence to head a pin-point Ross Maitland free kick narrowly over the bar. Two nil down at half time was harsh on Saints but full credit to The North for the clinical manner in which they scored their goals.
Saints started the second half as they did the first and within a minute of the re-start Craig MacEwan forced Craig Marshall into another fine save. Saints continued to probe without success until the game exploded into action in the 57th minute. Allan Mackay forced his way into the Giffnock box and sent a curling right foot shot goalwards only to see it spectacularly tipped round the post by Craig Marshall for a corner. Lewis Cameron's corner kick from the right wing was cleared but Saints regained possession on the edge of the Giffnock box and Lewis sent in a low cross which the goalkeeper could only parry into the path of Ross Maitland who bundled the ball over the line from six yards. Saints equalised five minutes later with Lewis Cameron once again the creator. Lewis linked up well with Ross Maitland on the right wing to force a corner before planting his flag kick straight onto the head of Allan Mackay whose header back across goal gave the keeper no chance. Saints were well in the ascendancy now and completed the turnaround in the 66th minute. Lewis Cameron once again carved his way through the Giffnock defence to pick out Craig MacEwan with an excellent cut-back which Craig headed into the net from just inside the six yard box. One minute later Craig almost made it four but with his header after an excellent run and cross from Myles McAuley was well saved. The lead, however, didn't last long as Saints were once again severely punished for their own sloppiness. A speculative long range effort from Giffnock substitute Brendan McGurk beat Saints keeper Daniel Cassells far too easily low down at his right hand post. The big keeper was bitterly disappointed to loose such a soft goal but swiftly regained his composure to deal comfortably with everything else the North could throw at him.
After that frenetic spell the game settled down somewhat with both sides unable to capitalise on any chances that came their way. At the final final whistle Saints Manager Iain Jackson was disappointed with the soft goals conceded but otherwise satisfied with a good performance against top quality opposition.

Scott Maitland in a foot race with the Giffnock North defence

Giffnock North right back launches a free kick 

Allan Mackay rises above the North defence to head Ross Maitland's free kick narrowly over 

Daniel Cassells clears upfield

Ross Maitland pulls one back for Saints 

Allan Mackay equalises

Craig MacEwan heads Saints into a brief 3 - 2 lead

Ross Maitland clears off his own line

Giffnock North keeper Craig Marshall

Do It Again

After last week's thrilling encounter at Glencruitten Saints and Giffnock North must do it again on Saturday to decide which of these evenly matched teams will progress to the fourth round of this season's Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup. When the two sides met at Giffnock last season in the West of Scotland Cup they couldn't be separated after 120 minutes of football so the outcome was decided by a penalty shoot-out which the hosts edged 3 - 2. The North are unbeaten at home in all competitions so far this season whilst Saints only two defeats have come on their travels. There is clearly very little to choose between the two sides but home advantage must make the North slight favourites. Saints have made it as least as far as the sixth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup in each of the last three seasons but face an uphill struggle if they are to keep that impressive run going.
In a season blighted by selection headaches Manager Iain Jackson has been unable to field the same starting XI twice in nine attempts. Saints injury problems appear to be clearing up but that other curse on the amateur game "work commitments" may force the Manager to shuffle the pack yet again. Whatever the line-up the boys will be desperate to make up for letting a winning position slip from their grasp last week. The game must be played to a finish with extra time and penalties to decide the winner if necessary. If you are anywhere near Glasgow on Saturday you could do a lot worse for your Saturday afternoon entertainment than to make the short trip out to Giffnock.  

Giffnock North AAC AFC League and Cup double winners 2012 - 13

In Other News

The draw for the fourth round of the Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition sponsored by Foster's took place at the Energy Assets Arena, Livingston on the evening of Tuesday 4th November. The winners of this Saturday's third round replay between Oban Saints AFC and Giffnock North AAC AFC face an away trip to Kilsyth Amateurs of Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A

Muddy Mildred! It's Movember!

#monthesaints