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!
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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.
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