Saturday 10th January 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Alba Thistle AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott
Last Time Out
Saints final fixture of 2014 was a disappointing 4 - 1 defeat against Finnart at Glasgow Green. Saints can have no complaints about the overall result but the final scoreline flattered the home side somewhat. Not for the first time this season Saints were undone by their own mistakes which were severely punished by the home side who are currently the top scorers in the Scottish Amateur Football League. At the other end Saints struggled to penetrate a resolute Finnart defence before finally making the breakthrough in the 83rd minute with a curling Donald Campbell shot after a short corner routine involving Craig MacEwan and Lewis Cameron. That match was played on 29th November and was followed by two consecutive blank Saturdays before the festive period shutdown which left Saints out of action for the same length of time as the close season break.
Saints return to action after a six week lay off with a home league fixture against Alba Thistle from Paisley. Alba Thistle currently occupy ninth place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division with five points from six matches. Like Saints Alba have endured a stop/start first half of the season with only six league games played and early exits from the major cup competitions making it difficult for them to get into any kind of rhythm. Alba's form however would appear to be improving with a 4 - 4 away draw at Finnart in their last outing which came the week after Finnart had defeated Saints 4 - 1. Alba considered themselves to be the better team on the day and were disappointed not to pick up maximum points. Prior to that Alba secured their only league win of the season so far at home to Busby which was preceded by a narrow defeat against league leaders Thorn Athletic in a hard fought local derby.
Saints won the corresponding fixture last season 2 - 0 thanks to second half goals from Donald Campbell and Allan Mackay. Saints can expect another tough game and will have to quickly shake off their ring rust if they are to record the victory they so desperately require to remain in this season's league title race. Manager Iain Jackson has something approaching a full squad available for selection which should give him some interesting choices to make. Despite the weather Glencruitten would appear to be holding up reasonably well, however the club also have the 3G at Oban High School booked as an alternative venue if required.
Alba Thistle's league season thus far:-
16th August 2014 Alba Thistle 0 - 2 Haldane United
23rd August 2014 St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 Alba Thistle
30th August 2014 Alba Thistle 1 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
20th September 2014 Alba Thistle 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic
20th November 2014 Alba Thistle 1 - 1 Busby
13th December 2014 Finnart 4 - 4 Alba Thistle
Alba Thistle's recent league history:-
2007/08 Paisley and District Division Two Champions (Promoted)
2008/09 Paisley and District Division One Champions
2009/10 Paisley and District Division One Champions (Undefeated)
2010/11 SAFL Division Three Champions (Promoted)
2011/12 SAFL Division Two Champions (Promoted) (Undefeated)
2012/13 SAFL Division One Champions (Promoted)
2013/14 SAFL Premier Division 8th
Saints league record against Alba Thistle:-
12th October 2013 SAFL Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 0 Alba Thistle
29th March 2014 SAFL Premier Division Alba Thistle 4 - 5 Oban Saints
Saints goalscorers in last season's home win over Alba Thistle were Donald Campbell and Allan Mackay
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