So Good To Be Back Home Again

The Tourists - So Good To Be Back Home Again

Saturday 28th February 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy 2nd Round
Oban Saints AFC v Jamestown AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John Stobo

Last Time Out

Saints were left to rue a string of missed opportunities against a battling Busby at Overlee Park last Saturday afternoon. Injuries and work commitments deprived Saints of the services of Allan Mackay, Craig MacEwan, Ross Maitland and Martin Bonar. On the plus side Myles McAuley and Ally McKerracher made welcome returns to the squad. Saints opened brightly and took the lead after five minutes through Ally McKerracher whose scuffed shot deceived veteren Busby keeper Danny Moy after good link up play from Lewis Cameron and Donald Campbell. Saints squandered five good first half chances to increase their lead restricting the home side to just one 44th minute attempt on goal which narrowly cleared the Saints crossbar. Busby showed good spirit to get back into the match in the second half and were rewarded for their endeavours when they equalised through top scorer Billy McGhee with just ten minutes remaining. With Busby looking content with a point Saints went in search of a winner but despite creating a further two excellent chances the lack of firepower up front ultimately cost the visitors two valuable league points.

Following the first round away victory at Easthall Star Saints continue their defence of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy with a home tie against Jamestown. The Alexandria club are currently bottom of Premier Division One with just three points from their opening six matches. Jamestown arrived in this season's Premier Division One on the back of two successive promotions but with five defeats already on the board they have a battle on their hands to avoid a swift return to Premier Division Two. In Jamestown's favour are the number of fixtures remaining, there are 36 points still up for grabs so survival is very much in their own hands.

This will be Saints first home fixture of 2015 and a great opportunity for the players to atone for the 5 - 2 humbling at the hands of league title favourites St Joseph's FP on their last home outing way back on 22nd November. Saints have had just four fixtures since then losing at Finnart and Harestanes, winning at Easthall Star and drawing last week at Busby. Although results have been poor the performances have, on the whole, been better than the scorelines would suggest. In particular the Scottish Amateur Cup defeat against Central Scottish Amateur League Premier Division leaders Harestanes Amateurs was very harsh on Saints who gave one of the top sides in Scotland a good run for their money. 

Saints and Jamestown met at the quarter-finals stage of last season's Jimmy Marshall Trophy at Argyll Park, Alexandria where Saints survived a late scare to progress to the semi-finals. Saints were leading courtesy of two goals from Craig MacEwan however a late strike from the home side made the closing stages very nervy for the eventual tournament winners.   

Saints have one or two injury and work related call-offs to contend with for Saturday's fixture but will welcome back to the squad Craig MacEwan who missed last week's draw at Busby and Roy McLuckie whose paternity leave has been terminated by Manager Iain Jackson.  

Jamestown's SAFL Premier Division One results so far this season:-

16th August 2014 Shawlands FP 2 - 1 Jamestown

6th September 2014 Jamestown 2 - 4 Kilbowie Union

25th October 2014 Inverclyde 4 - 2 Jamestown

1st November 2014 Jamestown 5 - 4 Hillington

6th December 2014 Goldenhill 5 - 2 Jamestown

13th December 2014 Jamestown 2 - 4 Shawlands FP

Jamestown's Cup results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Cup

2nd Round Gallowhill 2 - 10 Jamestown

3rd Round Jamestown 1 - 1 Mill United

3rd Round Replay Mill United 2 - 1 Jamestown

West of Scotland Cup

1st Round Orchard Park Mount 0 - 5 Jamestown

2nd Round Jamestown 4 - 1 Cambusglen

3rd Round Jamestown 1 - 3 Dean

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

1st Round Clydebank 1 - 1 Jamestown (3 - 5 on penalty kicks)

2nd Round St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 Jamestown

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

1st Round Dunoon 1 - 2 Jamestown

Jamestown's recent record in the Scottish Amateur Football League:-

2011/12 Division 1B 3rd

2012/13 Division 1B 3rd Promoted

2013/14 Premier Division 2 3rd Promoted

Saints get ready to kick off against Jamestown at Argyll Park last season

Donald Campbell tries to force his way into a packed Jamestown penalty box

Lewis Cameron's free kick almost catches out the Jamestown keeper

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

#monthesaints

Pinky Blue

Pinky Blue

Saturday 21st. February 2015

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Busby AFC v Oban Saints AFC

Overlee Playing Fields, Moray Drive, Clarkston G76 8NL 

Kick off 2pm

Referee - Mr James Rose

Last Weekend's Fixture

Saints took the first step towards a successful defence of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy with a hard fought win over Premier Division Two outfit Easthall Star at Stepford Football Centre last Saturday. Ross Maitland, Myles McAuley and Ally McKerracher were all unavailable so Alex Craik, Scott Maitland and Dean Smith all came into the starting line-up. The narrow, bumpy pitch at Stepford was not exactly to Saints liking and with the hosts giving them no time on the ball it took a while for Saints to get going. Saints looked to have a good chance to open the scoring in the 5th minute when Lewis Cameron ran onto a defence splitting pass from Donald Campbell. Unfortunately the referee ruled Lewis to be offside which can charitably described as a very close call from Mr Auld. One minute later Saints fell behind when Dean Smith lost possession in the centre circle. The ball was quickly played out wide to John MacDonald who cut in from the right wing and fired a low right foot shot into the bottom corner of the Saints net past Daniel Cassells' left hand. The tight park was making it difficult for Saints to use the flanks to good effect however they almost found some joy when Scott Maitland made a good run up the right wing and sent in a tantalising low cross which Dean Smith narrowly failed to connect with at the near post. Saints were relatively untroubled at the back and kept probing for an opening but were finding the resolute Star defence difficult to penetrate. Saints threatened on a couple of occasions from corner kicks but the Star goalkeeper kept them at bay with some unorthodox but nonetheless effective saves. Saints were back on level terms in the 35th minute thanks to a tactical switch from Manager Iain Jackson. Lewis Cameron was ordered to drop deeper into midfield to get on the ball a bit more,  a move which paid instant dividends. Lewis picked the ball up on the half way line and sent Dean Smith off on a run up the right wing,  Dean's low cross picked out Allan Mackay in the box who controlled under pressure from the Star defence before calmly rolling the ball past the keeper and into the net. Saints survived a scare in the 44th minute when, after a succession of long throws and corner kicks which the Saints rearguard of Marc MacCallum, Alex Craik and Dougal Graham repelled, the referee awarded Star a hotly disputed free kick on the edge of the Saints box. In a move straight from the training ground the ball was played to the right hand side for dangerman John MacDonald to fire in a shot which crashed off the underside of the crossbar and, fortunately for Saints back into play where it was scrambled to safety.
Saints capitalised on this slice of good fortune by proceeding to totally dominate the second half. Straight from the restart Saints were on the attack with Craig MacEwan bursting into the box only to see his shot smothered at his near post by the Star goalkeeper. In the 51st minute Dean Smith had an identical chance which the keeper turned round the post with his outstretched right foot. The Saints central midfield partnership of Paul Kerr and Donald Campbell were now well in control of the midfield and continued to create chances for the strikers. In the 56th minute a flowing move involving Lewis Cameron,  Dean Smith and Allan Mackay was rounded off by Allan stroking the ball home from just inside the box. However the referee once again gave the benefit of a very tight offside decision to the home side. Saints were becoming increasingly frustrated as it seemed the breakthrough wasn't going to come. Manager Iain Jackson elected to make some changes withdrawing Scott Maitland and Alex Craik and replacing them with Martin Bonar and Jamie Graham. In the 70th minute a Lewis Cameron corner Kick from the left was met by Craig MacEwan whose header from six yards out cannoned off the keeper's left hand post before being hooked clear. Saints then made their final change with David McArthur replacing Dean Smith. David made a quick impact on proceedings winning a 79th minute free kick a yard outside the Star box and slightly left of centre. Allan Mackay stepped up to drill a low shot past the five man Star wall and just inside the keeper's right hand post. Four minutes later Lewis Cameron was finally rewarded for his afternoon of tireless running. Lewis made a great run from deep through the inside right channel easily outpacing the tiring Star defence to bury a shot in the bottom corner of the net. One minute later Craig MacEwan was foiled once again by another excellent save at the near post from the Star goalkeeper. In the 88th minute Lewis Cameron should have doubled his tally but he shot wide of target after excellent build up play involving David McArthur and Allan Mackay. Saints completed the scoring in the 90th minute when David McArthur's shot from the edge of the box proved too hot to handle for the Star keeper who could only parry the ball into the path of the onrushing Martin Bonar. Martin who clearly has a keen eye for goal eagerly gobbled up the chance slotting home from close range to seal a hard fought but deserved 4 - 1 victory for Saints. A second round home tie against Premier Division One side Jamestown now awaits on a date yet to be decided.

Allan Mackay with Saints first half equaliser

Alex Craik with a clearing header

Easthall Star rattle the underside of the Saints crossbar

Easthall Star keeper Andy McCunnie makes a fine save from Dean Smith

Allan Mackay shoots over

Martin Bonar makes it 4 - 1 to Saints

Saints return to league action this Saturday with a trip to Clarkston to face Busby. Busby are currently in 8th place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division with eleven points from twelve games just one point behind Saints but with four more games played. Busby's three league victories have all come at home the most notable being a 1 - 0 win over title hopefuls Thorn Athletic. Busby have also recorded creditable away draws at Finnart and Haldane United.
After a disappointing start to the league season Saints will be looking to reignite the defence of their Premier Division Crown by taking maximum points on a ground where they have not dropped a point on any of their previous visits. The poor start to the league campaign has left Saints little margin for error but with only six points separating 7th placed Saints and current league leaders Finnart it is still very much all to play for. When the sides met at Glencruitten earlier this season Saints ran out comfortable 3 - 0 winners thanks to goals from Roy McLuckie, Lewis Cameron and Allan Mackay. The Saints Management will be hoping for an equally assured performance this time around but can take nothing for granted against their highly unpredictable opponents.

Busby's league fixtures so far this season:-

Busby 3 - 6 Finnart
Busby 7 - 4 Eaglesham
Busby 0 - 3 St Joseph's
Busby 0 -  2 Campbeltown Pupils
Oban Saints 3 - 0 Busby
Kings Park Rangers 2 - 1 Busby
Haldane United 2 - 2 Busby
Busby 1 - 0 Thorn Athletic
Finnart 0 - 0 Busby
Alba 2 - 1 Busby
Busby 2 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
Campbeltown Pupils 3 - 0 Busby

Saints record against Busby:-

2007-08

Oban Saints 2 - 3 Busby

Busby 2 - 3 Oban Saints

2013-14 

Busby 2 - 9 Oban Saints

Oban Saints 2 - 2 Busby

2014-15 

Oban Saints 3 - 0 Busby

Busby AFC still in the pink?

Busby's recent SAFL record:-

2013-14 Premier Division 5th
2012-13 Premier Division One 4th Promoted
2011-12 Premier Division One 4th
2010-11 Premier Division One 7th
2009-10 Premier  Division One 3rd
2008-09 Premier Division One 5th
2007-08 Premier Division 9th Relegated
2006-07 Premier Division One Champions Promoted

Overlee Playing Fields

The Pavilion at Overlee

#monthesaints

Romance of the Cup

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Saturday 14th February 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy 1st Round
Easthall Star AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Stepford Football Centre
1514 Edinburgh Road
Glasgow
G33 4NU
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr. Michael Auld




Saints stop/start season stalled again with the cancellation of last Saturday's scheduled Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division home match against Alba Thistle from Paisley. The match was called off on Friday morning with Alba apparently unable to raise enough players to field a team. This latest disruption will have come as a bitter blow to Saints faithful home support whose wait for a home fixture now extends to twelve weeks and counting. The unfulfilled fixture will be referred to the League Committee however it's games the players want and even a "home win" committee decision will be scant reward for yet another Saturday spent kicking their heels.

It's the romance of the cup for Saints this Valentine's Day as they begin their defence of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy with a tricky away trip to Stepford Football Centre to face Easthall Star. Star currently occupy 5th place in Premier Division Two with 19 points from 13 games. After picking up only one point from their opening four matches Star have lost just one game which was away from home at runaway league leaders Drumchapel Amateurs Colts. This run of good league form includes away victories at Dunoon Athletic and Lochgilphead Red Star, and highly creditable away draws at fellow promotion contenders Motherwell Thistle, Ferguslie Star and Drumchapel Amateurs Colts.
Formed in 1991 as a Sunday league team Easthall Star enjoyed a reasonable amount of success racking up ten trophies in a fourteen year period between 1993 and 2007. During this successful period they also made two semi-final appearances in the Sunday Scottish Amateur Cup. After a two season sabbatical Easthall Star reinvented themselves as a Saturday team joining the Scottish Amateur Football League for season 2012-13 where they won Division 1B at the first time of asking. With only 4 points separating the teams in second and sixth place in the this season's SAFL Premier Division 2 a second promotion in three seasons is still very much up for grabs for Star.
With their national cup ambitions ended for another season Saints can now focus on getting back into the league tittle race and defending the Jimmy Marshall Trophy which they won for the first time last season. Due to work and other commitments Saints have a number of players unavailable for selection on Saturday however Manager Iain Jackson can still name a strong squad for what will be a tough match on the notoriously difficult playing surface at Stepford. The match must be played to a finish on the day and will go straight to a penalty shoot-out if the teams are level after 90 minutes.

Stepford Football Centre

Easthall Star's League Fixtures So Far:-

16th August 2014 Easthall Star 2 - 5 South Camlachie YP
27th August 2014 Easthall Star 2 - 4 Motherwell Thistle
30th August 2014 Easthall Star 0 - 0 Lochgilphead Red Star
6th September 2014 Easthall Star 3 - 4 Ferguslie Star
13th September 2014 Paisley 3 - 6 Easthall Star
20th September 2014 Centre 1 - 2 Easthall Star
11th October 2014 Dunoon Athletic 1 - 3 Easthall Star
8th November 2014 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts 2 - 1 Easthall Star
29th November 2014 Easthall Star 4 - 0 Clydebank
6th December 2014 Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 1 Easthall Star
10th January 2015 Motherwell Thistle 5 - 5 Easthall Star
24th January 2015 Easthall Star 4 - 4 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts
7th February 2015 Ferguslie Star 3 - 3 Easthall Star




Easthall Star's record in the Scottish Amateur Football League:-

2013/14
Premier Division Two 5th

2012/13
Division 1B Champions (Promoted)

Easthall Star's most recent trophy success

Easthall Star pictured after winning their first ever trophy in season 1994

For those of you slightly upset by the choice of team colours in the previous picture this also happened in 1994

Oban Saints AFC SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners 2014

#monthesaints

Welcome Home

Crowds gather at Glencruitten for Saints first home game for eleven weeks

Peters & Lee - Welcome Home

Saturday 7th February 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 David Stirling

Last Time Out

Saints prepare for last Saturday's proposed trip to face Easthall Star

Last Saturday's Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy first round match against Easthall Star was called off when a Friday afternoon pitch inspection found the playing surface at Stepford Football Centre to be under a blanket of snow. A revised date for this fixture has yet to be announced. 

Welcome Home

After an eleven week absence Saints return to Glencruitten with a league match 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 which is extremely good news as the 3G at Oban High School is already fully booked for the month of February ruling it out as an alternative venue.



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

In Other News

Saints striker Allan Mackay and his partner Claire Smith announced their engagement last Saturday. It is rumoured that future Father in Law Pop Smith only agreed to Allan's request for his daughter's hand in marriage when Allan pledged to join the rest of the Smith family in supporting Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

#monthesaints