Winning In The Rain: March 2015

Sunday 22 March 2015

Ripping Yarn

Saturday 28th March 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Kings Park Rangers AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Glasgow Green Football Centre
28 Kings Drive
Glasgow
G40 1HB
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Stuart Cormack

Last Weekend's Fixture

Saints eased into the quarter finals of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy with an emphatic 8 - 1 win over Premier Division One strugglers Jamestown last Saturday. In marked contrast to Saints last outing two weeks ago the game was played in perfect weather conditions on the 3G pitch at Oban High School where the large crowd were royally entertained by some excellent football from the home side. Manager Iain Jackson gave a rare start in goal to Thomas McCulloch but, with that exception, kept the same starting eleven from the previous league victory over Haldane United.
Saints started brightly with Lewis Cameron looking in the mood on the right wing. In the third minute Lewis made a jinking run into the box and sent a tantalising cut back across goal which fell agonisingly behind strikers Ally McKerracher and Allan Mackay. One minute later Donald Campbell, looking extremely comfortable in central midfield alongside the equally impressive Myles McAuley and Paul Kerr, picked out the first of many defence splitting passes to set Allan Mackay through on goal. Allan calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net unfortunately Referee John Stobo, taking charge of his first Saints game, ruled Allan to be offside much to the frustration of the Saints striker who was convinced he had timed his run well. Saints were stunned in the eleventh minute when Jamestown took the lead with their first attempt on goal. A long ball through the inside right channel caught the Saints back line of Jamie Graham, Marc MacCallum and Dougal Graham square allowing Nikky McGeachy a clear run on goal. The Jamestown man rounded keeper Thomas McCulloch who wisely elected not foul him before rolling the ball into the empty net.
Saints put this early setback behind them and continued to create chances. In the 12th minute Lewis Cameron advanced up the right wing sending over another inviting cross which the normally deadly Craig MacEwan couldn't head on target. Saints were enjoying considerable success on the right with Jamie Graham pushing out from defence to join the attack. In the 16th minute Jamie combined well with Lewis Cameron to send in a stinging shot which Jamestown goal keeper Craig Dillon could only parry wide. From the resulting throw in Allan Mackay curled a left foot shot from the edge of the box narrowly over the crossbar. Jamestown started to come into the game a bit more and had a decent ten minute spell where they kept Saints in check and tried to launch some attacks of their own. The Saints defence coped well with this and Thomas McCulloch in goal remained relatively untroubled. Saints started to turn the screws again and won a corner on the left after twenty eight minutes. Ally McKerracher's corner kick was headed clear but only as far as Paul Kerr on the edge of the box. The ball fell quickly at Paul's feet and with the Jamestown defence bearing down on him his hurried shot went comfortably over the cross bar. Saints eventually drew level on the half hour mark when Ally McKerracher cut across the edge of the box and fired off a terrific left foot shot from the edge of the D which beat the keeper low down to his left. Donald Campbell was now beginning to find his range and his 34th minute ball over the top picked out Allan Mackay who cleverly lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper to give Saints a deserved lead. Two minutes later the pair combined again only for the referee to give the benefit of another very tight offside decision to the visitors. In the 37th minute Jamestown had another brief foray in the Saints half and danger man Nikky McGeachy brought out a smart save from Thomas McCulloch low down to his right. Saints were finishing the half well and in the 42nd minute Donald Campbell and Allan Mackay linked up again to create a scoring chance for the midfielder. Donald played the ball up to Allan who held the ball up in typical style before giving the return pass to Donald on the edge of the box who unfortunately scuffed his shot somewhat giving the goalkeeper a comfortable save. Saints stretched their advantage in the 43rd minute when Jamie Graham and Lewis Cameron combined well on the right wing to set up Allan Mackay for a cool right foot finish to give the home side a deserved 3 - 1 half time lead.
Manager Iain Jackson shuffled the pack slightly for the second half with Lewis Cameron joining Allan Mackay in attack and Ally McKerracher dropping into the wide right midfield berth vacated by Lewis. Saints came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half with a rampaging run from Myles McAuley leaving a string of Jamestown players in his wake. Regrettably for Myles an attempted one-two with Donald Campbell on the edge of the box narrowly failed to come off and the chance was lost. In the 48th minute Myles again joined the attack getting on the end of a Lewis Cameron cut back from the left to send in a shot which was blocked by the Jamestown defence. Allan Mackay should have added to the Saints tally in the 51st minute but he shot the wrong side of the post from twelve yards out after good work on the left wing from Craig MacEwan and Lewis Cameron. In the 58th minute Allan had another chance to complete his hat-trick when Lewis Cameron's well placed pass sent him through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Allan rounded the advancing Craig Dillon but took the ball too wide and the chance was gone. Just one minute later the roles were reversed with Allan picking out Lewis who made no mistake with a crisp left foot finish from sixteen yards out. That proved to be Allan's last involvement as he was withdrawn by Iain Jackson and replaced in attack by Dean Smith. Dean's impact was instant and he was desperately unlucky to see his well struck shot from yet another Donald Campbell through ball saved by the Jamestown keeper. In the 65th minute Jamie Graham thundered in a magnificent right foot shot from the corner of the box which flew past the goalkeeper into the postage stamp corner for a rare but spectacular goal for the Saints defender. David McArthur then joined the action replacing Paul Kerr who had given another assured performance in the midfield holding role. Donald Campbell continued to pick the passes from midfield and in the 69th minute threaded a perfectly weighted pass through to Lewis Cameron who made stroked the ball past the keeper for his second and Saints sixth goal. Before the re-start veteran defender Alex Craik came on to replace Captain Marc MacCallum taking up both Marc's central defensive role and the Captain's armband. Alex seemed to take the instruction to replace Marc too literally making a MacCallum style lung busting run from the back to join in a flowing move involving Myles McAuley and Lewis Cameron. Unfortunately the move broke down on the edge of the Jamestown box and Iain Jackson kindly phoned a taxi to take Alex back to his own half. With fifteen minutes remaining Jackson made his final changes replacing wide men Ally McKerracher and Craig MacEwan with Martin Bonar and Scott Maitland. In the 76th minute made a strong run from midfield and was bearing down on goal before being unceremoniously stopped in his tracks six yards outside the Jamestown box. Lewis Cameron, in search of his hat-trick, sent the resulting free kick high and wide of target. Saints were running the beleaguered Jamestown defence ragged and in the 80th minute tormentor in chief Donald Campbell picked out another good run from Dean Smith whose fine left foot strike brought out an excellent save from Craig Dillon in the Jamestown goal. Five minutes later the unlucky Dean was foiled again but this time the keeper failed to hold Dean's shot and the ball broke loose to Lewis Cameron who converted the rebound to complete his hat-trick. The scoring was completed in stoppage time with Dean Smith driving into the box and cutting the ball along the six yard line presenting Donald Campbell with a simple tap-in to round off his excellent performance with a well deserved goal.
All in all a good day at the office for Saints who, but for some wayward finishing and good goal keeping, could easily have hit double figures. All credit to Jamestown who never let their heads drop and played the game in a sporting manner throughout. Saints reward for this second round victory is a home quarter finals clash against Premier Division title rivals Haldane United.

Thomas McCulloch makes a comfortable catch from a Jamestown corner

Ally McKerracher brings Saints level

Myles McAuley picks out Allan Mackay

Ally McKerracher has his progressed halted

Ally McKerracher wins a midfield aerial dual

Jamie Graham's stunning strike makes it 5 - 1 to Saints

Lewis Cameron gets on the end of Donald Campbell's pass to make it 6 - 1 to Saints

Dean Smith picks out Donald Campbell to round off the scoring at 8 - 1 to Saints

This Saturday Saints will make their second visit of the season to Glasgow Green where they will hope to fare considerably better than last November's 4 - 1 defeat at the hands of Finnart. Saturday's opponents are old rivals Kings Park Rangers who currently prop up the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division with seven points from their thirteen matches so far. After a seven year absence from the Premier Division KPR opened their league campaign with a 2 - 1 defeat against reigning champions Saints at Glencruitten on 23rd August. The Croftfoot men picked up four points from the following three fixtures but this early promise soon disappeared as they embarked on a run of eight straight defeats to leave them facing an uphill struggle to remain in the top division. KPR did however win on their last league outing at Campbeltown Pupils, which is never an easy place to visit, and last weekend they were unlucky to go out of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy on penalty kicks against Eaglesham following a 0 - 0 draw at the Burnside. The return of KPR to the top flight sees the resumption of one of the Scottish Amateur Football League's oldest remaining rivalries with the two sides having almost ninety years of SAFL membership between them. Since first meeting in the Scottish Amateur Cup 40 years ago the paths of Saints and KPR have crossed on numerous occasions up and down the league with many enduring friendships being made along the way. Saints can expect a tough afternoon against KPR as they look to extend their current four match unbeaten run and stay in contact with league leaders Finnart and fellow title rivals Haldane United, Thorn Athletic and St Joseph's FP. With the exception of the in-form Jamie Graham Manager Iain Jackson has a full squad available which is further boosted by the return of Ross Maitland after an eight week absence.

Kings Park Rangers league record so far this season:-

23rd August 2014 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
30th August 2014 Alba Thistle 1 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
13th September 2014 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 2 Thorn Athletic
4th October 2014 Kings Park Rangers 2 - 1 Busby
11th October 2014 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 3 Campbeltown Pupils
1st November 2014 Finnart 4 - 0 Kings Park Rangers
15th November 2014 Eaglesham 4 - 3 Kings Park Rangers
29th November 2014 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 3 Haldane United
6th December 2014 Busby 2 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
13th December 2014 Thorn Athletic 3 - 2 Kings Park Rangers
7th February 2015 Haldane United 5 - 2 Kings Park Rangers
28th February 2015 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 2 Finnart
14th March 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 1 Kings Park Rangers

The Kings Park Rangers squad celebrating last season's 2 - 1 victory at Kintyre Park over Champions Campbeltown Pupils which finally sealed their promotion back to the Premier Division

Kings Park Rangers recent SAFL record:-

2013-14 Premier Division One 2nd (Promoted)
2012-13 Premier Division One 7th
2011-12 Premier Division 10th (Relegated)
2010-11 Premier Division One 3rd (Promoted)
2009-10 Premier Division One 4th
2008-09 Premier Division One 7th
2007-08 Premier Division 10th (Relegated)
2006-07 Premier Division 5th

Saints recent record against Kings Park Rangers:-

2014-15
23rd August 2015 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Kings Park Rangers

2011-12
19th May 2012 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
17th September 2011 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 5 Oban Saints

2007-08
24th May 2008 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 3 Oban Saints
25th August 2007 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers

2006-07
28th April 2007 Oban Saints 0 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
23rd September 2006 Kings Park Rangers 3 - 3 Oban Saints

Dougal Graham and Scott Maitland make their competitive debuts for Saints

Lewis Cameron

Dean Smith celebrates scoring his 88th minute winner

#monthesaints

Friday 20 March 2015

Back To School

The Ramones - Rock 'n' Roll High School

Saturday 21st March 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy 2nd Round
Oban Saints AFC v Jamestown AFC
Oban Community Sports Field (3G), Soroba Road, Oban, Argyll PA34 4JB
Kick off 2.30pm
Referee Mr John Stobo

Last Weekend's Fixture

Saints had no fixture last weekend.

Following the first round away victory at Easthall Star Saints continue their defence of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy this Saturday with a home tie against Jamestown. The Alexandria club are currently bottom of Premier Division One with just four points from their opening seven 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 is the number of fixtures remaining, there are 33 points still up for grabs so survival is very much in their own hands.

Despite there being only one more week until the clocks go forward this will only be Saints second home fixture of 2015. The non-availability of Glencruitten 2, means that Saints must go "back to school" with a second successive visit to the 3G Community Pitch at Oban High School. Saturday's home fixture presents a great opportunity for Saints to build on the 5 - 3 victory over fellow league title challengers Haldane United two weeks ago and get some much needed momentum into their challenge for league and cup success.

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 either side of the half time interval, however a late strike from the home side made the closing stages very nervy for the eventual tournament winners. The draw for this season's quarter-finals has paired the winners of this tie at home to Haldane United which is a mouthwatering prospect for both Clubs. For Saints it would mean one last chance to pit their wits against the Central Scottish Amateur League bound side against whom they have enjoyed a keen but friendly rivalry in recent years. For Jamestown it would mean a fiercely contested local derby with a semi-final place at stake in addition to local bragging rights. Despite Jamestown's lowly league position Saints can therefore expect a tough match which must be settled on the day with the prospect of penalty kicks if the scores are level after ninety minutes. Iain Jackson has close to a full squad available which should present one or two interesting selection dilemas for the Saints Manager.

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
14th March 2015 Jamestown 1 - 1 Rutherglen

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

Sunday 8 March 2015

Something To Do

I Just Wanna Have Something To Do - The Ramones

Saints have no fixture on Saturday 14th March 2015.

Last Weekend's Fixture

Saints came back from a 3 - 1 deficit against high flying Haldane United last Saturday to reignite their chances of a successful defence of their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title. With Glencruitten 2 failing an early morning pitch inspection the match was played on the 3G at Oban High School in, frankly, horrendous weather conditions. Full credit must go to both sets of players for producing a very entertaining game of football in extremely challenging conditions.
This was a game Saints really had to win to keep in touch with early pace setters Haldane United and Finnart and they opened strongly taking the game to the visitors from the first whistle. This early endeavour quickly paid dividends when Donald Campbell collected the ball on the right wing and forced his way into the box before firing a low shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. This was just the start Saints wanted however Haldane United are a good side and they soon began to harness the advantage of the strong wind blowing from the Games Park end. Haldane won a corner on the right wing in the 7th minute from which set-piece danger man Daniel McIlmun was inexplicably allowed to rise unchallenged at the back post to bullet a header past Daniel Cassells in the Saints goal and bring Haldane level. The Saints central midfield triumvirate of Donald Campbell, Paul Kerr and Myles McAuley were battling hard in the middle of the park but everything played forward was coming back quickly as Allan Mackay and Ally McKerracher struggled against the combined obstacles of the Haldane defence and the elements. As the half progressed Haldane were gaining in territorial advantage and were unlucky when what looked like a goal bound shot took a wicked deflection off Jamie Graham's back before flying wide for a corner. In the 31st minute Saints again left Haldane Captain Daniel McIlmun unmarked in the box, fortunately the big central defender's near post left foot shot from a long throw-in knock down sailed over the crossbar. On a rare Saints foray into the Haldane box Lewis Cameron looked set for a carbon copy of Donald Campbell's opener but his effort was deflected off target. In the 33rd minute Daniel Cassells pulled off an excellent save from Haldane striker Lee Hall who had made space for himself in the inside right channel. This was obviously a good sighter for the striker as two minutes later his wind assisted twenty five yard piledriver into the roof of the net gave the Saints keeper no chance. At this point in the proceedings your intrepid reporter had his glasses whipped off his face and through the perimeter fence thanks to the combined forces of a strong gust of wind and a collapsing umbrella. A massive thanks to Alastair Bonar, Alex Craik and in particular Alex's contact lenses for finding said spectacles safe and sound on the grass bank behind the fence. Meanwhile, and in not so glorious blurry vision due to the missing specs, Haldane were stretching their advantage through a Daniel McIlmun (at least I think it was him) left foot shot from the edge of the box. Normal viewing now restored Saints set about reducing the deficit and were unlucky to see a Craig MacEwan header from a 42nd minute Lewis Cameron corner go narrowly wide of target. Just a minute later a defence splitting pass from Donald Campbell found Ally McKerracher who cleverly picked out strike partner Allan Mackay racing through on goal in the inside right channel. Unfortunately Allan's well struck shot was blocked and cleared to safety. In first half stoppage time Saints got the goal which would bring them right back into the game. More good link up play from Donald Campbell and Ally McKerracher set up Allan Mackay for a strike on goal. Allan's fierce right foot shot brought out a good save from the Haldane keeper Pat McCune at the expense of a corner Kick for Saints. Lewis Cameron whipped in the corner kick which Craig MacEwan met with a perfectly timed header high into the net giving Saints a massive boost ahead of a second half in which they would enjoy the wind advantage.
Saints started the second half as they had the first by going straight on the attack from the re-start. In the 47th minute Craig MacEwan had his progress up the left wing brought to a halt by a robust Haldane challenge. From the free kick Lewis Cameron flighted in a tantalising cross which the Haldane defence headed behind for a corner. Ally McKerracher's low trajectory corner kick from the right caused a stramash in the Haldane penalty box with Saints having three attempts blocked before the ball was eventually gathered by the grateful goalkeeper. In the 51st minute Ally McKerracher fired in another corner from the right which Pat McCune could only palm behind for another corner. Lewis Cameron and Donald Campbell worked a short corner routine creating space just inside the box for Donald to curl a right foot shot narrowly wide of target. Under incessant pressure from Saints Haldane continued to concede free kicks in dangerous areas which, given the weather conditions, was just about anywhere in their own half! In the 54th minute Dougal Graham fired in a free kick from fully thirty five yards which the keeper did well to hold. Two minutes later Saints had another dead ball opportunity after Allan Mackay had been brought down twenty five yards from goal. With the Haldane defence steeling themselves for another long range effort Allan slipped the ball to Donald Campbell in the inside left channel. Donald strode into the box and curled a right foot shot Thierry Henry style low into the bottom left hand corner to level the score. In the 78th minute another piece of inspired thinking, this time from Manager Iain Jackson, gave Saints the lead. Saints won a corner on the left and Manager Jackson urged Lewis Cameron to try a shot on target from the corner flag. The shot from Lewis was low and hard and, to prove that fortune does indeed favour the brave, an attempted clearance at the near post was sliced wickedly into his own net by a Haldane defender. Two minutes later Saints rounded off the scoring again from a Lewis Cameron left wing corner. This time Lewis took the more conventional route and flighted the ball in for Craig MacEwan to bullet a trade mark near post header into the net. With the conditions taking their toll Manager Iain Jackson opted for some fresh legs bringing on Roy McLuckie, Dean Smith and Scott Maitland to replace Dougal Graham, Allan Mackay and Lewis Cameron. To their credit Haldane kept plugging away and were unlucky to see a 88th minute header go wide of target. Otherwise the visitors were unable to trouble the Saints rearguard marshalled in typically combative style by skipper Marc MacCallum. With the clock ticking down Donald Campbell launched an 89th minute counter attack with a terrific pass to Dean Smith who looked certain to score had he not been hauled down on the edge of the D by Haldane defender Ryan Neill. Referee John McQuilter awarded Saints a free kick and had no option but to give the Haldane man his marching orders. Donald Campbell took the free kick firing in a low shot from which the Haldane keeper produced the save of the match diving full length to his right to turn the ball round the post for a corner. Scott Maitland's flag kick was cleared but only as far as Jamie Graham lurking thirty yards out. Jamie's thunderous volley crashed off the crossbar with the keeper rooted to the spot. A few inches lower and Jamie would have bagged the goal of the match, in fact given Jamie's strike rate, the goal of the century! Mr McQuilter decided he had seen it all now and promptly blew for full time. Special mention should also be made of Saints loyal band of supporters who turned out in good numbers to cheer on the team despite the atrocious weather conditions.

Ally McKerracher keeps his eye on the ball

Haldane Captain Daniel McIlmun cancels out Donald Campbell's opener

Allan Mackay challenges for a header in the Haldane box

Allan Mackay, Ally McKerracher and Lewis Cameron battle for possession

Craig MacEwan sets up Myles McAuley for a shot on target

The Saints players celebrate Donald Campbell's equaliser

Myles McAuley

Donald Campbell knocks Ally McKerracher's corner kick back across goal

Craig MacEwan makes it 5 - 3

Donald Campbell's late free kick brought out a fine save from Pat McCune in the Haldane goal

Jimmy Marshall Trophy Quarter Finals Draw

The draw for the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy
took place on Sunday 8th March. The winners of next Saturday's second round tie at Glencruitten between cup holders Oban Saints and Jamestown will be at home to Premier Division title contenders Haldane United. The full draw reads as follows:-

Motherwell Thistle v Kilbowie Union or East Kilbride FC or Centre
Ferguslie Star v Neilston or Goldenhill
Oban Saints or Jamestown v Haldane United
Eaglesham or Finnart or Kings Park Rangers v Alba Thistle of St Josephs FP

#monthesaints

Friday 6 March 2015

Back Home

Golden Earring - Back Home

Saturday 7th March 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Haldane United AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John McQuilter

Last Saturday

Last Saturday's scheduled Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy second round match against Jamestown became the latest addition to Saints list of postponements adding to the sense of frustration presently surrounding the club. An early Saturday morning pitch inspection found Glencruitten to be playable despite the heavy rainfall during the week. However, with more extreme weather forecast for Saturday afternoon, the Council grounds staff elected to call off the match in order to save the pitch from long term damage. This was not an easy call for the groundsman to make but the predicted heavy rain duly arrived to vindicate the decision. To add to the air of frustration the all weather pitch at Oban High School was hosting a pre-season friendly shinty tournament and was also unavailable. A revised date for the match against Jamestown is still awaited.

Back Home

This Saturday Saints will make another attempt to play their first home match of 2015. Once again Glencruitten has taken a bit of a pounding from the weather but with the 3G at Oban High School now available as a back-up a first home fixture in fifteen weeks looks a distinct possibility. Hopefully the Saints home faithful will turn out in good numbers to welcome the boys home after such a long absence.
Saturday's visitors are the very much in-form Haldane United who have lost just one of their last eight matches in all competitions. That solitary defeat came in a Scottish Amateur Cup fourth round replay at the hands of Galston United of the Ayrshire Amateur Football League Premier Division. Haldane are currently in second place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division, level on points with Finnart but with a slightly inferior goal difference. Saints, meanwhile, are eight points worse off however victories in their three games in hand would bring them right back into contention.
The three previous meetings between the clubs contained more than their fair share of drama. In the 2012/13 Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-final clash at the neutral venue of McKenna Park, Govan Saints survived a number of scares before late strikes from Dene Cassells and Donald Campbell saw them scrape through to the final against Hillington. Saints first visit to Inler Park, Balloch saw the visitors take a 3 - 0 lead and a one man advantage into the closing thirty minutes of the match. First half goals from Paul Kerr, Allan Mackay and Mattie Rippon, coupled with a red card for Haldane on the hour mark should have had Saints on easy street but the newly promoted home side gave an early indication that they were not in the Premier Division merely to make up the numbers with a stirring comeback. Two goals from Scottish Amateur international Alan MacPherson brought Haldane right back into the game and a looping header from Robert MacKenzie levelled the scores with just minutes remaining. Such was the head of steam built up by the home side Saints were relieved to hear the final whistle and escape with a point. An enthralling league title race then developed with Saints and Haldane eventually seeing off strong challenges from Finnart and St Josephs FP before a final day head to head at Glencruitten. Saints held a two point advantage over their rivals meaning that a draw would be good enough for the home side to win the league title but only a win would do for Haldane. On a beautiful sunny May afternoon the home crowd and a substantial visiting support were treated to a fantastic game of football which ebbed and flowed throughout the 90 minutes. Saints started strongly and missed some early chances before being caught out by Haldane's first foray up field. A deep free kick was met at the back post by a towering header from Haldane Captain Daniel McIlmun to give Haldane the lead and stun the home crowd. Saints came roaring back and after several near misses levelled the scores in the 37th minute when Craig MacEwan got on the end of a Donald Campbell free kick to force the ball home from the edge of the six yard box. Haldane pressed hard in the second half making good use of set pieces to try and exploit their aerial advantage but the Saints defence stood firm. Saints were able to launch several presentable counter attacking opportunities which finally paid off in the 78th minute when Lewis Cameron set up Mattie Rippon to clinch the secure the points and with it the Premier Division title.
Exciting stuff I'm sure you'll agree and with both sides desperate for league points Saturday's meeting should be another cracker.

Saints record against Haldane United:-

8th May 2013 Jimmy Marshall Trophy Semi-Final Haldane United 0 - 2 Oban Saints
24th August 2013 Premier Division Haldane United 3 - 3 Oban Saints
31st May 2014 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 1 Haldane United

Haldane United's league fixtures so far this season:-

16th August 2014 Alba Thistle 0 - 2 Haldane United
23rd August 2014 Eaglesham 2 - 1 Haldane United
6th September 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 2 - 7 Haldane United
13th September 2014 Haldane United 1 - 5 Finnart
20th September 2014 St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Haldane United
11th October 2014 Haldane United 2 - 2 Busby
8th November 2014 Haldane United 1 - 3 Thorn Athletic
15th November 2014 Haldane United 0 - 0 Campbeltown Pupils
29th November 2014 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 3 Haldane United
7th February 2015 Haldane United 5 - 2 Kings Park Rangers
28th February 2015 Haldane United 3 - 1 Eaglesham

Haldane United's Scottish Amateur Football League Record:-

2008/09 Division 2A Champions and Coronation Cup Winners Promoted
2009/10 Division 1 Champions Promoted
2010/11 Premier Division Two 2nd Promoted
2011/12 Premier Division One 3rd
2012/13 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted
2013/14 Premier Division 2nd

Photos from last season's enthralling encounter at Glencruitten:-