Vera Lynn - We'll Meet Again
Saturday 11th April 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Thorn Athletic AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott
Last Weekend's Fixture
Saints travelled to Duntocher last Saturday to face much fancied St Joseph's FP in a vital Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division clash. The Saints from Duntocher were on an impressive run of form which had taken them to the seventh round of the Scottish Amateur Cup so the Oban lads were expecting a difficult afternoon. Saints kicked off playing down the gentle William Street slope and into an unfamiliar yellow object in the sky which was later identified by those with long memories to be the sun. Saints started well and carved out a very presentable chance in the second minute. Ross Maitland, who was making his first appearance since the West of Scotland Cup defeat at Harestanes in January, was fed on the right wing by Myles McAuley, Ross made good progress up the wing and sent over a low cross but failed to pick out either of the front pairing of Allan Mackay and Lewis Cameron. After this bright start the game quickly developed into a midfield battle with clear cut chances for both sides at a premium. St Joes had their first attempt on goal in the 4th minute but Captain Colin Gailey's long range effort flew high over the Saints cross bar. One minute later Gailey was allowed to collect the ball in midfield under no challenge and make a strong run at the Saints defence. Gailey picked out David Gallagher on the edge of the box but his shot again failed to trouble Daniel Cassells in the Saints goal and the ball slipped weakly wide of target. The Saints midfield five of Ross Maitland, Myles McAuley, Paul Kerr, Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan were enjoying a good battle with their St Joes counterparts but the heavy underfoot conditions were making it difficult for both sides to settle into their usual passing game. In the 8th minute Saints won a throw in on the left touchline level with the penalty spot. Allan Mackay collected Myles McAuley's throw with his back to goal and picked out Donald Campbell on the edge of the box, Donald shifted the ball onto his left foot but his shot was comfortably saved by Kevin Connor in the St Joes goal. Saints survived a scare at the other end when a speculative effort from left back Martin McComish deflected off Alex Craik and struck the base of the post before being cleared to safety by Dougal Graham. In the 14th minute St Joes sent another long range effort wide this time from striker Ryan Holms. Saints opened the scoring in the 18th minute in a move which owed much to the persistence of Donald Campbell who, incidentally, was only able to make this trip after securing a passage on a specially chartered sailing from a storm bound Colonsay on Friday night. From a Myles McAuley throw in on the left Allan Mackay collected the ball in the box but was dispossessed in what looked a risky challenge by full back Craig Cameron. The ball broke clear and Donald Campbell linked up well on the edge of the St Joes box with Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan before forcing his way into the penalty area. Donald fired off a fierce right foot shot which Kevin Connor did well to stop, the rebound came back to Donald who again fired goalward only to see his effort stopped once more by the keeper, at the third attempt Donald kept his composure to slot the ball wide of the keeper who was unable to repeat his earlier heroics. The midfield battle thereafter resumed with Saints unable to create a chance of note and St Joes reduced to taking pot shots from distance. In the 33rd minute Daniel Cassells made hard work of another speculative effort from Colin Gailey and spooned the ball behind for a corner when it seemed easier to catch it. The big keeper quickly made amends for this error of judgement by saving John Paul Seagrave's point blank header from the resulting corner kick. Just one minute later St Joes capitalised on a rare lapse in concentration in the Saints defence. Full back Craig Cameron was allowed to cut in from the right wing and make his way across the front of the Saints box he then picked out midfielder Gary Redpath who made a good run into the box and beat Daniel Cassells with a tidy finish low down to the keeper's left. The half time whistle arrived with the only other incident of note being a needless booking for dissent being picked up by Saints skipper Marc MacCallum.
In the early part of the second half Saints were finding a bit more joy going forward and were looking the most likely to add to the scoring. In the 51st minute Dougal Graham came venturing out of defence and had his progress crudely halted by a John Paul Seagrave challenge which earned the big defender a yellow card. Lewis Cameron who looked threatening every time he had the ball had a good effort on target in the 55th minute which deflected wide for a corner before it could test the keeper. In the 59th minute Donald Campbell tried his luck from the edge of the box but saw his effort well saved by Kevin Connor who was having a good game between the posts for the home side. On the hour mark Lewis Cameron was clattered from behind in the middle of the park however after a quick rub from Davie Buchanan's magic sponge he looked set to continue. From the resulting free kick the ball was forced out of play for a Saints throw in allowing Lewis to rejoin the action. Myles McAuley took the throw and found Allan Mackay who sent Ross Maitland off on a run up the right wing. The wee man hit the bye-line and send over a looping cross which evaded the goalkeeper's clutches and was met at the back post by a trademark Craig MacEwan header to give Saints a 2 - 1 lead. Amid the celebrations it soon became apparent that Lewis Cameron was unable to shrug off his ankle knock and he was replaced by Dean Smith who had made the trip despite having only just recovered from a bout of tonsilitis. Saints continued to restrict the hosts to long range efforts and in the 70th minute Daniel Cassells was forced to pull off a good save from one such Colin Gailey effort. At the other end some good approach play from Myles McAuley set up Dean Smith for a chance on goal but the out of sorts striker couldn't get any power behind his shot which landed tamely at the keeper's feet. In the 78th minute Saints Manager Iain Jackson made his second change withdrawing Ross Maitland who had enjoyed a productive return to the side on the right wing with Martin Bonar. St Joes were beginning to turn up the heat now with Saints dropping further back to protect their slender lead. Manager Jackson brought on some fresh legs replacing Allan Mackay and Craig MacEwan with David McArthur and Scott Maitland. Scott took up Craig's wide left position and David was deployed just in front of the central midfield three leaving Dean Smith as the lone striker. The hosts continued to push for an equaliser but were getting no joy from the Saints back line of Marc MacCallum, Alex Craik and Dougal Graham who were coping well with everything St Joes had to offer. Saints were now sitting very deep and were looking to play the ball up to Dean Smith at every opportunity. Unfortunately Dean was unable to hold the play up for any length of time and the ball just kept coming back at the Saints defence. In the closing stages Saints had to withstand a series of St Joes corners but again the defence stood solid. Referee Andrew Seymour who had handled proceedings well brought the action to an end with Saints delighted to have secured another three valuable points in the league title race.
Allan Mackay and Christopher Scouller
Donald Campbell and St Joes goalscorer Gary Redpath
Donald Campbell opens the scoring
Craig MacEwan with Craig Cameron in hot pursuit
Lewis Cameron holds off John Paul Seagrave
Kevin Connor punches clear
David McArthur wins a header in midfield
We'll Meet Again
This Saturday Saints welcome Thorn Athletic to Glencruitten for the final time on Scottish Amateur Football League business. Regrettably the ambitious Johnstone based club have decided their interests would be better served in the Caledonian League which they will join in time for the commencement of the 2015 - 16 season. This is a blow to the Scottish Amateur Football League, not only for the loss of yet another well run club but also the disappearance from the fixture list of the keenly contested matches between Saints and Thorn. Since first locking horns back in 2010 a great rivalry has developed between the two clubs which has produced many classic league and cup encounters. Saints held the upper hand in last season's epic five match struggle knocking Thorn out of the Scottish Amateur Cup and the Jimmy Marshall Trophy on the way to winning a league and cup double. Despite Saints overall success they still failed to inflict defeat on Thorn in Oban where their great rivals enjoy an excellent record. The boys from Johnstone clearly relish their visits to Oban and it is a great pity that this will be their last unless the clubs are paired together in the Scottish Amateur or West of Scotland cups.
Only one point currently separates third placed Thorn and fourth placed Saints in what has developed into an enthralling six club race for the Premier Division title. A win in this eagerly anticipated contest will therefore not only secure bragging rights for some time to come but will also inflict a serious blow on the title ambitions of the losers. As always in this fixture Thorn will be backed by a large travelling support which will contribute to what is sure to be a fantastic "cup tie" atmosphere. Saints go into this crucial fixture unbeaten in five since going out of the West of Scotland Cup to recently confirmed semi-finalists Harestanes Amateurs. Thorn are also in good form with four wins from five in all competitions since going out of the Scottish Amateur Cup to Eastfield in December. A cracking game is therefore in prospect which will hopefully prove a fitting tribute to the great rivalry and mutual respect that exists between the clubs. Saints will be without Lewis Cameron who will be in Ireland on international duty with the Scottish Amateur Football Association squad (see below) but will have available Jamie Graham, Ally McKerracher and Roy McLuckie who all missed last Saturday's match against St Josephs FP.
Thorn Athletic's league fixtures so far this season:-
16th August 2014 Thorn Athletic 5 - 4 Eaglesham
23rd August 2014 Finnart 3 - 3 Thorn Athletic
30th August 2014 Thorn Athletic 2 - 1 Oban Saints
13th September 2014 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 2 Thorn Athletic
20th September 2014 Alba Thistle 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic
11th October 2014 Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 St Josephs FP
25th October 2014 Busby 1 - 0 Thorn Athletic
8th November 2014 Haldane United 1 - 3 Thorn Athletic
22nd November 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 3 - 1 Thorn Athletic
13th December 2014 Thorn Athletic 3 - 2 Kings Park Rangers
14th March 2015 Thorn Athletic 2 - 0 Haldane United
21st March 2015 Thorn Athletic 2 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils
Thorn Athletic's cup exploits this season:-
Scottish Amateur Cup
2nd Round 4th October 2014 Thorn Athletic 4 - 0 Westerlands A
3rd Round 1st November 2014 The Spartans 0 - 4 Thorn Athletic
4th Round 6th December 2014 Eastfield 5 - 2 Thorn Athletic
West of Scotland Cup
2nd Round 18th October 2014 Redbrae Athletic 0 - 6 Thorn Athletic
3rd Round 15th November 2014 Thorn Athletic 3 - 3 Ashvale Victoria (AET) 2 - 3 on penalty kicks
SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy
1st Round 14th February 2015 Thorn Athletic 2 - 1 Inverclyde
2nd Round 28th February 2015 Thorn Athletic 3 - 4 Ferguslie Star
1st Round 20th August 2014 Neilston 1 - 0 Thorn Athletic
Thorn Athletic's record in Oban:-
24th April 2010 Jimmy Marshall Trophy 1/4 Finals Oban Saints 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic
3rd September 2011 SAFL Premier Division Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic
27th October 2012 SAFL Premier Division Oban Saints 1 - 2 Thorn Athletic
31st August 2013 SAFL Premier Division Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic
15th January 2014 Scottish Amateur Cup 6th Round Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic
Thorn Athletic's record in their 6 seasons in the Scottish Amateur Football League:-
2008 - 09 Premier Division Two Champions (Promoted)
2009 - 10 Premier Division One Champions (Promoted)
2010 - 11 Premier Division 3rd
2011 - 12 Premier Division 3rd
2012 - 13 Premier Division 8th
2013 - 14 Premier Division 6th
Thorn Athletic
Action from the 2 - 1 defeat at McMaster Sports Centre earlier this season
Skipper Marc MacCallum joins the attack
Thorn's Niall Kennedy with Craig MacEwan and Allan Mackay in hot pursuit
Manager Iain Jackson delivers his half time team talk
Lewis Cameron heads Saints into a short lived second half lead
Lewis Cameron, Scott Maitland and Thorn Athletic stalwart Paul Young
A late offside chance for Craig MacEwan
A last minute stramash in the Thorn Athletic box
In Other News
After catching the eye of Manager Bruce McNaught in the recent Scottish Amateur Select victory over the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association select, Lewis Cameron has been named in the Scottish Amateur Football Association squad to face the Leinster Senior Football League select on Saturday 11th April for the Graham Harkness Memorial Trophy. Good luck to Lewis and all those who made it into the squad.
.jpg)
Lewis Cameron at last Sunday's Scotland squad training session
In Other Other News
The semi-final draw for the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy was made at the league meeting last Saturday night. Holders Saints or quarter final opponents Haldane United have been paired with Eaglesham or Alba Thistle or St Joseph's FP. The other semi-final tie will be contested by Motherwell Thistle or Kilbowie Union or East Kilbride AFC v Ferguslie Star or Neilston or Goldenhill. The draw ensures that the final at Somervell Park, Cambuslang on Sunday 31st May will be contested by one team from the Premier Division and one from either Premier Division One or Two.
No comments:
Post a Comment