Winning In The Rain: Cancel The Outfitters

No Cup Final suits required this season

Saints relinquished their grip on the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy at bogey ground Millburn Park, Alexandria last Wednesday evening. Despite a change of dressing room and warm-up end a sluggish opening twenty minutes denied Saints a third consecutive cup final appearance and confirmed a trophy-less end to the season for the Oban men. Injury and holidays ruled out Dougal Graham and Scott Maitland respectively however Jamie Graham returned to take Dougal's place in defence. With those exceptions Manager Iain Jackson named the same squad that had beaten Haldane United in Balloch just four days previously. Saints started tentatively against league and cup double chasing St Joseph's FP but still managed to record the first attempt on goal in the third minute when Donald Campbell sent a shot from just outside the box inches wide of goalkeeper Kevin Connor's right hand post. From the goal kick the ball was played out to St Joe's danger man Ryan Holms who picked out a well timed run into the box by Gary Redpath who, under no challenge was able to steer a header past Saints keeper Thomas McCulloch. Worse was to follow after just eleven minutes when Saints skipper was turned on the half-way line by Ryan Holms who set off at pace up the left wing. Marc is no slouch in the speed stakes but he was unable to recover his ground and Holms was able to send a terrific cross to the back post where Thomas Wilson out-jumped Jamie Graham sending a powerful header back across goal into the top right hand corner of the Saints net. Saints dusted themselves down from this double setback and slowly began to get into the game. After a good spell of pressure on the twenty minute mark Donald Campbell won a free kick on the edge of the St Joe's D. Donald took the kick himself and elected for power looking for a gap in the St Joe's wall however the wall stood firm blocking Donald's shot and clearing the danger. Allan Mackay had his first sight of goal after 25 minutes turning well in the box to fire a shot at the near post which the St Joe's defence forced behind for a corner. Two minutes later Saints brought out the first save of the night from St Joe's keeper Kevin Connor. Allan Mackay picked out a good run through the inside left channel by Donald Campbell however the close attentions of the St Joseph's defence prevented a shot on goal forcing Donald wide. Donald switched the ball to the right wing where Allan Mackay was brought down just outside of the box. Lewis Cameron swung in the free kick which was headed clear at the front post only as far as David McArthur lurking on the edge of the box who fired in a powerful low shot which the keeper did well to hold at his near post. Saints were playing some better stuff now and were at last competing well with the very accomplished looking St Joe's side. On the half hour mark a defence splitting pass from Donald Campbell was fractionally too long for Craig MacEwan to reach after a good run through the inside left channel and the ball was plucked from Craig's outstretched boot by the grateful goalkeeper. After 37 minutes Allan Mackay won another free kick on the right from which Lewis Cameron found the head of Craig MacEwan. Craig climbed well to reach the cross but was unable to guide his header on target under severe pressure from the St Joe's defence. One minute later David McArthur had a second long range shooting opportunity but this time failed to trouble the keeper sending his shot from 25 yards high and wide of target. A 42nd minute foul on Paul Kerr gave Lewis Cameron a chance to test the underworked St Joe's keeper however Lewis sent his free kick from 28 yards range high over the crossbar giving the keeper another leisurely stroll to retrieve the ball from behind his goal and help run the clock down to half time.
Saints knew that a goal early in the second half would bring them right back into the match but with St Joe's exerting a tight grip in midfield were unable to create a chance of note in the opening exchanges. Indeed it was St Joe's who had the chance to extend their lead in the 55th minute when Thomas McCulloch was forced to save with his legs from close range with St Joe's sending the rebound wide for a goal kick. Manager Iain Jackson made his first change after 59 minutes bringing on Ross Maitland to replace David McArthur on the right wing. Saints eventually managed a shot on goal after 18 second half minutes but Craig MacEwan's right foot shot from the corner of the box flew wide of the postage stamp corner. Two minutes later Saints carved out their best chance of the match. A terrific pass from Donald Campbell picked out Allan Mackay's near post run, Allan's powerful shot was blocked by the legs of Kevin Connor with the rebound landing back at Allan's feet.The close attendance of John Paul Seagrave forced Allan wide narrowing the angle considerably and his second attempt could only find the side netting. Thomas McCulloch kept Saints in the game in the 70th minute with a terrific block after Thomas Wilson had been allowed to stride forward unchallenged and fire in a fierce shot from the edge of the box. The rebound fell kindly for St Joe's skipper Colin Gailey who, fortunately for Saints, skyed his effort over the bar. St Joe's continued to look the more threatening particularly on the right wing. In the 75th minute Ryan Holms outpaced Paul Kerr wide on the right and sent in a dangerous cross which Alex Craik got back well to intercept. Moments later Paul was involved at the other end when he linked up well with Ross Maitland who had made a strong run on the Saints right. Paul swung in an inviting cross from the corner of the box which Craig MacEwan glanced agonisingly wide of target again under great pressure from the St Joseph's defence. That signalled the end of Paul's involvement with Dean Smith coming on as a 78th minute substitute to join Allan Mackay in attack and Lewis Cameron dropping back into midfield. Saints had another set piece opportunity when a Cruyff turn 25 yards from the St Joe's goal from Alex Craik drew a foul from his marker. Ross Maitland took the kick but once again St Joe's coped easily with the danger clearing the ball to safety. Despite there being no sign of a breakthrough Saints kept plugging away and couldn't be faulted for their work rate. With ten minutes remaining Thomas McCulloch was called into action again when he got down well at his near post to save from the very impressive Ryan Holms. Manager Iain Jackson made his final change with four minutes remaining bringing on Martin Bonar to replace Lewis Cameron. In time added on Saints had one last attempt on goal from a set-piece after Donald Campbell had been brought down 28 yards from goal. Allan Mackay's curling effort over the St Joe's wall had Kevin Connor scrambling across his goal line but the ball slipped inches wide of his left hand post denying Saints a last gasp consolation. At the other end Saints were spared the ignominy of a three goal reverse when Kevin Williams blasted high over the bar after more good work on the left from Ryan Holms. Referee Gordon Hay who, assisted by Michael Auld and Jim Rose, handled the match well blew for full time signalling the end of Saints hopes of silverware this season. Saints will reflect ruefully on their poor start and two relatively cheap early goals conceded, however St Joseph's were the better team on the evening and deserved their victory.