Semi - Final Preview

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Wednesday 13th May 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Semi-Final
Oban Saints AFC v St Joseph's FP AFC
Millburn Park, Leven Street, Alexandria G83 0SR
Kick off 6.45pm
Referee Mr Gordon Hay
Assistant Referees Mr Michael Auld and Mr Jim Rose

Millburn Park, Alexandria home of Vale of Leven Football and Athletic Club

Following last Saturday's Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division victory over Haldane United in Balloch Saints make a swift return to the Vale of Leven to face St Joseph's FP in the semi-final of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy at Millburn Park, Alexandria. While this is previously uncharted territory for St Joe's, cup holders Saints are making their third consecutive appearance at this stage of the competition and fifth in nine seasons. Despite a decent record in reaching the latter stages of the competition it took Saints until last season to finally break their duck in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy with a 2 - 0 victory over Inverclyde at McKenna Park, Govan. One hoodoo however remains with Saints record of never having won a match at Millburn Park which is something the players and management are desperate to put right on Wednesday night.
Opponents St Joseph's are chasing a first Premier Division title since 2009 and are locked in a fascinating battle at the top of the league table with Thorn Athletic. Saints will hope that St Joe's have Saturday's league match against Kings Park Rangers on their minds however a much prized league and cup double is up for grabs for the Duntocher men therefore any lack of focus is highly unlikely. Saints slipped out the running in the league championship a couple of weeks ago therefore the Jimmy Marshall Trophy is now their only hope of silverware this season. Victory here for Saints would go some way to easing the pain of losing their grip on the Premier Division trophy won in such convincing style last season and a third consecutive cup final appearance at Somervell Park, Cambuslang on Sunday 31st May would provide the opportunity to end an otherwise frustrating season on a high.
Matches between Saints and St Joes are always entertaining affairs witb both sides eager to play good quality passing football. Wednesday's match should be no different with the bonus of a cup final place adding some spice to the mix. The tie must be decided on the night with penalty kicks to decide the winner if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

St Joseph's FP AFC Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division fixtures so far this season:-

16th August 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 2 - 6 St Joseph's FP

23rd August 2014 St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 Alba Thistle

27th August 2014 Busby 0 - 3 St Joseph's

20th September 2014 St Joseph's 1 - 1 Haldane United

11th October 2014 Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 St Joseph's FP

25th October 2014 St Joseph's 3 - 0 Finnart
22nd November 2014 Oban Saints 2 - 5 St Joseph's FP
29th November 2014 St Joseph's FP 0 - 1 Eaglesham
4th April 2015 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints
15th April 2015 Haldane United 1 - 2 St Joseph's FP
25th April 2015 St Joseph's FP 4 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils
29th April 2015 Alba Thistle 0 - 1 St Joseph's FP
2nd May 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic
6th May 2015 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 4 St Joseph's FP
9th May 2015 St Joseph's 8 - 1 Busby

Route to the semi-final:-

First Round
Easthall Star 1 - 4 Oban Saints
Paisley 0 - 4 St Joseph's FP

Second Round
Oban Saints 8 - 1 Jamestown
Alba Thistle 0 - 0 St Joseph's FP (St Joseph's win 5 - 4 on penalty kicks)

Quarter Finals
Oban Saints 1 - 0 Haldane United
Eaglesham 1 - 3 St Joseph's FP

St Joseph's West of Scotland Cup exploits this season:-

2nd Round 18th October 2014 Clydeside Athletic 1 - 6 St Joseph's FP

3rd Round 15th November 2014 St Joseph's FP 3 - 1 Catrine
4th Round 14th February 2015 EK Amateurs 5 - 1 St Joseph's FP

St Joseph's FP AFC recent Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-

2006/07 Premier Division One 4th

2007/08 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted

2008/09 Premier Division Champions

2009/10 Premier Division 6th

2010/11 Premier Division 6th

2011/12 Premier Division 6th

2012/13 Premier Division 5th

2013/14 Premier Division 3rd

Saints St Joseph's FP head to head in the SAFL Premier Division:-

2008/09
St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Oban Saints
Oban Saints 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP


2009/10
Oban Saints 2 - 0 St Joseph's FP
St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Oban Saints


2010/11
Oban Saints 8 - 1 St Joseph's FP
St Joseph's FP 1 - 3 Oban Saints


2011/12
Oban Saints 3 - 1 St Joseph's FP
St Joseph's FP 0 - 3 Oban Saints


2012/13
St Joseph's FP 0 - 1 Oban Saints
Oban Saints 0 - 1 St Joseph's FP


2013/14
Oban Saints 1 - 1 St Joseph's FP
St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints


2014/15
Oban Saints 2 - 5 St Joseph's FP
St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints

Willie Gemmell's in-direct free kick is blocked by the St Joe's wall in Saints 3 - 1 win at Glencruitten on Saturday 17th March 2012

Paul Kerr tussles with Kieron Timoney in the 1 - 1 draw at Glencruitten on Saturday 14th September 2013

Allan Mackay slots home from the penalty spot to seal a 2 -1 victory for Saints at Clydebank High School on Saturday 12th April 2014

Martin Bonar and John Paul Seagrave in Saints 2 - 1 win at William Street, Duntocher on Saturday 4th April 2015 

#monthesaints