Winning In The Rain: I Ain't Superstitious

Saturday 29th August 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Campbeltown Pupils AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

If things come in three's then prepare for some kind of unwelcome landmark occasion this Saturday when Campbeltown Pupils visit Glencruitten for the first Argyll Derby of the season. Saints inauspicious start to the season has included the first goalless draw in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division for 9 years (possibly longer as that is as far back as the league's digital records go) and the end of Saints six match winning streak at Battery Park, Greenock. But, as Chester Arthur Burnett aka Howlin' Wolf might say, I ain't superstitious!

This Saturday Saints welcome Argyll rivals Campbeltown Pupils to Glencruitten for what is widely considered to be the biggest of all the Argyll derbies. As derby matches go Pupils v Saints is not exactly local but the 88 or so miles between the two clubs does nothing to diminish their fierce rivalry. The battle for football supremacy in Argyll has raged long and hard since Saints gained admission to the Scottish Amateur Football League in 1976 paving the way for the other Argyll teams. Saints and Pupils have been by far the most successful of the Argyll clubs with both enjoying spells as "top dogs". Saints may have been first to join the SAFL but it was Pupils who were first to fulfill the criteria for admission to the Premier Divison. Similarly it was Pupils who were the first Argyll club to be crowned SAFL Premier Division Champions beating their Oban rivals to this prestigious accolade by 10 years. Since then the balance of power has swung towards Saints with the Oban club now in it's 14th consecutive season in the top flight during which time Pupils have yo-yo'd between the three divisions in the Premier League set-up.

After a five year absence Pupils returned to the Premier Division last season on the back of two consecutive league championships, the foundation for this resurgence being a phenomenal home record of just two defeats in three seasons. Unfortunately for Pupils they were unable to continue that excellent home record in the Premier Division and lost six of their nine home fixtures. They did, however, fare slightly better on the road and gathered enough points on their travels to ensure top flight survival for another season.

The return of the Argyll Derby was a welcome addition to the fixture calendar last season and one in which Saints enjoyed the upper hand. A 59th minute Allan Mackay strike was enough to secure the points for Saints in a highly competitive match at Kintyre Park, Campbeltown last September. At Glencruitten on the final day of the season skipper Paul Grumoli converted a third minute penalty kick to give Pupils the lead but a goal in each half from top scorer Mackay saw Saints prevail to finish a frustrating season on a winning note and end retiring Manager Iain Jackson's tenure on a high.

On the team news front striker Dean Smith serves the last of his three match suspension picked up for a red card against Alba Thistle last season, Dougal Graham remains someway short of fitness in his recovery from a broken ankle and Dene Cassells is working. With those exceptions Manager Alex Craik should have a full squad available for what is sure to be a full blooded affair for precious league points and local bragging rights.

Campbeltown Pupils Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two Champions 2012 - 13

Campbeltown Pupils league fixtures so far this season:-

15th August 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

Campbeltown Pupils' recent record in the SAFL:-

2014/15 Premier Division 7th
2013/14 Premier Division One Champions Promoted
2012/13 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2011/12 Premier Division Two 4th
2010/11 Premier Division One 9th Relegated
2009/10 Premier Division One 7th
2008/09 Premier Division 10th Relegated
2007/08 Premier Division One 3rd Promoted
2006/07 Premier Division One 5th

Saints v Pupils in recent seasons:-

2014/15 SAFL Premier Division

13th September 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 1 Oban Saints

30th May 2015 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils

2008/09 SAFL Premier Division

16th August 2008 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils

20th May 2009 Campbeltown Pupils 3 - 2 Oban Saints