Down Under

Men At Work - Down Under

SAINTS HAVE NO FIXTURE THIS WEEKEND

This weekend's scheduled trip to Cumbernauld to face Condorrat Club in the Scottish Amateur Cup third round has been unfortunately been cancelled. Regrettably Condorrat Club have folded due to a lack of players presenting Saints with a walkover and a place in the fourth round draw. Saints were looking forward to the trip to test themselves against Central Scottish Amateur Football League opposition and would like to express their sympathies towards the players and management of Condorrat Club and their good wishes for whatever the future holds for them.

Upon learning of Condorrat's predicament Saints Secretary Davie Buchanan requested a league fixture from the Scottish Amateur Football League. However with only three Premier Division clubs (Finnart, East Kilbride Rolls Royce and Alba Thistle) not involved in the Scottish Amateur Cup, and two of those (East Kilbride Rolls Royce and Alba Thistle) already committed to facing each other in the league, Davie's request had little chance of success and was eventually turned down. Saints will therefore use the unexpected free weekend to re-charge the batteries ahead of next week's league fixture which looks likely to be a home match against Argyll rivals Campbeltown Pupils.

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Saints opponents in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup third round also remains in some doubt at this stage following the cancellation of the second round tie between Springhill of the North South Lanarkshire Amateur Football Association Premier League and Waterside of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B due to have been played on Saturday 17th October. Saints must now wait on the outcome of a meeting of the Western District Executive Committee to discover who their opponents in round three will be. The tie is scheduled for Saturday 14th November with a 1.30pm kick off at Glencruitten 2.

Down Under

This Saturday's cancelled match against Condorrat Club was to have been Lewis Cameron's farewell appearance before his departure for a land down under. Lewis will be accompanied on his antipodean adventure by his girlfriend Rebecca MacDougall and everybody at Oban Saints wishes them well. Lewis will continue to play football while in Australia and already has a trial arranged with semi-professional club Rochedale Rovers of the Brisbane Premier League. Rochedale's Technical Director is Scott MacNicol who can count Dunfermline Athletic and Brechin City among his former clubs as well as a fleeting pre-season friendly appearance for Saints. Scott is the nephew of Saints legend Dugie Campbell who has recommended Lewis to him. Details of Ludo's progress down under will hopefully appear on the pages of this blog.

While the loss of Scottish Amateur international Lewis is undoubtedly a blow to Saints it does release a starting position in attack which is an area where Saints are relatively well off for players. Manager Alex Craik has plenty of options to consider ahead of Saints next game on 7th November with Ross Maitland, Scott Maitland, Allan Mackay and Shaun MacIver all vying to fill Ludo's boots in the starting line-up alongside Craig MacEwan and Dean Smith.

Lewis Cameron with Scottish Amateur Football Association Select Squad April 2015

 

Shawlands FP defender Nicky Clark almost ruins the early holiday snaps

#monthesaints    

The Joy of Six

Saturday 24th October 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Shawlands FP AFC 1 - 6 Oban Saints AFC

Saints rich vein of form continued last Saturday with an emphatic 6 - 1 away win against Shawlands FP at the excellent facilities Lochinch Police Club in Pollock Country Park. Heavy over night rain forced a switch of playing surface from grass to 3G however the artificial surface was of top quality with the added bonus of substantial width which Saints would use to good advantage throughout the match. Manager Alex Craik's plans received a set-back on the eve of the match with illness forcing Martin Bonar and Allan Mackay to withdraw from the travelling party, however he was able to name the same starting eleven which knocked East Kilbride Rolls Royce out of the West of Scotland Cup last week and still have Ross Maitland, Shaun MacIver and Dougal Graham in reserve.

Saints started strongly with Donald Campbell forcing Shawlands goal keeper and team captain Anthony Curran to palm a stinging drive round his right hand post in the first minute. From the resulting corner Curran punched clear but only as far as Scott Maitland who fired in a low shot narrowly wide of the keeper's left hand post. The movement and interplay of the Saints front three of Lewis Cameron, Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan was already posing problems for the Shawlands defence which sat deep also allowing space for Donald Campbell and Willie Gemmell to push forward from midfield. In the sixth minute Gemmell made a good run forward and was picked out in the box by Campbell, Willie's shot would have tested the keeper but for a timely interception by Shawlands defender Ross McDougall deflecting the ball wide for a corner. Donald Campbell stung the palms of keeper Curran with another shot from the edge of the box before Saints carved out their best opportunity of the early exchanges with an intricate passing move involving Lewis Cameron, Craig MacEwan and Dean Smith. The front three passed their way through the Shawlands defence and were unlucky to see a slightly off balance Dean Smith place a low shot inches wide of the keeper's right hand post. Saints were dictating the play but their eagerness to play the ball out from the back was giving encouragement to the home team who looked to exploit any misplaced passes and launch some attacks of their own. Shawlands won their first corner of the match in the sixteenth minute when Dene Cassells made a good block forcing a Mark Watt shot behind. Saints dealt well with the danger from the corner with a powerful clearing header by Willie Gemmell. Shortly afterwards Saints keeper Thomas McCulloch was forced into action for the first time when he made a diving block at the feet of Shawlands striker Paul McGowan. McGowan made a good run up the left wing leaving David McArthur in his wake before cutting into the box where the threat was extinguished by McCulloch. Saints passing opened up the Shawlands defence again in the twenty first minute and only a last ditch sliding interception from central defender Nicky Clark prevented Dean Smith from getting through on goal. Clark's sliding challenge sent the ball out for a throw-in which Scott Maitland took quickly giving Lewis Cameron time and space to measure a cross to the far post where Dean Smith stretched backwards to head narrowly over the crossbar. Frustratingly for Saints Paul Kerr had also pushed forward into the box and looked far better placed to take on the header. Saints continued to press forward in search of the opening goal and came close once again in the twenty sixth minute when Donald Campbell made a good run up the left wing dinking a clever cross to the back post for Lewis Cameron who rather than volley first time elected to bring the ball down and shoot giving keeper Curran the chance to narrow the angle and smother the shot. More good running from midfield by Willie Gemmell forced another corner for Saints from which Lewis Cameron found the head of Dean Smith whose header under pressure once again flew wide of target. A misplaced pass from David McArthur gave Mark Watt the chance to run at the Saints defence which he eagerly took and only a blocking challenge at the expense of a corner from Jamie Graham prevented the Shawlands midfielder from testing Thomas McCulloch. Saints eventually made the breakthrough in the 36th minute when Lewis Cameron and Dean Smith linked up excellently on the edge of the Shawlands box to slip in Donald Campbell for a tidy right foot finish past the hopelessly exposed keeper Curran. The lead was extended just three minutes later when David McArthur made a terrific run up the right wing and delivered a dangerous low cross to the near post where Craig MacEwan was quickest to react to guide the ball past the despairing dive of the Shawlands keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. Saints ended a dominant first half performance with another Donald Campbell shot in time added on for stoppages which keeper Curran saved comfortably.

Manager Alex Craik sent out the same eleven to start the second half looking for an early goal to kill the game and warning them that complacency would be the biggest threat to their lead. The desired early goal almost arrived in the opening minute of the second period when David McArthur made another good run up the right wing and sent in a miss hit cross which struck the foot of the near post before bouncing into the grateful arms of the goalkeeper. Shawlands adopted a higher defensive line in the second half which had the desired effect of keeping the Saints attack at bay for the first ten minutes with the game going through a relatively quiet spell. The respite however didn't last long and Lewis Cameron jinked his way into the Shawlands box but was foiled just as he was about to pull the trigger by a timely interception by left back Gavin McCracken. Dean Smith then tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box which was deflected behind for a corner. Lewis Cameron's outswinger from the right was punched clear by the Shawlands keeper but the ball was quickly returned by Paul Kerr. Paul picked out Dean Smith who turned neatly on the edge of the box but has his progress arrested just inside the area giving referee Stuart Cormack an easy decision to award a penalty kick. Donald Campbell accepted the responsibility for the spot kick and calmly sent Anthony Curran the wrong way to give Saints a fifty sixth minute three goal lead. Saints were now firmly back in the zone and came close again when Willie Gemmell sent a fizzing twenty five yard drive inches over the crossbar. Saints made it four on the hour mark when Craig MacEwan danced his way into the box through a series of challenges and tried to pick out Dean Smith at the near post. Shawlands fullback David McKerlie did well to intercept the cross but, facing his own goal, was in two minds what to do and Dean Smith nipped in to rob him and poke the ball into the empty net. Three minutes later Dean had a chance to increase his tally when Donald Campbell jinked his was to the bye-line before sending a cut-back to the six yard line from where Dean narrowly failed to find the target. Saints were rampant at this point and threatened again with Willie Gemmell delivering a tempting right wing cross to the back post which Donald Campbell climbed well to win but couldn't direct his header on target. A sloppy pass from Thomas McCulloch almost gave Shawlands an unlikely foothold in the game but after making a good interception Kevin Mooney steered his shot wide of target much to the relief of the Saints keeper. Saints were almost caught out on the counter attack in the 66th minute after a good run and cross from Craig MacEwan got caught under Dean Smith's feet allowing the Shawlands defence to clear long upfield. Mark Watt collected the ball midway inside the Saints half but was forced wide by Jamie Graham before cutting inside and curling a right foot shot wide of Thomas McCulloch's left hand post. Saints took full advantage of those let-offs by scoring the goal of the match in the 67th minute. Good pressing in midfield by Willie Gemmell won possession inside the Shawlands half, Willie then strode purposefully forward and picked out Donald Campbell on the edge of the Shawlands box. Donald took a touch to his right opening up space for him to curl a delightful right foot shot into the postage stamp corner past the stationary keeper for his second consecutive hat-trick. Manager Alex Craik rang the changes shortly afterwards withdrawing Dean Smith and Lewis Cameron replacing them with Shaun MacIver and Dougal Graham who was making his first competitive outing of the season after recovering from injury. Danger man Mark Watt threatened again in the 76th minute and Saints had Jamie Graham to thank for a timely interception to foil the Shawlands striker. Two minutes later Shaun MacIver made his first telling contribution bursting into the Shawlands box before being cynically brought down by a heavy challenge by goalkeeper Curran. Mr McCormack immediately pointed to the spot and while Shaun recieved treatment for his injuries issued a yellow card to the Shawlands keeper. Donald Campbell comfortably converted his second penalty kick of the game to make the score 6 - 0 to the visitors. After a few dabs of Davie Buchanan's magic sponge Shaun was able to continue making Saints final change a ten minute run out at right back for Ross Maitland in place of David McArthur. The warned against complacency finally cost Saints a clean sheet in the 84th minute when Mark Watt pounced on a loose ball in midfied and, catching central defensive pair Jamie Graham and Dene Cassells square, rounded Thomas McCulloch to give the home side a consolation goal. The home side almost doubled their tally barely two minutes later from a corner kick on their left. Centre forward Paul McGowan was left unmarked on the six yard line but his header was somehow clawed off the line by a terrific reaction save from Thomas McCulloch the loose ball landing at the feet of Dene Cassells who kept a cool head to back heel the ball behind for another corner. Recovering from this minor set back Saints went in search of a seventh goal but were denied right at the death when a cheeky Craig MacEwan back header from a Ross Maitland cross was headed off the line by Paul McGowan. The match which had started in heavy rain and ended in bright sunshine was brought to an end by Referee McCormack whose task was made easy by both sides who played the match in good spirit throughout.

Scott Maitland

Craig MacEwan

Lewis Cameron takes on Mark Robertson

Dean Smith heads over

Craig MacEwan makes it 2 - 0 

Dene Cassells

Donald Campbell makes it 3 - 0 from the spot

Anthony Curran punches clear

Anthony Curran goes into the Referee's note book

Donald Campbell converts his second penalty kick of the afternoon

Ross Maitland

Jamie Graham was delighted to be reunited with long lost brother Kevin Mooney

Oban Saints Away Day Firm Big Al and Wee Jim

#monthesaints   

Warriors

Warrior In Woolworths - X-Ray Spex

Last Time Out

Saints rolled into the third round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup with an impressive performance against fellow Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division side East Kilbride Rolls Royce at Murray Park, East Kilbride last Saturday afternoon. Early first half goals from Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan gave Saints a deserved half time lead which could have been more but for a defiant display from the Rolly goalkeeper Dean Trainor. Despite an improved second half performance from the Rolly Saints remained firmly in control of the tie and added further goals from Willie Gemmell and Willie Gemmell before relaxing slightly for the closing twenty minutes. The Rolly pulled a goal back after defender Paul Innes ran almost the entire length of the park before firing an unstoppable right foot shot past Thomas McCulloch in the Saints goal. The Saints keeper had, until then, been relatively untroubled but there was no stopping the thumping drive from the Rolly full back. Saints replied almost immediately to extinguish the threat of a possible comeback after substitutes Martin Bonar and Shaun MacIver had combined well to set up Donald Campbell for his third and Saints final goal of the afternoon.

This Saturday's Fixture

Saturday 24th October 2015

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Shawlands FP AFC v Oban Saints AFC

Lochinch Police Club
Pollock Country Park
82 Dumbreck Road
Glasgow
G41 4SN

Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Stuart Cormack

Following last week's successful away trip to East Kilbride Saints are on the road again this Saturday where they visit another of last season's promoted clubs Shawlands FP. The Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division newcomers have made a reasonable start to life in the top flight where, despite a heavy reverse against reigning Champions St Joseph's FP, they currently sit in third place with seven points from five games played. Promotion to the top division was won in impressive fashion from last season's highly competitive Premier Division One where Shawlands finish level on points with East Kilbride FC Amateurs narrowly missing out on the Championship on goal difference. East Kilbride FC Amateurs proved an impossible nut for Saints to crack when they visited Glencruitten on the opening day of the season so they can expect an equally difficult afternoon against the "Warriors". Like Saints, Shawlands are also still going strong in the major cup competitions where they will face Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A side Mearns in the third round of the Scottish Amateur Cup next Saturday, followed two weeks later with a third round tie in the West of Scotland Cup against New Farm Loch of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Third Division.

Manager Alex Craik returns from holiday in Lanzarote to resume control of team affairs and faces a tough test if he is to extend Saints four match winning streak. Myles McAuley remains sidelined with the foot injury picked up against Glasgow Island in the Mod Cup, however Ross Maitland should return after missing last week's trip to East Kilbride with a mystery Mod related illness. Barring any other late call-offs Saints should be at something approaching full strength for this important league fixture which will be played at the excellent Lochinch Police Club facilities in Pollock Country Park.

Lochinch Police Club

Shawlands FP SAFL results so far this season:-

19th August 2015 Inverclyde 0 - 4 Shawlands FP
22nd August 2015 Shawlands FP 2 - 6 St Joseph's FP
5th September 2015 Shawlands FP 2 - 2 Campbeltown Pupils
12th September 2015 Shawlands 0 - 1 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
10th October 2015 Finnart 1 - 2 Shawlands FP



Shawlands FP Cup Competition results so far this season:-

SAFL Centenary Cup 1st round
15th August 2015 Shawlands FP 4 - 5 Ferguslie Star

West of Scotland Amateur Cup 1st round
19th September 2015 Shawlands FP 4 - 1 Dennistoun Waverley

Scottish Amateur Cup 2nd round
3rd October 2015 Hampden 3 - 7 Shawlands FP

West of Scotland Amateur Cup 2nd round
17th October 2015 Fullerton Irvine 0 - 8 Shawlands FP


Shawlands FP SAFL record in recent seasons:-

2006/07 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2007/08 Premier Division One 8th
2008/09 Premier Division One 10th Relegated
2009/10 Premier Division Two 4th
2010/11 Premier Division Two 4th Promoted
2011/12 Premier Division One 7th
2012/13 Premier Division One 8th
2013/14 Premier Division One 8th
2014/15 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted

Shawlands FP AFC winners of the 2015 East Kilbride YM friendly tournament

West of Scotland Amateur Cup Third Round Draw

Saints will host either Springhill of the North South Lanarkshire Amateur Football Association Premier League or Waterside of Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B in the third round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup. The draw was made on Monday 19th October and Saints reward for overcoming East Kilbride Rolls Royce in last Saturday's second round tie is a first home tie in "the West" since December 2013. The third round ties are scheduled for Saturday 14th November.

2015 Royal National Mod Cup Winners Oban Saints AFC

#monthesaints

Sideboard

The Sideboard Song - Chas 'n' Dave

Last Time Out

The Mod Cup Joins The Argyll & Bute Cup On The Saints Sideboard 

Two goals from Donald Campbell and one from Craig MacEwan clinched the 2015 Royal National Mod Cup for Saints at Glencruitten this afternoon. After the previous week's convincing 9 - 1 win over Millbeg Villa in the Scottish Amateur Cup, Saints Manager Alex Craik used this match to give all his available squad some game time ahead of the impending West of Scotland Cup second round tie away at East Kilbride Rolls Royce. After taking the lead in the 23rd minute through last week's five goal hero Craig MacEwan,  Saints were quickly pegged back when Steven Dunn outjumped the Saints defence to head a free kick from the left back across goal past Thomas McCulloch's outstretched right hand. Saints got their noses in front for the second time midway through the second half after Donald Campbell capitalised on good work from Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan to send a crisp finish past Greg Broadhurst in the visitor's goal. Despite regaining the lead Saints were made to work hard for their victory against an impressive Glasgow Island side who were a credit to the Glasgow Colleges Football Association Premier Division. With the visitors still looking threatening on the break Saints were unable to fully relax until finally making the tie safe with a third goal in the dying minutes from another tidy Donald Campbell finish. The Royal National Mod Cup now joins the Argyll and Bute Cup on the Saints sideboard with plenty of room left for any or all of the four remaining trophies Saints are currently involved in.

The Saints and Glasgow Island squads prior to last Saturday's match

Oban Saints Royal National Mod Cup Winners 2015

This Saturday's Fixture

Saturday 17th October 2015

The Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup
2nd Round Tie

East Kilbride Rolls Royce AFC v Oban Saints AFC

Murray Park, Liddle Grove, East Kilbride G75 9AA

Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr G. Kirkwood

The Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Saints quest to add more silverware to the sideboard takes them to East Kilbride this Saturday where they will face old adversaries East Kilbride Rolls Royce in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup. Saints and the Rolly have crossed swords many times over the years in the Scottish Amateur Football League often with very little to choose between the two sides. Indeed Saints managed to take just one point from their two visits to Murray Park when the Rolly last graced the Premier Division between 2011 and 2013. Since then the Rolly have spent two seasons in Premier Division One where last seasons third place finish behind East Kilbride FC Amateurs and Shawlands FP was enough to see them rejoin the top division. With the match being played to a finish on the the day, including extra-time and penalty kicks if necessary, Saints must improve upon their recent record against the Rolly if they are to feature in next Monday's third round draw. They will have to do so without Manager Alex Craik who is on a family holiday in Lanzarote, the team will therefore be in the hands of Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell ably assisted by Coach Peter MacCallum and Club Secretary Davie Buchanan. The management team will have the usual mixture of injuries, work and family commitments to contend with but will still have a strong squad available. Unfortunately the tie comes too soon for twins Dougal and Chris Graham who are nearing the end of their rehabilitation from injury but must wait a few weeks more before making a return to competitive action.




East Kilbride Rolls Royce recent Scottish Amateur Football League record:-

2006 - 07 Premier Division Two 7th
2007 - 08 Premier Division Two 4th
2008 - 09 Premier Division Two 4th and Centenary Cup Runner Up
2009 - 10 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2010 - 11 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted and Jimmy Marshall Trophy Runner Up
2011 - 12 Premier Division 4th
2012 - 13 Premier Division 9th Relegated
2013 - 14 Premier Division One 7th
2014 - 15 Premier Division One 3rd Promoted


Saints record v East Kilbride Rolls Royce in recent seasons:-

14th April 2012 Oban Saints 5 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
26th May 2012 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 2 - 1 Oban Saints
27th April 2013 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 2 - 2 Oban Saints
12th May 2013 Oban Saints 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

The Rolly in warm-up action

SAFA Select

Saints Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell featured for the Scottish Amateur Football League Select in a hastily arranged practice match last Sunday after the East of Scotland Football League withdrew at very short notice from the previously arranged challenge match at Colville Park. Faced with the "no show" from the East of Scotland and six withdrawals from his original twenty one man squad International Manager Bruce McNaught launched an eventually successful eleventh hour recruitment drive to call up the necessary additional numbers to allow a match to proceed. Despite the match lacking any kind of competitive edge it was still a useful exercise giving the Manager and his assistant Colin MacLeod a good chance to run the rule over those in contention for a place in the national squad for the matches against the Leinster and Northern Irish Amateur Football League later this season. The yellow team ran out 3 - 0 winners over the blues thanks to goals from David Swan, Scott Hadden and Chris Harper.

#monthesaints

Oban Two Step

Colin Campbell and his Highland Band - Oban Two Step

Saturday 10th October 2015

The Royal National Mod Challenge Cup Competition

Oban Saints AFC v Eileanach Glaschu FC

Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH

Kick off 1pm

Referee Mr Martin Rae 

The Royal National Mod comes to Oban this weekend for a nine day celebration of Scotland's Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage. As part of the celebrations Saints and Glagow Island will contest the Mod Cup at Glencruitten with a slightly earlier than usual kick off time of 1pm. Presumably the early kick off is to allow the players more time to attend and enjoy some of the many cultural events taking place in the town!

Saturday's visitors were formed in 1997 when the Park Wanderers and the Snaffle Strollers, teams of the favoured Glasgow watering holes of exiles from the Highlands and Islands the Park Bar and the Snaffle Bit, amalgamated to form a new club. Comprising mainly of players from the Western Isles who were studying or working in the Glasgow area the club settled on the name of Eileanach Glaschu (Glasgow Island) and successfully applied for membership of the Glasgow Colleges Amateur Football Association. Initial success in the form of the Division One title was quickly followed by a six season fruitless spell in the league interspersed with three Glasgow Colleges FA Cup wins. A second league title came in season 2004 - 05 before a restructuring of the league set-up created a stronger top flight for the following season. Glasgow Island then enjoyed their best season to date with the capture of a league and cup double in 2006 - 07 a feat which they have sadly been unable to repeat. They did however come tantalisingly close last season losing out to champions Park Sports Project by just one point.

Glasgow Island have continued last season's good form making a decent start to the new league campaign with five wins from seven games so far. The fifteen points gathered leaves them just three points behind leaders St David's but with a slightly better goal difference mainly attributable to the 14 - 0 thrashing handed out to bottom club Glasgow Ansar. GI have also been in impressive form in the Scottish Amateur Cup successfully navigating a course to round three disposing of Weir Recreation of Caledonian League Division 1A and Dunoon Athletic of the Scottish Amateur League Division One.

While Saints are making their Mod Cup debut visitors Glasgow Island already have an An Comunn Ghaidhealach trophy success to their name with their incredible 2009 win at Stenhousemuir. To put this amazing success into context at the time of the match the Warriors were leading the Scottish Third Division and eventually went on to win promotion at the end of the sesaon.

After last Saturday's return to action following an enforced two week lay off Saints Manager Alex Craik while undoubtedly use this match to give as may players as possible some much needed game time ahead of next Saturday's trip to East Kilbride to face East Kilbride Rolls Royce in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup.

The home crowd can expect a good match where the players of both clubs can showpiece their talents at Scotland's premier cultural heritage festival with the added incentive of a trophy to be won. Afterwards players and supporters alike can then partake in some serious harmony in the town's many hostelries which are sure to be bursting at the seams with the influx of Mod goers.










Glasgow Island results in the Glasgow Colleges Football Association Premier Division:-

15th August 2015 Glasgow Island 2 - 4 Hampden
25th August 2015 Rosehill United 1 - 6 Glasgow Island
29th August 2015 Albion 2 - 3 Glasgow Island
2nd September 2015 Glasgow Island 0 - 3 St Davids
12th September 2015 Shawlands Accies 0 - 3 Glasgow Island
15th September 2015 Glasgow Ansar 0 - 14 Glasgow Island
19th September 2015 MSM 0 - 2 Glasgow Island



Glasgow Island results in this season's Scottish Amateur Cup:-

First Round
5th September 2015 Weir Recreation 3 - 6 Glasgow Island

Second Round
26th September 2015 Dunoon Athletic 1 - 5 Glasgow Island





Glasgow Island recent finishes in the Glasgow Colleges Football Association league:-

2006/07 Division One Champions and GCFA Cup Winners
2007/08 Division One 9th
2008/09 Division One 4th and GCFA Cup Winners
2009/10 Division One 5th
2010/11 Division One 7th
2011/12 Division One 9th
2012/13 Division One 5th
2013/14 Premier Division 7th
2014/15 Premier Division 2nd

Glasgow Island AFC

It's not that kind of Mod Peter!

Last Saurday's match day squad (minus Craig MacEwan and Myles McAuley) with their new track suits and polo shirts kindly donated by D & K Lafferty Contractors

In Other News

Saints Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell has been called up to the Scottish Amateur Football Association Select Squad for this Sunday's match against the East of Scotland Football League Select. The match, which will be played at Colville Park Country Club with a 2pm kick off, is the first in a series of friendlies arranged by National Team Manager Bruce McNaught and his Assistant Colin MacLeod to run the rule over the main contenders before finalising the squad to face the Leinster and Northern Irish Amateur Football League in the annual challenge match later this season. Good luck to Donald and all others selected for Sunday's match.

In Other Other News

In the draw for the third round of the Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup, made on Wednesday 7th October, Saints were drawn away from home to Condorrat Club AFC of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B. The tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday 31st October.

#monthesaints

Neat Neat Neat

The Damned - Neat Neat Neat

Saints booked their place in the Scottish Amateur Cup third round draw with a comfortable 9 - 1 second round win over Millbeg Villa at Glencruitten last Saturday. The visitors from Glasgow's East end put up a spirited resistance in the first half but were totally overwhelmed by a rampant Saints second half performance and but for some terrific saves from Millbeg keeper David Hosie the winning margin would have been even wider. The home side, sporting new track suits and polo shirts kindly donated by generous kit sponsor D & K Lafferty, lined up with Thomas McCulloch in goal; a back four of David McArthur, Jamie Graham, Willie Gemmell and Scott Maitland; a midfield trio of Myles McAuley, Paul Kerr and Donald Campbell; and a front three of Lewis Cameron, Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan. On the bench were Martin Bonar, Dene Cassells, Shaun MacIver, Allan Mackay, Ross Maitland and Keith Millar.

In a whirlwind start Saints, attacking the railway end, forced a corner straight from the kick-off. A neat pass from Donald Campbell played in Lewis Cameron on the left of the Villa box who tried to pick out Dean Smith on the six yard line but the cross was blocked behind for a corner. The corner kick from the right was headed clear and Villa striker Kevin Stillie launched a lightning quick counter attack up the right wing which left the retreating Saints defence trailing in his wake. The Villa man flashed his shot from just inside the box across Thomas McCulloch and, fortunately for Saints, inches wide of the far post.

Villa keeper David Hosie produced the first of a string of excellent saves in the fourth minute tipping a Lewis Cameron shot round the post after some neat interplay on the edge of the Villa box from Donald Campbell and Dean Smith. From the resulting corner Jamie Graham had a good effort blocked in the six yard box with the Villa defence eventually clearing the danger. Saints skipper for the day Donald Campbell celebrated his call up the the Scottish Amateur International Squad with an excellent performance driving forward from midfield at every opportunity and in the seventh minute shaved the outside of David Hosie's left hand post with a left foot strike from twenty yards. Saints were trying to get their full backs forward to join the attack and David McArthur began to find some joy on the right delivering some tempting crosses which the Villa defence struggled to cope with. In the tenth minute a McArthur cross was deflected wide for a corner from which Willie Gemmell rose above the Villa defence but couldn't direct his header on target. Four minutes later another good run and cross from McArthur picked out Craig MacEwan in the middle but, under pressure from Villa central defender Tony Thompson, Craig was unable to find the target with his header. Villa had a rare attempt on goal in the sixteenth minute after Donald Campbell had given away a free kick just inside the Saints half wide on the left. The free kick was taken short and a speculative shot from thirty yards from Villa midfielder Andrew Collins flew high over the Saints cross bar. Saints had a free kick of their own two minutes later after Scott Maitland had been stoppped in his tracks twenty five yards from the Villa goal. Lewis Cameron lined up to take the kick and curled his shot round the Villa wall but high and wide of keeper Hosie's left hand post. In the twenty first minute Villa left back Brandon Stenson turned the tables on David McArthur easily outpacing the Saints right back to create a shooting opportunity for himself which Thomas McCulloch was relieved to see slip wide of his right hand post. From the goal kick Willie Gemmell delivered a terrific long pass to Dean Smith who turned well on the edge of the box and steered a low left foot shot which keeper Hosie did well to parry and smother the loose ball at Dean's feet. Hosie kept Saints at bay again in the twenty sixth minute with a terrific flying save to tip a curling Donald Campbell shot round his left hand post. The resulting corner was headed clear but only as far as the edge of the D from where Myles McAuley fired in a shot which Hosie again did well to hold. Saints finally made the breakthrough two minutes later when Donald Campbell fed Craig MacEwan cutting in from the left. Craig showed good strength to hold off the challenge of Villa right back Forde McGhee before slotting a low right foot shot into the bottom corner. Saints extended their advantage four minutes later when a cut back from Donald Campbell picked out Myles McAuley on the edge of the box. The Saints midfielder, eager to make it two goals in two games after his rare strike against Alba Thistle, fired in a cracking drive which the massed ranks of the Villa defence blocked behind for a corner. Lewis Cameron flighted over the flag kick from the right which the Villa defence could only clear as far as Donald Campbell lurking on the edge of the box who curled a delightful low shot which David Hosie at full stretch got his fingertips to but couldn't prevent the ball from nestling in the bottom corner of the net. Saints had the ball in the net again in the thirty sixth minute when Lewis Cameron headed a David McArthur cross high into the net but Referee Kevin Nolan, who handled a sporting contest well throughout, ruled that Lewis had strayed offside. Saints had another set piece opportunity in the forty first minute with centre back Willie Gemmell this time trying his luck. Scorer of many a fine set piece goal in his previous spell at the club Willie has yet to rediscover his range and sliced his thirty yard effort wide of target. As the half drew to a close Saints kept probing for the third goal which they hoped would make the game safe before the interval. Dean Smith had a net bound header from another Lewis Cameron corner kick headed off the goal line and Donald Campbell had a decent shout for a penalty kick which Referee Nolan waved away before blowing for half-time.

Saints started the second half as they had begun the first with a Dean Smith pop shot from the edge of the box bringing out another fine save from David Hosie. Saints suffered an unexpected set back in the 50th minute with some sloppy defending gifting Villa a foothold in the game. A sliced clearance from Jamie Graham gave Villa a throw-in on their left level with the eighteen yard line. The long throw looped over the Saints defence and found Andrew Collins who stole in between Jamie Graham and Willie Gemmell to prod the ball past the unprotected Thomas McCulloch. The threat to Saints lead was to prove very short lived as they countered almost immediately after the restart. Scott Maitland made an overlapping run up the left wing winning a corner kick when his attempted cross was blocked behind. Lewis Cameron sent over a perfect delivery which Craig MacEwan rose above his marker to nod into the net and restore Saints two goal advantage. Saints put the tie beyond any doubt with a further two goals to round off a devastating four minute spell which completely knocked the stuffing out of the visitors. Dean Smith beat the Villa off-side trap in the 52nd minute leaving him one-on-one with David Hosie. The Villa keeper made a good block at Dean's feet forcing the Saints striker wide. Dean kept his composure and picked out the run of Donald Campbell who slotted home from close range for his second goal of the game. Two minutes later Saints made it five when Hosie made another good gave from a Scott Maitland shot but was unable to prevent Dean Smith from firing home the loose ball for a well deserved goal. Saints were playing some terrific football at this stage and had the beleaguered visitors chasing shadows as they fought hard to keep the rampant Saints attack at bay. Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell in particular were giving the Villa rearguard the run around with a succession of cheeky back heels and overhead kicks from Craig presenting decent shooting opportunities for Donald which keeper Hosie again did well to save. Saints Manager Alex Craik made his first changes just after the hour mark bringing on Martin Bonar and Keith Millar to replace David McArthur and Paul Kerr. Villa eventually managed to steady the ship a little keeping Saints at a more manageable distance and giving their overworked goal keeper some respite. Saints failure to capitalise on free kicks in dangerous areas continued when Lewis Cameron fired a twenty five yard free kick into the Villa wall after Donald Campbell had been tripped when trying to force his way through on goal. That was to prove the last involvement for Lewis as he and Dean Smith made way for Ross Maitland and Allan Mackay. Allan had his first glimpse of goal in the 69th minute when Donald Campbell rolled a free kick to him on the edge of the box after Myles McAuley had been brought down by Billy Coulter earning the Villa midfielder the game's only yellow card. Mackay turned well on the eighteen yard line and sent a low shot inches wide of David Hosie's right hand post. Saints sixth goal came with sixteen minutes remaining when Donald Campbell found Craig MacEwan racing through the inside left channel with a delightful flicked pass which Craig controlled with ease and buried in the bottom corner of the net. That was the signal for Saints final change with Dene Cassells coming on to demonstrate his versatility by replacing the inspirational Donald Campbell in midfield. Allan Mackay was next to try his luck on free kick duty but his effort followed a similar pattern to the others by crashing into the wall. Allan reacted quickly to the rebound and this time found the target with a stinging shot which David Hosie parried but gathered at the second attempt. Ross Maitland took over responsibility for the corner kicks from the departed Lewis Cameron and flighted over perfect delivery in the 80th minute which Martin Bonar glanced wide of target. Saints seventh goal owed much to the powerful midfield running of Dene Cassell, Dene raced forward in the 85th minute firing a ferocious drive on target which the Villa keeper could only parry into the path of the on-rushing Craig MacEwan who eagerly gobbled up the chance for his fourth goal of the match. One minute later Dene was at it again only this time keeper Hosie managed to hold Dene's shot for another terrific save. The Villa defence had completely lost their shape by now and were left appealing in vain for offside as Ross Maitland made an excellent run cutting in from the right before unselfishly setting up Allan Mackay for a simple tap-in at the back post. The Villa offside trap was again sprung in the final minute by the unlikely sight of Allan Mackay racing through the middle to get on the end of a Dene Cassells pass. Allan skilfully rounded the keeper and with goal at his mercy squared the ball to Craig MacEwan giving his strike partner the simplest of tap-ins for his fifth and Saints ninth and final goal of the game. There was barely enough time left to restart the match and Referee Nolan signaled the end of an excellent Saints performance with three shrill blasts of his whistle.

Donald Campbell and Dean Smith prepare to kick off

Dean Smith aerial duel with Tony Thompson

Scott Maitland

Lewis Cameron corner headed clear by Michael Lawson

Donald Campbell makes it 2 - 0 to Saints

Half-time team talk

Craig MacEwan halts the Millbeg comeback by heading Saints 3 - 1 in front

Lewis Cameron smashes another free-kick into the Millbeg wall

Paul Kerr and Michael Lawson

Lewis Cameron ready to control dropping high ball

Millbeg keeper David Hosie makes another good save to deny Dene Cassells but can't prevent Craig MacEwan for knocking in the loose ball to make it 7 - 1 to Saints

Also Neat Neat Neat - Saints new polo shirts

#monthesaints