Saturday 3rd October 2015
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
Oban Saints AFC v Millbeg Villa AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Kevin Nolan
Cup fever comes to Oban this Saturday when Saints host Millbeg Villa in the second round of the Scottish Amateur Cup at Glencruitten. Saints and Millbeg were among the 250 or so grateful recipients of a bye into round two when the initial entrants went into the hat for the first round draw on 10th August. However, with the competition starting in earnest, both teams will now be desperate to make their mark in Scottish Amateur Football's most prestigious competition.
Saturday's visitors ply their trade in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two where they currently sit in fourth place eight points behind undefeated early pace setters Bridgewater. Founded in 2008 Millbeg Amateurs hail from the East End of Glasgow and play their home matches at Lochend Community High School in the Easterhouse district of the city. After one season in the rough and tumble of the West of Scotland Amateur Football League the "Mill" successfully applied for membership of the Scottish Amateur Football League in time for the start of the 2009 - 10 season. The switch quickly paid off with the club securing their one and only piece of silverware so far with the capture of the Colin Munro Cup in their first season in the SAFL. After six seasons in the lower reaches of the league set-up, including a name change to Millbeg Villa AFC in 2012, the "Mill" won promotion to Premier Division Two courtesy of last season's third place finish in Division One which they hope will be the catalyst for their push for a place in the Premier Division with the top guns of the SAFL.
Saturday's visitors ply their trade in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two where they currently sit in fourth place eight points behind undefeated early pace setters Bridgewater. Founded in 2008 Millbeg Amateurs hail from the East End of Glasgow and play their home matches at Lochend Community High School in the Easterhouse district of the city. After one season in the rough and tumble of the West of Scotland Amateur Football League the "Mill" successfully applied for membership of the Scottish Amateur Football League in time for the start of the 2009 - 10 season. The switch quickly paid off with the club securing their one and only piece of silverware so far with the capture of the Colin Munro Cup in their first season in the SAFL. After six seasons in the lower reaches of the league set-up, including a name change to Millbeg Villa AFC in 2012, the "Mill" won promotion to Premier Division Two courtesy of last season's third place finish in Division One which they hope will be the catalyst for their push for a place in the Premier Division with the top guns of the SAFL.
Like Saints, Millbeg's results so far this season have been a bit of a mixed bag however an away tie against higher league opposition in the county's premier cup competition is sure to bring out the best in them. The Saints home faithful can therefore look forward to an exciting afternoon's football in what will be only their third glimpse of their favourites in competitive action so far this season.
Saints good run in reaching the latter stages of the Scottish Amateur Cup took a bit of a dent last season with a third round exit at the hands of top Caledonian League side Giffnock North. After 180 enthralling minutes of ebb and flow, a controversial last gasp goal in the replay at Northolm Park, Giffnock saw Saints edged out by the odd goal in thirteen. Saints new Management team of Alex Craik and assistant Donald Campbell will be looking to build upon the good work of predecessor Iain Jackson in this competition and lead Saints to the Holy Grail of a Scottish Amateur Cup win.
Saints injury worries look to be clearing up with long term absentees Dougal and Chris Graham now back in training. Also emerging from the treatment room is goalkeeper Thomas McCulloch who has recovered from the badly cut hand sustained on the eve of Saints 3 - 1 home league victory over Alba Thistle. Save for the other usual disruptions of work and essential family commitments, Manager Alex Craik should have a strong squad to chose from in this his first Scottish Amateur Cup tie in the Saints hot seat.
Millbeg Villa's fixtures so far this season:-
15th August Centenary Cup 1st Round Millbeg Villa 3 - 1 Duncanrig FP
19th August Premier Division Two Shawlands FP (B) 0 - 1 Millbeg Villa
22nd August Premier Division Two Millbeg Villa 1 - 1 Strathaven Dynamo
29th August Premier Division Two Millbeg Villa 0 - 2 Dumbarton Wanderers
12th September Centenary Cup 2nd Round Neilston 1 - 0 Millbeg Villa
19th September Premier Division Two Port Glasgow OBU 1 - 3 Millbeg Villa
Millbeg Villa's record in the Scottish Amateur Football League:-
2011 - 12 Division One 4th
2012 - 13 Division One 9th
2013 - 14 Division One 7th
2014 - 15 Division One 3rd Promoted
2014 - 15 3rd Round
2013 - 14 2nd Round
2012 - 13 1st Round
2011 - 12 5th Round
2010 - 11 2nd Round
2009 - 10 2nd Round
Saints recent record in the Scottish Amateur Cup:-
2014 - 15 3rd Round
2013 - 14 7th Round
2012 - 13 7th Round
2011 - 12 6th Round
2010 - 11 2nd Round
2009 - 10 5th Round
2008 - 09 Quarter Finals
2007 - 08 2nd Round
2006 - 07 Quarter Finals
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| Millbeg Villa AFC |
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