A Tale of Four Keepers

Saturday 30th July 2016

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC 0 - 0 East Kilbride AFC

Glencruitten 1

Glencruitten Drive

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EB

Kick off 2pm

Referee Mr John Scott

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur

Willie Gemmell

Dene Cassells

Scott Maitland

Myles McAuley

Matthew Kelly

Donald Campbell (Captain)

Fraser MacFarlane

Dean Smith

Craig MacEwan

Used substitutes:-

Jay Cooper 

Graham Douglas

Paul Kerr

Unused substitute:-

Alex Craik

Regular pre-season visitors East Kilbride AFC returned to Oban last Saturday afternoon where they and hosts Saints served up an entertaining goalless draw in front of a healthy crowd at Glencruitten. Injuries and holiday commitments forced Manager Alex Craik to make five changes to the starting XI that had put five goals past St Anthony's a week earlier. The changes included a first start since the D&K Lafferty Cup tournament for David McArthur who lined up on the right of the back four alongside Willie Gemmell, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. With Paul Kerr arriving late due to work commitments the Gaffer handed a starting role to Matthew Kelly where he joined Myles McAuley and Donald Campbell in the middle of the park. Dean Smith returned to spearhead the attack flanked by Fraser MacFarlane and Craig MacEwan. Alex named himself on the substitutes bench for the second week running with Jay Cooper and Paul Kerr making up the outfield options. The goalkeeping duties were once again shared between Thomas McCulloch who started the match and Graham Douglas who would take over for the second half.

The visitors kicked off attacking the pavilion end but it was Saints who were first to threaten with Myles McAuley and Matthew Kelly combing well on the right and Matthew sending over a tempting cross which was fractionally too high for Dean Smith waiting on the penalty spot. East Kilbride ended last season in fifth place in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division and were to prove a significant step up in class from the previous weeks opponents St Anthony's. Saints were unable to exert the midfield domination they had enjoyed seven days previously with the visitors matching them stride for stride and creating by far the better opportunities to break the deadlock. In the seventh minute Thomas McCulloch produced the first of several high quality saves to keep the East Kilbride men at bay. Scott Gillespie outpaced Scott Maitland on the right wing and sent in a dangerous low cross which Dene Cassells did well to turn behind for a corner ahead of Steven McClung. The corner kick from the right was hooked on target through a ruck of players by Matthew Gray with McCulloch showing good reactions and handling to catch the ball cleanly. Barely sixty seconds later Thomas held well again this time from last season's East Kilbride Player of the Year Kevin McLean. In the seventeenth minute Donald Campbell was penalised, harshly in his opinion, midway inside his own half on the Saints left. While Donald continued his protests Callum McLean took the free kick quickly releasing Scott Gillespie on the right for another dangerous low cross into the box which Dene Cassells again turned behind for a corner. Willie Gemmell beat Andrew Winter in the air to clear the corner kick from the right to the edge of the box where Ross Liddell met it with a sweet strike which Thomas McCulloch saved well low down to his right. Craig MacEwan was having an interesting tussle with East Kilbride right back Callum McLean and got the better of the Players Player of the Year award winner in the twentieth minute. Tricking his way into the box Craig delivered an early cross which was met spectacularly by Fraser MacFarlane whose overhead kick from fourteen yards was blocked by the chest of Ryan Duffy before being thumped to safety by the big defender. Thomas McCulloch was in action again in the 29th minute saving another effort from Matthew Gray diving full length to his right to deny the East Kilbride midfielder. Saints edged closer to testing Scott Henderson in the East Kilbride goal from a good move on the left involving Scott Maitland and Matthew Kelly. Matthew picked out Fraser MacFarlane on the edge of the box who beat Callum McLean, Graham Marshall and the right hand of keeper Henderson but only succeeded in finding the side netting of the East Kilbride goal. Thomas McCulloch remained the busier of the goalkeepers and made the best of his first half saves in the fortieth minute. Dean Smith picked up the games only yellow card for a late challenge on Kevin McLean conceding a free kick just inside the Saints half which the visitors took quickly. McLean set off up the left wing and cut inside before curling a right foot shot towards the postage stamp corner which drew a flying finger tip save from the Saints number one. Saints ended the half on the front foot and won a set piece opportunity on the corner of the East Kilbride box to finally test Scott Henderson in the visitor's goal. Donald Campbell lifted the ball over the two man wall towards the near post with Graham Marshall reacting quickest to head behind for a corner kick. Fraser MacFarlane flighted a good ball into the six yard box which Henderson, under pressure from Dean Smith, couldn't gather at the first attempt eventually smothering the ball on his goal line surrounded by a forest of legs. Unfortunately the big keeper injured his left knee in the process and limped from the field on Mr Scott's the half time whistle to be replaced by Graeme McMillan.

Saints also changed their goalkeeper for the second half with Graham Douglas taking over from Thomas McCulloch. Paul Kerr also made an appearance replacing Fraser MacFarlane in a switch which brought about a change to a 4-4-2 formation. Saints were slow to get going in the second half however the back four remained solid and kept the visitors attack in check. It took fully twenty minutes for Saints to bring East Kilbride replacement keeper McMillan into the action from a long Graham Douglas clearance. Donald Campbell won the flick-on with Craig MacEwan and Paul Kerr combining well for Craig to send a ball into the box where Donald had continued his run. However Graeme McMillan anticipated the danger and slid out to smother the ball at Donald's feet. Saints then made their final change when young Jay Cooper came on the replace Dean Smith up front. Saints replacement keeper Graham Douglas received his first taste of the action in the sixty seventh minute turning a Kyle Gatens shot around his left hand post after the East Kilbride substitute got the better of Willie Gemmell on the edge of the Saints box. Playing more centrally in the second half Craig MacEwan adjusted well to his new position and in the seventy fourth minute held up a Willie Gemmell long pass long enough to release David McArthur on a rampaging run up the right touchline. David fired over a cross looking for Craig's run to the back post but Graeme McMillan intercepted the danger clawing the ball behind for a corner kick. Scott Maitland's out-swinger from the Saints left found the head of McArthur who couldn't direct his effort on target sending it two feet over the crossbar. From McMillan's bye kick the visitors moved swiftly to the other end where Graham Douglas produced his best moment of the match springing to his right to finger-tip a Kyle Gatens drive behind for a corner. Having looked decidedly flat for long periods of the second half Saints finally upped their game for the closing fifteen minutes. Having forced a corner on the left Jay Cooper was on hand to receive the ball short from Scott Maitland and sent over a dangerous cross which Dene Cassells threw himself at getting his header on target only to see Ryan Duffy head the ball off the goal line. Dene was in the thick of the action moments later linking up with Myles McAuley and Paul Kerr to carve out a chance. Myles and Paul forced their way through the East Kilbride massed ranks eventually picking out Dene's run into the box. Unfortunately Dene's finish lacked the power to seriously trouble Graeme McMillan and the East Kilbride keeper gathered comfortably. Saints rounded off the goalmouth action with a good run through the inside right channel from Craig MacEwan who sent a low shot fizzing past Graeme McMillan's right hand post. Referee John Scott, who handled proceedings well in his own inimitable style, brought a fairly even contest to an end with the visitors perhaps just shading a good workout for both teams on chances created.

Saints conclude their pre-season preparations next Saturday with a trip to Lochgilphead where they will defend the Argyll and Bute Cup in an eight team tournament organised and hosted by Lochgilphead Red Star.

Scott Maitland and Callum McLean

Fraser MacFarlane shoots into the side netting

Dean Smith and Ryan Duffy

Craig MacEwan and Ally Morgan

     

Dene Cassells puts Andrew Winter under pressure

Dean Smith with Scott Gillespie and Matthew Gray

Willie Gemmell and Andrew Winter

Ryan Duffy heads away 

The Keepers

Thomas McCulloch

Scott Henderson

Graham Douglas

Graeme McMillan

#monthesaints

The Boys of Summer

Jamie Graham and Donald Campbell lead the Saints boys on a summer expedition over the hills at Ganavan

KT Tunstall - The Boys of Summer

Saturday 30th July 2016

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC v East Kilbride AFC

Glencruitten 1

Glencruitten Drive

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EB

Kick off 2pm

Referee Mr John Scott

Saints continue their preparations for the new season this Saturday with the welcome return of regular pre-season opponents East Kilbride AFC. After an absence of four years East Kilbride reacquainted themselves with the A82 and A85 last pre-season when they and Saints played out a highly entertaining match in front of a healthy crowd at Glencruitten. On that occasion Saints fought back from a 2 - 0 half time deficit to win by the odd goal in five thanks to goals from Allan Mackay, Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan. If this year's match is even half as exciting then the home support will be in for a treat.

Newly elevated to the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division for the 2015 - 16 season East Kilbride continued the good form which had secured their promotion to the top flight as Division One Champions. A fifth placed Premier Division finish was an excellent return in a league where competition is fierce among some of the top amateur sides in the country. The icing on the cake for East Kilbride came on Friday 27th May at the home of Kilsyth Juniors where they completed a successful defence of the McAvoy and McIntyre Trophy defeating Premier League and Scottish Amateur Cup winners Colville Park in an eight goal thriller. Pegged back three times during the ninety minutes East Kilbride eventually prevailed in extra time with William Hastings having the honour of netting the killer fifth goal.

East Kilbride began their pre-season fixtures schedule with high scoring away trip to Irvine where they conceded a 4 - 2 lead eventually losing 8 - 4 to Winlinton Wolves of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier League. In two further away matches East Kilbride have defeated Kilsyth 1 - 0 and lost 5 - 2 to Possil YMCA both of Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A. East Kilbride's opponents at home have both come from the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division in the shape of newly promoted Ferguslie Star and reigning Champions East Kilbride FC Amateurs. The Premier Division new boys were edged out 2 -1 while Champions EKFC Amateurs failed to find the target and where beaten 2 - 0.

Saturday's match will provide another stiff test for Saints against high quality opposition where Manager Alex Craik will hope to continue the good form pre-season form shown so far. The kick off to the new league season is now just two weeks away with Argyll rivals Campbeltown Pupils set to provide Saints first opposition.

The usual mixture of holidays, injuries and work commitments will have a major bearing on the Saints squad selection and home fans can expect more changes from the line ups which drew against Vale of Leven and defeated St Anthony's. This will be Saints last home pre-season match before they travel to Lochgilphead on Saturday 6th August to defend the Argyll & Bute Cup in an eight team tournament organised and hosted by Lochgilphead Red Star.



East Kilbride AFC recent Central Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-

2008-09 Division 1A 11th
2009-10 Division 1A 11th
2010-11 Division 1A 8th
2011-12 Division 1A 10th
2012-13 Division 1A 8th
2013-14 Division 1A 11th
2014-15 Division 1A Champions (Promoted)
2015-16 Premier Division 5th

A young East Kilbride side visit Glencruitten in 2009

Action from last summer's friendly

Willie Gemmell aerial challenge

Scott Maitland

Craig MacEwan takes on the EK right full back

Myles McAuley

The EK left full back keeps his hands out of the way of Martin Bonar's cross

Lewis Cameron and Jamie Graham

Donald Campbell takes on his man on the right touchline

Allan Mackay, Myles McAuley and Kevin Keen

Allan Mackay scores Saints first goal

Lewis Cameron's free kick draws Saints level at 2 - 2 

#monthesaints

Droning On

The Ants drone keeps an eye on the action unfolding below

Saturday 23rd July 2016

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC 5 - 1 St Anthony's FC

Glencruitten 1, Glencruitten Drive, Oban PA34 4EB

Kick off 2.00pm

Referee Mr Martin Rae

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

Jamie Graham
Craig Campbell
Dene Cassells
Dougal Graham

Donald Campbell (Captain)
Paul Kerr
Scott Maitland

Fraser MacFarlane
Martin Bonar
Craig MacEwan

Used Substitutes:-

Jay Cooper
Alex Craik
Daniel Croarkin
Graham Douglas
Ross Maitland

Saints Goalscorers:-

Donald Campbell ⚽ ⚽
Craig MacEwan ⚽ ⚽
Ross Maitland ⚽

Last Saturday Saints welcomed first time visitors St Anthony's to Glencruitten for a pre-season friendly match but quickly whipped away the welcome mat to give their semi-professional guests a torrid afternoon. Manager Alex Craik returned from holiday to resume team selection duties but found his options limited by a lengthy injury list. There were only six survivors from the eleven who started against Vale of Leven last week with Thomas McCulloch lining up in goal behind a back four of Jamie Graham, Craig Campbell, Dene Cassells and Dougal Graham. Paul Kerr took up his accustomed position anchoring the midfield with Donald Campbell and Scott Maitland for company. Alex was keen to have a look at the versatile Martin Bonar in an attacking role and handed him the number nine jersey flanked by young Fraser MacFarlane and Craig MacEwan. Marc Maccallum's continued absence meant that Donald Campbell kept the Captain's armband. The substitutes bench was once again a mixture of youth and experience with teenagers Jay Cooper and Daniel Croarkin keeping down the average age and Graham Douglas, Ross Maitland and Alex Craik threatening to push it off the scale at the other end.

After a quiet opening spell the match burst into life in the sixth minute when Donald Campbell thumped a right foot shot past Jon Connolly in the Ants goal from twenty two yards, The move started with Dougal Graham on the left wing with the full back swinging in a cross which the Ants defence could only clear as far as Scott Maitland who found his skipper on the edge of the D. Donald shifted the ball to his right opening up the angle for a shot which beat the Ants keeper low down to his right. Scott set up Donald again two minutes later this time from a set-piece. Scott was fouled on the corner of the Ants penalty area a yard outside the box, Donald lined up the free kick from the Saints left which he curled right footed around the two man wall but also wide of the junction of post and bar. Donald was in the thick of the action again in the tenth minute exploiting hesitancy in the Ants defence. With the Ants defenders leaving it to one another to clear their lines Donald nipped in to get away a shot away from fifteen yards which central defender Michael McDowell blocked with an outstretched boot with the loose ball narrowly eluding Craig MacEwan. The Ants made their first foray up field in the eleventh minute winning a free kick just outside the Saints box on the Ants right when Dene Cassells clipped the heels of Grant Reid. Full back Graeme Crawford curled the free kick high over the crossbar much to the frustration of the pack waiting for a cross to the back post. Martin Bonar was enjoying his aerial jousts with the Ants defence and won a free kick from Michael McDowell in the fifteenth minute for a push in the back when the pair went up for a header. Donald Campbell played the out wide to the left for Dougal Graham who kick started an intricate passing move involving Scott Maitland, Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell which ended with Donald tucking the ball away from six yards only for Referee Martin Rae to deny Saints a sensational goal by ruling Donald offside. Martin Bonar's afternoon was cut frustratingly short when he landed awkwardly on his left heel forcing him to leave the field of play to be replaced by Ross Maitland. The Saints defence was caught out by a ball over the top in the eighteenth minute with Grant Kelly outpacing Craig Campbell and the big Saints central defender bringing down the Ants striker with a rash challenge just inside the Saints box. Kelly took the spot kick himself but couldn't beat Thomas McCulloch who made a good save down to his left. Dene Cassells was quickest to react ushering the loose ball behind for a corner kick under pressure from Craig Smith. Craig Campbell headed the corner kick from the right clear of the eighteen yard box but only as far as John McGowan who, despite the ball landing kindly at his feet, couldn't keep his shot down sending it high over the Saints crossbar. At the other end Scott Maitland stung the palms of Jon Connolly with a fierce strike from twenty two yards after an incisive pass from Paul Kerr. The Ants had their best spell midway through the first half and thought they had weathered the Saints storm but the home side came roaring back in the thirty third minute resuming the quick fire passing which the visitors struggled all afternoon to cope with. Fraser MacFarlane unleashed a shot from the corner of the box which was too hot for Jon Connolly to handle with Donald Campbell pouncing on the loose ball and skimming the top of the crossbar with his first time effort. Saints kept up the pressure and carved open the Ants defence in the fortieth minute with Craig MacEwan threading a perfectly weighted pass through to Ross Maitland who lifted the ball over the advancing Jon Connolly but narrowly wide of the big keeper's left hand post. The front three combined well again on the left to set up another shooting opportunity for Fraser MacFarlane however this shot lacked the power of his previous effort and was easily gathered by Connolly. Saints were rewarded for their first half dominance in the forty third minute when Craig MacEwan got on the end of another excellent move to tuck away a Jamie Graham cut back from the right. The Ants defence appealed in vain for an offside decision and although Jamie didn't have his glasses on he was pretty sure Craig was behind the ball when he played it! 

Graham "Sugar"Douglas replaced Thomas McCulloch in goal for the start of the second half with a promise from the Manager that youngsters Jay Cooper and Daniel Croarkin would get a run out for the closing thirty minutes. A devastating start to the second half saw Saints score three times in five minutes to put the game well beyond the visitors' reach. Straight from the kick off Donald Campbell ran at the heart of the Ants defence winning a corner kick and setting the tone for another forty five minutes of Saints domination. Craig MacEwan netted his second goal of the day in the forty sixth minute clipping home from twelve yards range after a give and go with Ross Maitland. Three minutes later Donald Campbell completed his brace with Scott Maitland providing the killer pass. The match was all over as a contest by now and Ross Maitland completed the scoring with a stunning finish from the left slamming the ball into the net past Connolly's despairing left hand after a lay off from Donald Campbell. Both sides passed up decent opportunities to test the respective goal keepers from set-pieces. Firstly Ants striker Grant Kelly curled a free kick high over the cross bar after Dene Cassells had illegally halted a promising move from the visitors. Scott Maitland then returned the compliment after Ross Loughlin had brought him down twenty four yards from goal. The hour mark brought the promised line-up changes with Jay Cooper replacing Fraser MacFarlane up front and Daniel Croarkin replacing Dougal Graham at the back. Daniel joined Craig Campbell in the centre with Dene Cassells moving to left back giving the visitors some brief encouragement while the home defence adjusted to the positional changes. Donald Campbell almost tee'd up Jay Cooper for a shot on goal in the sixty fourth minute but the substitute was denied by a tremendous last ditch challenge by Paul O'Brien taking the ball off the youngster's toe at the expense of a corner kick. Jamie Graham was forced to concede a corner at the other end making a good interception to cut out a cross from the left from Grant Kelly. Ross Loughlin sent over a deep cross which reached the unmarked Graeme Crawford at the back post who, fortunately for Saints, sent his shot high and wide of target. Donnie Campbell tried to turn provider again in the seventieth minute almost picking out Craig Campbell in the centre after the big defender had made a lung busting run from the back to join in the attack. Former Postal United man Paul O'Brien got in a timely header in just in front of Craig to send the ball behind for a corner kick. Craig stayed forward for Ross Maitland's corner and was cursing his luck again when Ross Loughlin hoofed his net bound downward header off the goal line. Craig's luck worsened moments later when injury forced him to leave the field in favour of Alex Craik in a like for like replacement in central defence. Despite being second best for most of the match the visitors never gave up and were rewarded for their perseverance with a deserved consolation goal in the seventy seventh minute when Saints momentarily switched off at a free kick on the edge of their own box. Substitute Aiden Lennon slipped the ball to Graeme Crawford who raced into the box and squared the ball to Craig Smith who forced the ball home from three yards range. Graeme Crawford almost doubled the Ants tally three minutes from time when he smacked the outside of Sugar's left hand post with a fierce right foot drive. Fittingly Saints ended the match in control and the visitors had keeper Jon Connolly to thank for a fine last minute save to deny Donald Campbell his hat-trick turning a fiercely struck shot from the left of the Ants box round his near post. Referee Rae brought a dominant Saints performance to an end with the only disappointment on a day of many positives for Manager Alex Craik being the knocks picked up by Martin Bonar and Craig Campbell adding to an already lengthy injury list.

Next up for Saints is a visit from old friends East Kilbride of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League.

Donald Campbell homes in on the Ants goal

Dougal Graham making his first appearance since returning from injury

Thomas McCulloch saves Grant Kelly's first half penalty

Craig MacEwan

Donald Campbell

Ross Maitland and Paul O'Brien

Jamie Graham

Paul Kerr

Paul O'Brien keeps his eye on the ball

Craig Campbell sees his header cleared off the line by Ross Loughlin

Craig Smith nets a late consolation goal for St Anthony's

#monthesaints

Ants Invasion

Adam & The Ants - AntMusic

Saturday 23rd July 2016

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC v St Anthony's FC

Glencruitten 1, Glencruitten Drive, Oban PA34 4EB

Kick off 2.00pm

Referee Mr Martin Rae

Saints continue their preparations for the 2016-17 season this Saturday with the first ever visit to Oban of St Anthony' Football Club. Founded in Govan in 1904 and gaining Junior status in 1905 the Ants quickly became a major force in the semi-professional ranks reaching their zenith between the first and second world wars. Four Scottish Junior League Championships, including three in a row between the 1918-19 and 1920-21 seasons, were joined in the Ants' trophy cabinet by the West of Scotland Junior Cup, the Glasgow Junior Cup and numerous other trophies during a remarkable purple patch. Only the much coveted Scottish Junior Cup escaped their clutches during this period losing the 1918-19 and 1924-25 finals to Rutherglen Glencairn and Saltcoats Victoria respectively with the latter requiring two replays to separate the sides.

The resumption of football after the second world war saw the Ants gain more honours without managing to reach the heights of their formative years. A series of set backs off the field, starting with a German bomb razing their pavilion to the ground in 1941, eventually left the Ants homeless and at their lowest ebb. However their fortunes took a turn for the better in 2003 when they found a new home off Shieldhall Road in Cardonald promptly named McKenna Park. The move to McKenna Park coincided with the lifting of the Ants last significant piece of silverware when they secured the 2002-03 Scottish Junior Football Association West Region Central District Division Two title. A thirteen season spell in Division One followed eventually coming to an end in May of this year when they joined Carluke Rovers and Dunipace Juniors in dropping into Division Two.

Often wrongly credited with being the inspiration for Celtic's famous green and white hoops the Ants have in fact provided the Glasgow giants with sixty one players over the years the most famous of which being Scottish Football Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Evans. Centre half Evans was transferred from the Ants to Celtic in 1944 and went on to Captain the Parkhead club making a total of 535 appearances along the way. Evans also won forty eight caps for Scotland and Captained his country on twelve occasions.

If you would like to find out more about the history of Saturday's visitors head over to the excellent  www.antshistory.moonfruit.com website.

Under New Management

The Ants have appointed a new management team of Ronnie McDonald and Tony Kane to mastermind their push for an immediate return to Division One. The new campaign begins in earnest on Saturday 6th August with an away League Cup group section match against Arthurlie of the West of Scotland Super League Premier Division. The Ants preparation for the new season got underway with a 5 - 1 away defeat against Irvine Meadow XI and continued with a 1 - 0 reverse at Blantyre Victoria. Despite the results there were many positives for the Ants with the result against Irvine Meadow XI in particular not being a fair reflection of the balance of play.

This may be St Anthony's first visit to Oban however at least one of their travelling party is no stranger to the playing fields at Glencruitten. Ants central defender Paul O'Brien is a veteran of several epic bus journeys to Oban from his time with Postal United and was a member of Postal's all conquering 2011-12 Scottish Amateur Football League treble winning squad.

Saints Team News

Saints Manager Alex Craik returned from his holidays to supervise this weeks training and was pleased to see Dougal Graham take his first steps on the road to recovery from the ankle ligament damage sustained at the tail end of last season. Alex still has a number of players missing due to injury and holidays but will be able to name a strong squad for what is sure to be a stiff test against the Ants. 

McKenna Park, Cardonald home of St Anthony's and scene of Saints 2014 Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy triumph against Inverclyde

St Anthony's Co-Manager Ronnie McDonald

St Anthony's and former Postal United central defender Paul O'Brien. Photo by @gerrylp73

#monthesaints

Men Against Boys

Saturday 16th July 2016

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC 1 - 1 Vale of Leven FC

Glencruitten 1, Glencruitten Drive, Oban PA34 4EB

Kick off 2.00pm

Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

Martin Bonar
Jamie Graham
Willie Gemmell
Scott Maitland

Myles McAuley
Paul Kerr
Matthew Kelly

Ross Maitland
Donald Campbell (Captain )
Dean Smith

Used Substitutes:-

Lewis Buchanan
Jay Cooper
Daniel Croarkin
Elliot Dougal
Graham Douglas
Sean Ford
Fraser MacFarlane

Saints Goalscorer:-

Donald Campbell ⚽

Lobbyists for summer football received a stark reminder that the Scottish weather is no respecter of seasons as Saints and Vale of Leven played out an entertaining friendly match in foul weather conditions at Glencruitten last Saturday. As was the case when Vale came visiting last year heavy rain on the eve of the match necessitated an early morning pitch inspection which Glencruitten 1, normally reserved for matches with the oval ball, passed with flying colours with the immaculately prepared surface holding up well during the match. Injuries and holiday commitments, including those of Manager Alex Craik, gave the Saints line-up an unfamiliar look particularly on the bench where in charge for the day Assistant Manager Donald Campbell named youngsters Jay Cooper, Daniel Croarkin, Fraser MacFarlane and fifteen year old Lewis Buchanan alongside experienced trio Graham Douglas, Sean Ford and Elliot Dougal. Despite the absence of some key players the starting eleven was a strong one and included welcome returns from long injury lay offs for Martin Bonar and Myles McAuley. The versatile Martin slotted in at right full back making up the back four alongside Jamie Graham, Willie Gemmell and Scott Maitland. Myles took up his usual position in the middle of the park with Paul Kerr and young Matthew Kelly for company. Captain for the day Donald Campbell joined Ross Maitland and Dean Smith in attack with goalkeeper Thomas McCulloch completing the starting eleven.

Vale kicked off attacking the pavilion end and almost caught Saints cold with central midfielder Lee McGeachy being allowed to run unchallenged all the way to the eighteen yard line before curling a shot wide of Thomas McCulloch's left hand post. Surviving this early scare Saints settled quickly into their stride with Donald Campbell and Dean Smith combining well on the left to carve out an opportunity for Ross Maitland who sliced an excellent chance horribly wide from just inside the Vale box. The visitors took the lead in the sixth minute from an innocuous looking deep cross from the right wing by Adam Monaghan. Thomas McCulloch elected to stay on his line allowing Monaghan's cross to reach Scott Cowan who out-jumped Jamie Graham at the back post to head the ball back across goal for Craig Cowan to nod into the net from three yards out. Despite the early reverse Saints continued to impress against their semi-professional opponents and presented Vale keeper Scott Morrison with his first test of the afternoon on the ninth minute. Scott Maitland made good progress on the left wing but, finding his path blocked by full back Devine cut the ball back to Paul Kerr. Paul picked out Ross Maitland who shifted the ball to his right opening up the angle for a low shot from twenty two yards which Morrison at full stretch tipped round his left hand post for a corner. Ross took the kick from the right and found the head of Martin Bonar who was unable to repeat his scoring feat from last year's fixture with Scott Morrison initially parrying Martin's effort before gathering safely at the second attempt. Other than picking the ball out of his own net Thomas McCulloch had to wait until the twelfth minute for his first involvement comfortably tipping over a twenty five yard shot from central midfielder Ross after Willie Gemmell had headed clear a deep cross from the left. Saints received a let-off from the resulting corner as Vale centre half Bryson sent a free header well wide of target. The Saints keeper was made to work a lot harder in the twenty fourth minute getting down smartly to his right to stop a decent effort from Scott Cowan after another good cross from the Vale left. The contrasting styles of the two sides made for interesting viewing for the small crowd of hardy spectators who had braved the elements to cheer on their favourites. While Saints employed their usual passing game the visitors favoured a more direct approach which proved a good test for the makeshift Saints back four. The movement of the Saints front three was keeping the Vale defence on their toes with Donald Campbell producing good work on the left in the twenty fifth minute to set up a chance for Ross Maitland. Unfortunately Ross couldn't get the ball under control on the edge of the six yard box with the loose ball breaking towards Dean Smith who could only turn a very difficult opportunity wide of Morrison's right hand post. Morrison made a fantastic double save three minutes later to deny Donald Campbell and Dean Smith. Donald made a powerful run at the heart of the Vale defence before unleashing a shot which Morrison saved low down to his right. Dean Smith was first to the loose ball but the big keeper was quickly back on his feet to block Dean's effort at his near post at the expense of a corner kick. Ross Maitland once again found the head of Martin Bonar from the corner flag whose knock down fell kindly for Donald Campbell who unfortunately couldn't keep his shot down sending it soaring high over the crossbar from ten yards out. Saints eventually got their reward for their first half exertions deservedly drawing level five minutes before the break. Myles McAuley threaded a perfectly weighted through ball for Donald Campbell's run through the inside left channel. Last season's top scorer Donald made no mistake calmly passing the ball into the bottom corner of the net past the Vale keeper's despairing left hand. McAuley was involved again at the other end when he was harshly penalised by Referee Litster twenty eight yards from his own goal. Lee McGeachy curled the free kick around the Saints wall drawing an excellent save from Thomas McCulloch diving full length to his left to send the teams into the half time interval on level terms. 

With Manager Alex Craik on holiday team affairs were in the hands of Assistant Manager Donald Campbell who used the second half to give his entire bench a good run out. Graham Douglas came on to replace Thomas McCulloch in goal and continued the good form he showed in the D&K Lafferty Cup two weeks previously. Notwithstanding the raft of changes made by both sides and the worsening weather conditions the second half maintained the high tempo of the first forty five. Scott Morrison produced another excellent save to deny Dean Smith low down to his right after Ross Maitland had picked out Dean at the back post with a deep cross from the right wing. Morrison's save kick started a flurry of Saints corners but the Vale defence stood firm to repel the aerial bombardment. Saints kept knocking on the Vale door but found clear cut chances hard to come by and were almost undone by a Sean Stewart header from an Adam Monaghan cross from the right but, thankfully for Saints, the second half substitute miscued his header wide of target. The hour mark was the signal for Saints to make five changes withdrawing Martin Bonar. Matthew Kelly, Paul Kerr, Myles McAuley and Dean Smith and introducing a mixed bag of youth and experience consisting of Jay Cooper and Fraser MacFarlane, who had featured in the D&K Lafferty Cup, debutant Daniel Croarkin, Sean Ford and Elliot Dougal. The lively Sean Stewart remained a threat for Vale and made a weaving run through the middle of the park where Saints were still adjusting to the positional changes brought about by the substitutions. The Vale striker fired in a powerful shot which Graham Douglas saved well low down to his right. With twenty minutes remaining Saints made their final change introducing fifteen year old Lewis Buchanan for his first team debut replacing Ross Maitland on the right wing. Donald Campbell almost doubled his tally making a good run from the right in the seventy seventh minute to meet a defence splitting diagonal pass from Willie Gemmell. Donald's first time shot left the keeper flat footed but slipped narrowly wide of the far post. The Saints youngsters were certainly not overawed by the occasion and showed up well against their more experienced opponents with Jay Cooper coming close to netting a late winner cutting in from the left and forcing Vale keeper Morrison into a smart save at his near post. Referee Jimmy Litster, who had enjoyed an easy afternoon's work, brought a good natured contest to an end with honours even and plenty of positives for both sides to take into their next warm-up fixtures.

Saints next opponents, St Anthony's, are also from the Juniors ranks and visit Glencruitten 1 this coming Saturday afternoon.

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Willie Gemmell's appeal for a penalty is ignored by Referee Litster

Martin Bonar gets his header on target but can't beat Scott Morrison

Acrobatics from Vale's Kenny Wilson

Thomas McCulloch saves from Lee McGeachy

Vale press forward on a youthful Saints right

Vale goalkeeper Scott Morrison

Daniel Croarkin

Lewis Buchanan and Fraser MacFarlane

Men against boys

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