Saturday 27th August 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC 4 - 2 Inverclyde AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott
Saints starting line-up:-
Thomas McCulloch
David McArthur
Craig Campbell
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Myles McAuley
Paul Kerr
Willie Gemmell
Ross Maitland
Donald Campbell
Craig MacEwan
Substitutes used:-
Scott Maitland
Dean Smith
Daniel Croarkin
Unused substitutes:-
Dene Cassells
Paul Carmichael
Matthew Kelly
Fraser MacFarlane
Saints goalscorers:-
Willie Gemmell
Craig MacEwan
David McArthur
Donald Campbell
Saints warmed up for their crunch Scottish Amateur Cup first round tie against Finnart with a hard fought league win against against old rivals Inverclyde at Glencruitten last Saturday. Manager Alex Craik named ten of the starting eleven that had let a two goal lead slip against Motherwell Thistle the previous week with Dene Cassells dropping to the bench in favour of Craig Campbell. With competition for starting places hotting up the Gaffer was able to include a further six substitutes and Paul Carmichael, Daniel Croarkin, Matthew Kelly, Scott Maitland, Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith joined Dene on the bench. Sticking with their favoured 4-3-3 formation Saints lined up with Thomas McCulloch in goal; a back four of David McArthur, Craig Campbell, Marc Maccallum and Jamie Graham; a midfield of Myles McAuley, Paul Kerr and Willie Gemmell; and a front three of Ross Maitland, Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan.
Inverclyde's new black and red strip was too similar to Saints navy blue ensemble forcing Saints Secretary David Buchanan to dig into the kit bag for the 2014 double winning kit of white shirts, black shorts and white socks. The visitors kicked off attacking the Mossfield end with only four of the team that lost 4 - 1 on their last visit to Glencruitten remaining. The much changed 'Clyde line-up, including five of the new signings that has taken the Greenock club to the quarter final stage of the Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup, were quick to settle in an even opening five minutes. Saints were first to threaten in the fifth minute when Donald Campbell sent a cross from the right into the 'Clyde box looking for Craig MacEwan. 'Clyde skipper Greg Wilson got to the ball first but sliced his attempted clearance behind for the first corner kick of the match. Ross Maitland's delivery from the left was forced clear but only as far as Willie Gemmell whose return ball into the danger area won a second corner. Ross Maitland picked out the head of Donald Campbell on the corner of the six yard box with Donald's downward header eventually breaking to David McArthur at the opposite end of the six yard line from where the Saints right full back fired a shot narrowly wide of the keeper's left hand post. The Saints defence was carved open in the seventh minute with new signing from Dunoon Amateurs Guy Finnegan rounding off an excellent move from the left with a thumping finish past a hopelessly exposed Thomas McCulloch to give the visitors the lead. A tenth minute foul on Myles McAuley by Steven Morris just inside the 'Clyde half gave Saints the chance to combine the dead ball accuracy of Willie Gemmell with the aerial threat of Craig Campbell. The pair duly delivered unfortunately there was no Saints player on hand to capitalise of Craig's well won knock down and 'Clyde keeper Michael Ptolomey was able to gather comfortably. From Ptolomey's clearance 'Clyde threatened again on the left wing with goalscorer Finnegan drawing a good tackle from Marc Maccallum to halt the move on the edge of the Saints box. Play returned swiftly to the other end with Craig MacEwan jinking along the eighteen yard line and laying the ball off to Paul Kerr whose well struck shot from twenty yards was deflected behind for another Saints corner. Ross Maitland again provided a good delivery from the right however the 'Clyde defence stood firm to head the danger clear.
Saints equalised in the seventeenth minute from a well worked move on the left. Willie Gemmell threaded a pass through the inside left channel which Craig MacEwan allowed to run past him for the overlapping Jamie Graham. The visitors appealed for offside against Craig MacEwan but Referee John Scott correctly allowed play to continue. Jamie drove on towards the bye-line and sent a low cut back to Willie Gemmell who fired a first time shot into the bottom corner past Michael Ptolomey's left hand. Inverclyde were again left screaming in vain for an offside decision just one minute later when Willie Gemmell's raking pass found Ross Maitland wide on the right and in behind the 'Clyde back four. Ross measured a cross into the box for Donald Campbell who had to take a touch to control the ball which allowed Michael Ptolomey to narrow the angle and make a good save. Saints continued their good spell forcing Ptolomey into action once again in the twentieth minute however Ross Maitland's low shot from eighteen yards lacked power and provided the 'Clyde keeper with a simple task to scoop up the ball. Jamie Graham's powerful running from left back almost unlocked the 'Clyde defence again in the twenty third minute with Ptolomey making a vital interception to cut out Jamie's cross before it could reach Myles McAuley at the back post. The pressure eventually told for Saints on the half hour mark when Donald Campbell pounced on a moment of hesitation in the Inverclyde back four. Donald robbed Fraser Gunn ten yards inside the 'Clyde half and sent Ross Maitland off on a run up the right wing leaving 'Clyde left back Robbie McAlpine trailing in his wake. Ross produced another excellent delivery picking out Craig MacEwan at the back post who beat Christopher McGivern and Greg Wilson turning the ball into the net to give Saints the lead. Saints maintained the upper hand until the interval without seriously threatening the visitor's goal until the forty fifth minute when Willie Gemmell flashed a drive wide of the upright after Michael Ptolomey had punched clear a Ross Maitland corner from the left.
Slack passing ensured a poor start to the second half for Saints with only a forty sixth minute cross along the six yard line from Paul Kerr posing any kind of threat to the visitor's goal. At the other end Inverclyde were looking dangerous with Jamie Graham relieved to see Marc Maccallum coming across to cover at the expense of a corner after a slip almost let in Darren McGregor for a shot on goal. The Saints skipper made a spectacular diving headed clearance from the corner from the 'Clyde right but the respite was only brief and the visitors deservedly drew level in the fifty seventh minute. A cheaply conceded free kick on the 'Clyde right gave Robbie McAlpine a chance to put the ball into the danger area which he gladly accepted. The left full back whipped an excellent delivery into the box meeting Greg Wilson's well timed run past a static Saints defence to head the ball into the net for the equaliser. This was just the wake up call Saints needed and they struck back almost immediately from the restart. Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell linked up well on the edge of the 'Clyde box with Craig's quick pass sending Donald in behind the defence and through on goal. Keeper Ptolomey once again got his angles spot on coming out at his near post to close Donald down and turn the ball behind for a corner. Donald also got on the end of Ross Maitland's corner from the right with his downward header causing all sorts of confusion in the 'Clyde defence which David McArthur capitalised on to sneak the loose ball in at the back post to restore Saint's lead. The goal kick started a much improved spell for Saints where Craig MacEwan was unlucky to see a lob beat the 'Clyde keeper but bounce off the top of the crossbar and Ross Maitland's follow up overhead kick land safely in the Michael Ptolomey's arms. Jamie Graham's afternoon as a makeshift left back came to an end just after the hour mark when he was replaced by Scottish Amateur International left back Scott Maitland. Scott was immediately into the action making a strong run up the left wing before fizzing a dangerous cross into the box which Craig MacEwan was unfortunately unable to divert on target sending a difficult chance wide of Michael Ptolomey's right hand post. Guy Finnegan posted a reminder of the danger he poses skinning Marc Maccallum on the left wing in the sixty eighth minute and cutting inside to get a good shot away which Craig Campbell defelected behind for a corner kick. Thomas McCulloch calmed the nerves on the touchline by gathering the corner kick from the left cleanly but put hearts back in mouths just sixty seconds later. The big keeper scuffed a seemingly straight forward clearance off the shins of Guy Finnegan before recovering in the nick of time to pluck the ball from the toes of the 'Clyde danger man much to the relief of the home support. At the other end Paul Kerr popped up in an unlikely position climbing well at the back post to head a Ross Maitland cross wide under pressure from Christopher McGivern. The Saints goal continued to lead a charmed life with Thomas McCulloch pulling off a fine save at his near post to deny Finnegan a second goal after more good work on the left and Darren McGregor firing a shot wide of McCulloch's right hand post after Craig Campbell had been left man for man with McGregor. Manager Alex Craik made his second change of the afternoon replacing Ross Maitland with Dean Smith at the same time dropping Donald Campbell a little deeper to form a four man midfield. Initially the change did little to change the pattern of play with Saints still wasteful in possession leaving the visitors hopeful of snatching an equaliser. Relief however was close at hand with a well worked move from Saints own box leading to the killer goal in the eighty sixth minute. Thomas McCulloch threw the ball out to David McArthur with the Saints right back able to carry the ball forward unchallenged to the half way line. David found Craig MacEwan who in turn laid the ball off to Donald Campbell for a defence splitting pass for Dean Smith to spin in behind the 'Clyde defence only for Fraser Gunn to clip his heels before he could get a shot away. Referee John Scott immediately pointed to the spot from where Donald Campbell sent Michael Ptolomey the wrong way with an emphatic finish. The Gaffer made one final change for the closing minutes bringing on Daniel Croarkin to replace Myles McAuley in the middle of the park. Thankfully there was no repeat of the previous week's dramatic late collapse and Saints comfortably saw out the remainder of the match before Mr Scott's final whistle brought an entertaining afternoon to a close.
Next up for Saints is an extremely tough Scottish Amateur Cup first round tie away at former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Finnart who currently lead Caledonian League Division 1B with maximum points from their opening two matches.
Michael Ptolomey can't keep out Willie Gemmell's shot for Saints opening goal
Willie Gemmell accepts the congratulations of his team mates
Donald Campbell and Inverclyde Skipper Greg Wilson
Craig MacEwan turns in Ross Maitland's cross for Saints second goal
Craig MacEwan and Ross Maitland celebrate Craig's goal
Craig MacEwan and Christopher McGivern have a difference of opinion
Inverclyde keeper Michael Ptolomey
Jamie Graham practices his Scottish Country Dancing
David McArthur scorer of Saints third goal
Donald Campbell makes the points safe from the penalty spot
Dean Smith, Willie Gemmell and Craig MacEwan congratulate Donald Campbell on his goal
Thomas McCulloch
#monthesaints
Saints starting line-up:-
Thomas McCulloch
David McArthur
Craig Campbell
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Myles McAuley
Paul Kerr
Willie Gemmell
Ross Maitland
Donald Campbell
Craig MacEwan
Substitutes used:-
Scott Maitland
Dean Smith
Daniel Croarkin
Unused substitutes:-
Dene Cassells
Paul Carmichael
Matthew Kelly
Fraser MacFarlane
Saints goalscorers:-
Willie Gemmell
Craig MacEwan
David McArthur
Donald Campbell
Saints warmed up for their crunch Scottish Amateur Cup first round tie against Finnart with a hard fought league win against against old rivals Inverclyde at Glencruitten last Saturday. Manager Alex Craik named ten of the starting eleven that had let a two goal lead slip against Motherwell Thistle the previous week with Dene Cassells dropping to the bench in favour of Craig Campbell. With competition for starting places hotting up the Gaffer was able to include a further six substitutes and Paul Carmichael, Daniel Croarkin, Matthew Kelly, Scott Maitland, Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith joined Dene on the bench. Sticking with their favoured 4-3-3 formation Saints lined up with Thomas McCulloch in goal; a back four of David McArthur, Craig Campbell, Marc Maccallum and Jamie Graham; a midfield of Myles McAuley, Paul Kerr and Willie Gemmell; and a front three of Ross Maitland, Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan.
Inverclyde's new black and red strip was too similar to Saints navy blue ensemble forcing Saints Secretary David Buchanan to dig into the kit bag for the 2014 double winning kit of white shirts, black shorts and white socks. The visitors kicked off attacking the Mossfield end with only four of the team that lost 4 - 1 on their last visit to Glencruitten remaining. The much changed 'Clyde line-up, including five of the new signings that has taken the Greenock club to the quarter final stage of the Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup, were quick to settle in an even opening five minutes. Saints were first to threaten in the fifth minute when Donald Campbell sent a cross from the right into the 'Clyde box looking for Craig MacEwan. 'Clyde skipper Greg Wilson got to the ball first but sliced his attempted clearance behind for the first corner kick of the match. Ross Maitland's delivery from the left was forced clear but only as far as Willie Gemmell whose return ball into the danger area won a second corner. Ross Maitland picked out the head of Donald Campbell on the corner of the six yard box with Donald's downward header eventually breaking to David McArthur at the opposite end of the six yard line from where the Saints right full back fired a shot narrowly wide of the keeper's left hand post. The Saints defence was carved open in the seventh minute with new signing from Dunoon Amateurs Guy Finnegan rounding off an excellent move from the left with a thumping finish past a hopelessly exposed Thomas McCulloch to give the visitors the lead. A tenth minute foul on Myles McAuley by Steven Morris just inside the 'Clyde half gave Saints the chance to combine the dead ball accuracy of Willie Gemmell with the aerial threat of Craig Campbell. The pair duly delivered unfortunately there was no Saints player on hand to capitalise of Craig's well won knock down and 'Clyde keeper Michael Ptolomey was able to gather comfortably. From Ptolomey's clearance 'Clyde threatened again on the left wing with goalscorer Finnegan drawing a good tackle from Marc Maccallum to halt the move on the edge of the Saints box. Play returned swiftly to the other end with Craig MacEwan jinking along the eighteen yard line and laying the ball off to Paul Kerr whose well struck shot from twenty yards was deflected behind for another Saints corner. Ross Maitland again provided a good delivery from the right however the 'Clyde defence stood firm to head the danger clear.
Saints equalised in the seventeenth minute from a well worked move on the left. Willie Gemmell threaded a pass through the inside left channel which Craig MacEwan allowed to run past him for the overlapping Jamie Graham. The visitors appealed for offside against Craig MacEwan but Referee John Scott correctly allowed play to continue. Jamie drove on towards the bye-line and sent a low cut back to Willie Gemmell who fired a first time shot into the bottom corner past Michael Ptolomey's left hand. Inverclyde were again left screaming in vain for an offside decision just one minute later when Willie Gemmell's raking pass found Ross Maitland wide on the right and in behind the 'Clyde back four. Ross measured a cross into the box for Donald Campbell who had to take a touch to control the ball which allowed Michael Ptolomey to narrow the angle and make a good save. Saints continued their good spell forcing Ptolomey into action once again in the twentieth minute however Ross Maitland's low shot from eighteen yards lacked power and provided the 'Clyde keeper with a simple task to scoop up the ball. Jamie Graham's powerful running from left back almost unlocked the 'Clyde defence again in the twenty third minute with Ptolomey making a vital interception to cut out Jamie's cross before it could reach Myles McAuley at the back post. The pressure eventually told for Saints on the half hour mark when Donald Campbell pounced on a moment of hesitation in the Inverclyde back four. Donald robbed Fraser Gunn ten yards inside the 'Clyde half and sent Ross Maitland off on a run up the right wing leaving 'Clyde left back Robbie McAlpine trailing in his wake. Ross produced another excellent delivery picking out Craig MacEwan at the back post who beat Christopher McGivern and Greg Wilson turning the ball into the net to give Saints the lead. Saints maintained the upper hand until the interval without seriously threatening the visitor's goal until the forty fifth minute when Willie Gemmell flashed a drive wide of the upright after Michael Ptolomey had punched clear a Ross Maitland corner from the left.
Slack passing ensured a poor start to the second half for Saints with only a forty sixth minute cross along the six yard line from Paul Kerr posing any kind of threat to the visitor's goal. At the other end Inverclyde were looking dangerous with Jamie Graham relieved to see Marc Maccallum coming across to cover at the expense of a corner after a slip almost let in Darren McGregor for a shot on goal. The Saints skipper made a spectacular diving headed clearance from the corner from the 'Clyde right but the respite was only brief and the visitors deservedly drew level in the fifty seventh minute. A cheaply conceded free kick on the 'Clyde right gave Robbie McAlpine a chance to put the ball into the danger area which he gladly accepted. The left full back whipped an excellent delivery into the box meeting Greg Wilson's well timed run past a static Saints defence to head the ball into the net for the equaliser. This was just the wake up call Saints needed and they struck back almost immediately from the restart. Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell linked up well on the edge of the 'Clyde box with Craig's quick pass sending Donald in behind the defence and through on goal. Keeper Ptolomey once again got his angles spot on coming out at his near post to close Donald down and turn the ball behind for a corner. Donald also got on the end of Ross Maitland's corner from the right with his downward header causing all sorts of confusion in the 'Clyde defence which David McArthur capitalised on to sneak the loose ball in at the back post to restore Saint's lead. The goal kick started a much improved spell for Saints where Craig MacEwan was unlucky to see a lob beat the 'Clyde keeper but bounce off the top of the crossbar and Ross Maitland's follow up overhead kick land safely in the Michael Ptolomey's arms. Jamie Graham's afternoon as a makeshift left back came to an end just after the hour mark when he was replaced by Scottish Amateur International left back Scott Maitland. Scott was immediately into the action making a strong run up the left wing before fizzing a dangerous cross into the box which Craig MacEwan was unfortunately unable to divert on target sending a difficult chance wide of Michael Ptolomey's right hand post. Guy Finnegan posted a reminder of the danger he poses skinning Marc Maccallum on the left wing in the sixty eighth minute and cutting inside to get a good shot away which Craig Campbell defelected behind for a corner kick. Thomas McCulloch calmed the nerves on the touchline by gathering the corner kick from the left cleanly but put hearts back in mouths just sixty seconds later. The big keeper scuffed a seemingly straight forward clearance off the shins of Guy Finnegan before recovering in the nick of time to pluck the ball from the toes of the 'Clyde danger man much to the relief of the home support. At the other end Paul Kerr popped up in an unlikely position climbing well at the back post to head a Ross Maitland cross wide under pressure from Christopher McGivern. The Saints goal continued to lead a charmed life with Thomas McCulloch pulling off a fine save at his near post to deny Finnegan a second goal after more good work on the left and Darren McGregor firing a shot wide of McCulloch's right hand post after Craig Campbell had been left man for man with McGregor. Manager Alex Craik made his second change of the afternoon replacing Ross Maitland with Dean Smith at the same time dropping Donald Campbell a little deeper to form a four man midfield. Initially the change did little to change the pattern of play with Saints still wasteful in possession leaving the visitors hopeful of snatching an equaliser. Relief however was close at hand with a well worked move from Saints own box leading to the killer goal in the eighty sixth minute. Thomas McCulloch threw the ball out to David McArthur with the Saints right back able to carry the ball forward unchallenged to the half way line. David found Craig MacEwan who in turn laid the ball off to Donald Campbell for a defence splitting pass for Dean Smith to spin in behind the 'Clyde defence only for Fraser Gunn to clip his heels before he could get a shot away. Referee John Scott immediately pointed to the spot from where Donald Campbell sent Michael Ptolomey the wrong way with an emphatic finish. The Gaffer made one final change for the closing minutes bringing on Daniel Croarkin to replace Myles McAuley in the middle of the park. Thankfully there was no repeat of the previous week's dramatic late collapse and Saints comfortably saw out the remainder of the match before Mr Scott's final whistle brought an entertaining afternoon to a close.
Next up for Saints is an extremely tough Scottish Amateur Cup first round tie away at former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Finnart who currently lead Caledonian League Division 1B with maximum points from their opening two matches.
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| Michael Ptolomey can't keep out Willie Gemmell's shot for Saints opening goal |
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| Willie Gemmell accepts the congratulations of his team mates |
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| Donald Campbell and Inverclyde Skipper Greg Wilson |
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| Craig MacEwan turns in Ross Maitland's cross for Saints second goal |
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| Craig MacEwan and Ross Maitland celebrate Craig's goal |
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| Craig MacEwan and Christopher McGivern have a difference of opinion |
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| Inverclyde keeper Michael Ptolomey |
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| Jamie Graham practices his Scottish Country Dancing |
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| David McArthur scorer of Saints third goal |
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| Donald Campbell makes the points safe from the penalty spot |
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| Dean Smith, Willie Gemmell and Craig MacEwan congratulate Donald Campbell on his goal |
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| Thomas McCulloch |
