Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Inverclyde AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott
In match three of their assault on this season's Premier Division title Saints welcome long time Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Inverclyde to Glencruitten. "The 'Clyde's" last visit to Oban was just three months ago on Sunday 22nd May and resulted in a 4 - 1 win for Saints setting them up nicely for the Jimmy Marshall Trophy final against St Joseph's FP five days later but leaving 'Clyde thankful that their superior goal difference would keep them out of reach of fellow relegation battlers Alba Thistle. Having narrowly escaped an immediate return to Premier Division One with last season's seventh place finish the 'Clyde will now look to consolidate their position in the Premier Division. However, this season's campaign for the 'Clyde got off to an inauspicious start last Saturday with a 4 - 2 home defeat at the hands of bogey team Shawlands FP their fifth consecutive defeat at the hands of the Warriors. The 'Clyde have fared infinitely better in their Centenary Cup group section matches where convincing wins against Broomhill, Dunoon and East End United have secured a quarter final tie against either Motherwell Thistle or East Kilbride YMCA.
Saints hold the upper hand in their home fixtures against the Inverclyde winning five of the last six however they can take nothing for granted against a side which has rattled in twenty goals in their last four matches. Saints are also in excellent goal scoring form with thirteen goals from their two games which bodes well for an entertaining encounter between the two old foes.
Saints hold the upper hand in their home fixtures against the Inverclyde winning five of the last six however they can take nothing for granted against a side which has rattled in twenty goals in their last four matches. Saints are also in excellent goal scoring form with thirteen goals from their two games which bodes well for an entertaining encounter between the two old foes.
Team News
Scottish Amateur international Scott Maitland should be available for selection following his return from holiday which caused him to miss last weekend's trip to Motherwell. Skipper Marc Maccallum continues to suffer from toothache but should be ready to play through the pain barrier once again. Definitely missing are long term injury victims Martin Bonar and Dougal Graham who remain several weeks away from a return to action. On a brighter note Paul Carmichael came through this midweek's training session and will soon be pressing for a place in the squad.
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| Inverclyde AFC |
Inverclyde AFC fixtures so far this season:-
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
20th August 2016 Inverclyde 2 - 4 Shawlands FP
Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup
13th August 2016 Broomhill 2 - 7 Inverclyde
17th August 2016 Inverclyde 5 - 3 Dunoon
24th August 2016 East End United 2 - 6 Inverclyde
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| Saints Skipper Marc MacCallum makes the introductions when the Saints and Inverclyde met in the 20113 - 14 SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final |
Inverclyde AFC recent SAFL finishes:-
2006 - 07 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted
2007 - 08 Premier Division 2nd
2008 - 09 Premier Division 7th
2009 - 10 Premier Division 5th
2010 - 11 Premier Division 5th
2011 - 12 Premier Division 8th
2012 - 13 Premier Division 6th
2013 - 14 Premier Division 9th Relegated
2014 - 15 Premier Division One 5th Promoted
2015 - 16 Premier Division 7th
Saints SAFL Premier Division home record v Inverclyde in recent seasons:-
2007 - 08 16th February 2008 Oban Saints 0 - 1 Inverclyde
2008 - 09 4th April 2009 Oban Saints 1 - 1 Inverclyde
2009 - 10 13th March 2010 Oban Saints 5 - 2 Inverclyde
2010 - 11 19th February 2011 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Inverclyde
2011 - 12 27th August 2011 Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde
2012 - 13 25th May 2013 Oban Saints 3 - 3 Inverclyde
2013 - 14 24th May 2014 Oban Saints 2 - 0 Inverclyde
2015 - 16 22nd May 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 1 Inverclyde
Action from last season's home fixture against Inverclyde
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| The Gaffer |
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| Dean Smith slides in on David McArthur's cut back |
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| Graham Douglas punches clear |
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| Alex Craik, Darren McGregor and Dene Cassells |
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| Paul Carmichael and 'Clyde Skipper Gordon McKillop tangle in midfield |
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| Nick Jack brings a promising Paul Kerr break to an end |
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| Dougal Graham slots home Saints second goal |
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| Dean Smith congratulates Dougal Graham on his goal |
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| Craig MacEwan takes on Fraser Gunn and Chris Murray |
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| Craig MacEwan heads home David McArthur's cross for Saints third goal |
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| Stevie Docherty pleads that Allan Mackay was offside for Saints fourth goal |
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| Neil McCole pulls one back for the visitors from the penalty spot |
In Other News
Scott Maitland has been included in National Select Manager Bruce McNaught's twenty nine man squad for this Sunday's trial match at Lesser Hampden. Scott will hope to convince Mr McNaught and his coaching staff that he is worthy of a place in the squad to face England, also at Lesser Hampden on Sunday 4th September. Scott's good showing in the UEFA Regions Cup last season should stand him in good stead however, with competition for places in the squad likely to be keen, Scott will have to maintain the high performance levels which brought him to the National Manager's attention in the first place.
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