Long Time Comin'

Bruce Springsteen - Long Time Comin'

Saturday 29th October 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v East Kilbride FC Amateurs
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

It's been a long time coming, nine weeks to be precise, however Saints will return to Glencruitten this Saturday for a long awaited home fixture. During that nine week spell circumstances conspired to ensure Saints would only manage three competitive matches therefore everybody at the club is now looking forward to what will hopefully be a good run of fixtures leading up to the Christmas and New Year break.

After last Saturday's West of Scotland Cup success away at Petershall Villa Saints could scarcely have asked for a bigger match on their return to league business than this weeks visit of reigning Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions East Kilbride FC Amateurs.  The amateur wing of highly ambitious Scottish Lowland Football League club East Kilbride FC, who themselves stand on the brink of a world record equaling twenty sixth consecutive victory, have taken the Scottish Amateur Football League by storm in recent seasons securing an unprecedented four consecutive league titles in a relentless march to the top division, Kilby's momentum continued in their first season in the Premier Division where they successfully saw off the challenge of established sides Saints and St Joseph's FP, and fellow top flight new boys Goldenhill, to land an incredible fifth league title on the spin. In addition to their hugely impressive league form EKFC Amateurs have also recorded some highly commendable cup runs reaching at least the sixth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup in each of the past three seasons. 

Kilby's opening to their title defence has stuttered slightly with two wins, two draws and a defeat from their first five fixtures. Five points from a possible fifteen is currently good enough for second place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division however early form team Goldenhill are already one point ahead of the reigning Champions with two games in hand and the chasing pack of Saints, Ferguslie Star and St Joseph's FP are all within touching distance also with games in hand.

After a disappointing Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup campaign which saw them eliminated at the group stage Kilby have recovered well to progress to the third round in both major amateur cup competitions where they will face Greater Glasgow Premier League opposition. In the Scottish Cup Kilby have a home Guy Fawkes day tie with Craigneuk. While in the West of Scotland Cup two weeks later it's a away trip to Erskine.

Previous meetings

There have only been three previous meetings between Saints and East Kilbride all of which came last season. In the league the honours were shared with draws at both Glencruitten and K-Park. However it was Saints who came out on top in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy second round tie at K-Park in February where two second half Donald Campbell strikes cancelled out David Atha's first half opener from the penalty spot.

Illness, injuries and work commitments continue to restrict Manager Alex Craik's selection options however he should still be able to name a strong squad for this vital league clash in what is already promising to be an extremely close Premier Division title race.



East Kilbride FC Amateurs fixtures so far this season;-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

20th August 2016 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts 3 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
27th August 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils
10th September 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 1 Shawlands FP
17th September 2016 Inverclyde 2 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
15th October 2016 Goldenhill 1 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup Group Section 6

13th August 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 3 Rutherglen

24th August 2016 Claremont 3 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

31st August 2016 Duncanrig FP 2 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Scottish Amateur Cup

Round One

3rd September 2016 St Mungo's 1 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Round Two

8th October 2016 Port Glasgow OBU 1 - 4 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Round One

Bye

Round Two

22nd October 2016 United Churches of Ayr 0 - 4 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

East Kilbride FC Amateurs Scottish Amateur Football League record;-

2011-12 Division 1B Champions Promoted
2012-13 Division 1A Champions Promoted
2013-14 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2014-15 Premier Division One Champions Promoted

2015-16 Premier Division Champions


Saints SAFL Premier Division record v East Kilbride FC Amateurs:-

15th August 2015 Oban Saints 0 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
14th May 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 1 Oban Saints

East Kilbride FC Amateurs Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions 2015 - 16

Action from last season's Glencruitten stalemate

Craig MacEwan heads over the crossbar

Dene Cassells prepares to let fly

Jamie Graham

Lewis Cameron tries to escape the attentions of Jamie Innes and Scott McEwan

Ross Maitland and Ross Campbell

In Other News

The draw for the third round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup took place at Hampden Park on Tuesday night. Saints were rewarded for their 8 - 0 second round win over Petershall Villa with a home tie against Auchinleck Boswell of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Second Division. The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday 19th November.

#monthesaints

Let There Be Light

Saturday 22nd October 2016
The Alona Hotel West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Second Round Tie
Petershall Villa AFC 0 - 8 Oban Saints AFC
St Ambrose High School 4G
65 Townhead Road
Coatbridge
ML5 2HT
Kick off 11.00am
Referee Mr Stephen Fox


Four goals in each half saw Saints ease comfortably into round three of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup at St Ambrose High School, Coatbridge last Saturday morning. The 11am kick off, due to pitch availability issues, aught to have suited hosts Petershall Villa of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League however it was the early risers from Argyll who prevailed. The Villains from Airdrie held out bravely for twenty six minutes however once Saints eventually made the breakthrough the result was never in any doubt.

Manager Alex Craik's selection options, already restricted by holidays, injuries and work commitments, were dealt a further blow when illness and injury respectively forced Jamie Graham and Dougal Graham to withdraw form the travelling party shortly before the minibus departure time of 7.00 am. With no time to call up any reinforcements the bus departed with twelve players plus the Gaffer who would join Fraser MacFarlane on the bench. The starting eleven saw three changes from the last outing against Ferguslie Star with David McArthur and Dene Cassells dropping out of the back four to be replaced by Matthew Kelly and Craig Campbell who lined up alongside Skipper Marc Maccallum and Scott Maitland. Up front Brian Mackay made his first start of the season in place of the unavailable Dean Smith where he joined Paul Carmichael and Craig MacEwan. The midfield had an all together more settled look with Myles McAuley, Paul Kerr and Willie Gemmell starting their sixth consecutive match together in the Saints engine room.

Saints kicked off attacking the school end and quickly announced their attacking intent with Paul Kerr firing in a second minute twenty two yard drive which Villa keeper Scott Black fumbled onto his right hand post before recovering in time to smother the rebound at the feet of Brian Mackay. The hosts looked content to defend in depth and hit on the break launching their first counter attack in the fifth minute with a ball in behind Craig Campbell which Marc Maccallum was forced to turn behind for a corner kick. Villa left back Alexander Cane's in-swinger from the right was headed well clear of the danger area by Craig Campbell. This signalled the start of a better spell for Villa as they briefly gained the upper hand in the middle of the park. An incisive pass form Andrew Buchanan in the eighth minute sent Martin Chisolm scampering up the left wing but the Villa wide man couldn't outpace Saints youngster Matthew Kelly who showed good strength to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick. Saints soon regained the initiative and created a flurry of chances keeping the hosts pinned back in their own half. Paul Carmichael snatched a shot wide of target after some good link up play on the left from Craig MacEwan and Brian Mackay. Two minutes later Carmichael flicked on a Willie Gemmell throw-in from the right which MacEwan was inches away from connecting with inside the six yard box. Saints kept up the pressure with Matthew Kelly making a terrific run up the right wing and sending an inviting delivery across the face of goal but unfortunately out of reach of the chasing pack of Paul Carmichael, Craig MacEwan and Brian Mackay. Kelly's overlaps on the right continued to cause problems for the Villa defence with a fourteenth minute run forcing a corner which the Saints right back took himself picking out Craig MacEwan at the near post for a chance from which Scott Black made a good save. MacEwan was foiled again just sixty seconds later when his sixteen yard shot from a Paul Kerr left wing cross was blocked behind for a corner kick. A sixteenth minute foul against Marc Maccallum for holding John Bruce twelve yards inside the Saints half gave the beleaguered Villa defence some respite however Daniel Rankin's effort from the resulting free kick was easily saved by Thomas McCulloch. Kelly's industry on the right forced another corner kick which Marc Maccallum, piling in at the back post, was inches away from connecting with. Saints dead ball expert Willie Gemmell had an opportunity to test Scott Black after he had been brought down twenty two yards from goal and slightly right of centre. Willie's free kick up and over the four man Villa wall should have been a straight forward catch for Black but the Villa keeper fumbled and was relieved to gather at the second attempt as Craig MacEwan, Paul Carmichael and Myles McAuley all converged on the loose ball. McAuley's afternoon came to a premature end when he went over on his left ankle on the edge of the Villa box in the twenty fifth minute. Mindful of the initially innocuous looking ankle injury picked up by Myles in the Mod Cup last October which ultimately resulted in a four month spell on the sidelines Manager Alex Craik decided to withdraw Myles immediately replacing him with Fraser MacFarlane. The youngster made an almost instant impact from wide on the right after Scott Black had produced an excellent save diving to his left to deny Paul Carmichael at the expense of a corner kick. MacFarlane's corner kick from the right had the Villa keeper under pressure once again with an unconvincing punched clearance landing at the feet of Craig MacEwan who turned the ball back out wide to MacFarlane. The wee man's second delivery was met by Willie Gemmell with a spectacular shoulder height volley into the top corner from eight yards to open the scoring. With the deadlock broken Saints set about increasing their advantage but were denied in the twenty eighth minute when Scott Black saved well from a Paul Carmichael header after another Fraser MacFarlane corner kick from the right. Saints second goal came after the sides exchanged counter attacks just after the half hour mark. Villa broke quickly on the right with Jamie Nicholson catching Scott Maitland too far up field and beating Craig Campbell for pace. Nicholson's cross into the box was cut out by Marc Maccallum who had a heart in mouth moment as his header crashed off his own crossbar and dropped into the grateful arms of Thomas McCulloch. The Saints number one immediately launched an attack on the right with Matthew Kelly and Paul Carmichael combining for Paul to pick out Craig MacEwan at the back post who made no mistake from the corner of the six yard box. Saints made it three in the thirty fourth minute with MacEwan this time the provider cutting in from the left to find the head of Brian Mackay on the six yard line who accepted with pleasure the chance to open his goal scoring account for the season. Despite their three goal advantage Saints certainly weren't having things their own way with the hosts now more adventurous approach giving them a few testing moments at the back. A John Cochrane foul on Matthew Kelly just inside the Saints half gave Saints the platform to spring another attack on the right with Willie Gemmell threading a perfectly weighted pass to Matthew Kelly who raced to the bye-line and sent a cross to the back post where Paul Carmichael climbed above the Villa defence to head Saints into a four goal half time lead.

Villa made a change for the start of the second half with David Rooney replacing Scott Black between the posts. The replacement keeper was under immediate pressure from a Fraser MacFarlane corner kick and was happy to see Daniel Rankin beat Craig Campbell in the air to head away the danger. In the forty seventh minute Craig MacEwan and Willie Gemmell linked up well for Willie to send a left foot lob from ten yards over Rooney's head and inches over the crossbar with the keeper rooted to the spot. The Villa goal survived another close shave in the fiftieth minute when Rooney allowed a throw-in from Ross Lowe to bounce under his feet before recovering enough ground to knock the ball onto the shins of Paul Carmichael and behind for a goal kick. Rooney's hopes of keeping a clean sheet were dashed after just seven second half minutes when Craig MacEwan timed his run to beat Villa's offside trap and meet a terrific pass through the inside left channel from Willie Gemmell. Craig gathered the ball on his left foot just inside the Villa box and calmly passed the ball right footed into the bottom corner past David Rooney's despairing left hand. MacEwan completed his hat-trick nine minutes later after good running from Fraser MacFarlane had opened up space on the left of the Villa box for Brian Mackay. Brian hit the bye-line and cut back for Craig who beat John Cochrane and Mark Russell at the near post to knock the ball past David Rooney. There was no let-up for the Villa defence as Saints kept coming forward and Paul Carmichael was inches away from getting on the end of a Brian Mackay cross after he and Fraser MacFarlane had created another good opening on the right. MacFarlane was denied in the sixty fifth minute by a fine Rooney save after another Matthew Kelly overlap on the right. The Villa substitute keeper threw himself to his left to finger tip MacFarlane's effort round the post for a corner kick. MacFarlane took the corner kick himself and placed the ball onto the head of Paul Carmichael who timed his leap at the back post to perfection to notch his second and Saints seventh goal of the contest. Full credit must go to Villa who never once let their heads drop and kept plugging away in search of a consolation goal. Villa had only once previously failed to score this season and Saints had Thomas McCulloch to thank for two excellent saves to keep their clean sheet intact. Once again Saints ended a better spell for the hosts with a sucker punch. A sweeping move in the seventy second minute was rounded off with a deserved goal for Fraser MacFarlane who worked a one-two with Craig MacEwan and cut in from the left past Evan Jones to steer the ball into the bottom corner past David Rooney's left hand. Before the restart Saints made their second and final substitution with Alex Craik coming on to replace Brian Mackay. Alex took up his accustomed place at the back with Craig Campbell moving forward into midfield. A good turn and spin in behind a high Villa back line from Paul Carmichael carved out another decent chance for Saints in the seventy sixth minute however Paul's cross from the left was fractionally too high for Craig MacEwan in the middle. Skipper Marc Maccallum fancied his chances of making a rare appearance on the score sheet but was high and wide with a speculative long range effort in the seventy ninth minute. Martin Chisolm returned the compliment three minutes later after Maccallum had been penalised on the edge of his own box sending his free kick well off target. Willie Gemmell made an attempt for goal of the season, in fact goal of any season, when he returned a David Rooney kick from hand on the volley from inside the centre circle only to see his audacious effort veer off target. With the clock ticking down towards the final whistle Saints had one final chance to add to the scoring when Craig Campbell made a good run from midfield to join the attack and was inches away from connecting with a good Fraser MacFarlane cross from the left. Referee Stephen Fox, whose task was made easy by both sets of players, brought a sporting contest to a close with Saints going into the hat for the third round draw. Manager Alex Craik can feel well pleased with an excellent all round performance and, in particular, a much needed clean sheet ahead of this Saturday's league clash with reigning Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions East Kilbride FC Amateurs.

Despite the early kick off the floodlights remained on throughout the match

Team Captains Marc Maccallum and Jamie Nicholson exchange handshakes with Referee Stephen Fox

Mark Russell slides in on Paul Carmichael

Willie Gemmell and John Cochrane

Petershall Villa goalkeeper Scott Black

Willie Gemmell's spectacular effort opens the scoring for Saints

Matthew Kelly

Scott Maitland beats Nathan Evans in the air

Willie Gemmell tries to lob the keeper

Craig MacEwan nets his second goal

Scott Maitland

Paul Carmichael heads his second and Saints seventh goal

Fraser MacFarlane rounds off the scoring

#monthesaints                   

Villains and Saints

Saturday 22nd October 2016
The Alona Hotel West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Second Round Tie
Petershall Villa AFC v Oban Saints AFC
St Ambrose High School 4G
65 Townhead Road
Coatbridge
ML5 2HT
Kick off 11.00am
Referee Mr Stephen Fox

A free week request for former player Alan Miller's stag weekend gave Saints their fifth fixture-less Saturday out of six last week denying the players an opportunity to get the disappointing defeat to Ferguslie Star immediately out of their systems. The chance to banish the errors which saw five league goals conceded on the road for the first time in seven years comes this weekend in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup against Saturday morning team Petershall Villa.

Founded in 2012 Petershall Villa are now in their fifth season in the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amatuer Football League where they currently occupy ninth place in Division 1C after away defeats to Kelvinbridge and Quayside Thistle in their opening two fixtures. Villa fared no better in an extremely tough League Cup Qualifying Competition group section containing three Premier Division teams losing all five matches to finish bottom of group section seven. Villa's cup woes against higher league opposition continued in the Scottish Amateur Cup where they fell at the first hurdle to Port Glasgow United of Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Division 1B. By far the highlight of a difficult start to the season for Villa came two weeks ago with a thrilling Strathclyde Cup win over Premier Division Dennistoun Vale a well run club which Saints fans will recall from the 2013-14 Scottish Cup campaign. Regrettably an unsuccessful search for a new Management team led to Vale folding last weekend chalking up another sad loss to the amateur game,

The venue for Saturday's fixture is St Ambrose High School, Coatbridge which numbers among it's former Head Teachers legendary football historian, author and broadcaster the late Bob Crampsey. Widely respected for his encyclopedic knowledge of Scottish football Crampsey was also "Brain of Britain" in 1965 and a Mastermind semi-finalist in 1973. His death in 2008 at the age of seventy eight was a great loss to Scottish football and was met with glowing tributes from far and wide.

Saints previously visited St Ambrose High School on 26th October 2013 for a Scottish Amateur Cup second round replay against Independent then of Stirling and District Amateur Football League Division One. Following a 3 - 3 draw at Glencruitten the previous Saturday Saints ran out comfortable 8 - 2 winners thanks to goals from Donald Campbell, Myles McAuley, Allan Mackay, an own goal and braces from Craig MacEwan and Lewis Cameron. The replay win kick started a remarkable run which took Saints to that season's seventh round where they eventually lost out to Eastfield of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.

This Saturday's second round tie kicks off at 11.00 am requiring an unusually early start for the Saints travelling party. Under West of Scotland Cup rules the tie must be played to a finish on the day with extra time and penalty kicks to decide the winner if the sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes.

Saints Manager Alex Craik will be hoping the weekend revelers return unscathed and that the walking wounded from the defeat in Paisley have recovered sufficiently to be included in his plans for what should be a good test against the Villains from Coatbridge.

Petershall Villa fixtures so far this season:-

Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Division 1C

17th September 2016 Kelvinbridge 4 - 3 Petershall Villa
15th October 2016 Quayside Thistle 4 - 2 Petershall Villa


Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Strathclyde Cup

Round 1
8th October 2016 Petershall Villa 3 - 2 Dennistoun Vale



Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Cup Qualifying Competition

Group 7
13th August 2016 Petershall Villa 1 - 3 Carluke
17th August 2016 East Dunbartonshire 8 - 2 Petershall Villa
20th August 2016 Cambusnethan Talbot 4 - 2 Petershall Villa
24th August 2016 AFC Ravenscraig 4 - 2 Petershall Villa
27th August 2016 Petershall Villa 5 - 7 UB United



Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition

Round 1
3rd September 2016 Port Glasgow United 3 - 0 Petershall Villa

St Ambrose High School

Legendary football historian, author and broadcaster Bob Crampsey former Head Teacher at St Ambrose High School

In Other News

The draw for the first and second rounds of this season's Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy was made at the League's October General Meeting with Saints receiving a bye in round one. Saints will therefore begin their defence of the trophy at the second round stage where they have been drawn away from home to Port Glasgow OBU of Premier Division 2a.

#monthesaints

For Fegs Sake

Saturday 8th October 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Ferguslie Star AFC 5 - 4 Oban Saints AFC
Seedhill Community Sports Ground
Seedhill Road
Paisley PA1 1QR
Kick off 3pm
Referee Mr James Tedford

An uncharacteristically sloppy defensive performance cost Saints their unbeaten start to the season at Seedhill, Paisley last Saturday afternoon where Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division new boys Ferguslie Star took full advantage of Saints beneficence to edge a nine goal thriller in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

Saints were without top scorer Donald Campbell with his place in the front three being taken by Paul Carmichael who proved to be an able deputy acquitting himself well up front with Craig MacEwan and Dean Smith. Dean himself was a late replacement for the unwell Ross Maitland who dropped to the bench suffering from a heavy cold. Otherwise it was a familiar Saints line-up with Thomas McCulloch in goal; a back four of David McArthur. Skipper Marc Maccallum, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland; and a midfield trio of Myles McAuley, Paul Kerr and Willie Gemmell. Joining Ross Maitland on the substitutes bench were Dougal Graham, Matthew Kelly and Brian Mackay.

Saints kicked off in bright sunshine attacking the Seedhill Pavilion end and immediately took the game to the hosts. Star lined up with a rigid 5-4-1 formation and appeared content to sit in and hit Saints on break which they did successfully in the sixth minute capitalising on a slip by Myles McAuley midway inside his own half. Steven Finlay broke quickly from midfield and found David Edwards on the eighteen yard line. The Star skipper beat his opposite number, Marc Maccallum, and cut into the box drilling a low shot past Thomas McCulloch's left hand to open the scoring. An eighth minute free kick won by Paul Carmichael on the corner of the box gave Saints their first opportunity to put Star keeper Raymond Brown under pressure but Willie Gemmell's cross was headed behind for a corner kick. Willie tried again from the corner flag this time finding Marc Maccallum at the near post who hooked the ball on target with the Star keeper showing good reactions to beat the ball out. The loose ball spun high into the air with Dene Cassells getting his head on it first but unfortunately unable to direct it on target sending his header eighteen inches over the crossbar. Saints continued to enjoy the majority of possession but could find no way through the five man Star defence. The home side counter attacked again to devastating effect in the fifteenth minute. Willie Gemmell was dispossessed in the centre circle with Steven Finlay picking up the loose ball and striding forward unchallenged through the inside right channel. Finlay reached the edge of the Saints box and squared for David Edwards who stroked another good finish past Thomas McCulloch to double the host's advantage. Leon Morrow picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon for a late challenge on Paul Kerr as the Saints midfield continued to probe for openings in the Star defence. Willie Gemmell's lofted delivery to the back post from the resulting free kick was comfortably dealt with by Raymond Brown. Saints were finally able to work the home keeper in the twentieth minute when Dean Smith turned on the eighteen yard line and rifled in a shot which Brown did well to hold. Skipper Marc Maccallum then popped up in an unusual position wide on the right and sent a dangerous cross into the box which the Star defence forced behind for a corner kick. Scott Maitland's in-swinger was partially cleared but only as far as David McArthur who sent a powerful shot on target which the Star keeper could only parry. Willie Gemmell was first to the loose ball but was quickly closed down by a three Star defenders and snatched his shot over the crossbar. In the twenty seventh minute Willie Gemmell had a chance to try his luck from a set piece after Dean Smith was brought down on the corner of Star box however the angle didn't particularly favour Willie and his effort sailed high over the crossbar. On the half hour mark Saints had a hopeful appeal for a penalty kick turned away by Referee Mr Tedford claiming in vain that a Star defender had used an arm to control a Scott Maitland corner kick before clearing his lines. Scott had another chance to put the ball into the danger area in the thirty fourth minute after Paul Carmichael had forced a corner kick on the left. Scott's out-swinger was headed out to David McArthur who saw his right foot volley tipped over the crossbar by Raymond Brown. Scott Maitland tried again from the left and this time found the head of Willie Gemmell who made good contact but flashed his header wide of Brown's right hand post. Saints finally made a breakthrough in the thirty seventh minute from an opportunity created by Dene Cassells. The Saints central defender made a good interception on the half-way line and made a driving run forward which was halted unceremoniously twenty eight yards from goal by Derik McGrory earning the Star defender the game's second yellow card. Willie Gemmell sent the free kick from the right across Raymond Brown with the Star keeper getting finger tips to it but only succeeding in turning the ball onto the inside of his left hand post and into the net. The final action of the first half saw Star defender David Cunningham become the third name in Mr Tedford's note book for a late challenge on Paul Carmichael and Dean Smith pick up a head knock trying to get on the end of the resulting free kick from Willie Gemmell.

The first half pattern continued in the opening stages of the second half with Saints playing some good football but still unable to find the incisive pass necessary to unlock the well organised home defence. Willie Gemmell had another opportunity to display his dead ball prowess in the forty ninth minute when Dean Smith was bundled over twenty yards from goal when trying to get on the end of a cut back from Myles McAuley. Willie lifted the ball up and over the five man Star wall easily beating the keeper but was denied by some quick thinking from David Brown who dropped back to hook the ball off the goal line and over the crossbar. Scott Maitland's corner kick from the right was met by the head of Dene Cassells who couldn't direct his header on target. Saints put together their best move of the match so far in the fifty fourth minute with Paul Carmichael and Dean Smith linking up well to send Paul spinning in behind the Star defence. Paul's run on the right was tracked by Darren Wilson but the Saints man beat the Star left back and cut back onto his left foot before firing in a shot which Raymond Brown did well to push over the crossbar. Just as in the first half Saints left the back door for the hosts to nip in and help themselves to another goal in the fifty ninth minute. Dene Cassells missed an attempted clearance ten yards inside his own half and, with no cover behind him, David Edwards was able to run through unchallenged and slot a good finish past Thomas McCulloch. Three minutes later Thomas McCulloch had to look lively to tip over a twenty five yard shot from Andrew Turner after the Star midfielder had robbed Scott Maitland inside the centre circle. Saints defended the resulting corner kick well and launched a swift counter attack with Dean Smith sending Paul Carmichael tearing up the right wing. Paul once again had the beating of Darren Wilson and sent a low cross along the six yard line which Craig MacEwan met at the back post sending the ball high into the net past Raymond Brown. Manager Alex Craik then made the first of his changes bringing on Brian Mackay for his first appearance of the season to replace Dean Smith. The change in personnel also brought about a switch to a 4-4-2 formation with Mackay adding his all action style to the Saints midfield. Barely two minutes later Saints drew level with Craig MacEwan again slamming home at the back post from a Paul Carmichael cross after Myles McAuley had sent the big striker wide with an excellent through ball. After working extremely hard to get themselves back in the game Saints then pressed the self destruct button once again. Scott Maitland saw yellow for a late challenge on second half Star substitute Stephen McCormick conceding a free kick ten yards inside the Saints half. Saints repelled the free kick but couldn't fully clear their lines with Myles McAuley conceding a further cheap free kick in an almost identical position to that from which Willie Gemmell had scored for Saints in the first half. Derik McGrory stepped up and curled a wonderful finish into the top corner leaving Thomas McCulloch firmly rooted to the spot. Saints went in search of a second equaliser with Dene Cassells hooking over a Willie Gemmell free kick after Myles McAuley had his heels clipped racing through from midfield. With fifteen minutes remaining the Gaffer made his final changes bringing on Dougal Graham and Matthew Kelly to replace Willie Gemmell and Paul Kerr. Dene Cassells picked up an eighty second minute booking which he would later regret for a foul midway inside the Star half. A fairly innocuous looking straight  delivery from the free kick should have been easily dealt with by the Saints defence however Marc Maccallum sliced his attempted clearance behind him leaving David Edwards to stroll in behind and slot the ball beyond a bemused Thomas McCulloch. This latest calamity failed to knock the stuffing completely out of the determined Saints side and they kept plugging away looking for a way back into the match. An off the ball incident in the eighty fifth minute involving David Cunningham and Craig MacEwan left Craig on the deck however Referee Tedford didn't have clear sight of the incident and could take no action. He did however a clear view of a late challenge by Myles McAuley on Steven Finlay and added Myles to the list of names already in his notebook. With the watch ticking past the ninety minute mark Saints gave themselves a glimmer of hope of salvaging a draw when Craig MacEwan burst through to meet a Brian Mackay pass and calmly lifted the ball over the head of the advancing goalkeeper and into the unguarded net to complete his hat-trick. The late drama didn't end there and Saints looked to have sprung the Star offside trap once again in the ninety second minute however Mr Tedford gave the benefit of an extremely tight decision in favour of the home side sparking a furious backlash from the Saints players. Unsurprisingly the complaints fell on deaf ears with Dene Cassells continuing his complaints too long for Mr Tedford's liking earning himself a red card in the process. The game restarted with Raymond Brown launching the free kick up field and Mr Tedford blew for full time before Saints could launch another attack.

Raymond Brown saves from Marc Maccallum

Dene Cassells heads over the crossbar

Craig MacEwan tries to close down Raymond Brown

Dene Cassells

Myles McAuley

Dene Cassells is upended by Derik McGrory

Raymond Brown can't keep out Willie Gemmell's free kick 

David Brown clears Willie Gemmell's second half free kick off the line

Paul Carmichael lets fly

Craig MacEwan fires home the first of his three goals

Brian Mackay

Matthew Kelly

Craig MacEwan lifts the ball over Raymond Brown to seal his hat-trick

#monthesaints                      

Make You A Star

Gonna Make You A Star

Saturday 8th October 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Ferguslie Star AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Seedhill Community Sports Ground
Seedhill Road
Paisley PA1 1QR
Kick off 3pm
Referee Mr James Tedford

After four weeks without a competitive fixture Saints will attempt to shake off their ring rust this Saturday when they travel to Paisley for a first ever encounter with Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division new boys Ferguslie Star. Formed in 2012 after the demise of Ferguslie AFC the Star have made a rapid rise to the Premier Division winning three successive promotions losing just ten out of sixty two league games and scoring 265 goals in the process. The Star also won their first piece of silverware last season defeating then reigning Premier Division Champions St Joseph's FP in a penalty shoot to clinch the Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup. Unfortunately, despite an excellent showing in the group stages of this season's competition, the Star's defence of the trophy was halted at the quarter finals stage with a 3 - 1 home defeat to local rivals Alba Thistle.

Just two games into their inaugural Premier Division campaign the Star currently sit in seventh place with three points courtesy of a narrow opening day defeat to last season's West of Scotland Cup runners up Goldenhill and a home win against Shawlands FP. Saints are currently in second place with seven points from their three games.

Scottish Amateur Cup

The Star earned their place in the Scottish Amateur Cup third round draw with a thumping 12 - 0 win over Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Division 1B leaders Bargeddie AFC. Wednesday afternoon's draw handed the Star an away tie against Tayside Fire Brigade of the Midlands Amateur Football Association.

Seedhill

With a draw and a defeat on their last two visits Saturday's venue, Seedhill, is not the happiest of hunting grounds for Saints and they can expect another difficult afternoon in Paisley against the Premier Division new boys. Manager Alex Craik has been pleased to see his injury problems diminish in recent weeks with only Martin Bonar now currently on the treatment table. Holidays and work commitments will therefore provide the Gaffer with his biggest headache as he ponders his best eleven for this important league fixture.

      

Saints failed to find the target on their last visit to Seedhill drawing 0 - 0 with Alba Thistle

Ferguslie Star AFC results so far this season:-

SAFL Premier Division

20th August 2016 Goldenhill 4 - 3 Ferguslie Star
3rd September 2016 Ferguslie Star 1 - 0 Shawlands FP


SAFL Centenary Cup

Group Section 4

13th August 2016 Neilston 1 - 2 Ferguslie Star
17th August 2016 Ferguslie Star 7 - 1 Paisley
24th August 2016 Ferguslie Star 6 - 2 Houston
27th August 2016 Rosehill Star 1 - 6 Ferguslie Star

Quarter Final

17th September 2016 Ferguslie Star 1 - 3 Alba Thistle

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round

Bye

2nd Round

1st October 2016 Ferguslie Star 12 - 0 Bargeddie Amateurs



Ferguslie Star AFC SAFL finishes:-

2013 - 14 Division 1A 2nd Promoted
2014 - 15 Premier Division Two 3rd Promoted
2015 - 16 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted and Centenary Cup Winners

Ferguslie Star AFC

Scottish Amateur Cup Draw News

In Wednesday's Scottish Amateur Cup third round draw Saints were handed an away tie against FC Clydebank Amateurs of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A. The tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday 5th November.

#monthesaints