Saturday 7th January 2017
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
5th Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC 5 - 1 Westdyce AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Kevin Nolan
Used substitutes:-
Donald Campbell
Willie Gemmell
Jamie Graham
Marc Maccallum
Dean Smith
Unused substitutes:-
Martin Bonar
Dougal Graham
Saints had to come from behind at Glencruitten last Saturday against Westdyce of the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association Divison Two East before comfortably booking their place in the last thirty two of the Scottish Amateur Cup. Only six minutes were on the clock when Callum Mackay gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after a rash challenge from Dene Cassells. The early reverse was exactly what Saints required to wake them from an extremely slow start and spur them on to an eventually convincing win.
Manager Alex Craik had the rare luxury of an almost full squad available for selection but opted to stick closely to the starting eleven that had been victorious in Edinburgh against Salvesen in round four. The ever present Thomas McCulloch continued in goal with David McArthur coming in to partner Dene Cassells in central defence. Scottish Amateur International Scott Maitland and youngster Matthew Kelly occupied the full back slots. Stand-in Captain Paul Kerr was joined in midfield by Myles McAuley and Paul Carmichael with Ross Maitland, Craig MacEwan and Brian Mackay making up the forward line. An extremely strong bench consisting of Martin Bonar, Donald Campbell, Willie Gemmell, Dougal Graham, Jamie Graham, Marc Maccallum and Dean Smith gave the Gaffer plenty of scope if changes to his original game plan were required.
Saints kicked off attacking the Mossfield end in light rain which would continue all afternoon but their early play lacked the urgency required to stamp any kind of authority on the tie. A Ross Maitland free kick straight into the gloves of Westdyce keeper Mark Andrews was all that Saints could muster before the visitors took the lead in the sixth minute. David Young got in behind Matthew Kelly on the Westdyce left but the young full back made up good ground as Young entered the box. The combined attentions of Kelly and Dene Cassells should have been enough to see off any danger however Cassells rashly barged into the back of Young and, despite Dene's protestations that Young had gone down too easily, Referee Nolan, who was well positioned, pointed to the spot. Thomas McCulloch guessed correctly but the penalty kick from Westdyce Skipper Callum Mackay was well struck beating Thomas low down to his right. Saints gradually began to get their act together taking control of the middle of the park to set up some decent opportunities for an equaliser. A one-two with Craig MacEwan sent Paul Carmichael bursting into the Westdyce box but, with only the keeper to beat, Paul's snatched effort from sixteen yards trundled well wide of the keeper's right hand post. More good work through the middle had Brian Mackay through on goal but once again the finish was poor and failed to trouble keeper Andrews. Saints got back on level terms after sixteen minutes from a swift counter attack up the right. A right wing cross from Scott Melville was too deep for David Young with Matthew Kelly taking the loose ball and sending it quickly up to Ross Maitland on the halfway line. Craig MacEwan spun in behind Kevin Meldrum and charged up the right wing cutting into the box and inside Robert Duncan and advancing keeper Andrews. Craig picked out Brian Mackay twelve yards out who lifted the ball over Peter McDougall on the goal line and into the roof of the net. Saints maintained the upper hand and took the lead in the thirty first minute with Brian Mackay netting his second. A patient build up eventually found Craig MacEwan on the left who squared to Ross Maitland on the eighteen yard line. Ross took aim for the keeper's bottom left hand corner but Brian Mackay's deft flick seven yards out wrong footed Andrews with the ball nestling in the opposite corner of the net. Although reasonably comfortable at the back Saints were given a reminder of the threat posed by Westdyce on the counter attack when Scott Melville outpaced Scott Maitland on the right and sent a teasing ball into the box tantalisingly out of reach for David Young and behind for a goal kick. Despite their domination it took until the thirty fifth minute for Saints to force a save from the Westdyce goalkeeper when Myles McAuley and Paul Carmichael linked up well to set up a shooting opportunity for Paul. Once again Paul failed to make good contact allowing Andrews to comfortably beat the ball behind for a corner kick. Next to spurn a very presentable chance was Ross Maitland who missed the target from seven yards out. Scott Maitland made a diagonal run from left to right and beat Kevin Meldrum to pick out Ross in the middle who spooned the ball over the crossbar to the disbelief of all on the Saints bench. Thomas McCulloch was called into action five minutes before the half time interval making a smart save at his near post to deny Scott Melville after Callum Mackay had beaten Dene Cassells in the air to flick on a long ball out from the back. Matthew Kelly released Craig MacEwan for another surging run on the right in the forty second minute and, after turning James Shaw inside out, Craig cut back to Brian Mackay who from fourteen yards beat Mark Andrews but unfortunately also the outside the keeper's left hand post. The first half ended with Dene Cassells heading a Ross Maitland free kick high and wide of target after Referee Nolan had penalised a lunging tackle on Craig MacEwan by James Shaw.
The visitors kicked off the second half and were straight into the attack forcing Dene Cassells to make a decent interception to deny David Young a shot on target. At the other end Peter McDougall made a similar flying intervention to turn a Ross Maitland shot behind for a corner kick. Ross found the head of Craig MacEwan with his delivery from the right but keeper Andrews was able to gather Craig's looping header comfortably. After five second half minutes a ball over the top from Paul Kerr saw Ross Maitland beat the Westdyce offside trap but not keeper Andrews who came quickly out from his box to make the clearance. It was a heart in mouth moment for the keeper as his clearance landed at the feet of Paul Carmichael however Paul failed to beat Andrews with his shot landing safely in the keeper's arms. Saints were almost made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal however James Shaw somehow missed a free header six yards out from a fifty second minute free kick on the left with the relieved Saints defence able to clear the danger. One minute later at the other end Craig MacEwan was upended twenty eight yards from goal. Ross Maitland worked the free kick short to Craig who cut in from the left and delivered a good ball for Paul Carmichael who drew a good save from Andrews diving to his left. Saints stretched their advantage in the fifty eighth minute when Ross Maitland turned well on the edge of the box a curled an excellent finish into the postage stamp corner which, despite getting fingertips to, Andrews couldn't keep out. Saints made it four five minutes later from a Ross Maitland corner kick from the right after Matthew Kelly's fierce right foot shot had been blocked behind. Craig MacEwan made a terrific run to meet the delivery from Ross eight yards out and sent a looping header over Andrews and Peter McDougall who was guarding the back post. Saints had their tails up now and were playing some good stuff against the by now dispirited visitors. Only their own over elaboration in the final third and a handful of good saves from Mark Andrews in the Westdyce goal kept the score down. With fifteen minutes remaining Manager Alex Craik fielded the maximum five substitutes replacing Ross Maitland, Paul Carmichael, Myles McAuley, Matthew Kelly and David McArthur with Dean Smith, Willie Gemmell, Donald Campbell, Jamie Graham and Marc Maccallum. The visitors also made five substitutions but the changes did little to change the pattern of the game. Donald Campbell marked his return to the team with a typical piece of individual brilliance in the eighty fifth minute to round off the scoring at 5 - 1 leaving Andrews rooted to the spot with a sweet finish into the top corner from twenty two yards. Saints couldn't add to their tally in the remaining five minutes plus time added on for stoppages and Mr Nolan, who handled the match well without the need to produce a card, brought proceedings to a close sending Saints through to the sixth round.
Oban Saints AFC 5 - 1 Westdyce AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Kevin Nolan
Used substitutes:-
Donald Campbell
Willie Gemmell
Jamie Graham
Marc Maccallum
Dean Smith
Unused substitutes:-
Martin Bonar
Dougal Graham
Saints had to come from behind at Glencruitten last Saturday against Westdyce of the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association Divison Two East before comfortably booking their place in the last thirty two of the Scottish Amateur Cup. Only six minutes were on the clock when Callum Mackay gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after a rash challenge from Dene Cassells. The early reverse was exactly what Saints required to wake them from an extremely slow start and spur them on to an eventually convincing win.
Manager Alex Craik had the rare luxury of an almost full squad available for selection but opted to stick closely to the starting eleven that had been victorious in Edinburgh against Salvesen in round four. The ever present Thomas McCulloch continued in goal with David McArthur coming in to partner Dene Cassells in central defence. Scottish Amateur International Scott Maitland and youngster Matthew Kelly occupied the full back slots. Stand-in Captain Paul Kerr was joined in midfield by Myles McAuley and Paul Carmichael with Ross Maitland, Craig MacEwan and Brian Mackay making up the forward line. An extremely strong bench consisting of Martin Bonar, Donald Campbell, Willie Gemmell, Dougal Graham, Jamie Graham, Marc Maccallum and Dean Smith gave the Gaffer plenty of scope if changes to his original game plan were required.
Saints kicked off attacking the Mossfield end in light rain which would continue all afternoon but their early play lacked the urgency required to stamp any kind of authority on the tie. A Ross Maitland free kick straight into the gloves of Westdyce keeper Mark Andrews was all that Saints could muster before the visitors took the lead in the sixth minute. David Young got in behind Matthew Kelly on the Westdyce left but the young full back made up good ground as Young entered the box. The combined attentions of Kelly and Dene Cassells should have been enough to see off any danger however Cassells rashly barged into the back of Young and, despite Dene's protestations that Young had gone down too easily, Referee Nolan, who was well positioned, pointed to the spot. Thomas McCulloch guessed correctly but the penalty kick from Westdyce Skipper Callum Mackay was well struck beating Thomas low down to his right. Saints gradually began to get their act together taking control of the middle of the park to set up some decent opportunities for an equaliser. A one-two with Craig MacEwan sent Paul Carmichael bursting into the Westdyce box but, with only the keeper to beat, Paul's snatched effort from sixteen yards trundled well wide of the keeper's right hand post. More good work through the middle had Brian Mackay through on goal but once again the finish was poor and failed to trouble keeper Andrews. Saints got back on level terms after sixteen minutes from a swift counter attack up the right. A right wing cross from Scott Melville was too deep for David Young with Matthew Kelly taking the loose ball and sending it quickly up to Ross Maitland on the halfway line. Craig MacEwan spun in behind Kevin Meldrum and charged up the right wing cutting into the box and inside Robert Duncan and advancing keeper Andrews. Craig picked out Brian Mackay twelve yards out who lifted the ball over Peter McDougall on the goal line and into the roof of the net. Saints maintained the upper hand and took the lead in the thirty first minute with Brian Mackay netting his second. A patient build up eventually found Craig MacEwan on the left who squared to Ross Maitland on the eighteen yard line. Ross took aim for the keeper's bottom left hand corner but Brian Mackay's deft flick seven yards out wrong footed Andrews with the ball nestling in the opposite corner of the net. Although reasonably comfortable at the back Saints were given a reminder of the threat posed by Westdyce on the counter attack when Scott Melville outpaced Scott Maitland on the right and sent a teasing ball into the box tantalisingly out of reach for David Young and behind for a goal kick. Despite their domination it took until the thirty fifth minute for Saints to force a save from the Westdyce goalkeeper when Myles McAuley and Paul Carmichael linked up well to set up a shooting opportunity for Paul. Once again Paul failed to make good contact allowing Andrews to comfortably beat the ball behind for a corner kick. Next to spurn a very presentable chance was Ross Maitland who missed the target from seven yards out. Scott Maitland made a diagonal run from left to right and beat Kevin Meldrum to pick out Ross in the middle who spooned the ball over the crossbar to the disbelief of all on the Saints bench. Thomas McCulloch was called into action five minutes before the half time interval making a smart save at his near post to deny Scott Melville after Callum Mackay had beaten Dene Cassells in the air to flick on a long ball out from the back. Matthew Kelly released Craig MacEwan for another surging run on the right in the forty second minute and, after turning James Shaw inside out, Craig cut back to Brian Mackay who from fourteen yards beat Mark Andrews but unfortunately also the outside the keeper's left hand post. The first half ended with Dene Cassells heading a Ross Maitland free kick high and wide of target after Referee Nolan had penalised a lunging tackle on Craig MacEwan by James Shaw.
The visitors kicked off the second half and were straight into the attack forcing Dene Cassells to make a decent interception to deny David Young a shot on target. At the other end Peter McDougall made a similar flying intervention to turn a Ross Maitland shot behind for a corner kick. Ross found the head of Craig MacEwan with his delivery from the right but keeper Andrews was able to gather Craig's looping header comfortably. After five second half minutes a ball over the top from Paul Kerr saw Ross Maitland beat the Westdyce offside trap but not keeper Andrews who came quickly out from his box to make the clearance. It was a heart in mouth moment for the keeper as his clearance landed at the feet of Paul Carmichael however Paul failed to beat Andrews with his shot landing safely in the keeper's arms. Saints were almost made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal however James Shaw somehow missed a free header six yards out from a fifty second minute free kick on the left with the relieved Saints defence able to clear the danger. One minute later at the other end Craig MacEwan was upended twenty eight yards from goal. Ross Maitland worked the free kick short to Craig who cut in from the left and delivered a good ball for Paul Carmichael who drew a good save from Andrews diving to his left. Saints stretched their advantage in the fifty eighth minute when Ross Maitland turned well on the edge of the box a curled an excellent finish into the postage stamp corner which, despite getting fingertips to, Andrews couldn't keep out. Saints made it four five minutes later from a Ross Maitland corner kick from the right after Matthew Kelly's fierce right foot shot had been blocked behind. Craig MacEwan made a terrific run to meet the delivery from Ross eight yards out and sent a looping header over Andrews and Peter McDougall who was guarding the back post. Saints had their tails up now and were playing some good stuff against the by now dispirited visitors. Only their own over elaboration in the final third and a handful of good saves from Mark Andrews in the Westdyce goal kept the score down. With fifteen minutes remaining Manager Alex Craik fielded the maximum five substitutes replacing Ross Maitland, Paul Carmichael, Myles McAuley, Matthew Kelly and David McArthur with Dean Smith, Willie Gemmell, Donald Campbell, Jamie Graham and Marc Maccallum. The visitors also made five substitutions but the changes did little to change the pattern of the game. Donald Campbell marked his return to the team with a typical piece of individual brilliance in the eighty fifth minute to round off the scoring at 5 - 1 leaving Andrews rooted to the spot with a sweet finish into the top corner from twenty two yards. Saints couldn't add to their tally in the remaining five minutes plus time added on for stoppages and Mr Nolan, who handled the match well without the need to produce a card, brought proceedings to a close sending Saints through to the sixth round.
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| Callum Mackay's sixth minute penalty gives Westdyce the lead |
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| Craig MacEwan cuts inside James Shaw |
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| Brian Mackay brings Saints level |
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| David McArthur congratulates Brian Mackay on his equalising goal |
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| Brian Mackay redirects Ross Maitland's shot and wrong foots Mark Andrews for Saints second goal |
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| David McArthur and Paul Kerr |
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| Matthew Kelly |
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| Myles McAuley |
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| Paul Carmichael |
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| Scott Maitland beats Kevin Meldrum to set up Ross Maitland for a shot on goal |
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| Mr Nolan has a word with James Shaw |
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| Paul Carmichael and Michael Caldwell |
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| Craig MacEwan heads Saints fourth goal |
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| Mark Andrews and Peter McDougall can't keep out Craig MacEwan's header |
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