Saturday 4th March 2017
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
7th Round Tie
Letham AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Seven Acres Park
Newhouse Road
Letham
Perth
PH1 2JB
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Kenny Taylor
This Saturday Oban Saints face their biggest test of the season so far when they travel to Seven Acres Park, Perth to face Letham AFC in the Scottish Amateur Cup 7th round. Their hosts are reigning Perthshire Amateur Football Association Division One Champions and currently lead Perthshire's top division with maximum points from their nine games played. Letham already look well on course to extend their run of three consecutive league titles and will hope to go one better than last season when one solitary defeat cost them a 100% record. Unsurprisingly Letham are also the league's top scorers currently averaging over six goals per game. Their meager nine goals against also marks them out as the league's tightest defence.
On the domestic cup front Letham are on target to successfully defend the Perth and District and Ashleigh Cups won last season and are also going strong in the Smith League Cup setting them up for a possible clean sweep of available silverware.
As well as being Kings of all they survey domestically Letham are also going strong in the district and national cup competitions. They are already through to the quarter finals of the North of Tay District Amateur Cup where they will face league colleagues and four time winners Fair City.
Letham's most notable scalps in their incredible twenty six match unbeaten run in all competitions have come in the Scottish Amateur Cup. After seeing off a stiff challenge from Midlands Premier Division high flyers Morgans Academy FP's in the early regional rounds Letham swatted aside Caledonian League Division 1A new boys Woodhall Thistle in the first of the open draw rounds. Round five brought the only blip in an otherwise perfect season so far for Letham when they were held to a 3 - 3 draw at home by Lothian and Edinburgh Premier Division Tollcross Thistle. Normal service was however quickly resumed in the replay at Saughton with Letham running out comfortable 4 - 0 winners.
Like Saints, Letham secured their place in the last sixteen with a win against Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier Division opposition. While Saints were battling through the soggy underfoot conditions at Tarbolton Public Park to overcome Tarbolton Letham were putting three without reply past Kilbride Thistle at home on the 3G surface at Seven Acres Park.
The reward for the winners of Saturday's seventh round tie is an away quarter final showdown with either Cambusnethan Talbot Community of the Central Scottish Amateur Football Association Premier Division or Barca-Milton 97 of the Lothain and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Championship.
Letham fixtures so far this season:-
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Division One
20th August 2016 St John's 3 - 6 Letham
27th August 2016 Balmoral 2 - 8 Letham
3rd September 2016 Letham 7 - 0 Vale of Earn
17th September 2016 Letham 4 - 0 Craigie
24th September 2016 Fair City 0 - 8 Letham
8th October 2016 Ballinluig 0 - 2 Letham
26th November 2016 Letham 12 - 1 Jeanfield Swifts
10th December 2016 Letham 4 - 1 Auchterarder Primrose
17th December 2016 Letham 7 - 2 St John's
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Smith League Cup
Section 2
16th August 2016 Dunkeld & Birnam 2 - 14 Letham
18th August 2016 Letham 13 - 1 Ballinluig
23rd August 2016 Vale of Atholl 0 - 6 Letham
Quarter Final
11th February 2017 Letham 8 - 2 Bridge of Earn
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Ashleigh Cup
Round One
22nd October 2016 Kettins 1 - 4 Letham
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Perthshire Cup
Round One
29th October 2016 Luncarty 0 - 3 Letham
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Perth and District Cup
Round One
Bye
Round Two
25th February 2017 Letham 9 - 0 St John's
North of Tay District Amateur Cup
Round One
15th October 2016 Letham 2 - 1 Coupar Angus
Round Two
19th November 2016 Letham 6 - 2 Finavon
Round Three
21st January 2017 Letham 12 - 0 Club 83
Round Four
18th February 2017 Letham 4 - 2 Morgan Academy FP's
Scottish Amateur Cup
Round One
Bye
Round Two
1st October 2016 Letham 10 - 2 Brechin City Amateurs
Round Three
5th November 2016 Morgan Academy FP's 3 - 6 Letham
Round Four
3rd December 2016 Woodhall Thistle 1 - 6 Letham
Round Five
7th January 2017 Letham 3 - 3 Tollcross Thistle
Round Five Replay
14th January 2017 Tollcross Thistle 0 - 4 Letham
Round Six
4th February 2017 Letham 3 - 0 Kilbride Thistle
This season's road to Hampden began with an extremely tough first round away fixture against former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Finnart now of the Caledonian League Division 1B. A Craig MacEwan strike after eighteen minutes gave Saints the lead at Glasgow Green which they comfortably held onto until the half time interval. The second half started badly for Saints when a cheaply conceded corner kick allowed Finnart dead ball expert Andrew Robertson to find the head of Kieren Molloy in the six yard box and bring the home side level. Saints re-established their midfield domination and regained the lead just after the hour when second half substitute Paul Carmichael cracked a powerful drive off the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line. The Saints defence repelled an aerial onslaught from Finnart before a successfully converted Donald Campbell penalty kick in the eighty third minute made the tie safe.
A second round no show from Glasgow and District Saturday Morning League Premier Division outfit Bishopton denied the Saints faithful a home match on 1st October but saw Saints comfortably through to the third round by virtue of a walkover.
The third round draw paired Saints with another recent Scottish Amateur Football League defector FC Clydebank now of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A. A significantly less assured performance than against Finnart somehow still managed to produce an identical result at Thorn Park Bearsden on 5th November. Dean Smith gave a sluggish Saints side a thirty eighth minute lead which they managed to hold until the closing stages despite an uncharacteristically disjointed performance. The eightieth minute introduction of Fraser MacFarlane proved to be an inspired change by Manager Alex Craik as, within three minutes of joining the action, young Fraser pounced on a loose ball in the Bankies' box to double the Saints advantage. A frantic period then ensued with Ross Hollinsworth pulling one back for the home side from a well worked short corner routine before Willie Gemmell settled the nerves on the touchline with a perfectly struck free kick into the postage stamp corner to send Saints into the fourth round.
Saints made a rare journey east to face Salvasen of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Lothian West Division in their biggest test of the season so far. With Skipper Marc Maccallum calling off due to illness Paul Kerr took the armband and successfully lead his troops into the fifth round against the previously undefeated Edinburgh side. Saints were assured throughout dominating possession and looking solid at the back. Goals either side of the half time interval from Dean Smith and Ross Maitland saw Saints comfortably through to a much welcomed and eagerly anticipated home tie against Westdyce.
The fifth round draw provided Saints with their first home cup tie of the season and just their fourth home match in all competitions. Opponents Westdyce of the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association Divison Two East were making their first ever trip west in Scottish amateur football's most prestigious competition and their first appearance at the fifth round stage. Things started well for the visitors when a clumsy challenge from Dene Cassells gave them a sixth minute penalty kick which Skipper Callum Mackay successfully converted. Despite dominating possession it took Saints ten minutes to get back on level terms and a further quarter of an hour before they eventually got their noses in front with both goals coming from Brian Mackay. Westdyce remained solid at the start of the second half but a sweet curling finish from Ross Maitland just before the hour mark finally broke their resilience. A near post Craig MacEwan header from a Ross Maitland corner five minutes later and a typical piece of individual brilliance from second half substitute Donald Campbell rounded off the scoring sending Saints through to the last thirty two.
Saints were back on the road again in round six with a trip to Burns Country to face Tarbolton of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier Division. The Oban lads were made to dig deep in very soggy underfoot conditions and battle their way through to the last sixteen. Hosts Tarbolton used the difficult conditions to their advantage to keep the tie hanging in the balance until the dying seconds. The match was played on an extremely soft and wet pitch which, by the end of the ninety minutes, bore close resemblance to a ploughed field and Referee Steven Nicholls was in two minds as to whether the surface was fit for play. Indeed, had it not been for some vigorous forking from the groundsman and the rain which had fallen steadily for days abating in time for kick off the match would surely have been postponed. Saints started well and had their hosts pinned back inside their own half from the first whistle. The breakthrough came after twelve minutes with Willie Gemmell claiming the assist. Craig MacEwan won a free-kick on the left which Gemmell swung into the packed penalty box. David McArthur got in between Blair Kennedy and Brandon Hendren and from eight yards out glanced Gemmell's delivery into the bottom corner of the net past Allan McKelvie's right hand. Saints reached the half time interval good value for their narrow lead but were pegged back inside the first minute of the second forty five. From the Saints kick off Craig MacEwan and Brian Mackay drove at the heart of the Tarbolton defence with the final ball from Brian just beyond Craig leaving Allan McKelvie an easy task to collect at the edge of his box. The wind assisted kick from hand from the keeper carried almost to the Saints eighteen yard line where David McArthur missed his header allowing Stephen Brodie to run in behind and lift the ball over Thomas McCulloch and into the net. The home side were using the strong wind to good advantage and Saints Gaffer Alex Craik made some tactical changes to counter the home sides aerial threat. Up front Saints more measured approach eventually bore fruit with Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell linking up in the eighty first minute to create the opening which would lead to Saints second goal. MacEwan showed good strength to hold off Johnny Dunlop and hook the ball over his head for Campbell to run on to. Donald made his way into the box where his run was held up by Evan Armstrong. Donald turned and ran across the box drawing an injudicious challenge from Armstrong which sent Donald sprawling in the mud. Mr Nicholls had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot from where Craig MacEwan gave Saints the lead beating McKelvie's right hand tucking the ball neatly into the bottom corner. The relief among the Saints contingent was tangible however there was still plenty of time left for Tarbolton to try and force a second equaliser. Craig MacEwan had a shot just wide of target before Referee Nicholls announced four minutes of stoppage time. The added minutes gave the hosts some renewed hope however that was quickly snatched away from them when they conceded the second penalty kick of the afternoon. Donald Campbell sent the every willing Brian Mackay racing up the left wing and into the edge of the box where he was hauled down by the unfortunate Evan Armstrong. Craig MacEwan once again made no mistake from the penalty spot to finally calm the nerves on the sidelines and send Saints through to the last sixteen.
Letham AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Seven Acres Park
Newhouse Road
Letham
Perth
PH1 2JB
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Kenny Taylor
This Saturday Oban Saints face their biggest test of the season so far when they travel to Seven Acres Park, Perth to face Letham AFC in the Scottish Amateur Cup 7th round. Their hosts are reigning Perthshire Amateur Football Association Division One Champions and currently lead Perthshire's top division with maximum points from their nine games played. Letham already look well on course to extend their run of three consecutive league titles and will hope to go one better than last season when one solitary defeat cost them a 100% record. Unsurprisingly Letham are also the league's top scorers currently averaging over six goals per game. Their meager nine goals against also marks them out as the league's tightest defence.
On the domestic cup front Letham are on target to successfully defend the Perth and District and Ashleigh Cups won last season and are also going strong in the Smith League Cup setting them up for a possible clean sweep of available silverware.
As well as being Kings of all they survey domestically Letham are also going strong in the district and national cup competitions. They are already through to the quarter finals of the North of Tay District Amateur Cup where they will face league colleagues and four time winners Fair City.
Letham's most notable scalps in their incredible twenty six match unbeaten run in all competitions have come in the Scottish Amateur Cup. After seeing off a stiff challenge from Midlands Premier Division high flyers Morgans Academy FP's in the early regional rounds Letham swatted aside Caledonian League Division 1A new boys Woodhall Thistle in the first of the open draw rounds. Round five brought the only blip in an otherwise perfect season so far for Letham when they were held to a 3 - 3 draw at home by Lothian and Edinburgh Premier Division Tollcross Thistle. Normal service was however quickly resumed in the replay at Saughton with Letham running out comfortable 4 - 0 winners.
Like Saints, Letham secured their place in the last sixteen with a win against Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier Division opposition. While Saints were battling through the soggy underfoot conditions at Tarbolton Public Park to overcome Tarbolton Letham were putting three without reply past Kilbride Thistle at home on the 3G surface at Seven Acres Park.
The reward for the winners of Saturday's seventh round tie is an away quarter final showdown with either Cambusnethan Talbot Community of the Central Scottish Amateur Football Association Premier Division or Barca-Milton 97 of the Lothain and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Championship.
 |
| Letham AFC Perthshire Amateur Football Association Division One Champions 2014-15 |
Letham fixtures so far this season:-
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Division One
20th August 2016 St John's 3 - 6 Letham
27th August 2016 Balmoral 2 - 8 Letham
3rd September 2016 Letham 7 - 0 Vale of Earn
17th September 2016 Letham 4 - 0 Craigie
24th September 2016 Fair City 0 - 8 Letham
8th October 2016 Ballinluig 0 - 2 Letham
26th November 2016 Letham 12 - 1 Jeanfield Swifts
10th December 2016 Letham 4 - 1 Auchterarder Primrose
17th December 2016 Letham 7 - 2 St John's
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Smith League Cup
Section 2
16th August 2016 Dunkeld & Birnam 2 - 14 Letham
18th August 2016 Letham 13 - 1 Ballinluig
23rd August 2016 Vale of Atholl 0 - 6 Letham
Quarter Final
11th February 2017 Letham 8 - 2 Bridge of Earn
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Ashleigh Cup
Round One
22nd October 2016 Kettins 1 - 4 Letham
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Perthshire Cup
Round One
29th October 2016 Luncarty 0 - 3 Letham
Perthshire Amateur Football Association Perth and District Cup
Round One
Bye
Round Two
25th February 2017 Letham 9 - 0 St John's
North of Tay District Amateur Cup
Round One
15th October 2016 Letham 2 - 1 Coupar Angus
Round Two
19th November 2016 Letham 6 - 2 Finavon
Round Three
21st January 2017 Letham 12 - 0 Club 83
Round Four
18th February 2017 Letham 4 - 2 Morgan Academy FP's
Round One
Bye
Round Two
1st October 2016 Letham 10 - 2 Brechin City Amateurs
Round Three
5th November 2016 Morgan Academy FP's 3 - 6 Letham
Round Four
3rd December 2016 Woodhall Thistle 1 - 6 Letham
Round Five
7th January 2017 Letham 3 - 3 Tollcross Thistle
Round Five Replay
14th January 2017 Tollcross Thistle 0 - 4 Letham
Round Six
4th February 2017 Letham 3 - 0 Kilbride Thistle
(Last) Sixteen Again
The seventh round of the Scottish Amateur Cup is, of course, familiar territory for Saints who have maintained their interest in the nation's premier cup competition beyond the Christmas and New Year break in nine of the past twelve seasons including three quarter-finals and last season's semi-final appearance.This season's road to Hampden began with an extremely tough first round away fixture against former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Finnart now of the Caledonian League Division 1B. A Craig MacEwan strike after eighteen minutes gave Saints the lead at Glasgow Green which they comfortably held onto until the half time interval. The second half started badly for Saints when a cheaply conceded corner kick allowed Finnart dead ball expert Andrew Robertson to find the head of Kieren Molloy in the six yard box and bring the home side level. Saints re-established their midfield domination and regained the lead just after the hour when second half substitute Paul Carmichael cracked a powerful drive off the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line. The Saints defence repelled an aerial onslaught from Finnart before a successfully converted Donald Campbell penalty kick in the eighty third minute made the tie safe.
A second round no show from Glasgow and District Saturday Morning League Premier Division outfit Bishopton denied the Saints faithful a home match on 1st October but saw Saints comfortably through to the third round by virtue of a walkover.
The third round draw paired Saints with another recent Scottish Amateur Football League defector FC Clydebank now of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A. A significantly less assured performance than against Finnart somehow still managed to produce an identical result at Thorn Park Bearsden on 5th November. Dean Smith gave a sluggish Saints side a thirty eighth minute lead which they managed to hold until the closing stages despite an uncharacteristically disjointed performance. The eightieth minute introduction of Fraser MacFarlane proved to be an inspired change by Manager Alex Craik as, within three minutes of joining the action, young Fraser pounced on a loose ball in the Bankies' box to double the Saints advantage. A frantic period then ensued with Ross Hollinsworth pulling one back for the home side from a well worked short corner routine before Willie Gemmell settled the nerves on the touchline with a perfectly struck free kick into the postage stamp corner to send Saints into the fourth round.
Saints made a rare journey east to face Salvasen of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Lothian West Division in their biggest test of the season so far. With Skipper Marc Maccallum calling off due to illness Paul Kerr took the armband and successfully lead his troops into the fifth round against the previously undefeated Edinburgh side. Saints were assured throughout dominating possession and looking solid at the back. Goals either side of the half time interval from Dean Smith and Ross Maitland saw Saints comfortably through to a much welcomed and eagerly anticipated home tie against Westdyce.
The fifth round draw provided Saints with their first home cup tie of the season and just their fourth home match in all competitions. Opponents Westdyce of the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association Divison Two East were making their first ever trip west in Scottish amateur football's most prestigious competition and their first appearance at the fifth round stage. Things started well for the visitors when a clumsy challenge from Dene Cassells gave them a sixth minute penalty kick which Skipper Callum Mackay successfully converted. Despite dominating possession it took Saints ten minutes to get back on level terms and a further quarter of an hour before they eventually got their noses in front with both goals coming from Brian Mackay. Westdyce remained solid at the start of the second half but a sweet curling finish from Ross Maitland just before the hour mark finally broke their resilience. A near post Craig MacEwan header from a Ross Maitland corner five minutes later and a typical piece of individual brilliance from second half substitute Donald Campbell rounded off the scoring sending Saints through to the last thirty two.
Saints were back on the road again in round six with a trip to Burns Country to face Tarbolton of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier Division. The Oban lads were made to dig deep in very soggy underfoot conditions and battle their way through to the last sixteen. Hosts Tarbolton used the difficult conditions to their advantage to keep the tie hanging in the balance until the dying seconds. The match was played on an extremely soft and wet pitch which, by the end of the ninety minutes, bore close resemblance to a ploughed field and Referee Steven Nicholls was in two minds as to whether the surface was fit for play. Indeed, had it not been for some vigorous forking from the groundsman and the rain which had fallen steadily for days abating in time for kick off the match would surely have been postponed. Saints started well and had their hosts pinned back inside their own half from the first whistle. The breakthrough came after twelve minutes with Willie Gemmell claiming the assist. Craig MacEwan won a free-kick on the left which Gemmell swung into the packed penalty box. David McArthur got in between Blair Kennedy and Brandon Hendren and from eight yards out glanced Gemmell's delivery into the bottom corner of the net past Allan McKelvie's right hand. Saints reached the half time interval good value for their narrow lead but were pegged back inside the first minute of the second forty five. From the Saints kick off Craig MacEwan and Brian Mackay drove at the heart of the Tarbolton defence with the final ball from Brian just beyond Craig leaving Allan McKelvie an easy task to collect at the edge of his box. The wind assisted kick from hand from the keeper carried almost to the Saints eighteen yard line where David McArthur missed his header allowing Stephen Brodie to run in behind and lift the ball over Thomas McCulloch and into the net. The home side were using the strong wind to good advantage and Saints Gaffer Alex Craik made some tactical changes to counter the home sides aerial threat. Up front Saints more measured approach eventually bore fruit with Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell linking up in the eighty first minute to create the opening which would lead to Saints second goal. MacEwan showed good strength to hold off Johnny Dunlop and hook the ball over his head for Campbell to run on to. Donald made his way into the box where his run was held up by Evan Armstrong. Donald turned and ran across the box drawing an injudicious challenge from Armstrong which sent Donald sprawling in the mud. Mr Nicholls had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot from where Craig MacEwan gave Saints the lead beating McKelvie's right hand tucking the ball neatly into the bottom corner. The relief among the Saints contingent was tangible however there was still plenty of time left for Tarbolton to try and force a second equaliser. Craig MacEwan had a shot just wide of target before Referee Nicholls announced four minutes of stoppage time. The added minutes gave the hosts some renewed hope however that was quickly snatched away from them when they conceded the second penalty kick of the afternoon. Donald Campbell sent the every willing Brian Mackay racing up the left wing and into the edge of the box where he was hauled down by the unfortunate Evan Armstrong. Craig MacEwan once again made no mistake from the penalty spot to finally calm the nerves on the sidelines and send Saints through to the last sixteen.
Oban Saints path to the Scottish Amateur Cup fifth round
1st Round
3rd September 2016 Finnart 1 - 3 Oban Saints
 |
| Donald Campbell beats Finnart's Brian Paton from the penalty spot to seal victory for Saints |
2nd Round
1st October 2016 Oban Saints v Bishopton - Walkover to Saints
3rd Round
5th November 2016 FC Clydebank 1 - 3 Oban Saints
 |
| Thomas McCulloch shows safe hands to collect a corner under pressure from FC Clydebank's Gavin Mcqueen |
4th Round
3rd December 2016 Salvesen 0 - 2 Oban Saints
 |
| Dean Smith opens the scoring against Salvesen |
5th Round
8th January 2017 Oban Saints 5 - 1 Westdyce
6th Round
 |
| Brian Mackay nets the first of his two goals to bring Saints level against Westdyce |
6th Round
4th February 2017 Tarbolton 1 - 3 Oban Saints
 |
| David McArthur opens the scoring |
No comments:
Post a Comment