Saturday 15th April 2017
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
Semi Final Tie
Colville Park AFC 3 - 1 Oban Saints AFC
The Superseal Stadium
New Douglas Park
Cadzow Avenue
Hamilton
ML3 0FT
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Ross Holms
Assistant Referee Mr Denis Cotterhill
Assistant Referee Mr William Grieve
Fourth Official Mr Paul Bradford
Oban Saints had their hopes of a Scottish Amateur Cup Final appearance crushed by cup holders Colville Park at New Douglas Park, Hamilton last Saturday. For the second year running the Scottish Cup adventure came to an end at the semi-final stage with a frustrated Saints contingent once again feeling they could and should have done better. Despite taking a deserved first half lead Saints couldn't hold against their vastly experienced opponents conceding two sloppy goals before finally succumbing to a killer third goal from Scottish Amateur international striker David McKay.
Saints starting line-up:-
Used substitutes:-
Matthew Kelly
Ross Maitland
Dean Smith
Unused substitutes:-
Graham Douglas
Jamie Graham
Fraser MacFarlane
Manager Alex Craik was relieved to see his squad come through midweek training with no further injuries to be added to the list. After the previous weekend's spell in the forward line Scott Maitland returned to his more familiar position on the left of the defence alongside David McArthur, Dene Cassells and Skipper Marc Maccallum. Myles McAuley, Willie Gemmell and Brian Mackay made up the midfield with a forward line of Paul Carmichael, Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan. Goalkeeper Thomas McCulloch completed the starting line-up with the Gaffer taking the unusual step of naming back-up keeper Graham Douglas among the substitutes. Also on the bench were Jamie Graham, Matthew Kelly, Ross Maitland, Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith.
Saints kicked off in bright sunshine attacking the North stand of the Superseal Stadium but quickly conceded possession with Dene Cassells having to remain strong to see out a Stephen McDevitt long ball looking for James Miller. Miller was again the target on the Colville right in the second minute where Scott Maitland made the block to concede the first corner kick of the match. Dene Cassells climbed above Stephen McDevitt to head the ball out wide to the right from where David McArthur launched an immediate counter attack. Craig MacEwan showed good control taking down David's long ball up the right touchline however his cross looking for Paul Carmichael was too heavy allowing Kenny Marshall to mop up the danger.
Colville dominated the early possession and created a decent opening in the fifth minute with a Darren Miller pass almost playing in Jamie Bradley who had strayed marginally offside. A seventh minute foul on Paul Carmichael by Stephen McDevitt gave Saints their first glimpse of goal but Paul pulled his shot from Craig MacEwan's quickly taken free-kick well wide of target.
Saints took a more measured approach to their next set-piece sixty seconds later with Willie Gemmell knocking the ball from the centre circle out wide to David McArthur on the right. David lofted the ball into the danger area but too close to Colville keeper Ryan Ward who claimed comfortably on his six yard line.
In the ninth minute Colville central defender James Mulvay came in late on Craig MacEwan midway inside the Colville half with Referee Ross Holms content to give Mulvay a warning rather than issue a caution. Willie Gemmell's free kick was headed clear by Mulvay who together with Thomas Airlie and Kenny Marshall made up a solid back three for the Motherwell men.
Myles McAuley made a driving run from midfield in the twelfth minute making good progress on the left before the combined attentions of Mulvay, McDevitt and Paul McLaughlin forced the ball out for a throw-in. Saints kept the pressure on from Scott Maitland's throw with Brian Mackay working the ball across to the overlapping David McArthur who fired in a low shot which Ryan Ward did well to turn round his left hand post for a Saints corner.
It was Ward to the rescue again for the cup holders from Willie Gemmell's corner kick, Jamie Bradley forced the ball out to the edge of the box which Donald Campbell retrieved and linked up with Myles McAuley and Brian Mackay to create another shooting opportunity. Space opened up for Donald sixteen yards from goal but his curling right foot shot was well held by the Colville keeper diving to his left.
Saints continued their good spell with David McArthur's run up the right touchline being halted illegally by Jamie Bradley. Willie Gemmell's free-kick was again headed out, this time to the right, where Craig MacEwan tried to trick his way along the bye-line and into the box. Craig got past Thomas Airlie and was scythed down just inside the box by James Mulvay but Mr Holms spotted a shirt pull by Craig on Mulvay and gave the decision in favour of the big Colville defender.
Colville had the ball in the net in the twentieth minute but were denied by an offside flag. Donald Campbell pulled back James Miller midway inside the Saints half giving dead ball expert Darren Miller an opportunity to put the ball into the danger area. Miller's deep cross found the head of Jamie Bradley whose downward header was tucked away from six yards by Paul McLaughlin who, fortunately for Saints, was flagged offside by the stand side linesman.
Two minutes later Darren Miller sent another dangerous ball into the Saints box which Thomas McCulloch held well under pressure from Paul McLaughlin on the corner of his six yard box. Colville continued to enjoy more of the ball but without posing any serious threat to the reasonably comfortable looking Saints back four. When space did open up for Christopher Craig in the twenty seventh minute he dragged his shot from the edge of the D well wide of Thomas McCulloch's right hand post.
Saints took the lead on the half hour mark from a long Thomas McCulloch free-kick after James Miller had been penalised for a shirt pull on Scott Maitland. McCulloch's long ball from level with his eighteen yard line wide on the left was knocked on by Paul Carmichael to Craig MacEwan. Craig held off challenges from Kenny Marshall and James Mulvay before finding Donald Campbell twenty five yards from goal. Donald threaded an excellent first time pass to Paul Carmichael in the inside left channel who timed his run to perfection to beat Thomas Airlie's claims for an offside flag. Paul raced into the box and lifted the ball left footed from ten yards over the advancing Ryan Ward and into the roof of the net to edge Saints in front.
Colville tried to hit back straight from the restart with James Miller lifting a decent effort from eighteen yards over Thomas McCulloch and onto the roof of the Saints net. Then a looping Stephen McDeviit header from the centre circle sent Paul McLaughlin racing through the middle with Marc Maccallum for company. After a good tussle McLaughlin went sprawling just outside the Saints box but not before he had been penalised for a shirt pull on the Saints Skipper. There was an anxious moment for the Saints as Referee Holms consulted his Assistant who appeared to have flagged in favour of Colville however Mr Holms was happy to let his initial decision stand.
Dene Cassells became the first name in the Referee's note book for a late challenge on Paul McLaughlin on the half-way line as Colville threatened to counter after mopping up a Willie Gemmell free-kick. Kenny Marshall's long straight ball was headed out by Paul Carmichael but straight to Darren Miller who sent a speculative effort from twenty eight yards well off target.
Saints were caught out in the forty second minute when trying to play the ball out from the back after another deep free-kick this time from James Mulvay. David McArthur played a risky ball to Brian Mackay who was robbed by Jamie Bradley coming in on the blindside. Bradley played a one-two with Christopher Craig and picked out Paul McLaughlin in space inside the box. McLaughlin turned well and tucked a neat finish inside Thomas McCulloch's right hand post to bring the cup holders level. This was a bitter blow for Saints to concede such a sloppy goal undoing a good first half performance however full credit to Colville who ruthlessly exploited the slip-up.
Neither side made any personnel changes for the start of the second half which Colville kicked off harnessing the benefit of the strong wind. Colville Manager Michael Kennedy did however opt to have his wide men James Miller and Jamie Bradley switch flanks.
Now operating wide on the left James Miller cleverly drew a foul from David McArthur for a nudge in the back. Namesake Darren flighted a cross towards the penalty spot where Marc Maccallum was waiting to head clear. Donald Campbell picked up the loose ball and launched a counter attack up the left wing where Craig MacEwan was closed down by James Mulvay.
After five second half minutes Paul Carmichael won a free-kick wide on the Saints left and ten yards inside the Colville half. Brian Mackay peeled off to the left to accept Willie Gemmell's free-kick and quickly returned the ball to Willie twenty five yards out who, from a promising position, didn't get hold of his shot and sent a tame effort well wide of target.
In the fifty third minute Dene Cassells was penalised for a trip on Darren Miller twenty eight yards from goal on the Colville right. Miller went low with his free-kick which took a nick off the Saints wall on it's way past Thomas McCulloch's left hand upright. Current Scotland Amateur International Miller trotted over to take the corner kick which Marc Maccallum headed clear launching another Saints counter attack. Once again Craig MacEwan couldn't escape the close attentions of James Mulvay who made a good interception on the half-way line at the expense of a throw-in.
Colville Park continued to enjoy the majority of the possession restricting Saints to attacking on the break. In the fifty eighth minute after breaking up a Colville attack Saints built a good passing move through the middle. Myles McAuley linked up with Brian Mackay who rolled the ball up to Paul Carmichael twelve yards inside the Colville half. Paul held the ball up well and laid off to Craig MacEwan who lofted a ball forward looking for Brian Mackay who had continued his run, Unfortunately Craig's pass was too heavy and skipped away from Brian and safely through to Ryan Ward in the Colville goal.
Colville demonstrated their strength in depth with their first substitution on the hour mark replacing current Scotland international Paul McLaughlin with amateur international legend David McKay. McKay was quickly involved in the action chasing down a long ball which Marc Maccallum did well to intercept at the expense of a corner kick. Garry Tierney collected Darren Miller's corner kick from the right at the back post and rolled back to Stephen McDevitt who looped a left foot shot straight at Thomas McCulloch.
In the sixty third minute Brian Mackay robbed James Mulvay eight yards inside the Saints half and wide on the left. Mackay sent Paul Carmichael racing through the inside left channel with Kenny Marshall and Garry Tierney in pursuit. Marshall forced Paul wide who couldn't get a shot away and a great chance was lost.
Enjoying a better spell of possession Saints pressed forward but were once again unable to get in behind the experienced Colville back three. Donald Campbell's attempted pass to Craig MacEwan was intercepted on the edge of the Colville box with Kenny Marshall sending the ball long looking for David McKay who was impeded by Marc Maccallum wide on the Colville right and level with the eighteen yard line. Stephen McDevitt made a good near post run but fortunately his stooping header on the corner of the six yard box from Darren Miller's free kick failed to trouble Thomas McCulloch and went well wide of target.
In the sixty ninth minute Jamie Bradley squeezed in between Dene Cassells and Willie Gemmell to glance a header wide of Thomas McCulloch's left hand post after James Miller and Darren Miller linked up well on the left for David McKay to cross onto the six yard line.
With twenty minutes remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik made his first substitution bringing on Matthew Kelly to replace Brian Mackay. Kelly's first involvement was to help launch a counter attack from another Colville free-kick on their right. Darren Miller's delivery into the six yard box was headed out by Dene Cassells and helped on to Donald Campbell by Matthew Kelly. Donald played the ball up to Craig MacEwan inside the centre circle who held the ball up well and laid off to Paul Carmichael racing forward from the Saints box. Paul's run was eventually halted on the edge of the Colville box by the combined efforts of James Miller, Thomas Airlie and Garry Tierney.
Disaster struck for Saints in the seventy second minute when a bizarre own goal gave Colville a massive slice of good fortune that they could scarcely believe. A Willie Gemmell free kick from just inside the Saints half was too heavy for Paul Carmichael and bounced harmlessly through to Ryan Ward. The Colville keeper launched a kick from hands upfield and, after some head tennis in the centre circle, Colville worked the ball out to James Miller on the left. Miller lifted the ball over the head of David McArthur and into the Saints box for Jamie Bradley who got there just before Scott Maitland and flicked the ball past Thomas McCulloch on the six yard line. The ball trundled towards the goal line with Dene Cassell's looking set to clear the danger however Dene's hooked clearance cannoned off Myles McAuley and into the net leaving both incredulous and Saints staring down the barrel.
From the restart Willie Gemmell sent a long ball from the centre circle looking for Donald Campbell on the right. Donald was crowded out by Garry Tierney and James Miller who recieved a rap on the ankle for his troubles which earned Donald a yellow card which would eventually prove very costly.
Things went from bad to worse for Saints in the seventy fifth minute when Myles McAuley was harshly penalised for handball when the ball appeared to strike him on the chest. Darren Miller rolled the ball out to Stephen McDevitt on the right who lofted a diagonal ball from thirty yards into the Saints box. Deadly striker David McKay got in between David McArthur and Marc Maccallum and from twelve yards guided a perfect header inside Thomas McCulloch's left hand post to stretch Colville's advantage and leave Saints facing a monumental task to get back into the game.
Saints freshened things up by withdrawing Willie Gemmell and introducing Ross Maitland on the right wing with Donald Campbell dropping back into midfield. Colville also rang the changes with Stephen Burden coming on to replace James Miller.
Maitland's first contribution of the game was to bring down David McKay midway inside the Saints half. Darren Miller's free-kick found McKay in the box but Marc Maccallum kept a close eye on him eventually knocking the ball out for a corner kick on the Colville left. Another good delivery from Darren Miller was headed clear at the near post by Matthew Kelly under pressure from David McKay.
With nine minutes remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik gave one last roll of the dice replacing Paul Carmichael with Dean Smith. Saints then produced one of their better moves of the match working the ball across the park from left to right where David McArthur and Donald Campbell linked up well to send Ross Maitland to the bye-line. The delivery from Ross onto the six yard line would have been perfect for the recently departed Paul Carmichael. Unfortunately Dean Smith doesn't pose the same aerial threat and James Mulvay was able to head clear. Saints kept the pressure on through Scott Maitland and Donald Campbell who tee'd up Dene Cassells for a dipping shot from thirty yards which Ryan Ward couldn't hold but managed to gather at the second attempt ahead of Ross Maitland.
The game was well and truly up for Saints when they lost the services of Donald Campbell with five minutes of normal time remaining. Donald took exception to a flying elbow from Jamie Bradley when the pair contested an aerial joust on the edge of the centre circle. Referee Holms had an excellent view of the incident but strangely didn't see anything wrong with Bradley's challenge. Mr Holms also had a clear view of Donald's retaliatory two handed shove into the chest of Bradley and promptly produced a second yellow card for Donald which could well have been a straight red.
With two minutes of the ninety remaining Colville made their final change bringing on Alex Clearie to replace Christopher Craig. The reigning Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions and Scottish Amateur Cup holders used their numerical advantage and all of their considerable experience well comfortably running down the clock including the four additional minutes allowed by Mr Holms to book their place in next month's Hampden Park final.
Despite their obvious disappointment at again losing out on a Scottish Amateur Cup final appearance Saints can be justifiably proud of their achievements over the past two seasons. Alex Craik and his men can count themselves extremely unlucky to have come up against the quality of Colville Park who ruthlessly exploited every Saints error on their relentless march towards back to back Hampden finals.
Saints remain in cup action this coming Saturday when they welcome Port Glasgow to Glencruitten in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy.
Colville Park AFC 3 - 1 Oban Saints AFC
The Superseal Stadium
New Douglas Park
Cadzow Avenue
Hamilton
ML3 0FT
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Ross Holms
Assistant Referee Mr Denis Cotterhill
Assistant Referee Mr William Grieve
Fourth Official Mr Paul Bradford
Oban Saints had their hopes of a Scottish Amateur Cup Final appearance crushed by cup holders Colville Park at New Douglas Park, Hamilton last Saturday. For the second year running the Scottish Cup adventure came to an end at the semi-final stage with a frustrated Saints contingent once again feeling they could and should have done better. Despite taking a deserved first half lead Saints couldn't hold against their vastly experienced opponents conceding two sloppy goals before finally succumbing to a killer third goal from Scottish Amateur international striker David McKay.
Saints starting line-up:-
Used substitutes:-
Matthew Kelly
Ross Maitland
Dean Smith
Unused substitutes:-
Graham Douglas
Jamie Graham
Fraser MacFarlane
Manager Alex Craik was relieved to see his squad come through midweek training with no further injuries to be added to the list. After the previous weekend's spell in the forward line Scott Maitland returned to his more familiar position on the left of the defence alongside David McArthur, Dene Cassells and Skipper Marc Maccallum. Myles McAuley, Willie Gemmell and Brian Mackay made up the midfield with a forward line of Paul Carmichael, Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan. Goalkeeper Thomas McCulloch completed the starting line-up with the Gaffer taking the unusual step of naming back-up keeper Graham Douglas among the substitutes. Also on the bench were Jamie Graham, Matthew Kelly, Ross Maitland, Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith.
Saints kicked off in bright sunshine attacking the North stand of the Superseal Stadium but quickly conceded possession with Dene Cassells having to remain strong to see out a Stephen McDevitt long ball looking for James Miller. Miller was again the target on the Colville right in the second minute where Scott Maitland made the block to concede the first corner kick of the match. Dene Cassells climbed above Stephen McDevitt to head the ball out wide to the right from where David McArthur launched an immediate counter attack. Craig MacEwan showed good control taking down David's long ball up the right touchline however his cross looking for Paul Carmichael was too heavy allowing Kenny Marshall to mop up the danger.
Colville dominated the early possession and created a decent opening in the fifth minute with a Darren Miller pass almost playing in Jamie Bradley who had strayed marginally offside. A seventh minute foul on Paul Carmichael by Stephen McDevitt gave Saints their first glimpse of goal but Paul pulled his shot from Craig MacEwan's quickly taken free-kick well wide of target.
Saints took a more measured approach to their next set-piece sixty seconds later with Willie Gemmell knocking the ball from the centre circle out wide to David McArthur on the right. David lofted the ball into the danger area but too close to Colville keeper Ryan Ward who claimed comfortably on his six yard line.
In the ninth minute Colville central defender James Mulvay came in late on Craig MacEwan midway inside the Colville half with Referee Ross Holms content to give Mulvay a warning rather than issue a caution. Willie Gemmell's free kick was headed clear by Mulvay who together with Thomas Airlie and Kenny Marshall made up a solid back three for the Motherwell men.
Myles McAuley made a driving run from midfield in the twelfth minute making good progress on the left before the combined attentions of Mulvay, McDevitt and Paul McLaughlin forced the ball out for a throw-in. Saints kept the pressure on from Scott Maitland's throw with Brian Mackay working the ball across to the overlapping David McArthur who fired in a low shot which Ryan Ward did well to turn round his left hand post for a Saints corner.
It was Ward to the rescue again for the cup holders from Willie Gemmell's corner kick, Jamie Bradley forced the ball out to the edge of the box which Donald Campbell retrieved and linked up with Myles McAuley and Brian Mackay to create another shooting opportunity. Space opened up for Donald sixteen yards from goal but his curling right foot shot was well held by the Colville keeper diving to his left.
Saints continued their good spell with David McArthur's run up the right touchline being halted illegally by Jamie Bradley. Willie Gemmell's free-kick was again headed out, this time to the right, where Craig MacEwan tried to trick his way along the bye-line and into the box. Craig got past Thomas Airlie and was scythed down just inside the box by James Mulvay but Mr Holms spotted a shirt pull by Craig on Mulvay and gave the decision in favour of the big Colville defender.
Colville had the ball in the net in the twentieth minute but were denied by an offside flag. Donald Campbell pulled back James Miller midway inside the Saints half giving dead ball expert Darren Miller an opportunity to put the ball into the danger area. Miller's deep cross found the head of Jamie Bradley whose downward header was tucked away from six yards by Paul McLaughlin who, fortunately for Saints, was flagged offside by the stand side linesman.
Two minutes later Darren Miller sent another dangerous ball into the Saints box which Thomas McCulloch held well under pressure from Paul McLaughlin on the corner of his six yard box. Colville continued to enjoy more of the ball but without posing any serious threat to the reasonably comfortable looking Saints back four. When space did open up for Christopher Craig in the twenty seventh minute he dragged his shot from the edge of the D well wide of Thomas McCulloch's right hand post.
Saints took the lead on the half hour mark from a long Thomas McCulloch free-kick after James Miller had been penalised for a shirt pull on Scott Maitland. McCulloch's long ball from level with his eighteen yard line wide on the left was knocked on by Paul Carmichael to Craig MacEwan. Craig held off challenges from Kenny Marshall and James Mulvay before finding Donald Campbell twenty five yards from goal. Donald threaded an excellent first time pass to Paul Carmichael in the inside left channel who timed his run to perfection to beat Thomas Airlie's claims for an offside flag. Paul raced into the box and lifted the ball left footed from ten yards over the advancing Ryan Ward and into the roof of the net to edge Saints in front.
Colville tried to hit back straight from the restart with James Miller lifting a decent effort from eighteen yards over Thomas McCulloch and onto the roof of the Saints net. Then a looping Stephen McDeviit header from the centre circle sent Paul McLaughlin racing through the middle with Marc Maccallum for company. After a good tussle McLaughlin went sprawling just outside the Saints box but not before he had been penalised for a shirt pull on the Saints Skipper. There was an anxious moment for the Saints as Referee Holms consulted his Assistant who appeared to have flagged in favour of Colville however Mr Holms was happy to let his initial decision stand.
Dene Cassells became the first name in the Referee's note book for a late challenge on Paul McLaughlin on the half-way line as Colville threatened to counter after mopping up a Willie Gemmell free-kick. Kenny Marshall's long straight ball was headed out by Paul Carmichael but straight to Darren Miller who sent a speculative effort from twenty eight yards well off target.
Saints were caught out in the forty second minute when trying to play the ball out from the back after another deep free-kick this time from James Mulvay. David McArthur played a risky ball to Brian Mackay who was robbed by Jamie Bradley coming in on the blindside. Bradley played a one-two with Christopher Craig and picked out Paul McLaughlin in space inside the box. McLaughlin turned well and tucked a neat finish inside Thomas McCulloch's right hand post to bring the cup holders level. This was a bitter blow for Saints to concede such a sloppy goal undoing a good first half performance however full credit to Colville who ruthlessly exploited the slip-up.
Neither side made any personnel changes for the start of the second half which Colville kicked off harnessing the benefit of the strong wind. Colville Manager Michael Kennedy did however opt to have his wide men James Miller and Jamie Bradley switch flanks.
Now operating wide on the left James Miller cleverly drew a foul from David McArthur for a nudge in the back. Namesake Darren flighted a cross towards the penalty spot where Marc Maccallum was waiting to head clear. Donald Campbell picked up the loose ball and launched a counter attack up the left wing where Craig MacEwan was closed down by James Mulvay.
After five second half minutes Paul Carmichael won a free-kick wide on the Saints left and ten yards inside the Colville half. Brian Mackay peeled off to the left to accept Willie Gemmell's free-kick and quickly returned the ball to Willie twenty five yards out who, from a promising position, didn't get hold of his shot and sent a tame effort well wide of target.
In the fifty third minute Dene Cassells was penalised for a trip on Darren Miller twenty eight yards from goal on the Colville right. Miller went low with his free-kick which took a nick off the Saints wall on it's way past Thomas McCulloch's left hand upright. Current Scotland Amateur International Miller trotted over to take the corner kick which Marc Maccallum headed clear launching another Saints counter attack. Once again Craig MacEwan couldn't escape the close attentions of James Mulvay who made a good interception on the half-way line at the expense of a throw-in.
Colville Park continued to enjoy the majority of the possession restricting Saints to attacking on the break. In the fifty eighth minute after breaking up a Colville attack Saints built a good passing move through the middle. Myles McAuley linked up with Brian Mackay who rolled the ball up to Paul Carmichael twelve yards inside the Colville half. Paul held the ball up well and laid off to Craig MacEwan who lofted a ball forward looking for Brian Mackay who had continued his run, Unfortunately Craig's pass was too heavy and skipped away from Brian and safely through to Ryan Ward in the Colville goal.
Colville demonstrated their strength in depth with their first substitution on the hour mark replacing current Scotland international Paul McLaughlin with amateur international legend David McKay. McKay was quickly involved in the action chasing down a long ball which Marc Maccallum did well to intercept at the expense of a corner kick. Garry Tierney collected Darren Miller's corner kick from the right at the back post and rolled back to Stephen McDevitt who looped a left foot shot straight at Thomas McCulloch.
In the sixty third minute Brian Mackay robbed James Mulvay eight yards inside the Saints half and wide on the left. Mackay sent Paul Carmichael racing through the inside left channel with Kenny Marshall and Garry Tierney in pursuit. Marshall forced Paul wide who couldn't get a shot away and a great chance was lost.
Enjoying a better spell of possession Saints pressed forward but were once again unable to get in behind the experienced Colville back three. Donald Campbell's attempted pass to Craig MacEwan was intercepted on the edge of the Colville box with Kenny Marshall sending the ball long looking for David McKay who was impeded by Marc Maccallum wide on the Colville right and level with the eighteen yard line. Stephen McDevitt made a good near post run but fortunately his stooping header on the corner of the six yard box from Darren Miller's free kick failed to trouble Thomas McCulloch and went well wide of target.
In the sixty ninth minute Jamie Bradley squeezed in between Dene Cassells and Willie Gemmell to glance a header wide of Thomas McCulloch's left hand post after James Miller and Darren Miller linked up well on the left for David McKay to cross onto the six yard line.
With twenty minutes remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik made his first substitution bringing on Matthew Kelly to replace Brian Mackay. Kelly's first involvement was to help launch a counter attack from another Colville free-kick on their right. Darren Miller's delivery into the six yard box was headed out by Dene Cassells and helped on to Donald Campbell by Matthew Kelly. Donald played the ball up to Craig MacEwan inside the centre circle who held the ball up well and laid off to Paul Carmichael racing forward from the Saints box. Paul's run was eventually halted on the edge of the Colville box by the combined efforts of James Miller, Thomas Airlie and Garry Tierney.
Disaster struck for Saints in the seventy second minute when a bizarre own goal gave Colville a massive slice of good fortune that they could scarcely believe. A Willie Gemmell free kick from just inside the Saints half was too heavy for Paul Carmichael and bounced harmlessly through to Ryan Ward. The Colville keeper launched a kick from hands upfield and, after some head tennis in the centre circle, Colville worked the ball out to James Miller on the left. Miller lifted the ball over the head of David McArthur and into the Saints box for Jamie Bradley who got there just before Scott Maitland and flicked the ball past Thomas McCulloch on the six yard line. The ball trundled towards the goal line with Dene Cassell's looking set to clear the danger however Dene's hooked clearance cannoned off Myles McAuley and into the net leaving both incredulous and Saints staring down the barrel.
From the restart Willie Gemmell sent a long ball from the centre circle looking for Donald Campbell on the right. Donald was crowded out by Garry Tierney and James Miller who recieved a rap on the ankle for his troubles which earned Donald a yellow card which would eventually prove very costly.
Things went from bad to worse for Saints in the seventy fifth minute when Myles McAuley was harshly penalised for handball when the ball appeared to strike him on the chest. Darren Miller rolled the ball out to Stephen McDevitt on the right who lofted a diagonal ball from thirty yards into the Saints box. Deadly striker David McKay got in between David McArthur and Marc Maccallum and from twelve yards guided a perfect header inside Thomas McCulloch's left hand post to stretch Colville's advantage and leave Saints facing a monumental task to get back into the game.
Saints freshened things up by withdrawing Willie Gemmell and introducing Ross Maitland on the right wing with Donald Campbell dropping back into midfield. Colville also rang the changes with Stephen Burden coming on to replace James Miller.
Maitland's first contribution of the game was to bring down David McKay midway inside the Saints half. Darren Miller's free-kick found McKay in the box but Marc Maccallum kept a close eye on him eventually knocking the ball out for a corner kick on the Colville left. Another good delivery from Darren Miller was headed clear at the near post by Matthew Kelly under pressure from David McKay.
With nine minutes remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik gave one last roll of the dice replacing Paul Carmichael with Dean Smith. Saints then produced one of their better moves of the match working the ball across the park from left to right where David McArthur and Donald Campbell linked up well to send Ross Maitland to the bye-line. The delivery from Ross onto the six yard line would have been perfect for the recently departed Paul Carmichael. Unfortunately Dean Smith doesn't pose the same aerial threat and James Mulvay was able to head clear. Saints kept the pressure on through Scott Maitland and Donald Campbell who tee'd up Dene Cassells for a dipping shot from thirty yards which Ryan Ward couldn't hold but managed to gather at the second attempt ahead of Ross Maitland.
The game was well and truly up for Saints when they lost the services of Donald Campbell with five minutes of normal time remaining. Donald took exception to a flying elbow from Jamie Bradley when the pair contested an aerial joust on the edge of the centre circle. Referee Holms had an excellent view of the incident but strangely didn't see anything wrong with Bradley's challenge. Mr Holms also had a clear view of Donald's retaliatory two handed shove into the chest of Bradley and promptly produced a second yellow card for Donald which could well have been a straight red.
With two minutes of the ninety remaining Colville made their final change bringing on Alex Clearie to replace Christopher Craig. The reigning Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions and Scottish Amateur Cup holders used their numerical advantage and all of their considerable experience well comfortably running down the clock including the four additional minutes allowed by Mr Holms to book their place in next month's Hampden Park final.
Despite their obvious disappointment at again losing out on a Scottish Amateur Cup final appearance Saints can be justifiably proud of their achievements over the past two seasons. Alex Craik and his men can count themselves extremely unlucky to have come up against the quality of Colville Park who ruthlessly exploited every Saints error on their relentless march towards back to back Hampden finals.
Saints remain in cup action this coming Saturday when they welcome Port Glasgow to Glencruitten in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy.
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| Pre-match handshakes |
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| Darren Miller and Brian Mackay |
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| Myles McAuley and Stephen McDevitt |
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| Craig MacEwan, Paul McLaughlin and Stephen McDevitt |
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| Ryan Ward saves from Donald Campbell |
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| Paul Carmichael lifts the ball over Ryan Ward to open the scoring |
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| David McKay and David McArthur |
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| Thomas McCulloch |
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| Willie Gemmell |
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| David McArthur and James Miller |
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| Matthew Kelly heads clear at the near post |
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