Winning In The Rain: Pass The Port

Saturday 22nd April 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy
Oban Saints AFC v Port Glasgow AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr John Stobo

Following last Saturday's Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Colville Park, Saints return to "domestic" action this weekend in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy. Saints are the holders of the Scottish Amateur Football League's most prestigious cup trophy and continue their defence at Glencruitten this Saturday against last season's Division One Champions Port Glasgow. Like Saints "The Port" entered this season's Jimmy Marshall Trophy at the second round stage after receiving a first round bye. A convincing 5 - 0 away win at Premier Division 2B rivals Paisley in round two was followed by a home tie in round three against Premier Division One promotion chasers Rutherglen. After a goalless ninety minutes Port Glasgow sealed their place in the quarter-finals with a 4 - 2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Saturdy's quarter-final tie must be played to a finish on the day with penalty kicks to decide the winner if the sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes. In a break with tradition this season's semi-finals will not be played at neutral venues but rather were subject to a draw which will see either Saints or Port Glasgow travel to face 2013 winners Hillington on Saturday 13th May.

Cups

In the Scottish Amateur Football League's other cup competitions Port Glasgow failed to negotiate the Centenary Cup first round group sections finishing in third place in section three behind local rivals Port Glasgow OBU and group winners Goldenhill. Their Hall Cup campaign has only just begun but with only one point from their opening two group games Port Glasgow already face an uphill task to catch early pacesetters East Kilbride YMCA.

The Port fared no better in Scotland's national cup competition where they were held to a 3 - 3 first round draw at home against FC Clydebank of Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A. In the replay at Bearsden the Bankies, who Saints would later face in the third round, prevailed by two goals to nil.

The West region's district cup, the West of Scotland Amateur Cup, saw Port Glasgow reach the third round before their interest in the "majors" was ended by St Mungo's. An impressive first round home win against Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Third Division leaders Dalry was followed in round two with another notable scalp when The Port put four goals past Mill United of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A. Unfortunately for Port Glasgow their hopes of a good cup run were ended when they lost out by the odd goal in seven to Caledonian League Premier Division outfit St Mungo's at Bishopbriggs.

League

Following last season's Division One league title triumph Port Glasgow challenged well in Premier Division 2B campaign before ultimately losing out in the title race to Champions Arkleston Barrhead. The Port brought the curtain down on their league season with a 2 - 1 away win at East End United which virtually guarantees third place. Only a five goal winning margin for Paisley in their final fixture away at Tarbert, which no other team has managed thus far, can deny Port Glasgow third spot. Despite their obvious disappointment at not securing back to back league title wins The Port can be reasonably satisfied with their likely third place finish in a what appears to be a very tight division.

Port Glasgow fixtures so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division 2B

20th August 2016 Tarbert 1 - 4 Port Glasgow
8th October 2016 Port Glasgow 4 - 3 Duntocher Hibs
15th October 2016 Port Glasgow 1 - 3 Claremont
29th October 2016 Port Glasgow 4 - 1 Arkleston
12th November 2016 Port Glasgow 2 - 1 Busby
26th November 2016 Paisley 1 - 1 Port Glasgow
3rd December 2016 Port Glasgow 11 - 0 Tarbert
10th December 2016 Duntocher Hibs 4 - 1 Port Glasgow
17th December 2016 Arkleston 5 - 2 Port Glasgow
14th January 2017 Port Glasgow 5 - 1 East End United
28th January 2017 Busby 3 - 3 Port Glasgow
11th February 2017 Port Glasgow 1 - 2 Paisley
18th February 2017 Claremont 0 - 2 Port Glasgow
25th February 2017 Port Glasgow 4 - 3 FC Argyle
8th April 2017 FC Argyle 1 - 0 Port Glasgow

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

Group Section 3

13th August 2016 Goldenhill 3 - 1 Port Glasgow
22nd August 2016 Port Glasgow OBU 2 - 1 Port Glasgow
24th August 2016 Port Glasgow 5 - 1 FC Argyle

Scottish Amateur Football League Hall Cup

Group Section 4

11th March 2017 East Kilbride YMCA 1 - 0 Port Glasgow
25th March 2017 Port Glasgow 2 - 2 FC Argyle

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

First Round
Bye

Second Round
5th November 2016 Paisley 0 - 5 Port Glasgow

Third Round
7th January 2017 Port Glasgow 0 - 0 Rutherglen
Port Glasgow win 4 - 2 on penalty kicks

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

First Round
17th September 2016 Port Glasgow 3 - 1 Dalry

Second Round
22nd October 2016 Port Glasgow 4 - 2 Mill United

Third Round
19th November 2016 St Mungo's 4 - 3 Port Glasgow

Scottish Amateur Cup

First Round
3rd September 2016 Port Glasgow 3 - 3 FC Clydebank

First Round Replay
10th September 2016 FC Clydebank 2 - 0 Port Glasgow