Winning In The Rain: May 2017

Wednesday, 31 May 2017

William Street Conquerors

Wednesday 31st May 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
St Joseph's FP AFC v Oban Saints AFC
William Street
Duntocher
Clydebank
G81 6DF
Kick off 7pm
Referee Mr John McQuilter

Oban Saints travel to Duntocher this evening for their penultimate away fixture of a long and arduous season. With the bitter disappointment of last Friday's Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final penalty shoot-out defeat to Easthall Star still burning inside them Saints Gaffer Alex Craik will be hoping for a positive response from his troops against this season's Premier Division Champions St Joseph's FP. The Duntocher men have been worthy champions this season and only an opening day defeat at Goldenhill and a draw away at last season's champions East Kilbride FC Amateurs has denied them the chance of going into this their final match of the season chasing an unprecedented maximum points.

St Joe's continued their excellent form under new Management team Ajie McCall and Gary McGroarty into the cup competitions reaching the final of the Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup where they clinched a league and cup double with a penalty shoot-out victory after a 2 - 2 draw with Premier Division One Champions Alba Thistle.

Unfortunately excellent runs in the Scottish and West of Scotland Amateur Cups were halted at sixth and fifth round stages respectively.

In the West of Scotland Cup St Joe's eased past Saints Argyll neighbours Carradale and Paisley and District Premier Division leaders Glenvale before taking the major scalp of Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier League leaders Glenburn Miners Welfare. The fifth round saw St Joe's edged out narrowly by the seemingly invincible Colville Park who currently lead the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division with a 100% record after ten games.

St Joe's Scottish Amateur Cup run contained three replays before they finally succumbed to another of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League in-form teams Southside who are currently unbeaten in Division 1A. After comfortably seeing off the challenge of Strathclyde Evangelical Churches Football League Premier Division Law Parish in the second round St Joe's were drawn away against Third Lanark of the Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League. St Joe's had to battle back from two goals down to force a replay which they eventually won by five goals to two. Round four saw St Joe's progress by virtue of a walkover against the now sadly folded Invac of the Glasgow and District Saturday Morning League. In the fifth round St Joe's were drawn away once again this time holding last season's runners up Leven United to a 1 - 1 draw. The replay at Clydebank High School saw the Duntocher men run out comfortable four goals to nil winners to secure a home sixth round tie against Southside. For the third tie running a replay was required this time after a rare goalless draw at Clydebank High School however this time the replay victory was to elude St Joe's with Southside running out 3 - 1 winners.

Only the Scottish Amateur League Jimmy Marshall Trophy has seen St Joe's fail to make a significant impression on the competition with the 2015 winners falling at the first hurdle against Motherwell Thistle leaving now to concentrate on their Premier Division campaign and look forward to their Centenary Cup final clash with Alba Thistle.

St Joseph's FP AFC fixtures so far this season:-

SAFL Premier Division

3rd September 2016 Goldenhill 2 - 1 St Joseph's FP
17th September 2016 Campbeltown Pupils 4 - 6 St Joseph's FP

8th October 2016 St Joseph's FP 3 - 1 Shawlands FP
29th October 2016 Motherwell Thistle 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP
26th November 2016 Drumchapel Colts 0 - 7 St Joseph's FP
18th February 2017 St Joseph's FP 5 - 1 Ferguslie Star
25th February 2017 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 Inverclyde
11th March 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 2 St Joseph's FP
18th March 2017 Oban Saints 0 - 3 St Joseph's FP
25th March 2017 St Joseph's FP 1 - 0 Goldenhill
1st April 2017 St Joseph's FP 8 - 1 Drumchapel Colts
8th April 2017 Shawlands FP 0 - 3 St Joseph's FP
15th April 2017 St Joseph's FP 4 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
19th April 2017 Ferguslie Star 2 - 5 St Joseph's FP
26th April 2017 Inverclyde 1 - 5 St Joseph's FP
29th April 2017 St Joseph's 3 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils
17th May 2017 St Joseph's FP 5 - 0 Motherwell Thistle

SAFL Centenary Cup

1st Round Group Section Eight
13th August 2016 Rossvale 0 - 6 St Joseph's FP

17th August 2016 St Joseph's FP 4 - 2 Easthall Star
24th August 2016 Millbeg 1 - 12 St Joseph's FP
27th August 2016 St Joseph's FP 10 - 0 Castlemilk

Quarter Final
15th October 2016 Drumchapel Colts 1 - 3 St Joseph's FP

Semi Final
16th November 2016 Motherwell Thistle 0 - 2 St Joseph's FP

Final
12th May 2017 Alba Thistle 2 - 2 St Joseph's FP
St Joseph's FP win 8 - 7 on penalty kicks

SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy

1st Round
17th December 2016 St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Motherwell Thistle
Motherwell Thistle win 5 - 3 on penalty kicks

SAFL Coronation Cup

1st Round Group Section Three
22nd April 2017 Goldenhill 5 - 0 St Joseph's FP

3rd May 2017 Inverclyde 0 - 0 St Joseph's FP

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
22nd October 2016 St Joseph's FP 8 - 0 Carradale

3rd Round
19th November 2016 St Joseph's FP 7 - 1 Glenvale

4th Round
10th December 2016 St Joseph's FP 3 - 1 Glenburn Miners Welfare

5th Round
28th January 2017 Colville Park 2 - 1 St Joseph's FP

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
1st October 2016 Law Parish 1 - 6 St Joseph's FP

3rd Round
5th November 2016 Third Lanark 2 - 2 St Joseph's FP

3rd Round Replay
12th November 2016 St Joseph's FP 5 - 2 Third Lanark

4th Round
3rd December 2016 Invac v St Joseph's FP - Walkover to St Joseph's FP

5th Round
7th January 2017 Leven United 1 - 1 St Joseph's FP

5th Round Replay
21st January 2017 St Joseph's FP 4 - 0 Leven United

6th Round
4th February 2017 St Joseph's FP 0 - 0 Southside

6th Round Replay
11th February 2017 Southside 3 - 1 St Joseph's FP

St Joseph's FP AFC recent Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-

2006/07 Premier Division One 4th

2007/08 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted

2008/09 Premier Division Champions

2009/10 Premier Division 6th and Centenary Cup Winners

2010/11 Premier Division 6th

2011/12 Premier Division 6th

2012/13 Premier Division 5th

2013/14 Premier Division 3rd and Centenary Cup Runners Up

2014/15 Premier Division Champions and Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners
2015/16 Premier Division 3rd, Centenary Cup & Jimmy Marshall Trophy Runners Up
2016/17 Premier Division Champions & Centenary Cup Winners

Oban Saints away record against St Joseph's FP:-

2008/09 St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Oban Saints
2009/10 St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Oban Saints
2010/11 St Joseph's FP 1 - 3 Oban Saints
2011/12 St Joseph's FP 0 - 3 Oban Saints
2012/13 St Joseph's FP 0 - 1 Oban Saints
2013/14 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints

2014/15 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints
2015/16 St Joseph's FP 1 - 0 Oban Saints

The St Joseph's FP player celebrate winning the 2014-15 SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Action from Saints 2 - 1 win at William Street in season 2014-15

Donald Campbell opens the scoring

Allan Mackay and Christopher Scouller

Craig MacEwan with Craig Cameron in hot pursuit

St Joe's keeper Kevin Connor punches clear

Martin Bonar and St Joe's Captain John Paul Seagrave

Saints clear their lines late in the second half

#monthesaints

Sunday, 28 May 2017

Easthall's Star Shines Brightest

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Friday 26th May 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final
Easthall Star AFC 2 - 2 Oban Saints AFC
Easthall Star win 3 - 2 on penalty kicks
Fullarton Park
Easterhill Street
Glasgow
G32 8LZ
Kick Off 7.15pm
Referee Mr James Litster
Assistant Referee Mr Patrick O'Donnell
Assistant Referee Mr Steven Wylie

Saints starting line-up:-

Used Substitutes:-

David McArthur
Brian Mackay
Ross Maitland

Unused Substitutes:-

Jamie Graham
Kerr Newbigging
Dean Smith

Last Friday night at Fullarton Park, Tollcross Oban Saints had the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy snatched from their grasp thanks to a ninety third minute equalier and a penalty shoot-out defeat to Premier Division One Easthall Star. Saints will lament a succession of missed opportunities to make safe a game which they dominated for the most part however the dogged determination of Star to take something from a season which saw them relegated for the first time in their twenty six year history was not to be denied.

After struggling for numbers over the past few weeks, Saints Manager Alex Craik's biggest problem was who to leave out as full squad reported for Saints fourth Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final appearance in five seasons. Saints lined up with Thomas McCulloch in goal; a back four of Matthew Kelly, Captain Marc Maccallum, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland; a midfield of Myles McAuley, Willie Gemmell and Donald Campbell and a front three of Fraser MacFarlane, Craig MacEwan and Paul Carmichael. In reserve were Jamie Graham, David McArthur, Brian Mackay, Ross Maitland, Kerr Newbigging and Dean Smith.

After the traditional introduction of players and match officials to Scottish Amateur Football League President Matt Armstrong Saints kicked off playing into the low sun and were given an immediate warning that they were in for a game. Star worked a throw-in from just inside their own half on the left quickly up to pacy left winger Colin Gilmour who cut inside Matthew Kelly and flashed a low left foot shot across Thomas McCulloch and inches wide of the Saints keepers' left hand post.

From the goal-kick Saints moved the ball quickly up to Paul Carmicheal wide on the left who lifted an exquisite right foot shot into the postage stamp corner past a helpless Donald Grant. However Assistant Referee Steven Wylie was quick to raise his flag and Referee Jimmy Litster disallowed the goal.

Saints continued their pursuit of a quick reply to the Easthall Star opener with Craig MacEwan and Paul Carmichael both having shots blocked by the Star defence. Paul's fifth minute blocked effort won a corner kick on the right from which Fraser MacFarlane picked out the head of Dene Cassells nine yards out. Dene's classic downward header bounced just inside the six yard box beating Donald Grant's right hand but crashing back off the crossbar to be thumped clear by Alec Gilmour.

Easthall Star took the lead in the eighth minute from a quick break on the right wing. Daniel Cameron sped away from Scott Maitland and fired a low ball across the face of goal where Colin Gilmour nipped in ahead of Matthew Kelly to slam into the net.

The lead lasted just eight minutes before Saints deservedly restored parity through top scorer Craig MacEwan. Craig cut into the box from the left but was halted by a well timed challenge from Star central defender Martyn Hutchinson who would go on to pick up the Man of the Match award for an accomplished defensive performance. Fraser MacFarlane swung in the resulting corner kick from the left which was headed down by Paul Carmichael inside the six yard box with Craig MacEwan reacting quickest to poke the loose ball into the net from four yards.

An injury for Martyn Hutchinson in the nineteenth minute caused a lengthy stoppage giving both sets of players an opportunity to take on water in what was an extremely warm Glasgow evening. Hutchinson recovered however the stoppage took it's toll with the game entering a flat spell with Saints clearing needing to lift the pace if they were to turn their superior possession into chances.

Star central midfielder Andrew Malcolm's long throw-in's provided his team with a useful weapon however the Saints defence remained untroubled coping well with the aerial danger.

A twenty seventh minute foul on Myles McAuley by Lee McNicol gave Willie Gemmell a chance to put the ball in the danger area which he did successfully picking out Craig MacEwan at the back post. Unfortunately Craig couldn't get the ball under control and the slipped harmlessly behind for a goal kick.

On the half hour mark Referee Litster denied Saints a penalty kick when Star keeper Donald Grant appeared to have a hold of Craig MacEwan's right leg when the Saints striker had the goal at his mercy. MacEwan was sent sprawling eight yards from goal however Mr Litster was unmoved and waved play on. Saints kept up the pressure with a quickly taken Matthew Kelly throw-in on the right to Willie Gemmell. Willie's delivery into the box was glanced on by Myles McAuley seven yards out but unfortunately wide of the keeper's right hand post.

Gemmell had the chance to put the ball in the mixer again in the thirty second minute after Paul Carmichael had been felled on the right but once again Saints were unable to get a decisive touch and Craig MacEwan bundled the ball wide of the post.

Saints had another penalty kick appeal dismissed by Mr Litster in the thirty sixth minute. Dene Cassells made a strong run out from the back but was dispossessed midway inside the Star half. With Cassells out of position Easthall looked to counter but Willie Gemmell dropped deep to cover and launch another Saints attack. Willie's long ball from the back picked out Donald Campbell wide on the right who sent a cross into the box looking for Myles McAuley. Before he could get his head to the ball Myles took a boot to the face which somehow neither the Referee or his assistant Mr Wylie considered to be dangerous play.

Saints kept pressing and rattled the crossbar for the second time in the thirty eighth minute. Donald Campbell's right foot shot from eighteen yards left Donald Grant rooted to the spot but came crashing back off the bar. Craig MacEwan was first to the rebound but had his shot parried by Grant who was quickly back on his feet to take the bouncing ball off outstretched boot of Fraser MacFarlane.

Donald Campbell's forty first minute cross was slightly too deep for Craig MacEwan but Star Captain Alec Gilmour was took no chances and headed behind for a corner kick. Fraser MacFarlane's delivery from the right was headed back across the six yard box by Dene Cassells but, with no Saints takers in the six yard box, was cleared by Martin Glen.

Saints failed to produce the flash of inspiration necessary to break down the resolute Star defence during the five additional minutes allowed by Mr Litster and survived a rare Star foray forward when Matthew Kelly slid in the take the ball away from Colin Gilmour as he raced into the Saints box on the left.

Saints Gaffer Alex Craik resisted the temptation to make any half-time changes contenting himself with an appeal for an increased sense of urgency from his starting eleven. Easthall Star kicked off the second half with the sinking sun in their eyes and had the better of the early second half exchanges. Another Andrew Malcolm long throw was headed over the Saints crossbar by Craig Smith and Colin Gilmour continued his personal battle with Matthew Kelly getting in behind the young Saints full-back and forcing Thomas McCulloch into a good save at his near post.

Saints countered on the left through Donald Campbell who was fouled by Lee McNicol level with eighteen yard line. Willie Gemmell's lofted free-kick looking for Craig MacEwan at the back post was well fielded by Donald Grant who wasted no time in launching the ball up field. The long ball gave the Saints rearguard serious problems with Daniel Cameron coming in from the right wing to round Thomas McCulloch on the edge of his box and aim a shot on target which Dene Cassells somehow managed to get back to block the line.

In a brief flurry Donald Campbell tested Donald Grant with a right foot effort after tricking his way past Martin Glen on the left and Scott Maitland sent a cross, also from the left, to the back post but agonisingly too far in front of Craig MacEwan.

Saints Gaffer Alex Craik finally decided changes were necessary regain the initiative and withdrew Fraser MacFarlane and Myles McAuley in favour of Ross Maitland and Brian Mackay just before the hour mark.

An incisive pass through the inside left channel from Willie Gemmell sent Scott Maitland in behind the Star defence but his tempting low cross along the six yard line found no takers in navy blue.

Pushing forward in search of an opening Saints continued to live dangerously at the back with Marc Maccallum having to make an important block to deny Craig Smith a clear run on goal.

An unfortunate seventieth minute slip by Scott Maitland allowed second half Star substitute Ross Campbell to run in behind and fire in a fierce shot which Thomas McCulloch did well to parry at his near post. The big Saints stopper made it a double save by denying another of Star's second half substitutes veteran striker John McDonald.

A flurry of chances came and went for Saints including Donald Campbell dinking a lob over Donald Grant which drifted just over the crossbar, and Craig MacEwan glancing a near post header from a Ross Maitland corner kick also over the bar.

Saints finally got their noses in front in the seventy sixth minute when Brian Mackay, Paul Carmichael and Craig MacEwan carved open the Star defence for Donald Campbell to slot a low finish past Donald Grant and into the bottom corner of the net.

Ross Maitland had an immediate opportunity to put some daylight between the teams but shot straight at Donald Grant when sent clear on the right by Donald Campbell.

At the other end a Dene Cassells foul on Ross Campbell invited a ball into the box which Matthew Kelly did well to head clear at the back post under pressure from Colin Gilmour.

Another Ross Maitland shot at Donald Grant was parried behind for a corner from which Donald Campbell send a wild effort high over the bar.

With five minutes remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik made his final change sending on David McArthur to replace Matthew Kelly at right back.

On the opposite flank Scott Maitland continued to support the attack and fired an eighty sixth minute left foot shot from a tight angle just over the crossbar.

Saints looked the more likely to add to the scoring however Easthall Star weren't done and kept up their aerial threat from Andrew Malcolm's long throws. The Saints defence managed to repel the danger from the arms of Malcolm and had yet another chance to kill the game in the ninetieth minute when Donald Campbell led a breakaway from a Dene Cassells clearing header. Donald had Paul Carmichael and Ross Maitland in support who worked a one-two with Ross electing to lift a lob over the keeper but unfortunately also over the crossbar when perhaps a return ball to Paul might have been the better option.

In the ninety third minute Saints conceded a free kick just inside their own half and ten yards in from the right hand touchline. Keeper Donald Grant ran forward to add his height in the Saints box for Martyn Hutchinson's delivery but it was late replacement Glen Gilmour who got his head to the ball ahead of Marc Maccallum and sent a looping header out of Thomas McCulloch's reach and into the net for a dramatic last gasp equaliser.

The Star players naturally celebrated wildly but had goalkeeper Donald Grant to thank for keeping his composure and remaining close to his line for the re-start to safely clutch Willie Gemmell's perfectly executed lob from the halfway line just underneath his crossbar.

Mr Litster brought the match to a close signalling the need for a penalty shoot-out to decide the winners.

Having won three penalty shoot-outs since their last defeat against Hillington in the 2013 Jimmy Marshall Trophy final Saints had every reason to feel confident however luck was to desert them this time around.

Veteran Ross Maitland accepted the unenviable task of taking the first penalty but will most certainly not want to include this particular episode in his memoirs when he finally hangs up his boots at the end of this season. After successfully dumping Star goalkeeper Donald Grant on his backside Ross sent his effort two feet wide of the post to get Saints off to the worst possible start.

Man of the match Martyn Hutchinson had some of the shine taken off his own excellent performance when Thomas McCulloch dived to his right to save the first Star penalty and quickly even the score.

Second half Saints substitute David McArthur left Donald Grant rooted to the spot to notch the first successful kick but Colin Gilmour immediately restored parity sending Thomas McCulloch the wrong way in the process.

Donald Grant guessed correctly for Willie Gemmell's effort but was beaten by pace as the ball crashed into the top corner past his left hand. Ross Campbell went to the opposite side where Thomas McCulloch made his second save to hand the initiative to Saints.

This season's top scorer Craig MacEwan also went to the keeper's right where Donald Grant produced the first of his vital saves. Late substitute Craig Stewart arrowed his effort low and just inside Thomas McCulloch's right hand post with too much pace and accuracy for the keeper who guessed correctly.

All sqaure at two successful kicks each the shoot-out now effectively entered sudden death where Star drew first blood when Donald Grant threw himself to his right to stop Donald Campbell's effort. The pressure was now all on Star left-back Dean Scott who retained his composure to tuck the ball low into the bottom corner past Thomas McCulloch's despairing left hand and seal a famous victory for Easthall Star.

Despite falling well short of the standards set in their march to a second successive Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final just six weeks ago Saints will be deeply disappointed not to win a match which they dominated almost entirely. However full credit must go to a determined Easthall Star side who dug deep to force a last gasp equaliser and held their nerves to prevail in the penalty shoot-out.

Scottish Amateur Football League President Matt Armstrong presented firstly Martyn Hutchinson with his Man of the Match award, both sets of players with their respective winners and runners-up medals and finally Easthall Star Captain Alec Gilmour with the Jimmy Marshall Trophy.

Oban Saints would like to express their sincere thanks to all those who sent messages of support and especially to the hardy band of supporters who made the two hundred plus mile round trip to Glasgow's east end to lend their support in person.

Pre-match handshakes

Match Officials Pat O'Donnell, Jimmy Litster and Steven Wylie

Dean Scott blocks Fraser MacFarlane's cross

Matthew Kelly and Colin Gilmour

Dene Cassells heads against the crossbar

Craig MacEwan prods home Saints equaliser

Alec Gilmour and Fraser MacFarlane

Donald Grant

Donald Grant pulls back Craig MacEwan

Myles McAuley heads wide

Donald Campbell

Martyn Hutchinson slides in to deny Fraser MacFarlane

Donald Campbell shoots straight at Donald Grant

Craig MacEwan glances a header over the crossbar

Donald Campbell celebrates his goal with Craig MacEwan, Paul Carmichael and Brian Mackay

#monthesaints

Monday, 22 May 2017

Fullarton Final

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Friday 26th May 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final
Easthall Star AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Fullarton Park
Easterhill Street
Glasgow
G32 8LZ
Kick Off 7.15pm
Referee Mr James Litster
Assistant Referee Mr Patrick O'Donnell
Assistant Referee Mr Steven Wylie

This Friday evening Saints travel to Glasgow's east end to face Easthall Star in the final of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy. The Premier Division One basement boys clinched their place in the Fullarton Park, Tollcross final with an emphatic 5 - 0 win over current Argyll & Bute Cup holders Dunoon just along the road at Stepford Football Centre last Saturday afternoon.

Easthall Star's Run To The Final

Easthall Star's run to the final has provided a welcome distraction for their young team which has recorded just one league win in a difficult season which sees them relegated for the first time in the club's twenty six year history. After a first round bye Star kicked off their Jimmy Marshall Trophy campaign with a second round with a comfortable 3 -1 home win against Premier Division 2A Castlemilk.

It was Premier Division 2A opposition again in round three where Star returned home victorious from a potentially tricky trip to Greenock after an emphatic 7 - 2 rout of Broomhill. Star's name came out of the hat first for the quarter finals with Premier Division 2A yet again providing the opposition. A battling 3 -1 win over Houston secured a home semi-final against Dunoon with whom Star had shared eight league goals just five weeks earlier. After battling back from 3 - 1 down at half-time to lead 4 - 3 with twelve minutes to go Star were extremely disappointed to concede a late equaliser effectively ending any feint hopes of clinging on to their Premier Division One status. Despite the final score the semi-final would also prove to be a close affair with a red card for Dunoon and a man of the match performance from the Star goalkeeper being major factors in the home side's 5 - 0 victory.

Saints Run To The Final

Saints journey to the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final also started at the second round stage where they traveled to Port Glasgow to face old acquaintances Port Glasgow OBU. A Craig MacEwan hat-trick and a brace from Paul Carmichael eased Saints through to the third round with Donald Campbell also on the score sheet in a comfortable 6 - 0 win,

Eventual Premier Division 2B Champions Arkleston Barrhead proved a tougher nut to crack in the third round. First half goals from Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell had Saints in control until a long range strike from Jamie Henderson on the stroke of half-time brought the home side back into contention. After thirty minutes of a far more evenly contested second half Craig MacEwan struck for the second time of the afternoon to finally make the tie safe for Saints.

The quarter-final brought Saints solitary home tie in this season's competition with Port Glasgow, also of Premier Division 2B, providing the opposition. First half headers from Craig MacEwan and Dene Cassells had Saints comfortably in front at the interval before an early second half strike from Donald Campbell made it three with thirty five minutes still to play. Port Glasgow pulled one back almost immediately from a free-kick perfectly executed by second half substitute Andrew Hannah which sparked a spirited attempt at a comeback from the visitors. Saints however weathered the Port Glasgow storm and sealed their fifth successive semi-final appearance in the eighty seventh minute when Fraser MacFarlane slotted home from close range.

In a break with tradition this season's Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-finals were not played at neutral venues but rather were subject to a draw which gave Hillington home advantage. The tie gave Saints an opportunity to exact some revenge on their hosts for the agonising 2013 final penalty shoot-out defeat at Somervell Park, Cambuslang where, after a goalless ninety minutes in which they lost Dene Cassells and Asen Gaydardzhiev to serious head injuries and goalkeeper Daniel Cassells with a ruptured rotator cuff, Saints were edged out in the penalty shoot-out. Four successfully converted spot kicks each effectively took the shoot-out to sudden death where Donald Campbell had his effort saved by the outstretched foot of the Hillington keeper before Saints stand-in keeper Alex Craik was beaten for the fifth time confirming Hillington as the winners.

This time around it was Saints who prevailed Oban Saints with a 4 - 1 win at a rain soaked Penilee Community Centre. After a fairly even goalless first half Saints turned up the heat on their Premier Division One opponents with Craig MacEwan netting a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to thirty five. Saints other goal came via an unfortunate own goal from Christopher Flannery when a Craig MacEwan shot came back off the post and was turned into the net by Flannery's attempted goal-line clearance. Some of the shine was taken off an excellent all round Saints performance when they conceded a last minute consolation goal after switching off at a hotly disputed throw-in. Hillington took full advantage of a fortuitous award quickly working the ball down the left and into the box for the unmarked Gordon Phillips. With the Saints defence appealing in vain for an offside flag second half substitute Phillips planted his header low inside Thomas McCulloch's left hand post denying Saints a long sought after clean sheet.

Previous Meeting

The only previous meeting between Saints and Friday's opponents Easthall Star also came in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy in a first round tie at Stepford Football Centre on St Valentine's Day 2015. The narrow, bumpy pitch was not exactly to Saints liking and, with the hosts giving them no time on the ball, it took a while for Saints to settle.Star took the lead in the sixth minute when Dean Smith lost possession in the centre circle. The ball was quickly played out wide to John MacDonald who cut in from the right wing and fired a low right foot shot into the bottom corner of the Saints net past Daniel Cassells' left hand. Saints were back on level terms in the 35th minute thanks to a tactical switch from Manager Iain Jackson. Lewis Cameron was ordered to drop deeper into midfield to get on the ball a bit more, a move which paid instant dividends. Lewis picked the ball up on the half way line and sent Dean Smith off on a run up the right wing, Dean's low cross picked out Allan Mackay in the box who controlled under pressure from the Star defence before calmly rolling the ball past the keeper and into the net. Saints survived a scare in the 44th minute when, after a succession of long throws and corner kicks which the Saints rearguard of Marc MacCallum, Alex Craik and Dougal Graham repelled, the referee awarded Star a hotly disputed free kick on the edge of the Saints box. In a move straight from the training ground the ball was played to the right hand side for dangerman John MacDonald to fire in a shot which crashed off the underside of the crossbar and, fortunately for Saints back into play where it was scrambled to safety.

Saints capitalised on this slice of good fortune by proceeding to totally dominate the second half with the central midfield partnership of Paul Kerr and Donald Campbell well in control. Despite having much the better of things Saints were becoming increasingly frustrated as it seemed the breakthrough wasn't going to come. Manager Iain Jackson elected to make some changes withdrawing Scott Maitland and Alex Craik and replacing them with Martin Bonar and Jamie Graham. In the 70th minute a Lewis Cameron corner kick from the left was met by Craig MacEwan whose header from six yards out cannoned off the keeper's left hand post before being hooked clear. Saints then made their final change with David McArthur replacing Dean Smith. David made a quick impact on proceedings winning a 79th minute free kick a yard outside the Star box and slightly left of centre. Allan Mackay stepped up to drill a low shot past the five man Star wall and just inside the keeper's right hand post. Four minutes later Lewis Cameron was finally rewarded for his afternoon of tireless running. Lewis made a great run from deep through the inside right channel easily outpacing the tiring Star defence to bury a shot in the bottom corner of the net. One minute later Craig MacEwan was foiled once again by another excellent save at the near post from the Star goalkeeper. In the 88th minute Lewis Cameron should have doubled his tally but he shot wide of target after excellent build up play involving David McArthur and Allan Mackay. Saints completed the scoring in the 90th minute when David McArthur's shot from the edge of the box proved too hot to handle for the Star keeper who could only parry the ball into the path of the onrushing Martin Bonar. With his keen eye for goal Martin eagerly gobbled up the chance slotting home from close range to seal a hard fought but deserved 4 - 1 victory for Saints.

Friday's final at the home of three time Scottish Junior Cup winners Vale of Clyde must be played to a finish on the night with penalty kicks to decide the winners if the sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes.

Easthall Star Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B winners 2012 - 13

Easthall Star's results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One

27th August 2016 Alba Thistle 5 - 2 Easthall Star
3rd September 2016 Rutherglen 7 - 3 Easthall Star
17th September 2016 Rosehill Star 2 - 1 Easthall Star
15th October 2016 Kings Park Rangers 3 - 2 Easthall Star
29th October 2016 Easthall Star 4 - 5 Hillington
5th November 2016 Easthall Star 3 - 1 Duncanrig FP
19th November 2016 Easthall Star 1 - 5 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
3rd December 2016 Easthall Star 0 - 1 Rosehill Star
21st January 2017 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 7 - 1 Easthall Star
11th February 2017 Easthall Star 4 - 4 Rutherglen
11th March 2017 Easthall Star 0 - 5 Kings Park Rangers
25th March 2017 Neilston 5 - 5 Easthall Star
8th April 2017 Easthall Star 1 - 1 Neilston
15th April 2017 Easthall Star 4 - 4 Dunoon
19th April 2017 Duncanrig FP 2 - 1 Easthall Star
29th April 2017 Easthall Star 0 - 3 Alba Thistle
31st May 2017 Hillington v Easthall Star
3rd June 2017 Dunoon v Easthall Star

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

Group Section 8
13th August 2016 Easthall Star 5 - 2 Castlemilk
17th August 2016 St Joseph's FP 4 - 2 Easthall Star
20th August 2016 Millbeg 4 - 8 Easthall Star
24th August 2016 Easthall Star 4 - 0 Rossvale

Scottish Amateur Football League Coronation Cup

Group Section 4
3rd May 2017 Easthall Star 1 - 1 Neilston

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Round One
Bye

Round Two
10th December 2016 Easthall Star 3 - 1 Castlemilk

Round Three
28th January 2017 Broomhill 2 - 7 Easthall Star

Quarter Final
22nd April 2017 Easthall Star 3 - 1 Houston

Semi Final
20th May 2017 Easthall Star 5 - 0 Dunoon

Scottish Amateur Cup

Round One
Bye

Round Two
8th October 2016 Cambusnethan Talbot Community 8 - 2 Easthall Star

Oban Saints path to the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final

1st Round

Bye

2nd Round

21st January 2017 Port Glasgow OBU 0 - 6 Oban Saints

Paul Carmichael slides in at the back post to turn in Brian Mackay's cut-back

3rd Round

25th February 2017 Arkleston Barrhead 1 - 3 Oban Saints

Craig MacEwan rounds off the scoring

Quarter Final
22nd April 2017 Oban Saints 4 - 1 Port Glasgow

Dene Cassells heads home Saints second goal

Semi Final
13th May 2017 Hillington 1 - 4 Oban Saints

Hillington keeper Paul McGuire can't get anywhere near Craig MacEwan's free-kick

Craig MacEwan is congratulated on sealing his hat-trick

#monthesaints

Sunday, 21 May 2017

Golden Wonder Strikes

Wednesday 17th May 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Goldenhill AFC 2 - 3 Oban Saints AFC
Donald Dewar Leisure Centre
Garscadden Road
Drumchapel
Glasgow
G15 8SX
Kick off 7pm
Referee Mr John Campbell

Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitute:-

Martin Bonar

Unused substitutes:-

Alex Craik
Fraser MacFarlane

Last Wednesday night Oban Saints emerged victorious from the first of what looks likely to be four midweek away from home evening fixtures when they defeated Goldenhill at the Donald Dewar Centre, Drumchapel. With second place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division behind Champions St Joseph's FP still up for grabs Saints and hosts Goldenhill produced a high tempo match giving both teams a good workout ahead of impending crucial cup ties. Two second half wonder strikes from Paul Carmichael in response to an equally impressive hit from Goldenhill's Damon Gray helped Saints to a victory by the odd goal in five which keeps up their momentum ahead of next Friday's Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final.

Jamie Graham, Skipper Marc Maccallum and Dean Smith dropped out from the squad which had secured Saints place in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final with a 4 - 1 away win at Hillington four days earlier with Donald Campbell, Willie Gemmell and David McArthur returning to the travelling party.

Saints lined up with Thomas McCulloch in goal behind a back four of Matthew Kelly, David McArthur, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Willie Gemmell, Kerr Newbigging, Myles McAuley and Donald Campbell formed a midfield diamond with a twin strike force of Paul Carmichael and Craig MacEwan completing the line-up. Manager Alex Craik retained his place on the bench alongside Martin Bonar and Fraser MacFarlane.

The early exchanges on the tight grass park saw Goldenhill's Jack Bennett twice make vital interceptions to prevent Paul Carmichael getting on the end of Craig MacEwan flick on's and Kerr Newbigging tracking back well to cut off a Jonathon Dyer pass intended for James Gallagher.

Craig MacEwan came close to opening the scoring twice in as many minutes from a sixth minute counter attack after Dene Cassells had taken the ball away from Martin Lawlor on the Saints eighteen yard line. Saints broke up the left and Paul Carmichael took advantage of a mix-up between Gowdie defender Steven Dock and goalkeeper Ross Clark to set up Craig MacEwan for a shot which Jack Bennett took the sting out of with a flying block and Marc Morrison stopped on the goal line at the expense of a corner kick. Donald Campbell's corner kick from the right was headed out for a throw-in on the left from which Myles McAuley set up Craig for a shot from twenty yards which shaved the top of Ross Clark's crossbar.

Saints continued their bright start with a rampaging Paul Carmichael run winning a free-kick just outside the Gowdie box. Willie Gemmell's delivery into the box was headed clear for a throw-in from which Donald Campbell fizzed a low shot inches wide of Ross Clark's right hand post.

Paul Carmichael's direct runs continued to pose problems for the Gowdie rearguard and Paul won another free-kick in the fourteenth minute midway inside the Gowdie half. Willie Gemmell's lofted ball into the box was punched off the head of Kerr Newbigging by Gowdie keeper Ross Clark.

Goldenhill broke quickly through Reace Syed on the left and only a well timed sliding interception from Matthew Kelly prevented the speedy left winger from putting a dangerous ball into the box. Saints cleared the resulting corner and moved swiftly up the park where Craig MacEwan saw his back post header from a Willie Gemmell cross saved by Ross Clark.

The Gowdie keeper denied Paul Carmichael in the twenty first minute when a Willie Gemmell throw-in dropped invitingly for the big Saints striker on the six yard line. Clark did well to parry Carmichael's left foot effort and was quickly back on his feet gather when Kerr Newbigging sent the loose ball back on target.

Hearts were in mouths for the home side when a twenty fourth minute Willie Gemmell throw-in from the right came off the head of Christopher McGrath and flew inches wide of Ross Clark's right hand upright. Donald Campbell and Myles McAuley worked the resulting corner short and eventually across to Paul Carmichael at the back post whose spectacular overhead kick lacked the power to seriously extend Clark.

Goldenhill gained some respite from Saints early domination with a twenty seventh minute counter attack on the right where Paul O'Donnell drew a smart save from Thomas McCulloch at his near post. Jonathon Dyer followed this up one minute later with a snap shot from twenty five yards which cleared the top of the Saints crossbar by eighteen inches.

Saints made a deserved breakthrough just before the half hour mark after a concerted spell of pressure. Christopher McGrath picked up a yellow card for a shove on Paul Carmichael midway inside the Gowdie half on the Saints right. Willie Gemmell's free kick was headed out for a Myles McAuley throw-in on the right from which Donald Campbell worked the ball along the eighteen yard line to Craig MacEwan. Craig's low shot was well saved by Ross Clark diving full length to his right to palm the ball out for another throw-in. Saints kept the pressure on with the Gowdie defence unable to get out and finally Scott Maitland's driving run into the box and left foot shot across the keeper found the bottom corner.

Saints crisp passing kept them in the ascendancy and Paul Carmichael should have doubled the lead in the thirty seventh minute when Kerr Newbigging and Donald Campbell combined in the centre circle to send him racing through on goal pursued by Jack Bennett. Paul turned away from Bennett and lifted a delicate right foot chip over the head of Ross Clark stranded on his six yard line but unfortunately also over the crossbar.

Goldenhill rallied towards the end of the first half and Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland had to make important interceptions to stop Paul O'Donnell on the Gowdie right. Christopher McGrath had a shot from twenty five yards tipped over by Thomas McCulloch with David McArthur heading clear the resulting corner kick before Referee John Campbell blew for half-time.

The home side introduced Daniel Gibson and Damon Gray for the second half both of whom would make telling contributions. The narrow pitch was ideal for Gibson's long throws the first of which from the Gowdie right Matthew Kelly headed clear at the back post. Fellow substitute Gray brought the home side level with an incredible strike from the edge of the centre circle which left Thomas McCulloch clutching at thin air as it flew into the top corner past his right hand.

Gibson's electric pace on the right took him past Scott Maitland in the fifty third minute forcing Dene Cassells to come across to snuff out the danger at the expense of another of the wide man's long throw-ins. Saints defended the throw and worked their way up the right where Craig MacEwan's diagonal ball picked out Scott Maitland cutting in from the left to fire a low shot across the keeper and just wide of the far post.

Reace Syed and Jonathon Dyer picked their way through the Saints defence with an intricate series of one-two's which, fortunately for Saints, came to an end with Dyer's slightly over hit final ball allowing Thomas McCulloch to slide out and smother at Syed's feet.

Saints were struggling to rediscover the high tempo of the first forty five minutes but gradually fought their way back into second half contention weathering Goldenhill's early storm. Kerr Newbigging showed some neat footwork wide on the right playing the ball up to Craig MacEwan on the eighteen yard line and sending MacEwan's lay off inches over Ross Clark's crossbar.

On the hour mark Matthew Kelly's cross on the run after an overlapping run on the right fizzed across the six yard line but just too far in front of Craig MacEwan racing in at the back post.

Kerr Newbigging found his way into Referee John Campbell's notebook for a sixty first minute shove on Damon Gray as tempers briefly threatened to boil over in the middle of the park.

Two minutes later a Martin Lawlor foul on Paul Carmichael twenty five yards from goal gave Willie Gemmell a dead ball opportunity however his attempt from right of centre couldn't clear the four man Goldenhill wall.

Saints regained the lead in the sixty seventh minute after a hotly disputed throw-in award on the right touchline just inside the Goldenhill half. To the ire of Gowdie central defender Jack Bennett Referee Campbell gave the decision in Saints favour and with the home side still arguing Donald Campbell gathered the throw-in from Kerr Newbigging and played the ball up to Paul Carmichael just inside the Goldenhill box. Paul turned away from Steven Dock and fired an excellent left foot finish high into the net past Ross Clark's despairing right hand.

Martin Lawlor picked up a booking for dissent in the seventieth minute after Referee Campbell penalised Steven Dock for a foul on Paul Carmichael. The Saints free-kick came to nothing and Goldenhill quickly countered on the right. Saints appealed in vain for an offside decision against Daniel Gibson who raced away from David McArthur and sent a low cross along the six yard line. Thomas McCulloch got a hand to the cross but only succeeded in directing the ball into the path of Damon Gray who slammed it into the roof of the net for his second goal of the evening leveling the score once again. Dene Cassells' protests regarding the lack of an offside decision from Mr Campbell earned him a yellow card which was to prove very costly for the Saints defender.

Another yellow card for dissent shortly followed for Gowdie keeper Ross Clark as the Referee's notebook started to fill up this despite there hardly being a single bad tackle made in the match.

Saints took the lead for the third time with fourteen minutes of play remaining with Paul Carmichael again the scorer. Remarkably similar to, but even better than his earlier strike Paul turned away from Jack Bennett and from twenty five yards arrowed an unstoppable left foot drive high into the roof of the net giving Ross Clark no chance.

Having regained the lead Saints were forced to see out the final twelve minutes with ten men after Dene Cassells picked up a second yellow card. Daniel Gibson threatened to break free again on the right with Dene receiving his marching orders for pulling back the pacy Goldenhill winger. Paul Carmichael showed his versatility by dropping back into central defence for the closing stages.

The Gibson - Gray combination almost paid off for the home side again with just four minutes remaining. Gibson briefly switched to the left skinning Matthew Kelly and firing over a cross which Thomas McCulloch palmed out to Gray. The tall Gowdie striker looked certain to complete his hat-trick with a looping effort towards the postage stamp corner only for Paul Carmichael to get back onto the line and head over the crossbar.

With just two minutes of the ninety remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik made his only change bringing on Martin Bonar to replace Craig MacEwan. Saints were able to see out the closing stages to seal a hard earned victory but not without one final scare as Matthew Kelly made an excellent sliding challenge to halt Jonathon Dyer's late run into the box.

The win keeps Saints firmly in the hunt for second place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division with trips to East Kilbride, Inverclyde and Champions St Joseph's FP still to be negotiated along with a solitary home match against Shawlands FP.