Winning In The Rain: Few Stars

Wednesday 2nd August 2017

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC 4 - 2 Lochgilphead Red Star AFC

Glencruitten 1

Glencruitten Drive

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EB

Kick off 7.00pm

Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Used Substitutes:-

Craig Campbell

Cameron Kerr

Keir MacLean

David Smith

Oban Saints and close neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star warmed up for this Saturday's Argyll & Bute Cup Tournament with a keenly contested friendly at Glencruitten on Wednesday evening. Skipper Marc Maccallum made his first appearance of preseason partnering Jamie Graham at the heart of a four man defence with Matthew Kelly and Scott Maitland filling the full-back berths. Fraser MacFarlane was given a start in midfield alongside experienced duo Willie Gemmell and Keith Millar. Up front Paul Carmichael lead the line flanked by Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan. Goalkeeper Graham Douglas completed a strong Saints line-up. After impressing in training former Oban Athletic midfielder David Smith was handed a place on the bench where he joined former team-mate Craig Campbell and youngsters Cameron Kerr and Keir MacLean. Missing out after picking up a groin strain during the warm-up was Daniel Croarkin.

Despite not firing on all cylinders Saints raced into an early lead notching three goals inside the opening thirty minutes. A lofted tenth minute Willie Gemmell free-kick from the Saints left picked out the back post run of Paul Carmichael who from four yards headed back across Ben Pollock in the Red Star goal and into the bottom corner of the net.

Two minutes later a smart turn in the box gave last season's top scorer Craig MacEwan the space to crash a left foot shot into the roof of the net and double the home side's advantage.

Saints also came close through Paul Carmichael, Willie Gemmell, Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith before Craig MacEwan doubled his tally for the evening. A Matthew Kelly free-kick from the Saints right on the half hour mark was flicked on by Paul Carmichael to Craig MacEwan on the left of the box who rifled a similar finish to his earlier strike past Ben Pollock.

Saints were good value for their lead at this stage but failed to push on as they we would have liked allowing the visitors back into the game. Red Star's four man midfield began to use their numerical advantage to gain more of the ball however they failed to penetrate the Saints defence which remained reasonably comfortable through to the half-time interval.

Red Star started the second half the more positive of the two and within five minutes of the re-start hauled themselves back into contention with a smart Ciaran Mcphie finish after good work on the right by substitute Rab Docherty.

The revitalised visitors appeared a far better proposition now with Saints struggling to shake off the lethargy which had set in towards the end of the first half.

In the fifty fifth minute Marc Maccallum and Paul Carmichael made way for Craig Campbell, who was making a welcome return after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and young Keir MacLean making his debut for the senior Saints team.

The sides exchanged chances either side of the hour mark with Dean Smith sending in a tempting cross from the right for the hosts which Craig MacEwan was just underneath and the visitors hitting the side netting after a swift counter attack on the left wing.

Saints Gaffer Alex Craik handed debuts to Cammy Kerr, another of Saints promising youngsters, and former Saints youth player David Smith who returns to club to make a long overdue senior debut. Making way for the new arrivals were Willie Gemmell and Dean Smith. The replacements prompted a slight reshuffle with young Cammy Kerr taking up the left back berth and Scott Maitland moving up front, while David Smith took Willie Gemmell's place in midfield.

The hosts were still adjusting to the changes when Red Star carved out another opportunity on the left which this time they converted with youngster Ciaran Mcphie sliding in at the near post to knock the ball past Graham Douglas.

The prospect of losing a three goal lead to their closest neighbours finally generated a positive response from Saints who struck again in the seventy fifth minute. Scott Maitland's tenacity won back possession deep inside the Red Star half and wide on the right. Scott linked up well with Craig MacEwan and Keir MacLean and swung in a cross towards the back post. The unmarked Fraser MacFarlane headed back across the face of goal for Keir MacLean to nod home a debut goal from one yard out.

At the other end there was one final scare for Saints when an eightieth minute free-kick from the right was turned onto the inside of the post before bouncing kindly into the grateful arms of keeper Graham Douglas.

Referee Litster brought proceedings to a close leaving Saints Manager Alex Craik much to ponder ahead of the Argyll and Bute Cup tournament this weekend and the first competitive match of the season away at Hillington just seven days later.