Winning In The Rain: Bibs

With the Scottish Amateur Football League in it's traditional September Weekend shutdown, Oban Saints arranged a ninety minute eleven-a-side training match at Glencruitten last Saturday to keep the wheels turning ahead of Saturday's Scottish Amateur Cup tie against Plains. To allow the players to take in the spectacle unfolding at Ibrox, a 9.45 kick off was arranged although some will wish they had missed that particular event altogether.

The usual mix of injuries, holidays and work commitments dictated that youth team players and guest stars would be required to make up the numbers however those that appear certainly enjoyed a good workout.

In keeping with the informal nature of the match, the strips were kept in the kit bag in favour of the players own training gear and yellow bibs. None of Saints goalkeepers were available so grateful thanks are extended to Ben Pollock of Lochgilphead Red Star who kept goal for the bibs while the Gaffer donned the gloves at the other end.

The unexpected goalkeeping gig for Alex meant a late change of Referee with coach Peter MacCallum taking the whistle and stop watch. Dressed for an afternoon in Aulay's Bar rather than a football match, Peter wisely restricted his movements to a minimum rarely straying out of the centre circle.

Another Lochgilphead Red Star man, Andy Moore, opened the scoring for the non-bibs venturing out from the left side of defence and firing a thirty five yard screamer into the postage stamp corner past Red Star colleague Pollock.

The non-bibs doubled their advantage with crisp finish from Sol Smith low past Pollock's left hand.

A sensational header from Mark Robertson, powering home a Fraser MacFarlane free-kick, brought the bibs back into contention. Unfortunately for Mark his header was past his own goalkeeper earning him the dubious distinction of scoring one of the finest own goals ever witnessed at Glencruitten.

Donald Campbell drew the bibs level just before half-time getting on the end of a David Smith pass and slotting the ball low past Alex Craik's despairing left hand.

Chances were at a premium in the second half with only a moment of brilliance from Donald Campbell able to finally separate the two sides. Donald Collected a Daniel Croarkin through ball and, after tricking his way past Jude Bain and Marc Maccallum, beat Alex Craik from the tightest of angles guiding the ball inside the far post to seal victory for the bibs.