Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Inverclyde AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Jimmy Litster
After last Saturday's mauling at the hands of an excellent Goldenhill side, the heaviest defeat in the club's fifty seven year history, Saints will regroup at Glencruitten this Saturday for the visit of Inverclyde. With four defeats already at this early stage in the league campaign Saints can ill afford any further slip-ups and will quickly have to rediscover their best form if they are to avoid being cut adrift at the foot of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division table.
Saturday's match will be another stiff challenge as visitors Inverclyde look to continue their promising start to the league campaign. With seven points from four matches 'Clyde currently sit in third spot, four points better off than ninth placed Saints having played one game less.
Impressive wins against Motherwell Thistle and Hillington, both of whom have taken maximum points from Saints, and a share of the points against 2015 - 16 Champions East Kilbride FC Amateurs has seen 'Clyde make an excellent start to their third season back in the Scottish Amateur Football League's top division. The only black mark on 'Clyde's league record is their narrow 3 -2 defeat away at Goldenhill which, given the Gowdie's scintillating form, should also go down as a decent result.
Inverclyde's excellent start to the 2017-18 season has also seen them progress to the semi-finals of the Centenary Cup where they will face Alba Thistle. Wins against Cardross, Hillington and Port Glasgow saw 'Clyde top group section North 4 with maximum points before seeing off Premier Division One Rossvale in the quarter-finals to set up the clash with another of the Premier Division's form sides Alba Thistle.
In the major cup competitions Inverclyde squeezed past Premier Division Two Duncanrig FP before bagging a home Scottish Amateur Cup third tie against Linlithgow Thistle of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Premier Division.
Unfortunately, after a comfortable second round win against Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division Two FC Ballieston, the West of Scotland Cup third round draw paired 'Clyde with 2014 cup winners and reigning Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier Division Champions Hurlford Thistle. The 5 - 0 defeat at the hands of Ayrshire's top dogs was a sore one for 'Clyde but certainly no disgrace as Thistle look set to launch a serious bid for national silverware to add to their seemingly endless haul of Ayrshire trophies.
Saints Gaffer Alex Craik returns from his two week October break to retake the reigns from Assistant Donald Campbell and will be hoping to add a few established names to last week's threadbare squad.
Inverclyde's results so far this season:-
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
19th August 2017 Inverclyde 1 - 1 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
26th August 2017 Goldenhill AFC 3 - 2 Inverclyde AFC
2nd September 2017 Inverclyde 4 - 0 Motherwell Thistle
21st October 2017 Hillington 2 - 5 Inverclyde
SAFL Centenary Cup
1st Round Group Section North 412th August 2017 Cardross 1 - 13 Inverclyde
16th August 2017 Inverclyde 3 - 0 Hillington
23rd August 2017 Inverclyde 3 - 2 Port Glasgow
Quarter Final
7th October 2017 Inverclyde 4 - 1 Rossvale
Semi Final
Inverclyde v Alba Thistle
Scottish Amateur Cup
1st Round
Bye
2nd Round
30th September 2017 Duncanrig FP 1 - 2 Inverclyde
3rd Round
4th November 2107 Inverclyde v Linlithgow Thistle
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
1st Round
Bye
2nd Round
16th September 2017 Inverclyde 6 - 1 FC Baillieston
3rd Round
14th October 2017 Inverclyde 0 - 5 Hurlford Thistle
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| Saints Skipper Marc MacCallum makes the introductions when the Saints and Inverclyde met in the 20113 - 14 SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final |
Inverclyde AFC recent SAFL finishes:-
2006 - 07 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted
2007 - 08 Premier Division 2nd
2008 - 09 Premier Division 7th
2009 - 10 Premier Division 5th
2010 - 11 Premier Division 5th
2011 - 12 Premier Division 8th
2012 - 13 Premier Division 6th
2013 - 14 Premier Division 9th Relegated
2014 - 15 Premier Division One 5th Promoted
2015 - 16 Premier Division 7th
2016 - 17 Premier Division 7th
Saints SAFL Premier Division home record v Inverclyde in recent seasons:-
2007 - 08 16th February 2008 Oban Saints 0 - 1 Inverclyde
2008 - 09 4th April 2009 Oban Saints 1 - 1 Inverclyde
2009 - 10 13th March 2010 Oban Saints 5 - 2 Inverclyde
2010 - 11 19th February 2011 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Inverclyde
2011 - 12 27th August 2011 Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde
2012 - 13 25th May 2013 Oban Saints 3 - 3 Inverclyde
2013 - 14 24th May 2014 Oban Saints 2 - 0 Inverclyde
2015 - 16 22nd May 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 1 Inverclyde
2016 - 17 27th August 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde
2016 - 17 27th August 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde
Last Season's Corresponding Fixture
After a solid start from the home side the Saints defence was carved open in the seventh minute with new signing from Dunoon Amateurs Guy Finnegan rounding off an excellent move from the left with a thumping finish past a hopelessly exposed Thomas McCulloch to give the visitors the lead.
Saints equalised in the seventeenth minute from a well worked move on the left. Willie Gemmell threaded a pass through the inside left channel which Craig MacEwan allowed to run past him for the overlapping Jamie Graham. The visitors appealed for offside against Craig MacEwan but Referee John Scott correctly allowed play to continue. Jamie drove on towards the bye-line and sent a low cut back to Willie Gemmell who fired a first time shot into the bottom corner past Michael Ptolomey's left hand.
Saints kept up the pressure which eventually told on the half hour mark when Donald Campbell pounced on a moment of hesitation in the Inverclyde back four. Donald robbed Fraser Gunn ten yards inside the 'Clyde half and sent Ross Maitland off on a run up the right wing leaving 'Clyde left back Robbie McAlpine trailing in his wake. Ross produced another excellent delivery picking out Craig MacEwan at the back post who beat Christopher McGivern and Greg Wilson turning the ball into the net to give Saints the lead.
A slow start to the second half for Saints was punished when a cheaply conceded free kick on the 'Clyde right gave Robbie McAlpine a chance to put the ball into the danger area which he gladly accepted. The left full back whipped an excellent delivery into the box meeting Greg Wilson's well timed run past a static Saints defence to head the ball into the net for the equaliser.
This was just the wake up call Saints needed and they struck back almost immediately from the restart. Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell linked up well on the edge of the 'Clyde box with Craig's quick pass sending Donald in behind the defence and through on goal. Keeper Ptolomey once again got his angles spot on coming out at his near post to close Donald down and turn the ball behind for a corner. Donald also got on the end of Ross Maitland's corner from the right with his downward header causing all sorts of confusion in the 'Clyde defence which David McArthur capitalised on to sneak the loose ball in at the back post to restore Saint's lead.
The Saints goal enjoyed a charmed life before a well worked move from Saints own box culminated in the killer goal in the eighty sixth minute. Thomas McCulloch threw the ball out to David McArthur with the Saints right back able to carry the ball forward unchallenged to the half way line. David found Craig MacEwan who in turn laid the ball off to Donald Campbell for a defence splitting pass for Dean Smith to spin in behind the 'Clyde defence only for Fraser Gunn to clip his heels before he could get a shot away. Referee John Scott immediately pointed to the spot from where Donald Campbell sent Michael Ptolomey the wrong way with an emphatic finish to round off the scoring at 4 - 2 to Saints.
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| Michael Ptolomey can't keep out Willie Gemmell's shot for Saints opening goal |
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| Willie Gemmell accepts the congratulations of his team mates |
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| Donald Campbell and Inverclyde Skipper Greg Wilson |
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| Craig MacEwan turns in Ross Maitland's cross for Saints second goal |
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| Craig MacEwan and Ross Maitland celebrate Craig's goal |
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| Craig MacEwan and Christopher McGivern have a difference of opinion |
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| Inverclyde keeper Michael Ptolomey |
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| Jamie Graham practices his Scottish Country Dancing |
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| David McArthur scorer of Saints third goal |
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| Donald Campbell makes the points safe from the penalty spot |
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| Dean Smith, Willie Gemmell and Craig MacEwan congratulate Donald Campbell on his goal |
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| Thomas McCulloch |
Ain't That A Shame
In an entirely different field to the death of rock 'n' roll pioneer Antoine Dominique Domino Junior, but still a great shame nonetheless, the sudden and unexpected demise of Drumchapel Colts is yet another savage blow to amateur football in general and the Scottish Amateur Football League in particular.
Following a meteoric rise to the Premier Division the Colts proved to be worthy opponents in the top flight and, more importantly, a thoroughly decent bunch of guys who will be sorely missed.
Hopefully those looking to remain involved in the amateur game will find another club quickly and those happy to hang up their boots will enjoy a long and happy retirement.
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| Drumchapel Colts |
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