Saturday 28th October 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC 4 - 2 Inverclyde AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Jimmy Litster
Saints starting line-up:-
Used substitute:-
Mark Robertson
Unused substitutes:-
Alex Craik
Fraser MacFarlane
Craig MacMillan
David Smith
Oban Saints returned to winning ways in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division at Glencruitten last Saturday with a hard fought win over an in-form and vastly experienced Inverclyde. Injured pair Craig Campbell and David McPhee dropped out of the squad which was bolstered by the return of Willie Gemmell, Keith Millar, Myles McAuley and Ally McKerracher. Also returning to take the reins after a two week holiday was Manager Alex Craik who named himself on the bench alongside Fraser MacFarlane, Craig MacMillan, Mark Robertson and David Smith.
Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Matthew Kelly, Steven MacLeod, Willie Gemmell and Scott Maitland. In midfield were Myles McAuley, Keith Millar and Ally McKerracher with a front line of Shaun MacIver, Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan.
Desperate to atone for the previous week's aberration against league leaders Goldenhill, Saints produced a vastly improved performance with a dominant first half performance laying the foundations for a hard fought but ultimately deserved victory.
Returning after a six week injury absence Ally McKerracher linked up well on the left with Scott Maitland in the second minute setting up skipper Donald Campbell for a shot from twenty two yards which Tom McKitrick did well to block on the eighteen yard line.
Two minutes later at the other end Inverclyde central midfielder Jamie Docherty also tried his luck from distance sending a twenty five yard effort wide of the junction of post and bar after Steven MacLeod had headed clear a Nick Jack long throw-in from the right.
In the sixth minute Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell played their way into the Inverclyde box on the left where, from the corner of the six yard box, Donald Campbell shot across 'Clyde keeper Mark Monk aiming for the far corner only to see Peter Cleisham get back to thump clear from just short of the goal line.
Mark Monk produced a terrific diving save to deny Saints in the tenth minute. Keith Millar burst forward from midfield sending Scott Maitland towards the bye-line on the left. Millar continued his run into the box where he was denied a spectacular diving header when Monk dived full length to get finger tips to Maitland's cross.
Saints kept the pressure up with Craig MacEwan peeling wide and beating the 'Clyde offside trap. Cutting in from the left MacEwan drove into the box past 'Clyde right back Nick Jack where, from a tight angle, he was denied by the legs of keeper Mark Monk. From the resulting corner kick on the left Ally McKerracher's delivery was partially cleared by Neil McCole but only as far as Donald Campbell twelve yards out who was once again denied by a goal line clearance from Peter Cleisham.
'Clyde keeper Mark Monk showed excellent handling in the thirteenth minute making a clean catch from a Shaun MacIver cross from the corner of the eighteen yard box with Ally McKerracher at the back post waiting to pounce.
The visitors rallied briefly and almost capitalised on an Ally McKerracher slip in the thirteenth minute with Darren McGregor firing a crisply struck shot just wide of the right hand post of Saints keeper Graham Douglas.
McKerracher received a stern talking to from Referee Jimmy Litster for a late tackle on Jamie Docherty inside the centre circle. From the free-kick Graham Douglas came through a ruck of bodies to punch clear where Docherty exacted some degree of retribution on McKerracher for his earlier challenge.
From Willie Gemmell's free-kick Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell again linked up on the left to create an opening. Campbell's cut-back found MacEwan in space twelve yards out but his low right foot shot flew a foot wide of Mark Monk's right hand post.
Saints had the ball in the 'Clyde net in the twenty fourth minute however Referee Litster gave the benefit of an extremely close offside call to the visitors. Myles McAuley made a good run forward and worked the ball along the edge of the 'Clyde box to Donald Campbell. Campbell helped the ball onto Shaun MacIver who beat Mark Monk at his near post with a good finish only to be denied by Mr Litster's whistle.
Saints kept knocking on the 'Clyde door with Keith Millar seeing a powerful shot from a Donald Campbell knock down blocked on the eighteen yard line and Donald himself agonisingly unable to get the ball out of his feet after beating the visitor's offside trap allowing Jamie Docherty and Fraser Gunn to get back and clear the danger.
Docherty was covering a lot of ground for the visitors and Willie Gemmell did well to block his stinging twenty ninth minute shot on the eighteen yard line.
Inverclyde made their first change on the half hour mark replacing Darren McGregor with Michael McKitrick.
A quick break from an Inverclyde corner on the left saw Mark Monk make a comfortable save from a partially blocked Ally McKerracher shot before Craig MacEwan was inches away from connecting with a Keith Millar through ball from the edge of the centre circle.
MacEwan was taken out by a scything Fraser Gunn fortieth minute challenge twenty five yards out however Willie Gemmell failed to test Mark Monk sending his free-kick high and wide of target.
Gemmell didn't have to wait too long for another dead-ball opportunity this time from twelve yards. Keith Millar made a forty third minute driving run into the 'Clyde box laying the ball off to Craig MacEwan. Nick Jack cut off the possibility of a return pass to Millar and looked to have the situation under control before rashly sticking out a leg and tripping MacEwan. Mr Litster had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot from where Willie Gemmell fired the ball high into the net sending Mark Monk in the opposite direction in the process.
Gemmell's successful spot kick sent Saints in to the half-time interval with a deserved lead which they would look to build on in the second half. The visitor's however had other ideas and came racing out of the traps testing Graham Douglas within thirty seconds of the restart. The influential Jamie Docherty burst through from midfield and found Steven Morris just inside the box who drew a smart save from Graham Douglas low down to his right.
Saints slow start to the second half allowed 'Clyde to gain the upper hand in the crucial midfield battle where Saints were unable to rediscover their crisp first half passing.
Inverclyde made their second change in the fifty second minute bringing on Ben Croucher to replace Stewart Morrison. The 'Clyde substitute came close with spectacular fifty fourth minute volley after peeling off at the back post to meet a Neil McCole lofted free-kick from the left.
From the goal kick Saints raced to the other end where Mark Monk produced another fine save diving full length to his left to tip an Ally McKerracher shot round the post for a corner kick. Also not for the first time Monk took command of his area to claim Shaun MacIver's delivery from the right.
The improved spell from Saints continued with Donald Campbell unlucky to see a fifty eighth minute goal bound effort turned behind for a corner kick by a flying Greg Wilson block. From the corner on the left Campbell played the ball short to Ally McKerracher who sent a shot from tight angle into the side netting.
On the hour mark Mr Litster had strong words for Shaun MacIver for a late challenge on Michael McKitrick on the half-way line. The Saints defence struggled to cope with Jamie Docherty's free-kick which landed perfectly for McKitrick who beat Graham Douglas but struck the base of the Saints keeper's left hand post.
Two minutes later the visitors threatened again when Ben Croucher beat Scott Maitland cutting in from the right but the 'Clyde substitute was denied by a well timed sliding challenge by Keith Millar.
Mark Monk took command of his area again in the sixty fifth minute coming through traffic to punch clear a Shaun MacIver free-kick after Jamie Docherty had fouled Ally McKerracher on the Saints right level with the eighteen yard line.
Saints second goal came in the sixty fifth minute and was a stunning finish from the right boot of Shaun MacIver. Previously denied by an offside decision there was no doubt about this one as MacIver controlled a Matthew Kelly pass and fired an unstoppable volley from fifteen yards past a static Mark Monk.
Two minutes later Saints added a third with a classic counter attack from an Inverclyde corner kick. Willie Gemmell made an excellent sliding interception to turn a Ben Croucher cross behind for a corner. As the ball bounced around in the Saints box Gemmell made a telling clearance to Donald Campbell just inside the Saints half. Holding off the challenge of substitute Christopher McGivern, Campbell fed the overlapping Craig MacEwan on the left who bore down on goal and lifted the ball over the advancing Mark Monk and into the net.
Saints Gaffer Alex Craik made his solitary change with seventeen minutes remaining replacing the injured Ally McKerracher with Mark Robertson.
Referee Jimmy Litster, who handled a good natured encounter well, showed the only yellow card of the match to Neil McCole in the seventy seventh minute for a late swipe at Myles McAuley born out of frustration.
The visitors gave notice that they had no intention of giving up without a fight when Skipper Greg Wilson got between Donald Campbell and Keith Millar to flash an eightieth minute header from a Neil McCole corner kick wide of target.
Inverclyde replaced Steven Morris with James Buchanan who would have a significant influence on proceedings during his short time on the field. Within sixty seconds of joining the action Buchanan exploited a missed clearance by Matthew Kelly getting to the bye-line and sending a cut back to Michael McKitrick on the penalty spot who tucked away a neat finish beating Graham Douglas just inside his left hand post.
An ecstatic 'Clyde supporter dressed as Forrest Gump set off on a lap of honour only to come to grief at the second corner failing to negotiate the slippery Glencruitten surface in his white Fred Perry tennis shoes and ending up face down on the turf much to the hilarity of his traveling companions.
With five minutes of the ninety remaining Saints netted for a fourth time once again quickly turning defence into attack. Matthew Kelly intercepted a James Buchanan throw-in and played the ball up to Shaun MacIver. Hugging the right touchline, Craig MacEwan timed his run perfectly to meet MacIver's through ball leaving the retreating 'Clyde defence trailing in his wake. Mark Monk advanced to narrow the angle but MacEwan had the presence of mind to square to Donald Campbell coming in at the far post who lifted the ball over Jamie Docherty who made a valiant attempt to get back on the goal line.
The scoring wasn't finished there however with the visitors grabbing a second in the eighty ninth minute when James Buchanan repeated his earlier feat of picking out Michael McKitrick from the left wing. This time it was a near post run from McKitrick which beat the Saints defence and he doubled his tally for the afternoon with another good finish from close range.
Disappointing as it was to lose two late goals there was no disguising the delight on the faces of the Saints contingent when Mr Litster blew his final whistle after four added minutes to confirm just a second league win of the season for Alex Craik and his charges.
The massive confidence boost comes at just the right time as Saints prepare for next Saturday's Scottish Amateur Cup third round trip to Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A high fliers Falkirk Community.
The Inverclyde bench and traveling support
Donald Campbell shoots across Mark Monk with Peter Cleisham getting back to make the clearance
Mark Monk gets finger tips to Scott Maitland's cross as Keith Millar flies in
Mark Monk saves from Craig MacEwan
Peter Cleisham clears Donald Campbell's shot off the line
Donald Campbell gets past Fraser Gunn
Mark Monk makes a clean catch for Shaun MacIver's cross
Craig MacEwan beats Nick Jack in the air
Craig MacEwan shoots wide
An extremely close offside call denies Shaun MacIver an opening goal
Scott Maitland and Stewart Morrison
Keith Millar drives into the Inverclyde box past Fraser Gunn and Steven Morris
Willie Gemmell gives Saints the lead from the penalty spot
Fraser Gunn heads clear
Shaun MacIver and Peter Cleasham
Ally McKerracher and Michael McKitrick
Mark Monk takes no prisoners as he punches Shaun MacIver's free-kick clear
Matthew Kelly
Shaun MacIver accepts the congratulations of his team mates following his stunning strike for Saints second goal
Craig MacEwan and Scott Maitland celebrate Saints third goal
Michael McKitrick gets on the end of James Buchanan's cross to raise Inverclyde's hopes of a comeback
Inverclyde reveler celebrates the first of Michael McKitrick's two goals
Craig MacEwan and Tom McKitrick
Donald Campbell beats Jamie Docherty on the line for Saints fourth goal
#monthesaints
Saints starting line-up:-
Used substitute:-
Mark Robertson
Unused substitutes:-
Alex Craik
Fraser MacFarlane
Craig MacMillan
David Smith
Oban Saints returned to winning ways in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division at Glencruitten last Saturday with a hard fought win over an in-form and vastly experienced Inverclyde. Injured pair Craig Campbell and David McPhee dropped out of the squad which was bolstered by the return of Willie Gemmell, Keith Millar, Myles McAuley and Ally McKerracher. Also returning to take the reins after a two week holiday was Manager Alex Craik who named himself on the bench alongside Fraser MacFarlane, Craig MacMillan, Mark Robertson and David Smith.
Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Matthew Kelly, Steven MacLeod, Willie Gemmell and Scott Maitland. In midfield were Myles McAuley, Keith Millar and Ally McKerracher with a front line of Shaun MacIver, Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan.
Desperate to atone for the previous week's aberration against league leaders Goldenhill, Saints produced a vastly improved performance with a dominant first half performance laying the foundations for a hard fought but ultimately deserved victory.
Returning after a six week injury absence Ally McKerracher linked up well on the left with Scott Maitland in the second minute setting up skipper Donald Campbell for a shot from twenty two yards which Tom McKitrick did well to block on the eighteen yard line.
Two minutes later at the other end Inverclyde central midfielder Jamie Docherty also tried his luck from distance sending a twenty five yard effort wide of the junction of post and bar after Steven MacLeod had headed clear a Nick Jack long throw-in from the right.
In the sixth minute Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell played their way into the Inverclyde box on the left where, from the corner of the six yard box, Donald Campbell shot across 'Clyde keeper Mark Monk aiming for the far corner only to see Peter Cleisham get back to thump clear from just short of the goal line.
Mark Monk produced a terrific diving save to deny Saints in the tenth minute. Keith Millar burst forward from midfield sending Scott Maitland towards the bye-line on the left. Millar continued his run into the box where he was denied a spectacular diving header when Monk dived full length to get finger tips to Maitland's cross.
Saints kept the pressure up with Craig MacEwan peeling wide and beating the 'Clyde offside trap. Cutting in from the left MacEwan drove into the box past 'Clyde right back Nick Jack where, from a tight angle, he was denied by the legs of keeper Mark Monk. From the resulting corner kick on the left Ally McKerracher's delivery was partially cleared by Neil McCole but only as far as Donald Campbell twelve yards out who was once again denied by a goal line clearance from Peter Cleisham.
'Clyde keeper Mark Monk showed excellent handling in the thirteenth minute making a clean catch from a Shaun MacIver cross from the corner of the eighteen yard box with Ally McKerracher at the back post waiting to pounce.
The visitors rallied briefly and almost capitalised on an Ally McKerracher slip in the thirteenth minute with Darren McGregor firing a crisply struck shot just wide of the right hand post of Saints keeper Graham Douglas.
McKerracher received a stern talking to from Referee Jimmy Litster for a late tackle on Jamie Docherty inside the centre circle. From the free-kick Graham Douglas came through a ruck of bodies to punch clear where Docherty exacted some degree of retribution on McKerracher for his earlier challenge.
From Willie Gemmell's free-kick Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell again linked up on the left to create an opening. Campbell's cut-back found MacEwan in space twelve yards out but his low right foot shot flew a foot wide of Mark Monk's right hand post.
Saints had the ball in the 'Clyde net in the twenty fourth minute however Referee Litster gave the benefit of an extremely close offside call to the visitors. Myles McAuley made a good run forward and worked the ball along the edge of the 'Clyde box to Donald Campbell. Campbell helped the ball onto Shaun MacIver who beat Mark Monk at his near post with a good finish only to be denied by Mr Litster's whistle.
Saints kept knocking on the 'Clyde door with Keith Millar seeing a powerful shot from a Donald Campbell knock down blocked on the eighteen yard line and Donald himself agonisingly unable to get the ball out of his feet after beating the visitor's offside trap allowing Jamie Docherty and Fraser Gunn to get back and clear the danger.
Docherty was covering a lot of ground for the visitors and Willie Gemmell did well to block his stinging twenty ninth minute shot on the eighteen yard line.
Inverclyde made their first change on the half hour mark replacing Darren McGregor with Michael McKitrick.
A quick break from an Inverclyde corner on the left saw Mark Monk make a comfortable save from a partially blocked Ally McKerracher shot before Craig MacEwan was inches away from connecting with a Keith Millar through ball from the edge of the centre circle.
MacEwan was taken out by a scything Fraser Gunn fortieth minute challenge twenty five yards out however Willie Gemmell failed to test Mark Monk sending his free-kick high and wide of target.
Gemmell didn't have to wait too long for another dead-ball opportunity this time from twelve yards. Keith Millar made a forty third minute driving run into the 'Clyde box laying the ball off to Craig MacEwan. Nick Jack cut off the possibility of a return pass to Millar and looked to have the situation under control before rashly sticking out a leg and tripping MacEwan. Mr Litster had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot from where Willie Gemmell fired the ball high into the net sending Mark Monk in the opposite direction in the process.
Gemmell's successful spot kick sent Saints in to the half-time interval with a deserved lead which they would look to build on in the second half. The visitor's however had other ideas and came racing out of the traps testing Graham Douglas within thirty seconds of the restart. The influential Jamie Docherty burst through from midfield and found Steven Morris just inside the box who drew a smart save from Graham Douglas low down to his right.
Saints slow start to the second half allowed 'Clyde to gain the upper hand in the crucial midfield battle where Saints were unable to rediscover their crisp first half passing.
Inverclyde made their second change in the fifty second minute bringing on Ben Croucher to replace Stewart Morrison. The 'Clyde substitute came close with spectacular fifty fourth minute volley after peeling off at the back post to meet a Neil McCole lofted free-kick from the left.
From the goal kick Saints raced to the other end where Mark Monk produced another fine save diving full length to his left to tip an Ally McKerracher shot round the post for a corner kick. Also not for the first time Monk took command of his area to claim Shaun MacIver's delivery from the right.
The improved spell from Saints continued with Donald Campbell unlucky to see a fifty eighth minute goal bound effort turned behind for a corner kick by a flying Greg Wilson block. From the corner on the left Campbell played the ball short to Ally McKerracher who sent a shot from tight angle into the side netting.
On the hour mark Mr Litster had strong words for Shaun MacIver for a late challenge on Michael McKitrick on the half-way line. The Saints defence struggled to cope with Jamie Docherty's free-kick which landed perfectly for McKitrick who beat Graham Douglas but struck the base of the Saints keeper's left hand post.
Two minutes later the visitors threatened again when Ben Croucher beat Scott Maitland cutting in from the right but the 'Clyde substitute was denied by a well timed sliding challenge by Keith Millar.
Mark Monk took command of his area again in the sixty fifth minute coming through traffic to punch clear a Shaun MacIver free-kick after Jamie Docherty had fouled Ally McKerracher on the Saints right level with the eighteen yard line.
Saints second goal came in the sixty fifth minute and was a stunning finish from the right boot of Shaun MacIver. Previously denied by an offside decision there was no doubt about this one as MacIver controlled a Matthew Kelly pass and fired an unstoppable volley from fifteen yards past a static Mark Monk.
Two minutes later Saints added a third with a classic counter attack from an Inverclyde corner kick. Willie Gemmell made an excellent sliding interception to turn a Ben Croucher cross behind for a corner. As the ball bounced around in the Saints box Gemmell made a telling clearance to Donald Campbell just inside the Saints half. Holding off the challenge of substitute Christopher McGivern, Campbell fed the overlapping Craig MacEwan on the left who bore down on goal and lifted the ball over the advancing Mark Monk and into the net.
Saints Gaffer Alex Craik made his solitary change with seventeen minutes remaining replacing the injured Ally McKerracher with Mark Robertson.
Referee Jimmy Litster, who handled a good natured encounter well, showed the only yellow card of the match to Neil McCole in the seventy seventh minute for a late swipe at Myles McAuley born out of frustration.
The visitors gave notice that they had no intention of giving up without a fight when Skipper Greg Wilson got between Donald Campbell and Keith Millar to flash an eightieth minute header from a Neil McCole corner kick wide of target.
Inverclyde replaced Steven Morris with James Buchanan who would have a significant influence on proceedings during his short time on the field. Within sixty seconds of joining the action Buchanan exploited a missed clearance by Matthew Kelly getting to the bye-line and sending a cut back to Michael McKitrick on the penalty spot who tucked away a neat finish beating Graham Douglas just inside his left hand post.
An ecstatic 'Clyde supporter dressed as Forrest Gump set off on a lap of honour only to come to grief at the second corner failing to negotiate the slippery Glencruitten surface in his white Fred Perry tennis shoes and ending up face down on the turf much to the hilarity of his traveling companions.
With five minutes of the ninety remaining Saints netted for a fourth time once again quickly turning defence into attack. Matthew Kelly intercepted a James Buchanan throw-in and played the ball up to Shaun MacIver. Hugging the right touchline, Craig MacEwan timed his run perfectly to meet MacIver's through ball leaving the retreating 'Clyde defence trailing in his wake. Mark Monk advanced to narrow the angle but MacEwan had the presence of mind to square to Donald Campbell coming in at the far post who lifted the ball over Jamie Docherty who made a valiant attempt to get back on the goal line.
The scoring wasn't finished there however with the visitors grabbing a second in the eighty ninth minute when James Buchanan repeated his earlier feat of picking out Michael McKitrick from the left wing. This time it was a near post run from McKitrick which beat the Saints defence and he doubled his tally for the afternoon with another good finish from close range.
Disappointing as it was to lose two late goals there was no disguising the delight on the faces of the Saints contingent when Mr Litster blew his final whistle after four added minutes to confirm just a second league win of the season for Alex Craik and his charges.
The massive confidence boost comes at just the right time as Saints prepare for next Saturday's Scottish Amateur Cup third round trip to Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A high fliers Falkirk Community.
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| The Inverclyde bench and traveling support |
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| Donald Campbell shoots across Mark Monk with Peter Cleisham getting back to make the clearance |
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| Mark Monk gets finger tips to Scott Maitland's cross as Keith Millar flies in |
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| Mark Monk saves from Craig MacEwan |
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| Peter Cleisham clears Donald Campbell's shot off the line |
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| Donald Campbell gets past Fraser Gunn |
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| Mark Monk makes a clean catch for Shaun MacIver's cross |
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| Craig MacEwan beats Nick Jack in the air |
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| Craig MacEwan shoots wide |
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| An extremely close offside call denies Shaun MacIver an opening goal |
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| Scott Maitland and Stewart Morrison |
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| Keith Millar drives into the Inverclyde box past Fraser Gunn and Steven Morris |
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| Willie Gemmell gives Saints the lead from the penalty spot |
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| Fraser Gunn heads clear |
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| Shaun MacIver and Peter Cleasham |
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| Ally McKerracher and Michael McKitrick |
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| Mark Monk takes no prisoners as he punches Shaun MacIver's free-kick clear |
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| Matthew Kelly |
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| Shaun MacIver accepts the congratulations of his team mates following his stunning strike for Saints second goal |
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| Craig MacEwan and Scott Maitland celebrate Saints third goal |
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| Michael McKitrick gets on the end of James Buchanan's cross to raise Inverclyde's hopes of a comeback |
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| Inverclyde reveler celebrates the first of Michael McKitrick's two goals |
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| Craig MacEwan and Tom McKitrick |
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| Donald Campbell beats Jamie Docherty on the line for Saints fourth goal |
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