Saturday 17th March 2018
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Inverclyde AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Battery Park 3G
Eldon Street
Greenock
PA16 7QG
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Robert Doolan
With a third consecutive Scottish Amateur Cup quarter finals place safely secured thanks to last Saturday's 2 - 0 victory over Yoker United, Saints will attempt to eat into their league fixtures backlog this weekend when they head to the tail o' the bank to face old rivals Inverclyde. The trip to Battery Park will be Saints eighth league fixture of a stop/start campaign so far and their first on the road for five months.
In sharp contrast to their cup form Saints dismal return of just nine points from seven league games leaves them perilously close to the trap door at the foot of the Scottish Amateur League Premier Division with an urgent need to get more points on the board. That will be no easy task on Saturday against a resurgent Inverclyde on a run of three consecutive victories including wins over title hopefuls Motherwell Thistle and the previously unbeaten Alba Thistle.
After a string of fixture cancellations at last season's home venue of Rankin Park, Inverclyde have taken the fully understandable decision to return to their old stomping ground of Battery Park. Due to the persistently poor state of the new facility off Inverkip Road last season's corresponding league fixture was called off on so many occasions that it couldn't be squeezed into the fixtures window and was never played. There should be no such problems this time around with the fixture scheduled for the excellent 3G facility at Battery Park where Saints played out a thrilling 2 - 2 Scottish Amateur Cup fourth round draw against Greenock High School Former Pupils last December.
The Battery has been a reasonably happy hunting ground for Saints in recent seasons however on their last visit to play Inverclyde in August 2015 the hosts ended Saints run of six consecutive victories with a thoroughly deserved 3 - 1 win. Goals from Darren McGregor, Craig Ellis and Brendan Gillan had the hosts safely home and hosed before Saints notched a late consolation from second half substitute David Beaton. The home win would ultimately prove crucial to Inverclyde's Premier Division survival for, in the final standings, the 'Clyde occupied seventh place with a three points cushion to relegated Alba Thistle thus avoiding an immediate return to Premier Division One.
Going back further Saints previously tasted defeat in this Saturday's opponent's own back yard on 5th April 2008 against an Inverclyde side who would go on to finish the season in second place losing out on goal difference only to Champions St Patrick's FP which remains their highest league finish to date.
League
The 'Clyde's topsy-turvy Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division 2017 - 18 campaign began well enough picking up seven points from their first four fixtures. However a run of six defeats from seven matches has since derailed that early momentum ruling out any realistic chance of mounting a title challenge.
Although not in the hunt for the Premier League title themselves Inverclyde have shown in their last two fixtures that they will have a massive influence on who does eventually end up as Champions by inflicting eye catching defeats on title challengers Alba Thistle, their only league defeat to date, and Motherwell Thistle.
Inverclyde's three remaining league fixtures have the potential to affect proceedings at both ends of the table. A home fixture against Goldenhill could yet see the 'Clyde inflict a first league defeat of the season on the title favourites. At the opposite end of the table Saints and East Kilbride Rolls Royce will be anxious not to become the latest victims of the Greenock side's rapidly improving form as they peer anxiously over their shoulders at the gap to bottom club Hillington and a possible drop into Premier Division One.
Domestic Cups
Going into the home straight of the 2017-18 season Inverclyde are still very much in the hunt for domestic cup glory. Convincing wins over Carlton YMCA and Ferguslie Star have taken them into the third round of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy and a home tie against Premier Division title chasers Alba Thistle.
In the Centenary Cup a semi-final tie against either Alba Thistle, Goldenhill or Motherwell Thistle awaits the Greenock men after cantering through their group section matches and dispatching Rossvale of Premier Division One in the quarter finals.
Majors
The 'Clyde were victims of some very difficult early rounds draw in the major cup competitions which saw them fail to go beyond the fourth round stage in either of the big two cups. In the West of Scotland Cup, after a first round bye and a comfortable home win over FC Baillieston of Greater Glasgow Premier Division Two, 'Clyde had the misfortune to be drawn against 2013-14 winners Hurlford Thistle. The perennial Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier League Champions ran out comfortable 5 - 0 winners en-route to the quarter finals where they will face Southside of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.
Fortune didn't favour the Greenock men in the Scottish Amateur Cup either. After avoiding a first round tie, and squeezing past Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two Duncanrig FP, the 'Clyde were pushed all the way in round three. Home advantage proved just enough to see off the challenge of Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Premier Division Linlithgow Thistle in a nine goal thriller before Inverclyde succumbed in the next round to another east coast opponent. Reigning Midlands Amateur Football Association Premier Division Champions Menzieshill had too much for the Greenock men at the Battery and headed back to Dundee with a 4 - 2 win under their belts.
Battery Park 3G
Eldon Street
Greenock
PA16 7QG
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Robert Doolan
In sharp contrast to their cup form Saints dismal return of just nine points from seven league games leaves them perilously close to the trap door at the foot of the Scottish Amateur League Premier Division with an urgent need to get more points on the board. That will be no easy task on Saturday against a resurgent Inverclyde on a run of three consecutive victories including wins over title hopefuls Motherwell Thistle and the previously unbeaten Alba Thistle.
After a string of fixture cancellations at last season's home venue of Rankin Park, Inverclyde have taken the fully understandable decision to return to their old stomping ground of Battery Park. Due to the persistently poor state of the new facility off Inverkip Road last season's corresponding league fixture was called off on so many occasions that it couldn't be squeezed into the fixtures window and was never played. There should be no such problems this time around with the fixture scheduled for the excellent 3G facility at Battery Park where Saints played out a thrilling 2 - 2 Scottish Amateur Cup fourth round draw against Greenock High School Former Pupils last December.
The Battery has been a reasonably happy hunting ground for Saints in recent seasons however on their last visit to play Inverclyde in August 2015 the hosts ended Saints run of six consecutive victories with a thoroughly deserved 3 - 1 win. Goals from Darren McGregor, Craig Ellis and Brendan Gillan had the hosts safely home and hosed before Saints notched a late consolation from second half substitute David Beaton. The home win would ultimately prove crucial to Inverclyde's Premier Division survival for, in the final standings, the 'Clyde occupied seventh place with a three points cushion to relegated Alba Thistle thus avoiding an immediate return to Premier Division One.
Going back further Saints previously tasted defeat in this Saturday's opponent's own back yard on 5th April 2008 against an Inverclyde side who would go on to finish the season in second place losing out on goal difference only to Champions St Patrick's FP which remains their highest league finish to date.
League
The 'Clyde's topsy-turvy Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division 2017 - 18 campaign began well enough picking up seven points from their first four fixtures. However a run of six defeats from seven matches has since derailed that early momentum ruling out any realistic chance of mounting a title challenge.Although not in the hunt for the Premier League title themselves Inverclyde have shown in their last two fixtures that they will have a massive influence on who does eventually end up as Champions by inflicting eye catching defeats on title challengers Alba Thistle, their only league defeat to date, and Motherwell Thistle.
Inverclyde's three remaining league fixtures have the potential to affect proceedings at both ends of the table. A home fixture against Goldenhill could yet see the 'Clyde inflict a first league defeat of the season on the title favourites. At the opposite end of the table Saints and East Kilbride Rolls Royce will be anxious not to become the latest victims of the Greenock side's rapidly improving form as they peer anxiously over their shoulders at the gap to bottom club Hillington and a possible drop into Premier Division One.
Domestic Cups
Going into the home straight of the 2017-18 season Inverclyde are still very much in the hunt for domestic cup glory. Convincing wins over Carlton YMCA and Ferguslie Star have taken them into the third round of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy and a home tie against Premier Division title chasers Alba Thistle.In the Centenary Cup a semi-final tie against either Alba Thistle, Goldenhill or Motherwell Thistle awaits the Greenock men after cantering through their group section matches and dispatching Rossvale of Premier Division One in the quarter finals.
Majors
The 'Clyde were victims of some very difficult early rounds draw in the major cup competitions which saw them fail to go beyond the fourth round stage in either of the big two cups. In the West of Scotland Cup, after a first round bye and a comfortable home win over FC Baillieston of Greater Glasgow Premier Division Two, 'Clyde had the misfortune to be drawn against 2013-14 winners Hurlford Thistle. The perennial Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier League Champions ran out comfortable 5 - 0 winners en-route to the quarter finals where they will face Southside of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.Fortune didn't favour the Greenock men in the Scottish Amateur Cup either. After avoiding a first round tie, and squeezing past Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two Duncanrig FP, the 'Clyde were pushed all the way in round three. Home advantage proved just enough to see off the challenge of Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Premier Division Linlithgow Thistle in a nine goal thriller before Inverclyde succumbed in the next round to another east coast opponent. Reigning Midlands Amateur Football Association Premier Division Champions Menzieshill had too much for the Greenock men at the Battery and headed back to Dundee with a 4 - 2 win under their belts.
 |
| Inverclyde AFC |
Inverclyde AFC fixtures so far this season:-
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
19th August 2017 Inverclyde 1 - 1 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
26th August 2017 Goldenhill 3 - 2 Inverclyde
2nd September 2017 Inverclyde 4 - 0 Motherwell Thistle
21st October 2017 Hillington 2 - 5 Inverclyde
28th October 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde
11th November 2017 Inverclyde 1 - 3 Alba Thistle
18th November 2017 Inverclyde 4 - 0 Hillington
25th November 2017 Inverclyde 0 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
6th January 2018 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 0 Inverclyde
13th January 2018 St Joseph's FP 2 - 0 Inverclyde
3rd February 2018 Inverclyde 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP
24th February 2018 Alba Thistle 0 - 2 Inverclyde
10th March 2018 Motherwell Thistle 0 - 3 Inverclyde
17th March 2018 Inverclyde v Oban Saints
Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup
12th August 2017 Cardross 1 - 13 Inverclyde
16th August 2017 Inverclyde 3 - 0 Hillington
23rd August 2017 Inverclyde 3 - 2 Port Glasgow
7th October 2017 Inverclyde 4 - 1 Rossvale
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy
1st Round
27th January 2018 Inverclyde 8 - 0 Carlton YMCA
2nd Round
10th February 2018 Ferguslie Star 0 - 3 Inverclyde
10th February 2018 Ferguslie Star 0 - 3 Inverclyde
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
16th September 2017 Inverclyde 6 - 1 FC Baillieston
14th October 2017 Inverclyde 0 - 5 Hurlford Thistle
Scottish Amateur Cup
1st Round
Bye
2nd Round
30th September 2017 Duncanrig FP 1 - 2 Inverclyde
Scottish Amateur Cup
Bye
2nd Round
30th September 2017 Duncanrig FP 1 - 2 Inverclyde
3rd Round
4th November 2017 Inverclyde 5 - 4 Linlithgow Thistle
4th Round
2nd December 2017 Inverclyde 2 - 4 Menzieshill
4th November 2017 Inverclyde 5 - 4 Linlithgow Thistle
4th Round
2nd December 2017 Inverclyde 2 - 4 Menzieshill |
| 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 record at Battery Park in recent seasons:-
2007 - 08 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 3 - 1 Oban Saints
2008 - 09 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 1 - 2 Oban Saints
2009 - 10 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 2 - 3 Oban Saints
2010 - 11 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 2 - 4 Oban Saints
2011 - 12 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 3 - 4 Oban Saints
2012 - 13 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 0 - 5 Oban Saints
2013 - 14 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 0 - 1 Oban Saints
2015 - 16 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 3 - 1 Oban Saints
2016 - 17 SAFL Premier Division No Fixture
2016 - 17 Premier Division 7th
Saints record at Battery Park in recent seasons:-
2007 - 08 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 3 - 1 Oban Saints
2008 - 09 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 1 - 2 Oban Saints
2009 - 10 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 2 - 3 Oban Saints
2010 - 11 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 2 - 4 Oban Saints
2011 - 12 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 3 - 4 Oban Saints
2012 - 13 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 0 - 5 Oban Saints
2013 - 14 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 0 - 1 Oban Saints
2015 - 16 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 3 - 1 Oban Saints
2016 - 17 SAFL Premier Division No Fixture
Action from the 2015-16 encounter at Battery Park
The Inverclyde wall takes the sting out of Willie Gemmell's free kick
Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland
Thomas McCulloch
Lewis Cameron takes on Stevie Docherty
Paul Kerr beats Lee Docherty to midfield header
Scott Maitland dispossessed by Shaun McCarn
David Beaton takes on Gordon McKillop
Greg Wilson heads clear under pressure from Donald Campbell
David Beaton scores Saints consolation goal
 |
| The Inverclyde wall takes the sting out of Willie Gemmell's free kick |
 |
| Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland |
 |
| Thomas McCulloch |
 |
| Lewis Cameron takes on Stevie Docherty |
 |
| Paul Kerr beats Lee Docherty to midfield header |
 |
| Scott Maitland dispossessed by Shaun McCarn |
 |
| David Beaton takes on Gordon McKillop |
 |
| Greg Wilson heads clear under pressure from Donald Campbell |
 |
| David Beaton scores Saints consolation goal |
No comments:
Post a Comment