Winning In The Rain: Argyll & Bute Cup 2018 Round-up

Saturday 4th August 2018

Argyll & Bute Cup Tournament
Kick Off 10am

Ropework Park

Campbell Street

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8JU

and

Lochgilphead Joint Campus

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8AA

Referees:-

Peter Laing
Jimmy Litster
Donald McCallum
Pat O'Donnell

Oban Saints squad:-

Goalkeeper

Graham Douglas

Defenders

Kenneth Black
Paul Carmichael
Dene Cassells
Alex Craik

Jamie Graham
Ruairidh Horne
Scott Maitland
Steven MacLeod

Midfielders

Lewis Cameron
Daniel Croarkin
James Ford
Willie Gemmell
Fraser MacFarlane
Arron Mackay
Kerr Newbigging

Matthew Rippon

Strikers

Donald Campbell

Shaun MacIver

Group Section One

Campbeltown Pupils 1 - 0 Tarbert
Kilsyth 3 - 1 Dunoon
Campbeltown Pupils - Dunoon
Kilsyth 0 - 0 Tarbert
Dunoon 1 - 1 Tarbert
Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 1 Kilsyth

Group Winners: Kilsyth
Runners-up: Campbeltown Pupils

Group Section Two

Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 0 Oban Saints
Neilston 0 - 2 Port Glasgow
Neilston 2 - 3 Lochgilphead Red Star
Oban Saints 2 - 0 Port Glasgow
Oban Saints 3 - 0 Neilston
Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 0 Port Glasgow

Group Winners: Oban Saints
Runners-up: Lochgilphead Red Star

After 200 minutes of football, plus a nerve shredding penalty shoot-out, in mist, rain and scorching sunshine Oban Saints emerged victorious from this year's Argyll and Bute Cup tournament in Lochgilphead to claim a thirteenth cup success. The tournament was once again arranged by Lochgilphead Red Star who were excellent hosts for the popular eight team event. Taking part this year were cup holders Oban Saints, hosts and last year's runners-up Lochgilphead Red Star, tournament regulars Dunoon, Neilston and Tarbert, debutants Kilsyth and Port Glasgow and, making a welcome return after a few years of absence, Campbeltown Pupils.

Group Stages

Group One - Ropework Park

Campbeltown Pupils 1 - 0 Tarbert

Campbeltown Pupils returned to the Argyll & Bute Cup after a two year absence and got their campaign off to a winning start against Tarbert. A single goal for the Pupils edged a tight match which the Dookers were unlucky not to take something from.

Kilsyth 3 - 1 Dunoon

Tournament debutants Kilsyth got their Argyll adventure off to a flyer with a 3 - 1 win over 2016 cup winners Dunoon courtesy of a hat-trick from Jamie Kerr. Kerr's goals would ultimately earn him the tournament's top goalscorer award.

Campbeltown Pupils 2 - 1 Dunoon

The Pupils ensured qualification for the semi-finals with another narrow win this time against newly promoted to the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Dunoon. The Pupils winner came from the deadly right foot of Martin McCallum who curled a delightful last minute free-kick beyond the left hand of the Dunoon keeper.

Kilsyth 0 - 0 Tarbert

A share of the points in a goalless encounter with Tarbert was enough to see Caledonian League Division 1A Kilsyth through to the semi finals and set up a final group match decider against Campbeltown Pupils.

Dunoon 1 - 1 Tarbert

A late Nikki MacDougall strike notched a second draw for Tarbert giving the Dookers the minor consolation of third place in the group at the expense of Dunoon.

Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 1 Kilsyth

The Group One decider went the way of the North Lanarkshire men thanks to Scott Crawford's solitary strike to seal top spot and a semi-final tie against Lochgilphead Red Star for Kilsyth.

Group Two - Lochgilphead High School

Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 0 Oban Saints

Saints were drawn in group two and got proceedings underway against hosts Lochgilphead Red Star on the artificial surface at Lochgilphead High School a little after the scheduled 10 am start. The guilty party for the delay was Red Star keeper Luke Kalache who in true laid back Australian style had managed to sleep in.
Star were first to threaten with a lightning quick counter attack on the left from the edge of their own box in the sixth minute which was turned behind at the back post.
Saints first real chance came in the twelfth minute when Shaun MacIver sent James Ford racing through on goal however Star goalkeeper Luke Kalache anticipated the danger and came quickly off his line to make a good block,
Kalache made a comfortable save from Lewis Cameron and Fraser MacFarlane and Paul Carmichael both sent headers wide of target before Referee Pat O'Donnell brought the first twenty minute period to an end.
Star were quickest out of the traps for the second half and Saints were relieved to see Innes Meikle steer a shot wide of target inside the first minute.
Saints reciprocated with a James Ford effort wide of Kalache's left hand post before the big keeper made a good save at his near post to deny Shaun MacIver.
MacIver was involved again in the thirty seventh minute latching onto a Matt Rippon pass before firing a low ball from the right across the face of goal which just evaded Fraser MacFarlane coming in at the back post.
Kalache had the final word coming through a ruck of players to punch clear a Willie Gemmell free-kick leaving both teams to settle for a single point a-piece.

Team Captains Dene Casells and Aaron Moore contest a header

Dene Cassells and Innes Miekle have a difference of opinion

Luke Kalache

Paul Carmichael heads wide

Mr O'Donnell issues his first caution of the day to Steven MacLeod

Fraser MacFarlane

Scott Maitland

Neilston 0 - 2 Port Glasgow

Next up on the astro were Neilston and Port Glasgow, both of Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One. Port Glasgow took a first half lead through Jamie Mackay and made the points safe midway through the second half thanks to a David McClure strike.

Neilston 2 - 3 Lochgilphead Red Star

It was a quick turnaround for Neilston who remained on the astro to face Red Star. After a goal-less first period it was the hosts who struck first through Iain McGuiness. Liam Hughes drew Neilston level with a neat curling finish from eighteen yards before Innes Meikle put Star back in front.
A moment to forget for Luke Kalache allowed Neilston to draw level when a routine save from a Ross Conway shot somehow failed to materialise and the ball slipped through the big keeper's arms and ended up in the back of the net.
Kalache's blushes were spared by Gregor Peacock who headed home at the back post after the Neilston defence failed to deal with a long throw into the box in the final minute.

Oban Saints 2 - 0 Port Glasgow

Saints handed a starting place to fifteen year old Aaron McKay for their second game where two goals inside the opening four minutes were enough for the holders to see off Port Glasgow. Things might have been different had Ruaridh Horne not been guarding the far post to clear a header from a long throw-in off the goal-line in the second minute. Saints however capitalised fully by immediately breaking up the park through Player of the Tournament Lewis Cameron. James Ford latched onto Cameron's perfectly weighted pass and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net.
Within sixty seconds of the restart Saints doubled their advantage from a good move up the right wing. Lewis Cameron, Ruaridh Horne and James Ford were all involved before Ford played a tempting cutback which Shaun MacIver gleefully lashed into the bottom corner.
Saints retained the upper hand but couldn't add to their tally with a dipping long range effort over the bar from Kerr Newbigging the closest they came before Referee Donald McCallum sounded the half-time whistle.
Continuing the theme of not troubling the Port Glasgow keeper Lewis Cameron and Kerr Newbigging both sent shots wide of target in the opening stages of the second half.
Co-Manager Donald Campbell made a brief appearance replacing Shaun MacIver up front for the final ten minutes.
Lewis Cameron eventually drew a save from the Port keeper in the thirty second minute which he held well low to his right.
The Port number one pulled off a sensational save to deny James Ford in the thirty ninth minute flinging himself to his left to parry away a right foot pile driver. Port Glasgow launched the loose ball long and pounced on a slip by Alex Craik but were thwarted by an equally stunning save from Graham Douglas to keep his clean sheet intact.

Ruaridh Horne clears off the line

Donald Campbell

Willie Gemmell

Daniel Croarkin

Player of the Tournament Lewis Cameron

Aaron McKay

Oban Saints 3 - 0 Neilston

After a brief stoppage Saints kicked off Group Two's fifth game against Neilston. There was to be no repeat of the lightning quick start to the previous match with Saints managing to work Neilston keeper Gareth Fulton on just one occasion.
Neilston lost the services of Chris Love due to injury on the stroke of half-time with the big defender having to be helped from the park.
The half-time interval brought a change of personnel with Kerr Newbigging replacing Willie Gemmell in midfield.
An appeal from Co-Managers Donald Campbell and Willie Gemmell for the goals necessary secure top spot in the group was answered inside the first minute of the second period when Fraser MacFarlane tucked a neat low finish past the right hand of Gareth Fulton.
MacFarlane should have doubled his tally sixty seconds later but shot straight at Fulton from eighteen yards.
Neilston dead-ball expert Robbie McNamara was handed an opportunity to test Graham Douglas when Jamie Graham was rather harshly penalised twenty five yards from the Saints goal. McNamara's dipping effort successfully cleared the Saints wall but also the crossbar.
Fraser MacFarlane made way for James Ford on the left with eleven minutes remaining but it was down the right wing that Saints got their second goal.
Graham Douglas held a long Robbie McNamara free-kick and quickly threw the ball out to Captain Dene Cassells who launched a counter attack up the Saints right. Jamie Graham carried the ball almost to the bye-line and fizzed a low ball across the face of goal where Donald Campbell slid in to divert the ball high into the net beyond Gareth Fulton.
Saints added a third with three minutes remaining when Donald Campbell played in Kerr Newbigging who strode forward and thumped an emphatic finish from eighteen yards past Fulton's right hand.
The win guaranteed Saints a place in the semi-finals but left them sweating on the outcome of the final group match to find out whether they would qualify as group winners or runners-up.

Scott Maitland and Stephen Spooner

Donald Campbell tries to get past Chris Love

Gareth Fulton saves from Fraser MacFarlane

Paul Carmichael

Paul McLean and Robbie McNamara steer Matt Rippon away from goal

Dene Cassells congratulates Fraser MacFarlane on his goal

Donald Campbell adds a second

Kerr Newbigging makes it three

Gareth Fulton

Robbie McNamara holds off Donald Campbell

Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 0 Port Glasgow

The final group match between Lochgilphead Red Star and Port Glasgow was a tight affair. Port Glasgow required a win to progress but, with Red Star knowing that a four goal winning margin would be required to top the group, the hosts seemed happy to settle for a draw and runners-up spot.
There was a nervous second half moment for Star when they survived a loud penalty kick appeal but Referee Mr McCallum dismissed what looked to be a strong claim from Port.
The match finished in another goal-less stalemate which was good enough to see Red Star progress as runners-up to Saints.

3rd & 4th Place Play Off's

Tarbert 0 - 4 Neilston

In the first of the play-off's on the 3G at Lochgilphead High School Neilston rounded off their day in impressive fashion with a convincing 4 - 0 win over a tiring Tarbert side. On Target for Neilston were Liam Hughes with his second of the day, Iain Lambie, Matthew Stevenson and Paul McLean.

Port Glasgow 3 - 0 Dunoon

In the final match at the High School Port Glasgow ended their first Argyll & Bute Cup appearance with a decent score card of played four, won two, drew one and lost one. Goals from Sean Kelly, John McGachy and a screamer from young Brandon McCabe ensured a happy bus back home to the Port.

Semi-finals

Oban Saints 1 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils

Saints win 6 - 5 on penalty kicks

A change to the scheduled running order saw Saints contest the first semi-final against Group One runners-up Campbeltown Pupils. A bright start saw Saints come close twice in the opening minutes through unlikely source Alex Craik, From a Fraser MacFarlane corner on the right the former Gaffer had a shot deflected behind before he placed a header from another MacFarlane cross wide of target sixty seconds later.
MacFarlane was again closely involved when he was sent sprawling in the Pupils box in the fifth minute under a challenge from Keith Mitchell. Referee Pat O'Donnell had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot from where Lewis Cameron calmly gave Saints the lead.
Saints were unable to take full advantage of their early domination and Shaun MacIver drew a save low to his left from Campbeltown's young keeper before heading a Fraser MacFarlane corner kick over the crossbar.
The Saints back four of Jamie Graham, Dene Cassells, Alex Craik and Scott Maitland were coping well and restricting Pupils to long balls which failed to threaten keeper Graham Douglas and the first half action petered out with Saints a goal to the good.
The half-time interval coupled with a raft of changes seemed to disrupt the Saints rhythm and, despite attacking up the Ropework park slope, it was the Pupils who were looking the more likely to add to the scoring.
Pupils came close twice in the opening minutes before a trip in the box by Paul Carmichael handed them an opportunity to level the scoring from twelve yards which was gratefully accepted.
The goal provided the wake-up call that Saints needed but try as they might they could find no way through the stuffy Pupils defence which protected their very youthful goalkeeper well.
Mr O'Donnell's final whistle signaled the need for a penalty shoot-out where kicks numbers seventeen and eighteen would ultimately prove decisive.
With the goalkeepers having made three saves and the woodwork already being struck three times Pupils Captain Keith Mitchell rattled kick number seventeen off the crossbar giving young fullback Ruaridh Horne the chance to clinch a fourth successive Argyll & Bute Cup Final for Saints.
The young Pupils keeper made a valiant attempt to keep his side in the tie but Horne's well placed effort nestled in the bottom much to the relief of the Saints contingent.

Team Captains Dene Cassells and Keith Mitchell with Referee Pat O'Donnell

Lewis Cameron gives Saints the lead from the penalty spot

Martin McCallum's free-kick dips just over the crossbar

Dene Cassells heads wide

Keith Mitchell heads away

Dene Cassells turns away from Sary Rahma

Graham Douglas and Sary Rahma

Kenneth Black sends one up the line

Kenneth Black heads clear

Shaun MacIver fluffs his lines

Pupils equalise from the penalty spot

The Pupils defence stands firm

Graham Douglas saves

Graham Douglas saves from Martin McCallum

Pupils keeper saves from Shaun MacIver

Keith Mitchell hits the crossbar

Ruaridh Horne sinks the winning penalty

Kilsyth 2 - 3 Lochgilphead Red Star

The second semi-final was an energy sapping five goal thriller which the hosts narrowly shaded. Kilsyth took a first half lead through Kyle Crawford but were soon pegged back by a Ben Forbes strike.
Red Star took the lead in controversial circumstances when striker Gregor Peacock went down rather easily from what appeared to be a legitimate aerial challenge in the Kilsyth box. Referee Peter Laing was however convinced otherwise and pointed to the penalty spot from where Andy Weir successfully converted.
Parity was restored just before the half-time interval when a mistake in the Star defence allowed Kyle Crawford to poke home his second of the match.
Red Star regained the lead midway through the second half through John Kennedy and withstood some intense late pressure as Kilsyth gave everything to force an equaliser.
By now struggling with a leg injury, Star keeper Luke Kalache produced last minute heroics to tip over a Jamie Kerr free-kick and rise in a packed six yard box to safely gather the resulting corner kick.

Final

Lochgilphead Red Star 1 - 3 Oban Saints

Cup holders Oban Saints and tournament hosts Lochgilphead Red Star faced off in a repeat of last season's final at the Ropework. Star had the advantage of kicking down the slope in the first half and came close to opening the scoring in the second minute when Innes Meikle found the side netting from a tight angle.
Saints survived another scare sixty seconds later when a low cross from the left across the six yard line narrowly evaded Andy Weir steaming in at the back post.
Star keeper Luke Kalache denied Shaun MacIver with a good save in the seventh minute but could do nothing to prevent Matt Rippon's ninth minute strike from giving Saints the lead. Rippon pushed forward from his midfield holding role to support Scott Maitland's run on the left and got on the end of Maitland's cross to find the bottom corner from sixteen yards.
Good pressing by James Ford on the fifteen minute mark forced a corner kick on the Saints right which the Star defence managed to bundle behind for another corner this time from the opposite flank.
Lewis Cameron's delivery into the six yard box looped over the despairing grasp of Kalache and found the head of Shaun MacIver who glanced home from a yard out.
The first half ended with Saints well in control and by now good value for their two goal lead.
With everybody still with gas in the tank their was no major half-time changes and only Shaun MacIver was withdrawn to be replaced by Donald Campbell.
Saints continued to look the stronger side after the restart with Red Star lacking the legs to pose any real threat.
Referee Donald McCallum who had very few decisions of note to make still managed to take the names of Dene Cassells and Donald Campbell for dissent to add to the first half booking for Shaun MacIver.
Ruaridh Horne made way for Jamie Graham in the thirty third minute and the veteran defender made an instant impact linking up with Lewis Cameron on the right to set up James Ford for the third goal. Ford's sweet low strike from the right edge of the penalty flashed across Luke Kalache and into the bottom corner to dispel any lingering doubts about the final destination of the silverware.
Saints took advantage of their three goal cushion to give all of their substitutes a run-out and even a late consolation goal for the hosts from a long range Cameron McDonald strike couldn't take the shine off an excellent day for the players and new Management team Donald Campbell and Willie Gemmell.