Saturday 23rd February 2019
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 John McNab
Saturday 23rd February 2019
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 John McNab
Battery Park 3G
Eldon Street
Greenock
PA16 7QG
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee Mr John McNab
With a West of Scotland Cup quarter finals place safely booked thanks to last Saturday's fifth round win against Neilston, Saints can now look forward to a run of three league fixtures commencing with this Saturday's trip to the tail o' the bank to face old rivals Inverclyde. The trip to the familiar surroundings of Battery Park is likely to be another difficult one as hosts Inverclyde look to make it three home wins on the trot against Saints.
Last season's encounter was a high scoring thriller where Saints narrowly failed to claw back Inverclyde's early two goal lead eventually losing out by the odd goal in seven. After Darren McGregor's ninth minute opener Stewart Morrison doubled the home side's advantage on the half hour mark before Craig MacEwan gave the visitors some encouragement before the half-time interval. Stewart Morrison grabbed his second twelve minutes after the restart but Saints countered immediately through Donald Campbell. Debutant Ruaridh Horne made way for fellow new boy James Ford with thirty minutes remaining however Saints were caught napping at the back once again after sixty five minutes when Craig Ellis netted the crucial fourth goal for the 'Clyde. Willie Gemmell reduced the deficit to one goal for the third time in the match in the eighty seventh minute however, despite intense Saints pressure, their was to be no late equaliser and the hosts claimed the spoils helping them on their way to a fourth placed finish their highest in the Scottish Amateur Football League for ten seasons.
A win in Saturday's encounter would see hosts Inverclyde draw level with Saints on twenty one points and inflict a major blow on their visitor's hopes of mounting a serious challenge for one last Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title before their imminent departure for the Central Scottish Amateur Football League.
With a West of Scotland Cup quarter finals place safely booked thanks to last Saturday's fifth round win against Neilston, Saints can now look forward to a run of three league fixtures commencing with this Saturday's trip to the tail o' the bank to face old rivals Inverclyde. The trip to the familiar surroundings of Battery Park is likely to be another difficult one as hosts Inverclyde look to make it three home wins on the trot against Saints.
Last season's encounter was a high scoring thriller where Saints narrowly failed to claw back Inverclyde's early two goal lead eventually losing out by the odd goal in seven. After Darren McGregor's ninth minute opener Stewart Morrison doubled the home side's advantage on the half hour mark before Craig MacEwan gave the visitors some encouragement before the half-time interval. Stewart Morrison grabbed his second twelve minutes after the restart but Saints countered immediately through Donald Campbell. Debutant Ruaridh Horne made way for fellow new boy James Ford with thirty minutes remaining however Saints were caught napping at the back once again after sixty five minutes when Craig Ellis netted the crucial fourth goal for the 'Clyde. Willie Gemmell reduced the deficit to one goal for the third time in the match in the eighty seventh minute however, despite intense Saints pressure, their was to be no late equaliser and the hosts claimed the spoils helping them on their way to a fourth placed finish their highest in the Scottish Amateur Football League for ten seasons.
A win in Saturday's encounter would see hosts Inverclyde draw level with Saints on twenty one points and inflict a major blow on their visitor's hopes of mounting a serious challenge for one last Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title before their imminent departure for the Central Scottish Amateur Football League.
Last season's encounter was a high scoring thriller where Saints narrowly failed to claw back Inverclyde's early two goal lead eventually losing out by the odd goal in seven. After Darren McGregor's ninth minute opener Stewart Morrison doubled the home side's advantage on the half hour mark before Craig MacEwan gave the visitors some encouragement before the half-time interval. Stewart Morrison grabbed his second twelve minutes after the restart but Saints countered immediately through Donald Campbell. Debutant Ruaridh Horne made way for fellow new boy James Ford with thirty minutes remaining however Saints were caught napping at the back once again after sixty five minutes when Craig Ellis netted the crucial fourth goal for the 'Clyde. Willie Gemmell reduced the deficit to one goal for the third time in the match in the eighty seventh minute however, despite intense Saints pressure, their was to be no late equaliser and the hosts claimed the spoils helping them on their way to a fourth placed finish their highest in the Scottish Amateur Football League for ten seasons.
A win in Saturday's encounter would see hosts Inverclyde draw level with Saints on twenty one points and inflict a major blow on their visitor's hopes of mounting a serious challenge for one last Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title before their imminent departure for the Central Scottish Amateur Football League.
League
The 'Clyde's hopes of improving on last season's top four finish were put to the hardest possible test when they were handed opening fixtures against reigning Champions Goldenhill and recently deposed Champions St Joseph's FP. Not unexpectedly results went against the 'Clyde however revenge was to follow in December when the Greenock men held St Joe's to a 2 - 2 draw and become only the second team to take points off the Duntocher men so far this season.
With home and away fixtures against Saints and a visit to Goldenhill still to come Inverclyde will have a big say in the eventual outcome at the top of the league table.
The 'Clyde's hopes of improving on last season's top four finish were put to the hardest possible test when they were handed opening fixtures against reigning Champions Goldenhill and recently deposed Champions St Joseph's FP. Not unexpectedly results went against the 'Clyde however revenge was to follow in December when the Greenock men held St Joe's to a 2 - 2 draw and become only the second team to take points off the Duntocher men so far this season.
With home and away fixtures against Saints and a visit to Goldenhill still to come Inverclyde will have a big say in the eventual outcome at the top of the league table.
With home and away fixtures against Saints and a visit to Goldenhill still to come Inverclyde will have a big say in the eventual outcome at the top of the league table.
Domestic Cups
In the Centenary Cup three wins out of three in the group stages, including an away win at the very impressive Castlemilk, saw the 'Clyde into the quarter finals only to have their progress halted by cup holders Goldenhill.
Inverclyde's hopes of silveware now rest entirely on the Jimmy Marshall Trophy where their campaign has yet to get underway.
In the Centenary Cup three wins out of three in the group stages, including an away win at the very impressive Castlemilk, saw the 'Clyde into the quarter finals only to have their progress halted by cup holders Goldenhill.
Inverclyde's hopes of silveware now rest entirely on the Jimmy Marshall Trophy where their campaign has yet to get underway.
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 second round stage in either of the big two cups. In the Scottish Amateur Cup a 2 - 2 draw away at Ayrshire Amateur Football Association First Division side Catrine was followed up by defeat in Greenock. With the replay finishing one goal a-piece after ninety minutes and one further goal each being added in extra-time the Ayrshire men eventually progressed by virtue of a 4 - 2 penalty shoot-out win.
In the West of Scotland Cup it was Ayrshire opposition again for Inverclyde where they squeezed past First Division Troon Dundonald in round one to set up another home tie this time against Premier League opposition in the shape of Ardeer West Recreation. In round two eleven goals were shared at Battery Park with the Stevenston men bagging seven of them to end the 'Clyde's interest in the majors for another season.
The 'Clyde's cup exploits this season included a last minute equaliser from goalkeeper Kenny McLachlan who would later leave the club to join Saints good friends St Anthony's. Tragically for McLachlan his spell in the junior ranks lasted just fifty seconds when he sustained ruptured tendons and a dislocated knee in the opening minute of his debut against Johnstone Burgh. The serious injury resulted in the game being abandoned and put an end to the big keeper's football career. Everybody at Oban Saints wishes Kenny a speedy recovery and all the best for the future.
Kenny McLachlan
In the West of Scotland Cup it was Ayrshire opposition again for Inverclyde where they squeezed past First Division Troon Dundonald in round one to set up another home tie this time against Premier League opposition in the shape of Ardeer West Recreation. In round two eleven goals were shared at Battery Park with the Stevenston men bagging seven of them to end the 'Clyde's interest in the majors for another season.
The 'Clyde's cup exploits this season included a last minute equaliser from goalkeeper Kenny McLachlan who would later leave the club to join Saints good friends St Anthony's. Tragically for McLachlan his spell in the junior ranks lasted just fifty seconds when he sustained ruptured tendons and a dislocated knee in the opening minute of his debut against Johnstone Burgh. The serious injury resulted in the game being abandoned and put an end to the big keeper's football career. Everybody at Oban Saints wishes Kenny a speedy recovery and all the best for the future.
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| Kenny McLachlan |
Inverclyde AFC fixtures so far this season:-
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
29th August 2018 Inverclyde 0 - 2 Goldenhill
22nd September 2018 St Joseph's FP 6 - 2 Inverclyde
29th September 2018 Inverclyde 2 - 0 Barrhead Arky
6th October 2018 Dunoon 2 - 5 Inverclyde
13th October 2018 Inverclyde 1 - 2 North Glasgow Colts
27th October 2018 Inverclyde 1 - 2 Motherwell Thistle
17th November 2018 Alba Thistle 5 - 3 Inverclyde
24th November 2018 Inverclyde 3 - 1 Dunoon
8th December 2018 Inverclyde 2 - 2 St Joseph's FP
19th January 2019 Inverclyde 0 - 3 Alba Thistle
26th January 2019 North Glasgow Colts 1 - 6 Inverclyde
2nd February 2019 Barrhead Arky 2 - 3 Inverclyde
9th February 2019 Rutherglen 1 - 1 Inverclyde
16th February 2019 Inverclyde 0 - 0 Rutherglen
23rd February 2019 Inverclyde v Oban Saints
Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup
1st Round Group Section North 4
11th August 2018 Castlemilk 1 - 2 Inverclyde
18th August 2018 Inverclyde 6 - 0 Villa Park
25th August 2018 Claremont 1 - 4 Inverclyde
Quarter Final
1st December 2018 Inverclyde 1 - 3 Goldenhill
29th August 2018 Inverclyde 0 - 2 Goldenhill
22nd September 2018 St Joseph's FP 6 - 2 Inverclyde
29th September 2018 Inverclyde 2 - 0 Barrhead Arky
6th October 2018 Dunoon 2 - 5 Inverclyde
13th October 2018 Inverclyde 1 - 2 North Glasgow Colts
27th October 2018 Inverclyde 1 - 2 Motherwell Thistle
17th November 2018 Alba Thistle 5 - 3 Inverclyde
24th November 2018 Inverclyde 3 - 1 Dunoon
8th December 2018 Inverclyde 2 - 2 St Joseph's FP
19th January 2019 Inverclyde 0 - 3 Alba Thistle
26th January 2019 North Glasgow Colts 1 - 6 Inverclyde
2nd February 2019 Barrhead Arky 2 - 3 Inverclyde
9th February 2019 Rutherglen 1 - 1 Inverclyde
16th February 2019 Inverclyde 0 - 0 Rutherglen
23rd February 2019 Inverclyde v Oban Saints
25th August 2018 Claremont 1 - 4 Inverclyde
1st December 2018 Inverclyde 1 - 3 Goldenhill
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
1st Round
15th September 2018 Inverclyde 1 - 0 Troon Dundonald
2nd Round
20th October 2018 Inverclyde 4 - 7 Ardeer West Recreation
20th October 2018 Inverclyde 4 - 7 Ardeer West Recreation
Scottish Amateur Cup
1st Round
1st September 2018 Catrine 2 - 2 Inverclyde
1st Round Replay
8th September 2017 Inverclyde 2 - 2 Catrine After Extra Time
Catrine win 4 - 2 on penalty kicks
Scottish Amateur Cup
1st September 2018 Catrine 2 - 2 Inverclyde
1st Round Replay
8th September 2017 Inverclyde 2 - 2 Catrine After Extra Time
Catrine win 4 - 2 on penalty kicks
Catrine win 4 - 2 on penalty kicks
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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
2017 - 18 Premier Division 4th
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
2017 - 18 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 4 - 3 Oban Saints
2016 - 17 Premier Division 7th
2017 - 18 Premier Division 4th
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
2017 - 18 SAFL Premier Division Inverclyde AFC 4 - 3 Oban Saints
Action from the 2017-18 encounter at Battery Park
Graham Douglas saves from Michael McKitrick
Ruaridh Horne
Kerr Newbigging and Neil McCole
Willie Gemmell
Tom McKitrick keeps a hold of Donald Campbell
Fraser Gunn puts Graham Douglas under pressure
Mark Monk collects a Willie Gemmell corner kick
Craig MacEwan lifts the ball over Mark Monk for Saints first goal
Stewart Morrison
Donald Campbell surrounded by Inverclyde players
Scott Maitland
Mark Monk
Scott Maitland and Craig Ellis
Mark Monk saves from Craig MacEwan
Shaun MacIver gets away from Greg Wilson
James Ford
Craig MacEwan
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| Graham Douglas saves from Michael McKitrick |
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| Ruaridh Horne |
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| Kerr Newbigging and Neil McCole |
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| Willie Gemmell |
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| Tom McKitrick keeps a hold of Donald Campbell |
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| Fraser Gunn puts Graham Douglas under pressure |
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| Mark Monk collects a Willie Gemmell corner kick |
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| Craig MacEwan lifts the ball over Mark Monk for Saints first goal |
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| Stewart Morrison |
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| Donald Campbell surrounded by Inverclyde players |
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| Scott Maitland |
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| Mark Monk |
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| Scott Maitland and Craig Ellis |
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| Mark Monk saves from Craig MacEwan |
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| Shaun MacIver gets away from Greg Wilson |
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| James Ford |
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| Craig MacEwan |
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