Alba Win Battle of the Semi-finalists

Saturday 23rd March 2019
Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
Alba Thistle 1 - 0 Oban Saints
Ralston Community Sports Centre 4G
Penilee Road
Paisley
PA1 3AX
Kick Off 1.15pm
Referee Mr Pat O'Donnell

A wind assisted free-kick from Alba Thistle dead-ball expert Craig McCready was all that could separate Scottish Amateur Cup semi-finalists Alba Thistle and West of Scotland Amateur Cup semi-finalists Oban Saints at Ralston Sports Centre last Saturday afternoon. Unluckily for Saints the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter was decided in the thirteenth minute when McCready's whipped free-kick from wide on the left looped over Graham Douglas into the postage stamp corner for the only goal of an evenly contested encounter.

Oban Saints Management duo Donald Campbell and Willie Gemmell were dealt a blow on the morning of the match when Lewis Cameron failed to shrug off the injury sustained in the previous weekend's victory over Cambria and was forced to withdraw from the squad leaving the traveling party a man light.

Matthew Kelly was deployed further forward to deputise for the absent Lewis Cameron handing a starting role to Jamie Graham at right back alongside Steven MacLeod, Captain Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Daniel Croarkin and Donald Campbell occupied the holding midfield roles behind James Ford, Matthew Kelly and Cammy Hill. Craig MacEwan was given the task of leading the line while Graham Douglas took his accustomed place between the posts. On the bench were David Beaton, Willie Gemmell, Dougal Graham and Ruaridh Horne.



Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitutes:-
David Beaton
Willie Gemmell
Ruaridh Horne

Unused substitute:-
Dougal Graham


Hosts Alba Thistle kicked off attacking the Buchlyvie Road end with the stiff breeze at their backs and had their first attempt on goal in the second minute when Basile Deshougues knocked down a long Craig McCready free-kick for Martin Sinclair to fire a shot from twenty yards wide of target.

Saints first foray up the field came after ten minutes when James Ford got on the end of a Donald Campbell through ball which he managed to hold up for supporting fullback Jamie Graham. Graham's cross from the right corner of the eighteen yard box picked out Matthew Kelly on the penalty spot for an attempted overhead kick which unfortunately hit his own hand before landing safely in the arms of Alba keeper Lee Mitchell.

A rash thirteenth minute challenge on Basile Deshougues from Steven MacLeod wide on the Alba left gave dead ball expert Craig McCready the chance to put the ball in the danger area. Assisted by the strong wind McCready's delivery caught Graham Douglas off his line waiting for a cross and left the Saints keeper clawing at thin air as the ball sailed over him and into the postage stamp corner to give the hosts the lead.

Saints had a chance to respond in the eighteenth minute when Michael Lau felled Scott Maitland on the Saints left. Donald Campbell's free-kick was flicked-on by Dene Cassell's but just too far in front of Cammy Hill allowing Lee Mitchell to gather comfortably.

A promising Saints move on the right was snuffed out when impressive Alba Skipper Gordon Meredith kept his composure to take the ball off the toes of Craig MacEwan as the Saints striker jinked into the box on the end of a Matthew Kelly pass.

Alba Thistle had kept six clean sheets in all competitions coming into this fixture and goalkeeper Lee Mitchell was in no mood to let that impressive run come to an end. From a twenty fifth minute Matthew Kelly free-kick on the Saints right Cammy Hill powered a header on target from ten yards which Mitchell showed lightning quick reactions to dive to his right and push over his crossbar for a corner kick.

Hill's aerial ability caused problems for the home defence again five minutes later when he beat Martin Sinclair and Rikki McArthur to a James Ford corner kick from the right but sent his header from eight yards wide of Lee Mitchell's left hand post.

Mitchell's reactions were put to the test once again in the thirty sixth minute when he thrust up a strong right hand to turn another Cammy Hill effort from a tight angle around his near post for a corner kick.

Saints failed to trouble the Alba defence from the resulting corner and with far too many Saints passes going astray the home side, which had Neil Clark deputising for the injured Anthony Gordon in central defence alongside Captain Gordon Meredith, comfortably kept their first half clean sheet intact.

Saints kicked off the second half defending the striking Art Deco style pavilion end and made a positive start keeping the home side pinned back for the opening five minutes.

That bright start was almost undone from another Craig McCready free-kick after Steven McLeod had been penalised for a foul on Paul Kerr. McCready's delivery was met by a spectacular overhead kick by Martin Sinclair which came back off the post and was turned behind by Scott Maitland with Rikki McArthur waiting to pounce.

Saints made a double substitution in the sixty fourth minute replacing Daniel Croarkin and James Ford with Willie Gemmell and David Beaton.

Gemmell's first contribution was to place a free-kick from the Saints left onto the head of Craig MacEwan eight yards out who made a solid contact but unfortunately couldn't direct his effort on target.

The Co-Manager was involved again in the sixty eighth minute crashing a shot from twenty eight yards just over the Alba crossbar.

The home side made a change with twenty minutes remaining replacing striker Paul Kerr, who had enjoyed a good battle with Dene Cassells, with Jack Heron.

There was a loud appeal for a penalty kick in the seventy fourth minute when Cammy Hill skipped past Gordon Meredith on the bye-line and the Alba Captain appeared to use an arm to turn the ball behind. Referee Pat O'Donnell was satisfied no infringement had taken place and was content to award a corner kick. Mr O'Donnell, who continues to enhance his reputation as one of the best Referees in the amateur game, was however not satisfied with the continued protests from Matthew Kelly and issued the young Saints midfielder with the first caution of the match.

David Beaton's delivery from the corner flag was good however Martin Sinclair put Jamie Graham under just enough pressure at the back post to prevent the Saints fullback from getting his header from a tight angle on target.

Saints were almost caught on the counter attack in the seventy fifth minute with a quick break on the left which Steven MacLeod cut out with a diving header to send a cross from Basile Deshougues safely into the arms of Graham Douglas.

The Saints keeper released the ball quickly and the action raced to the other end where Cammy Hill set up Willie Gemmell for a shot with the outside of his right foot which drifted wide of Lee Mitchell's left hand post.

David Beaton sent over another dangerous ball from the corner flag in the eightieth minute which Lee Mitchell somehow managed to claw off his goal line under severe pressure from Dene Cassells.

The hosts made a double substitution with nine minutes remaining replacing Martin Sinclair and Basile Deshougues with Brian Wright and James Gray. Gray was quickly involved in the action tempting Jamie Graham into a rash challenge on the left touchline which saw him join Matthew Kelly in Mr O'Donnell's note book.

With the clock ticking down Saints were leaving more gaps at the back and a missed challenge by Steven MacLeod left James Gray with a huge space to run into behind the Saints defence. The Alba substitute raced through and fired off a low shot which Graham Douglas, at full stretch, managed to finger tip onto his right hand upright before safely gathering the rebound.

Saints must surely have realised that this just wasn't going to be their day when Lee Mitchell's punch from another good David Beaton corner kick was volleyed on target by Willie Gemmell only to be stopped twelve inches short of the goal line by Steven MacLeod who couldn't get himself out of the way in time.

There was a late run out for young fullback Ruaridh Horne who was pressed into action after Jamie Graham landed awkwardly on his right ankle and was unable to continue.

Saints huffed and puffed their way through the time remaining plus the five additional minutes allowed by Referee O'Donnell but failed to threaten the miserly Alba defence who were delighted to extend their clean sheet tally to seven in a row and leapfrog Saints into second place in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division table.       

Saints have no fixture this coming Saturday but will resume on Saturday 6th April with a home Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy second round tie against Premier Division One leaders Port Glasgow. Kick off at Glencruitten is 2pm where the tie must be decided on the day with penalty kicks coming into play to decided the winner if the two sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes. 

Team Captains Dene Cassells and Gordon Meredith with Referee Pat O'Donnell

Connor Milne

Craig McCready's free-kick deceives Graham Douglas

No way through Dene Cassells and Craig MacEwan for Martin Sinclair

Gordon Meredith dispossesses Craig MacEwan

Lee Mitchell saves from Cammy Hill

Jamie Graham and Basile Deshougues

Craig MacEwan and Gordon Meredith

Cammy Hill heads wide

Jamie Graham and Connor Milne

Lee Mitchell

Scott Maitland and Rikki McArthur

Scott Maitland

Cammy Hill

Martin Sinclair's overhead kick hits the post

Cammy Hill heads clear

Dene Cassells and Paul Kerr

Matty Kelly holds off John McStay

Cammy Hill and Michael Lau

Dene Cassells and Rikki McArthur

Lee Mitchell

Craig MacEwan heads over

Steven MacLeod somehow manages to block Willie Gemmell's volley on the Alba goal line 

Dene Cassells beats Brian Wright in the air

Ralston Community Sports Centre

#monthesaints

Saints Have That Semi-final Feeling Again

Saturday 16th March 2019
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
6th Round
Oban Saints 3 - 1 Cambria
Oban Community Sports Field 3G
Soroba Road
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4JB
Kick Off 1pm
Referee Mr Stephen Payne
Assistant Referee Mr Jimmy Litster
Assistant Referee Mr Matthew Farr


A sensational strike from Lewis Cameron and an equally impressive save from Graham "Sugar" Douglas helped Oban Saints to see off the challenge of old rivals Cambria and seal a place in the semi-finals of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup last Saturday afternoon. Cameron's wonder strike in off the crossbar re-established the lead for Saints before Sugar broke Cambria hearts with a wonderful reaction save and a free flowing move, rounded off by Daniel Croarkin, made the tie safe for Saints.

The incessant rain ended any hopes of the match going ahead on the grass at Glencruitten so a switch to the all weather surface at Oban High School was hastily arranged for the 1pm kick-off watched by a large number of spectators who had braved the miserable weather conditions.

Donald Campbell clearly enjoyed his deep lying midfield role in the previous week's victory over Rutherglen and named himself alongside his Co-Manager Willie Gemmell in front of a back four of Matthew Kelly, Steven MacLeod, Captain Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Daniel Croarkin filled the hole between the Gaffers and the front three of James Ford, Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan while Graham Douglas, who was joined for the warm-up by the now free from injury back-up keeper Ben Pollock, took his accustomed place between the posts. On the bench were David Beaton, Dougal Graham, Jamie Graham, Cammy Hill and Fraser MacFarlane.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-
Cammy Hill
David Beaton
Jamie Graham


Unused substitutes:-
Dougal Graham
Fraser MacFarlane


The visitors kicked off attacking the school end with the wind, unusually blowing from the Dalintart end, at their backs. After some early sparring Craig MacEwan put former team-mate David McArthur under pressure on the corner of the Cambria box and fashioned a half chance for James Ford in the middle who couldn't turn onto his right foot allowing Gordon Hanley to clear the danger.

Hanley did well again sixty seconds later to read Donald Campbell's pass through the inside left channel for James Ford and usher the ball back to his goalkeeper.

As the game began to open up Scott Maitland made a good twelfth minute run on the left and sent a dangerous low ball into the box however the Cambria's cental defensive pairing remained in control with Donald Mackay successfully holding off Craig MacEwan for Adam Rennie to gather safely at his feet.

Cambria launched a quick counter attack on their left where Matthew Kelly's tug on Cambria left winger Nicholas Irvine's shirt earned the Saints fullback the first yellow card of the afternoon.

Five minutes later Saints were left appealing in vain for a similar offence on Lewis Cameron on the edge of the centre circle. Referee Stephen Payne, who together with Assistants Jimmy Litster and Matthew Farr kept a tight grip on proceedings, allowed play to proceed with Nicholas Irvine spreading the ball wide to Andrew McEwan on the right and continuing his run into the box to meet McEwan's cross at the back post with a volley which flew high and wide of target.

Craig Coleman was next to find his way into the Referee's notebook for attempting to pull back Lewis Cameron in the centre-circle in the twenty fourth minute. Cameron showed enough strength to keep going and it was only when the ball eventually went out of play on the left that Mr Payne reached for his top pocket. From Scott Maitland's throw-in Craig MacEwan tee'd up Cameron for a left foot shot from seventeen yards which flew narrowly wide of Adam Rennie's left hand upright.

Adam Rennie's goal-kick produced a moment to forget for the Cambria defence as Gordon Hanley found himself quickly closed down in the left-back position by James Ford. The big centre-half slipped and scuffed a pass back which was pounced on by Craig MacEwan who calmly slipped the ball under the advancing goalkeeper and into the bottom corner for the opening goal.

From the restart Cambria forced the first corner kick of the match on their left from where Gordon Hanley tried to make amends for his earlier error by connecting with Nicholas Irvine's out-swinger only to see the ball come off Craig MacEwan's head and spin towards his own goal where Matthew Kelly was well positioned to thump the ball clear.

Good work on the left from Scott Maitland and Craig MacEwan helped Lewis Cameron spin in behind David McArthur however his low shot from narrow angle was well parried by Adam Rennie and safely gathered at the second attempt.

From a thirty first minute free-kick ten yards inside the Cambria half Donald Campbell rolled the ball up to Craig MacEwan on the edge of the box who turned away from Ross Wilson but failed to generate enough power in his shot which looped up comfortably into the gloves of Adam Rennie.

The Cambria keeper saved again from MacEwan two minutes later as Saints continued to enjoy a good spell.

After failing to win a single corner kick in the first thirty four minutes Saints managed to force three in quick succession where Cambria stiker Jonathon Burns, back helping his defence, made two important blocks to divert shots from Donald Campbell and Daniel Croarkin off target.

A Cambria break from a quickly taken Adam Rennie kick from hand turned the Saints defence and Scott Maitland saw yellow for scything down Andrew McEwan as the Cambrian wide man threatened to burst through. The resulting free-kick from thirty four yards by Jonathon Burns however failed to trouble Graham Douglas flying high and wide of the junction of post and bar.

Saints were left cursing the award of a corner kick in the forty third minute by Assistant Referee Matthew Farr which appeared to have gone out for a throw-in by the corner flag on the Cambria right. The 2017 cup winners took full advantage of this slice of good fortune with a well rehearsed corner kick routine between Craig Coleman and Ryan O'Donnell resulting in Coleman picking out Andrew McEwan on the penalty spot who swept the ball past Graham Douglas to level the scores.

On the stroke of half-time a heavy aerial challenge by Ryan O'Donnell on Graham Douglas left the Saints keeper in a heap on the floor. Mr Payne, however, saw no infringement but had his patience stretched too far in the verbal exchanges which followed and added Cambria goal scorer Andrew McEwan to the growing list of cautions.

Saints made a bright start to the second half and had the ball in the net in the forty ninth minute from a sweeping move on the left. Scott Maitland looked to have timed his overlapping run to reach Lewis Cameron's pass to perfection and sent a square ball across the Cambria box which Daniel Croarkin slammed past Adam Rennie. However an offside decision from Mr Farr, which must have been an extremely close call, brought the Saints celebrations to an abrupt end.

More frustration was to follow for Saints just sixty seconds later when Mr Payne deemed Craig MacEwan guilty of going down in the box too easily on the end of a tackle from Cambria man of the match Ross Wilson and issued the Saints striker with the fifth yellow card of the match.

MacEwan's incident packed afternoon continued as he flashed first a glancing header from a Willie Gemmell free-kick and then a left foot volley from a James Ford pass narrowly wide of Adam Rennie's right hand post. 

Donald Campbell came from deep in the fifty ninth minute to power a thumping drive from the corner of the Cambria box wide of the junction of post and bar after good approach play from James Ford, Matthew Kelly, Craig MacEwan and Daniel Croarkin.

Having dominated the opening stages of the second half Saints had goalkeeper Graham Douglas to thank for a good reaction save to deny Andrew McEwan a second goal when the Saints number one thrust up a strong left hand to push McEwan's half volley from a David McArthur cross over his crossbar.

Cambria striker Ryan O'Donnell made way for David Aubrey in the sixty second minute before Saints also made a change replacing Willie Gemmell with the fresh legs of teenage striker Cammy Hill.

Saints Skipper Dene Cassells joined the ever growing list of miscreants recorded in Mr Payne's notebook after a continued protest over a hotly disputed sixty fifth minute throw-in on the left touchline.

Saints were finally rewarded for their second half endeavours when Lewis Cameron produced a magic moment in the sixty eighth minute. Cammy Hill and Donald Mackay contested a bouncing ball on the edge of the Cambria box with the Saints youngster doing just enough to see the ball land at the feet of James Ford who cracked a shot off Mackay's back with the rebound spinning out to the left. Scott Maitland kept the move alive picking out Lewis Cameron on the corner of the box who curled a delicious right foot finish in off the underside of the crossbar to restore Saints lead.

Two minutes later Craig MacEwan made a good turn on the edge of the Cambria box from a Lewis Cameron cutback and stabbed a low left foot shot inches wide of Adam Rennie's left hand post.

The visitors now had to commit more bodies to attack and a surging seventy second minute attack up the right almost saw the ball land at the feet of Jonathon Burns in the middle however a perfectly timed sliding interception by Steven MacLeod diverted the ball behind for a corner kick which MacLeod promptly headed clear of the danger area.

The quick feet of Lewis Cameron were proving difficult for Cambria to deal with and Skipper Stewart Nicoll was lucky to escape with just a talking too from Referee Payne for a heavy challenge in the seventy fifth minute.

Further changes followed from the visitors with Dean McGinnity and Jonathan Gordon replacing Craig Coleman and Jonathon Burns. Saints responded by sending on pacy forward David Beaton in place of James Ford.

Mr Payne's patience with Cambria Skipper Stewart Nicoll eventually snapped in the seventy seventh minute after another late challenge on Lewis Cameron sparked some pushing and shoving which saw Steven MacLeod join Cambria's Scottish Amateur International fullback in the book.

He may stand at six feet five inches in his stocking soles but young Saints striker Cammy Hill is blessed with a nimble touch for such a big man. In the eightieth minute Hill danced his way past three tackles in the Cambria box before he was finally denied by the outstretched legs of keeper Adam Rennie at the expense of a corner kick. Craig MacEwan couldn't quite get Lewis Cameron's out-swinger from the right under control and the bouncing ball broke for David Beaton who did well to direct an effort on target which Adam Rennie held comfortably. 

With the visitors now taking more and more chances at the back the game became very open, often dangerously so for Saints given their slender lead.

Cambria goalscorer Andrew McEwan hooked a speculative effort well over the Saints crossbar from a deep free-kick in the eighty second minute.

Donald Campbell sent Craig MacEwan in behind Cambria left-back Stewart Nicoll in the eighty third minute however MacEwan's low ball along the six yard line intended for Cammy Hill was expertly cut out by David McArthur with Adam Rennie delighted to pounce on the loose ball.

The action once again swung to the other end and Dene Cassells was relieved to find Mr Payne satisfied just to award a free-kick against him for a heavy challenge on Andrew McEwan wide on the Cambria right. Ross Wilson's delivery was headed down by Craig MacEwan on the six yard line but straight into the path of Dean McGinnity whose first time effort was miraculously stopped on the goal-line by Graham Douglas. The danger however didn't end there and David McArthur's header from the rebound was blocked on the six yard line by Dene Cassells before Donald Mackay finally lashed a shot wide of the postage stamp corner.

That was a close as Cambria would come to getting back on terms and with the additional time allowed for stoppages by Mr Payne now being played Saints finally exploited the ever widening gaps in the Cambria defence. After winning back possession from a Cambria throw-in Saints swept up the right wing from where Lewis Cameron cut inside and tee'd up Daniel Croarkin for a calm side foot finish past the advancing Adam Rennie to send Saints through to a third major cup semi-final in four seasons.

Saints made one final change before the restart ensuring things remained tight at the back by replacing striker Craig MacEwan with defender Jamie Graham.

After three additional minutes, which were considerably less nervy than any of the preceding ninety, Mr Payne sounded his full-time whistle sending the large crowd home wet but happy.

The only other West of Scotland Amateur Cup sixth round tie to survive the weather was played at the Grange, Kilmarnock where 2016 winners and current Scottish Amateur Cup holders Shortlees of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier League defeated Glasgow University of the Caledonian League by three goals to two. The two remaining ties, Bannockburn versus Dumbarton Academy and Southside versus St Patricks FP will be decided this coming Saturday.

This Saturday Saints return to league business and another major test against Scottish Amateur Cup semi-finalists Alba Thistle. Kick off at Ralston Community Sports Centre, Paisley is 1.15pm.

Scott Maitland

Donald Campbell and Jonathon Burns

Adam Rennie

Lewis Cameron and David McArthur

Willie Gemmell

Donald Campbell and Craig Colemen

Lewis Cameron lets fly

Celebrations after Craig MacEwan's opening goal

Craig MacEwan and Adam Rennie

James Ford and Adam Rennie

Adam Rennie punches clear under pressure from Dene Cassells

Donald Mackay heads clear

Adam Rennie collects a Willie Gemmell free-kick

Graham Douglas watches a Jonathon Burns free-kick fly high and wide of target

Andrew McEwan sweeps home the equaliser for Cambria

Cambria celebrate Andrew McEwan's equaliser

Match officials Stephen Payne, Jimmy Litster and Matthew Farr

Lewis Cameron is exasperated to see Mr Farr's flag rule out a second goal for Craig MacEwan

Craig MacEwan is closed down by Ross Wilson

Lewis Cameron's sensational strike restores Saints lead

Lewis Cameron is congratulated by his team mates 

Steven MacLeod

Lewis Cameron gets away from Ross Wilson

Graham Douglas denies Dean McGinnity to preserve Saints lead

Daniel Croarkin rounds off the scoring

A delighted Daniel Croarkin is congratulated by Cammy Hill, Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan

#monthesaints