Friday 3rd May 2019
West of Scotland Amateur Cup Final
Oban Saints v Bannockburn
The Hope CBD Stadium
Hamilton
ML3 0FT
Kick Off 7.15pm
Referee Mr Ross Holms
Assistant Referee Mr Josh Hay
Assistant Referee Mr Mark O'Hara
Fourth Official Mr Colin Simpson
Oban Saints return to Hamilton this Friday evening for the West of Scotland Amateur Cup Final, the biggest match in the club's fifty nine year history. After forty five years of trying Saints finally reached the final of one of the Scottish Amateur Football Association's major cup competitions with a 2 - 1 victory over Shortlees in the West of Scotland Cup semi-final at the Hope CBD Stadium on Saturday 13th April. After Keir Knapp had given Scottish Amateur Cup holders Shortlees the lead direct from the corner flag early in a first half Saints recovered and drew level before the interval through a Matty Kelly strike. Despite the major blow of losing Donald Campbell to injury on the stroke of half-time Saints gave a far better account of themselves in the second half and a towering sixty fourth minute header from Captain Dene Cassells from a Willie Gemmell free-kick sealed the win and booked the return visit to the home of good friends Hamilton Academical for the final.
Saints preparations for Friday's final were hampered last Saturday by the cancellation of their scheduled home league fixture against Inverclyde who were unable to raise a team thereby forfeiting the fixture. In order to ensure their players received some valuable game time Co-Managers Donald Campbell and Willie Gemmell arranged a full scale practice match involving twenty four players including special guest stars Alex Craik and Ross Maitland who both looked as though they had never been away. The two sides shared eight goals with all of the players putting good shifts to stake their claim for a place in the cup final squad.
Saints cup final opponents Bannockburn, who celebrate their 50th anniversary this year, are one of the biggest names in Scottish amateur football. The men from Ladywell Park have lifted the West of Scotland Cup on four previous occasions adding to their impressive trophy haul which includes three Scottish Amateur Cups and eight Caledonian League Premier Division titles.
After fourteen games in this season's Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Bannockburn remain undefeated and, along with current league leaders St Patrick's FP and reigning Champions Colville Park, still very much in the hunt for a second Premier Division crown to add to their 2014 success.
With more than a third of their league matches to cram into the month of May Bannockburn face a gruelling end to the season. However with their 100% record still intact and Colville Park and St Patrick's FP both having to travel to Ladywell Park the final destination of the league trophy is in Bannockburn's own hands and eight more wins will see them crowned champions.
Following their defection from the Caledonian League, where they enjoyed great success, Bannockburn made an instant impact in the 'Central' winning Division 1B and clinching the 2011-12 Division One title with a triumph over Division 1B winners Campsie Minerva in the play-off final.
A Cinema and League Cup double was secured in the following season before the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title was added to an already impressive honours list at the end of the 2013-14 season.
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Bannockburn's run to the final of West of Scotland Cup not only boasts an incredible thirty eight goals but also includes the scalps of 2006 - 07 winners St Patrick's FP and current holders Colville Park.The Burn cantered through the early rounds blowing away Saturday morning league opponents Cambusnethan Colts, Libertine Accies and West of Scotland at home before being drawn away from home against cup holders Colville Park in round four. Bannockburn edged the battle of the Central League giants to set up a fifth round tie against Tynecastle one of the biggest names in Saturday morning amateur football. The Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League men ran Bannockburn closer than any other team in the competition so far however the Burn ultimately prevailed by the odd goal in five.
Old Caledonian League foes Dumbarton Academy FP were the quarter-finals opposition where two goals from Steven Knox and a successfully converted penalty kick from Kenny McLellan saw Bannockburn through to a semi-final tie against the Accies' neighbours St Patrick's FP.
The eagerly anticipated all Central Scottish Amateur Football League semi-final lived up to it's billing and produced a thrilling display of attacking football from both sides with Bannockburn's clinical finishing ultimately earning them a place in the final. After Dominic Ruane had put St Patrick's ahead in just the fourth minute Bannockburn ran in five goals without reply in a devastating thirty five minute spell to put the tie to bed before the half-time whistle. First half braces from Kenny McLellan and Sean Heaver and one from Steven Knox had Bannockburn on easy street before Daniel Finnigan gave St Pat's a glimmer of hope early in the second half. Chris Ogilvie restored Bannockburn's four goal cushion after seventy minutes before the defences finally got on top for the closing stages to end the scoring at 6 - 2 to Bannockburn.
Taking charge of Friday night's final is experienced Caledonian League Referee Ross Holms assisted by Josh Hay, Mark O'Hara and Fourth Official Colin Simpson. The tie must be decided on the night with extra-time and penalty kicks coming into play to decide the winner if the two sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes.
Bannockburn's season so far:-
Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
11th August 2018 Greenock HSFP 1 - 5 Bannockburn
25th August 2018 Bannockburn 5 - 0 Cambusnethan Talbot
29th August 2018 Bannockburn 1 - 1 Eastfield
27th October 2018 Colville Park 2 - 2 Bannockburn
31st October 2018 Wishaw HSFP 3 - 5 Bannockburn
2nd February 2019 Bannockburn 3 - 3 Steins Thistle
23rd February 2019 Bannockburn 4 - 0 Drumchapel
2nd March 2019 Bannockburn 5 - 0 Southside
6th April 2019 Bannockburn 6 - 2 Greenock HSFP
13th April 2019 Drumchapel 2 - 3 Bannockburn
16th April 2019 Bannockburn 9 - 0 Campsie Minerva
20th April 2019 Southside 1 - 2 Bannockburn
23rd April 2019 Bannockburn 6 - 4 Harestanes
26th April 2019 Cambusnethan Talbot 1 - 6 Bannockburn
29th August 2018 Bannockburn 1 - 1 Eastfield
27th October 2018 Colville Park 2 - 2 Bannockburn
31st October 2018 Wishaw HSFP 3 - 5 Bannockburn
2nd February 2019 Bannockburn 3 - 3 Steins Thistle
23rd February 2019 Bannockburn 4 - 0 Drumchapel
2nd March 2019 Bannockburn 5 - 0 Southside
6th April 2019 Bannockburn 6 - 2 Greenock HSFP
13th April 2019 Drumchapel 2 - 3 Bannockburn
16th April 2019 Bannockburn 9 - 0 Campsie Minerva
20th April 2019 Southside 1 - 2 Bannockburn
23rd April 2019 Bannockburn 6 - 4 Harestanes
26th April 2019 Cambusnethan Talbot 1 - 6 Bannockburn
Group Section One
15th August 2018 Tullibody Community 1 - 5 Bannockburn
22nd August 2018 Bannockburn 4 - 4 Fallin
Central Scottish Amateur Football League McAvoy & McIntyre Trophy
2nd Round
22nd September 2018 Bridgewater 1 - 5 Bannockburn
3rd Round
8th December 2018 Eastfield 4 - 2 Bannockburn
Central Scottish Amateur Football League Bunrigh Trophy
Quarter Final
24th November 2018 Bannockburn 0 - 1 Colville Park
Central Scottish Amateur Football League Cinema Cup
2nd Round
15th December 2018 Bannockburn 8 - 1 Southside
3rd Round
12th January 2019 Garrowhill Thistle 2 - 4 Bannockburn
Quarter Final
9th March 2019 Bannockburn 11 - 1 Cambusnethan Talbot
Semi Final
9th April 2019 Bannockburn 1 - 3 Drumchapel United PYM
Quarter Final
24th November 2018 Bannockburn 0 - 1 Colville Park
Central Scottish Amateur Football League Cinema Cup
2nd Round
15th December 2018 Bannockburn 8 - 1 Southside
3rd Round
12th January 2019 Garrowhill Thistle 2 - 4 Bannockburn
Quarter Final
9th March 2019 Bannockburn 11 - 1 Cambusnethan Talbot
Semi Final
9th April 2019 Bannockburn 1 - 3 Drumchapel United PYM
Scottish Amateur Cup
1st Round
1st September 2018 Finnart 2 - 5 Bannockburn
2nd Round
6th October 2018 Bannockburn 5 - 1 Clydebank
3rd Round
10th November 2018 Bannockburn 6 - 1 Fossoway
4th Round
1st December 2018 UB United 3 - 6 Bannockburn
5th Round
5th January 2019 Drumchapel United PYM 2 - 5 Bannockburn
6th Round 2019 Colville Park 3 - 2 Bannockburn
5th Round
5th January 2019 Drumchapel United PYM 2 - 5 Bannockburn
6th Round 2019 Colville Park 3 - 2 Bannockburn
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
1st Round
15th September 2018 Bannockburn 14 - 0 Cambusnethan Colts
15th September 2018 Bannockburn 14 - 0 Cambusnethan Colts
2nd Round
20th October 201 Bannockburn 5 - 0 Libertine Accies
3rd Round
17th November 2018 Bannockburn 4 - 0 West of Scotland
4th Round
26th January 2019 Colville Park 1 - 3 Bannockburn
5th Round
16th February 2019 Bannockburn 3 - 2 Tynecastle
6th Round
23rd March 2019 Bannockburn 3 - 1 Dumbarton Academy FP
Semi-final
2nd April 2019 Bannockburn 6 - 2 St Patrick's FP
Final
3rd May 2019 Oban Saints v Bannockburn
Semi-final
2nd April 2019 Bannockburn 6 - 2 St Patrick's FP
Final
3rd May 2019 Oban Saints v Bannockburn
Bannockburn Central Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-
2011 - 12 Division 1B winners and Division 1 Champions (Promoted)
2012 - 13 Premier Division 3rd, Cinema Cup Winners, League Cup Winners
2013 - 14 Premier Division Champions
2014 - 15 Premier Division Champions 6th
2015 - 16 Premier Division 2nd
2016 - 17 Premier Division 6th
2017 - 18 Premier Division 7th
2017 - 18 Premier Division 7th
Oban Saints Route to the West of Scotland Cup Final
Round One
Saints were scheduled to play Rannoch at Glencruitten in round one however the Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division Three outfit elected not to fulfill the fixture handing the tie to Saints by way of a walkover.Round Two
Round two saw Saints travel to the Toryglen Regional Football Centre in the shadow of Hampden Park to face Uddingston of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League. Flying high with a 100% record in Championship A hosts Uddingston would provide their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division opponents with a tough test.Craig MacEwan beat the Uddingston offside trap to open the scoring in the seventh minute deftly lobbing the keeper after being put through by a well weighted Daniel Croarkin pass. Ronan Hughes equalised for the hosts from the penalty spot on the half hour mark after Ruaridh Horne was penalised for barging into Brian McLeod after hesitation in the Saints defence. Parity however lasted for just five minutes when Lewis Cameron caught out keeper Kieran Muldoon at his near post with a smart finish to restore the Saints lead.
Uddingston showed just why they are favourites for a second successive league championship with a much improved second half performance which kept Saints pinned back in their own half for the most part. Despite Uddingston's domination of possession Saints defended well and looked set to the keep the hosts at bay until an eighty ninth minute wonder strike levelled the scoring for a second time. Craig MacEwan's clearing header from a corner kick from the Uddingston right fell invitingly for second half substitute Paul Cassidy who slammed a thirty yard rocket through a ruck of bodies which Graham Douglas got both hands too but could only help into the net.
Saints last visit to Toryglen, a 2015-16 Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy quarter-final against Kings Park Rangers, ended in a penalty shoot-out victory however thankfully on this occasion there was to be no requirement for a similarly nerve wracking decider.
Lewis Cameron won an eleventh minute free-kick thirty two yards from goal. With Saints having failed to pose much of a threat with their earlier set-pieces Donald Campbell finally produced a piece a magic lifting the ball over the Uddingston wall for the well timed run of Craig MacEwan who deftly glanced the ball past Kieran Muldoon's left hand to put Saints ahead for a third time.
Saints rounded off the scoring in the twenty first minute of extra-time when Kerr Newbigging sent Craig MacEwan in behind the Uddingston defence wide on the left. MacEwan took the ball to the bye-line and sent a looping cross to the back post for Donald Campbell to cushion a close range finish into the net and at last put some daylight between the two sides and seal victory for the visitors.
Round Three
Saints were made to dig deep to book their place in the fourth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup at a windswept Kilsyth Sports Field on Saturday 17th November. Well organised hosts Kilsyth Community FC Amateurs, who are flying high in Division 1A of the Caledonian League, successfully kept Saints at bay for almost an hour before a deflected Craig MacEwan shot finally turned the tie in Saints favour. Kilsyth front pairing of Peter Gribbin and Jack Williamson remained a constant threat throughout before close range efforts from Matthew Kelly and David Beaton finally made the tie safe for Saints.Round Four
Oban Saints bounced back from the disappointment of their Scottish Amateur Cup exit at the hands of Rothie Rovers with an excellent West of Scotland Cup win over former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Thorn Athletic at Glencruitten. The Johnstone men sit proudly on top of the Caledonian League Premier Division, one of the top amateur leagues in the country, and looked set to provide Saints with arguably their biggest test of the season so far.
Already out of the Scottish Amateur Cup, the West of Scotland Cup remained the only chance of bagging one of the major trophies for both sides who provided another another highly entertaining spectacle for the Glencruitten faithful.
The deadlock was broken in the nineteenth minute when Lewis Cameron tricked his way past Ian Paterson on the corner of the Thorn box and picked out Craig MacEwan in the middle whose cushioned volley into the bottom corner left keeper Liam Mcwilliams rooted to the spot.
Matthew Kelly doubled Saints lead just three minutes later slotting home from close range after a neat one-two with Craig MacEwan had opened up the Thorn defence once again.
The Saints defence kept the potent Thorn attack, which had run in thirty goals in the previous three rounds, well marshaled with Captain Dene Cassells in particularly impressive form. There was however one scare just before the end of the first half which Saints had dominated for the most part when a suspiciously offside looking Jordan Devine raced through on goal but sent his low shot wide of the right hand post of Saints keeper Graham Douglas.
The visitors continued their determined start to the second half without seriously testing the Saints back four which were well protected by holding midfielders Willie Gemmell and Kerr Newbigging. Thorn eventually managed to get the ball into the Saints box in the fifty sixth minute however Graham Douglas was able to punch Connar McGregor's right wing cross clear under pressure from Jordan Devine.
Saints made their first change in the sixty fifth minute giving Lewis Cameron a well deserved breather and replacing him with James Ford. It only took five minutes for Ford to make his mark on proceedings with the third goal which Saints needed to make the tie safe.
Jamie Graham made a terrific interception on the half-way line and played the ball up to Craig MacEwan. Saints top goal scorer in each of the last two seasons advanced to the edge of the box and laid the ball off to the overlapping Jamie Graham who picked out James Ford with an inch perfect cutback which Ford clipped into the net past the right hand of Liam Mcwilliams.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Semi-final
An eighth minute cross from the right from Greig Rankin was headed behind at the back post for a corner kick by Jamie Graham. Renowned as one of the biggest talents in the amateur game Keir Knapp gave a glimpse of why he is held in such high regard by curling his slightly wind assisted corner kick beyond the despairing grasp of Graham Douglas and into the the postage stamp corner to give Shortlees the lead.
Saints brought themselves right back into the match in the thirty seventh minute after good work on the right by Cammy Hill. After beating Kieran Paterson, Hill got to the bye-line and picked out James Ford arriving in the middle. With the ball slightly behind him Ford's stabbed effort wasn't the cleanest of strikes and keeper Garry Murdoch was able to parry to his right. The rebound fell to Lewis Cameron who saw his first time effort blocked by Gordon Minor. The Shortlees defence however still couldn't clear the danger and Donald Campbell was next to line a up a strike which Minor again managed to block before the ball eventually broke to Matthew Kelly who buried it in the bottom corner past the right hand of the Shortlees keeper.
Having hauled themselves back on level terms Saints were dealt a cruel blow with the loss to injury of Co-Manager Donald Campbell. In a tussle close to the near touchline with Keir Knapp, Campbell twisted his lower back and fell to the ground in agony. There was nothing Davie Buchanan's magic sponge could do to retrieve the situation and Campbell had to be replaced by David Beaton with just one minute of the first forty five remaining. There was great concern on the Saints bench when Campbell lost the feeling in his right leg and the St Andrew's First Aid crew immediately arranged for him to be taken to Wishaw General Hospital. Fortunately, after some treatment, Campbell was able to return after the final whistle and rejoin the travelling party for the bus journey home.
The Ayrshire men had a loud penalty kick appeal dismissed after the team Captains had a coming together in the fifty first minute. On the right edge of the Saints penalty area Keir Knapp's pace took him away from Dene Cassells who slid in and sent his opposite number sprawling. Referee Joe Todd immediately blew for a foul and, after consultation with his stand side assistant Scott Bunting, gave a free-kick just outside of the box a decision which infuriated the Shortlees bench.
Saints got their noses in front in the sixty fourth minute from the head of Skipper Dene Cassells who bagged his fifth goal of the season so far. David Beaton was hauled down by James Ferguson just outside the Shortlees box on the Saints left level with the penalty spot. Willie Gemmell sent the free-kick to the back post where Dene Cassells out-jumped Kieran Paterson on the six yard line and thumped a header past the helpless Garry Murdoch to give his side the lead.
Cassells was involved in more familiar territory at the other end of the park four minutes later with a well timed sliding interception on Keir Knapp inside the Saints box at the expense of a corner kick.
Cammy Hill's persistence by the corner flag won Saints a seventieth minute free-kick on the left. Lewis Cameron's delivery was headed behind for a corner kick from where Cameron picked out Cammy Hill for a glancing near post header just wide of Garry Murdoch's right hand post.
Saints good second half performance continued with a James Ford shot from the right edge of the box which 'Lees keeper Garry Murdoch did well to hold to his right.
Matthew Kelly doubled Saints lead just three minutes later slotting home from close range after a neat one-two with Craig MacEwan had opened up the Thorn defence once again.
The Saints defence kept the potent Thorn attack, which had run in thirty goals in the previous three rounds, well marshaled with Captain Dene Cassells in particularly impressive form. There was however one scare just before the end of the first half which Saints had dominated for the most part when a suspiciously offside looking Jordan Devine raced through on goal but sent his low shot wide of the right hand post of Saints keeper Graham Douglas.
The visitors continued their determined start to the second half without seriously testing the Saints back four which were well protected by holding midfielders Willie Gemmell and Kerr Newbigging. Thorn eventually managed to get the ball into the Saints box in the fifty sixth minute however Graham Douglas was able to punch Connar McGregor's right wing cross clear under pressure from Jordan Devine.
Saints made their first change in the sixty fifth minute giving Lewis Cameron a well deserved breather and replacing him with James Ford. It only took five minutes for Ford to make his mark on proceedings with the third goal which Saints needed to make the tie safe.
Jamie Graham made a terrific interception on the half-way line and played the ball up to Craig MacEwan. Saints top goal scorer in each of the last two seasons advanced to the edge of the box and laid the ball off to the overlapping Jamie Graham who picked out James Ford with an inch perfect cutback which Ford clipped into the net past the right hand of Liam Mcwilliams.
The visitors were at last showing glimpses of the form which has lifted them to the summit of the Caledonian League Premier Division with Jordan Devine again making a nuisance of himself and pressurising Jamie Graham into a mishit clearance which bounced back off the right hand upright before Dene Cassells thumped clear.
Thorn found the net three times from corner kicks on their last visit to Glencruitten and set pieces again looked to be their most likely route to goal. Play maker Dylan Blair found the head of Darren Lamont with a corner kick from the left which the big defender sent well wide of target after a Dean Scott shot across the face of goal had been deflected behind.
Thorn were rewarded for their perseverance with a deserved albeit fortuitous eighty ninth minute consolation goal. Dylan Blair was once again heavily involved providing the pass for Jordan Devine's twenty five yard shot which looped up off the right thigh of Steven MacLeod and beyond the stranded Graham Douglas.
Round Five
A first ever senior goal for Saints youngster Keir MacLean helped through to the last eight of the West District's premier cup competition. Goals from Fraser MacFarlane and Lewis Cameron had Saints in a comfortable lead before quickfire strikes from Kyle Tannock David Millar brought Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One Neilston roaring back into contention.
MacLean's eighty first minute strike put Saints back in control before a late brace from second half substitute James Ford put a shine on the scoreline and sent Saints comfortably through to this Sauturday's quarter-final tie against Cambria.
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. 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.MacLean's eighty first minute strike put Saints back in control before a late brace from second half substitute James Ford put a shine on the scoreline and sent Saints comfortably through to this Sauturday's quarter-final tie against Cambria.
Round Six
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Semi-final
An eighth minute cross from the right from Greig Rankin was headed behind at the back post for a corner kick by Jamie Graham. Renowned as one of the biggest talents in the amateur game Keir Knapp gave a glimpse of why he is held in such high regard by curling his slightly wind assisted corner kick beyond the despairing grasp of Graham Douglas and into the the postage stamp corner to give Shortlees the lead.
Saints brought themselves right back into the match in the thirty seventh minute after good work on the right by Cammy Hill. After beating Kieran Paterson, Hill got to the bye-line and picked out James Ford arriving in the middle. With the ball slightly behind him Ford's stabbed effort wasn't the cleanest of strikes and keeper Garry Murdoch was able to parry to his right. The rebound fell to Lewis Cameron who saw his first time effort blocked by Gordon Minor. The Shortlees defence however still couldn't clear the danger and Donald Campbell was next to line a up a strike which Minor again managed to block before the ball eventually broke to Matthew Kelly who buried it in the bottom corner past the right hand of the Shortlees keeper.
Having hauled themselves back on level terms Saints were dealt a cruel blow with the loss to injury of Co-Manager Donald Campbell. In a tussle close to the near touchline with Keir Knapp, Campbell twisted his lower back and fell to the ground in agony. There was nothing Davie Buchanan's magic sponge could do to retrieve the situation and Campbell had to be replaced by David Beaton with just one minute of the first forty five remaining. There was great concern on the Saints bench when Campbell lost the feeling in his right leg and the St Andrew's First Aid crew immediately arranged for him to be taken to Wishaw General Hospital. Fortunately, after some treatment, Campbell was able to return after the final whistle and rejoin the travelling party for the bus journey home.
The Ayrshire men had a loud penalty kick appeal dismissed after the team Captains had a coming together in the fifty first minute. On the right edge of the Saints penalty area Keir Knapp's pace took him away from Dene Cassells who slid in and sent his opposite number sprawling. Referee Joe Todd immediately blew for a foul and, after consultation with his stand side assistant Scott Bunting, gave a free-kick just outside of the box a decision which infuriated the Shortlees bench.
Saints got their noses in front in the sixty fourth minute from the head of Skipper Dene Cassells who bagged his fifth goal of the season so far. David Beaton was hauled down by James Ferguson just outside the Shortlees box on the Saints left level with the penalty spot. Willie Gemmell sent the free-kick to the back post where Dene Cassells out-jumped Kieran Paterson on the six yard line and thumped a header past the helpless Garry Murdoch to give his side the lead.
Cassells was involved in more familiar territory at the other end of the park four minutes later with a well timed sliding interception on Keir Knapp inside the Saints box at the expense of a corner kick.
Cammy Hill's persistence by the corner flag won Saints a seventieth minute free-kick on the left. Lewis Cameron's delivery was headed behind for a corner kick from where Cameron picked out Cammy Hill for a glancing near post header just wide of Garry Murdoch's right hand post.
Saints good second half performance continued with a James Ford shot from the right edge of the box which 'Lees keeper Garry Murdoch did well to hold to his right.
Jamie Graham's tackle through the back of Keir Knapp on the half-way line earned him a yellow card. Saints, however, quickly regained possession from Knapp's quickly taken free kick and counter attacked through Cammy Hill. The young striker raced through on goal but delayed his shot too long and was foiled by the combined efforts of Kieran Paterson and Garry Murdoch.
With the clock ticking down Shortlees pushed giant centre-half Gordon Minor into the attack leaving them stretched at the back. In the eighty fifth minute Lewis Cameron sent David Beaton through on the left from where he picked out Cammy Hill for a left foot shot which Garry Murdoch, diving to his right, did well to claw away.
It was end to end stuff at this point and Shortlees had the ball in the net but had Murray Johnston's close range header from a Keir Knapp cross correctly ruled out for offside.
Shortlees were pressing hard for an equaliser but the Saints defence coped well with everything their experienced opponents could throw at them.
A cynical late ninety first minute challenge on Lewis Cameron by a clearly frustrated Keir Knapp caused players on both sides to momentarily loose their cool. Referee Todd, who along with Assistants Scott Bunting and Stuart Broadfoot handled proceedings well, calmly restored order and issued yellow cards to Cammy Hill and Gordon Minor before giving Steven MacLeod and Keir Knapp their marching orders.
With the clock ticking down Shortlees pushed giant centre-half Gordon Minor into the attack leaving them stretched at the back. In the eighty fifth minute Lewis Cameron sent David Beaton through on the left from where he picked out Cammy Hill for a left foot shot which Garry Murdoch, diving to his right, did well to claw away.
It was end to end stuff at this point and Shortlees had the ball in the net but had Murray Johnston's close range header from a Keir Knapp cross correctly ruled out for offside.
Shortlees were pressing hard for an equaliser but the Saints defence coped well with everything their experienced opponents could throw at them.
A cynical late ninety first minute challenge on Lewis Cameron by a clearly frustrated Keir Knapp caused players on both sides to momentarily loose their cool. Referee Todd, who along with Assistants Scott Bunting and Stuart Broadfoot handled proceedings well, calmly restored order and issued yellow cards to Cammy Hill and Gordon Minor before giving Steven MacLeod and Keir Knapp their marching orders.
With play back underway their was more work for the officials in the fourth of the six added minutes when the previously substituted Douglas Robertson was shown a red card for his unwelcome comments from the bench towards Fourth Official Tony McCann.
Mr Todd eventually brought an entertaining semi-final for the 225 strong crowd to a close confirming a return trip to Hamilton for the final for Saints and an encounter with Scottish amateur football giants Bannockburn.
Mr Todd eventually brought an entertaining semi-final for the 225 strong crowd to a close confirming a return trip to Hamilton for the final for Saints and an encounter with Scottish amateur football giants Bannockburn.
Oban Saints 2018-19 West of Scotland Amateur Cup campaign so far:-
1st Round
15th September 2018 Oban Saints v Rannoch (Walkover to Saints)
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| The Oban Saints squad resplendent in their new tracksuits and polo shirts kindly supplied by kit sponsors D&K Lafferty Contractors Ltd. |
2nd Round
20th October 2018 Uddingston 2 - 2 Oban Saints (Saints win 4 - 2 after extra-time)
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| The National Stadium just a short distance way from Toryglen |
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| Team Captains Dominic Clarke and Dene Cassells with Referee Stuart Broadfoot |
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| Scott Maitland and Ronan Hughes |
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| Craig MacEwan's lob finds the net to open the scoring |
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| The Saints players celebrate Craig MacEwan's opener |
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| Debutant David Beaton |
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| Graham Douglas |
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| Frankie Murray heads wide of target |
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| Jack Lyons makes an important challenge to dispossess Scott Maitland |
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| Scott Maitland shoots wide |
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| Brian McLeod |
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| Steven MacLeod |
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| Frankie Murray |
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| Fraser MacFarlane and Brendan Smith |
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| Kevin Burns |
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| Fraser MacFarlane |
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| Kieran Muldoon |
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| Dene Cassells heads over |
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| Craig MacEwan heads Saints into an extra-time lead |
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| Celebrations after Craig MacEwan's second goal of the afternoon |
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| Donald Campbell rounds off the scoring |
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| All smiles after a difficult afternoon |
3rd Round
17th November 2018 Kilsyth Community FC Amateurs 0 - 3 Oban Saints
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| Team Captains Dene Cassells and Peter Griffin with Referee Derek Dempster |
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| Jamie Graham, Daniel Croarkin and Grant Penman |
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| Craig MacEwan with Matthew Charles and Kyle Brown in close attendance |
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| Derek Keough gathers ahead of David Beaton |
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| Kerr Newbigging and Grant Penman |
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| Donald Campbell and Grant Whyte |
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| Peter Gribbin curls a free-kick over the crossbar |
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| David Beaton |
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| Craig MacEwan beats Kyle Brown to Grant Penman's corner kick |
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| Graham Douglas |
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| Donald Campbell tries to find Craig MacEwan with a cutback |
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| Derek Keough clutches David Beaton's free-kick |
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| Daniel Croarkin, Craig MacEwan, Steven MacLeod and Dene Cassells celebrate Craig's opening goal |
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| Dene Cassells and Jack Williamson |
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| Matthew Kelly adds a second goal |
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| Matthew Kelly celebrates his goal with Donald Campbell |
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| David Beaton rounds off the scoring |
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| Smiles all round for the Saints goalscorers |
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| Scott Maitland |
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| Scott Crawford gets away from Donald Campbell |
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| James Kerr heads wide |
4th Round
19th January 2019 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Thorn Athletic
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| Team Captains Dene Cassells and Ryan Crawford with Referee Michael Kerr |
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| Donald Campbell and Ian Paterson |
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| Lewis Cameron and Stuart McCAnn |
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| Ryan Crawford makes a well timed sliding challenge on Lewis Cameron |
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| Graham Douglas saves from Jordan Devine |
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| Graham Douglas |
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| Craig MacEwan is congratulated on his opening goal |
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| Matthew Kelly nets Saints second goal |
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| Matthew Kelly is congratulated on his goal |
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| Kerr Newbigging and Stuart McCann |
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| Scott Maitland |
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| Liam Mcwilliams |
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| Martin McInnes beats Kerr Newbigging in the air |
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| Donald Campbell barks out the orders |
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| James Ford makes it 3 - 0 to Saints |
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| James Ford accepts the congratulations of his team mates |
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| Dene Cassells gets his head to Paul Young's corner kick |
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| Dean Scott sends a dangerous corner kick into the six yard box |
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| Jordan Devine heads wide |
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| Jamie Graham beats Paul Young in the air |
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| Craig MacEwan flicks on for David Beaton to chase |
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| Darren Lamont heads wide |
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| Kerr Newbigging |
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| Jordan Devine's deflected shot gives Thorn a deserved consolation |
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| Jamie Graham clears with Jordan Devine closing in |
5th Round
16th February 2019 Oban Saints 5 - 2 Neilston
5th Round
16th February 2019 Oban Saints 5 - 2 Neilston
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| Team Captains Dene Cassells and Robbie McNamara with Referee Tam Gilchrist |
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| Dene Cassells heads clear |
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| Scott Maitland and Ryan Anderson |
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| Lewis Cameron |
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| Dougal Graham |
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| Fraser MacFarlane |
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| Fraser MacFarlane opens the scoring |
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| Craig MacEwan congratulates Fraser MacFarlane on his goal |
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| Scott Maitland |
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| Matthew Kelly |
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| Willie Gemmell and Sean Crumlish |
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| Lewis Cameron puts Saints 2 - 0 in front |
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| Fraser MacFarlane congratulates Ruaridh Horne for his part in Saints second goal |
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| Gareth Fulton safely gathers Willie Gemmell's free-kick |
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| Gareth Fulton |
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| Kyle Tannock sends Lewis Cameron crashing to the deck |
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| David Millar brings Neilston level |
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| Lewis Cameron beats Matthew Stevenson in the air |
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| Keir MacLean opens his Saints goal scoring account |
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| Keir MacLean is congratulated on his goal |
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| Keir MacLean |
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| James Ford nets Saints fourth goal |
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| Keir MacLean congratulates James Ford on his goal |
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| Matthew Kelly and Iain Lambie |
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| Donald Campbell sends over the cross for Saints fifth goal |
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| James Ford rounds off the scoring |
6th Round
16th March 2019 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Cambria
6th Round
16th March 2019 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Cambria
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| Scott Maitland |
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| Donald Campbell and Jonathon Burns |
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| Adam Rennie |
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| Lewis Cameron and David McArthur |
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| Willie Gemmell |
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| Donald Campbell and Craig Colemen |
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| Lewis Cameron lets fly |
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| Celebrations after Craig MacEwan's opening goal |
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| Craig MacEwan and Adam Rennie |
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| James Ford and Adam Rennie |
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| Adam Rennie punches clear under pressure from Dene Cassells |
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| Donald Mackay heads clear |
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| Adam Rennie collects a Willie Gemmell free-kick |
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| Graham Douglas watches a Jonathon Burns free-kick fly high and wide of target |
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| Andrew McEwan sweeps home the equaliser for Cambria |
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| Cambria celebrate Andrew McEwan's equaliser |
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| Match officials Stephen Payne, Jimmy Litster and Matthew Farr |
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| Lewis Cameron is exasperated to see Mr Farr's flag rule out a second goal for Craig MacEwan |
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| Craig MacEwan is closed down by Ross Wilson |
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| Lewis Cameron's sensational strike restores Saints lead |
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| Lewis Cameron is congratulated by his team mates |
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| Steven MacLeod |
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| Lewis Cameron gets away from Ross Wilson |
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| Graham Douglas denies Dean McGinnity to preserve Saints lead |
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| Daniel Croarkin rounds off the scoring |
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| A delighted Daniel Croarkin is congratulated by Cammy Hill, Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan |
Semi-final
13th April 2019 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Shortlees
Semi-final
13th April 2019 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Shortlees
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| The match officials lead the teams out |
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| The Oban Saints match day squad |
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| Peter MacCallum and David Buchanan |
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| Keir Knapp opens the scoring |
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| Keir Knapp accepts the congratulations of his team mates |
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| Willie Gemmell's free-kick flies inches wide |
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| Owen Quigley and Matty Kelly |
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| Matty Kelly |
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| James Ford and Kerr Dale |
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| Gordon Minor |
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| Jamie Graham |
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| Matty Kelly finds the net to bring Saints level |
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| The Saints players celebrate Matty Kelly's equaliser |
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| Cammy Hill and Kerr Dale |
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| Shortlees Manager Billy Mason |
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| Agony for Donald Campbell as injury brings his afternoon to a premature end |
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| Dene Cassells |
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| James Ford hooks wide |
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| Steven MacLeod |
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| Scott Maitland |
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| Dene Cassells heads the winning goal |
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| Dene Cassells wheels away in celebration |
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| Dene Cassells accepts the congratulations of his team mates |
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| The combined efforts of Garry Murdoch and Kieran Paterson deny Cammy Hill |
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| Garry Murdoch saves from Cammy Hill |
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| David Beaton |
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| Graham Douglas beats Owen Quigley to a cross |
