Saturday 13th April 2019
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Semi-final
Oban Saints v Shortlees
The Hope CBD Stadium
Hamilton
ML3 0FT
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Joseph Todd
Assistant Referee Mr Scott Bunting
Assistant Referee Mr Stuart Broadfoot
Fourth Official Mr Anthony McCann
Oban Saints make their way to Hamilton this Saturday 13th April as, for the third time in four seasons, they stand on the brink of a major cup final appearance. After falling twice at the semi-final hurdle in the Scottish Amateur Cup, Saints will hope for a change of fortune at the Hope CBD Stadium, home of their good friends Hamilton Academical, as they go head to head in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup semi-final with current Scottish Amateur Cup holders Shortlees.
The Kilmarnock men had already tasted major cup success lifting the West of Scotland in 2016 before adding the Scottish Amateur Cup last season and will be formidable opponents for a Saints side still searching for a first major trophy success..
Notable scalps for opponents Shortlees in this season's West of Scotland Cup run were Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Premier Division title chasers East Dunbartonshire, whom they thrashed 5 - 1 in the fifth round at Petershill Park Springburn; and this season's Scottish Amateur Cup semi-finalists Eastfield of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League whom they edged out by the only goal of the evenly contested third round clash at Grange Academy last November.
Scottish Amateur Cup
After doing the amateur game proud with a Scottish F.A. Cup preliminary round win over Tynecastle, Shortlees eventually tumbled out of the competition at the hands of East of Scotland League Bonnyrigg Rose.
Their sojourn in the professional games blue ribband cup competition over Shortlees opened their defence of the Scottish Amateur Cup with thumping early round victories over Glenvale, Lanarkshire Forest and Erskine rattling in twenty six goals in the process.
The fourth round draw saw holders Shortlees paired with arch rivals and two time cup winners Hurlford Thistle. After a typically keenly contested ninety minutes at Loudoun Sports Centre in Galston it was the men from Hurlford who emerged victorious to claim the local bragging rights and carry the banner for Ayrshire all the way to the semi-finals where they will face Central Scottish Amateur Football League giants Colville Park.
League
Defending their Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier League crown Shortlees currently sit in third place eight points behind arch rivals Hurlford Thistle but with four games in hand. Last season's title race went to the wire before their superior goal difference finally handed Shortlees the title ending Hurlford Thistle's Premier League stranglehold.
This season's Premier League battle also looks likely to go all the way with Glenburn Miners Welfare also still very much in contention. All three still have to play each other in the run-in which will keep Ayrshire's large amateur football community richly entertained right to the end of the season.
Semi-final
The semi-final at Hamilton looks set to provide another entertaining afternoon of cup football for supporters of both sides who will travel in large numbers to cheer on their favourites. The tie must be played to a finish on the day with extra-time and penalty kicks coming into play to decide the winner if the two sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes. Taking charge of proceedings is experienced Central Scottish Amateur Football League Referee Joseph Todd assisted by Scott Bunting and Stuart Broadfoot. Keeping order on the sidelines is Fourth Official Anthony McCann.
Shortlees season so far:-
Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier League
15th August 2018 Shortlees 11 - 5 Galston United
18th August 2018 Ardeer West Recreation 6 - 6 Shortlees
22nd August 2018 Tarbolton 1 - 7 Shortlees
27th August 2018 Shortlees 4 - 0 Stewarton United
22nd September 2018 Shortlees 4 - 0 Kilbride Thistle
13th October 2018 Shortlees 13 - 1 Tarbolton
10th November 2018 Dirrans Athletic 0 - 2 Shortlees
24th November 2018 Ardrossan Castle Rovers 1 - 2 Shortlees
8th December 2018 Glenburn Miners Welfare 3 - 0 Shortlees
23rd February 2019 Shortlees 6 - 2 Dirrans Athletic
2nd March 2019 Shortlees 3 - 2 Hurlford Thistle
9th March 2019 Shortlees 6 - 2 Ardrossan Castle Rovers
30th March 2019 Cumnock 0 - 5 Shortlees
6th April 2019 Hurlford 2 - 4 Shortlees
Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Ayrshire Cup
1st Round
25th August 2018 Shortlees 2 - 0 Dean Fenwick Thistle
2nd Round
29th September 2018 Crosshill Thistle 4 - 5 Shortlees
3rd Round
27th October 2018 Mauchline United 0 - 8 Shortlees
Quarter Final
12th January 2019 Glenburn Miners Welfare 6 - 4 Shortlees
Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Eric White Trophy
Final
29th August 2018 Shortlees 2 - 6 Hurlford Thistle
Ayrshire Amateur Football Association James Scott Trophy
1st Round
Bye
2nd Round
26th January 2019 Shortlees 1 - 0 Stewarton United
Quarter Final
9th February 2019 Irvine Meadow 1 - 8 Shortlees
Scottish FA Cup
1st Preliminary Round
12th August 2018 Tynecastle 0 - 2 Shortlees
2nd Preliminary Round
1st September 2018 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 3 - 0 Shortlees
Scottish Amateur Cup
1st Round
8th September 2018 Shortlees 11 - 1 Glenvale
2nd Round
6th October 2018 Shortlees 6 - 0 Lanarkshire Forest
3rd Round
3rd November 2018 Shortlees 9 - 0 Erskine
4th Round
1st December 2018 Hurlford Thistle 3 - 1 Shortlees
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
1st Round
15th September 2018 Shortlees 9 - 2 Busby
2nd Round
20th October 201 Shortlees 6 - 2 Erskine
3rd Round
17th November 2018 Shortlees 1 - 0 Eastfiled
4th Round
19th January 2019 Blantyre RGM 0 - 1 Shortlees
5th Round
16th February 2019 East Dunbartonshire 1 - 5 Shortlees
6th Round
16th March 2019 Shortlees 3 - 2 Glasgow University
Semi-final
13th April 2019 Oban Saints v Shortlees
Shortlees recent Ayrshire Amateur Football Association finishes:-
2011 - 12 Fourth Division 4th
2012 - 13 Fourth Division 3rd (Promoted)
2013 - 14 Third Division 4th (Promoted)
2014 - 15 Second Division Champions (Promoted)
2015 - 16 First Division Champions, Ayrshire Cup Winners, West of Scotland Cup Winners
2016 - 17 Premier League 4th
2017 - 18 Premier League Champions
Previous Encounter
The two sides last met at the sixth round stage of last season's West of Scotland Cup where an eighty ninth minute wonder goal from amateur football sensation Keir Knapp ended Saints hopes and sent hosts Shortlees through with 4 - 2 victory. Despite a spirited performance from a depleted Saints side, including two perfectly placed set-piece strikes from Willie Gemmell, it was the very impressive 2016 cup winners who prevailed at the end of the ninety minutes at Kilmarnock's Grange Academy.
Saints Manager Alex Craik's pre-match plans were thrown into disarray on the eve of the match with the late withdrawal of five of the squad which had put eight past Woodhall Thistle in the previous round requiring starting roles for locum goalkeeper Thomas McCulloch and the Gaffer himself.
Skipper Donald Campbell won the toss of Referee Anthony McCann's coin and elected to play into the stiff breeze and low sun in the first half. Saints kicked off attacking the school end on the excellent all-weather surface but it was the hosts who were first to settle with Owen Quigley hooking over a Keir Knapp cross from the left inside the first sixty seconds.
Saints were punished for their slow start when a towering header from Richard Mullen put Shortlees ahead after just five minutes. The big central defender climbed high above Willie Gemmell and Alex Craik to power a Keir Knapp corner from the left past the stranded Thomas McCulloch.
The deadly right foot of Willie Gemmell brought Saints level in the tenth minute after Referee McCann had penalised Richard Mullen for a tackle from behind on Craig MacEwan. Five of Gemmell's six previous goals this season had come in cup competitions and the midfield stalwart continued his knack of chipping in with vital strikes when he a curled a low shot from nineteen yards around the five man Shortlees wall and into the bottom corner past a static Garry Murdoch.
Cheered on by the large and vociferous home support, Shortlees came roaring back and struck the frame of the goal just two minutes later. John Muir turned inside Scott Maitland on the Shortlees right and sent a dipping left foot effort, which Thomas McCulloch appeared to have covered, crashing off the top of the crossbar.
The opening exchanges of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the home side, who had switched Keir Knapp and John Muir to the opposite flanks, making the better start. Another change from the hosts saw the withdrawal of Richard Mullen to be replaced by Gregg Calder.
In Saints first serious attack of the second forty five, Lewis Cameron won a free-kick on the left thirty yards from goal. Willie Gemmell's dipping ball into the six yard box looking for the run of Shaun MacIver was well held by Garry Murdoch who immediately launched a counter attack up the left wing. John Muir raced away and sent in a low cross which the combined efforts of Matthew Kelly and Steven MacLeod sent spinning beyond the grasp of Thomas McCulloch and in off the far post to restore the host's advantage.
After a good spell of Saints pressure Owen Quigley clattered into the back of Donald Campbell on the edge of the Shortlees box in the eightieth minute earning himself a caution from Referee McCann in the process. The free-kick, twenty two yards out and left of centre, was in perfect Willie Gemmell territory and the Saints dead ball expert didn't disappoint curling a delicious effort over the five man wall and into the postage stamp corner to restore parity.
From the restart the hosts won a free-kick on the left on the corner of the Saints box. Keir Knapp took aim for the far top corner but saw his effort well charged down by Donald Campbell.
The pressure from the home side was starting to build but the Saints defence with seasoned campaigners Alex Craik and Steven MacLeod at it's heart was coping well.
With five minutes remaining Thomas McCulloch made an excellent stop at his near post to deny Owen Quigley who had broken clear of Matthew Kelly on the left. From the resulting corner kick Thomas McCulloch again took charge of his six yard box to punch clear.
Saints however couldn't get out of their own half and Craig MacEwan picked up a yellow card for hauling down Keir Knapp as he threatened to burst into the Saints box from the right. Saints inexplicably switched off at the free-kick from level with the six yard line and allowed Owen Quigley a free header from three yards out which he placed into the unguarded net.
The deflated Saints set off in search of a third equalier to take the tie into extra-time but there was to be no way back and it was the hosts who finished the tie with a flourish in the eighty ninth minute.
If there was an element of good fortune about the Shortlees breakaway second goal there was absolutely no question of luck being involved for their fourth goal which was a piece of individual brilliance from Keir Knapp fit to win any game.
With Saints pressing hard for a life-line Keir Knapp picked the ball up midway inside his own half and raced away from the trailing Saints pack before rifling an unstoppable left foot shot across Thomas McCulloch and into the bottom corner.
There was to be no coming back from this hammer blow for Saints however they kept plugging away during the time added on by Mr McCann and Donald Campbell's perseverance on the left forced a ninety third minute corner kick. Willie Gemmell produced one last exhibit of his set-piece prowess looping his flag kick over the head of Owen Quigley at the back post and picking out Alex Craik on the corner of the six yard box. Unfortunatley the Gaffer was unable to convert a difficult chance and sliced his volley wide before Mr McCann pointed to the centre circle bringing an enthralling cup tie to an end.
Oban Saints Route to the West of Scotland Cup Semi-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 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.
Round Six
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.
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.
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
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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
Great result onto the final see you there
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