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| Oban Saints squad |
Oban Saints got their preparations for the 2019 - 20 season underway last Saturday in traditional style with the 26th playing of their annual tournament kindly sponsored by D&K Lafferty Contractors Ltd. Once again the tournament attracted top quality participants in the form of regulars Alloa Athletic, Hamilton Academical and trophy holders Dundee United. Joining Saints in representing the amateur side of the game were South Lochaber Thistle who were making their second appearance at the tournament. Representing the junior ranks and also making their second appearance were St Anthony's.
Due mainly to their early involvement in the SPFL League Cup Alloa Athletic, Dundee United and Hamilton Academical were represented by players from their development squads giving the large crowd a glimpse of some of the senior clubs' stars of the future.
Saints got in on the act by augmenting an experienced squad with the inclusion of youngsters Kenneth Black, Gavin Forgrieve, Cammy Hill, Ruaridh Horne and Aaron McKay who would all go on to acquit themselves well in considerably more experienced company.
Oban Saints Squad
David Beaton
Kenneth Black
Lewis Cameron
Donald Campbell (Player/Manager)
Paul Carmichael
Dene Cassells (Captain)
Daniel Croarkin
Graham Douglas (Goalkeeper)
James Ford
Gavin Forgrieve
Willie Gemmell (Player/Manager)
Jamie Graham
Cameron Hill
Ruaridh Horne
Myles McAuley
Craig MacEwan
Fraser MacFarlane
Aaron McKay
Steven MacLeod
Kerr Newbigging
Ben Pollock (Goalkeeper)
Dean Smith
Kick off 11am
Mossfield - Oban Saints 2 - 1 South Lochaber Thistle
Glencruitten - Alloa Athletic 0 - 2 St Anthony's
Kick off 11.40am
Mossfield - St Anthony's 1 - 0 Hamilton Academical
Glencruitten - Alloa Athletic 1 - 1 Dundee United
Kick off 12.20pm
Mossfield - Dundee United 2 - 0 South Lochaber Thistle
Glencruitten - Oban Saints 0 - 3 Hamilton Academical
Kick off 1pm
Mossfield - Dundee United 2 - 1 St Anthony's
Glencruitten - South Lochaber Thistle 1 - 4 Hamilton Academical
Kick off 1.40pm
Mossfield - Oban Saints 1 - 2 Alloa Athletic
Glencruitten - St Anthony's 2 - 0 South Lochaber Thistle
Kick off 2.20pm
Mossfield - Hamilton Academical 0 - 0 Alloa Athletic
Glencruitten - Dundee United 1 - 0 Oban Saints
Kick off 3pm
Mossfield - St Anthony's 2 - 3 Oban Saints
Glencruitten - Alloa Athletic 1 - 3 South Lochaber Thistle
Kick off 3.40pm
Mossfield - Hamilton Accies 1 - 0 Dundee United
Oban Saints 2 - 1 South Lochaber Thistle
Saints and fellow amateurs South Lochaber Thistle got proceedings underway at Mossfield and it was the Kinlochleven men who were first to threaten. The Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division Two Champions drew two early saves from Saints keeper Graham Douglas before striker Andrew McLean sent an excellent chance inches wide of target.
Against the run of play Saints opened the scoring in the ninth minute through wide man James Ford. The tricky winger took up a more central position to receive a Cammy Hill pass from the left and, after neatly turning away from his marker, drilled a low right foot shot into the bottom corner.
Two minutes later Ford almost returned the compliment making a good run up the right and picking out Hill in the middle for a looping effort which clipped the outside of the goal stanchion on it's way past the keeper's left hand post.
Five minutes into the second fifteen minute period Saints doubled their advantage. Thistle cleared a Saints free-kick from the left but Myles McAuley broke up the Jags' counter attack and played the ball up to Craig MacEwan on the edge of the box. McEwan flicked the ball on to Cammy Hill who glided into the left of the Jags' box and beat the keeper from a tight angle.
Straight from the restart Jags' Skipper Martin Munro pulled one back with a low eighteen yard right foot shot into the bottom corner past Graham Douglas' right hand.
Neither keeper was seriously tested in the remaining eight minutes or so and Saints took the honours in the battle of the amateurs.
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| Myles McAuley and Iain MacLellan |
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| Andrew Brown |
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| Cammy Hill nets Saints second goal |
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| Cammy Hill and Lewis Cameron |
Alloa Athletic 0 - 2 St Anthony's
Over at the Rugby Club reserve team coach Mark McAuley's young Alloa Athletic side were the first victims of St Anthony's whose impressive start placed them among the early favourites to lift the handsome trophy.
The Ant's took a first half lead through Kamil Leszczynski before an inspired substitution from Manager John Kelly saw the lead doubled.
Kelly replaced goal scorer Kamil Leszczynski with brother Pawel whose first touch was to rifle a twenty five yard thunderbolt into to the top corner to mark a memorable Ants debut.
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| Photograph kindly provided by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
St Anthony's 1 - 0 Hamilton Academical
The Ants crossed to Mossfield where they met four time winners Hamilton Academical who were making their sixteenth consecutive tournament appearance. The young Accies side were under the supervision of Academy Director George Cairns and Coach Dougie Imrie but it was the semi-professionals from Govan who came out on top.
The Accies were left cursing the lack of V.A.R. which they feel would have seen their two dismissed penalty kick appeals overturned before the Ants finally broke the deadlock in the dying seconds.
Having weathered almost incessant pressure from Accies a late breakaway won a throw-in for the Ants deep in Accies territory. Kris Littler's long throw gave the Ants a chance to pile bodies into the Accies box and, after an almighty scramble, the ball finally nestled in the net with Fraser Williams getting the decisive touch.
Alloa Athletic 1 - 1 Dundee United
Cup holders Dundee United began the defence of their trophy with a share of the points at the Rugby Club against Alloa Athletic.
After a goalless first half the Wasps opened the scoring with a fantastic jinking run and crisp left foot finish from Calum Murray..
The lead however lasted barely sixty seconds as a free-kick from the United right was headed home at the back post by Jake Davidson.
United had a chance to claim all three points in the final minute but a close range volley from Robert Ward was well held by the Wasp's keeper.
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| Photograph kindly provided by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
Dundee United 2 - 0 South Lochaber Thistle
Holders United got their first win of the day against the amateurs from Kinlochleven who, despite the result acquitted themselves well.
Player of the Tournament Declan Glass opened the scoring before Shaun Brown netted the first of his two goals to boost Arab hopes of a fifth tournament success.
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| Photograph kindly provided by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
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| Photograph kindly provided by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
Oban Saints 0 - 3 Hamilton Academical
For the third year in succession Accies put three past the tournament hosts without reply. After a good start Saints shot themselves in the foot in the twelfth minute when young Kenneth Black headed a left wing Accies header past a static Ben Pollock in the Saints goal.
From the restart young Gavin Forgrieve sent in a dangerous cross which Paul Carmichael managed to head on target but unfortunately straight at the Accies keeper who gathered safely.
Ross Cunningham added a second for Accies before the half-time interval nipping in at the back post after the Saints rearguard had failed to deal with a right wing throw-in level with eighteen yard line.
Saints started the second half brightly with another promising youngster, Aaron McKay making good ground on the left before swinging the ball into the box for Craig MacEwan. Unfortunately the Saints marksman couldn't get over the ball and sent his header looping into the keeper's gloves.
As Saints committed numbers forward in search of a way back into the game they were picked off on the break by a swift counter attack rounded off by right foot strike from Liam Harris.
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| Craig MacEwan |
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| Ben Pollock and Kenneth Black |
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| Paul Carmichael wins the aerial duel |
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| Fraser MacFarlane |
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| Gavin Forgrieve lofts a free-kick into the Accies box. Photograph kindly provided by Gavin's younger sister Anna. |
Dundee United 2 - 1 St Anthony's
Dundee United brought St Anthony's winning streak to an end racing into a two goal first half lead through Lennon Walker and Shaun Brown. The Ants struck back immediately after the restart with Fraser Williams, who regularly chips in with goals from the Ants midfield, knocking home from close range after good work from former Alba Thistle duo Connor Milne and Johnny McKay. This was just the start to the second period Manager John Kelly had demanded of his troops however, despite creating a number of decent chances, the equalising goal failed to materialise and the Ants slumped to their first defeat of the day.
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| Lennon Walker slots home the opening goal. Photograph kindly provided by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
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| Shaun Brown celebrates his goal. Photograph kindly provided by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
South Lochaber Thistle 1 - 4 Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Accies did their goal difference no harm at all with another big win on pitch two at the Rugby Club. A successfully converted Regan Mimnaugh penalty kick set the ball rolling with Jay Blair adding a second before the interval.
Erik Tot pulled one back for the Jags in the twenty third minute however any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished when Regan Mimnaugh netted his second of the game straight from the restart.
With the clock ticking down there was still time for that veteran of many preseason fixtures, trialist, to add a fourth for the Accies.
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| Reegan Mimnaugh swings over a corner kick. Photograph courtesy of Hamilton Academical |
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| Reegan Mimnaugh opens the scoring from the penalty spot. Photograph courtesy of Hamilton Academical |
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| Jay Blair. Photograph courtesy of Hamilton Academical |
Oban Saints 1 - 2 Alloa Athletic
The very young Alloa Athletic side led by Reserve Team Coach Mark McAuley and Head of Youth Derek Nicholson recorded their only victory of the day edging out the hosts by the odd goal in three.
Saints opened the scoring early in the proceedings with Jamie Graham and David Beaton combining well on the left before Aaron McKay tee'd up Cammy Hill for another cool finish from the big man.
The Wasps equalised when Liam Evans pounced on a slip by Graham Douglas who dropped a bouncing free-kick at the striker's feet.
A driving run at the heart of the Alloa defence from Cammy Hill took him all the way to the corner of the six yard box where only the legs of Alloa keeper Young prevented the young Saints striker from doubling his tally.
Saints came close to regaining the lead at the beginning of the second half but, after popping up unexpectedly in the box. Myles McAuley saw his stabbed effort from close range parried by the Wasps' keeper who was able to claw the ball clear of the danger area at the second attempt.
James Ford continued to impress in the wide areas and after tricking his way past three players on the right set up Fraser MacFarlane for a curling left foot effort just wide of target.
In the twenty third minute a long clearance from Wasps' keeper Young deceived Saints central defensive pairing of Jamie Graham and Steven MacLeod allowing Liam Evans to race through unchallenged and drill the ball low past Graham Douglas to double his and the Wasps' tally.
Despite enjoying the better of the remaining exchanges Saints were unable to trouble Young in the Alloa goal with David Beaton, James Ford and Cammy Hill all sending efforts off target.
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| Aaron McKay |
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| Liam Evans equalises for Alloa |
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| Cammy Hill rides defender Sylla's challenge |
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| Alloa keeper Young denies Cammy Hill |
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| James Ford |
St Anthony's 2 - 0 South Lochaber Thistle
Over on pitch two St Anthony's kept themselves firmly in the trophy hunt with a two goal victory over South Lochaber Thistle whose small squad were feeling the pace of their third game on the trot.
A brace from Kamil Leszczynski either side of the half-time interval meant it was still all to play for when the Ants would face the hosts in their final fixture.
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| Photograph kindly supplied by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
Hamilton Academical 0 - 0 Alloa Athletic
As the large crowd basked in the warm sunshine at Mossfield Hamilton Academical and Alloa Athletic played out the only goalless match of the day.
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| Photograph courtesy of Hamilton Academical |
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| Photograph courtesy of Hamilton Academical |
Dundee United 1 - 0 Oban Saints
Holders Dundee United remained firmly on course to retain their title after a narrow win over Saints on pitch two. A bright start from the hosts was undone when a clumsy challenge from Kenneth Black saw Referee Pat O'Donnell point to the penalty spot. Player of the Tournament Declan Glass gave Saints keeper Ben Pollock no chance with his precise low strike from twelve yards which gave the Arabs the lead on the stroke of half-time.
It was Glass against Pollock once again in the twenty first minute however this time, with the added protection of a four man wall, Pollock was able to parry the United man's effort from twenty five yards before completing a double save to deny Robert Ward on the rebound.
Dean Smith and Daniel Croarkin both had efforts wide of the goal frame as Saints searched in vain for equaliser before Mr O'Donnell blew the full-time whistle.
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| Gavin Forgrieve |
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| Daniel Croarkin and Declan Glass |
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| Declan Glass free-kick saved by Ben Pollock |
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| Josh Donaldson |
St Anthony's 2 - 3 Oban Saints
Saints crossed to Mossfield for the third of their three games in a row against a St Anthony's side who knew a victory in their final match would afford them "leader in the clubhouse" status.
Saints survived an early scare when Graham Douglas managed to get a toe to a short pass back to deny Ants striker Gary McGarroch.
Co-Manager Donald Campbell continued his quest for a return to full fitness with another thirty minute run-out and the added bonus of a crisp twenty two yard strike which flew into the Ants net to give Saints a third minute lead.
An injudicious challenge by Steven MacLeod on Gary McGarroch two yards inside the Saints box saw Referee Jimmy Litster award a penalty kick to the green and white hoops which former Renfrew Juniors striker McGarroch tucked into the bottom corner away from the despairing dive of Graham Douglas.
At the other end Cammy Hill drew a smart save from the Ants keeper as Saints looked to regain the advantage.
It was, however, the Ants who were next to strike with a thumping fourteenth minute Fraser Williams finish from the corner of the Saints box which fizzed past Graham Douglas into the roof of the net.
Spurred on by Steven MacLeod's desire to make up for conceding a penalty kick Saints began the second period in adventurous style pressing forward on the right where MacLeod and James Ford combined to set up Craig MacEwan for an overhead kick which looped inches over the crossbar.
The Ants seemed content to hold on to what they had and allowed Saints to come on to them which Saints ultimately capitalised on in the closing minutes.
Racing in at the back post James Ford knocked home a twenty ninth minute Lewis Cameron ball along the six yard line after Cameron had combined well with Steven MacLeod and Craig MacEwan on the right.
Sixty seconds later the turnaround was completed when an excellent turn in the box from Lewis Cameron brought the Ants goal into full view for last season's top goal scorer who found the bottom corner to end the day on a high note for Saints and shatter the Ants hopes of the clinching the trophy.
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| Donald Campbell |
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| Graham Douglas can't reach Gary McGarroch's penalty kick |
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| The St Anthony's players congratulate Fraser Williams on his goal |
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| Celebrations after James Ford draws Saints level |
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| James Ford congratulates Lewis Cameron on his winning goal |
Alloa Athletic 1 - 3 South Lochaber Thistle
In the growing heat the third game in a row for the young Alloa Athletic proved a bridge too far against a reinvigorated South Lochaber Thistle. Andrew McLean put the Jags ahead early in the proceedings with David Forbes adding a second before the half-time interval. A successfully converted Calum MacDonald penalty kick gave the Wasps a lifeline but a second goal from Andrew McLean sealed victory for the Kinlochleven men.
Hamilton Accies 1 - 0 Dundee United
St Anthony's failure to take anything from their final fixture left the destination of the 2019 D&K Lafferty Cup finely balanced and entirely dependent on the result of the final match between Hamilton Academical and Dundee United.
United were in pole position with ten points and a goal difference of plus four whereas Accies had seven points and a goal difference of plus five. A draw would therefore be enough for United but a win for Accies would see the trophy return to New Douglas Park where it has resided for four of the past six years.
The game was a tense affair with precious few chances and it looked as though David Bowman's young United side had successfully completed their mission of keeping a clean sheet until a moment of late drama.
In the final minute a deep cross from the right wing was hooked left footed past United keeper Josh Donaldson by an Accies trialist to confirm a fifth tournament win for Hamilton
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| Photograph kindly provided by Graeme Webster of GJW Sport Photography |
Presentation
Tournament organiser David Buchanan thanked the visiting teams for their continued support of the tournament and congratulated winners Hamilton Academical and player of the tournament Declan Glass of Dundee United on their success. David also thanked the spectators, many of whom had travelled considerable distances to be there; the Argyll and Bute Council grounds staff who had prepared the two pitches well in testing circumstances; and finally the match officials Donnie Brooks Jimmy Litster, Pat O'Donnell, Jim Pearson and Martin Rae without whom the event couldn't take place. David then called upon Councillor Jim Lynch to present the winning team with their individual trophies and the winning Captain Leon McCann with the D&K Lafferty Cup.
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| Hamilton Academical Captain Leon McCann with the trophy |
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| Hamilton Academical D&K Cup Winners 2019 |
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