Christmas Message

Oban Saints AFC Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B Winners 2019 - 20

The covid related postponement of last Saturday's West of Scotland Amateur Cup fourth round tie against Uddingston Anvil was the final act in a year which, for the most part, Oban Saints will be keen to see the back off.

Saints first post lockdown action of 2021 didn't come until 10th July when they were pitched into action against Castlemilk Dynamo in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division One play off. The Division 1A winners had the advantage of competitive action in the weeks leading up to the game which saw them pip Gartcosh United to top the covid disrupted 2019-20 Division 1A. Saints however had been confirmed as Division 1B winners as far back as March 2020 and had only one warm-up game against Lochgilphead Red Star under their belts.

A close match ended level with Lewis Cameron's successfully converted penalty kick cancelling out Joseph Lang's opener for Dynamo. Neither team could find a winner in extra time and it was Castlemilk who came out on top in the penalty shoot-out to be crowned Division One Champions. Consolation for Saints came when Captain Craig MacEwan was presented with the long awaited Division 1B trophy however the main prize for both was to be confirmed as competing in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division, widely considered to be the top amateur division in Scotland.

After yet more covid related fixture disruption Saints finally got their 2021-22 league campaign underway with a heavy defeat away to early pacesetters Lesmahagow. The reverse against the on-fire league leaders unfortunately set the tone for a frustrating run of results where Saints harvested just four points from a possible twenty four before bagging a first home league win of the season against Gartcosh United and finally putting smiles on the faces of their loyal home support.

Oban Saints would like to extend season's greetings and best wishes to sponsors D&K Lafferty Contractors, MKM Oban Building Supplies and Aulay's Bar and also to all of the club's faithful supporters.

#monthesaints

Three Home Points At Last

Saturday 11th December 2021

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Oban Saints 2 - 1 Gartcosh United

Oban Community Sports Field

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 1.00pm
Referee Mr Tony McCann

Oban Saints final home fixture of 2021 brought their long awaited first home Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division win of the season. Last Saturday morning's heavy rain forced a switch of venue from Glencruitten to Oban High School and with it a much needed change of fortune.

Matty Kelly gave Saints a deserved first half lead but the home side were pegged back after just two second half minutes after an excellent turn and shot from former Celtic and Scotland striker Craig Beattie. 

This has been an all too familiar story in Saints debut season in the top division in Scottish amateur football however, spurred on by the large and unusually vocal home support, the D&K Lafferty and MKM Building Supplies sponsored side dug in and bagged the three points when Dene Cassells headed home an eighty fifth minute Gavin Forgrieve free-kick.

Work commitments kept Manager Willie Gemmell away from the touchline so Coaches Ross Maitland and Peter MacCallum and Secretary David Buchanan took charge of team affairs. Ruaridh Horne made a welcome return from injury but Scott Maitland, Lewis Cameron, Kyle Cooper and Thomas McCrindle were all unavailable so Alex Craik and Lewis Buchanan were drafted in to join Ross Maitland and Louie MacFarlane on the substitutes bench.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three of Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Ruaridh Horne. Across the five man midfield were David Beaton, Myles McAuley, Matty Kelly, Gavin Forgrieve and Cammy Hill with Daniel MacCuish and Craig MacEwan up front.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Alex Craik

Unused substitutes:-

Lewis Buchanan

Ross Maitland

Louie MacFarlane

Gartcosh kicked off in torrential rain attacking the school end and were immediately on the front foot forcing Ruaridh Horne to make a good block to divert a Ross Fisher shot behind for a corner kick. The delivery from Scott Starrs on the right found Craig Beattie but the big central defender couldn't direct his header on target.

Beattie was called into action in his own eighteen yard box twice in quick succession making vital interceptions to prevent Cammy Hill from picking out firstly Craig MacEwan and then Matty Kelly after driving runs on the left.

Jordan Murphy's long throw-ins were to prove a major weapon in the Gartcosh arsenal and his ninth minute throw from the right was headed out from the penalty spot by Dene Cassells but only as far as Ross Fisher on the eighteen yard line whose shot fizzed just wide of Graham Douglas' right hand post.

David Beaton's pace on the right took him into the Gartcosh box on the end of an eighteenth minute Craig MacEwan lay-off from Matty Kelly's through ball. With a cut-back to MacEwan also an option Beaton elected to shoot from a tight angle and rattled Andrew Barlow's near post with a thumping effort.

Five minutes later Craig MacEwan's jinking run took him behind the Gartcosh back line and into the box but with only young keeper Barlow left to beat the Skipper tried to find David Beaton with a miscued effort across the face of goal allowing Jordan Murphy to get back and clear the danger.

Saints were knocking hard on the Gartcosh door and a twenty seventh move involving Matty Kelly, Gavin Forgrieve and Craig MacEwan saw the Skipper's shot from sixteen yards well saved by Andrew Barlow.

Referee Tony McCann produced the first yellow card of the afternoon for Philip Dolan's late challenge on Steven MacLeod after a good covering challenge from the veteran Saints defender as Dolan threatened to break through.

The deadlock was broken in the thirty third minute when Saints broke with pace after repelling another Jordan Murphy long throw. Dene Cassells won the header which was picked up on the edge of the box by Matty Kelly who sent Cammy Hill off on a run up the left. Hill's perfectly weighted pass into Kelly's path was met with crisp finish into the bottom corner past Barlow's left hand.

Saints tried to pick their way through the Gartcosh rear guard again on the stroke of half-time with David Beaton, Daniel MacCuish, Cammy Hill, Matty Kelly and Craig MacEwan all involved before Beaton's shot was blocked by the considerable frame of Craig Beattie.

The good first half work was undone after just two second half minutes when cheaply conceded possession was clinically punished by the visitors. David Beaton's clearing header from Jordan Murphy's throw-in was picked up by Daniel MacCuish on the Saints right but his flick intended for Matty Kelly was easily read and intercepted by Murphy whose raking ball to the far post found the still up in attack Craig Beattie. Despite now operating as a central defender Beattie has lost none of his striking prowess and after taking the ball down expertly and turning away from Ruaridh Horne he slammed an unstoppable shot past Graham Douglas to level the scoring.

The early second half momentum was with the visitors and Philip Dolan and Dylan Kerr both drew good saves from Saints number one Graham Douglas.

At the other end a perfectly timed sliding challenge from Jordan Murphy denied David Beaton a strike on goal from a swift counter attack on the right.

Ruaridh Horne's first start of the season came to an end after sixty five minutes when he was replaced in the back three by veteran Alex Craik.

Referee McCann, who handled proceedings well, went to his top pocket again twice in the space of as many minutes dishing out yellow cards to Bradley Renfrew for dissent and second half substitute Jordon Wood for a late challenge on Cammy Hill.

Saints were left appealing in vain for a seventy fourth minute handball decision which didn't come. Jordon Wood didn't wait about to debate the decision and raced through on the Gartcosh right beating Graham Douglas to his left and, fortunately for the static Saints defence, smacking his shot off the left hand upright.

After the early second half set-back Saints had fought their way back into a finely balanced affair and Gavin Forgrieve's right foot shot from the left edge of the Gartcosh eighteen yard box curled inches wide of the postage stamp corner.

Jordan Murphy's seventy ninth minute mistimed challenge on Craig MacEwan earned the Gartcosh left fullback his side's fourth caution.

Gavin Forgrieve joined the Gartcosh contingent in Mr McCann's notebook for his reaction to Callum Galloway's late challenge. Forgrieve, who put in a good midfield shift alongside Myles McAuley and Matty Kelly dusted himself down to take the eighty fifth minute free-kick from sixteen yards inside the visitor's half. Forgrieve's delivery was met perfectly by the head of Dene Cassells whose run dissected Gartcosh central defensive pairing of Stewart Diamond and Craig Beattie to guide the ball past Andrew Barlow and into the unguarded net.

The Cosh threw everything they had into the search for a second equaliser in the remaining five minutes plus the additional four allowed by Mr McCann but the Saints rear-guard with experienced trio Dene Cassells, Alex Craik and Steven MacLeod at it's heart stood firm to secure a morale boosting victory.

Saints are on their travels this coming Saturday with a trip to North Lanarkshire to face Uddingston Anvil in the fourth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup.    

Celebrations after Matty Kelly's opening goal

Matty Kelly and Craig MacEwan

Gavin Forgrieve

Dene Cassells wheels away in celebration after his winning goal

Alex Craik closes down Jordan Murphy shot

#monthesaints

Saints GG and Giffnock SC Share The Spoils

Saturday 4th December 2021 

Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League

Division 3A 

Giffnock Soccer Centre Amateurs Reds 1 - 1 Oban Saints GG

Woodfarm High School

Thornliebank

Glasgow

G46 7HG

Kick Off 1.15pm

Referee Mr. Michael Fox                

Oban Saints second string travelled to Thornliebank last Saturday to face bottom of the table Giffnock Soccer Centre Amateurs Reds. Three points separated the pair at the foot of the Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division 3A table at the start of play and a goal-a-piece ensured the positions remained unchanged after ninety evenly contested minutes.

Kieran Hendry gave Saints GG a sixty eighth minute lead however with a second league victory of the season tantalising close Skipper Calum Brook levelled for Giffnock in stoppage time to notch his side's first league point.

With the first eleven having no fixture Saints GG Manager Donald Black was able to call on the services of first team squad members Gavin Forgrieve, Ruaridh Horne and Thomas McCrindle. The Oban Saints youth set-up was also called upon and Andrew Barclay, Ruaridh Buchanan and Lewis Campbell were handed places on the substitutes bench.

Saints GG lined up with Murdo MacKenzie in goal behind a back three of Ruaridh Horne, Captain Kenneth Black and Thomas McCrindle. Across the five man midfield were Craig Livingstone, Gavin Forgrieve, Martin Bonar, Cammy Clark and Dylan Anderson. Up front were Lewis Buchanan and Aaron McKay. On the substitutes bench were Andrew Barclay, Ruaridh Buchanan, Lewis Campbell and Kieran Hendry. 

Oban Saints GG starting eleven:-

Murdo MacKenzie (GK)

Ruaridh Horne

Kenneth Black (Captain)

Thomas McCrindle

Craig Livingstone

Gavin Forgrieve

Martin Bonar

Cammy Clark

Dylan Anderson

Lewis Buchanan

Aaron McKay

Used substitutes:-

Kieran Hendry

Ruaridh Buchanan

Andrew Barclay

Lewis Campbell

There was an early set-back for Saints when Cammy Clark went over his ankle in the centre circle after eight minutes signalling the introduction from the bench of Kieran Hendry.

Hendry's nineteenth minute cross-field pass picked out the run of Craig Livingstone whose right foot shot was well saved at his near post by Giffnock keeper Scott MacLennan. Opposite number Murdo MacKenzie was called into action immediately thereafter when the home side swiftly counter-attacked. Andrew McKerlie's long ball up to Schwan Nuri saw the Giffnock striker get the better of Saints Skipper Kenneth Black but not Murdo MacKenzie who saved well to his right.

MacLennan needed two attempts to hold Lewis Buchanan's twentieth minute shot as the heavy morning rain which forced a number of fixture cancellations finally abated.

A twenty ninth minute Aaron McKay foul on Matthew Coyle gave dead-ball expert Iain McIntosh the chance to measure another excellent delivery into the Saints box which Euan McDiarmid headed wide at the far post under pressure from Dylan Anderson.

Kieran Hendry robbed Stuart Lemay as he tried to usher the ball over the bye-line for a thirtieth minute goal kick. Hendry then beat Scott MacLennan at his near post however Referee Michael Fox harshly disallowed the goal for a Hendry foul on Lemay.

Sixty seconds later Saints had the ball in the net again when Aaron McKay tucked away a Lewis Buchanan cut-back from the left however Mr Fox made it two disallowed goals in as many minutes when he ruled Buchanan offside.

In time added on for first half stoppages Dylan Anderson's strong running on the left took him to the bye-line from where he picked out Kieran Hendry. Hendry spotted the supporting run of Martin Bonar and rolled the ball into the big central midfielder's path however Bonar's usual keen eye for goal deserted him on this occasion and his shot hit the side netting.

Saints started the second half well without testing Scott MacLennan with Craig Livingstone heading a Dylan Anderson cross wide and Kieran Hendry sending a decent effort dipping inches over the crossbar after cutting in from the left.

Gavin Forgrieve's jinking run into the Giffnock box on the hour mark was brought to a halt by Euan McDiarmid whose challenge sent Forgrieve tumbling. Referee Fox, much to the bemusement of the entire Saints contingent, saw nothing wrong with McDiarmid's challenge and dismissed the loud appeals for a penalty kick.

Aaron McKay's low sixty fifth minute shot across Scott MacLennan beat the Giffnock keeper's right hand but also the far post as the breakthrough continued to elude Saints. 

The deadlock was broken in the sixty eighth minute when Kieran Hendry beat the Giffnock offside trap to get on the end of a Dylan Anderson through ball. Scott MacLennan came out to the edge of his box to intercept the pass but Hendry got there before him and calmly slotted the ball into the unguarded net.

Ruaridh Buchanan replaced Dylan Anderson after seventy seven minutes joining brother Lewis in attack with Aaron McKay moving to left wing back.

Hearts were in mouths on the Saints touchline when Sam Webb's speculative eighty first minute effort from wide on the left looped high over Murdo MacKenzie before landing on top of the crossbar and bouncing behind.

Ruaridh Horne made way for Andrew Barclay with nine minutes remaining with the youngster joining Kenneth Black and Thomas McCrindle in the back three.

The Buchanan brothers strike partnership was brought to an end in the eighty sixth minute when Lewis made way for yet another Saints youth product Lewis Campbell.

The home side kept pressing but Saints defended well and just as it looked as though Saints had done enough to secure the victory two valuable points were snatched from the right at the death. Martin Bonar got back to help out his defence and concede a ninety second minute corner kick. The delivery from the left was headed back in the direction it came from however a second delivery looped over the Saints defence and was met perfectly at the back post by Giffnock Skipper Callum Brook whose header from two yards arrowed back across Murdo MacKenzie and into the net.

There was barely enough time left on the clock to restart the match and Mr Fox brought proceedings to a close with honours even.

Oban Saints GG have no fixture this coming Saturday while the first team return to Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division action with a visit from Gartcosh United.

 

Cammy Clark smiles through the pain

Murdo MacKenzie punches clear

Kenneth Black and Shwan Nuri

Gavin Forgrieve

Craig Livingstone with Shwan Nuri in pursuit

Aaron McKay and Stuart Lemay

Kieran Hendry

Martin Bonar and Craig MacLennan

Lewis Buchanan

Scott MacLennan

Kieran Hendry

Thomas McCrindle and Shwan Nuri

Dylan Anderson and Jamie Dougan

Scott MacLennan gathers at Ruaridh Buchanan's feet

Calum Brook heads home the equaliser

#monthesaints

Saints Make No Impression On Anvil

Saturday 27th November 2021

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Oban Saints 0 - 2 Uddingston Anvil

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Ross Stirling

This season's all too familiar story of missed chances and cheaply conceded goals cost Oban Saints three more valuable Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division points at Glencruitten last Saturday.

After Saints Skipper Craig MacEwan had put through his own net in the first half, visitors Uddingston Anvil took full advantage of the generosity of their hosts to establish a two goal lead inside the first minute of the second half. 

Despite a spirited performance there was no way back for the desperately out of luck Saints who missed a hatful of chances and found Anvil goalkeeper David McKegney in truly inspired form. 

Teenage defender Thomas McCrindle was given a starting debut in place of the injured Dene Cassells as Saints made three changes to the starting eleven which had secured progress to the West of Scotland Cup fourth round in their last outing. 

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three of Steven MacLeod, Willie Gemmell and Thomas McCrindle. Across the five man midfield were Kyle Cooper, Gavin Forgrieve, Matty Kelly, Myles McAuley and Scott Maitland with Daniel MacCuish and Craig MacEwan up front. On the bench were David Beaton, Alex Craik, Cammy Hill, Fraser MacFarlane and Louie MacFarlane.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

David Beaton

Cammy Hill

Louie MacFarlane

Unused substitutes:-

Alex Craik

Fraser MacFarlane

Attacking the railway line end in the first half the visitors came flying out of the traps and had the ball in the net in the third minute when Christopher Owen's diving header across the face of goal was turned in by Ewan Moyes. Referee Ross Stirling however ruled that Owen had strayed offside to meet Darren Ferguson's free-kick and disallowed the goal.

Daniel MacCuish felt his progress inside the Anvil box in the fourth minute had been unfairly impeded however Mr Stirling dismissed the Saints penalty appeal.

Kyle Cooper saw his tenth minute shot from the edge of the box deflected behind for a corner as Saints looked to have weathered the early Anvil storm.

Cooper did well again on the right two minutes later beating Reece McAuley to reach the bye-line. Cooper's cut back was met by Daniel MacCuish who had his first attempt blocked before sending his second effort on the rebound wide of target.

Saints first self inflicted injury came in the fifteenth minute when Graham Douglas misjudged Darren Ferguson's in-swinging corner kick from the right and Craig MacEwan's attempt to clear the danger ended up in his own net.

A further setback for the home side followed five minutes later when Kyle Cooper rolled his right ankle ending his participation in the game and earning David Beaton an earlier than anticipated call up from the substitutes bench.

Saints front pairing of Craig MacEwan and Daniel MacCuish linked well in the twenty fourth minute with MacCuish teeing up the Skipper for a shot from twenty yards which flew wide of David McKegney's left hand post.

Willie Gemmell's deep fortieth minute free-kick from wide on the right just inside the Anvil half was met by a solid David McKegney punch however Saints kept the pressure on and Craig MacEwan played in Matty Kelly for an effort from a tight angle which bounced agonisingly across the face of goal before being turned behind for a corner kick.

The visitors lost the services of Ross Ferguson to injury just before the interval with Anton Murray entering the fray as his replacement.

The second half began in disastrous fashion for Saints when the visitors capitalised fully on possession gifted to them midway inside the Saints half. Caught in two minds with what to do with the ball Daniel MacCuish only succeeded in clipping the ball into the path of Robert Dimmer who in turn picked out the run of Kieron Markey. The teenage striker raced in behind the Saints back three and made no mistake in beating the advancing Graham Douglas to double the Anvil advantage.

Anvil dead ball expert Darren Ferguson's forty ninth minute free-kick from thirty two yards was well held by Graham Douglas before opposite number David McKegney produced the first of a number of vital saves to deny Daniel MacCuish from Scott Maitland's left wing cross.

Graham Douglas saved a second Darren Ferguson free-kick and launched a fifty third minute Saints counter-attack which took Craig MacEwan into the Anvil box. Cutting in from the left MacEwan's shot across David McKegney beat the Anvil keeper but bounced inches wide of target.

Daniel MacCuish's fifty sixth minute cross field pass looking for the run of Scott Maitland was cut out by the head of Dylan Hendry but only into the path of Craig MacEwan who controlled well but sent his stabbed effort straight into the midriff of McKegney.

Thomas McCrindle, who acquitted himself well on his home debut, was replaced on the hour mark by Cammy Hill in a switch which saw Scott Maitland drop back into the back three.

Anton Murray found his way into Referee Stirling's note book for a late challenge on Cammy Hill wide on the Saints left. Willie Gemmell lifted the resulting free-kick to the far post from where Daniel MacCuish planted his header wide of target.

Saints were getting some joy from Hill's introduction on the left and his inviting sixty fifth minute low cross along the six yard line was put out for  throw-in by Anton Murray. Hill got his head to Myles McAuley's throw but his flick-on was too high for Gavin Forgrieve and was claimed by keeper McKegney.

Willie Gemmell's spectacular attempted overhead kick from Gavin Forgrieve's seventy fifth minute free-kick sailed over the crossbar before the visitors made their second and final change sending on Harris Gunn to replace Ruaridh Howat.

Robert Dimmer did well on the right to escape the attentions of Scott Maitland and set up Dylan Hendry for a seventy sixth minute shot just wide of Graham Douglas' left hand post. Two minutes later space opened up for another Hendry shot which Douglas saved comfortably.

Saints kept pushing for the goal which would bring them back into the game and only an excellent save from David McKegney kept the Saints attack at bay. Cammy Hill's eighty third minute cross field run from left to right had the Anvil defence trailing in his wake and his low shot looked certain to find the target until McKegney's intervention at full stretch finger tipped the ball around his right and post.

There was more heroics from McKegney sixty seconds later to deny Craig MacEwan after Matty Kelly and Daniel MacCuish combined to set up the Skipper.

More good work on the left from Cammy Hill saw the big utility man fizz a low cross to Daniel MacCuish who thumped a shot off the left hand upright just as Darren Ferguson crashed into him. Bizarrely Referee Stirling saw nothing wrong with the challenge and allowed play to continue albeit without MacCuish who had to be carried from the field of play.

Cammy Hill joined Craig MacEwan up front for the closing stages with MacCuish's replacement Louie MacFarlane taking up the left wing back position but Saints were unable to test McKegney again and slumped to a sixth league defeat of what is shaping up to be a long and difficult season.     

Team Captains Craig MacEwan and Alan Inch with Referee Ross Stirling

Graham Douglas

Myes McAuley gets away from Darren Ferguson

Thomas McCrindle and Ruaridh Howat

Daniel MacCuish tries to escape the attentions of Reece McAuley and Christopher Owen

David McKegney

Matty Kelly

Cammy Hill skips away from Ewan Moyes

Darren Ferguson wipes out Daniel MacCuish

#monthesaints

Three Sugar Penalty Saves Keep Saints In The Cup

Saturday 20th November 2021

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Third Round

Oban Saints 3 - 3 Westerlands (Penalties 3 - 1)

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Robert Doolan

Good things, by all accounts, come in threes and three penalty shoot-out saves from Oban Saints goalkeeper Graham "Sugar" Douglas saw Saints win their round three West of Scotland Cup tie at Glencruitten last Saturday after three goals each from the hosts and Caledonian League visitors Westerlands saw the lead change hands three times during the regulation ninety minutes. 

After a goalless first half the Glencruitten faithful who had braved the heavy rain were treated to six goals in a thrilling second period before the added bonus of a nerve jangling penalty shoot-out.

Manager Willie Gemmell's team selection options were given a boost when stalwart defender Steven MacLeod shook off his ankle injury and new dad Fraser MacFarlane returned from paternity leave however Lewis Cameron failed to recover sufficiently from the bruising encounter against St Patrick's FP seven days earlier and Daniel MacCuish served the one match suspension for the red card picked up against Castlemilk Dynamo.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Cammy Hill, Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Myles McAuley and Gavin Forgrieve anchored the midfield with David Beaton, Matty Kelly and Captain Craig MacEwan behind central striker Kyle Cooper. Providing experience on the substitutes bench alongside youngsters Thomas McCrindle and Louie MacFarlane were Willie Gemmell, Ross Maitland and Fraser MacFarlane.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Ross Maitland

Fraser MacFarlane

Unused substitutes:-

Willie Gemmell

Thomas McCrindle

Louie MacFarlane

Attacking the railway line end in the first half Saints were moving the ball around well enough but without the necessary urgency to trouble the Westerlands back four.

When Matty Kelly did manage to get behind wide on the right his cross into the six yard box looped over the head of David Beaton before being thumped clear.

The visitors took route one for their first serious attack which came in the twenty second minute from a Fraser Russell goal kick. The big central defender's long kick was flicked on by Scott McFarlane into the path of Brian Maybin who found his route into the Saints box blocked by Cammy Hill. The loose ball was keenly contested by Jack Halley and Scott Maitland with Referee Robert Doolan penalising the Saints left full back. Scott McFarlane curled the resulting free-kick high over Graham Douglas' crossbar.

Saints threatened again on the right after twenty eight minutes when Cammy Hill's overlapping run was picked out by Myles McAuley. Hill's cutback along the six yard line was well cut out by Westerlands Skipper Calum Windram with Craig MacEwan, Gavin Forgrieve and Kyle Cooper all closing in.

The goalless first half was no indication of the goal avalanche which was to follow in the second period which was only sixty seconds old when it produced the first on target effort of the match. Ewan Dempster made good progress on the Westerlands left and picked out Jack Halley in the middle for a shot from eighteen yards which Graham Douglas held comfortably.

Westerlands young keeper Daniel MacDonald remained untested as firstly Matthew Kelly couldn't direct a difficult header from a Cammy Hill cross on target before another Hill right wing cutback eluded the chasing Saints pack.

The deadlock was broken after fifty five minutes when Scott Maitland and Craig MacEwan combined well on the left for MacEwan to pick out Matty Kelly's supporting run through the middle. Kelly was at full stretch to make a solid connection with MacEwan's cross sending the ball into the top corner past Daniel MacDonald's right hand.

Kyle Cooper's fifty seventh minute left foot effort from the edge of the Westerlands box curled over the crossbar as Saints stepped up their search for a second goal.

The home side's good start to the second half was undone on the half hour mark when the visitors capitalised fully on cheaply conceded Saints possession. Jack Halley's shot was too powerful for Graham Douglas to hold and luck deserted the Saints number one when his parry fell into the path of Ryan McGregor for a simple finish.

Westerlands made a triple substitution replacing Jack Halley, Scott McFarlane and Ewan Dempster with Fraser Gordon, Calum McCrossan and Thomas Thomsen.

Matty Kelly was denied a second goal in the sixty third minute when he followed in on a Craig MacEwan shot which Daniel MacDonald could only parry. Kelly reached the loose ball ahead of MacDonald and Stephen Stewart only for Stewart's central defensive partner Fraser Russell to get back on the goal line to make an acrobatic clearance. 

Westerlands got their noses in front with twenty minutes remaining from a tempting Kristian Gega free-kick. Gega's pinpoint delivery from the left was met perfectly by Calum Windram whose classic downward header from two yards out gave Graham Douglas no chance.

Saints Manager Willie Gemmell made an instant change sending on Ross Maitland to replace Cammy Hill however it was the visitors who threatened again two minutes later with Graham Douglas standing up well to block a close range Calum McCrossan effort.

There was a large slice of good fortune surrounding Saints equaliser in the seventy seventh minute. Daniel MacDonald got his right hand to a long range Gavin Forgrieve shot but only succeeded in pushing the ball back towards his own goal-line. The young keeper scrambled back to claw the ball out from between the posts however, despite the Westerlands protests, Referee Doolan ruled the ball had crossed the line.

From the restart the visitors once again demonstrated their threat from set pieces when Kristian Gega's free-kick from the right was met by a diving header from Brian Maybin which Graham Douglas held well.

Saints hit the front with seven minutes remaining when Matty Kelly picked out Craig MacEwan after a strong cross-field run from right to left. MacEwan held the ball up well before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Myles McAuley who thumped the ball into the net from twelve yards.

The visitors introduced exiled Obanite Elliot Dougall adding height to their attack for the closing stages while Saints sent on Fraser MacFarlane for Kyle Cooper.

The Saints lead lasted just three minutes before a set-piece once again proved to be Saints undoing. Kristian Gega's delivery from the right this time found Calum McCrossan who powered a header from nine yards past a rooted Graham Douglas. 

In the second of the three additional minutes David Beaton controlled a Craig MacEwan flick-on from a Myles McAuley throw-in on the right and thumped the ball into the side netting from a tight angle before Mr Doolan, who had a good match, blew for full time and signalled the requirement for a penalty shoot-out.

Never one to shirk a challenge Steven MacLeod strode up purposefully for the first kick which Daniel MacDonald saved well low to his right. Graham Douglas however immediately levelled things up when he dropped to his left to save Ryan McGregor's effort.

Myles McAuley accepted responsibility for Saints second penalty but failed to hit the target leaving the scores level at 0 - 0.

Westerlands Skipper Calum Windram got the scoring underway with Dene Cassells levelling immediately for Saints.

Graham Douglas flung himself to his right to push away Kristian Gega's strike and regain the initiative for his side. Never short of confidence second half substitute Fraser MacFarlane made no mistake with his attempt before Graham Douglas made it "match point" to Saints with his third save this time foiling Fraser Gordon.

Saints Skipper Craig MacEwan held his nerve and successfully converted his spot kick to send his side into the fourth round.

This coming Saturday Saints resume their search for first home league points of the season when they welcome Uddingston Anvil to Glencruitten in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.

Daniel MacDonald

Kyle Cooper

Craig MacEwan gets away from Calum Windram

David Beaton

Celebrations after Matty Kelly's opening goal

Matty Kelly gets away from Kristian Gega

Gavin Forgrieve congratulates midfield partner Myles McAuley on his goal

Calum McCrossan header levels the scores at 3 - 3

Graham Douglas saves from Ryan McGregor

Dene Cassells gets Saints off the mark

Graham Douglas saves from Kristian Gega

Fraser MacFarlane puts Saints ahead in the shoot-out

Craig MacEwan nets the winning penalty

#monthesaints

On Fire Champions St Pat's Too Hot For Saints

Saturday 13th November 2021

Central Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
St Patrick's F.P. 2 - 0 Oban Saints

Our Lady and St Patrick's High School

Howatshaws Road
Bellsmyre

Dumbarton

G82 3DR

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Tony McCann

Oban Saints run of testing fixtures continued last Saturday with a trip to Dumbarton to face reigning Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions St Patrick's FP. The home side warmed up for their delayed 2019-20 season West of Scotland Amateur Cup appearance this coming Friday with an impressive performance to stretch their winning streak to seven games a run which includes five clean sheets.

Scottish Amateur international Ciaran McElroy capped an inspirational display with a second half goal to secure the points for St Pat's after a seventh minute wonder strike from Liam Rowan had set the home side on their way. Saints battled hard throughout but got no change from the miserly home defence and had goalkeeper Graham Douglas to thank for a clutch of excellent saves to keep the deficit at two.

With Manager Willie Gemmell unavailable Coach Ross Maitland and Secretary David Buchanan were left in charge. The stand-in Management duo were dealt a blow with the late withdrawal of stalwart defender Steven MacLeod and so handed a first team call-up to Thomas McCrindle rewarding the youngster for his recent impressive displays with the Club's Greater Glasgow Premier team.

McCrindle joined fellow youngsters Kyle Cooper and Louie MacFarlane on a bench which also included Coaches Ross Maitland and David Dunlop.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three of Cammy Hill, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Across the middle of the park were David Beaton, Matty Kelly, Gavin Forgrieve, Myles McAuley and Captain Craig MacEwan with Lewis Cameron and Daniel MacCuish up top.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Kyle Cooper

Louie MacFarlane

Thomas McCrindle

Unused substitutes:-

David Dunlop

Ross Maitland

Saints kicked off on the 4G surface at Our Lady and St Patrick's High School and survived an early scare in just the second minute. Scott Maitland headed a cross from Scottish Amateur international colleague Ciaran McElroy behind for a corner kick. Liam Rowan's delivery from the left was headed out to the edge of the box where Referee Tony McCann ignored Saints appeals for a hand ball and allowed St Pat's Skipper Dominic Ruane to send in a shot which crashed off the Saints crossbar.

Livewire striker Ciaran McElroy was already proving a handful for the experimental Saints back three of Cammy Hill, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland and provided the assist for the opening goal. McElroy collected the ball up from a throw-in on the right level with the penalty spot and picked out Liam Rowan unmarked twenty five yards from goal from where he arrowed a stunning strike into the top corner past a rooted Graham Douglas.

Saints were almost caught cold from the restart conceding possession immediately which saw David Connelly race through onto a Ciaran McElroy lay-off where his left foot shot was saved low to his right by Graham Douglas.

The hosts continued their high tempo start with McElroy sending Connelly through again in the tenth minute with Douglas producing another fine save this time to his left.

Saints were struggling to get their passing game going conceding possession too cheaply and inviting pressure on themselves which the hosts constantly looked to exploit through the twin strike force of McElroy and Connelly.

Saints finally made their presence felt at the other end with David Beaton's driving twenty third minute run on the right being unceremoniously brought to an end by Neil Allan. Lewis Cameron's inviting free-kick across the face of goal narrowly evaded the runs of both Dene Cassells and Cammy Hill and skipped behind for a goal kick.

Two minutes later Myles McAuley's ball from the left corner of the St Pat's box tried to pick out David Beaton at the far post with St Pat's keeper Brian Gallacher getting quickly across to smother the ball at Beaton's feet.

Liam Rowan tried his luck from distance again in the twenty sixth minute from a quickly taken short free-kick this time firing his powerful shot inches wide of Graham Douglas' right hand post.

Ciaran McElroy sent strike partner David Connelly through on goal again on the half hour mark with Dene Cassells doing well to keep pace with Connelly and putting the young striker under enough pressure for him to scuff his effort across Graham Douglas and wide of target.

Referee Tony McCann was sent reaching for his notebook and cards twice in quick succession when Ciaran McElroy and Dominic Ruane both went in late and high on Cammy Hill and Myles McAuley respectively. Mr McCann did however resist the temptation for a third card on the stroke of half-time when a badly timed swipe from Liam Rowan almost cut Lewis Cameron in two.

Saints started the second half brightly and a Ross Cannon foul on Daniel MacCuish gave Lewis Cameron a dead ball opportunity from twenty eight yards which he sent over the St Pat's wall but straight into the midriff of Brian Gallacher.

The visitors' good start to the second period was undone after just five five minutes when the hosts ruthlessly exploited more cheaply conceded Saints possession. A promising Saints move broke down wide on the left touchline midway inside the St Pat's half. Dominic Ruane's quick ball over the top was just the invitation Ciaran McElroy had been looking for and the speedy striker held off the challenge of Dene Cassells to slot left footed beyond the right hand of Graham Douglas and into the bottom corner.

Just two minutes later the hosts hit the woodwork for a second time when Mathew Devine collected a Ciaran McElroy lay off and thumped a left foot shot from eighteen yards off the foot of Graham Douglas's right hand post.

A golden opportunity for Saints to grab a foot hold in the game was passed up by Craig MacEwan after fifty four minutes. MacEwan ghosted in unmarked from the left onto a Lewis Cameron cross but with no shout to tell him just how much time he had the Skipper snatched a difficult header wide of target.

Gavin Forgrieve sent a long range effort over Brian Gallacher's crossbar after fifty five minutes before another chance fell to Craig MacEwan seven minutes later. Gavin Forgrieve and Matty Kelly combined well to send David Beaton scurrying forward on the right from where his cross picked out Craig MacEwan in the middle. MacEwan escaped the close attentions of both Neil Allan and Scott Anderson but curled his effort from fourteen yards wide of the postage stamp corner.

At the other end David Connelly resumed his personal battle with Graham Douglas with the Saints number one once again coming out on top palming down Connelly's shot for Cammy Hill to thump clear.

Saints made their first change after seventy three minutes sending on Kyle Cooper to replace David Beaton. St Pat's substitutes Martin Currie and Ryan Deeley combined well with fifteen minutes remaining when Currie beat Dene Cassells in the air to flick a Brian Gallacher kick from hands into the path of Deeley whose shot from eighteen yards was well saved by Graham Douglas.

Skipper Craig MacEwan tracked back to stop the eightieth minute run of Michael Symington on the right, unfairly in the opinion of Referee McCann who handled a full bloodied contest between the two old rivals well. From the resulting free-kick Ryan Deeley climbed well at the back post to head Ciaran McElroy's delivery back across the face of goal where Craig MacEwan was on hand to control and lift forward looking for Kyle Cooper.

MacEwan made way for Louie MacFarlane with eight minutes remaining and a final Saints change followed in the dying minutes when Thomas McCrindle replaced Daniel MacCuish.

Saints kept probing for the opening that would give them some glimmer of hope however it was the hosts who came closest with another swift counter-attack. Graham Douglas capped a first class personal performance with a point blank save to deny Ryan Deeley from a Luke Gray through ball before Mr McCann brought the contest to a close. 

This coming Saturday Saints are on West of Scotland Cup duty when they host Westerlands of the Caledonian League First Division in a third round tie which must be decided on the day.

Graham Douglas

Liam Rowan

  

Dene Cassells and David Connelly

Daniel MacCuish

Lewis Cameron

Myles McAuley and Luke Gray

Mathew Devine

Gavin Forgrieve and Dominic Ruane

Daniel MacCuish and Ross Cannon

Scott Maitland

Brian Gallacher

Cammy Hill

Craig MacEwan

Cammy Hill and Ryan Deeley

Ciaran McElroy

Louie MacFarlane

Thomas McCrindle

#monthesaints