Saints Blunt Thorn

Saturday 24th July 2021 

Friendly

Oban Saints 1 - 0 Thorn Athletic

Oban Community Sports Field (3G)

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Pat O'Donnell                  


Former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Oban Saints and Thorn Athletic met last Saturday at Oban High School in the first ever friendly match between the sides. Encounters between the two have always been highly competitive giving an extra edge to this eagerly anticipated friendly meeting which should stand both sides in good stead when the real action starts in August.

After leaving the Scottish Amateur Football League in 2015 Thorn gained immediate success by securing the Caledonian League First Division title in their first season and with it promotion to the Premier Division. The 2018-19 season saw the ambitious Johnstone club win the Caledonian League Premier Division title arguably one of the biggest prizes in Scottish amateur football. Oban Saints Secretary David Buchanan was therefore understandably delighted when his old counterpart Mark McGee accepted his invitation for such top quality opposition to provide the latest test for Saints ahead of the new Central Scottish Amateur Football League campaign. 

Strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities and no supporters inside the perimeter fencing, were followed by both sides where a solitary Martin Bonar strike was all that could separate the sides. Thorn will feel they deserved to take something from a game which they dominated for long periods and but for an inspired performance from goalkeeper Murdo MacKenzie and a defensive master class from Dene Cassells and Steven MacLeod they most certainly would have done so. 

With Manager Willie Gemmell and Coach Ross Maitland both unavailable Secretary David Buchanan and Coach Peter MacCallum were in charge of team affairs and had former Managers Alex Craik and Donald Campbell alongside them on the touchline.

Saints lined up with Murdo MacKenzie in goal behind a back four of Kerr Newbigging, Steven MacLeod, Captain Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Anchoring the midfield were Myles McAuley and Martin Bonar with Matty Kelly, Gavin Forgrieve and Rory Dowd supporting central striker Cammy Hill. In an equal balance of youth and experience the substitutes bench consisted of Kenneth Black, Kyle Cooper, Donald Campbell and Alex Craik.


Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitutes:-

Alex Craik

Donald Campbell

Kyle Cooper

Kenneth Black

Saints kicked off in something approaching thirty degree heat attacking the Glencruitten end and full credit to both sets of players who, despite the high temperature, maintained a high tempo throughout.

Rolling substitutions were the order of the day and Thorn Manager Paul Young made his first change after just five minutes sending on David "Buster" Edwards to replace central striker Paul Jamieson. 

The Thorn strikers swapped places again ten minutes later and Jamieson had only just re-entered the field of play when Saints opened the scoring. Matty Kelly stepped inside Jack McDougall on the Saints right and threaded a diagonal ball for Cammy Hill to run onto. Hill outpaced Thorn right back Martin McInnes before drawing keeper Ryan Ward and squaring to Martin Bonar. Always with a keen eye for goal Bonar made good ground to get up in support of central striker Hill and with the goal at his mercy made no mistake from ten yards.

The visitors were almost back on level terms straight from the restart through Skipper Ryan Crawford. The Scottish Amateur International midfielder was given time and space to fire off a sweetly struck right foot shot from thirty five yards which had goal written all over it. Saints keeper Murdo MacKenzie, standing in for the unavailable Graham Douglas, had other ideas however and produced the first of a string of excellent saves leaping high to his right to push Crawford's effort over his crossbar.

MacKenzie was called into action again after twenty three minutes getting down well to his right to push a crisp Dean Scott twenty five yard strike behind for a corner kick. 

Referee Pat O'Donnell called for a water break after twenty five minutes much to the bemusement of former Saints Manager Iain Jackson who looked on incredulous muttering "never in my day". Also bemused were the Saints players who were less than impressed with Coach MacCallum's choice of sparkling rather than still water.

Saints defensive solidity continued to restrict the visitors to shots from distance with Murdo MacKenzie holding well from Muir McCluskey before watching carefully as another Dean Scott effort flew narrowly wide of target.

On the half hour mark Myles McAuley was penalised for a late challenge on Ryan Crawford twenty eight yards from goal. Saints were relieved that dead ball expert Paul Young was on the touchline however Muir McCluskey lifted a left footed strike worthy of his Gaffer over the Saints wall forcing Murdo MacKenzie to make another fine save high to his left. From the resulting corner kick McCluskey found the head of Jordan Verrecchia but, under pressure from Dene Cassells and Rory Dowd, the big central defender sent his header looping high over the crossbar.

Five minutes later it was Saints turn to try to exploit a dead ball situation. Scott Maitland and Cammy Hill linked up well on the left with Hill finding the feet of Rory Dowd whose jinking run towards goal was halted unceremoniously inches outside of the Thorn box. With no Lewis Cameron on the park Rory Dowd took responsibility for the free-kick. The young midfielder successfully curled his free-kick around the Thorn wall but was left cursing his luck when he effort came crashing back off Ryan Ward's left hand post before being thumped to safety.

Saints temporary management team of Buchanan and MacCallum made their first change for the closing stages of the first half sending on Alex Craik to replace Kerr Newbigging at right back.

Craik kept his place for the start of the second half and would go on to have a telling influence of proceedings.

The visitors were quickly on the attack at the start of the second half but it was Saints who came closest to adding to the scoring with a swift counter-attack. Matty Kelly sent Cammy Hill away on the right with the big striker drawing an excellent save from Ryan Ward low down to his right.

Ward was tested again in the fifty third minute and he did well to hold a twenty five yard Gavin Forgrieve effort after good work on the left from Rory Dowd.

Thorn had the ball in the Saints net in the fifty fifth minute but Referee O'Donnell, who handled a keenly contested affair well, ruled Paul Jamieson's header out for offside.

There was a welcome sight for Saints loyal home support when Donald Campbell made his first appearance in almost a year replacing Martin Bonar in midfield for the closing half hour. The former Co-Manager who has re-joined the playing staff and is currently working his way towards full match fitness used his experience to good effect alongside Myles McAuley who put in another excellent midfield performance.

Murdo MacKenzie showed good handling to cut out a sixty second minute Cameron Armstrong cross intended for Paul Jamieson before Mr O'Donnell signalled for the second half water break.

Saints were slow out of the blocks after the re-start and the visitors finally managed to get behind the seemingly impregnable central defensive pairing of Dene Cassells and Steven MacLeod with a David Edwards delivery from the right. Veteran defender Alex Craik was however alive to the danger and made an excellent diving headed interception to deny Cameron Armstrong at the near post.

Saints came close to doubling their advantage in the seventy fourth minute after good work on the right involving Donald Campbell, Matty Kelly, Gavin Forgrieve and Cammy Hill sent Kelly racing towards the bye-line. Kelly got there before Jack McDougall but sent his cutback too close to Ryan Ward with Rory Dowd and Scott Maitland waiting.

Sixty seconds later Cammy Hill was felled midway inside the Thorn half giving Saints the chance to get bodies in the Thorn box. Gavin Forgrieve's delivery picked out Donald Campbell who had peeled off at the back of the ruck of bodies. Campbell's cushioned ball back towards the penalty spot was agonisingly behind Rory Dowd denying the youngster a chance to test the keeper.

Kerr Newbigging rejoined the action for the closing fifteen minutes replacing Matty Kelly.

Murdo MacKenzie continued his heroics between the posts with another fine save low down to his left to push away a Muir McCluskey free-kick.

Kenny Black replaced the injured Gavin Forgrieve for the closing ten minutes with Kyle Cooper also getting a late run-out up front in place of Cammy Hill who had put in a good shift against an experienced Thorn defence.

Alex Craik made another terrific interception to deny Thorn what would have been a deserved equaliser however to lose their clean sheet at the last gasp after such a solid defensive performance would also have been harsh on Murdo MacKenzie and his defence.

It's Caledonian League Premier Division opposition again this coming Saturday when Stenhousemuir Community come visiting in Saints penultimate friendly match before the new season kicks off on Saturday 14th August.

Dene Cassells

 

Jordan Verrecchia

 

Cammy Hill, Jordan Verrecchia and Muir McCluskey

Myles McAuley

Martin Bonar is congratulated by his team-mates after his goal

Rory Dowd and Ryan Crawford

Murdo MacKenzie saves Muir McCluskey free-kick

Dean Scott

Steven MacLeod and David Edwards

Muir McCluskey

Kerr Newbigging and Cameron Armstrong

Ryan Ward

Kyle Cooper

#monthesaints

Saints Repel Pirates

Saturday 17th July 2021

Friendly

Oban Saints 6 - 1 Cambuslang Football Academy Pirates

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Oban Saints continued their build up to the new season at a sun drenched Glencruitten last Saturday afternoon. A first run-out on the Glencruitten turf for ten months saw the D&K Lafferty sponsored Saints play host to Glasgow Colleges Football Association side Cambuslang Football Academy Pirates in an entertaining encounter.

First half goals from Gavin Forgrieve and Rory Dowd added to a brace from Lewis Cameron to give Saints a four goal half time lead. The visitors rallied briefly in the second half and replied through Gordon Wynne before second half substitute Kyle Cooper added two more for Saints to round off the scoring at 6 - 1. 

Manager Willie Gemmell returned from self isolation to take the reins and with a number of players unavailable was forced to name himself on the substitutes bench along with Fraser MacFarlane and latest Saints Youth graduate Kyle Cooper.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod, Martin Bonar and Kenneth Black. Myles McAuley and Gavin Forgrieve anchored the midfield with Rory Dowd, Lewis Cameron and Ross Maitland behind central striker Cammy Hill. On the bench were Kyle Cooper, Willie Gemmell and Fraser MacFarlane.

Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitutes:-

Fraser MacFarlane

Kyle Cooper

Unused substitute:-

Willie Gemmell

Saints kicked off attacking the railway line end and had their noses in front inside five minutes. Rory Dowd picked out Lewis Cameron on the corner of the Pirates box from where he spun away from his marker and tucked the ball underneath the dive of Scott Matthews to open the scoring.

The home side doubled their advantage just two minutes later after good work on the left by the evergreen Ross Maitland. The Player/Coach who allegedly retired in 2017 found Gavin Forgrieve on the eighteen yard line whose curling net bound effort was deflected off a defender's back completely wrong footing goalkeeper Scott Matthews before nestling in the bottom corner of the net.

The Pirates made their first voyage into Saints territory in the twelfth minute with Kenneth Black doing well at left back to keep pace with Andy Bonham and block the Pirates right back's cross out for a corner kick. Jamie Alexander climbed well at the back post but found Saints number one Graham Douglas equal to the task holding Alexander's header safely to his right.

Alexander made a nuisance of himself again after twenty minutes when he wriggled away from Martin Bonar, who slotted in well alongside Steven MacLeod in central defence, and fired a low shot across Graham Douglas but wide of the far post.

Sixty seconds later Gordon Wynne swung over a cross from the left looking for Alexander which Douglas gathered comfortably before launching another Saints attack. Martin Bonar collected the ball from Douglas and combined well on the left with Kenneth Black and found Lewis Cameron midway inside the Pirates half. Cameron drove at the Cambuslang defence and drilled a low shot from eighteen yards inches wide of the post with Scott Matthews firmly rooted to the spot.

Ross Maitland continued to roll back the years and raced in from the right beating the Pirates offside trap to meet Gavin Forgrieve's through ball. Scott Matthews did well to narrow the angle and block Maitland's effort but luck deserted him when the loose ball fell to the feet of Rory Dowd who gleefully rolled the ball into the unguarded net for Saints third goal.

A speculative thirty five yard shot from Ross Thomson bounced awkwardly in front of Graham Douglas who needed two attempts to get the ball under control.

The visitors lost the services of centre forward Jamie Alexander to injury with David Lynass coming on in a straight forty first minute swap.

Cammy Hill's forty third minute driving run at the Cambuslang defence was halted two yards short of the eighteen yard line by a trip from Andy Bonham. Lewis Cameron took full advantage of the dead ball opportunity and curled a delightful finish over the four man Cambuslang wall and into the postage stamp corner to end the first half scoring.

Ross Maitland had the ball in the Pirates net sixty seconds after the restart after racing through the inside left channel to meet a pinpoint diagonal pass from Gavin Forgrieve. Referee Jimmy Litster, who handled a good natured encounter well, however ruled in favour of the visitor's appeals for an offside decision against the Saints wide man.

Graham Douglas had to watch Barry Duncan's swerving forty eighth minute effort from distance carefully and elected for safety first parrying to his left before picking up the loose ball.

Douglas parried again five minutes later this time to his right from a well struck David Lynass shot but the loose ball was well out of his reach and was pounced on by Gordon Wynne who, much to the delight of the boisterous crew on the touchline, tucked the ball underneath the Saints keeper's dive to raise the visitors hopes of a comeback.

Conceding a goal rekindled Saints interest in the game and Ruaridh Horne came close with a left foot effort across the face of goal from fourteen yards after cutting in from the right.

Saints Manager Willie Gemmell made the first of just two changes in the fifty sixth minute replacing Kenneth Black with Fraser MacFarlane.

MacFarlane was quickly involved linking up well with Lewis Cameron before teeing up Rory Dowd for a left foot shot from twenty yards which sailed just over the crossbar.

Latest graduate from the Oban Saints Youth set-up Kyle Cooper was given the chance to shine when he replaced Cammy Hill for the closing half hour.

The visitors continued to enjoy a good spell but were twice frustrated by important Saints interceptions. Steven MacLeod did well to divert a David Lynass shot away from goal before an in-swinging corner kick from the left evaded everyone only for Ross Maitland to thump the ball to safety at the back post.

Saints extinguished any hopes of a Cambuslang comeback when Kyle Cooper notched the first of his brace in the seventy fifth minute. Lewis Cameron feed the young substitute midway inside the Pirates half from where he powered forward holding off the attentions of Tom Coyle before beating Scott Matthews with a well struck right foot shot into the bottom corner from eighteen yards.

Despite the score line Pirates keeper Scott Matthews has a steady match but left his team mates all at sea in the eighty first minute. An under hit Matthews pass out from the back intended for Andy Bonham was intercepted by Rory Dowd who carried the ball into the Pirates box before squaring to the unmarked Kyle Cooper to roll the ball into the unguarded net for his second and Saints sixth goal of the afternoon.

The woodwork denied Cooper his hat-trick with two minutes remaining after the young striker had been found in the box by Ruaridh Horne. Cooper turned away from Jordan Serries and struck low to Scott Matthews' left but was left frustrated when the ball struck the inside of the post and bounced back into the grateful arms of the Pirates keeper.

Mr Litster brought proceedings to a close after three added minutes with both sets of players happy to escape the heat although the continuing ban on the use of showering and changing facilities would leave the visitors in particular an uncomfortable journey home.

The build-up to the new season continues this coming Saturday when Saints welcome old adversaries Thorn Athletic to Glencruitten for a first ever non competitive meeting of the two former Scottish Amateur Football League sides.

Ross Maitland

  

Cammy Hill

Scott Matthews

Kenneth Black

Lewis Cameron finds the postage stamp corner with his free-kick

Martin Bonar

Steven MacLeod

Fraser MacFarlane

Myles McAuley and Andy Bonham

Gavin Forgrieve

Kyle Cooper nets the first of his two goals

Rory Dowd sets up Kyle Cooper for the final goal

Ruaridh Horne

#monthesaints

    

Penalty Shoot-out Heartache for Saints

Saturday 10th July 2021

Castlemilk Dynamo 1 - 1 Oban Saints

After Extra Time

Castlemilk Dynamo win 4 - 1 on Penalty Kicks
Central Scottish Amateur Football League
Division 1 Play-off
Dalziel Park
Hagen Drive
Motherwell
ML1 5RZ
Kick-off 2pm

Referee Mr. Scott Pearce

Assistant Mr. Pat O'Donnell
Assistant Mr. Douglas Gunning

Fourteen months later than scheduled Oban Saints finally got their hands on the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B trophy last Saturday afternoon at Dalziel Park Motherwell. However there was to be no double celebration as, after 120 minutes of football could not separate the sectional winners, Division 1A Champions Castlemilk Dynamo emerged victorious from the penalty shoot-out to clinch the Division One trophy.

Having returned to competitive action on 4th June Dynamo held the edge in terms of match sharpness over a Saints side with just ninety minutes of friendly action in the tank. However there was nothing between the sides, both of which spurned chances to win the tie in regulation time, with Castlemilk holding their nerve to win the shoot-out by four successful kicks to one.

With Manager Willie Gemmell  forced to self isolate as a close contact of a positive covid case Coach Ross Maitland and Secretary David Buchanan were left in charge of team matters which saw Rory Dowd drafted in as a late replacement for the unavailable James Ford.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three Kerr Newbigging, Steven MacLeod and Dene Cassells. Across the midfield were Ruaridh Horne, Gavin Forgrieve, Lewis Cameron, Myles McAuley and Scott Maitland. Up front David Beaton partnered Captain Craig MacEwan. On the bench were Alex Craik, Rory Dowd, Cammy Hill, Matty Kelly and Ross Maitland.

Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used Substitutes:-

Matty Kelly

Cammy Hill

Rory Dowd

Ross Maitland

Unused Substitute:-

Alex Craik

Saints kicked off attacking the railway line end and came within a whisker of opening the scoring inside the first minute. Ruaridh Horne's ball up the line sent David Beaton away on the right wing from where he sent over an inviting cross only for Skipper Craig MacEwan to steer his attempted finish wide of target with just thirteen seconds on the clock.

Recovering from this early scare Dynamo took control of the early exchanges but found the Saints back three of Kerr Newbigging, Steven MacLeod and Dene Cassells in uncompromising mood. A thirteenth minute Newbigging foul on Dean McGinnity gave Dynamo Skipper and set-piece expert Connaire Dawson a chance to test Saints number one Graham Douglas from twenty two yards. Diving to his right Douglas could only parry Dawson's curling effort and had to react quickly to smother the ball at the feet on the onrushing William Hewitt.

Saints were finding it difficult to get Lewis Cameron and Gavin Forgrieve on the ball in midfield but the pair combined well in the sixteenth minute to carve out an opening for Craig MacEwan. The Skipper made a good run into the box on the end of Forgrieve's pass but could only find the gloves of Dynamo keeper Thomas Hollis with his cutback intended for strike partner David Beaton.

Referee Scott Pearce had the benefit of assistants Pat O'Donnell and Dougie Gunning, a luxury not often afforded to Referees at this level, and Mr O'Donnell made the first of a number of important calls on the half hour mark flagging Dynamo's striker Gavin Macleod offside when clean through on goal.

Macleod was through again sixty seconds later but was forced wide by the attentions of Kerr Newbigging. The Castlemilk front man made it to the bye-line but couldn't beat Graham Douglas who made a smart save at his near post.

Saints central defender Dene Cassells made a foray into opposition territory in the thirty second minute and was chopped down on the left touchline midway inside the Castlemilk half. After a string of poor deliveries Lewis Cameron at last found his range and with it the forehead of Ruaridh Horne whose glancing header had Thomas Hollis scrambling across his line to fingertip the ball over his crossbar for a corner kick. William Hewitt headed Lewis Cameron's out-swinger from the right out for a throw-in from where Cameron and Gavin Forgrieve combined to send Craig MacEwan through on Thomas Hollis. MacEwan beat his old Postal United adversary but couldn't believe his luck when his effort bounced back off the inside of the post and out of reach for partner David Beaton before being thumped to safety.

The second half began in similar style to the first only this time the early chance fell to Castlemilk. Still inside the first minute the ball was rolled up to Gavin Macleod who did well to hold off the challenge of Dene Cassells and find the unmarked Joseph Lang who gleefully tucked the ball under Graham Douglas to open the scoring.

The Saints response to going behind was positive and Lewis Cameron threaded a delightful ball through the inside left channel for Craig MacEwan in the forty ninth minute. Thomas Hollis came off his line and did well to stop MacEwan getting round him. Ruaridh Horne was first to the loose ball and steered his right foot effort past the stranded Hollis only to see William Hewitt make a last gasp clearance off the goal line for a corner kick. Lewis Cameron's delivery from the right was headed out to the edge of the box however Saints kept the pressure on and Ruaridh Horne picked out Dene Cassells who got in behind the advancing Dynamo defence but could only find the midriff of Thomas Hollis with both Craig MacEwan and David Beaton screaming for a cutback.

Assistant Referee Pat O'Donnell made a big call in the fifty fourth minute when Craig MacEwan was sent sprawling inside the Castlemilk box. Referee Pearce didn't have a good enough view to make the call however Mr O'Donnell was better placed and immediately signalled for the infringement. Lewis Cameron held his nerve and sent Thomas Hollis the wrong way from the penalty spot to level the scoring.

Since falling behind Saints were enjoying their best spell of the match but still couldn't hit the net from open play. Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan combined well again in the fifty ninth minute with Thomas Hollis making a good parry to his left to deny the Saints Skipper. William Hewitt once again came to his keeper's rescue getting back on the goal line to block David Beaton's effort from the loose ball.

Kerr Newbigging's heart was in his mouth just after the hour mark when his headed back pass to Graham Douglas fell well short but fortunately for the big defender inches too far in front of the outstretched right boot of Joseph Lang.

William Hewitt made it a hat-trick of incredible goal-line clearances sticking out his left boot to deflect a net bound Craig MacEwan effort off target.

David Beaton's pace on the right wing took him away from Dynamo left back Gregg Twaddle but his delivery from the right was fractionally too high for Craig MacEwan who couldn't direct his header on target.

Beaton's afternoon came to a premature end just minutes later when he pulled up with what looked to be a strained hamstring giving Cammy Hill a seventy seventh minute appearance. Hill had only been on the pitch for two minutes when he linked up well with Craig MacEwan on the edge of the box but couldn't direct his shot from fourteen yards past Thomas Hollis.

Both sides made changes for the final ten minutes of the ninety with Matty Kelly replacing Gavin Forgrieve for Saints while Chris Hughes and Samuel Edun swapped places with Dean McGinnity and Joseph Lang for Castlemilk.

Dynamo finished the ninety minutes the stronger of the two with the Saints defence doing just enough to keep them at bay. When the Castlemilk men did break through luck was on Saints side when Gavin Macleod successfully lifted the ball over Graham Douglas but inches wide of the post.

In the second of the three minutes added on by Mr Pearce Castlemilk Skipper Connaire Dawson did well on the right to get get away from Scott Maitland and fire over a cross which opposite number Craig MacEwan was on hand to turn behind at the front post for a corner kick. Dene Cassells headed Dawson's corner kick from the right out to the edge of the box from where Sam Smith struck a crisp half-volley which Graham Douglas, at full stretch, managed to finger tip over his crossbar.

Despite the best efforts of both sides there was to be no winning goal in regulation time nor in the additional thirty which followed.

Saints lost the services of Captain Craig MacEwan in the ninth minute of extra time with Oban Saints Youth product Rory Dowd coming on to make his first team debut.

Castlemilk substitute Chris Hughes had the ball in the net just before the interval but Assistant Referee O'Donnell raised his flag for offside.

Saints Coach Ross Maitland was pressed into action as an emergency right wing back form the final fifteen minutes replacing the flagging Ruaridh Horne. 

Mr O'Donnell had his flag raised again three minutes into the final period this time ruling out a Matty Kelly strike after good feet on the edge of the box from Rory Dowd found a fractionally offside Cammy Hill who tee'd up Kelly.  

With a nod to the impending penalty shoot-out Dynamo Manager Gary Hamilton made his final change in the twenty ninth of the thirty additional minutes sending on Alan Semple to replace second half substitute Samuel Edun.

Referee Pearce selected the rugby pitch end of Dalziel Park for the penalty shoot-out which Castlemilk's Sam Smith got underway with a cool finish rolled into the bottom corner. Steven MacLeod levelled things for Saints before yet another intervention from Assistant Referee Pat O'Donnell snatched the advantage away from Saints. Graham Douglas stood up well to stop Connaire Dawson's effort however the eagle eyed Assistant ruled that Douglas had strayed off his line and ordered a re-take which Dawson successfully converted.

Cup Final penalty shoot-out victories don't feature very often in the Oban Saints annals and the first breakthrough came when Thomas Hollis guessed correctly to stop Lewis Cameron's effort with Mark Blakey capitalising with the next kick to stretch the Dynamo advantage. Cammy Hill failed to hit the target with Saints third attempt on Wimbledon finals weekend making it "Championship point" to Dynamo. Gregg Twaddle held his nerve to smash his penalty high past Graham Douglas' left hand to clinch the League Division One Championship for Castlemilk Dynamo.

    

Team Captains Craig MacEwan and Connaire Dawson with Referee Scott Pearce

 

Graham Douglas

Craig MacEwan and William Hewitt

Thomas Hollis saves from Craig MacEwan

Thomas Hollis

Thomas Hollis saves Lewis Cameron's penalty kick

Gregg Twaddle nets the winning penalty

#monthesaints

Saints Get Some Four Star Fuel In The Tank

Saturday 3rd July 2021

Friendly

Oban Saints 4 - 0 Lochgilphead Red Star

Oban Community Sports Field (3G)

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 1.15pm
Referee Mr Martin Rae


Following the withdrawal of two previously interested parties Oban Saints Secretary David Buchanan was grateful to closest neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star for stepping in at short notice to provide the opposition at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon for the first of Saints four friendlies ahead of the new Central Scottish Amateur Football League campaign. 

Strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities and no supporters inside the perimeter fencing, were followed by both sides where two first half goals each from Lewis Cameron and Captain Craig MacEwan gave Saints a comfortable victory over a Red Star side featuring a number of youngsters which bodes well for the future of the Mid Argyll club.

Saints had a number of absentees most notably Manager Willie Gemmell, whose place on the touchline was filled by Coach Ross Maitland, and goalkeeper Graham Douglas with Club legend David Dunlop taking care of business between the posts.

Saints lined up with David Dunlop in goal behind a back three of Ruaridh Horne, Kerr Newbigging and Dene Cassells. Across the midfield were David Beaton, Rory Dowd, Lewis Cameron, Myles McAuley and Scott Maitland. James Ford partnered Captain Craig MacEwan up front. On the bench were Kenneth Black, Alex Craik, Matty Kelly and Steven MacLeod.


Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Saints kicked off attacking the school end and quickly stamped their authority on a first half which they would go on to dominate almost entirely. From a first minute Lewis Cameron corner kick on the right the ball found it's way back to the taker's feet who cut into the box and crashed a shot into the side netting from an acute angle.

After having a right foot volley from a James Ford left wing cross blocked by Joseph Harper, Lewis Cameron opened the scoring in the thirteenth minute from Saints first effort on target. David Beaton was felled twenty four yards out from where Cameron found the top corner with unerring accuracy giving Red Star keeper Ally Lewis no chance.

Saints skipper Craig MacEwan made a good sixteenth minute run opening up space for another Cameron effort which flew narrowly wide of target.

The visitors were dealt a blow when they lost the services of skipper Aaron Moore to injury after twenty minutes allowing young central midfielder Keiran Caskie a longer than planned run-out on his first team debut.

A rare Red Star foray into Saints territory had the home defence appealing in vain for an offside decision from Referee Martin Rae which wasn't forthcoming. Ryan Caskie ran onto Andy Weir's ball over the top however Saints keeper David Dunlop narrowed the angle sufficiently to force Caskie into looking for a cutback which Ruaridh Horne intercepted to mop up the danger.

Horne featured at the other end in the twenty fourth minute winning a throw-in on the right level with the Red Star six yard line. Horne took the throw himself finding Lewis Cameron whose measured cross found the head of Captain Craig MacEwan who headed firmly past Ally Lewis to double the home side's advantage.

Saints kept up the pressure on the Star defence and four minutes later added a third with Skipper MacEwan completing his brace. James Ford and Lewis Cameron combined well on the left to send Myles McAuley on an overlapping run from where he produced an unlikely left foot cutback which MacEwan slammed home from close range.

A second change and first team debut for the visitors came on the half hour mark when young Woody Hoad replaced Ryan Caskie on the right of midfield.

Saints continued to knock the ball about confidently and struck again with ten of the first forty five minutes remaining. Myles McAuley won possession on the halfway line and sprayed the ball out to Ruaridh Horne on the right. Horne sent David Beaton scurrying forward with the pacy Saints wide man holding off the attentions of Joseph Harper to fire a low cross along the six yard line which Lewis Cameron arriving at the back post cushioned home with some aplomb.

Despite having almost nothing to do for entire first half veteran Saints keeper David Dunlop kept his wits about him to preserve his highly prized clean sheet safely holding a forty third minute snap shot from Stuart MacLean.

Saints Coach Ross Maitland made a double change for the start of the second half replacing Dene Cassells and Rory Dowd with Steven MacLeod and Matty Kelly.

The second half opened in similar style to the first and inside the first minute Scott Maitland and James Ford combined well on the left with Ford's cutback from the left being knocked out to Myles McAuley on the edge of the box who dragged his low shot just wide of target.

Despite his alleged retirement in 2018 the evergreen Alex Craik continued to turn back the years replacing Kerr Newbigging in the middle of the Saints back three in the fifty fifth minute. 

Red Star's young keeper Ally Lewis made an impressive stop to deny Craig MacEwan a fifty seventh minute hat-trick goal from a Lewis Cameron lay-off. Lewis repeated the trick sixty seconds later when MacEwan and Cameron reversed roles for MacEwan to send Cameron into the box for a low effort which Lewis saved well at his near post.

Oban Saints GG Skipper Kenneth Black replaced Ruaridh Horne on the hour mark prompting a reshuffle in the back three where Steven MacLeod moved to the right allowing Black to take up his familiar position on the left.

Although still in control of proceedings Saints posed nowhere near the threat they carried in the first half and the visitors gained in confidence as the match progressed with Lee MacLean impressing in the midfield battle.

Scottish Amateur international colleagues Scott Maitland and Lewis Cameron linked up to good effect on the left for Cameron to pick out James Ford for a shot from eighteen yards which slipped just wide of Ally Lewis' right hand post.

Red Star Gaffer Colin Weir made it a hat-trick of first team debuts when he gave hard working central midfielder Angus Lewis a well earned rest and sent on Craig Aitken. The young left fullback made an instant impact racing forward on the left to fire off a shot which David Dunlop was pleased to see fly over his crossbar.

At the other end David Beaton had a similarly high and wide effort in the sixty seventh minute before Coach Ross Maitland made his first use of the rolling substitutes option to replace Craig MacEwan with Rory Dowd.

Lewis Cameron's search for a third goal continued in vain in the seventy sixth minute when despite a good turn to escape the attentions of Coll McCallum he was once again unable to find the target from eighteen yards.

David Beaton took what would prove to be a short breather when Ruaridh Horne replaced him in a straight swap on the right of midfield.

With the tempo continuing to drop Myles McAuley was caught in possession in the centre circle and was grateful to Alex Craik who put Neilly Russell under just enough pressure to ensure his effort lacked the pace to pose David Dunlop any problems.

Lewis Cameron's seventy ninth minute chip was well held by Ally Lewis before David Beaton was thrust back into the action to replace Myles McAuley for the closing stages.

The visitors deservedly kept their second half clean sheet intact when Ally Lewis saved with his feet to deny James Ford from close range after a jinking run into the box by Ford left the Red Star defence trailing in his wake.

Mr Rae, who handled proceedings well, brought a competitive but good natured encounter to an end with the minimum of added time giving both sides a valuable ninety minutes in the tank ahead of the season ahead.

For Red Star their preparations for the new Scottish Amateur Football League campaign continue with a trip to the Isle of Bute on Saturday 17th July to face Rothesay Brandane.

Before Saints can focus on the new Central Scottish Amateur Football League season they must first conclude the 2019 - 20 season with the League Division One play-off against the very impressive Division 1A winners Castlemilk Dynamo at Dalziel Park, Motherwell this coming Saturday.

Ross Maitland

David Beaton and Joseph Harper

Lewis Cameron opens the scoring

Rory Dowd and Lee MacLean

Ruaridh Horne

Kenneth Black

Matty Kelly

David Dunlop

James Ford is denied by Ally Lewis

#monthesaints