Dene At The Double In Dynamo Desmond

Saturday 30th October 2021

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Castlemilk Dynamo 2 - 2 Oban Saints

Toryglen Regional Football Centre

480 Prospecthill Road

Glasgow

G42 0BY

Referee Mr Stephen Payne

Ten man Oban Saints held on for a share of the points against 2019-20 Division One Champions Castlemilk Dynamo in an absorbing Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter at Toryglen last Saturday afternoon.

A close range Robert Hughes strike had given the hosts a narrow half-time advantage but a strong start to the second half saw Saints take the lead through a Dene Cassells brace before a controversial second yellow card for Daniel MacCuish handed the hosts a numerical advantage for closing twenty five minutes.

Saints defended manfully, riding their luck at times, but couldn't hold out succumbing to a stooping back post header from defender Mark Blakey.

Injuries, suspensions and work commitments continue to hamper Manager Willie Gemmell's selection options forcing the Gaffer into a rare starting role in central defence alongside Dene Cassells. Myles McAuley also returned to the starting eleven with youngster Louie MacFarlane earning a place on the substitutes bench.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Matty Kelly, Dene Cassells, Willie Gemmell and Cammy Hill. Myles McAuley and Gavin Forgrieve anchored the midfield with Ross Maitland, Captain Lewis Cameron and James Ford supporting central striker Daniel MacCuish. On the substitutes bench David Beaton and Alex Craik provided the experience to balance the youth of Kyle Cooper and Louie MacFarlane.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

David Beaton

Kyle Cooper

Unused substitutes:-

Alex Craik

Louie MacFarlane

Saints kicked off attacking the Prospecthill Road end at Toryglen with the low sun at their backs. Dynamo striker Robert Hughes had the first attempt of the match in the second minute with a twenty two yard strike into the midriff of Graham Douglas. Saints responded with a good move up the right wing from where Ross Maitland's low cross was well cut out at the near post by Mark Blakey.

Dean McGinnity threaded a good ball inside Saints fullback Matty Kelly for Dominic Reynolds whose low shot across Graham Douglas flew wide of the Saints keeper's left hand post.

Playing in an unfamiliar centre forward role Daniel MacCuish didn't quite have the pace to reach Gavin Forgrieve's ninth minute defence splitting through ball before inadvertently blocking a crashing thirty yard shot from Cammy Hill after a right wing corner kick from Lewis Cameron.

When MacCuish eventually did find space in the Castlemilk defence the outstretched right foot of Derek Hewitt diverted the ball out of MacCuish's path after a good run on the right from Matty Kelly.

In the fifteenth minute Dene Cassells was allowed to come a long way forward from his defensive beat before seeing his shot from thirty yards blocked behind. From the resulting corner kick Ross Maitland's delivery from the right was headed out to the edge of the edge of the box where the lurking Lewis Cameron saw his volley blocked by the advancing Dynamo defence.

Dean McGinnity and Dominic Reynolds linked well on the Dynamo left in the eighteenth minute with Robert Hughes getting a touch on Reynolds' low cross which sent it beyond Graham Douglas but also just wide of target.

The hosts made an early change replacing Dominic Reynolds with late arrival Alan Semple after twenty three minutes.

Semple's impact on proceedings was instant when he provided the cross from the left with Cammy Hill's ineffective clearance landing at the feet of Robert Hughes who tucked the ball past Graham Douglas from the corner of the six yard box. 

Willie Gemmell followed his defensive partner's earlier example and made his way forward for a long range effort which again failed to trouble Thomas Hollis in the Dynamo goal.

Hollis was eventually forced into action in the thirty second minute diving low to his right to push away a Lewis Cameron effort after a jinking run through the Dynamo defence from the Saints Skipper.

In the dying stages of the first half Referee Stephen Payne flashed yellow cards in the direction of Daniel MacCuish and Ryan Kerr after a minor scuffle on the touchline at a Saints throw-in with MacCuish's caution ultimately proving very costly. 

Saints made a positive start to the second half which saw Lewis Cameron send a free-kick just wide of target and Daniel MacCuish have a powerful left foot shot charged down on the edge of the Castlemilk penalty area.

Thomas Hollis saved again from Lewis Cameron pushing the Saints Skipper's stabbed effort around his right hand post in the fifty seventh minute. Cameron's corner kick from the left was headed away by the Dynamo defence but hopes of a counter-attack floundered when Alan Semple was adjudged to have controlled with his hand. From the resulting free-kick Hollis saved to his right once again tipping Willie Gemmell's effort behind for another Saints corner kick.

The building Saints pressure finally told and Dene Cassells' glancing header from six yards diverted Lewis Cameron's corner kick beyond Thomas Hollis and Ryan Kerr on the goal line and into the bottom corner to level the scoring.

Saints impressive start to the second period continued and on the hour mark Lewis Cameron was sent sprawling inside the Dynamo box with Referee Payne immediately pointing to the penalty spot. Dene Cassells made it two successful penalty kicks in as many weeks when he stepped up to slot past Hollis to give Saints the lead.

Saints hopes of building on their lead were dealt a blow when Daniel MacCuish fell over in the Dynamo penalty area with Mr Payne considering this to be simulation and therefore worthy of second yellow card.

The ten men came close to adding to their advantage just sixty seconds later but were denied by a fine save from Hollis low to his left from another Lewis Cameron srtike.

Gaffer Willie Gemmell made his first change replacing Ross Maitland with David Beaton in the hope that Beaton's pace on the break could trouble the Dynamo defence.

The hosts set up a rousing final twenty minutes when defender Mark Blakey came in unmarked at the back post to send a stooping header from a Connaire Dawson free-kick from the right beyond the despairing dive of Graham Douglas to level the scoring.

Alan Semple was inches wide of target with an attempted lob and Dean McGinnity's right foot shot after cutting in from the left curled wide of the postage stamp corner as the hosts looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

When Castlemilk did hit the target they found Graham Douglas impossible to beat for a third time with the Saints number one twice making good saves to deny Semple.

Saints final personnel change came with eight minutes remaining when Kyle Cooper replaced James Ford.

Determined defending saw Saints withstand the pressure from three corner kicks in quick succession from the right boot of Dynamo substitute Craig Connell.

The sight of central defender Dene Cassells pushing forward in the dying minutes of such a delicately poised match had hearts in mouths on the Saints touchline however Cassells' link up play with Kyle Cooper set up a shooting opportunity for Myles McAuley which the Saints midfielder sent disappointingly wide of target.

Having dealt with everything the hosts could throw at them it was the ten man Saints who almost snatched victory in stoppage time. A Matty Kelly and Lewis Cameron inspired break on the right saw Cameron fizz a low cross along the six yard line but unfortunately just too far in front of the chasing pack of David Beaton and Kyle Cooper.

The big games keep on coming for Saints and this coming Saturday they face fellow Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division side Drumchapel Amateurs in the Scottish Amateur Cup third round. Caledonian League Referee Joseph Todd takes charge of proceedings for the 2pm kick off at Glencruitten which must be decided on the day.   

 

   

Team Captains Lewis Cameron and Connaire Dawson with Referee Stephen Payne

 

Gregg Twaddle

Graham Douglas

Connaire Dawson

Alan Larkin

Willie Gemmell and Robert Hughes

Daniel MacCuish and Ryan Kerr

Dene Cassells

Thomas Hollis

Gavin Forgrieve

Dene Cassells levels the scores at 1 - 1

Mark Blakey heads the equaliser for Castlemilk Dynamo

#monthesaints

Four Out Of Ten For Out Of Sorts Saints

Saturday 23rd October 2021

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Oban Saints 4 - 6 Fallin

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Chris Costello

A disastrous eighteen minute spell at the end of the second half saw Oban Saints threw away a two goal lead to hand visitors Fallin the three points at Glencruitten last Saturday. Goals from Kyle Cooper, Dene Cassells, Cammy Hill and Daniel MacCuish had the home side 4 - 2 ahead going in to the closing stages of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter however the visitors rolled up their sleeves for a stunning comeback in the torrential rain to bag four late goals and edge out the out of sorts Saints.

Injury victims Craig MacEwan and Ruaridh Horne remained on the side lines however David Beaton was passed fit to take his place on the substitutes bench. 

Saints lined up in their new red strip jointly sponsored by D&K Lafferty Contractors Ltd and MKM Building Supplies with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Cammy Hill, Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Captain Scott Maitland. Gavin Forgrieve and Matty Kelly anchored the midfield with James Ford, Lewis Cameron and Daniel MacCuish behind central striker Kyle Cooper. On the bench were David Beaton, Willie Gemmell, Myles McAuley and Ross Maitland.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

David Beaton

Myles McAuley

Unused substitutes:-

Willie Gemmell

Ross Maitland

The visitors kicked off attacking the car park end and were first to threaten when Kyle Henderson escaped the attentions of Cammy Hill and Steven MacLeod to wriggle into the Saints box for a low shot from a tight angle which Graham Douglas blocked with his left foot.

Saints opened the scoring after just four minutes with their first strike on goal. Scott Maitland, Daniel MacCuish and Lewis Cameron combined well on the left before Cameron found Kyle Cooper on the edge of the Fallin box. Cooper's early right foot shot caught out Central Scottish Amateur Football League Select goalkeeper Michael Watson curling past his left hand on it's way into the net.

Watson gave a glimpse of the form which has caught the attention of Select Manager Colin Hamilton with a finger tip save to push a thumping fourteenth minute Lewis Cameron thirty yard drive onto his crossbar.

The visitors were gifted a highly controversial equaliser in the thirty first minute after Saints had repelled a good spell of Fallin pressure. After a Stuart Henderson corner kick had been knocked out of the box the clearly offside Andrew McGown was picked out by Alastair Brown's pass through the advancing Saints defence. Referee Chris Costello somehow failed to spot the offside and the big central defender gladly accepted the official's beneficence and slotted the ball past Graham Douglas.

Willie Gemmell allowed his incredulity at the Referee's decision to boil over and to rub salt into the already gaping Saints wound Mr Costello brandished the red card in the Saints Gaffer's direction.

Coaches Ross Maitland and Peter MacCallum and Secretary David Buchanan took the reigns in the Gaffer's absence and were forced into a half-time change when Kyle Cooper's troublesome groin injury flared up again. David Beaton, himself just back from a lengthy lay-off, was the replacement taking up a wide right position with James Forward moving to centre forward.

Ford made an early impact in his new central role creating space in the box for a low shot which Michael Watson saved well to his right. Saints however kept the pressure on through Scott Maitland and Daniel MacCuish who was felled in the box giving Referee Costello a straight forward decision to award a penalty kick. Dene Cassells stepped up and buried the spot kick in the bottom corner to put Saints back in front.

Saints good start to the second period continued with David Beaton forcing a corner kick on the right from where Lewis Cameron's delivery was flicked on at the front post and prodded home at the back post by Cammy Hill for Saints third goal.

The home side made their second and final change of the afternoon on the hour mark sending on Myles McAuley to replace Gavin Forgrieve,

Saints were still adjusting to the personnel change when the visitors pulled one back just sixty seconds later with a wonder strike from Stuart Henderson. Disappointingly from a Saints perspective the Fallin wide man was allowed far too much time and space to measure his thumping effort from thirty yards which flew into the top corner past the despairing right hand of Graham Douglas.

Scott Maitland's driving run on the left was unceremoniously halted by Stuart Henderson at the expense of a free-kick. From the dead ball Lewis Cameron picked out Daniel MacCuish on the edge of the box who made space for a low shot which fizzed past Michael Watson to reinstate Saints two goal advantage. 

Matty Kelly came within inches of extending the lead still further with a left foot shot from twenty two yards which left Watson rooted to the spot as the ball shaved the outside of his left hand post.

Graham Douglas made an excellent flying save to his left to push away a net bound Stuart Henderson effort before Cammy Hill put Stephen Donaghy under just enough pressure to force the Fallin striker to miscue his close range finish to a Kyle Henderson cutback onto the Saints crossbar.

A moment to forget from Saints number one Graham Douglas gifted Fallin the goal which kick started their stirring comeback. Douglas completely misjudged the flight of an Andrew McGown cross field pass looking for Stuart Henderson. With the Saints keeper stranded at the corner of his box the ball took a wicked bounce towards goal and was ushered into the unguarded net by Henderson who resisted the temptation to apply a finishing touch ensuring the goal credit for McGown. 

Graham Douglas redeemed his earlier error saving well low down to his left to deny Kyle Imrie after the second half substitute had jinked his way into the Saints box on the Fallin left.

An inspired substitution from the Fallin management team saw replacement Andrew Mochan score with his first touch racing in at the back post to poke home a cutback from fellow substitute Kyle Imrie after less than sixty seconds on the field.

Having managed to deal with the long throw threat of Stephen Donaghy throughout preceding eighty three minutes the Saints defence finally succumbed to the considerable weapon in the Fallin armoury in the eighty fourth minute. Donaghy's throw from the left into the Saints six yard box was headed down by Cammy Hill but Kyle Imrie was first to the second ball and hooked a close range effort in at the front post to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the match.

Saints gambled on pushing extra men forward in search of an equaliser but couldn't find a way through the Fallin defence and were punished again on the counter attack in the dying seconds. Another Saints attack was closed down midway inside the Fallin half with the ball being quickly sent forward for Stephen Donaghy to chase. Donaghy got away from Myles McAuley on the left and picked out Kyle Imrie at the back post for the substitute to complete his brace and round off a very disappointing afternoon for Saints and their loyal support.

Saints face another massive Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division test this coming Saturday when they travel to face 2019 - 20 League Division One Champions Castlemilk Dynamo. 

  

Kyle Cooper

Graham Douglas

Dene Cassells nets from the penalty spot to put Saints 2 - 1 in front

Cammy Hill puts Saints 3 - 1 ahead

Daniel MacCuish, Cammy Hill and David Beaton

Graham Douglas saves Michael Weir's header

#monthesaints

Saints Edge Out Old Rivals St Joseph's FP In West of Scotland Cup Clash

Saturday 16th October 2021

West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Second Round
St Joseph's FP AFC 1 - 2 Oban Saints AFC
Scotstoun Sports Campus
72 Danes Drive
Glasgow
G14 9HD
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Mark McGuire

Oban Saints travelled to Scotstoun last Saturday afternoon to face former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals St Joseph's FP in the second round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup.

Clinical finishes from James Ford and Lewis Cameron either side of a thumping free-kick from St Joe's defender Kieran Greene put Saints into the hat for the third round draw and gave the club a much needed shot in the arm after the previous week's heavy league defeat to Wishaw High School Former Pupils.

Manager Willie Gemmell's team selection worries were handed a significant boost when injured trio Lewis Cameron, James Ford and Scott Maitland reported fit for action. Also boosting the numbers in a much changed squad were long term absentees Daniel Cassells, Daniel MacCuish and Ally McKerracher.

Saints lined up with Daniel Cassells in goal behind a back four of Cammy Hill, Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Captain Scott Maitland. Matty Kelly and Gavin Forgrieve anchored the midfield with Daniel MacCuish, Lewis Cameron and Ross Maitland supporting central striker James Ford. On the substitutes bench were Kyle Cooper, Alex Craik, Willie Gemmell and Ally McKerracher.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Daniel Cassells

Cammy Hill

Steven MacLeod

Dene Cassells

Scott Maitland (Captain)

Matty Kelly

Gavin Forgrieve

Ross Maitland

Lewis Cameron

Daniel MacCuish

James Ford

Used substitutes:-
Kyle Cooper

Ally McKerracher

Unused substitutes:-
Alex Craik

Willie Gemmell

Prior to kick-off Referee Mark McGuire lead both sets of players in a silence of remembrance for former St Joe's player Neil Mcgroarty who had sadly passed away recently.

Saints kicked off resplendent in their new red kit jointly sponsored by D&K Lafferty Contractors and MKM Building Supplies. The club would like to thank David and Kathleen Lafferty for their continued support and to welcome Iain Hunter and Sandy Cameron of MKM Oban as new sponsors.

After answering the late S.O.S. call to take the gloves Saints keeper Daniel Cassells was pressed into action in just the second minute coming through a ruck of players to punch away an in-swinging Aaron Graham free-kick from the left.

Making his first appearance since the 2015-16 season Cassells will claim his part in the assist for Saints opening goal in the fifth minute. The big keeper's long ball up the left found Daniel MacCuish who held off the challenge of St Joe's defender Keiran O'Brien to feed James Ford on the corner of the eighteen yard box. Ford jinked along the eighteen yard line making space for his low shot across keeper Christopher Wright which found the net off the inside of Wright's left hand post.

Ford tried his luck again four minutes later this time finding the midriff of Wright from twenty five yards after latching onto a lay-off from Lewis Cameron after a good run on the left from Scott Maitland.

St Joe's front two of Ally Graham and Alastair Scholes combined well in the tenth minute with the senior Ally setting up youngster Scholes for a shot from twenty yards which Daniel Cassells held comfortably.

After a strong start from Saints the hosts began to find their feet and forced a corner kick on the right from the first of a string of vital interceptions from the inspirational Dene Cassells. Ryan Forrester's delivery from the right was met at the back post by the forehead of Ally Graham whose header crashed off the crossbar and bounced into the path of Sean Carrick. The St Joe's wide man couldn't believe his luck when his well struck effort was spectacularly hooked to safety by Steven MacLeod a yard short of the goal-line.

Saints responded with a well worked move from right to left which saw Scott Maitland cut inside onto his less favoured right foot for a firmly struck shot which Christopher Wright could only parry before gathering at the second attempt ahead of Lewis Cameron.

The hosts already stretched resources were dealt a further blow in the twenty sixth minute when central midfielder Sam Gallacher pulled up injured hastening the arrival of veteran of many tussles with Saints Ryan Halpin.

A driving thirtieth minute run from Scott Maitland was halted on the corner of the eighteen yard box by the combined efforts of Sean Carrick and Keiran O'Brien. From the resulting free-kick Lewis Cameron struck the inside of Christopher Wright's right hand post with the rebound bouncing agonisingly between on-rushing pair Daniel MacCuish and Dene Cassells before being thumped to safety.

As the evenly contested first half wore on off target shots from St Joe's pair Ryan Forrester and Aaron Graham were followed up by a dipping effort from Lewis Cameron which wouldn't come down quickly enough to trouble Christopher Wright in the St Joe's goal.

Lewis Cameron's fortieth minute driving run at the St Joe's defence took him past Craig Cameron and Keiran O'Brien however Kieran Greene covered well to shepherd the ball safely through to Christopher Wright.

Set pieces were looking to be St Joe's most likely route back into the game and after another timely interception from Dene Cassells Sean Carrick headed Ryan Forrester's corner kick narrowly wide of Daniel Cassells' right hand post.

At the other end a Lewis Cameron free-kick from the corner of the eighteen yard box straight into the St Joe's defensive wall was the final act of an entertaining first half.

Referee Mark McGuire, who had a good match, showed the only yellow card of a keenly but fairly contested encounter to St Joe's central midfielder David Seagrave for a mis-timed forty sixth minute tackle on Daniel MacCuish.

A forty ninth minute Keiran O'Brien challenge on Lewis Cameron gave Cameron the chance to swing over a free-kick which Cammy Hill headed wide of target.

Hill was up in support of the attack again sixty seconds later shooting just wide of the postage stamp corner from a Daniel MacCuish lay-off.

Scott Maitland was adjudged to have impeded Sean Carrick on the corner of the Saints box giving the home side a fifty second minute set-piece opportunity which they fully exploited. With a three man wall in place there wasn't much of a target for Kieran Greene to aim at but the big defender found the net with such power in his crisply struck left foot strike as to give Daniel Cassells no chance.  

On the hour mark Saints carved out an excellent opening on the right when Daniel MacCuish and Cammy Hill combined to send James Ford into the St Joe's box. Ford was forced wide by Craig Cameron but still managed to send a tempting ball along the six yard line with unfortunately no takers in red.

Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell made his first change in the sixty fifth minute sending on youngster Kyle Cooper to replace elder statesman Ross Maitland.

The Saints winner came in the sixty eighth minute after good work on the right. Cammy Hill, Daniel MacCuish and Matty Kelly were all involved before Lewis Cameron took control of the bouncing ball in the D and steered the ball beyond the grasp of Christopher Wright and into the bottom corner.

Straight from the restart St Joe's forced a corner kick on the right from where Ryan Forrester's delivery was headed over by Skipper Craig Cameron.

Sixty seconds later Dene Cassells was again on hand with another telling interception to deny Ally Graham after the St Joe's striker had managed to get the better of Steven MacLeod. From the resulting corner kick Daniel Cassells showed good handling to claim Aaron Graham's delivery from the left.

Lewis Cameron tried to catch out Christopher Wright with an attempted seventy third minute lob from thirty six yards but found the St Joe's number one equal to the task.

The home side kept pressing for a second equaliser to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out however the Saints back four remained resolute forcing Ryan Forrester and Ryan Halpin into strikes from distance which failed to land on target.

Saints final change saw the return of exiled Obanite Ally McKerracher who replaced Daniel MacCuish on the right of midfield for the final fifteen minutes. The hosts used their last available substitution withdrawing Alastair Scholes and sending on Euan Burns.

Ally McKerracher and Kyle Cooper linked up to good effect in the eighty fourth minute to force a corner kick on the right. Cammy Hill did well to reach Lewis Cameron's delivery from the corner flag but the big fullback couldn't direct his header on target.

The hosts kept up their pursuit of an equaliser but got no change out of the solid Saints back line. When the Duntocher men eventually found a chink in the Saints armour Sean Carrick's overhead kick from six yards went straight into the grateful arms of Daniel Cassells.

Referee McGuire brought proceedings to an end after two added minutes with Saints in possession deep inside St Joe's territory. 

This coming Saturday Saints return to league business when they welcome Fallin to Oban in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division. Referee Chris Costello takes charge of the 2pm kick off at Glencruitten.

Celebrations after James Ford opens the scoring

Dene Cassells

Daniel Cassells

Scott Maitland

Ally Graham's header hits crossbar

James Ford and David Seagrave

Matty Kelly

Daniel Cassells is beaten by Kieran Greene's free-kick

Celebrations after Lewis Cameron's winning goal

Cammy Hill heads wide

Sean Carrick overhead kick

#monthesaints

Saints Pass Port Into The Third Round

Saturday 2nd October 2021

Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition

Second Round

Oban Saints 5 - 2 Port Glasgow

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Christopher Trainer

Oban Saints booked their place in the Scottish Amateur Cup third round draw with a 5 - 2 victory over Port Glasgow at a rain soaked Glencruitten last Saturday. Goals from Gavin Forgrieve, Craig MacEwan and Ross Maitland, added to a brace from Fraser MacFarlane, sealed a win against the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division outfit which, for long spells, was not nearly as comfortable as the final score-line would suggest. 

The dogged visitors twice levelled the scoring before Saints eventually pulled away much to the delight of the hardy home support who had braved the heavy rain to cheer on their favourites.

Injuries and work commitments were once again a key factor in Manager Willie Gemmell's team selection with the Gaffer himself, for once, unable to juggle his shift patterns to make the squad. Coaches Ross Maitland and Peter MacCallum, assisted by Secretary David Buchanan, took charge and were boosted by the return of Ruaridh Horne which is hopefully an indication that Saints injury woes are beginning to ease.

Prior to kick-off Referee Christopher Trainer lead both camps in a silence of remembrance for Scottish Amateur Football League Registration Secretary Stewart Cameron who sadly passed away the previous weekend.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells, Alex Craik and Cammy Hill. Donald Campbell and Cammy Clark anchored the midfield with Fraser MacFarlane, Gavin Forgrieve and Ross Maitland behind Captain Craig MacEwan. On the bench were Jack Wright and returning injury victim Ruaridh Horne.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Ruaridh Horne

Jack Wright

Saints kicked off attacking the railway line end where Donald Campbell picked out Gavin Forgrieve for a ninth minute flicked effort which beat the advancing Port keeper but drifted agonisingly wide of target.

Campbell followed this up sixty seconds later with an attempt himself from twenty four yards which flew just wide of the postage stamp corner.

Referee Trainer issued the first of a clutch of yellow cards in the twelfth minute cautioning Port striker David McClure for dissent after the award of free-kick to Saints. Donald Campbell's delivery from the right picked out Craig MacEwan whose glancing header from twelve yards was the latest attempt not to trouble Port keeper Stephen Kangley.

Slack passing from Saints gifted two chances to the visitors which striker David McClure firstly steered wide of Graham Douglas' left hand post before Ciaran Murray struck the base of the same upright with the Saints number one rooted to the spot. Saints countered immediately on the left through Cammy Hill and Ross Maitland where Craig MacEwan eventually forced a corner kick. Ross Maitland's delivery from the corner flag picked out Dene Cassells at the front post but the big central defender's header flew over the crossbar.

At the other end Paul Payne found space in the Saints box to meet Bradley Anderson's free-kick from the level with the eighteen yard line on the right. Fortunately for Saints the Port defender's header was in keeping with all that had preceded it and failed to trouble Graham Douglas.

The Saints opener had a slice of good fortune about it but was nonetheless a composed finish from Fraser MacFarlane. Stephen Kangley looked favourite to cut out Donald Campbell's raking twenty second minute cross field pass intended for MacFarlane but the Port keeper slipped on the greasy Glencruitten turf leaving him stranded twenty two yards from his goal-line. MacFarlane capitalised fully on his good fortune immediately getting the ball under control and steering it unerringly into the unguarded net.

Two minutes later Saints survived another let-off when Paul Millar's corner kick from the right flew through the six yard box with no takers. Breaking immediately to the other end it was the home side's turn to hit the woodwork when Cammy Hill cut in from the left and struck the base of Stephen Kangley's right hand post.

There was a loud appeal for a penalty kick when Ross Maitland's twenty sixth minute free-kick was deflected wide by an outstretched arm in the Port Glasgow defensive wall after Craig MacEwan had been upended twenty two yards from goal. Referee Trainer was content just to award a corner kick on the right from where Cammy Hill climbed highest to head Maitland's delivery down but into the legs of James O'Shea on the Port goal-line.

The slippery conditions may have played a part in Anthony Clarke's late slide into midfield counterpart Cammy Clark on the half-hour mark but Mr Trainer still considered it worthy of yellow card.

Saints were left appealing in vain for an offside decision that didn't come when Bradley Anderson raced onto a David McClure pass to slot past Graham Douglas for a thirty second minute equaliser.

It took Saints just two minutes to regain the lead when Gavin Forgrieve's well timed run was picked out by Ross Maitland with the young midfielder slotting a good finish under the advancing Port keeper.

Dene Cassells pushed forward in support of a fortieth minute attack and was inches away from connecting with a Fraser MacFarlane cross from the right. Gavin Forgrieve retrieved the ball and curled a shot from the corner of the eighteen yard box onto the top of the Port crossbar.

Graham Douglas picked up a needless yellow card for dissent at the award of a forty fifth minute free-kick but redeemed himself by getting down well to his left to push away Bradley Anderson's effort from the left edge of the eighteen yard box.

The second half when just ninety seconds old when the visitors levelled for the second time. John McGachy pounced on a stray pass midway inside the Saints half and raced away on the left. McGachy's tempting ball along the six yard line was turned in by Paul Millar on the stretch who got there just ahead of Cammy Hill.

Saints responded well and Paul Payne made a vital interception to rob Craig MacEwan as he was about to pull the trigger on the corner of the six yard box. Donald Campbell kept the pressure on the Port defence with a fiftieth minute free-kick which was headed down into the path of Ross Maitland who volleyed back across the face of goal but wide of Stephen Kangley's left hand post.

Graham Douglas produced a double save to deny firstly David McClure pushing out the striker's shot before safely gathering Anthony Clarke's dipping effort on the rebound.

A rampaging run up the left in the fifty fourth minute took Cammy Hill all the way into the Port box with the big left fullback retaining the composure to pick out the supporting run of Fraser MacFarlane who completed his brace with aplomb.

Saints first change of the afternoon saw the introduction of Ruaridh Horne for his first appearance of the season at the expense of Cammy Clark.

Cammy Hill joined the rising card count for pulling back Paul Millar in the sixty second minute with Dene Cassells making a good interception from the resulting free-kick to turn behind for a corner kick. Ciaran Murray's delivery from the left sparked a scramble in the Saints box with Gavin Forgrieve's partial clearance arriving back at the feet of Murray who curled a shot high over the crossbar.

Steven MacLeod's rampaging sixty fifth minute run up the right wing won a throw-in level with the Port eighteen yard line. MacLeod took the throw quickly finding Fraser MacFarlane who turned well in the box but fired his shot into the side netting. Stephen Kangley took route one from the goal kick finding David McClure who took the ball down well and tried to catch out Graham Douglas but sent his effort from distance over the Saints crossbar.

Cammy Hill did well again on the left to force a seventy second minute corner kick which Ross Maitland sent into the six yard box. Stephen Kangley's attempted punched clearance landed kindly at the feet of Craig MacEwan who prodded the ball goalward and through the legs of James O'Shea on the goal-line.

Steven MacLeod became the latest entry in Referee Trainer's notebook for a foul on second half substitute Brandon McCabe. MacLeod however fared better than Bradley Anderson who received his marching orders for an unwelcomed remark to the Stewarton based whistler. Graham Douglas got down smartly to his left to push McCabe's free-kick behind for a corner kick with Alex Craik heading out McCabe's delivery and sparking a Saints counter-attack. Cammy Hill again provided the threat on the left and found Gavin Forgrieve in support who steered his shot wide of Stephen Kangley's right hand post.

Kyle McGuigan's rugby tackle on Cammy Hill earned him a caution which proved to be his last contribution to the proceedings with David Strachan joining the action as his seventy eighth minute replacement. Leaving the action for Saints was Dene Cassells with what appeared to be a groin strain giving Jack Wright his competitive debut. Ross Maitland's free-kick picked out Donald Campbell whose on target shot from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner kick.

Gavin Forgrieve joined the list of miscreants in Referee Trainer's notebook for a late challenge on Paul Payne inside the centre circle in the eighty second minute.

Substitute Jack Wright passed up the opportunity to test Stephen Kangley in the eighty seventh minute instead failing to tee-up Fraser MacFarlane with an over hit pass.

Another driving run from Cammy Hill won a corner kick on the left which he took quickly himself to Ross Maitland who in turn picked out Skipper Craig MacEwan for a low shot wide of Stephen Kangley's right hand post.

Rather than marking his debut with a goal Jack Wright found a less auspicious way by clattering late into substitute Scott Payne in the Port Glasgow box and earning the final yellow card of the afternoon.

As the clock ticked into the last of the four minutes added by Mr Trainer Ross Maitland burst through the inside right channel onto a Craig MacEwan lay off. The Saints evergreen rounded Stephen Kangley and held off the challenge of James O'Shea before lifting the ball into the unguarded net to round off the scoring.

Referee Trainer sounded the final whistle immediately after the restart bringing to an end a keenly contested encounter which kept the home crowd well entertained throughout.

This coming Saturday Saints are back on league duty when they welcome much fancied Wishaw High School Former Pupils to Glencruitten in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division. 

Team Captains Craig MacEwan and Thomas Wilson with Referee Christopher Trainer

Donald Campbell

Celebrations after Gavin Forgrieve's goal

James O'Shea on the line can't stop Craig MacEwan's effort

Fraser MacFarlane and Gavin Forgrieve congratulate Craig MacEwan on his goal

Cammy Hill has his progress halted by Paul Payne

Jack Wright

Ross Maitland rounds off the scoring

#monthesaints