Saints GG Lose Out In Five Goal Thriller

 

Saturday 26th February 2022

Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League

Division 3A

Oban Saints 2 - 3 Viewfield Rovers

Oban Community Sports Field

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 2.30pm

Referee Mr Jim Feerick

Following the postponement of Oban Saints Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division match against Eastfield the club's second string, Oban Saints GG, took centre stage at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon.

The Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division 3A clash with Viewfield Rovers kept the large crowd richly entertained with the visitors coming out on top by the odd goal in five after a stirring comeback from a two goal deficit.

Saints GG Gaffer Donald Black's team selection woes continued with a string off call-offs forcing him to turn to the first team squad for assistance. First team Manager Willie Gemmell was only too happy to oblige and supplied youngsters Gavin Forgrieve and Kyle Cooper and the ever dependable Alex Craik. In perhaps the biggest shock of all Gemmell himself accepted a starting role in central defence alongside fellow veteran Craik.

Saints GG lined-up with Murdo Mackenzie in goal behind a back four of Ollie Sharp, Willie Gemmell, Alex Craik and Craig Livingstone. Across the three man midfield were Pearce Mcbeth, Captain Martin Bonar and Gavin Forgrieve. Up front were Kyle Cooper, Lewis Buchanan and Lennon Campbell. The substitutes bench consisted Andrew Barclay, Ruairidh Buchanan, Lewis Campbell, Fraser MacFarlane and Andrew Ritchie.

Oban Saints GG starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Fraser MacFarlane

Andrew Ritchie

Ruairidh Buchanan

Lewis Campbell

Unused substitute:-

Andrew Barclay

The match got off to the best possible start for the hosts when Craig Livingstone's long ball up the left was misjudged by Viewfield keeper Kyle Keegan with Lennon Campbell nipping in to head the loose ball into the unguarded net and give Saints a first minute lead.

Sixty seconds later Saints were just a post's width away from doubling their advantage when Kyle Cooper's cushioned volley from Gavin Forgrieve's corner kick came back off Kyle Keegan's left hand upright.

With the strong wind at their backs the visitors soon began to take control of the vital midfield area however the Saints back four of Sharp, Gemmell, Craik and Livingstone were doing just enough to keep the Viewfield attack at bay.

Josh Smith was a thorn in the flesh for the Saints defence without managing to test Murdo Mackenzie between the posts. When he was called into action Mackenzie twice denied Viewfield skipper Dean Patrick from dead ball opportunities and made a brave save at the feet of Robbie Manley.

Saints GG Gaffer Donald Black made his first change after thirty five minutes replacing the out of sorts Lennon Campbell with Fraser MacFarlane. The introduction of MacFarlane gave Saints renewed impetus and the new front three of Buchanan, Cooper and MacFarlane linked well on the stroke of half-time to carve out an opportunity for Cooper who saw his effort from eighteen yards well blocked by Daniel Kelly.

Saints began the second half in the same style as the first doubling their advantage just two minutes after the re-start. Craig Livingstone's ball out from the back was picked up by Lewis Buchanan who drove forward before sending a perfectly weighted pass into the stride of Fraser MacFarlane. The diminutive striker raced away from Daniel Kelly and Sam Reilly before clipping a composed finish past Kyle Keegan.

Andrew Ritchie replaced Pearce Mcbeth to join Skipper Martin Bonar and Gavin Forgrieve in central midfield where Saints struggled to assert any authority.

Murdo Mackenzie, who was in inspired form, made an excellent point blank save to deny Callum Scullion in the fifty second minute while at the other end opposite number Kyle Keegan was relieved to see a wind assisted Willie Gemmell effort from the half-way line clear his crossbar by a matter of inches.

Kyle Cooper's injury woes continued when he limped off after sixty one minutes to be replaced by Ruairidh Buchanan in a straight swap on the left of the front three.

With twenty three minutes remaining a sensational twenty eight yard left foot strike from Josh Smith flew high into the net well beyond the reach of Murdo Mackenzie to kick start a stunning comeback from the visitors.

The Viewfield Manager made an inspired substitution with the introduction of Connor Goldie who drew his side level after seventy six minutes after turning away from the clearly struggling Alex Craik to slam the ball high into the net past the left hand of Murdo Mackenzie.

The injuries continued to mount up for Saints with Lewis Buchanan the latest to limp off. Buchanan was replaced by Lewis Campbell another promising graduate from the club's youth set-up.

With five of the regulation ninety minutes remaining Saints had a rare opportunity to test Kyle Keegan after Fraser MacFarlane had been brought down thirty yards from goal. A scorer of many sensational free-kicks in his pomp, Willie Gemmell was unable to turn the clock back and could only find the grateful arms of the Viewfield keeper.

Murdo Mackenzie continued to defy the odds and made another fine save to deny central defender Daniel Kelly who had been pushed forward into attack for the closing stages.

Mackenzie saved a third free-kick from Viewfield Skipper Dean Patrick in the ninety second minute as the battling Saints looked to have secured a share of the points. From the resulting corner kick however Saints were left appealing in vain for a Connor Goldie foul on Lewis Campbell on the left edge of the eighteen yard box. Referee Jim Feerick saw nothing wrong and Goldie didn't wait about for an inquest spinning into the box and curling a left foot shot into the far corner for a last gasp winner for the Lochwinnoch men.

This Saturday coming Saints GG face another huge test when they travel to face league leaders Houston United who have yet to drop a single point in this season's Division 3A campaign.

First team Gaffer Willie Gemmell will take his charges to the famously immaculate grass surface at Eastgate for a Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter with Gartcosh United.

Murdo Mackenzie

Martin Bonar

Pearce Mcbeth and Dean Patrick

Kyle Cooper and Marc Walsh

Gavin Forgrieve clears at the near post

Alex Craik heads behind

Ollie Sharp

Gavin Forgrieve

Lennon Campbell

Murdo Mackenzie saves Dean Patrick's free-kick

Craig Livingstone

Fraser MacFarlane nets Saints second goal

A delighted Lewis Buchanan celebrates Fraser MacFarlane's goal

Kyle Cooper and Charlie Carlin

Ruairidh Buchanan

Fraser MacFarlane and Marc Walsh

Lewis Campbell

Willie Gemmell watches as his free-kick loops into the goalkeeper's arms

#monthesaints

Saints Come Up Short In West of Scotland Cup Quarter Final

Saturday 19th February 2022

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Sixth Round

Oban Saints 0 - 1 Shortlees

Oban Community Sports Field

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 1.00pm
Referee Mr Steven Fotheringham

Oban Saints hopes of a return visit to New Douglas Park, Hamilton for a West of Scotland Amateur Cup semi-final appearance were dashed at Oban High School last Saturday. Old foes Shortlees, who Saints had beaten on their last semi-final trip to Hamilton, edged a typically tight encounter with talisman Keir Knapp providing the flash of inspiration in first half stoppage time which ultimately separated the sides.

David Beaton, Lewis Cameron and Kyle Cooper were unavailable however Dene Cassells, Alex Craik, Graham Douglas, Cammy Hill and Jack Wright all returned for Saints most important match of the season so far.

  

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Steven MacLeod, Myles McAuley, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Across the three man midfield were Matty Kelly, Gavin Forgrieve and Daniel MacCuish. Up front were Ross Maitland, Captain Craig MacEwan and Cammy Hill. On the substitutes bench were James Conington, Alex Craik, Ruaridh Horne, Thomas McCrindle and Jack Wright.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

James Conington

Ruaridh Horne

Unused substitutes:-

Alex Craik

Thomas McCrindle

Jack Wright

The recent spell of foul weather forced a switch of venue from Glencruitten to the 3G surface at Oban High School and 2018 Scottish Amateur Cup winners Shortlees kicked off attacking the school end. With the stakes high clear cut chances were understandably at a premium in the early stages with both defences offering good protection to the respective goalkeepers. 

Saints forced a series of corner kicks and free-kicks giving Gavin Forgrieve opportunities with the dead ball however the young central midfielder was unable to find the delivery necessary to truly test Garry Murdoch in the Shortlees goal.

At the other end the Saints back four of Steven MacLeod, Myles McAuley, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland were keeping the Shortlees attack in check limiting Keir Knapp and Marc Walker to speculative off target efforts.  

The visitors were reduced to ten men in the twenty ninth minute when Marc Walker felled Cammy Hill with an off the ball elbow. Walker protested his innocence however Referee Fotheringham was in no doubt and sent the Shortlees striker packing with a straight red card.

Saints looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage and Skipper Craig MacEwan got the better of opposite number Gordon Minor to tee up Daniel MacCuish with a thirty first minute cutback from the left. The big midfielder had made a good run to get up in support but his shot from the edge of the box was well off target.

Graham Douglas was forced into action in the thirty eighth minute getting down well to his right to push behind a Kristopher Chisolm free-kick after Matty Kelly had been harshly penalised just outside the Saints box.

Daniel MacCuish's troublesome hamstring caused him to pull up in some distress in the forty second minute. A quick rub from David Dunlop's magic sponge did nothing to improve the situation and MacCuish limped off to be replaced by James Conington.

Ninety seconds into first half stoppage time the visitors broke the deadlock with Keir Knapp once again providing the inspiration. The Shortlees talisman, arguably one of the top amateur players of his generation, cut in from the left and angled a right foot cross into the corridor of uncertainty between goalkeeper and defenders. Joseph Gold, another of Shortlees highly decorated stars, made a good run from his midfield berth and held off Dene Cassells to get the slightest of touches to help Knapp's ball beyond Graham Douglas and into the net.  

Saints made a promising start to the second half with a Cammy Hill shot over the crossbar before Gavin Forgrieve drew a fine save from Shortlees keeper Garry Murdoch who got down well to his right to push Forgrieve's effort from twenty five yards behind for a corner kick. Forgrieve's delivery from the corner flag was headed out to the edge of the box by Gordon Minor but only as far as Matty Kelly whose snatched volley bounced harmlessly wide.

Joseph Gold talked his way into Referee Fotheringham's notebook in the fifty second minute shortly before wriggling into the Saints box and forcing Graham Douglas to come off his line to smother at the midfielder's feet.

The visitors continued to show little effect of their numerical disadvantage and tested Douglas again when Knapp looped an overhead kick into his arms after Callum Davidson had drawn a good save from the Saints number one.

Dene Cassells' protests at the award of a fifty eighth minute free-kick to the visitors earned him a yellow card with Graham Douglas pushing Keir Knapp's effort with the dead ball behind for a corner kick. Knapp failed to clear the front post from the corner flag and Saints broke swiftly to the other end. Clever feet in the Shortlees box from Craig MacEwan took the Saints Skipper to the corner of the six yard box where an excellent double save from Garry Murdoch to keep his clean sheet in tact brought howls of frustration from the large home support.

Saints made their second and final change replacing Ross Maitland with the fresh legs of Ruaridh Horne.

With twenty minutes remaining Shortlees Gaffer Colin Smith brought on veteran central defender Richie Mullen to ensure things were kept tight at the back with Johnny Sloss making way.

Mullen had only been on the field for two minutes when he received a yellow card from Mr Fotheringham for hauling down Cammy Hill on the corner of the Sortlees box. Gavin Forgrieve found Dene Cassells with his free-kick but, under pressure from Gordon Minor, Cassells couldn't keep his header down.

Another dead ball opportunity presented itself in the seventy fifth minute when Scott Maitland was brought down cutting inside from the left. Cammy Hill tried his luck from twenty two yards but sent his effort high over Garry Murdoch's crossbar.

Saints continued to press for the elusive equaliser but found the miserly Shortlees defence an impossible nut to crack while at the other end the Saints back line had to keep a careful eye on Keir Knapp who still presented a significant threat on the break.

Dene Cassells was pushed forward for the closing stages and his presence in the Shortlees box helped create a half chance for Matty Kelly whose hopeful eightieth minute overhead kick looped in the gloves of Garry Murdoch.

Two minutes into stoppage time Cassells was brought down on the edge of the box with Craig MacEwan this time trying his luck with the free-kick but only succeeding in finding the face of Gordon Minor in the Shortlees wall.

The ten men of Shortlees were successfully running down the clock and Gavin Forgrieve's frustrations boiled over in some unappreciated comments to Mr Fotheringham who showed the young Saints midfielder a straight red card.

As the clock ticked into the ninety sixth minute there was one final chance for Saints to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out when Scott Maitland forced a corner kick on the left. Ruaridh Horne attempted to find the killer ball which had thus far eluded the home side but only succeeded in finding the grateful gloves of Garry Murdoch. 

The club extend their grateful thanks to the faithful home support who turned out in huge numbers to cheer to boys on. Unfortunately another crack at a major cup was not to be however with Saints still in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Cinema Cup and facing a massive battle for Premier Division survival there is still plenty of football to be played this season.

The league campaign resumes this coming Saturday with the visit of 2019 Scottish Amateur Cup runners up Eastfield. 

Team Captains Craig MacEwan and Gordon Minor with Referee Steven Fotheringham

Daniel MacCuish with Johnny Sloss in pursuit

Scott Maitland

Matty Kelly and Kieran Paterson

Agony for Daniel MacCuish as his troublesome hamstring ends his involvement

Gavin Forgrieve and Joseph Gold

Ross Maitland

Steven MacLeod

Cammy Hill

Keir Knapp

Gavin Forgrieve

Dene Cassells and Richard Mullen

Cammy Hill and Gordon Minor

Garry Murdoch

#monthesaints

Well Schooled Bannockburn Teach Saints A Lesson At St. Modan's High

Saturday 12th February 2022

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Bannockburn 3 - 0 Oban Saints

St Modan's High School

Royal Stuart Way

Stirling

FK7 7WS

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Sam Arthur

The recent heavy rain in the central belt forced a change of venue for last Saturday's Bannockburn versus Oban Saints Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division clash. Bannockburn's Ladywell Park was deemed unplayable therefore the match was moved to the 3G surface at St Modan's High School on the banks of the River Forth in Stirling.

The school's most notable former pupil, Leeds United and Scotland legend the late, great Billy Bremner, would surely have been impressed by a dominant home performance from the three time Scottish Amateur Cup winners which left Saints very much second best on the day.

Manager Willie Gemmell's playing resources were again severely stretched with Graham Douglas, Dene Cassells, Alex Craik, David Beaton, Cammy Hill, Lewis Cameron and Jack Wright all unavailable. Ever reliable veteran goalkeeper David Dunlop once again stepped up to the plate while, at the other end of the age spectrum, Aidan MacDonald and Preston Macintyre were again called up from the youth ranks to bolster the squad numbers.   

Saints lined up with David Dunlop taking care of business in goal behind a back three of Steven MacLeod, Myles McAuley and Thomas McCrindle. Across the five man midfield were Ruaridh Horne, Matty Kelly, Daniel MacCuish, Gavin Forgrieve and Scott Maitland with Kyle Cooper and Captain Craig MacEwan up front. On the bench were Ross Maitland, James Conington, Aidan MacDonald and Preston Macintyre.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

James Conington

Ross Maitland

Preston Macintyre

Aidan MacDonald

Saints kicked off playing into the strong wind which has been a feature for the past three weeks. A wind assisted free-kick from the Bannockburn left was punched behind by David Dunlop for a fifth minute corner kick. Brian McKinlay's delivery from the right was headed away at the front post by Scott Maitland however Saints couldn't fully clear the danger and were relieved to see Kenneth McLellan's shot from the edge of the box fly high and wide.

The hosts had quickly asserted their authority in the crucial midfield battle and Logan Downie gave an early warning of the danger that would come from that area with a strong twelfth minute run and shot which slipped just wide of David Dunlop's right hand post.

Daniel MacCuish's afternoon came to a premature end when he pulled up with a thirteenth minute hamstring strain which saw him replaced by James Conington.

Saints first foray into opposition territory came after sixteen minutes when Steven MacLeod's ball out from the back was picked up by James Conington who sent Scott Maitland away on the left. There was loud shouts for a penalty kick from the Saints touchline when Maitland's cross looking for Craig MacEwan appeared to hit the arm of a Bannockburn defender however Referee Sam Arthur, who had a good match, was not interested.

David Dunlop pushed a Darren Walker back post header from a Kenneth McLellan free-kick behind for a corner kick with McLellan again off target with his shot from the Saints attempted clearance.

Saints failed to heed the earlier warning from Logan Downie and once again allowed the Bannockburn central midfielder to carry the ball a long way before dispatching a left foot shot low into the bottom corner past David Dunlop's despairing right hand to give the hosts a twenty fourth minute lead.

Heavy rain joined the strong wind to make the playing conditions doubly difficult for both sides however a change of formation from Saints Manager Willie Gemmell saw Saints compete better in the middle of the park.

Bannockburn central defender Mitchell Reid twice made good covering interceptions to deny Kyle Cooper as Saints tried in vain to bring underworked home keeper Adam Young into the action.

When Cooper finally managed to get away on the right wing it was Reid who was on hand again to head Cooper's forty fourth minute cross looking for Scott Maitland behind for a corner kick. Thomas McCrindle was beaten to Gavin Forgrieve's delivery from the right by Logan Downie before Referee Arthur blew the half-time whistle.

Saints decent spell came to an abrupt end after just five second half minutes in the most unlikely of circumstances. Super dependable keeper David Dunlop missed a routine catch from a Brian McKinlay corner kick which landed at the feet of Bannockburn Skipper Kenneth Feaks for a simple tap-in.

Feaks came agonisingly close to doubling his tally two minutes later when his back post header from a Ryan Aimer free-kick on the right flew inches wide of target.

The hosts rattled the woodwork in the fifty fifth minute when Brian McKinlay cut in from the left wing and curled a right foot shot onto the crossbar with Thomas McCrindle heading the rebound behind for a corner kick. Saints repelled the danger from the corner flag and raced to the other end with Craig MacEwan forcing a corner kick for the visitors.

On the sixty minute mark Craig MacEwan's flick-on from a Gavin Forgrieve free-kick was headed behind by Darren Walker for another corner kick which Saints again failed to profit from.

Two minutes later Saints again fell short of testing Adam Young in the Bannockburn goal when a promising break involving Kyle Cooper and Craig MacEwan saw Mitchell Reid get a vital touch to prevent MacEwan's pass finding Scott Maitland's run on the left.

The evergreen Ross Maitland replaced Thomas McCrindle after sixty five minutes in Manager Willie Gemmell's second change.

The hosts completed the scoring in the sixty eighth minute with a sensational Brian McKinlay left foot volley. Ruaridh Horne tracked McKinlay's run on the left but couldn't cut out the diagonal ball from the right from substitute Declan Wood which McKinlay dispatched past David Dunlop with some aplomb.

With the match long since over as a contest Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell took the opportunity to give youngsters Preston Macintyre and Aidan MacDonald a run out in the closing minutes replacing Kyle Cooper and Scott Maitland respectively.

This coming Saturday Saints host 2016 winners Shortlees in the sixth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup. 

Team Captains Craig MacEwan and Kenneth Feaks with Referee Sam Arthur

James Conington and Logan Downie

David Dunlop

Gavin Forgrieve

Adam Young

Kyle Cooper

Matty Kelly

Ross Maitland

Aidan MacDonald

Preston Macintyre

#monthesaints

Saints March Into West of Scotland Cup Quarter Finals

Saturday 5th Febuary 2022

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Fifth Round
Glynhill Moorcroft 2 - 3 Oban Saints
Renfrew High School
Haining Road
Renfrew
P4 0AN
Kick-off 2pm
Referee Mr. Daniel McGuire

A home time in the quarter finals against 2016 cup winners Shortlees awaited the winners of last Saturday's West of Scotland Cup fifth round tie between Glynhill Moorcroft and Oban Saints at a wet and windy Renfrew High School.

First half goals against the strong wind from Captain Craig MacEwan, Gavin Forgrieve and Kyle Cooper saw Saints prevail by the odd goal in five against Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Premier Division title contenders Glynhill Moorcroft to set up a mouth watering tie against old "frenemies" Shortlees.

Manager Willie Gemmell welcomed back Graham Douglas, Dene Cassells, Myles McAuley and Thomas McCrindle who had missed the previous week's Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division defeat at Drumchapel. A late call-off from Ross Maitland also meant a place in the matchday squad for Jack Wright. Out went David Dunlop, the unavailable James Conington and youngsters Aidan MacDonald and Preston Macintyre.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three of Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Across the five man midfield were David Beaton, Matty Kelly, Daniel MacCuish, Gavin Forgrieve and Cammy Hill with Kyle Cooper and Captain Craig MacEwan up front. On the substitutes bench were Alex Craik, Ruaridh Horne, Myles McAuley, Thomas McCrindle and Jack Wright.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Ruaridh Horne

Myles McAuley

Unused substitutes:-

Alex Craik

Thomas McCrindle

Jack Wright

After a lengthy delay while corner flags were sourced from the changing rooms Referee Daniel McGuire finally allowed proceedings to commence with Saints kicking off into the strong wind blowing diagonally across the 3G surface at Renfrew High Scool.

The wind helped Glynhill keeper Ian McLean kick the full length of the park and opposite number Graham Douglas had to be on his toes to pluck his second minute kick from hand off the head of Thomas Griffin.

From a seventh minute free-kick inside the centre circle taken short by Dene Cassells to Gavin Forgrieve Saints worked the ball forward with Kyle Cooper eventually hitting the bye-line on the left and seeing his cutback for David Beaton intercepted by Ian McLean.

Saints opened up the home defence after fifteen minutes when Scott Maitland carried the ball out from the back and picked out Craig MacEwan who played in Cammy Hill through the inside left channel. Hill escaped the attentions of Glynhill Skipper Kyle Troup and Anthony Blair but failed to beat Ian McLean who was able to gather at his near post.

A scuffle involving Cammy Hill and Alan Sutherland saw the pair cautioned by Referee McGuire with the resulting free-kick from twenty two yards fired wide of target by Glynhill's Marc Walker.

The deadlock was broken after twenty one minutes from a good move on the right involving Matty Kelly, David Beaton and Kyle Cooper. Kelly's low cross picked out Craig MacEwan in the middle who tucked low past Ian McClean's left hand to give Saints the lead.

Saints doubled their advantage just three minutes later from a throw-in on the left just inside the Glynhill half. Cammy Hill gathered in Scott Maitland's throw and rolled the ball up to Craig MacEwan. The Skipper turned away from his marker and raced into the box drawing Ian McLean off his line before squaring to Gavin Forgrieve who passed the ball into the unguarded net.

Alan Sutherland sent a twenty ninth minute free-kick for the hosts wide of the postage stamp corner before Ryan Officer followed suit sixty seconds later with a shot from twenty five yards.

Another good Saints move on the left saw Ian McLean save well from a twenty five yard Daniel MacCuish left foot shot.

The Saints back three of Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland were coping well with the wind assisted Glynhill attack however a cheaply conceded free-kick twenty two yards out gave Alan Sutherland another opportunity to test Graham Douglas with the dead ball. Douglas got down to his right but, despite getting a hand to Sutherland's effort, couldn't prevent the ball from nestling in the bottom corner.

A terrific ball out from the back by Dene Cassells sent Cammy Hill racing through in the thirty seventh minute and the tall wing-back looked set to find the net only for a vital touch from Ian McLean to divert the ball behind for a corner kick on the Saints right. Gavin Forgrieve's delivery from the corner flag was won well in the air by Dene Cassells who unfortunately couldn't keep his header below the Glynhill crossbar.

Saints were looking the more likely to add to the scoring and young striker Kyle Cooper did just that with a composed finish in the forty first minute. Cammy Hill sent Cooper away on the left and in behind the home defence. Keeper Ian McLean came a long way out of his box to meet Cooper but his attempt to bring down the Saints youngster failed and Cooper skipped past him and from a very acute angle passed the ball into empty net.

Dene Cassells headed a forty second minute Alan Sutherland free kick from the left behind for a corner kick which the Saints defence again repelled before launching a counter-attack through Daniel MacCuish and Kyle Cooper. MacCuish released Cooper on the right where Marc Walker's scything challenge failed to halt the Saints youngster's progress however with no discernible advantage Mr McGuire pulled back the action for a free-kick to Saints and a yellow card for Walker.

Manager Willie Gemmell urged his charges to kick on in the second half and David Beaton and Kyle Cooper combined well on the right in the fifty first minute to create another opportunity for Cooper which this time flew wide of target.

That proved to be Cooper's last involvement as injury forced his withdrawal in favour of Ruaridh Horne who took the right wing-back berth with David Beaton moving up front with Craig MacEwan.

In a scrappy start to the second period chances were few and far between with a fifty ninth minute Craig MacEwan shot which Ian McLean turned behind for a corner kick being the only attempt of note.

Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell made what would turn out to be his final change in the sixty ninth minute when Daniel MacCuish made way for Myles McAuley in a straight switch in central midfield.

The hosts passed up a decent opportunity to get themselves back in the game in the seventieth minute when central defender John O'Rourke was left unmarked at the back post to head a Marc Walker right wing cross wide of target.

The Saints defence was tested again two minutes later with Ruaridh Horne made a vital interception to divert another Walker cross behind for a corner kick.

The game was becoming more stretched as the home side committed more men to their pursuit of a route back into the game and twice Matty Kelly had efforts saved as Saints looked to hit on the counter-attack.

The hosts were now upping the pressure and after defending well throughout Saints finally made the mistake which gave the home side their reward for a hard working second half performance. Cammy Hill and Scott Maitland both scuffed attempted clearances deep in the Saints box with Marc Walker pouncing on the loose ball to tee up Ryan Officer to slam the ball home from ten yards.

Glynhill had overturned a two goal deficit to knock out Ayrshire Premier League high flyers Glenburn Miners Welfare in the previous round and clearly fancied their chances of a repeat performance in the remaining eleven minutes.

Saints however maintained their composure at the back but less so up front where they spurned several glorious opportunities to kill the tie on the counter-attack which left them clinging on as the clock ticked into time added on for stoppages.

In the ninety third minute a scramble on the edge of the Saints box saw Referee Daniel McGuire, who had a good game, award a free-kick to the hosts and with it one last chance to send the tie into a penalty shoot-out. Hearts were in mouths on both touchlines as Alan Sutherland placed the ball however the Glynhill dead ball expert was unable to repeat his first half goal scoring exploits and sent his effort high and wide of target. Mr McGuire blew for time immediately after Graham Douglas' goal kick sending Saints into the last eight and leaving Glynhill to concentrate on their push for a first ever Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title..  

This coming Saturday Saints return to league business with a trip to Ladywell Park to face Bannockburn in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.

     

  

Willie Gemmell

Ian McLean

Daniel MacCuish tries to escape the attentions of Thomas Griffin and Anthony Blair

Matty Kelly and Anthony Blair

Cammy Hill gets away from Kyle Troup but still has Anthony Blair and Ian McLean to beat

Celebrations after Gavin Forgrieve makes it 2 - 0

Scott Maitland keeps an eye on Thomas Griffin

Graham Douglas is beaten by Alan Sutherland's free-kick

Scott Maitland

Substitute Myles McAuley races to join Cammy Hill in congratulating Kyle Cooper on his goal

Kyle Cooper

David Beaton

Craig MacEwan tries to hurdle Craig Dalglish's challenge

#monthesaints