Tuesday 19 April 2022

Saints GG Spring Into Cup Action

Saturday 16th April 2022

Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League

Spring Cup Section 4

Oban Saints 1 - 0 Dynamo East Kilbride

Oban Community Sports Field

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 1.30pm

Referee Mr Peter Laing

A free week for Oban Saints left the club's second string, Oban Saints GG, to take centre stage at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon.

The Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Spring Cup continued to be a welcome distraction from a difficult league campaign for Manager Donald Black and his charges with a solitary Craig Livingstone strike securing a second successive home win against higher league opposition.

Ruaridh Munro, Matthew Pollock and Ollie Sharp were all unavailable so first team players Matty Kelly, Thomas McCrindle and Fraser MacFarlane were drafted in to boost the squad numbers.

Saints GG lined-up with Murdo Mackenzie in goal behind a back four of Craig Livingstone, Ryan Barclay, Kenneth Black and Lewis Campbell. Across the four man midfield were Pearce Mcbeth, Captain Martin Bonar, Matty Kelly and Robert Johnstone. Up front were Stuart Twort and Lewis Buchanan. The substitutes bench consisted Thomas McCrindle, Alan Buchanan, Fraser MacFarlane and Andrew Ritchie.

Oban Saints GG starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Thomas McCrindle

Alan Buchanan

Fraser MacFarlane

Andrew Ritchie

Unused substitute:-

Mateusz Polewaczyk

Attacking the school end in the first half Saints made a bright start and still inside the first minute Dynamo keeper Joe Gaughan was called into action to push behind at full stretch a Lewis Buchanan shot after good work from Matty Kelly.

Kelly was involved again four minutes later delivering a free-kick from the right which Skipper Martin Bonar headed wide of Gaughan's right hand post.

The Saints defence was opened up after eight minutes when William Hastings was sent through the inside left channel to fire a low shot across Murdo MacKenzie and wide of the far post.

There was another let-off for the home side in the thirteenth minute when they failed to deal with a throw-in from the right and Reece Clark was allowed to nip in a miscue an effort from six yards just wide of Murdo MacKenzie's left hand post.

Pearce McBeth tried his luck with a twenty yard left foot volley but couldn't wrap his foot around the ball and sent his effort well wide of target.

William Hastings was off target again in the twenty second minute with a near post header from a Reece Clark left wing cross as the visitors continued to stretch the home defence.

Saints responded with a Stewart Twort overhead kick from a Craig Livingstone throw-in which looped into the arms of Joe Gaughan.

Matty Kelly's through ball sent Robert Johnstone racing through on the right and into the Dynamo box in the thirty fourth minute where Joe Gaughan was quickly off his line to make a brave interception at the feet of the Saints wide man.

Murdo MacKenzie was called into action at the other end getting down well to his right to hold a Jordan Boland shot.

Martin Bonar and Matty Kelly combined well in the thirty sixth minute sending Craig Livingstone wide on the right for a cross to the far post just too deep for intended target Stewart Twort.

Twort's attempt to reach the cross from Livingstone came at the expense of a recurrence of the hamstring injury which has plagued him in recent weeks with his place being taken by Thomas McCrindle.

The home side opened the scoring seven minutes into the second half with their best attacking move of the match. From deep in their own half Saints worked the ball patiently up the left with Robert Johnstone eventually picking out the back post run of Craig Livingstone who steered the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Martin Bonar had an excellent opportunity to double the lead in the fifty fourth minute when he found himself through on goal only to be foiled by an unorthodox save from the feet of Joe Gaughan.

The Skipper was on the end of a deep Kenneth Black forty sixth minute free-kick from just inside his own half but couldn't direct his back post volley on target.

Saints purple patch continued and, after Lewis Buchanan's corner kick from the right was flicked on by Thomas McCrindle, Ryan Barclay's hooked effort came crashing back off Joe Gaughan's left hand upright.

In the sixty third minute Ryan Barclay was penalised for a late challenge twenty two yards out with Murdo MacKenzie opting to punch Callum Henderson's free-kick which spun behind for a corner kick. Henderson trotted over to the corner flag with MacKenzie getting a telling punch ahead of Dynamo substitute Adrian Chrichton to clear the danger.

From another Henderson corner kick on the right Scott Ewart hooked well over from twelve yards as the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser.

Saints Gaffer Donald Black sent on the fresh legs of Alan Buchanan and Fraser MacFarlane to replace Robert Johnstone and Pearce McBeth who had both put in good shifts.

Always with a keen eye for goal Skipper Martin Bonar's endeavour took him through on the Dynamo keeper once again in the seventy seventh minute for a left foot shot which Joe Gaughan, at full stretch, pushed behind with a strong right hand.

Lewis Buchanan was replaced for the dying stages by Andrew Ritchie and the substitute had a good chance on the break to make the tie save however Dynamo keeper Gaughan anticipated the danger well coming a long way out of his eighteen yard box to make a vital interception.

The visitors kept pressing for the elusive equaliser but the Saints defence remained resolute offering good protection to keeper Murdo MacKenzie who had been an injury doubt prior to kick-off.

Saints again came close to exploiting the gaps left at the back by the visitors with an attempted twenty eight yard lob from Alan Buchanan which just cleared the crossbar before Referee Peter Laing, who handled proceedings well throughout, brought the evenly contested cup tie to an end after five additional minutes nervously endured by the large local support.

Murdo MacKenzie

Matty Kelly

Craig Livingstone

Lewis Buchanan

Robert Johnstone congratulates Craig Livingstone on his goal

Robert Johnstone

Murdo MacKenzie punches clear

Pearce McBeth

Kenneth Black

Thomas McCrindle

Martin Bonar

Lewis Campbell

Joe Gaughan slides out to deny Andrew Ritchie

#monthesaints

Sunday 10 April 2022

Three Out Of Ten For Saints In High Scoring Encounter

Saturday 9th April 2022

Central Scottish Amateur Football League

Premier Division

Oban Saints 3 - 7 Eastfield

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Chris Irving

Oban Saints battle for Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division survival suffered another setback at Glencruitten last Saturday with a sixth home reverse of a very difficult season. A hat-trick for Skipper Craig MacEwan was of little consolation to the home side who for long spells were well off the pace. This coupled with a string of defensive howlers gifted victory to visitors Eastfield who themselves are struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Manager Willie Gemmell's disciplinary indiscretions saw him begin a three match suspension with Assistant Manager Ross Maitland taking the reins. Dropping out from the previous week's victory against Uddingston Anvil were Willie Gemmell, James Ford and Aidan MacDonald with Matty Kelly, James Conington and Jack Wright all returning.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Fraser MacFarlane, Steven MacLeod, Thomas McCrindle and Scott Maitland. In the holding midfield roles were James Conington and Daniel MacCuish with Preston Macintyre, Matty Kelly and Captain Craig MacEwan behind lone striker Kyle Cooper. On the bench were Michael Campbell, Alex Craik and Jack Wright.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Michael Campbell

Alex Craik

Jack Wright

Saints kicked off attacking the railway line end and had the first serious attempt on goal after five minutes. An incisive move on the left involving Scott Maitland, Craig MacEwan and Matty Kelly saw Kelly thread a well weighted ball through for Kyle Cooper who shot low across Eastfield keeper Brendan Shaw but wide of the far post.

The visitors opened the scoring in the tenth minute when Mark Hansen from the left picked out the unmarked Daniel Hillhouse at the far post who slammed the ball back across Graham Douglas and into the bottom corner.

The static Saints defence were left appealing in vain for an eighteenth minute offside decision from Referee Chris Irving which never came. From a throw-in on the right the ball was worked across to Kyle McLauchlin who appeared to be well offside however Mr Irving allowed play to continue and McLauchlin sent a dipping effort from eighteen yards under the despairing dive of Graham Douglas.

Five minutes later and Saints were three goals behind when young Thomas McCrindle failed to generate the necessary power on his header back to Graham Douglas leaving the Saints number one stranded at the edge of his box as Robert Johnston gleefully lobbed the ball into the unguarded net.

The third goal finally sparked a response from Saints who crafted a decent opening on the half hour mark. Craig MacEwan sent Kyle Cooper racing through on the left of the Eastfield box with Brendan Shaw doing well to narrow the angle and push Cooper's effort behind for a corner kick.

Saints hit the comeback trail two minutes later when a scuffed twenty two yard free-kick from Daniel MacCuish somehow found it's way through the Eastfield wall. Craig MacEwan was first on the scene ahead of Brendan Shaw and dragged the ball wide before lofting over Kyle McLauchlin and into the empty net.

Bouyed by their goal Saints were enjoying their most productive spell of the first half and found more hope when Matty Kelly's thirty eighth minute driving run into the Eastfield box was unceremoniously halted by Andrew Renny at the expense of a penalty kick and a yellow card. Brendan Shaw got both hands to Craig MacEwan's spot kick but still couldn't prevent it from finding the back of the net.

The host's good spell continued for the opening ten minutes of the second half but was undone in a disastrous four minute spell where calamitous defending was ruthlessly exploited by Robert Johnston and Daniel Hillhouse.

On the hour mark Assistant Manager Ross Maitland gave youngster Michael Campbell his second taste of first team action in a straight swap with youth team colleague Preston Macintyre on the right of midfield. This was quickly followed by the introduction of Alex Craik and Jack Wright as replacements for James Conington and Fraser MacFarlane.

Campbell did well to win a corner kick on the right however Kyle Cooper's delivery from the corner flag was confidently held by Brendan Shaw.

Jack Wright had a powerful shot from the corner of the eighteen yard box blocked by Nico Petrucci as Saints began their quest to recover from a three goal deficit for the second time.

The low in numbers visitors made the only change available to them in the sixty ninth minute when Jack Reid replaced the injured Andrew Renny.

Saints were awarded a second penalty kick in almost identical circumstances to the first save that on this occasion the Eastfield miscreant committing the foul on Matty Kelly was Peter Griffin. Saints Skipper Craig MacEwan safely converted the spot kick to seal his hat-trick and give his team renewed hope.

Those hopes lasted barely three minutes when a horribly sliced attempted clearance from a throw-in on the Eastfield right landed at the feet of Daniel Hillhouse who completed his hat-trick with another composed finish.

Things went from bad to worse for Saints with a seventy eighth minute dismissal for Steven MacLeod. Incensed that a foul on Graham Douglas had gone unpunished, MacLeod made a spectacular goal-line clearance before remonstrating with the Referee regarding the foul on the Saints goalkeeper in the build up. Mr Irving was in no mood to debate the decision and issued MacLeod with his marching orders.

Daniel Hillhouse came close to notching his fourth goal of the afternoon with an eighty first minute shot which grazed Graham Douglas' right hand post before Nicky Stewart headed a free-kick from the right past the same post sixty seconds later.

The visitors saved the best for last with a sublime piece of skill in the Saints box from Mark Hansen which beat Alex Craik all ends up before slotting past Graham Douglas to complete the scoring.

Saints have no fixture this coming Saturday but will be immediately reunited with Eastfield on Saturday 23rd April in the reverse Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division fixture at Broadwood.

Craig MacEwan's prayers for a Saints win unfortunately went unanswered

Scott Maitland

Graham Douglas

James Connington

Brendan Shaw saves from Kyle Cooper

Brendan Shaw uses his height advantage over Preston Macintyre

Matty Kelly is sent sprawling in the Eastfield box

Ross Maitland

Kyle Cooper

Jack Wright

Michael Campbell

Craig MacEwan completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot

#monthesaints

Sunday 3 April 2022

Cooper Brace Secures The Points

Saturday 2nd April 2022

Uddingston Anvil 0 - 2 Oban Saints

Central Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
Dalziel Park
Hagen Drive
Motherwell
ML1 5RZ
Kick-off 2pm

Referee Mr. Sam Arthur

A much changed Oban Saints squad featuring five teenagers travelled to Dalziel Park, Motherwell last Saturday for a Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter with Uddingston Anvil. The Lanarkshire men had won the reverse fixture at Glencruitten in November but it was Saints who would prevail on this occasion with a brace from teenage striker Kyle Cooper edging a hard fought encounter in the visitor's favour.

The familiar story of injuries, suspensions, work and family commitments forced Manager Willie Gemmell to call up three bright prospects from the club's under 16's to bolster the squad, all of whom made meaningful contributions on the day.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Fraser MacFarlane, Steven MacLeod, Willie Gemmell and Scott Maitland. Across the four man midfield were Preston Macintyre, Thomas McCrindle, Daniel MacCuish and James Ford with Kyle Cooper partnering Captain Craig MacEwan up front. The substitutes bench consisted of teenagers Michael Campbell and Aidan MacDonald and evergreen veteran Alex Craik.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Michael Campbell

Aidan MacDonald

Unused substitute:-

Alex Craik

The lack of numbers dictated a stating role in central defence for Gaffer Gemmell alongside the ever reliable Steven MacLeod with the experienced pair playing a significant part in a highly prized clean sheet for number one Graham Douglas.

Handed a rare starting role in the unfamiliar position of right back Fraser MacFarlane had a hand in Saints first meaningful foray into opposition territory sending Craig MacEwan away on the right in the seventh minute. The Skipper got away from young Anvil left-back Reece McAuley and fired a low cross to strike partner Kyle Cooper who scuffed an attempt harmlessly wide of target.

Graham Douglas had his first taste of action sixty seconds later safely gathering a cushioned back post volley from John Goodwin after Saints had struggled to clear a Robert Dimmer corner kick from the left.

Anvil's young centre forward Kieron Markey was keeping the Saints back line on their toes and his twelfth minute knock down found Dimmer for a twenty five yard effort which sailed over the crossbar.

Daniel MacCuish's twenty second minute through ball sent Kyle Cooper racing into the Anvil box but Cooper's cut-back failed to find intended recipient Preston Macintyre. The young winger, who impressed on his first team starting debut, did well to retrieve the ball on the right and clip a cross for Cooper whose header looped into the gloves of Anvil keeper David McKegney.

The deadlock was broken in the twenty sixth minute following a stramash in the Uddingston box from a Willie Gemmell free-kick flighted in from the Saints left. Thomas McCrindle won the initial header and after several failed Anvil clearances the ball landed kindly for Kyle Cooper whose goal bound effort was deflected up and over McKegney before finding the top corner of the net.

Kyle Cooper's turn of pace was a constant threat to the Anvil defence and when Daniel MacCuish sent the speedy striker racing away from Ross Ferguson just after the half hour David McKegney had to make a smart save low to his left to deny Cooper a second goal.

At the other end Graham Douglas had to be sure with his handling in dealing with a bouncing effort from Robert Dimmer with Kieron Markey waiting to pounce on any miss-field.

Thomas McCrindle's height in the penalty area was a good target for Saints set-pieces and Willie Gemmell's fortieth minute free-kick duly found the youngster for a header which cleared the Anvil crossbar.

In the last action of the first half McCrindle again got his head to a Gemmell free-kick this time placing his header on target only to see David McKegney make a good save low to his right to keep the deficit at one going into the interval.

Thankfully the slow second half start which has blighted Saints season so far was not in evidence and the visitors doubled their advantage four minutes after the restart. From an Anvil corner kick Saints countered with Graham Douglas picking out Daniel MacCuish who in turn fed central midfield partner Thomas McCrindle. The tall youngster's perfectly weighted ball through the inside left channel opened up the home defence for Kyle Cooper who made no mistake in slotting the ball across McKegney and into the bottom corner.

The pair were involved again in the fifty third minute with McCrindle heading over a corner kick won by Cooper on the left.

Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell was determined that teenagers Michael Campbell and Aidan MacDonald were not just there to make up the numbers and gave both good minutes as second half replacements.

There was a let-off for Saints in the sixty fifth minute when Kieron Markey was left unattended at the near post to head a Robert Dimmer free-kick from the left inches wide of target.

Anvil keeper McKegney made another good save to deny Kyle Cooper from close range in the sixty seventh minute after good work on the left by Craig MacEwan.

Two minutes later Graham Douglas kept his clean sheet in tact by finger tipping a thumping Paul Finnigan drive over his crossbar as the hosts kept up their pursuit of a route back into the game.

Anvil youngster Reece McAuley, who impressed on the left of the back four, made a vital interception to halt Kyle Cooper's progress in the seventy first minute before Cooper's electric pace left the Anvil defence trailing in his wake once again two minutes later. However, after being forced wide by keeper McKegney, Cooper could only find the side netting with his finish from an acute angle.

The hosts tested Graham Douglas for the final time with a John Goodwin volley from eighteen yards which the Saints number one held comfortably.

In the first of the four minutes added by Referee Sam Arthur Kyle Cooper was denied his hat-trick when he crashed a shot off the crossbar with keeper McKegney well beaten.

This coming Saturday Saints host 2019 Scottish Amateur Cup runners up Eastfield in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division. Referee Chris Irving takes charge for the 2pm kick-off at Glencruitten.