Saturday 21st May 2022

Harestanes 5 - 0 Oban Saints

Central Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
Merkland Outdoor Recreation Centre
Merkland Place
Kirkintilloch
G66 3SN
Kick-off 12 noon

Referee Mr. Dougie Gunning

A threadbare Oban Saints squad featuring five teenagers travelled to Kirkintilloch last Saturday for a Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter with title chasing Harestanes. Despite returning home on the wrong side of a five nil score-line the make-shift Saints were far from disgraced and will reflect on a number of missed opportunities which would have given the final score a more presentable appearance.

The all to familiar story of injuries, suspensions, work and family commitments had already taken it's toll on the match day squad so when Seville travel related withdrawals reduced the travelling party to just eleven the odds were firmly stacked against the visitors. Manager Willie Gemmell and Coach Ross Maitland were among the absentees leaving Secretary David Buchanan in sole charge.

Veteran central defender Alex Craik partnered teenager Thomas McCrindle in central defence and in a landmark moment for the former Saints Manager his son Zander joined Kyle Cooper in attack.

Saints number one Graham Douglas had already produced three saves when the hosts opened the scoring in the twelfth minute. Craig Young stretched the Saints defence on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross for Liam Johnson to slam the ball into the roof of the net at the back post.

The first threat from the visitors came when Douglas did well to intercept a Liam Johnson cross from the right and launched a counter-attack where Scott Maitland and Kyle Cooper linked up to send a through ball for Zander Craik which was fractionally too heavy for the young striker.

James Ford had a twenty two yard shot well held by Hares keeper Chris Calder before a controversial decision by Referee Dougie Gunning gave the hosts the chance to double their advantage from the penalty spot. Mr Gunning penalised Jack Wright for handball a decision which Wright and his team-mates hotly disputed. The Referee carefully explained his reasoning and later advised that his interpretation of the handball rules had been confirmed by a Referee on the senior list rumoured to be a Mr W. Collum. Paul McLaughlin made no mistake from the penalty spot tucking the ball into the bottom corner sending Graham Douglas the wrong way in the process.

Zander Craik had an excellent chance to half the deficit when played in by Gavin Forgrieve in the thirty first minute but the youngster couldn't steer his finish beyond the reach of Chris Calder who made an important save.

Harestanes capitalised fully on this let-off just two minutes later when wingers Liam Johnson and Craig Young combined again this time with Johnson providing a right wing cross for Young to head in at the back post.

Saints opened up the home defence again ten minutes before the interval with Kyle Cooper's finish leaving Chris Calder well beaten before slipping agonisingly wide of the keeper's right hand post.

The Johnson and Young combination struck again for the hosts ten minutes after the restart. Johnson's shot was well saved by Graham Douglas low to his right however the Saints defence couldn't clear the danger and Craig Young pounced to send the ball into the net past the stranded Saints keeper.

To their credit the makeshift Saints refused to let their heads drop and kept probing for the opening which would give them a deserved consolation. Hares number one Chris Calder however was in no mood to give up his highly prized clean sheet and made an excellent one handed save low to his right to keep out a Kyle Cooper shot which looked bound for the bottom corner.

The fifth and final goal of the afternoon had an element of good fortune about it when Graham Douglas' punched clearance went straight to Craig Young who looped a header over Douglas and into the unguarded net to complete his hat-trick.

Dead ball opportunities from the edge of the Harestanes box followed for James Ford and Gavin Forgrieve but on each occasion Chris Calder was equal to the task. Calder also made a comfortable save from a Gavin Forgrieve shot after a deflection had taken the sting out of Forgieve's effort after a strong run forward from the half-way line.

The hosts made all five changes available to them for the closing stages however Saints, despite one or two more scares, dug in well to complete the ninety minutes plus stoppage time without conceding again.

Referee Dougie Gunning, who had a good game, brought to an end his fiftieth match of the season with half of his match fee once again going to the Beatson Cancer Charity. This has been a magnificent fundraising effort by Mr Gunning for a very worthy cause. You can support Dougie in his efforts on his JustGiving page 'Dougie's Charity Refereeing'.

The win for Harestanes lifts the East Dunbartonshire men to the top of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division ahead of Drumchapel on goal difference. Also still very much in the title race are Lesmahagow and St Patrick's F.P. ensuring a fascinating four-way tussle for the Premier Division trophy.

A similarly exciting climax to the season is assured at the other end of the table where despite Greenock High School F.P's and Drumchapel United PYM's relegation to the Championship being confirmed some time ago Saints remain embroiled in a battle with Eastfield and Uddingston Anvil to avoid a play-off place with the third placed Championship side.

Saints fans were due a midweek treat this coming Wednesday when title hopefuls St Patrick's F.P. were scheduled for a return to replay last September's league fixture which was abandoned after a nasty collision between Scott Maitland and St. Pat's goalkeeper Dominic Donaldson. However with the League's Fixture Secretary still trying the shoehorn in St. Pat's eight remaining fixtures they have been spared a trip to Oban in favour of a match closer to home.

This coming Saturday Saints play their penultimate away fixture when they travel to Broadwood to face Eastfield in a match which will go a long way to deciding the final standings at the foot of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.