When I'm Sixty Four

The Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup

Saturday 8th March 2014
Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup 7th Round
Oban Saints AFC v Eastfield AFC
Glencruitten, Oban
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr James Winter, Glasgow

The Vital Spark moored at Glencruitten last week

 

This match was due to be played last Saturday, however a Friday lunchtime pitch inspection found the grass pitch at Glencruitten to be waterlogged. With more rain forecast for the Friday night and Saturday morning, and the 3G pitch at Oban High School already fully booked, an early decision was made to postpone the fixture.The match has been rescheduled for this Saturday and, with the 3G pitch also booked, the match is guaranteed to go ahead.
The Saints Management are grateful to Oban Athletic of the West of Scotland Amateur Football League Premier Division for rearranging their fixtures to ensure they are away from home this Saturday thus ensuring the availability of the 3G pitch.
Eastfield will be bringing a bus load of supporters with them to Oban for the match. The bus leaves from the Smiddy Bar at 9.30am so spirits are bound to be high by the time they arrive in Oban. Hopefully a large crowd of locals will also be in attendance to ensure both teams receive the vocal encouragement their endeavours so richly deserve.

Since this match preview was first published the draws for the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Amateur Cup and the West of Scotland Amateur Cup have both been made. The winners of this Saturday's match between Oban Saints and Eastfield have been drawn away from home to Carluke Baptist of the Strathclyde Evangelical Churches Amateur Football League Premier Division. The West of Scotland Cup draw has set up the intriguing possibility of a third Oban trip in two seasons for Eastfield. If Saints can overcome Giffnock North, Eddlewood and St Mungo's, and Eastfield can get past Ferguslie Star, the two sides will meet again for a place in the semi finals.



Here's another chance to read the big match preview:-

Lewis Cameron had a hand in three of the Saints goals against Thorn Athletic

Last Time Out

Last Saturday Saints travelled to Johnstone to face SAFL rivals Thorn Athletic in a Scottish Amateur Cup 6th round replay. Having failed to capitalise on home advantage in the first game, Saints knew they would have to dig deep if they were to progress to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup for the fourth time in eight seasons.
The game was played at the well appointed Johnstone Community Sports Hub on an excellent 3G pitch. Saints were missing several regulars for this important fixture but those who deputised slotted seamlessly into the line up. Most notable of the replacements was veteran goalkeeper David Dunlop (45) who rolled back the years with a typically assured performance.
Saints started the match strongly despite playing into a fierce wind and had the better of the opening exchanges. As the first half wore on Thorn began to put Saints under more and more pressure forcing a succession of corners which keeper Dunlop (54) and the Saints defence did well to withstand. Saints continued to create chances on the break but did little to trouble Liam McWilliams in the Thorn goal.
The first half ended goalless but the large crowd of spectators didn't have long for that to change. With only two minutes gone in the second half Craig MacEwan headed home a Ross Maitland corner for his 14th goal of the season. Saints looked well on top at this point and should have doubled their advantage but Craig MacEwan failed to convert a good chance after some excellent approach play by Donald Campbell. Thorn, never easily bowed, came storming back scoring twice in four minutes to take a 2 - 1 lead going into the final twenty minutes of the match. Both Thorn goals came from long free kicks into the box from dead ball specialist Paul Young which Saints failed to deal with. The momentum was now very much with Thorn and a third goal at this point would surely have finished Saints off.
Urged on by their Management team Saints rallied and regained control of the midfield to keep their Scottish Cup dreams alive. Two goals in a five minute spell from Donald Campbell, including a towering back post header from a Lewis Cameron cross, put Saints back in front. With nerves jangling amongst the small Saints contingent on the touchline the tie was finally put out of Thorn's grasp in the 91st minute when Lewis Cameron latched onto a superb Roy McLuckie pass to steer the ball low into the Thorn net to make the final score 4 - 2 to Saints.
At full time Saints Manager Iain Jackson was fulsome in praise of his players making special mention of veteran keeper David Dunlop (64) who had played "like he had never been away". Enormous credit is also due to Thorn Athletic who contributed greatly to an enthralling cup tie which could just as easily have gone in their favour. The good wishes for the next round extended at full time by the Thorn players and officials was greatly appreciated by their Saints counterparts.

Veteran Goalkeeper David Dunlop

 

The Highend

The big games just keep on coming for Saints with the visit this Saturday of Eastfield, or the Highend as they like to be known, in the Scottish Amateur Cup 7th round. The Highend are currently in 9th place in the Central Scottish Premier Division with 10 points from 12 games played. A storming finish to the 2012/13 Division 1A league season saw Eastfield finish as runners up to champions Greenock HSFP. Play-off success against Steins Thistle and Garrowhill Thistle secured promotion to the Premier Division for Eastfield.

Eastfield's recent Central Scottish League finishes:-

2008/09 Division 1B 6th
2009/10 Division 1B 3rd
2010/11 Division 1B 6th
2011/12 Division 1B 5th
2012/13 Division 1A 2nd Promoted via play-off

 

Eastfield celebrate promotion to the Central Scottish Premier Division

Rubbing shoulders with some of the top names in Scottish amateur football is no easy matter but Eastfield are certainly not overawed by the task in front of them and have put in some very creditable performances so far.

Eastfield's Central Scottish Premier Division record thus far:-

14th August 2013         Bannockburn 3 - 1 Eastfield
17th August 2013                 Eastfield 1 - 2 Wellhouse
19th August 2013                 Eastfield 1 - 3 Campsie Minerva
21st August 2013                  Eastfield 3 - 1 Uddingston Anvil
28th August 2013                  Eastfield 1 - 2 Colville Park
31st August 2013             Drumchapel 5 - 0 Eastfield
7th September 2013              Eastfield 3 - 2 Ashvale Victoria
21st September 2013             Eastfield 2 - 2 Bannockburn
5th October 2013                   Eastfield 0 - 3 Harestanes
23rd November 2013      Colville Park 3 - 1 Eastfield
18th January 2014    Ashvale Victoria 0 - 3 Eastfield
15th February 2014 Uddingston Anvil 1 - 0 Eastfield

Eastfield's progress to the 7th round:-

Round 2    Dynamo East Kilbride 5 - 5 Eastfield
Round 2 Replay Replay Eastfield 2 - 1 Dynamo East Kilbride
Round 3                          Eastfield 5 - 2 Ashvale Victoria
Round 4                    Pentcaitland 0 - 2 Eastfield
Round 5                          Eastfield 3 - 2 Whitburn Bluebell
Round 6                          Eastfield 1 - 0 Bank Street Athletic

Eastfield's recent Scottish Amateur Cup record:-

2010/11 2nd Round lost 6 - 1 at home to Carluke Hearts
2011/12 2nd Round lost 3 - 2 away to Kilbowie Union
2012/13 2nd Round lost 2 - 1 at home to Greenock HSFP

Eastfield AFC

Oban Saints progress to the 7th round:-

Round 2                 Oban Saints 3 - 3 Independent
Round 2     Replay Independent 2 - 8 Oban Saints
Round 3                 Oban Saints 6 - 1 Rosyth
Round 4                 Oban Saints 6 - 0 Ellon Amateurs
Round 5          Dennistoun Vale 0 - 1 Oban Saints
Round 6                  Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic
Round 6 Replay Thorn Athletic 2 - 4 Oban Saints


Saints went out of the Scottish Amateur Cup at the 7th round stage last season losing 3 - 1 at home in a replay to eventual cup runners up  Colville Park having drawn the first match 2 - 2. Saints don't have the best of records against Central Scottish League teams but will be hoping that home advantage will see them go at least one better than last season.
This will be Eastfield's second visit to Oban in as many seasons. The Highend made the journey north to play Saints on 24th November 2012 losing out by two goals to one in a tight West of Scotland Cup second round match. Revenge for this narrow defeat will be firmly in the Eastfield mindset as they seek to emulate their Central Scottish League counterparts Colville Park by dumping Saints out of the Scottish Cup. This promises to be another close match between two evenly matched teams both desperate to be in the hat for the quarter final draw due to take place on Wednesday 5th March.

Eastfield goalkeeper Brenden Shaw is the nephew of Oban publican Stevie Shaw

 

 

 

 

 

Veteran Goalkeepers

"Blind" John Lukic made the last of his 298 appearances for Arsenal at the age of 39 years and 11 months

 

 

 

 

 

Dino Zoff captained Italy to World Cup glory in 1982 at the age of 40 years and 134 days

 

 

Marco Ballotta played in a Champions League match for Lazio at the age of 43 years and 252 days

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Poole is still registered as a player with League 2 Burton Albion at the age of 50 years and 7 months

 

 

 

 

Currently being scouted by Saints

 

 

 

 

 

Will you still need me when I'm Sixty Four?

 

 

 

 

 

#monthesaints

A Spanner In The Works

Saturday 22nd February 2014
Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup 6th Round Replay
Thorn Athletic AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Johnstone Community Sports Hub
Beith Road
Johnstone
Renfrewshire
PA5 0LR
Kick Off 3.00pm
Referee Mr Hugh Service

This Scottish Amateur Cup replay should have been played last Saturday but unfortunately the grass pitch at McMaster Park fell victim to the continuing atrocious weather conditions and the game was called off on the Friday afternoon. Having already suffered last minute cancellations at Castlemilk and Kilbowie Union this season the Saints management and players were thankful of the early warning from their hosts. With there being little chance of McMaster Park recovering quickly Thorn Athletic have booked the 3G pitch at Johnstone Community Sports Hub for Saturday's replay where surely only a flood of biblical proportions can render the surface unplayable.

Recently spotted stocking up on gopher wood and pitch!

The 3G pitch at Johnstone Community Sports Hub

The cancellation last week has served only to heighten the sense of anticipation amongst players and supporters of both sides and another thriller between these two keen rivals is guaranteed.

Have another look at last week's preview to whet your appetite ahead of the biggest match of the season so far.

Last Time Out

Thorn Athletic Goalkeeper Liam McWilliams

Saints were left to rue a string of missed chances against SAFL Premier Division rivals Thorn Athletic in last Saturday's Scottish Amateur Cup 6th Round tie. The grass park at Glencruitten was deemed unplayable due to the heavy rain which had fallen all morning but Saints had taken the precaution of booking an alternative venue so the game went ahead on the 3G pitch at Oban High School. Saints were in front in 17 minutes when an excellent through ball from Donald Campbell found Craig MacEwan bearing down on goal. Craig, on his first outing since his snowboarding accident, calmly converted the chance to score and re-join Allan MacKay at the top of the Saints scoring charts. Saints remained on top for the majority of the match and created several decent scoring chances, however whenever Saints managed to breach the Thorn defence they found Thorn goalkeeper and birthday boy Liam McWilliams in excellent form. The Thorn keeper certainly earned his birthday drinks with a string of excellent saves of which those from efforts by Lewis Cameron, Donald Campbell, Paul Kerr and Allan MacKay were the pick of the bunch.

Despite Saints dominance Thorn kept plugging away and got their reward in the 90th minute when a shot from John McLister took a wicked deflection off Saints defender Dene Cassells which sent the ball spinning past the reach of keeper Daniel Cassells into the net. The Thorn players and large travelling support went wild with delight and, with the referee blowing for full time only a short time later, continued their celebrations all the way home.

McMaster Park, Johnstone

Saints must therefore make the journey to Johnstone for the replay where their record against Thorn is marginally better than at home. A 1 - 0 victory in the last game of last season gave Saints their only win against Thorn to date. Games between Saints and Thorn are never dull and with a place in the Scottish Amateur Cup 7th round at stake this is guaranteed to be a cracker. A home tie against Eastfield of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division awaits the winners. Both sides have decent Scottish Cup pedigrees but for Thorn a win would see them qualify for the last 16 for the very first time. A win for Saints would mean a fourth 7th round appearance in eight years.

 

 

Saints record in Johnstone:-

28th August 2010 SAFL Premier Division
Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 Oban Saints

29th January 2011 Jimmy Marshall Trophy First Round
Thorn Athletic 3 - 2 Oban Saints

31st March 2012 SAFL Premier Division
Thorn Athletic 1 - 1 Oban Saints

8th June 2013 SAFL Premier Division
Thorn Athletic 0 - 1 Oban Saints



Thorn Athletic's progress in the Scottish Amateur Cup this season:-

Round 2                          Thorn Athletic 4 - 0 Irvine Town
Round 3                          Thorn Athletic 3 - Shawlands F.P.
Round 4                          Thorn Athletic 6 - 0 Highland Hotel
Round 5                          Thorn Athletic 2 - Drumchapel Amateurs
Round 5 Replay Drumchapel Amateurs 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic
Round 6                              Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic

Saints progress in the Scottish Amateur Cup this season:-

Round 2              Oban Saints 3 - 3 Independent
Round 2 Replay Independent 2 - 8 Oban Saints
Round 3              Oban Saints 6 - 1 Rosyth
Round 4                        Saints 6 - 0 Ellon Amateurs
Round 5       Dennistoun Vale 0 - 1 Oban Saints
Round 6               Oban Saints 1 - 1 Thorn Athletic

The Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup

Thorn Athletic's Scottish Amateur Cup finishes in recent seasons:-

2008/09 6th Round Lost 3 - 2 at home to Cambusbarron Rovers
2009/10 6th Round Lost 3 - 0 away to Kennoway
2010/11 5th Round Lost 3 - 2 at home to Cupar Hearts
2011/12 5th Round Lost 1 - 0 away to Dailly
2012/13 1st Round Lost 5 - 1 away to Greenock HSFP

Saints Scottish Amateur Cup finishes in recent seasons:-

2006/07 Quarter Finals Lost 3-0 away to Cupar Hearts
2007/08 2nd Round Lost 2 - 1 away to Harestanes
2008/09 Quarter Finals Lost 5 - 1 away to Eddlewood
2009/10 5th Round Lost 4 - 2 away to Falkirk
2010/11 2nd Round Lost 5 - 2 away to Arthurlie
2011/12 6th Round Lost 5 - 2 away to Cambusbarron Rovers
2012/13 7th Round Lost 3 - 1 at home to Colville Park




Local attractions in Johnstone:-

 

The Bandstand in Houston Square

 

The Thorn Inn

Johnstone's famous sons and daughters:-

Potty Mouthed Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay

 

 

 



Former Motherwell and Celtic striker John"Dixie" Deans

 

 

 



Former Scotland International goalkeeper Jim Leighton during his loan spell at Arsenal - the pinnacle of his career!


 

 

 

Actress Renee Houston as Agatha Spanner in Carry On At Your Convenience

 

#monthesaints

Thorn In The Side

 

 

 

 

Saturday 8th February 2014

Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup 6th Round

Oban Saints AFC v Thorn Athletic AFC

Glencruitten, Oban

Kick Off 2pm

Referee Mr Thomas Gilchrist, Motherwell

 

 

Last Time Out

 

 

 

Three Saturday's in a row!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without a game since their Scottish Cup 5th round win over Dennistoun Vale on 11th January Saints could scarcely have asked for a bigger fixture to get their stop/start season up and running again. A visit from SAFL rivals Thorn Athletic is always eagerly anticipated and the prize of a place in the 7th round of the Scottish Cup adds considerable spice to the mix. Since first crossing swords in season 2009/10 Saints and Thorn have developed a keen rivalry which has produced many thrilling encounters and has captivated the imagination of onlookers from far and near.

 

Thorn Athletic, the SAFL years:-

 

2008/09 Premier Division Two Champions (Promoted)

              Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners

2009/10 Premier Division One Champions (Promoted)

              Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners (knocking Saints out in quarter final)

2010/11 Premier Division 3rd

2011/12 Premier Division 3rd

2012/13 Premier Division 8th

 

Thorn endured the most difficult season in their 14 year history last season when they avoided relegation from the SAFL Premier Division by the narrowest of margins. Indeed had Saints managed to win by more than a solitary goal in the final match of last season at McMaster Park it would have meant relegation for Thorn for the first time in their history. Chastened by this near miss Thorn re-grouped during the close season and despite a slow start now look to be hitting top form again.

 

Thorn come into this fixture on the back of a ten game unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to mid September which includes last Saturday's very impressive Scottish Cup 5th round replay win over Drumchapel Amateurs.

 

 

 

 

Thorn Athletic's progress in the Scottish Amateur Cup this season:-

 

Round 2                          Thorn Athletic 4 - 0 Irvine Town

Round 3                          Thorn Athletic 3 - 0 Shawlands F.P.

Round 4                          Thorn Athletic 6 - 0 Highland Hotel

Round 5                          Thorn Athletic 2 - 2 Drumchapel Amateurs

Round 5 Replay Drumchapel Amateurs 2 - 3 Thorn Athletic

 

In addition to their Scottish Cup endeavours Thorn are also still in the West of Scotland Cup and have been drawn away from home in the fourth round to Busby of the SAFL Premier Division.

 

 

 

 

Central defender Alex Craik fires in a shot in Saints last home game against Glasgow Harp

 

 

 

Saints progress in the Scottish Amateur Cup this season:-

 

Round 2              Oban Saints 3 - 3 Independent

Round 2 Replay Independent 2 - 8 Oban Saints

Round 3              Oban Saints 6 - 1 Rosyth

Round 4              Oban Saints 6 - 0 Ellon Amateurs

Round 5       Dennistoun Vale 0 - 1 Oban Saints

 

 

Saints remain undefeated in thirteen league and cup matches this season, however if they are to progress to round 7 of the Scottish Cup for a second consecutive season they must do what they have never done before and beat Thorn Athletic at Glencruitten. Saints came agonisingly close to banishing their Thorn hoodoo earlier this season but a last minute concentration lapse from Saints scorer on the day Craig MacEwan gifted Thorn a share of the points. Thorn have never before reached the last 16 of the Scottish Cup and to reach that landmark in Oban would give them a double cause for celebration. With fixtures piling up in league and cup a draw on Saturday, and subsequent replay next week, will be the last thing either team wants. A highly competitive match with both teams going all out for victory is therefore in prospect. Thorn have booked a 49 seater coach for the trip which looks like being a sell out. Hopefully a large crowd of locals will give Saints good backing as the Thorn crowd will be their usual vociferous selves. 

 

 

 

 

Craig MacEwan was a pivotal figure in the 1 - 1 draw at Glencruitten on 31st August 2013

 

 

 

 

 



 

 Marc MacCallum heads narrowly over in Saints 1 - 1 draw with Thorn Athletic on 3rd September 2011

 

 

 

 





 

 

The Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup

 

 

#monthesaints

Fever Pitch

The Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Saturday 1st February 2014
Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup 4th Round
Giffnock North AAC AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Northolm Sports Complex, Braidbar Farm Road, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6HU
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Iain Hamilton

Last Time Out

On Saturday 18th January Saints endured another fruitless journey south when for the second time this season their match was called off at the eleventh hour due to an unplayable pitch. This time the cancellation was at John Brown's, Clydebank where Saints were due to play Kilbowie Union in a SAFL Premier Division match. The pitch having been played on in the morning was unable to withstand a torrential downpour just before Saints arrived and the referee Mr Matt Stanley correctly called the match off. Despite there being no blame attributable to their hosts in either cancellation it is still deeply frustrating for the players and officials to travel such a distance for no game. The Saints management and players were therefore very appreciative of the early decision by Giffnock North to postpone last Saturday's scheduled match. Heavy rain throughout the week and more of the same forecast for Saturday gave the hosts an easy decision to make and the match was called off on Friday afternoon.

Both clubs will be hoping that the recent improvement in the weather continues and that the heavy rain and snow currently forecast for Friday and Saturday fails to materialise.

This Saturday Saints are on the road again when they travel to the Northolm Sports Complex to face Giffnock North of the Caledonian Premier League in the West of Scotland Cup 4th round. Saints reached the 4th round courtesy of a narrow 2-1 win over Glasgow Harp also of the Caledonian Premier League and can expect a similarly tight match against the North. Giffnock North qualified for the 4th round last Saturday with a 3-1 win away at Jordanhill Campus.

Giffnock North's progress in the West of Scotland Cup this season:-

Round 2 7th December 2013 Giffnock North    6 - 1 Glentyan
Round 3 18th January 2014 Jordanhill Campus 1 - 3 Giffnock North


Unfortunately for the North they exited the Scottish Cup on the previous Saturday with an away defeat at Bank Street Athletic of the Midlands Amateur Football Association Premier League.

Giffnock North's Scottish Cup exploits this season:-

Round 2 26th October 2013                    Hillside 1 - 3 Giffnock North
Round 3 9th November 2013      Giffnock North 5 - 1 Queensferry Athletic
Round 4 30th November 2013    Giffnock North 3 - 1 Beith Amateurs
Round 5 11th January 2014 Bank Street Athletic 3 - 2 Giffnock North

Giffnock North Caledonian Premier League Winners 2012 - 13

Fever Pitch Moment for Giffnock North

Giffnock North are the defending Caledonian Premier League champions having narrowly pipped Westerlands and Glasgow Harp to the league title last season. The league was won in dramatic fashion with virtually the last kick of the last game of the season. An injury time penalty from Nani (no, not that Nani but he is very good by all accounts) won the match 2-1 for the North lifting them above Westerlands and Glasgow Harp by just one point and consigning their opponents on the night Dalziel High School Former Pupils to relegation. This gave the North a league and cup double the William Turner Challenge Cup having been secured earlier in the season.

Giffnock North have stuttered slightly in defence of their title having already lost more league games this season than in the entire title winning campaign. The North are currently eighth in the Caledonian Premier League with 12 points from 10 games, 10 points behind league leaders Milton.

Giffnock North's title defence so far:-

10th August 2013              St Mungo's 3 - 2 Giffnock North
13th August 2013       Giffnock North 1 - 2 East Kilbride Whitehills
21st August 2013       Giffnock North 2 - 1 Glasgow Harp
24th August 2013       Giffnock North 3 - 1 Gartcosh United
28th August 2013            Westerlands 1 - 0 Giffnock North
31st August 2013                   Cambria 3 - 4 Giffnock North
7th September 2013       Doune Castle 2 - 1 Giffnock North
21st September 2013 Gartcosh United 1 - 2 Giffnock North
5th October 2013        Giffnock North 1 - 2 Dumbarton Academy Former Pupils
16th November 2013  Giffnock North 0 - 1 Westerlands

 Double Winners 2012 - 13

Giffnock North are a long established and highly respected club now in their 71st year. They can boast may trophies from spells in the East Renfrewshire Amateur League, Scottish Amateur Football League, Greater Glasgow Premier league and Caledonian League. Their most notable success is undoubtedly the Scottish Amateur Cup win in 1957.

Allan MacKay's penalty makes it Oban Saints 2 - 1 Glasgow Harp in round 3

Saints go into this match on an unbeaten run in all competitions this season and desperate to make up for the three trophies which slipped agonisingly from their grasp last season. With the heat building in the battle for glory in the national cup competitions these two evenly matched sides should serve up a cracker of a cup tie. The match will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if required. The winners will face double Scottish Amateur Cup winners Eddlewood in round 5 with another home tie against either St Mungo's. South Camlachie, Broomhouse or Arthurlie United awaiting the winners in round 6.

It's Up For Grabs Now

Saints enjoyed their own Fever Pitch moment at Northolm in 2002 in a last game of the season winner takes all match similar to Arsenal's 1989 title winning triumph against Liverpool at Anfield. In an amazing Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One season Saints and Shamrock from Greenock finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored. The 18 game season saw both teams amass 39 points, score 51 goals and concede 27 therefore the SAFL ruled that a play-off match at a neutral venue should decide the league winners. The match was played at Northolm on Friday 7th June 2002 with a 7.00pm kick off in front of a good number of supporters from both sides as well as some interested neutrals.

Saints started strongly and were soon in front thanks to a wonderful 25 yard shot from veteran midfielder Donald MacLennan which flew past the despairing dive of the Shamrock keeper into the top left hand corner of the net. This was Donald's last game for Saints and a fitting way to bow out after a long and illustrious career. Shamrock recovered from this early set back and as the half wore on came more and more into the game. Two quick goals on the brink of half time gave Shamrock a 2-1 lead at the interval. Saints began the second half in a similar fashion to the first and were soon on level terms courtesy of a neat finish from inside the box by young midfielder and future Saints captain Keith Millar. The game then developed into an end to end battle with both sets of players giving their all in an attempt to avoid a penalty shoot-out. Chances came and went but nobody was able to find the net and with time rapidly running out and the light beginning to fade penalties looked inevitable.

In the 90th minute Shamrock launched one final attack down the right wing, the Shamrock winger skipped past Saints full back Colin Campbell but his cross was easily collected by Saints keeper David Dunlop. With every outfield player now in the Saints half David kicked from hand high into the night sky. The ball feel kindly at the feet of Saints centre forward Kenny "Tanno" MacDonald whose neat turn left his marker sprawling on the turf and left him a clear path to the Shamrock goal. With the Shamrock defence in hot pursuit Tanno bore down on the Shamrock goal. The keeper advanced but committed himself too soon allowing Tanno to take the ball round him and roll it into the empty net. Cue pandemonium amongst the Saints players, officials and fans. There was barely any time left and the referee blew for full time almost immediately after the re-start. A most dramatic end to an unbelievably close league season.

After enjoying the excellent facilities of the Northolm Sports Pavilion and stopping off at the local Victoria Wine shop for some essential supplies, it was a deliriously happy Saints bus that headed back to Oban where the party continued well into the next day week month.

The most dramatic finish in the history of the Football League

 

 

 

Scottish Amateur Football Association UEFA Regions Preparatory Match

 

 



 

 

 

Saints players Donald Campbell, Myles McAuley and Marc MacCallum were in a SAFA South West Select team who took on the SAFA international team in a UEFA Regions preparatory match at Ravenscraig Sports Centre on Sunday 19th January. Despite having never played before as a team the select acquitted themselves well in a 4 - 1 defeat against their well drilled opponents. The select players can be pleased with their efforts but now face an anxious wait before discovering whether their exploits were enough earn them a call up to the international squad.

 

 

 

Nick Hornby's debut novel inspired by Arsenal's league title win at Anfield



 

 

 

 

 

#monthesaints

 

 

 

Down By The River

 

 

Saturday 18th January 2014
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Kilbowie Union AFC v Oban Saints AFC
John Brown's Pitches, Barns Street, Clydebank G81 1AA
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Alan Lamb

Dennistoun Vale

Last Saturday Saints progressed to the sixth round of the Foster's Scottish Amateur Cup for the fifth time in eight years with a hard fought win over Dennistoun Vale of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning League. An Allan MacKay penalty in the 80th minute after substitute Colin Tindall was fouled in the box gave Saints the narrowest of victories over a very good Vale side. Saints have a home tie in the sixth round but must wait on the outcome of the Thorn Athletic v Drumchapel Amateurs fifth round tie before discovering their opponents. Whoever eventually provides the opposition this promises to be a cracking cup tie and Saints will be glad to have home advantage.

 

John Brown's Pitches, Clydebank

 

 

This Saturday Saints return to league business with an away fixture at bottom of the table Kilbowie Union. Saints won the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season 4 - 0 with two goals from Allan MacKay and one a-piece from Donald Campbell and Mattie Rippon. Union last tasted top flight football in season 2011/12 when Saints recorded 7 - 1 home and 5 - 1 away victories. Union eventually finished 9th and were relegated.

 

 

 

 

 

Kilbowie Union's recent record in the SAFL:-

 

2006 - 07 Premier Division One 7th

2007 - 08 Premier Division One 10th (relegated)

2008 - 09 Premier Division Two 7th

2009 - 10 Premier Division Two  2nd (promoted)

2010 - 11 Premier Division One 4th (promoted)

2011 - 12 Premier Division 9th (relegated)

2012 - 13 Premier Division One 3rd (promoted)

 

Kilbowie Union Honours:-

 

2000 Premier Division Two Champions

2001 Premier Division One Champions

2002 Centenary Cup Winners

 

Kilbowie Union League Matches this season:-

 

17th August 2013 Oban Saints 4 - 0 Kilbowie Union

21st August 2013 Kilbowie Union 4 - 4 Castlemilk

24th August 2013 Kilbowie Union 1 - 2 Busby

31st August 2013 Alba Thistle 3 - 1 Kilbowie Union

14th September 2013 Inverclyde 5 - 4 Kilbowie Union

21st September 2013 Kilbowie Union 1 - 3 Finnart

5th October 2013 Kilbowie Union 1 - 2 Thorn Athletic

9th November 2013 Finnart 4 - 4 Kilbowie Union

16th November 2013 Kilbowie Union 3 - 2 Alba Thistle

23rd November 2013 Castlemilk 6 - 3 Kilbowie Union

11th January 2014 Busby 2 - 0 Kilbowie Union

 

Kilbowie Union have already exited all of the cup competitions this season losing out to Finnart in the third round of the Centenary Cup; East Kilbride in the first round of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy; Arkleston Athletic in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup and Redbrae Athletic in the second round of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

 

 

Donald Campbell puts Saints 2 - 0 up against Kilbowie Union earlier this season

 

 

With current league leaders Finnart on West of Scotland Cup duty against Strathclyde University, Saints know that a win on Saturday will take them to the top of the league. Kilbowie Union are already fighting for their Premier League status so Saints can take nothing for granted if they are to maintain their unbeaten run.

 

 

Change of Referee



 

In an unprecedented move the referee originally allocated to this match made a special request for a change of fixture and will now take charge of the Wellhouse v Leven United Scottish Amateur Cup 5th round replay with Mr Alan Lamb now taking this fixture. It seems that referee Mr James Gallacher particularly enjoys players moaning at him and, upon learning that chief moaner Willie Gemmell had left Oban Saints, felt that Saints moaning was no longer up to the standard he prefers. Saints have moved swiftly to address the situation by employing Mrs Doyle as a moaning coach. Mrs Doyle is an expert in exhorting men dressed in black to change their minds and should therefore

prove a valuable addition to the coaching staff. 

 

 



 





Saints will be without current second top goal scorer Craig MacEwan following an accident on his recent snowboarding holiday. Craig suffered a fractured collar bone and a broken rib and will be out of action for some time. Good luck to Craig for a speedy recovery.

UEFA Regions Preparatory Match

 

Donald Campbell will join Myles McAuley in the SAFA select squad for Sunday's Central West v South West practice match. The match will now be played at Ravenscraig with a 2pm kick off. Good luck to Donald and Myles and all the other hopefuls as they strive to catch the eye of National Squad Manager Bruce McNaught.

 

 

Donald Campbell

 

 

 

Myles McAuley

 

 

 

Donald Campbell looks on as fellow SAFA Squad member Ryan Halpin of Kilbowie Union is tackled by Paul Kerr

 

 

John Brown's

 

The Titan Crane

 

 

The venue for Saturday's match, John Brown's pitches is situated on or near to the ground occupied by the former shipyard of the same name. The name John Brown is synonymous with Clydebank is probably the most famous of all the Clyde ship yards.

 

Some of the famous ships built at John Brown's:-

 

 

HMS Hood

 

 

 

RMS Lusitania

 

 

 

RMS Queen Mary

 

 

 

RMS Queen Elizabeth

 

 

 

RMS QE2

 

 

 

HM Yacht Britannia

 

 

 

#monthesaints