Another School Day

Hello - Another School Day

Saturday 21st November 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Goldenhill AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Clydebank High School 3G
Janetta Street
Clydebank
G81 3EJ
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr. Gordon Hay

Last Saturday Saints secured their place in the fourth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup with a 6 - 1 home victory over Springhill of the North & South Lanarkshire Amateur Football League Premier Division. The reward for this seventh consecutive victory in all competitions is a home tie on Saturday 12th December against either fellow Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division club Shawlands FP or New Farm Loch of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association 3rd Division.

This Saturday Saints return to league business and take their winning streak to Clydebank where they will face Premier Division new boys Goldenhill. "The Gowdie" are on a remarkable run of good form which has seen them win all ten of their competitive fixtures so far this season scoring forty nine goals in the process and conceding twelve. The winning run puts the Gowdie through to the Semi-Finals of the SAFL Centenary Cup where the defending Champions will face St Joseph's FP or East Kilbride FC Amateurs; the fourth round of the West of Scotland Cup where they will face Lochan or Carrick (both of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association); and the fourth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup where they will face Erskine of the Greater Glasgow Premier League Division One.

Goldenhill arrived in the Premier Division on the back of three successive promotions have made a perfect start to their first season in the Scottish Amateur Football League top flight where they currently occupy fourth place, one point behind Saints but with three games less played. With league leaders St Joseph's on West of Scotland Cup duty and second placed Inverclyde without a fixture Saints and the Gowdie will see this as an ideal opportunity to make up some precious ground on their rivals in the league title race.

On the team news front Myles McAuley remains someway short of a return from injury while Marc MacCallum is on holiday in Venice. Allan Mackay returns to the squad after a two week absence where he will fill the seat on the bench vacated by Marc MacCallum. Otherwise Saints will remain unchanged from last weeks squad and, barring any last minute hiccups, Manager Alex Craik will name the same starting eleven for what looks likely to be an extremely difficult fixture for the dark blues.

Two goals from Donald Campbell and a hat-trick from Ross Maitland helped Saints to last weekend's 6 - 1 West of Scotland Cup victory over Springhill

Also on the score sheet for Saints last week was Martin Bonar pictured here against St Joseph's last season

Goldenhill's SAFL Premier Division results so far this season:-

5th September 2015 Inverclyde AFC 2 - 4 Goldenhill AFC
10th October 2015 Goldenhill AFC 3 - 2 Campbeltown Pupils AFC
24th October 2015 Goldenhill AFC 2 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Goldenhill's SAFL Centenary Cup results so far this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 12th September 2015 Finnart AFC 1 - 6 Goldenhill AFC
Quarter Final 7th November 2015 Goldenhill AFC 4 - 1 Neilston AFC

Goldenhill's Scottish Amateur Cup results so far this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 3rd Ocotber 2015 Dean AFC 2 - 5 Goldenhill AFC
3rd Round 31st October Gryffe Thistle AFC 1 - 2 Goldenhill AFC

Goldenhill's West of Scotland Amateur Cup results so far this season:-

1st Round 19th September 2015 Mill United 1 - 11 Goldenhill AFC
2nd Round 17th Ocotber 2015 Lomond Vale AFC 1 - 9 Goldenhill AFC
3rd Round 14th November Kilbarchan Thistle AFC 1 - 3 Goldenhill AFC

Goldenhill's recent SAFL finishes:-

2012 - 13 Division One Promoted and Coronation Cup Winners
2013 - 14 Premier Division Two 2nd Promoted
2014 - 15 Premier Division One 4th Promoted and Centenary Cup Winners

Goldenhill AFC SAFL Coronation Cup Winners 2013

Goldenhill AFC SAFL Centenary Cup Winners 2015

Scottish Amateur Football League Select

The Scottish Amateur Football League Select will face the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Select this Sunday in the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Amateur Football Association Inter League Trophy. The tie will be played at Dalziel Playing Fields, Motherwell with a 1.15 pm kick off. The other quarter final ties between the Caledonian Amateur Football League and the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association, and the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League and the Central Scottish Amateur Football League will also be played at Dalziel Park at 1.15 pm. The winners of each tie will join the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association in the semi-finals.

With Lewis Cameron, Myles McAuley and Marc MacCallum all unavailable Saints only representative in Manager Richard Bryers' Scottish Amateur Football League Select is Donald Campbell. Good luck to Donald and all others selected for what looks like a very difficult match.

#monthesaints

Saints Call The Shotts

Saturday 14th November 2015
West of Scotland Cup third round 

Oban Community Pitch 3G

Oban Saints AFC 6 - 1 Springhill AFC
Referee Mr John Stobo

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Dene Cassells
Jamie Graham
Scott Maitland

Willie Gemmell
Paul Kerr
Donald Campbell (Captain)

Ross Maitland
Dean Smith
Craig MacEwan

Substitutes used:-

Martin Bonar
Dougal Graham
Marc Maccallum
Shaun MacIver
Keith Millar

Saints Goalscorers:-

Donald Campbell ⚽ ⚽
Ross Maitland ⚽ ⚽ ⚽
Martin Bonar ⚽

Saints progressed to the fourth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup with a 6 - 1 win over Springhill of the North & South Lanarkshire Amateur Football League Premier Division last Saturday. Storm Abagail and the heavy rain which she brought with her put an end to any lingering hopes of the match being played on grass so the tie was switched to the 3G community pitch at Oban High School. Saints Manager Alex Craik named the same squad and starting eleven that defeated Campbeltown Pupils in the Argyll Derby the previous week meaning there was no place for available again striker Allan Mackay who joined the injured Myles McAuley on the sidelines.

Despite the convincing scoreline this was far from a vintage performance from Saints with the game remaining in the balance until deep into the second half when their opponents from Shotts began to tire allowing Saints to finally hit their stride. Saints kicked off attacking the Games Park end and were almost immediately behind when Willie Gemmell delayed too long in clearing up field and was closed down on the edge of his own penalty box by Paul Hughes. Hughes broke into the box but was closed down by Saints keeper Thomas McCulloch who came quickly off his line to smother the ball at the feet of the Springhill striker. Surviving this first minute scare Saints went straight up the other end and opened the scoring with their first attack. Ross Maitland and David McArthur combined well on the right with David sending in a good cross which picked out Donald Campbell on the edge of the box. Donald met the cross perfectly on the half volley and fired an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner giving Springhill keeper Graeme Marshall no chance. This should have been the signal for the flood gates to open but Saints usual slick passing was sadly not in evidence allowing the visitors to remain firmly in a game which, frankly, should have been a canter for the home side. Saints thought they had unlocked the Springhill back four again when David McArthur looped over a deep cross from the left after the visitors had cleared an eleventh minute Ross Maitland corner. David's cross was well taken down and controlled by Donald Campbell but before Saints Scotland Amateur International midfielder could strike for goal he was given offside by Referee John Stobo who gave the benefit of a very tight decision to the visitors. Donald's exertions with the Scottish Amateur International team in midweek had left him looking slightly off colour and he was easily dispossessed in the centre circle by Callum Mitchell in the 12th minute. The Springhill midfielder was then allowed to stride forward unchallenged and fire off a shot which fortunately he didn't get much power behind allowing Thomas McCulloch to gather easily. McCulloch released the ball quickly and Saints broke up field where Dean Smith was brought down 30 yards from goal in the first of many tangles with Springhill skipper Lori McLean. It was a good distance for Willie Gemmell to have a strike on goal but perhaps slightly too central therfore Willie elected to loft a cross to the far post looking for the head of Craig MacEwan. The Sprinhill defence read it well and the combined efforts of Lori McLean and central defensive partner John Liddell cleared the danger. The visitors almost capitalised on some hesitancy in the Saints defence in the 17th minute. Scott Maitland and Jamie Graham failed to deal with a throw in deep in their own half allowing James Cordiner to cut into the box on the Saints left. Fortunately for Saints, with two of his team mates unmarked in front of goal, Cordiner sliced his cross onto the roof of the net giving Saints another let off. Saints were in charitable mood again two minutes later with Paul Kerr uncharacteristically conceding possession cheaply in his own half. Springhill's impressive Paul Hughes threaded a perfectly weighted pass bisecting Saints central defensive pairing of Dene Cassells and Jamie Graham and picking out a good run by James Cordiner. Thomas McCulloch did excellently to anticipate the danger and was quickly off his line to narrow the angle and make a good save from Cordiner's first time shot. Despite not hitting their usual heights Saints continued to create chances particularly from the wide areas where they looked more of a threat. In the 21st minute Craig MacEwan made a good run across the face of the back four from left to right before picking out Dean Smith at the back post. Dean controlled well but seemed caught in two minds between shooting and passing to strike colleague Ross Maitland and was closed down by the Springhill defence who snuffed out the danger. Three minutes later Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan combined well on the right from where Donald lofted an excellent cross to the back post where Dean Smith and Ross Maitland were lying in wait. With Ross probably the better placed of the two Dean got slightly underneath the ball and sent his header about a foot over the crossbar. Another chance almost came Dean's way when Ross Maitland made a good run up the right wing and sent in a dangerous low cross which Springhill central defender John Liddell had to slide in to clear at the near post with Dean waiting for a tap-in. Saints second came in the 29th minute with width finally proving decisive. Craig MacEwan delivered a terrific cross from the left which Ross Maitland controlled excellently on his instep before beating full back Dylan Ferguson and drilling a left foot shot low past Graeme Marshall in the Springhill goal. Saints had the ball in the net again two minutes later after Springhill had cleared a Ross Maitland corner from the right. The ball came back out to Ross who flighted a deep cross to the back post towards Donald Campbell. Donald headed the ball back across goal for Craig MacEwan to nod into the net only for Referee Mr Stobo to rule Donald offside which was another close call from the man in the middle. Saints were very much in the ascendancy at this point and good work on the right from Craig MacEwan and Ross Maitland set up Donald Campbell for a thumping 35th minute left foot shot from the edge of the box which crashed off Graeme Marshall's right hand post with the big keeper firmly rooted to the spot. Two minutes later Craig MacEwan carved out a good opportunity for himself cutting in from the left past fullback Marc Burns and sending a rasping right foot drive just wide of the keeper's near post. Craig immediately came close again heading over from Ross Maitland's right wing cross after a delightful Willie Gemmell pass had set the wee man off on a run up the wing. With five minutes of the first half remaining Saints slackness in the centre of the park was punished when Paul Hughes pounced on a loose ball and quickly fed James Cordiner who made a good run forward and tucked a neat finish inside Thomas McCulloch's right hand post to halve Saints advantage. Saints ended a largely disappointing first half with a good turn and cross from Craig MacEwan on the right wing which fizzed across the face of goal with, sadly, no takers in navy blue.

The second half opened with Donald Campbell winning a free-kick wide on the left level with the Springhill penalty spot. Willie Gemmell flighted a deep cross which Craig MacEwan rose well to head back across goal where Springhill skipper Lori McLean out jumped Dean Smith to head clear of the danger area. Smith and McLean renewed their earlier hostilities in the 49th minute with McLean chopping down the Saints striker twenty yards from goal and slightly left of centre. Willie Gemmell curled a shot around the three man Springhill wall forcing keeper Marshall into a good save diving full length to his left to parry the ball wide. Ross Maitland was first to react and picked out Dean Smith who slid in at the near post to beat the close attention of McLean but couldn't direct his effort on target. Saints had two penalty appeals in as many minutes firstly for handball when Donald Campbell attempted to cut into the box from the left wing, secondly when Scott Maitland appeared to be bundled over when chasing down a Donald Campbell pass deep inside the Springhill box. Referee Stobo remained unconvinced and dismissed both appeals. Scott was in action again shortly afterwards and delivered a good cross from the left which Ross Maitland controlled well but steered wide of the keeper's left hand post. In the 55th minute another cynical foul on Dean Smith by Lori McLean earned the Springhill skipper a yellow card when Dean had looked well placed to cut through the visitor's defence for an attempt on goal. Saints profligacy in front of goal continued with Donald Campbell firing high over the crossbar from the edge of the box and Craig MacEwan sending a free header also over the bar from a Ross Maitland corner won on the right by Paul Kerr. A further chance was spurned in the 67th minute when Ross Maitland was closed down in the box before he could get a shot away after a good run and cross from the left by Scott Maitland. The goal which finally made the tie safe for Saints came just one minute later when Ross Maitland rifled a thirty yard shot into the bottom corner the pace and accuracy of which beat keeper Marshall low down to his right. Saints twice almost allowed Springhill an unlikely route back into the match with sloppy passing gifting opportunities to Matthew Wemyss and Declan Muir. Wemyss sent a shot from the edge of the box wide of target while Thomas McCulloch had to be quick to narrow the angle when Muir charged into the box forcing the Springhill substitute to snatch an effort inches past McCulloch's left hand post. From this second let off Saints broke up field in the 77th minute where Craig MacEwan picked out Donald Campbell with an excellent through ball. Donald fired in a shot from just outside the box which the advancing keeper Marshall did well to parry but only into the patch of Ross Maitland who stroked the ball home to complete his hat-trick. With the tie now well and truly safe Manager Alex Craik gave all five substitutes a ten minute run-out with Marc Maccallum, Dougal Graham, Keith Millar, Martin Bonar and Shaun MacIver replacing Dene Cassells, Scott Maitland, Willie Gemmell, Craig MacEwan and Dean Smith respectively. Within a minute of coming on Shaun MacIver showed good strength to hold off a strong challenge from John Kilmurray and sent in a good shot which was well saved by keeper Marshall. With five minutes remaining Saints got their fifth from the penalty spot. Ross Maitland made a terrific run into the penalty box, amidst a flurry of challenges the ball broke loose to Donald Campbell who steered the ball into the unguarded net however before the ball had reached Donald Referee Stobo spotted an infringement and blew for a penalty kick. Clearly frustrated that his original effort had been ruled out, Donald smashed his spot kick emphatically off the underside of crossbar for his second of the game and fourteenth goal in six matches. Saints rounded off the scoring in the final minute when Martin Bonar stooped at the back post to head home a lofted Ross Maitland free kick from the right.                          

Saints will face either Shawlands FP or New Farm Loch in the fourth round at Glencruitten on Saturday 12th December.

Dene Cassells keeps his eye on the ball

Craig MacEwan's headed goal ruled out for offside

Half-time team talk

Graeme Marshall saves Willie Gemmell free-kick

Dean Smith tangles with John Liddell

John Stobo shows Springhill skipper Lori McLean the yellow card

Donald Campbell thumps home Saints fifth from the penalty spot

Martin Bonar nods home Saints 6th and final goal of the afternoon

#monthesaints

Go West

The Pet Shop Boys - Go West

Saturday 14th November 2015

The Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup
3rd Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC v Springhill AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr John Stobo

Alternative Venue and kick-off time should Glencruitten prove to be unplayable:-

Oban Community Sports Field (3G), Soroba Road, Oban, Argyll PA34 4JB
Kick off 3pm

Saints welcome Springhill of the North and South Lanarkshire Amateur Football Association Premier League to Glencruitten this Saturday for Saints first home tie in the West of Scotland Cup since December 2013. On that occasion a successfully converted extra-time penalty kick from Allan Mackay against Glasgow Harp saw Saints through to the fourth round where they slipped agonisingly out of the competition to a penalty shoot-out defeat against Giffnock North at Northolm Park.

Saturday's visitors hail from Shotts in North Lanarkshire and currently occupy eighth spot in the ten team North and South Lanarkshire Premier League after just two games played. The majority of Springhill's fixtures thus far have been in their "domestic" cup competitions where they have won four out of their five ties. The only reverse for Springhill in the league cups came against Eddlewood whom Saints fans will recollect from the 2008-09 Scottish Cup campaign. On that particular occasion an excellent Eddlewood side defeated Saints 5 - 2 in the quarter finals and despite not making that season's final went on to triumph in the following season's final against Drumchapel United.

Springhill have managed to reach this third round stage of the West of Scotland Cup without kicking a ball. After receiving a first round bye Springhill were paired in the second round with Waterside of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1, however Waterside failed to fulfill the fixture and the tie was awarded to Springhill.

Springhill's last outing was last Saturday where they slumped to a very heavy Scottish Amateur Cup third round replay defeat against North Motherwell. The initial tie in Shotts ended all square but the replay in Motherwell was one to forget for Springhill who will be desperate to get the 11 - 1 reverse out of their system when they make their first ever visit to Oban.

With the exception of the injured Myles McAuley, and barring any last minute call-offs, Saints Manager Alex Craik has pretty much a full squad available from which to select his match day sixteen. Storm Abigail is currently doing her best to spoil the Saints party therefore the alternative venue of the community 3G pitch at Oban High School is very likely to be called upon.

Abagail's Party

Springhill results so far this season:-

22nd August (League) Springhill 2 - 8 Woodhall Thistle
26th August (League Cup) Springhill 1 - 4 Eddlewood
5th September (League Cup) Calderwood Bluestar 1 - 6 Springhill
12th September (League Cup) Central Park 1 - 3 Springhill
19th September (League Cup) Springhill 6 - 1 Coalburn Wanderers
3rd October (Scottish Cup 2nd round) Muirend v Springhill (Walkover)
10th October (League) Springhill 2 - 2 Blantyre Soccer Academy
17th October (W.O.S. Cup 2nd round) Springhill (Committee Decision) v Waterside
24th October (League Cup) Springhill 5 - 2 Motherwell Bridge
31st October (Scottish Cup 3rd round) Springhill 3 - 3 North Motherwell
7th November (Scottish Cup 3rd round replay) North Motherwell 11 - 1 Springhill

SAFA Select

Saints Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell once again joined up with the Scottish Amateur Football Association Select squad for a training session at Colville Park Country Club last Sunday afternoon. Donald did enough during the session to convince National Team Manager Bruce McNaught to hand him a starting role in the following Wednesday night's friendly against Airdrie FC at the Shyberry Stadium, Airdrie. The Select won the match courtesy of an own goal in the dying minutes however, more importantly, the Select Manager was able to give his entire twenty two man squad a run out rewarding the players for their hard work in training and dedication to the National team squad. The players' attention will now return to club and inter-league fixtures until the next National Squad training session in January.

Scottish Amateur Cup Draw News

The draw for the fourth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup was made last Friday morning at Hampden Park. Saints were drawn away from home against old friends and former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Postal United now of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League. The tie is scheduled for Saturday 5th December.

West of Scotland Amateur Cup Draw News

Immediately following last Monday night's West District Committee meeting, at which Saints third round opponents were decided when Springhill were declared winners of the unfulfilled second round tie against Waterside, the draw for the fourth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup took place. The winners of this Saturday's third round tie between Saints and Springhill were drawn at home against Shawlands FP of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division or New Farm Loch of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Third Division. The tie is scheduled for Saturday 12th December.

#monthesaints

Patience

Guns 'n' Roses - Patience

Saturday 7th November 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC 2 - 0 Campbeltown Pupils AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

Substitutes used:-

Martin Bonar 

Dougal Graham 

Keith Millar 
Shaun MacIver

Unused Substitute:-

Marc Maccallum

Match Report

Patience was the name of the game at Glencruitten last Saturday as Saints were made to work hard to break down a determined and well drilled Campbeltown Pupils defensive set-up in the first Argyll Derby of the season. The visitors came with caution very much in mind and set Saints a difficult task to find a way through their solid five man defence. There had been some doubt as to whether the game might have to be switched to the 3G pitch at Oban High School but Glencruitten had held up well to the recent bad weather and once the morning rain had abated the match was played in perfect overhead and underfoot conditions.

Pupils kicked off attacking the Mossfield end and were first to threaten when a second minute corner kick from their left was deflected narrowly wide by a combination of Ross Maitland and David MacArthur at the near post. Pupils are a big side and looked as though they would be dangerous at set pieces but the second corner was comfortably dealt with a good clearing header from Willie Gemmell. Willie himself then had Saints first effort on goal with a long range shot from the edge of the centre circle which flew high and wide posing no threat to the Campbeltown goal. Saints midfield triumvirate of Willie Gemmell, Paul Kerr and Donald Campbell were getting plenty of the ball in the centre of the park but, faced with a wall of red shirts, were finding it hard to thread the passes through to the front three of Ross Maitland, Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan. Willie Gemmell was first to find the key to unlock the Pupils defence when he clipped a delightful cross from the right picking out Donald Campbell's late run into the box. Donald won a good looping header against Keith Mitchell which the back peddling Reid Anderson did well to tip over his cross bar for a corner kick. Just one minute later Donald Campbell threaded a terrific pass through to Ross Maitland who timed his run well to get in behind the Pupils defence. Reid Anderson was quickly off his line to narrow the angle and made a good save diving to his left to parry Maitland's curling shot to safety. Pupils defensive strategy was allowing the Saints full backs David McArthur and Scott Maitland to push forward with Scott winning an eleventh minute corner kick after a good run up the left wing. Ross Maitland, in for the departed Lewis Cameron on the right of the Saints front three, flighted in the corner kick which Craig MacEwan did well to get to but was unable to guide his header on target. A cheaply conceded free kick by Dene Cassells on the edge of his own box lead to a scare for Saints in the 19th minute. Willie Gemmell headed the free kick wide for a throw in from which Pupils forced a corner kick on their right. John McCallum glanced a header from the six yard line towards the top corner which Thomas McCulloch at full stretch managed to claw onto the post and behind for another corner. Saints cleared the danger from the second corner and broke up the left wing with Scott Maitland delivering a low cross to Ross Maitland twelve yards out and directly in front of goal. Ross didn't connect as well as he would have liked with his left foot but nonetheless Reid Anderson produced another excellent save to foil the wee man for the second time. Anderson was in action again in the 26th minute acrobatically tipping over a dipping David McArthur volley from the edge of the box after Pupils had failed to fully clear their lines from a Ross Maitland corner. David was first to the second corner but his downward header under little pressure bounced high and wide of target. Two minutes later more good work on the left from Scott Maitland set up Donald Campbell to curl a terrific cross looking for Ross Maitland at the back post. With the wee man waiting to pounce up popped the pupils own wee man, left back Keith Mitchell, to make an excellent headed interception. A quick break up their right saw Pupils win another corner after Paul Kerr made up good ground to get across and block a dangerous looking Gary Grumoli shot. Thomas McCulloch came a long way to collect the out-swinging corner and safely gathered it at the second attempt. Saints kept probing at the other end and a slide rule pass from Donald Campbell would have had Ross Maitland through on goal but for a last ditch sliding interception by Grant Grant. Saints had a strong claim for a penalty kick in the 38th minute when Craig MacEwan appeared to be fouled while weaving his way into the Pupils penalty area but Mr Litster quickly dismissed the Saints appeals. Craig made his way into the box a minute later but this time there was no suggestion of a foul when Jamie Burns made a perfectly timed tackle to dispossess the Saints striker. As the first half drew to a close the relatively untroubled Saints central defensive pairing of Dene Cassells and Jamie Graham got themselves into a fankle and gifted an opportunity to lone Pupils striker John McCallum. Fortunately for Saints Thomas McCulloch was equal to McCallum's shot on goal and produced a good save diving full length to his right.

Manager Alex Craik sent out the same eleven to start the second half advising them to keep playing their passing game and the scoring opportunities would come. Saints first attack of the second half was a rare galloping Willie Gemmell run from deep inside his own half. Unfortunately Willie didn't quite have the pace to outstrip the chasing pack and dispossessed by a sliding interception by Grant Grant who recovered his ground well. Saints continued to look for the killer pass to unlock the very solid looking Pupils defence and almost found it in the 50th minute when a delicate flick on the edge of the box from Donald Campbell played in Ross Maitland but again Pupils were able to snuff out the danger this time with Lorne Robertson making the telling interception. Thomas McCulloch found himself in action again after fifty three minutes making a good save from a shot from the edge of the box from Pupils skipper Paul Grumoli. The long awaited breakthrough finally came in the 56th minute and owed much to a powerful run from the back from Dene Cassells. Dene made good progress through the midfield but was stopped twenty five yards out by a perfectly executed sliding challenge from John McCallum. Paul Kerr picked up the loose ball and played the ball to Donald Campbell on the edge of the box who turned well and cut into the box only to be faced by the advancing Reid Anderson. Anderson spread himself well forcing Donald wide where from the tightest of angles he tucked the ball left footed inside the near post beating the despairing lunge of Lorne Robertson on the goal line. Saints second came six minutes later after the impressive Reid Anderson had made another good save to deny Donald Campbell following a terrific ball over the top of the Pupils defence from Willie Gemmell. Anderson forced the ball behind for a corner kick on the Saints left from which Ross Maitland curled a wicked in-swinger towards the postage stamp corner that Fraser Wylie guarding the far post could only head into the roof of his own net possibly from behind his own goal-line. The cross from Ross may also have taken a nick off a Campbeltown defender's head en-route to goal but the wee man will certainly be claiming the goal for himself. Saints went in search of a third and were denied by another terrific save from Anderson diving to his left to fingertip a Dean Smith shot onto the post with Keith Mitchell recovering to clear the danger. In the sixty sixth minute Paul Kerr made a threatening run forward from his midfield anchorman position before being unceremoniously upended twenty four yards from goal by a heavy challenge from Jamie Burns. Willie Gemmell stepped up to take the free kick but curled it wide of Reid Anderson's right hand post. Anderson produced more heroics in the 73rd minute to deny Dean Smith at close range after Dean had chested down well in the box but didn't quite make the connection he was hoping for giving Anderson the chance to make the save. Saints survived a major scare in the 76th minute when Willie Gemmell was caught in possession on the edge of his own box by Pupils substitute Ellis Robertson. Robertson broke into the box, rounded the advancing Thomas McCulloch, but much to the relief of Willie and the Saints faithful, just as he was about to stroke the ball into the unguarded net he lost his footing and the ball broke loose and into the grateful arms of the Saints keeper. With twelve minutes remaining Manager Alex Craik made a triple substitution replacing Paul Kerr, Ross Maitland and Dean Smith with Keith Millar, Martin Bonar and Shaun MacIver in like for like swaps. Within two minutes of coming on Keith made a lunging challenge just outside his own box which Referee Litster penalised with a free kick. Pupils left back Keith Mitchell wasted the opportunity by striking the free kick straight into the Saints wall allowing the Saints defence to clear the danger. Saints final change came with seven minutes remaining with Dougal Graham replacing Scott Maitland at left back. The final opportunity of the match came for Pupils in the closing minutes when Keith Mitchell outpaced David McArthur on the left wing and cut inside where he was stopped in his tracks by a heavy Dene Cassells challenge. Mitchell and Ryan Deans both hovered over the ball and it was Deans who elected to strike curling the ball high and wide of target. Referee Litster brought to an end an entertaining derby match which he had handled well without the need to produce a card sending the home crowd home happy. The win see's Saints extend their winning streak to six games in all competitions with the added bonus of a first clean sheet since the opening day of the season.

David McArthur heads wide

Dean Smith wins flick on ahead of Jamie Burns

Jamie Graham

Thomas McCulloch saves from John McCallum

Pupils keep a tight line at the back

Pupils keeper Reid Anderson

David McArthur, Fraser Wylie, Craig MacEwan and Keith Mitchell

Dean Smith and Paul Grumoli

John McCallum's sliding challenge on Dene Cassells

Paul Kerr

Donald Campbell breaks the deadlock

Fraser Wylie on the goal-line can't keep out Ross Maitland's corner kick

Willie Gemmell curls free-kick wide of target

Shaun MacIver and Jamie Burns

#monthesaints                      

Argyll Derby

Saturday 7th November 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Campbeltown Pupils AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

Campbeltown Pupils visit Glencruitten this Saturday for a second attempt to play the first Argyll Derby of the 2015-16 season. This fixture was originally scheduled for Saturday 29th August when it fell foul of the Scottish summer weather to become Saints first #GameAff of the new season. At that point Saints had made an inauspicious start to the league campaign, including the first goalless draw in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division for 9 years (possibly longer as that is as far back as the league's digital records go) and the end of a six match winning streak at Battery Park, Greenock. A derby match against fierce rivals Pupils was certainly not top of the list of desired fixtures at that particular time however despite the respite offered by that cancellation Saints run of bad results would continue in their next fixture against reigning champions St Joseph's FP. The performance against St Joe's was however a vast improvement on the opening two fixtures and a welcome indication that Saints fortunes were about to take a turn for the better. A five match winning streak in league and cup has since ensued with Saints scoring twenty six goals and conceding just five leaving them in far better form for the visit of their old rivals from Kintyre.

Pupils have also been in good goal scoring form in the cup competitions where they have easily swatted aside the challenge of Helensburgh of the West of Scotland AFL Premier Division, Dumbarton Harp Celtic of the Greater Glasgow Premier League and most recently Balgonie Scotia 1896 of the Kingdom Caledonian Premier Division. Their league form however has not been quite so impressive with the only highlight being a 4 - 1 away victory against Alba Thistle.

Fourth placed Saints go into this fixture two points ahead of 8th placed Pupils having played one game less than the Kintyre men. A win for Saints would see them make up precious ground on league leaders St Joseph's FP who are on Centenary Cup duty on Saturday while Pupils will look to get more points on the board to hopefully pull away from bottom two East Kilbride Rolls Royce and Finnart who go head to head at Murray Park, East Kilbride.

On the team news front the departure of Lewis Cameron for a land down under has no doubt given Manager Alex Craik a few headaches as he ponders how best to fill the Ludo shaped hole in the front three. Alex has plenty of options available to him and may have to try a few different permutations before arriving at the best solution. Definitely out of contention is Myles McAuley who remains several weeks short of a return from the ankle injury picked up in the Mod Cup against Glasgow Island. On a brighter note Marc MacCallum is ready to end his football sabbatical and will stake a claim for a place in Saturday's squad for a match which is sure to be a full blooded affair for precious league points and local bragging rights.

Campbeltown Pupils Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two Champions 2012 - 13

Campbeltown Pupils league fixtures so far this season:-

15th August 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
5th September 2015 Shawlands FP 2 - 2 Campbeltown Pupils
12th September 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 5 St Joseph's FP
19th September 2015 Alba Thistle 1 - 4 Campbeltown Pupils
10th October 2015 Goldenhill 3 - 2 Campbeltown Pupils
24th October 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 3 Inverclyde

Campbeltown Pupils cup results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
5th September Campbeltown Pupils (Walkover) v Rossvale

2nd Round

3rd October 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 5 - 1 Dumbarton Harp Celtic

3rd Round

31st October 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 6 - 1 Balgonie Scotia 1896

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round

Bye

2nd Round

17th October 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 7 - 1 Helensburgh

Campbeltown Pupils' recent record in the SAFL:-

2014/15 Premier Division 7th
2013/14 Premier Division One Champions Promoted
2012/13 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2011/12 Premier Division Two 4th
2010/11 Premier Division One 9th Relegated
2009/10 Premier Division One 7th
2008/09 Premier Division 10th Relegated
2007/08 Premier Division One 3rd Promoted
2006/07 Premier Division One 5th

Saints v Pupils in recent seasons:-

2014/15 SAFL Premier Division

13th September 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 1 Oban Saints

30th May 2015 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils

2008/09 SAFL Premier Division

16th August 2008 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils

20th May 2009 Campbeltown Pupils 3 - 2 Oban Saints

Action from Saints 2 - 1 win over Pupils at Lochgilphead Joint Campus in the Argyll & Bute Cup

Donald Campbell opens the scoring for Saints

Shaun Maciver scores the winner for Saints

Action from Pupils last visit to Glencruitten on the closing day of last season

Paul Grumoli gives Pupils the lead from the penalty spot

Allan Mackay heads the winner for Saints

Allan Mackay beats Shaun Grumoli in the air as Saturday's Referee Jimmy Litster looks on from the sidelines

Donald Campbell lets fly

Scottish Amateur Football Association Select

Saints Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell will once again join up with the national select for this Sunday's squad training session at Colville Park Country Club. Donald will hope to force his way into Manager Bruce McNaught's plans for Wednesday's challenge match against an Airdrie FC select and thereafter the forthcoming UEFA Regions Cup and Leinster and Northern Irish International matches.

Scottish Amateur Football League Select

This Sunday the Scottish Amateur Football League Select will take on Carlton YMCA of SAFL Division One for the Douglas Harvey Memorial Trophy. The match takes place at New Western Park Renfrew home of Renfrew Juniors with a 2pm kick off. Sadly Saints will have no representatives in the select squad with the four usual representatives (Lewis Cameron, Donald Campbell, Myles McAuley and Marc MacCallum) all unavailable.

#monthesaints