Only When I Laugh

Only When I Laugh

SAINTS HAVE NO FIXTURE THIS WEEKEND

Last Saturday at Glencruitten Saints were edged out of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup by many people's favourites to lift the trophy Colville Park. Saints lost a very close match by two goals to one but can take encouragement from an excellent all round team performance against a Colville Park side widely considered to be the current top Amateur team in Scotland. Saints failure to squeeze past Colville denied them a mouthwatering home sixth round tie against cup holders and old Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Greenock High School Former Pupils. With their old friends from the tail o' the bank already out of the Scottish Amateur Cup Saints will now have to wait until their annual pre-season friendly for the chance to exact revenge for the 5 - 1 defeat at the hands of "the High" in the Rhu Amateurs tournament last August.

The Scottish Amateur Football League's hopes of West of Scotland Cup success now rest with Saints fellow Premier Division title hopefuls East Kilbride FC Amateurs. Finnart and Goldenhill. The "Gowdie" host Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division side Bannockburn in the sixth round this Saturday while Finnart wait on the outcome of the fourth round tie between Kilbirnie and St Mungo's to learn who they must face for the right to visit East Kilbride FC Amateurs in the sixth round.

As was strongly suspected during the game last Saturday's Referee Kevin Nolan suffered two cracked ribs in the collision with Ross Maitland and Colville's Thomas Airlie. Full credit to Kevin who bravely soldiered on for the remaining twenty five minutes or so despite being in obvious discomfort. Winning In The Rain wishes Kevin a speedy recovery.  

Referee Kevin Nolan gets clattered by Thomas Airlie and Ross Maitland. It only hurts when he laughs.

James Miller heads the opening goal

Donald Campbell draws Saints level from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by Michael Brown

Robbie Peebles heads home James Miller's cross to restore Colville's advantage

Ross Maitland with Robbie Peebles and Lance Pearce in close attendance

On-line TV channel Affinity TV sent cameraman Graeme Alexander to cover last Saturday's match. You can watch the match highlights on Affinity's subscription channel Scottish Amateur Football Network at www.affinitytv.co.uk

Upcoming Fixtures

Next weekend's fixture has yet to be announced however, with away league fixtures against East Kilbride Rolls Royce and East Kilbride FC Amateurs together with a Jimmy Marshall Trophy second round away tie against East Kilbride FC Amateurs still to be played, the odds are weighted heavily in favour of a trip to Scotland's oldest "new town".

The following Saturday see's Saints welcome Caledonian Amateur Football League Premier Division runaway leaders Doune Castle to Glencruitten in the seventh round of the Scottish Amateur Cup. Awaiting the winners of that match is a home quarter finals tie against either Shotlees, St. Mungo's or Shotts Victoria. 

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

In the draw for the third round of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy the winner of Saints second round away tie against East Kilbride FC Amateurs face an away trip to FC Clydebank of Premier Division Two. FC Clydebank secured their place in round three last Saturday with a 5 - 4 penalty shoot-out win over fellow Premier Division Two side Rutherglen after a 3 - 3 draw at Douglas Academy, Milngavie. 

Oban Saints Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners 2013-14

Scottish Amateur Football Association Select 

Saints Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell will join up with the Scottish Amateur Football Select this Sunday for a squad training session ahead of Wednesday's proposed friendly match full details of which have still to be announced.

Donald Campbell

#monthesaints

TV Stars

The Skids - TV Stars

Saturday 13th February 2016
Scottish Amateur Football Association
Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Fifth Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC v Colville Park AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Kevin Nolan

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Dougal Graham

Willie Gemmell
Paul Kerr
Donald Campbell

Scott Maitland
Dean Smith
Craig MacEwan

Used Substitutes:-

Dene Cassells
Allan Mackay
Ross Maitland
Keith Millar

Unused Substitute:-

Alex Craik

Saints Goalscorer:-

Donald Campbell (Penalty)

Match Report

(penalty)

Saints fourteen game unbeaten run finally came to an end at Glencruitten last Saturday afternoon against the seemingly invincible Colville Park. The Motherwell side have won every one of their matches this season and their class coupled with a fantastic work ethic was too tough a nut for Saints to crack. However, as the score line would suggest, Saints were far from disgraced and ran their strongly fancied opponents very close in a tight a keenly contested match. The match was widely considered to be the tie of the round and as such was selected by online television station Affinity TV as their featured match.

Manager Alex Craik made one change to the eleven that had started the previous week's Scottish Amateur Cup win against Stirling City bringing in Willie Gemmell and dropping Allan Mackay to the bench. There was also a place on the bench for Ross Maitland who missed the previous match due to family commitments.

Colville Park's colours are all navy so Saints Secretary had to dig to the back of the cupboard to find the white D&K Lafferty Contractors sponsored kit last used in season 2013-14. Saints started brightly attacking the Mossfield end and immediately put the visitors under pressure with Thomas Airlie halting a threatening Dean Smith run with a heavy challenge from behind. Willie Gemmell played the resulting free kick to Dean on edge of the box with his back to goal. Dean shielded the ball well and rolled it back for Scott Maitland to clip in a high ball looking for the head of Craig MacEwan who was narrowly beaten to it by a powerful clearing header from Garry Tierney. Saints continued their good start but were unable to threaten the Colville goal with the solid visitors defence already demonstrating just why they had conceded only ten goals in twenty two competitive matches this season. Saints good early work was undone from Colville's first foray into attack. Jamie Graham gave away a free kick for a foul on the lively James Miller wide on the Saints right and level with the penalty spot. Liam Cusack and Thomas Airlie worked a short free kick with Airlie sending in  terrific cross which James Miller nicked in between David McArthur and Dougal Graham to head into the net past a helpless Thomas McCulloch. Saints were bitterly disappointed to concede from a free kick however as the game progressed it became evident that capitalising on dead ball situations is a major weapon in the Colville armoury and one which they are expert at exploiting. Saints dusted themselves down and went in search of an equaliser which almost came their way in the sixth minute. A neat turn on the half way line from Craig MacEwan took out three Colville players. Craig then played a cross field pass to Scott Maitland who laid back to  David McArthur to send in a dangerous dipping cross from the right which Craig MacEwan made a terrific run to meet. Unfortunately Craig seemed caught in two minds whether to attack the ball with his head or his left peg and in the end connected with neither and the ball bounced behind for a goal kick. Immediately prior to that a long throw from Willie Gemmell was flicked on in the box by Craig MacEwan with Dean Smith only inches away from connecting before keeper Scott came off his line to smother the danger. The large home crowd had only two more minutes to wait for a goal from their favourites which came from the penalty spot courtesy of leading goal scorer Donald Campbell. Donald won the penalty kick himself gathering in a short pass from Dougal Graham just inside the box and skilfully turning fellow Scottish Amateur international Michael Brown. Brown tried to recover his ground but his desperate sliding challenge only succeeded in sending Donald crashing to the ground leaving the Referee in no doubt. Donald's last attempt from twelve yards against New Farm Loch in the fourth round of the West of Scotland Cup was saved but this time he made no mistake confidently dispatching his kick past the despairing right hand of Colville keeper Donald Scott. Full backs David McArthur and Dougal Graham had their hands full dealing with Colville's wide midfielders James Miller and Robbie Peebles which served to reduce the service from wide areas to the Saints front three of Craig MacEwan, Scott Maitland and Dean Smith. An accurate cross field pass from Donald Campbell in the tenth minute did however present an opportunity for David McArthur to send over a second dangerous cross of the afternoon however David's delivery was too heavy and once again eluded Craig MacEwan at the far post. Colville keeper Donald Scott was getting good distance with his kicking giving plenty heading practice to Saints central defensive pairing of Jamie Graham and skipper Marc Maccallum. In the fourteenth minute Paul Kerr, who worked tirelessly all afternoon in the centre of the park, lost possession in the centre circle allowing Alex Clearie to run at the Saints defence and unleash a right foot shot from distance which flashed well wide of Thomas McCulloch's right hand post. Colville's dead ball accuracy had the Saints defence under pressure again in the seventeenth minute. Liam Cusack again provided the delivery which despite Jamie Graham winning the header Saints were unable to fully clear and required a good challenge from Marc Maccallum to concede a corner and give the defence a chance to regroup. The corner kick from the right was again an accurate one with Garry Tierney out-jumping Jamie Graham and Donald Campbell to send a header wide of the post. At the other end Dougal Graham got forward on the left winning a corner and a chance for Willie Gemmell to show his prowess with the dead ball. Willie's whipped in cross was met by Marc Maccallum at the back post whose header on the stretch hit Craig MacEwan on the back and bounced harmlessly behind for a goal kick. Midway through the half Saints survived twin scares from the dangerous Colville wide men Miller and Peebles. Firstly Miller lobbed inches over the bar from eighteen yards then Peebles thundered a shot off the foot of Thomas McCulloch's right hand post with the big keeper rooted to the spot. Not normally one for coming off his line Thomas came through a ruck of players to punch clear an Alex Clearie free kick from the right and showed good handling to pluck the quickly returned ball from Michael Brown off the head of James Miller. Saints looked to be losing their way somewhat at this point and another good cross from the right found live wire Miller who was denied a second goal by a terrific save inside his right hand post from Thomas McCulloch. After surviving those scares Saints regained their composure and had a decent spell of possession before conceding what proved to be the winning goal from a breakaway on the Colville left. Kevin Fotheringham turned Jamie Graham inside out and dispatched a low shot which Thomas McCulloch blocked at his near post with Marc Maccallum clearing the loose ball out for a throw in. From a short throw by Liam Cusack James Miller executed a perfect turn to escape the attentions of Marc Maccallum and David McArthur and measured a flighted a cross towards the back post where Robbie Peebles out-jumped Dougal Graham to head past Thomas McCulloch who had little chance from just six yards range. Saints best opportunity of the first half came in the forty first minute from a Donald Campbell free kick. Scott Maitland found space in the box to turn Donald's lofted ball into the path of Craig MacEwan who lashed a left foot volley towards the top corner only to see Colville keeper Donald Scott claw the ball away with a fine save diving high to his right. Saints kept the pressure up from a throw-in on the right with Willie Gemmell picking out David McArthur in space twenty five yards out. David let fly with his right foot but saw his effort headed behind by Michael Brown at the expense of a corner. Willie Gemmell placed a dipping in-swinger straight on top of keeper Scott who climbed high above Dean Smith to punch the ball well clear of the danger area.

At the half time interval Manager Alex Craik decided to withdraw Dougal Graham who had been struggling all week with a heavy cold and replace him with Ross Maitland. Scott Maitland dropped back into the defence with Ross taking up his customary position on the right of the front three. James Miller continued to be thorn in the side of the Saints defence and drew a foul from David McArthur in forty eighth minute giving Kevin Fotheringham the chance to show what he could do from a set piece. Fotheringham delivered a tempting cross but Thomas McCulloch climbed above Garry Tierney to punch clear. For the second week in succession Craig MacEwan lasted little more than five minutes of the second half before his persistent calf injury made it too painful for him to continue. Dene Cassells came on and took up position on the right of the front three with Ross Maitland switching to the left. Saints knew that they had to up the tempo if they were to force an equaliser but their experienced opponents wouldn't allow them any time at all on the ball making it almost impossible for Saints to build up any kind of momentum. Thomas McCulloch produced another fine save from Kevin Fotheringham in the fifty fourth minute after the Colville striker had pounced on a miscued Jamie Graham header. Second half chances were rare for Saints therefore cashing in on set pieces assumed a larger than normal importance. With main aerial threat Craig MacEwan off the field Dene Cassells became the target for Ross Maitland's corner kicks but the wee man's usual accuracy deserted him and his sixty second minute out-swinger from the right sailed over the head of Dene and his marker at the back post. In a bizarre sixty sixth minute incident Referee Kevin Nolan was caught in a sandwich between Ross Maitland and Colville central defender Thomas Airlie which left the whistler in a crumpled heap. After the initial amusement had subsided it became apparent that Mr Nolan was in some genuine discomfort with what was later diagnosed as two cracked ribs. The Referee bravely decided to soldier on but his lack of full mobility cost Saints dear just two minutes later. Scott Maitland played a delightful ball through the inside left channel to Ross Maitland sending the wee man through one-on-one with the Colville keeper however much to the frustration of the Saints players and bench Mr Nolan failed to notice Garry Tierney on the left of the Colville back three standing several yards behind team mates Thomas Airlie and Stephen McDevitt and blew for offside denying Saints a great chance to bag an equaliser. David McArthur's difficult afternoon with James Miller continued with the Colville wide man beating the Saints right back before swinging in a tempting cross which Donald Campbell did well to head clear. Miller forced a corner on the left in the seventieth minute which was headed clear but only as far as Michael Brown on the edge of the box who fired a terrific shot just wide of Thomas McCulloch's right hand post. Manager Alex Craik then made his third change replacing Dean Smith with Allan Mackay. Colville continued to soak up everything Saints could throw at them and looked to hit on the break. In the seventy fourth minute a Saints attack on the left wing broke down with Scott Maitland ahead of the ball leaving Jamie Graham exposed at the back. Substitute Thomas Murray reacting quickest to the loose ball but was jockeyed well by Jamie and couldn't get a clean enough contact on his shot to trouble Thomas McCulloch. Saints eventually managed to get in behind the well drilled Coville defence in the seventy eighth minute when Donald Campbell and Scott Maitland combined well on the left to set Ross Maitland away. Ross burst into the box but before he could pull the trigger he was dispossessed by a well timed sliding challenge by Thomas Airlie to turn the ball behind for a corner. Ross Maitland flighted his kick to the back post and away from the goalkeeper but Donald Scott came a long way from his goal line through a ruck of players to get fingertips on the ball diverting the ball out for a throw in. With just ten minutes remaining Allan Mackay had the slightest of chances but despite getting the better of Stephen McDevitt in the air he was unable head Ross Maitland's cross on target. With Saints pushing forward they were again caught on the counter attack in the eighty second minute with only a determined tracking run and perfectly timed sliding challenge by skipper Marc Maccallum preventing substitute Paul McAulay from testing Thomas McCulloch. Saints made their final change in the eighty sixth minute with Keith Millar replacing Willie Gemmell. As tempers threatened to boil over in the closing minutes Marc Maccallum joined first half booking victim Scott Maitland in the Referee's notebook for dissent. Colville's Jamie Bradley quickly followed suit for a heavy late challenge on Marc Maccallum on the half way line. In time added on for stoppages Dene Cassells became the last entry in Mr Nolan's notebook for a late lunge on Michael Brown which was worthy of a yellow card but the mayhem that ensued convinced the Referee to issue him with a red card. The resulting free kick came to nothing and Mr Nolan who handled the match well, particularly considering he was carrying a serious injury for the last twenty five minutes, brought proceedings and Saints involvement in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup to an end.       

Despite going out of this particular cup Saints are still going strong in the league and the Scottish Amateur Cup and therefore have plenty to look forward to in the remaining months of the season. Saints can also take encouragement from a good showing against an excellent Colville Park team who are undoubtedly the team to beat this season.

James Miller opens the scoring

Donald Campbell levels from the spot

Robbie Peebles heads Colville Park back in front

Thomas McCulloch beats Robbie Peebles to a cross

Donald Scott punches clear

Scott Maitland and Gary Tierney

Liam Cusack and Kevin Fotheringham kick off the second half

Ross Maitland and Stephen McDevitt

Referee Kevin Nolan about to have his ribs cracked by Thomas Airlie and Ross Maitland

Colville Park keeper Donald Scott

Ross Maitland and Michael Brown

Allan Mackay and Stephen McDevitt

Paul Kerr and Alex Clearie keep their eyes on the ball

Second half goal mouth action

#monthesaints

Pump It Up

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Pump It UP

Saturday 13th February 2016
Scottish Amateur Football Association
Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Fifth Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC v Colville Park AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Kevin Nolan

Last Time Out

Last Saturday at Kings Park, Stirling Saints booked their place in the last sixteen of the Scottish Amateur Cup with a 4 - 1 win over Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B side Stirling City. Saints started the match strongly knocking the ball about well on the soggy surface and took a deserved two goal lead into the half time interval courtesy of a header from Craig MacEwan and a close range tap-in from Donald Campbell. The Saints defence withstood everything that the hosts could throw at them in the second half making light of the tricky underfoot conditions. Saints solid defensive display provided a platform for a string of counter attacks which would eventually bear fruit but not before the hosts pulled a goal back from a Danny MacDonald shot from the edge of the Saints box. A Bryan White own goal, sliding in to deflect a Dene Cassells shot past his own goalkeeper, and an opportunistic strike from Keith Millar after fellow substitute Dene Cassells had forced an error from City Captain Lewis McKinlay completed the scoring sending Saints through to the seventh round.

Dene Cassells, Scott Maitland, Willie Gemmell, Keith Millar and Donald Campbell celebrate Saints fourth goal against Stirling City last Saturday

Pump It Up

With progress to the last sixteen of the Scottish Amateur Cup safely negotiated Saints attentions now turn to the West of Scotland Amateur Cup for the visit to Glencruitten of Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders Colville Park. Saturday's visitors are in sensational form this season banging in eighty four goals and conceding just ten in twenty two consecutive victories in all competitions and will provide arguably the stiffest possible test of Saints cup winning ambitions. The perfect start to their quest to regain the Premier Division trophy, which they last won in 2013, sees Colville Park top the league with thirty nine points from thirteen games already opening up an eleven point gap on closest rivals Bannockburn. As well as blazing a trail in the league Colville have also been tearing up trees in the cup competitions with notable victories over Lothian and Edinburgh Premier Division high flyers Tollcross Thistle, reigning Paisley and District Premier Division Champions Apex and Saints Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division rivals East Kilbride FC Amateurs and Goldenhill.

After four consecutive fourth round exits Saints secured their place in this season's fifth round by eliminating Ayrshire side New Farm Loch but will now have to overcome one of the tournament favourites if they are to progress to the last sixteen. Colville Park have a formidable recent record in this competition having won the cup in 2013 and finished runners up in three of the last six seasons. Saints can take some encouragement from the recent good performances against Colville of their league rivals East Kilbride FC Amateurs and Goldenhill. Saints will also find succour in their own record against Colville which is perfectly balanced at two draws and one victory each.

The reward for the victors of Saturday's match, which must be decided on the day with extra time and penalties to decided the winner if required, is a home tie against cup holders Greenock High School Former Pupils.

In team news Saints welcome back Ross Maitland who missed last week's trip to Stirling and thankfully returned unscathed from a family wedding in Burnley last Saturday. Manager Alex Craik will therefore name the same squad which disposed of New Farm Loch in Saints last home game and will have his thinking cap on as he ponders his best line-up for this the biggest test of his managerial skills so far. This may appear a daunting task for Alex and his men but they will certainly be fully pumped up and ready for the challenge of pitting their wits against what is widely acknowledged to be the current top amateur side in Scotland.







Colville Park's results so far this season:-

Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

8th August 2015 Colville Park 3 - 1 Harestanes
12th August 2015 Colville Park 4 - 0 Greenock HSFP
15th August 2015 Colville Park 3 - 1 Steins Thistle
19th August 2015 Colville Park 6 - 0 Blantyre Celtic
22nd August 2015 Drumchapel 1 - 2 Colville Park
26th August 2015 Colville Park 4 - 1 Eastfield
29th August 2015 Bannockburn 1 - 3 Colville Park
5th September 2015 Campsie Minerva 0 - 2 Colville Park
12th September 2015 Drumchapel United 0 - 2 Colville Park
26th September 2015 Colville Park 4 - 1 Campsie Minerva
24th October 2015 Colville Park 3 - 0 East Kilbride
21st November 2015 Blantyre Celtic 1 - 4 Colville Park
28th November 2015 Colville Park 4 - 0 Drumchapel United





Central Scottish Amateur Football League Bunrigh Trophy

3rd Round
19th September 2015 Colville Park 2 - 0 Dunblane Thistle



Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
3rd October 2015 Colville Park 9 - 0 Calderglen

3rd Round
31st October 2015 FC Clydebank 1 - 4 Colville Park

4th Round
5th December 2015 Colville Park 6 - 0 Tollcross Thistle

5th Round
23rd January 2105 Colville Park 2 - 1 Goldenhill

6th Round
6th February 2015 East Kilbride Amateurs 1 - 4 Colville Park

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
17th October 2015 Knockentiber 0 - 2 Colville Park

3rd Round
14th November 2015 Colville Park 3 - 0  North Motherwell Amateurs

4th Round
19th December 2015 Apex 0 - 8 Colville Park


Oban Saints v Colville Park Previous Encounters:-

Scottish Amateur Cup

2012/13 Seventh Round
2nd March 2013 Colville Park 2 - 2 Oban Saints

2102/13 Seventh Round Replay
9th March 2013 Oban Saints 1 - 3 Colville Park

2006/07 Sixth Round
17th March 2007 Oban Saints 2 - 2 Colville Park

2006/07 Sixth Round Replay
24th March 2007 Colville Park 1 - 2 Oban Saints

Colville Park's recent Central Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-

2008/09 Premier Division 3rd
2009/10 Premier Division 3rd, West of Scotland Cup Runners Up, League Cup Winners
2010/11 Premier Division 5th
2011/12 Premier Division Champions, Scottish Cup Runners Up, West of Scotland Cup Runners Up
2012/13 Premier Division Champions (Undefeated), Scottish Cup Runners Up, West of Scotland Cup Winners, League Cup Winners
2013/14 Premier Division 3rd, Scottish Cup Runners Up, CSAFL Cinema Cup Winners
2014/15 Premier Division 2nd, West of Scotland Cup Runners Up

Colville Park line up for the 2015 West of Scotland Cup final

Colville Park's Paul McAulay, Michael Brown, Robbie Peebles, Liam Cusack and Jamie Bradley with the SAFA Select

In Other News

In Wednesday morning's Scottish Amateur Cup seventh round draw Saints were drawn at home to Caledonian League Premier Division runaway leaders Doune Castle. The winners of this tie were also drawn at home in the quarter finals and will face either Shortless or St Mungos or Bo'ness Cadora or Shotts Victoria.

In Other Other News

Saints received a welcome boost on Wednesday night when Myles McAuley and Martin Bonar returned to training after lengthy injury lay-offs. Hopefully it won't be too long before both are back to full fitness and pushing for a place in the team.

Myles McAuley

Martin Bonar

#monthesaints

Sweet Little Sixteen

Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen

Saturday 6th February 2016

The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
6th Round
Stirling City AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Kings Park
Park Avenue
Stirling
FK8 2JT
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr. Dennis Cotterhill

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Dougal Graham

Donald Campbell
Paul Kerr
Scott Maitland

Dean Smith
Allan Mackay
Craig MacEwan

Used Substitutes:-

Dene Cassells
Willie Gemmell
Keith Millar

Unused Substitute:-

Alex Craik

Saints Goalscorers:-

Craig MacEwan ⚽
Donald Campbell ⚽
Own Goal 

Keith Millar 

Match Report

Saints marched into the last sixteen of the Scottish Amateur Cup with a convincing win over Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B side Stirling City last Saturday afternoon. The match was played at Kings Park in the shadow of Stirling Castle on a grass park which started out soft and deteriorated steadily under the incessant rain. Manager Alex Craik's run of good fortune in being able to name the same squad for consecutive fixtures ran out with Ross Maitland's non-availability due to family commitments forcing a reshuffle in the starting line-up. Allan Mackay kept his place after an impressive showing against New Farm Loch in the West of Scotland Cup with Dean Smith getting the nod to replace Ross Maitland on the right of the front three. Saints started well playing some great football and had the home side pinned back in their own half straight from the kick off. Despite their early territorial advantage Saints were unable to test Ross Graham in the City goal as the home defence comfortably repelled first a Scott Maitland out-swinging corner kick from the left then a Donald Campbell free kick also from the left after Dougal Graham had been brought down by Scott Younger. City lost the services of Gerard McCaferty in the seventh minute with his place in the middle of the park being taken by substitute Bryan White. Saints made the deserved breakthrough in the ninth minute after Allan Mackay won a corner kick on the Saints right. Scott Maitland's in-swinger was headed clear but returned immediately by Paul Kerr picking out Dean Smith on the right who was brought down by Harry Prescott giving Saints another dead ball opportunity. Scott Maitland's delivery was excellent and Craig MacEwan forced his way in between Lewis McKinlay and Mark Donnelly on the six yard line to power a downward header past Ross Graham. Donald Campbell picked up the first yellow card of the day in the eleventh minute for a late challenge on Stuart White in the centre circle which the Referee was quick to punish despite the underfoot conditions having contributed considerably. White launched the free kick deep into the Saints box looking for Lewis McKinlay but put too much on it and sent the ball harmlessly behind for a goal kick. City slowly edged their way into the game with Scott Younger looking lively up front and keeping the Saints back four of David McArthur, Marc Maccallum, Jamie Graham and Dougal Graham on their toes. City had their first real sight of goal in the twenty fourth minute with Scott Younger making a good run into the box past Dougal Graham and picking out Mark Donnelly at the back for a powerful header which Thomas McCulloch saved well. Saints immediately broke up field with Craig MacEwan making a terrific run on the right hitting the bye-line and cutting back for Donald Campbell to tap in from two yards to double Saints advantage. Saints went looking for a third and came close when Allan Mackay beat City skipper Lewis McKinlay to power a net bound header from a Scott Maitland cross which Ross Graham did well to claw away diving to his right. On the half hour mark Saints survived a penalty appeal when Scott Younger got in behind the Saints back four and went down under a challenge from Thomas McCulloch. The big Saints keeper was grateful to receive the benefit of the doubt with Referee Dennis Cotterhill ruling that Thomas had fairly beaten his man to the ball. Scott Younger's movement up front caused more problems in the thirty second minute when he spun away from Dougal Graham and hooked a shot from an Allan Robertson pass over the crossbar. City tried the aerial route in the thirty ninth minute with Stuart White launching a deep free kick from inside the centre circle which Thomas McCulloch did well to hold under pressure from Lewis McKinlay. Saints carved open the City defence again in the forty second minute and only a desperate last gasp sliding interception from Danny MacDonald prevented Scott Maitland from adding to the scoring. Donald Campbell slipped an excellent ball through to Craig MacEwan on the left who cut into the box and squared for Scott only for MacDonald to slide in and turn the ball behind for a corner kick. Donald Campbell went short with the corner working a one-two with Dougal Graham to open up the angle for a cross. Donald's cross was headed away by Mark Donnelly but only as far as Scott Maitland whose left foot shot from the edge of the box cleared the cross bar by a foot. Saints ended the half on the attack with Allan Mackay forcing a corner kick on the left from which Donald Campbell sent in a tempting cross that Ross Graham read well to come through a ruck of players and punch clear. Referee Cotterhill brought the half to an end and, unusually for this level of football, both sides retired to the dressing rooms for a ten minute interval giving the bedraggled spectators the chance to seek out some shelter of their own.

City kicked off the second half in a more determined fashion pinning Saints back in their own half but a very solid defensive display from the Saints back four, well marshaled by skipper Marc Maccallum, kept the home side at arms length. City's injury problems continued in the fifty first minute when left full back Harry Prescott limped off with a dead leg to be replaced by Scott MacArthur. Moments later Craig MacEwan's afternoon came to a premature end when the heavy going finally took it's toll on his niggling calf injury. Craig's departure signaled a change of formation for Saints with substitute Willie Gemmell joining Donald Campbell, Paul Kerr and Scott Maitland in the middle of the park leaving Allan Mackay and Dean Smith up front. In the fifty seventh minute Dean Smith broke clear on the right wing but had his cross looking for Allan Mackay blocked on the edge of the six yard box. Allan chased down the loose ball fouling Danny MacDonald by the corner flag in the process. MacDonald attempted to steal ten yards for the free kick and was cautioned by Referee Cotterhill for initially refusing to take the kick from the proper position. Two minutes later Donald Campbell sent Smith tearing down the right wing again this time winning a throw in level with the penalty spot. Willie Gemmell's long throw was flicked on by Allan Mackay and hooked goalwards by David McArthur who couldn't believe his luck when Lewis McKinlay somehow managed to get back to clear the ball off the line just inside the far post. The slippery conditions were making things difficult for both sets of players but certainly added to the old fashioned cup tie atmosphere. Dean Smith made another break forward on the right in the sixty fourth minute but, cutting inside, over ran the ball sliding into Scott MacArthur and picking up a yellow card in the process. In the sixty ninth minute Donald Campbell made a good run evading several lunging challenges before slipping a low left foot shot inches wide of the base of the keeper's right hand post. City continued to press high up the park leaving space behind for Saints to break into. In the seventy second minute Dean Smith sent Donald Campbell racing through the inside right channel where he was headed off by Danny MacDonald. Donald refused to give up and closed down and dispossessed the tall central defender laying the ball back to David McArhur who swung in a right foot cross which deceived everybody and hit the far post. The ball dropped to Scott Maitland who sent the ball back across the six yard box where Lewis McKinlay showed great composure to clear the danger. With fifteen minutes remaining Dene Cassells replaced Dean Smith up front with Dene's fresh legs immediately looking a threat to Ciy's high defensive line. Two minutes after coming on Dene's direct running opened up the City defence again with the supporting cast of Allan Mackay, Willie Gemmell and Scott Maitland all passing up decent shooting opportunities before allowing the home defence to clear the danger. With the clock ticking down City pushed central defender Danny MacDonald up front but the Saints defence stood firm paving the way for a wave of counter attacks. David McArthur lead another charge up the right wing and picked out Willie Gemmell's run through the inside right channel with Willie's low shot clipping the outside of the Ross Graham's left hand post with the big keeper rooted to the spot. In the seventy ninth minute Graham was on his toes to pull off an excellent save from Allan Mackay at the back post after Allan had peeled away from Lewis McKinlay to volley a David McArthur right wing cross net bound. The beleaguered City defence were under pressure again almost immediately when Ross Graham failed to get any distance on a goal kick inviting Dene Cassells to race forward and fire in a right foot shot which, much to the keeper's relief went the wrong side of the post and into the side netting. Saints profligacy in front of goal was punished in the eighty first minute when Danny MacDonald volleyed home from the edge of the Saints box finding the bottom corner after Saints had only partially cleared another lofted long ball from Stuart White. City's hopes of a forcing an equaliser were short lived and within three minutes Saints restored their two goal advantage. Donald Campbell picked out another surging run from Dene Cassells who powered into the box and fired a shot across the goal keeper which the unfortunate Bryan White slid in and turned into his own net. Manager Alex Craik made his final change with five minutes remaining sending on Keith Millar to replace Allan Mackay leaving Saints to complete the match with a very unfamiliar front pairing of Dene Cassells and Keith Millar. The unlikely lads combined to complete the scoring in the eighty eighth minute. Dene closed down City skipper McKinlay and played in Keith racing through the inside left channel. With just the keeper to beat Keith calmly slotted the ball inside the keepers right hand post making the final score 4 - 1 to Saints. In the remaining minutes Donald Campbell twice came close to adding to the scoring before Referee Cotterhill, who handled the match well, blew for full time sending a happy Saints camp into Wednesday's seventh round draw.

Saints now turn their attention back to West of Scotland Amateur Cup duty for the visit to Oban next Saturday of runaway Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders Colville Park. 

Craig MacEwan heads Saints into the lead

Ross Graham saves an Allan Mackay header

Thomas McCulloch collects under pressure from Lewis McKinlay

Dene Cassells

Saints celebrate their third goal

Willie Gemmell, Keith Millar and Dene Cassells celebrate Saints fourth goal

     

#monthesaints

⚽

In The City

The Jam - In The City

Saturday 6th February 2016

The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
6th Round
Stirling City AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Kings Park
Park Avenue
Stirling
FK8 2JT
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr. Dennis Cotterhill

Last Time Out

Last Saturday at a wind swept Oban High School 3G Saints booked their place in the fifth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup with a 3 - 1 win over New Farm Loch of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Third Division. Despite playing into the teeth of a howling gale in the first half Saints reached the interval one goal to the good courtesy of a delightful curling right foot finish from the corner of the box by Ross Maitland. Saints were also unfortunate to see a strong penalty kick appeal rebuffed by Referee Stephen Payne who rubbed salt into the wound by brandishing a yellow card for simulation at a bemused Craig MacEwan. New Farm Loch started the second half strongly and brought themselves back on level terms after just sixty seconds with a right foot screamer from right full back Graeme Cook after Saints had failed to clear their lines from a long throw-in. With the wind at their backs Saints recovered from this setback to dominate the remainder of the match and, but for some excellent saves from New Farm Loch keeper Blair Cousar and some wayward finishing, would have run out far more convincing winners. As it was Saints had to content themselves with a close range Craig MacEwan finish after good work by Donald Campbell and a trade mark Willie Gemmell free kick to complete the scoring at 3 - 1.

Saints now have a home tie against runaway Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders Colville Park in round five.

Craig MacEwan

In The City

Saints quest for Scottish Amateur Cup glory takes them to Stirling this weekend where they will face Stirling City in the sixth round. The match will be played at Kings Park against the striking backdrop of Stirling Castle. The City were founded in 2004 under the name of Abbey Inn Football Club and adopted the name Stirling City one year later when their application to join the Stirling and District League set-up was approved. After winning their only competitive silverware to date, the Division One League Cup, the City departed the Stirling and District League to join the Central Scottish Amateur Football League in time for the start of the 2009 - 10 season. The City have since spent six seasons in Division One of the Central League with their best finish coming in season 2012/13 where they finished in third place behind Greenock High School Former Pupils and Eastfield both of whom are familiar names to Saints fans. The City currently occupy seventh place in Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B with thirteen points from eight games played seven points behind leaders Haldane United. Last Saturday the City became just the second team to take points off the undefeated Haldane when they held the leaders to a 2 - 2 draw at Vale of Leven High School and can consider themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points. In their previous match the City also posted an impressive result in knocking Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division opposition Steins Thistle out of the Scottish Amateur Cup paving the way for this Saturday's sixth round tie against Saints.

Saints Manager Alex Craik's run of good fortune in being able to name the same squad for consecutive fixtures comes to an end this Saturday with family commitments depriving him of the services of Ross Maitland. With that one exception Alex will name the same squad that took Saints into the fifth round of the West of Scotland Cup against New Farm Loch last Saturday. Injured trio Martin Bonar, Chris Graham and Myles McAuley remain sidelined and still some way short of a return to action.

Ross Maitland

Stirling City's results so far this season:-

Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B

8th August 2015 Stirling City 0 - 4 Postal United
19th August 2015 Dunblane Thistle 3 - 2 Stirling City
26th August 2015 Stirling City 6 - 1 Waterside
29th August 2015 Stirling City 1 - 0 Gourock Athletic
26th September 2015 Ashvale Victoria 1 - 3 Stirling City
7th November 2015 Wishaw HSFP 4 - 3 Stirling City
19th December 2015 Stirling City v Arthurlie Juniors (Walkover for Stirling City)
30th January 2016 Haldane United 2 - 2 Stirling City




Scottish Amateur Cup 

1st Round
5th September 2015 Stirling Boys Club 3 - 4 Stirling City

2nd Round
3rd October 2015 Stirling City 6 - 0 Fossoway

3rd Round
31st October 2015 Stirling City 7 - 0 Douglas Athletic

4th Round
12th December 2015 Stirling City 5 - 2 Glenmuir Thistle

5th Round
9th January 2016 Steins Thistle 0 - 2 Stirling City



East of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
17th October 2015 Redpath Albion 2 - 5 Stirling City

2nd Round
21st November 2015 Ratho Athletic 3 - 2 Stirling City



CSAFL Bunrigh Trophy

1st Round
15th August 2015 Mill United 0 - 3 Stirling City

2nd Round
12th September 2015 Stirling City 3 - 6 Dunblane Thistle



CSAFL Cinema Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
24th October 2015 Stirling City 6 - 3 Arthurlie Juniors (After Extra Time)



Stirling City's record in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League:-

2009/10 Division 1B 5th
2010/11 Division 1A 6th
2011/12 Division 1B 9th
2012/13 Division 1A 3rd
2013/14 Division 1B 5th
2014/15 Division 1B 5th

Kings Park, Stirling

Stirling City celebrate pre-season tournament success

Stirling City celebrate their second goal in last Saturday's 2 - 2 draw with Haldane United

In Other News

The draw for the sixth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup took place at Hampden Park on Tuesday afternoon. The winner of Saints fifth round tie against last season's runners-up Colville Park will face a home tie against cup holders Greenock High School Former Pupils.

#monthesaints