In Between Days

The Cure - In Between Days

Saturday 12th March 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v St Joseph's FP AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Gordon Mackay

Sandwiched between Saints Scottish Amateur Cup seventh round and quarter-final ties is yet another crucial fixture when old rival St Joseph's FP come calling on league business. On their last visit to Glencruitten on 22nd November 2014 St. Joe's produced a scintillating performance to inflict Saints heaviest home defeat in many a long year. Despite going into the half-time interval on level terms with a goal a-piece Saints struggled to contain their visitors from Duntocher and were blown away in the second half. David Gallagher, John Paul Seagrave and Blair Mulgrew were all on target for St Joe's before Ryan Holms added to his first half strike to complete a miserable day for the home side whose only consolation came in the shape of Craig MacEwan's second half goal to add to Donald Campbell's ninth minute opener. St. Joe's also prevailed in the last two fixtures between the clubs winning last May's Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-final at Millburn Park, Alexandria 2 - 0 with first half goals from Gary Redpath and Thomas Wilson; and this season's keenly contested September league encounter at William Street, Duntocher 1 - 0 thanks to a looping Ryan Craig shot just before half-time. Saints will take succour from a much improved performance on the day against the reigning champions which was the catalyst for a fifteen match unbeaten run ended only by defeat in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup to Colville Park on 13th February.

The reigning Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions and Jimmy Marshall Trophy holders made a blistering start to the defence of their league title winning five matches on the bounce to open up a considerable gap at the top of the table. However a 6 - 0 thumping at the hands of East Kilbride FC Amateurs and last month's 3 - 1 defeat at Glasgow Green against Finnart have seen that lead eroded somewhat with the gap to second placed Inverclyde now just three points. Saints meanwhile lie one point further behind in fourth place and know that a win on Saturday will thrust them right back into contention for a second league title in three seasons.

St Joe's made a convincing start to their defence of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy with an emphatic 11 - 0 home win against Premier Division Two side Tarbert. They also already through to the Centenary Cup semi-finals where they will face Goldenhill for a place in the final against Premier Division One promotion hopefuls Ferguslie Star. St Joe's only regret of a positive season so far will be their failure to improve upon last season's excellent showing in the Scottish Amateur Cup which took them to the seventh round and a narrow exit at the hands of eventual competition runners up Craigshill Thistle.  

Team News

It's a mixed bag on the Saints team news front with the gloss almost instantly being rubbed off the re-signing of Brian Mackay (see below) with the news that the reoccurrence of Martin Bonar's foot injury will keep him out of action for the remainder of the season. This is a massive blow for both player and club and Winning In The Rain wishes Martin a full and speedy recovery. In a further set-back Dene Cassells was handed a suspension for his ordering off against Colville Park in last month's West of Scotland Amateur Cup tie. Dene's moment of madness in the dying minutes of the fifth round tie will keep him on the sidelines for six matches and is another massive blow to the club at a crucial stage of the season. Manager Alex Craik will however still be able to name a strong squad as he bids to maintain Saints interest on three trophy fronts.


 

St Joseph's FP AFC SAFL Premier Division fixtures so far this season:-

22nd August 2015 Shawlands FP 2 - 6 St Joseph's FP
5th September 2015 St Joseph's FP 1 - 0 Oban Saints
12th September 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 5 St Joseph's FP

19th September 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 Finnart
24th October 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 3 St Joseph's FP
28th November 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 6 - 0 St Joseph's FP
12th December 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
6th February 2016 St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 Alba Thistle
13th February 2016 Finnart 3 - 1 St Joseph's FP

St Joseph's SAFL Centenary Cup exploits this season:-

1st Round 15th August 2015 St Joseph's FP 4 - 0 Motherwell Thistle

2nd Round 29th August 2015 St Joseph's FP 3  - 0 Inverclyde
3rd Round 5th March 2016 St Joseph's FP 5 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

St Joseph's SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy exploits this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 27th February 2016 St Joseph's FP 11 - 0 Tarbert


St Joseph's West of Scotland Amateur Cup exploits this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 17th October 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 Glentynan Thistle
3rd Round 21st November 2015 Kilsyth 2 - 1 St Joseph's FP


St Joseph's Scottish Amateur Cup exploits this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 3rd October 2015 St Joseph's FP 7 - 2 Rannoch
3rd Round 31st October 2015 St Joseph's FP 3 - 1 Cumbernauld Colts
4th Round 5th December 2015 Albion 4 - 2 St Joseph's FP

St Joseph's FP AFC recent Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-

2006/07 Premier Division One 4th

2007/08 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted

2008/09 Premier Division Champions

2009/10 Premier Division 6th and Centenary Cup Winners

2010/11 Premier Division 6th

2011/12 Premier Division 6th

2012/13 Premier Division 5th

2013/14 Premier Division 3rd and Centenary Cup Runners Up

2014/15 Premier Division Champions and Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners

The St Joseph's FP player celebrate winning the 2014-15 SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Saints home record against St Joseph's FP:-

2008/09 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP

2009/10 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 0 St Joseph's FP

2010/11 Premier Division Oban Saints 8 - 1 St Joseph's FP

2011/12 Premier Division Oban Saints 3- 1 St Joseph's FP

2012/13 Premier Division Oban Saints 0 - 1 St Joseph's FP

2013/14 Premier Division Oban Saints 1 - 1 St Joseph's FP
2014/15 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 5 St Joseph's FP

Action from some past Saints v St Joe's encounters at Glencruitten

Marc Maccallum and Donald Campbell 17th March 2012

Willie Gemmell's indirect free kick hits the St Joseph's wall 17th March 2012

Allan Mackay and Craig Cameron 14th September 2103

In Other News

The draw for the semi-finals of the Scottish Amateur Cup took place at Hampden Park on Monday afternoon. The winners of Saints quarter-final tie against Shortlees will face Leven United or East Kilbride YM or Linlithgow Thistle or Dennistoun Vale. The dates and venues for the semi-final ties have still to be announced.

In Other Other News

Saints this week secured the services of former player Brian Mackay who will be a valuable addition to the squad in what could prove to be a hectic fixture schedule. Brian has been training with the squad for a couple of weeks and is likely to be named in the match day squad for the game against St Joseph's FP.

Brian Mackay in action against Kilbowie Union on 17th August 2013

#monthesaints

Into The Quarters

Saturday 5th March 2016
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition

7th Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC 5 - 1 Doune Castle AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Peter Laing

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Dene Cassells
Scott Maitland

Willie Gemmell
Paul Kerr
Donald Campbell

Ross Maitland
Dean Smith
Craig MacEwan

Substitutes used:-

Dougal Graham
Jamie Graham
Allan Mackay
Myles McAuley
Keith Millar

Saints Goalscorers:-

Dean Smith ⚽
Craig MacEwan ⚽
Donald Campbell (2)⚽ ⚽
Scott Maitland 

Match Report

⚽

Saints pursuit of the Holy Grail of the Scottish Amateur Cup gathered pace last Saturday afternoon when the valiant Knights of Doune Castle were put ruthlessly to the sword in a seventh round tie at Glencruitten. The Castle had been widely tipped as one of the favourites for the cup and understandably so as they were on a twenty four match winning streak, sitting proudly on top of the Caledonian League Premier Division sixteen points of closest rivals Giffnock North, and also through to the semi finals of the East of Scotland Cup. However Saints demonstrated that they are also a force to be reckoned with and added the scalp of the much fancied visitors to that of last season's runners up Craigshill Thistle whom Saints defeated in the fifth round. Manager Alex Craik's plans were dealt a blow in midweek when Martin Bonar limped out of training with a recurrence of the foot injury which has kept him out of action since the beginning of December. Jamie Graham added to the problems with his failure to recover fully from a flu bug opening the door for a return to the starting line up for Dene Cassells. Dene, whose recent appearances from the bench have been in an attacking role, slotted into a far more familiar central defensive position alongside inspirational skipper Marc Maccallum. With that exception Manager Alex Craik named the same starting eleven and bench that had defeated East Kilbride FC Amateurs in the SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy on the previous Saturday.

The visitors kicked off attacking the Mossfield end but it was Saints who were first to provide an attacking threat. With only one minute on the clock Scott Maitland and Craig MacEwan combined on the left to win a throw-in level with the eighteen yard line. Willie Gemmell's long throw was flicked on at the near post by Donald Campbell to Craig MacEwan who couldn't connect as he would have liked with an attempted hook shot over his shoulder allowing Castle central defender Kenneth Feaks to clear off the goal line. Saints were seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages and continued their positive start making the breakthrough after just five minutes. Donald Campbell clipped a high pass out to Craig MacEwan on the left who expertly took the ball down with his left foot and continued his run forward cutting along the eighteen yard line to fire in a shot which deflected across the box to Dean Smith who drilled a first time right foot shot under Castle keeper Steven Fotheringham. The visitors had their first sight of the Saints goal in the seventh minute when Paul Kerr was harshly judged to have fouled Lukasz Duszvnski twenty eight yards from goal and slightly left of centre. Richard Smith opted to ignore the aerial threat waiting in the box and went for goal firing the free kick harmlessly high and wide of target. Unfortunately the flowing start to the match wasn't to continue as Referee Peter Laing, taking charge of his first match in the later stages of the Scottish Amateur Cup, produced an over fussy display making for a stop start match which suited neither side. Doune showed a glimpse of what they are capable of when Scottish Amateur International Sean Heaver and Christopher Ogilvie worked a neat one-two on the right to send Ogilvie through on goal however Scott Maitland recovered quickly to match Ogilvie's run and see the ball behind for a goal kick. In the eleventh minute Saints began a period of sustained pressure which ultimately resulted in the second goal. Donald Campbell found Dean Smith with a crisp pass from midfield which Dean controlled well and rolled to Craig MacEwan on the edge of the D. Craig tried to trick his way through the tangerine wall in front of him but was scythed down by Kenneth Feaks. Willie Gemmell's free kick over the wall was on target but close enough to keeper Fotheringham to allow him to claw the ball out to the Saints left where Ross Maitland picked up the loose ball. Ross turned the ball back across goal looking for the head of Craig MacEwan only for Ryan Duncanson to head clear and threaten to launch a Doune counter attack up the right wing. Saints skipper Marc Maccallum had other ideas and acrobatically intercepted Doune's progress teeing up David McArthur for a cross field pass to Ross Maitland to get in behind the advancing Doune back line. Ross cut into the box beating full back Jonathon Burns to find himself one on one with Fotheringham. The keeper narrowed the angle well and made an excellent save down to his right to deny Ross and turn the ball behind for a corner kick. Ross swung in the corner from the left which Craig MacEwan met with a perfectly placed glancing header inside the far post to double Saints lead. Thomas McCulloch was called into action for the first time in the fourteenth minute when Sean Heaver fired in a shot from the left which the big Saints keeper did well to hold low down to his right. Ross Maitland was almost in on the keeper again in the nineteenth minute after good work from Dean Smith and Donald Campbell tee'd up Willie Gemmell for a long ball looking for Ross. Unfortunately Willie's usual accuracy deserted him and his long ball over the top was fractionally too heavy for Ross and the ball slipped behind for a goal kick. Fotheringham obtained good distance with his bye kick which was flicked on by Richard Smith to Alan Inglis with his back to goal on the eighteen yard line. Inglis turned well to get his shot away but couldn't completely escape the attentions of Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland who combined to take the sting out of his shot giving McCulloch an easy save to make. McCulloch showed good handling again in the twenty second minute to hold a Sean Heaver free kick from the left which bounced just in front of the keeper with Inglis waiting to pounce on any mistake. In the twenty fourth minute Kenneth Feaks became the first name in Referee Laing's notebook for a heavy challenge on Craig MacEwan in the centre circle. From yet another free kick shortly afterwards Doune full back Jonathon Burns swung in a deep cross from just inside the Saints half which Alan Inglis got up well to meet but sent his header high over the cross bar. At the other end Saints launched a swift attack up the right wing with Willie Gemmell playing a crisp cross field pass to Dean Smith who narrowly failed to pick out Craig MacEwan in the middle with a good cross. Referee Laing continued to punish almost every challenge and harshly penalised Paul Kerr for allegedly climbing on the back of Lukasz Duszvnski. Dead ball specialist Sean Heaver squandered the opportunity to test Thomas McCulloch by firing his free kick from twenty five yards and the rebound into the Saints wall. Saints dead ball expert Willie Gemmell fared little better with his efforts sending his thirty fifth minute cross from the right straight into the hands of keeper Fotheringham and his thirty ninth minute shot into the wall after Dean Smith had been brought down by Ryan Duncanson thirty yards from goal. In between times Dean Smith picked up a yellow card for a lunging challenge on Jonathon Burns which, although he didn't appear to make any contact, Mr Laing judged to be sufficiently dangerous to warrant a booking. Craig MacEwan followed Dean into the book on the stroke of half time for an over the ball challenge on the right touchline on Kenneth Feaks. Dene Cassells headed the resulting free kick behind for a corner with Thomas McCulloch coming through a ruck of players to punch clear Sean Heaver's in-swinger from the left before Mr Laing blew for half time.

Manager Alex Craik ordered more of the same from his charges in the second half but it was the visitors who started the stronger encouraged by the large travelling support and finally stringing some passes together in midfield. The Saints back four however stood firm with Dene Cassells and the effervescent Marc Maccallum forming a solid partnership to keep Doune danger man Alan Inglis in check. Maccallum's obligatory charge up field came in the fifty second minute after he had charged down a corner from the Doune right conceded by Dene Cassells. The Saints skipper took off up the left wing pursued by two Doune players and was finally closed down just over the half way line when two further Doune defenders converged on him to bring the charge to an end. Saints came close to extending their advantage in the fifty fourth minute when Ross Maitland won a throw-in on the right wing. David McArthur found Donald Campbell with the throw who sent a low cross along the six yard line to Willie Gemmell. Willie opted not to take on the shot with his left foot but turned onto his right and fired back across goal unfortunately hitting Craig MacEwan on the backside with Alan More thumping the loose ball to safety. Two minutes later Thomas McCulloch had to look lively to keep his clean sheet in tact diving low to his right to turn a rasping Christopher Ogilvie drive around the post for a corner kick. McCulloch comfortably collected the corner kick from the left and launched a counter attack where Craig MacEwan and Dean Smith combined on the Saints left to send Craig through on goal and one on one with the advancing Fotheringham. The Castle keeper made an excellent job of closing Craig down and, as Craig attempted to pass the ball round him into the net, stuck out a strong left hand to make the save. The visitors, cheered on by the travelling support, were pressing further forward looking for the goal that would bring them right back into the game but dogged Saints defending continued to keep the Castle's prolific strike force at bay. With the game beginning to stretch Manager Alex Craik decided to make the first of his changes withdrawing Dean Smith and Ross Maitland replacing them with Allan Mackay and Myles McAuley. In the sixty fourth minute Saints skipper Marc Maccallum produced another inspirational moment to take the ball off the toes of Alan Inglis with a perfectly timed challenge just inside the box after the big Doune striker had turned Dene Cassells. The Doune players screamed for a penalty kick but Referee Laing was unmoved by their appeals. In the sixty eighth minute Saints capitalised on Doune's desire to press forward when Allan Mackay closed down and dispossessed central defender Ryan Duncanson twenty five yards from goal setting up Donald Campbell to slot the ball into the bottom corner past the despairing left hand of Fotheringham. The third goal from Saints not only knocked the stuffing out of the Doune players but also silenced the vociferous support on the touchline. Doune's best chance of the match followed two minutes later from yet another Sean Heaver free kick from the left. Heaver's flighted cross cleared everybody and was met by second half substitute Colin Burke stealing in at the back post but his cushioned effort off his right instep slipped wide of the post. The Castle continued to threaten from set pieces and main goal threat Inglis sent a spectacular overhead kick high over the crossbar from a Christopher Ogilvie free kick from the right. Saints replied with a good run and cross on the right from David McArthur which Myles McAuley got his head to but unfortunately only succeeded in diverting the ball away from Craig MacEwan steaming in at the far post. More free kick pressure followed from Doune but, under severe pressure from Kenneth Feaks and Alan Inglis, Thomas McCulloch pushed the ball up into the air and gathered safely at the second attempt. Referee Laing ruled that the challenge of Inglis while McCulloch was on the ground was illegal and booked the big Scottish Amateur International striker. David McArthur joined him in the book shortly afterwards after losing possession inside his own half and bringing down Sean Heaver in his attempts to redeem his error. Saints fourth goal came from a lightning quick counter attack up the right wing. David McArthur found Craig MacEwan who tricked his way past Alan More and picked out a terrific pass along the eighteen yard line to Scott Maitland cutting in from the left. The predominantly left footed Scott surprised everybody, possibly even himself, by striking the ball first time on his right foot and into the bottom corner giving keeper Fotheringham no chance. That stunning strike proved to be Scott's last involvement as he made way for Dougal Graham for the closing ten minutes. The Castle pounced for a deserved consolation goal with just four of the regulation ninety minutes remaining. Alan Inglis took advantage of a rare mistake in the Saints defence to notch his forty fifth goal of the season so far bundling the ball over the line from eight yards out. Saints then made their fourth change with Keith Millar coming on to replace Paul Kerr in central midfield. Despite the shortage of remaining time there was no let up in the action and almost immediately from the restart Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell combined to release Allan Mackay in the Doune box but with Keeper Fotheringham once again doing a good job to narrow the angle Allan could only find the side netting with his shot. To their credit Doune kept plugging away and were unlucky not to add a second goal when David McArthur got a vitally important touch to deflect an Alan Inglis strike wide for a corner kick. From the corner kick on the right Marc Maccallum produced more heroics diving to chest a clearance and quickly recovering to charge down the loose ball. Deep inside the six minutes added by Mr Laing Craig MacEwan limped off with an injured toe to be replaced by Jamie Graham in an extremely unfamiliar striker's role. In the ninety fifth minute Donald Campbell completed the scoring exploiting another mistake in the tiring Doune defence to drill the ball past Fotheringham for Saints fifth. After one final minute of the thrilling cup tie Mr Laing brought proceedings to an end sending Saints through to the quarter finals where they will face Shortlees of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association First Division on Saturday 19th March.    
             

Craig MacEwan heads Saints second goal

The Saints players celebrate Craig MacEwan's goal

Dean Smith surrounded by a pack of Doune Castle players

Donald Campbell and Richard Donaldson Smith 

Doune goalkeeper Steven James Fotheringham

Thomas McCulloch collects a corner kick

Scott Maitland scores Saints fourth goal

The Saints players celebrate Scott Maitland's goal

Alan Inglis nets consolation goal for Doune Castle

Jamie Graham and Steven James Fotheringham

#monthesaints

The Holy Grail

Monty Python And The Holy Grail

Saturday 5th March 2016
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition

7th Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC v Doune Castle AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Peter Laing

Doune Castle by the river Teith in Doune, Perthshire was famously used extensively in the filming of the Monty Python team's classic 1975 film The Holy Grail and this Saturday at Glencruitten the local football team, which takes it's name from the striking 14th century edifice, enter battle with Saints in pursuit of the Holy Grail of all amateur football clubs in Scotland the Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup. Founded in 1954 "The Castle" have a long and proud history in Scottish amateur football and have twice come within touching distance of the biggest prize of all on both occasions losing out to a famous name of the past Douglas Amateurs. The Castle lost the 1970 Hampden Park showpiece final in cruel fashion after taking their strongly fancied opponents to extra-time and, four years later, fell agonisingly short of a national stadium return losing at the semi-finals stage once again after extra-time to eventual winners Douglas Amateurs. Despite falling short in the Scottish Amateur Cup the Castle have two very presentable consolation prizes in the form of their East of Scotland Amateur Cup wins in 2007 and 2012. In this season's bid for the East of Scotland trophy Doune have already reached the semi-finals where they will face last season's Scottish Cup runners up Craigshill Thistle. Last May the Castle brought their diamond jubilee season to an end in fitting style with the capture of their first ever Caledonian League Premier Division title ten years after joining one of Scotland's top leagues from their previously successful stint in the Stirling and District league set up.

The Castle make the trip to Oban flying high on a twenty two match winning streak stretching back to their only defeat of the season in a League Cup tie against Dumbarton on 22nd August. Their almost perfect record includes a massive 163 goals haul and some significant scalps along the way particularly the highly rated Lothian and Edinburgh side Linlithgow Thistle, East Kilbride of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League and shock troops Albion of the Glasgow Colleges Football Association who had previously eliminated West of Scotland Amateur Cup holders Greenock HSFP and reigning Scottish Amateur Football League Champions St Joseph's FP. The Castle's 100% record in defence of their Caledonian Premier Division crown presently has them sixteen points ahead of closest rivals Giffnock North and leaves them looking strong favourites to retain the title.

Saints own record in the Scottish Amateur Cup is good, particularly in recent seasons when they have reached the seventh round stage in five of the last ten seasons plus two losing quarter finals appearances. Manager Alex Craik has a strong squad from which to choose as he bids to secure a home quarter finals tie against either Shortlees or Shotts Victoria. Alex's selection choices for this crucial tie were given a boost last Saturday when Myles McAuley came through his first competitive forty five minutes in his comeback from injury in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy win against East Kilbride FC Amateurs. However, every silver lining has a cloud and Martin Bonar limped out of training on Wednesday night with a suspected recurrence of Jones fracture in his left foot which has kept him out of action since the beginning of December.

The weather forecast for the weekend looks favourable so hopefully a large crowd will gather at Glencruitten for what promises to be a cracking cup tie with two top quality sides slugging it out for a place in the last eight of Scotland's premier cup competition.        

Doune Castle AFC Caledonian League Premier Division Champions 2014 - 15

Doune Castle's recent Caledonian League finishes:-

2008-09 Premier League 9th
2009-10 Premier League 6th
2010-11 Premier League 11th (Relegated)
2011-12 Division One Champions (Promoted) East of Scotland Cup Winners
2012-13 Premier League 4th
2013-14 Premier League 4th
2014-15 Premier League Champions and League Cup Runners Up


Doune Castle's results so far this season:-


Caledonian League Premier Division 

15th August 2015 Doune Castle 2 - 1 Gartcosh United
19th August 2015 Milton 3 - 6 Doune Castle
26th August 2015 Doune Castle 5 - 3 Cumbernauld Colts
12th September 2015 Glasgow University 1 - 6 Doune Castle
19th September 2015 St. Mungo's 1 - 6 Doune Castle
26th September 2015 Strathclyde University 1 - 4 Doune Castle
10th October 2015 Doune Castle 7 - 0 Castlemilk
24th October 2015 Dalziel 0 - 5 Doune Castle
7th November 2015 Doune Castle 5 - 3 Dumbarton
21st November 2015 Doune Castle 2 - 0 St Mungo's
13th February 2016 Cumbernauld Colts 1 - 2 Doune Castle
27th February 2016 Castlemilk 0 - 7 Doune Castle

Caledonian League Cup

8th August 2015 Doune Castle 3 - 0 Rannoch
12th August 2015 Doune Castle 4 - 3 Milngavie
22nd August 2015 Dumbarton 2 - 0 Doune Castle



Caledonian League Challenge Cup

29th August 2015 Doune Castle 8 - 1 Rannoch



East of Scotland Cup

1st Round
17th October 2015 Doune Castle 10 - 2 Queensferry Athletic

2nd Round
14th November 2015 Doune Castle 7 - 1 Drumpellier Thistle

3rd Round
28th November 2015 Doune Castle 7 - 0 Bonnybridge YFP

4th Round
23rd January 2016 Edinburgh South Vics 1 - 6 Doune Castle

Quarter Finals
20th February 2016 Linlithgow Thistle 0 - 2 Doune Castle


Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
5th September 2015 Newton Grange Star 1 - 12 Doune Castle

2nd Round
3rd October 2015 Doune Castle 16 - 0 Leslie Hearts

3rd Round
31st October 2015 Doune Castle 16 - 0  Wellbank

4th Round
5th December 2015 Doune Castle 5 - 3 East Kilbride

5th Round
9th January 2015 Albion 1 - 6 Doune Castle

6th Round
6th February 2016 Doune Castle 4 - 2 Bearsden

Saints progress to the Scottish Amateur Cup seventh round:-

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
3rd October 2015 Oban Saints 9 - 1 Millbeg Villa

3rd Round
31st October 2015 Condoratt Club v Oban Saints - Walkover to Saints

4th Round
12th December 2105 Postal United 0 - 1 Oban Saints

5th Round
9th January 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 1 Craigshill Thistle

6th Round
6th February 2016 Stirling City 1 - 4 Oban Saints

Craig MacEwan nets Saints 7th goal against Millbeg Villa in round 2

The Saints players celebrate their third goal against Stirling City in round 6

#monthesaints

Special K

Saturday 27th February 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League
Jimmy Marshall Trophy second round
East Kilbride FC Ams 1 - 2 Oban Saints

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Scott Maitland

Willie Gemmell
Paul Kerr
Donald Campbell

Ross Maitland
Allan Mackay
Craig MacEwan

Substitutes used:-

Dene Cassells
Dougal Graham
Myles McAuley
Keith Millar
Dean Smith

Match Report

Last Saturday Saints launched their Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy campaign with a narrow 2 - 1 victory over last season's beaten finalists East Kilbride FC Amateurs at the excellent K-park facilities which the amateurs share with Lowland League high flyers East Kilbride. Manager Alex Craik was able to include fit again Myles McAuley in his squad for the first time since the Mod Cup success over Glasgow Island last October and named him on a strong bench which also included Dene Cassells, Dougal Graham, Keith Millar and Dean Smith. Ross Maitland and Allan Mackay were restored to the starting line-up after starting the West of Scotland Cup defeat against Colville Park on the bench with Scott Maitland slotting in at left back in an otherwise unchanged starting eleven. 

Saints started brightly on a bright crisp day perfect for football and had their first sight of goal inside the first minute. Ross Maitland got to the bye line on the Saints right and cut a cross back for Allan who hooked an acrobatic overhead kick inches wide of Kilby keeper Graeme McMillan's left hand post. Saints followed this up with several half chances which failed to trouble McMillan in the Kilby goal. The pick of the bunch being a second overhead kick of the day this time from skipper Marc Mccallum after a deep Ross Maitland corner kick; and a deft chip over the cross bar from Craig MacEwan after another Ross Maitland cut back from the right. In between times the Saints back four of David McArthur, Marc Maccallum, Jamie Graham and Scott Maitland kept Kilby centre forward and top scorer Jonny Diack in check restricting the home side to shots from distance which failed to find the target. As the half wore on Kilby became more of a threat with Saints losing their shape and their usual crisp passing. A quick throw-in on the left touchline gave Kilby skipper Gavin Thomson the chance to come forward from left back and stride into the Saints box where Jamie Graham had to be quick to take the ball off the toe of Jonny Diack after his skipper had tried to pick him out on the penalty spot. Thomson was involved again in the twenty seventh minute when his counterpart in the Saints ranks brought him down twenty five yards from goal. The Kilby skipper took the free kick himself but his effort lacked power and Saints keeper Thomas McCulloch made a comfortable save low down to his right. McCulloch was in action again three minutes later when Diack got in behind the Saints defence to collect a long pass from Jamie Innes. Under pressure from Scott Maitland and Jamie Graham, the Kilby man failed to make a solid connection with his shot and McCulloch made another comfortable save. The break through for the home side came shortly afterwards courtesy of a softly conceded penalty kick. Craig MacEwan found himself in unfamiliar territory on the edge of his own penalty area and, in a tangle, brought down Jamie Innes just inside the box. Referee Michael Mccart had no hesitation in pointing to the spot giving David Atha the chance to test Thomas McCulloch from twelve yards. The Kilby forward slotted the ball low into the left hand corner of McCulloch's goal sending the Saints keeper in the wrong direction in the process. The shaky period continued for the visitors with Paul Kerr having to clear off his own goal line when Craig Thomson turned a deep corner kick back across the face of the Saints goal; and Marc Maccallum making a perfectly timed last ditch challenge to dispossess Diack when the Kilby striker looked set to punish a mix-up between Jamie Graham and David McArthur. The latter incident initially appeared to come at a heavy cost as the Saints skipper limped about for several minutes before he eventually shook off a heavy knock to his left knee. Saints ended the first half on a far more positive note and came within millimetres of restoring parity just before the interval. Craig MacEwan slipped a defence splitting pass through the inside left channel for Donald Campbell who curled a terrific right foot shot towards the far corner only for Graeme MacMillan to pull off a remarkable save throwing himself full length to his left to fingertip the ball around the post for a corner kick. Ross Maitland's delivery from the corner flag was inches too high for Willie Gemmell's well timed run to the front post and the Kilby defence cleared for a throw in before Referee Mccart blew for half time.

Manager Alex Craik decided on a half time substitution bringing on Myles McAuley to replace Ross Maitland. The change reinvigorated Saints and straight from the re-start they were on the attack with David McArthur charging up the right wing and sending in a low cross looking for Craig MacEwan which was intercepted by Craig Thomson with the Saints striker ready to pounce. Just one minute later good interplay on the edge of the Kilby box by Craig MacEwan and Allan Mackay set up Donald Campbell for a shot on goal. The pass sent Donald slightly wide and his low shot beat McMillan in the Kilby goal but slipped agonisingly wide of the keeper's right hand post. Saints kept up the pressure with Scott Maitland making a powerful run up the left wing beating two men before cutting inside and narrowly failing to set up Paul Kerr for a shot from the edge of the box when perhaps taking on the shot himself would have been the better option. The pressure told for Saints in the forty ninth minute with Craig MacEwan and Allan Mackay again combining to set up Donald Campbell. This time Donald made no mistake tucking a left foot shot from fourteen yards through the legs of the advancing keeper to draw Saints level. The visitors certainly had their tails up now and were pressing for a second goal. Donald Campbell was hauled to the ground by Michael Peacock midway inside the Kilby half and slightly to the left of centre. Donald took the resulting free kick himself and played the ball who Craig MacEwan drove into the box from the left and squared across the face of goal looking for Myles McAuley at the back post only for Graeme McMillan to smother the ball before it could reach the Saints substitute. In the fifty eighth minute Willie Gemmell showed the quality of his passing with an excellent ball in behind the Kilby defence for Craig MacEwan to run on to. Craig got beyond Craig Thomson but sent his right foot shot wide of the keeper's left hand post. Manager Alex Craik was clearly intent on giving everybody a run out ahead of this Saturday's Scottish Amateur Cup seventh round match against Caledonian League Premier Division leaders Doune Castle and, on the hour mark, withdraw Jamie Graham and Allan Mackay replacing them with Dene Cassells and Dean Smith. Smith was immediately involved in the action getting on the end of a terrific ball from Craig MacEwan on the left before cutting onto his right foot and curling a shot towards the far post which Graeme McMillan did well to parry away. The Kilby defence couldn't clear the danger and David McArthur squared for Dean to have another go which this time he sent wide of the keeper's left hand post with a frustrated Donald Campbell unmarked in front of goal and screaming for a pass. Donald didn't have to wait too much longer for a shooting opportunity and it came from the penalty spot after a he had been tripped in the box by an injudicious challenge from Kilby defender Stuart Cox. The Kilby man protested his innocence but the Referee was in no doubt that contact had been made and pointed to the spot. Donnie dusted himself down and stroked the ball into the right hand corner of the net sending the keeper in the opposite direction to give Saints a deserved 2 - 1 lead. With twenty minutes remaining Saints made a fourth change with Dougal Graham coming on to replace Willie Gemmell. Dougal took up his accustomed left back position with Scott Maitland taking up the midfield berth vacated by Willie. In his more advanced role Scott forced a corner on the left from which Donald Campbell tried to catch out the Kilby defence by going straight for goal at the near post. The combined efforts of Jamie MacReady, Graeme McMillan and the near post kept the ball out and the loose ball fell once again to Donald who picked out Craig McMillan just inside the box for a curling shot which fell kindly into the midriff of keeper McMillan. Going into the final fifteen minutes the home side pressed higher up the pitch keeping Saints pinned back in their own half but skipper Maccallum marshaled his revamped back four now including Dene Cassells and Dougal Graham well to keep the Kilby attack at bay. With ten minutes remaining Saints made their final change when Keith Millar came on to replace Paul Kerr who had put in another steady shift in midfield. Saints were now looking to exploit the space in behind Kilby's high line and did so when Dougal Graham broke up the left wing and into the box shooting straight at the keeper who could only parry the shot but, unfortunately for Saints, got just enough on it to send it beyond Craig MacEwan allowing Stuart Cox to clear the danger. Marc Maccallum then reprised his obligatory once a match run upfield where, after two step overs and a fifty yard territorial gain, he was dispossessed by Craig Thomson just before he could slip in the unmarked Craig MacEwan. With Saints unable to find the killer third goal and dropping deeper into defence thoughts on the touchline turned to the last gasp equaliser conceded in similar circumstances at Goldenhill earlier in the season. Keith Millar found his way into the Referee's notebook in the eighty fifth minute for a mistimed challenge on Kilby substitute David Jamieson gifting the home side a free kick in a dangerous position. Skipper Gavin Thomson lofted in a tempting left foot cross but Thomas McCulloch safely plucked the ball from the air to calm the nerves on the bench. Dene Cassells then joined Keith Millar in the book in unfortunate circumstances when he made a lung bursting run out of defence to get on the end of a well weighted Donald Campbell through ball just inside the Kilby half. Referee Mccart, who handled his first match involving Premier Division sides well, gave the the benefit of a very tight offside decision to the home side however Dene continued his run and lofted his shot onto the crossbar earning himself a yellow card in the process. Saints had one final stoppage time opportunity to put the result beyond doubt when Donald Campbell sent Dougal Graham and Myles McAuley through on the left wing. With the two second half substitutes almost getting in each other's way Myles won the race to the ball but passed up the chance to shoot as did the supporting cast of Craig MacEwan and Dean Smith. Kilby then threatened to launch a counter attack but Marc Maccallum was quickly out of the blocks to race forward and snuff out the danger. After three minutes of stoppage time Referee Mccart decided he had seen enough and blew for full time sending Saints through to the third round where they will face an away trip to FC Clydebank of Premier Division Two.

David Atha opens the scoring for the home side

Saints survive a first half scare when Kilby threaten to double their advantage

Willie Gemmell and David Hepburn

Paul Kerr in midfield action

Thomas McCulloch makes a comfortable save from a Gavin Thomson free kick

Ross Maitland

Paul Kerr

Dean Smith takes a tumble under a challenge from Stuart Cox

Donald Campbell sends Graeme McMillan the wrong way to give Saints the lead

Graeme McMillan watches Donald Campbell's free kick over the wall all the way

Dean Smith turns away from Michael Peacock

Dougal Graham and Myles McAuley bear down on Stuart Cox

#monthesaints                   

Back On Board

Aztec Camera - Back On Board

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Saturday 27th February 2016

Scottish Amateur Football League
Jimmy Marshall Trophy Second Round

East Kilbride FC Amateurs v Oban Saints AFC

K-Park Training Academy, Calderglen, East Kilbride G75 0QZ

Kick off 1pm
Referee Mr Michael Mccart

Oban Saints bid for a third Jimmy Marshall Trophy final appearance in four years gets underway this Saturday at K-Park, East Kilbride against last season's beaten finalists East Kilbride FC Amateurs. The amateur wing of highly ambitious Scottish Lowland Football League club East Kilbride FC have taken the Scottish Amateur Football League by storm in recent seasons securing an unprecedented four consecutive league titles in a relentless march to the top division where they currently occupy fourth place with thirteen points from six games played. Kilby's impressive league form includes a thumping 6 - 0 win against reigning Champions St Joseph's FP and a 4 - 0 victory against another of the top flights established clubs Finnart. The only black marks on Kilby's league record so far are the 2 - 0 away defeat against fellow title challengers Goldenhill and a share of the points in their only previous encounter with Saints which ended 0 - 0 at Glencruitten on the opening day of the season. That ultra rare goalless draw was the first in the league for Saints for ten years but they are certainly not alone in failing the penetrate the miserly Kilby defence. Ten clean sheets in eighteen competitive matches and only four league goals conceded so far is an indication of just what a solid unit the Kilby defence is. This coupled with their strike rate of seventy four goals in all competitions makes Kilby a good bet to be in with a shout when the silverware is being handed out in May.

In addition to their hugely impressive league exploits EKFC Amateurs have also recorded some highly commendable cup runs reaching the sixth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup in each of the last three seasons including this season's recent exit at the hands of the all conquering Colville Park. Kilby have also reached the last sixteen of this season's West of Scotland Amateur Cup where they will face either Kilbirnie, St Mungo's or Finnart for a place in the quarter finals.

In just their third appearance in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy Kilby will hope to go one better than last season's 2 - 1 cup final defeat to Premier Division Champions St Joseph's FP and will provide a stern test for tournament veterans Sainst. For their part Saints have a decent record in the competition having reached at least the semi-finals stage in five of the past nine seasons and will be looking to add to their single cup triumph in 2014. Despite the usual mixture of work and family commitments Manager Alex Craik will have a strong squad to choose from as he looks to launch what he hopes will be another long unbeaten run after the narrow West of Scotland Amateur Cup defeat to Colville Park. On the injury front Martin Bonar and Myles McAuley continue to make good progress after lengthy spells in the treatment room and are inching ever closer to a place in the match day squad.

K-Park, East Kilbride. Photograph @InverclydeAFC

East Kilbride FC Amateurs Jimmy Marshall Trophy record:-

2013 - 14 Second Round
2014 - 15 Runners Up


Saints recent Jimmy Marshall Trophy record:-

2006 - 07 Runners Up
2007 - 08 Second Round
2008 - 09 Semi Finals
2009 - 10 Quarter Finals
2010 - 11 First Round
2011 - 12
2012 - 13 Runners Up
2013 - 14 Winners
2014 - 15 Semi Finals

East Kilbride FC Amateurs Scottish Amateur Football League record:-

2014-15 Premier Division One Champions Promoted

2013-14 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted

2012-13 Division 1A Champions Promoted

2011-12 Division 1B Champions Promoted

East Kilbride FC Amateurs SAFL Premier Division fixtures so far this season:-

15th August 2015 Oban Saints 0 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

22nd August 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 4 - 0 Finnart

12th September 2015 Shawlands FP 0 - 1 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

24th October 2015 Goldenhill 2 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

28th November 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 6 - 0 St Joseph's FP

20th February 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 3 - 2 Inverclyde

East Kilbride FC Amateurs record in cup competitions so far this season:-

SAFL Centenary Cup

29th August 2015 Shawlands FP (B) 0 - 7 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round

5th September 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 4 - 0 Cambria

2nd Round

3rd October 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 8 - 0 Campsie Minerva

3rd Round

31st October 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 3 - 2 Hurlford Thistle

4th Round

12th December 2015 Strathmiglo United 1 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

5th Round

23rd January 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 7 - 0 Eddlewood

6th Round

6th February 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 4 Colville Park

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round

19th September 2015 Gryffe Thistle 2 - 6 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

2nd Round

17th October 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 11 - 0 New Meadow

3rd Round

14th November 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 4 - 3 Newton Academicals

4th Round

19th December 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 4 - 2 Tynecastle

5th Round 

13th February 2015 Woodhall Thistle 1 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

East Kilbride FC Amateurs Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One Champions 2014-15. Photograph @EKFCamateurs

Lewis Cameron tries to escape the attentions of Jamie Innes and Scott McEwan in the 0 - 0 draw at Glencruitten on Saturday 15th August 2015

Craig MacEwan heads over in a game of precious few chances

Allan Mackay and Gary McDowal

Ross Maitland and Ross Campbell

Jamie Graham

SAFA Select

Saints Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell was covering the miles again this week with the Scottish Amateur Football Association Select. Donald was part of the squad invited for a Sunday training session at Dalziel Park, Motherwell and also played a part in a friendly match against Lanark United Juniors at Lesser Hampden on Wednesday night. You can read how the SAFA Select fared against their Central District League Second Division opponents on the excellent International Blog by SAFA International Press Officer John Rodgers. scotamfa.tumbler.com

Donald Campbell tries to escape the clutches of his Lanark United opponent. Photograph @rodgersj892

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