Familiar Territory

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Wednesday 11th May 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League
Jimmy Marshall Trophy
Semui Final Tie
Motherwell Thistle AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Millburn Park
Leven Street
Alexandria
G83 0SR
Kick off 7pm
Referee Mr Jim Rose
Assistant Referee Gordon Hay
Assistant Referee Jozef Nemec

Millburn Park Home of Vale of Leven Juniors

Familiar Territory

Saints reached their fourth consecutive Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-final courtesy of a nerve jangling penalty shoot-out victory over Kings Park Rangers at Toryglen last Wednesday night. Remarkably, of the seven who participated in the previous round's shoot-out with the FC Clydebank, only Willie Gemmell remained and fittingly it was he who netted the decisive penalty to confirm Saints return to the familiar territory of Millburn Park, Alexandria. As is usually the case the goalkeepers had a massive part to play in the shoot-out with Saints Graham Douglas emerging as the hero after saving Kings first two penalties to give Saints an ultimately decisive advantage. Despite Kings keeper Jordan Brand stopping Craig MacEwan's straight down the middle effort Saints had Donald Campbell, Craig Campbell, Dene Cassells and finally Willie Gemmell on target to set up a first ever encounter with Motherwell Thistle. 

After securing back to back promotions to lift them from Division 1B to Premier Division One Thistle's push to reach the top flight stuttered somewhat in the first half of this season where four defeats in seven matches left them facing an uphill struggle to make it three promotions out of three. Wednesday's opponents currently occupy fourth spot in Premier Division One but still harbour ambitions of securing third spot ahead of Dunoon with whom they go head to head this Saturday. Thistle have turned things around hitting a rich vein of form since the turn of the year suffering just one defeat in the calendar year so far. That solitary defeat came against Kings Park Rangers last month and effectively ended any feint hopes Thistle had of pipping Ferguslie Star for second place behind champions Drumchapel Amateurs Colts. However Thistle did their hopes of clinching third place no harm at all last Saturday inflicting just a third defeat of the season on Premier Division bound Drumchapel Amateurs Colts. 

En-route to the semi-finals Motherwell Thistle have seen off Premier Division One rivals Dunoon and established Premier Division sides Finnart and Alba Thistle with a penalty shoot-out necessary to secure victory in the battle of the Jags in the quarter-finals. Saints passage to the semi-finals has been a tortuous one including a hard fought away win against Premier Division leaders East Kilbride FC Amateurs and tricky away ties at FC Clydebank and Kings Park Rangers. Despite having their resources severely stretched, and being unable to rediscover their best form, Saints managed to squeeze past both the Bankies and Kings courtesy of penalty shoot-out victories.

This first ever encounter between Thistle and Saints looks delicately poised with both teams desperate to end the season with a cup final appearance. Tonight's tie will be decided on the night with the all too familiar sight of a penalty shoot-out to decide the winners if the sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes. The second semi-final between East Kilbride Rolls Royce and St Joseph's FP will be played this Saturday at McKenna Park with a 2pm kick off.

Team News

Saints team news is mixed with work commitments ruling out Dougal Graham while Paul Carmichael joins Skipper Marc Maccallum and Martin Bonar on the injured list. On the plus side Donald Campbell, Craig MacEwan and Keith Millar all return to the squad after missing last weekend's Premier Division away victory over East Kilbride Rolls Royce.  

Motherwell Thistle AFC

Motherwell Thistle Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B Champions 2013-14

Motherwell Thistle's results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One

12th September 2015 Motherwell Thistle 4 - 0 Jamestown
19th September 2015 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts 1 - 0 Motherwell Thistle
3rd October 2015 Motherwell Thistle 2 - 3 Easthall Star
10th October 2015 Busby 0 - 3 Motherwell Thistle
24th October 2015 Neilston 5 - 2 Motherwell Thistle
21st November 2015 Motherwell Thistle 1 - 0 Kings Park Rangers
19th December 2015 Ferguslie Star 6 - 0 Motherwell Thistle

23rd January 2016 Motherwell Thistle 3 - 1 Kilbowie Union

6th February 2016 Dunoon 3 - 3 Motherwell Thistle

20th February 2016 Easthall Star 1 - 2 Motherwell Thistle

27th February 2016 Motherwell Thistle 10 - 1 Busby

5th March 2016 Jamestown 1 - 5 Motherwell Thistle

19th March 2016 Motherwell Thistle 1 - 1 Neilston

2nd April 2016 Motherwell Thistle 5 - 2 Lochgilphead Red Star

9th April 2016 Motherwell Thistle 4 - 1 Ferguslie Star

23rd April 2016 Kings Park Rangers 2 - 1 Motherwell Thistle

4th May 2016 Kilbowie Union 0 - 2 Motherwell Thistle

7th May 2016 Motherwell Thistle 3 - 2 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

First Round

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

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

First Round

Bye

Second Round
13th February 2016 Motherwell Thistle 3 - 0 Dunoon

Third Round
12th March 2016 Finnart 0 - 1 Motherwell Thistle

Quarter Final
16th April 2016 Alba Thistle 2 - 2 Motherwell Thistle
Motherwell Thistle win 5 - 3 on penalty kicks

Scottish Amateur Cup

First Round
5th September 2015 Motherwell Thistle 3 - 1 Hamilton FP

Second Round
3rd October 2015 Motherwell Thistle v Inverkip Thistle (Walkover to Motherwell Thistle)

Third Round
31st October 2015 Motherwell Thistle 1 - 1 Vale of Earn

Third Round Replay
7th November 2015 Vale of Earn 2 - 4 Motherwell Thistle

Fourth Round
11th December 2015 Motherwell Thistle 1 - 4 Stenhousemuir Community

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

First Round
Bye

Second Round
17th October 2015 Motherwell Thistle 3 - 2 Ardeer West Recreation

Third Round
14th November 2015 Cambria 5 - 4 Motherwell Thistle (After Extra Time)

Motherwell Thistle's recent SAFL record:-

2013-14 Division 1B Champions (Promoted)

2014-15 Premier Division Two 5th (Promoted)

Penalty kicks have featured prominently in Saints run to the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-final

David Atha nets from the spot to give East Kilbride FC Amateurs the lead in round two

Donald Campbell seals a 2 - 1 round two victory for Saints 

Thomas McCulloch saves from FC Clydebank's Kevin McInally in the round three shoot-out

Paul Kerr sends Saints through to the quarter finals

Donald Campbell gives Saints a 2 - 1 lead in normal time against King Park Rangers 

Graham Douglas saved two penalties against Kings Park Rangers to help Saints into the semi-finals

#monthesaints

Back On Track

Saturday 7th May 2016

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

East Kilbride Rolls Royce AFC 1 - 3 Oban Saints AFC

Ballerup Leisure Complex, Skovlunde Way, East Kilbride G75 0SD

Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Thomas D'Alessandro

Saints finally ended their win-less streak, penalty shoot-outs aside, and got back on track with a 3 - 1 victory over relegation threatened East Kilbride Rolls Royce at Ballerup last Saturday. The result sadly consigns the Rolly to a second relegation in four years leaving Alba Thistle, Campbeltown Pupils, Finnart and Shawlands FP to battle it out to avoid joining them in falling through the trap door into Premier Division One.

Saints welcomed back Thomas McCulloch and Paul Kerr to the squad that squeezed past Kings Park Rangers in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy quarter final in midweek but were once again without Keith Millar and Skipper Marc Maccallum. Also missing were Donald Campbell, Craig MacEwan, Brian Mackay and penalty shoot-out hero Graham Douglas. Manager Alex Craik was therefore forced to shuffle his pack once again but was still able to name a strong starting line-up of Thomas MacCulloch in goal; a back four of David McArthur, Craig Campbell, Dene Cassells and Dougal Graham; a midfield of Myles McAuley, Willie Gemmell and Skipper for the day Paul Kerr; and a front three of Ross Maitland, Dean Smith and Scott Maitland. Alex named himself on the bench alongside Paul Carmichael, Jamie Graham and Allan Mackay.

Paul Kerr won the toss of Referee D'Allesandro' s coin and opted to play into the stiff breeze in the first half. The aerial prowess of recent signing Craig Campbell has proved a valuable addition to the Saints armoury and a free kick won by Scott Maitland in the second minute gave Saints an early chance to deploy this new weapon. Willie Gemmell swung in the free kick from the left which Campbell flicked on at the near post with David McArthur climbing well to win the second header although he was unable to generate enough power in his header to trouble keeper Dean Trainor. Saints took the aerial route again in the fifth minute this time with Ross Maitland providing the delivery from a free kick on the right after he had been sent sprawling by Rolly full back Mark Johnston. Ross flighted in a terrific ball from ten yards inside the Rolly half which took out the entire defence and was met perfectly on the volley by Craig Campbell who had peeled off at the back post to lash an unstoppable shot into the postage stamp corner. Rocked by the early set-back the Rolly began to push forward and had Saints on the back foot in a good ten minute spell. Wide men Paul Innes and Paul Byrne were giving Saints full backs Dougal Graham and David McArthur plenty to think about as they looked to provide the ammunition for central striker Gavin Miller. It was Miller who came closest during this spell heading over after making a good run to meet a Paul Byrne corner kick from the Rolly right. Saints eased the pressure with a Scott Maitland run on the right which was finally halted level with the six yard line by a heavy challenge by Craig Duncan. The big central defender cleared Ross Maitland's free kick but only as far as Dean Smith on the edge of the box who turned well and fired a good shot across Dean Trainor and inches wide of the keeper's right hand post.  The Saints defence had Myles McAuley to thank for a covering run in the eighteenth minute. Paul Innes was brought down by Dougal Graham and took a quick free kick from the right looking for the run into the box of Paul Walker. Myles tracked the run well and put Walker under just enough pressure to skew his shot wide of target. Walker was in the thick of the action again three minutes later but failed to connect properly with an overhead kick after a long Mark Johnston throw-in from the right had been flicked on by Gavin Miller. There was a load appeal for a penalty kick from the Rolly contingent on the touchline when Paul Innes tumbled in the box under a challenge from Dougal Graham but Referee D'Allesandro ruled there had been no infringement and dismissed the appeals. There was a let-off for Saints on the half hour mark when Myles McAuley headed a clearance straight into the path of Gavin Miller who squandered a great chance shooting well wide of Thomas MacCulloch's left hand post. Scott Maitland showed some of the pace and trickery on the left which has caught the eye of Scottish Amateur Football Association Select Manager Bruce McNaught. Scott collected a long clearance by Thomas McCulloch and outstripped full back Craig Smith before shaving the outside of Dean Trainor's left hand post with a flashing drive across the keeper. In the thirty fourth minute it was Saints turn to have a loud penalty appeal rejected. Dean Smith appeared to be pushed in the back by Ross Moore but Mr D'Allesandro didn't have a clear view of the incident waved play on. Saints doubled their lead two minutes later after good work on the right from David McArthur and Ross Maitland. David chipped deftly over the heads of Paul Byrne and Mark Johnston with Ross spinning off the Rolly full back and tearing up the right wing. Ross hit the bye-line and fizzed a tempting ball low across the face of goal. Myles McAuley was inches away from connecting with cross but Scott Maitland was on hand at the back post to bundle the ball over the line despite the best efforts of Dean Trainor to keep it out. The Rolly continued to look dangerous in the wide areas with Paul Innes getting the better of Dougal Graham in the thirty eighth minute to send in a terrific cross which Myles McAuley did well to nip in front of Paul Walker to head clear. In the fortieth minute Craig Campbell again demonstrated the threat he poses in the opposition box winning a good near post header from a Willie Gemmell throw-in, unfortunately there was no takers for Saints at the back post and a good chance was lost. A long wind assisted clearance from Dean Trainor quickly turned defence into attack with a back pedaling David McArthur only succeeding in finding Paul Byrne with his headed clearance. Fortunately for Saints the Rolly winger was unable to find the target with his low shot which he sent wide of Thomas McCulloch's right hand post. Moments later the Rolly finally hit the target through Byrne who switched to the right wing and fired in a shot which Thomas McCulloch saved well at his near post. At the other end Scott Maitland drew a good save from Dean Trainor when he collected a Ross Maitland lay off from a Willie Gemmell pass on the edge of the Rolly box. Scott pulled away from Mark Johnston and fired in a left foot shot from twenty yards which Trainor held just inside his left hand post. The dangerous Byrne created one final chance before the half time whistle skinning David McArthur and sending a tempting ball along the six yard line which, fortunately for Saints, found no takers in red and white.

The home side made the better start to the second half but Saints defended well and kept the Rolly attack comfortably at arms length with Dene Cassells showing up well in his first start since returning from suspension. Danger man Byrne did manage to break through in the fifty third minute but was again foiled by an excellent Thomas McCulloch save. Saints finally managed to get out of their own half in the fifty sixth minute and did so to devastating effect. Myles McAuley made a rampaging run at the heart of the Rolly defence and slipped a perfectly weighted ball for Dean Smith to beat the off-side trap and pass the ball into the bottom corner of the net past Dean Trainor's left hand to give Saints a three goal lead. The goal heralded the start of a good spell of Saints pressure with Dean Smith coming close to doubling his tally on three occasions. A good ball from Willie Gemmell found Dean on the left of the Rolly box before cutting inside a curling a shot on target which Dean Trainor palmed over the cross bar. Dean made a well timed run to get on the end of Ross Maitland's corner from the right but couldn't direct his header on target. In the sixty second minute Dean was inches away from getting on the end of a defence splitting pass from Paul Kerr but was beaten to it by Dean Trainor who anticipated the danger and sprinted off his line to smother the ball at Dean's feet. In the sixty eighth minute a long ball over the top from David McArthur sent Scott Maitland in behind the Rolly defence only for Craig Duncan to get back well with an excellent saving tackle at the expense of a corner kick. That was the last involvement for Scott as he and Dean Smith made way for Paul Carmichael and Allan Mackay. From Ross Maitland's corner kick from the right Craig Campbell was again dominant in the air but sent his header wide of near post. The Rolly issued a reminder of their attacking threat in the seventy first minute with Gavin Miller making a good run to get in between Dene Cassells and Dougal Graham to fire a powerful shot across Thomas McCulloch and just wide of his right hand post. With fifteen minutes remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik made his final change replacing David McArthur at right back with Jamie Graham. Barely a minute after the change Saints lost their clean sheet. Mark Johnston launched another of his long throws which caused panic in the Saints defence with substitute Andrew Woods reacting quickest to tuck away the loose ball past Thomas McCulloch for a deserved consolation goal. The home side came close to adding to their tally five minutes later when Saints completely switched off at a free kick allowing Gavin Miller a free header which fortunately the Rolly centre forward sent high over the cross bar. With five minutes remaining a miserable day for the Rolly was completed when Ross Moore received his marching orders for pulling back Ross Maitland just outside the box after the wee man had robbed him of possession. Ross took the free kick himself but sent a poor effort well off target. A frustrated Gavin Miller was lucky not also to see red for a bad challenge on Paul Kerr in the centre circle, however Mr D'Allesandro considered the challenge worthy of only a yellow card which he also flashed at Willie Gemmell and second half substitute Mark McFadden for a spot of pushing and shoving after the free kick had been awarded. It was not lost on Manager Craik that the three Saints goals had come from former Oban Athletic players and recent signing from their sadly folded neighbours Paul Carmichael almost completed the set in stoppage time. Dougal Graham skipped past Andrew Woods on the left wing and sent over a terrific cross from the bye-line which somehow Paul completely missed at the back post with the ball drifting harmlessly behind for a goal kick. Referee D'Allesandro blew for full time immediately after Dean Trainor's bye kick confirming a morale boosting victory for Saints ahead of this Wednesday's Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-final against Motherwell Thistle.

Ross Maitland sends in free kick for the opening goal

Craig Campbell is congratulated on his opening goal

David McArthur and Paul Byrne

Dean Smith and Ross Moore

Half time team talk

Dene Cassells

Dean Smith heads over

Second half action in the Saints goalmouth

Craig Campbell heads wide

Allan Mackay and Craig Smith

Paul Carmichael

Gavin Miller sends Paul Kerr tumbling

Dougal Graham takes on Andrew Woods

Paul Carmichael misses late chance

#monthesaints               

Roll With It

Oasis - Roll With It

Saturday 7th May 2016

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

East Kilbride Rolls Royce AFC v Oban Saints AFC

Ballerup Leisure Complex, Skovlunde Way, East Kilbride G75 0SD

Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Thomas D'Alessandro

Following their midweek trip to Glasgow to face old rivals Kings Park Rangers in the quarter final of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy Saints hit the road again this Saturday when the travel to East Kilbride to face another of their old foes East Kilbride Rolls Royce on league duty. Saints reliance on a penalty shoot out victory to progress in the cup on Wednesday night extends their win-less streak in ninety minutes to six matches which could scarcely have been envisaged when the team marched triumphantly into the semi-finals of the Scottish Amateur Cup seven weeks ago. On Wednesday night Saints once again played good football in flashes but failed to fully ram home their advantage when on top with a drop in tempo and defensive lapses at crucial stages of the match almost proving to be their undoing. Saints Manager Alex Craik must be pulling out what's left of his hair in frustration at this alarming slump and will be doing everything in his power to turn things around in the seven or, hopefully, eight matches that remain of his first season in charge.

Now seemingly well out of the race for the Scottish Amateur League Premier Division title Saints will hope to gather enough points to secure fourth place and finish "best of the rest" behind the three main title challengers East Kilbride FC Amateurs, Goldenhill and St Joseph's FP. That quest continues at Ballerup this Saturday against relegation threatened East Kilbride Rolls Royce. The Rolly are currently second bottom of the Premier Division with twelve points from sixteen games played and must win their two remaining fixtures if they are to have any hope of avoiding an immediate return to Premier Division One. After a poor opening half of the season the Rolly have enjoyed an upturn in fortune since the Christmas break taking eight of their twelve league points and putting together a cup run which has taken them to the semi-finals of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy. The semi-final tie against cup holders St Joseph's FP take place at McKenna Park on Saturday 14th May by which time the Rolly will have completed their league fixtures and, even if they have managed to gain maximum points from Saints on Saturday and Goldenhill next Monday, will still be left sweating on the outcome of the final league fixtures involving their fellow relegation strugglers.

Saints and the Rolly have faced each other twice already this season with Saints coming out on top on both occasions. At Glencruitten in the league in January Saints won a tight match 2 - 1 thanks to first half goals from David McArthur and Craig MacEwan with Austin Reid replying for the visitors. In the West of Scotland Cup at Murray Park last October Saints recorded a far more convincing 5 - 1 victory with Craig MacEwan and Willie Gemmell adding to a Donald Campbell hat-trick to complete a satisfy day out for the Oban lads.

On the team news front, although doubts remain over the availability of injured pair Marc Maccallum and Allan Mackay, Manager Alex Craik should have a strong squad available as he looks to build some momentum ahead of next Wednesday's Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-final against Motherwell Thistle.



East Kilbride Rolls Royce results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

15th August 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
29th August 2015 Finnart 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
5th September 2015 Alba Thistle 5 - 3 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
12th September 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 2 - 4 Inverclyde
24th October 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 3 St Joseph's FP
31st October 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 0 Alba Thistle
7th November 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 0 - 5 Finnart
14th November 2015 Inverclyde 2 - 0 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
12th December 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

9th January 2016 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 3 - 0 Campbeltown Pupils
23rd January 2016 Oban Saints 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
6th February 2016 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 3 - 2 Shawlands FP
5th March 2016 Shawlands FP 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
12th March 2016 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 2 Goldenhill
9th April 2016 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 7 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
30th April 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

First Round

22nd August 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 9 - 1 Dumbarton Wanderers

Second Round
10th October 2015 Hillington 1 - 0 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

First Round

Bye

Second Round
20th February 2016 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 12 - 3 Millbeg Villa

Third Round
19th March 2016 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 3 - 1 Kilbowie Union

Quarter Final
23rd April 2016 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 2 - 0 Jamestown

Scottish Amateur Cup

First Round

Bye

Second Round
3rd October 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 4 Semsa

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

First Round

19th September 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 3 - 1 FC Clydebank

Second Round
17th October 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 5 Oban Saints

East Kilbride Rolls Royce recent Scottish Amateur Football League record:-

2006 - 07 Premier Division Two 7th
2007 - 08 Premier Division Two 4th
2008 - 09 Premier Division Two 4th and Centenary Cup Runner Up
2009 - 10 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2010 - 11 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted and Jimmy Marshall Trophy Runner Up
2011 - 12 Premier Division 4th
2012 - 13 Premier Division 9th Relegated
2013 - 14 Premier Division One 7th
2014 - 15 Premier Division One 3rd Promoted


Saints SAFL Premier Division record v East Kilbride Rolls Royce in recent seasons:-

14th April 2012 Oban Saints 5 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
26th May 2012 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 2 - 1 Oban Saints
27th April 2013 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 2 - 2 Oban Saints
12th May 2013 Oban Saints 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

23rd January 2016 Oban Saints 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

Action from the Rollys visit to Glencruitten in January

David McArthur opens the scoring

Thomas McCulloch collects a cross

Dean Smith crosses looking for Craig MacEwan

In Other News

Saints Player/Assistant Manager Donald Campbell has been included in the squad for the Scottish Amateur Football Association Select's visit to Belfast on Saturday 14th May to face the Northern Amateur Football League Select. Donald's call up is a richly deserved reward, not only for his excellent season for Saints but also for the high level of commitment he has shown to the international squad in their various training sessions and friendlies. The National Select Manager Bruce McNaught has also been sufficiently impressed with the form of Scott Maitland and his showing in the recent Select Squad training session at Colville Park to place him on standby for the trip to Belfast in case of any call-offs. 

Donald Campbell

Scott Maitland

#monthesaints

Floodlights

Jack and Eliza - Floodlights

Wednesday 4th May 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League
Jimmy Marshall Trophy
Quarter Final Tie
Kings Park Rangers AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Toryglen Regional Football Centre
480 Prosptecthill Road
Glasgow
G42 0BY
Kick off 8pm
Referee Mr Gordon Hay

For the second successive Wednesday the Scottish Amateur Football League fixtures computer has handed Saints a midweek fixture. This week the destination is Toryglen Regional Football Centre where they will face Kings Park Rangers in the quarter finals of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy. The match kicks off under the floodlights at 8pm and must be played to a finish on the night with penalty kicks to decide the winners if the sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes.

With their hopes of challenging for the Premier Division title now virtually extinguished Saints only realistic chance of adding to the Argyll and Bute and Royal National Mod cups won in August and October lies with the Jimmy Marshall Trophy. To complete that particular mission Saints will not only have to prevail in the latest kick off time in their history but will also have to successfully negotiate two further midweek away trips against Motherwell Thistle in the semi-final and either East Kilbride Rolls Royce or St Joseph's FP in the final.

Saints and Wednesday's opponents Kings Park Rangers are old rivals and have over ninety years of Scottish Amateur Football League membership between them. The Croftfoot men are currently in seventh place in Premier Division One with nineteen points from seventeen matches. Already safe from the prospect of a second successive relegation KPR have three fixtures remaining in which to push themselves as high up the league table as possible and are currently enjoying their best form of the season. Since losing to probable league runners-up Ferguslie Star in March KPR are on a four match unbeaten run in league and cup including a 2 - 1 victory over Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-finalists Motherwell Thistle in their last outing.

Saints struggle to recapture the form which propelled them to the semi final of the Scottish Amateur Cup continued at Glencruitten last Saturday with a heavy defeat at the hands of West of Scotland Cup finalists Goldenhill. Despite the 6 - 2 scoreline Saints played excellent football in flashes and dominated play for long stages only to be undone by sloppy defending and some excellent finishing by the Gowdie. However the green shoots of recovery are there and will hopefully be nurtured further under the lights at Toryglen. Another positive to be taken from last Saturday is that Dene Cassells at last completed his six match suspension picked up against Colville Park in the fifth round of the West of Scotland Cup. With injuries piling up and the games coming thick and fast Dene's return to the squad will be a welcome sight for Manager Alex Craik.

Dene Cassells sits out the last game of his suspension at Glencruitten last Saturday with Paul Kerr and his son Finlay providing a blend of youth and experience on the Saints bench

 


Kings Park Rangers results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One

22nd August 2015 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 3 Jamestown
29th August 2015 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 3 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts
12th September 2015 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 0 Busby
19th September 2015 Kilbowie Union 2 - 0 Kings Park Rangers
3rd October 2015 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 4 Ferguslie Star
10th October 2015 Neilston 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
24th October 2015 Dunoon 2 - 4 Kings Park Rangers
14th November 2015 Kings Park Rangers 2 - 2 Neilston
21st November 2015 Motherwell Thistle 1 - 0 Kings Park Rangers
12th December 2015 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts 6 - 2 Kings Park Rangers

9th January 2016 Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 3 Kings Park Rangers
6th February 2016 Easthall Star 2 - 2 Kings Park Rangers
27th February 2016 Kings Park Rangers 4 - 2 Lochgilphead Red Star
5th March 2016 Ferguslie Star 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
12th March 2016 Kings Park Rangers 3 - 3 Easthall Star
16th April 2016 Jamestown 2 - 2 Kings Park Rangers
23rd April 2016 Kings Park Rangers 2 - 1 Motherwell Thistle

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

First Round

15th August 2015 Kings Park Rangers 3 - 4 Rutherglen

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

First Round

Bye

Second Round
13th February 2016 Kings Park Rangers 2 - 0 Port Glasgow Old Boys Union

Third Round
2nd April 2016 Kings Park Rangers 4 - 2 Hillington

Scottish Amateur Cup

First Round
5th September 2015 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 2 Linwood Thistle

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

First Round

Bye

Second Round
17th October 2015 Kings Park Rangers v Abronhill United (Walkover for KPR)

Third Round
28th November 2015 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 2 Harestanes

Kings Park Rangers recent SAFL record:-

2006-07 Premier Division 5th
2007-08 Premier Division 10th (Relegated)
2008-09 Premier Division One 7th

2009-10 Premier Division One 4th

2010-11 Premier Division One 3rd (Promoted)

2011-12 Premier Division 10th (Relegated)

2012-13 Premier Division One 7th

2013-14 Premier Division One 2nd (Promoted)

2014-15 Premier Division 10th (Relegated)

Saints recent record against Kings Park Rangers:-

2014-15
23rd August 2014 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
25th April 2015 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 4 Oban Saints

2011-12
19th May 2012 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers
17th September 2011 Kings Park Rangers 0 - 5 Oban Saints

2007-08
24th May 2008 Kings Park Rangers 1 - 3 Oban Saints
25th August 2007 Oban Saints 3 - 1 Kings Park Rangers

2006-07
28th April 2007 Oban Saints 0 - 1 Kings Park Rangers

23rd September 2006 Kings Park Rangers 3 - 3 Oban Saints

Action from Saints last meeting with King Park Rangers

Thomas McCulloch saves KPR free kick

KPR hit the post

Donald Campbell steps away from a challenge in midfield

A stramash in the KPR box

Myles McAuley hurdles a challenge

Scott Maitland opens his Saints goal scoring account to make it 3 - 1

Donald Campbell nets from the spot to round off the scoring at 4 - 1 to Saints

#monthesaints

No Joy Of Six

Saturday 30th April 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Oban Saints AFC 2 - 6 Goldenhill AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

Saints Starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Willie Gemmell
Jamie Graham
Scott Maitland

Myles McAuley
Keith Millar
Donald Campbell

Ross Maitland
Dean Smith
Craig MacEwan

Used Substitutes:-

Paul Carmichael
Dougal Graham

Unused Substitutes:-

Alex Craik
Paul Kerr

Saints Goalscorers:-

Myles McAuley ⚽
Ross Maitland ⚽

Last Saturday Saints returned to Glencruitten for the first time since the Scottish Amateur Cup quarter final win over Shortlees on 19th March in search of three precious points to keep their feint Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title hopes alive. Regrettably since that euphoric afternoon Saints have failed to recapture the form which propelled them to the semi final at New Douglas Park and faced an uphill struggle against West of Scotland Cup finalists Goldenhill. Adding to Manager Alex Craik's problems was the enforced absence through injuries sustained in the midweek 0 - 0 draw at Alba Thistle of Craig Campbell, Allan Mackay and Skipper Marc Maccallum. Also injured on Wednesday night in Paisley was Paul Kerr who was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench alongside Dougal Graham, new signing Paul Carmichael and the Manager. Despite the injury woes the starting line-up of Thomas McCulloch, David McArthur, Willie Gemmell, Jamie Graham, Scott Maitland, Myles McAuley, Keith Millar, Donald Campbell, Ross Maitland, Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan was strong and close to full strength.

After two successive goal-less draws on their travels Saints return to Glencruitten brought with it a glut of goals however the eight goals were not distributed quite as the Saints faithful would have hoped. The visitors kicked off attacking the Mossfield end and after a fairly even opening ten minutes were gifted a perfect chance to open the scoring when Scott Maitland made a hash of an attemped clearance of a cross from the Gowdie left. James Gallagher pounced on the loose ball and stabbed a first time effort straight at Thomas McCulloch which the big keeper did well to touch onto his left hand post. Gallagher was first to the rebound, easily tricking his way past Maitland before shooting from a tight angle towards the near post where Jamie Graham had taken up a good position to knock the ball behind for a corner kick. Gowdie Skipper Richard Gow won the header from the corner but sent his back post effort well wide of target. Saints Skipper for the day Donald Campbell produced a reminder of the talents which have caught the eye of Scottish International Select Manager Bruce McNaught by skillfully working his way out of a tight angle by the corner flag before being hauled back by Damon Gray before he could make his way into the penalty box. Ross Maitland curled the free kick to the back post but the Gowdie defence made good use of their height advantage to head clear. Gowdie left winger Martin Lawlor was giving Saints right back David McArthur some worrying moments and Willie Gemmell has to react quickly in the eighteenth minute to cut out a dangerous looking Lawlor cross heading behind at the near post for a corner kick. With the Saints defence expecting the big men to come up from the back the Gowdie took a quick short free kick which was pulled back to Matt Moore on the edge of the box who swept a left foot shot just wide of the foot of McCulloch's left hand post. The visitors were now beginning to pick holes in the home defence and had three excellent chances in the space of two minutes. A twenty second minute Matt Moore long throw from the left was headed out of the box by Willie Gemmell but feel invitingly for Jack Bennett who fired in a sweetly struck shot from which Thomas McCulloch produced an excellent save low down to his right. McCulloch was the hero again just moments later when another miscued clearance from Scott Maitland fell to James Gallagher who couldn't believe his eyes as McCulloch pulled of a lighting reactions save to deny the striker from four yards range. In the twenty fourth minute Martin Lawlor again got the better of McCulloch on the Gowdie left and picked out Daniel McKenna in front of goals. This time McCulloch was beaten but Myles McAuley produced some heroics of his own to get back onto the goal line and block McKenna's shot at the keeper's left hand post. Somewhat against the run of play Saints opened the scoring in the twenty ninth minute with a rare appearance on the goal scorer's sheet for Myles McAuley. After being labelled the least prolific of goal scorers last week it was with no little irony that the combative midfielder notched his second goal of the campaign from a move which he started and finished himself. Picking up a Craig MacEwan knock down in midfield Myles drove at the heart of the Gowdie defence before slipping the ball wide to Ross Maitland. Myles continued his run into the box where he was picked out by a pin-point Maitland cross from the right bulleting his header into the bottom corner past Gowdie keeper Scott Rennie. The goal lit the blue touch paper for Saints who produced a ten minute spell of excellent football keeping the visitors very much on the back foot. The lead was doubled in the thirty second minute with McAuley and Maitland again linking up well to open up the Gowdie defence. Myles powered forward on the Saints left and fed Ross on the edge of the box. Ross worked his way along the eighteen yard line and curled a right foot shot towards the postage stamp corner which took a deflection off the head of a Gowdie defender completely wrong footing Scott Rennie and nestling in the back off the net. Saints continued their purple patch with Dean Smith testing Scott Rennie low down to his left after a smart turn and shot on the edge of the eighteen yard box. Dean came close again moments later as both he and Ross Maitland timed their runs well to beat the Gowdie off-side trap and get on the end of a defence splitting Donald Campbell pass. Ross drew the advancing keeper and slipped the ball to Dean on his left who, with more time than he realised, opted for a left foot chip shot which drifted high and wide of the near post. Myles McAuley started another sweeping move in the thirty seventh minute bisecting Steven Dock and Damon Gray with an excellent pass to release Scott Maitland on the left wing. Scott raced to the bye-line and sent a cut back to Ross Maitland whose spectacular scissor kick flew inches wide of Scott Rennie's right hand post. The Saints ascendancy was brought to an abrupt halt in the thirty ninth minute with a simple ball over the top. Jamie Graham appeared to slip missing his header and allowing James Gallagher to run in unchallenged and slot a good left foot finish into the bottom corner. Two minutes later Gallagher was in behind the Saints defence again rounding the advancing Thomas McCulloch who resisted the temptation to make a risky challenge. Fortunately for Saints Gallagher's touch was slightly heavy leaving him with an acute angle from where he could only find the side netting. The visitors didn't have long to wait for their equaliser which came gift wrapped from a static home defence. Matt Moore launched in another of his long throw-ins from the right with Damon Gray reacting quickest to dispatch the bouncing ball past the helpless Thomas McCulloch. Saints reacted positively to this set back and straight from the re-start Ross Maitland made a incisive run at the Gowdie defence before slipping the ball to his left for Craig MacEwan. Craig advanced into the box but shot straight at Scott Rennie who pulled off a good save leaving the Saints striker disappointed not to have scored. It was honours even at half time which was a fair reflection of the first forty five minutes.

The Gowdie threatened twice on their right flank in the opening minutes of the second half with Jamie Graham twice making important interceptions to cut out the danger. Saints weathered this initial storm and began to gain the upper hand with Keith Millar anchoring the midfield allowing Donald Campbell and Myles McAuley to probe for openings for the front three. In the forty eighth minute Donald Campbell found Craig MacEwan in space on the edge of the Gowdie box with Craig unfortunate to see a net bound right foot shot deflected wide for a corner kick. In a brief respite for their defence the Gowdie broke forward with Jack Bennett smashing in a twenty eight yard shot which Willie Gemmell did well to block on the edge of his own box. There was a moment of controversy in the fifty first minute as Craig MacEwan burst into the box and appeared to be fouled by Richard Gow. Craig could well have gone down under the challenge but having been twice wrongly booked for simulation already this season continued his run and got his shot away at the near post only to be thwarted by an excellent block by Matt Moore. Saints continued to press but found clear cut chances hard to come by against the well drilled Gowdie defence and, just as in the first half, conceded when they were on top. In the sixty third minute another Saints attack broke down on the edge of the Gowdie box with Myles McAuley halting the counter attack by clipping the heels of Martin Lawlor on the half way line. The free kick was swung in from the left and met by Richard Gow who headed down into the box. Once again the Saints defence failed to react with James Gallagher winning the second ball and tucking the ball inside Thomas McCulloch's left hand post to give the visitors the lead. Manager Alex Craik made the first of two changes in the sixty fifth minute giving a debut to Paul Carmichael who replaced Dean Smith in the middle of the front three. Paul showed up reasonably well considering this was his first game of football for seven weeks and should prove to be a valuable addition to the Saints squad. Thomas McCulloch produced another good save in the sixty sixth minute getting down well to his right to smother a Steven Dock shot from the edge of the box. Failure to deal with the long ball over the top once again proved to be the undoing of the Saints defence. A long clearance from Scott Rennie had the Saints defence backpedaling with Willie Gemmell's attempted clearing header landed behind him and conveniently into the path of James Gallagher. The Saints defence appealed in vain for an offside decision against Gallagher who buried the chance past Thomas McCulloch to seal his hat-trick. Saints kept probing for the opening which would bring them back into the game but the Gowdie defence stood firm providing the platform for some devastating counter attacks. In the seventy ninth minute the Gowdie profited again from Saints failure to deal with the ball over the top. Daniel McKenna nipped in behind Jamie Graham and slammed a terrific finish into the postage stamp corner leaving Thomas McCulloch clutching at fresh air. The hesitancy in the back four then spread to the goalkeeper with a caught in two minds McCulloch making a hash of a clearance which landed at the feet of Martin Lawlor who somehow managed to miss an open goal screwing his first time effort wide of target. With ten minutes remaining Saints made their final change with Dougal Graham replacing Scott Maitland at left back. In the eighty fourth minute Daniel McKenna almost repeated his scoring feat of five minutes earlier cutting in from the left and shooting across Thomas McCulloch who this time was equal to McKenna's effort and showed good handling to hold the shot. The scoring was completed in the eighty sixth minute when Matt Moore was allowed far too much time on the edge of the box to send in a dipping shot which deceived McCulloch and bounced into the net for the visitor's sixth and thankfully final goal. Mercifully Referee Jimmy Litster, who handled the match well without the need to produce a single yellow card, blew for full time almost certainly signalling the end of Saints league title hopes for another season. 

The result not only keeps the Gowdie in the title race but also gives them a massive confidence boost ahead of next Friday's West of Scotland Cup final against Shortlees at New Douglas Park, Hamilton. 

Saints turn their attentions to the Jimmy Marshall Trophy on Wednesday night which now represents their only realistic hope of ending the season with some silverware. The quarter final tie at Toryglen against Kings Park Rangers kicks off at 8pm and must be played to a finish on the night with penalty kicks to decide the winner if the sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes.

Scott Rennie gathers corner kick cleanly

Craig MacEwan and Steven Dock

Myles McAuley and Jack Bennett

Donald Campbell gets the better of Damon Gray

Scott Maitland and Keith Millar

Myles McAuley opens the scoring

Craig MacEwan wins header from Damon Gray

Half time team talk

Ross Maitland and Dean Smith kick off the second half

Donald Campbell and Paul Carmichael

Ross Maitland

Paul Carmichael

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