Few Stars

Wednesday 2nd August 2017

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC 4 - 2 Lochgilphead Red Star AFC

Glencruitten 1

Glencruitten Drive

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EB

Kick off 7.00pm

Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Used Substitutes:-

Craig Campbell

Cameron Kerr

Keir MacLean

David Smith

Oban Saints and close neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star warmed up for this Saturday's Argyll & Bute Cup Tournament with a keenly contested friendly at Glencruitten on Wednesday evening. Skipper Marc Maccallum made his first appearance of preseason partnering Jamie Graham at the heart of a four man defence with Matthew Kelly and Scott Maitland filling the full-back berths. Fraser MacFarlane was given a start in midfield alongside experienced duo Willie Gemmell and Keith Millar. Up front Paul Carmichael lead the line flanked by Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan. Goalkeeper Graham Douglas completed a strong Saints line-up. After impressing in training former Oban Athletic midfielder  David Smith was handed a place on the bench where he joined former team-mate Craig Campbell and youngsters Cameron Kerr and Keir MacLean. Missing out after picking up a groin strain during the warm-up was Daniel Croarkin.

Despite not firing on all cylinders Saints raced into an early lead notching three goals inside the opening thirty minutes. A lofted tenth minute Willie Gemmell free-kick from the Saints left picked out the back post run of Paul Carmichael who from four yards headed back across Ben Pollock in the Red Star goal and into the bottom corner of the net. 

Two minutes later a smart turn in the box gave last season's top scorer Craig MacEwan the space to crash a left foot shot into the roof of the net and double the home side's advantage.

Saints also came close through Paul Carmichael, Willie Gemmell, Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith before Craig MacEwan doubled his tally for the evening. A Matthew Kelly free-kick from the Saints right on the half hour mark was flicked on by Paul Carmichael to Craig MacEwan on the left of the box who rifled a similar finish to his earlier strike past Ben Pollock.    

Saints were good value for their lead at this stage but failed to push on as they we would have liked allowing the visitors back into the game. Red Star's four man midfield began to use their numerical advantage to gain more of the ball however they failed to penetrate the Saints defence which remained reasonably comfortable through to the half-time interval.

Red Star started the second half the more positive of the two and within five minutes of the re-start hauled themselves back into contention with a smart Ciaran Mcphie finish after good work on the right by substitute Rab Docherty. 

The revitalised visitors appeared a far better proposition now with Saints struggling to shake off the lethargy which had set in towards the end of the first half.

In the fifty fifth minute Marc Maccallum and Paul Carmichael made way for Craig Campbell, who was making a welcome return after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and young Keir MacLean making his debut for the senior Saints team.

The sides exchanged chances either side of the hour mark with Dean Smith sending in a tempting cross from the right for the hosts which Craig MacEwan was just underneath and the visitors hitting the side netting after a swift counter attack on the left wing.

Saints Gaffer Alex Craik handed debuts to Cammy Kerr, another of Saints promising youngsters, and former Saints youth player David Smith who returns to club to make a long overdue senior debut. Making way for the new arrivals were Willie Gemmell and Dean Smith. The replacements prompted a slight reshuffle with young Cammy Kerr taking up the left back berth and Scott Maitland moving up front, while David Smith took Willie Gemmell's place in midfield.    

The hosts were still adjusting to the changes when Red Star carved out another opportunity on the left which this time they converted with youngster Ciaran Mcphie sliding in at the near post to knock the ball past Graham Douglas.

The prospect of losing a three goal lead to their closest neighbours finally generated a positive response from Saints who struck again in the seventy fifth minute. Scott Maitland's tenacity won back possession deep inside the Red Star half and wide on the right. Scott linked up well with Craig MacEwan and Keir MacLean and swung in a cross towards the back post. The unmarked Fraser MacFarlane headed back across the face of goal for Keir MacLean to nod home a debut goal from one yard out. 

At the other end there was one final scare for Saints when an eightieth minute free-kick from the right was turned onto the inside of the post before bouncing kindly into the grateful arms of keeper Graham Douglas.

Referee Litster brought proceedings to a close leaving Saints Manager Alex Craik much to ponder ahead of the Argyll and Bute Cup tournament this weekend and the first competitive match of the season away at Hillington just seven days later.  

Team Captains with Referee Jimmy Litster

Marc Maccallum

Paul Carmichael heads Saints into the lead

Willie Gemmell sends a free-kick wide of the post

Craig MacEwan rifles a shot past Ben Pollock to make it 3 - 0 to Saints

Craig MacEwan

A last ditch sliding challenge denies Scott Maitland

Keir MacLean

Fraser MacFarlane

Matthew Kelly

David Smith

Kerr MacLean marks his debut with Saints fourth goal

Keir MacLean is congratulated on his goal by Craig MacEwan

Craig Campbell

Jamie Graham dives in on Rab Docherty

Cammy Kerr protects the family jewels

Cammy Kerr

#monthesaints

Thistle Come South

Saturday 29th July 2017

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC v South Lochaber Thistle AFC

Glencruitten 1

Glencruitten Drive

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EB

Kick off 2.00pm

Referee Mr John Scott

After last Saturday's entertaining 3 - 3 home draw with Vale of Leven Juniors, Saints continue their preseason preparations this weekend against South Lochaber Thistle. Saints Kinlochleven based neighbours make a swift return to Oban following their D&K Lafferty Cup debut three weeks ago where they kindly stepped in at very short notice to fill the void left by the withdrawal of Berwick Rangers.

Since their D&K Lafferty Cup appearance the Jags have seen a proposed trip to the Kintyre peninsula to face Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One Campbeltown Pupils fall through however they did manage a journey along the A830 Road to the Isles to face Mallaig this midweek. Having drawn a blank in their four forty minute matches against Saints, Alloa Athletic, Dundee United and Hamilton Academical, the Jags finally found their scoring boots against the Lochaber Welfare League outfit finally running out 3 - 2 winners.

The Jags finished as runners-up in last season's West of Scotland Amateur Football League Premier Division behind Erskine based Champions Newshot. Sadly that was the last ever season of the oldest amateur football league in the world which has now folded after 119 years. Thankfully The Jags have been able to find a new league and will take up residence in the Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League for the new season. They do so as the last ever winners of the West of Scotland Amateur Football League Challenge Shield where they defeated league Champions Newshot in a penalty shoot-out; and the Iain Thomson Memorial Trophy which was secured with a 3 -1 victory over Cardross with both finals being played at Greenfield Park the home of Shettleston Juniors.

South Lochaber Thistle Iain Thomson Memorial Trophy Winners 2017

Saints and South Lochaber Thistle have met in friendlies twice before. Firstly in monsoon conditions in Kinlochleven last September where a Donald Campbell hat-trick and a goal each from Craig MacEwan and Fraser MacFarlane saw Saints saw Saints travel home wet but happy after a good workout for both sides. On target for the Jags in a 5 - 1 Saints win was Scott Hunter. More recently, in the D&K Lafferty Cup in Oban, Donald Campbell was once again Thistle's chief tormentor with a brace to add to a Craig MacEwan strike giving Saints a comfortable 3 - 0 win against the rusty looking Jags. Injuries, holidays and work commitments dictated that Saints Manager Alex Craik had to draft in youngsters Kenneth Black, Jay Cooper, Gavin Forgrieve and Ruaridh Horne for that particular encounter. Despite a number of senior players returning to action the promising Saints youngsters will continue to figure prominently in the Gaffer's plans for this Saturday's match.  

South Lochaber Thistle v Oban Saints Wednesday 21st September 2016

Dene Cassells beats Scott Rodger in the air to head clear

Myles McAuley and Andrew Cunningham

Referee David Dunlop watches the line as Saints defend a free kick

Alan Gray lines up a free kick

Saints defend a first half corner kick

Half time team talk

Donald Campbell and Daniel Mackintosh

Donald Campbell is headed off by Dave Forbes

Craig MacEwan skips past Scott Rodger

Oban Saints v South Lochaber Thistle Saturday 8th July 2017

Ruaridh Horne

Craig MacEwan nets Saints second

Kenneth Black

Gavin Forgrieve

Jay Cooper

#monthesaints

Draw With Vale

Saturday 22nd July 2017

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC 3 - 3 Vale of Leven F &AC

Glencruitten 1

Glencruitten Drive

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EB

Kick off 2.00pm

Referee Mr John Stobo

Oban Saints welcomed regular visitors Vale of Leven Juniors back to Oban for a preseason friendly last Saturday. To the relief of all, the heavy rain which put a dampener on last year's meeting was nowhere to be seen and the match went ahead in pleasant conditions on an excellent Glencruitten 1 surface.

Holidays, injuries and work commitments severely restricted Alex Craik's options with the Gaffer having to rely on an extremely youthful bench to back up an experienced starting eleven. In goal for Saints was Graham Douglas who has reclaimed the number one jersey from recently retired Thomas McCulloch. An untried central defensive partnership of Jamie Graham and David McPhee slotted in between full backs Matthew Kelly and Scott Maitland. The midfield had an extremely experienced look with skipper for the day Donald Campbell taking a central role alongside Willie Gemmell and, fit again after missing most of last season, Keith Millar. Up front Paul Carmichael led the line flanked by Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith. On the bench were youngsters Kenneth Black, Jay Cooper, Gavin Forgrieve and Sol Smith with the Gaffer naming himself among the substitutes to significantly increase the average age.

The visitors, under new Manager Brian Brown, brought a strong twenty man squad with the full intention of giving each player at least forty five minutes of game time.   

Saints kicked off attacking the railway end and the first half motored along at a good pace with the visitors creating the better of the openings in the early exchanges. Right sided midfielder Richard Stewart twice headed off target with Andrew Biddulph and Allan Macpherson also sending shots over the crossbar. Former Haldane United man Macpherson was renewing acquaintances in the middle of the park with Scottish Amateur international colleague Donald Campbell who fizzed a shot wide of the postage stamp corner after good approach play on the Saints left. 

Neither keeper was tested until the nineteenth minute when Saints opened the scoring after another good move on the left. Scott Maitland played the ball up to Paul Carmichael who held the ball up well and laid back to Fraser MacFarlane. The diminutive winger found the overlapping Scott Maitland who threaded a well weighted ball sending Paul Carmichael through on goal. Vale keeper Robert Tiropoulous advanced to his six yard line but was beaten from just inside the eighteen yard box by Carmichael who tucked a low shot inside the keeper's left hand post.

Making his first appearance in preseason Dean Smith brought the first save of the match from Robert Tiropoulous who got finger tips to Dean's shot from the edge of the D to turn the ball over his crossbar.

The visitor's found the net in the thirty third minute with their first effort on target when Benjamin Craig turned well on the eighteen yard line and beat Graham Douglas low down to his right.

Four minutes later Douglas produced an excellent finger tip save to deny Andrew Biddulph after the Vale striker got the better of Jamie Graham with a neat turn on the edge of the box.

At the other end an Allan Macpherson foul on Matthew Kelly gave Willie Gemmell a free-kick opportunity twenty two yards out but the Saints dead ball expert failed to trouble Tiropoulous in the Vale goal sending his effort high over the crossbar.

Five minutes before the interval Willie's pinpoint passing accuracy opened up the Vale defence for Paul Carmichael who had his progress unceremoniously halted by Tiropoulous at the expense of a penalty kick. The big keeper guessed correctly but was beaten by the pace on Donald Campbell's spot kick which fizzed past his left hand into the bottom corner of the net.

Tiropoulous denied Saints a third goal with an excellent finger tip save to deny Donald Campbell after another good move on the left before Referee John Stobo blew for half-time.

The visitors made wholesale changes for the second half with only left back Stephen Griffen and goalkeeper Robert Tiropoulous re-emerging from the pavilion after the half-time interval.

The second half began in disastrous fashion for Saints who conceded twice inside three minutes. A forty sixth minute corner kick from the right was met by Greg Ross who squeezed a header between Graham Douglas and Scott Maitland at the front post. Barely sixty seconds later the visitors took the lead for the first time when a cross from the Vale right evaded Matthew Kelly allowing Robbie Dolan a shot on goal. Graham Douglas narrowed the angle well but could only parry Dolan's effort into the path of Andrew Clark who had the simplest of tasks in rolling the ball into the unguarded net.

To compound the misery for Saints Donald Campbell aggravated the groin strain picked up in the D&K Lafferty tournament and had to leave the field for what looks likely to be an extended spell on the sidelines. Donald's replacement was young Kenneth Black who slotted in at left back with Scott Maitland moving into midfield. 

After a rocky start Saints steadied the ship against the reinvigorated visitors and drew level in the fifty fifth minute. Paul Carmichael controlled a long ball from Willie Gemmell and held off the challenge of Adam Monaghan before picking out Scott Maitland's back post run. Robert Tiropoulous came off his line to intercept Scott's run and did well to turn the ball behind for a corner kick. Fraser MacFarlane delivered an excellent ball from the right which was met perfectly on the penalty spot by Paul Carmichael who powered a sensational header into the top corner much to the delight of the Saints bench.

The remainder of the second half ebbed and flowed without too many clear cut chances. Scott Maitland had a goal bound shot deflected wide for a corner after good work on the right by Matthew Kelly and Fraser MacFarlane before Graham Douglas tipped over a twenty five yard effort from Andrew Clark.

Before the corner kick could be taken Gaffer Alex Craik withdrew Fraser MacFarlane and Dean Smith replacing them with two more of Saints promising youngsters Jay Cooper and Gavin Forgrieve. The personnel change also brought about a change of formation to a 3-5-2 with Willie Gemmell dropping into the back three alongside Jamie Graham and David McPhee. 

The new look Saints defence coped well with Vale's twin strike force with new boy McPhee comfortable alongside the experienced Gemmell and Graham. In the midfield old head Keith Millar marshaled youngsters Kenneth Black and Gavin Forgrieve who will have benefited greatly from playing against such experienced opposition. 

Saints made their final change with fifteen minutes remaining giving a debut to young Sol Smith who replaced Matthew Kelly on the right of the five man midfield. 

Vale central midfielder David McNaught fired a twenty five yard effort over the crossbar after a good eighty third minute passing move had opened up the Saints defence.

With one minute of the ninety remaining Referee Mr Stobo strangely penalised Sol Smith for a foul Robbie Dolan wide on the Vale left. The award mystified the Saints players whose incredulity would have quickly turned to anger had Graham Douglas not produced the save of the match to deny Mark Butler from close range. Butler's cushioned effort from the six yard line had Sugar at full stretch to push the ball wide. Butler could scarcely believe his luck but pursued the ball and played it back across goal where the combined efforts of Willie Gemmell, Jamie Graham and Keith Millar kept the ball away from the waiting Andrew Clark before Sugar finally pounced to smother the ball and calm the nerves.

Mr Stobo brought a sporting contest to an end with honours even and both sides satisfied with a good workout.

Saints continue their preseason schedule with training on Monday and Wednesday nights before the visit of South Lochaber Thistle next Saturday.

Team Captains Donald Campbell and Kenneth Wilson with Referee John Stobo

Scott Maitland and Keith Millar converge upon Richard Stewart

   

Paul Carmichael beats Matthew Devine in the air

Dean Smith

Scott Maitland

Paul Carmichael opens the scoring

Dean Smith and Stephen Griffen tangle

Donald Campbell restores Saints lead from the penalty spot

Paul Carmichael holds off Stephen Griffen

Saints youngsters warm-up

Greg Ross levels the scores at 2 - 2

The Saints players celebrate Paul Carmichael's leveler

Matthew Kelly

Graham Douglas

Jamie Graham turns away from Andrew Clark

Sol Smith and Robbie Dolan

Graham Douglas saves from Mark Butler to deny Vale a late winner

Graham Douglas finally smothers the ball to ensure the match ends honours even

#monthesaints

Vale Meet Again

Saturday 22nd July 2017

Pre-Season Friendly

Oban Saints AFC v Vale of Leven F &AC

Glencruitten 1

Glencruitten Drive

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EB

Kick off 2.00pm

Referee Mr John Stobo

Saints are delighted to welcome back third time visitors Vale of Leven Juniors this Saturday afternoon for what should be another good preseason workout for both sets of players. Saints got their preseason fixtures schedule off and running in traditional style two weeks ago in the D&K Lafferty Cup tournament where two wins and two defeats secured a third placed finish behind Dundee United and tournament winners Hamilton Academical. Manager Alex Craik will look to raise the level a little further in the first of the three ninety minute matches the club has planned before the Argyll & Bute Cup on 5th August and the start of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division campaign one week later.

The Vale commenced their preseason training on 17th June and played their first friendly last Saturday at home to West Calder United where a fifty seventh minute Mark Butler equaliser secured a 1 - 1 draw against their East Region South opponents. This was quickly followed two days later by a 3 - 2 win against Saints former Scottish Amateur Football League rivals Thorn Athletic. Vale raced into a three goal lead through goals from Robbie Dolan and a brace from Ben Craig. Keeper and Skipper Robert Tiropoulos also saved a first half penalty from Thorn's Jordan Devine to further cement the home side's advantage. A very much below full strength Thorn rallied in the second half inspired by former Saints tormentor Paul Young. A trademark Young free kick brought the Caledonian League Premier Division outfit back into the match before another Young set piece delivery was glanced on by Thorn Manager and second half substitute James Donnelly before finding it's way into the net via an unsuspecting Josh Grace.

Vale currently ply their trade in the Scottish Junior Football Association West Region Central District Second Division where they finished last season in sixth place with thirty three points from twenty two games played. Despite trailing home fifteen points behind champions Glasgow Perthshire this was a significant improvement on the previous season's tenth place which was Vale's lowest final league position for 51 years.

As part of their quest to revive the club's fortunes the 2016 Annual General Meeting ratified the promotion of Under 21's Manager Brian Brown to the post of Assistant to first team Manger Hugh Hamill. The second phase of the succession plan was implemented at this year's AGM when Hugh stood down after twenty years and three months at the helm to make way for Brian. The new Gaffer will be assisted by his brother and former club captain Alan Brown. The pair follow in the footsteps of their father Jimmy who was Vale manager for fifteen years before leaving to take up the reins at Dumbarton where he had previously enjoyed a spell on the playing staff. The Brown brothers have moved swiftly to add SFA coach Kenny McComish to the backroom team to complement the existing coaching staff of Hugh Ward and Iain Lee for what they hope will be an exciting new chapter in the club's history.

New Vale Manager Brian Brown

Notwithstanding their current lowly league position the Vale have a long and illustrious history in the game and to secure this preseason friendly match between the clubs is a major coup for Saints. Originally founded in 1872 Vale of Leven won three successive Scottish Cups (1877 - 79) and became unofficial British champions in 1878 beating English F.A. Cup holders The Wanderers at Kennington Oval. In 1890 they were founder members of the Scottish Football League where, excluding brief flirtations with the Scottish Alliance, the Scottish Football Combination and the Western League, they remained until 1939 when they club disbanded due to the suspension of league football for World War Two. The club immediately re-emerged as Vale of Leven Football and Athletic Club becoming members of the Scottish Junior Football Association. Over the years many league and cup successes followed the biggest of which being the Scottish Junior Cup win in 1953.

Millburn Park, Alexandria home of Vale of Leven Football and Athletic Club

Thousands lined the streets of Alexandria, Bonhill and Renton to cheer the Vale's victory parade

Last year's encounter

The visitors took the lead in the sixth minute from an innocuous looking deep cross from the right wing by Adam Monaghan. Thomas McCulloch elected to stay on his line allowing Monaghan's cross to reach Scott Cowan who out-jumped Jamie Graham at the back post to head the ball back across goal for Craig Cowan to nod into the net from three yards out. Despite the early reverse Saints continued to impress against their semi-professional opponents and eventually got their reward for their first half exertions deservedly drawing level five minutes before the break. Myles McAuley threaded a perfectly weighted through ball for Donald Campbell's run through the inside left channel. In charge of team affairs for the day in the absence of Manager Alex Craik, Donald made no mistake calmly passing the ball into the bottom corner of the net past the Vale keeper's despairing left hand. McAuley was involved again at the other end when he was harshly penalised by Referee Litster twenty eight yards from his own goal. Lee McGeachy curled the free kick around the Saints wall drawing an excellent save from Thomas McCulloch diving full length to his left to send the teams into the half time interval on level terms. 

The second half saw a number of changes for both sides with Saints introducing youngsters Jay Cooper, Daniel Croarkin, Fraser MacFarlane and fifteen year old Lewis Buchanan to the fray. Notwithstanding the raft of changes made by both sides and the worsening weather conditions the second half maintained the high tempo of the first forty five. The Saints youngsters were certainly not overawed by the occasion and showed up well against their more experienced opponents with Jay Cooper coming close to netting a late winner cutting in from the left and forcing Vale keeper Morrison into a smart save at his near post. Referee Jimmy Litster, who had enjoyed an easy afternoon's work, brought a good natured contest to an end with honours even and plenty of positives for both sides to take into their next warm-up fixtures.


Saints still have a few regulars missing due to injury and holidays which will leave room in the match day squad for a number of the club's promising youngsters. Manager Alex Craik will be keen to give as many players as possible some valuable game time against experienced opposition. It is anticipated that the Vale will bring their full squad to Oban for the third of their five friendlies before their season kicks off in earnest with a Sectional League Cup tie away at Port Glasgow Juniors on Wednesday 2nd August.

#monthesaints