Ain't That A Shame

Fats Domino - Ain't That A Shame

Saturday 28th October 2017

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Oban Saints AFC v Inverclyde AFC

Glencruitten 2

Mossfield Avenue

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4EH

Kick Off 2pm

Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

After last Saturday's mauling at the hands of an excellent Goldenhill side, the heaviest defeat in the club's fifty seven year history, Saints will regroup at Glencruitten this Saturday for the visit of Inverclyde. With four defeats already at this early stage in the league campaign Saints can ill afford any further slip-ups and will quickly have to rediscover their best form if they are to avoid being cut adrift at the foot of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division table.

Saturday's match will be another stiff challenge as visitors Inverclyde look to continue their promising start to the league campaign. With seven points from four matches 'Clyde currently sit in third spot, four points better off than ninth placed Saints having played one game less. 

Impressive wins against Motherwell Thistle and Hillington, both of whom have taken maximum points from Saints, and a share of the points against 2015 - 16 Champions East Kilbride FC Amateurs has seen 'Clyde make an excellent start to their third season back in the Scottish Amateur Football League's top division. The only black mark on 'Clyde's league record is their narrow 3 -2 defeat away at Goldenhill which, given the Gowdie's scintillating form, should also go down as a decent result.

Inverclyde's excellent start to the 2017-18 season has also seen them progress to the semi-finals of the Centenary Cup where they will face Alba Thistle. Wins against Cardross, Hillington and Port Glasgow saw 'Clyde top group section North 4 with maximum points before seeing off Premier Division One Rossvale in the quarter-finals to set up the clash with another of the Premier Division's form sides Alba Thistle.

In the major cup competitions Inverclyde squeezed past Premier Division Two Duncanrig FP before bagging a home Scottish Amateur Cup third tie against Linlithgow Thistle of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Premier Division.

Unfortunately, after a comfortable second round win against Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division Two FC Ballieston, the West of Scotland Cup third round draw paired 'Clyde with 2014 cup winners and reigning Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Premier Division Champions Hurlford Thistle. The 5 - 0 defeat at the hands of Ayrshire's top dogs was a sore one for 'Clyde but certainly no disgrace as Thistle look set to launch a serious bid for national silverware to add to their seemingly endless haul of Ayrshire trophies.

Saints Gaffer Alex Craik returns from his two week October break to retake the reigns from Assistant Donald Campbell and will be hoping to add a few established names to last week's threadbare squad.

    

Inverclyde's results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

19th August 2017 Inverclyde 1 - 1 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
26th August 2017 Goldenhill AFC 3 - 2 Inverclyde AFC
2nd September 2017 Inverclyde 4 - 0 Motherwell Thistle
21st October 2017 Hillington 2 - 5 Inverclyde

SAFL Centenary Cup

1st Round Group Section North 4
12th August 2017 Cardross 1 - 13 Inverclyde
16th August 2017 Inverclyde 3 - 0 Hillington
23rd August 2017 Inverclyde 3 - 2 Port Glasgow

Quarter Final
7th October 2017 Inverclyde 4 - 1 Rossvale

Semi Final
Inverclyde v Alba Thistle

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
30th September 2017 Duncanrig FP 1 - 2 Inverclyde

3rd Round
4th November 2107 Inverclyde v Linlithgow Thistle

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
16th September 2017 Inverclyde 6 - 1 FC Baillieston

3rd Round
14th October 2017 Inverclyde 0 - 5 Hurlford Thistle

Saints Skipper Marc MacCallum makes the introductions when the Saints and Inverclyde met in the 20113 - 14 SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final

Inverclyde AFC recent SAFL finishes:-

2006 - 07 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted

2007 - 08 Premier Division 2nd

2008 - 09 Premier Division 7th

2009 - 10 Premier Division 5th

2010 - 11 Premier Division 5th

2011 - 12 Premier Division 8th

2012 - 13 Premier Division 6th

2013 - 14 Premier Division 9th Relegated

2014 - 15 Premier Division One 5th Promoted

2015 - 16 Premier Division 7th

2016 - 17 Premier Division 7th

Saints SAFL Premier Division home record v Inverclyde in recent seasons:-

2007 - 08 16th February 2008 Oban Saints 0 - 1 Inverclyde

2008 - 09 4th April 2009 Oban Saints 1 - 1 Inverclyde

2009 - 10 13th March 2010 Oban Saints 5 - 2 Inverclyde

2010 - 11 19th February 2011 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Inverclyde

2011 - 12 27th August 2011 Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde

2012 - 13 25th May 2013 Oban Saints 3 - 3 Inverclyde

2013 - 14 24th May 2014 Oban Saints 2 - 0 Inverclyde

2015 - 16 22nd May 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 1 Inverclyde
2016 - 17 27th August 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 2 Inverclyde

Last Season's Corresponding Fixture

Saints warmed up for their crunch Scottish Amateur Cup first round tie against Finnart with a hard fought league win against against old rivals Inverclyde at Glencruitten.

After a solid start from the home side the Saints defence was carved open in the seventh minute with new signing from Dunoon Amateurs Guy Finnegan rounding off an excellent move from the left with a thumping finish past a hopelessly exposed Thomas McCulloch to give the visitors the lead.

Saints equalised in the seventeenth minute from a well worked move on the left. Willie Gemmell threaded a pass through the inside left channel which Craig MacEwan allowed to run past him for the overlapping Jamie Graham. The visitors appealed for offside against Craig MacEwan but Referee John Scott correctly allowed play to continue. Jamie drove on towards the bye-line and sent a low cut back to Willie Gemmell who fired a first time shot into the bottom corner past Michael Ptolomey's left hand.

Saints kept up the pressure which eventually told on the half hour mark when Donald Campbell pounced on a moment of hesitation in the Inverclyde back four. Donald robbed Fraser Gunn ten yards inside the 'Clyde half and sent Ross Maitland off on a run up the right wing leaving 'Clyde left back Robbie McAlpine trailing in his wake. Ross produced another excellent delivery picking out Craig MacEwan at the back post who beat Christopher McGivern and Greg Wilson turning the ball into the net to give Saints the lead.

A slow start to the second half for Saints was punished when a cheaply conceded free kick on the 'Clyde right gave Robbie McAlpine a chance to put the ball into the danger area which he gladly accepted. The left full back whipped an excellent delivery into the box meeting Greg Wilson's well timed run past a static Saints defence to head the ball into the net for the equaliser.

This was just the wake up call Saints needed and they struck back almost immediately from the restart. Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell linked up well on the edge of the 'Clyde box with Craig's quick pass sending Donald in behind the defence and through on goal. Keeper Ptolomey once again got his angles spot on coming out at his near post to close Donald down and turn the ball behind for a corner. Donald also got on the end of Ross Maitland's corner from the right with his downward header causing all sorts of confusion in the 'Clyde defence which David McArthur capitalised on to sneak the loose ball in at the back post to restore Saint's lead.

The Saints goal enjoyed a charmed life before a well worked move from Saints own box culminated in the killer goal in the eighty sixth minute. Thomas McCulloch threw the ball out to David McArthur with the Saints right back able to carry the ball forward unchallenged to the half way line. David found Craig MacEwan who in turn laid the ball off to Donald Campbell for a defence splitting pass for Dean Smith to spin in behind the 'Clyde defence only for Fraser Gunn to clip his heels before he could get a shot away. Referee John Scott immediately pointed to the spot from where Donald Campbell sent Michael Ptolomey the wrong way with an emphatic finish to round off the scoring at 4 - 2 to Saints.

Michael Ptolomey can't keep out Willie Gemmell's shot for Saints opening goal

             

Willie Gemmell accepts the congratulations of his team mates

Donald Campbell and Inverclyde Skipper Greg Wilson

Craig MacEwan turns in Ross Maitland's cross for Saints second goal

Craig MacEwan and Ross Maitland celebrate Craig's goal

Craig MacEwan and Christopher McGivern have a difference of opinion

Inverclyde keeper Michael Ptolomey

Jamie Graham practices his Scottish Country Dancing

David McArthur scorer of Saints third goal

Donald Campbell makes the points safe from the penalty spot

Dean Smith, Willie Gemmell and Craig MacEwan congratulate Donald Campbell on his goal

Thomas McCulloch

Ain't That A Shame

In an entirely different field to the death of rock 'n' roll pioneer Antoine Dominique Domino Junior, but still a great shame nonetheless, the sudden and unexpected demise of Drumchapel Colts is yet another savage blow to amateur football in general and the Scottish Amateur Football League in particular.

Following a meteoric rise to the Premier Division the Colts proved to be worthy opponents in the top flight and, more importantly, a thoroughly decent bunch of guys who will be sorely missed.

Hopefully those looking to remain involved in the amateur game will find another club quickly and those happy to hang up their boots will enjoy a long and happy retirement.

Drumchapel Colts 

#monthesaints

Golden Eight

Saturday 21st October 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Goldenhill AFC 8 - 0 Oban Saints AFC
Donald Dewar Leisure Centre
Garscadden Road
Drumchapel
Glasgow
G15 8SX
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John McNab


Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Andrew Moore
Mark Robertson
David Smith



Oban Saints dismal league form continued at Glasgow Club Donald Dewar in Drumchapel last Saturday where they slumped to an 8 - 0  defeat against Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title contenders Goldenhill.

On their last visit to Drumchapel in the penultimate fixture of last season Saints edged out their hosts by the odd goal in a five goal thriller to complete a home and away league double. However with only four survivors from that evening in their ranks a perfect storm of a ravaged Saints and a rampant Goldenhill combined to send Saints reeling to their worst ever Premier Division defeat.

Manager Alex Craik was still sunning himself on foreign shores therefore team affairs were once again left in the hands of Assistant Manager Donald Campbell. Donald had Matthew Kelly, Craig MacEwan and David Smith available after missing the previous week's West of Scotland Cup win at Braehead however Paul Carmichael, Daniel Croarkin, Willie Gemmell and Keith Millar all dropped out.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Steven MacLeod, David McPhee, Craig Campbell and Craig MacMillan. Donald Campbell, Scott Maitland and Matthew Kelly formed an unfamiliar looking midfield with Craig MacEwan and Fraser MacFarlane flanking Shaun MacIver in attack. David Smith returned from illness to take a place on the bench alongside new signings Andrew Moore and Mark Robertson.

The morning rain at Garscadden Road gave way to a dry but overcast afternoon which made for good playing conditions on an excellent 3G surface. Saints kicked off attacking the pavilion end and held their own in a quiet opening five minute spell. The home side, with a 100% record from their ten competitive fixtures including sixty three goals, began to gain the upper hand in the vital midfield area and soon had Saints pinned back in their own half.

Already beginning to look like a long afternoon Saints required maximum concentration to keep pace with their live-wire opponents. Unfortunately that was in short supply as lapses from the visitors contributed greatly to the home side's domination.

From a tenth minute throw-in on the left Jamie Grimes was given acres of room to stride forward from central defence and send a twenty five yard shot wide of the left hand post of Graham "Sugar" Douglas in the Saints goal.

Sixty seconds later it was striker Ryan McKeever with a shot from a similar position which Graham Douglas turned behind for a corner kick. McKeever's strike partner James Gallagher rolled the corner kick from the right to the corner of the eighteen yard box for central defender Steven Dock whose crisply struck shot smacked the face of Sugar's left hand post before being thumped clear by David McPhee.

A fifteenth minute push on Jonathon Dyer by Craig MacMillan gave James Gallagher another chance to put the ball into the danger area. Craig Campbell's clearance provided a momentary respite but his header only succeeded in finding Gowdie Skipper Scott McGuire whose driving run into the box brought another save from Graham Douglas.

Saints ignored the earlier set-piece warning and allowed James Gallagher to repeat his corner kick routine from the right and pick out Martin Lawlor's run to the edge of the box. The Gowdie central midfielder had time and space to measure a curling effort just inside the far post to give the hosts a deserved eighteenth minute lead.

Unbelievably Saints fell for the same routine sixty seconds later this time on the opposite flank from where Lawlor curled a cross onto the head of Ryan McKeever on the six yard line who doubled the home advantage.

Scott McGuire grazed the top of the Saints crossbar with a thirty yard free-kick which Graham Douglas appeared to have covered before Saints finally managed to make an impression in the opposition half.

Shaun MacIver was inches away from getting on the end of a Craig MacMillan ball from the half-way line before Craig MacEwan drew a save from Scott Rennie dropping to his right to make a comfortable stop.

As Saints enjoyed their best spell Craig MacEwan fired a second attempt on goal in the thirty fifth minute which curled wide of Scott Rennie's right hand post. From the goal kick Goldenhill raced up the left wing from where Kevin Kane fired a ball along the six yard line which the unmarked James Gallagher tucked away for an all too easy third for the hosts.

Three minutes later Saints were ripped apart again with James Gallagher racing through the inside right channel and firing across Graham Douglas and into the bottom corner for a fourth home goal.

Saints steadied the ship but failed to negotiate the closing seven minutes entirely unscathed as Shaun MacIver pulled up with a groin strain.

New signing Mark Robertson was given the nod to replace MacIver with the change bringing about a tactical reshuffle to a 3 - 5 -2 formation.

Saints continued their better showing into the seventh minute of the second half but had their good work undone by another example of poor decision making in the middle of the park. Fraser MacFarlane tried to beat Kevin Kane ten yards inside the Saints half instead of looking for a more straight forward lay-off. Kane won the battle and sent James Gallagher racing through the middle to fire a low shot into the bottom corner past Sugar's right hand.

Not content with a hat-trick, Gallagher notched a fourth sixty seconds later making a good near post run to guide a Jonathon Dyer cross from the right past Graham Douglas.

The only blot on an otherwise perfect afternoon for the hosts was a yellow card picked up by Skipper Scott McGuire picked up for simulation.

A flurry of substitutions followed on the hour mark as the hosts seized the opportunity to give their entire bench a good run out. Jonathon Dyer, Scott McGuire, Kevin Kane and James Gallagher made way for Paul O'Donnell, Reace Syed, Ian Stevenson and Kevin Maxwell. Saints got in on the act by replacing young Craig MacMillan with David Smith.

In the sixty ninth minute Steven MacLeod raced out to try and prevent another Goldenhill short corner routine. However this just left Saints short in the middle when the cross eventually came in and Damon Gray pulled off to the corner of the six yard box and cushioned a volley past Graham Douglas for a seventh goal.

Already struggling with an ankle injury, Craig Campbell felt the full weight of Kevin Maxwell on his left instep in the seventy fifth minute and was unable to continue. Campbell's misfortune gave new signing Andrew Moore a chance to make his Saints debut which he might reasonably have hoped would come in happier circumstances.

David McPhee's outstretched right boot took the ball off Kevin Maxwell's forehead as the Goldenhill substitute looked set to nod the ball home from two yards after Reace Syed had headed a deep Ian Stevenson cross back into the danger area.

The misery was complete for Saints in the eighty second minute when Graham Douglas palmed a speculative Jamie Grimes strike into the path of Ian Stevenson who needed no second invitation to slot the ball into the net and round off the scoring at eight.

Despite an extremely quiet afternoon Goldenhill keeper Scott Rennie maintained his concentration to the end making a good reaction save to deny Craig MacEwan a late consolation goal.

Referee John McNab, who had a good game, brought a miserable afternoon for Saints to an end consigning Saints to a fourth defeat in five Premier Division games.

Up next for Saints is a home match against old rivals Inverclyde which, even at this early stage of the season, is already looking like a must win fixture for Alex Craiks men.

     

Team Captains Donald Campbell and Scott McGuire with Referee John McNab

Steven Dock rattles the post

Donald Campbell and Martin Lawlor

Craig MacMillan and Jonathon Dyer

Donald Campbell heads clear

David McPhee heads clear

Graham Douglas

Shaun MacIver and Marc Morrison keep their eyes on the ball

Scott Maitland and James Gallagher

Craig MacEwan and Jonathon Dyer

Donald Campbell and Martin Lawlor

Second half floodlights on

James Gallagher completes his hat-trick

Scott Rennie collects Scott Maitland's free-kick

Mark Robertson

Damon Gray cushions a back post volley for Goldenhill's seventh 

Graham Douglas collects a cross

David McPhee makes a vital interception to deny Kevin Maxwell

Ian Stevenson rounds off the scoring

Andrew Moore

Scott Rennie denies Craig MacEwan a late consolation goal

#monthesaints

Golden Years

David Bowie - Golden Years

Saturday 21st October 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Goldenhill AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Donald Dewar Leisure Centre
Garscadden Road
Drumchapel
Glasgow
G15 8SX
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John McNab

After a run of cup fixtures Saints return to league business this Saturday for the first time in five weeks when they travel to Drumchapel to face the very much in-form Goldenhill. Unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, Goldenhill have been banging in the goals for fun notching sixty three in ten games. At the other end of the park the Gowdie have been equally impressive losing only nine goals with only Inverclyde and St. Joseph's FP managing more than one goal past Scott Rennie and his miserly defence.

As well as throwing down the gauntlet in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title race with three wins out of three, the Gowdie have already progressed to the semi-finals of the Centenary Cup where they will face either Castlemilk BC or Motherwell Thistle. Particularly pleasing for the Gowdie boys was their quarter final local derby victory over St Joseph's FP where they came from behind twice to knock out the cup holders by five goals to two securing the early season bragging rights into the bargain.

In the West of Scotland Cup 2016 runners-up Goldenhill have a fourth round home tie against Eaglesham of the Caledonian League after having seen off tricky Ayrshire opponents Tarbolton and Dailly in rounds two and three.

The Scottish Amateur Cup third round draw sends the Gowdie to the far North East to face Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association Division Three leaders Monymusk on 4th November.

Last season's encounter

In last season's Wednesday evening encounter at the Donald Dewar Centre Saints emerged victorious by the odd goal in a five goal thriller. After concerted early pressure Saints made a deserved breakthrough just before the half hour mark when Scott Maitland made a driving run into the box and sent a low left foot shot across Ross Clark and into the bottom corner.

The home side drew level early in the second half with a wonder strike from substitute Damon Gray. Gray's rocket from the edge of the centre circle flew past Thomas McCulloch's outstretched right hand and into the top corner.

 Saints regained the lead in the sixty seventh minute after a hotly disputed throw-in award on the right touchline just inside the Goldenhill half. To the ire of Gowdie central defender Jack Bennett Referee Campbell gave the decision in Saints favour and with the home side still arguing Donald Campbell gathered the throw-in from Kerr Newbigging and played the ball up to Paul Carmichael just inside the Goldenhill box. Paul turned away from Steven Dock and fired an excellent left foot finish high into the net past Ross Clark's despairing right hand.

Martin Lawlor picked up a booking for dissent in the seventieth minute after Referee Campbell penalised Steven Dock for a foul on Paul Carmichael. The Saints free-kick came to nothing and Goldenhill quickly countered on the right. Saints appealed in vain for an offside decision against Daniel Gibson who raced away from David McArthur and sent a low cross along the six yard line. Thomas McCulloch got a hand to the cross but only succeeded in directing the ball into the path of Damon Gray who slammed it into the roof of the net for his second goal of the evening leveling the score once again. Dene Cassells' protests regarding the lack of an offside decision from Mr Campbell earned him a yellow card which was to prove very costly for the Saints defender.

Saints took the lead for the third time with fourteen minutes of play remaining with Paul Carmichael again the scorer. Remarkably similar to, but even better than his earlier strike Paul turned away from Jack Bennett and from twenty five yards arrowed an unstoppable left foot drive high into the roof of the net giving Ross Clark no chance.

Having regained the lead Saints were forced to see out the final twelve minutes with ten men after Dene Cassells picked up a second yellow card. Daniel Gibson threatened to break free again on the right with Dene receiving his marching orders for pulling back the pacy Goldenhill winger. Paul Carmichael showed his versatility by dropping back into central defence for the closing stages.

The Gibson - Gray combination almost paid off for the home side again with just four minutes remaining. Gibson briefly switched to the left skinning Matthew Kelly and firing over a cross which Thomas McCulloch palmed out to Gray. The tall Gowdie striker looked certain to complete his hat-trick with a looping effort towards the postage stamp corner only for Paul Carmichael to get back onto the line and head over the crossbar.

With just two minutes of the ninety remaining Saints Manager Alex Craik made his only change bringing on Martin Bonar to replace Craig MacEwan. Saints were able to see out the closing stages to seal a hard earned victory but not without one final scare as Matthew Kelly made an excellent sliding challenge to halt Jonathon Dyer's late run into the box.

Goldenhill's results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

19th August 2017 East Kilbride Rolls Royce AFC 0 - 4 Goldenhill AFC
26th August 2017 Goldenhill AFC 3 - 2 Inverclyde AFC
9th September 2017 Drumchapel Colts AFC 0 - 11 Goldenhill AFC

SAFL Centenary Cup

1st Round Group Section North 2
12th August 2017 Goldenhill AFC 9 - 0 Carlton YMCA
23rd August 2017 Barrhead Arky AFC 1 - 4 Goldenhill AFC
2nd September 2017 Port Glasgow OBU 1 - 12 Goldenhill AFC

Quarter Final
7th October 2017 Goldenhill AFC 5 - 2 St Joseph's FP AFC

Semi Final
Castlemilk BC or Motherwell Thistle v Goldenhill AFC

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
30th September 2017 Newshot AFC 2 - 8 Goldenhill AFC

3rd Round
4th November 2107 Monymusk AFC v Goldenhill AFC

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
16th September 2017 Goldenhill AFC 5 - 0 Tarbolton AFC

3rd Round
14th October 2017 Dailly AFC 1 - 2 Goldenhill AFC

4th Round
18th November 2017 Goldenhill v Eaglesham

Goldenhill's recent SAFL finishes:-

2012 - 13 Division One Promoted and Coronation Cup Winners
2013 - 14 Premier Division Two 2nd Promoted

2014 - 15 Premier Division One 4th Promoted and Centenary Cup Winners
2015 - 16 Premier Division and West of Scotland Amateur Cup Runners-up
2016 - 17 Premier Division 3rd

Goldenhill AFC line up for their 2016 West of Scotland Cup semi-final tie against Colville Park

Action from last season's encounter at the Donald Dewar Centre

Team Captains James Gallagher and Donald Campbell with Referee John Campbell

Craig MacEwan's shot is blocked by the combined efforts of Jack Bennett and Marc Morrison

Paul Carmichael

Ross Clark beats Kerr Newbigging to a Willie Gemmell free-kick 

Paul Carmichael overhead kick

Ross Clark saves from Paul Carmichael

Paul Carmichael shoots over

Donald Campbell contests a back post header with Reace Syed and Paul O'Donnell

Donald Campbell, Myles McAuley and Paul Carmichael congratulate Scott Maitland on his goal

Craig MacEwan and Steven Dock

Donald Campbell and Christopher McGrath

Paul O'Donnell slides in on Scott Maitland

Kerr Newbigging

Craig MacEwan and Jonathon Dyer

Dene Cassells and Jonathon Dyer aerial joust

Thomas McCulloch collects Reace Syed's header

Matthew Kelly and Reace Syed

#monthesaints