Winning In The Rain

Sunday, 11 November 2018

Head For The Hills

Saturday 17th November 2018
West of Scotland Amateur Cup
3rd Round
Kilsyth Community FC Amateurs v Oban Saints
Sports Field
Kilsyth
G65 9JX
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Derek Dempster

Oban Saints look to make it eleven wins in succession this weekend when they travel to the foot of the Kilsyth Hills and Lanarkshire's most northerly town to face Kilsyth Community in the West of Scotland Cup third round.

Formerly known as Kilsyth Amateurs, the long established North Lanarkshire club decided on a re-branding for this their fifty sixth season in amateur football and became part of Kilsyth Community Football Club whose aim is to bring all age groups in the town under one footballing umbrella.

The renaming coincided with the decision to end a long and successful relationship with the Central Scottish Amateur Football League for Kilsyth, where they were 2003/04 Premier Division Champions and 2005/06 McAvoy and McIntyre Cup Winners, and begin a new chapter in the Caledonian League.

Kilsyth appear to be settling in well to their new league where six wins from seven matches sees them in third position, six points behind leaders Eaglesham but with two games in hand, and well placed to mount an assault on the Division 1A title.

Coming just a little too early in the season for Kilsyth was the challenge of facing Oban Saints old foes Thorn Athletic in the Douglas Smith League Cup. A convincing 5 - 1 away win for the Premier Division leaders set them on their way to a quarter finals clash with Dumbarton Academy FP and left Kilsyth making up the group section H numbers along with Strathclyde University and Weirs Recreation.

In the major cup competitions Kilsyth reached the third round stage of the Scottish Amateur Cup thanks to a first round walkover and a 3 -1 away win at Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Championship B side Renfrew. Unfortunately for Kilsyth they came up against near neighbours Central Scottish Amateur Football League big guns Eastfield in the third round where, despite a spirited performance from the visitors, a solitary second half goal was enough to see Eastfield progress.

In the first round of the West of Scotland Cup Kilsyth were taken to extra-time by Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two high fliers Glynhill Moorcroft before squeezing past the Renfrew men by the odd goal in seven.

Round two produced an identical score-line but without the need for an additional thirty minutes. Clydeside Athletic of the Glasgow Colleges Football Association Premier Division were the visitors to Kilsyth Sports Field and raced into a 3 - 1 lead before a stirring comeback, including a last minute winner, sealed a third round home tie for Kilsyth against Saints.

Saturday's match at Kilsyth Sports Field will be a major test for Saints and must be played to a finish on the day with extra-time and penalty kicks coming into play to decide the winner if the two sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes. Taking charge of proceedings is experienced Referee Derek Dempster of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League.

Kilsyth's results so far this season:-

Caledonian League Division 1A

22nd August 2018 Kilsyth 3 - 1 Callander Thistle
25th August 2018 Kilsyth 3 - 0 FC Dal Riata
8th September 2018 Kilsyth 4 - 0 Eddlewood
22nd September 2018 Kilsyth 3 - 2 Cambusbarron Rovers
29th September 2018 FC Dal Riata 0 - 4 Kilsyth
13th October 2018 Kilsyth 2 - 3 Milngavie Wanderers
27th October 2018 Callander Thistle 0 - 4 Kilsyth

Caledonian League Douglas Smith League Cup

First Round Group Stage

Group H
11th August 2018 Kilsyth 1 - 5 Thorn Athletic
15th August 2018 Strathclyde University 3 - 2 Kilsyth
18th August 2018 Kilsyth 4 - 1 Weirs Recreation

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

First Round
15th September 2018 Glynhill Moorcroft 2 - 2 Kilsyth (Kilsyth win 4 - 3 after extra-time)

Second Round
20th October 2018 Kilsyth 4 - 3 Clydeside Athletic

Third Round
17th November 2018 Kilsyth v Oban Saints

Scottish Amateur Cup

First Round
1st September 2018 Kilsyth v Strathclyde University (Walkover to Kilsth)

Second Round
6th October 2018 Renfrew 1 - 3 Kilsyth

Third Round
3rd November 2018 Eastfield 1 - 0 Kilsyth

Kilsyth Community Football Club

Oban Saints Route to the Third Round of the West of Scotland Cup

Round One

Saints were scheduled to play Rannoch at Glencruitten in round one however the Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division Three outfit elected not to fulfill the fixture handing the tie to Saints by way of a walkover.

Round Two

Round two saw Saints travel to the Toryglen Regional Football Centre in the shadow of Hampden Park to face Uddingston of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League. Flying high with a 100% record in Championship A hosts Uddingston would provide their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division opponents with a tough test.

Craig MacEwan beat the Uddingston offside trap to open the scoring in the seventh minute deftly lobbing the keeper after being put through by a well weighted Daniel Croarkin pass. Ronan Hughes equalised for the hosts from the penalty spot on the half hour mark after Ruaridh Horne was penalised for barging into Brian McLeod after hesitation in the Saints defence. Parity however lasted for just five minutes when Lewis Cameron caught out keeper Kieran Muldoon at his near post with a smart finish to restore the Saints lead.

Uddingston showed just why they are favourites for a second successive league championship with a much improved second half performance which kept Saints pinned back in their own half for the most part. Despite Uddingston's domination of possession Saints defended well and looked set to the keep the hosts at bay until an eighty ninth minute wonder strike levelled the scoring for a second time. Craig MacEwan's clearing header from a corner kick from the Uddingston right fell invitingly for second half substitute Paul Cassidy who slammed a thirty yard rocket through a ruck of bodies which Graham Douglas got both hands too but could only help into the net.

Saints last visit to Toryglen, a 2015-16 Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy quarter-final against Kings Park Rangers, ended in a penalty shoot-out victory however thankfully on this occasion there was to be no requirement for a similarly nerve wracking decider.

Lewis Cameron won an eleventh minute free-kick thirty two yards from goal. With Saints having failed to pose much of a threat with their earlier set-pieces Donald Campbell finally produced a piece a magic lifting the ball over the Uddingston wall for the well timed run of Craig MacEwan who deftly glanced the ball past Kieran Muldoon's left hand to put Saints ahead for a third time.

Saints rounded off the scoring in the twenty first minute of extra-time when Kerr Newbigging sent Craig MacEwan in behind the Uddingston defence wide on the left. MacEwan took the ball to the bye-line and sent a looping cross to the back post for Donald Campbell to cushion a close range finish into the net and at last put some daylight between the two sides and seal victory for the visitors.

Oban Saints 2017-18 West of Scotland Amateur Cup campaign so far:-

1st Round
15th September 2018 Oban Saints v Rannoch (Walkover to Saints)

The Oban Saints squad resplendent in their new tracksuits and polo shirts kindly supplied by kit sponsors D&K Lafferty Contractors Ltd.

2nd Round
20th October 2018 Uddingston 2 - 2 Oban Saints (Saints win 4 - 2 after extra-time)

The National Stadium just a short distance way from Toryglen

Team Captains Dominic Clarke and Dene Cassells with Referee Stuart Broadfoot

Scott Maitland and Ronan Hughes

Craig MacEwan's lob finds the net to open the scoring

The Saints players celebrate Craig MacEwan's opener

Debutant David Beaton

Graham Douglas

Frankie Murray heads wide of target

Jack Lyons makes an important challenge to dispossess Scott Maitland

Scott Maitland shoots wide

Brian McLeod

Steven MacLeod

Frankie Murray

Fraser MacFarlane and Brendan Smith

Kevin Burns

Fraser MacFarlane

Kieran Muldoon

Dene Cassells heads over

Craig MacEwan heads Saints into an extra-time lead

Celebrations after Craig MacEwan's second goal of the afternoon

Donald Campbell rounds off the scoring

All smiles after a difficult afternoon

#monthesaints

Monday, 5 November 2018

Forfar To Go

Saturday 3rd November 2018
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
Third Round
Lowson United 1 - 3 Oban Saints
Forfar Community Campus
Kirriemuir Road
Forfar
DD8 3TG
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee Mr Derek Folganan

A hat-trick from leading goalscorer Lewis Cameron saw Oban Saints safely through to the fourth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup at a windswept Forfar Community Campus last Saturday afternoon. Despite once again not firing on all cylinders Saints had more than enough in their armoury to see off the challenge of their Midlands Amatuer Football Association Premier Division opponents.

Management duo Donald Campbell and Willie Gemmell had to contend with injuries to Ruaridh Horne, Craig MacEwan and Fraser MacFarlane but were able to bring Matthew Kelly and Shaun MacIver back into the squad after long lay-offs. Also making the long journey to Forfar, although not yet fit enough to play a part. was long term injury absentee Myles MacAulay.

Coach Jamie Graham resumed his place at right-back alongside Steven MacLeod, Captain Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Kerr Newbigging and Daniel Croarkin continued their partnership in the middle of the park while ahead of them Lewis Cameron was flanked by James Ford and David Beaton. Donald Campbell lead the line while Graham Douglas retained the number one jersey. Making up a strong substitutes bench were Willie Gemmell, Dougal Graham, Matthew Kelly and Shaun MacIver.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Matthew Kelly
Shaun Maciver

Unused substitutes:-

Willie Gemmell
Dougal Graham

Thankfully the heavy rain which had followed Saints for most of the long journey from the west coast disappeared by the time the travelling party had reached Angus however there was still a strong wind to contend with which would make life difficult for both sets of players.

Saints had the benefit of the wind in the first half and had an early opportunity to test Fraser Reid in the Lowson goal when the big keeper sclaffed a clearance straight to Kerr Newbigging on the edge of the centre circle. Newbigging threaded the ball through to Lewis Cameron whose snatched low shot was easily gathered by the grateful Reid.

At the other end Scott Fullerton was given time and space to take down a Rory Crighton right wing cross on the edge of the box and fire a low effort just wide of target.

Fraser Reid produced the first of a number of good saves in the tenth minute to deny David Beaton. Scott Maitland won a throw-in on the left which Donald Campbell took down and laid off to Beaton on the six yard line. Reid stood up well to block Beaton's left foot effort and was happy to see Jamie Graham blaze the rebound over the crossbar from twelve yards.

A perfectly weighted fourteenth minute pass from Donald Campbell sent David Beaton racing through the inside left channel only for Lowson Captain Cameron Howie to halt Beaton's run with an excellent sliding interception at the expense of a corner kick.

Beaton's strong run through the middle six minutes later earned Saints a free-kick in a dangerous area when Dean Fletcher's challenge from behind sent the wee man crashing to the ground. Lewis Cameron staked his claim to Willie Gemmell's free-kick expert throne with a viciously dipping effort from twenty two yards which left the Lowson keeper clawing at thin air and gave Saints a deserved lead.

The strong wind gave the Saints defence problems in the twenty third minute causing Dene Cassells to misjudge a header in the centre circle with Dean Fletcher knocking the loose ball in behind Jamie Graham on the Saints right. Graham recovered well to track the run of Liam Hely and concede a corner kick on the left. Dean Fletcher was left unmarked on the six yard line fortunately, however, his header from Scott Fullerton's delivery lacked the power to beat Graham Douglas who gathered at his near post.

Saints played their way out from the back with Scott Maitland and Donald Campbell combining to win a corner kick on the left. Kerr Newbigging was beaten to Lewis Cameron's in-swinger by Mark Godfrey who headed the ball back in the direction it had come from. Cameron took the ball down inside the box and fired in a right foot shot from fourteen yards which Fraser Reid saved well at his near post.

Lewis Cameron had another opportunity to put his new found dead-ball prowess to good use in the thirty first minute however his effort from twenty two yards and left of centre failed to find it's intended destination of the postage stamp corner and sailed high and wide of target.

Scott Maitland continued to push forward on the left and won a corner kick in the thirty fourth minute. Lewis Cameron's delivery once again caused problems and James Ford was sent sprawling as he attempted to get the bouncing ball under control. There was a loud Saints appeal for a penalty kick however Referee Derek Folganan, who handled proceedings well, was unmoved and signalled play-on. Saints Co-Manager Willie Gemmell had too much to say on the matter and was spoken to Mr Folganan who made it perfectly clear he wasn't prepared to tolerate his continued protests.

Kerr Newbigging, who turned in another impressive midfield performance, won the ball well in the centre circle and sent Jamie Graham off on a run up the right wing. Graham's deep cross on the run looked set to pick out Donald Campbell until Fraser Reid came off his line well to make a clean catch.

Reid was in action again in the forty second minute dropping smartly to his left to gather a low shot from Lewis Cameron after a neat turn on the eighteen yard line.

Mr Folganan issued his first caution of the afternoon on the stroke of half-time flashing his yellow card in the direction of Lowson's Rory Crighton for dissent.

Saints kicked off the second half playing into the wind and made a good start keeping the home side pinned back in their own half. Cameron Howie made another excellent interception to thwart David Beaton racing through on the end of a Donald Campbell pass as the Lowson Captain continued to inspire those around him.

The hosts equalised from deep inside their own half from a position of seemingly no danger. Left fullback Mark Godfrey launched a wind assisted throw-in one yard from the touchline almost to the halfway line. Liam Hely hooked a diagonal ball over the head of Scott Maitland allowing Rory Crighton to race in behind and fire an unstoppable shot across Graham Douglas and into the corner of the net.

With the wind at their backs this should have been the cue for the home side to seize the initiative however it was Saints who showed the greater resolve and kicked on to record their tenth successive victory of what has been a satisfying start to the season.

Despite enjoying the lion's share of second half possession Saints initially failed to threaten the Lowson goal with James Ford and Daniel Croarkin passing up the best of the opportunities. Croarkin made way for Matthew Kelly in the sixty second minute who was making his first appearance since picking up an injury in the league win at Cowan Park, Barrhead ten weeks previously.

Lowson also made changes withdrawing wide men Liam Hely and Rory Crighton replacing them with Straun Doherty and Mark McIntosh.

A rash sixty sixth minute challenge by Jamie Graham on Doherty earned the Saints fullback the games second yellow card with Graham Douglas commanding his area well to claim the resulting in-swinging free-kick from Scott Fullerton.

Saints regained the lead in the seventy first minute with Scott Maitland providing the assist to make up for his earlier indiscretion for the Lowson equaliser. After making an excellent driving run up the left, Maitland hit the touchline and cutback perfectly for Lewis Cameron arriving at the near post to knock home from four yards.

Straight from the restart Saints stormed forward on the left once again and Donald Campbell was unfortunate to see a delicate chip from the corner of the eighteen yard box clip the outside of Fraser Reid's left hand post and bounce behind for goal kick.

Saints had their tails up now and put some daylight between themselves and their hosts in the seventy fifth minute. James Ford and Matthew Kelly combined well to tee-up Lewis Cameron for a shot from the left of the Lowson penalty area which flew across Fraser Reid and into the bottom corner to seal a first hat-trick of the season for Saints leading goalscorer.

Another of Saints long term injury victims, Shaun Maciver, made his first appearance of the season coming on as a seventy eighth minute replacement for David Beaton.

The hosts made two further changes giving run outs to Ross Sievwright and Mark McDonald and rallied briefly forcing a succession of corners which the Saints back line with Steven MacLeod and Captain Dene Cassells at it's heart dealt defended comfortably.

Lowson gave it another push with Scott Fullerton blazing over the bar from twenty yards and Dean Fletcher drawing a routine save from Graham Douglas from a similar distance.

As the clock ticked down Fraser Reid made a fingertip save diving to his left to deny Lewis Cameron a fourth goal after good build up play involving Donald Campbell, Matthew Kelly and Shaun MacIver.

Saints kept pressing forward and it was Reid to the rescue again in the eighty eighth minute acrobatically tipping a fierce Kerr Newbigging strike from a Matthew Kelly lay-off over his crossbar.

Mr Folganan allowed a generous amount of stoppage time before bringing proceedings to a close confirming a deserved Saints win over a good Lowson United side who look set to mount a sustained challenge for the Midlands Amateur Football Association Premier Division title this season.

The victory sees Saints through to the fourth round the draw for which will take place this Wednesday morning.

Saints have no fixture this weekend and will resume on 17th November with a West of Scotland Cup third round visit to Kilsyth of the Caledonian League.