Sunday, 15 November 2020

Friends Reunited As Saints And Red Star Meet Again In Friendly Action

Saturday 14th November 2020

Friendly

Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 2 Oban Saints

Lochgilphead Joint Campus (3G)

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8AA

Kick Off 1.00pm

Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Just three weeks after their last encounter Oban Saints and closest neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star once again took advantage of Argyll and Bute's tier two Coronavirus protection level status to stage a friendly fixture at Lochgilphead Joint Campus last Saturday afternoon. Fortunately the forecasted heavy rain stayed away for the most part making the journey home for the players, still in their playing kit, slightly less uncomfortable than it could have been.

Referee Jimmy Litster ensured strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities or supporters inside the perimeter fencing, were followed by both sides where goals from Gavin Forgrieve and Captain Craig MacEwan gave Saints a deserved victory over their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One hosts.

Injuries, work and family commitments once again severely hampered Manager Willie Gemmell's selection opportunities with only thirteen players, himself included, available to make the trip.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod, Kerr Newbigging and Scott Maitland. Partnering Scott Johnston as holding midfielders was Matty Kelly. Supporting Skipper and central striker Craig MacEwan were Aaron McKay, Gavin Forgrieve and Cammy Hill. Joining Gaffer Willie Gemmell on a sparsely populated bench was Martin Bonar.

Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitute:-

Martin Bonar

Unused substitute:-

Willie Gemmell

The hosts were first to threaten and passed up a good early chance in just the third minute. Breaking forward on the right wing Andy Weir had Skipper Aaron Moore and Chris Hart to aim for and sent over a tempting cross which Hart headed wide of Graham Douglas' left hand post.

Saints responded with a Gavin Forgrieve cross from the left which Aaron McKay at the back post headed back across the face of goal but just in front of the onrushing Matty Kelly.

Saints took the aerial route again in the thirteenth minute with Ruaridh Horne providing a good delivery from the right which Andy Weir did well to turn back to keeper Ally Lewis ahead of Cammy Hill.

Red Star had Stedfast man Ciaran McPhie back in their ranks for this fixture and the young striker tested Graham Douglas in the fifteenth minute with a snap shot from the edge of the box which the Saints keeper held comfortably.

Ally Lewis clawed away a sixteenth minute Gavin Forgrieve free kick after Cammy Hill had been felled by Andy Weir. Hill was on the receiving end again two minutes later this time from Coll McCallum who was given a stern talking to from Referee Jimmy Litster.

The home side were defending well and it took until the twenty first minute for Saints to register their first effort on target. A sweeping move from right to left saw Scott Johnston pick out the overlapping run of Scott Maitland who found Gavin Forgrieve in the box for a low shot which Ally Lewis held well to his left.

Saints kept probing for openings and Skipper Craig MacEwan flashed a twenty fourth minute diving header wide of target from a Cammy Hill cross curled in from the corner of the eighteen yard box.

Young Red Star keeper Ally Lewis used his feet to good effect to take an Aaron McKay right wing cutback off the toes of Craig MacEwan after McKay and Ruaridh Horne had linked well in the twenty fifth minute.

Red Star fullback Coll McCallum made a vital interception on the half hour mark to stop a Craig MacEwan through ball from reaching Cammy Hill before once again being in the right place at the right time to block a Matty Kelly shot from twenty yards.

Kelly did manage to find a gap after being tee'd up by Craig MacEwan in the thirty third minute but Ally Lewis was equal to the task holding at the second attempt low to his right.

Graham Douglas was called into action in the thirty sixth minute saving well from a Chris Hart shot after the Red striker had shaken off the attentions of Kerr Newbigging and Scott Maitland.

Saints finally found a way past Ally Lewis in the thirty ninth minute but were thwarted by the frame of the goal. Little and large wingers Aaron McKay and Cammy Hill switched wings and McKay on the Saints left burst into the box holding off the challenge of Andy Weir and lifted the ball over Ally Lewis only to see it come back off the crossbar before being thumped to safety by Kyle Selfridge.

Both sides made changes for the start of the second half. Martin Bonar replaced Scott Johnston for Saints while Chris Hart made way for Innes Meikle for the hosts.

Meikle was quickly involved in the action heading a very presentable opportunity over the Saints crossbar after good work on the right from Ciaran McPhie and Andy Weir.

The deadlock was broken in the fifty seventh minute from a quickly taken free kick by Cammy Hill after Martin Bonar had been brought down in the centre circle by James McGuiness. Hill spotted Aaron McKay in space on the right and sent him scurrying forward. McKay cut into the box and picked out the run of Craig MacEwan who was foiled from six yards by Ally Lewis. The young keeper's good work was however undone when he couldn't hold MacEwan's shot allowing the ball to spin away from him. Ben Forbes was on hand with a sliding challenge to knock the loose ball away from MacEwan but only as far as Gavin Forgrieve who gleefully tapped home from four yards.

Lewis saved again from MacEwan three minutes later this time managing to hold onto the ball at the second attempt before a neat Matty Kelly turn on the corner of the Star eighteen yard box wrong footed Ben Forbes creating the space for Kelly to curl a ball to the far post a matter of inches in front of the outstretched boot of Scott Maitland.

Maitland got forward again in the seventy first minute finding Gavin Forgrieve in front of goal who took the ball down well only for Innes Meikle to get back with a vital challenge at the expense of a corner kick. Martin Bonar climbed well at the back post to meet Forgrieve's delivery from the right but couldn't direct his header on target.

Despite being unable to hit the target himself Bonar as however able to claim an eighty first minute assist for the second and final goal. The big midfielder, a key member of Red Star's 2018 Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two title winning side, won possession well in the centre circle and opened up his former team mates with a perfectly weighted pass for the forward run of Skipper Craig MacEwan. Top marksman MacEwan comfortably beat stranded Red Star keeper Ally Lewis with a deft chip from twenty eight yards into the unguarded net.

Referee Jimmy Litster, who ensured the two local rivals remained on friendly terms throughout, called time on proceedings after three added minutes with both sides satisfied to complete another ninety minutes while the majority of their respective league rivals remain sidelined.

Scott Maitland and Chris Hart

Ciaran McPhie

Kerr Newbigging beats Chris Hart in the air

Scott Johnston

Aaron McKay hits the crossbar

Graham Douglas

Ally Lewis saves from Craig MacEwan

Gavin Forgrieve pounces to open the scoring

Matty Kelly

Martin Bonar heads over

Craig MacEwan

Gavin Forgrieve

Cammy Hill

Martin Bonar and Aaron McKay congratulate Craig MacEwan on his goal

Ruaridh Horne

#monthesaints

Monday, 9 November 2020

West Highland Way Away Day

Saturday 7th November 2020

Friendly

South Lochaber Thistle 0 - 4 Oban Saints

Kinlochleven High School 3G

Riverside Road

Kinlochleven

PH50 4QH

Kick Off 12.30pm
Referee Mr Martin Rae

After Storm Aiden had wiped out the previous Saturday's attempt to play this friendly fixture Oban Saints and South Lochaber Thistle were finally able to get the valuable game time desired under their respective belts at Kinlochleven High School last Saturday afternoon. Weather conditions were good however the low autumn sun failed to rise high enough above the Mamore hills to reach the 3G surface located on the Kinlochmore side of the village with the West Highland Way passing just a few yards away.

Referee Martin Rae ensured strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities or supporters, were followed by both sides where a brace from Captain for the day Craig MacEwan together with strikes from Lewis Cameron and Aaron McKay gave Saints a comfortable victory over their Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division One hosts.

Injuries, work and family commitments severely hampered Manager Willie Gemmell's selection opportunities with only twelve players, himself included, available to make the trip.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three of Ruaridh Horne, Willie Gemmell and Steven MacLeod. Making up the five man midfield were Aaron McKay, Gavin Forgrieve, Lewis Cameron, Scott Johnston and James Ford with David Beaton partnering Captain Craig MacEwan up front. Keeping Coach Peter MacCallum and Secretary David Buchanan company on the touchline was solitary substitute Cammy Hill

Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitute:-

Cammy Hill

Skipper for the day Craig MacEwan got the match underway where the much changed visitors line-up quickly stamped their authority on proceedings.

Despite holding the upper hand in the early exchanges Saints were unable to break through the Thistle defence and test keeper Andrew Brown. Gavin Forgrieve had a shot from twenty two yards blocked and Willie Gemmell sliced an effort well off target from a Lewis Cameron short free-kick.

Only fourteen first half minutes had elapsed when Saints already threadbare resources were stretched still further due to a calf strain picked up by David Beaton giving only substitute Cammy Hill an early run out.

The Jags keeper was finally tested after fifteen minutes when Scott Johnston sent Craig MacEwan in behind the home defence from where, from the left of the box, the skipper turned onto his right foot and shot straight into the keeper's midriff.

Further Andrew Brown saves followed from Lewis Cameron, Craig MacEwan and Gavin Forgrieve efforts before Cameron found the side netting from a tight angle after good work on the left by MacEwan and Hill.

A driving twenty sixth minute run and cutback on the left from James Ford opened up space for a Craig MacEwan shot. Brown was once again equal to the task parrying MacEwan's effort and recovering quickly to complete an excellent double save and safely hold Cammy Hill's effort on the rebound.

The deadlock was broken in the thirty second minute immediately following another Andrew Brown save. The Jags keeper comfortably held a Gavin Forgrieve shot from eighteen yards after Forgrieve and Aaron McKay had combined to good effect through the middle. In a massive slice of bad fortune for Brown his attempted clearance hit Lewis Cameron with the ball falling kindly for Craig MacEwan who slotted the ball low to Brown's right to open the scoring.

Determination from Aaron McKay won him possession in the centre circle paving the way for another Saints attack in the thirty seventh minute. Ruaridh Horne stormed forward from defence and combined with Gavin Forgrieve to play in James Ford for a low right foot shot which drew another good save from Andrew Brown.

With no options available to him on the bench Saints Manager Willie Gemmell appealed for more of the same from his charges for the second forty five.

Just two second half minutes had elapsed when Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan combined to find the supporting run of Gavin Forgrieve only for Andrew Brown to save bravely at the young midfielder's feet.

Scott Johnston gave Brown another test with a thirty yard shot which the Jags keeper held well after Keir Kennedy had headed a Craig MacEwan overhead kick off the goal-line.

James Ford's trickery continued to torment the home defence winning a free-kick on the edge of the box just in from bye-line. Brown's busy afternoon showed no sign of letting up when he had to show quick reactions to stop Lewis Cameron's free-kick at his near post with his right foot.

It was Brown's right boot to the rescue again in the sixty fourth minute stopping another Lewis Cameron free-kick this time after Scott Johnston had been felled twenty yards out.

The pressure on the home goal eventually told in the sixty fifth minute when Craig MacEwan made a near post run to connect perfectly with Lewis Cameron's corner kick from the right.

Gaffer Willie Gemmell had a hand in the third goal racing back from the edge of the Jags box to snuff out a counter attack and win a sixty eighth minute throw-in on the halfway line. Gemmell's quickly taken throw up the left to Lewis Cameron saw the Scottish Amateur Internationalist spin away from his marker and lift a cheeky lob over the advancing Andrew Brown and into the unguarded net.

Aaron McKay rattled the crossbar with twenty eight yard shot in the seventieth minute.

Saints struck the woodwork again ten minutes later when Craig MacEwan found the outside of Andrew Brown's left hand post from inside the D after another swashbuckling run from James Ford.

The home side brought on Club Captain Martin Munro for the closing stages easing the Skipper back into action following his recent hamstring injury.

The introduction of Munro increased the home side's attacking threat but the Saints back three of Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod and Willie Gemmell remained comfortably in control to secure a highly prized clean sheet.

Saints turned defence quickly into attack to bag the fourth and final goal with six minutes remaining. Gavin Forgrieve won possession on the edge of the Saints box and played the ball up to Lewis Cameron in the centre circle. Cameron picked out Craig MacEwan's galloping run on the left which took him all the way to the Jags bye-line. Support for the Skipper was on hand from young Aaron McKay who gleefully knocked home MacEwan's cutback from close range.

Referee Martin Rae, who handled the good natured encounter well brought proceedings to an end with both sides happy to get another ninety minutes in the tank while their respective leagues remain unable to schedule competitive fixtures.

Craig MacEwan heads wide

Aaron McKay

Andrew Brown saves from Cammy Hill

Cammy Hill skips away from David Forbes

Ruaridh Horne

Cammy Hill

Craig MacEwan

Lewis Cameron

Gavin Forgrieve

Referee Martin Rae

Andrew Brown clears off his goal line

Craig MacEwan and Lewis Cameron

Andrew Brown

Steven MacLeod

James Ford gets away from Callum Boyd

#monthesaints

Sunday, 1 November 2020

Saints GG blown away in Lochgilphead

Saturday 31st October 2020

Friendly

Lochgilphead Red Star 5 - 1 Oban Saints GG

Lochgilphead Joint Campus (3G)

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8AA

Kick Off 1.00pm
Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Last Saturday Oban Saints Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League side braved Storm Aiden to journey down the A816 for a friendly encounter with near neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star. In gale force wind and driving rain both sides battled the elements manfully where, despite the atrocious weather conditions, they were the envy of many thousands of Scottish amateur footballers who remained sidelined due to Government restrictions.

Heavy overnight rain ruled out any possibility of the Ropework Park being available therefore the match went ahead on the 3G surface at Lochgilphead Joint Campus.

Strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities or supporters, were followed by both sides where four second half goals gave the hosts a heavily wind assisted but nonetheless deserved victory.

Saints GG lined up with Murdo MacKenzie in goal behind a back four of David Smith, Aiden Campbell, Alex Craik and Andy Moore. Thomas McCrindle partnered Craig Easton in the holding midfield roles with Captain Lewis Buchanan, Daniel MacCuish and Robert Johnstone supporting central striker Alan Buchanan. On a youthful bench were Ryan Barclay, James Beaton, Kyle Cooper, Gavin Forgrieve and Fraser MacFarlane.

Oban Saints GG starting lineup:-

Used substitutes:-

Ryan Barclay

James Beaton

Kyle Cooper

Gavin Forgrieve

Fraser MacFarlane

Significantly Red Star Skipper Aaron Moore won the toss of Referee Jimmy Litster's coin and elected to play into the strong wind in the first half. Saints however failed to harness the wind advantage and it was the home side who looked the more threatening in the early stages.

Angus Lewis and Lee MacLean both sent long range efforts high and wide of target before Chris Hart forced Saints keeper Murdo MacKenzie into action to safely hold a shot from eighteen yards after a good turn had taken the Red Star striker away from veteran defender Alex Craik.

Skipper Lewis Buchanan registered Saints first effort on goal in the twenty sixth minute cutting in from the right to send a well struck shot just wide of the postage stamp corner.

Saints Manager Donald Black made early use of the agreed rolling substitutes policy sending on Fraser MacFarlane in the twenty ninth minute to replace Alan Buchanan in the centre forward's role.

It didn't take MacFarlane long to make an impact and his neat turn on the edge of the D created the space for a right foot volley which arced away from the Red Star keeper's right hand to nestle in the bottom corner and give Saints a thirty first minute lead.

Having finally found their shooting boots Saints drew the first save of the afternoon from Red Star keeper Jake Weir when new signing from the club's under 17's Thomas McCrindle sent Robert Johnstone racing through the inside left channel for a low shot which the Red Star youngster did well to parry.

The hosts immediately returned the compliment forcing Murdo MacKenzie to turn an Andy Weir shot which zipped along the wet artificial surface around his left hand post for a corner kick.

Red Star cancelled out the Saints advantage on the stroke of half-time after good work on the right from Chris Hart took him all the way to the bye-line from where his cutback picked out Stuart MacLean on the six yard line for an easy finish.

With the wind gathering pace a long second half was in prospect for Saints and it took the hosts just four minutes to capitalise on their controlled first half performance when central defender Ben Forbes poked home an Andy Weir right wing corner through a sea of legs.

It was a shoot on sight policy from Red Star and, with their attempted clearances repeatedly coming back over their heads, Saints were unable to get out of their own half.

After Lewis Buchanan had headed a fifty eighth minute Andy Weir left wing corner off the line Weir's follow up delivery from the opposite flank picked out right fullback Coll McCallum eight yards out for the home side's third goal.

Red Star stretched their advantage still further on the hour mark when Ben Forbes whipped a wind assisted free-kick from the halfway line into the postage stamp corner giving Murdo MacKenzie no chance.

Young substitutes Ryan Barclay, James Beaton and Kyle Cooper entered the fray for the final half hour and acquitted themselves well in difficult circumstances.

Gavin Forgrieve shunned the chance of a day-off when the Saints first team's trip to face South Lochaber Thistle in Kinlochleven was cancelled and made himself available for a second half appearance in the middle of the park.

Forgrieve was the architect of a rare Saints foray forward in the sixty fourth minute and linked up with Craig Easton to create a shooting opportunity for himself which was blocked behind for a corner kick.

Saints continued to fare better as the half wore on and Kyle Cooper and James Beaton combined well for a seventy fifth minute Beaton shot which Red Star second half substitute keeper Ally Lewis did well to hold.

Forgrieve and Beaton combined well to send Cooper racing through in the eighty third minute where the under 17's striker was inches wide with a low shot past the keepr's right hand post.

After keeping the hosts at bay for thirty minutes Saints conceded a fifth goal with almost the last kick of the ball. Murdo MacKenzie did well to parry a dipping forty yard Aaron Moore shot but luck deserted the Saints keeper when the ball broke to Ewan Litster who chipped over the stranded keeper into the unguarded net.

With the rain coming in horizontally both sets of players were delighted to hear Referee Jimmy Litster's final whistle immediately after the restart signalling a stampede for the sanctuary of the various cars and vans in the school car park.

Team Captains Lewis Buchanan and Aaron Moore with Referee Jimmy Litster

Murdo MacKenzie

Aiden Campbell and Aaron Moore

Alan Buchanan and Angus Lewis

David Smith and Stuart MacLean

Lewis Buchanan

Thomas McCrindle

Ryan Barclay pursues Aaron Moore

Fraser MacFarlane and Andy Weir

James Beaton

Kyle Cooper

Craig Easton

#monthesaints

Sunday, 25 October 2020

Five Star Saints

Saturday 25th October 2020

Friendly

Oban Saints 5 - 0 Lochgilphead Red Star

Oban Community Sports Field (3G)

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Oban Saints and closest neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star kept their engines ticking over ahead of a return to competitive action with an entertaining friendly encounter on the all weather surface at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon.

Heavy overnight rain put an end to any lingering hopes of the game going ahead on the grass at Glencruitten however, by the time kick-off arrived, the skies cleared and the game went ahead in pleasant autumn sunshine.

Strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities or supporters, were followed by both sides where four goals from Lewis Cameron and one from David Beaton gave Saints a comfortable victory over a young and inexperienced Red Star side missing five first team regulars.

Myles McAuley, Aaron Mackay and Cammy Hill were all unavailable for Saints however Matty Kelly returned after finally shaking off the injuring sustained in the bruising encounter with Dunoon Amateurs five weeks previously.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a familiar back four of Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod, Captain Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Gavin Forgrieve partnered Scott Johnston in the holding midfield roles with David Beaton, Lewis Cameron and James Ford supporting central striker Craig MacEwan. On the bench were Martin Bonar, Willie Gemmell, Matty Kelly and Kerr Newbigging.

Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitutes:-

Martin Bonar

Matty Kelly

Kerr Newbigging

Unused substitute:-

Willie Gemmell

Attacking the Dalintart end in the first half Saints gave Red Star keeper Ally Lewis an early test when James Ford jinked his way into the box and fired off a left foot shot which the Lochgilphead youngster did well to push over for a corner kick.

The visitors were content to sit deep and try to hit Saints on the break and Steven MacLeod had to look lively to cut out a twelfth minute well measured Lee MacLean through ball intended for Stuart MacLean.

James Ford drew another good save from Ally Lewis with a sweetly struck fifteenth minute twenty five yard shot which the keeper did well to hold.

Saints opened the scoring in the seventeenth minute after David Beaton intercepted a stray pass from Red Star Skipper Lee MacLean. Beaton picked out James Ford on the left who in turn found Lewis Cameron on the edge of visitor's box. Cameron turned away from his marker and arced a low shot onto the inside of Ally Lewis' right hand post with the ball bouncing back across the goal line and into the net via the inside of the opposite goal post.

Last season's top scorer Craig MacEwan came within inches of doubling the Saints advantage with a cheeky flick which went the wrong side of the post after a Lewis Cameron corner kick landed fortuitously at his feet inside the six yard box.

Two last gasp interceptions from Red Star central defender Ben Forbes denied James Ford and David Beaton before Ally Lewis showed good handling to hold a Lewis Cameron shot low down to his left as the hosts turned up the heat leading up to the half-time whistle.

At the other end Graham Douglas did well to collect a long forty fifth minute Ben Forbes free-kick from the half-way line under pressure from Angus Lewis.

Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell made a change for the beginning of the second forty five minutes replacing youngster Gavin Forgrieve with the returning Matty Kelly.

Elder statesman of the young visitor's line-up at the age of just twenty eight Ben Forbes continued his defensive heroics into the second half but fell foul of Referee Jimmy Litster's eagle eye when he was penalised for handball making a flying block to stop a Matty Kelly shot twenty eight yards out. Forbes' protestations of his innocence turned up another notch when Lewis Cameron arrowed the resulting forty eighth minute free-kick into the bottom corner past Ally Lewis' right hand to double the Saints advantage.

The visitors should have pulled one back two minutes after the restart but Angus Lewis fluffed his lines and missed an open goal after Chris Hart had capitalised on a moment of hesitation between Steven MacLeod and Graham Douglas.

Red Star hit Saints with another quick break in the fifty first minute with Graham Douglas redeeming his previous error with an excellent save to deny Red Star debutant striker Chris Hart after a good run and low right wing cross from Stuart MacLean.

There was a moment to forget in an otherwise solid performance from Ally Lewis when the young keeper allowed a fifty fifth minute Lewis Cameron shot to squirm from his grasp and creep over the line for Cameron's hat-trick.

A devastating burst of pace and trickery on the right wing from James Ford in the fifty seventh minute took him to the bye-line from where his low cutback picked out the near post run of David Beaton who gleefully steered the ball into the bottom corner for Saints fourth.

Good shifts from Scott Johnston and James Ford were cut short on the hour mark by Willie Gemmell when the Saints Gaffer opted to withdraw the hard working pair in favour of Kerr Newbigging and Martin Bonar. The personnel change also prompted a change of formation to 3-5-2 for the final third of the match.

Red Star keeper Ally Lewis made further good saves to deny David Beaton, Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan before Saints Skipper Dene Cassells struck the outside of the post from a tight angle after taking down a deep Lewis Cameron corner kick from the left.

The hard pressed visitor's defence held out until the final minute when Lewis Cameron completed his four goal haul with a twenty yard free-kick up and over the Red Star wall to round off a comfortable victory.

Referee Litster, who handled the good natured encounter well, brought proceedings to an end giving both sides ninety welcome minutes of action in these most uncertain times.

Saints Gaffer Willie Gemmell and Secretary Davie Buchanan will continue the search for available opponents to keep the players ticking over ahead of a return to competitive action.

Visiting Gaffer Colin Weir, despite the score line, can feel pleased that his young charges competed well for long periods against considerably more experienced opponents.