Cup Fever

Cup Fever (Extract)

Saturday 3rd October 2015

The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition

Oban Saints AFC v Millbeg Villa AFC

Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH

Kick off 2pm

Referee Mr Kevin Nolan 

Cup fever comes to Oban this Saturday when Saints host Millbeg Villa in the second round of the Scottish Amateur Cup at Glencruitten. Saints and Millbeg were among the 250 or so grateful recipients of a bye into round two when the initial entrants went into the hat for the first round draw on 10th August. However, with the competition starting in earnest, both teams will now be desperate to make their mark in Scottish Amateur Football's most prestigious competition.

Saturday's visitors ply their trade in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two where they currently sit in fourth place eight points behind undefeated early pace setters Bridgewater. Founded in 2008 Millbeg Amateurs hail from the East End of Glasgow and play their home matches at Lochend Community High School in the Easterhouse district of the city. After one season in the rough and tumble of the West of Scotland Amateur Football League the "Mill" successfully applied for membership of the Scottish Amateur Football League in time for the start of the 2009 - 10 season. The switch quickly paid off with the club securing their one and only piece of silverware so far with the capture of the Colin Munro Cup in their first season in the SAFL. After six seasons in the lower reaches of the league set-up, including a name change to Millbeg Villa AFC in 2012, the "Mill" won promotion to Premier Division Two courtesy of last season's third place finish in Division One which they hope will be the catalyst for their push for a place in the Premier Division with the top guns of the SAFL. 

Like Saints, Millbeg's results so far this season have been a bit of a mixed bag however an away tie against higher league opposition in the county's premier cup competition is sure to bring out the best in them. The Saints home faithful can therefore look forward to an exciting afternoon's football in what will be only their third glimpse of their favourites in competitive action so far this season.

Saints good run in reaching the latter stages of the Scottish Amateur Cup took a bit of a dent last season with a third round exit at the hands of top Caledonian League side Giffnock North. After 180 enthralling minutes of ebb and flow, a controversial last gasp goal in the replay at Northolm Park, Giffnock saw Saints edged out by the odd goal in thirteen. Saints new Management team of Alex Craik and assistant Donald Campbell will be looking to build upon the good work of predecessor Iain Jackson in this competition and lead Saints to the Holy Grail of a Scottish Amateur Cup win.

Saints injury worries look to be clearing up with long term absentees Dougal and Chris Graham now back in training. Also emerging from the treatment room is goalkeeper Thomas McCulloch who has recovered from the badly cut hand sustained on the eve of Saints 3 - 1 home league victory over Alba Thistle. Save for the other usual disruptions of work and essential family commitments, Manager Alex Craik should have a strong squad to chose from in this his first Scottish Amateur Cup tie in the Saints hot seat.

  

Millbeg Villa's fixtures so far this season:-

15th August Centenary Cup 1st Round Millbeg Villa 3 - 1 Duncanrig FP

19th August Premier Division Two Shawlands FP (B) 0 - 1 Millbeg Villa

22nd August Premier Division Two Millbeg Villa 1 - 1 Strathaven Dynamo

29th August Premier Division Two Millbeg Villa 0 - 2 Dumbarton Wanderers

12th September Centenary Cup 2nd Round Neilston 1 - 0 Millbeg Villa 

19th September Premier Division Two Port Glasgow OBU 1 - 3 Millbeg Villa

Millbeg Villa's record in the Scottish Amateur Football League:-

2011 - 12 Division One 4th

2012 - 13 Division One 9th

2013 - 14 Division One 7th

2014 - 15 Division One 3rd Promoted

Millbeg Villa's recent record in the Scottish Amateur Cup:-

2014 - 15 3rd Round
2013 - 14 2nd Round
2012 - 13 1st Round
2011 - 12 5th Round
2010 - 11 2nd Round
2009 - 10 2nd Round

Saints recent record in the Scottish Amateur Cup:-

2014 - 15 3rd Round

2013 - 14 7th Round

2012 - 13 7th Round

2011 - 12 6th Round

2010 - 11 2nd Round

2009 - 10 5th Round

2008 - 09 Quarter Finals

2007 - 08 2nd Round

2006 - 07 Quarter Finals

Millbeg Villa AFC

#monthesaints

Weekend

Eddie Cochrane - Weekend

SAINTS HAVE NO FIXTURE THIS WEEK DUE TO THE SEPTEMBER WEEKEND HOLIDAY

Scottish Amateur Football League Select

Last Sunday 20th September the Scottish Amateur Football League Select lined up against top Scottish Lowland League side East Kilbride for their first friendly match of the season. The match was played at the excellent new 4g pitch at New Western Park in Blythswood Retail Park home of Renfrew Juniors. The SAFL Select, under the supervision of new Manager Richard Byers assisted by Stuart Robertson, came out on the wrong end of a 4 - 0 scoreline against their high flying opponents who currently sit second top of the Scottish Lowland League having lost just one of their opening six league fixtures. Despite the disappointing scoreline this was a useful exercise for the Select against the current holders of the Lowland League Cup and one which the new management team will hope to build on in the months ahead. Saints were represented by Select Squad regulars Lewis Cameron, Donald Campbell, Myles McAuley and Marc MacCallum all of whom acquitted themselves well against their very experienced opponents.

Lewis Cameron

Donald Campbell

Myles McAuley

Marc MacCallum

New Western Park, Blythswood Retail Park, Renfrew - Home of Renfrew FC

Winter Training

In a sure sign that winter is almost upon us Saints returned to the 3G community pitch at Oban High School for training where they will remain until the end of the season. In a welcome boost to the squad long term injury victim Dougal Graham and even longer term injury victim twin brother Chris returned to training. Hopefully it won't be too long before both are pushing for a place in the side.

West of Scotland Cup

While Saints were kicking their heels on the sidelines last Saturday the rest of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division were all in league or West of Scotland Cup action. Reigning champions St Joseph's FP continued their 100% start to the defence of their title with a 2 - 1 win over Finnart at Mountblow while Saints Argyll rivals Campbeltown Pupils notched up their first victory of the season with an impressive 4 - 1 away win at Alba Thistle. The results mean that after four league fixtures sixth placed Saints trail leaders St Joseph's FP by eight points.

In the West of Scotland Cup first round East Kilbride FC Amateurs, Goldenhill and Shawlands FP all progressed comfortably to round two with wins over Gryffe Thistle, Mill United and Dennistoun Waverley respectively. Also through to round two where they will host Saints on Saturday 17th October are East Kilbride Rolls Royce. The Rolly booked their place in the next round with a 3 -1 home win over FC Clydebank of SAFL Premier Division Two. The SAFL Premier Division's only first round casualties were Inverclyde who went down 2 -1 in another all SAFL tie at Premier Division Two Dumbarton Wanderers. 

#monthesaints

Breaking Glass

(I Love The Sound Of) Breaking Glass - Nick Lowe

SAINTS HAVE NO FIXTURE THIS WEEKEND

Last Time Out

Saints returned to winning ways against an impressive Alba Thistle side at Glencruitten to lift themselves off the foot of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division. Manager Alex Craik had his plans thrown into disarray on the morning of the match when goalkeeper Thomas McCulloch called off with a cut hand suffered in a bizarre DIY accident with a glass light shade. Veteran net minder David Dunlop answered the call and it was a reassuring sight for the Saints faithful to see the vastly experienced keeper taking care of business between the posts once again. After weathering the early Alba storm Saints opened the scoring through Craig MacEwan but were quickly pegged back by a Gordon Meredith strike for the visitors who looked an improved side on the one which escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season. Saints exerted more of an influence in the second half and regained the lead when Craig MacEwan netted his second of the afternoon heading home a Lewis Cameron cross. The points were wrapped up by Myles McAuley when the big midfielder got on the end of a terrific run and cutback from the bye-line from skipper Marc MacCallum to round off the scoring at 3 - 1.

Disappointingly for Saints, due to West of Scotland Cup first round fixtures and next week's September Weekend Holiday, they will now have to wait until Saturday 3rd October to see if they can finally put together a winning run. 

Thomas McCulloch

David Dunlop

Craig MacEwan

In Other News

This Sunday 20th September the Scottish Amateur Football League Select will face top Scottish Lowland League side East Kilbride in a friendly match at the excellent new 4g pitch at New Western Park home of Renfrew Juniors. The SAFL Select will be under the supervision of new Manager Richard Byers assisted by Stuart Robertson. The Select face a difficult task against high flying East Kilbride who sit second in the Lowland League one point behind Edinburgh City and are the current holders of the Lowland League Cup. Saints representatives in the Select Squad are Lewis Cameron, Donald Campbell, Myles McAuley and Marc MacCallum all of whom can boast numerous appearances at this level.

Lewis Cameron

Donald Campbell

Myles McAuley

Marc MacCallum

New Western Park, Blythswood Retail Park, Renfrew - Home of Renfrew FC

In Other Other News

Congratulations to former Saints goalkeeper Daniel Cassells and his family on the birth of daughter Artemis Serifi Cassells.

Big Dan showing a safe pair of hands

#monthesaints

Breakdown

The Buzzcocks - Breakdown

Saturday 12th September 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Alba Thistle AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr John Stobo

Saints league title aspirations are currently up on blocks and in need of some urgent attention if they are to mount a serious challenge this season. The signs were encouraging in preseason with the new engine management system producing several good performances in test drives. However, after stalling on the opening day of the season, Saints have since refused to start even after some tinkering from new chief mechanic Alex Craik. When asked to describe the symptoms Alex was unable to positively identify the problem but narrowed it down to misfiring upfront and an intermittent leak at the back. To make matters worse the big end will now have to be removed and will be replaced up front by a leaner model for several weeks. Despite not starting again last Saturday there was definite signs that the Saints engine is finally about to turnover and will hopefully fire into action this weekend. On top of all that the minibus is f***ed!!!!

#monthesaints

More Superstitions

Stevie Wonder - Superstition

Saturday 5th September 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
St Joseph's FP AFC v Oban Saints AFC
William Street, Duntocher, Clydebank G81 6DF
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Mark Cameron

The unwelcome third landmark moment speculated upon in last week's blog post duly arrived last Saturday morning in the form of an unprecedented waterlogged Glencruitten 2 pitch in August! Last Saturday's Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division match against Campbeltown Pupils looked to have survived the heavy overnight rain when Glencruitten 2 passed an early morning pitch inspection. However, with the pitch marked and the nets up, the rain continued to fall faster than the ground could soak it up and a decision to postpone the match was taken to avoid a wasted journey for the visitors.

This Saturday Saints take their search for their first win of the season to Duntocher to face reigning Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions St Joseph's FP. It was a case of honours even in the league meetings between the two sides last season with St Joe's impressing in a convincing 5 - 2 win at Glencruitten in November and Saints winning the return fixture at William Street in April 2 - 1 courtesy of goals from Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan. When the pair were drawn together at the semi-final stage of the SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy at Millburn Park, Alexandria in May it was the men from Duntocher who came out on top. A sluggish start from Saints was severely punished by a Ryan Holmes inspired St Joe's who raced into a two goal lead inside the opening eleven minutes. Despite a spirited recovery there was to be no way back for cup holders Saints and St Joe's held out comfortably to deny Saints a third consecutive Jimmy Marshall Trophy Final appearance. Man of the match Ryan Holmes, who gave Saints a torrid time on the night, has since left St Joe's to join Clydebank F.C. in the Junior ranks where he is bound to impress.

Last season's league and cup double winners St Joe's have continued their rich vein of form in their opening fixtures of the new season. In the SAFL Centenary Cup they have comfortably eased past Motherwell Thistle and Inverclyde while their defence of the Premier Division kicked off with a convincing 6 - 2 away win at newly promoted Shawlands FP. If you believe in omens St Joe's march to last season's league title got underway with a 6 - 2 away win at newly promoted Campbeltown Pupils!

Saints have an excellent record on St Joe's territory but, as the defeat on erstwhile happy hunting ground Battery Park proves, those records are there to be broken. St Joe's are already shaping up as leading contenders for the Premier Division title therefore Saints will have to be at their best if they are to keep this particular run going and notch their first win of the league campaign. In selecting his travelling party Saints Manager Alex Craik will be faced with the usual mixture of injuries, suspensions, work and family commitments but should still have a strong squad to choose from.

St Joseph's FP AFC Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division fixtures so far this season:-

22nd August 2015 Shawlands FP 2 - 6 St Joseph's FP

St Joseph's SAFL Centenary Cup exploits this season:-

1st Round 15th August 2015 St Joseph's FP 4 - 0 Motherwell Thistle

2nd Round 29th August 2015 St Joseph's FP 3  - 0 Inverclyde

St Joseph's FP AFC recent Scottish Amateur Football League finishes:-

2006/07 Premier Division One 4th

2007/08 Premier Division One 2nd Promoted

2008/09 Premier Division Champions

2009/10 Premier Division 6th

2010/11 Premier Division 6th

2011/12 Premier Division 6th

2012/13 Premier Division 5th

2013/14 Premier Division 3rd

2014/15 Premier Division Champions

Saints away record against St Joseph's FP:-

2008/09 St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Oban Saints
2009/10 St Joseph's FP 1 - 1 Oban Saints
2010/11 St Joseph's FP 1 - 3 Oban Saints
2011/12 St Joseph's FP 0 - 3 Oban Saints
2012/13 St Joseph's FP 0 - 1 Oban Saints
2013/14 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints

2014/15 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints

St Joseph's FP celebrate winning the 2014 -15 SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy to complete a league and cup double

Action from Saints 2 - 1 win over St Joseph's FP at William Street last season

Donald Campbell opens the scoring

Allan Mackay and Christopher Scouller

Craig MacEwan with Craig Cameron in hot pursuit

St Joe's keeper Kevin Connor punches clear

Martin Bonar and St Joe's Captain John Paul Seagrave

Saints clear their lines late in the second half

#monthesaints

I Ain't Superstitious

Howlin' Wolf - I Ain't Superstitious

Saturday 29th August 2015
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Campbeltown Pupils AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr James Litster

If things come in three's then prepare for some kind of unwelcome landmark occasion this Saturday when Campbeltown Pupils visit Glencruitten for the first Argyll Derby of the season. Saints inauspicious start to the season has included the first goalless draw in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division for 9 years (possibly longer as that is as far back as the league's digital records go) and the end of Saints six match winning streak at Battery Park, Greenock. But, as Chester Arthur Burnett aka Howlin' Wolf might say, I ain't superstitious!

This Saturday Saints welcome Argyll rivals Campbeltown Pupils to Glencruitten for what is widely considered to be the biggest of all the Argyll derbies. As derby matches go Pupils v Saints is not exactly local but the 88 or so miles between the two clubs does nothing to diminish their fierce rivalry. The battle for football supremacy in Argyll has raged long and hard since Saints gained admission to the Scottish Amateur Football League in 1976 paving the way for the other Argyll teams. Saints and Pupils have been by far the most successful of the Argyll clubs with both enjoying spells as "top dogs". Saints may have been first to join the SAFL but it was Pupils who were first to fulfill the criteria for admission to the Premier Divison. Similarly it was Pupils who were the first Argyll club to be crowned SAFL Premier Division Champions beating their Oban rivals to this prestigious accolade by 10 years. Since then the balance of power has swung towards Saints with the Oban club now in it's 14th consecutive season in the top flight during which time Pupils have yo-yo'd between the three divisions in the Premier League set-up. 

After a five year absence Pupils returned to the Premier Division last season on the back of two consecutive league championships, the foundation for this resurgence being a phenomenal home record of just two defeats in three seasons. Unfortunately for Pupils they were unable to continue that excellent home record in the Premier Division and lost six of their nine home fixtures. They did, however, fare slightly better on the road and gathered enough points on their travels to ensure top flight survival for another season.

The return of the Argyll Derby was a welcome addition to the fixture calendar last season and one in which Saints enjoyed the upper hand. A 59th minute Allan Mackay strike was enough to secure the points for Saints in a highly competitive match at Kintyre Park, Campbeltown last September. At Glencruitten on the final day of the season skipper Paul Grumoli converted a third minute penalty kick to give Pupils the lead but a goal in each half from top scorer Mackay saw Saints prevail to finish a frustrating season on a winning note and end retiring Manager Iain Jackson's tenure on a high. 

On the team news front striker Dean Smith serves the last of his three match suspension picked up for a red card against Alba Thistle last season, Dougal Graham remains someway short of fitness in his recovery from a broken ankle and Dene Cassells is working. With those exceptions Manager Alex Craik should have a full squad available for what is sure to be a full blooded affair for precious league points and local bragging rights. 

Campbeltown Pupils Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two Champions 2012 - 13

Campbeltown Pupils league fixtures so far this season:-

15th August 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 1 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

Campbeltown Pupils' recent record in the SAFL:-

2014/15 Premier Division 7th
2013/14 Premier Division One Champions Promoted
2012/13 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2011/12 Premier Division Two 4th
2010/11 Premier Division One 9th Relegated
2009/10 Premier Division One 7th
2008/09 Premier Division 10th Relegated
2007/08 Premier Division One 3rd Promoted
2006/07 Premier Division One 5th

Saints v Pupils in recent seasons:-

2014/15 SAFL Premier Division

13th September 2014 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 1 Oban Saints

30th May 2015 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils

2008/09 SAFL Premier Division

16th August 2008 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils

20th May 2009 Campbeltown Pupils 3 - 2 Oban Saints

Action from Saints 2 - 1 win over Pupils at Lochgilphead Joint Campus in the Argyll & Bute Cup earlier this month

Donald Campbell opens the scoring for Saints

Shaun Maciver scores the winner for Saints

Action from Pupils last visit to Glencruitten on the closing day of last season

Paul Grumoli gives Pupils the lead from the penalty spot

Allan Mackay heads the winner for Saints

Iain Jackson's last half-time team talk

Allan Mackay beats Shaun Grumoli in the air

Donald Campbell lets fly

#monthesaints