Sweet Little Sixteen

Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen

Saturday 6th February 2016

The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
6th Round
Stirling City AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Kings Park
Park Avenue
Stirling
FK8 2JT
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr. Dennis Cotterhill

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Dougal Graham

Donald Campbell
Paul Kerr
Scott Maitland

Dean Smith
Allan Mackay
Craig MacEwan

Used Substitutes:-

Dene Cassells
Willie Gemmell
Keith Millar

Unused Substitute:-

Alex Craik

Saints Goalscorers:-

Craig MacEwan ⚽
Donald Campbell ⚽
Own Goal 

Keith Millar 

Match Report

Saints marched into the last sixteen of the Scottish Amateur Cup with a convincing win over Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B side Stirling City last Saturday afternoon. The match was played at Kings Park in the shadow of Stirling Castle on a grass park which started out soft and deteriorated steadily under the incessant rain. Manager Alex Craik's run of good fortune in being able to name the same squad for consecutive fixtures ran out with Ross Maitland's non-availability due to family commitments forcing a reshuffle in the starting line-up. Allan Mackay kept his place after an impressive showing against New Farm Loch in the West of Scotland Cup with Dean Smith getting the nod to replace Ross Maitland on the right of the front three. Saints started well playing some great football and had the home side pinned back in their own half straight from the kick off. Despite their early territorial advantage Saints were unable to test Ross Graham in the City goal as the home defence comfortably repelled first a Scott Maitland out-swinging corner kick from the left then a Donald Campbell free kick also from the left after Dougal Graham had been brought down by Scott Younger. City lost the services of Gerard McCaferty in the seventh minute with his place in the middle of the park being taken by substitute Bryan White. Saints made the deserved breakthrough in the ninth minute after Allan Mackay won a corner kick on the Saints right. Scott Maitland's in-swinger was headed clear but returned immediately by Paul Kerr picking out Dean Smith on the right who was brought down by Harry Prescott giving Saints another dead ball opportunity. Scott Maitland's delivery was excellent and Craig MacEwan forced his way in between Lewis McKinlay and Mark Donnelly on the six yard line to power a downward header past Ross Graham. Donald Campbell picked up the first yellow card of the day in the eleventh minute for a late challenge on Stuart White in the centre circle which the Referee was quick to punish despite the underfoot conditions having contributed considerably. White launched the free kick deep into the Saints box looking for Lewis McKinlay but put too much on it and sent the ball harmlessly behind for a goal kick. City slowly edged their way into the game with Scott Younger looking lively up front and keeping the Saints back four of David McArthur, Marc Maccallum, Jamie Graham and Dougal Graham on their toes. City had their first real sight of goal in the twenty fourth minute with Scott Younger making a good run into the box past Dougal Graham and picking out Mark Donnelly at the back for a powerful header which Thomas McCulloch saved well. Saints immediately broke up field with Craig MacEwan making a terrific run on the right hitting the bye-line and cutting back for Donald Campbell to tap in from two yards to double Saints advantage. Saints went looking for a third and came close when Allan Mackay beat City skipper Lewis McKinlay to power a net bound header from a Scott Maitland cross which Ross Graham did well to claw away diving to his right. On the half hour mark Saints survived a penalty appeal when Scott Younger got in behind the Saints back four and went down under a challenge from Thomas McCulloch. The big Saints keeper was grateful to receive the benefit of the doubt with Referee Dennis Cotterhill ruling that Thomas had fairly beaten his man to the ball. Scott Younger's movement up front caused more problems in the thirty second minute when he spun away from Dougal Graham and hooked a shot from an Allan Robertson pass over the crossbar. City tried the aerial route in the thirty ninth minute with Stuart White launching a deep free kick from inside the centre circle which Thomas McCulloch did well to hold under pressure from Lewis McKinlay. Saints carved open the City defence again in the forty second minute and only a desperate last gasp sliding interception from Danny MacDonald prevented Scott Maitland from adding to the scoring. Donald Campbell slipped an excellent ball through to Craig MacEwan on the left who cut into the box and squared for Scott only for MacDonald to slide in and turn the ball behind for a corner kick. Donald Campbell went short with the corner working a one-two with Dougal Graham to open up the angle for a cross. Donald's cross was headed away by Mark Donnelly but only as far as Scott Maitland whose left foot shot from the edge of the box cleared the cross bar by a foot. Saints ended the half on the attack with Allan Mackay forcing a corner kick on the left from which Donald Campbell sent in a tempting cross that Ross Graham read well to come through a ruck of players and punch clear. Referee Cotterhill brought the half to an end and, unusually for this level of football, both sides retired to the dressing rooms for a ten minute interval giving the bedraggled spectators the chance to seek out some shelter of their own.

City kicked off the second half in a more determined fashion pinning Saints back in their own half but a very solid defensive display from the Saints back four, well marshaled by skipper Marc Maccallum, kept the home side at arms length. City's injury problems continued in the fifty first minute when left full back Harry Prescott limped off with a dead leg to be replaced by Scott MacArthur. Moments later Craig MacEwan's afternoon came to a premature end when the heavy going finally took it's toll on his niggling calf injury. Craig's departure signaled a change of formation for Saints with substitute Willie Gemmell joining Donald Campbell, Paul Kerr and Scott Maitland in the middle of the park leaving Allan Mackay and Dean Smith up front. In the fifty seventh minute Dean Smith broke clear on the right wing but had his cross looking for Allan Mackay blocked on the edge of the six yard box. Allan chased down the loose ball fouling Danny MacDonald by the corner flag in the process. MacDonald attempted to steal ten yards for the free kick and was cautioned by Referee Cotterhill for initially refusing to take the kick from the proper position. Two minutes later Donald Campbell sent Smith tearing down the right wing again this time winning a throw in level with the penalty spot. Willie Gemmell's long throw was flicked on by Allan Mackay and hooked goalwards by David McArthur who couldn't believe his luck when Lewis McKinlay somehow managed to get back to clear the ball off the line just inside the far post. The slippery conditions were making things difficult for both sets of players but certainly added to the old fashioned cup tie atmosphere. Dean Smith made another break forward on the right in the sixty fourth minute but, cutting inside, over ran the ball sliding into Scott MacArthur and picking up a yellow card in the process. In the sixty ninth minute Donald Campbell made a good run evading several lunging challenges before slipping a low left foot shot inches wide of the base of the keeper's right hand post. City continued to press high up the park leaving space behind for Saints to break into. In the seventy second minute Dean Smith sent Donald Campbell racing through the inside right channel where he was headed off by Danny MacDonald. Donald refused to give up and closed down and dispossessed the tall central defender laying the ball back to David McArhur who swung in a right foot cross which deceived everybody and hit the far post. The ball dropped to Scott Maitland who sent the ball back across the six yard box where Lewis McKinlay showed great composure to clear the danger. With fifteen minutes remaining Dene Cassells replaced Dean Smith up front with Dene's fresh legs immediately looking a threat to Ciy's high defensive line. Two minutes after coming on Dene's direct running opened up the City defence again with the supporting cast of Allan Mackay, Willie Gemmell and Scott Maitland all passing up decent shooting opportunities before allowing the home defence to clear the danger. With the clock ticking down City pushed central defender Danny MacDonald up front but the Saints defence stood firm paving the way for a wave of counter attacks. David McArthur lead another charge up the right wing and picked out Willie Gemmell's run through the inside right channel with Willie's low shot clipping the outside of the Ross Graham's left hand post with the big keeper rooted to the spot. In the seventy ninth minute Graham was on his toes to pull off an excellent save from Allan Mackay at the back post after Allan had peeled away from Lewis McKinlay to volley a David McArthur right wing cross net bound. The beleaguered City defence were under pressure again almost immediately when Ross Graham failed to get any distance on a goal kick inviting Dene Cassells to race forward and fire in a right foot shot which, much to the keeper's relief went the wrong side of the post and into the side netting. Saints profligacy in front of goal was punished in the eighty first minute when Danny MacDonald volleyed home from the edge of the Saints box finding the bottom corner after Saints had only partially cleared another lofted long ball from Stuart White. City's hopes of a forcing an equaliser were short lived and within three minutes Saints restored their two goal advantage. Donald Campbell picked out another surging run from Dene Cassells who powered into the box and fired a shot across the goal keeper which the unfortunate Bryan White slid in and turned into his own net. Manager Alex Craik made his final change with five minutes remaining sending on Keith Millar to replace Allan Mackay leaving Saints to complete the match with a very unfamiliar front pairing of Dene Cassells and Keith Millar. The unlikely lads combined to complete the scoring in the eighty eighth minute. Dene closed down City skipper McKinlay and played in Keith racing through the inside left channel. With just the keeper to beat Keith calmly slotted the ball inside the keepers right hand post making the final score 4 - 1 to Saints. In the remaining minutes Donald Campbell twice came close to adding to the scoring before Referee Cotterhill, who handled the match well, blew for full time sending a happy Saints camp into Wednesday's seventh round draw.

Saints now turn their attention back to West of Scotland Amateur Cup duty for the visit to Oban next Saturday of runaway Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders Colville Park. 

Craig MacEwan heads Saints into the lead

Ross Graham saves an Allan Mackay header

Thomas McCulloch collects under pressure from Lewis McKinlay

Dene Cassells

Saints celebrate their third goal

Willie Gemmell, Keith Millar and Dene Cassells celebrate Saints fourth goal

     

#monthesaints

⚽

In The City

The Jam - In The City

Saturday 6th February 2016

The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition
6th Round
Stirling City AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Kings Park
Park Avenue
Stirling
FK8 2JT
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr. Dennis Cotterhill

Last Time Out

Last Saturday at a wind swept Oban High School 3G Saints booked their place in the fifth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup with a 3 - 1 win over New Farm Loch of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Third Division. Despite playing into the teeth of a howling gale in the first half Saints reached the interval one goal to the good courtesy of a delightful curling right foot finish from the corner of the box by Ross Maitland. Saints were also unfortunate to see a strong penalty kick appeal rebuffed by Referee Stephen Payne who rubbed salt into the wound by brandishing a yellow card for simulation at a bemused Craig MacEwan. New Farm Loch started the second half strongly and brought themselves back on level terms after just sixty seconds with a right foot screamer from right full back Graeme Cook after Saints had failed to clear their lines from a long throw-in. With the wind at their backs Saints recovered from this setback to dominate the remainder of the match and, but for some excellent saves from New Farm Loch keeper Blair Cousar and some wayward finishing, would have run out far more convincing winners. As it was Saints had to content themselves with a close range Craig MacEwan finish after good work by Donald Campbell and a trade mark Willie Gemmell free kick to complete the scoring at 3 - 1.

Saints now have a home tie against runaway Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders Colville Park in round five.

Craig MacEwan

In The City

Saints quest for Scottish Amateur Cup glory takes them to Stirling this weekend where they will face Stirling City in the sixth round. The match will be played at Kings Park against the striking backdrop of Stirling Castle. The City were founded in 2004 under the name of Abbey Inn Football Club and adopted the name Stirling City one year later when their application to join the Stirling and District League set-up was approved. After winning their only competitive silverware to date, the Division One League Cup, the City departed the Stirling and District League to join the Central Scottish Amateur Football League in time for the start of the 2009 - 10 season. The City have since spent six seasons in Division One of the Central League with their best finish coming in season 2012/13 where they finished in third place behind Greenock High School Former Pupils and Eastfield both of whom are familiar names to Saints fans. The City currently occupy seventh place in Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B with thirteen points from eight games played seven points behind leaders Haldane United. Last Saturday the City became just the second team to take points off the undefeated Haldane when they held the leaders to a 2 - 2 draw at Vale of Leven High School and can consider themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points. In their previous match the City also posted an impressive result in knocking Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division opposition Steins Thistle out of the Scottish Amateur Cup paving the way for this Saturday's sixth round tie against Saints.

Saints Manager Alex Craik's run of good fortune in being able to name the same squad for consecutive fixtures comes to an end this Saturday with family commitments depriving him of the services of Ross Maitland. With that one exception Alex will name the same squad that took Saints into the fifth round of the West of Scotland Cup against New Farm Loch last Saturday. Injured trio Martin Bonar, Chris Graham and Myles McAuley remain sidelined and still some way short of a return to action.

Ross Maitland

Stirling City's results so far this season:-

Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1B

8th August 2015 Stirling City 0 - 4 Postal United
19th August 2015 Dunblane Thistle 3 - 2 Stirling City
26th August 2015 Stirling City 6 - 1 Waterside
29th August 2015 Stirling City 1 - 0 Gourock Athletic
26th September 2015 Ashvale Victoria 1 - 3 Stirling City
7th November 2015 Wishaw HSFP 4 - 3 Stirling City
19th December 2015 Stirling City v Arthurlie Juniors (Walkover for Stirling City)
30th January 2016 Haldane United 2 - 2 Stirling City




Scottish Amateur Cup 

1st Round
5th September 2015 Stirling Boys Club 3 - 4 Stirling City

2nd Round
3rd October 2015 Stirling City 6 - 0 Fossoway

3rd Round
31st October 2015 Stirling City 7 - 0 Douglas Athletic

4th Round
12th December 2015 Stirling City 5 - 2 Glenmuir Thistle

5th Round
9th January 2016 Steins Thistle 0 - 2 Stirling City



East of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
17th October 2015 Redpath Albion 2 - 5 Stirling City

2nd Round
21st November 2015 Ratho Athletic 3 - 2 Stirling City



CSAFL Bunrigh Trophy

1st Round
15th August 2015 Mill United 0 - 3 Stirling City

2nd Round
12th September 2015 Stirling City 3 - 6 Dunblane Thistle



CSAFL Cinema Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
24th October 2015 Stirling City 6 - 3 Arthurlie Juniors (After Extra Time)



Stirling City's record in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League:-

2009/10 Division 1B 5th
2010/11 Division 1A 6th
2011/12 Division 1B 9th
2012/13 Division 1A 3rd
2013/14 Division 1B 5th
2014/15 Division 1B 5th

Kings Park, Stirling

Stirling City celebrate pre-season tournament success

Stirling City celebrate their second goal in last Saturday's 2 - 2 draw with Haldane United

In Other News

The draw for the sixth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup took place at Hampden Park on Tuesday afternoon. The winner of Saints fifth round tie against last season's runners-up Colville Park will face a home tie against cup holders Greenock High School Former Pupils.

#monthesaints

Gone With The Wind

Saturday 30th January 2016
Scottish Amateur Football Association
Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Fourth Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC 3 - 1 New Farm Loch AFC
Oban Community Sports Field (3G), Soroba Road, Oban, Argyll PA34 4JB
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Stephen Payne

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Dougal Graham

Scott Maitland
Paul Kerr
Donald Campbell

Ross Maitland
Allan Mackay
Craig MacEwan

Used Substitutes:-

Dene Cassells
Willie Gemmell
Keith Millar
Dean Smith

Unused Substitute:-

Alex Craik

Saints Goalscorers:-

Ross Maitland ⚽
Craig MacEwan ⚽
Willie Gemmell 

Match Report

Saints overcame New Farm Loch and the tail end of storm Gertrude to secure their place in the fifth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup on the 3G at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon. By the middle of the middle of the week it was obvious that Glencruitten had no chance of surviving the deluge therefore an early decision was made to switch the tie to the all weather surface. Manager Alex Craik had the rare luxury of being able to name the same squad for the third game running but decided to make two changes to his starting line-up bringing in Scott Maitland and Allan Mackay with Willie Gemmell and Dean Smith dropping to the bench. Prior to kick-off a silence of remembrance was held for friend of New Farm Loch and former Craigie Amateurs player Sammy McCutcheon who sadly passed away during the week. The visitors won the toss and chose to have the benefit of the wind in the first half leaving Saints to kick-off into the howling gale blowing from the Games Park end. In the opening two minutes the decision to allow the match to proceed looked questionable as Saints were locked inside their own half and unable to get the ball under control. New Farm Loch or the Loyal as they like to be known rained in high balls and wind assisted long throws which had the Saints defence in all sorts of trouble. David McArthur headed a long throw behind for a corner kick which was lifted over everybody but, thankfully for Saints, landed on top of the crossbar and bounced behind for a goal kick. Saints still couldn't get out of their own half and in a melee in their box Thomas McCulloch made a save at the feet of Dale Andrews. Saints weathered the early Loyal storm and had their own first chance in the fourth minute when a neat Craig MacEwan back heel opened up space for an Allan Mackay shot which keeper Blair Cousar tipped around the post for a corner kick. The normally deadly accurate Ross Maitland cross failed to materialise as the wind took the ball well off course and away from waiting Saints heads in the penalty box. Despite managing to keep the visitors at a safe distance Saints continued to struggle to get their own game going and it wasn't until the twentieth minute that the New Farm Loch keeper was forced into action again. Allan Mackay won a free kick ten yards inside the Loyal half which Donald Campbell lofted into the box looking for Craig MacEwan. Craig showed good touch to control the ball and set up Allan Mackay for another shot from twelve yards which was again tipped round the post by Cousar. For the second time Ross Maitland's corner kick was well off target and the danger was cleared. In the twenty third minute David McArthur made a driving run into the box and won a corner kick off a good interception by Loyal left full back Chris Young. Ross Maitland finally looked to have the measure of the wind and landed his corner kick straight onto the forehead of Craig MacEwan who bulleted a powerful header over the crossbar from seven yards out. Saints were knocking on the door now and the breakthrough came just one minute later. Donald Campbell played a diagonal pass to Ross Maitland who tore through the inside left channel and, from the corner of the box, curled a delightful finish past the despairing dive of Cousar and into the far corner of the net to give Saints the lead. From the re-start the visitors raced straight up the park and forced Dougal Graham into conceding a corner on the Saints left. The corner kick was landed right on top of Thomas McCulloch who showed excellent handling to pluck the ball from the air under pressure from New Farm Loch central defender David Sharkey. The visitors lost the services of Chris Young in the thirty second minute when the left back, who was already carrying an ankle knock, collapsed under a fairly innocuous looking Donald Campbell challenge on the half way line and had to be helped from the field of play. High balls at the centre of the defence were proving extremely difficult to judge and a sliced Jamie Graham clearance gave Kevin Michael the chance to deliver a dangerous cross into the box which Saints skipper Marc Maccallum had to dive full length to head behind for a corner kick. The Saints defence headed the corner behind for a second corner from the opposite flank which was headed clear by Paul Kerr at the back post. The Loyal had their best chance of the half in the thirty seventh minute when Alan Baird got in between David McArthur and Marc Maccallum for a shot on goal from which Thomas McCulloch made an excellent save throwing up a strong right hand to turn the ball behind for a corner kick. Saints ended the half on the front foot with Ross Maitland narrowly failing to pick out Allan Mackay in the middle after a good run up the right wing. In the forty fourth minute Craig MacEwan looked set to double Saints lead when he beat the offside trap and attempted to round Blair Cousar only to be caught by the slightest of touches by the visiting keeper. Craig went down under the challenge but Referee Stephen Payne, who handled the match well throughout, ruled that he had gone to ground too easily and booked the Saints man for simulation. It was a satisfied Saints camp at half time well pleased that they had negotiated the testing first half conditions to emerge with a clean sheet and a slender lead on which to build.        

The visitors kicked off the second half and shocked Saints in the first minute when Graeme Cook pounced on a loose ball on the corner of the box after Saints had failed to deal with a long throw-in from the left touch line. The Loyal right full back rifled an unstoppable shot across Thomas McCulloch and into the bottom corner to bring the visitors level. Despite this setback with the wind at their backs and almost the entire second half still to play Saints were very much in pole position and proceeded to dominate the remainder of the match running out comfortable winners. Shots from distance were always likely to present a problem for the goal keeper and Donald Campbell was first to try his luck but his forty eighth minute effort flew high over the cross bar. Allan Mackay was next just one minute later but saw his shot from the edge of the box well held by Blair Cousar. In the fifty first minute Craig MacEwan went down in the box for the second time of the afternoon and this time Referee Payne had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot for a clear trip by Graeme Cook. Regular penalty taker Donald Campbell took aim for the bottom corner but was thwarted by an excellent finger tip save low down to his left by Blair Cousar. Paul Kerr was next with a long range effort but his twenty five yard shot was deflected behind for a corner. Allan Mackay met Ross Maitland's delivery but his header lacked direction and was easily gathered by Blair Cousar. In the fifty fifth minute Donald Campbell made a good run into the box but couldn't get the ball far enough out of his feet to get any power on his shot which was safely gathered by Cousar. Parity for the visitors lasted only one minute longer when Donald Campbell tricked his way along the byeline and squared to Craig MacEwan to tap in from one yard out. More trickery in the box, this time from Craig MacEwan, set up Ross Maitland for a shot on goal but a last ditch interception by Steven Milligan blocked the wee man's shot and the danger was cleared. The visitors suffered another injury blow just after the hour mark with central defender David Sharkey limping off to be replaced by Gavin Cooper. In the sixty third minute Craig MacEwan had a very presentable opportunity to double his tally from six yards but was denied by the feet of Blair Cousar after David McArthur had picked him out with a terrific cross from the right wing. From the resulting corner kick on the left Ross Maitland went short working a one-two with Dougal Graham creating space for a right foot shot which curled wide of the far post. Allan Mackay again tested Blair Cousar with a right foot shot which the impressive keeper did well to hold. Mark Wylie found his way into the Referee's note booked for a foul on Scott Maitland and was quickly joined there by Graeme Cook who brought a jinking sixty sixth minute Craig MacEwan run to an end on the edge of the box with a cynical trip. Allan Mackay assumed responsibility for the free-kick but sent a wayward effort well wide of the keeper's left hand post. Manager Alex Craik then made this first of his changes replacing Jamie Graham at the heart of the defence with Dene Cassells. A rare foray up field brought the Loyal a seventieth minute free kick after David McArthur was penalised for a push on Kevin Michael. The wide man sent over a good cross to the back post where Gavin Cooper stole in between Dene Cassells and David McArthur to get in a powerful header which Thomas McCulloch saved well diving to his right despite the Referee ruling that the New Farm Loch substitute has strayed off-side. Ross Maitland then made way for Willie Gemmell with Scott Maitland moving forward and Willie joining Paul Kerr and Donald Campbell in the middle of the park. Willie's first involvement was a long throw from which Craig MacEwan forced a corner kick. Scott Maitland took over corner kick duties and found Craig MacEwan in the centre who was unable to generate any power on his header giving Blair Cousar an easy catch. With ten minutes remaining Dean Smith replaced Allan Mackay at centre forward and quickly made a telling contribution. Chasing down a Donald pass in the inside left channel Dean showed good perseverance to draw a foul from Graeme Cook winning a free-kick twenty four yards from goal in prime Willie Gemmell territory. Willie didn't disappoint curling a right foot shot around the wall and inside the far post past the despairing left hand of Cousar for the killer third goal. Alex Craik then made his final change bringing on Keith Millar to replace Paul Kerr as the midfield anchor. Saints failure to add to their tally is almost entirely due to the lightning reflexes of New Farm Loch keeper Blair Cousar who stood firm behind his tiring defence to deny Saints with a string of magnificent saves. Willie Gemmell, Scott Maitland and Dean Smith can all count themselves desperately unlucky to see net bound efforts tipped around the post by a keeper on top form. With the match over as a contest and hail showers now adding to the weather problems the Referee's final whistle was a welcome sound for all. Full credit to both sets of players and Referee Stephen Payne for producing an entertaining game in extremely challenging conditions. Saints reward for this victory is a home fifth round tie against Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division runaway leaders Colville Park on a date yet to be set.         

Silence of remembrance for Sammy McCutcheon

David McArthur, Kevin Michael and Thomas McCulloch

Ross Maitland

Donald Campbell

New Farm Loch keeper Blair Cousar

Chris Young's afternoon comes to a premature end

Graeme Cook equalises for New Farm Loch

Allan Mackay sends a free kick wide of target

Another chance goes begging

Second half goal mouth action

Craig MacEwan, David McArthur and Dean Smith celebrate Willie Gemmell's killer third goal

An off-side Gavin Copper gets in a good header and draws a fine save for Thomas McCulloch

Willie Gemmell beats the wall but not Blair Cousar with a late free kick

Craig MacEwan and Graeme Cook exchange pleasantries

A lovely day for a game of football

#monthesaints‪

New Kid In Town

Eagles - New Kid In Town

Saturday 30th January 2016
Scottish Amateur Football Association
Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Amateur Cup
Fourth Round Tie
Oban Saints AFC v New Farm Loch AFC
Oban Community Sports Field (3G), Soroba Road, Oban, Argyll PA34 4JB
Kick Off 1.30pm
Referee Mr Stephen Payne

Last Time Out

Saints league game against East Kilbride Rolls Royce last Saturday was the only Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division fixture to survive the weather. Despite a slightly off-colour performance Saints were too strong for the men from East Kilbride with first half goals from David McArthur and Craig MacEwan being enough to see off a determined Rolly challenge. The narrow 2 - 1 victory saw Saints capitalise on the inactivity of the other title challengers bisecting leading pair St Joseph's F.P. and Inverclyde to reach the half-way point in the season in second place on seventeen points from nine games played.

David McArthur heads Saints in front against East Kilbride Rolls Royce at Glencruitten last Saturday

New Kid In Town

This Saturday Saints welcome Ayrshire Amateur Football Association new kids on the block New Farm Loch to Oban for the first time. The new boys from Kilmarnock only gained entry to the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association league set up in June 2014 but have made significant early strides since then. Eighteen wins from twenty four games, rattling in 109 goals in the process, saw "the Loyal" land the Fourth Division title in their first season pipping Catrine by one point but with a massive goal difference advantage. Their first season also saw them hit the dizzy heights of an Ayrshire Cup semi-final where they were unfortunate to meet the all conquering Hurlford Thistle who ran out comfortable 8 - 0 winners en-route to a fantastic three trophy haul.

The Loyal have continued their impressive form this season where seven league wins from eight sees them currently occupy fourth spot in the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Third Division eleven points behind leaders Catrine but with four games in hand. The only team so far to take league points from the Loyal are Darvel Victoria who punished a rare New Farm Loch off-night back in August to earn a point in an entertaining 4 - 4 draw.

Despite going out of both the Scottish and Ayrshire Amateur cups the Loyal have continued to make progress in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup. Second and third round victories over Alba Thistle and Shawlands F.P. have earned the Loyal a third successive away trip to face Scottish Amateur Football League Premier League opposition this time in the shape Oban Saints.

With the horrendous weather showing no sign of relenting an early decision was made to switch the tie to the all weather surface at Oban High School which, barring heavy snow or gale force winds, should guarantee that game goes ahead. As per West of Scotland Cup rules the tie must be decided on the day with extra time and penalty kicks to decide the winner if necessary. Victory in this tie carries the added incentive of a home fifth round tie against Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division runaway leaders Colville Park.


Barring any late call-offs Saints Manager Alex Craik will have the luxury of being able to name the same squad for a third consecutive match. On the injury front Martin Bonar, Chris Graham and Myles McAuley remain sidelined.






New Farm Loch's League Results so far this season:-

8th August 2015 Symington Caledonian 1 - 7 New Farm Loch
12th August 2015 Stewarton Annick 0 - 2 New Farm Loch
15th August 2015 New Farm Loch 5 - 3 Coylton
17th August 2015 New Farm Loch 4 - 4 Darvel Victoria
26th August 2015 New Farm Loch 3 - 1 Crosshouse Vaverley
12th September 2015 Dalmilling 2 - 7 New Farm Loch
19th September 2015 New Farm Loch 5 - Vale of Girvan
12th December 2015 New Farm Loch 7 - 1 Broomlands

New Farm Loch's Cup Results so far this season:-

Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Cup

1st Round
22nd August 2015 New Farm Loch 4 - 2 Mauchline United

2nd Round
26th September 2015 Lochan 2 - 6 New Farm Loch

Ayrshire Amateur Football Association James Scott Trophy

1st Round
5th September 2015 New Farm Loch 4 - 0 Kilbride Thistle

2nd Round
7th November 2015 New Farm Loch 0 - 2 Winlinton Wolves

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round - Bye

2nd Round
3rd October 2015 Mill United 3 - 3 New Farm Loch

2nd Round Replay
10th October 2015 New Farm Loch 5 - 0 Mill United

3rd Round
31st October 2015 Blackridge Vale of Craig 5 - 4 New Farm Loch

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round - Bye

2nd Round
17th October 2015 Alba Thistle 0 - 5 New Farm Loch

3rd Round
23rd January 2016 Shawlands F.P. 2 - 3 New Farm Loch

New Farm Loch AFC

News From Down Under

Lewis Cameron opens his account for Rochedale Rovers

Former Saints striker Lewis Cameron has signed for Rochedale Rovers ahead of the forthcoming new Brisbane Premier League season. Click the link above to see Lewis open his goal scoring account in a pre-season BLK Silver Boot group section match against Redlands United.

#monthesaints

Roll Up

Saturday 23rd January 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Jamie Graham
Dougal Graham

Willie Gemmell
Paul Kerr
Donald Campbell

Ross Maitland
Dean Smith
Craig MacEwan

Substitutes used:-

Dene Cassells
Allan Mackay
Scott Maitland

Unused Substitutes:-

Alex Craik
Keith Millar

Match Report

Saints closed to within one point of Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders St Joseph's FP with a hard fought win over East Kilbride Rolls Royce at Glencruitten last Saturday afternoon. Despite failing to hit the heights of their last outing against Craigshill Thistle Saints did enough to squeeze past the Rolly and keep themselves firmly in the title race. Manager Alex Craik named the same squad that had propelled Saints into the sixth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup two weeks previously and, unsurprisingly, opted to stick with the same starting eleven.

The visitors won the toss and kicked off attacking the Mossfield end however Saints were quickest out of the traps and inside the first sixty seconds Ross Maitland has a stinging shot from the edge of the box tipped round the post by Rolly keeper Dean Trainor. The wee man's deliveries from the corner flag have been excellent this season with Willie Gemmell this time the beneficiary. Willie climbed well to meet the cross and looked set to open the scoring but his net bound header hit Saints striker Dean Smith on the goal line and was hooked clear but only as far as Ross Maitland on the right wing. Ross sent in a deep cross to the back post which skipper Marc Maccallum threw himself at but was unable to direct his spectacular effort on target. When the two sides met in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup in East Kilbride earlier in the season Saints ran out comfortable winners by five goals to one. This time around the Rolly were determined not to make things so easy for Saints and pressed hard in the middle of the park cutting off the supply line to the front three. After failing to capitalise on their storming start Saints found chances hard to come by and it was another fifteen minutes before they could muster another attempt on goal. Donald Campbell played a good ball from the left to the feet of Dean Smith on the edge of the D. Dean turned his marker and fired in an excellent left foot shot towards the top corner from which Dean Trainor produced an incredible finger tip save diving full length to his left to tip the ball round the post. Trainor then showed good handling to catch Ross Maitland's out swinging corner kick from the right under pressure from Craig MacEwan. In between times the Rolly had their first sight of goal in the tenth minute when left full back Scott Woods easily turned Ross Maitland on the half way line. The Rolly skipper surged forward and picked out Mark McFadden on the edge of the Saints box who shot narrowly over the crossbar. Saints keeper Thomas McCulloch had his first taste of the action in the eighteenth minute making a comfortable save from Paul Walker after the Rolly winger had cut in from the left wing to shoot from the edge of the box. Thomas turned defence into attack with a quick throw to release Donald Campbell for at the Rolly back four. From midway inside the Rolly half Donald played a diagonal ball looking for Ross Maitland on the right wing. The pass was slightly over hit but Ross did well to close down Scott Woods forcing him to conceded a corner kick. Once again Ross produced an excellent delivery which Saints right full back David McArthur met with a prodigious leap on the six yard line to send a crashing header high into the net to give Saints the lead. Saints keeper McCulloch was again called into action in the twentieth minute when Paul Walker delivered a good cross from the left looking for the head of centre forward Austin Reid. The Saints keeper was quickly off his line to punch the ball off the forehead of the big Rolly striker. Saints doubled their advantage in the twenty fourth minute when a good pass from David McArthur found Craig MacEwan on the left edge of the Rolly box. Craig made an excellent turn to get past Scott Woods and deftly lifted the ball over the advancing Dean Trainor for his 12th goal of the season. Two minutes later the Rolly won a free kick in a dangerous position twenty five yards out and slightly right of centre. Gavin Miller lined up to take the kick and played it short to Mark McFadden who was set to pull the trigger but was thwarted by a timely interception by Paul Kerr who nipped in to clear the danger. Saints won a free kick of their own in the thirty first minute when Willie Gemmell sent a long ball over the top for Donald Campbell who was nudged in the back by Rolly central defender Craig Duncan sending the Saints midfielder sprawling on the turf. Twenty three yards out and left of centre was perfect Willie Gemmell free kick territory but the Saints dead ball specialist was unable to get enough loft into his kick and smacked the ball into the five man wall. The Rolly pulled a goal back just after the half hour mark with the danger once again coming from the left. Paul Walker delivered another good left foot cross picking out Austin Reid who beat Marc Maccallum to bullet a near post header past Thomas McCulloch. This set back rocked Saints who were unable to find their passing range failing muster another effort on goal in the remaining thirteen first half minutes.

Saints started the second half as they had the first by immediately taking the game to the visitors. Straight from the kick off Dean Smith ran at Rolly defence and was upended by Scott Woods on the corner of the penalty area. Ross Maitland went short with the free kick creating a better angle for Donald Campbell to fire in a right foot shot which Rolly central defender Craig Smith did well to block. The ball broke back to Ross who flighted in a tempting cross which Dean Trainor came through a ruck of players to collect. The Rolly quickly regained their composure and kept Saints at arms length for the next ten minutes managing a strike at goal themselves in the fifty second minute when Craig Smith played a long ball up to Gavin Miller who turned past Marc Maccallum to send a flashing drive across Thomas McCulloch and wide of the Saints keeper's right hand post. Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan linked up well in the fifty fifth minute to carve out a shooting opportunity for Donald. From twelve yards out on the left side of the box Donald curled a right foot shot towards the far corner which slipped agonisingly wide of the post. In the sixty first minute Rolly centre forward Austin Reid who gave Saints central defenders Marc Maccallum and Jamie Graham a difficult afternoon made space for a shot from twenty yards forcing Thomas McCulloch into a smart save. The Rolly were enjoying a decent spell of possession at this point forcing Saints to sit deep and hit on the counter attack which almost paid off when Dougal Graham made a rampaging run up the left only to show too much of the ball to Dean Trainor who made a good save at the feet of the Saints full back. Saints broke again in the sixty fourth minute with Ross Maitland sending Dean Smith off on a run up the right wing. Dean fired in a good cross on the run from the edge of the box but unfortunately fractionally behind Craig MacEwan at the near post who was unable to make decent contact and the ball dropped into the grateful arms of Dean Trainor. Barely sixty seconds later Dougal Graham was off on another run up the left wing this time sending a low twenty yard left foot shot flashing across the face of goal and wide of Dean Trainor's left hand post. With twenty minutes remaining Saints received a massive slice of good fortune when Austin Reid took advantage of a mix up on the left of the Saints defence to bear down on goal. Reid rounded the stranded Thomas McCulloch who resisted the temptation to bring down the Rolly striker. With the goal at his mercy Reid somehow manged to send his shot wide of the far post much to the relief of all in Navy Blue. Two minutes later good pressing on the left forced Craig Duncan to conceded a throw in which Craig took quickly finding Donald Campbell well placed inside the box. Once again Donald took aim for the postage stamp corner but narrowly failed to find the target. With fifteen minutes remaining Manager Alex Craik made a triple substitution replacing Willie Gemmell, Ross Maitland and Dean Smith with Dene Cassells, Scott Maitland and Allan Mackay. Referee John Scott, who had an excellent game, produced the games only yellow cards in the 77th and 78th minutes. Firstly John MacMillan went into the book for a foul on Dene Cassells with Dene following suit one minute later for a reciprocal late sliding challenge on MacMillan. The substitutions had the desired effect of reinvigorating Saints but still the killer goal wouldn't come. Saints top scorer Donald Campbell completed an unwelcome hat-trick of missed chances in the eightieth minute when he again failed to find the postage stamp corner with a curling right foot shot. Three minutes later Craig MacEwan produced a sublime piece of skill to beat Scott Woods on the corner of the Rolly box but the close attentions of Craig Duncan forced him wide where, from the tightest of angles, he could only find the outside of Dean Trainor's near post. Substitutes Allan Mackay and Scott Maitland combined well on the Saints right with Allan sending Scott scurrying up the right and getting on the end of Scott's cut back to fire in a powerful shot from sixteen yards which was deflected behind for a corner kick. Scott flighted in the corner kick which Dene Cassells met but was unable to generate enough power on his header to test Dean Trainor. Saints survived one final scare in the eighty seventh minute with the danger once again coming from the left wing. Paul Walker sent in a tempting deep cross from a free kick across the face of the Saints goal which mercifully evaded everybody in red and white and bounced harmlessly behind for a goal kick. The last incident of note came in the eighty ninth minute when Craig MacEwan broke up the left wing and sent a cross to the back post which Allan Mackay at full stretch could only turn into the arms of Dean Trainor with Donald Campbell waiting in the middle for a cut back. Referee Scott added three minutes for stoppages before bringing the match to an end with Saints securing a narrow victory to reach the halfway stage of their league campaign in second place. 

Thomas McCulloch collects 

David McArthur heads Saints into the lead

East Kilbride Rolls Royce goalkeeper Dean Trainor

Dean Smith crosses for Craig MacEwan

Dougal Graham gets a nose bleed from being too far up the park

Former Saints Thomas Sharp and Iain Jackson look on pensively

An unwelcome scoop for newspaper man Davie Buchanan

#monthesaints