Back On The Road

Back On The Road - Joe Egan

The Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Wednesday 13th April 2016

Scottish Amateur Football League
Jimmy Marshall Trophy Third Round

FC Clydebank AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Thorn Park, Thorn Road, Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire G61 4BP

Kick off 6.30pm
Referee Mr Gordon Hay

Last Time Out

Last Saturday afternoon at Glasgow Green Saints fought back from 3 - 1 down to earn a 3 - 3 Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division draw with Finnart. Deprived of the services of seven players the much changed Saints side found themselves two goals down inside the opening fifteen minutes through well taken goals from Andrew Robertson and Andrew Forrest. Despite pulling a goal back through a deftly lobbed Donald Campbell finish Saints couldn't plug the gaps at the back and conceded a third in the twenty first minute from a powerful Daniel Taylor header. A close range Ross Maitland goal ten minutes before the interval brought Saints back into the game and gave them a platform to build on in the second half. Saints dominated the second period but struggled to find a way past Brian Paton in the Finnart goal. Eventually second half substitute Craig Campbell found the net chesting down a deep Marc Maccallum cross and volleying emphatically into the net to level the scores.
Although there was disappointment at not turning a dominant second half performance into three points, a draw against a team whose two previous league fixtures were a win over league leaders St Joseph's FP and a draw against Goldenhill is certainly not to be sniffed at.

Craig Campbell and Scott Maitland celebrate Craig's equalising goal

Back On The Road

This Wednesday night Saints are back on the road and turn their attentions to the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy when they travel to Thorn Park, Bearsden to take on Premier Division Two side FC Clydebank. The Bankies are currently second bottom of Premier Division Two with nine points from nine games due in no small part to the deduction of four points for fielding an ineligible player. Were it not for the points deduction the Bankies would be in fifth place and still in with a good chance of promotion. The Bankies reached the third round of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy thanks to a penalty shoot-out win over second in the table Rutherglen after a thrilling 3 - 3 draw on 13th February. Rutherglen gained revenge for that defeat in last Saturday's league match inflicting only a second home defeat of the season on the Bankies. Considering that the Bankies only other home defeat came in the Scottish Amateur Cup at the hands of the all conquering Colville Park they are likely to provide a significant obstacle to Saints hopes of a fourth consecutive Jimmy Marshall Trophy quarter final appearance.

Saints booked their place in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy third round with a narrow 2 - 1 away victory over last season's runners-up East Kilbride FC Amateurs. A David Atha penalty just after the half hour had Saints trailing by one goal to nil at half time and fortunate not to be further behind following a shaky spell just after the opening goal. Saints produced a far better second half showing and a Donald Campbell brace, including one from the penalty spot, sealed victory for Saints and set up this tricky away tie with the Bankies.

Wednesday's match must be played to a finish on the night with penalty kicks to decide the winner if the sides cannot be separated after ninety minutes. Awaiting the winners is an away quarter final tie against Kings Park Rangers.

Injuries, suspension, holidays and, in particular, work commitments will have a significant bearing on Manager Alex Craik's team selection as he plots to get his travelling party on the road as earlier as possible for the 180 mile round trip to Bearsden.

Back on the road complete with new engine

Thorn Park, Bearsden

FC Clydebank AFC

FC Clydebank AFC fixtures so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two

15th August 2015 FC Clydebank 3 - 0 Tarbert
19th August 2015 FC Clydebank 1 - 1 Dumbarton Wanderers
22nd August 2015 Hillington 1 - 3 FC Clydebank
12th September 2015 Bridgewater 3 - 2 FC Clydebank
24th October 2015 FC Clydebank 3 - 0 Port Glasgow OBU
27th February 2016 FC Clydebank 3 - 1 Duncanrig
5th March 2106 Port Glasgow OBU 2 - 1 FC Clydebank
2nd April 2016 Millbeg Villa 3 - 1 FC Clydebank
9th April 2016 FC Clydebank 2 - 5 Rutherglen


Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

First Round
29th August 2015 Neilston 2 - 1 FC Clydebank


Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

First Round
Bye

Second Round
13th February 2016 FC Clydebank 3 - 3 Rutherglen
(FC Clydebank win 4 - 3 on penalty kicks)

Scottish Amateur Cup

First Round
5th September 2015 FC Clydebank 3 - 2 Finnart

Second Round
3rd October 2015 FC Clydebank 3 - 1 Newshot

Third Round
31st October 2015 FC Clydebank 1 - 4 Colville Park



West of Scotland Amateur Cup

First Round
19th September 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 3 - 1 FC Clydebank

Donald Campbell nets the winning goal from the penalty spot as Saints come from behind to knock out East Kilbride FC Amateurs in round two

#monthesaints

Thriller On The Green

Saturday 9th April 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Finnart AFC 3 v 3 Oban Saints AFC
Glasgow Green Football Centre
28 Kings Drive
Glasgow
G40 1HB
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Michael Mccart

Saints starting line-up:-

Thomas McCulloch

David McArthur
Marc Maccallum (Captain)
Paul Kerr
Dougal Graham

Ross Maitland
Keith Millar
Donald Campbell
Scott Maitland

Dean Smith
Allan Mackay

Used Substitute:-

Craig Campbell

Unused Substitutes:-

Alex Craik
Peter MacCallum

Saints Goalscorers:-

Donald Campbell ⚽
Ross Maitland ⚽
Craig Campbell ⚽

Saints travelled to Glasgow Green last Saturday in search of three precious points to keep their league Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division hopes alive. Injuries, holidays, work commitments and a flitting robbed the travelling party of five of the squad that had slipped agonisingly out of the Scottish Amateur Cup on Saints last outing. With long term injury victim Martin Bonar and the suspended Dene Cassells also unavailable Manager Alex Craik's options were stretched the the limit forcing him to name himself and Coach Peter MacCallum on the bench along side new signing Craig Campbell. The starting line-up of Thomas McCulloch in goal; a back four of David McArthur, Marc Maccallum, Paul Kerr and Dougal Graham; a four man midfield consisting of Ross Maitland, Keith Millar, Donald Campbell and Scott Maitland; and a front pairing of Dean Smith and Allan Mackay had an unfamiliar look to it and the players took some time to adjust to the enforced personnel changes and new formation. A mix-up with pitch lets meant a late switch from 3G to grass and a delay to the kick off while a Glasgow City Council groundsman marked out the long but extremely narrow park. Finnart, playing in their shocking pink breast cancer awareness kit, kicked off in bright if not yet particularly warm sunshine and had their first sight of goal inside the first minute. Saints failed to clear a Finnart throw-in from the right touchline with the ball falling kindly for veteran striker Daniel Taylor who sent his first time shot inches wide of Thomas McCulloch's right hand post. Saints failed to take heed of this early warning and fell behind in the third minute. Finnart left full back Andrew Robertson made a terrific run on the left wing and forced his way into the box past David McArthur and Marc Maccallum before cutting back onto his right foot and curling a delightful shot into the postage stamp corner giving Thomas McCulloch no chance. Saints enjoyed a good spell after going behind without really threatening the Finnart goal. Allan Mackay forced Finnart keeper Brian Paton into action in the eighth minute chesting down a Ross Maitland cross and firing in a left foot shot which the keeper did well to stop low down to his left. However Referee Mr Mccart judged Allan to be offside giving the benefit of a tight decision to the home side. The home side doubled their advantage in the fourteenth minute with a long ball over the top catching out Dougal Graham and allowing right winger Andrew Forrestt to run in behind and dispatch a fierce right foot shot past a hopelessly exposed Thomas McCulloch. Saints produced their best move of the first half in the seventeenth minute with Allan Mackay and Donald Campbell linking up well to set up Scott Maitland for a right foot shot from the edge of the box which had Brian Paton at full stretch to tip round his left hand post for a corner kick. Ross Maitland flighted over the corner kick from the right which the Finnart defence could only partially clear. Donald Campbell gathered the loose ball just inside the box and deftly lobbed the ball over a ruck of players into the postage stamp corner squeezing the ball in between the cross bar and the head of Ryan McLean on the goal line to half the deficit. Dougal Graham picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon in the twentieth minute for a foul on Andrew Forrest leaving the Saints full back with no margin for error in his battle with the lively winger. Forrest was quick to exploit this advantage outpacing Dougal on the right wing before sending in a tempting cross to which Daniel Taylor was quickest to react getting across Paul Kerr to bullet a header past Thomas McCulloch to restore the home side's two goal advantage. The 3 - 1 score line at this stage was very harsh on Saints who were playing some decent football but full credit to Finnart who ruthlessly punished any mistake from the new look Saints back four. Dean Smith came close to reducing the arrears in the twenty fourth minute after some good build up play on the left from Dougal Graham and Scott Maitland forced a throw-in level with the eighteen yard line. Scott picked out Allan Mackay with the throw who held the ball for Donnie Campbell to feed Dean Smith whose snap shot from just inside the box went just the wrong side of the keeper's left hand post. The narrow pitch meant that space was at a premium for the wide men however an excellent run on the right wing from Ross Maitland in the thirty second minute resulted in a corner kick from which Ross found the head of Allan Mackay. Allan got up well ahead of Ben Mills and Finnart skipper Steven Wilson but couldn't direct his header on target sending it several feet over the crossbar. Three minutes later Finnart's left back Andrew Robertson joined his opposite number in the Referee's note book for dissent after complaining too long about the award of a free kick for a foul on Dean Smith thirty five yards from goal. Ross Maitland floated in the free kick from the right aiming for the back post where Brian Paton, who was struggling with a knee injury, claimed the ball but failed to gather it cleanly dropping the ball inside the six yard box. After what seemed like an eternity Steven Wilson assumed responsibility and thumped the ball out for a throw-in to Saints. Donald Campbell took the throw-in from the left which Allan Mackay flicked on at the near post to the waiting Ross Maitland who reacted quicker than his marker Ben Mills to prod the ball home from six yards to once again bring Saints back to just one goal behind. There was no further scoring in the first forty five minutes but the feeling in the Saints camp was that they were creating plenty chances and the second goal should give them a platform to build upon in the second half.

Saints were quickly out the traps for the second forty five and straight from the kick off Donald Campbell strode forward holding off several challenges before curling a right foot shot from the edge of the D inches wide of the junction of post and crossbar. More good build up play followed on the left wing with Scott Maitland setting up Dean Smith for a shot on goal from eighteen yards which Finnart keeper Brian Paton was relieved to see hit the side netting. Finnart had their best opportunity of the second half in the fiftieth minute when Saints failed to clear a throw-in from the Finnart left with the ball dropping kindly in the box for Ryan McLean who, much to the relief of the Saints contingent, fired his shoot well over the cross-bar. Saints continued their good approach play with Ross Maitland and David McArthur combining well on the right for Ross to send in a deep cross which Philip McCabe headed behind at the back post for a corner kick. Scott Maitland's out-swinger from the left was well met by the head of Allan Mackay but disappointingly Allan failed to work the keeper and sent his header wide of target. Despite Saints having the majority of the play Finnart still looked dangerous on the counter attack and Saints had to rely on the pace of Marc Maccallum to close down a break from Ryan McLean. The Saints skipper held up McLean's run with the Finnart striker laying the ball off to Steven Wilson who shot tamely wide of Thomas McCulloch's left hand post. Manager Alex Craik made his only change of the afternoon in the fifty eighth minute withdrawing David MacArthur, who had been struggling with a sore back, and replacing him with new signing Craig Campbell. Craig returns to the club following the unfortunate demise of Oban Athletic and will be a valuable addition to the squad for the title and Jimmy Marshall Trophy run-in. Referee Mccart had his notebook out again in the fifty ninth minute taking the name of Finnart's Kieren Malloy for a foul on Dean Smith thirty six yards from goal. Ross Maitland sent in the free kick which was met on the penalty spot by a glancing header from Donald Campbell which flashed inches wide of the base of Brian Paton's left hand post. Saints kept up the pressure and came within inches of unlocking the Finnart defence in the sixty first minute when Allan Mackay burst through the inside right channel and played a first time pass looking for Donald Campbell in the middle but Phillip McCabe got back in the nick of time to make a crucial interception on the eighteen yard line. Moments later Donald was breaking through the middle again this time with the ball at his feet where, after showing good perseverance to battle his way through a cluster of players, he got his shot away but with insufficient power to trouble the keeper. The woodwork came to the home side's rescue in the sixty eighth minute after Ross Maitland again made good ground on the right. Phillip McCabe got across well to halt the wee man's run at the expense of a throw-in. Saints had profited from a similar situation in the first half and very nearly repeated the trick when Craig Campbell flicked on namesake Donald's throw-in to the back post where an under pressure Dougal Graham stabbed out a foot but only succeeded in turning the ball onto the cross bar with the home defence scrambling the loose ball behind for a corner kick. Frustratingly Ross Maitland's in-swinging corner kick from the left was too close to keeper Brian Paton who gathered safely at the second attempt. Steven Wilson became the third Finnart name in Mr Mccart's notebook for a foul on Scott Maitland. From the resultant free kick Dean Smith made a good run to get on the end of Ross Maitland's cross but was denied when Brian Paton made a terrific diving save to make a clean catch from Dean's well directed header. With Saints doing all the pressing there was a moment's relief for the home defence when Andrew Forrest broke away on the right and ran two thirds of the length of the pitch before squaring the ball looking for Ryan McLean only for Craig Campbell to come across and make a timely interception to cut out the danger. With fifteen minutes remaining Saints midfield anchorman Keith Millar joined the attack to good effect working a one-two with Donald Campbell to open up the Finnart defence for Ross Maitland who was thwarted just as he was about to pull the trigger by a last ditch saving tackle by Andrew Robertson. There was a definite feeling on the sidelines that it just wasn't going to be Saints day as first Allan Mackay and then Donald Campbell squandered good chances which nine times out of ten they would have gobbled up. Good work on the left from Scott Maitland and Dean Smith set up Allan in the box but he delayed too long allowing Brian Paton to narrow the angle and smother Allan's tame shot with a frustrated Donald Campbell screaming for a square pass and an easy tap-in. Another good move on the left gave Donald a shooting chance but his effort was straight down the Brian Paton's throat when anything either side would have given the keeper severe problems. Thomas Robertson had his name added to the list of sinners in the eighty second minute for a foul on Donald Campbell thirty yards from goal. With dead ball specialist Willie Gemmell on holiday Donald assumed responsibility for the kick but couldn't keep his dipping effort down sending it two feet over the crossbar. Saints kept the pressure on and were eventually rewarded for their persistence with just six minutes remaining. Finnart repelled yet another Saints attack but only as far as the half way line where Marc Maccallum won a foot race with Ryan McLean to swing in a deep cross from the right to the corner of the Finnart box where both Allan Mackay and Craig Campbell made well timed runs to beat the Finnart offside trap. Craig calmly chested the ball down and volleyed into the bottom corner of the net past Brian Paton's despairing dive to mark a memorable debut with a vital goal. Finnart appealed for an offside decision but Referee Mccart, who handled just his fourth Premier Division match well, remained unmoved and booked central defender Phillip McCabe for his continued protests. Despite there being plenty of time left and a few other close shaves for the Finnart defence Saints were unable to conjure up a winning goal and were left to reflect ruefully on a string of missed chances.

At the final whistle there was a sense of disappointment that Saints hadn't managed to turn their second half domination into more goals however, given Finnart's recent excellent results against St Joseph's FP and Goldenhill, a share of the points from this tricky away fixture is by no means a bad result.

Glasgow City Council Groundsman marks out the pitch

Brian Paton saves from Allan Mackay

Dougal Graham

Dean Smith escapes the attentions of Thomas Robertson and Andrew Forrest

Allan Mackay heads a Ross Maitland corner over the crossbar

Donald Campbell scores Saints first goal

Thomas McCulloch

Ross Maitland with Saints second goal

Allan Mackay and Andrew Robertson

Daniel Taylor with a reminder that Finnart are still one goal up 

Craig Campbell brings Saints level at 3 - 3

Craig Campbell and Scott Maitland celebrate Craig's late equaliser

#monthesaints

Umbrella

Rihanna - Umbrella

Saturday 9th April 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Finnart AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Glasgow Green Football Centre
28 Kings Drive
Glasgow
G40 1HB
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Michael Mccart

Last Time Out

Saints Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division match against Goldenhill which was scheduled for last Saturday had to be postponed due to heavy flooding at Glencruitten. Saints last outing therefore remains their heartbreaking Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final defeat against Leven United at New Douglas Park on Thursday 31st March where a sweet curling Mark Wilkie finish in the thirteenth minute of extra time sent Leven through the final at Hampden Park against Colville Park. Saints had fallen behind to a Scott Methven strike in the thirty second minute but were back on level terms just two minutes later when Scott Maitland set up namesake Ross to equalise. There was no further scoring during the regulation ninety and the match headed into a tense additional thirty minutes.

With neither goalkeeper seriously threatened a penalty shoot-out looked on the cards until a moment of controversy proved ultimately decisive. Donald Campbell was brought down on the edge of the Leven box for what looked a stonewall free kick however Referee Taylor had other ideas and waved play on. With the Saints players still appealing Leven broke up the park and scored what proved to be the winner.

There was still time for Mr Taylor to intervene again when, with just three minutes remaining, he awarded a penalty kick and a yellow card against Saints keeper Thomas McCulloch for a challenge on William Herd choosing to ignoring his Assistant who had signalled for a corner kick. Justice was done when the big keeper sprung to his right to keep out the spot kick from Ryan Thomson however his heroics were in vein as Saints failed find the target in the closing minutes and slipped agonisingly out of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

Ross Maitland equalises for Saints

Thomas McCulloch saves late penalty from Ryan Thomson

Umbrella

This Saturday at Glagow Green Saints will attempt to put their Scottish Amateur Cup disappointment behind them and re-ignite their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division hopes against Finnart. Bridgeton's finest currently sit in eighth place in the SAFL Premier Division with ten points, seven points worse off than Saints with both teams having played nine games. After a poor start to their league campaign, picking up just six points from their opening seven fixtures leading up to the Christmas break, Finnart have fared considerably better since the turn of the year beating league leaders St Joseph's FP by three goals to one and and drawing two each away at strongly fancied Goldenhill. This marks out Finnart as extremely dangerous opponents who, despite probably leaving their own title charge too late, will have a large say in the final destination of Premier Division title. Having dropped ten points already themselves Saints will know that another defeat is likely to signal the end of the own title aspirations and will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their last visit to Finnart in November 2014 when Finnart recorded their one and only victory over Saints to date. Jason McArthur and Ben Mills gave Finnart a two goal half-time lead which was added to in the second half by two clinically dispatched Andy Robertson penalties. Saints finally breached the resolute Finnart defence, which was excellently marshaled by skipper Brian Blair, in the eighty third minute with a well taken Donald Campbell goal.  

It was a different story when the sides met in Oban last November where a brace from Donald Campbell gave Saints all three points at Oban High School 3G. The match was played in torrential rain throughout so full credit to both sets of players for providing an entertaining spectacle for the hardy band of spectators who braved the elements. Saints lead 1 - 0 at the interval but their failure to fully capitalise on a good first half performance left them sweating on the outcome until well into the second half before finally making the game safe.

Finnart line up at Fullarton Park, Tollcross for the 2015 SAFL Centenary Cup Final v Goldenhill 

Finnart's fixtures so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

22nd August 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 4 - 0 Finnart

29th August 2015 Finnart 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

19th September 2015 St Joseph's 2 - 1 Finnart

10th October 2015 Finnart 1 - 2 Shawlands FP

24th October 2015 Finnart 2 - 3 Alba Thistle

7th November 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 0 - 5 Finnart
28th November 2015 Oban Saints 2 - 0 Finnart
13th February 2106 Finnart 3 - 1 St Joseph's FP
5th March 2016 Goldenhill 2 - 2 Finnart

SAFL Centenary Cup

First Round
15th August 2015 Busby 1 - 5 Finnart

Second Round
12th September 2015 Finnart 1 - 6 Goldenhill

SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy

First Round
Bye

Second Round
20th February 2016 Lochgilphead Red Star 2 - 4 Finnart

Third Round
12th March 2016 Finnart 0 - 1 Motherwell Thistle



Scottish Amateur Cup

First Round
5th September 2015 FC Clydebank 3 - 2 Finnart

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

First Round
Bye

Second Round
17th October 2015 Finnart 6 - 2 Craigneuk

Third Round
21st November 2015 Condorrat 0 - 8 Finnart

Fourth Round
19th December 2015 Finnart 6 - 1 Balmore

Fifth Round
19th March 2016 St Mungo's 2 - 0 Finnart

Finnart's SAFL record:-

2010/11
Premier Division Two Champions (Promoted)

2011/12
Premier Division One Champions (Promoted)
Centenary Cup Runners Up to Postal United

2012/13
Premier Division 7th

2013/14
Premier Division 4th

2014/15
Premier Division 4th

Centenary Cup Runners Up to Goldenhill

Saints record against Finnart:-

2012/13
Oban Saints 4 - 1 Finnart
Finnart 0 - 1 Oban Saints

2013/14
Oban Saints 3 - 0 Finnart

Finnart 0 - 1 Oban Saints

2014/15
Finnart 4 - 1 Oban Saints
Oban Saints v Finnart (Unfulfilled Fixture, Points awarded to Saints)

2015/16
Oban Saints 2 - 0 Finnart

Action from Saints last visit to Finnart

First half Allan Mackay shot goes narrowly wide of Brian Paton's left hand post

Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan

Ross Maitland and Andy Robertson

Daniel Cassells makes a clean catch

A bad day for Saints gets worse as a dazed Dean Smith is forced off just ten minutes into his appearance as a second half substitute

#monthesaints

Move On

Saturday 2nd April 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v Goldenhill AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Referee Mr. Jim Rose

Following Thursday nights disappointment in the Scottish Amateur Cup Semi Final Saints have no time to dwell on what might have been and return to league business this Saturday afternoon in a match which is sure to have a significant bearing on the final destination of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title. Visitors Goldenhill are undefeated in eight Premier Division matches with only Saints and Finnart managing to take points from the newly promoted side. Goldenhill's sensational form has not been restricted to league matches and has propelled them into the semi finals of both the West of Scotland Cup, where they will face the mighty Colville Park, and the Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup against current Premier Division leaders St Joseph's FP. Victory in the Centenary Cup semi-final would give Goldenhill the chance to avenge one of only two defeats so far this season which came last Saturday in the third round of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy at the hands of Premier Division One promotion chasing Ferguslie Park. The West of Scotland Cup semi-final creates another revenge opportunity for the Gowdie as it was Colville Park who inflicted their only other defeat in the fifth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

Saints only previous encounter with the Gowdie came last November in a thrilling 4 - 4 Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division draw at Clydebank High School. A close range Craig MacEwan finish followed by a sensational Paul Kerr looping header gave Saints a two goal half time lead which, in truth, should have been more. Saints were severely punished for their first half profligacy when their lead was cancelled out by two James Gallagher goals in as many minutes at the start of the second half. Gallagher completed the turn around and his hat trick in the fifty third minute slotting a knock down past Thomas McCulloch. Craig MacEwan and Ross Maitland combined well for Ross to bring Saints level before Dean Smith turned the result on it's head again after Scott Rennie failed to hold a Willie Gemmell twenty five yard piledriver. Saints were then afforded a two man advantage when first Jack Bennett and then Chris McGrath received their marching orders from Referee Gordon Hay. Despite being reduced to nine men it was the Gowdie who looked most likely to add to the scoring in the closing stages. Eventually the panic stricken Saints rearguard was breached for the fourth time in the eighty ninth minute when Damon Gray headed a long throw-in past Thomas McCulloch to give the home side an unlikely but thoroughly deserved share of the points.

#monthesaints

Scaling The Heights

Thursday 31st March 2016
The Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition

Semi Final Tie
Oban Saints AFC v Leven United AFC
New Douglas Park, Hamilton ML3 0FT
Kick off 7.30pm
Referee Mr Kenny Taylor
Assistant Referee Mr Kieran Traynor
Assistant Referee Mr Ross Holms
Fourth Official Mr Graeme Bowman

This Thursday evening Saints travel to New Douglas Park home of good friends Hamilton Academical for the most important fixture in the Club's fifty six year history. After forty plus years of competing in Scottish amateur football's blue riband event Saints now stand within one match of an appearance in the final of the Scottish Amateur Football Association Challenge Cup Competition. Barring the path to the final at Hampden Park are fellow semi-final debutantesLeven United of the Kingdom Caledonian Amateur Football Association. 

Leven's route to the semi finals has been an arduous one including three replays and two penalty shoot outs. Having won both of the Kingdom Caledonian League cup competitions last season Leven started their national cup campaign in confident mood making short work of first opponents Newcraighall Leith Victoria strolling to a comfortable 7 - 0 away victory. New up was another away trip to Victoria Locos who took Leven to a replay at King George V Park before the Fifers ultimately triumphed by seven goals to three. Having successfully negotiated the early regional stages of th competition Leven treated their home support to another goal glut in round three putting seven past Carluke without reply. Round four included the novelty of a ferry journey across the Firth of Clyde for a hard fought win over Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One Dunoon Amateurs. Leven took arguably their biggest scalp in round five knocking out Caledonian League Premier Division Giffnock North in a penalty shoot-out after home and away 2 - 2 draws. Round six again paired Leven with top quality opposition in the shape of East Kilbride YM. Once again Leven failed to capitalise on their home advantage and were taken all the way to a second consecutive penalty shoot-out before eventually booking their place in their first ever Scottish Amateur Cup Quarter Final against Linlithgow Thistle. After a very even opening forty five minutes were given a massive and ultimately decisive advantage when Thistle lost two players to red cards midway through the second half. Leven put the extra space to good use stretching their disheartened opponents to clinch a 3 - 0 victory and secure an historic semi-final appearance.

Leven have used the extra momentum of their Scottish Cup run to good effect and have also won through to the quarter finals of the Fife Amateur Cup and the semi finals of the Kingdom Caledonian League Cup. 

Like most teams still involved in the later stages of the big cup competitions Leven lag well behind in terms of completed league fixtures and are currently in fifth place in the Kingdom Caledonian League thirteen points behind leaders Bowhill Rovers. However with only five points dropped so far and twelve remaining fixtures Leven look well placed to launch an assault on the league title which they last won in 2009.

Saints run to the semi finals may have featured only half of the number of fixtures faced by Leven United however the quality of the opposition faced rendered the passage equally difficult. After a West section first round bye Saints enjoyed a comfortable 9 -1 win over Millbeg Villa of Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two in round two which featured five goals from Craig MacEwan plus two from Donald Campbell and one each from Dean Smith and Allan Mackay. This was followed in round three by a walkover due to the collapse of scheduled opponents Condorrat Club. The fourth round began a run of fixtures against much fancied opposition and a string of notable scalps for Manager Alex Craik in his first season in the Saints hot seat. A solitary fourth round Donald Campbell strike edged Saints past three time Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division winners Postal United now of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League. The resumption of football following the Christmas and New Year break saw Saints paired with last season's beaten finalists Craigshill Thistle in round five. Donald Campbell was on the score sheet again adding to a brace from Dean Smith and a sensational Willie Gemmell free kick giving Saints a thoroughly deserved victory over the Livingston side. Saints repeated this score line in the sixth round away at Stirling City of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League with a rare Keith Millar goal rounding off the scoring after Craig MacEwan, Donald Campbell and an unfortunate own goal had already put Saints in the driving seat. It was back to Glencruitten for the sixth round visit of reigning Caledonian League Premier Division Champions Doune Castle who were put to the sword in clinical style with Scott Maitland joining regular goal scorers Craig MacEwan, Dean Smith and Donald Campbell on the score sheet in a 5 - 1 win. Saints debut in the Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final was earned two weeks ago with a narrow 2 - 1 over the recently reformed and thoroughly revitalised Shortlees Amateurs from Kilmarnock. Another spectacular effort from Willie Gemmell's seemingly inexhaustible store of free kicks was cancelled out from the penalty spot by Keir Knapp before Allan Mackay kept his nerve to slot home a late winner after after a sensational run by Donald Campbell.

After a long absence this year's final returns to it's traditional home of Hampden Park. Awaiting Saints or Leven United in the showcase Hampden Park final are tournament favourites Colville Park or Possil YM of Central Scottish Amateur Football League Division 1A.

With the exception of long term injury victim Martin Bonar and the suspended Dene Cassells, and barring any last minute work related call off's, Manager Alex Craik will have a full squad at his disposal as he plots to lead Saints to the previously unscaled heights of the Scottish Amateur Cup final.

Leven United Fife Amateur Cup Winners 2012 - 13

Leven United's Scott Methven in action for the SAFA Select

New Douglas Park

Leven United's Recent Kingdom Caledonian Amateur Football Association record:-

2011-12 Fourth Division 4th
2012-13 Kingdom Caledonian League 2nd and Fife Amateur Cup Winners
2013-14 Kingdom Caledonian League 2nd
2014-15 Kingdom Caledonian League 4th. Kingdom and Caledonian Cup Winners


Leven United's results so far this season:-

Kingdom Caledonian AFA 

8th August 2015 Leven United 1 - 3 Bowhill Rovers
11th August 2015 Cupar Hearts 1 - 8 Leven United
15th August 2015 Leven United 6 - 0 Eastvale
18th August 2015 Leven United 3 - 0 Kettle United
5th September 2015 Kinross 0 - 2 Leven United
12th September 2015 Leven United 3 - 1 Rosyth Civil Service
26th September 2015 Greig Park Rangers 2 - 6 Leven United
10th October 2015 Strathmiglo United 3 - 3 Leven United
28th November 2015 Leven United 8 - 1 Glenrothes
23rd January 2016 Eastvale 0 - 7 Leven United

Kingdom Caledonian AFA League Cup

Round One
22nd August 2015 Leven United 5 - 0 Cupar Hearts

Round Two
29th August 2015 Greig Park Rangers 2 - 2 Leven United
Leven United win 3 - 2 on penalty kicks


Caledonian Cup

Round One
Bye

Round Two
24th October 2015 Glenrothes 0 - 9 Leven United



Fife Amateur Cup

Round One
17th October 2015 Leven United 8 - 2 Auchtermuchty Bellevue

Round Two
21st November 2015 Leven United 2 - 1 Bowhill Rovers

Round Three
27th February 2016 Leven United 3 - 1 Valleyfield

Round Four
26th March 2016 Rosebank Rangers - Leven United

Leven United's Progress to the Scottish Amateur Cup Semi Finals:-

Round One
Bye

Round Two
3rd October 2015 Newcraighall Leith Victoria 0 - 7 Leven United

Round Three
31st October 2015 Victoria Loco 2 - 2 Leven United
7th November 2015 Leven United 7 - 3 Victoria Loco

Round Four
19th December 2105 Leven United 7 - 1 Carluke

Round Five
9th January 2016 Dunoon Amateurs 1 - 2  Leven United

Round Six
6th February 2016 Leven United 2 - 2 Giffnock North
13th February 2016 Giffnock North 2 - 2 Leven United (After Extra Time)
Leven United win 4 - 1 on penalty kicks

Round Seven
5th March 2016 Leven United 1 - 1 East Kilbride YM
12th March 2016 East Kilbride YM 2 - 2 Leven United (After Extra Time)
Leven United win 5 - 3 on penalty kicks

Quarter Final
19th March 2016 Leven United 3 - 0 Linlithgow Thistle



Saints progress to the Scottish Amateur Cup Semi Finals:-

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
3rd October 2015 Oban Saints 9 - 1 Millbeg Villa

3rd Round
31st October 2015 Condoratt Club v Oban Saints - Walkover to Saints

4th Round
12th December 2105 Postal United 0 - 1 Oban Saints

5th Round
9th January 2016 Oban Saints 4 - 1 Craigshill Thistle

6th Round
6th February 2016 Stirling City 1 - 4 Oban Saints

7th Round
5th March 2016 Oban Saints 5 - 1 Doune Castle

Quarter Final
19th March 2016 Oban Saints 2 - 1 Shortlees Amateurs

Round Two - Donald Campbell nets Saints second goal against Millbeg Villa

Round Four - Saints skipper Marc Maccallum in the thick of the action against Postal United

Round Five - Craigshill Thistle keeper Robert Sinclair produces a terrific save to Deny Ross Maitland

Round Six - Willie Gemmell, Keith Millar and Dene Cassells celebrate Keith's late strike against Stirling City

Round Seven - Scott Maitland scores Saints fourth goal against Doune Castle

Quarter Final - Willie Gemmell opens the scoring against Shortlees Amateurs

#monthesaints

Stuck In The Middle

Stuck In The Middle - Stealers Wheel

Saturday 26th March 2016
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division
Oban Saints AFC v St Joseph's FP AFC
Glencruitten 2, Mossfield Avenue, Oban, Argyll PA34 4EH
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr John Scott

Last Time Out

Saints survived a second half onslaught from a very impressive Shortlees Amateurs side at Glencruitten last Saturday afternoon to book their first ever Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final slot. The home side had the better of the first half with Shortlees keeper Garry Murdoch pulling off excellent saves to deny Donald Campbell and Ross Maitland. Dean Smith also came agonisingly close to opening the scoring scooping a difficult chance over the crossbar from inside the six yard box. The deadlock was eventually broken seven minutes before the half time interval by dead ball expert Willie Gemmell. Craig MacEwan won a free kick twenty two yards out and slightly left of centre, perfect territory for Willie's deadly right foot. Willie certainly didn't disappoint and curled the ball round the Shortlees wall and into the net past a rooted to the spot Garry Murdoch.

Shortlees carried far more threat in the second half and the pressure from the visitors eventually told in the sixty ninth minute. Lees danger man Keir Knapp made a strong run into the Saints box where he was upended by a mistimed tackle from second half substitute Myles McAuley. Knapp took the kick himself which he squeezed under the dive of Thomas McCulloch who guessed correctly but just couldn't get down quick enough to prevent Knapp's effort hitting the back of the net. The visitors were in the ascendency at this point and, urged on by their boisterous supporters, looked the more likely to net a crucial second goal. However it was Saints who succeeded in the respect with just two minutes of the ninety remaining. A tremendous jinking run from Donald Campbell tore open the Lees defence before rolling the ball to substitute Allan Mackay to calmly side foot the ball past Murdoch's left hand and into the bottom corner of the net. Just one minute later Myles McAuley had a tremendous opportunity to put the tie beyond any doubt but couldn't get the ball out of his feet when picked out at the back post after a good run and cross by Craig MacEwan. Referee Gallacher played five minutes of stoppage time but the Saints defence remained firm to secure a narrow but deserved 2 - 1 win.

Saints will now face Leven United of the Kingdom Caledonian Amateur Football Association in a semi final tie to be played at New Douglas Park home of Saints good friends Hamilton Academical on Thursday 31st March.

Stuck In The Middle

The big games keep on coming for Saints and just five days before their Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final tie at New Douglas Park is yet another crucial fixture when old rival St Joseph's FP come calling on league business. On their last visit to Glencruitten on 22nd November 2014 St. Joe's produced a scintillating performance to inflict Saints heaviest home defeat in many a long year. Despite going into the half-time interval on level terms with a goal a-piece Saints struggled to contain their visitors from Duntocher and were blown away in the second half. David Gallagher, John Paul Seagrave and Blair Mulgrew were all on target for St Joe's before Ryan Holms added to his first half strike to complete a miserable day for the home side whose only consolation came in the shape of Craig MacEwan's second half goal to add to Donald Campbell's ninth minute opener. St. Joe's also prevailed in the last two fixtures between the clubs winning last May's Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-final at Millburn Park, Alexandria 2 - 0 with first half goals from Gary Redpath and Thomas Wilson; and this season's keenly contested September league encounter at William Street, Duntocher 1 - 0 thanks to a looping Ryan Craig shot just before half-time. Saints will take succour from a much improved performance on the day against the reigning champions which was the catalyst for a fifteen match unbeaten run ended only by defeat in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup to Colville Park on 13th February.

The reigning Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions and Jimmy Marshall Trophy holders made a blistering start to the defence of their league title winning five matches on the bounce to open up a considerable gap at the top of the table. However heavy defeats at the hands of East Kilbride FC Amateurs, Finnart and most recently Alba Thistle have seen that lead eroded considerably with the gap to second placed Goldenhill now just one point. Saints meanwhile lie four points behind St Joe's in fourth place but with a game in hand over their old foes. A win for Saints on Saturday will therefore thrust them right back into contention for a second league title in three seasons.

St Joe's made a convincing start to their defence of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy with an emphatic 11 - 0 home win against Premier Division Two side Tarbert. They are also already through to the Centenary Cup semi-finals where they will face Goldenhill for a place in the final against Premier Division One promotion hopefuls Ferguslie Star. St Joe's only regret of a positive season so far will be their failure to improve upon last season's excellent showing in the Scottish Amateur Cup which took them to the seventh round and a narrow exit at the hands of eventual competition runners up Craigshill Thistle.

Team News

Manager Alex Craik could be forgiven for having his thoughts fixed entirely on next Thursday's Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final however the significance of Saturday's clash with St Joseph's cannot be underestimated. It may be only the first game of the second half of the league season but with ten points already dropped there is now little margin for error if Saints are to regain the Premier Division trophy from St Joseph's. Also still very much in contention for league title success in their first Premier Division season are East Kilbride FC Amateurs and Goldenhill who, like Saints, have had their attentions taken away from league business by good runs in the national cup competitions. Goldenhill are already through to the semi-finals of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup where they will face either Drumchapel Amateurs or Colville Park. East Kilbride FC Amateurs are also still going strong in the West of Scotland Cup and have a sixth round tie against St Mungo's this Saturday for the right to play Shortlees in the quarter-finals. The winner of this season's Premier Division title looks set to come from those four however last weekend's 3 - 0 defeat for St Joseph's against Alba Thistle demonstrates that every team in the league is capable of producing the goods on their day which makes for a compelling title run-in.        

The Saints Gaffer will want to give each of his squad as much game time as possible ahead of Thursday's Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final and therefore faces some challenging selection dilemmas as he bids to maintain his side's interest on three trophy fronts. Martin Bonar remains sidelined through injury while Dene Cassells serves the second of his six match suspension. With those two exceptions the Gaffer should have a full squad at his disposal.

St Joseph's FP AFC SAFL Premier Division fixtures so far this season:-

22nd August 2015 Shawlands FP 2 - 6 St Joseph's FP
5th September 2015 St Joseph's FP 1 - 0 Oban Saints
12th September 2015 Campbeltown Pupils 0 - 5 St Joseph's FP

19th September 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 Finnart
24th October 2015 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 1 - 3 St Joseph's FP
28th November 2015 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 6 - 0 St Joseph's FP
12th December 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
6th February 2016 St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 Alba Thistle
13th February 2016 Finnart 3 - 1 St Joseph's FP
19th March 2016 Alba Thistle 3 - 0 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
3rd Round 5th March 2016 St Joseph's FP 5 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

St Joseph's SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy exploits this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 27th February 2016 St Joseph's FP 11 - 0 Tarbert


St Joseph's West of Scotland Amateur Cup exploits this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 17th October 2015 St Joseph's FP 2 - 1 Glentynan Thistle
3rd Round 21st November 2015 Kilsyth 2 - 1 St Joseph's FP


St Joseph's Scottish Amateur Cup exploits this season:-

1st Round Bye
2nd Round 3rd October 2015 St Joseph's FP 7 - 2 Rannoch
3rd Round 31st October 2015 St Joseph's FP 3 - 1 Cumbernauld Colts
4th Round 5th December 2015 Albion 4 - 2 St Joseph's FP

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 and Centenary Cup Winners

2010/11 Premier Division 6th

2011/12 Premier Division 6th

2012/13 Premier Division 5th

2013/14 Premier Division 3rd and Centenary Cup Runners Up

2014/15 Premier Division Champions and Jimmy Marshall Trophy Winners

The St Joseph's FP player celebrate winning the 2014-15 SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Saints home record against St Joseph's FP:-

2008/09 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP

2009/10 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 0 St Joseph's FP

2010/11 Premier Division Oban Saints 8 - 1 St Joseph's FP

2011/12 Premier Division Oban Saints 3- 1 St Joseph's FP

2012/13 Premier Division Oban Saints 0 - 1 St Joseph's FP

2013/14 Premier Division Oban Saints 1 - 1 St Joseph's FP
2014/15 Premier Division Oban Saints 2 - 5 St Joseph's FP

Action from some past Saints v St Joe's encounters at Glencruitten

Marc Maccallum and Donald Campbell 17th March 2012

Willie Gemmell's indirect free kick hits the St Joseph's wall 17th March 2012

Allan Mackay and Craig Cameron 14th September 2103

In Other News

The draws for the quarter and semi-finals of the Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy were made recently. The winners of Saints third round tie away at Premier Division Two FC Clydebank will have an away quarter final tie against either Kings Park Rangers or Hillington. Whichever of those four that comes out on top will face either Alba Thistle or Motherwell Thistle in the semi-finals the date and venue for which has yet to be announced.

#monthesaints