Winning In The Rain

Friday, 19 May 2017

Battle for Second

Saturday 20th May 2017

Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division

East Kilbride FC Amateurs v Oban Saints AFC

K-Park Training Academy
Calderglen
East Kilbride
G75 0QZ

Kick off 1pm
Referee Mr Gordon Hay

With five straight victories under their belts since their Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final defeat at the hand's of Colville Park, Saints focus on finishing their season on a high takes them to K-Park this Saturday to face last season's Premier League Champions East Kilbride FC Amateurs. Recently deposed by St Joseph's FP, East Kilbride have Saturday's meeting with Saints and an away trip to Motherwell Thistle remaining to complete their fixtures for this season. The new campaign, which is already only twelve weeks away, will see Kilby under new management when current Manager John Brown makes way for new man Dougie Gunning. Brown's success in guiding Kilby to five consecutive league titles, eventually crowing their meteoric rise through the Scottish Amateur Football League standings by securing the Premier Division title last May, will be a difficult act to follow for his successor. However, Gunning has already shown his credentials by leading Rossvale Amateurs to the Premier Division 2A title and with it promotion to Premier Division One in his first season in management and will be desperate to bring the Premier Division title back to K-Park next season.

League

Kilby's defence of their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title got off to a faltering start with just two wins in their opening six fixtures. Despite steadying the ship they were unable to rediscover the level of consistency shown last season and are now involved in a three way fight with Saints and Goldenhill for the runners-up spot.

Cups

Kilby reserved by far their best form of the season for the West of Scotland Amateur Cup where an impressive run was halted at the quarter-finals stage by eventual cup winners Cambria. Following a first round bye Kilby comfortably came through a tricky away tie against this season's Strathclyde Evangelical Churches Amateur Football League Division One Champions United Churches of Ayr. The third round also saw Kilby on their travels where they prevailed by the odd goal in seven against Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division One title hopefuls Erskine. Kilby bagged a home draw in the fourth round where they saw off a spirited challenge from eventual Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One Champions Alba Thistle. Another away tie in the fifth round saw off the challenge of Clydeside Athletic of the Glasgow Colleges Amateur Football Association Premier Division setting up a crunch home tie with Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Harestanes in the sixth round. The 2010 cup winners and three time Scottish Amateur Cup winners would prove to be Kilby's biggest but unfortunately last scalp before losing by the only goal of a close match against eventual cup winners Cambria.

Kilby's Scottish Amateur Cup campaign ended at the third round stage with a 5 - 1 replay defeat at Muirhouse Park Motherwell against Craigneuk of Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division One after a 1 -1 draw at K-Park.

In the Scottish Amateur Football League cup competitions Kilby failed to negotiate the group sections of both the Centenary and Coronation Cups. In the Jimmy Marshall Trophy wins against Lochgilphead Red Star and East End United set up an away quarter final tie against a below strength Kilby were surprising beaten 7 - 2 by Premier Division One Dunoon.

Last Season

It was a very much down to the bare bones Saints party that made the long trip to Scotland's roundabout capital for last season's corresponding fixture. However full credit to those who did travel for they returned home with a highly creditable point title from title chasing East Kilbride FC Amateurs. Injuries, work and family commitments left Manager Alex Craik with only ten available players plus himself and the ever youthful Coach Peter MacCallum. Despite the lack of numbers Alex was able to field a strong starting line-up of Thomas McCulloch in goal; a back four of David McArthur, Alex Craik, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland; Willie Gemmell, Paul Kerr, Donald Campbell and Keith Millar in midfield; and a strike partnership of Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan. It was on the bench where the paucity of players was most evident with only Peter MacCallum pulling a yellow bib over his number fourteen jersey.

In a fairly even first half the home side had the better of the chances with Gary McDowal hitting the crossbar with a header and Paul Kerr and Dene Cassells having to make important interceptions to keep the Kilby attack at bay. Saints front pairing of Dean Smith and Craig MacEwan were well supported where possible by Skipper Donald Campbell but made little impression on the meanest defence in the league. The best move from the visitors came in the thirty first minute when Scott Maitland closed down and dispossessed Stuart McMillan just inside the Kilby half and worked a quick give and go with Donald Campbell. Scott made a good run into the left hand side of the Kilby box to receive the return pass from Donald and hit the bye-line before sending a cut back to Donald who was unlucky to see his shot blocked by Christopher Paterson. With only two minutes of the first half remaining Saints conceded in disappointing circumstances getting caught out with a swift counter attack from their own free kick. Willie Gemmell's short free kick from inside the centre circle was intercepted by David Hepburn who played a quick ball up to striker Jonny Diack. With Saints appealing in vain for an offside decision the Kilby danger man, rapidly closing in on a landmark fiftieth goal of the season, got in behind Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland and deftly lifted the ball over the advancing Thomas McCulloch and into the net to give the home side the lead.

Saints were quickly out of the starting blocks in the second half and equalised after just ninety seconds. Craig MacEwan made a good run into the right hand side of the Kilby box to get on the end of a Donald Campbell pass. Craig tricked his way past two players and delivered a low cross into the six yard box which Donald Campbell narrowly failed to connect with but Keith Millar stroked home at the back post.

Saints came close to adding to their tally with Scott Maitland and Craig MacEwan forcing Kilby keeper Graeme McMillan into action. Craig's sixty eighth minute hook shot after a good move on the left involving Donald Campbell and Dean Smith was comfortably held by the keeper however he had to work considerably harder to keep out Scott's effort five minutes from time. Dean Smith won a throw-in high up the park on the left wing with Willie Gemmell finding Scott with his throw. Scott turned onto his right foot and fired in a terrific net bound shot which McMillan acrobatically tipped over his crossbar. At the other end Alex Craik turned back the years with a solid performance at the heart of the defence alongside Dene Cassells. When Kilby did manage to penetrate the Saints defence they found Thomas McCulloch to be in excellent form making top class saves to deny Gary McDowal, Christopher Paterson and David Hepburn. The pick of the bunch from the Saints number one came in the eighty third minute. Scott Maitland closed down David Atha on the Saints left at the expense of a corner kick. Atha's deep delivery was headed back across the box by Kilby Skipper Gavin Thomson into the path of Gary McDowal whose powerful volley from fourteen yards was well held by McCulloch diving to his left. The Saints eleven put in an excellent shift in the warm strength sapping East Kilbride sunshine with the prospect of Peter MacCallum having to enter the fray inspiring the players to find the necessary energy reserves to see out the remainder of the half and secure a thoroughly deserved share of the points. The single point left East Kilbride tantalisingly close to the league title which they would go on to secure with a 3 - 1 victory over Goldenhill the following Saturday.

East Kilbride FC Amateurs fixtures so far this season;-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

20th August 2016 Drumchapel Amateurs Colts 3 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
27th August 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils
10th September 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 1 Shawlands FP
17th September 2016 Inverclyde 2 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
15th October 2016 Goldenhill 1 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
29th October 2016 Oban Saints 3 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
3rd December 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 0 Goldenhill
7th January 2017 Ferguslie Star 0 - 8 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
28th January 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 3 Inverclyde
25th February 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 0 Motherwell Thistle
4th March 2017 Campbeltown Pupils 2 - 4 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
11th March 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 2 St Joseph's FP
1st April 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 1 Ferguslie Star
8th April 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 2 Drumchapel Colts
15th April 2017 St Joseph's FP 4 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
19th April 2017 Shawlands FP 0 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

Group Section 6

13th August 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 3 Rutherglen

24th August 2016 Claremont 3 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

31st August 2016 Duncanrig FP 2 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Scottish Amateur Football League Coronation Cup

Group Section 3

26th April 2017 Goldenhill 4 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

13th May 2017 Inverclyde 0 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

Round One

Bye

Round Two

4th February 2017 Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
East Kilbride FC Amateurs win 3 - 1 on penalty kicks

Round Three

11th February 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 6 - 1 East End United

Quarter Final
29th April 2017 Dunoon 7 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Scottish Amateur Cup

Round One

3rd September 2016 St Mungo's 1 - 2 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Round Two

8th October 2016 Port Glasgow OBU 1 - 4 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Round Three

5th November 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 1 Craigneuk

Round Three Replay

12th November 2016 Craigneuk 5 - 1 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

Round One

Bye

Round Two

22nd October 2016 United Churches of Ayr 0 - 4 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Round Three

26th November 2016 Erskine 3 - 4 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Round Four

17th December 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 4 - 2 Alba Thistle

Round Five

21st January 2017 Clydeside Athletic 0 - 3 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

Round Six

18th February 2017 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 3 - 2 Harestanes

Quarter Final
25th March 2017 Cambria 1 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

East Kilbride FC Amateurs Scottish Amateur Football League record;-

2011-12 Division 1B Champions Promoted
2012-13 Division 1A Champions Promoted
2013-14 Premier Division Two Champions Promoted
2014-15 Premier Division One Champions Promoted

2015-16 Premier Division Champions

Saints SAFL Premier Division record v East Kilbride FC Amateurs:-

15th August 2015 Oban Saints 0 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
14th May 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 1 - 1 Oban Saints
29th October 2016 Oban Saints 3 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs

East Kilbride FC Amateurs Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Champions 2015 - 16

Action from last season's league encounter at K-Park

Dean Smith breaks through

Dean Cassells and Jonny Diack

Scott Maitland and David Atha

Dene Cassells, David Atha and Scott Maitland

Thomas McCulloch

Dene Cassells

Keith Millar

Keith Millar equalises for Saints

Scott Maitland, Paul Kerr and Donald Campbell congratulate Keith Millar

Graeme McMillan punches clear under pressure from Craig MacEwan

Paul Kerr heads clear

Keith Millar closes down Stuart McMillan

Thomas McCulloch saves from David Hepburn

Willie Gemmell and Gavin Thomson

Peter Pan MacCallum

#monthesaints

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

Up The Drum

Wednesday 17th May 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Goldenhill AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Donald Dewar Leisure Centre
Garscadden Road
Drumchapel
Glasgow
G15 8SX
Kick off 7pm
Referee Mr John Campbell

Just ten days after their encounter at Glencruitten Saints and Goldenhill meet again this Wednesday night when they go up the Drum to the Donald Dewar Centre in Drumchapel. Saints 2 - 1 win at Glencruitten kept alive their slim hopes of finishing the league campaign in second place but with the points already on the board Goldenhill remain firm favourites to claim the runners-up spot behind Champions St Joseph's FP. Wednesday night's fixture is Goldenhill's final league match and victory for them would leave Saints requiring maximum points from their four remaining fixtures to clinch second place.

Perhaps more important than the league points is the requirement for both sides to maintain their momentum ahead of vital season defining cup ties. Saints have the Jimmy Marshall Trophy final to look forward to against either Easthall Star or Dunoon while Goldenhill have a Coronation Cup semi-final against Ferguslie Star this coming Saturday.

Last Season

The corresponding league fixture last season ended all square after a ninety minutes of high drama at Clydebank High School. Saints opened the scoring in the 12th minute when an excellently struck Donald Campbell shot from the corner of the eighteen yard box brought out a terrific diving save from Scott Rennie low down to his right. Unfortunately for the Gowdie the big keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Ross Maitland who coolly picked out Craig MacEwan on the six yard line with Craig tucking the ball into the net. After a number of presentable chances were spurned Saints doubled their lead in the 35th minute with the two holding midfielders Willie Gemmell and Paul Kerr combining for a rare goal for Paul. Willie sent a perfect delivery from the left towards the back post where Paul had made a late run to send a sensational header back across the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net. Saints ended the first half seemingly well in control of the match but looking back ruefully on the missed chances which could have seen them already out of sight.

Saints didn't have long to enjoy their lead as it was wiped out in a blistering start to the second half from the home side. In the opening minute Saints conceded possession from their own throw-in on the left. Daniel Gibson raced into the inside right channel past a statuesque Saints defence and squared for James Gallagher to tap in at the back post. Barely sixty seconds later the Gowdie drew level when Gibson pounced on a speculative ball over the top splitting David McArthur and Dene Cassells. The Gowdie winger fired in a low shot which Thomas McCulloch got both hands to but couldn't keep out low down at his near post. The home side completed the turnaround in the 53rd minute when a deep cross from their left was nodded down at the back post by Daniel McKenna into the path of the unmarked James Gallagher to complete his hat-trick with a sweet right foot finish past the helpless Thomas McCulloch. The Gowdie had adopted a higher defensive line in the second half and after a couple of tight calls from Mr Hay Saints finally sprung the home side's offside trap with a perfectly timed Craig MacEwan run onto a David McArthur through ball. Craig drew the keeper and squared to Ross Maitland for a simple tap-in to restore parity. Barely a minute later Saints hit the woodwork for the second time when Ross Maitland got on the end of a Paul Kerr pass and hit the inside of the post with the ball being scrambled behind for a corner kick. Ross flighted in an excellent ball from the Saints left which eluded everyone in the centre but was well controlled by Dene Cassells at the back post who turned and fired in a shot which was blocked on the goal-line and hoofed to safety. Saints got their noses back in front in the 75th minute by once again springing the Gowdie off-side trap. Willie Gemmell began the move with a delicious curling pass setting Ross Maitland off on a run in the inside left channel. Ross won the foot race with the Gowdie full back Steven Dock and cut the ball back to Willie Gemmell who thundered in a fierce right foot shot which this time was too hot for the keeper to handle and the ball broke loose to Dean Smith six yards out who eagerly gobbled up the opportunity the restore the lead for Saints. The home side momentarily lost their heads with substitute striker Chris McGrath receiving a straight red card for aiming a kick at Jamie Graham and defender Jack Bennett picking up a second yellow for a petulant kick at Dean Smith as he lay on the ground having been brought down on the half way line. In between the two red cards Saints missed yet another chance which would have finally made the points safe. Craig MacEwan standing on the six yard line missed a Ross Maitland corner kick from the left with the ball landing at the feet of Dene Cassells who, from a tight angle, could only find the side netting with his shot through a sea of legs. With match seemingly safe Manager Alex Craik made a couple of changes replacing Ross Maitland and Dean Smith with Shaun MacIver and Allan Mackay. In the 82nd minute Craig MacEwan chased down an almost lost cause wide on the Saints left back heeling the ball on the dead ball line just before it could run out of play. Shaun MacIver did well to close down full back Steven Dock and set up Craig MacEwan for a curling shot from the corner of the box which dipped just over the junction of post and bar. With the clock ticking down and the killer fifth goal eluding them Saints seemed to panic and dropped deeper and deeper inviting the nine men of Goldenhill onto them. A succession of needless fouls gave the Gowdie the chance to lauch long balls into the box which although Saints managed to deal with their failure to fully clear their lines meant the ball kept coming straight back. It was therefore with a large dose of inevitability that the home side equalised in the 89th minute from a long throw on the Saints right level with the eighteen yard line. The Gowdie piled everybody into the box for the long throw and Damon Gray looped a free header beyond Thomas McCulloch and into the net for an equaliser for which Saints had only themselves to blame.

Goldenhill line up for their West of Scotland Amateur Cup Semi Final against Colville Park

Goldenhill's results so far this season:-

Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

20th August 2016 Goldenhill AFC 4 - 3 Ferguslie Star AFC
3rd September 2016 Goldenhill AFC 2 - 1 St Joseph's FP AFC
15th October 2016 Goldenhill AFC 1 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
29th October 2016 Shawlands FP AFC 3 - 1 Goldenhill AFC
12th November 2015 Goldenhill AFC 1 - 2 Inverclyde AFC
26th November 2016 Campbeltown Pupils AFC 2 - 3 Goldenhill AFC
3rd December 2016 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 2 - 0 Goldenhill AFC
28th January 2017 Motherwell Thistle AFC 0 - 2 Goldenhill AFC
4th February 2017 Drumchapel Colts AFC 1 - 4 Goldenhill AFC
11th February 2017 Ferguslie Star AFC 1 - 7 Goldenhill
18th February 2017 Goldenhill AFC 2 - 1 Shawlands FP AFC
11th March 2017 Goldenhill AFC 4 - 1 Campbeltown Pupils AFC
18th March 2017 Goldenhill AFC 6 - 1 Motherwell Thistle AFC
25th March 2017 St Joseph's FP AFC 1 - 0 Goldenhill AFC
8th April 2017 Inverclyde AFC 3 - 2 Goldenhill AFC
19th April 2017 Goldenhill AFC 4 - 0 Drumchapel Colts AFC
6th May 2017 Oban Saints AFC 2 - 1 Goldenhill

SAFL Coronation Cup

1st Round Group Section 3
22nd April 2017 Goldenhill AFC 5 - 0 St Joseph's FP AFC
26th April 2017 FC Goldenhill AFC 4 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
29th April 2017 Inverclyde AFC 2 - 4 Goldenhill AFC

Semi Final
20th May 2017 Goldenhill AFC v Ferguslie Star AFC

SAFL Centenary Cup

1st Round Group Section 3
13th August 2016 Goldenhill AFC 3 - 1 Port Glasgow AFC
17th August 2016 FC Argyle 4 - 6 Goldenhill AFC
24th August 2016 Goldenhill AFC 7 - 0 Port Glasgow OBU AFC
27th August 2016 Milton of Colquhoun AFC 0 - 6 Goldenhill AFC

Quarter Final
17th September 2016 Goldenhill AFC 3 - 3 Rutherglen AFC
Rutherglen win 5 - 4 on penalty kicks

SAFL Jimmy Marshall Trophy

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
10th December 2016 Rutherglen AFC 3 - 2 Goldenhill AFC

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
1st Ocotber 2016 Goldenhill AFC 4 - 4 Carluke Hearts AFC

2nd Round Replay
8th October 2106 Carluke Hearts AFC 6 - 4 Goldenhill AFC (After Extra Time)

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
22nd Ocotber 2016 East Kilbride YMCA AFC 1 - 5 Goldenhill AFC

3rd Round
17th December Blantyre Celtic AFC 2 - 4 Goldenhill AFC

4th Round
21st January 2017 Hurlford Thistle AFC 3 - 2 Goldenhill AFC

Goldenhill's recent SAFL finishes:-

2012 - 13 Division One Promoted and Coronation Cup Winners
2013 - 14 Premier Division Two 2nd Promoted

2014 - 15 Premier Division One 4th Promoted and Centenary Cup Winners
2015 - 16 Premier Division and West of Scotland Amateur Cup Runners-up

Goldenhill SAFL Centenary Cup Winners 2014 - 15

Action from last season's encounter at Clydebank High School

Scorer of Saints second goal Paul Kerr

Scorer of the opening goal Craig MacEwan

Ross Maitland swings over another cross

David McArthur launches a long ball from defence

Scott Rennie saves Willie Gemmell's free kick

Craig MacEwan congratulates Ross Maitland on drawing Saints level at 3 - 3

Dean Smith pounces on the loose ball to make it 4 - 3 to Saints

Last gasp Gowdie equaliser

#monthesaints

‪

Sunday, 14 May 2017

Into The Final

Saturday 13th May 2017
Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy
Semi-final
Hillington AFC 1 - 4 Oban Saints AFC
Penilee Community Centre
10 Gleddoch Road
Glasgow
G52 4BD
Kick Off 2pm
Referee Mr Robert Doolan
Assistant Referee Mr Philip Hogg
Assistant Referee Mr Derek Milton

Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Martin Bonar

Dean Smith

Unused substitute:-

Alex Craik

Oban Saints reached their fourth Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy final in five seasons with a 4 - 1 win at a rain soaked Penilee Community Centre last Saturday. After a fairly even goalless first half Saints turned up the heat on Premier Division One opponents Hillington with Craig MacEwan netting a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to thirty six. The victory gave Saints some small measure of revenge for the agonising 2013 final penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Hillington at Somervell Park, Cambuslang and guarantees the Saints faithful another cup final day out to look forward to.

Manager Alex Craik had the usual mixture of injuries, work and family commitments to contend with when selecting his squad for this vital cup tie. Added to the mix was Donald Campbell's one match suspension for his sending off in the Scottish Amateur Cup semi-final defeat against Colville Park.

Thomas McCulloch lined up in goal behind a back four of Jamie Graham, Captain Marc Maccallum, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. The midfield comprised Myles McAuley, Kerr Newbiggining and Matthew Kelly with a front three of Fraser MacFarlane, Paul Carmichael and Craig MacEwan completing the line-up. The Gaffer named himself on the bench with Martin Bonar and Dean Smith for company.

Hosts Hillington kicked off in heavy rain defending the Community Centre end where, after some early sparring, Saints forced the first corner kick of the match in the third minute. Marc Maccallum played the ball up to Fraser MacFarlane who in turn fed Jamie Graham. Jamie's overlapping run to the bye-line was halted by Lee Wales at the expense of a corner kick. Craig MacEwan rose through a ruck of players at the back post to head Fraser MacFarlane's delivery back across the face of goal with Scott Gold showing a good measure of composure to control the ball and volley clear just short of the goal line.

The action swung quickly to the other end when Kerr Newbigging was penalised for a foul just inside the Hillington half. Ross Hamilton sent his deep free kick towards the back post where Gary Wilson had found space but sent his header straight at Thomas McCulloch.

Matthew Kelly was enjoying his new midfield role and got on the end of a threaded pass from colleague Myles McAuley in the fifth minute. Matthew made a run into the box but was unable to get the ball out of his feet and a good chance was lost.

Hillington had already claimed two Premier Division scalps en-route to the Jimmy Marshall Trophy semi-finals and were matching up well against cup holders Saints. In the seventh minute Stuart Ashton got in behind Scott Maitland on the Hillington right and, from a tight angle, drew a smart save from Thomas McCulloch at his near post.

Thomas had the slightly easier task of gathering a long range effort from Ian McFadyen in the eighth minute which lacked the power to seriously test the Saints number one.

Another run forward from Matthew Kelly in the thirteenth minute was halted by a mistimed tackle from Scott Gold twenty eight yards from goal. With Willie Gemmell missing due to work commitments Kerr Newbigging assumed responsibility for the dead ball but sent his free-kick eighteen inches over Paul McGuire's crossbar.

Hillington had the ball in the net in the eighteenth minute when Gary Wilson stole in behind Dene Cassells from another deep Ross Hamilton free-kick but Assistant Referee Philip Hogg raised his flag for offside and Referee Robert Doolan disallowed the goal.

Five minutes later on the opposite touchline Mr Doolan's other Assistant Derek Milton raised his flag against Kerr Newbigging to deny Fraser MacFarlane a tap-in at the back post. Kerr went fractionally too early on the left to get on the end of a Craig MacEwan pass and was flagged offside before delivering an inviting ball across the face of goal which MacFarlane would surely have buried had play been allowed to continue.

The deep free-kick from central defender Ross Hamilton once again presented a problem for Saints with Ian McFadyen making a good run behind the Saints defence to glance a header on target which fortunately flew straight into the hands of Thomas McCulloch causing sharp intakes of breath on the sidelines.

The offside flag was up again in the twenty eighth minute this time against Paul Carmichael who was enjoying a fascinating physical battle with Ross Hamilton. Matthew Kelly battled well in the centre circle to win possession and laid off to Kerr Newbigging whose well weighted ball sent Paul racing through on goal but Mr Milton judged that Paul had started his run from an offside position.

Hamilton stopped Carmichael unfairly on the corner of the Hillington box two minutes later but redeemed himself to beat Paul in the air and head Kerr Newbigging's free-kick clear of the danger area.

A thirty fourth minute run along the Saints eighteen yard line from William Mitchell was well matched by Marc Maccallum allowing no way through for the Hillington midfielder with the Saints Skipper eventually making a decisive challenge to snuff out the danger.

As the half wore on Saints began to gain the upper hand in the vital midfield area but still struggled to get in behind the home defence thanks in no small part to a solid display from young centre half Stuart Aitken.

Saints tried a change of free-kick taker with Matthew Kelly taking over to allow Kerr Newbigging to add his aerial presence in the box. From a free-kick on the right won by Paul Carmichael, Matthew's delivery was charged down at the near post however Saints kept the pressure on through Scott Maitland and Craig MacEwan with Craig eventually winning another free-kick on the opposite flank. Matthew gained more height with his second delivery but unfortunately too much for intended target Paul Carmichael and the ball drifted behind for a goal kick.

Saints came within inches of opening the scoring just before the interval when Paul Carmichael held off a strong challenge from Nicholas Baird and burst through into the box only to be denied a goal by the outstretched left foot of Hillington keeper Paul McGuire which deflected the big Saints striker's net bound shot wide of target. Before the corner kick could be taken Mr Doolan took the name of Nicholas Baird for his challenge on Paul Carmichael. Fraser MacFarlane's delivery from the corner flag was headed behind for another corner by Baird who was guarding the back post. From the opposite flank Fraser put in another good delivery to the back post where Ross Hamilton once again emerged victorious from his aerial duel with Paul Carmichael before Mr Doolan blew the half-time whistle.

Saints had the benefit of the breeze for the second half which would steadily increase in strength as the half progressed. Much to the relief of the hardy band of spectators the rain also eased off for the start of the second half which Saints kicked off attacking the Park end.

The second half was only one minute old when Matthew Kelly had the first strike on goal which was deflected wide of Paul McGuire's right hand post for a corner kick. Having had little success with his first half deliveries into the box Fraser MacFarlane opted to roll the ball back to Myles McAuley whose shot from the corner of the eighteen yard box was palmed away and collected at the second attempt by the Hillington keeper.

Saints were already showing signs that they would go on to dominate almost the entire second half with Craig MacEwan skinning Lee Wales on the Saints right before sending a ball into the box which was tantalisingly out of reach for Fraser MacFarlane allowing Paul McGuire to thump clear.

Hillington lost the services of influential midfielder Scott Gold to an ankle injury after just four second half minutes. Gold was replaced in the middle of the park by Gary Wilson.

Kerr Newbigging's ball up the right wing for Paul Carmichael saw the Saints man turn Ross Hamilton and dig out a cross from the bye-line which just evaded Craig MacEwan at the near post and ended up in the grateful hands of Paul McGuire.

Newbigging sent Carmichael through again in the fifty third minute but a well timed sliding interception from Lee Wales took the ball off Paul's toe and through to the keeper.

Hillington's first meaningful second half foray into Saints territory earned a free-kick on the right which Thomas McCulloch palmed away launching a counter attack on the right which Stuart Aitken halted at the expense of a throw-in and foot injury for himself which required some treatment before he could continue.

Saints won another corner kick after fifty eight minutes when Craig MacEwan's shot was defelected wide of Paul McGuire's left hand post. Myles McAuley had space and time to take down Fraser MacFarlane's deep cross but his shot through a ruck of players was blocked on the six yard line.

On the hour mark Ross Hamilton picked up the second yellow card of the match when he felled Paul Carmichael wide on the right after a good turn from the Saints striker. From Matthew Kelly's delivery onto the six yard line Craig MacEwan somehow managed to direct a header towards goal despite having Nicholas Baird's arm across his throat. Marc Maccallum coming in behind bundled the ball over the line and wheeled away in celebration however his joy was short lived as Mr Hogg flagged for a hand-ball against the Saints Skipper. Worse was to follow for Marc when his protestations that the ball had come off his chest earned him a place in Referee Doolan's notebook.

A foot race up the right wing with Paul Carmichael for Stuart Aitken when the young defender managed to nick the ball out for a throw-in proved to be his last involvement. Paul took the throw quickly to Fraser MacFarlane whose low shot was well saved by Paul McGuire before Aitken signaled to the Hillington bench that he was unable to continue.

The Saints back four, assisted by the strengthening wind, remained comfortable and on a rare occasion when Stuart Ashton got the better of Scott Maitland on the Hillington right Marc Maccallum was quickly across to snuff out the danger.

Maccallum's central defensive partner Dene Cassells was instrumental in setting up Saints opening goal in the sixty seventh minute. Dene made a decisive interception on the half-way line and charged forward into the Hillington half playing the ball up to Paul Carmichael. With his back to goal Paul deftly flicked the ball on with the outside of his right foot to Craig MacEwan who wrong footed Paul McGuire and stroked the ball into the net to give Saints the lead.

Saints were back on the attack almost immediately from the restart with McGuire saving with his right foot to deny Fraser MacFarlane. From MacFarlane's corner kick from the left Paul Carmichael climbed above Ross Hamilton and Kyle Young and was a matter of inches over the crossbar with his header.

Controversy surrounded Saints second goal in the seventy fourth minute. A wind assisted goal kick from Thomas McCulloch was expertly brought down on the left by Craig MacEwan and curled high into the net past a rooted to the spot Paul McGuire. Saints celebrations of a wonderful goal from Craig were curtailed by an offside flag from Mr Hogg. However after a brief discussion with his Assistant Mr Doolan, who was clearly otherwise minded, pointed to the centre circle awarding the goal to Saints.

This was the cue for Saints Manager Alex Craik to make a double substitution replacing Matthew Kelly and Fraser MacFarlane with Martin Bonar and Dean Smith.

Further chances for Saints to put the result beyond any doubt came and went with Martin Bonar and Paul Carmichael both sending headers inches wide of target.

Both substitutes were heavily involved in Saints third goal. With Hillington pushing forward desperately looking for a way back into the game Saints broke forward with Dean Smith holding the ball up well and releasing Martin Bonar on the right wing. Martin's run was supported by Jamie Graham who popped up in the inside right channel taking the ball into the box and squaring to Craig MacEwan. Craig's low shot struck the inside of the post and bounced into the path of the luckless Christopher Flannery who tried to control the ball but only succeeded into turning it into the unguarded net.

To their credit Hillington kept plugging away and Saints were indebted to Thomas McCulloch for a fine save low down to his left to keep out a Kyle Young header in the eighty sixth minute.

A miserable afternoon for Christopher Flannery was rounded off with two minutes of normal time remaining. Paul Carmichael charged through the tiring Hillington defence once again and was scythed down twenty eight yards from goal by Flannery with Referee Doolan reaching to his back pocket and producing his red card.

The left of centre position of the free-kick would have been ideal for Willie Gemmell but in his absence Kerr Newbigging grabbed the ball. The instructions from the sidelines for Kerr to hand the ball to Craig MacEwan were baffling as nobody could remember Craig ever having taken a free-kick before however the decision proved to be an inspired one. Craig curled the ball around the wall and past the despairing left hand of Paul McGuire to seal his hat-trick with a delightful finish which would certainly have earned the mark of approval of dead ball expert Gemmell.

Some of the shine was taken off an excellent all round Saints performance when they conceded a last minute consolation goal after switching off at a hotly disputed throw-in. Hillington took full advantage of a fortuitous award quickly working the ball down the left and into the box for the unmarked Gordon Phillips. With the Saints defence appealing in vain for an offside flag second half substitute Phillips planted his header low inside Thomas McCulloch's left hand post denying Saints a long sought after clean sheet.

Referee Doolan brought proceedings to a close after three added minutes confirming Saints place in the final where their opponents will be either Easthall Star or Dunoon both also of Premier Division One.