Winning In The Rain

Sunday, 13 May 2018

Saints on Sunday

The Long Ryders - Tell It To The Judge On Sunday

Sunday 10th May 2018
Scottish Amateur Football League
Premier Division
St Joseph's FP AFC v Oban Saints AFC
Scotstoun Sports Campus
72 Danes Drive
Glasgow
G14 9HD
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Don Flanigan

With both sides having players involved in the Argyll Select v Scottish Amateur Football League Select match at Tarbert on the Saturday, this weekend's fixture between St Joseph's FP and Oban Saints has, unusually, been scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

The final home league match of the season for reigning Champions St Joseph's see's them still top of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division table but with ever decreasing hopes of hanging onto their title. A 1 - 0 defeat last Wednesday night to local rivals Goldenhill closes the gap to just three points with the Gowdie having played four games less. St Joe's must now win their two remaining fixtures against Oban Saints this afternoon at Scotstoun and away to Alba Thistle on Wednesday evening and then hope that Scottish Amateur Cup finalists Goldenhill run out of steam between now and the end of the season.

With Alba Thistle themselves still in the hunt for the Premier Division title, St Joe's trip to Seedhill, Paisley on Wednesday evening should provided a cracking climax to the league season for the Duntocher men provided they can take full points from Oban Saints this afternoon.

Although their grip on the league title appears to be loosening, St Joe's still have the chance to end what has been another good season, the highlight of which was a run to the semi finals of the West of Scotland Cup, on a high with an appearance in the final of the Jimmy Marshall Trophy. Firstly, however, they must negotiate a home quarter final tie against Premier Division Two Houston followed by a semi final at New Tinto Park, Govan against Kings Park Rangers.

With only pride left to play for, Saints have five games left to haul themselves into the top half of the table and put a slight shine on what has been a very disappointing league campaign. Starting with this afternoon's trip to Scotstoun the run-in for Saints also requires away trips to Alba Thistle and Motherwell Thistle before two final home fixtures against East Kilbride Rolls Royce and Alba Thistle.

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

SAFL Premier Division

19th August 2017 St Joseph's FP 0 - 1 Alba Thistle
2nd September 2017 St Joseph's FP 6 - 1 Hillington
9th September 2017 Oban Saints 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP
28th October 2017 Motherwell Thistle 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP
11th November 2017 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Goldenhill
13th January 2018 St Joseph's FP 2 - 0 Inverclyde
3rd February 2018 Inverclyde 2 - 3 St Joseph's FP
10th February 2018 St Joseph's FP 5 - 3 East Kilbride Rolls Royce
24th March 2018 St Joseph's FP 3 - 0 East Kilbride FC Amateurs
7th April 2018 East Kilbride FC Amateurs 0 - 6 St Joseph's FP
11th April 2018 Hillington 1 - 3 St Joseph's FP
2nd May 2018 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 0 - 4 St Joseph's FP
5th May 2018 St Joseph's FP 6 - 0 Motherwell Thistle
9th May 2018 Goldenhill 1 - 0 St Joseph's FP

Scottish Amateur Football League Centenary Cup

1st Round Group Section North One
12th August 2017 Paisley 1 - 5 St Joseph's FP

16th August 2017 St Joseph's FP 7 - 2 Houston
23rd August 2017 FC Argyle 1 - 2 St Joseph's FP

Quarter Final
7th October 2017 Goldenhill 5 - 2 St Joseph's FP

Scottish Amateur Football League Jimmy Marshall Trophy

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
31st March 2018 St Joseph's FP 2 - 0 Barrhead Arky

3rd Round

21st April 2018 St Joseph's FP 7 - 1 Hillington

Quarter Final
21st May 2018 St Joseph's FP v Houston

West of Scotland Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
16th September 2017 St Joseph's FP v Knockentiber (Walkover to St Joseph's FP)

3rd Round
14th October 2017 St Joseph's FP 4 - 0 St Mungos

4th Round
18th November 2017 St Joseph's FP 4 - 1 Cumnock

5th Round
27th January 2018 St Joseph's FP 4 - 3 Westercommon Star

6th Round
24th February 2018 St Joseph's FP 5 - 1 Harestanes

Quarter Final
17th March 2018 Dumbarton Academy FP 1 - 3 St Joseph's FP

Semi Final
16th April 2018 St Joseph's FP 1 - 3 UB United

Scottish Amateur Cup

1st Round
Bye

2nd Round
30th September 2017 Abronhill Stepps v St Joseph's FP (Walkover to St Joseph's FP)

3rd Round
4th November 2017 St Joseph's FP 3 - 1 New Farm Loch

4th Round
16th December 2017 East Kilbride Rolls Royce 2 - 2 St Joseph's FP

4th Round Replay
6th January 2018 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 East Kilbride Rolls Royce

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
2015/16 Premier Division 3rd, Centenary Cup & Jimmy Marshall Trophy Runners Up
2016/17 Premier Division Champions and Centenary Cup Winners

Oban Saints recent away record against St Joseph's FP:-

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

2014/15 St Joseph's FP 1 - 2 Oban Saints
2015/16 St Joseph's FP 1 - 0 Oban Saints
2016/17 St Joseph's FP 2 - 4 Oban Saints

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

Action from last season's encounter at William Street

Not West Dunbartonshire Council Parks Department's finest hour

A good night for a few daisy cutters

Team Captains Ross Maitland and Kieran Boyce with Referee John McQuilter

Cameron Harkins with Jamie Graham in close attendance

Brian Mackay

Craig Cameron climbs at the back post

Ross Maitland and Fraser Murray

Half-time stretches for Kieran Boyce

Craig MacEwan and Craig Cameron

Sean Gibbons beats Craig MacEwan to Brian Mackay's cut back

David McArthur congratulates Scott Maitland on his strike to bring Saints back into the match

Donald Campbell and Christopher Scouler

Sean Gibbons can't keep out Donald Campbell's equaliser

Willie Gemmell flicks on just ahead of Craig Cameron

Brian Mackay gives Saints the lead

Donald Campbell and Kieran O'Brien

Fraser MacFarlane tries his hand at a spot of levitation

Brian Mackay appeals, rather optimistically, that Sean Gibbons picks up outside his box

Scott Maitland and Kieran O'Brien

Craig MacEwan turns away from Kieran Boyce

Brian Mackay tucks away Saints fourth goal

#monthesaints

Friday, 11 May 2018

The Select Few

The Selecter - The Selecter

Argyll Select v Scottish Amateur Football League Select
Cil Andreis Park
Back Street
Tarbert
Argyll
PA29 6TF
Kick off 1pm
Referee Mr Patrick O'Donnell
Assistant Referee Mr Matthew Denne
Assistant Referee Mr Archibald Mitchell

There is no fixture for Oban Saints this Saturday as the Joe Paterson Memorial Trophy takes centre stage at Cil Andreis Park, Tarbert. The annual challenge match between the Scottish Amateur Football League Select and an Argyll Select has missed a beat in recent seasons, principally due to the League being unable to fulfill the fixture, however there seems at last to be the collective will to ensure the fixture takes place this season.

Named in memory of eminent amateur football administrator Joe Paterson, who was Match Secretary from 1953 - 1980 and instrumental in convincing the Scottish Amateur Football League to admit clubs from Argyll, the trophy was last played for in June 2014 when the Argyll boys saw off a spirited League performance at Ropework Park, Lochgilphead made it back-to-back victories in the long running series.

On that occasion there was a few fuzzy heads among the Saints contingent who eventually made it to Lochgilphead on a sunny Sunday afternoon in early June. Following on from their earlier league and cup double celebrations and Colin Carswell's wedding the day previous, Donald Campbell, Alex Craik, Jamie Graham and Ross Maitland all passed late sobriety tests to play vital parts in a hard fought win as the Argyll boys narrowly edged out a strong League Select.

Argyll Select v SAFL Select at Ropework Park, Lochgilphead Sunday 8th June 2014

Alex Craik, Donald Campbell Senior and Junior, Jamie Graham and Ross Maitland

This time around Oban Saints will be represented by Donald Campbell, Graham Douglas, Scott Maitland and Steven MacLeod when local rivalries will be put aside as hosts Tarbert and Lochgilphead Red Star of Premier Division 2, Campbeltown Pupils of Premier Division 1 and Premier Division Saints pull resources to take on the might of the Scottish Amateur Football League.

The fixture will hopefully bring some much needed joy to the village of Tarbert still reeling after the tragic loss of life after the sinking of the Nancy Glen fishing boat. Tragically killed alongside crew member Prezemek Krawczyk was Skipper Duncan "TT" MacDougall. Duncan was a stalwart of Tarbert Amateur Football Club and it would be a fitting tribute to him if the Argyll Select could make it three Joe Paterson Trophy wins in a row on the home ground of the club he loved so much.

Some select squads from the past

SAFL Select November 2015

SAFL V Ayrshire Amateur Football Association 22nd November 2015

Argyll Select at Glencruitten, Oban on 9th June 2012

SAFL Select at Glencruitten, Oban on 9th June 2012

SAFL Select at Kintyre Park, Campbeltown 2010
Photo courtesy of Chris McAllister

SAFL Select v Carlton 2008
Photo courtesy of Chris McAllister

SAFL Select v Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Select at Northolm Park, Giffnock 22nd October 2006

Argyll Select at Mossfield, Oban on 4th June 2005

SAFL Select at Mossfield, Oban on 4th June 2005

SAFL Select at Campbeltown 2004
Photo courtesy of Chris McAllister

SAFL squad list v Ayrshire Amateur Football Association Select 2001

Argyll Select at Ropework Park, Lochgilphead May 1989
Photo courtesy of David Dunlop

#monthesaints

or, on this occasion

#monargyll

Monday, 7 May 2018

Goldenhill Too Steep

Saturday 5th May 2018
Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division

Oban Saints AFC 0 - 3 Goldenhill AFC
Glencruitten 2
Mossfield Avenue
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4EH
Kick off 2pm
Referee Mr Thomas D'Alessandro

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-
Keith Millar
Fraser MacFarlane

Unused substitute:-
Alex Craik

Goldenhill starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-
Alan Hardie
Christopher McGrath
Paul O'Donnell

Last Saturday at a soggy Glencruitten Scottish Amateur Cup finalists Goldenhill maintained their 100% league record to keep the pressure on Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders St Joseph's FP with a convincing 3 - 0 victory over Oban Saints.

Saints Manager Alex Craik shuffled his pack once more to keep up his own 100% record of naming a different starting eleven for every one of Saints matches so far.

Starting line-up number twenty seven saw a return for Dene Cassells whose work commitments had previously kept him out of contention. Cassells lined up on the left of a back three with Steven MacLeod on the right and Willie Gemmell in the middle. Matthew Kelly and Kerr Newbigging were at the heart of the four man midfield with Ruaridh Horne and Jamie Graham taking the wide roles. Captain Donald Campbell spearheaded the attack with Paul Carmichael and Shaun MacIver just behind him. In goal was Graham Douglas with Keith Millar and Fraser MacFarlane joing the Gaffer on the bench.

Kicking off attacking the railway end Saints made a bright start to the first half and came within inches of opening the scoring in the first minute. Ruaridh Horne made good progress on the right and sent a low cross to the front post where Paul Carmichael nipped in ahead of Marc Morrison and Jack Bennett and shaved the outside of the post with a first time effort.

A diagonal ball from Shaun MacIver over the head of Steven Dock sent Donald Campbell through on goal however, after bringing MacIver's pass down well the Saints Skipper was denied by Goldenhill keeper Scott Rennie who slid out bravely to gather the ball at Campbell's feet.

Saints continued their early promise with Jamie Graham and Donald Campbell combining to force a throw-in on the left. Paul Carmichael held off the challenge of Steven Dock to flick on Graham's throw but Scott Rennie came out well to collect on his six yard line.

From Rennie's clearance Goldenhill launched a swift counter-attack and only an excellent sliding interception from Steven MacLeod on Jonathon Dyer denied the Gowdie striker a strike on goal.

The promising start from Saints was undone after just twelve minutes when hesitation at the back gifted possession to James Gallagher on the the left. The Goldenhill striker was given time and space to pick out Damon Gray's untracked near post run with the tall midfielder's diving header from four yards giving Graham Douglas no chance.

The visitors threatened to double their advantage straight from the restart regaining possession through Scottish Amateur international midfielder Scott McGuire who sent James Gallagher through on the left for a strike on goal which smacked the outside of the near post.

Steven MacLeod picked up the first caution of the afternoon in the twenty first minute for dissent towards Referee Thomas D'Alessandro.

Saints pieced together a promising move in the twenty sixth minute with Donald Campbell and Paul Carmichael linking up well in the middle of the park to send Jamie Graham off on a run up the left wing. Graham's cross from the corner of the eighteen yard box was fractionally too high for Shaun MacIver but Saints managed to keep the pressure on and only a brave block from Jack Bennett prevented Matthew Kelly from testing Scott Rennie with a twenty two yard pile driver.

A lapse in concentration at a twenty eighth minute James Gallagher corner kick on the right cost Saints dearly. Gallagher picked out the unmarked Ian Stevenson on the corner of the eighteen yard box whose dinked cross was headed home at the front post by Goldenhill Skipper Scott McGuire to double the visitor's lead.

The second goal rocked Saints with Graham Douglas coming to the rescue to parry a James Gallagher shot and Steven MacLeod making a vital interception to prevent Jonathon Dyer from knocking the loose ball into the unguarded net.

With the visitors now winning the crucial midfield battle Saints were unable to exert any pressure on the well organised Goldenhill defence leaving their own back three by far the busier.

A thirty fifth minute Scott McGuire foul on Matthew Kelly gave Saints some respite and dead ball expert Willie Gemmell a chance to move up the park from his central defensive role. Too far out for a shot on goal, Gemmell lofted a delightful ball from the right to the far post where, despite making a good run to get on the end of the delivery, Shaun MacIver failed to trouble Scott Rennie with his looping header.

Goldenhill's James Gallagher sent a free-kick from twenty four yards high over the junction of post and bar and saw a dangerous low cross from the left well cut out by Dene Cassells before Referee D'Alessandro blew for half-time.

To try and counter the visitor's midfield dominance Saints Gaffer Alex Craik swapped youth for experience pitching veteran Keith Millar into the action at the expense of youngster Ruaridh Horne.

Saints made an encouraging start to the second half with Shaun MacIver winning a free-kick midway inside the Goldenhill half and ten yards in from the left touchline. Willie Gemmell produced another dangerous delivery to the far post where Paul Carmichael had cleverly peeled off his marker. With his back to goal Carmichael produced a flash of inspiration to wheel and hook a powerful shot on target which Scott Rennie equaled with a sensational finger tip save to turn the ball onto his left hand post.

Despite competing better in the second half Saints still carried little by way of an attacking threat and, after that initial save Rennie in the Goldenhill goal enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon.

On the hour mark Jamie Graham joined Steven MacLeod in the Referee's notebook for a foul on Scott McGuire. Saints were slow to react to McGuire's short free-kick and were relieved to see Ian Stevenson's cross from the right land on the roof of the net with James Gallagher running in unmarked at the back post.

Stevenson made way for Christopher McGrath in the sixty third minute with the big striker set to make a telling contribution as competition for Scottish Amateur Cup squad places hots up in the Goldenhill ranks.

Making his first start of the season, Dene Cassells carried the ball out from the back in the sixty ninth minute but was dispossessed by Scott McGuire and picked up Saints third caution of the afternoon in attempting to regain possession from the Goldenhill Captain.

Undeterred, Cassells joined the attack again sixty seconds later this time progressing to the final third and feeding Donald Campbell. The Saints Skipper was quick to spot the run of Matthew Kelly on the right unfortunately his pass was just too heavy for Kelly and a promising opening came to nothing.

Marc Morrison's afternoon came to an end due to an injury picked up in the seventy second minute. The left sided defender however received little sympathy from Referee D'Alessandro who booked the Goldenhill man for taking too long to leave the field of play. Paul O'Donnell eventually joined the action where Scott McGuire won a free-kick for a late challenge by Shaun MacIver.

McGuire's free-kick from thirty yards out appeared to be won in the air by Damon Gray but when the knock-on drifted beyond James Gallagher Mr D'Alessandro pointed towards to corner flag. Once again Saints were caught on their heels from the set-piece when Gallagher rolled his delivery from the right into the path of Christopher McGrath whose right foot rocket from the eighteen yard line flew past Graham Douglas and into the net at the unguarded front post.

Fraser MacFarlane replaced the tiring Jamie Graham on the left of midfield for the closing fifteen minutes. MacFarlane's first involvement was to help set up Paul Carmichael for a shot from the left across the face of goal which flew wide of Scott Rennie's left hand post.

The visitors also made a change on the left of midfield sending on Alan Hardie to replace Reace Syed.

Saints created another opening on the left in the eighty second minute with Carmichael this electing to try and find Matthew Kelly with a low cross which was unfortunately hit fractionally too far in front of the midfielder's supporting run.

Graham Douglas produced an excellent double save in the dying minutes to deny firstly James Gallagher and then Christopher McGrath on the follow up before Mr D'Alessandro blew for full time and a deserved Goldenhill victory.

Gaffer Alex Craik will be disappointed with the goals conceded but overall can have few complaints with the final outcome as Goldenhill made it three wins out of three against Saints for the season.

The Gowdie continue their pursuit of a first ever Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title with a crunch local derby against reigning Champions St Joseph's in Drumchapel this Wednesday night.

Saints have no fixture this Saturday as an Argyll Select take on the Scottish Amateur Football League Select for the Joe Paterson Memorial Trophy in Tarbert. However Saints head to Scotstoun the following day to face Premier Division leaders St Joseph's FP who must take maximum points from their final home match of the season if they are to hold off the challenge of Goldenhill and retain their league crown.