McAuley Header Cements Victory

Saturday 28th November 2020

Friendly

Oban Saints 1 - 0 South Lochaber Thistle

Oban Community Sports Field (3G)

Soroba Road

Oban

Argyll

PA34 4JB

Kick Off 12.00pm
Referee Mr Martin Rae


A collector's item headed Myles McAuley goal earned Oban Saints the bragging rights in a hard fought friendly victory over near neighbours South Lochaber Thistle at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon.

Referee Martin Rae ensured the match day protocols, including no spectators inside the perimeter fencing, were strictly enforced for the twelve o'clock kick-off played in pleasant winter sunshine.

Scott Johnston dropped out of the squad from the previous week's trip to Dunoon however Manager Willie Gemmell's selection options were given an unexpected boost when David Beaton and James Ford passed late fitness tests to take their places on the substitutes bench. 

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod, Kerr Newbigging and Scott Maitland. Martin Bonar partnered Matty Kelly in the holding midfield roles with Aaron McKay, Gavin Forgrieve and Cammy Hill supporting central striker Craig MacEwan. On the bench were David Beaton, Lewis Campbell, James Ford, Willie Gemmell and Myles McAuley.


Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitutes:-

David Beaton

Lewis Campbell

James Ford

Myles McAuley

Unused substitute:-

Willie Gemmell

Saints kicked off attacking the Glencruitten end and brought Jags number one Andrew Brown into action inside the first minute when the big keeper had to come through a ruck of bodies to clutch a Gavin Forgrieve free-kick from the corner of the eighteen yard box. 

From a fourth minute free-kick on the edge of the centre circle Matty Kelly played the ball out wide to Ruaridh Horne on the right whose deep cross found the head of Cammy Hill. Despite a good leap on the corner of the six yard box Hill was unable to direct his header on target.

Brown was again quick to sense the danger when Scott Maitland's eighth minute pass up the left wing sent Matty Kelly in behind the Thistle defence. Cutting into the box Kelly's touch was a fraction heavy giving the edge to the keeper who closed down Kelly and gathered safely.

Brown continued his busy start to the game needing two attempts to finally stop Aaron McKay's effort from a Craig MacEwan pass on his goal-line in the twelfth minute.

Saints lost the services of Scott Maitland to a tightening hamstring which prompted a switch to a 3-5-2 formation. Replacement Myles McAuley moved into midfield leaving Ruaridh Horne, Kerr Newbigging and Steven MacLeod to form the back three.

Unexpectedly McAuley's introduction would prove to be a master stroke by Gaffer Willie Gemmell when the midfield powerhouse netted the only goal of the game after twenty minutes. Gavin Forgrieve had a shot from eighteen yards blocked behind for a corner kick on the right. The youngster trotted over to take the corner kick himself and sent over an excellent delivery which McAuley met perfectly on the penalty spot to send the ball crashing into the roof of the net.

With Saints having put four past Thistle on their two previous encounters the visitors were determined to keep things tight at the back and succeeded in keeping home opportunities to a minimum. When Saints did break through they found Jags keeper Andrew Brown in inspired form making vital interventions to deny Ruaridh Horne and Aaron McKay.

Gavin Forgrieve, who enjoyed an influential first forty five minutes, made way for David Beaton in a half-time switch from Gaffer Willie Gemmell. 

Aaron McKay and Ruaridh Horne combined well on the right in the fifty first minute forcing Jags left back Ross MacLean to concede a corner kick. Matty Kelly's delivery eluded the grasp of Andrew Brown and was headed back into the danger area by Martin Bonar at the back post. Ruaridh Horne found space on the penalty spot but couldn't redirect the bouncing ball back on target sending a difficult chance over the crossbar.

A good turn on the eighteen yard line took Saints Skipper Craig MacEwan away from his marker however his fifty third minute shot could only find the side netting.

David Beaton continued the off target theme hoisting a fifty ninth minute volley from a Ruaridh Horne right wing cross over Andrew Brown's crossbar.

Saints continued to press for a killer second goal but almost found themselves back on level terms in the sixty eighth minute. The visitors successfully defended a David Beaton corner kick and launched a swift counter attack through Skipper Martin Munro. The Jags talisman was allowed to carry the ball a long way but crucially couldn't shake off the attentions of Steven MacLeod who kept Munro under enough pressure to prevent the shot and allow Graham Douglas to slide out and gather at Munro's feet.

Sixty seconds later Munro succeeded where he had earlier failed and evaded the attentions of both MacLeod and Douglas and couldn't believe his luck when Martin Bonar got back with a last gasp clearance clattering into the post in the process. 

It was Saints turn to hit on the break from the resulting corner kick with Craig MacEwan finally getting an effort on target only to find Andrew Brown equal to the task with a flying save to tip MacEwan's curling right foot shot onto the crossbar.

Martin Bonar's collision with the frame of the goal ended his afternoon and signalled another defensive reshuffle with Myles McAuley dropping back into central defence and young striker Cammy Hill finding himself at left fullback.

Substitute Lewis Campbell sent Aaron McKay sprinting forward on the right from where he picked out the supporting run of David Beaton however it was Brown to the rescue once more for the visitors with another excellent save to deny Beaton. From the resulting corner kick Lewis Campbell found the head of Cammy Hill who sent his header flying over the crossbar.

Aaron McKay made way for James Ford for the closing fifteen minutes leaving Gaffer Willie Gemmell as the only unused substitute.

Further off-target efforts followed from Craig MacEwan, Lewis Campbell and Cammy Hill as Saints continued to dominate without being able to put the game out of the visitor's reach.

With five minutes remaining Saints were almost made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when dangerman Martin Munro escaped Cammy Hill on the right wing and picked out strike partner Andrew McLean in the middle who glanced his header wide of Graham Douglas' right hand post.

Fittingly it was Andrew Brown who had the last word capping an inspired performance to clutch a twenty two yard James Ford shot before Referee Martin Rae brought a highly competitive friendly encounter to an end.  

  

Scott Maitland

Change of boots required for Cammy Hill

Martin Bonar

Andrew Brown can't keep out Myles McAuley's header

Matty Kelly congratulates goalscorer Myles McAuley

Kerr Newbigging and Martin Munro

Myles McAuley

Graham Douglas

Andrew Brown denies Aaron McKay

Steven MacLeod

Aaron McKay makes a nuisance of himself at a corner kick

Graham Douglas punches clear under pressure

Lewis Campbell

Craig MacEwan lets fly

#monthesaints

Another Argyll Derby Win For Saints

 

Saturday 21st November 2020

Friendly

Dunoon Amateurs 1 - 3 Oban Saints

Dunoon Stadium

Argyll Road

Kirn

Dunoon

Argyll

PA23 7RL

Kick Off 1.30pm

Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Oban Saints and Argyll neighbours Dunoon Amateurs took advantage of Argyll and Bute's continued tier two Coronavirus protection level status to stage a friendly fixture at Dunoon Stadium last Saturday afternoon. The vast grass playing surface successfully passed an early morning pitch inspection however underfoot conditions were extremely heavy ensuring quality football remained at a premium throughout.

Referee Jimmy Litster ensured strict matchday protocols were observed by both sides where Saints overturned a half time deficit to earn a deserved victory over their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One hosts.

Injuries, work and family commitments continued to hamper Manager Willie Gemmell's selection opportunities however Myles McAuley made a welcome return to the squad and the travelling party was further boosted by the inclusion of young Lewis Campbell .

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod, Kerr Newbigging and Scott Maitland. Partnering Scott Johnston in the holding midfield role was Matty Kelly. Supporting Skipper and central striker Craig MacEwan were Aaron McKay, Gavin Forgrieve and Cammy Hill. Joining Gaffer Willie Gemmell on the bench were Martin Bonar, Lewis Campbell and Myles McAuley.

Oban Saints starting line-up:-

Used substitutes:-

Martin Bonar

Lewis Campbell

Myles McAuley

Unused substitute:-

Willie Gemmell

Hosts Dunoon Amateurs kicked off with the strong wind at their backs and were immediately on the attack. Evan Meyar-McDonagh and Paddy Mullholland linked well on the right wing with Mullholland sending a right foot shot from the edge of the Saints box high and wide of target.

A wind assisted ball out from the back turned the Saints back four however Lewis McCall was unable to capitalise sending his shot from the left corner of the eighteen yard box into the grateful arms of Graham Douglas.

After a slow start Saints were eventually able to exert some pressure on the Dunoon defence when Aaron McKay closed down and dispossessed full back JJ Friel. The Saints youngster raced into the box and squared to Craig MacEwan however the Saints Skipper couldn't get the ball out of his feet in the soggy conditions and a good chance was lost.

Dunoon central defender Allan Laughlan got enough of a block on Gavin Forgrieve's nineteenth minute shot from twenty yards to ensure that Saints first effort on target was an easy take for keeper Euan Hunter.

A slip at the vital moment from Kerr Newbigging gave Ewan McIlkenny a sight of goal and the Saints defender was a relieved man to see Graham Douglas spring high to his left to push McIlkenny's right foot shot over the crossbar.

Newbigging was involved at the other end in the twenty fourth minute having a shot from a Scott Johnston knock down blocked on the six yard line after Aaron McKay had won a corner on the Saints right.

The hosts lost the services of Lewis McCall who limped off injured injured after twenty five minutes and was replaced by Kyle Sinclair.

The Saints defence was caught napping at a twenty seventh minute throw-in on the Dunoon right. Ewan McIlkenny was allowed to make his way to bye-line inside the Saints box from where he picked out Evan Meyar-McDonagh who slammed the ball low into the net past the despairing dive of Graham Douglas.

Craig MacEwan and Gavin Forgrieve both failed to trouble Euan Hunter from set pieces and when MacEwan eventually did manage to get an effort on target the Dunoon keeper was able to safely gather the Saints Skipper's header from a Matty Kelly right wing cross.

On the stroke of half-time Kelly was this time on the end of a Gavin Forgrieve cross from the right but sent his header high over Euan Hunter's crossbar.

Forgrieve made way for Martin Bonar in a half-time change which also saw Saints switch to a 3-5-2 formation.

Saints made a positive start to the second half and, inside the first minute, Ruaridh Horne slipped Craig MacEwan into the inside right channel. MacEwan beat Jamie Robertson and cut onto his left foot for a shot which Euan Hunter did well to push behind at full stretch.

The home side had the ball in the net again in the fiftieth minute but Referee Jimmy Litster correctly disallowed Ewan McIlkenny's header from a left wing corner kick for pushing in the six yard box.

From the free-kick Saints worked the ball forward and were given the opportunity to draw level when Craig MacEwan was pulled down after a smart turn in the Dunoon box. The Skipper took responsibility for the spot kick himself and made no mistake beating Euan Hunter low to his right.

Hunter saved a fifty second minute Craig MacEwan header from a Scott Maitland left wing cross before Saints number one Graham Douglas had his first real taste of second half action. Cammy Hill brought down Evan Meyar-McDonagh twenty eight yards out and Douglas could only parry Christopher Richmond's firmly struck free-kick before gathering safely at the second attempt.

Stepping forward from midfield in the fifty sixth minute substitute Martin Bonar smacked Euan Hunter's left hand post with a rasping thirty yard drive as Saints stepped up the hunt for a second goal. They didn't have too much longer to wait and sixty seconds later Scott Maitland's strong running won a corner kick on the left. Craig MacEwan came short to meet Matty Kelly's corner kick and took the ball to the corner of the eighteen yard box before firing off a shot which Euan Hunter couldn't hold. The Dunoon keeper could only push the ball into the path of Kerr Newbigging who found the net from eight yards range.

Newbigging and Cammy Hill departed after sixty seven minutes to be replaced by Myles McAuley and Lewis Campbell.

Steven MacLeod had Ruaridh Horne and Martin Bonar for company in the back three for the closing stages and lead the defence by example with a perfectly timed sliding challenge to deny Ewan McIlkenny a seventieth minute strike on goal.

Dunoon keeper Euan Hunter made two fine saves to prevent Lewis Campbell from stretching the Saints lead but was powerless to prevent the young substitute from finding the net in the eighty fifth minute. Dunoon skipper Jamie Robertson flashed a dangerous ball across the Saints box but without any takers which paved the way for a swift counter attack up the right. Ruaridh Horne found Craig MacEwan for a lay-off into the path of Lewis Campbell. The youngster raced forward with fellow substitute Myles McAuley in support. Having witnessed McAuley's finishing in training Campbell wisely ignored the screams from the touchline to play in McAuley and curled a delightful finish across Hunter and into the top corner.

Referee Litster, who handled a typically competitive Argyll derby well, brought proceedings to an end after three added minutes with both sides pleased to have completed another ninety minutes of action while their respective league campaigns remain suspended.     

 

Steven MacLeod

Saints defend Dunoon corner kick

Ruaridh Horne

Euan Hunter

Craig MacEwan and Allan Laughlan

Familiar Corner Flag

Aaron McKay

Matty Kelly

Matty Kelly heads over

Willie Gemmell

Craig MacEwan equalises from the penalty spot

Kerr Newbigging

Scott Maitland gets away from Gavin Houston

Martin Bonar

Lewis Campbell

#monthesaints

Friends Reunited As Saints And Red Star Meet Again In Friendly Action

Saturday 14th November 2020

Friendly

Lochgilphead Red Star 0 - 2 Oban Saints

Lochgilphead Joint Campus (3G)

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8AA

Kick Off 1.00pm

Referee Mr Jimmy Litster

Just three weeks after their last encounter Oban Saints and closest neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star once again took advantage of Argyll and Bute's tier two Coronavirus protection level status to stage a friendly fixture at Lochgilphead Joint Campus last Saturday afternoon. Fortunately the forecasted heavy rain stayed away for the most part making the journey home for the players, still in their playing kit, slightly less uncomfortable than it could have been.

Referee Jimmy Litster ensured strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities or supporters inside the perimeter fencing, were followed by both sides where goals from Gavin Forgrieve and Captain Craig MacEwan gave Saints a deserved victory over their Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division One hosts.

Injuries, work and family commitments once again severely hampered Manager Willie Gemmell's selection opportunities with only thirteen players, himself included, available to make the trip.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back four of Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod, Kerr Newbigging and Scott Maitland. Partnering Scott Johnston as holding midfielders was Matty Kelly. Supporting Skipper and central striker Craig MacEwan were Aaron McKay, Gavin Forgrieve and Cammy Hill. Joining Gaffer Willie Gemmell on a sparsely populated bench was Martin Bonar.

Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitute:-

Martin Bonar

Unused substitute:-

Willie Gemmell

The hosts were first to threaten and passed up a good early chance in just the third minute. Breaking forward on the right wing Andy Weir had Skipper Aaron Moore and Chris Hart to aim for and sent over a tempting cross which Hart headed wide of Graham Douglas' left hand post.

Saints responded with a Gavin Forgrieve cross from the left which Aaron McKay at the back post headed back across the face of goal but just in front of the onrushing Matty Kelly.  

Saints took the aerial route again in the thirteenth minute with Ruaridh Horne providing a good delivery from the right which Andy Weir did well to turn back to keeper Ally Lewis ahead of Cammy Hill.

Red Star had Stedfast man Ciaran McPhie back in their ranks for this fixture and the young striker tested Graham Douglas in the fifteenth minute with a snap shot from the edge of the box which the Saints keeper held comfortably.

Ally Lewis clawed away a sixteenth minute Gavin Forgrieve free kick after Cammy Hill had been felled by Andy Weir. Hill was on the receiving end again two minutes later this time from Coll McCallum who was given a stern talking to from Referee Jimmy Litster.

The home side were defending well and it took until the twenty first minute for Saints to register their first effort on target. A sweeping move from right to left saw Scott Johnston pick out the overlapping run of Scott Maitland who found Gavin Forgrieve in the box for a low shot which Ally Lewis held well to his left.

Saints kept probing for openings and Skipper Craig MacEwan flashed a twenty fourth minute diving header wide of target from a Cammy Hill cross curled in from the corner of the eighteen yard box.

Young Red Star keeper Ally Lewis used his feet to good effect to take an Aaron McKay right wing cutback off the toes of Craig MacEwan after McKay and Ruaridh Horne had linked well in the twenty fifth minute.

Red Star fullback Coll McCallum made a vital interception on the half hour mark to stop a Craig MacEwan through ball from reaching Cammy Hill before once again being in the right place at the right time to block a Matty Kelly shot from twenty yards.

Kelly did manage to find a gap after being tee'd up by Craig MacEwan in the thirty third minute but Ally Lewis was equal to the task holding at the second attempt low to his right.

Graham Douglas was called into action in the thirty sixth minute saving well from a Chris Hart shot after the Red striker had shaken off the attentions of Kerr Newbigging and Scott Maitland.

Saints finally found a way past Ally Lewis in the thirty ninth minute but were thwarted by the frame of the goal. Little and large wingers Aaron McKay and Cammy Hill switched wings and McKay on the Saints left burst into the box holding off the challenge of Andy Weir and lifted the ball over Ally Lewis only to see it come back off the crossbar before being thumped to safety by Kyle Selfridge.

Both sides made changes for the start of the second half. Martin Bonar replaced Scott Johnston for Saints while Chris Hart made way for Innes Meikle for the hosts.

Meikle was quickly involved in the action heading a very presentable opportunity over the Saints crossbar after good work on the right from Ciaran McPhie and Andy Weir.

The deadlock was broken in the fifty seventh minute from a quickly taken free kick by Cammy Hill after Martin Bonar had been brought down in the centre circle by James McGuiness. Hill spotted Aaron McKay in space on the right and sent him scurrying forward. McKay cut into the box and picked out the run of Craig MacEwan who was foiled from six yards by Ally Lewis. The young keeper's good work was however undone when he couldn't hold MacEwan's shot allowing the ball to spin away from him. Ben Forbes was on hand with a sliding challenge to knock the loose ball away from MacEwan but only as far as Gavin Forgrieve who gleefully tapped home from four yards.

Lewis saved again from MacEwan three minutes later this time managing to hold onto the ball at the second attempt before a neat Matty Kelly turn on the corner of the Star eighteen yard box wrong footed Ben Forbes creating the space for Kelly to curl a ball to the far post a matter of inches in front of the outstretched boot of Scott Maitland.

Maitland got forward again in the seventy first minute finding Gavin Forgrieve in front of goal who took the ball down well only for Innes Meikle to get back with a vital challenge at the expense of a corner kick. Martin Bonar climbed well at the back post to meet Forgrieve's delivery from the right but couldn't direct his header on target.

Despite being unable to hit the target himself Bonar as however able to claim an eighty first minute assist for the second and final goal. The big midfielder, a key member of Red Star's 2018 Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Two title winning side, won possession well in the centre circle and opened up his former team mates with a perfectly weighted pass for the forward run of Skipper Craig MacEwan. Top marksman MacEwan comfortably beat stranded Red Star keeper Ally Lewis with a deft chip from twenty eight yards into the unguarded net.

Referee Jimmy Litster, who ensured the two local rivals remained on friendly terms throughout, called time on proceedings after three added minutes with both sides satisfied to complete another ninety minutes while the majority of their respective league rivals remain sidelined.

Scott Maitland and Chris Hart

Ciaran McPhie

Kerr Newbigging beats Chris Hart in the air

Scott Johnston

Aaron McKay hits the crossbar

Graham Douglas

Ally Lewis saves from Craig MacEwan

Gavin Forgrieve pounces to open the scoring

Matty Kelly

Martin Bonar heads over

Craig MacEwan

Gavin Forgrieve

Cammy Hill

Martin Bonar and Aaron McKay congratulate Craig MacEwan on his goal

Ruaridh Horne

#monthesaints

West Highland Way Away Day

Saturday 7th November 2020

Friendly

South Lochaber Thistle 0 - 4 Oban Saints

Kinlochleven High School 3G

Riverside Road

Kinlochleven

PH50 4QH

Kick Off 12.30pm
Referee Mr Martin Rae

After Storm Aiden had wiped out the previous Saturday's attempt to play this friendly fixture Oban Saints and South Lochaber Thistle were finally able to get the valuable game time desired under their respective belts at Kinlochleven High School last Saturday afternoon. Weather conditions were good however the low autumn sun failed to rise high enough above the Mamore hills to reach the 3G surface located on the Kinlochmore side of the village with the West Highland Way passing just a few yards away.

Referee Martin Rae ensured strict matchday protocols, including no changing facilities or supporters, were followed by both sides where a brace from Captain for the day Craig MacEwan together with strikes from Lewis Cameron and Aaron McKay gave Saints a comfortable victory over their Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division One hosts.

Injuries, work and family commitments severely hampered Manager Willie Gemmell's selection opportunities with only twelve players, himself included, available to make the trip.

Saints lined up with Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three of Ruaridh Horne, Willie Gemmell and Steven MacLeod. Making up the five man midfield were Aaron McKay, Gavin Forgrieve, Lewis Cameron, Scott Johnston and James Ford with David Beaton partnering Captain Craig MacEwan up front. Keeping Coach Peter MacCallum and Secretary David Buchanan company on the touchline was solitary substitute Cammy Hill

Oban Saints starting lineup:-

Used substitute:-

Cammy Hill

Skipper for the day Craig MacEwan got the match underway where the much changed visitors line-up quickly stamped their authority on proceedings.

Despite holding the upper hand in the early exchanges Saints were unable to break through the Thistle defence and test keeper Andrew Brown. Gavin Forgrieve had a shot from twenty two yards blocked and Willie Gemmell sliced an effort well off target from a Lewis Cameron short free-kick.

Only fourteen first half minutes had elapsed when Saints already threadbare resources were stretched still further due to a calf strain picked up by David Beaton giving only substitute Cammy Hill an early run out.

The Jags keeper was finally tested after fifteen minutes when Scott Johnston sent Craig MacEwan in behind the home defence from where, from the left of the box, the skipper turned onto his right foot and shot straight into the keeper's midriff.

Further Andrew Brown saves followed from Lewis Cameron, Craig MacEwan and Gavin Forgrieve efforts before Cameron found the side netting from a tight angle after good work on the left by MacEwan and Hill.

A driving twenty sixth minute run and cutback on the left from James Ford opened up space for a Craig MacEwan shot. Brown was once again equal to the task parrying MacEwan's effort and recovering quickly to complete an excellent double save and safely hold Cammy Hill's effort on the rebound.

The deadlock was broken in the thirty second minute immediately following another Andrew Brown save. The Jags keeper comfortably held a Gavin Forgrieve shot from eighteen yards after Forgrieve and Aaron McKay had combined to good effect through the middle. In a massive slice of bad fortune for Brown his attempted clearance hit Lewis Cameron with the ball falling kindly for Craig MacEwan who slotted the ball low to Brown's right to open the scoring. 

Determination from Aaron McKay won him possession in the centre circle paving the way for another Saints attack in the thirty seventh minute. Ruaridh Horne stormed forward from defence and combined with Gavin Forgrieve to play in James Ford for a low right foot shot which drew another good save from Andrew Brown.

With no options available to him on the bench Saints Manager Willie Gemmell appealed for more of the same from his charges for the second forty five.

Just two second half minutes had elapsed when Lewis Cameron and Craig MacEwan combined to find the supporting run of Gavin Forgrieve only for Andrew Brown to save bravely at the young midfielder's feet.

Scott Johnston gave Brown another test with a thirty yard shot which the Jags keeper held well after Keir Kennedy had headed a Craig MacEwan overhead kick off the goal-line.

James Ford's trickery continued to torment the home defence winning a free-kick on the edge of the box just in from bye-line. Brown's busy afternoon showed no sign of letting up when he had to show quick reactions to stop Lewis Cameron's free-kick at his near post with his right foot.

It was Brown's right boot to the rescue again in the sixty fourth minute stopping another Lewis Cameron free-kick this time after Scott Johnston had been felled twenty yards out.

The pressure on the home goal eventually told in the sixty fifth minute when Craig MacEwan made a near post run to connect perfectly with Lewis Cameron's corner kick from the right.

Gaffer Willie Gemmell had a hand in the third goal racing back from the edge of the Jags box to snuff out a counter attack and win a sixty eighth minute throw-in on the halfway line. Gemmell's quickly taken throw up the left to Lewis Cameron saw the Scottish Amateur Internationalist spin away from his marker and lift a cheeky lob over the advancing Andrew Brown and into the unguarded net. 

Aaron McKay rattled the crossbar with twenty eight yard shot in the seventieth minute.

Saints struck the woodwork again ten minutes later when Craig MacEwan found the outside of Andrew Brown's left hand post from inside the D after another swashbuckling run from James Ford.

The home side brought on Club Captain Martin Munro for the closing stages easing the Skipper back into action following his recent hamstring injury.

The introduction of Munro increased the home side's attacking threat but the Saints back three of Ruaridh Horne, Steven MacLeod and Willie Gemmell remained comfortably in control to secure a highly prized clean sheet.

Saints turned defence quickly into attack to bag the fourth and final goal with six minutes remaining. Gavin Forgrieve won possession on the edge of the Saints box and played the ball up to Lewis Cameron in the centre circle. Cameron picked out Craig MacEwan's galloping run on the left which took him all the way to the Jags bye-line. Support for the Skipper was on hand from young Aaron McKay who gleefully knocked home MacEwan's cutback from close range.

Referee Martin Rae, who handled the good natured encounter well brought proceedings to an end with both sides happy to get another ninety minutes in the tank while their respective leagues remain unable to schedule competitive fixtures.   

Craig MacEwan heads wide

Aaron McKay

Andrew Brown saves from Cammy Hill

Cammy Hill skips away from David Forbes

Ruaridh Horne

Cammy Hill

Craig MacEwan

Lewis Cameron

Gavin Forgrieve

Referee Martin Rae

Andrew Brown clears off his goal line

Craig MacEwan and Lewis Cameron

Andrew Brown

Steven MacLeod

James Ford gets away from Callum Boyd

#monthesaints