Saints under-16s reach Regional Cup final
OBAN Saints 2001s travelled to Wishaw to take on Wishaw Wycome Wanderers from the highly-rated Lanarkshire League in the Central Region semi final on Sunday.
This stage of the competition was unknown territory for any Saints team, with the under 16’s determined to again prove like other age groups from the Oban Saints stable that they can match up and compete against the big names in the national competitions.
A late switch of venue an hour before kick- off was not the ideal start but the Oban lads were determined not to let this affect them.
Right from the kick- off the determination and intent was clear to the big travelling support that the Saints were not just there for a day out.
First to every ball and passes flowing, Saints took the lead in the tenth minute when a cross from Cammy Kerr was met perfectly at the back post by Sol Smith.
Saints continued their pres- sure and grip on the match and in the 18th minute man- of-thematch Smith netted his second goal with a shot from the edge of box. 2- 0 Saints.
The Oban side continued to attack and they came close with chances from Kerr, MacLean and Dowd. On the half-hour mark, Keir MacLean hit the back of the net, however, the linesman correctly ruled it offside.
Just a few minutes later there was no doubt about his next goal with a typical poacher’s shot leaving the keeper helpless.
No changes were made at half time and being 3- 0 down it was no surprise the home team came out at a high tempo, winning a free kick in a dangerous area just outside the box, firing in a shot but Saints keeper Ali Ferguson made an outstanding save to tip the ball onto the crossbar.
Wishaw did have the ball in the net later on but the officials ruled it offside.
Striker Mossman replaced Kerr and looked lively causing the home defence all sorts of problems. Wishaw continued to search for a way back into the game and played some good football but the Saints defence was well- organised.
Saints kept attacking, resulting in a number of corners, however they did not capitalise on them. A long range effort from Mossman hit the post followed by an Allan effort which went wide.
With only minutes left Mossman produced a cheeky flick over three players on the edge of the box to Black whose volley whizzed past the post.
Referee Derek Dempster brought the match to an end and the celebrations began.
Credit should go to Wishaw who played some top quality football and had it not been for the determination of the Saints defence in the second half they would certainly have got on the scoresheet. Saints now face Syngenta Juveniles from the Forth Valley league in the final at Ochilview Park, home of Stenhousemuir on the weekend of June 3 and 4.