Saints pull the trigger on North Glasgow Colts
North Glasgow Colts 1 Oban Saints 5
Oban Saints made it three league wins from three in an ultimately comfortable win against newly promoted North Glasgow Colts in Summerston last Saturday afternoon.
The kick-off had to be delayed 30 minutes as the Saints bus broke down between Dalmally and Inveraray on the way to the match but, thanks to Stewart Morrison, a replacement bus was organised and the squad continued on their way to Glasgow.
There was only seven minutes on the clock when Saints took a deserved lead through co-manager Donald Campbell, who was on hand to tuck away the loose ball after Colts keeper Ross Stewart had saved from Lewis Cameron.
James Ford continued his excellent start to the season doubling the Saints advantage in the 13th minute. From a Jamie Graham cross from the right along the 18-yard line, Donald Campbell held the ball up well and fed Ford who made space for a perfectly placed finish into the bottom corner beyond the despairing left hand of Ross Stewart.
Paul Harrison was a threat for the hosts on the left and got in behind Jamie Graham after 16 minutes. Graham got back and put Harrison under just enough pressure to allow Ben Pollock to come out to the edge of his box and gather safely.
As the rain abated Saints continued to enjoy the upper hand and Jamie Graham fired a shot from the right just over the crossbar before Donald Campbell had a delicate chip over the keeper ruled out for offside.
A William McGowan foul on Lewis Cameron gave Donald Campbell an opportunity with the dead ball from 28 yards which cannoned off the wall and behind for a corner kick. Lewis Cameron’s delivery from the left landed perfectly on the head of Campbell at the back post who will be disappointed not to have hit the target from three yards’ range.
Kerr Newbigging, making his first start of the season, had a long range effort comfortably saved in the 41st minute before sending Matt Rippon through the inside right channel with a well weighted pass 60 seconds later. Rippon raced into the box where he was felled by a sliding challenge from behind by Peter Keeney. Mr Flanigan had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot from where Lewis Cameron, despite Ross Stewart getting a hand to the ball, put Saints three goals up.
Having passed up a few first half opportunities it took the hosts just 60 seconds to capitalise on their first second half opening. A slack pass from
Lewis Cameron meant for Scott Maitland was picked up and played to Paul Harrison, who beat Jamie Graham on the Colts left and found Allan Gilchrist in the middle who swivelled on the six-yard line and tucked the ball into the bottom corner beyond Ben Pollock’s left hand.
Kerr Newbigging, who had a good game for Saints, was harshly penalised for an innocuous looking challenge on Colts Skipper David Cooper on the halfway line in the 48th minute. To add insult to injury Newbigging also had his name taken by referee Flanigan for continuing his protestations of innocence too long.
After a shaky start to the second half Saints regained their composure and restored their three-goal advantage with another well-placed James Ford finish in the 55th minute. After a good move on the left Donald Campbell worked the ball along the 18yard line to Matt Rippon who saw his net bound shot saved by the legs of Ross Stewart.
The Colts defence could only clear as far as Lewis Cameron who picked out James Ford on the penalty spot for his second goal of the afternoon.
Scott Pestell became the third name in Mr Flanigan’s notebook for a late studs-up challenge on Scott Maitland on the halfway line in the 59th minute.
Ross Stewart made a sensational save diving high to his left to tip a Donald Campbell shot from 18 yards onto the top of his crossbar in the 68th minute.
Donald Campbell tried his luck again from the edge of the box shooting across the keeper again but this time high and wide of target from a good Kerr Newbigging flick-on.
Saints gave Fraser MacFarlane a run out on the left for the closing 12 minutes with Matt Rippon making way. The Colts also made what would be their final change replacing goal scorer Allan Gilchrist with Christopher McGrath. MacFarlane was quickly involved in the action linking up well with Scott Maitland to set up Donald Campbell for another off target effort from 18 yards.
Daniel Croarkin capped another solid midfield performance with an 83rd-minute goal to round off the scoring at 5–1 to Saints. Bursting through from midfield Croarkin was felled by Jordan Simpson 30 yards from goal.
From the clever free-kick Kerr Newbigging sent Lewis Cameron wide on the right who picked out Croarkin’s near post run for a four-yard tap-in ahead of a despairing late lunge from Derek Ayres.
With the points now well and truly safe Saints took the opportunity to blood a couple of colts of their own and gave competitive debuts to teenagers Kenneth Black and Aaron McKay. Both were members of the Argyll and Bute Cup winning squad five weeks ago but the hurly-burly of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division is an entirely different proposition which the youngsters handled well in their short time on the park.
Black replaced Scott Maitland at left back while McKay took over from James Ford on the right.
This coming Saturday Saints welcome first-time visitors Barrhead Arky to Glencruitten in the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division. The game will kick-off at 2pm.