Jags return to action in Oban

South Lochaber Thistle were finally allowed back onto the field of play with a friendly trip to Central Scottish AFL premier divison side Oban Saints.

The Kinlochleven outfit took a decent squad to Argyll mixing established players with some younger members of the playing squad.

This was the first match to be played under the eagle-eyed auspices of club secretary and newly appointed Covid officer Rebecca Small. Along with her Oban counterpart and the referee they had to ensure that all the stringent SFA match day protocols were adhered to.

Things began well for the Greater Glasgow AFL visitors who seemed the fresher of the two teams. Striker Dave Forbes forced a smart double save from Graham Douglas in the home side goal.

After 20 minutes, the veteran attacker was at it again, setting up a chance with a cutback for lolloping midfielder Andrew Maclean which was dealt with by the scrambling Saints defence.

With half an hour gone, Saints had their first clear cut opportunity with Matt Kelly’s delicate chip having to be clawed away by Owen Cooke in the Jag’s goal.

This seemed to be the turning point in the match as the confidence this gave the hosts led to the opening goal.

Saints’ young, impish winger Aaron McKay drove up the wing on the right hand side and found striker Dave Beaton, whose low shot across Owen Cooke nestled into the bottom corner to open the scoring.

Jags two-goal hero Martin Munro and Saints defender Ruaridh Horne challenge for the ball during last Saturday’s friendly match in Oban.

Despite chances coming for both sides, the match developed into satisfying ding-dong battle.

However, it was the home side who drove home their advantage as they struck for 2-0. Beaton was set free by a raking left foot pass from Paul Carmichael. The striker streaked past his marker and slipped the ball past substitute goalkeeper Andrew Brown in the Thistle goal.

Things got even better for the Oban side as they managed to bundle a third goal home in a good, old fashioned goal-line stramash. Beaton again the beneficiary to claim the last touch and his hat-trick.

However, it was the Highland

aside who rallied. Skipper Martin Munro made a trademark run up the wing, before cutting in and shooting low past the keeper for 3-1.

The green shoots of recovery by the visitors was effectively snuffed out as Oban’s Matt Kelly’s ball was not dealt with by the Jags. Veteran Donald Campbell moved wide to regain possession and his cross met the forehead of Saint’s leading goal scorer from last season Craig MacEwan whose firmly-planted header restored their three goal advantage. 4-1.

With the clock already in overtime, Munro was awarded a free kick by referee Jimmy Litster and his sweetly taken finish from 25-yards was rifled home, leading to a final score of 4-2.

Manager Alan Gray said: ‘This was really an enjoyable game and it was great to be back in Oban.

‘Willie’s [Gemmell] teams are always a tough challenge: well drilled, fast on the break and strong in the tackle and they finish well.

‘I was very pleased with our performance and think some of our younger players can learn a lot from these sort of testing run-outs.’

South Lochaber Thistle’s next match will be a visit to Helensburgh to play Rhu Amateurs.

Man of

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Match:

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