Ten-man Saints hang on for share of points

Castlemilk Dynamo 2 Oban Saints 2 Central Scottish AFL Premier Division

Ten-man Oban Saints held on for a share of the points against 2019-20 Division One Champions Castlemilk Dynamo in an absorbing Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter at Toryglen last Saturday afternoon.

Injuries, suspensions and work commitments continue to hamper manager Willie Gemmell’s selection options forcing the gaffer into a rare starting role in central defence alongside Dene Cassells. Myles McAuley also returned to the starting 11 with youngster Louie MacFarlane earning a place on the substitutes bench.

The hosts made an early change replacing Dominic Reynolds with late arrival Alan Semple after 23 minutes.

Semple’s impact on proceedings was instant when he provided the cross from the left with Cammy Hill’s ineffective clearance landing at the feet of Robert Hughes who tucked the ball past Graham Douglas from the corner of the six-yard box.

In the dying stages of the first half, referee Stephen Payne flashed yellow cards in the direction of Daniel MacCuish and Ryan Kerr after a minor scuffle on the touchline at a Saints throw-in with MacCuish’s caution ultimately proving costly.

Saints made a positive start to the second half which saw Lewis Cameron send a free-kick just wide of target and Daniel MacCuish have a powerful left foot shot charged down on the edge of the Castlemilk penalty area.

Thomas Hollis saved again from Lewis Cameron pushing the Saints skipper’s stabbed effort around his right hand post in the 57th minute. Cameron’s corner kick from the left was headed away by the Dynamo defence but hopes of a counter-attack floundered when Alan Semple was adjudged to have controlled with his hand. From the resulting free-kick, Hollis saved to his right once again tipping Willie Gemmell’s effort behind for another Saints corner kick.

The building Saints pressure finally told and Dene Cassells' glancing header from six yards diverted Lewis Cameron's corner kick beyond Thomas Hollis and Ryan Kerr on the goal line and into the bottom corner to level the scoring.

Saints impressive start to the second period continued and on the hour Lewis Cameron was sent sprawling inside the Dynamo box with referee Payne immediately pointing to the penalty spot. Dene Cassells made it two successful penalty kicks in as many weeks when he stepped up to slot past Hollis to give Saints the lead.

Saints’ hopes of building on their lead were dealt a blow when Daniel MacCuish fell over in the Dynamo penalty area with Mr Payne considering this to be simulation and therefore worthy of second yellow card.

The ten men came close to adding to their advantage 60 seconds later but were denied by a fine save from Hollis low to his left from another Lewis Cameron strike.

The hosts set up a rousing final 20 minutes when defender Mark Blakey came in unmarked at the back post to send a stooping header from a Connaire Dawson free kick from the right beyond the despairing dive of Graham Douglas to level the scoring.

This Saturday, Oban Saints face fellow Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division side Drumchapel Amateurs in the Scottish Amateur Cup third round. Caledonian League referee Joseph Todd takes charge of the 2pm kick-off at Glencruitten, which must be decided on the day.

Youth results and fixtures

Oban Saints’ Under 16s won 7-0 v Whitecraigs last weekend. Scoring for Saints were: Michael Campbell, 2, Louis Paterson, Cody McCulloch, Ewen Campbell, Calum MacMillan and Preston MacIntyre.

Fixtures, Sunday November 7: League Cup, Dumbarton United v Oban Saints Under 13s; Under 15s - no game; Scottish Cup third round== - Oban Saints Under 16s v Pollok.