Oban Saints prepare for vital Scottish Cup fixture
OBAN Saints have been preparing for their biggest match of the season so far as they take on last year’s beaten Scottish Amateur Cup finalists Craigshill Thistle.
The game is scheduled to be played at Glencruitten on Saturday January 9 with a 2pm kickoff. Referee James Gallagher is in charge.
Craigshill reached the final of the Scottish Cup last season only to lose out to Harestanes who, incidentally, defeated Saints in the West of Scotland Cup last season.
Craigshill had two players - Shaun Martin and David Swan play alongside Saints captain Donnie Campbell for the Scottish amateur international team.
They defeated Airdrie 1- 0 at the Excelsior Stadium in November and Donnie was very impressed by the two Thistle players.
He said: ‘They were both excellent players and if the rest of the team are anything like them then we are in for a tough game.’
Saints manager Alex Craik said: ‘ We know it will be a difficult game against one of the best amateur teams in the country but it’s a home tie and we can’t ask for more than that.
‘Harestanes beat us 3-1 in Kirkintilloch last season but we gave them a good run for their money. The score was 1-1 with 10 minutes to go before they scored two late goals to knock us out of the cup.
‘We seem to do well against the so- called better teams so I’m sure the boys will be up for the Craigshill game.
‘It’s difficult for us at this time of year, with the 3G being pitch closed for the holidays, we’ve got nowhere to train properly, although we managed a spin class at Atlantis Leisure last week which kept the boys ticking over.
‘Thankfully the 3G will have reopened before we play Craigshill so we can get one good session in before the game.’