Oban side make their point in East Kilbride
A VERY much down to the bare bones Saints side earned a highly creditable point last Saturday afternoon against title-- chasing East Kilbride.
Injuries, work and family commitments left manager Alex Craik with only 10 available players plus himself and the ever-youthful coach Peter MacCallum so full credit is due to those who made the trip.
In a fairly even first half the home side had the better of the chances with Gary McDowal hitting the crossbar with a header and Paul Kerr and Dene Cassells having to make important interceptions to keep the Kilby attack at bay.
With only two minutes of the first half remaining Saints conceded in disappointing circumstances getting caught out with a swift counter attack from their own free kick. With the visitors appealing in vain for an offside decision Kilby danger man Jonny Diack got in behind Cassells and Scott Maitland and deftly lifted the ball over the advancing Thomas McCulloch and into the net.
Saints were quickly out of the starting blocks in the second half and equalised after just 90 seconds. Craig MacEwan made a good run into the box to get on the end of a Donald Campbell pass. MacEwan tricked his way past two players and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box which Campbell narrowly failed to connect with but the alert Keith Millar, lurking at the back post, turned the ball into the net.
Saints came close to adding to their tally with Maitland and MacEwan forcing Kilby keeper Graeme McMillan into two good saves.
At the other end Alex Craik turned back the clock with a solid performance at the heart of the Saints defence alongside Cassells.
When Kilby did manage to penetrate the back line they found McCulloch to be in excellent form denying Gary McDowal, Christopher Paterson and David Hepburn.
In the warm strength-sapping East Kilbride sunshine the prospect of Peter MacCallum having to enter the fray inspired the Saints players to find the necessary energy reserves to see out the remainder of the half and secure a thoroughly deserved share of the points.
After a punishing schedule including three consecutive Wednesday night away fixtures Saints can at last look forward to a run of home games commencing on Friday night against St Joseph’s FP. The game will take place at Glencruitten with a 6.45pm kick- off. On Sunday, also at Glencruitten they take on Inverclyde. This match kicks off a 2pm.