Saints have to do a little bit extra in West Cup win
Uddingston Oban Saints (after extra time) 2 4 West of Scotland Cup
Extra-time goals from Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell sealed a hard-fought West of Scotland Cup victory for Oban Saints against a very useful Uddingston side last Saturday.
At Glasgow’s Toryglen Regional Football Centre, a short hop from the National Stadium at Hampden Park, Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Championship A leaders Uddingston pushed Saints all the way in a thrilling battle for a place in the third round draw.
Management duo Donald Campbell and Willie Gemmell had planned to stick closely to the starting 11 from the previous outing in the Scottish Amateur Cup win over St Johns, however, an unwell James Ford had to call off just before the minibus departed handing an unexpected starting place to new signing David Beaton.
Saints kicked off with a stiff breeze at their backs and quickly took control, opening the scoring in the seventh minute. A well-weighted pass from Daniel Croarkin saw Craig MacEwan hold his run perfectly to beat the Uddingston offside trap and send him through on Kieran Muldoon in goal. MacEwan deftly lobbed the advancing keeper sending the ball bouncing into the unguarded net.
Saints pressed for a second goal straight from the restart with Fraser MacFarlane making good ground on the right and sending over a dangerous cross which Brendan Smith did well to thump out for a throw-in.
From the throw-in on the right, Gemmell tried his luck from distance only to see his 25-yard effort deflected behind for a corner kick.
Gemmell did manage to find his way through in the 16th minute with a powerful low drive which smacked Muldoon’s right hand upright with the keeper rooted to the spot. The ball cannoned back into the danger area but with too much pace for Croakin who was quickly closed down by Brendan Smith allowing Sean Smith to thump clear.
The hosts drew level on the half hour mark from the penalty spot, but parity lasted just five minutes as Lewis Cameron caught out Muldoon at his near post with a smart finish to restore the Saints lead.
On the stroke of half-time young Central Scottish Amateur Football League referee Stuart Broadfoot, who handled proceedings well, showed the first yellow card of the match to Uddingston striker Brian McLeod for a late challenge on Beaton.
Uddingston are top of the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Championship A with a 100 per cent record and showed just why they are favourites for a second successive league championship with a much-improved second half performance which kept Saints pinned back in their own half for the most part.
Uddingston remained a constant threat from set pieces however the Saints defence, with Steven MacLeod and skipper Dene Cassells again impressive, remained firm and unshaken.
Brendan Smith found his way into referee Broadfoot’s notebook for a late tackle in the 70th minute before Saints made their first changes.
With the clock ticking down it looked as though Saints would hold on to their slender advantage, however the hosts were eventually rewarded in the final minute of the ninety.
Jamie Graham made a vital interception to turn a dangerous right wing cross behind for another Christopher Sinclair corner kick. Craig MacEwan’s clearing header from the six-yard line fell invitingly for second half substitute Paul Cassidy who slammed a 30-yard rocket through a ruck of bodies which Graham Douglas got both hands too but could only help into the net. The reverse stung Saints into action and the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the second half during the time added on for stoppages.
Saints almost grabbed a last gasp winner but Fraser MacFarlane’s cross from the right bounced agonisingly out of reach for Scott Maitland arriving late at the back post.
The final act before extra-time was for referee Broadfoot to issue a yellow card to Uddingston’s Christopher Waugh which would ultimately prove costly for the second half substitute.
Saints continued their newly rediscovered sense of urgency into the first period of extra time where Muldoon made good early saves to deny MacFarlane, Newbigging and Croarkin.
Saints made their final change bringing on Dougal Graham to replace Croarkin. Graham took Scott Maitland’s left-back berth with Maitland moving into midfield to partner Newbigging.
A sluggish start to the second extra-time period almost cost Saints dearly when Brian McLeod headed a good chance wide of target in the 18th minute.
Saints capitalised on this let-off three minutes later when Kerr Newbigging sent Craig MacEwan in behind the Uddingston defence wide on the left. MacEwan took the ball to the bye-line and sent a looping cross to the back post for Donald Campbell to cushion a close range finish into the net and at last put some daylight between the two sides.
Any lingering faint hopes of a comeback for the hosts disappeared when Christopher Waugh received a second yellow card and with it his marching orders for a late challenge on Lewis Cameron.
Saints ended the match comfortably in control and passed up the opportunity to put some icing on the cake when Donald Campbell blazed over from a Dougal Graham cross from the left after a good overlapping run to reach a Kerr Newbigging pass.
Mr Broadfoot’s final whistle brought an entertaining tie to an end with Saints pleased to have come through a significant test with their cup hopes still in tact.
Saints return to league business this coming Saturday with the visit of another of the Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division’s newly promoted sides Rutherglen Amateurs. Kick off at Glencruitten is at 2pm.