Saints fail to impress but still pick up all three points
Oban Saints entertained Rutherglen on a bright, but chilly day at Glencruitten last Saturday and although eventually running out confortable 4-1 winners in the end this was not a convincing performance from the D & K Lafferty-sponsored Oban outfit.
Co-managers Willie Gemmell and Donald Campbell named the same squad from the previous week’s win over Uddingston with the addition of James Ford. They decided to freshen up the starting 11 with Dougal Graham starting at left back and Scott Maitland moving into midfield to partner Kerr Newbigging, who took over the holding role from Willie Gemmell. Donald Campbell and James Ford replaced Fraser MacFarlane and David Beaton in attack. A strong bench consisted of Willie Gemmell, Jamie Graham, Daniel Coarkin, Fraser MacFarlane and David Beaton.
The home side started brightly and it was fully two minutes before Rutherglen managed to get a touch of the ball.
Saints were knocking the ball about reasonably well but there was a lack of intensity about their play with passes going astray and the wrong options being taken.
Saints have been passing the ball out from the back this season which has proved successful but on Saturday they seemed to be forcing the play failing to pass the ball into the midfield or strikers feet, which meant they were giving the ball away far too easily.
Saints took the lead in the 16th minute when after good play on the left Craig MacEwan crossed for an unmarked Donnie Campbell to slot the ball past ‘Ruggie’ keeper Eddie McArdle.
The visitors came back into the game and James McDougall came close with a good header that sailed inches over the bar.
At the other end a Lewis Cameron corner was met by Kerr Newbigging and his effort also sailed over the bar.
Dene Cassells had a great opportunity to put the home side further ahead but mistimed his header while unmarked at the back post.
Then it was Donald Campbell’s turn to miss another ‘sitter’ in the 24th minute when he was put clean through by a defence-splitting pass from Craig MacEwan but Donald dragged his shot past the keeper’s right hand post when clean through on goals.
Saints extended their lead in the 32nd minute when James Ford was upended in the box leaving referee Jimmy Litster, who had a good game, no option but to point to the penalty spot. Lewis Cameron took the kick and scored to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
This goal seemed to jolt Rutherglen into action and Kevin McBride came close with a good effort in the 35th minute.
The visitors were taking the game to Saints as the half time interval appoached and they pulled a goal back when skipper James McDougall cut in from the left and fired a shot on goal which took a wicked deflection off Steven MacLeod and ended up in the back of the net.
This was no less than the visitors deserved as Saints had huffed and puffed their way through the first 45 minutes with a lack of zip about their play.
Although not up to the high standards the team have set this season, the second half was much better from Saints and they had Rutherglen pinned back for long periods in the second half with the visitors leaving Rafael Nguema to plough a lone furrow up front.
Kerr Newbigging, who had a good game in midfield, threaded a clever ball through for James Ford in the 47th minute but the Saints’ front man was crowded out by the ‘Ruggie’ defence. Then, two minutes later, Ruaridh Horne made a great run down the right flank before cutting the ball back from the byeline for Craig MacEwan but the ball was slightly behind the Saints front man and the chance was missed.
Fraser MacFarlane, who had come on for Dougal Graham at half time, was unlucky to see a fine right foot effort beat the goalkeeper but come back off the post in the 53rd minute.
The visitors were dropping further and further back but to their credit were defending well.
Craig MacEwan and Donald Campbell combined in the 55th minute but Donald blazed a reasonable chance over the bar.
A neat one-two from the same players resulted in a chance for Craig MacEwan but his effort slid past the post.
Although well on top the home side needed a third goal to kill the game off and this came in the 74th minute when Dene Cassells got on the end of a Lewis Cameron corner to bullet a header past Eddie McArdle much to the enjoyment of the Saints management team who have been working on corner kicks at training.
James Ford then set up Lewis Cameron with a clever through ball but Eddie McArdle made a good save.
With 10 minutes remaining Saints put the icing on the cake when they were awarded their second penalty of the match when Lewis Cameron was unceremoniously upended in the box. Lewis got up, dusted himself down and drilled the ball home to make the score 4-1.
Saints dominated the second half with the visitors seldom seen as an attacking force.
The home side took off Lewis Cameron, James Ford and Ruaridh Horne replacing them with Daniel Croarkin, David Beaton and Jamie Graham.
David Beaton had a shot in the 84th minute then Donald Campbell and Craig MacEwan played a neat onetwo but Craig saw his shot well saved by the keeper.
There was no further scoring with Saints running out 4-1 winners.
Although delighted with the result Saints co-manager Willie Gemmell was disappointed with the performance. He said: ‘We’ve set ourselves high standards this season but we fell below that today which is not good enough. The players know themselves that was a below-par performance but on the plus side picking up the three points and scoring four goals, while not at our best, is a bonus.’
Good news for the club on the injury front. Both Matty Kelly and Shaun MacIver returned to training last week and Myles McAuley is expected back this week. The only member of the squad still absent is Paul Carmichael.
Saints return to Scottish Cup duty on Saturday when they face the long trip to Forfar to take on Midlands Premier League side Lowson United in the third round. Kick-off is 2pm with referee Derek Folganan from Aberdeen in charge.