Saints blown away at Glenhead Park
Failure to capitalise on the first half wind advantage cost a much-depleted Oban Saints side any chance of taking anything from last Saturday’s clash with title contenders Drumchapel Amateurs.
Gale force winds made for farcical playing conditions, but it was the home side who dealt with them better to establish a slender lead at the interval.
Manager Willie Gemmell’s resources were severely stretched with veterans David Dunlop and Alex Craik once again given starting roles. Aidan MacDonald and Preston Macintyre were called up from the youth ranks.
Saints captain Craig MacEwan won the toss of referee Michael O’Neil’s coin and elected to play with the wind in the first half which was only two minutes old when the Oban side took the lead.
Storm Malik was playing havoc with Drumchapel keeper Stephen Mather’s kicking and when the wind helped his clearance land into the stride of David Beaton, the Saints’ wing back had the relatively straight forward task of passing the ball into the unguarded net for the opening goal.
Saints’ good start was undone in the 12th minute when Steven MacLeod was adjudged to have tripped Jamie Ross inside the Saints penalty area and Drumchapel striker Connor Higgins made no mistake from the spot.
Good pressing from the Saints central midfield three of Matty Kelly, Daniel MacCuish and Gavin Forgrieve won possession deep inside opposition territory, with Kelly sending Craig MacEwan through on goal. The Saints skipper rounded Stephen Mather and evaded a last-gasp challenge from Adam Douglas before tapping in from six yards to put Saints back in front.
The hosts equalised straight from the restart with Alan Kelly finding the net.
The hosts got in front for the first time on the stroke of half-time. David Dunlop’s lack of mobility contributed to him dropping an Alan Kelly left wing cross at the feet of Paul McConachie who had the simplest of tasks to poke home from close range.
Saints began the second half well and squandered an excellent opportunity to restore
Craig MacEwan rounds Stephen Mather to score Saints second goal.
parity in the 49th minute. The hosts capitalised on this let-off in the 55th minute when Paul McConachie headed home from eight yards.
Three minutes later, Jamie Ross beat Ruaridh Horne on the edge of the box and fired a low, left-foot shot past David Dunlop’s right hand.
Before the action could restart, the Saints manager sent on Scott Maitland to replace Cammy Hill.
Drumchapel completed a devastating spell with a third goal inside eight minutes when Alan Kelly tricked his way past David Beaton on the Drumchapel left and sent a low cross to Connor Higgins for yet another easy close range finish.
There can be no questioning David Dunlop’s commitment to the Saints cause, however, there was no way his hamstring injury would allow him to continue and his place between the posts was taken by Alex Craik.
Dunlop’s departure allowed a second club appearance for James Conington, who joined Steven MacLeod in central defence.
Manager Willie Gemmell used the final ten minutes to give youngsters Aidan MacDonald and Preston Macintyre another taste of first team action when the pair replaced Kyle Cooper and David Beaton respectively.
Saints were punished on the counter-attack on the stroke of full time. Connor Higgins slammed home a left wing cross, completing his hat-trick and rounding off a disappointing afternoon for Saints.
This Saturday, February 5, Saints travel to Renfrew to face Glynhill Moorcroft in the fifth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup. The winners will be at home to Shortlees in the quarter final. Saturday’s game will be played at Renfrew High School’s 3G pitch. Kickoff 2pm.