Saints march into West of Scotland Cup quarter finalsOT

A home tie in the quarter finals against 2016 cup winners Shortlees awaited the winners of last Saturday’s West of Scotland Cup fifth round tie between Glynhill Moorcroft and Oban Saints at a wet and windy Renfrew High School.

First half goals against the strong wind from captain Craig MacEwan, Gavin Forgrieve and Kyle Cooper saw Saints prevail by the odd goal in five against Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division title contenders Glynhill Moorcroft to set up a mouth watering tie against old ‘frenemies’ Shortlees.

The wind helped Glynhill keeper Ian McLean kick the full length of the park and opposite number Graham Douglas had to be on his toes to pluck his second minute kick from hand, off the head of Thomas Griffin.

The deadlock was broken after 21 minutes from a good move on the right involving Matty Kelly, David Beaton and Kyle Cooper. Kelly’s low cross picked out Craig MacEwan in the middle who tucked the ball low past Ian McLean’s left hand to give Saints the lead.

Saints doubled their advantage just three minutes later from a throw-in on the left just inside the Glynhill half. Cammy Hill gathered in Scott Maitland’s throw and rolled the ball up to Craig MacEwan. The skipper turned away from his marker and raced into the box drawing Ian McLean off his line before squaring to Gavin Forgrieve who passed the ball into the unguarded net.

Another good Saints move on the left saw Ian McLean save well from a 25-yard Daniel MacCuish left-foot shot.

The Saints back three of Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland were coping well with the wind assisted Glynhill attack, however a cheaply conceded freekick 22 yards out gave Alan Sutherland an opportunity to test Graham Douglas with the dead ball. Douglas got down to his right but, despite getting a 69th minute when Daniel MacCuish made way for Myles McAuley in a straight switch in central midfield.

The hosts were now upping the pressure and after defending well throughout Saints finally made the mistake which gave the home side their reward for a hard-working second half performance. Cammy Hill and Scott Maitland both scuffed attempted clearances deep in the Saints box with Marc Walker pouncing on the loose ball to tee up Ryan Officer to slam the ball home from ten yards.

Saints, however, maintained their composure at the back but less so up front where they spurned several glorious opportunities to kill the tie on the counter-attack which left them clinging on as the clock ticked into time added on for stoppages.

In the 93rd minute a scramble on the edge of the Saints box saw referee Daniel McGuire, who had a good game, award a free kick to the hosts and with it one last chance to send the tie into a penalty shoot-out. Hearts were in mouths on both touchlines as Alan Sutherland placed the ball. However the Glynhill dead ball expert was unable to repeat his first half goal scoring exploits and sent his effort high and wide of target.

Mr McGuire blew for time immediately after Graham Douglas’ goal kick sending Saints into the last eight of the competition

This coming Saturday Saints return to league business with a trip to Ladywell Park to face Bannockburn in the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division.

The quarter final against Shortlees will take place in Oban on Saturday 19 February.