Bannockburn dominate Saints in league clash
Heavy rain in the central belt forced a change of venue for last Saturday's Bannockburn versus Oban Saints Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division clash.
Bannockburn's Ladywell Park was deemed unplayable so the match was moved to the 3G surface at St Modan's High School on the banks of the River Forth in Stirling.
The school's most notable former pupil, Leeds United and Scotland legend the late great Billy Bremner, would surely have been impressed by a dominant home performance from the three times Scottish Amateur Cup winners which left Saints second best on the day.
Manager Willie Gemmell's playing resources were again severely stretched with Graham Douglas, Dene Cassells, Alex Craik, David Beaton, Cammy Hill, Lewis Cameron and Jack Wright all unavailable. Veteran goalkeeper David Dunlop once again stepped up to the plate while, at the other end of the age spectrum, Aidan MacDonald and Preston Macintyre were again called up from the youth ranks to bolster the squad.
A wind-assisted free-kick from the Bannockburn left was punched behind by David
Oban Saints’ Gavin Forgrieve and Gary Currie of Bannockburn in action on Saturday.
Dunlop for a fifth minute corner kick. The hosts had quickly asserted their authority in the crucial midfield battle and Logan Downie gave an early warning of the danger that would come from that area with a strong 12th minute run and shot which slipped just wide of David Dunlop's right hand post.
Daniel MacCuish pulled up with a hamstring strain in the 13th minute which saw him replaced by James Conington.
Saints' first foray into opposition territory came after 16 minutes when Steven MacLeod's ball out from the back was picked up by James Conington who sent Scott Maitland away on the left. There were loud shouts for a penalty kick from the Saints' touchline when
Maitland's cross bound for Craig MacEwan appeared to hit the arm of a Bannockburn defender, however, referee Sam Arthur was not interested.
Saints failed to heed the earlier warning from Logan Downie and once again allowed the Bannockburn central midfielder to carry the ball a long way before dispatching a left foot shot low into the bottom corner past David Dunlop's despairing right hand to give the hosts the lead in the 24th minute.
The heavy rain and strong wind made playing conditions difficult for both sides, however, a change of formation from Willie Gemmell saw Saints compete better in the middle of the park. Bannockburn central defender Mitchell Reid twice made good covering interceptions to deny Kyle Cooper as Saints tried in vain to bring underworked home keeper Adam Young into the action.
When Cooper finally got away on the right wing, it was Reid who again headed Cooper's 44th minute cross behind for a corner kick.
Saints' decent spell came to an abrupt end after just five second-half minutes in the most unlikely of circumstances. David Dunlop missed a routine catch from a Brian McKinlay corner kick which landed at the feet of Bannockburn skipper Kenneth Feaks for a simple tap-in.
Saints again fell short of testing Adam Young in the Bannockburn goal when a promising break involving Kyle Cooper and Craig MacEwan saw Mitchell Reid get a vital touch to prevent MacEwan's pass finding Scott Maitland on the left.
Ross Maitland replaced Thomas McCrindle after 65 minutes in Willie Gemmell's second change.
The hosts completed the scoring in the 68th minute with a sensational Brian McKinlay left foot volley.
Willie Gemmell gave Preston Macintyre and Aidan MacDonald a run out in the closing minutes, replacing Kyle Cooper and Scott Maitland respectively.
This Saturday, February 19, Saints host 2016 winners Shortlees in the sixth round of the West of Scotland Amateur Cup.