Saints bag valuable league points
A flash of inspiration from Oban Saints skipper Craig MacEwan earned his side three valuable Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division points at Eastgate last Saturday afternoon.
Manager Willie Gemmell's team selection options were stretched once again and Daniel Cassells answered the call to take the gloves for the second time this season. Gemmell handed Jack Wright a starting role at right back, while James Conington was pushed forward into the front three with Kyle Cooper and Craig MacEwan. James Ford made a welcome return after a lengthy absence.
Saints lined up with Daniel Cassells in goal behind a back four of Jack Wright, Steven MacLeod, Dene Cassells and Scott Maitland. Across the three-man midfield were Myles McAuley, Gavin Forgrieve and Matty Kelly. Up front were James Conington, Kyle Cooper and Craig MacEwan. James Ford, Willie Gemmell, Ross Maitland and Thomas McCrindle were on the bench.
Saints survived a couple of early scares from Gartcosh who came into the match after a confidence boosting 10 - 1 rout of Uddingston Anvil the previous weekend.
A major weapon in the Gartcosh arsenal is the prodigious throw-in of left fullback Jordan Murphy. Dene Cassells headed Murphy's 15th minute throw-in from the left out of play for another throw on the right which Matty Kelly headed away launching a counter-attack on the Saints' left. Kyle Cooper looked set to skip past Bradley Renfrew but the right fullback halted the youngster's progress at the expense of a free-kick midway inside the Gartcosh half.
Gavin Forgrieve's delivery from the left was won in the air by Myles McAuley whose header was controlled on the edge of the box by Craig MacEwan who sent a sensational volley flying high into the net beyond Scottish amateur international goalkeeper Stuart Wilson.
Kyle Cooper came close to doubling Saints' advantage in the 25th minute with an effort inspired by the skipper's opener. Scott Maitland made a good interception at the back and played a ball into midfield for Myles McAuley to carry forward. McAuley picked out Craig MacEwan who ran into traffic with Matty Kelly picking up the loose ball. Kelly's bouncing lay-off sat up invitingly for Kyle Cooper whose dipping effort was well saved by Stuart Wilson.
The home side were reduced to ten men in the 42nd minute when referee Ross Stirling sent Daniel Kinlan off for his retaliation after a robust challenge from Jack Wright.
Having previously been deployed in defence and midfield, James Conington was enjoying his new role in attack and latched onto Craig MacEwan's 48th minute flickon to drive into the Gartcosh box. Conington held off the challenge of Jordan Murphy before firing off a shot which Stuart Wilson saved well to his right.
Referee Stirling gave the hosts the benefit of a close offside call in the 50th minute, halting Kyle Cooper in his tracks.
Five minutes later, Mr Stirling harshly ruled against Cooper, again chalking off what appeared to be a perfectly good goal for offside.
Not quite at its early season best, the bobbly grass surface at Eastgate gave Daniel Cassells a scare, causing him to spill a 68th minute shot from substitute Gary Pettigrew before making a good recovery to gather the ball at the feet of Dylan Kerr.
Myles McAuley gathered in a 73rd minute free-kick from Gavin Forgrieve and laid the ball off to James Ford for a low shot from 18 yards which Stuart Wilson held low to his right with Matty Kelly ready to pounce on any handling error from the Gartcosh skipper.
The evergreen Ross Maitland was given a late run out as a replacement for Kyle Cooper as Saints successfully ran down the clock to secure three valuable league points.
This Saturday, Saints welcome title challengers Bannockburn to Glencruitten.