Hares too strong for young Saints
A threadbare Oban Saints squad featuring five teenagers travelled to Kirkintilloch last Saturday for a Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division encounter with title-chasing Harestanes. Despite returning home on the wrong side of a five-nil scoreline, the makeshift Saints were far from disgraced and will reflect on a number of missed opportunities which would have given the final score a more presentable appearance.
The all-to-familiar story of injuries, suspensions, work and family commitments had already taken its toll on the match day squad so when Seville travel-related withdrawals reduced the travelling party to just 11, the odds were firmly stacked against the visitors. Manager Willie Gemmell and coach Ross Maitland were among the Seville absentees leaving club secretary David Buchanan in sole charge.
Veteran central defender Alex Craik partnered teenager Thomas McCrindle in central defence and in a landmark moment for the former Saints manager his son Zander joined Kyle Cooper in attack.
Saints number one Graham Douglas had already produced three saves when the hosts opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Craig Young stretched the Saints defence on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross for Liam Johnson to slam the ball into the roof of the net at the back post.
James Ford had a 22-yard shot well held by Hares keeper Chris Calder before a controversial decision by referee Dougie Gunning gave the hosts the chance to double their advantage from the penalty spot. Mr Gunning penalised Jack Wright for handball, a decision which Wright and his team-mates hotly disputed.
Zander Craik had an excellent chance to half the deficit when played in by Gavin Forgrieve in the 31st minute but the youngster couldn’t steer his finish beyond the reach of Chris Calder who made an important save.
Harestanes capitalised fully on this let-off just two minutes later when wingers Liam Johnson and Craig Young combined again, this time with Johnson providing a right wing cross for Young to head in at the back post.
Saints opened up the home defence again ten minutes before the interval with Kyle Cooper’s finish leaving Chris Calder well beaten before the ball slipped agonisingly wide of the keeper’s right hand post.
The Johnson and Young combination struck again for the hosts 10 minutes after the restart. Johnson’s shot was well saved by Graham Douglas low to his right, however the Saints defence couldn’t clear the danger and Craig Young pounced to send the ball into the net past the stranded Saints keeper.
To their credit the makeshift Saints refused to let their heads drop and kept probing for the opening which would give them a deserved consolation goal.
The fifth and final goal of the afternoon had an element of good fortune about it when Graham Douglas’ punched clearance went straight to Craig Young who looped a header over Douglas and into the unguarded net to complete his hat-trick.
The win for Harestanes lifts the East Dunbartonshire men to the top of the Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division ahead of Drumchapel on goal difference. Also still very much in the title race are Lesmahagow and St Patrick’s F.P. ensuring a fascinating four-way tussle for the Premier Division trophy.
A similarly exciting climax to the season is assured at the other end of the table where despite Greenock High School F.P’s and Drumchapel United PYM’s relegation to the Championship being confirmed some time ago, Saints remain embroiled in a battle with Eastfield and Uddingston Anvil to avoid a play-off place with the third-placed Championship side.
This coming Saturday Saints play their penultimate away fixture when they travel to Broadwood to face Eastfield in a match which will go a long way to deciding the final standings at the foot of the Central Scottish AFL Premier Division.