Depleted Saints well beaten by Harestanes
Harestanes Oban Saints Central Scottish AFL Premier Division 3 0
An ever lengthening list of injuries, suspensions, holidays, work and late call-offs saw a severely depleted Oban Saints travel to Kirkintilloch last Saturday afternoon with just 11 players plus manager Ross Maitland as their only reserve. Donald Campbell once again made the long trip from his work in England with Jack Wright and Connor Howe also coming in at short notice to boost the meagre numbers.
The home side had the benefit of the strong wind in the first half and had Saints pinned back in the early stages. John Goodwin shot wide of target in the fourth minute before Kevin Cawley brought a good save from Graham Douglas low to his left.
It took Saints 20 minutes to make their first meaningful foray into Hares territory with Jack Wright’s perseverance on the right forcing John Thompson into conceding a corner kick. Connor Howe’s delivery was headed down by James Conington and hooked goalward by Myles McAuley whose improvised effort was clawed away by Hares keeper David McKegney.
The improved spell from Saints continued with a good move from left to right involving Scott Maitland, Donald Campbell and Ross Campbell. The young midfielder sent Jack Wright driving into the Hares box, however, his attempt to play in Donald Campbell was fractionally too heavy for the veteran striker.
The hosts broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval breaking quickly again after Saints had lost possession from a free kick just outside the Hares box. Tyrece McDonnel’s quick feet took him into the Saints box once again where his progress was halted by a trip from Connor Howe. Referee Dougie Gunning correctly pointed to the penalty spot from where Hares skipper Kevin Cawley beat Graham Douglas high to his left.
Saints gaffer Ross Maitland made some tactical adjustments at the interval reverting to a 3-5-2 formation.
Saints began to find some joy on the left through Scott Maitland and Donald Campbell. The skipper shot narrowly wide of target in the 48th minute before Campbell forced a corner kick from where Connor Howe found Rory Dowd for a shot from ten yards which John Thompson did well to block at close range.
Maitland and Campbell linked well again in the 57th minute with John Goodwin standing up well to make a good headed block from
Campbell’s shot.
The hosts ended Saints encouraging start to the second period with two goals in a five minute spell just after the hour mark. Celtic youth product Tyrece McDonnel danced along the touchline after Saints conceded possession from a throw-in deep inside their own half.
With cutback for centre forward Ian McDowell looking the most likely option, McDonnel instead squeezed the ball between Graham Douglas and his near post to double the Hares advantage.
Harestanes punished Saints defensive frailties again in the 66th minute when Ian McDowell exploited another failure to clear lines with a lobbed finish over a stranded Graham Douglas for the hosts third goal.
Straight from the restart Saints forced a corner kick on the left from where Connor Howe found Rory Dowd for a header just over David McKegney’s crossbar.
Saints gaffer Ross Maitland afforded himself a brief runout replacing Ruaridh Horne on the right for the final five
aminutes plus stoppage time.
To their credit the well beaten Saints refused to give up their pursuit of a consolation goal, however, veteran goalkeeper David McKegney was in no mood to surrender his clean sheet and made two excellent saves from Rory Dowd set-pieces before referee Gunning sounded his final whistle.
After the match a gutted Saints manager Ross Maitland said: ‘‘We had 10 players missing from the squad today for various reasons. You can’t play at this level with only 11 men.
“If the likes of Donald Campbell, Jack Wright and Connor Howe hadn’t helped us out then we would have had to call the game off which would be the first time in the club’s history that would have happened. We need to get this situation sorted out quickly.’’ Saints will have to pick themselves up for this coming Saturday’s visit of bang in form Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division leaders Lesmahagow.
The game will take place on the 3G at Oban High School with a 1pm kick-off.
Saints second team were also in action on Saturday when they travelled to Crownpoint Sports Centre to take on North East Thistle.
It was a very young squad that travelled to Glasgow but came home with an impressive 6-1 win under their belts thanks to goals from Lewis Buchanan (2), Martin Bonar, Craig Livingstone, Rhys Millar and Oran Bryce.
This Saturday Saints GG are at home to Duncanrig game at the 3G pitch, kick-off 3pm.