The goal hunt continues for shot-shy Saints
Oban Saints played their final home fixture of the season at Glencruitten last Saturday but failed to send the home faithful into the close season with smiles on their faces. The participants in the Easter egg hunt taking place behind the railway line end goal appeared to be far more successful than Saints were in finding the net and another disappointing blank in front of target was compounded by defensive frailties resulting in a two-goal defeat.
Manager Ross Maitland had a 17-man squad at his disposal for the clash with Castlemilk Dynamo but the welcome increase in available numbers did little to change the recent fortunes on the pitch.
Attacking the railway line end in the first half Saints got in behind the Dynamo defence in the fourth minute when Ruaridh Horne found himself furthest forward but saw his effort loop up off the feet of keeper Stuart Collins only to be headed behind by Mark Blakey.
Young striker Kyle Cooper failed to mark his final appearance in a Saints shirt before departing to join the under-18 development squad at Dumbarton with a goal.
In the 13th minute Saints had a taste of what was to come from the long throw of Wullie Hewitt. The big centre half was comfortably able to reach the six yard box from the touchline and find the head of the equally imposing figure of defensive colleague Dominic Larkin. Larkin’s flick-on bounced around the box before eventually finding its way to Connaire Dawson for a shot from the 18 yard line which was deflected behind for a corner kick.
The Hewitt and Larkin long throw routine bore fruit giving the visitors the lead in the 19th minute. Larkin’s flick-on from Hewitt’s throw looped across the six yard box to the back post where the unmarked Greg Twaddle was quickest to react and tuck the ball beyond Graham Douglas.
Kyle Cooper’s pace took him past Mark Blakey on the Saints right with David Beaton doing well to keep up and get in the box for Cooper’s cutback, however Beaton’s touch let him down and the ball bounced harmlessly through to Stuart Collins.
Dynamo’s tactic for throwins in the final third was as predictable as it was difficult to defend and it provided the second goal after 23 minutes. Extremely disappointingly from a Saints perspective nobody tracked Daniel Seenan’s run into the box and the midfielder had far too much time and space to chest down Larkin’s flick-on and volley it into the net.
Saints didn’t trouble the Dynamo keeper much until the 37th minute when Rory Dowd broke into the box to fire off a low shot which Collins somehow managed to get fingertips on to turn the ball inches wide of his left-hand post.
Saints ended the first half on the front foot with Drew Murray sending over a deep cross from the left which Ruaridh Horne re-directed across the face of goal where Wullie Hewitt was again on hand with the vital touch ahead of Kyle Cooper.
Horne was involved again on the stroke of half-time when his throw-in from the right was flicked on by Rory Dowd to Kyle Cooper whose header dropped harmlessly into the arms of Stuart Collins.
Ruaridh Horne then came off distinctly second best in a heavy challenge which brought his season to an abrupt end with what was later confirmed as a broken big toe. Horne’s place was taken by Cammy Clark with Rory Dowd and Drew Murray also being withdrawn in favour of Donald Campbell and Cammy Hill.
Saints top goal scorer Hill will be disappointed not to have hit the target with his 71st minute cushioned volley after Dominic Larkin had headed a Scott Maitland left wing cross out to the edge of the Dynamo box.
Before the Dynamo goal-kick Ben Forbes saw his involvement once again cut short by injury with James Conington coming on to join Steven MacLeod in central defence.
The introduction of Donald Campbell gave Saints a little more guile but still not enough to seriously trouble the visiting defence where Dominic Larkin’s solid performance, coupled with his two assists, earned him the Dynamo man of the match award narrowly pipping partner Wullie Hewitt.
Donald Campbell and Cammy Hill linked well on the edge of the Dynamo box in the 74th minute sending Kyle Cooper wide on the right before flashing a dangerous ball across the face of the six yard box and just out of reach for Myles McAuley.
Donald Campbell then had a good low shot in the 78th minute which Stuart Collins held well low to his left.
Saints gaffer Ross Maitland made his final change sending on Connor Howe to replace David Beaton. Howe has proved to be a useful addition to the squad since his recent return to the club.
There was however to be no late rally from Saints and the game fizzled out with both defences on top and no hint of any further scoring before the referee brought proceedings to an end.
Saints have no fixture this coming weekend and are currently awaiting dates for their three remaining away fixtures against Castlemilk Dynamo, Gartcosh United and Lesmahagow.
Oban Saints GG
Oban Saints second string were also in action but like their first team counterparts they ended up on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline away to Bearsden. No game for Saints GG this weekend.
Oban Saints Youths
Sundays results: Under 16s 4, Finnart 1. Scoring for Saints were James Muir, Cody McCulloch and Rhys Millar (2).
Grassroots Development FC 6, Under 14s 1, Scott Campbell netted for Saints.
Fulham BC 2, Under 13s 7. Saints goalscorers were Leon Maclean (2), Cairon MacNab (2), Finlay MacCallum (2) and Innes MacKinnie.
There are no fixtures next Sunday due to the Easter break.