Neilston 0
Oban Saints 6
SPAFA Premier Division
Oban Saints returned to action last Saturday, following an enforced two week lay-off, with a trip to Kingston Playing Fields to face Neilston.
Saints had won the reverse Scottish Premier Amateur Football Association Premiership fixture seven weeks earlier and completed the double over their old Scottish Amateur Football League rivals, netting six goals without reply.
Despite the convincing scoreline, Saints had to withstand an early onslaught from the hosts during which goalkeeper Craig Maitland produced a string of excellent saves.
Goals either side of the interval from Daniel Beaton were added to by James Ford before Martin Bonar’s red card left Saints facing a difficult 33 minutes with just 10 men.
Neilston, however, couldn’t capitalise on their numerical advantage against the resolute Saints who added further goals from Paul McFatridge and Rory Dowd and an unfortunate own-goal from Neilston keeper Chris Lamb.
Suspensions for Steven MacLeod and Gavin Forgrieve added to gaffer Ross Maitland’s selection headaches which were already hampered by injuries and work commitments, however, he named a 15-man squad which included returning injury victim David Beaton and new Norwegian signing Fredrik Marthinsen.
The hosts made a blistering start with David Murdoch and Ryan Anderson drawing excellent saves from Craig Maitland inside the opening 10 minutes.
Neilston kept up the early pressure with Ryan Anderson finally getting the better of Craig Maitland, only to see his 16th minute shot clatter off Maitland’s left hand post.
Three minutes later, the Saints keeper produced the save of the match flying high to his left to push over Steven Neely’s net-bound effort from 22 yards.
Having weathered the early storm from the hosts, Saints began to look more of a threat and Neilston keeper Chris Lamb was called into action after 36 minutes saving from James Ford with Connor Moore blasting the loose ball over the crossbar.
Saints made the breakthrough three minutes before the interval after good work on the left from Rory Dowd who picked out Daniel Beaton on the penalty spot for a shot which deflected off Ross McQuilter on its way into the Neilston net.
The hosts thought they had made the perfect start to the second half when skipper Kieran McDade slotted home from close range after Craig Maitland could only parry Paul McLean’s 48th minute shot. But referee James Quinn, who handled proceedings well, ruled McDade was offside, much to the home side’s frustration.
Saints doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Daniel Beaton steered the ball into the net from 18 yards as all the Neilston defence screamed for an offside decision which Mr Quinn declined to give.
Two minutes later, Connor Moore and James Ford combined well as Saints added a third goal. Moore showed good strength on the right to hold off Ross McQuilter’s challenge and pick out James Ford’s supporting run through the inside left channel. Ford tricked his way past Matthew Gribben before threading the ball through McQuilter’s legs beyond the despairing left hand of Chris Lamb.
The hosts received a welcome boost when Saints were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute. A tussle between Scott Maitland and Paul McLean on the Neilston right was joined by players from both sides with Martin Bonar’s late contribution being deemed particularly unwelcome by Mr Quinn who gave the big Saints midfielder his marching orders.
Despite having the numerical disadvantage, it was Saints who threatened again when Daniel Beaton passed up an excellent opportunity finding the side netting with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Saints gaffer Ross Maitland made his first change in the 62nd minute, sending on new recruit Fredrik Marthinsen to replace Craig Livingstone who acquitted himself well alongside Aaron Moore, Drew Murray and Scott Maitland in a previously untried back four.
Particularly impressive in defence was Aaron Moore, whose well-timed challenge on Ryan Anderson denied the Neilston dangerman a 63rd minute strike on goal.
Neilston keeper Chris Lamb saved well from Rory Dowd in the 65th minute but was well beaten two minutes later by Paul McFatridge. Fredrik Marthinsen and Connor Moore combined from a throw-in on the right to find McFatridge in the 18-yard box where the combative midfielder turned smartly and drilled a powerful low shot past Lamb for Saints’ fourth goal.
Saints withdrew goalscoring duo James Ford and Daniel Beaton, sending on James Muir and David Beaton as 75th minute replacements. A final change followed ten minutes later with Connor Moore making way for Oran Bryce.
The substitutes made a quick impact with David Beaton winning a free-kick from which James Muir tested Chris Lamb’s handling before Oran Bryce set Lamb another test which the Neilston keeper unfortunately came up short on. Bryce was sent away on the left by Rory Dowd. The substitute’s cross on the run was too heavy for Dowd’s run into the box, however, Chris Lamb’s attempt to push the ball behind for a corner-kick fell well short of clearing his crossbar and landed in the net.
The 10 men kept coming forward and were rewarded with a sixth goal in the 90th minute. Rory Dowd’s shot from 12 yards was parried by Chris Lamb whose luck was out when the ball broke kindly for Dowd who stroked home the loose ball from six yards to complete the scoring.
