Houston United 3
Oban Saints 0
Scottish Cup – first round
Four weeks later than originally scheduled, Oban Saints finally got their Scottish Amateur Cup campaign under way last Saturday afternoon.
The weather-affected tie eventually kicked off at Johnstone Community Sports Hub where any thoughts of a Saints cup run were firmly squashed by Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division One high-fliers Houston United who racked up three goals without reply to run out comfortable winners.
Manager Ross Maitland’s selection woes continue to worsen with the gaffer and coach David Dunlop having to make up the numbers on the bench alongside new signing Keiron Lopez as they had fewer than 11 players unavailable for various reasons for this important Scottish Cup encounter.
A lacklustre first half performance saw the visitors trail at the interval to a 12th minute Josh Ward strike and, despite an improved second-half showing from the D&K Lafferty Contractors and MKM Building Supplies sponsored Saints, the home side were on target twice more through Jay Ward and Liam Cleary.
Saints lined up with Craig Maitland in goal behind a back four of Craig Livingstone, Aaron Moore, Martin Bonar and captain Scott Maitland. The three-man midfield consisted of David Beaton, Paul McFatridge and Rory Dowd with Oran Bryce, James Ford and James Muir up front. On the bench were Keiron Lopez, Ross Maitland and David Dunlop.
Attacking the car park end on the excellent 4G Johnstone Community Sports Hub surface, Saints had an early chance to test the home defence with a second minute set-piece when Houston skipper Mark Coyle brought down Rory Dowd on the Saints left. David Beaton’s delivery, however, was too deep for intended target Martin Bonar and the home side broke quickly to the other end. Liam Cleary got in behind the Saints defence on the Houston right and Craig Maitland was called into action with an excellent double save at his near post to deny the Houston wide man.
Saints leading goal-scorer James Ford was just off target with a curling effort from the corner of the 18-yard box before the Saints defence was undone by a 12th minute ball over the top from Niall Carslaw. Josh Ward timed his run well and raced through to tuck the ball past Craig Maitland for the opening goal.
James Ford and David Beaton combined well to force a 26th minute corner-kick on the Saints left with Houston goalkeeper Garry Kerr showing good handling to gather Ford’s delivery.
Craig Maitland was called into action again standing up well to push a Niall Carslaw shot behind for a corner-kick before making a solid connection with a flying punch to clear a dangerous looking cross from Ross McCaw.
On the stroke of half-time, Saints finally landed their first effort on target with a James Muir shot from 25 yards which Garry Kerr held well.
During the interval, an animated Ross Maitland demanded more from his players in the second half which began promisingly for Saints who forced two corner kicks in quick succession with the home side surviving an appeal for a penalty kick when the ball appeared to strike the arm of a Houston defender.
Referee Jim Walker, who had a good game, was not interested, however he did award Saints a 50th minute free-kick after Paul McFatridge was hacked down 25 yards from goal.
Rory Dowd tried his luck with the dead-ball however, despite beating the Houston defensive wall, he couldn’t get the better of Garry Kerr who made a fine one-handed save low to his left.
Saints’ good start to the second half was undone in the 52nd minute when they
switched off at a throw-in on the Houston right affording Jay Ward acres of room to measure a sweet strike from 18 yards into the roof of the net.
Gaffer Ross Maitland made his only change of the afternoon after 57 minutes
bringing to an end Oran Bryce’s first start for the club by replacing him with new signing Keiron Lopez. Maitland also made a tactical change leaving Craig Livingstone, Aaron Moore and Scott Maitland at the back with Martin Bonar going into midfield and Paul McFatridge joining the attack.
McFatridge drew another good save from Houston keeper Kerr who did well to push over his header from a deep 61st minute David Beaton cross.
Kerr was in action again two minutes later, denying Keiron Lopez a debut goal with a flying save to his left to push behind Lopez’s sweet strike from 30 yards.
Saints kept pressing for the goal which would bring them back into contention but the Houston defence was a tough nut to crack and whenever they did get in behind the home back four, they found keeper Garry Kerr to be in inspired form.
Excellent saves to deny James Muir and James Ford secured a highly prized clean sheet for the Houston number one and even the addition of Aaron Moore to the front line failed to give Saints the edge they desperately needed.
Their pursuit of a goal left Saints exposed at the back and from an 87th minute breakaway on the left, Mark Coyle picked out Liam Cleary for a tap-in from close range to complete the scoring and send Saints tumbling out of the Scottish Amateur Cup.
This Saturday, Saints will be looking to bounce back strongly when they turn their attention to the West of Scotland Amateur Cup where Strathclyde Evangelical Churches Football League Division One leaders Anniesland are the visitors to Glencruitten. The tie must be decided on the day with penalty kicks to decide the winner if the score is level after 90 minutes.
Manager Ross Maitland will be hoping to have more players to choose from for this second round tie. Kick-off at Glencruitten is at 2pm with referee Steven Nicholls in charge.