Oban Saints 4 Anniesland 1
West of Scotland Cup second round
An improved performance at Glencruitten last Saturday afternoon saw Oban Saints bounce back from the disappointment of the previous weekend’s Scottish Amateur Cup exit to secure progress in the West of Scotland Amateur Cup.
Visitors Anniesland opened the scoring after just 70 seconds and held the lead until Saints made a similarly quick start to the second half which ultimately paved the way to victory.
Martin Bonar, James Ford and Aaron Moore joined the list of absentees, however, gaffer Ross Maitland welcomed back Drew Murray, Gavin Forgrieve, Connor Moore, James Conington, Fredrik Marthinsen and Marc MacCallum whose experience and will to win proved invaluable.
The match began in disastrous fashion for Saints when goalkeeper Craig Maitland completely misjudged an innocuous looking free-kick into the box which bounced through his legs and struck his right hand post. The visitors reacted quicker than the stunned Saints defence and poked the loose ball home from close range with just 70 seconds on referee Steven Nicholls’ watch.
Saints made their first foray forward in the sixth minute when David Beaton’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide for a corner kick. Paul McFatridge met Gavin Forgrieve’s delivery from the left with a solid header at the back post which landed just wide of the target.
When Connor Moore was brought down on the Saints’ left, James Muir picked out Paul McFatridge with the set-piece for a header which was deflected wide of target.
Defender Marc MacCallum got his head to Gavin Forgieve’s delivery from the corner flag but failed to trouble Anniesland goalkeeper Scott McTaggart with his effort.
Saints remained unconvincing throughout the first half and it took until the 45th minute for them to beat keeper Scott McTaggart, only for full back Martin Ryan to get back in the nick of time to clear the ball off the goal-line.
Strong words were exchanged during the interval which almost bore fruit immediately after the re-start. Inside the first minute, James Muir flicked on for David Beaton who raced into the Anniesland box but was foiled by McTaggart at his right-hand post.
Skipper Scott Maitland had the bit firmly between his teeth now and, after a driving run on the left, picked out Connor Moore at the back post with a pin-point cross which Moore headed firmly into the net to restore parity.
Despite looking a far better proposition in the second half, Saints didn’t have everything their own way and twice Craig Maitland made good saves to prevent his side from falling behind again.
Saints’ gaffer Ross Maitland gave a home debut to Fredrik Marthinsen in the 55th minute in a straight swap with right full back Craig Livingstone.
Anniesland keeper Scott McTaggart produced further heroics to deny Connor Moore and James Muir before springing to his left to push away a 61st minute Drew Murray free-kick.
Saints finally got themselves in front with a landmark goal from teenager James Muir who is presently having trials with SPL side St Johnstone. Connor Moore resisted the temptation to shoot from a tight angle on the right, instead electing to square to Muir who slammed home for his first competitive goal for the club.
Ross Maitland looked to his bench again in the 65th minute, replacing Paul McFatridge in central midfield with James Conington.
The home side continued to look the more likely to add to the scoring and David Beaton sent a dipping effort onto the top of the Anniesland crossbar from a Gavin Forgrieve corner-kick after Scott McTaggart had pushed behind a 74th minute James Muir effort.
With 15 of the 90 minutes still remaining, Keiron Lopez, who had made his debut the previous week away at Houston United, was sent on for his home debut, replacing Connor Moore on the right of the front three.
Saints made the tie safe in the 86th minute when David Beaton timed his run well to get on the end of a Gavin Forgrieve through-ball. Beaton raced away from central defender Nathan Rodgers and, from 18 yards, deftly lifted the ball over the advancing Scott McTaggart and into the unguarded net.
Oran Bryce replaced Rory Dowd before the re-start and, despite only being on the field for minutes, the late substitute made a telling contribution with the final touch of the match. Keiron Lopez sent Fredrik Marthinsen away on the right from where the big Norwegian fizzed a ball across the face of goal and Bryce opened up his left instep to steer the ball home for his first Saints goal.
Saints remain on West of Scotland Cup duty this weekend when they welcome Scottish Premier Amateur Football Association Championship high-fliers AFC Chryston to Glencruitten.
Experienced referee Pat O’Donnell takes charge of the third round tie. Penalty kicks will decide the winner if the two sides cannot be separated after 90 minutes. Saturday’s game kicks-off at 2pm.