Oban Saints 4
Ardgowan 2
Regional Cup – 2nd Round
Oban Saints under 14s turned in a stellar performance, clinching a hard-earned 4-2 victory over Ardgowan in a gripping showdown on the Oban Community Pitch 3G at Oban High School, propelling themselves into the third round of the Regional Cup.
Ardgowan took an early lead, beating the Saints’ offside trap two minutes into the game. However, Saints rallied, mounting a spirited comeback with two rapid-fire goals.
The first was a precision penalty by Joe Hill, after a foul on Leon Maclean inside the box. The Oban side then surged ahead when Cairon Macnab and Lyam Fox combined, culminating in a clinical finish by Fox.
The first half remained a tightly contested affair, with both sides making chances, keeping the brave band of spectators well entertained.
The second half mirrored the intensity of the first, marked by a fierce physical battle. Saints dominated the left flank through Macnab and Fox, with the solid defensive trio of Archie Lewis, Euan Macrone and Caddell Hensman-Martin showcasing their game awareness, repeatedly catching the Ardgowan forward line offside, while keeper Finlay Milton, made a standout save to keep his team in the lead.
An hour into the match, Saints went further ahead when Leon Maclean’s free kick slipped through the hands of the Ardgowan goalkeeper and into the net, giving Saints a two-goal cushion. The game was put to rest when Finlay Macallum tapped in a goal-bound shot from Archie Lewis.
Ardgown pulled a goal back with two minutes remaining on the clock with a well taken strike, but it was too little, too late and Saints ran out deserved 4-2 winners.
Substitutes Dylan Ross, Dylan Morris, Max Walker and Finlay Macallum played their part in this impressive win. Man of the match was Cairon Macnab who displayed exceptional work rate and attitude.
Saints now face an away tie against either Barrhead or Cambuslang Colts in the third round. A date for this game has still to be arranged.
Check the Oban Saints 2010 Facebook page for this weekend’s fixture.