Oban Saints lose out to Fort FC in preseason friendly
Oban Saints 0
Fort William 1
Pre-season friendly
Oban Saints unveiled their new navy blue kit at Mossfield Stadium last Wednesday evening for the visit of neighbours Fort William of the North Caledonian League.
The midweek fixture allowed Saints a are run out on the immaculate grass surface at Mossfield Stadium which is normally used for shinty.
Returning to blue after eight seasons in red, Saints continue their long association with shirt sponsors D&K Lafferty Contractors and MKM Oban Building Supplies.
After a long and happy relationship with local hostelry Aulay’s Bar, Saints’ after match hospitality will now be provided by Oban’s largest independent restaurant and bar, The View.
In announcing the change of hospitality sponsor the club thanked Aulay Dunn for his fantastic support over the years and looked forward to a similar relationship with The View.
Saints lined up with Craig Maitland in goal behind a back three of Archie Lewis, captain Scott Maitland and Matty Pollock. The central midfield three of Aaron McKay, Myles McAuley and Donald Campbell were flanked by wingbacks David Beaton and Preston MacIntyre with Rhys Millar and Connor Moore forming the strike partnership up front.
On the substitutes bench were Connor Beattie, Innes Fraser, Ruaridh Horne, Ryan Hill, Fraser MacFarlane, Ruari Macleod and Kuba Ryszka.
With a number of regulars unavailable Saints’ gaffer Steven MacLeod gave starts to veteran Myles McAuley and youngster Archie Lewis. Thrown in at the deep end on the right of the back three, 15-year-old Lewis had his work cut out keeping tabs on Fort William’s star player Martin Munro but the youngster acquitted himself well and is a welcome addition to the Saints squad for the coming season
There were chances for both sides in an even first half, but neither could make the breakthrough. When tested, goalkeepers Craig Maitland and Ryan Hunter were equal to the task with off-target efforts from Connor Moore and Preston MacIntyre at one end and Martin Munro at the other ensuring a blank scoresheet at the interval.
Rolling substitutes were the order of the day resulting in a slightly disjointed second half where the more experienced visitors began to dominate.
Despite this the Saints’ defence, well marshalled by skipper Scott Maitland, remained unbreeched before finally succumbing to a counterattack 14 minutes from the end.
By now missing Myles McAuley’s presence in midfield, a misplaced Saints’ pass in the centre circle was pounced upon by the visitors with Martin Munro racing through the inside left channel and squaring for Liam Martin to score the only goal of the game.
Saints mounted a late rally but failed to get the better of Fort keeper Hunter who made a good save low to his left from a Rhys Millar header and blocked bravely at the feet of Connor Moore to keep his clean sheet intact.
The match, which proved to be a useful exercise for both sides, was well handled by referee Pat O’Donnell
Saints were due to conclude the preseason programme with a visit of Argyll neighbours Lochgilphead Red Star on Saturday August 1, however the friendly fixture had to be cancelled due to Star being unable to raise a team.
This is an ever-increasing problem in amateur football and Saints have every sympathy for the Red Star management team who were bitterly disappointed not to be able to fulfil the eagerly anticipated annual fixture.
The D&K Lafferty Contractors, MKM Oban Building Supplies and View sponsored Saints kick off their Scottish Premier Amateur Football Association Premiership campaign this coming Saturday August 8 when they travel to Renfrewshire to face Bishopton.
The game will be held at Park Mains High School, Erskine with a 1pm kick-off and will be refereed by experienced Dumbarton referee John Gallacher.
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