Saturday 28th January 2023
Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League
Division Three
Oban Saints GG 2 - 1 Bearsden
Oban Community Sports Field 3G
Soroba Road
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4JB
Kick-off 3pm
Referee Mr Alex Jamieson
Oban Saints GG reached the midway point in their Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division Three season with a narrow victory over league new boys Bearsden at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon.
Strikes from Oran Bryce and Craig Livingstone sandwiched a counter from the visitors to give Saints the lead at the interval however, despite creating a number of second half chances, the killer third goal wouldn't come and the loyal home support were subjected to a nervy final few minutes as Bearsden pressed hard for an ultimately elusive equaliser.
Saints lined up with Murdo MacKenzie in goal behind a youthful back four of Lewis Campbell, Szymon Chmielecki, Garry McIvor and Ryan Hill. Across the four man midfield were Captain Ollie Sharp, Aaron McKay, Craig Livingstone and Oran Bryce with Robert Johnstone and Stuart Twort in attack.
Saints opened the scoring in the eighth minute from a crisp left foot Oran Bryce strike. Robert Johnstone, playing his first match since becoming a father of twin girls, flicked on an Aaron McKay ball to strike partner Stewart Twort. The Bearsden keeper twice denied Twort from twelve yards range before the ball eventually broke for Bryce who made no mistake to give Saints the lead.
Visitors Bearsden, who had travelled with just twelve players which included their Manager, pulled themselves level in the thirty sixth minute exploiting a slip by young Saints central defender Garry McIvor which left keeper Murdo MacKenzie hopelessly exposed.
The home side got their noses in front again in first half stoppage time with the midfield again providing the killer touch. Skipper Ollie Sharp's driving run and cross from the right was turned goalward by Robert Johnstone who saw his shot and Craig Livingstone's effort on the rebound well saved by the Bearsden keeper however luck deserted the young goalie when the loose ball fell to Livingstone who this time thumped the ball into the net from close range.
The Saints Management team of Donald Black and Robbie Johnstone withdrew the out of sorts McIvor for the start of the second half sending on Cameron MacMillan as his replacement in a straight swap in central defence.
Saints kicked off the second half attacking the Dalintart Drive end and almost made the perfect start inside the first minute when Ollie Sharp was sent clean through only for the Bearsden number one to pull off an excellent double save.
That would set the tone for the majority of the second half as a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping prevented Saints from extending their lead in what would become an increasingly tough watch for the home support.
Further personnel changes followed with Lewis Buchanan replacing Stuart Twort up front and Matty Pollock coming on for Ryan Hill at left fullback. The visitors made the only change available to them withdrawing their left fullback and sending the Gaffer on as a target man for a late push for an equaliser.
The Bearsden keeper continued his inspired performance to deny Lewis Buchanan, Aaron McKay and Craig Livingstone while at the other end opposite number Murdo MacKenzie dealt confidently with anything that came his way.
The feared final onslaught from one time Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division Bearsden failed to fully materialise and Referee Alex Jamieson, who had a good match, brought proceedings to a close with no further scoring.
Saints GG are at home again this coming Saturday when they host title chasing Giffnock Soccer Centre Amateurs Red in a Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division Three encounter.
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