Reds pip Greys in Oban Saints' festive friendly

The manager was one of those taking a holiday, so Iain Jackson was left in charge assisted by coach Peter MacCallum and secretary David Buchanan.

Unfortunately, three call-offs on the morning of the match resulted in a numbers imbalance of 11 versus ten,  with the numerical advantage to be changed at the half-time interval although injury would see that plan also changed.
Saints Reds lined up with Craig Maitland in goal behind a back three of Craig Livingstone, Ben Forbes and Ruaridh Horne. In midfield were Kuba Ryszka, Keiron Lopez, Matty Kelly, Gavin Forgrieve and Innes Fraser with Rhys Millar and Connor Moore up front.

The numerically disadvantaged Greys had Graham Douglas in goal behind a back three of Jamie Graham, Ryan Barclay and Louie MacFarlane. Across the five-man midfield were David Beaton, Fraser MacFarlane, Matty Pollock, Aaron McKay and Donald Campbell, with Shaun MacIver ploughing a lone furrow up front.
The numbers were soon evened up when under-the-weather Fraser MacFarlane took an extended breather on the touchline with Keiron Lopez swapping his red shirt for a grey one.

In addition to managing both teams, Iain Jackson was also the man in the middle and, from his vantage point inside the centre circle, allowed the suspiciously offside looking Aaron McKay to continue his 32nd minute run on the left and bury a low shot past Craig Maitland for the opening goal.

The Greys held the lead for just four minutes before youngsters Kuba Ryszka and Rhys Millar combined for Millar to bullet a header from Ryszka’s well-measured right-wing cross beyond Graham Douglas to equalise.

Millar came close to completing the turnaround in the 38th minute but was denied by the fingertips of Graham Douglas, resplendent in a luminous green kit.

Louie MacFarlane, Aaron McKay and Shaun MacIver were heavily involved in the Greys’ second goal which was slotted home by David Beaton whose run from right wing back had the Reds’ defence once again appealing in vain for offside.

Fraser MacFarlane re-joined  the action for the second half which saw Keiron Lopez return to the Reds’ ranks and restore their numerical advantage.

Youth team players Donald Campbell, Innes Fraser and Kuba Ryszka didn’t look at all out of place in more experienced company and Ryszka was instrumental in the Reds’  second equaliser after 54 minutes. 

After dispossessing Fraser MacFarlane wide on the right, Ryszka held off the challenge of Aaron McKay before picking out Gavin Forgrieve who sent a right foot shot from 28 yards flying into the postage stamp corner.

The ten-man Greys were soon back in front though when David Beaton netted for a second time with another well-timed run from the right.

The Greys’ back three of Jamie Graham, Ryan Barclay and Louie MacFarlane kept  top marksman Connor Moore quiet and deserved their slice of good fortune when Moore missed the target with a free header from point-blank range.

The Reds equalised for a third time when Keiron Lopez curled a delightful finish past Graham Douglas from the right corner of the Greys’ 18-yard box.

Young Donald Campbell’s sweet left foot was close to putting the Greys back in front after Matty Kelly had headed away a David Beaton corner kick from the left. 

The extra man, however, eventually told for the Reds when Kuba Ryszka fired the pick of the seven goals past Graham Douglas in the 88th minute.

Iain Jackson appeared content to keep playing until the Greys could conjure an equalising goal, however, with the slippery conditions contributing to some poorly timed challenges, he called time after eight added minutes bringing to a close a good workout for everyone involved.

Saints return to competitive action on Saturday January 11 with a trip to Barlia Football Centre to face high-flying Castlemilk Community in the Scottish Premier Amateur Football Association Premiership.