Archived Match Reports

16th August 2006 - 9th September 2006

Bare Bones Oakley See Off Crossgates

The Oakley coaching team was put on red alert in order to fill the bench for this ACA League Cup qualifier. Goalkeeping Coach Brian Potter along with Dougie Russell and Derek Murray helped keep Oakley’s only true substitute Ryan Ewing company as Oakley were down to the bare bones.

First team regulars Russell Smart and Roger Duffin were on a Stag Do in Cardiff , Chris Francis and Stephen Stewart were unavailable due to work commitments and long term injured Richard Workman and John Allison were joined by Ross Morrison after his untimely & unplanned departure off a roof, on the morning of the game!

Oakley forced into a 3-4-3 formation started brightly with a Peter Bannatyne ( picture )effort being cleared off the line after only 3 minutes and was quickly followed by two close attempts by Jacko Baird and Jimmy Lister. However it was Crossgates on 8 mins that struck first with basically their first attack of the game.

Crossgates full back Iain Mullen intercepted an Oakley through ball and sent centre Boardman in one on one on keeper Greig Maitland to lob Crossgates into an early lead. Four minutes later Peter Bannatyne had a goal rule off as the Referee adjudged that the ball had not crossed the line when it obviously had!

Oakley had the majority of the play thereafter with both Lister & Baird coming close before a superb John Rushford volley was turned past for a corner. It looked like Oakley had equalised on 32 minutes until an acrobatic clearance off the line by Ex-Oakley man Gerry Creilly saved the day for the home team after Jacko Baird had lobbed the out rushing keeper.

The disappointment was short-lived as only a minute later it was one apiece. Scot Buist was deliberately tripped on the edge of the box and from the resulting free kick Craig MORRISON unleashed a scorcher into the roof of the net. Crossgates had virtually just restarted and they were two-one down.

David Murray collected the ball in his own half before striding forward and delivering a super cross field diagonal ball to BANNATYNE who hit the ball on the drop past a stranded Crossgates defence. David Murray almost curled one into the top corner before a Craig Morrison hurriedly pulled effort went wide.

Half Time; Crossgates 1 - 2 Oakley United

The game looked all over on 54 minutes when Crossgates central defender Mike Brown was given a straight red after he firstly fouled Craig Morrison who was in on goal and then proceeded to kick the ball away.

Willie Newbigging made no mistake from the spot for his third goal in four games.
Despite being down to ten men it was Crossgates that dominated for the next 15 minutes. Greig Maitland firstly smothered an effort down to his left before turning a Boardman blast over from point blank range.

Jacko Baird almost finished the game off for Oakley on 62mins when he shot into the side net with only the keeper to beat. Oakley then decided to try and push the self destruct button, when a Boardman corner was punched into his own net by under pressure keeper Maitland.

Crossgates thereafter felt they could get something from the game and had several attempts at goal, that produced some excellent defending from Buist, Lee Morrison, Lammie and the “seasoned” Derek Murray.

Final Score; Crossgates 2 - 3 Oakley United

Rampant O’s crush Steelend
with Goalden Dozen

Oakley’s ACA League Cup campaign got back on track. This crushing twelve goal victory raising everyone’s spirits, even although the opposition left a lot to be desired.

As Oakley raced to a five – one half time lead, it appeared possible that a repeat of last years 14-0 victory was on the cards.
The game was virtually over before it had begun scoring three times in the first twenty minutes. firstly Scott LAMMIE (above) slid in to open the scoring with only a minute on the clock. Player/Manager Willie NEWBIGGING from the spot and the strong running Peter BANNATYNE made it three, sandwiching a superbly taken free kick which had pulled one back for Steelend. Lammie, Craig Morrison and Smart all had efforts cleared with the latter causing the Steelend defence all kinds of problems with his excellent wing play.

Ross MORRISON then had the goal of the game after dribbling past several players before finally ramming the ball into the net past the helpless Vic’s keeper. The keeper was beaten again on 39 minutes for the fifth time after another Ross MORRISON shot was deflected into the corner.

Scott Lammie was the key figure in the whirlwind start and he almost scored again as half time approached but again the Steelend keeper saved well pushing his effort wide.

Half Time Oakley United 5 - 1 Steelend Vics

It was the commanding LAMMIE that started the goal fest in the second half, netting after only 5minutes of the second half to make it six. It took Oakley another 10 minutes to net again after Russell SMART slipped it under the despairing hand of Vic’s goalie after he had been put through one on one. Craig MORRISON scored for the fourteenth time this season after he smashed a half cleared ball into the back of the net to make it eight after only 70 minutes. Nine & Ten quickly followed after a further seven minutes with the Impressive SMART and the now fit again Jacko BAIRD scoring what was his first of the year after cutting in from Oakley’s right before shooting into the roof of the net.

Just like the buses, another one came right behind it, 5 minutes to be exact a half cleared free kick was turned in by BAIRD looking to surpass the twenty eight he bagged last season. With the score sitting at 11-1 Oakley kept pushing with the Steelend keeper making some super saves from Baird, Duffin & Morrison but was lucky when a Scot Buist scorcher from 30 yards rattled the bar and went over.

The always Impressive Roger DUFFIN rounded the scoring off on 87 minutes from close in after again some excellent running by Smart. Steelend almost got a consolation goal before the final whistle had it not been for a brave save at the feet of the oncoming striker from Stewart after a short back pass from Oakley’s Derek Murray.

Final Score; Oakley United 12 - 1 Steelend Vics

Oakley rue missed chances

Despite having the majority of play and chances, it was local rivals Rosyth that bagged all three ACA League Cup points. A new look Rosyth team played an attractive flowing style of football based on solid defending and with a workmanlike attitude in midfield.

Oakley didn’t take their chances and therefore cant grumble with the result despite having a number of key players missing for this tie notably defensive duo Roger Duffin(knee) and Lee Morrison(back) as well as long term absentee John Allison(Picture), whom we wish all the best and a speedy recovery after he went under the knife on Friday.

It took Oakley only a few minutes to settle and forced a number of corners and free kicks early on, after strong running by Russell Smart the fit again Jimmy Lister caused panic in the Rosyth back four.

An excellent last ditch tackle denying Smart just as he was pulling the trigger being the highlight of the first 15 minutes.
Uncharacteristically it was a wayward John Rushford pass that led to Rosyth taking the lead, an attacking through ball by Rushford was intercepted just inside Rosyth’s half and they pushed forward in numbers quickly catching Oakley on the back foot and a man short leaving the Rosyth winger free to slip the ball past the advancing Stewart.

The remainder of the half was played within the attacking third from Oakley’s point of view with Rosyth relying on breakaways. Peter Bannatyne and Ross Morrison both shot just wide after creating space for themselves at the edge of the box before the move of the game almost produced an equaliser on 43 minutes.

Quick one touch football between Lammie, Morrison(Ross) and Bannatyne on Oakley’s right and a superb cross field ball gave Murray the chance to beat his man and deliver a great ball into Lister who headed agonisingly wide.

Half Time; Oakley United 0 - 1 Rosyth Rec

It took Oakley only ten minutes to get back on level terms, Ross MORRISON received the ball on the left side of the field 25/30 yards out, he cut in past his marker then another, then another before knocking it past the keeper’s diving left glove.

From that point there was only going to be one winner …we thought, a Rushford effort was scrambled clear and a David Murray run and shot was superbly saved by the Rosyth number one.

Ryan Ewing and Craig Morrison replaced the ever eager Lister and Bannatyne on the hour to give fresh emphasis to the attack. Russell Smart again turned provider after he beat his markers cut in from the by-line only to see Craig Morrison’s shot blocked.
It was all Oakley possession but that didn’t stop Rosyth breaking at pace and they nearly went 2-1 up when they got a player through one on one with Stewart who forced the Rosyth man to chip wide.

Smart again came close on 69 minutes with a drive being cleared after being played in by a Newbigging through ball.
Oakley piled on the pressure and unlucky after a Rushford run & shot was saved and the resulting Lammie header was cleared for a corner. Morrison(C) took the corner which was headed as far as Scott Lammie 25yards out who cracked it against the bar and 1-1 it remained.

With time running out Rosyth were awarded a free kick just inside the Oakley half. A second later it was in the back of the net, It was delivered into the area and despite lots of heads and boots trying to get on the end of it, it simply bounced, missed by everyone and landed in the net. Disaster for Oakley and young keeper Stewart, Jubilation for Rosyth.

Final Score: Oakley United 1 - 2 Rosyth Recreation

Oakley victory as simple as 1-2-3

One clean sheet, Two excellent goals and more importantly three valuable points in the bag…

…For the first time in four attempts, Oakley won their opening Day Super League match, beating newcomers Kinnoull 2-0. Securing all three points in a first half performance which meant that there was never any danger of the points travelling North to Perth.

Kinnoull to their credit fought hard in midfield and were reasonably solid in defence, but despite their endeavor I cannot remember a concerted effort on goal that troubled Oakley’s back four nor recalled keeper Greig Maitland. Taking over in goal at the expense of youngster Stephen Stewart who has played well in the previous two games versus Hill O’Beath and Crossgates.
Russell Smart and Ryan Ewing also started in place of the hard tackling Scott Lammie and the Injured Craig Morrison with new boy Richard Workman still sidelined with a hamstring injury.

As Oakley had to do in their first season in the super league, Kinnoull will quickly have to learn that Opportunities in front of goal are fewer, mistakes are punished more severely, and that the better teams have the ability to hold onto the ball, making it far harder to get back into the game.

With the Bo’Ness management team running their eye over the two newcomers to the super league, they could not fail to be impressed with the Oakley back four, especially player/manager Willie Newbigging who was outstanding at the back despite being a few pounds overweight .

As early as the first minute Oakley showed Kinnoull that they had to be on their toes as Russell Smart twisted and turned his marker before crossing to Ross Morrison to flick goalwards. Headers from Ewing & Buist, a sidefooter from Rushford and a deflected Bannatyne shot all went close before Jimmy Lister struck Oakley’s opener in the 27th minute. Ross Morrison received a throw in before passing back to Scot Buist who played a lovely ball over the top for LISTER ( Picture ) to outrun the Kinnoull centre back pairing and shoot into the bottom corner.

Chances were at a premium and it looked like despite Oakley’s greater share of possession that there would be no more goals before half time. That was until Willie NEWBIGGING unleashed a 40 yard rocket into the net direct from a needlessly given free kick.

Half Time; Oakley United 2 – 0 Kinnoull

Oakley controlled the second half, playing excellent possession football and creating a number of half chances. John Rushford had a great effort well saved by the keeper low down at his right hand post after a piercing run through the Kinnoull rearguard.

Russell Smart was again causing the newcomers all kinds of problems with his darting runs, dragging two and sometimes three defenders across, creating space for both Ewing and Rushford to get in with good efforts on goal.

Jimmy Lister almost made it three when he controlled a ball on his chest, turned and shot in one flowing move but his effort went just wide. David Murray, Scott Lammie and Jacko Baird all came on in the second half and all gave performances that’ll give the Manager Willie Newbigging a selection headache before Saturdays ACA League Cup clash versus opponents Rosyth.

On this performance Kinnoull will have to improve to stay in the Super League, but they compete well in midfield and have lots of pace up front, If they take their chances they will take points from a number of their Super League opponents.

Final Result ; Oakley United 2 - 0 Kinnoull

Hill O’Beath continue to be Oakley’s Bogey Team

For 60 minutes Hill O’Beath proved too strong for an out of sorts Oakley team that just didn’t play to their potential. In fact Oakley lost the battle in the midfield where their usual solid midfield was all at sea for the majority of the afternoon with Bannatyne, Rushford and Lammie playing well below their best.

The majority of the chances in the first 45 mins fell to the home team with the Oakley youngster Stephen Stewart proving on several occasions that he is a quality understudy to the benched Greig Maitland.

The only bright spot for Oakley in that first half was the performance of Striker Jimmy Lister who despite currently being on permanent nightshift and therefore unavailable to train still looked sharp and eager to put last years injury ridden season behind him.

The deadlock was finally broken on 34mins when Hill O’Beath were awarded and converted a dubious penalty after Scot Buist was adjudged to have fouled inside the area, although the fall did look somewhat theatrical.

Oakley tried to squeeze an equaliser in before half time but Hill O’Beath keeper Graham saved well from both John Rushford and Craig Morrison after the latter had created some space for himself on the edge of the box.

Half Time; Oakley United 0 - 1 Hill O’Beath

It took Hill O’Beath only 5 minutes of the second half to extend their lead. They cleverly worked the ball clear on the edge of the box before a 20 yard effort found the bottom corner.

That signaled an Oakley onslaught with the majority of the remaining minutes spent in and around the Haws box. Willie Newbigging got the momentum going when he hit a fierce 40yard drive just wide. It was game on 61mins when Scot Buist got the Oakley fans jumping when he scored an absolute superb header from a Ross Morrison free kick that any striker would’ve been proud of.

The Hill O’Beath defence was pinned back but they bravely threw themselves in front of efforts from Ewing, Lister and Bannatyne that were all goal bound. Hill O’Beath’s hero of the day however wasn’t one of their defenders or even their keeper it was the Referee, who had earlier given them what could only be described as a soft penalty, turned away a blatant penalty claim for United on 70mins after Jimmy Lister was scythed down in the box.

Scot Buist had another turn and shot well saved by Graham before Graham brought off the save of the day twisting back to stop a deflected Bannatyne effort on the line after another fine shot. It was all Oakley but the whistle came all too soon and Hill O’Beath ran out 2-1 winners.

Final Score: Oakley United 1 - 2 Hill O'Beath

Before last nights game Oakley were presented with the League Championship Flag by Ian Sherlock Vice-President of the East Region of the Scottish junior Football Assoc’

Oakley Beat Ten Man Defence

Crossgates for the second game in a row played to a 4-5-1 formation and for the second time lost!

Strategically inept and Embarrassing are two of the statements labeled at the Crossgates Management team from their own supporters, seemingly content at sitting back and asking the opposition to “Come and break us down”. Well break them down Oakley did, three times to be exact as did Hill O’Beath in last weeks ACA League Cup opener.

It took Oakley 35mins to actually penetrate the defensive block that Crossgates had set and once again it was Craig MORRISON who did the business, but only after some excellent inter-passing play by David Murray and Lee Morrison , before Lee dribbled his way past 4 or 5 Crossgate defenders to then square the ball to Craig to lash the ball past the helpless Crossgates keeper.

As half time approached you could count on your thumbs the amount of times Crossgates had the ball in the Oakley half never mind shots at goal but it remained One – nil as the whistle was blown.

Half Time: Oakley United 1 - 0 Crossgates Primrose

The second half kicked off with Richard Workman being replaced by Willie Newbigging and with Oakley returning to a more recognisable back four with Scot Buist returning to right back and Roger Duffin taking over in the Centre. Oakley continued to dominate possession and came close to making it two-nil with a Scott Lammie header on 52mins.

There was 57mins on the clock when new signing Stephen Stewart was called on to make his first a save of note , blocking a close range effort before his defence helped him out and cleared to safety. Ryan Ewing had a shot saved on 62 minutes when he shot straight at the keeper, and Craig Morrison on 63 did everything but , when he finally slipped the ball past the post. A minute later Crossgates had a 35 yard scorcher of a free kick tipped over the bar by Young Stephen Stewart who was making his first competitive start as an Oakley player.

Oakley’s Player of the year for last season Roger Duffin then gave the O’s a little breathing space on 65mins when he scored for the second game in a row after Crossgates failed to clear from a corner. 71 minutes gone and Oakley were three up , a “Mori” effort was cleared only as far as substitute Peter Bannatyne who passed square to Ryan EWING to score.

David Murray and Scott Lammie both then had efforts well saved by the Crossgates keeper who had had despite the three goals conceded a good game. On 82minutes Crossgates scored an excellent headed goal after some smart play down their right hand side. The score line then flattered to deceive when an error by Rookie Stephen Stewart gifted Crossgates a second on 87 minutes.

Final Score: Oakley United 3 - 2 Crossgates Primrose