OBAN Saints got their preparations for the 2017-18 season under way last Saturday in traditional style with the 24th playing of their annual tournament kindly sponsored by D&K Lafferty Contractors Ltd. Once again the tournament attracted top quality participants in the form of regulars Alloa Athletic, Dundee United and trophy holders Hamilton Academical who, together with hosts Oban Saints and tournament debutants South Lochaber Thistle, entertained the large crowd of spectators to a feast of football in pleasant weather conditions.
Due mainly to their early involvement in the new style SPFL League Cup Alloa Athletic, Dundee United and Hamilton Academical were represented by their under-20s development league teams, with Saints getting in on the act with the inclusion of youngsters Kenneth Black, Jay Cooper, Gavin Forgrieve and Ruaridh Horne, who would all go on to acquit themselves well in considerably more experienced company. The-eleventh hour withdrawal of Berwick Rangers left event organiser David Buchanan with a major headache so Oban Saints extend their grateful thanks to Kinlochleven-based South Lochaber Thistle who stepped in at extremely short notice to fill the void. Dundee United and Hamilton Academical got proceedings under way at Mossfield with Accies claiming a comfortable victory to get their trophy defence off to the best possible start. After a goalless first half, Accies made the breakthrough when United keeper Josh Donaldson parried a Conor Scullion free-kick over his crossbar for a corner kick. The in-swinger from the Accies left was headed home by player of the tournament Lewis Ferguson. Ferguson, son of Glasgow Rangers legend Derek, ghosted in at the back post and sent a downward header through the legs of the helpless Donaldson, giving the United keeper no chance from such close range. Lewis Smith completed the scoring with an excellent run through the inside right channel, holding off the close attentions of Scott Reekie to fire a low finish across Donaldson and into the bottom corner.
The first match at Glencruitten was contested by South Lochaber Thistle and Alloa Athletic and saw the Alloa youngsters edge out the tournament’s late stand-ins thanks to the only goal of the game, and Alloa’s only goal of the day, from Scott Sinclair.