Dundee United - winners of the Keyline Challenge Cup, 2004

Host club Oban Saints and their main sponsors Keyline Building Materials held the 11th Keyline Challenge Cup Tournament at Mossfield Stadium and Glencruitten Park, Oban on Saturday 10th July, 2004, kicking off at 11 am.
  Topping the bill were Scottish Premier Division teams Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United, along with Scottish First Division sides Hamilton Accies and Ross County. Nairn County represented the semi-professional Highland League and flying the flag for the amateur side of the game was Oban Saints.
   Saints kicked off the tournament at Mossfield and an Allan MacKay strike just after the interval was good enough to give them a 1-0 win over Nairn County.
   The corresponding game at Glencruitten saw Ross County and Hamilton Accies fight out a 1-1 draw with Michele Lombardi netting for County and Scott Turnbridge scoring for Accies.
   The all Premier Division tie between Dundee United and Hearts was on next, with newcomers to the competition United just edging out the Tynecstle men by the odd goal in three in a closely fought encounter. United's marksman was Joe Andrew with a double with Robert Sloan netting for the Edinburgh outfit.
   Oban Saints then took on Ross County with the home side winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Duncan Campbell and a penalty from Keith Millar after Dean Smith had been brought down in the box.
   Hamilton Accies and Dundee United were in action next in what was probably the best game of the day with the men from Tannadice defeating the Accies thanks to a brace apiece from former Ireland international Owen Coyle and Steven Bell. On target for Accies were Darren Gribben and David Hamilton.
   The next two games - Hearts v Nairn County and Hamilton v Oban Saints were tightly fought affairs with none of the teams managing to find the net as both games finished 0-0.
   Next on the agenda was Nairn County and Dundee United with the SPL club just edging out the Highlanders 1-0 thanks to a Steven Bell strike, the only goal of the game.
   Ross County then played Hearts at Mossfield with the Edinburgh team proving just too strong for the young side from Dingwall winning 4-0. Scorers for Hearts were Calum Elliot (2) and Chris Gardiner.
   Hamilton Accies and Nairn County fought out an exciting five goal thriller with the team from Nairn just edging home 3-2 with the winning goal coming in the last minute. Netting for Nairn were Stevie Sanderson (2) and Iain Brooks, with Hamilton's marksmen being Derek Anderson and Darren Gribben.
   Dundee United then defeated the youngsters from Ross County by the odd goal in three thanks to a double from Steven Bell. On target for the Victoria Park side was Shaun Kerr.
   Oban Saints took on Hearts with the Tynecastle side taking the lead from a Robert Sloan thunderbolt free kick. The amateur side had a chance to draw level after Duncan Campbell was upended in the box, but Keith Millar's penalty was saved by the Hearts keeper. Sloan's goal proved to be the only one of the game.
   The two Counties (Ross and Nairn) were in action next with the Highland League side defeating their First Divisin neighbours 2-0 thanks to goals from Stevie Sanderson and Willie Barron.
   The last two games of a superb tournament saw Dundee United and Oban Saints draw 1-1. United took the lead with a Steven Bell goal, but Darin Bryars earned the local side a well deserved point with a fine header.
   The final game of the day saw Hearts take on Hamilton Accies with the SPL team winning 1-0 thanks to a Chris Gardiner goal.
   At the end of the day Dundee United were worthy winners with Hearts as runners-up and the amateurs of Oban Saints finishing in a very creditable third place.
   After the competition all the teams and officials were entertained at a superb reception in Oban Lorne Rugby Club, courtesy of Oban Saints' sponsors Keyline Building Materials where Saints secretary David Buchanan handed over the Keyline Cup to Dundee United captain Stuart Abbott as well as medals to the winning United squad and runners-up Hearts.
   The Player of the Tournament, voted for by the referees, was Steven Bell of Dundee United, who scored an impressvie six goals on the day. Steven also received a medal and a memento of the occasion.
   Medals were also presented to the three tournament referees Donnie Brooks, Jim Pearson and John Scott as well as the four assistant referees Alan MacGregor, Alan Munro, Stewart Fraser and John Mackie.
   Oban Saints secretary David Buchanan, who organised the event said: 'It was a tremendous day, the weather was good and I'm sure the large crowd of spectators enjoyed the quality of football on show, and every bit as important all the teams got some much needed pre-season match fitness under their belts and all have asked to be invited back next year. A total of 33 goals were scored in the fifteen games played so the spectators certainly got value for money.'

Oban Saints secretary David Buchanan hands over the impressive Keyline Challenge Cup to Dundee United captain Stuart Abbott 

 Dundee United pictured with coach Tony Docherty. Also in the frame is former Airdrie player and Ireland international Owen Coyle, who played for United during the tournament. Owen managed St Johnstone before taking over the reins at Burnley.

RESULTS

 Hearts, winners of the trophy in 2002, finished in second place three points behind Dundee United

 The amateurs of Oban Saints, winners of the first competition in 1994, finished in a creditable third place.

HOW THE TEAMS FINISHED

 Highland League side Nairn County

 Scottish First Division Hamilton Accies

The youngsters from Scottish First Division Ross County

Keith Millar of Oban Saints and Ross County central defender Neil MacDonald (No 5) challenge for a high ball during the Keyline Cup Tournament. The Oban side went on to win the game 2-0.  

 Robert Sloan (No10) opens the scoring for Hearts in their game against Dundee United

 Dundee United defender Ross Gardiner makes a goal-line clearance in the game against Hearts