Oban Saints AFC

A large crowd packed into Oban's Mossfield Stadium despite the horrendous weather conditions to watch the game between Saints Under 18s and a strong Glasgow Rangers side.
Photographs courtesy of The Oban Times

Sunday 5th October, 2003 - Ryan MacPhail Memorial Trophy
RANGERS NET FIVE TO LIFT RYAN'S MEMORIAL TROPHY
Oban Saints Under 18s 0 Glasgow Rangers Under 18s 5

Oban Saints Under 18s entertained Glasgow Rangers Under 18s for the Ryan MacPhail Memorial Trophy at Mossfield Stadium on Sunday 5th October, 2003. The game was played in memory of young Ryan MacPhail who tragically died in January of this year in a sledging accident. Ryan was a great Rangers supporter and it was fitting that the Glasgow giants travelled to Oban for this fixture.
   Despite the horrendous weather a large crowd packed Mossfield Stadium for the game against a very strong Rangers team which included seven Scottish Internationalists. Before kick-off both sets of players and the crowd stood for a minute's silence in memory of Ryan.
   The game began brightly, but it took the local side fully five minutes to get the ball off the slick-moving Ibrox outfit, whose passing was superb throughout the afternoon.
   However, once the Saints youngsters settled down they created a couple of really good chances. Dean Smith had a great opportunity and Willie Gemmell hit the post with a well struck shot. Craig Campbell also had a couple of efforts but these went over the bar.
   Rangers opened the scoring on the twenty minute mark when the ball was switched from the left back position to the right flank where the unmarked Rangers winger Brian MacLean drove a low shot past Allan MacLellan in the Saints goals. The Saints keeper had a tremendous game as he kept his side in the match with a string of fine saves.
   The score remained at 1-0 until the interval. During the half time break Saints manager Rab Smith replaced the hard working Alan Miller with Calum Fox.
   During the second half Rangers began to show thier class and added another four goals without reply through John Douglas, who curled a great shot just under the bar, Ross McCormick then netted from the penalty spot and substitute John Johnston put the icing on the cake for the Ibrox side with two late goals to make the final score 5-0.
   Although well beaten in the end by their illustriious opponents the young Saints players can take a great deal of credit for the way they played with determination, passion and no lack of skill, which was commented on by Rangers youth development officer George Adams.
   At a reception held in Oban Lorne Rugby Club after the game Saints Under 18 secretary David Mitchell thanked everybody involved in making the day such a huge success - match officials John Scott, David Dunlop and David Paterson; John MacGregor for producing a superb buffet; Glenda MacLeod for the lovely cake with the Oban Saints and Rangers Club badges painted on the top; the loyal band of helpers who sold the raffle tickets and took the collection in such abysmal weather conditons, and of course the world famous Glasgow Rangers for coming to play for Ryan's Trophy. David explained that it was the intention to make this an annual fixture and not just a one off game.
   He then asked the MacPhail family to present the man of the match awards to Willie Gemmell of Saints and Andy Gabey for Rangers.
   The MacPhails then presented the handsome trophy to George Adams, who promptly returned it and asked that it be kept in Oban, but he would be back to pick it up again next year. George and Rangers Under 18 coach David Kirkwood said that the Rangers party had thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Oban, despite the weather, and were looking forward to coming back next year to defend the trophy.
   The money raised from the raffle and the kind donations mean that well over £1000 will be given to the newly-formed football development group to help youth football in the area.
   The Glasgow club kindly donated a football top signed by the Rangers first team squad and this was won by Stewart Alexander.
  The day was a fitting tribute to Ryan who was a fine young man and his parents Alan and Amanda, along with his brother and sister Jenna and Jason, must have been very proud.

Saints central defender Innes Paterson heads clear during a Rangers attack.

Saints keeper Allan MacLellan made a number of excellent saves during the match.

Rangers put the Saints defence under pressure during the first half.

Rangers players congratulate Brian MacLean (No7) after he had opened the scoring.

Saints John Carmichael clears the danger from another Rangers attack.

The players leave the pitch at half time with the Ibrox side leading 1-0.