The Bullough Cup Final and several vital league matches catch the eye in another busy shinty programme on Saturday 26 September 2009.
The Bullough Cup Final at Tighnabruaich sees Marine Harvest South Division 1 runaway leaders Lochside Rovers take on Marine Harvest South Division 2 side Kyles Athletic. Kyles will take inspiration from their first team’s fine performance in last weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final. Kyles have also done well in their league with 6 wins from their 9 matches. However Lochside Rovers are strong favourites having been dominant in the higher division this season with Johnnie Will a particular danger man.
The battle for the Scottish Hydro Premier Division continues as the top 2 take on the sides who sit in equal second bottom position. Leaders Newtonmore aim to continue their unbeaten league campaign when Inveraray visit the Eilan. Newtonmore have had draws in 3 of their 4 matches against south teams this season but they have yet to meet Inveraray.
Second place Kingussie are also at home and they play Bute at the Dell. They are without James Hutchison who completes his 3 match suspension. John Gibson and Gary Munro are both injury doubts and Greg Dawson will retain his place in goal as keeper Andrew Borthwick is also still suspended. This match will now throw up at the earlier time of 1pm.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup runners up Kyles Athletic travel to Spean Bridge to play Lochaber. The sides drew 2-2 when they met at Tighnabruaich with Grant Irvine and Sean Nicolson scoring for the home side and Fraser MacDonald and Brian MacDonald on target for the visitors. This will be another close affair.
Fort William will try to secure their first league win in 7 league matches as they return to the scene of last weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup victory when they play Oban Camanachd at Mossfield. Oban were 3-2 victors when the sides met at An Aird in early August.
Kilmallie have the chance to go top of Marine Harvest North Division 1 as they take on bottom club Lochcarron at Canal Parks. Kilmallie were 4-1 winners when the sides met at Battery Park.
Kinclochshiel play Inverness at Kirkton. The visitors beat Beauly in their last fixture but Shiel were convincing winners when the sides met at the Bught Park.
Caberfeidh and Strathglass meet at Castle Leod. A Kevin Bartlett goal gave Cabers a 3-2 win when the sides met at Cannich in April.
There is just one match in Marine Harvest South Division 1 as third place Kilmory play Tayforth. Tayforth have had team raising difficulties in recent weeks but they are working on getting a side together for this fixture. Kilmory were 4-0 winners when the sides met in Perth in June.
There are early starts for Fort William, Skye Camanachd and Caberfeidh in Marine Harvest North Division 2. Fort William travel to Newtonmore in a match they must win to keep up the pressure on leaders Glenurquhart. The Fort were convincing 6-0 winners when the sides met at An Aird earlier in the season but this noon meeting should be much closer.
Kilmallie and Skye Camanachd meet at Canal Parks. The Islanders won by the odd goal in 5 when the sides met earlier in the season. This match throws up at 12 noon.
Kinlochshiel and Caberfeidh meet in a relegation battle at Kirkton. This match is also a 12 noon throw up. The sides are only separated by a point with bottom club Shiel having a game in hand. Cabers won 3-2 when the sides met at Castle Leod in July.
Second place Kingussie host fourth place Lovat at the Dell and the sides throw up at 3pm. Should Lovat win this match and their game in hand, they would find themselves within a point of second place Kingussie. Lovat won 4-1 when the sides met at Balgate in April.
In the leagues only 2.30pm throw up, leaders Glenurquhart travel to Glengarry knowing that 2 wins from their last 3 matches will secure the title. However the Glen will be well aware that they were knocked out of the Strathdearn Cup at this venue earlier in the season.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 leaders Taynuilt travel to play third place Strachur. A win for the visitors will take them to within touching distance of the title.
Col Glen cross the water to play Bute in Rothesay.
Glenorchy play Glasgow Mid Argyll at Dalmally. The sides drew 1-1 at Yoker earlier in the season.
Beauly can clinch the Marine Harvest North Division 3 title with a draw at Spean Bridge against Lochaber. The match throws up at 11.30am. Beauly had a massive 9-0 win when the sides met at Braeview Park in May but this will be a closer affair.
Ardnamurchan travel to the Highland Capital to play Inverness. A win for the visitors will let them go ahead of their city rivals in the table.
The match between Aberdeen University and Boleskine has been postponed.