The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 6 March 2010. | |
11 March 2010 The new shinty season threw up on Saturday 6 March 2010 and despite the wintery weather, 14 of the scheduled 25 matches went ahead.
Reigning Scottish Hydro National Premier Division Champions Kingussie and newly promoted Lovat will have to wait for their league campaigns to start as the recent snow left the Dell clearly unplayable. The sides did consider switching the game to Balgate but that pitch was also under a covering of snow.
Kingussie manager Stevie Borthwick and his assistant Russell Jones took the opportunity to watch the match between rivals Glenurquhart and Newtonmore.
A large crowd turned up at Blairbeg for the meeting between Glenurquhart and Newtonmore. The visitors were without Norman Campbell and Danny MacRae who were on holiday whilst it looks as if they will have to do without Fraser MacKintosh and Jamie Robinson for most of the season as both are currently working abroad. The Glen welcomed back John Barr after a shoulder injury and the Scottish international turned in an assured performance at full back. A leg injury meant fellow internationalist Eddie Tembo started on the bench. The Glen’s new manager Jim Barr threw in a surprise by starting the game with his forwards taking up the traditional south two-two formation. There was a minutes silence at the start of the game in memory of Newtonmore stalwart Ken Smith. With just a couple of minutes gone, Neale Reid made space in front of goal but his shot rose over the bar. Newtonmore retaliated and 5 minutes later a Glen MacKintosh hit the side netting. David Cheyne was next to threaten for ‘More but his shot was well saved by Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh with his hand. A Cheyne shot came back of the post after 16 minutes and MacKintosh had to look lively to make a juggling save from Evan Menzies after 20 minutes. Just 5 minutes later, MacKintosh cleared a Cheyne shot off his line with the ‘More players appealing for a goal. The Glen defence survived this onslaught and when they got back on the attack, Michael Ritchie was forced to make a great save from Lewis MacLennan just a couple of minutes from the interval. There was still time for MacKintosh to save with his feet from Steven MacDonald before referee Ronnie Campbell blew his half time whistle. Steven MacDonald picked up an ankle knock on 58 minutes and although he tried to continue, he was eventually replaced. Stuart MacKintosh made an outstanding save from Evan Menzies on 70 minutes. Jim Barr introduced forward Calum Miller in a bid to break the deadlock. The home side had a great chance to take the lead on 78 minutes when ‘More defender John MacKenzie was penalised for a push in the back. However Lewis MacLennan’s spot hit went high and wide of Michael Ritchie’s right hand post. Glenurquhart went close on 80 minutes as a shot flashed across goal and was cleared to safety. Neale Reid hit the side net from the resultant corner. Evan Menzies shot wide of the target on 83 minutes and referee Campbell had to speak to ‘More’s David Campbell for his challenge on Lewis MacLennan before the end. It ended all square and although Newtonmore more chances during the match, Glenurquhart probably had the best opportunity to win the game from the spot.
Glasgow Mid Argyll got an idea of how tough life in the top flight is going to be when they went down 4-0 to Bute at Yoker. Bute led at the interval thanks to a 25 minute Hector Whitelaw penalty. The visitors then scored 3 times in an 8 minute period in the second half. John MacCallum made it 2-0 on 70 minutes whilst a Robert Walker double on 74 and 78 minutes secured a 4-0 victory. This result leaves the Islanders sitting proudly at the top of the table.
Inveraray and Kyles Athletic meet at the Winterton. The home side have been boosted with the news that Russell MacKinlay should be available for selection this season and he got the home side off to a great start when he found the back of the net after 20 minutes. Dunkie Kerr ensured the sides went into the break all square when he equalised 5 minutes before half time. Grant Griffen scored what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes to ensure Inveraray manager John Smylie’s reign got off to a winning start.
There was an intriguing clash at An Aird where Fort William took the field under the charge of Peter MacIntyre and Willie MacDonald against neighbours Oban Camanachd. The Fort got off to a dream start after 6 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Scotland captain Garry Innes took the spot hit and made no mistake as he rifled the ball into the net. When Bryan Simpson made it 2-0 after 36 minutes, Fort William looked in control of the match. However Iain MacMillan snatched a goal for Oban Camanachd on the stroke of half time to bring the visitors right back in to the game. It took two terrific saves from young Fort William keeper Paul MacKay to keep his side in the lead. However it was Gary Innes who netted his second of the day just 6 minutes from the end to clinch the points.
In the only match to go ahead in Marine Harvest North Division 1, Beauly and Kinlochshiel met at Braeview Park. The visitors were without Paul MacRae because of a hand injury and suspension delayed Steven Callender’s return to the side. Shiel will rue some missed chances early in the game and they were made to pay when Beauly took the lead after 16 minutes when 16 year old Jack MacDonald found the back of the net. ‘Shiel had a chance to level in the second half when referee Deek Cameron awarded them a penalty. However John MacRae’s effort came back off the post. Kinlochshiel’s Crisdean MacRae made a welcome return as a second half substitute after a long period out of the game through injury. Beauly sealed victory a minute from the end when they were awarded a penalty which was converted by Barrie MacDonald. Beauly’s win was in no small part down to a fantastic father and son display from Roger Cormack at full back and his son Connor Cormack at full centre.
Unplayable fields led to the postponement of Caberfeidh and Kilmallie’s meeting at Castle Leod and the game between Strathglass and Lochaber at Cannich.
The match between Inverness and Skye Camanachd was a late postponement following the passing of Skye Camanachd stalwart DR MacDonald on Saturday morning.
Lochcarron had a free Saturday.
Kilmory got their Marine Harvest South Division 1 campaign off to a great start when they beat 2009 champions Lochside Rovers by the odd goal in seven. Kilmory were without full back Fergus Walker who has retired and Gavin Park who is now working in London. However they have signed Euen Carmichael from Inveraray. Lochside’s Lewis Cameron will feel aggrieved to end up on the losing side after scoring a hat-trick. However a goal from Iain Robertson, a David MacAllister double and a Calum McKinven strike gave Kilmory what could turn out to be a crucial 4-3 win.
Newly promoted Taynuilt started their league campaign with a trip to Jubilee Park to play Ballachulish. The home side took the lead after just 8 minutes through Andrew Grant. Taynuilt’s Willie Neilson levelled after 28 minutes. However Ballachulish took a grip of the game and goals from Grant MacKenzie on 36 minutes and Craig Munro 4 minutes later gave them a 3-1 half time lead. The league’s newcomers bounced back in the second half and they levelled with 2 goals in a 2 minute spell in the second half. David Campbell netted on 62 minutes and Willie Neilson scored his second a minute later to square the game and share the points.
Oban Celtic had a 2-0 win over Inveraray. Alan Miller put them ahead after 15 minutes and Neil Carmichael scored their second a couple of minutes before the break.
The entire Marine Harvest North Division 2 fixture list was wiped out.
The matches between Kilmallie and Kingussie at Canal Parks and Lovat and Glengarry at Balgate fell foul of unplayable pitches as did the game between Newtonmore and Glenurquhart at the Eilan.
The fixture between newly promoted Beauly and Skye Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree was postponed following DR MacDonald’s passing
Kinlochshiel were unable to field a team for their meeting with Fort William at Kirkton.
Ballachulish were unable to field a team for their Marine Harvest South Division 2 trip to Aberdour.
Bute and Col Glen played out a 6 goal thriller at Rothesay. Stuart Stirling and Steven MacKellar scored for the home side but goals from Jamie Sutton, veteran Ronnie MacVicar, James Hamilton and Preston Shuttleworth earned Col Glen the points in a 4-2 victory.
Roddy MacColl scored twice and Peter Mobeck scored the other as Kyles Athletic beat Glasgow Mid Argyll at Tighnabruaich. Craig Anderson replied for the visitors.
Tayforth’s Stuart Ferrier made a bid for the most impressive individual display of the day when he scored all 5 goals of his side’s goals in their 5-2 win at Strachur. Iain Wilson gave the hosts the lead after 16 minutes but Ferrier levelled a minute later. Ferrier added another 6 minutes before the break.
Strachur’s Ali Mirlees equalised after 57 minutes but Ferrier hit 3 more goals after 65, 77 and 83 minutes for an impressive win.
Recently relegated Caberfeidh made a promising start to life in Marine Harvest North Division 3. An Alan Ross double and a goal from Adam Tyler gave Cabers a 3-1 win at Ardnamurchan with Craig Gibbs replying for the home side.
Lochcarron had a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Boleskine at Battery Park. Sean MacCuish gave Lochcarron the lead after 10 minutes and Kenneth Murray made it 2-0 just 8 minutes later. Raymond Robertson reduced the interval deficit to a single goal with a 35 minute effort. Iain Cameron made it 3-1 to Lochcarron on 65 minutes. Sean MacCuish added his second and Lochcarron’s fourth goal 10 minutes from the end.
An under-strength Inverness side travelled to Aberdeen to play the Students. Inverness player / manager Allan MacLeod gave the visitors the lead on 17 minutes. However former Skye Camanachd player Kenny MacLeod equalised 10 minutes later. John Seam gave Aberdeen University an interval lead with a goal after 38 minutes but it was in the second half that they really turned the screw. Chris Bowerman made it 3-1 on 59 minutes and Steven MacKenzie added another on 67 minutes. Kenny MacLeod went on to complete his hat-trick with goals on 74 and 86 minutes as his side recorded an impressive 6-1 win.
Spean Bridge was deemed unplayable which put paid to the game between Lochaber and Strathglass. |