The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 17 April 2010. | |
19 April 2010 The top two sides in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division both had difficult afternoons on Saturday 17 April 2010.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division leaders Newtonmore took the lead against old adversaries Kyles Athletic at Eilan thanks to an Owen Fraser effort on 29 minutes. An under-strength Kyles side passed up a great chance to level when Grant Irvine failed to convert midway through the first half but Colin MacColl, who was deployed at full forward, did get his side on level terms just a couple of minutes before the break. ‘More played with the wind at their backs in the second half and many in the large crowd expected them to regain the lead. It’s fair to say that the home side created the bulk of the chances during the game but credit to Kyles Athletic for holding on for a share of the points. ‘More stay top of the table but only on goal difference over Fort William after what they will consider to be a disappointing point dropped.
Fort William took a first half lead against newly promoted Lovat at An Aird through Gary Innes after 25 minutes. The Scottish captain was expected to miss the game as he was booked to play at a festival in the USA but his journey fell victim to the current fight restrictions. However Lovat leveled 7 minutes into the second half when Fraser Gallagher fired a great shot past Paul MacKay. Just when it looked as if the Balgate side had earned a share of the points, Gordy MacKinnon popped up 3 minutes from the end to win what could be a crucial 2 points for Fort William come the end of the season.
Third place Inveraray continued their impressive home form with a 6-1 win over Glasgow Mid Argyll. Garry MacPherson got them off to the best possible start with 2 goals in the first 2 minutes. However an Andy Mathie strike on 35 minutes made sure the home side went into the break with only a single goal advantage. Inveraray’s Scott Robertson made it 3-1 just 5 minutes into the second half and Grant Griffen added his name to the score sheet on 55 minutes. The visiting defence were finding it hard to come to terms with Inveraray’s speedy forwards and Neil Campbell made it 5-1 on 80 minutes whilst Garry MacPherson completed his hat-trick 5 minutes from the end to seal a 6-1 victory.
Kingussie headed for Rothesay without Ronald Ross who was unavailable. However they didn’t seem to miss their record scorer as they raced into a 2-0 lead through Paul Gow after 20 minutes and Lee Bain on 35 minutes. However the home side were never out of the game and Robert Walker pulled a goal back on 70 minutes. Scottish international Hector Whitelaw won his side a share of the points when he scored 5 minutes later to end Bute’s run of 3 successive league defeats.
Oban Camanachd took an early 2 goal lead against Glenurquhart at Mossfield thanks to an Ian MacMillan double on 7 and 8 minutes. The visitors pulled a goal back on 10 minutes through Calum Miller but MacMillan completed his hat-trick on 57 minutes to give his side a 3-1 win. Oban Camanachd had Daniel MacIntyre sent off.
In Marine Harvest North Division 1, Kinlochshiel came out on top in the match of the day against Kilmallie at Kirkton. Shiel’s Finlay MacRae followed up last week’s hat-trick against Strathglass by giving his side the lead after 12 minutes. MacRae chested down a corner from the right and hit the ball on the drop into the back of the net for a stunning opener. Kilmallie leveled from the penalty spot just 2 minutes into the second half. Martin Stewart expertly dispatched the spot hit past Ian Cameron in the Shiel goal. However a Keith MacRae double on 62 and 75 minutes gave Shiel their first league win of the season in this hard, physical encounter. Shiel’s reserve keeper Ian Cameron made a significant contribution with some fine saves and his side did enough to deserve to win the game.
The shock result in Marine Harvest North Division 1 was at Castle Leod where league leaders Caberfeidh drew 2-2 with Inverness. A battling Inverness side took the lead on 10 minutes through Gordon MacKenzie. Kevin Bartlett leveled on 56 minutes but former Skye Camanachd player Ewen MacKinnon restored the visitors lead a minute later. Kevin Bartlett equalised for a second time for Cabers on 73 minutes and the points were shared.
Lochaber and Lochcarron played out an exciting match at Spean Bridge. Veteran Alan MacKenzie gave the visitors the lead but Lachlan Campbell sent a screamer into to back of the net to level just moments later. Lochaber took the lead courtesy of a 30 yard shot form Scottish internationalist Shaun Nicolson which flew into the top corner of the net. However MacKenzie notched his second of the game to ensure the sides were all square at the break. A composed finish from Shaun Nicolson gave him his second goal and put Lochaber 3-2 ahead. A great effort from Ben Delaney from the wing centre position meant a 4-2 win for a Lochaber side who have won all their games this season. The sides will also meet at the same venue next month in the Balliemore Cup quarter finals.
Skye Camanachd celebrated their first home match of the season with a 3-1 win over Strathglass. The Islanders were boosted by the return of Allan MacLeod and Allan MacKinnon into their starting line up whilst Strathglass travelled without the injured pair Robert Geddes and Les Fraser. The visitors took the lead 2 minutes from the interval when a corner from the left was missed by the Skye defence and Josh Fraser fired the ball into the net to give his side a first half lead. Skye leveled on 54 minutes following a sweeping move. Allan MacKinnon played a pass to Kenny Campbell and he dummied the ball to allow Somhairle MacDonald enough space to slip the ball past MacKay. There was a major turning point in the game on 66 minutes. Skye’s Shockie MacLennan and Strath’s Ali MacAdam clashed in midfield and MacAdam took a late swipe with his caman at the Skye player right under the nose of referee John MacPhee. The outcome was a red card for MacAdam, leaving the visitors a man short. Strathglass pulled a forward into the centre line to replace MacAdam, leaving Skye defender Ian Nicolson as a “free man” and this proved significant. Nicolson is also of course an accomplished forward and Aonghas MacDonald took the opportunity to push him further up field. Skye made the vital break-though on 84 minutes. Kerr Gibb fired in a corner from the left, Kenny Campbell diverted the ball into the danger area and Ian Nicolson swept it into the net. With just minutes remaining Skye manager Aonghas MacDonald introduced Neil MacVicar in place of Kerr Gibb, who had played well throughout. MacVicar’s first contribution was to play in another corner from the left and again the unmarked Nicolson was first to react as he slammed the ball past MacKay to make it 3-1 and generate a collective sigh of relief around Pairc nan Laoch. Skye had good performances from Steven Morrison and AB Connor. Somhairle MacDonald was involved in everything positive whilst Ian Nicolson readily seized the opportunity to be the match winner when he was pushed forward. Strathglass were well served by full back Donald Fraser who made countless clearances out of defence when Skye pressed in the second half and brothers Darren and Garry Reid who were a constant threat up front.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 leaders Glenorchy made it 5 wins out of 5 with a 2-0 win over Oban Celtic in a fiery encounter in Oban. Glenorchy had James Livingston to thank as his double gave them victory. However the win was over-shadowed by 4 second half sendings off. Oban Celtic’s John Hill was first for an early bath after 51 minutes. This was followed by an incident in the 61 minute which resulted in referee Robert Baxter Jnr sending off Celtic’s Angus John MacNeil and Glenorchy pair John Sartain and Grant MacPherson.
Kilmory halted their recent slide after going out 3 cup competitions in the last 3 weeks by beating bottom side Inveraray 2-0 at Lochgilphead. Goals from Steven Gilmour and Ian Robertson ensured a derby win for the home side.
A Duncan Gillies strike on 21 minutes gave newly promoted Taynuilt a home lead against reigning champions Lochside Rovers. However David Devine restored parity a minute later and a Lewis Cameron goal on 55 minutes meant the points went to the Oban side.
Newtonmore were top of Marine Harvest North Division 2 for a few hours after their 4-1 Saturday morning win over Beauly. The sides were originally scheduled to play at Braeview Park but the game was switched to the Eilan. Jack MacDonald gave the visitors the lead on 15 minutes but a Mark MacDonald strike 10 minutes from half time ensured the sides went into the break all square. Calum Stewart put ‘More ahead just a minute into the second half but the outcome remained on a knife-edge until 4 minutes from the end. It was David Wilde who continued his impressive second half scoring spree when he made it 3-1 on 86 minutes. Gary Young completed the scoring when he made it 4-1 a minute from time.
Previous leaders Glengarry were at home to Fort William for the second successive Saturday. It took a late James Cameron goal to separate the sides in Fort William’s favour last week a strike from the same player after only 6 minutes was all that separated the sides this time too.
Kinlochshiel enjoyed a second successive 2-1 win over Kilmallie. This match took place at Canal Parks and young David Falconer gave the visitors the lead after 22 minutes. Falconer showed that he has benefited from a recent stint with the first team by adding his, and Shiels, second just 3 minutes later. Trevor Jackson pulled a goal back for Kilmallie 10 minutes into the second half but Shiel took the points for their second league win of the season.
Skye Camanachd went down to a 7-0 defeat to reigning champions Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. Danny Morrison and Stewart Grant returned to the Skye side after a spell on first team. Forwards Ally MacDonald and Ally MacLeod, who were both substitutes against Shiel, were promoted to the starting line-up and Jordan Murchison was out injured. The home side took the lead on 15 minutes through Daniel MacIntosh and Ewen Brady made it 2-0 just 9 minutes later. A Ewen Menzies’s drive on 33 minutes took a couple of deflections before squeezing past Ross Graham to give Glenurquhart a 3-0 half time lead. Glenurquhart keeper Gary MacKintosh made a fantastic save from an Angie MacDonald rocket shot in the opening minutes of the second half as the Islanders fought to reduce the deficit. It was actually against the run of play when Gregor MacCormack put Glenurquhart 4-0 ahead on 57 minutes. He fired the ball across Ross Graham from what seemed like an almost impossible angle. Glenurquhart substitute Kelvin MacKenzie made it 5-0 on 70 minutes and Ewen Brady scored his second goal 5 minutes later. MacKintosh saved well again from Angie MacDonald but Daniel MacIntosh, who started the scoring on 15 minutes, netted the final goal of the game on 82 minutes to round off a 7-0 win.
There was another entertaining match at the Dell where Kingussie went down 5-3 to Lovat. Kevin Thain made it 8 goals in 2 games when he scored a hat-trick for the home side. However Lovat had a hat-trick hero of their own as Jamie Matheson bagged 3 goals whilst Allan MacRae and Thomas Smith got the others.
In Marine Harvest South Division 2, Aberdour beat Strachur in Fife courtesy of goals right at the end of each half. Ross Nicol gave them the lead on the stroke of half time only for Alister Mirlees to make it 1-1 on the hour mark. However a Cameron McCue goal just moments from the final whistle gave the home side the points.
Only a single goal also separated Glasgow Mid Argyll and Tayforth at Yoker. Craig Anderson and Ewan Forsyth found the net for Mid Argyll to cancel out Calum Barton’s strike for Tayforth.
A Ewen MacDonald double and goals from Angus Finlayson and Innes MacDonald gave league leaders Kyles Athletic a 4-0 win over bottom side Bute at Tighnabruaich.
Marine Harvest Division 3 table toppers Aberdeen University returned from Farr with a 4-1 victory over Boleskine. Former Skye Camanachd player Kenny MacLeod scored a hat-trick for the visitors and Scott Moffat got the other. Ian Grant replied for Boleskine. This was revenge for the Students who lost the corresponding match 2-1 last season.
Ardnamurchan suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Lochbroom. Steven Bellshaw gave the visitors the lead after 10 minutes. Fraser MacArthur made the points safe with a goal on 70 minutes.
Free-scoring Lochaber beat Lochcarron 3-0 at Battery Park. The home side restricted Lochaber veteran Angus Morrison - who scored 6 times last weekend – to a single goal which came after 27 minutes. Alan Knox added a second on 41 minutes to give the visitors a 2-0 interval lead. A Connor Sweeney penalty on 70 minutes sealed a Lochaber win.
Strathglass had a morale boosting 3-1 win over Inverness at Cannich. Raymond Fraser gave the home side the lead after 6 minutes and Laurence Jones made it 2-0 on 17 minutes. Raymond Fraser added his second on 35 minutes to give Strathglass a comfortable half time lead. Gordon MacKenzie pulled a goal back for Inverness on 52 minutes but it was the Cannich side who went on the have their first league win of the season. |