The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 22 May 2010. | |
26 May 2010 The Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup second round was the main event on Saturday 22 May 2010 as the 10 top division sides enter the competition. Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup holders Fort William began their quest to secure a fourth successive Camanachd Cup with a second round encounter with old foes Kinlochshiel at An Aird. Fort William currently sit top of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division whilst Kinlochshiel lead Marine Harvest North Division 1. Fort William have a superb recent record in this competition having played in the last 7 consecutive finals. The sides met earlier in the season in the Artemis MacTavish Cup at the same venue when the Fort beat an understrength Shiel side 3-0. They also met at Kirkton in the 2009 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter finals when it took extra time to separate the sides. Victor Smith was back in the Fort William side but manager Peter MacIntyre had to do without the services of defensive brothers Adam and Neil Robertson and forward James Clark so Gary Innes, who scored 9 times against Glasgow Mid Argyll last weekend, retained his place in attack. Shiel were missing defenders John Don MacKenzie and Crisdean MacRae. This match had a 12.30pm throw up and it was only 3 minutes old when the visitors took the lead through Keith MacRae. Neil Fraser shocked the home fans when he made it 2-0 after 16 minutes. A Bryan Simpson goal 5 minutes later eased home nerves and it took some good saves from Shiel keeper Graham Kennedy to keep his side ahead at the break. Having scored 3 minutes into the first half, the visitors repeated the feat at the start of the second period when Neil Fraser added his second after 48 minutes to restore his side’s two goal advantage. Fort William had taken Chris Bamber back to full back instead of John MacLeod and this seemed to settle their defence. John MacDonald made it 3-2 on 52 minutes and Victor Smith leveled the tie on 56 minutes. Gary Innes put Fort William ahead for the first time in the tie on 63 minutes and they held this advantage. Shiel suffered a blow with 17 minutes left when John MacRae was sent off by referee Dunkie Kerr after a spat with Niall MacPhee. Victor Smith added his second 4 minutes from time to take his side into the next round. Fort William will be relieved that they cannot face Kinlochshiel again this season. Kyles Athletic and Bute had a tense derby meeting at Tighnabruaich. The tie remained goalless until 5 minutes from time when Bute’s Robert Walker beat Kenny MacDonald and looked to have put his side through to the next round. However Roddy MacDonald took the tie into extra time with almost the last hit of the 90 minutes. The extra time period produced plenty of endeavour but no further goals so the tie went to a penalty shoot-out. It was the home side who held their nerve to win 3-2 on spot hits. Kingussie are beginning to look a stronger outfit with each passing week and they swept aside Strathglass at Cannich. First team manager Steve Borthwick left out youngsters Thomas Borthwick and Ryan Borthwick for playing football the Thursday before the game. The experience Rory Fraser was used as a make-shift forward. Ronald Ross was the key man again, netting 4 goals. Rory Fraser and Craig Dawson scored the others. Inveraray’s home record this season has been flawless and Marine Harvest South Division 1 side Lochaber were their latest scalp as the Winterton team ran out 7-3 winners. Russell MacKinlay scored twice for the home side with Ruairidh Graham, Euan MacMurdo, Grant Griffen, Chris Crawford and Neil Andrews getting the others. Ben Delaney, Shaun Nicolson and Andrew MacDonald replied for the visitors. There was another 12.30pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree where Marine Harvest North Division 1 sides Skye Camanachd and Kilmallie met. The teams met in the first round last season with Kilmallie 3-2 victors. However it’s Skye Camanachd who are the only non-Premier Division side through to the quarter finals of the Scottish Hydro following a thrilling extra time win. Skye Camanachd first team manager Aonghas MacDonald made 2 changes to the starting line up from last week’s win over Taynuilt. Kerr Gibb and Somhairle MacDonald returned to the side with John Moir dropping to the bench and Allan MacKinnon unavailable because of work commitments. AB Connor gave some physical presence to the attack with Iain Nicolson slotting back into defence. Gilleasbuig MacDonald started at full centre with Somhairle MacDonald recovering from a hamstring problem to play at full forward. Danny Morrison was called into the squad following his hat-trick for the second team last weekend and he started on the bench. Martin Bruce returned to the second team and Willie MacRae dropped out of the squad. Kilmallie joint managers Peter Jackson didn’t have their selection problems to seek. Suspension ruled out experience trio John Stewart, Michael Rodger and Peter Carmichael. Keeper Neil MacNiven and defender Ewan Stoddart were unable to make the trip as they were working. Full back Alan MacDonald was a late call off after going down with flu overnight. There was a fiery opening to the match and a sign of things to come for referee Ronnie Campbell when he flashed a yellow card yellow card at Kilmallie full forward Donald Lamont for a challenge which left Skye defender Jamie MacDonald requiring treatment to his ankle. Iain Morrison retained his place in the side following a debut hat-trick last week and he repaid his manager’s faith after just 10 minutes. Morrison collected the ball on the left, jinked past his marker and was the coolest man on the park as he lifted the ball past visiting keeper Kevin Toye to give Skye the lead. Skye’s Kerr Gibb and Kilmallie’s Mark MacPherson were spoken to by referee Campbell after 15 minutes - MacPherson for his challenge and Gibb for his reaction. Kilmallie forced a series of corners and home defenders Steven Morrison and Iain Nicolson were in the thick of the action as they defended resolutely. Skye spurned a great chance to double their lead on 23 minutes. Kevin Toye made a good save with his feet from a Somhairle MacDonald daisy-cutter. Iain Morrison shot goalwards from the rebound but his effort was blocked. The ball fell for AB Connor but his he fired just the wrong side of the post. Kilmallie came close to leveling on 27 minutes but Lamont shot wide of the target. Liam Cameron was next into the referee’s book on 37 minutes. He felt he had been fouled by Gilleasbuig MacDonald and brought the Skye player to the ground in frustration. Skye’s Jamie MacDonald was next into the referee’s book for what he judged to be reckless swinging. Referee Campbell played advantage before giving MacDonald the first yellow card of his career. This was to prove significant later in the match. Skye created a good opening on 43 minutes. Shockie MacLennan played a ball in from the right and Kenny Campbell and Iain Morrison combined to set up a chance for Somhairle MacDonald but he couldn’t hit the target and the home side had to settle for a one goal advantage at the break. Aonghas MacDonald made some positional changes at the break, moving Kenny Campbell to full centre, Somhairle MacDonald to buckshee forward and Gilleasbuig MacDonald to full forward. Kilmallie replaced Peter MacIntyre with Robbie MacFadyen and the tricky forward caused the Skye defence plenty of problems in the second half. There was a let-off for Skye after 51 minutes when Kilmallie came close to squaring the match but his effort went past the post. However they did level 3 minutes later. Robbie MacFadyen made space on the right before laying off the ball to Donald Lamont who slammed a shot low into the net. Skye introduced Alan Palmer after 62 minutes when he replaced Kerr Gibb. Gilleasbuig MacDonald came back into the centre line with Palmer taking on the full centre role. Kilmallie came close to taking the lead on 64 minutes when Lamont shot across goal. Jamie Gannon dived to his right to cover the target but the ball went just wide of the post. The large Portree crowd was totally absorbed in this thrilling match and there was a huge roar from the home fans when Skye regained the lead after 67 minutes. AB Connor was the provider as he drifted wide on the Skye left before playing a perfectly weighted ball to Somhairle MacDonald who didn’t break stride as he lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Kenny Campbell sent a great 25 yard drive goalwards on 75 minutes but Toye made a brilliant save just under the crossbar. Skye took Danny Morrison on in place of Iain Morrison and he found space to collect a Gilleasbuig MacDonald free hit on 81 minutes but his shot flashed wide of target. Skye were reduced to 11 players on 84 minutes when Jamie MacDonald picked up a second booking. MacDonald chased Kilmallie’s Robbie MacFadyen as he bore in on goal. As MacDonald challenged, he was adjudged to have fouled his opponent and Skye were left to see out the remainder of the tie a man short. Skye took AB Connor back in to defence whilst Kilmallie played free man Martin Stewart between the centre line and attack. This proved effective as Martin Stewart was picking up clearances from the Skye defence as the attempted to withstand the onslaught. Kilmallie sensed they now had a real chance to at least take the tie into extra time. Allan MacLeod blocked a blistering drive just 2 minutes later as Kilmallie pressed their advantage. Kilmallie equalised for a second time on 86 minutes. Skye keeper Jamie Gannon dived to his right to palm a shot away from target. However his clearance did not go as far from the goal as he wished and Liam MacDonald darted in to guide the ball into the net. Kilmallie pressed for a winner and Gannon had to look lively on a couple of occasions to keep his side in the tie and there was some relief for the home support as the referee blew his whistle to take the tie into extra time. There were probably many Skye supporters who would have settled for penalties there and then as Kilmallie looked to be the side on the ascendancy. However the spirit and determination shown by the Skye side for the last 30 minutes was absolutely magnificent. They attacked Kilmallie from the restart. Just 2 minutes had gone when Steven Morrison played a free hit out of defence which found Alan Palmer on the Skye left. Palmer played in Somhairle MacDonald who slipped the ball in for Danny Morrison. Kevin Toye raced from his goal to stop Morrison’s shot with his feet with Skye claiming in vain for a “kick” by the Kilmallie keeper. Jamie Gannon did well to stop a deflected 25 yard shot from Liam Cameron after 95 minutes and defender Allan MacLeod required treatment 5 minutes later for an accidental blow which caught him in the face. Kilmallie replaced Mark MacPherson with Mark Graham as they tried to regain the initiative. Kilmallie’s Steven MacAlister was booked for a swing which caught a Skye player on the head. Just a minute before the extra time interval, Skye took the lead for the third time in the match with the goal of the game. AB Connor cleared the ball from defence to Danny Morrison on the left wing. Morrison played the ball forward to Somhairle MacDonald who crossed to Alan Palmer. Palmer let the ball run across to his right before crashing an unstoppable head-high shot past Toye to send the Skye support into raptures. Skye almost increased their lead 60 seconds later when a Danny Morrison thunderbolt hit Toye on the chest before rebounding for a corner. Kilmallie replaced the tiring Stephen MacAlister with Lewis Birrell at the start of the second period of extra time. The whole match was played in extremely humid conditions and several players were showing signs of being affected by the heat. Jamie Gannon dealt well with a lofted ball from the right from Birrell after 110 minutes and you could feel the tension around the ground. Just 2 minutes later, Kilmallie’s Liam MacDonald missed a great chance when he shot wide from a corner. There was a good run and shot from Alan Palmer a minute later. The Skye players were showing admirable mental toughness as they refused to let the fact that they were a man short disadvantage them in any way. Iain Nicolson did a power of work in defence and Kenny Campbell was proving unbeatable in the centre line. Skye should have clinched their place in the quarter finals 3 minutes from time when Kenny Campbell won the ball in midfield and beat 2 opponents before bursting forward and playing a brilliant ball over the top which sent Somhairle MacDonald clean through on goal. However as Toye came out to narrow the angle, MacDonald’s shot crept agonisingly wide of the keeper’s right hand post. The drama wasn’t over yet. With everyone focused on MacDonald’s run in on goal, the referee’s attention was drawn to the fact that Kilmallie’s Martin Graham was lying motionless in the middle of the park. Skye Camanachd medic Dr Wilson Banks, who had a busy afternoon, was called onto the field to attend to the player. Graham had collided with one of his team-mates as they had tried to stop Campbell’s run and, after receiving treatment, he was helped from the field to warm applause from the concerned home support. Graham received treatment at Portree Hospital before being taken later to Broadford Hospital as a precautionary measure. Kilmallie made a final attempt to take the match to penalties but the Skye back line stood strong. Gilleasbuig MacDonald hit the turf after receiving an accidental blow to the chest on the Skye left. Then as the ball swung across field to the Skye right, Iain Nicolson was taken out by a crude Lewis Birrell challenge which earned another Kilmallie booking. Nicolson was carried from the field and replaced by John Moir for the closing minutes. The stoppages meant referee Campbell played 5 minutes additional time – which seemed like 50 minutes if you were a Skye fan – but when he eventually did blow for time, the Skye players were hailed by their supporters for an exhilarating performance. There was little to separate Glenurquhart and Lovat when the sides met at Blairbeg 3 weeks ago as strikes from Eddie Tembo and James MacPherson ensured a share of the points. Ironically the same pair were on target in this tie too. Eddie Tembo gave Glenurquhart the lead in this bruising encounter on 42 minutes. However they were unable to take this advantage into the break as referee Deek Cameron penalised home keeper Stuart MacKintosh a minute before the break, awarding a penalty. James MacPherson scored with his first attempt however he was ordered to take the hit again as the referee had not blown his whistle. MacPherson remained the coolest player on the Blairbeg pitch as he rifled the retake into the back of the net. There was no further scoring so the tie went to extra time. The all important goal came 10 minutes from the end when Glenurquhart’s Stuart Reid, who was relieved of his defensive duties, harassed a Lovat defender into putting the ball into his own net. The Glen held this advantage for the closing stages to progress into the next round. Newtonmore met Marine Harvest South Division 1 leaders Glenorchy at the Eilan. There was a sense of frustration from the ‘More camp following last weekend’s league defeat to Kingussie at the Dell. After a good start to the season, Norman MacArthur’s side will be hurting from 2 recent defeats to their deadly rivals Kingussie. However they got back on the winning way with a 5-1 triumph and a place in the last 8. Drew MacDonald put ‘More ahead on the half hour mark with the only goal of the first half. However 2 goals in 3 second half minutes gave them a 3-0 lead Evan Menzies scored the second on 53 minutes whilst Drew MacDonald added his second a minute later. David Cheyne made it 4-0 on 64 minutes and although Duncan Smith pulled a goal back on 70 minutes, Menzies scored his second to make it 5-1 just 5 minutes from time. . Oban Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll may occupy the bottom 2 league positions in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division but this cup meeting at Mossfield turned into a romp for the home side. Iain MacMillan gave Oban the lead after 12 minutes and Aidan MacIntyre continued his good scoring run when he made it 2-0 on 38 minutes. MacIntyre added his second on 54 minutes and Lorne Dickie also found the back of the net 5 minutes later. A Johnnie Will goal on 61 minutes rounded off the scoring and a 5-0 win. All eight Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup second round matches went ahead last weekend. Holders and Marine Harvest North Division 2 leaders Fort William were too strong for Glasgow Mid Argyll when the sides meet in a 3pm throw up at An Aird. Daniel Stewart has been Fort William’s main goal threat this season and he netted 5 first half goals on 19, 23, 31, 39 and 43 minutes. Other first half strikes from Michael Slezas on 4 and 42 minutes and Ryan Campbell on 10 and 17 minutes gave the home side a huge 9-0 interval advantage. Fort William introduced some of their younger players and U17 keeper Jack Fraser made it double figures on 50 minutes. Not to be out-done, his brother Mark Fraser also got on the score sheet when he made it 11-0 on 67 minutes. Fortunately for Mid Argyll there was no further scoring. The 2009 runners up Lovat headed for Kirkton to play Kinlochshiel with the knowledge that they were 5-1 winners when the sides met at the same venue last month. Connel MacKellacher gave the visitors a 22 minute lead whilst Jamie Matheson added a second 3 minutes later. A strike from Alan MacRae on the hour mark gave Lovat a comfortable 3-0 win. An experienced Kingussie side could be good outside bet for this year’s Sutherland Cup. They proved too strong for high flying Marine Harvest North Division 3 leaders Lochaber at the Dell. Kingussie have former player Ricky Grant back in their line-up and 4 goals each from veteran Kevin Thain and youngster Rory Borthwick gave them a convincing 8-0 victory. There was another interesting clash between sides from Marine Harvest North Division 2 and 3 in Aberdeen where the Students hosted Glenurquhart. Aberdeen University gave a good account of themselves, taking the tie to extra time before going down 3-1. Former Skye Camanachd player Kenny MacLeod scored for the home side but a brace from Gregor MacCormack and a goal from veteran Stuart Morrison saw the Glen through to the next round. It was always going to be difficult for this tie between Skye Camanachd and Col Glen to generate anywhere near the same excitement as the morning match between the Islanders and Kilmallie but there was some added spice in that whilst Davie MacVicar and his son Neil were in the Skye squad, the visitors lined up with Davie’s brother Ronnie, his son Jamie and their nephew Willie. Skye got off to a good start, taking the lead after just 10 minutes. It was Iain Morrison who scored the opener, just as he had in the morning match against Kilmallie. Ally MacDonald played a major role in the goal, holding off the challenge of 2 Col Glen defenders before neatly finding Morrison in space and the little striker did the rest. Col Glen buckshee back Jamie Sutton had a good first half, snuffing out several Skye attacks. Col Glen’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes came from a goal mouth scramble but the shot on goal came off a diving Ross Graham and was cleared to safety. Skye’s David Grant received a blow to the hand early in the game and he had to come off after 38 minutes. It later transpired that he suffered a broken finger which will keep him on the sidelines for several weeks. Col Glen took on 13 year old Jamie MacVicar in the second half for forward Hamish MacLean and he didn’t look out of place amongst his older team mates. Former Kyles Athletic Camanachd Cup winner and now Col Glen veteran Ronnie MacVicar was well marked by Skye buckshee back Martin Bruce. MacVicar then dropped back to full centre to play directly against his brother Davie when he came on as a second half substitute for Stewart Grant after 61 minutes. The Islanders went on to enjoy their most creative period of the game. Iain Morrison set up Ally MacDonald on 63 minutes but his shot flew wide of the goal. Col Glen responded and Neil Black went close to leveling the tie a minute later but he also missed the target. Jordan Murchison went close for Skye after 67 minutes but he tugged his low shot past the keeper’s right hand post. Jordan Murchison neatly set up Neil MacVicar and he sent a great 30 yard drive goalwards which just rose over the crossbar. Davie MacVicar played in Iain Morrison on 74 minutes but Col Glen keeper Lorne Sinclair saved well. Skye went close to doubling their advantage on 76 minutes with the move of the game. Martin Bruce broke up a Col Glen attack and played the ball forward to Davie MacVicar who spread a pass wide to Darryl MacIntosh on the Skye right. MacIntosh’s ball forward was dummied by Jordan Murchison which allowed Neil MacVicar to shoot just wide of target. Col Glen took on Ewen Harrison in place of Neil Black for the closing 10 minutes. An 82 minute shot from Jordan Murchison was saved with his body by Sinclair. With no further scoring, it’s Skye who go through to the quarter finals to play Marine Harvest North Division 2 leaders Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. Marine Harvest South Division 2 side Aberdour found it difficult against Marine Harvest South Division 1 oppoments Lochside Rovers when the sides met in Fife. The Oban side ran out 8-0 winners with doubles from Scott Mainland and Louis Cameron and efforts from Craig MacDougall, David Lafferty, David Stevens and David Devine. There was a 3pm throw up at the Winterton where Inveraray welcomed Beauly. Inveraray sit bottom of Marine Harvest South Division 1 whilst Beauly were promoted to Marine Harvest North Division 2 at the end of last season. The spoils went to the south side as Inveraray ran out 4-1 winners. John Slaughter gave them the lead after 5 minutes and Ruari Finlayson added a second 10 minutes later. Chris Crawford scored a third on 40 minutes and Slaughter added fourth on the hour mark. Strachur and Kyles Athletic met at Dalmally. Kyles top Marine Harvest South Division 2 whilst Strachur are second bottom. However the sides were only separated by a Roddie MacColl strike when they met in league duty a fortnight ago. They also shared the points in a goalless draw earlier in the season. This was another extremely close affair and it took extra time to separate the sides with Kyles eventually running out 4-3 winners. A of Strathdearn Cup second round ties were also played at the weekend. Newtonmore received a walk-over from their tie against Kilmallie at the Eilan as the visitors were unable to raise a team. The sides were only separated by a Sebastian MacMillan strike which gave the points to ‘More when they met at Canal Parks earlier in the season. The tie between Glengarry and Lochbroom was switched to Invergarry and strikes from Steven Cameron on the half hour mark and Neil MacRae on 69 minutes saw the home side safely through to the next round. One match went ahead in Marine Harvest North Division 1 where Beauly and Caberfeidh met at Braeview Park. Goals from David Neilson, Kirk Taylor and Marc MacLauchlan gave Beauly a 3-2 win when the sides met at Castle Leod in early April. Conor Ross gave Beauly the lead after 11 minutes. The home side took this lead into the break but Paul Ross made it 1-1 after 51 minutes. Kirk Taylor gave Caberfeidh a 2-1 lead on 58 minutes but a Sean Stewart strike after 76 minutes ensured a share of the points. The teams now sit on equal points at the top of the table with Kinlochshiel. There was also one fixture in Marine Harvest South Division 1 as second place Kilmory were at home to fourth place Oban Celtic. The sides drew 2-2 when they met in Oban in March and this was another close affair. However it didn’t look that way early on as the visitors raced into a 3-0 lead. Calum Fox opened the scoring after just 3 minutes and Alan Duffy added a second after 15 minutes. David Hill made it 3-0 on 25 minutes but a penalty from Alex Cunningham on 41 minutes reduced their half time advantage to a couple of goals. Kieran Gallagher made it 4-1 just 10 minutes into the second half but Stewart Gilmour reduced the deficit to 2 goals again a couple of minutes later. An Ian Robertson goal for Kilmory on 62 minutes ensured a nervy finish for Lochside Rovers but they held on to take the points. The Kinlochshiel reserves came back from 2 goals down to beat Beauly at Kirkton in their midweek Marine Harvest North Division 2 match on Wednesday 19 May 2010. The sides had been due to meet last Saturday but Beauly asked for a free weekend as they had players attending the Scottish Cup Final between Ross County and Dundee Utd. Shiel came out on top by two goals to one when the sides met at Braeview Park earlier in the season and this turned out to be another close affair. Beauly raced into a 2 goal lead thanks to strikes from Davie Groat and David MacLean on 10 and 47 minutes and looked to be heading for victory. However a double from David Falconer, who made his debut for the Shiel first team in defence last weekend, on 57 and 85 minutes leveled the game. Just when it looked as if the sides would share the points, Kinlochshiel substitute John MacRae popped up in the last minute to score the winning goal with practically the last hit of the game. Shiel remain in seventh place in the league although they are level on points with sixth place Kingussie. However they have put a 5 point gap between themselves and Skye Camanachd who are bottom of the table. The Marine Harvest South Division 2 match between Bute and Tayforth did not go ahead as the visitors could not raise a team. Bute were awarded the points. After a goalless first half, Graeme MacMillan gave Inverness the lead against Lochcarron at Battery Park in Marine Harvest North Division 3. MacMillan added a second on 75 minutes and Gordie MacKenzie made it 3-0 on 83 minutes. Gregor Cushnie pulled a goal back a minute later but Graeme MacMillan completed his hat-trick on 86 minutes to give the side from the Highland Capital a good 4-1 win. There was a 1-1 draw between Boleskine and Caberfeidh at Farr. |