The Shinty Preview – Saturday 2 October 2010. | |
01 October 2010 Two of shinty’s top prizes can be decided within 5 miles of each other on Saturday 2 October 2010 and the Camanachd Association has sensibly scheduled the games so that supporters can watch them both. The match of the day will be at An Aird where Fort William and Newtonmore clash to decide the outcome of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division. Newtonmore currently have a single point lead at the top of the table and they know that they will win their first senior league title for 25 years if they avoid defeat. Norman MacArthur’s side have never won the National Premier Division and after losing out to Kingussie on goal difference last season, they will be determined to go one better this year. Fort William have one previous National League title to their name and having already lifted the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup, they will be out to secure a league and cup double. Fort William will be without the suspended John MacDonald who starts a 2 match ban following his red card against Kingussie last weekend. Adam Robertson was also booked in that game but it is his booking in the Camanachd Cup Final which has triggered a 3 match ban which will see him miss out this game and the first 2 matches of next season. However the Fort are boosted by Neil Robertson’s return from holiday and he will start in defence. Neil Robertson was replaced by Stevie Stewart last weekend so he could retain his starting place because of Adam Robertson’s absence. Fort William manager Peter MacIntyre started with Victor Smith in attack last weekend in preference to James Clark who started the Camanachd Cup Final the previous week. Whoever is chosen for this one will face the meanest defence in the league – conceding only 10 goals in their 17 league matches. Newtonmore are at full strength and are boosted by Michael Ritchie’s inclusion after the keeper delayed a family holiday to play in the game. A huge crowd is expected and this match throws up at 3.30pm. Graham Irving is the match referee. Kingussie face Kyles Athletic at the Dell with third place in the league at stake. Kyles hold a 2 point advantage over Kingussie ahead of this game. However whilst Kyles have 2 matches remaining, the Kings have 3 games to go. Kingussie will be without the suspended Ronald Ross who starts a 2 match ban for what was only the second red card of his shinty career against Fort William last weekend. There is a derby match at the Winterton where Inveraray play Bute. This is a crucial match for the Islanders who currently have a one point advantage over second bottom Oban Camanachd. A win for Bute would preserve their top division status and their goal difference is such that a single point would probably suffice. Both Bute and Oban Camanachd have only one match remaining after this one and it is against each other at the Meadows, Rothesay. . Kilmallie can clinch the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title and promotion to shinty’s top flight if the take at least a point from their meeting with Caberfeidh at Canal Parks. Kilmallie have been on a tremendous run in the league and will start as favourites. However they will be well aware of the threat that can be posed by a stuffy Cabers side. Another big crowd is expected for a match which throws up at the earlier time of 1pm so that supporters can then head for An Aird. Local pride is at stake at Kirkton where west coast rivals Kinlochshiel and Lochcarron clash. The sides shared the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Battery Park earlier in the season. Kinlochshiel joint manager Keith Loades will miss the game as he attends his son Kenneth’s wedding on the Friday before the game. Co-manager Johnston Gill will look after the side. The Marine Harvest North Division 2 title race could become a bit clearer this weekend with both title contenders Glenurquhart and Glengarry in action. The sides are level on points at the top of the table. Reigning champions Glenurquhart play Strathdearn Cup winners Lovat at Drumnadrochit. The Glen’s have 2 games remaining and their goal difference is such that a win should secure the title. Ewan Brady is a doubt for Glenurquhart with a hand injury. Kingussie and Glengarry have a 12 noon throw up at the Dell. This is the visitor’s final league match and they need to win to keep the pressure on Glenurquhart at the top of the table. |