Kinlochshiel 2 Beauly 1. | |
11 May 2011 Kinlochshiel came out on top with a 2-1 win following a close Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup first round tie at Kirkton on Saturday 7 May 2011. Kinlochshiel manager Johnston Gill was missing defenders Mark MacDonald and Zander Grant but John Don MacKenzie returned from injury. Beauly boss Stephen MacLean had a full squad to choose from. The visitors enjoyed most of the early pressure and there was a break in play when ‘Shiel full centre Steven Callandar received treatment for a head cut. Beauly came close on 11 minutes when Barrie MacDonald played the ball forward to Jamie MacLennan and ‘Shiel keeper Graham Kennedy did well to save MacLennan’s effort with his hand before clearing the ball for a shy on the Beauly right. The shy was immediately played into the danger-zone and Kennedy again did well to save with his feet. Kinlochshiel took the lead after 15 minutes although this was some-what against the run of play. A free hit on the left caught the Beauly defence napping and the ball was quickly played to the unmarked Neil Fraser on the right and he gleefully slammed it into the net to put his side 1-0 in front. John MacRae made a surge forward from midfield after 20 minutes and fed the ball to Keith MacRae who laid the ball off to Finlay MacRae but he couldn’t find the target. Just 60 seconds later Finlay MacRae turned provider as he set up Keith MacRae but his shot went narrowly wide of the upright. Beauly had a chance to open the scoring on 33 minutes when a ball up the middle put Marc McLaughlin clean through on goal but Graham Kennedy raced from his line and cleared the ball for a shy. A minute later Jamie MacLennan created an opening for Sean Stewart but Paul MacRae made a vital interception to clear the danger. Tempers began to flare towards the end of the first half in this keenly contested affair and ‘Shiel’s Gordie MacDonald was booked by referee Graeme MacMillan for retaliation following a Dougie Blaine challenge. Kinlochshiel manager Johnston Gill introduced Fraser MacVicar in place of Gordie MacDonald at the start of the second half. Beauly’s Marc McLaughlin made space for himself on 49 minutes but his shot across goal went just inches wide. A fast passing move between the ‘Shiel forwards a minute later ended with Keith MacRae shooting narrowly wide. Beauly’s David MacLean was having a good game at full centre and he played a free hit to Marc McLaughlin after 53 minutes but his shot missed the target. ‘Shiel wing back David Falconer reacted well to cover the danger when Beauly’s Jamie MacLennan threatened on 62 minutes. A ball out of the Beauly defence fell nicely for ‘Shiel’s Steven Callandar after 68 minutes but his long range effort went wide. Kinlochshiel extended their lead when they broke down the right at pace after 75 minutes. The ball into the middle was swept into the net by substitute Fraser MacVicar to put his side 2-0 up. Beauly didn’t let their heads go down though and Barrie MacDonald pulled a spectacular goal back on 78 minutes. There seemed little danger when MacDonald won the ball in midfield but he took everyone by surprised when he unleashed a blistering drive from at least 35 yards out which flew into the roof of the ‘Shiel net. Beauly were almost level on 81 minutes when Sean Stewart flicked a long free hit agonisingly wide of the post. The final chance of the game fell to the home side when a Keith MacRae shot fizzed wide following a John MacRae side. This was an entertaining encounter with little between the sides. ‘Shiel will feel they did just enough to earn their place in the next round whilst Beauly will look back and feel they merited a replay at Braeview Park. Best for ‘Shiel were full back Paul MacRae, buckshee back Calum MacLean and forwards Finlay MacRae and Keith MacRae. The addition of Fraser MacVicar at the break also boosted their attack. Beauly were well served by veteran Roger Cormack, who continues to defy father time, David MacLean in midfield and Jack MacDonald who was always lively in attack. Kinlochshiel from; Graham Kennedy, Paul MacRae, David Falconer, John Don MacKenzie, Calum MacLean, John MacRae, Steven Callandar, Graeme Morrison, Finlay MacRae, Neil Fraser, Gordie MacDonald, Keith MacRae subs Fraser MacVicar, Iain MacDonald, Colin MacDiarmid Beauly from; Martin Davidson, Roger Cormack, Dougie Blaine, Scott MacLeod, Innes Simpson, Connor Cormack, David MacLean, Barrie MacDonald, Sean Stewart, Mark McLaughlin, Jack MacDonald Jamie MacLennan subs Connor Ross, Ross Forbes, Iain Broadhead Match Referee – Graeme MacMillan |