Six teams won thorough to the second round of shinty’s premier competition, the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup and Kyles Athletic maintain their lead at the top of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division on Saturday 7 May 2011.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – First Round
Bute, Glasgow Mid Argyll, Kinlochshiel, Lochaber, Lochcarron and Taynuilt won through to Monday’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup second round draw where they will be joined by the 10 teams from the Scottish Hydro Premier Division.
Bute won the battle of the Islanders when they beat a depleted Skye Camanachd side 6-1 on Rothesay. Click on the following link to read a full match report
Marine Harvest North Division 1 leaders Kinlochshiel came out on top with a 2-1 win in their all-north tie against Beauly at Kirkton. Click on the following link to read a full match report
Lochcarron travelled south to play Taynuilt in the Balliemore Cup earlier this season so this was the west coast side’s second long journey as they headed off to play Kilmory. Lochcarron manager Murdo John Fraser was boosted by Peter MacKenzie’s inclusion in the side but he was missing some other top team regulars including Ross Matheson, and Iain MacKenzie. This meant that the Lochcarron reserve side was raided which resulted in them being unable to fulfil their Marine Harvest North Division 3 fixture against Lochbroom. In the end it turned out to be a successful trip as a Kieran Murray double gave them a 2-0 triumph. Murray opened the scoring mid-way through the first half and added another in the second period. However Murray’s afternoon ended on a sour note when he had to leave the field after suffering a nasty facial knock in an off-the-ball incident.
There was an end-to-end tussle between Inverness and Taynuilt at the Bught Park. Inverness welcomed Callum Macleod back into the side and his inclusion at full centre meant former Fort William player James Cameron was able to push forward to the buckshee forward role. Taynuilt, who were the only south team to make the journey north in the first round, were without the suspended Ewen MacCorquodale. Good play between James Cameron and Jamie Matheson set up Conner Golabek for the opening goal after 11 minutes and Matheson himself went close moments later. Inverness had a goal disallowed for offside before a low Stuart Scott effort on the half hour mark seemed to deceive Inverness keeper Adam MacMaster to level the tie. The visitors took the lead on 38 minutes when Michael MacQueen collected a free hit from the left and fired into the net. However the lead lasted just 3 minutes as James Cameron played a one-two with Jamie Matheson before blasting home to make it 2-2. Inverness took a 3-2 lead on 62 minutes when Connor Golabek found James Cameron on the Inverness right and he shot home from the tightest of angles. However Taynuilt were not for giving up and Stuart Scott went on to complete his second hat-trick on successive Saturdays. First he drifted just right of goal on 71 minutes before beating MacMaster at his right post. Just 4 minutes later, Scott saw an initial shot blocked before following up and tucking the rebound into the net to put Taynuilt a 4-3 up. Inverness tried hard to get in the remaining minutes to get the leveller which would have taken the tie to a replay but the Taynuilt defence held out for victory.
Glasgow Mid Argyll, who sit third in Marine Harvest South Division 1 and Marine Harvest North Division 1 bottom side Strathglass met at Yoker. Fulton Ross put the home side ahead after just 2 minutes and the same player made it 2-0 on 29 minutes. Youngster Craig Anderson has been in good scoring form for the home side and his 35 minute effort gave Mid Argyll a 3-0 interval lead. Craig Anderson went on to add his second on 53 minutes to give his team a 4-0 victory and a place in the next round.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 bottom side Oban Celtic were no match for Marine Harvest North Division 1 title contenders Lochaber at Ganavan. The home side were be without the suspended Kenny Wotherspoon who was sent off in the Taynuilt defeat last weekend whilst Lochaber boss Michael Delaney was minus Neil MacDonald who missed out after sustaining a leg injury against Kinlochshiel last week. Lochaber put the tie out of sight with a four goal blitz in just 6 first half minutes. Ryan Toal netted the opened on 24 minutes and Ben Delaney continued his good scoring streak when he made it 2-0 on 26 minutes. Full forward Lachlan Campbell made it 3-0 on 29 minutes and Delaney added his second within a minute. A Stuart Callison goal a minute before the break gave the Spean Bridge side a 5-0 half time lead. Lochaber hit Oban Celtic with another series of quick-fire goals in the second half. Martin Johnstone made it 6-0 on 55 minutes and Lachlan Campbell added his second a couple of minutes later. Then just a couple of minutes after that, Ben Delaney went on to complete his hat-trick to make it 8-0. There was no further scoring in the final half hour so Lochaber march on into the second round.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup – Second Round
Skye Camanachd came out on top with a 3-1 win in their noon west coast derby against Kinlochshiel at Kirkton. Click on the following link to read a full match report (link to follow)
There was another derby at Balgate where Marine Harvest North Division 2 side Lovat played Beauly from Marine Harvest North Division 3. Ryan Fraser gave Lovat a 22 minute lead and they looked in control when Steven Cameron made it 2-0 just 3 minutes later. However Beauly fought back and a Robbie Tuach double on 60 and 67 minutes levelled the tie. However it was Lovat who had the final say when Steven Cameron added his second 10 minutes from time to secure a quarter final place. Lovat now travel to play Skye Camanachd in the quarter finals.
Aberdeen University made the long journey to the Winterton to play Inveraray. The Students have a 100% record in Marine Harvest North Division 3 this season whilst Inveraray lie sixth in Marine Harvest North Division 2. It was Aberdeen University secured a place in the next round with a 5-0 win. Former Skye Camanachd player Kenny MacLeod scored a hat-trick for the Students whilst Roy Campbell and Willie Hunter got the others. Aberdeen University will now be at home to Kingussie.
Kingussie and Lochside Rovers had an exciting encounter in Oban in last year’s competition. The King’s eventually ran out 8-6 extra-time winners in that one and there were also goals galore in this noon throw up at the Dell. Kevin Thain was the man who made the difference, scoring five times for the Kings whilst Martin Dallas bagged a brace. Gus Campbell scored twice for the Oban side. Kingussie travel to play Aberdeen University in the last eight.
The battle of the Glens continued at Invergarry where Glengarry hosted Glenurquhart. Doubles from Steven Cameron and Ewan Brady helped Glengarry to a 4-0 win when the sides met at the same venue a fortnight ago. However this time Glenurquhart got their revenge when a late Stuart Morrison goal gave them a 3-2 win. Goals from Gregor MacCormack on 39 minutes and Ross MacAulay on 49 minutes were cancelled out by strikes from Martin Cameron and former Glenurquhart player Ewan Brady on the hour mark. However it was Glenurquhart who secured a place in the next round thanks to Stuart Morrison’s 84 minute effort. Glenurquhart now welcome Tayforth to Blairbeg in the next round.
Caberfeidh and Tayforth met at Castle Leod. Cabers are in third place in Marine Harvest North Division 3 whilst their visitors are third in Marine Harvest South Division 2. It was visitors Tayforth who came out on top with a 3-2 victory. Kirk Taylor and Gary MacLennan netted for Cabers but Calum Barton, Kenny Campbell and Neil Shearer secured a surprise victory for the visitors. Tayforth have another journey north to look forward to as they play Glenurquhart at Blairbeg next.
Roddy MacColl was a hat-trick hero as Kyles Athletic beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 7-0 in their all-south 12 noon throw up at Yoker. Tom Whyte, David Martin, John Whyte and Innes MacDonald completed the scoring. Kyles Athletic are at home to Lochaber in the next round.
Lochaber had a walk-over as Strathglass were unable to raise a side for their trip to Spean Bridge. Next up for Lochaber is a trip to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division
Newtonmore and Fort William took the 2010 title race to the last day of the season before ‘More took the title with a 1-0 win at An Aird and they repeated that result at An Aird following their match of the day last weekend. Fort William were boosted by John MacDonald’s return from injury last week and manager Peter McIntyre had no other injury concerns. ‘More’s Fraser MacKintosh made a scoring appearance for the second team against Skye Camanachd last week following his return from injury. That earned him a recall to Norman MacArthur’s first team squad. Indeed Fraser MacKintosh celebrated his return by scoring the only goal of the game after 70 minutes. Fort William’s Alex Duncan was sent off by referee Billy Wotherspoon 5 minutes later.
League leaders Kyles Athletic welcomed newly promoted Kilmallie to Tighnabruaich. The home side has only dropped a single point in the league this season. Their attack has been in impressive form whilst their defence has taken confidence from the excellent form shown by veteran keeper Kenny MacDonald. Kilmallie were buoyed by their win over Fort William last week but they were without influential defender Peter Carmichael. Dunkie Kerr put Kyles ahead 3 minutes from the break and second half goals from Fraser MacDonald on 64 minutes and Roddy MacDonald on 70 minutes confirmed their 3-0 victory. The two points mean Kyles Athletic maintain their 5 point lead at the top of the table.
Kingussie and Inveraray met at the Dell. Kingussie boss Stevie Borthwick was without the injured Paul Gow but Andrew Borthwick returned in goal following his holiday. Inveraray were without prolific striker Russell MacKinlay. Kingussie took a first minute lead through Ronald Ross. However the visitors were level a couple of minutes later through Neil Campbell. Inveraray went 2-1 up on 13 minutes when Campbell continued his good scoring run with his second of the game. A James Hutchison strike 5 minutes from the break ensured the sides went into the interval all square. The winning goal was scored by – who else - Ronald Ross and he put the Kings 3-2 ahead after 50 minutes. Kingussie stay in second place in the table.
Lovat collected two vital points when they beat Oban Camanachd 2-1 at Mossfield. The home side suffered a blow as main striker Aidan MacIntyre was missing. Lovat's Euan Ferguson did not play and Daniel Cameron started at full centre, flanked by twins Martin and Craig Maitland. Defender Lorne MacKay returned from injury for Lovat and he played in attack. However he only lasted 10 minutes before having to come with Fraser Gallagher taking his place. Scott MacMillan put the home side ahead on 26 minutes but Fraser Gallagher levelled on 33 minutes. The game looked set to end in a share of the points until referee Dunkie Kerr awarded Lovat a penalty just 8 minutes from time. Lovat’s full forward Martin Bell missed from the spot last weekend so Scotland U21 cap James MacPherson, who has been playing in defence, was given the responsibility this week. He made no mistake as he blasted the ball past Gavin Stobbart to give his side a 2-1 win which lifts them into seventh place, level on points with Fort William, Oban Camanachd and Glenurquhart.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Ballachulish extended their lead over Aberdour to four points with a 3-2 win over their rivals at Jubilee Park. Former Skye Camanachd player Dougie Rankin scored the home side’s first goal and the prolific Gary Young bagged a brace. Kevin McKell and Ross MacNicol scored for visitors Aberdour. The teams reserve sides also meet in an early throw up with Ballachulish coming out on top in that one too.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Fort William and Kilmallie met for the second successive Saturday. The sides drew 3-3 in an entertaining meeting at the Canal Parks last week. However a goal in each half from Ryan Campbell and Jack Fraser gave Fort William a 2-0 win over Kilmallie in their 12 noon throw up at An Aird. Campbell got the opener on the half hour mark with Fraser netting 4 minutes from time.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Stuart Robertson and Kenny Michie were amongst the goals as Ballachulish ran out 4-0 winners over Aberdour in their early throw up at Jubilee Park.
Fourth place Col Glen were 1-0 winners over second place Bute thanks to a Peter Shuttleworth goal.
Marine Harvest North Division 3
There was a local derby at the Bught Park where Inverness met second place Boleskine. An Ian Grant double gave Boleskine a 2-0 win when the sides met at Farr on the opening day of the shinty season and he repeated that feat in this one. Grant put Boleskine ahead on 17 minutes but Inverness first team co-manager Stevie Munro levelled 5 minutes from the break. However Inverness were unable to take this lead into the half time interval as Iain Grant nicked his second on 44 minutes. Lewis Smith added a third for Boleskine 6 minutes from time to seal a 3-1 win.
Lochbroom were awarded the points as Lochcarron were unable to raise a team for their match.