The Shinty Preview – Saturday 1 October 2011. | |
29 September 2011 There will be a crucial day’s shinty at both the top and bottom of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division onSaturday 1 October 2011.
Scottish Hydro Premier DivisionKyles Athletic v Newtonmore All eyes will be on Tighnabruaich this weekend as league leaders Kyles Athletic host second place Newtonmore. Kyles currently have a two point lead over their rivals and there are only two matches remaining for each side after this one. Kyles also have a superior goal difference of plus eleven goals which could prove crucial. Newtonmore boss Norman MacArthur was without Cameron Binnie and Danny MacRae last weekend but will hope to have both back. David Cheyne has also had an extra week to recover from the effects of flu. This match is has reverted back to a 2.30pm throw up.
Lovat v Kingussie Lovat welcome Kingussie to Balgate, desperate to take something from the game. Lovat are fighting it out with Inveraray and Oban Camanachd to escape relegation from the top flight. Lovat have still to play Glenorchy and Kilmallie after this one. The game is likely to come too early for Lovat’s Fraser Gallacher who is unwell for several weeks but Drew Howie may make a return from injury. Kingussie were without seven players for last week’s win at Glenorchy as Andrew Borthwick, Iain Borthwick, James Hutchison, Lee Bain, Paul Gow, Louis Munro and Ryan Borthwick all missed out. It’s not clear how many of these players Kings manager Stevie Borthwick will have back but he will definitely be without the injured Iain Borthwick whilst Thomas Borthwick and Ryan Borthwick are on holiday. However the Kingussie boss may also be tempted to keep Craig Dawson in goal.
Glenorchy v Inveraray Glenorchy meet Inveraray at Mart Park. This is a must win game for Inveraray as their final league game is at the Eilan against Newtonmore. Inveraray are currently level on points with Lovat but they are a point behind Oban Camanachd who also have a game in hand. However Inveraray have a superior goal difference over the Balgate men which gives them an advantage.
Oban Camanachd v Glenurquhart Oban Camanachd can give their chances of survival a real boost by taking something from their Mossfield meeting with Glenurquhart. The home side have been impressive in recent outings on their own patch having beatenFortWilliamand holding Kyles Athletic until 6 minutes from time in their encounter last weekend. Glenurquhart have not played since they beat Inveraray 3-0 at the beginning of August. Their resources will be stretched this weekend as their second team has a vital league match. Marine Harvest South Division 1Taynuilt v Bute Champions Bute play their penultimate game of the season when they travel to play Taynuilt. The home side have had a successful season in which their fourth place finish means they will compete in the 2012 Macaulay Cup competition.
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Oban Celtic Second place Glasgow Mid Argyll and sixth place Oban Celtic each play their final match of the season at Yoker. A Craig Anderson double helped Mid Argyll to a narrow 4-3 win when the sides met earlier in the season.
Kyles Athletic v Kilmory The match between third bottom Kyles Athletic and second bottom Kilmory has been switched to Strachur as priority at Tighnabruaich has been given to the top division meeting between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore.
Marine Harvest North Division 2Kilmallie v Glenurquhart The two sides fighting to avoid relegation to Marine Harvest North Division 3 meet at the Canal Parks as Kilmallie play Glenurquhart. Kilmallie are three points adrift at the bottom of the table and they need to beat Glenurquhart and take something from their final game at Kinlochshiel to survive. Glenurquhart, who have won the league for the last two seasons, simply need to avoid defeat in their final game at Kilmallie to preserve their place in the league.
Skye Camanachd v Glengarry Skye Camanachd play their final match of the season when they welcome Glengarry to Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. The Islanders have a chance of finishing as high as fifth in the table whilst ‘Garry are battling it out withFortWilliamfor the runners up spot. This match will be refereed by Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final referee Deek Cameron. |