The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 24 April 2010. | |
27 April 2010 Glenorchy, Kinlochshiel, Kilmallie, Lochaber, Skye Camanachd and Strathglass all made it through to the second round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup following the first round ties on Saturday 24 April 2010.
Skye Camanachd beat Ballachulish in the first round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. This was the first meeting between the sides the old National Division 1 set up. Skye were without captain and full back Steven Morrison but Jamie MacDonald returned to the side following a hamstring problem and he proved to be an able deputy. Skye attacked from the throw up and they took the lead after only 2 minutes. Alan Palmer cut in from the right and his low, hard cross was turned into his own net by a Ballachulish defender. Skye went two up after 16 minutes. Gilleasbuig MacDonald played in a corner from the left and his brother Somhairle MacDonald timed a great run in on goal and placed the ball neatly into the net. The Skye forwards had several chances to increase their advantage during the remainder of the first half but they seemed to take it in turn to either pass up the opportunities or see their attempts blocked by visiting keeper Kenny Michie. Ballachulish’s best opportunity was a neat break forward on 25 minutes when the lively Andrew Young turned his marker and played a delightful diagonal pass to Grant MacKenzie but the full forward shot wide. Skye made it 3-0 just 5 minutes into the second half. Allan MacLeod slipped the ball forward to Kerr Gibb on the centre line. Gibb released Allan MacKinnon down the Skye right and he turned his marker and sprinted for goal. MacKinnon then unleashed a rocket shot from 25 yards which flew across Michie into the net for a terrific goal. On 57 minutes, Iain Nicolson came deep and lofted a long ball on the Ballachulish goal. Keeper Michie blocked his effort but Somhairle MacDonald reacted first to tuck the ball into the net to score his second and make it 4-0. The Islanders now looked like scoring in every attack and they made it 5-0 on the hour mark with a goal of the highest quality. Allan MacKinnon found Somhairle MacDonald in space on the Skye right. MacDonald made for the by-line before playing a cross into the danger area. Ian Nicolson failed to connect with the ball but Alan Palmer was running in behind him and he crashed a shot past the keeper, hitting the stanchion in the process. With 30 minutes remaining, Skye manager Aonghas MacDonald took the opportunity to introduce 18 year old Neil MacVicar in place of Gilleasbuig MacDonald in the centre line. He also brought on 15 year old Jordan Murchison for his first team debut in place of Iain Nicolson in attack. The large traveling Ballachulish support were cheering on 80 minutes when their side pulled a goal back. Ballachulish were awarded a free hit on their left for a shove on Andrew Young. Skye failed to clear the resultant cross into the goalmouth and as the ball pinged from player to player, Andrew Young took the chance to smash it high past Jamie Gannon, giving the keeper no chance. With 4 minutes remaining, Allan MacKinnon turned his man and made for goal. He spotted Jordan Murchison unmarked to his right and unselfishly played in the young forward. With the Skye support willing Murchison to score a debut goal; his effort was cleared for a corner. Skye completed the scoring when Kerr Gibb played the resultant corner across goal and Somhairle MacDonald nipped in at the back post to complete his hat-trick and put the Islanders into Monday’s second round draw.
The tie between Glenorchy and Oban Celtic at Dalmally did not have the on-field fireworks which saw 4 players sent off in the previous week’s meeting between the sides. In the end the home side had a comfortable passage into the second round with a 6-1 victory. James Livingston gave Glenorchy a 4 minute lead and Alex MacPherson doubled their advantage from the penalty spot on 21 minutes. MacPherson added his second on 27 minutes to give his side a 3-0 half time lead. Duncan Smith made it 4-0 a minute into the second period which effectively ended the match as a contest. Another Duncan Smith strike made it 5-0 just 4 minutes later and Livingston added his second on the hour mark to make it 6-0. Damian MacIntyre scored a consolation goal for Oban Celtic on 78 minutes.
Lochaber were the third side to progress into the next round by a 6-1 winning margin when they beat Lochcarron at Battery Park. Veteran Allan MacKenzie gave Lochcarron a 7 minute lead when his shot went in off Lochaber keeper Jake Keenan. However the visitors took control 2 minutes later when Zander Ferguson scored to level the tie. A Shaun Nicolson 20 yard screamer gave the visitors the lead 3 minutes later and Lachlan Campbell added a fourth on 26 minutes. Things looked ominous for Lochcarron when Keith Neville added his name to the score sheet on 34 minutes to give Lochaber a 4-1 lead at half time. Neville added his second 3 minutes after the break and Shaun Nicolson added his second on 51 minutes when he tapped into an empty net to round off a convincing 6-1 win.
Kilmallie were too strong for Taynuilt at Canal Parks. The South side took part in the Camanachd Cup for the first time ever but they found themselves trailing to a 15 minute Fraser Massie strike. Massie added his second on 35 minutes and Ross Lavin made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time. Further strikes from John Stewart on 53 minutes and Martin Stewart on 72 minutes put Kilmallie 5-0 ahead. The match ended a few minutes early at the request of Taynuilt after one of their players took ill after being substituted and so it’s Kilmallie who go through to the second round draw.
Inverness and Strathglass met at the Bught Park and although the visitors were without the suspended Ally MacAdam, they had Donald Fraser in attack which proved significant. Former player / manager Garry Reid got Strathglass off to a great start when he fired them into the lead after 12 minutes. Donald Fraser added a second 5 minutes before the break and the same player made it 3-0 just 4 minutes into the second half. Fraser Heath pulled a goal back for Inverness on 62 minutes but 14 year old Josh Fraser rounded off the scoring on 71 minutes when he scored for the third successive Saturday to clinch a 4-1 victory.
The tie of the round was at Castle Leod where Caberfeidh welcomed Kinlochshiel. The sides met at the same venue 5 weeks ago when a Lee Nicol strike and a Kevin Bartlett double gave Cabers a 3-0 win. However it was the west coast side who continued their recent revival and progressed to the next round with a 3-1 win. Shiel were without defender Calum MacLean who is off to Hong Kong for 6 months and 17 year old Zander Grant took his place in the defence. John MacRae, who needed 8 stitches in a hand knock picked up in last weekend’s win over Kilmallie, passed a fitness test and he started in a forward line that included his brothers Finlay and Keith MacRae and Fraser MacVicar. Kinlochshiel had some early opportunities but it was Cabers who took the lead in their first attack after just 7 minutes. It was their main marksman Kevin Bartlett who gave them the lead following a goalmouth scramble. Shiel leveled 3 minutes later through Keith MacRae. Both sides had chances during the remainder of the half with the best of these falling to the visitors. Keith MacRae put Kinlochshiel ahead of 57 minutes when he fired past Donald Mellis in the home goal. Finlay MacRae sealed a 3-1 victory 4 minutes later to banish memories of a red card collected at the same venue in the earlier meeting between the sides. But for a couple of great saves from Mellis from Callander and Finlay MacRae, the winning margin could have been greater. However Caberfeidh had the chance to set up a grand-stand finish when referee Ron Kennedy awarded them a penalty on 87 minutes. However the spot hit came back of the crossbar and Shiel eased into Monday’s draw.
It was top versus bottom in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division as leaders Newtonmore traveled to Yoker to play Glasgow Mid Argyll. The ‘More forwards showed their worth, with four finding the back of the net. Glen MacKintosh shot Newtonmore ahead after 33 minutes and Danny MacRae made it 2-0 just 5 minutes later. MacRae added his second 4 minutes from the break to give his side a 3-0 interval lead. Evan Menzies got in on the act when he made it 4-0 on 56 minutes and David Cheyne scored the visitors fifth goal to leave his side a point clear at the top of the table.
Fort William fell a point behind leaders Newtonmore when they could only manage a draw with Bute at An Aird. Indeed the Fort had to come from behind twice as they found the Islanders a tough nut to crack. When referee Graham Cameron awarded the visitors a penalty on 15 minutes, Scottish international Hector Whitelaw stepped forward to give his side the lead. However a Bryan Simpson strike on 40 minutes ensured the sides went into the break all square. Robert Walker restored Bute’s advantage on 57 minutes and it took a James Clark goal 15 minutes from time to give the Fort a share of the points.
Ronald Ross returned to the Kingussie side for their meeting with Glenurquhart at the Dell and made his usual telling contribution. Kingussie were without influential defender Ally MacLeod whilst the visitors were minus Neale Reid and Davie MacLennan – both who picked up injuries in last week’s defeat at Oban Camanachd. It was Ross who found the back of the net after 4 minutes to give Kingussie the lead. Ross scored his second on 41 minutes and his side went into the break 3-0 ahead when young Thomas Borthwick was first to a shot blocked by Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh. Borthwick managed to ride the challenge of 2 Glen defenders to squeeze the ball over the line. His cousin Ryan Borthwick made it 5-0 on 69 minutes. Glenurquhart’s John Barr was booked by referee John MacPhee when his challenge on Ronald Ross caught the Kingussie forward on the knee. Glenurquhart were forced to make a change in goal 12 minutes from time when keeper Stuart MacKintosh had to leave the field to travel with his band for an evening gig. His place between the sticks was taken by 57 year old player / manager Jim Barr who quite possibly became the oldest player to appear in the National Premier Division. Barr performed well although he was beaten by a last minute Ronald Ross effort which completed his hat-trick. However he shouldn’t be too disappointed as there few keepers in the game who haven’t lost a goal to Ronald Ross. Prior to the match the sides were level on 5 points in the league and although Glenurquhart battled hard, the Kings were deserved winners.
Third place Inveraray made it six wins out of six at home this season when they edged out Oban Camanachd 2-1. Ewan MacMurdo gave the home side the lead on 40 minutes and Grant Griffen made it 2-0 just before the half time whistle. Lorne Dickie brought Oban right back into the game when he scored on 58 minutes but Inveraray held on to take the points. Oban Camanachd had James MacMillan sent off 20 minutes from the end.
Second bottom Lovat went down 5-1 to Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. Grant Irvine gave Kyles the lead after 10 minutes but Euan Ferguson made it 1-1 on 18 minutes. Irvine added his second on 25 minutes and Thomas Whyte gave the home side a 3-1 lead with a 39 minute strike. Colin MacColl made it 4-1 just 3 minutes before the break whilst Thomas Whyte added his second and Kyles fifth on the hour mark. The win leaves Kyles in fourth place in the league whilst Lovat remain second bottom.
Skye Camanachd went down 8-1 to a vastly more experienced Kingussie side in their Marine Harvest North Division 2 meeting at the Dell on Saturday 24 April 2010. The 12 noon throw up was actually over 30 minutes late in starting as referee David Mitchell was held up in traffic following a road accident on the A9. After weathering early Kingussie pressure, Skye took the lead from a flowing move involving all four forwards. Ryan Nicolson slipped the ball to Ally MacDonald who laid it square for Ian Morrison who played it into the path of the onrushing Angie MacDonald. MacDonald sent a delightful backhand drive into the roof of the Kingussie net with only 9 minutes played. The visitors lead lasted only 2 minutes as Kevin Thain set up Martin Dallas who swept the ball past Michael Nicholson in the Skye goal. Kingussie were being driven on by a centre line which included multi Camanachd Cup medallists Michael Clark and James MacLean who were backed up by the indomitable Rory Fraser at buckshee back. Michael Nicolson pulled off a superb save from Kingussie skipper Rory Borthwick, but could do nothing on 23 minutes when the rebound from a Thain shot fell kindly for Dallas to knock the ball into the back of the net and give the home side a 2-1 lead. Skye were not out of it though and Kingussie keeper Menzies pulled of a tidy save from an Ian Morrison grounder. Moments later an Angie MacDonald shot went wide of the Kingussie goal. Rory Borthwick made it 3-1 when he shot past Nicolson on 39 minutes and Martin Dallas turned his marker and sent an unstoppable shot past Nicolson on 42 minutes to give the home side a 4-1 interval lead. Skye made promising start to second half but lacked penetration up front and a Martin Dallas goal made it 5-1 on 62 minutes. Kevin Thain scored a fortunate sixth goal a minute later. An attempted clearance from Nicolson came off a Kingussie player and left the full forward with the simplest of tap-ins. Martin Dallas scored the goal of the game in 69 minutes as he waltzed through the Skye defence to slot the ball past Nicolson from close range. Dallas rounded off scoring on 83 minutes as he rounded the prostrate Nicolson following another good save by the Skye keeper. This was the young Kingussie forward’s sixth goal in a man of the match performance. Skye had several chances to score in the second half with Menzies saving well from a long range Keith MacKenzie effort. Ryan Nicolson played in Skye substitute David Grant but his low shot was saved by the keeper. David Grant turned provider when he set up Ryan Nicolson from free hit but keeper Menzies saved again with his feet and cleared the danger. The Skye’s defence had an average age 16 were they not disgraced and but for the lack of a goal scorer and Kingussie’s experience, the scoreline could have been different. Defender Ian Grant was Skye’s best performer and keeper Michael Nicolson made some great saves. The defeat leaves Skye bottom of Marine Harvest North Division 2 with only one point from their opening 6 matches.
The 12 noon throw up between Kilmallie and Newtonmore at Canal Parks was settled by a solitary Sebastian MacMillan strike on 54 minutes. This gave Kilmallie their first win of the season. . Newly promoted Beauly went down 4-1 to Fort William at Braeview Park. Ryan Campbell gave the Fort an 8 minute lead and the returning Drew Ferguson made it 2-0 10 minutes later. Danny Marshall reduced the deficit to a single goal when he netted on 28 minutes. However Ryan Campbell added his second to restore Fort William’s two goal advantage on 35 minutes. Josh McGhee scored the only goal of the second half to complete a 4-1 win for the An Aird side. Fort William had James Tangney sent off by referee Evan MacRae on 73 minutes.
League leaders Glenurquhart won a 5 goal thriller against Glengarry in the division’s match of the day at Blairbeg. The sides were only separated by 2 points going into this game with Glenurquhart having a game in hand. Ken Henderson and Steven Cameron scored for the visitors but goals from Daniel MacIntosh on 35 minutes and Gregor MacCormack double on 38 minutes and 81 minutes gave the home side the points which keep them at the top of the table.
A first half double from Jimmy MacKenzie gave second top Lovat a 2-0 half time lead over Kinlochshiel. James Matheson made it 3-0 just 2 minutes into the second half but Shiel’s David Falconer pulled a goal back 5 minutes later. Matheson added his second on 65 minutes and Owen Ferguson made it 5-1 on 70 minutes.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 leaders Kyles Athletic maintained their place at the top of the table with a 4-2 win over Tayforth in Perth. The visitors benefited from 2 own goals as well as efforts from Roddy MacColl and Ewan MacDonald. James Fraser and Calum Campbell replied for the home side.
A seven goal second half performance from Aberdour proved too strong for Col Glen when the sides meet in Fife. A Ross Nicol penalty after 24 minutes put Aberdour ahead with the only goal of the first half. Lewis Nicol made it 2-0 on 53 minutes and then Aberdour scored 5 goals in a devastating 11 minute spell.
An own goal on 68 minutes made it 4-0 before Doug Newsom bagged an 8 minute hat-trick with strikes on 70, 71 and 77 minutes. Lewis Nicol added his second on 78 minutes and he completed hi hat-trick a minute from time to round off an 8-0 win.
Bottom side Bute came out on top by the odd goal in five against Strachur at Rothesay. Home goals from Neil McKirdy twice and Stuart Stirling cancelled out goals from Duncan MacNicol.
Ardnamurchan were unable to raise a team for the long journey east to play Marine Harvest North Division 3 league leaders Aberdeen University. The Students were awarded the points.
Sixth place Inverness took an early lead against fourth place Lochcarron at the Bught thanks to a Scott Fitzgerald strike after only 3 minutes. Craig Hazel made it 2-0 after 18 minutes but Lochcarron’s Allan Stewart pulled a goal back 6 minutes later. A goal from Gordon MacKenzie after 72 minutes confirmed a 3-1 win for the Highland Capital side.
Second place Lochaber produced an impressive 8-1 win over third place Caberfeidh at Spean Bridge. Veteran Angus Morrison opened the scoring after 2 minutes and he added a second 3 minutes from the break. Alan Knox made it 3 on the stroke of half time. Morrison completed his hat-trick on 50 minutes. A Stuart Callison double on 55 and 67 minutes made it 6 goals for the home side and Pat Toal on 75 minutes and Martin Porter 5 minutes later completed the scoring.
Strathglass went down to a 6-0 defeat to Lochbroom at Cannich. Arran Matheson gave the visitors the lead after 13 minutes and Steven Bellshaw added a second 2 minutes later. Cameron MacRae made it 3-0 on 54 minutes whilst Bellshaw added his second on 67 minutes. A couple of late goals from Sandy Urquhart on 84 minutes and Matheson’s second in the final minute completed the scoring. The defeat leaves Strathglass at the bottom of the league. |