Newtonmore Are 2010 Scottish Hydro Premier Division Champions. | |
06 October 2010 Newtonmore clinched their first National Premier Division title for 25 years with a 1-0 win over Fort William at a rain soaked An Aird on Saturday 2 October 2010. This eagerly awaited clash was watched by a crowd in excess of 1,300 where the noisy home support and enthusiastic visiting fans were supplemented by a healthy number of neutrals from throughout the shinty fraternity. Fort William sprung the first surprise of the day when James Clark, with a number 12 shirt on his back, trooped off to take up the full back position in place of the suspended Adam Robertson. His role was to add some physical strength at the back and snuff out the threat of ‘More full forward Danny MacRae. Fort William manager Peter MacIntyre also opted to play John MacLeod, wearing the number 2 shirt, in attack whilst Gary Innes took over at wing centre in place of the suspended John MacDonald. Norman MacArthur’s Newtonmore team were along usual lines although the stop start nature of their fixtures this season continued as they hadn’t played a match for 3 weeks. The men from the Eilan were boosted by keeper Michael Ritchie’s decision to delay a family holiday to take part in his side’s big game. There was a 5 minute delay before throw up as referee Graham Irving ensured the netting at the town end goal was secure although with ‘More only conceding 10 goals in their previous 17 league outings and the Fort 23, perhaps the nets wouldn’t be necessary. There was a minute’s silence ahead of the throw up in memory of Newtonmore’s B Williamson who was a member of their Camanachd Cup winning side in 1957 and 1958. Some heavy showers before the game made for tricky under-foot conditions and the players took time to adapt. Fort William created the game’s first opportunity after 7 minutes when Gordie MacKinnon wriggled free of a couple of challenges but he was just unable to lay the ball off to John MacLeod. A couple of minutes later ‘More’s David Cheyne got sight of goal from 25 yards out only to see Fort keeper Paul MacKay stretch to make an outstanding one-handed reaction save, high to his right, with his caman. Play swung to the other end a minute later when Gordie MacKinnon set up Gary Innes but Michael Russell was equal to his low shot which he saved with his foot. A Fort William set piece from a free hit after 12 minutes saw Ritchie rush from his goal to thwart Victor Smith. Newtonmore broke at pace and Danny MacRae came short to turn and rattle a shot off MacKay’s post. David Cheyne missed a great chance on 16 minutes when a rebound off MacKay fell to him in front of goal but he knocked the ball agonisingly past the post. The game continued to ebb from end to end and it was the Fort’s turn to miss a great chance on 18 minutes. Bryan Simpson played a delightful reverse pass to Gary Innes but Michael Ritchie made a brilliant save and the normally composed Victor Smith put the rebound over the bar. Newtonmore hit the frame of the goal for a second time on 24 minutes. The Fort defence only cleared a corner as far as David Cheyne, 25 yards from goal, and his thunderous drive came off the post with MacKay beaten. Newtonmore continued to press and on 28 minutes, Danny MacRae saw his rasping drive well saved with his foot by MacKay. Both keepers were called into action within 2 minutes of the end of the opening half. First Paul MacKay, who was certainly justifying his call-up to the senior Scotland squad, saved well with his feet again. Then Michael Ritchie was forced to race from goal to try and clear a dangerous attack and the home side were unable to take advantage. Just a couple of minutes into the second period, Paul MacKay did well to turn away a Danny MacRae shot at the expense of a corner. MacKay was in the thick of the action again after 55 minutes when he made a great reaction save to foil Danny MacRae. Fort William’s first attack of the second half came after 57 minutes when Michael Ritchie saved with his feet from John MacLeod to turn the ball for a corner. Fort William captain Niall MacPhee had the home crowd on their feet on the hour mark when he won possession and surged forward from midfield but his ball into the goal area dropped just past the post. Danny MacRae won possession on 70 minutes and passed to Glen MacKintosh but his shot was saved by MacKay. Fort William introduced Michael Lawrie in place of John MacLeod on 72 minutes. You could sense the tension around the ground as the game entered the final 15 minutes. The draw suited the visitors but the large crowd were aware that a goal for either side at this stage would likely clinch the title. Newtonmore continued to press forward with the impressive Jamie Robinson controlling the midfield. The break-through came on 80 minutes. Danny MacRae collected a pass with his back to goal. MacRae’s turned and lost his marker James Clark and found himself one-on-one with keeper MacKay. With the whole of Newtonmore’s expectations resting on his shoulders, MacRae slipped the ball past the onrushing MacKay and with 1,300 people on their feet, the ball rolled over the line to the cheers of the ‘More support. Fort William immediately introduced Stevie Stewart in place of John MacLeod in the knowledge that they needed 2 goals to win the national title for the second time. However they were up against the league’s meanest defence. Bryan Simpson sent a shot over the bar on 86 minutes and that was the closest Fort William came to getting back into the game. In the final minute Paul MacKay had to scoop away a lob from midfield from Newtonmore’s Paul MacArthur. The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration and by the time Scottish Hydro’s Douglas Flowers presented the 15th Scottish Hydro Premier Division trophy to a delighted Newtonmore captain Danny MacRae, the party had already started. Match referee Graham Irving is due a mention for his sensible handling of the game. This was not the brutal contest that many expected and Irving’s influence on the match helped create an enjoyable spectacle. |