Kyles Athletic extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division title race on Saturday 16 April 2011.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division
The match of the day in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division was at the Eilan where a large crowd came to see two of the title favourites clash as Newtonmore met Kyles Athletic. Newtonmore boss Norman MacArthur was well aware that his side had unexpectedly dropped three of their last four league points and he would hope that the meeting with Kyles was exactly the sort of challenge his side needed to get back on track. Kyles had taken ten out of ten points in the league this season and whilst they would have been expected to beat Glenorchy (twice) and Lovat, their wins at the Winterton against Inveraray and at An Aird against Fort William were impressive. Any meetings between these sides evoke memories of their epic battles in the 1970s and the large crowd were hoping for another classic. Newtonmore were without international wing centre Paul MacArthur who was suspended following his sending off in the draw with Kingussie last weekend. It was ‘More who started strongly and when referee Deek Cameron awarded them a 9 minute penalty, Glen MacKintosh stepped up to put his side ahead. However despite all their first half pressure, the home side only took a single goal advantage into the break. Kyles Athletic came much more into the game in the second half and they eventually found a an equaliser through Grant Irvine on 73 minutes which ensured the visitors went home with a share of the points. Kyles are now four points clear at the top of the league.
Second place Kingussie travelled to An Aird to play third place Fort William. Fort William boss Peter McIntyre received a boost when Gordie MacKinnon was declared fit after missing last week’s defeat to Kyles with a finger injury. This was just as well as McIntyre was without the services of John MacDonald and Bryan Simpson. Kingussie’s Ronald Ross is nearing a return to first team action but this is more likely to be in this weekend’s Co-operative MacTavish Cup quarter final tie against Kinlochshiel. The home side started with a strong An Aird wind at their backs, and they raced into a 3-0 first half lead. Gordie MacKinnon put them ahead on 10 minutes and Gary Innes made it 2-0 sixty seconds later. MacKinnon netted his second on 28 minutes to put the Fort 3-0 ahead at the break. When James Clark made it 4-0 on 75 minutes, it looked all over for Kingussie. However the visitors, who now held the wind advantage, had dominated most of the second half and late goals from Thomas Borthwick on 80 minutes, Rory Borthwick a couple of minutes later and Lee Bain, who had been pushed forward into attack, on 85 minutes set up a grandstand finish but the visitors failed to get the fourth goal which would have completed an incredible come-back so Fort William ran out 4-3 winners and they stay second.
Oban Camanachd halted a run of two successive home defeats when they ran out 5-0 winners against Glenorchy at Mossfield. Iain MacMillan put the home side ahead after 20 minutes and Scott MacMillan made it 2-0 just 10 minutes before the break. However a quick-fire double from Aiden MacIntyre on 41 and 45 minutes put the home side 4-0 ahead at the break and ended the game as a contest. Aidan MacIntyre went on to complete his hat-trick with a 52 strike to make it 5-0. The win leaves Oban Camanachd in sixth place, equal on points with Newtonmore and Kingussie who are above them on goal difference. Glenorchy remain rooted to the bottom of the table. The sides meet again at the same venue this weekend in the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup.
There was a local derby with plenty at stake at Balgate when Lovat and Glenurquhart met in the first of two encounters on consecutive Saturdays. Lovat continued to be with out defender Drew Howie who requires an operation on his injured knee. However fellow defenders James Grieve and Lorne MacKay were back in their line-up. Grieve returned from injury whilst Mackay returned from suspension. Glenurquhart had Lewis MacLennan back in their starting line-up after a stint in the second team. The Glen seem to be benefiting from the increasing influence of Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil and they followed up their impressive 5-1 win over Kilmallie last weekend with a 3-1 triumph in this one. Glenurquhart included former Lovat player Calum MacAulay and he made an immediate impact with a 20 minute goal. However Fraser Gallagher ensured the sides went into the interval all square with a goal on the half hour mark. The match was settled with a couple of goals on the hour mark. Lewis MacLennan put the visitors in front again with a goal on 60 minutes whilst David Smart made it 3-1 just sixty seconds later. The will lifts the Drumnadrochit men into the lofty position of third place in the league, level on points with second place Fort William.
Kilmallie and Inveraray met at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie had John Stewart back after fog in the western Isles left him stranded in Stornoway for the match against Glenurquhart. Inveraray were without Russell MacKinlay who didn’t travel but play-maker Garry MacPherson was able to play. The visitors shocked Kilmallie when they raced into a 2-0 lead. Garry MacPherson put them ahead after 12 minutes whilst Ewan MacMurdo added a second on 24 minutes. Kilmallie are made of stern stuff though and they responded with a John Stewart goal on 32 minutes and when referee Evan MacRae awarded them a penalty 6 minutes later, Liam MacDonald took the opportunity to square the game at the break. Kilmallie went on to turn the screw in the second half and Liam MacDonald added his second on 62 minutes and John Stewart did like-wise on 72 minutes to complete the turn-around. Peter McIntyre popped up with an 81 minute effort to complete a 5-2 win and a welcome two points for the home side.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Preliminary Round
Strathglass secured the final Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup preliminary round place with a 5-0 win at Aberdour host Strathglass. Strathglass were without Scott Douglas who served the second game of a two match ban although he is also carrying an injury. Darren Reid was a hat-trick hero for the Cannich men and young Josh Fraser and veteran Robert Geddes got the others. Strathglass now travel to Yoker to play Glasgow Mid Argyll in the next round.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Marine Harvest North Division 1 league leaders Kinlochshiel faced a difficult afternoon with a west coast local derby against Lochcarron at Battery Park. The sides drew 3-3 at the same venue last year and both clubs had good Balliemore Cup wins after long journeys south last weekend. Lochcarron restored veteran Gregor Cushnie to their senior side after starting the season in the second team. Kinlochshiel started well and they took the lead after just 19 minutes through Scottish international Finlay MacRae. However despite ‘Shiel having the better of the first half, they were unable to add to their lead and they were made to pay when Gregor Cushnie made it 1-1 on 50 minutes. It took the visitors until 20 minutes from the end to restore their lead and they did this when Finlay MacRae got his second goal on 70 minutes. Keith MacRae made it 3-1 on 75 minutes and John MacRae completed a good afternoon for the MacRae family when he made it 4-1 just 10 minutes from time. .
Skye Camanachd went down 3-1 to Lochaber at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Click on the following link to read a full match report Skye Camanachd 1 Lochaber 3
There was an interesting clash at Braeview Park where Beauly hosted Caberfeidh. Neither side was in action last weekend whilst both have taken two points from their opening two league games. The sides drew 2-2 at the same venue in the league last season although a Marc McLaughlin double gave Beauly a 3-2 win when they met at Castle Leod. The home side took the lead after just 6 minutes when teenage striker Jack MacDonald put them ahead. However Cabers were well in the game and the levelled through Stewart Krzyzanoski on 35 minutes. Cabers scored a deserved winner in the second half thanks to a strike from Scotland U21 cap Kevin Bartlett. The visitors could have won by more than the 2-1 margin and even missed a second half penalty. It was also a busy afternoon on the injury front as Beauly’s Jack MacDonald suffered a nasty blow to the arm whilst team mate Barrie MacDonald had to make a trip to Raigmore where he received 18 stiches to a head wound, even although he had been wearing a helmet. Cabers Martin MacDonald suffered a suspected broken finger.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
A second half Robert Walker brace on 60 and 75 minutes ensured pace setters Bute were 2-0 winners at Tighnabruaich against Kyles Athletic. Bute have now scored 27 goals without reply in their four league games this season and they look in a hurray to make a return to shinty’s top flight.
Glasgow Mid Argyll played Taynuilt at Yoker. Both sides suffered Balliemore Cup defeats last weekend but whereas Taynuilt’s loss to Lochcarron was expected, Mid Argyll’s defeat at Ballachulish was more of a surprise. Both sides had four league points ahead of this one although Mid Argyll have played two matches less than their rivals. In the end the spoils were shared as the sides drew 4-4. Patrick Jamieson scored twice for Mid Argyll whilst player / manager Fraser Ingles and Stuart Scott each netted twice for Taynuilt.
Ballachulish welcomed Kilmory to Jubilee Park for what is always a lively encounter. Ballachulish boss Willie Sutherland will have been pleased with his side’s win over Glasgow Mid Argyll in the Balliemore Cup last weekend. Gary Young has been finding the net this season but injury again ruled out captain Darren Sutherland. Gary Young continued his good scoring streak when he put Ballachulish ahead after just 9 minutes but a Hal Jones goal 5 minutes into the second half made it 1-1. However the home side ran out 2-1 with Donald Wilson getting the winner 20 minutes from time. .
Oban Celtic boss Davie Hamilton went into the Oban derby against Lochside Rovers at Mossfield with a stronger squad after suffering a host off call-offs last weekend when they were forced to concede their Balliemore Cup first round tie against Caberfeidh at Castle Leod. This match proved the perfect tonic for his troops. Lochside Rovers had shown the better form in the league so far this season and they were boosted when Matt Rippon scored twice on his return to the side last week. However Celtic made the better start and two goals in the first 11 minutes from Alan Duffy in the opening minute and Lee Askew 10 minutes later put them 2-0 ahead. However Malcolm Clark got Lochside back into the game with a 29 minute effort. Celtic fought hard to preserve their lead but the leveller came just 3 minutes from time when Malcolm Clark scored his second to make it 2-2. Lochside Rovers stay in second in the table.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Newtonmore leap-frogged league leaders Glengarry to go top of the table on goal difference following their 9-0 win over Kinlochshiel at Kirkton. The home side were missing several players including keeper Iain Cameron and Newtonmore took full advantage. Chris Sellar and Callum Stewart each scored hat-tricks, Ross Aitken notched a double and Liam Mullender got the other.
Glengarry were 5-0 winners over Skye Camanachd at Craigard. Click on the following link to read a full match report (match report to follow)
Kingussie played Fort William at the Dell. When Ronald Ross’ named was removed from the Kingussie “named ten” this week, there was plenty speculation that the Kings would take the opportunity to give him a run-out ahead of next weekend’s tricky Co-operative MacTavish Cup quarter final tie against Kinlochshiel. However the game’s top goalscorer did not make an appearance. Fort William were without forward Ewen Campbell. The Fort ran out 5-3 winners with Daniel Stewart capping a great personal performance by netting four times whilst Jack Fraser got the other. Martin Dallas and a Kevin Thain double made their mark for Kingussie.
Glenurquhart were looking to build on recent results when they took on Lovat in their reserve derby at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart were favourites having hit a bit of form of late whilst team raising difficulties have contributed to Lovat making a poor start to the season. However Lovat produced the shock result of the day in this division with a 4-3 win. Calum Farquharson, a Lewis Tawse double and an Allan MacRae effort were on target for Lovat.
There is another derby at Spean Bridge where Lochaber were 4-1 winners over Kilmallie. The sides have had contrasting fortunes in the league this season. Conor Sweeney put Lochaber ahead on 35 minutes and Scott Knox made it 2-0 on 40 minutes. Robbie MacFadyen pulled a goal back for Kilmallie a couple of minutes later but an Alan Knox strike on the stroke of half-time made it 3-1 to the home side. Conor Sweeney made it -1 with the only goal of the second half on 63 minutes. Newly promoted Lochaber have now amassed six points from their six games so far and their boss Calum Cameron will be pleased with that. Kilmallie on the other hand have played some good shinty but as yet have no points to show for their efforts.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
With Tayforth and Col Glen not in action, second place Strachur took the chance to top the table with a 1-0 win over fourth place Bute. Angus Campbell got the all-important goal on 40 minutes.
Both Inveraray and Glasgow Mid Argyll had two points apiece form their opening games before their meeting at the Winterton. However Inveraray ran out convincing 7-1 winners but they did benefit from Russell MacKinlay’s inclusion and he scored four times. Fraser Watt grabbed a double and Darren Pirie got the other.
The bottom two sides in Marine Harvest North Division meet as a goal from Conor MacPherson on 66 minutes gave Aberdour a 1-0 win over Ballachulish.
Marine Harvest North Division 3
Aberdeen University remain top of the table and they maintain their 100% record with a 3-1 win over Beauly. John Searn scored twice for the Students whilst Brian Slattery got the other. Calum Forbes got Beauly’s goal.
Second place Boleskine were 8-3 winners at Ardnamurchan. Ian Grant was a hat-trick hero whilst Raymond Robertson and Ewan Fraser got doubles and Lewis Smith got the other for Boleskine. Zander MacGregor, Shaun Olsen and Davis Robertson replied for the home side.
Caberfeidh were 4-0 win over Lewis Camanachd in their 12.30pm throw up at Castle Leod. Gary MacLennan put the home side ahead after just 3 minutes and a Kirk Taylor double on 36 and 45 minutes gave Cabers a 3-0 lead at the break. Gary MacLennan added his second when referee Willie MacRae awarded Caberfeidh an 82 minute penalty.
Lochcarron and neighbours Lochbroom shared the points following an exciting 3-3 at Battery Park. The home side were missing David MacCuish who had an arm injury. Steven Bellshaw put the visitors ahead after just 3 minutes and Patrick Wilson made it 2-0 on 15 minutes. However David MacKenzie pulled a goal back for the home side on the half hour mark only for Bellshaw to restore Lochbroom’s two goal lead with his second strike on 36 minutes to make it 3-1. David Bauermeister made it 3-2 on 85 minutes with a fantastic goal and a late Kenny Cushnie strike on 88 minutes completed Lochcarron’s come back to make it 3-3 and earn his side a share of the points.
Finally, in what seems like a day of derby matches, Strathglass lost 5-2 to Inverness at Cannich. Inverness were boosted by the inclusion of James Cameron as they had no first team game and he helped himself to a hat-trick. Scott Fitzgerald grabbed a double for the Capital side. Raymond Fraser scored twice for the home side.