It was back to league action in all divisions on Saturday 30 April 2011 and what a thrilling day it turned out to be.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division
League leaders Kyles Athletic extended their advantage at the top of the table to five points with a 3-1 win over third place Glenurquhart at Tighnabruaich. Kyles boss Norman MacDonald was well aware that Glenurquhart recently took both points from their meeting with reigning champions Newtonmore at the Eilan and with the exception of last week’s defeat to Lovat, the Glen have enjoyed a run of good results. Grant Irvine put Kyles ahead after 16 minutes but a strike from Glen’s Arran MacDonald silenced the home crowd just seven minutes later. Irvine added his second on 35 minutes to restore Kyle’s lead and Dunkie Kerr made it 3-1 just 3 minutes after. There was no further scoring so Kyles took the points although they did have their veteran keeper Kenny MacDonald to thanks for some excellent saves.
The match of the day was at An Aird where deadly rivals Fort William and Kilmallie met. This was Fort William’s fifth home match out of six league fixtures this season and they went down to their second home defeat, losing 3-2 to their fierce rivals. Fort William’s Gary Innes dashed back from playing at a music festival with his band Mànran to take part in the game. Bryan Simpson put the Fort ahead after just 5 minutes and it looked as if they would take this lead into the break until Liam MacDonald struck to level the game a minute before referee Dunkie Kerr’s half time whistle. Fort William’s Gary Innes put his side 2-1 ahead just 3 minutes into the second half. However this Kilmallie side are a determined outfit and they forced an equaliser on 71 minutes through Fraser Massie. Fort William, with the wind advantage, had the better second half chances but it looked as if a share of the points was on the cards when just 2 minutes from time, up popped Scottish international John Stewart to blast the ball into the roof of the net past Fort keeper Paul MacKay to give his side a memorable 3-2 win. Kilmallie beat their great rivals in the Co-operative MacTavish Cup semi-finals last season and they now retain the local bragging rights with this league win. This was the first of a difficult away double-header for Kilmallie as they travel to Tighnabruaich to play leaders Kyles Athletic next week.
Newtonmore’s faltering run continued when they played Oban Camanachd in a physical encounter at Mossfield Park. The visitors had only taken two points from the last six but they had midfielder Paul MacArthur available again following a two match ban. ‘More fell behind to an Aiden MacIntyre goal after just 3 minutes. However Danny MacRae made it 1-1 on 18 minutes but the home side showed they were up for the challenge when MacIntyre notched his second to restore his side’s lead just 4 minutes later. It looked as if Oban Camanachd were about to collect a couple of valuable points before a Glen MacKintosh goal in the final minute earned Newtonmore a share of the points. Newtonmore’s title challenge has taken a bit of a wobble in recent weeks and they have now only taken three points from the last eight
Kingussie go second with an 8-0 win over Glenorchy. King’s manager Stevie Borthwick was without the injured Paul Gow and Iain Borthwick and with keeper Andrew Borthwick on holiday, the versatile Craig Dawson took his place between the sticks. Kingussie led 2-0 at the break following what was a largely disappointing first half. Fraser Munro got their opener after 25 minutes whilst Ronald Ross scored a second 10 minutes later. The home side took control and dominated the second. Ross completed his hat-trick with goals on 60 and 62 minutes and James Hutchison made it 5-0 on 68 minutes. Ross added another three goals on 75, 80 and 82 minutes to take his personal tally to six. Ronald Ross has now scored eight goals after just two games and he seems determined to preserve his status as the game’s top scorer.
Inveraray had Russell MacKinlay back in their team and he grabbed a hat-trick to give his side a 3-2 win over seventh place Lovat at the Winterton. Lovat managers John MacRitchie and James Gallagher had Euan Ferguson available for selection after he missed the win over Glenurquhart and he started at wing forward. However defender Lorne MacKay missed out through injury. Teenage striker Greg Matheson has been in great scoring form, having netted nine of his team’s twelve goals in their six league outings so far this season and he put the visitors ahead on 28 minutes. However they were unable take his lead into the break as Russell MacKinlay made it 1-1 on the stroke of half time. Lovat’s Martin Bell spurned a chance to put his side ahead when he saw his spot-hit saved by Inveraray keeper Graeme MacPherson. MacKinlay put Inveraray 2-1 in front on 55 minutes but Matheson notched his second to make it 2-2 just 10 minutes later and take his tally to 11 league goals for the season. It was Russell MacKinlay though who had the final say though as he netted the winner for Inveraray 9 minutes from time. The win means that Inveraray now leap-frog Lovat into seventh place in the league.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
The outstanding tie in this division saw the top two sides clash as Kinlochshiel met Lochaber at Kirkton. Shiel were missing injured defender John Don MacDonald so David Falconer came into their side. These teams already look to be amongst the title contenders and Shiel were 4-3 winners when they met at Kirkton last season. That game was finely poised at 3-3 when Lochaber were awarded a penalty just 4 minutes from time. Shiel keeper Graham Kennedy saved the spot hit and Shiel raced up the park where Keith MacRae scored the winner. This game was equally close and Ben Delaney put the visitors ahead after just 3 minutes but a Fraser MacVicar strike on 32 minutes made it one each. Gordie MacDonald put the home side ahead a minute before the break but Delaney continued his good scoring run when he made it 2-2 on 67 minutes. ‘Shiel’s Keith MacRae netted the winner 10 minutes from time and so his side now hold a four point advantage over their rivals.
Caberfeidh go second after they returned from Cannich with points following a 2-0 win over Strathglass. The sides drew 1-1 at the same venue last season but this time, goals from Stewart Krysanowski on the stroke of half time and Kevin Bartlett on 83 minutes gave the Castle Leod men victory and boss Robbie Taylor should be satisfied with his side’s start to the season.
Lochcarron and Beauly shared the points following a 3-3 draw in an exciting game at Battery Park. The home side picked up their first win of the season against Skye Camanachd last weekend whilst Beauly have an opening day victory over Lochaber to their name. Lochcarron had defender Ben Dalgety back whilst Jack MacDonald made an early return following an arm injury for Beauly. The home side caught their visitors cold when Crisdean Finlayson scored the only goal of the first after just 2 minutes. Marc McLaughlin squared the game a minute into the second half but Finlayson added his second on 64 minutes to restore his side’s lead. This was the Lochcarron forward’s fourth goal in two games. Veteran Ian MacKenzie put Lochcarron 3-1 ahead on 59 minutes but they were unable to hold onto their lead. Beauly’s Jack MacDonald made it 3-2 on 70 minutes and the same player netted a last gasp 90 minute effort to earn his side a share of the points.
An 83 minute Somhairle MacDonald goal gave Skye Camanachd their first league points of the season as they beat Inverness 1-0 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Click on the following link to read a full match report (link to follow)
Marine Harvest South Division 1
League leaders Bute beat Ballachulish 3-1 on Rothesay. All Bute’s goals came within the first 25 minutes. Gordon MacMillan put them ahead on 10 minutes and Robert Walker made it 2-0 just 8 minutes later. Graham Fisher added a third goal on 25 minutes and the home side took this lead into the break. Former Skye Camanachd player Dougie Rankin replied for Ballachulish a minute from time. The win means that Bute retain their 100% record and go five points clear at the top of the table.
Title challengers, second place Lochside Rovers and fourth place Glasgow Mid Argyll met in Oban. Goals from youngster Craig Anderson after 20 minutes and the more experienced Fulton Ross 3 minutes later gave GMA a 2-1 win. Brian MacCallum pulled a goal back for Lochside on 27 minutes.
Doug Newsom scored three times as Aberdour secured a surprise 5-0 home win over third place Kyles Athletic. Ross Nicol got the opener and Ruairidh Scott got the other in what was Aberdour’s first league win of the season. The win also lifts Aberdour off the foot of the table.
Fourth place Taynuilt were 4-0 home winners over Oban Celtic. Stuart Scott grabbed a hat-trick for the home side with goals on 20, 50 and 75 minutes. Michael MacQueen netted their other on 27 minutes. Referee Jim Innes sent of Taynuilt’s Ewen MacCorquodale Oban Celtic’s Kenny Wotherspoon. Oban Celtic now drop to the foot of the table.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Last week’s league leaders Newtonmore were 4-1 winners over Skye Camanachd at the Eilan. Click on the following link to read a full match report (link to follow)
However Glengarry leap-frogged Newtonmore to the top of the table on goal difference following their 7-1 win over Kingussie at Invergarry. Kingussie were missing the influence of veterans Kevin Thain and Michael Clark. The home side took advantage and got off to the best possible lead when teenage striker Ewan Brady gave them a 2 minute lead. Former Scotland cap Steven Cameron made it 2-0 on 8 minutes before former Lovat player Duncan Davidson pulled a goal back for Kingussie on 25 minutes. Glengarry went 4-1 up at the break thanks to goals from Martin Cameron on 35 minutes and Ewan Brady’s second 4 minutes from the interval. Glengarry went on to add three more goals in the second half. Steven Cameron notched his second on 61 minutes and Ewan Brady took his personal tally to an impressive four goals by finding the back of the net on 64 and 86 minutes.
The reserve derby between Kilmallie and Fort William at the Canal Parks ended in a share of the points. The sides had looked at an early throw up to allow the players and supporters to watch the senior clash between the clubs later in the day but they were unable to agree on arrangements. Brian MacKay put Kilmallie ahead on 31 minutes and Marc Kelly made it 2-0 on the stroke of half time. Fort’s Ewen Campbell pulled a goal back on 69 minutes but Brian MacKay scored his second on 73 minutes to restore the home side’s two goal advantage. However a late Fort William fight-back saw goals from Daniel Stewart on 81 minutes and Jack Fraser a minute from time earn them a point from a 3-3 draw.
Lovat and Lochaber meet at Balgate. Lovat had won two of their four matches this season whilst Lochaber had won three of their six games. Lovat went on to win this one 3-1. Alan Knox put the Spean Bridge men ahead on 15 minutes but Steven Cameron netted for Lovat 5 minutes later to make it 1-1. Lewis Tawse scored twice for the home side on 37 and 55 minutes to clinch a 3-1 win.
Glenurquhart and Kinlochshiel met at U17 level last midweek with the Glen running out 2-0 winners. Many of the players renewed acquaintances as their reserve sides clashed at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart ran out 4-1 winners with Drew MacLennan giving them an 8 minute lead. A Daniel MacIntosh strike 4 minutes from the break gave the home side a two goal half time cushion. Shiel’s Ross Fraser made it 2-1 just a couple of minutes into the second half. However goals from Euan Lloyd on 76 minutes and the ever-green Stewart Morrison on 82 minutes completed a 4-1 victory.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Table toppers Strachur were 7-0 winners against Aberdour in Fife in their 12 noon throw up. Alister Mirlees put the visitors ahead whilst Reece Campbell made it 2-0. Iain Wilson and Angus Campbell netted doubles and an own goal rounded off a good away win for the leaders.
Glasgow Mid Argyll and second top Bute drew 4-4 at Yoker. Euan Forsyth scored twice for the home side and Donald Colville and Lewis Miller got their others. Ally Carmichael grabbed a double and Ruairidh Stone and John Beattie also scored for visitors Bute.
Seventh place Ballachulish ran out 2-0 winners over fourth place Col Glen at Jubilee Park. Alex Whittaker put them ahead after 22 minutes and Malcolm Grant got their second on 57 minutes.
Third place Tayforth were awarded the points when fifth place Inveraray were unable to raise a team.
Marine Harvest North Division 3
The top two met as second place Boleskine hosted leaders Aberdeen University at Farr. The Students returned home with both points thanks to an Iain MacAdie effort on 72 minutes.
Aberdeen University have beaten all before them this season, scoring 42 goals in the process, making them shinty’s top scorers.
There was a good match at Castle Leod where third placed fifth as Caberfeidh and Lochcarron met. Craig Morrison put the home side ahead on 11 minutes and a Gary MacLennan strike gave them a 2-0 lead at the break. Iain Cameron pulled a goal back for Lochcarron on the hour mark but goals from Derek MacLean on 66 minutes and MacLennan’s second from the penalty spot 5 minutes from time helped the home side to a 4-2 win with John Stewart getting Lochcarron’s second on 75 minutes.
Beauly and Lochbroom shared the points in a goalless draw at Braeview Park.
A 74 minute strike from player / manager Allan Macleod helped Inverness to a 3-1 win over Lewis Camanachd in their 1pm throw up at the Bught Park, Inverness. Lewis Camanachd’s. Eoghan Stewart played despite a rib injury. Brian McKain put the team from the Highland capital ahead on 20 minutes but Donald Lamont levelled for Lewis just 5 minutes later. Scott Fitzgerald struck for Inverness on 37 minutes to give them a 2-1 interval lead and MacLeod’s second half effort sealed their win..
Strathglass were unable to raise a team for their trip west to play Ardnamurchan so the home side are awarded the points.