All Eyes On Mossfield | |
07 November 2014 Shinty’s senior and reserve league programmes come to an end this weekend as Oban Camanachd and Fort William meet at Mossfield on Saturday 8 November 2014. This is a crucial clash with the Marine Harvest National Division title and a guaranteed place in the Orion Group Premiership at stake. If the proposed league reconstruction takes place, then both teams could be promoted but neither side will want to take this chance. Fort William go into the match a point ahead of their rivals but shinty teams can rarely play for a draw. The match originally took place on Saturday 27 September 2014 and it was a case of expect the unexpected for the large crowd. The game’s flashpoint came on 51 minutes when, with the Oban side 1-0 ahead, referee Robert Baxter was struck by a fast-moving ball and was unable to continue. There were several Camanachd Association referees in attendance but there was confusion over how the rules should be applied in such circumstances and after taking official advice, the match was eventually abandoned at Fort William’s request. Referee Robert Baxter is making good recovery but David Mitchell will take charge of the rearranged match. Oban Camanachd were boosted when James MacMillan, who was booked in the abandoned match and thus banned for this game, had his suspension lifted on appeal. However fellow defender Craig MacMillan could be missing. Fort William should be along usual lines and Arran MacPhee, who was part of the victorious Scotland U21 squad in Newry and who has just been included in the Scotland University squad, will provide a real goal threat. Throw up is at 1.30pm and admission is free but donations can be made to the Ryan MacPhail Memorial Fund. The match will be sponsored by Coasters Bar. |