The Saturday Shinty Snapshot – Saturday 3 August 2013 - UPDATED! | |
03 August 2013 Holders Kyles Athletic are through to the 2013 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final, Ballachulish are through to another cup final and Lochaber collected two more valuable points in their battle to avoid relegation following the shinty fixtures on Saturday 3 August 2013.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup - Semi Final Kyles Athletic 3 Kingussie 2 (after extra time) Holders Kyles Athletic are through to the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final following their 3-2 extra time win over 2011 runners up Kingussie in their 2pm throw up at An Aird. Kyles have players such as Grant Irvine, who scored against Fort William last week, and Andrew King, who was back in the squad, returning from injury as they look to add to the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup success already this season. However Scotland U17 defender Zac Coley missed out as he was on holiday. The Kings had Ronald Ross back leading their attack and Savio Genini returned from holiday. However Louis Munro is still a week or so away from completing a working trip abroad whilst Fraser Munro served the second game of a three match ban. Kyles started with the wind advantage and they had the better of the first half. However they couldn’t find a way through a well organised Kingussie defence. John Hutchison did a very close marking job on Kyles danger-man Roddy MacDonald and the poor surface made hitting difficult for both teams. Kingussie took the lead a minute after the restart and Ronald Ross was their familiar scorer. Kyles response was quick and Thomas Whyte made it 1-1 on 51 minutes. There was no further scoring so referee Deek Cameron took the match into an extra time period. Savio Genini made it advantage Kingussie when he netted on 96 minutes. Kyles were not going to give up their trophy lightly though and Colin MacDonald made it 2-2 on 102 minutes. Roddy MacDonald put Kyles ahead for the first time in the tie a minute before the extra time break. Kingussie threw everything at the Kyles goal for the remaining 15 minutes bit to no avail and it is Kyles Athletic - who are looking to retain shinty’s most famous trophy for the first time since they won in 1968 and retained it a year later - who go through to the final to face Fort William or Newtonmore.
Bullough Cup - Semi Final Ballachulish 4 Lochside Rovers 1 It has been an exciting few weeks for Ballachulish. They hosted the Balliemore Cup Final a fortnight ago and won the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup last weekend. And they are now through to the Bullough Cup Final after they beat Lochside Rovers, who were in second place in Marine Harvest South Division 1 ahead of the tie, 4-1 at Jubilee Park. Captain Alan Clark was still missing for the home side. Ballachulish were in third place in Marine Harvest South Division 2 ahead of the clash, and they took the lead against their more fancied opponents when Michael Slezas fired home after 6 minutes. The same player added a second on 15 minutes to make it 2-0. Young Cain MacPhee made it 3-0 on 35 minutes and it seemed Ballachulish could do no wrong. David Lafferty pulled a goal back for Lochside 10 minutes into the second half. However Ballachulish had their eyes fixed on another final and Stuart Robertson made it 4-1 just 10 minutes from time to ensure a second cup final appearance of the season. Ballachulish will meet Kyles Athletic in the 2013 Bullough Cup Final.
Orion Group Premiership Lochaber 4 Oban Camanachd 0 Lochaber’s incredible battle to beat the drop is almost complete as they collected two more valuable points with a 4-0 win over Oban Camanachd at Spean Bridge. Lochaber were without the influential Neil MacDonald who served a one match ban for a points accumulation. Indeed Scotland international MacDonald will be on the sidelines for a further two weeks after he failed in his appeal against a two match ban handed down by the Camanachd Association’s Disciplinary Committee. Zandz Ferguson continued his good scoring run when he put Lochaber ahead on 18 minutes. Zandz Ferguson’s second a couple of minutes into the second half – which was his seventh goal in the last six league games - made it 2-0. Duncan MacKinnon added a third on 57 minutes as the Spean Bridge men looked to wrap up the points. And they did just that with and a Shaun Nicolson goal on the hour mark. Indeed the winning margin could have been greater as Lochaber had two goals ruled out by referee Evan MacRae.
Fort William 0 Glenurquhart 0 Fort William had to settle for a share of the points following their 0-0 draw with Glenurquhart at An Aird. Throw up had been scheduled for 4.30pm but it was delayed for almost an hour as the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup tie between Kingussie and Kyles Athletic went into extra time. Fort William’s Cameron Grant was free of suspension and Niall MacPhee returned from a working trip abroad. Bryan Simpson made a welcome appearance following injury and Chris Bamber and Duncan Rodger were also back. However Gary Innes was missing and Liam McIntyre remains a longer term injury absentee. Glenurquhart duo Eddie Tembo and Ewan Brady were still banned. The Glen were also without the services of Andrew Corrigan, David Smart, Neale Reid, Liam Girvan, Andrew MacDonald, Stuart Reid and Billy Urquhart. Reserve players were also hard to come by as many had already committed to attend the near-by Belladrum Music Festival. Co-manager Drew MacNeil started at wing back and second team manager Iain MacLeod and a not fully fit Paul MacKintosh joined co-manager Fraser MacKenzie on the substitutes’ bench.An entertaining first half ended goalless. Fort William had a great chance to go in front when referee Colin MacDonald awarded them a penalty. However Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh made a fantastic save from Steven Stewart’s spot-hit. Fort William were awarded a second penalty in the second half and this time Bryan Simpson stepped up but again, Stuart MacKintosh saved brilliantly. Indeed Scotland keeper MacKintosh made at least another three outstanding stops in the game. It was a backs against the walls job for Glenurquhart and keeper MacKintosh was ably assisted by the make-shift defence of John Barr, Drew MacNeil, Ally MacKintosh and Ross MacAulay who were all outstanding. John Barr picked up a hamstring injury around the hour mark but carried on because of the lack of options on the bench. Ian MacLeod went on for Ewan Menzies and had a very good game and Paul MacKintosh replaced James MacPherson for the last 10 minutes. The point lifts Fort William off the bottom of the table on goal difference at the expense of Oban Camanachd. However they still have a lot more work to do to beat the drop. Fort William’s An Aird pitch will now close for maintenance ahead of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final. The Fort play in the semi final of that competition next weekend and follow that up with three consecutive away matches against Kingussie, Lochaber and Newtonmore.
Inveraray 2 Kinlochshiel 2 Inveraray go level on points with third place Kingussie and Kinlochshiel collected another point in their bid to lift themselves away from the regulation dog-fight when they shared the points after a 2-2 draw in their 2pm throw up at the Winterton. Inveraray player / co-manager Gary MacPherson was free to play but he will miss next weekend’s game against Lochaber as he serves a one match ban for a points accumulation. ‘Shiel were rocked this week with confirmation that top scorer Gordie MacDonald will miss the remainder of the season with a troublesome knee injury sustained in the Artemis Macaulay Cup quarter final defeat to Lovat on 8 June 2013. The first half looked to be ending goalless until Inveraray’s Lewis MacNicol popped up on the stroke of half time to give the home side a 1-0 lead. John MacRae scored for the visitors to level the game on 55 minutes. Inveraray regained the lead through Fraser MacNicol on 74 minutes and they looked good for both points only for ‘Shiel to fight back for a second time and it was former Inverness player Davie Glass earned them a point with a goal in the final minute.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Kilmallie 5 Caberfeidh 4 Kilmallie all but sealed the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title but they had to fight all the way before securing a thrilling 5-4 win over Caberfeidh at the Canal Parks. Peter Carmichael was available following suspension for Kilmallie whilst full back Iain MacDonald and DJ Mellis returned for Cabers. Ally MacLennan gave Cabers the lead after just 2 minutes but Grant MacKenzie made it 1-1 on 4 minutes. The early goal-rush continued as Kilmallie captain John Stewart put his side in front on 7 minutes. Caberfeidh have been on a great run of late, taking eleven points out of twelve from their last six games, and they are battling with Skye Camanachd for the third place finish which will secure a place in next year’s national second tier. They showed their mettle by going back in front with two goals in two minutes from DJ Mellis on 18 minutes and Ruaridh MacLennan on 19 minutes and it remained 3-2 until the break. Kilmallie’s Martin Munro got the all-important goal in the 1-0 win over Beauly last weekend and he was on target again to make it 3-3 just 4 minutes into the second half. Malky Morrison put Cabers back in front a couple of minutes later but the end to end nature of the match continued as Martin Munro got his second on 63 minutes to make it 4-4. The winning goal came 10 minutes from time when Michael Rodger put Kilmallie 5-4 to the good. Kilmallie have one match remaining and they lead second place Beauly – who have four matches remaining - by eight points. Indeed Kilmallie’s goal difference is such that they could still win the title even if they were to lose their remaining game against Strathglass and Beauly won all their matches.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kilmory 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 5 League leaders Glasgow Mid Argyll recorded their seventh consecutive league win as they beat Kilmory 5-0 at MacRae Park. Lorne Dickie and Andy Mathie bagged doubles with on form striker Craig Anderson getting the other. GMA remain two points ahead of second place Bute.
Bute 3 Aberdour 0 Bute remain on GMA’s shoulder after they beat Aberdour 3-0 in their 3pm throw up at the Meadows. Bute were without David Whitelaw who was banned for one match for a points accumulation. Former Lochcarron player Darren Coyle was suspended for the visitors as he served a one match ban for his red card against Glasgow Mid Argyll last weekend. Bute talisman Robert Walker gave his side a first half lead. Bute got a second goal on 59 minutes with Robert Ferguson doing the damage and Ferguson got his second and Bute’s third in the final minute.
Glenorchy 4 Oban Celtic 1 Glenorchy remain very much in the hunt for a place in the new national second tier which comes into effect from next season as they beat fellow hopefuls Oban Celtic 4-1 at Mart Park. Glenorchy got off to a great start when Findlay Ross netted after just 2 minutes. Duncan Smith made it 2-0 on 18 minutes. David Hill pulled a goal back for Oban Celtic on 22 minutes but the home side were not to be denied and Kieran MacKay made it 3-1 a couple of minutes later. Kieran MacKay sealed the win with a goal on 83 minutes. .
Taynuilt 4 Strachur 1 Taynuilt beat Strachur 4-1 at the Playing Fields. Donald MacDonald shocked the home side with a goal on 25 minutes. However Willie Neilson made it 1-1 with a 35 minute strike. Neil Gillies on 40 minutes and Mark Beaton on 44 minutes gave Taynuilt a 3-1 interval lead. Stuart Scott scored the only goal of the second half on 65 minutes to make it 4-1.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Fort William 2 Skye Camanachd 4 The match between Fort William and Skye Camanachd was brought forward to Friday 2 August 2013 with a 7.15pm throw up to allow the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi final between Kingussie and Kyles Athletic to go ahead at the same venue the following day, ahead of the Orion Group Premiership meeting between Fort William and Glenurquhart. An early double from Iain MacLellan on 3 and 16 minutes put Skye 2-0 ahead. However Fort William fought back and Alan Knox reduced the deficit after 28 minutes. A Davie Duncan strike a minute before the break squared the game at 2-2 at the interval. Skye regrouped and Will Cowie put the Islanders back in front after 67 minutes. Jordan Murchison scored the goal of the game with a rasping drive just 3 minutes later to make it 4-2 and clinch the points. Skye remain third in the table.
Kinlochshiel 2 Aberdeen University 0 Kinlochshiel beat Aberdeen University 2-0 at Kirkton. David Fraser was free to play for the Students but he will miss next weekend’s game against Lochaber as he serves a one match ban for a points accumulation. Kinlochshiel’s Aedan MacRae dashed back from the Belladrum Music Festival to take the field and he put his side ahead on 20 minutes. Nathan Whear sealed the points for the Strathdearn Cup finalists with a goal a minute from time.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute 6 Tayforth 1 Bute overcame Tayforth 6-1 in their noon meeting at the Meadows. The Islanders made a powerful start to the game and Neil McKirdy put them ahead on 20 minutes with Liam Poole adding a second just a minute later. Neil McKirdy grabbed his hat-trick with strikes on 37 and 44 minutes and there was still time for Ruaraidh Soane to get a fifth on the stroke of half time. Chris McGowan got the other Bute goal with Brendan Duggan notching a consolation goal for Tayforth.
Inveraray P Glasgow Mid Argyll P The match between Inveraray and Glasgow Mid Argyll at the Winterton has been put back to Wednesday 7 August 2013 with a 7pm throw up.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Strathglass 3 Lochaber 2 Newly crowned Marine Harvest North Division 3 champions Lochaber went down 3-2 to Strathglass at Cannich. Lochaber’s Stuart Callison missed out as he served a one match suspension after he failed in his appeal to the ban handed down by the Camanachd Association’s Disciplinary Committee. Kevin Ferguson was also on the sidelines for Lochaber as he served a one match suspension for a points accumulation. Strathglass fielded a strong side and they took the lead through Scott Douglas on 12 minutes and it remained that way until the break. The ever-green Robert Geddes extended the home side’s lead with goals on 50 and 56 minutes to make it 3-0. Lochaber fought back though and player / manager Ally Ferguson rolled the clock back to score on 68 and 86 minutes but Strathglass held on to take the points. Lochaber captain Finlay Nicolson was presented with the Marine Harvest North Division 3 trophy at the end of the game.
Lochbroom 0 Lochcarron 4 Lochcarron put the disappointment of last weekend’s Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final defeat to Ballachulish behind them as they beat Lochbroom 4-0 in Ullapool. Nick Dalgety put Lochcarron ahead on 14 minutes and Kenny Cushnie added a second on the stroke of half time. Crisdean Finlayson made it 3-0 just 4 minutes into the second half and a Dougie MacKenzie strike on 55 minutes made it 4-0. |