The Saturday Shinty Snapshot – Saturday 6 July 2013 | |
07 July 2013 Fort William, Kingussie, Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore, will contest the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi finals following the weekend action on Saturday 6 July 2013.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup - Quarter Finals Kyles Athletic 7 Beauly 2 A Roberto Zavaroni strike after 15 minutes put Kyles Athletic ahead against Beauly in their 3pm throw up at Tighnabruaich. Dunkie Kerr put the holders 2-0 in front on 23 minutes and Kerr got his second and Kyles’ third a couple of minutes later. Beauly pulled a goal back on 34 minutes through David MacLean but Roddy MacDonald made it 4-1 on the stroke of half time. Beauly’s Sean Stewart made it 4-2 on 51 minutes but the remainder of the game turned into the Roddy MacDonald Show as he took his personal tally to four goals with strikes on 53, 66 and 81 minutes to make it 7-2. This was a potentially tricky tie for Kyles, who had Robbie MacLeod free of suspension, but their overall performance demonstrated a determination to hold on to shinty’s top prize.
Kingussie 5 Kinlochshiel 2 Kingussie made a blistering start against Kinlochshiel in their 3pm throw up at the Dell. The home side had John Hutchison, Gary Munro and Fraser Munro back from suspension whilst both Ronald Ross and Lee Bain were declared fit and they started in attack. ‘Shiel were without the suspended Paul MacRae and Davie Glass as both served one match bans for a points accumulation. The match came too soon for the injured Gordie MacDonald and Fraser MacVicar was another absentee. Kinlochshiel deployed Finlay MacRae in a marking role on Ronald Ross but MacRae was unable to stop the Kingussie talisman from opening the scoring when beat his marker and broke through on goal to score after just 3 minutes. Kingussie had made a whirlwind start and visiting keeper Scott Kennedy had to look lively to make two stops before another save, this time from Ronald Ross, saw Savio Genini latch onto the rebound to add a second on 9 minutes. David Falconer had a shot saved by Kings’ keeper Craig Dawson before Ronald Ross made it 3-0 on 23 minutes. Ross had seen his initial shot saved by keeper Kennedy but the Kingussie talisman knocked the rebound into the net and things looked ominous for Kinlochshiel. However the visitors did pull a goal back through Oliver MacRae 3 minutes before the break with John MacRae and Keith Macrae involved in the lead up. A blistering Thomas Borthwick drive from distance made it 4-1 just 5 minutes into the second half and although Oliver MacRae got his second 3 minutes later when his deflected shot beat Craig Dawson. ‘Shiel pushed Finlay MacRae into attack in a bid to narrow the deficit further. However most of the action was at the other end of the field and Scott Kennedy twice denied Ronald Ross. However Ronald Ross had the final say when he beat a couple of defenders and shot home to complete his hat-trick a minute from time. The winning margin would have undoubtedly been greater had it not been for several fine saves from ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy.
Newtonmore 2 Caberfeidh 0 Marine Harvest North Division 1 side Caberfeidh made Newtonmore work hard for their 2-0 victory in their 3pm throw up at the Eilan. Ruairidh MacLennan missed Cabers’ big day as he served a one match ban for a points accumulation however defender Brian MacDonald was free of suspension. After a goalless first half, Glen MacKintosh gave Newtonmore the lead 10 minutes into the second period. Danny MacRae eased home nerves with a 64 minute strike which took Newtonmore into next week’s semi final draw.
Glenurquhart 0 Fort William 2 Late goals from Gary Innes and Ryan Campbell gave Fort William a surprise 2-0 win over Glenurquhart in their 3pm throw up at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart were without Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final man of the match Lewis MacLennan who started a two match ban for a red card against Kinlochshiel a fortnight ago. David Smart was also missing as he served a one point ban for a points accumulation. Gary Innes put the Fort ahead on 82 minutes, against the run of play. Daniel Stewart saw a shot saved by Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh and Innes was alert enough to nip in and slam the rebound home. Fort’s Ryan Campbell added a second a couple of minutes later to make it 2-0. This was a dour encounter which was spoilt by a strong wind which made it difficult for both sets of players.
Orion Group Premiership Lovat 3 Lochaber 3 A last minute Scott Paterson strike gave Lochaber a deserved 3-3 draw against Lovat at Balgate. Owen Ferguson got the home side off to a great start with a goal after 8 minutes. However Zandz Ferguson made it 1-1 a minute before the interval. Donald MacRae put Lochaber in front on 66 minutes but goals from Lorne MacKay on 71 and Ryan Ferguson 5 minutes later saw the advantage swing back Lovat’s way. And that’s how it looked to finish until Scott Patterson popped up in the final minute to give interim manager Robert Johnstone five points out of six since he took the helm at the Spean Bridge side. One sour point for Lochaber was an injury to in-form midfielder Martin Johnstone which turned out to be a fracture below his eye.
Inveraray 1 Oban Camanachd 2 Oban Camanachd moved off the foot of shinty’s top division with a 2-1 win over Inveraray at the Winterton. Oban Camanachd were without suspended pair, Garry Lord and Daniel Cameron. Inveraray seemed to have recovered from the disappointment of last weekend’s Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final penalty-shoot defeat to Kyles Athletic when they took the lead after just 4 minutes through Euan McMurdo. However former Scotland U17 cap Malcolm Clark levelled on the half hour mark and visiting manager Gussie Campbell’s son Iain Campbell netted on 52 minutes to give Oban Camanachd two priceless points. Fort William now drop to the bottom of the table but they have games in hand on the teams above them. .
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Inverness 0 Kilmallie 13 Two goals in two minutes from Michael Rodger on 18 and 19 minutes gave Kilmallie an early advantage against Inverness at the Bught Park. The visitors went into the game without banned defender Iain Robertson who started a two match ban for a red card against Beauly the previous weekend but that didn’t stop the one-way traffic continuing and Mark Graham made it 3-0 on 22 minutes. Grant MacKenzie added a fourth a couple of minutes later and Mark Graham completed a first half hat-trick with goals on 26 and 28 minutes. Martin Stewart scored on the half hour mark to make it 7-0 at half time. Kilmallie continued to dominate in the second half and Martin Stewart completed his hat-trick with goals on 54 and 64 minutes to make it 9-0. Kilmallie’s U17 forward Martin Munro made it double figures on 77 minutes and Martin Stewart, relishing his role in attack, got his fourth on 82 minutes. Peter Carmichael a couple of minutes later and substitute Seb MacMillan a minute from time completed the rout. Kilmallie now go two points clear of second place Beauly, who have a game in hand. However Kilmallie have boosted their goal difference to the extent that it is worth the equivalent of another point. It now seems even more likely that the title destination will be decided when Kilmallie and Beauly meet at the Canal Parks later in the season.
Strathglass 1 Skye Camanachd 5 The match between Strathglass and Skye Camanachd at Cannich was brought forward to Friday 5 July with a 7.30pm throw up. Skye manager Willie MacRae kept faith with the squad which drew with Caberfeidh a week earlier although Will Cowie came in for the injured Jordan Murchison. Strathglass manager Callum Duff was without the suspended Innes Simpson and George Phimmister whilst Andrew Fraser was another absentee. The impressive Ally MacDonald opened the scoring for Skye on 40 minutes when he pounced on a loose ball and struck a sweet first time shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards out. Kenny MacLeod made it 2-0 just 5 minutes into the second half when he collected possession around 20 yards out on the left-hand side. MacLeod had drifted from the full forward position to find space and he sent a spectacular drive past keeper Steve MacLachlan. Skye added a third on 67 minutes when Steven Morrison took a free hit from midway inside his own half. He played the ball to the edge of the D where both sets of players battled for possession and the ball broke to Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod who struck it into the back of the net from around 20 yards out. Chris MacLennan got his second goal in two games when Kenny MacLeod again moved out to the left before passing to MacLennan who killed the ball dead with his caman before driving it across goal on his backhand, into the bottom corner of the net to make it 4-0. Josh Fraser pulled a goal back for Strathglass on 77 minutes but Skye sealed a 5-1 win 6 minutes from time. The quality of the first four Skye goals had been of a high standard but their fifth was the pick of the bunch as substitute Ally MacCrimmon sent the ball over and it broke nicely for Kenny Campbell who composed himself before sending a 25 yard rocket shot into the top corner of the net.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll returned from Oban with both points following a 3-1 win over Lochside Rovers. Craig Anderson put the visitors ahead on 14 minutes and Innes MacMillan added a second on 38 minutes. David Lafferty gave Lochside hope with a goal on the stroke of half time but a 76 minute strike from Euan Forsyth confirmed the Glasgow side’s win. GMA now replace Lochside Rovers at the top of the table but they are not in action next weekend.
Glenorchy 0 Bute 1 A James Dunn goal in 76 minutes was all that separated Glenorchy and Bute at Mart Park. Bute now leap-frog Glenorchy and go second in the table.
Oban Celtic 3 Taynuilt 2 An Alan Miller hat-trick ensured Oban Celtic came from a goal down to beat Taynuilt 3-1 at Mossfield. Oban Celtic were without Kenny Wotherspoon who served a one match for a points accumulation. Alan Duffy put Taynuilt ahead on 29 minutes but second half strikes from Miller on 55, 70 and 89 minutes gave Oban Celtic a 3-1 advantage. And the Oban side needed that third goal as Stuart Scott replied for Taynuilt 60 seconds later but Oban Celtic took the points with a 3-2 victory. The win means that Oban Celtic must feel that they have a chance of securing one of the three places up for grabs for next season’s new national second tier.
Strachur 1 Aberdour 2 Aberdour ended a run of three straight league defeats when they beat bottom side Strachur 2-1 at Dalmally. Ross MacDonald was missing for Strachur as he served a one match ban for a points accumulation. Lewis Nicol put Aberdour ahead on 28 minutes but the home side levelled on the stroke of half time when referee Dunkie Kerr awarded them a penalty and Angus Campbell converted from the spot. David MacKenzie scored what proved to be the winner 12 minutes from time to keep Aberdour in the third national second tier position.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Skye Camanachd 1 Beauly 0 The match between Skye Camanachd and Beauly at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree was brought forward to Friday 5 July with a 7.30pm throw up at Beauly’s request. This allowed the Beauly players to travel south the following day to watch their first team in Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup action against Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. Skye played into a slight breeze in the first half in what was an even opening period with few chances. Beauly should have opened the scoring on 18 minutes but Andrew Banks came to Skye’s rescue by clearing the ball off the line. Beauly were doing more of the attacking when Skye took the lead. Magus Burd won possession and lofted the ball forward to Angie MacDonald. The Skye full forward controlled the ball and beat his marker before firing into the net to make it 1-0 with 36 minutes played. Beauly responded and Michael Nicolson saved well with his feet from Martin Davidson. Angie MacDonald for Skye and Ewen Campbell for Beauly both went close without hitting the target. A Magnus Burd shot was saved by Beauly Kyle MacDonald as Skye looked to add to their tally. Kyle MacDonald saved with his foot from Angie Grant on 81 minutes. There were few clear-cut chances in the game and Skye took to the points thanks to Angie MacDonald’s sharpness in front of goal.
Kingussie 2 Lovat 2 A Kevin Thain strike on 15 minutes gave Kingussie a 1-0 interval lead against league leaders Lovat in their noon throw up at the Dell. When Kevin Thain added a second on 49 minutes, things looked bleak for Lovat. However their fortunes took a turn for the better when Euan Ferguson pulled a goal back on 57 minutes. Lovat drew level a couple of minutes later when the ball went into the net off Kingussie’s Hamish Anderson to make it 2-2.
Newtonmore 5 Aberdeen University 2 Newtonmore took advantage of Lovat’s slip-up by beating Aberdeen University 5-2 in their noon throw up at the Eilan. The Students had team raising difficulties and played the whole match with just eleven players. John MacKenzie returned to the Newtonmore side after suspension and he opened the scoring on 6 minutes. Martin Hall made it 2-0 just 3 minutes later and John MacKenzie went on to claim a first half hat-trick on 30 and 35 minutes to make it 4-0 at the break. John MacKenzie got his fourth on 70 minutes but a late fight-back from the Students saw Stuart Cameron score on 79 minutes and Kieron Murray hit the back of the net 3 minutes from time to make it 5-2. The win means that Newtonmore close the gap on leaders Lovat to a point and the men from the Eilan have two games in hand.
Glenurquhart 4 Fort William 1 Third place Glenurquhart beat Fort William 4-1 in their noon throw up at Blairbeg. Ben Hosie put the Glen a goal to the good after just 4 minutes and Calum Smith on 22 minutes and Cairn Urquhart on 41 put the home side 3-0 in front. A Jake MacPhee strike a minute before the break made it 3-1 at the interval only for James MacPherson to score 7 minutes from time to restore Glenurquhart’s three goal advantage.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute 2 Aberdour 0 Former Scottish international Hector Whitelaw struck twice as Bute beat Aberdour 2-0 at the Meadows. Whitelaw’s goals came on 23 and 75 minutes.
Kyles Athletic W/O v Glasgow Mid Argyll Glasgow Mid Argyll were unable to raise a team for their noon throw up at Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic so the points were awarded to the home side.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Inverness 0 Lochaber 7 League Leaders Lochaber kept their noses in front at the top of the table with a 7-0 win over bottom side Inverness in their noon throw up at the Bught Park. Keith Neville scored the only goal of the first half on 21 minutes but the visitors took control in the second period. Conor Sweeney doubled their advantage on 65 minutes and Pat Toal added a third 3 minutes later. Keith Neville’s second on 71 minutes and Stuart Matheson on 82 minutes made it 5-0. Pat Toal and Conor Sweeney each got their second strikes of the afternoon on 84 and 90 minutes respectively.
Boleskine 4 Strathspey Camanachd 1 Second place Boleskine remain behind Lochaber only on goal difference following their 4-1 win over Strathspey at Smith Park. Raymond Robertson and Ewan Fraser both scored twice for Boleskine with Iain Grant countering for Strathspey.
Lewis Camanachd 3 Kilmallie 4 Kilmallie beat Lewis Camanachd by the odd goal in seven following a thrilling encounter at Shawbost. Veteran John MacIsaac opened the scoring for the visitors on 5 minutes but a Duncan MacIntyre double on 38 and 42 minutes gave Lewis a 2-1 advantage at half time. Referee Archie Ritchie pointed to the penalty spot 5 minutes into the second half and Bryan MacKay stepped up to score and level the contest at 2-2. Will Church hit the post and Jo Watson latch onto the rebound to put the home side back in front on 62 minutes but Kilmallie were not to be denied and Bryan MacKay’s second on 81 minutes made it 3-3. With just 4 minutes remaining, Craig MacIsaac matched his father John by scoring what proved to be the winner. The home side almost drew level at the death but Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies made a great save from a Paul Duke shot from distance.
Strathglass 0 Lochcarron 6 Lochcarron were too strong for Strathglass, winning 6-0 in their noon throw up at Cannich. Strathglass made a promising start and visiting keeper Michael MacMillan made a couple of smart saves to keep the game goalless. Ross Brown put the visitors ahead on 28 minutes when referee John MacGregor awarded them a penalty. David MacCuish grabbed two in a couple of minutes on 39 and 40 minutes to put Lochcarron 3-0 up at the break. His first goal was a shot from the left after a fine pass from Dougie MacKenzie. MacCuish followed that up was a fierce 30 yard drive into the top corner of the net after goad lead-up play by Ross Brown and David Bauermeister. A brilliant Josh Grant save prevented Nick Dalgety increasing Lochcarron’s advantage. Gregor Cushnie bagged a brace on 62 minutes from the edge of the D and from close range on 68 minutes. A 72 minute Ivor MacLeod own goal rounded off a 6-0 triumph. |