The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 12 July 2014 | |
14 July 2014 Skye Camanachd lifted shinty’s Balliemore Cup in Taynuilt on Saturday 12 July 2014.
Balliemore Cup - Final Skye Camanachd 3 Ballachulish 2 (after extra time) Skye Camanachd won the Balliemore Cup for the second time when they beat Ballachulish 3-2 at the Sports Field, Taynuilt. Skye boss John MacLeod was without powerhouse Kenny Campbell who suffered a broken finger in last weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter-final win over Kilmallie but he did travel with the squad. Will Cowie had fully recovered from injury and Danny Morrison had shaken off a hand knock. Ballachulish player / manager Donald Wilson welcomed keeper and captain David MacPhee back into the fold after he missed the team’s last two outings through suspension. John MacDonald made a scoring return to the side last weekend after a period working away and he started at buckshee back. However there was Cup Final disappointment for Mark Wilson who missed out as he served a one match ban for a points accumulation. Skye took the lead after 5 minutes when Shockie MacLennan gathered possession from Will Cowie and tucked the ball into the corner of the net. Balla’ keeper David MacPhee made a magnificent save, turning away a Danny Morrison rocket-shot just under his crossbar. Ballachulish came much more into the game in the second half and they deservedly equalised through Alan Clark who had started in defence. With no further scoring, referee Lachie Wood took the final into extra-time. Danny Morrison put Skye back in front when he slotted the ball low through a couple of defenders and past keeper MacPhee. Ballachulish’s second equaliser had a touch of fortune about it. The heavy rain was making for difficult playing conditions and a miss-hit goal on 108 minutes hit fell straight to Alan Clark and he made no mistake dispatching the ball into the net to the delight of the home support. With just 3 minutes remaining and penalties looking likely, Jordan Murchison gathered the ball following a Skye move down the right and de dribbled the ball across goal before playing it low into the net to make it 3-2. Skye captain Gilleasbuig MacDonald and the injured Kenny Campbell both went up to receive the Balliemore Cup from Camanachd Association President Archie Robertson.
Orion Group Premiership Kinlochshiel 2 Newtonmore 3 Newtonmore stay top of the table after their 3-2 win over Kinlochshiel in their 3.30pm throw up at Kirkton. A broken thumb ruled out Kinlochshiel’s John MacRae whilst Fraser MacKintosh remained sidelined for the visitors. Keith MacRae put ‘Shiel ahead on 20 minutes. When referee Evan MacRae awarded ‘More a penalty on the half hour mark, Steven MacDonald stepped up to convert from the spot. An Evan Menzies brace on 33 and 42 minutes made it 3-1 although a Finlay MacRae goal a minute from time made for a tense finish. The defeat means ‘Shiel are two points ahead of bottom side Lochaber but they have a game in hand. ‘Shiel host Lovat next weekend whilst Lochaber are at home to Kyles Athletic. Lochaber are due to welcome Kinlochshiel to Spean Bridge in a fortnight’s time in what is sure to be a cracker.
Lovat 1 Glenurquhart 1 Title chasers Lovat were held to a 1-1 draw by local rivals Glenurquhart at Balgate. Lovat’s Kevin Bartlett served a one game ban for a points accumulation. Injury denied manager Allan MacRae the services of Drew Howie whilst Michael MacKenzie was unavailable. Glenurquhart were without Lewis MacLennan who was unavailable and David MacLennan served a one game ban for a points accumulation. John Barr started in attack for the Glen where he was joined by James MacPherson, David Smart and Neale Reid, who will miss their meeting with Kingussie this Saturday through suspension. The visitors had an early chance to take the lead when referee Graham Cameron awarded them a penalty after Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald impeded a Glen forward inside the D. Ex-Lovat player James MacPherson, normally deadly from the spot, took the penalty but he didn’t catch the ball as he’d have liked and keeper MacDonald saved with his feet. Lovat took the lead after 13 minutes when former Glenner Calum Macaulay, who was probably the pick of the Lovat players through the afternoon, sent a cross-come shot into the goal area. Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh got a hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out of the net. David Smart was replaced by Billy Urquhart after half an hour. Glen co-managers Billy MacLean and Dave Menzies had to further reshuffle their pack on 37 minutes when defender James Hurwood had to come off with an ankle injury. Andrew Corrigan, who had started at full centre, dropped back into defence. John Barr left the forward line to take over in midfield whilst attacker Smart returned to the field of play. Glenurquhart replaced wing centre Eddie Tembo with Ewen Menzies at half time. There were chances at both ends just a couple of minutes into the second half. First Graeme MacMillan set up Lorne MacKay and he sent a backhand shot through a ruck of players but keeper MacKintosh threw himself to deflect the ball for a corner. The corner was quickly cleared and Lovat broke forward swiftly and James MacPherson forced a similar save from Stuart MacDonald who also turned the ball away for a corner. Lovat introduced Martin Mainland on the hour but he had to be substituted 10 minutes later and he required stitches after taking a knock to the knee. A Greg Matheson rocket deflected off a defender for a corner on 63 minutes. Whilst Lovat shaded the first half, Glenurquhart had the edge in the second period and they deservedly levelled on 77 minutes. Home keeper Stuart MacDonald was closed down as he raced off his line to clear the ball and as the ball was fed to Billy Urquhart, he expertly steered it into the net to make it 1-1. The Blairbeg side looked the more likely to get the winner in the closing stages and Stuart MacDonald did well to deny Neale Reid just 4 minutes from time. Lovat now rail Newtonmore by three points but they have a game in hand which they will play against Kinlochshiel at Kirkton at Kirkton this coming Saturday. With Lovat and Newtonmore still to meet at Balgate, it is still very much everything to play for.
Kyles Athletic 5 Kingussie 1 Kyles Athletic and Kingussie met for the second successive Saturday, this time in a 3pm league throw up at Tighnabruaich. Kingussie were 1-0 winners in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup last weekend but Kyles ran out 5-1 victors in this one. Kyles had David Zavaroni and Roberto Zavaroni back but they were without Roddy MacDonald, Grant Irvine and Iain MacDonald. Kingussie were minus most of the back-line which performed so well against Kyles the week before. Ally MacLeod was between the sticks in place of Craig Dawson whilst James Hutchison, Louis Munro, Lee Bain and Ryan MacWilliam were also missing. Fraser Munro was available for Kingussie but he will miss their next two outings because of a points accumulation. The home side raced into a three goal lead and although Fraser Munro pulled a goal back before half time in what was Kingussie’s best spell in the game, Kyles netted twice more in the second half to seal a 5-1 win. Thomas Whyte, two from Robbie MacLeod, Leighton Reid and Roberto Zavaroni all counted for the home side.
Marine Harvest National Division Bute 0 Fort William 5 Fort William picked up another two points with a 5-0 win over Bute at the Meadows. Gary Innes returned for Fort William and he put his side ahead on 12 minutes. The visitors had several chances to increase their lead but they had to settle for a one goal lead at the break. A Graham Fisher own goal following a Scott Knox corner on 59 minutes made it 2-0. Arran MacPhee scored twice in two minutes on 60 and 61 minutes – one of which was a bullet shot on his backhand - to make it 4-0. Daniel Stewart rounded off the scoring when he made it 5-0 on 72 minutes.
Caberfeidh 2 Kilmallie 3 Kilmallie edged out Caberfeidh by the odd goal in five at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh were without the suspended Ian MacColl. Kilmallie boss Duncan Kelly didn’t have his troubles to seek with several players missing including Peter Carmichael and Michael Rodger who started bans following their red cards against Skye Camanachd the previous weekend. Carmichael copped a two match suspension whilst Rodger sits out the next four games. Liam MacDonald put Kilmallie ahead on 20 minutes but Ally MacLennan levelled on 36 minutes. Craig MacIsaac put Kilmallie back in front on 59 minutes and full forward Seb MacMillan scored a crucial third on 67 minutes. Ruairidh MacLennan reduced the deficit to 3-2 on 78 minutes but Kilmallie took the points to stay third in the table.
Glenorchy 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll returned from Mart Park with both points following a 3-1 win over Glenorchy. GMA travelled without a number of regular players. As well as missing Euan Murray, who is out injured for the season, they were without the services of Andy Mathie, Nick Lavin and Iain Luke who all have broken bones in their feet. Euan Forsyth and James Doherty were both on holiday, Ben Dalgety was working and Andy McAllister was suspended. There was a starting spot for youngster Calum McLay whilst another youth, Jack Berg, was their only substitute. Craig Anderson has been one of the division’s top scorers this season and he put GMA ahead on 5 with a shot from distance, wide on the right which deceived the keeper and went into the net inside his right post. Sandy Leiper was on target for Glenorchy on 25 minutes to ensure the sides were level at the break. Angus MacIntosh put GMA back in front on 65 minutes when he beat two defenders and almost walked the ball into the net. Craig Anderson made it 3-1 with his second goal just a couple of minutes later when he collected a ball from the right around the penalty spot and he shot high into the net. Anderson was denied a hat-trick when he hit the bar and the visitors also had a goal disallowed for offside. GMA will be very pleased with the win considering the players they were missing.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Beauly 6 Strathglass 0 The Beauly reserves recorded an impressive 6-0 win over the Strathglass first team at Braeview Park. Neil Brindle was missing for Beauly after picking up a hamstring injury last weekend. With no first team match, Beauly included Jack MacDonald and Calum Morrison on their bench whilst first team manager Roger Cormack and David MacLean started and it was MacLean, who had gone close earlier, who opened the scoring on 22 minutes when he cut in from the right and beat Strath keeper Steve MacLachlan with a low shot. Ross Forbes made it 2-0 on 34 minutes when collected possession in space before forcing the ball home. Robbie Brindle almost added a third but Beauly had to settle for their two goal advantage at the break. Roger Cormack was keeping a close eye on Strathglass hit-man Robert Geddes and the visitors’ attempts on goal were limited. David MacLean turned provider on 71 minutes when he crossed from the left and Calum Morrison slotted the ball home at the back post to make it 3-0. David MacLean got his second and Beauly’s fourth just 4 minutes later when he netted from just outside the D. David MacLean was having a real influence on proceedings and he found Ross Forbes who steadied himself before netting from close in 10 minutes from time. Robbie Brindle rounded off the scoring when he made it 6-0 just a minute later when MacLean – who else - set up the youngster and he finished in style. Beauly go fourth in the table, just two points behind Strathglass with a game in hand.
Inverness 0 Lovat 7 The Inverness senior side suffered 7-0 defeat to the Lovat reserves in their 3pm throw up at the Bught Park. John MacLennan and Arran MacMaster were suspended for Inverness but Matt Rippon was included after playing for the reserves earlier in the day. Alan MacPherson at buckshee back and full centre Sandy Tulloch gave Inverness a strong spine to their side. An early double from Rory Campbell got Lovat off to a great start. Campbell’s first came in the opening minutes and he made it 2-0 on 11 minutes. Danny Kelly made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time. Duncan Collings added a fourth on 55 minutes and when referee David Stafford awarded the Balgate side a penalty on 71 minutes, Rory Campbell stepped up to complete his hat-trick. Jimmy MacKenzie added his name to the scoresheet on 77 minutes and Duncan Collings second goal of the day in the final minute rounded off an emphatic 7-0 win. The victory takes Lovat off bottom spot with Inverness now holding up the table.
Glenurquhart P Kingussie P The meeting between Glenurquhart and Kingussie at Blairbeg was postponed as the visitors were unable to raise a team. The match will now be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kyles Athletic 1 Strachur 2 Kyles Athletic went down to a surprise 2-1 defeat to Strachur in their noon throw up at Tighnabruaich. Stuart Nairn was suspended for Strachur. Kyles went into the match top of the table whilst Strachur were just one off bottom spot. Duncan Smart gave Strachur the lead on 20 minutes but Matthew MacColl made it 1-1 just 10 minutes into the second half. Duncan Smart got his and Strachur’s second goal of the game 15 minutes from time.
Kilmory 2 Lochside Rovers 3 Lochside Rovers picked up both points against a battling Kilmory side at MacRae Park. Lochside Rovers had to do without the suspended Scott Dempster. Jonathon Will gave the Oban side an early two goal lead but an Alister MacArthur double made it 2-2. Alex Dunnings was credited with the winner although the last touch may have come off a Kilmory player. The win takes Lochside Rovers to the top of the table at Kyles’ expense although they have played two matches more.
Aberdour 2 Oban Celtic 1 Aberdour go third after they beat Oban Celtic 2-1 at Silver Sands. All the goals came early in the game. David MacKenzie put Aberdour ahead after 15 minutes and the prolific Angus Thorburn doubled their advantage just 3 minutes later. David Hill pulled a goal back for Oban Celtic on 21 minutes to make it 2-1 and that’s the way it stayed until referee Neil MacDonald’s final whistle.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Fort William 1 Glengarry 2 The top two clashed at An Aird with leaders Glengarry beating Fort William 2-1. Fort William’s Ewen Campbell was suspended. Daniel MacLennan gave ‘Garry a 15 minute lead but Peter Wood made it 1-1 on 55 minutes. Martin Cameron grabbed what proved to be the winner on 63 minutes. Glengarry are now three points clear of the Fort at the top of the table but they have also played two matches more.
Lochcarron 2 Boleskine 0 Lochcarron played their first home match since mid-May and they beat Boleskine 2-0 at Battery Park. Boleskine were without the suspended Iain Grant. Lochcarron had Peter MacKenzie back in goals as Mathew Young was on holiday. The match was played in difficult weather conditions which didn’t help the game as a spectacle. Nick Dalgety put Lochcarron in front on 37 minutes when he sent a low shot across the keeper into the net from inside the D at the back post. Boleskine were never out of it and Peter MacKenzie in the Lochcarron made some important saves to preserve his side’s lead. However Gregor Cushnie settled home nerves when he made it 2-0 on 67 with a low shot from an angle. The win means Lochcarron leap-frog Boleskine into third place in the table.
Kinlochshiel 1 Aberdeen University 1 Kinlochshiel and Aberdeen University shared the points following a 1-1 draw in their 1pm throw up at Kirkton. Michael Morrison put the home side ahead on 20 minutes with the goal coming against the run of play. The Students deservedly equalised 5 minutes before half time when Willie Hunter latched on to a throw ball and scored to make it 1-1 at the break. Aberdeen had control of the game in the second half but couldn't put the ball in the net. There was a flash-point for referee Andy MacLean to deal with when ‘Shiel’s Alasdair MacRae caught Brian Slattery and Paddy Fitzgerald got involved. Both MacRae and Fitzgerald squared-up and were red-carded by the referee.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth 5 Aberdour 2 The derby meeting between league leaders Tayforth and Aberdour at Levenhall Links was brought forward to Wednesday 9 July 2014. Tayforth were without the injured captain Shane Mason and club stalwart Derry Barton. Aberdour may be bottom of the table but they travelled with a strong side and they put up a good fight, Tayforth made a good start but they struggled to threaten the Aberdour goal. A shot from Tayforth’s Dave Arnot flew into the roof of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside by referee Euan Pearson. Steve Thomson put Tayforth ahead and Brendan Duggan added a second to make it 2-0 at half time. The home start continued to press from the start of the second half and Steve Thomson made it 3-0. Aberdour’s Kevin Latimer shot home to reduce the deficit before Brendan Duggan showed good technique to make it 4-1 to restore Tayforth’s three goal cushion. Tayforth had another effort ruled out for offside before Aberdour fought back to put home keeper Craig Henderson under pressure Aberdour’s Lisa Norman made it 4-2 as the visitors came right back into the game but Tayforth sealed the win when Brendan Duggan completed his hat-trick to make it 5-2. Tayforth lead second place Inveraray by a point but the Winterton side has a game in hand.
Col Glen v Inveraray W/O Col Gen were unable to raise a team for their derby meeting with Inveraray at Glendaruel so the points went to the visitors.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lewis Camanachd 1 Lochbroom 1 Lewis Camanachd secured a place in the top three ahead of the league spilt with a 1-1 draw against Lochbroom at Shawbost. This was a tight encounter and the first half ended scoreless. Paul Duke put Lewis ahead on 80 minutes but Lochbroom, who were themselves in contention for a top three finish, levelled through Ewen MacFadyen 10 minutes from time. However the Islanders held out and they will contest first, second and third place in the league with Caberfeidh and Strathspey Camanachd. The race to finish in the top three could hardly have been closer with Strathspey, Lewis and Lochbroom all finishing on 10 points and the same goal difference. However Lochbroom were edged out on goals scored and the top half finish for new clubs Strathspey and Lewis is a fine achievement.
Inverness 2 Caberfeidh 2 League leaders Caberfeidh dropped a surprise point against bottom side Inverness in a 2-2 draw in their 12.30pm throw up at the Bught Park. Former Oban Camanachd player Matt Rippon featured for Inverness. Stewart Kryzanowski put the visitors ahead on 25 minutes with the only goal of the first half. Martin Davidson pulled Inverness level 10 minutes after the restart. Gavin MacLachlan restored Cabers lead just 60 seconds later but Martin Davidson’s second strike of the afternoon on 67 minutes earned Inverness just their third league point of the season. |