The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 2 August 2014 | |
03 August 2014 The top two in the Orion Group Premiership both lost whilst Fort William and Kyles Athletic will contest the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final and Inveraray are through to the Bullough Cup Final following the shinty action on Saturday 2 August 2014.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup - Semi Final Beauly 2 Fort William 3 Fort William reached the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final with a narrow 3-2 win over Beauly at the Bught Park. Jamie MacLennan and Robbie Brindle were on target for Beauly but the excellent Scott Know scored twice for Fort William with Ryan Campbell getting the other. John MacGregor was the match referee.
Lovat 2 Kyles Athletic 3 Kyles Athletic reached their second cup final of the season when they edged out Lovat 3-2 at the Jubilee Park. Martin Bell and Martin Mainland were missing for Lovat. Lovat drew first blood when Thomas Fraser scored after 19 minutes. Roddy MacColl levelled after 42 minutes but Danny Kelly restored Lovat’s lead a minute before the break. Lovat felt aggrieved when a first half Rory Campbell goal was ruled out for offside but it was Kyles who sealed their final appearance with Mathew MacColl scoring on 50 minutes and Roddy MacColl getting his second on 65 minutes. Lovat had another goal disallowed and Rory Campbell missed from the penalty spot. David Stafford was the match referee.
Bullough Cup - Semi Final The Scots 0 Inveraray 1 Inveraray will play Kyles Athletic in the Bullough Cup Final following their 1-0 win over The SCOTS at Musselburgh. It looked as if referee Neil MacDonald was going to have to take the tie into extra-time when youngster Fraser Watt, who has been in great goal scoring form this season, popped up with just 6 minutes remaining to score the goal that would send the Marine Harvest South Division 2 side into the final.
Orion Group Premiership Kingussie 3 Newtonmore 2 Newtonmore’s title charge appeared to suffer a blow when they lost 3-2 to local rivals Kingussie in their 7pm throw up at the Dell on Friday 1 August 2014. Kingussie’s Fraser Munro served the second match of his two match suspension which means he’ll be free to play in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final tie against Fort William this coming weekend. Ronald Ross started in attack. Newtonmore included their talisman Danny MacRae and Norman Campbell was on the bench. A large crowd gathered for this evening match. ‘More keeper Michael Ritchie saved well from Ronald Ross after just a couple of minutes. The Kings went in front on 11 minutes. Ritchie again saved from Ross but this time Thomas Borthwick was on hand to put the rebound first-time into the net. The home support had more to cheer about 5 minutes before the interval when a Ronald Ross took a Thomas Borthwick pass and feigned past his marker before hitting a waist-high shot across Ritchie to make it 2-0. The visitors finished the first half strongly and a terrific Evan Menzies snap-shot went just wide. Newtonmore responded two minutes after the restart when Glen MacKintosh took advantage of a sip by a home defender and he broke down the right wing before slipping the ball to Danny MacRae who finished well from a tight angle to make it 2-1. Michael Russell put the ball over the junction between bar and post after wriggling through the Kingussie defence. Home keeper Craig Dawson made a fine save to deny Danny MacRae a leveller but Louis Munro restored Kingussie’s two goal advantage when he placed the ball into the corner of the net after a Thomas Borthwick shot was charged down following a set-piece with what proved to be a crucial third goal on 77 minutes. Norman Campbell replaced defender Andy MacKintosh who seemed to be feeling his hamstring. Danny MacRae got his second goal of the match with another good finish after Glen MacKintosh won possession 7 minutes from time to make it 3-2 and although Danny MacRae and Calum Stewart went close, ] Kingussie held on for the win. Ronald Ross in attack and John MacLean and John Gibson in midfield were excellent for Kingussie with Gibson playing on despite later requiring seven stitches to a head wound suffered early in the second half. This was Kingussie’s first win over their great rivals since 2010 and Newtonmore now waited to see how Lovat would get on against Kyles Athletic the following day. Click on the link to see the match action
Kyles Athletic 3 Lovat 1 Lovat failed to capitalise on Newtonmore’s dropped points when they lost 3-1 to Kyles Athletic at in the rain Tighnabruaich. Kyles defender Calum Miller missed out through injury but they were otherwise along usual lines. Callum Cruden was free to play for Lovat but he will miss their big match with Newtonmore because of a points accumulation. The Balgate men travelled south without forwards Kevin Bartlett, Lorne MacKay and Calum MacAulay. Drew Howie was still out and manager Allan MacRae was missing as he was on Commonwealth Games duty so trainer Paul Mellis took the side. Lovat’s Calum Cruden left the pitch with a leg injury after 18 minutes and he was replaced by Ryan Ferguson. Roddy MacDonald put Kyles ahead on 34 minutes when the ball broke to him on the left and he fired low into the net to make it 1-0. Lovat forward Jamie Matheson had been playing with a back injury and he had to come off just before the interval with Callum Cruden forced back into action. Dunkie Kerr made it 2-0 on the hour mark when he pushed the ball home at the back post following a goalmouth scramble. The rain was now heavy and making playing conditions difficult for both sides. A Lovat reshuffle late in the game saw Ronan MacMillan come on up front and Fraser Gallacher moved into attack and he gave Lovat hope when he putted a goal back 5 minutes before the end. Gallacher then hit the frame of the goal as Lovat came within a whisker of making it 2-2. However Roddy MacDonald made it 3-1 on the stroke of full time with a carbon-copy of his first goal. Kyles had keeper Kenny MacDonald to thank for some good saves throughout the game. Lovat trail league leaders Newtonmore by two points and both sides have two matches remaining. Both Lovat games are at home whilst the two ‘More fixtures are on the road. Lovat host fellow title rivals Newtonmore at Balgate on Saturday 16 August and their meeting with Kingussie is yet to be scheduled. Newtonmore follow up the Lovat match with a game against Inveraray at the Winterton on Saturday 6 September.
Kinlochshiel 3 Glenurquhart 3 The 3-3 draw between Kinlochshiel and Glenurquhart at Kirkton meant the home side virtually secured their top flight status and Glenurquhart go second in the table. Mark MacDonald was eligible to play for Kinlochshiel but he will miss next weekend’s meeting with Kyles Athletic because of a points accumulation. John MacRae was still out with a broken thumb and a hamstring problem meant Keith MacRae dropped to the substitute’s bench where he was joined by Alasdair Nixon. Glenurquhart left John Barr on the bench with their forthcoming Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final tie with Skye Camanachd in mind. Andrew Corrigan missed out because of work commitments. Fraser Heath started in attack for the Glen and he put his side ahead after just 6 minutes. Finlay MacRae put through his net on 26 minutes to leave Glenurquhart 2-0 ahead at half time. Keith MacRae came off the bench to pull a goal back on 59 minutes and Duncan “Ach” MacRae made it 2-2 just 4 minutes later. Neil Reid put the Glen back in front on 80 minutes but Gordie MacDonald beat visiting keeper Stuart MacKintosh just a couple of minutes to earn what could prove to be a priceless point. Kinlochshiel now lead bottom side Lochaber by two points and they have a better goal difference. Both sides have one match remaining with each still to play Kyles Athletic. ‘Shiel play Kyles at Kirkton this coming weekend whilst Lochaber must hope for an away win coupled with a big win when they play Kyles at Tighnabruaich. Glenurquhart have now completed their league programme and they must see how Lovat and Kyles athletic finish before their final league placing is known.
Maine Harvest National Division Fort William 5 Beauly 1 Fort William go top of the Marine Harvest National Division following their 5-1 winover Beauly at An Aird. Beauly went in front on 18 minutes through Sean Stewart but a goal blitz in the closing stages of the first half put Fort William in control. Daniel Stewart levelled on 39 minutes and Bryan Simpson on 43 minutes and Daniel Stewart’s second a minute later made it 3-1 at the break. Bryan Simpson got his second on 56 minutes and Gordie MacKinnon rounded off the 5-1 win with a 62 minutes effort. Fort William now top the table, level on points with Kilmallie who have played two games more. Oban Camanachd, in third place, have played the same number of games as the Fort but they are a point behind with the teams still to play eachother.
Glenorchy 0 Kilmallie 4 Kilmallie bounced back from last weekend’s surprise draw with Bute by beating Glenorchy 4-0 at Mart Park. Glenorchy were without the banned John McNulty. Michael Rodger remained on the sidelines for Kilmallie through suspension. Martin Stewart was eligible to play for Kilmallie but he will miss next weekend’s home match with Glasgow Mid Argyll because of a points accumulation. The visitors, who were also without boss Duncan Kelly, went in front when Mark Graham scored the only goal of the first half after 38 minutes. Seb MacMillan made it 2-0 on the hour mark. Liam MacDonald struck twice on 77 and 90 minutes to seal the 4-0 win. Kilmallie go level on points with league leaders Fort William. Oban Camanachd are a point behind in third place but Kilmallie have played two matches more than their rivals.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Skye Camanachd 9 Inverness 1 Skye Camanachd beat Inverness for the fourth time this season to go three points clear at the top of the table thanks to a 9-1 victory at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye boss John MacLeod made three changes from the squad which beat Lovat last weekend. Shockie MacLennan, Iain Murray and Danny Morrison were added to the pool whilst keeper Jamie Gannon dropped out so Aonghas MacDonald took over in goal. Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod and Calum Gibb returned to second team duty and Kenny Campbell remained out with a hand injury. Inverness were missing a whole host of players including keeper Stuart MacRae so player / co-manager Allan MacLeod took over in goal. Fellow co-manager Innes Simpson was also absent as were Daniel Palombo, Zander Grant, Matt Rippon, Mark Sproule, Connor Golabeck, John MacLennan and Martin Davidson. Inverness shocked their hosts by taking a 3 minute lead thanks to a terrific 25 yard Andrew Henderson shot. Skye levelled from the penalty spot on 18 minutes after Allan MacKinnon was upended inside the D. Will Cowie gave keeper Allan MacLeod no chance with the spot-hit. Jordan Murchison put Skye 2-1 up on 29 minutes and he completed his hat-trick with smart finishes on 36 and 46 minutes. Danny Morrison scored a deserved goal on 63 minutes to make it 5-1. Shockie MacLennan added a sixth just 3 minutes later before substitute Kenny MacLeod scored the goal of the match on 72 minutes when he crashed a half-volley from a long ball forward into the roof of the net to make it 7-1. Jordan Murchison got his fourth 10 minutes from time and Ally “Spod” MacLeod rounded off the scoring a couple of minutes later to make it 9-1. Two more victories from their remaining five matches will be enough to give Skye the title. Inverness remain bottom of the table with two matches remaining.
Strathglass 5 Kingussie 1 Strathglass bounced back from last week’s defeat to the Glenurquhart reserves by beating the Kingussie second team 5-1 at Cannich. Robert Geddes put Strathglass ahead after 10 minutes and Scotland U21 boss Gary Reid rattled in a nine minute first half hat-trick with goals on 16, 23 and 35 minutes. Chris Hollysong pulled a goal back for Kingussie just 4 minutes after the restart but Reid took his personal tally to four goals when he netted to make it 5-1 just 10 minutes from time. The win means Strathglass just trail second place Newtonmore on goal difference but they have played two games more.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Ballachulish 3 Kilmory 0 With Kyles Athletic in Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup action, Ballachulish took the chance to go top of the table with a 3-0 win over Kilmory in their 5pm throw up at the Jubilee Park. Young defender Cian MacPhee missed out for Balla’ as he served a one match ban for a points accumulation. John MacDonald and David Grant were free to play but they will miss next weekend’s trip to Aberdour for the same reason. David Grant, John MacDonald and Jack MacLean got the goals that mattered. Balla’ are now a point ahead of second place Kyles and they have a game in hand
Oban Celtic 0 Aberdour 0 There were no goals in the match between Oban Celtic and Aberdour at Mossfield. Defender Daniel Madej was suspended for Oban Celtic. Aberdour climb to third spot whilst Oban Celtic move up to fifth place in the table.
Strachur 3 Taynuilt 3 Strachur and Taynuilt shared the points in a 3-3 draw at Strachurmore. Stuart Scott got Taynuilt off to a great start with a goal after just 2 minutes. However the home side went on to lead 3-1 at the break thanks to a Duncan Smith brace on 15 and 31 minutes, either side of a 22 minute Ross Montgomery strike. David Graham reduced the deficit on 65 minutes and Stuart Scott’s second goal of the game just 3 minutes from time earned Taynuilt a point. Taynuilt move off bottom spot on goal difference whilst Strachur are a place above.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Lochcarron 5 Skye Camanachd 4 Lochcarron continued their recent good run with a 5-4 win over Skye Camanachd at Battery Park. Lochcarron boss Ross Brown missed his side’s win over Lochaber last weekend but he was back for this one. Skye made three changes from the sixteen man squad which lost out to Kinlochshiel last weekend as Iain MacLellan Stephen Murchison and John MacKenzie were replaced by Daniel Morrison Calum Gibb and Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod. Gregor Cushnie put Lochcarron ahead on just 3 minutes but John Gillies made it 1-1 on 12 minutes. A quick-fire John Angus MacInnes double on 43 and 44 minutes put Skye 3-1 to the good at the break. Ross Brown made it 3-2 just 5 minutes into the second half. Gregor Cushnie made the difference as he took his tally to four goals with efforts on 55, 57 and 83 minutes to make it 5-3. There was still time for Skye’s Angie MacDonald to make it 5-4 but Lochcarron stayed in front to take the points.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute 1 Tayforth 2 Tayforth extended their lead at the top of the table with a 2-1 win over Bute at the Meadows. Bute took an early lead through club stalwart Ally Carmichael with just 3 minutes on the clock. Tayforth knew they needed both points to keep their title challenge alive but despite pressing hard, they were able to find a first half leveller. However the visitors levelled a minute after the restart through Steven Thomson. Steve Thomson got his and Tayforth’s second on 53 minutes to make it 2-1. The worsening weather conditions made it difficult for both sides but the Islanders had a great chance to equalise when referee Ronnie Campbell awarded them a penalty after Ally Carmichael was brought down inside the D with just 13 minutes remaining. Veteran Hector Whitelaw took responsibility but he put his spot-hit past the post and Tayforth stayed in front to take the points. Tayforth have now completed their league programme and they lead second place Inveraray by three points. However the Winterton reserve side has two games in hand starting with a home match against bottom team Aberdour next weekend.
Col Glen 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 8 Third place Glasgow Mid Argyll beat fourth place Col Glen 8-0 at Glendaruel. With no first team game, GMA included senior side top goal scorer Craig Anderson and he chipped in with a hat-trick. Calum McLay and Lewis Miller each scored twice and their was a first goal at reserve team level for substitute Aiden Gallagher.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Strathspey Camanachd 2 Lewis Camanachd 1 Strathspey Camanachd beat Lewis Camanachd 2-1 in their 1.15pm throw up at the Grantown Grammar School. Strathspey were without the influential Andrew Hay Keeper Graham Cay, Duncan MacIntyre, Paul Duke and Scott Murray were absent for Lewis. The Islanders made the better start but it was the home side who went in front when they broke forward following a Lewis set-piece. Donald Colville turned his marker and burst through on goal before tucking the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-0. Donald Lamont levelled when he collected possession on the left before sending a terrific 30 yard strike into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. Lamont had another superb strike from distance ruled out for offside by referee Robert Morrison and the sides went into the break on level terms. Strathspey hit the post from a free-hit and home goalie Euan Gilmour made a fine stop from the rebound. Strathspey went back in front when referee Morrison adjudged Lewis keeper Euan Gilmour to have kicked the ball and awarded them a penalty. Lewis disputed the award although their keeper was probably fortune to survive a similar earlier appeal. Former Newtonmore player Mark MacDonald converted from the spot with what proved to be the winning goal. Lewis stay second in the table on goal difference.
Lochbroom v Kilmallie W/O Lochbroom were unable to raise a for the meeting with Kilmallie at Inverlael so the visitors were awarded the points. |