The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 22 March 2014 | |
23 March 2014 The wet weather was again a factor as only eleven shinty matches managed to fight off the elements on the fourth weekend of the new shinty season on Saturday 22 March 2014.
Orion Group Premiership Lovat 2 Inveraray 0 Lovat remain top of the Orion Group Premiership following their 2-0 win over Inveraray at Balgate. Lovat manager Allan MacRae saw forward Lorne MacKay serve the second game of a two match ban for his red card against Kingussie on the opening day of the season. Inveraray co-managers Garry MacPherson and Graham MacPherson were without Douglas Dando who has cracked ribs. However David Robertson was back, wearing a helmet following an operation on a broken nose. Lovat got off to a great start and they had a couple of early chances before Kevin Bartlett gave them a 4 minutes lead when he nipped in ahead of Greg Matheson to score from the edge of the D. Inveraray had to make a first half change when David MacPherson went off but their revamped centre line of Euan McMurdo at centre with David Robertson and Garry MacPherson either side of him took a grip of the game. Grant Griffin took over MacPherson’s role in attack. Visiting forward Lewis MacNicol passed up a great chance to level on 43 minutes but he wasn’t able to convert. Inveraray also had chances to level in an even second half but the Winterton side seem to be finding goals hard to come by in the early stage of the season. Kevin Bartlett got his second double in successive Saturdays when he took advantage of an uncharacteristic Andrew McMurdo slip and he took the ball round keeper Graham MacPherson to make it 2-0 on 79 minutes. At the end of this entertaining encounter, Lovat remain a couple of points ahead of Newtonmore who have a game in hand.
Newtonmore 3 Kinlochshiel 1 The match between Kinlochshiel and Newtonmore was reversed to the Eilan as Kirkton failed a pitch inspection. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh’s squad was put to the test as he was without Danny MacRae and the suspended Steven MacDonald as well as longer-term injury victims Rory Kennedy and Drew MacDonald. Calum Stewart took over Danny MacRae’s number 12 shirt. Kinlochshiel boss Colin Fraser had injury problems of his own with defender David Falconer still out as was longer-term absentee Fraser MacVicar. John Don MacKenzie was working and Gordie MacDonald’s ongoing knee problem meant he only started on the bench. There were starting slots for Jordan Fraser and Alasdair Nixon. Glen MacKintosh tested visiting keeper Scott Kennedy early in the game and MacKintosh was then denied by a Mark MacDonald challenge as the champions looked to get their noses in front. It wasn’t all one-way traffic though and Keith MacRae shaved both posts within quick succession. Kinlochshiel shocked the home support when Duncan “Ach” MacRae gave them an 18 minute lead when he tucked the ball past Michael Ritchie following a goalmouth scramble. Newtonmore pressed for an equaliser but the ‘Shiel defence coped well under constant pressure. The closest the home side came was a shot from full centre Jamie Robinson which skimmed Scott Kennedy’s right-hand post. ‘Shiel fought back and Michael Ritchie made a save and clearance following a Donald Nixon effort. Scott Kennedy then did well to save from Calum Stewart. Newtonmore gave a senior debut to youngster Craig Ritchie, son of keeper Michael Ritchie, just 5 minutes before half time when he replaced the injured Fraser MacKintosh who took a knock to the knee. The visitors took the single goal lead into the half time break but the onslaught continued after the break and ‘Shiel full back Paul Macrae did well to divert a goal bound Paul MacArthur shot. Glen MacKintosh restored parity on 56 minutes when the ball fell to him 10 yards from goal and he gave Scott Kennedy no chance with a blistering drive. Newtonmore now had their tails up and Scott Kennedy saved well with his foot from Jamie Robinson on the hour mark. ‘Shiel’s Paul MacRae had his name taken by referee Graham Cameron for a foul on Glen MacKintosh. Craig Ritchie shot wide from the resultant free-hit. And that’s the way it remained until 5 minutes from time and it was substitute Craig Ritchie who fired home to make it 2-1. Calum Stewart sealed the win with a goal a minute from time to make it 3-1. This was a third successive league home win for Newtonmore but Kinlochshiel, who now find themselves bottom of the table after three games, made them fight all the way for the points.
Kingussie 1 Glenurquhart 0 Kingussie go third in the table following their single goal victory over Glenurquhart in their 3pm throw up at the Dell. Kingussie co-managers Russell Jones and Davie Anderson were without Louis Munro who picked up a hand injury in the win over Kinlochshiel the previous weekend. Glenurquhart co-managers Dave Menzies and Billy MacLean were boosted by John Barr’s return but Andy Corrigan remained out with a broken hand and Lewis MacLennan was also missing. Kingussie had to make an early change when defender Garry Munro pulled his hamstring after just 5 minutes and Rory MacKeachan came on in his place. Kingussie keeper Craig Dawson made a superb early save to deny Neale Reid an opener. Glen lost David Smart mid-way through the first half through injury. Stuart Reid came on in defence with Euan Lloyd pushing forward. The only goal of the game came after 55 minutes when referee David Mitchell awarded Kingussie a free hit out on the wing. Ryan Borthwick took it and he played the ball into the goal area. Kings forward Savio Genini ran shoulder to shoulder with his marker but he managed to get to the ball first and he knocked it past Glen goalie Stuart MacKintosh to make it 1-0. Glenurquhart defender Ally MacKintosh made a substitute appearance on his return from injury and James Hurwood also came on but the visitors lost James MacPherson and substitute Stuart Reid to injury. Glenurquhart fought hard to get a leveller and Kings brought Lee Bain back into defence to help secure their back line. This was an evenly matched contest and Glenurquhart will feel they could have taken a point from the game. However the Kings’ defence, in which Darren Hanlon was excellent, was superb and the home side finished the game with seven players aged 20 years old or under on the pitch.
Kyles Athletic P Lochaber P With Tighnabruaich unplayable, the match between Lochaber and Kyles Athletic was initially switched to Spean Bridge with a 3pm throw up. However it was ruled on Friday that the Spean Bridge pitch could only take one match at best so the originally scheduled Marine Harvest North Division 2 fixture between Lochaber and Skye Camanachd was given priority.
Marine Harvest National Division Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Oban Camanachd 3 The match between Oban Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll was switched to Yoker when Mossfield was deemed unplayable. GMA’s Ryan Harrison was missing as he started a two match ban following his red card against Glenorchy last weekend. Oban Camanachd play-maker Iain Campbell was recovering from injury and he started on the bench. Iain MacMillan put the visitors ahead after just 5 minutes but a goal from former Oban Celtic player Mark Bain on 18 minutes ensured the sides finished the first half all-square. Mark Bain notched his second a minute into the second half to put GMA 2-1 in front. Visiting boss Gussie Campbell brought on Aidan MacIntyre and Iain Campbell and it was a fit and determined Oban Camanachd side who finished the game strongly. A 25 yard drive from Iain Campbell on 69 minutes got them on level terms and a goal from captain Daniel Cameron on 81 minutes gave them both points from a 3-2 triumph. There have only been six matches played so far in the new National Division and Oban Camanachd have played in three of them and they top the table with maximum points.
Caberfeidh P Fort William P The meeting between Caberfeidh and Fort William was postponed as Castle Leod was unplayable. Fort William are yet to play in the league this season.
Bute P Beauly P Bute put their team raising difficulties of last weekend behind them and an encouraging club meeting during the week saw the club commit to competing with two teams this season. However the Islander’s first team have still to play a game this season as their match against Beauly was postponed on Friday evening as the Meadows remains unplayable and transferring the fixture was not an option.
Glenorchy P Kilmallie P The match between Glenorchy and Kilmallie was postponed because of an unplayable pitch at Dalmally. Reversing the fixture was not an option as the Canal Parks were also unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Beauly 1 Newtonmore 3 The Newtonmore reserve side got back on their winning ways with a 3-1 victory over the Beauly second team at Braeview Park. With the Beauly first team game postponed, manager Stephen MacLean took the opportunity to include Kyle MacDonald in goal, Ross Forbes and Jack MacDonald who started at buckshee back. Newtonmore co-managers Cammy MacDonald were without Calum Stewart and Craig Ritchie who were on first team duty. Captain Conor Jones was deployed at full forward. Beauly tested ‘More keeper Kenny Ross as he had to make early saves from Conor Ross and James Cameron. At the other end, Conor Jones was proving to be the visitors’ main threat and he went close before putting his side ahead on 35 minutes when he netted following a goalmouth scramble. Beauly fought hard to get back on level terms with Kenny Ross standing between them and an equalising goal as he made a series of saves to deny Ross Forbes, Sandy Elrick and James Cameron. Newtonmore made a great start to the second half and they pinned Beauly back. They made the pressure pay on 50 minutes when a bullet shot from Conor Jones gave Kyle MacDonald no chance. Beauly, prompted by Dougie Blaine at full centre, tried to get back in the game and a Neil Brindle effort rose just over. Beauly pushed Jack MacDonald into attack with Sandy Elrick coming off and Ewen Campbell coming on in defence. Newtonmore got their third goal on 72 minutes when referee Calum Girvan awarded them a penalty as home keeper Kyle MacDonald was penalised when saving an Owen Fraser effort with his foot. Conor Jones stepped up to convert the spot-hit to complete his hat-trick. Referee Girvan then awarded the home side a penalty 5 minutes later and Jack MacDonald found the back of the net to make it 3-1. The win leaves Newtonmore a point clear of Kingussie at the top of the table.
Kingussie 4 Inverness 4 The Kingussie reserves and the Inverness first team shared the points and eight goals in their noon meeting at the Dell. Ronald Ross continued in defence for Kingussie who continue to rely on the experienced Michael Clark and Kevin Thain. Inverness boss Allan MacLeod was still without forward Conor Golabeck. The forward was sent off in a second team match at the end of last season and so must severe his three game ban through second team fixtures before he is eligible to play for either Inverness team. Innes Simpson returned to the Inverness side after missing the defeat to Beauly. James Falconer put the Kings ahead after 4 minutes but Liam Girvan levelled 5 minutes later. James Falconer got his and Kingussie’s second on 14 minutes but Charlie MacDonald made it 2-2 on 28 minutes. Kingussie went 4-2 ahead through Jake MacPherson on 33 minutes and Kevin Thain a couple of minutes later but Inverness fought back and Mark Sproule reduced the half time deficit to a single goal on 40 minutes. Liam Girvan scored his second to tie an incredible contest at 4-4 on 53 minutes. Arran MacMaster from Inverness was sent off by referee Euan Pearson 6 minutes from time for a second yellow card. Kevin Thain could have won it for Kingussie and Inverness finished strongly but the sides had to settle for a point apiece.
Glenurquhart P Strathglass P The derby meeting between the Glenurquhart second team and the Strathglass senior side was postponed as Blairbeg failed a Saturday morning pitch inspection.
Skye Camanachd P Lovat P The match between Skye Camanachd and Lovat was postponed as the Pairc nan Loach pitch failed a Friday afternoon pitch inspection. The fixture could not be reversed as Balgate could only take one game.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Ballachulish P Aberdour P The game between Ballachulish and Aberdour at Jubilee Park was a late casualty. The Camanachd Association sent referee Deek Cameron to carry out a pitch inspection and the game was eventually postponed before mid-day.
Lochside Rovers P Oban Celtic P The Oban derby between Lochside Rovers and Oban Celtic was postponed as the pitch at Ganavan was unplayable.
Strachur P Kyles Athletic P An unplayable field at Strachurmore led to the postponement of the game between Strachur and Kyles Athletic.
Taynuilt P Kilmory P The clash between Taynuilt and Kilmory was postponed on Friday evening as the Playing Fields were ruled unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Aberdeen University P Kinlochshiel P Kinlochshiel were unable to raise a team for their journey east to play Aberdeen University at Balgownie so the match was postponed. Kinlochshiel have been deducted two points and the match has been rescheduled for this coming weekend.
Fort William P Glengarry P The derby between Fort William and Glengarry was postponed as An Aird was unplayable.
Lochaber P Skye Camanachd P The meeting between Lochaber and Skye Camanachd at Spean Bridge was postponed on Friday evening because of snow on the pitch.
Boleskine P Lochcarron P The game between Boleskine and Lochcarron was switched to Farr as Battery Park was ruled unplayable earlier in the week. However Farr was deemed unplayable late on Friday afternoon so the match was postponed.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth 5 Bute 1 Tayforth remain top of the table as they made it four wins out of four with a 5-1 win over Bute at Musselburgh. Kenny Campbell, Jamie MacDonald, Davie Arnott, veteran Derry Barton and Calum Campbell all counted for Tayforth with Tom McCready grabbing a consolation goal for the Islanders.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Inveraray 4 Inveraray are second as they beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 4-1 in their 12.30pm throw up at Yoker. Lewis Miller scored for the home side but a Neil Shaw double, Fraser Watt and Ewan Fyfe ensured the points went back to the Winterton.
Col Glen 4 Ballachulish 1 Col Glen are in third place following their 4-1 win over Ballachulish at Glendaruel. Fraser Brown, Stuart MacKellar, Andrew MacVicar and Cairn Limbert got the Col Glen goals with Cian MacPhee on target for Ballachulish.
Aberdour 2 Glenorchy 4 Glenorchy returned from Silver Sands with both points following a 4-2 win over Aberdour. Craig Matheson and John Martin Philips scored for the home side but a Finlay Ross hat-trick and a John Sartain strike gave Glenorchy a 4-2 win and their first points of the season.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Strathspey Camanachd 4 Lewis Camanachd 2 Strathspey Camanachd beat Lewis Camanachd 4-2 at the Grantown Grammar School. Strathspey danger-man Andy Hay grabbed a hat-trick with Mark Murray getting the other. A Will Church brace counted for Lewis.
(This round up will be updated as more information becomes available) |