The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 3 May 2014 | |
05 May 2014 The main shinty focus was on the first round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup and the Orion Group Premiership Derby Day on Saturday 3 May 2014.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – First Round Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Fort William 3 Fort William came out on top by the odd goal in five in their 3pm all-Marine Harvest National Division meeting with Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker. GMA boss George Hay recognised the threat posed by Fort’s Arran MacPhee and he deployed Brendon McLoone in a man-marking role. Niall MacPhee was suspended for the visitors but Fort co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson were delighted to have Gary Innes in their starting line-up despite him suffering a broken finger in the Artemis Macaulay Cup win over Glenurquhart last weekend. Fort William raced into an early two goal lead with Gary Innes getting both on 11 and 16 minutes. GMA were playing really well though and former Lochcarron player Ben Dalgety pulled a goal back on 39 minutes. Craig Anderson levelled the tie 3 minutes into the second half and both sides went all-out for the winner. Fort William got back in front with a disputed third goal just 6 minutes from time when Gary Innes completed his hat-trick. GMA contested that the ball had not crossed the line but referee David Mitchell awarded the goal after consultation with the goal judge. So Fort William go through to the next round with Gary Innes making the difference.
Beauly 5 Oban Camanachd 1 Four goal Marc MacLachlan inspired Beauly to a terrific 5-1 win over Oban Camanachd in their all-Marine Harvest National Division tie at Braeview Park. Beauly were without defender Scott MacLeod so Ewan Campbell slotted in at wing back. A second half Malcolm Clark goal gave Oban Camanachd the points when they met on league duty at the same venue in mid-March but this was to be Beauly’s day. The Oban side made a bight start and two fine saves from home keeper Josh Grant kept the match scoreless. However it was Beauly who went in front with their first attack on 6 minutes when Marc MacLachlan got to a Connor Ross cross to force the ball over the line. Beauly doubled their advantage a couple of minutes later when Sean Stewart found Marc MacLachlan in space and he blasted a shot from distance past Oban Camanachd keeper Robert Dunnings to make it 2-0. Another fine Josh Grant save kept Oban Camanachd at bay before Marc MacLachlan completed his hat-trick with a great solo goal to make it 3-0 on 39 minutes. Oban Camanachd reduced the deficit on 43 minutes when Aidan MacIntyre scored from the edge of the D. Beauly restored their three goal cushion on 54 minutes when a long ball from David MacLean pressured the visiting defence and Marc MacLachlan grabbed his fourth goal of the afternoon to make it 4-1. Beauly manager Roger Cormack had identified Oban Camanachd full centre Daniel Cameron as a main threat so Barrie MacDonald marked him for the first hour with David MacLean and Conor Cormack taking spells tracking the danger-man for the last half hour. Sean Stewart made it 5-1 on 71 minutes from a tight angle to complete a fine win.
Glenorchy 2 Skye Camanachd 6 Skye Camanachd are through to the last sixteen after a 6-2 win over Marine Harvest National Division side Glenorchy in their 3pm throw up at Mart Park. John McNulty was sidelined for the home side as he served a one match ban for a points accumulation. Injury deprived Skye of Iain Murray’s services whilst key defender Steven Morrison was on holiday. However Neil MacVicar returned to the side and slotted into the Skye defence. Skye got off to a great start when Will Cowie put them ahead in the opening minute. Grant MacPherson made it 1-1 after 7 minutes but Shockie MacLennan on 20 minutes and Kenny Campbell on 40 minutes put the Islanders 3-1 in front. However Glenorchy went straight back up the park and Findlay Ross reduced the deficit just a couple of minutes later. Allan MacKinnon made it 4-2 on the hour mark and Shockie MacLennan got his second on 75 minutes to make it 5-2 before having to drop back into defence for the final 20 minutes of the game to replace Chris Rose who suffered a head cut. A late Kenny MacLeod goal sealed the impressive 6-2 win.
Strachur 4 Kilmallie 7 Kilmallie beat Strachur 7-4 in an incredible match at Strachurmore. The visitors were without defender Martin Stewart who suffered a broken thumb in the RBS MacTavish Cup defeat to Newtonmore last weekend. However Craig MacIsaac returned after injury. Kilmallie were without a number of other regulars as the tie clashed with player Peter Carmichael’s stag weekend. As well as Carmichael, Liam MacDonald and Michael Rodger were amongst the prominent absentees. In fact Duncan Kelly’s side contained only five regulars and six players from their U17 squad. Craig MacIsaac gave Kilmallie a 20 minute lead but Rhys Campbell levelled just 5 minutes later. When Liam Cameron put through his own net on 28 minutes and Lewis Montgomery made it 3-1 on 41 minutes, things looked bleak for Kilmallie. Craig MacIsaac got his second to make it 3-2 just 4 minutes into the second half but Angus Campbell added to the home side’s tally to make it 4-2 on 62 minutes. The turning point came when Strachur’s Ross MacDonald was red carded by referee Ted MacDonald and Kilmallie used the extra man to good advantage to score five times in the last 15 minutes. Seb MacMillan netted on 75 and 80 minutes to make it 4-4 and Kilmallie then turned the screw with Craig MacIsaac taking his tally to four goals with strikes on 82 and 87 minutes to put Kilmallie 6-4 to the good. Donnie Campbell rounded off an action-packed game with a goal seconds from time make the final score 7-4.
Caberfeidh 3 Kilmory 1 Caberfeidh saw off Kilmory 3-1 at Castle Leod in a good day for North sides in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup. Colin Campbell put Kilmory ahead 23 minutes into this 3pm throw up only for Lee Nicol to level 60 seconds later. Cabers U17 player Liam Symonds put his side ahead for the first time 10 minutes into the second half and play-maker Ally MacLennan made it 3-1 just 15 minutes from time.
Strathglass 2 Inverness 3 Inverness came from two goals down to beat Strathglass 3-2 in their all-Marine Harvest North Division 1 meeting at Cannich. Mark Sproule served the second game of a two match ban for Inverness. Jono Price put Strathglass ahead on 9 minutes and they looked good for the place in the second round when Donald Fraser made it 2-0 on 16 minutes. Liam Girvan pulled a goal back on the half hour mark and that’s the way it stayed until the interval. Dougie Rankin levelled the tie a minute into the second half with Scott Watson getting the winner after an hour.
Ballachulish 5 Oban Celtic 0 Ballachulish swept aside Oban Celtic 5-0 in their all-Marine Harvest South Division 1 tie at Jubilee Park. Lorne Brown scored on 9 and 12 minutes to give Ball’ an early 2-0 lead. David Grant made it 3-0 just 5 minutes before the break and the same player got the home side’s fourth goal of the afternoon on 81 minutes, John MacDonald made it 5-0 on the stroke of full time.
Bute 4 Taynuilt 0 A Chris McGowan double on 15 and 22 minutes saw favourites Bute race into a 2-0 lead against Taynuilt in their noon throw up at the Meadows. Gordon MacMillan made it 3-0 on 36 minutes and when John MacCallum and James Dann combined to set up Graham Fisher on 49 minutes, Fisher sent David McVey’s side into Tuesday’s second round draw by firing the ball past Taynuilt keeper James MacLaren to make it 4-0. This was Bute’s first win of the season which will boost morale after some early season difficulties.
Orion Group Premiership Newtonmore 5 Kingussie 2 The main event in Shinty’s Derby Day was the meeting between Badenoch rivals Newtonmore and Kingussie at the Eilan. Norman Campbell returned in defence for Newtonmore whilst Steven MacDonald, who is recovering from injury, was on the bench along with Craig Ritchie and Liam Mullender. Lee Bain was free of suspension for Kingussie whilst Savio Genini also returned after missing the previous weekend’s win over Lochaber. The first 20 minutes were fairly even with the sides testing eachother out. However the reigning champions hit the Kings with a three goal blitz, late first half, to take control of the game. Danny MacRae got the opener on 38 minutes and Evan Menzies on 41 minutes and Glen MacKintosh a minute later made it 3-0 at half time. Kingussie made a bright start to the second half but Newtonmore put the game beyond their reach when Glen MacKintosh got his second on 57 minutes and Fraser MacKintosh made it 5-0 a couple of minutes later. Fraser Munro pulled a goal back for Kingussie on 63 minutes and Newtonmore then lost Norman Campbell with what looked like a recurrence of his hamstring problem. Steven MacDonald came on in his place. Thomas Borthwick made it 5-2 on 73 minutes as the Kings pressed to reduce the deficit further. The visitors had the better of the final quarter but they were unable to find a way past the Newtonmore defence and keeper Michael Richie. Danny MacRae went close for Newtonmore in the second half but hit the side netting. Newtonmore will consider this a good day’s work, especially considering results elsewhere.
Glenurquhart 2 Lovat 1 Lovat’s title hopes suffered a blow when they lost 2-1 in their derby meeting with Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. Ewan Brady was missing for Glenurquhart whilst James MacPherson was given a pace on the Glen bench after proving his fitness after sustaining a hamstring injury in the RBS MacTavish Cup win over Skye Camanachd five weeks earlier. Michael MacKenzie returned to the Lovat defence after missing last week’s extra time RBS MacTavish Cup win over Kinlochshiel. A determined Glenurquhart side drew first blood when Neale Reid played in David Smart who lost marker Callum Cruden before slamming the ball past Stuart MacDonald to give his side a 3 minute lead. Both sides had to make early changes. Lovat defender Daniel Grieve came off on 17 minutes with an ankle injury whilst the Glen will be concerned that Ally MacKintosh, who is not long back from injury, was withdrawn with a knee problem just 5 minutes later. James Hurwood came on for the Glen with Fraser Heath dropping back into defence. Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald saved from Lewis MacLennan and when Eddie Tembo chested the ball down and shot goalwards, MacDonald palmed the ball onto the post. Lovat had their fair share of the half but they were unable to beat Stuart MacKintosh. Glenurquhart co-managers Billy MacLean and Dave Menzies made a half time change when James MacPherson came on for Arran MacDonald who picked up a muscle injury. The former Lovat man made an immediate impact as the Glen won possession from the restart and played the ball upfield to MacPherson who scored with his first touch of the ball to make it 2-0. Lovat got a goal back on the hour when Graeme MacMillan charged down an attempted clearance from Stuart MacKintosh and the ball broke for Owen Ferguson who scored to make it 2-1. Lovat pushed players forward to try and get back on level terms but John Barr and Fraser Heath were excellent at the back for the Glen. Lovat’s best chance fell to the normally deadly Kevin Bartlett when he got in ahead of Barr but he seemed to rush his shot and the chance was gone. Lovat lost Lewis Tawse in the closing stages with a nasty headcut so Alan MacPherson came on in defence meaning he was in direct opposition to his brother James MacPherson. This was Lovat’s first dropped points of the season. They remain top of the table, two points ahead of Newtonmore, but they have played a game more. Glenurquhart's efforts lift them into third place in the league.
Inveraray 4 Kyles Athletic 1 Inveraray and Kyles Athletic met for the second successive Saturday at the Winterton. Kyles were convincing 5-0 winners last weekend but in a complete turnaround, it was Inveraray who picked up two vital points with a 4-1 win. Co-player/ manager Garry MacPherson was sidelined for Inveraray with a broken hand, sustained in last weekend’s clash. A knee injury ruled out Douglas Dando and David MacPherson was another absentee. Kyles were without the influence of David Zavaroni and Donald Irvine. Kyles took the lead within the first 60 seconds thanks to a Roberto Zavaroni goal. However Inveraray’s response was good and Euan McMurdo made it 1-1 on 12 minutes. The goal gave Inveraray confidence and they went on to dominate the remainder of the game. Peter McIntyre put Inveraray in front for the first time on 23 minutes and Grant Griffin added a third 5 minutes later. Kyles tried to get back in the game but they found Graham MacPherson in the home goal to be a formidable barrier. David Robertson and young Ally MacDonald on the wing was excellent for Inveraray and Neil Campbell made it 4-1 on 78 minutes to give his side their first league win of the season.
Kinlochshiel 3 Lochaber 2 Even at this early stage in the season, the meeting between Kinlochshiel and Lochaber at Kirkton was a real four-pointer. The home side were without full back Paul MacRae who suffered a broken arm in the RBS MacTavish Cup defeat to Lovat last weekend so Mark MacDonald assumed his role. David Falconer has been recovering from a broken collar bone and he was given a place on the bench. Finlay MacRae started at buckshee back with brothers John MacRae at full centre and Keith MacRae at full forward. Martin Johnstone was free of suspension for Lochaber after serving a two game ban. However keeper Callum MacDonald suffered the recurrence of a foot injury so second team goalie Bryn Whittaker was between the sticks. Zandz Ferguson, Ben Delaney, Kevin Ferguson and Iain Love were also missing. There were starting slots for Pat Toal and Danny Delaney. Kinlochshiel created the first chance and a Donald Nixon shot from the right hit the side-netting. Scott Kennedy made a flying save to his right to deny Stuart Callison at his left post after 10 minutes. An Alasdair Nixon shot following a free-hit on the right went narrowly wide. The home side continued to press and Alasdair Nixon played in Keith MacRae but his shot was deflected for a corner off Lachlan Campbell’s caman. Keith MacRae shot wide from the resultant corner. Oliver Macrae sprung forward from midfield on 27 minutes and he played a couple of one-twos but Bryn Whittaker came off his line to clear for a corner. Kinlochshiel took the lead a minute later when a John MacRae shy from the left bounced into the goal area and Keith MacRae volleyed the ball high into the net for a great finish. Lochaber levelled a couple of minutes later and a sweeping move ended when Danny Delaney set up Stuart Callison and he deftly played the into the corner of the net to make it 1-1. Kinlochshiel regained the lead on 40 minutes when good work from wing back Conall Fraser saw him clear his lines and Alasdair MacRae darted in behind the Lochaber defence before crashing the ball into the net. Shaun Nicolson came close to levelling the game for a second time when he wriggled through three players on the right but shot wide. A Keith MacRae snap-shot was the first real chance of the second half but it went a fraction wide on 49 minutes whilst a couple of minutes later, a nice flick from Martin Cameron played in Danny Delaney but he hit the outside of the post although Scott Kennedy had the goal covered. Buckshee forward Shaun Nicolson and wing forward Hugh Innes swapped positions on 52 and the switch almost paid immediate dividends when Hugh Innes collected a long goal hit and ran at the home defence. His pass found Shaun Nicolson who was hauled down as he bore in on goal and referee Innes Wood pointed to the penalty spot. Kinlochshiel were furious and their claims that the infringement took place outside the D had some justification. Justice appeared to be done when Scott Kennedy saved Shaun Nicolson’s spot hit with his feet. It proved to be a costly miss as ‘Shiel increased their advantage on 59 minutes when a Keith MacRae ball from the right found Duncan “Ach” MacRae and he thumped the ball into the roof of the net to make it 3-1. Both sides made changes midway through the second half with Ryan Johnstone replacing Shaun Nicolson for Lochaber and then Neil Fraser coming on for Alasdair MacRae for ‘Shiel. Martin Johnstone played a ball in from the left and Stuart Callison’s effort was pushed past the post by Scott Kennedy, under pressure from the on-rushing Lochaber forwards. Duncan MacKinnon took over from a limping Pat Toal for Lochaber. A turn and shot from Danny Delaney went narrowly wide on 75 minutes. Scott Kennedy got his leg to a Stuart Callison shot following a corner on the right after 82 minutes as Lochaber forced wave after wave of attack. A solo run from Shaun Nicolson, who had come back on in place of Danny Delaney, was halted by two home defenders with Mark MacDonald touching the ball out for a corner. The visitors reduced the deficit to a single goal on 84 minutes when ‘Shiel failed to clear their lines from a shy on the right and Shaun Nicolson fired high into the net to make it 3-2. There was to be no leveller though and at the other end, Keith MacRae put the ball just the wrong side of the post with a shot from the left a couple of minutes from time. This was Kinlochshiel’s second home win from two home league fixtures and they go fifth in the table. The two points could prove priceless at the end of the season.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Aberdour 7 Lochside Rovers 0 Aberdour went nap, beating Lochside Rovers 7-0 in their noon clash as Silver Sands. Angus Thorburn bagged a double on 13 and 18 minutes to give Aberdour a 2-0 half time lead. Darren Coyle helped himself to a hat-trick with goals on 53, 61 and 73 minutes to make it 5-0. Angus Thorburn completed his hat-trick when he scored his second a couple of minutes later. Darren Coyle got his fourth and Aberdour’s seventh goal just 4 minutes from time. Aberdour’s progress continues as they go third in the table, behind second place Ballachulish on goal difference, but they have played a game more.
Strathdearn Cup – First Round Newtonmore 5 Kingussie 0 The first of a Badenoch derby double-header between Newtonmore and Kingussie took place at the Eilan on Friday 2 May 2014 with a 6.30pm throw up. And it was Newtonmore who gained revenge for their Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup defeat to Kingussie four weeks earlier as they ran out 5-0 winners. Former Lochcarron player Kenny Ross has been playing in goal for the Newtonmore second team this season but he started this match as an outfield player. Ronald Ross was missing for Kingussie after picking up an injury against Skye Camanachd the previous weekend. This was an engrossing encounter with both sides looking to play shinty at all times. Calum Stewart gave Newtonmore a 3 minute lead and when referee Archie Ritchie pointed to the penalty spot for a kick inside the D after 12 minutes, home captain Conor Jones stepped up to convert from the spot. Conor Jones got his second on 34 minutes to leave ‘More 3-0 ahead at the break. Chris Sellar on 56 minutes and Craig MacLeod on 69 minutes made sure that Newtonmore deservedly progressed to the next round.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Fort William 5 Kinlochshiel 1 League leaders Fort William stay out in front following their 5-1 win over Kinlochshiel at An Aird. All the Fort William goals came from the Campbell brothers with Ewen Campbell putting them ahead after 14 minutes. ‘Shiel youngster Fergus Dobson made it 1-1 on 21 minutes. Ryan Campbell put the home side ahead again on 31 minutes and two more goals just before half time gave the Fort the initiative. First Graham Campbell made it 3-1 on 43 minutes and Ewen Campbell got his second on the stroke of half time. Ewen Campbell completed his hat-trick with the only goal of the second half on 66 minutes.
Lochaber 2 Glengarry 5 Glengarry stay second after coming out on top in the derby meeting with Lochaber at Spean Bridge. Regular Lochaber second team keeper Bryn Whittaker was on first team duty whilst Glengarry’s George Henderson was suspended. Scott Paterson scored twice for the home side but four goal Daniel MacLennan and a Steven Cameron strike gave ‘Garry the points. The Craigard side are behind table toppers Fort William on goal difference.
Boleskine 4 Skye Camanachd 2 Boleskine beat a youthful Skye Camanachd side 4-2 at Farr. Angie MacDonald gave Skye an early lead when he collected an Iain MacLellan pass at the edge of the D before rounding keeper Craig Pirie to score. Craig Hazle equalised when he burst forward from wing centre to get on the end of a Neil Hope pass and he bulleted a blistering 25 yard drive into the roof of the net. Referee Martin MacLean penalised Skye full back DJ Gilpin for a kick inside the D and awarded the home side a penalty. Skye keeper Iain MacLeod made a fantastic save from Lewis Smith’s thunderous penalty but the Islanders failed to clear the rebound and when the ball was squared to Lewis Smith, he tucked it inside the post to swing the game Boleskine’s way. Iain MacLellan made it 2-2 just before half time after collecting a huge Thomas Wilson shy before turning his marker and scoring from an acute angle. Ewen Fraser scored from a goalmouth scramble to put the home side back in front just after the restart. Craig Hazle’s second goal made it 4-2 after good lead up play from Lewis Smith to give Boleskine the points.
Lochcarron 2 Aberdeen University 2 Lochcarron and Aberdeen University met for the second time in a fortnight, this time in a Marine Harvest North Division 2 clash at Battery Park. The Students were 3-1 winners in their Balliemore Cup tie but this time they had to settle for a share of the points. Lochcarron’s David McCuish was missing as he served the second match of a two game ban. Veteran Gregor Cushnie gave Lochcarron a 27 minute lead which they took into the break. Former Fort William player Mark Fraser made it 1-1 a couple of minutes into the second half and Jamie Beaton put the visitors in front 3 minutes later. However Gregor Cushnie got his and Lochcarron’s second goal on 54 minutes to make it 2-2. This, remarkably, was Lochcarron’s first league match of the season.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Tayforth 3 Tayforth remain top of the pile after they beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-0 in their noon meeting at Yoker. David Arnott put Tayforth ahead on 10 minutes and Derry Barton added a second on 35 minutes. Shane Mason rounded off the 3-0 win with a goal on the hour mark.
Aberdour 0 Inveraray 1 Inveraray took the points as they beat Aberdour 1-0 in their 3pm throw up at Silver Sands. Inveraray U17 player Fraser Watt got the all-important goal and he is in a rich vein of form, scoring six goals in his last three league matches. Inveraray remain second, a point behind leaders Tayforth.
Bute 1 Col Glen 1 It was honours even in the 3pm derby between Bute and Col Glen at the Meadows. With two home matches, Bute were able to call on some of the players who had played for their first team earlier in the day. One of these players was Tom McMillan and he put the Islanders ahead on 19 minutes when Col Glen failed to clear a Scott Dann free hit. Chris McGowan came close to increasing Bute’s lead just before the break but Col Glen came more into the game in the second half. Jack Smith notched a deserved equaliser on 64 minutes when he volleyed home after a Gordon Bruce corner. Col Glen were on the ascendancy and former Bute player Neil McKirdy hit the post and Jamie MacVicar also went close but they had to settle for a point.
Glenorchy 0 Ballachulish 1 Glenorchy went down 1-0 to Ballachulish in their noon throw up at Mart Park. This meeting between the two new reserve sides was settled on 10 minutes when Lewis Bryson scored the only goal of the game.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Inverness 0 Lochbroom 1 Lochbroom got back on their winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Inverness at the Bught. Cameron MacKenzie was suspended for Lochbroom. Jamie MacFadyen got the only goal of the game a couple of minutes into the second half. Lochbroom are now just a point behind leaders Caberfeidh in the table.
Lewis Camanachd W/O v Strathspey Camanachd There was disappointment for Lewis Camanachd as their first home match of the season against Strathspey Camanachd was postponed as the visitors were unable to raise a team because of injury, suspension and player unavailability due to work commitments. The points have been awarded to Lewis Camanachd. |