The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 10 October 2015 | |
12 October 2015 Newtonmore are only a game away from securing a sixth successive Marine Harvest Premiership title whilst a late goal at Mossfield confirms Inveraray departure from shinty’s top flight following the shinty action on Saturday 10 October 2015.
Marine Harvest Premier Division Oban Camanachd 3 Glenurquhart 3 Oban Camanachd showed their fighting qualities when they came from 3-1 down to grab a share of the points in a feisty 3pm throw up with Glenurquhart at Mossfield. This encounter doubled up as the 2015 Mod Cup clash with the Royal National Mod starting in Oban the previous day. The injured Andrew MacCuish was still out for Oban Camanachd and he will likely miss the rest of the season as he has had to get his injured finger reset. Iain MacMillan returned after missing last week’s defeat to Kinlochshiel through work commitments. The Glen had brothers Michael Brady and Ewan Brady back but they were still without their captain Andrew Corrigan. Mossfield was in fine condition and Neale Reid put the Glen ahead after 14 minutes when he got on the end of a low ball from a corner to score. Ewan Brady made it 2-0 just a minute later when he beat his man before hitting a backhand shot into the top corner of the net, past Oban keeper Gavin Stobbart. Fraser Heath and Neale Reid passed up chances to put the visitors further ahead before Daniel MacVicar gave the Oban side hope when he made it 2-1 with a goal a minute before the break. But the points seemed destined for Drumnadrochit when Neale Reid got his second on 49 minutes when a home defender missed a shy into the goal area and the ball dropped for Reid who scored from a tight angle. The Glen lost defender Michael Brady who suffered a blow to the arm and he had to be substituted. Eddie Tembo came on in midfield with Ally MacKintosh dropping back into defence. Aiden MacIntyre, who played wing centre against Kinlochshiel last weekend, was pushed further forward and he made it 3-2 on 71 minutes. Glenurquhart defender Euan Lloyd had been struggling with a cold before the game and he came off with Fraser Heath dropping back into defence. Bradley Cameron came on up front. You could feel the tension around the ground in the closing stages and, to the delight of the home support; Aidan MacIntyre scored his second to make it 3-3 following a flowing move which started in the home defence with just a minute remaining. The share of the points helps Oban Camanachd’s relegation cause. However the destination of the Mod Cup still had to be settled so referee Lachie Wood took the contest to a penalty-shoot-out. The Glen failed to score their first four penalties. Daniel Cameron was on target for Oban Camanachd and when Lorne Dickie netted their fifth penalty, there was no requirement for the Drumnadrochit side to take their final spot-hit. Glenurquhart’s two-goal Neale Reid was named man of the match. The Oban Camanachd point officially relegates Inveraray. The Mossfield side’s target is avoid the relegation play-off spot by catching eighth place Kingussie who are three points better off but who have played three games more. Oban Camanachd’s final two fixtures are difficult encounters away to Kyles and at home to Newtonmore. Therefore their best chance of survival seems to be ensuring they take something from this coming weekend’s home encounter with Lochaber and the home meeting with rivals Kingussie a fortnight later.
Inveraray 4 Kinlochshiel 3 Inveraray are relegated despite surviving a late fight back to beat Kinlochshiel 4-3 at the Winterton. Inveraray were without Ruaridh Graham who started a three game ban which will carry forward into next season following his red card in the 2-1 defeat to Kingussie last weekend. Andrew McMurdo was free to play for the home side but he will miss the home meeting with Kyles Athletic next weekend for passing the disciplinary points threshold. Douglas Dando, Grant Griffin, Chris Crawford and John Kennedy were all still out. Regular full centre David Robertson continued at full forward as he was still suffering from a back injury so David MacPherson continued to deputise at full centre where he had a good battle with Donald Nixon. Reserve player John MacKenzie continued at buckshee back whist youngster Lewis Montgomery stared in attack in place of Fraser Watt. Kinlochshiel were without a number of players including Scotland captain Finlay MacRae and fellow international John MacRae. Oliver MacRae was also unavailable as he served the second match of a two game ban for passing the disciplinary points threshold. Colin Fraser assumed the role of player / manager for ‘Shiel when he was named as their only substitute. Inveraray went in front when their top scorer Euan McMurdo scored his eleventh senior goal of the season with a low shot which beat Scott Kennedy in the ‘Shiel goal to make it 1-0. Kinlochshiel levelled on 44 minutes when Keith MacRae sent the ball low into the net from the corner of the D to make it 2-0 and the sides went into the break on level terms. Inveraray were carrying on the good form from last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Kingussie and Garry MacPherson put the home side back in front on 48 minutes after he was left in too much space and he buried a waist-high effort from 12 yards out to make it 2-1. Inveraray gave themselves some breathing space thanks to a 20 yard rocket-shot from David Robertson which flew into the roof of the net to make it 3-1 on the hour mark. Robertson then got his second and Inveraray’s fourth on 70 minutes following a fine solo effort and he rounded Scott Kennedy to score. Kinlochshiel made a late fight-back and a low shot from Keith MacRae, his second goal of the game, beat Scott MacLachlan in the home goal to make it 4-2. Duncan “DA” MacRae set up a tense finish when he crashed a 15 yard shot into the roof of the net to make it 4-3 with a minute of regulation time remaining. However Inveraray saw out the rest of the game to take the points. However as news of Oban Camanachd’s late leveller against Glenurquhart filtered through, it was clear that Inveraray would finish bottom of the table and have to take the positives, from their last two fixtures, including today’s introduction of 15 year old Ross Montgomery and rebuild their first team squad in the Marine Harvest National Division next season.
Lovat 4 Kyles Athletic 0 Lovat quashed any lingering doubts that they may be sucked into the relegation battle by arguably playing their best game all season as they beat Kyles Athletic 4-0 at Balgate. This was of course a repeat of the 2015 SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup, which was won by Lovat. Drew Howie was missing for the home side but Martin Mainland and Euan Ferguson both returned. Kyles were short of two regulars with injury ruling out defender Andrew King whilst Dunkie Kerr didn’t travel North. Roddy MacDonald was back in attack after missing the previous weekend’s draw with Glenurquhart but Roberto Zavaroni was unavailable. Lovat took the lead after just 8 minutes. The ball was played across to Lorne MacKay, who had peeled away from Callum Millar to the left on the edge of the "D", and he had enough time to steady himself before showing great composure as he blasted a close-range shot which soared high past Kyles’ keeper John Whyte. The keeper did get his stick to the ball but he was unable to keep it out of the net. A Greg Matheson rocket-shot from 25 yards out crashed off the crossbar on 20 minutes and Lovat looked in the mood. The second goal was just a couple of minutes away. Lewis Tawse had moved forward to the right of the D as the ball was played towards the other side of the pitch. A Kyles defender got a slight touch to the resultant cross from the left take the ball out of the danger area but Tawse chased out after the ball before turning and sending a snap-shot low into the net to make it 2-0. Kyles responded on 24 minutes and a fierce close-range shot from Roddy MacDonald produced a fantastic save from Stuart MacDonald. The Lovat forward line was playing fast one-touch shinty which Kyles struggled to contain. Kyles Coach James Perlich made a change to an unusual defence – missing Andrew King and having Thomas Whyte utilised in attack - with Christopher Blair replaced by Ross MacRae on the half-hour mark. John Whyte well saved from Greg Matheson on 32 minutes. On 36 minutes, the ball came to Lorne MacKay in a similar position to where he scored the opening goal but this time he failed to hit target. Kyles’ custodian John Whyte made a double save on the stroke of half time to prevent the home side going further ahead. Kevin Bartlett's pace was creating chances for his fellow forwards and this time he slipped his marker and took the ball to a central position on the edge of the D. Bartlett’s low shot was well saved with his legs by Whyte. The ball went out to the Lovat left and Bartlett was first to react but his shot from an acute angle was expertly stopped by with his stick by the keeper. Kyles’ Scotland U21 defender Cammy Keith came off on 53 minutes with Thomas Whyte dropping back to defence and Christopher Blair returning to the field to join the forward line. Kyles forward Mathew MacColl was able to run some distance with the ball on 56 minutes and his shot produced a great save from Stuart MacDonald. The play was quickly swinging from end-to-end and on 59 minutes, Greg Matheson beat full back Callum Millar and he smashed the ball into the net under John Whyte's body for a great goal which made it 3-0. There was no stopping Lovat and they went 4-0 in front on 73 minutes. A shot from Calum MacAulay, who had just come on to replace Danny Kelly, was saved with his legs by John Whyte and the ball rebounded out to Lorne Mackay at the right edge of the box and his first-time shot flew into the net, giving the keeper no chance to save. Lovat’s Euan Ferguson came on for Greg Matheson a minute later. A 77 minute Calum MacAulay shot was heading into the net until John Whyte leapt high to palm the ball away to safety. Referee Deek Cameron’s final whistle signalled the end to an exciting, open game of shinty with lots of goalmouth action. This was a great match to watch; especially for the home support. There was an interesting tussle in midfield between two good players; Lewis Tawse and Robbie MacLeod. Scotland keeper Stuart MacDonald made a number of top class saves but it was the busier John Whyte in the Kyles goal who caught the eye as he time and again denied the Lovat forwards with a man of the match performance. So Lovat’s relegation fears are gone but it was disappointment for Kyles as only a miracle would now prevent Newtonmore winning the league.
Newtonmore 7 Fort William 0 Newtonmore’s 7-0 win over Fort William at the Eilan, coupled with Kyles defeat at Balgate, leaves the reigning champions with one hand on the Marine Harvest National Premiership trophy. Newtonmore gave Evan Menzies a starting spot after he was benched in the win over Lovat the previous week. Fort William travelled without a number of players; some of whom attended the wedding of club stalwart Chris Bamber including full centre Niall MacPhee and co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson so second team bosses Lachie MacDonald and Peter Wood looked after the side. Gordie MacKinnon had retired from the game the previous weekend but Duncan Rodger and youngster Calum Shepherd played. Evan Menzies put ‘More ahead on 9 minutes and he added a second just 5 minutes before the break. ‘More could have been further ahead at the break but Glen MacKintosh failed to convert from the penalty spot. Newtonmore stamped their authority on the match early in the second half. Glen MacKintosh on 46 minutes and a hat-trick goal from Evan Menzies a minute later doubled their advantage. Three goals in the last 17 minutes put the home side out of site. Evan Menzies added two more to his tally with goals on 73 and 75 minutes whilst Scott Chisholm rounded off the win with an 83 minute goal which made it 7-0. Fort William defender Steven Stewart required treatment for a knee injury late in the game. Newtonmore are now six points ahead of second place Kyles with both sides having three games to go. Next up for ‘More is a visit from SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup winners Lovat. A point will be enough to start the title celebrations and that’s assuming Kyles beat Inveraray at the Winterton.
Marine Harvest National Division The Marine Harvest National Division fixtures are complete.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Strathglass P Newtonmore P The match between Strathglass and the Newtonmore second team at Cannich was postponed as Strathglass were unable to raise a team. Strathglass have been deducted two points and the game will be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Oban Celtic 2 Lochside Rovers 5 Lochside Rovers came out on top in the Oban derby with a 5-2 win over Oban Celtic at Ganavan. Lochside Rovers built up a 3-0 lead at the break thanks to a Craig MacDougall double on 10 and 14 minutes, either side of a Brian MacCallum strike on 23 minutes. Oban Celtic’s David Duffy and Lochside Rovers’ Brian MacCallum traded goals 3 minutes after the break and an Ally McKerracher strike made it 4-2 with 69 minutes played. Keith Burnett’s third goal in two games sealed Lochside’s 5-2 win. The outcome could have been much closer had it not been for two penalty saves by Brian Logan in the Lochside Rovers goal. This was Lochside’s seventh successive league win and they remain two points ahead of Bute at the top of the table but they have played a game more. Next up for Lochside is a home meeting with second bottom Strachur.
Bute 8 Glenorchy 1 Bute stay hot on the heels of Lochside Rovers following their emphatic 8-1 win over Glenorchy at the Meadows. Bute have been on a fine run of form of late and their only dropped points in the last nine league games was a 3-0 reverse to leaders Lochside Rovers. John McNulty, who was this week named in the Scotland U21 squad ahead of Shinty / Hurling international against Ireland U21, served the second game of a three match ban for Glenorchy. Robert Walker continued his return from injury and he was Bute’s top marksman with four goals. Gordon MacMillan grabbed a double with 14 year old Craig MacKay and Duncan Davidson getting the others. Indeed Duncan Davidson had the ball in the net on three other occasions but his efforts were ruled out each time by referee Alan Harrison. James Livingston scored a consolation goal for third bottom Glenorchy. Bute travel to Tighnabruaich next weekend to play the Kyles Athletic second team.
Kilmory 2 Kyles Athletic 4 The Kyles Athletic second team beat Kilmory 4-2 at MacRae Park to condemn the home side to a bottom of the table finish. Ally Cunningham got Kilmory off to a great start with a goal after just 9 minutes. However they were only able to stay in front for 60 seconds as Rupert Williamson levelled. Rupert Williamson got his second on 38 minutes to give the Kyles colts the advantage at the break. Kilmory’s Steven Gilmour made it 2-2 on 52 minutes but Kyles pulled away in the final half hour. Rupert Williamson completed his hat-trick on 59 minutes to put his side back in front and Sandy MacKenzie made it 4-2 on 66 minutes. Kilmory fought hard but Kyles stayed in front. Kyles draw level with fifth place Aberdour and the Tighnabruaich side has a game in hand.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Skye Camanachd 8 Boleskine 0 Champions Skye Camanachd rounded off their season with a convincing 8-0 win over Boleskine at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie Pringle made five changes to the 15 man squad which beat Inverness to clinch the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title last weekend. John MacKenzie was injured whilst Calum Gibb and Neil John Campbell were in Ireland with the Alba squad ahead of Iomain Cholmcille 8. Iain MacLellan was on holiday and Chris MacLennan wasn’t asked to travel from Edinburgh after filling in last week. Regular buckshee Stewart Grant has moved abroad whilst Jamie Gannon is still out. There were call-ups for Skye U17 players Ross Nicolson and Jack Henderson as well as U14 player Martin Pringle. Will Cowie was an unused substitute ahead of moving to the USA for the winter months. Another youngster, Kyles Pirie, was also included in the squad as was Chris Rose. Boleskine travelled short of some regulars for what was also their final game of the season. Angie MacDonald gave Skye a 6 minute lead when he controlled a long ball from John Gillies before lobbing Boleskine keeper Craig Pirrie to score. Skye doubled their advantage when Boleskine defender Hamish Stoddart turned a John Gillies corner into his own net under pressure from James Pringle. Daniel Morrison made it 3-0 with a brilliant 35 yard strike which nestled in the top corner of the net. Skye youngster Jack Henderson made his second team debut at half-time. Skye’s John Angus MacInnes then scored twice to make it 5-0. His first came on 47 minutes when he knocked an Angie MacDonald cut-back into the net. He flicked his second into the net with Angie MacDonald again the provider. MacInnes went on to complete his hat-trick mid-way through the second half with a low 20 yard drive from the left. Skye swapped full back David Grant and full forward David Grant and Grant made the best of his opportunity up front on 70 minutes when he collected a DJ Gilpin pass and took the Boleskine back line by surprise with a blistering shot from wide on the left which beat the keeper inside his left post. David Grant got his second just 3 minutes later to make it 8-0 when he sent a backhand drive inside the goalie’s left post after playing a one-two with John Gillies. Skye gave a second team debut to Martin Pringle on 77 minutes and he almost scored from a rebound shortly after coming on. At the end of the match, the Boleskine squad showed their class when they crossed camans to form a “Guard of Honour” for the Skye players as they went forward to receive the trophy. The presentation was made to Skye captain David MacInnes by Marine Harvest Site Manager John Angus Gillies, introduced by Camanachd Association Competitions Director Keith Loades, and Gillies also refereed the game.
Inverness 4 Glengarry 2 The Inverness second team beat Glengarry 4-2 at the Bught Park. Inverness started well but a lapse at the back gave Dale Scott the chance to put ‘Garry ahead on 11 minutes and he made no mistake. Inverness got back on level terms 5 minutes before the break with Davie Duncan getting the goal. One of the Inverness team’s promising youngsters, Jamie Anderson scored a couple of minutes after the restart with what was his first goal at second team level to make it 3-1. When referee Martin MacLean awarded Inverness a penalty on 57 minutes, captain Stuart MacRae took responsibility and he scored confidently from the spot. Jamie Anderson got his second and Inverness’ fourth on 62 minutes and although Andrew Gilchrist pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on 69 minutes, the Highland Capital side took the points. Inverness finish the season in ninth place, having fulfilled all their league fixtures. Glengarry have one league match remaining but no matter the outcome, they will definitely finish behind champions Skye in second spot.
Kilmallie 3 Lochaber 1 Kilmallie came out on top in the reserve team derby against Lochaber at the Canal Parks. Brian MacKay, Kyle Michie and a Martin Stewart penalty all counted for Kilmallie whilst Finlay MacDonald got the Lochaber goal. The visitors cause wasn’t helped when James MacIntyre was sent off by referee John Wood after just 16 minutes. The win completes the Kilmallie second team’s league fixtures and they leap-frog Boleskine to secure a sixth place finish. The Lochaber seconds still have a game to go as second place Glengarry visit Span Bridge this coming Saturday. A home win would give Lochaber a third place spot in the league.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Aberdour 4 Bute 1 The Aberdour seconds were 4-1 winners against their Bute counter-parts at Silver Sands. John Martin Philips had missed the last two Aberdour first team games because of suspension so he was given a run-out for the second string and he made a telling contribution with a hat-trick. Craig Girvan got the other Aberdour goal with Neil McKirdy responding for the Islanders. This was only the Aberdour second team’s second league win of the season and both they and champions Col Glen are the only two sides in the league not to be docked points for failing to fulfil fixtures. Next weekend sees the bottom two sides meet at Jubilee Park as Aberdour visit Ballachulish. Both sides are on five points so the outcome will determine the bottom to placings in the division.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless stated differently) (These reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |