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The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 12 March 2016 | |
13 March 2016 The second weekend of the new shinty season conjured up some interesting results on Saturday 12 March 2016
Marine Harvest Premiership Newtonmore 7 Glenurquhart 0 Champions Newtonmore opened their bid for seven league titles in a row in impressive fashion when they beat Glenurquhart 7-0 at the Eilan. There are a number of personnel changes from last season at the Eilan. Owen Fraser has taken over in goal from the retired Michael Ritchie. Scott Chisholm is abroad whilst Cameron Binnie has taken a step back this season because of work commitments. However Fraser MacKintosh has returned from a trip abroad and he made a 20 minute appearance whilst Jamie Robinson is recovering from a hernia operation and he was an unused substitute. Glenurquhart were still without the injured the Euan Lloyd and James Hurwood whilst Andrew Corrigan was working. James MacPherson was with the Glen seconds. Newtonmore went in front on 20 minutes. Glen MacKintosh found himself in space just outside the D and he struck the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Iain Robinson started for the home side and the youngster’s name is likely to feature prominently in the top division scoring lists this season. Robinson opened his account on 21 minutes when he won the ball from Ally MacKintosh before getting past him and slotting the ball into the net. Glen MacKintosh got his second goal a minute later when he received the ball around the penalty spot and he rolled his marker before sending a powerful shot past Stuart MacKintosh in the Glen goal. Newtonmore had now scored three goals in only 3 minutes. Newtonmore went four goals to the good on 42 minutes. Iain Robinson did well on the wing to beat his man and he sent the ball across to Glen MacKintosh who completed a first half hat-trick with a wonderful finish. There was more to come as just on the stroke of half time. Evan Menzies collected possession from Paul MacArthur. Menzies took the ball down on chest before sending a thunderous strike past the helpless keeper to make it 5-0 at the interval. Newtonmore added a sixth on 53 minutes when Norman Campbell played a high ball to Glen MacKintosh and his first-time pass set up Iain Robinson, all alone at the back post, and Robinson hit a quick, clean shot underneath Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh. Iain Robinson completed his hat-trick with just 7 minutes remaining. Norman Campbell pushed forward and slid the ball to Iain Robinson and he managed to out-pace John Barr and Fraser Heath before sending a great strike into the top corner to make it 7-0. It wasn’t Glenurquhart’s day in what is one of the most difficult fixtures in their league schedule and they had a second penalty miss in successive Saturdays as Fraser Heath sent the spot-hit over the bar. Click on the link to see highlights from the game
Lovat 2 Kinlochshiel 5 Kinlochshiel twice came from a goal down to eventually beat Lovat 5-2 in their 3pm throw up at Balgate. Lovat boss John MacRitchie relied on the squad which lifted the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup last season. However he was without the suspended Lorne MacKay whilst Calum MacAulay was ruled out through injury. Kinlochshiel boss Colin Fraser was without last season’s top scorer Jordan Fraser who started a two-match ban. However there was a competitive debut at buckshee back for Scotland international Conor Cormack who joined Kinlochshiel from Beauly in the close season. This allowed Finlay MacRae to start at full forward. Kinlochshiel began the game with a strong wind advantage in their favour but it was Lovat who settled into the game first and Lewis Tawse disposed Conor Cormack in the opening minute but his shot went wide of goal. The young Lovat centre line of Craig Mainland, Danny Kelly and Martin Mainland took a grip of the game and the home side went in front on 18 minutes. ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy made a save but Lewis Tawse, as he often does, followed the ball in and he lifted the rebound into the net to make it 1-0. The home side continued to press but Conor Cormack’s big hitting from the back helped take the pressure off the visitors. ‘Shiel came close to an equaliser when Conor Cormack found Keith MacRae and he sent a screaming shot goalwards but Lovat goalie Stuart MacDonald dived to make a very good save. Kinlochshiel drew level on 26 minutes. Full centre Donald Nixon launched a free-hit into the Lovat goal area and Stuart MacDonald seemed to lose the ball under his feet which gave Finlay MacRae the chance to force the ball home. Lovat went back in front on 34 minutes. Greg Matheson latched onto a ball down the right and his cross deflected off a defender’s caman into the path of Kevin Bartlett at the edge of the D and the Scottish international wasn’t going to miss from there. Kinlochshiel drew level for a second time with just 3 first half minutes remaining. Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald was looking to clear a ball out of the danger-area but Keith MacRae nipped in to get to it first. MacRae took the ball around the goalie before rolling it home from a tight angle to make it 2-2 at half time. Lovat threatened 5 minutes after the restart when Scott Kennedy turned away a long ball from midfield with Greg Matheson ready to pounce. The clearance came to Kevin Bartlett who rocketed the ball into the net from 25 yards out however the goal was disallowed as Matheson was in an offside position. Lovat continued to press but it was Kinlochshiel who would go in front for the first time in the match with an hour played. A ball into the Lovat goal area was missed by a couple of defenders and as Stuart MacDonald came off his line to try and clear the danger, John MacRae was left with the chance to steer the ball into the empty net. Keith MacRae punished the Lovat defence to make it 4-2 just a couple of minutes later for what was his second goal of the afternoon. Euan Ferguson replaced Ryan Ferguson in the Lovat attack on 73 minutes. ‘Shiel’s final goal came a minute later and it was the pick of the bunch. John MacRae collected a cross from the right at the edge of the D. MacRae showed great strength and ball control as he held off several challenges before picking his spot with a composed finish to make it 5-2. Duncan “DA” MacRae replaced David Falconer in the ‘Shiel defence with just 10 minutes remaining and, a couple of minutes later, Calum MacLean came on for Donald Nixon who had suffered a blow to the arm. MacLean joined the attack with Finlay MacRae dropping back to take over from Nixon at full centre. .
Kingussie 1 Fort William 0 A Saturday morning pitch inspection ruled An Aird unplayable so Fort William’s clash with Kingussie was switched to the Dell with a 1pm throw up. Kingussie were without keeper Craig Dawson so wing centre Rory MacGregor deputised with Jake MacPherson at wing centre. Fort William were without James Tangney whilst Cal Brown served the second game of his two-match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Both sides had young substitutes with Robert Mabon, Calum Grant and Roddy Young featuring for the Kings and Lewis Morrison, Jay MacLeod and Seamus Gall listed as the Fort replacements. The only goal of the game came after 20 minutes. Kingussie broke forward and referee John Angus Gillies allowed a good advantage following a foul on Savio Genini. Thomas Borthwick took aim 20 yards from goal and he sent an unstoppable drive past Fort William keeper Paul MacKay to make it 1-0. Thomas Borthwick and Ryan Borthwick each had a couple of attempts in the second have but Paul MacKay made really good saves. Fort William tried hard to get on level terms but Scotland defender Lee Bain was solid at the back for the Kings, sweeping up several attacks. Both Fraser Munro for the home side and Niall MacPhee for the visitors were booked for reckless caman swinging. The win, coupled win a point against Lochaber last weekend, means Kingussie are the early top division leaders. Kingussie v Fort William – First Half Kingussie v Fort William – First Half Kingussie v Fort William – First Half Kingussie v Fort William – Second Half
Lochaber 1 Skye Camanachd 1 With most of the west coast shinty pitches deemed unplayable this weekend, Spean Bridge bucked the trend as it hosted the encounter between Lochaber and newly promoted Skye Camanachd. Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson was still without Zandz Ferguson but Martin Johnstone returned after missing last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Kingussie and he started on the bench alongside Barry MacDonald and Finlay MacDonald. Skye Camanachd first team manager John MacLeod was without forwards Will Cowie and Danny Morrison. However Shockie MacLennan, Iain Nicolson and David MacInnes were added to the squad that was named for last week’s postponed match against Lovat in place of Neil John Campbell Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod and John Angus MacInnes. Ally “Spod” MacLeod was a late call-off for the Islanders with a knee injury which is likely to keep him out for around four weeks so Shockie MacLennan started in defence. Skye started well on a heavy pitch and John Gillies, making his first senior start, shot wide after 5 minutes. However the Islanders had to rely of keeper Jamie Gannon to keep them on level terms with a couple of good saves. Lochaber took the lead on 23 minutes when Stuart Callison crashed a rebound into the net after Gannon had made an initial save. Skye equalised on 61 minutes. Jordan Murchison had gone close on a couple of occasions before he found just enough space to send a great 25 yard waist-high shot into the net to make it 1-1. Both sides had chances to win it but the draw gives Lochaber a second point from two games whilst Skye will be happy to have secured a first point league from a difficult opening fixture.
Oban Camanachd P Kyles Athletic P With both sides recording impressive wins in their opening day fixtures, the meeting between Oban Camanachd and Kyles Athletic at Mossfield looked to be the pick of the day’s shinty action. However there was disappointment for both clubs as the game was called off early on Saturday morning as Mossfield was waterlogged and Kyles’ Tighnabruaich pitch wasn’t an option as it was also unplayable. Some of the Oban Camanachd squad took the chance to head for Spean Bridge to have a look at next week’s opponents Skye Camanachd.
Marine Harvest National Division Bute 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Glasgow Mid Argyll are the early Marine Harvest National Division pace-setters following their 4-0 triumph over Bute at the Meadows. Bute’s James Craig was free of his two-match suspension. However GMA’s new signing John McNulty has yet to complete his four-game ban which was carried forward from his time with Glenorchy last season. GMA started in devastating fashion and they were 3-0 ahead after just 10 minutes. Euan Forsyth got the opener after 3 minutes when he got on the ball on the GMA left, just outside the D, and he drilled a backhand shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0. Euan Forsyth then turned provider as he played a ball in from the wing to Calum McLay who ran the ball into the D before slotting it past the keeper to make it 2-0. It’s been a good week for GMA’s Craig Anderson. After scoring in the University of Strathclyde’s 2-0 Littlejohn Vase Final win over Edinburgh University during the week, the Scotland U21 forward made it 3-0 when the ball broke to him around 30 yards out in a central position. Anderson needed no second invitation as he hit the ball into the top corner of the net on his left side. The pitch really started to cut-up which didn’t help the teams. Craig Anderson got his second and GMA’s fourth goal 5 minutes after the restart when he got on the end of a Euan Forsyth cross from the left to the back post and Anderson tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net from just outside the D. Bute threw substitute Iain MacDonald into attack but the GMA defence, with Mark Bain in fine form, stayed resolute. To cap a miserable day for the home side, Arran Dunn was sent off late in the game by referee David Mitchell for a second yellow card.
Beauly 6 Inveraray 2 Beauly twice came from behind to beat Inveraray 6-2 at Braeview Park. Barrie MacDonald and Liam Mutch were still out through injury for Beauly. Inveraray player / boss Ruaridh Graham had served his three-game ban and he started on the bench. Alan MacDonald continued to stand-in for the injured David Robertson at full centre. Lewis Montgomery was also free of suspension and he started in attack. The visitors had seven players aged under 18 in their squad as they go through a transitional period. Beauly’s Jack MacDonald netted twice in last weekend’s 5-2 victory over Inverness and he stole the show in this clash with a superb five-goal haul. Inveraray had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half and Grant Griffin, who missed a large chunk of last season through injury, sent the ball low past Beauly keeper Josh Grant to make it 1-0. Beauly equalised on 15 minutes when Jack MacDonald scored from inside the D after being set-up by Sandy Elrick. Inveraray struggled to get shots on target against Bute last weekend but their forwards linked up well on 20 minutes with Lewis Montgomery supplying the finishing touch from 18 yards out. Inveraray looked the more likely to add to their lead before the interval and they would regret not doing so. Beauly had the elements in their favour in the second half and they drew level for a second time following a corner 10 minutes after the restart. The ball fell for Jack MacDonald and he sent a 20 yard shot through a ruck of players and it beat unsighted keeper Scott MacLachlan to make it 2-2. Jack MacDonald completed his hat-trick 4 minutes later to put Beauly in front for the first time in the match. MacDonald sent a low drive into the net from the edge of the D after the impressive Colin MacDonald had won possession in midfield. Beauly’s fast forward play was a joy to watch and Jack MacDonald got his and Beauly’s fourth on 62 minutes when he latched onto a Conor Ross shy to score from 15 yards. Inveraray player / manager Ruaridh Graham came on but the pattern of play continued the same. It was Jack MacDonald to the fore again on 78 minutes when he prodded the ball home from close-range following a goalmouth melee to make it 5-2. When the Inveraray defence failed to clear their lines on 87 minutes, Conor Ross slammed the ball into the roof of the net to clinch a 6-2 win. Beauly now only trail league leaders Glasgow Mid Argyll on goal difference and the win sets up an interesting encounter between the two sides at Braeview Park this coming weekend.
Caberfeidh 4 Inverness 1 Caberfeidh came from a goal down to beat Inverness 4-1 at Castle Leod. This was Caberfeidh’s first appearance of the league season as their match with Kilmallie had been postponed the previous weekend. Inverness were without Craig Nicholson who sustained a hand injury against Beauly last weekend. James Cameron put Inverness ahead after 39 minutes but Martin MacDonald made it 1-1 just a minute before the break. Ally MacLennan gave Cabers the lead a minute after the restart and it stayed that way until the final 10 minutes of the game. Ruaridh MacLeman made it 3-1 on 80 minutes and Martin MacDonald got his second 5 minutes from time to round off the 4-1 win.
Ballachulish P Kilmallie P The encounter between Ballachulish and Kilmallie was postponed on Saturday morning as the Jubilee Park was unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Kingussie 5 Fort William 1 With their team’s senior sides meeting earlier in the day, the Fort William and Kingussie second teams took centre stage at 3pm at the Dell. And it was Kingussie who ran out 5-1 winners against last year’s league champions. Kingussie took the chance to give Calum Grant a run-out after he was a first team substitute in the earlier game. Fort William’s Scott Knox served the second game of his two-match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. However there was a place for Scott Henderson who signed from Ballachulish during the close season. Kevin Thain, a Ruaridh Anderson hat-trick and a Calum Grant goal all counted for Kingussie with Scott Henderson countering for Fort William. The win means that the Kingussie first and second teams top their respective leagues after the first two weekends of the new shinty season. Kingussie v Fort William – First Half
Glenurquhart 0 Newtonmore 3 The visitors were 3-0 victors as the Glenurquhart and Newtonmore second teams clashed at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart’s James MacPherson was available following suspension whilst ‘More included former first team captain John MacKenzie. ‘More led 2-0 at the break thanks to a Neil Stewart goal on 15 minutes and a Darrin Fowler effort on 36 minutes. John MacKenzie made it 3-0 on 66 minutes.
Strathglass 5 Skye Camanachd 1 Strathglass beat the Skye Camanachd colts 5-1 at Cannich. The match was originally scheduled for Pairc nan Laoch, Portree but constant rain from late Friday afternoon left the Portree pitch unplayable. Neil John Campbell Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod and John Angus MacInnes returned to the Skye squad after being named with the Skye firsts last weekend. There were also places for Andrew Banks and Iain MacPherson. Darren Reid scored twice for Strathglass with Eddie Noble, Steven Hyslop and Barry Phimister getting the others. James Pringle grabbed a consolation goal for Skye.
Lovat 0 Kinlochshiel 4 The Kinlochshiel reserves and the Lovat reserves were scheduled to meet at Kirkton. However an unplayable field meant the game was switched to Balgate with a 12.30pm throw up and ‘Shiel took the points with a 4-0 win. Lovat were without defender James Grieve who started a two-match ban for his red card against the Skye Camanachd seconds last week. There were no goals during the first 45 minutes with ‘Shiel missing a number of chances. Promising youngster Chris Townend gave ‘Shiel the lead after 51 minutes when his ball from wide on the left went into the net off the keeper’s caman. Neil Fraser gave ‘Shiel a physical presence in attack which the young Lovat defence found difficult to cope with and Steven Isles made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later with a 20 yard shot from just left of centre. Lovat moved full back Fraser Gallacher up front with Sam Ferguson switching positions to take over. Kinlochshiel put gloss on the win with a late Scott MacLean double on 85 and then 87 minutes. MacLean’s second saw him dribble the ball around marker Ferguson before placing it in the bottom corner of the net.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Col Glen 1 Taynuilt 1 Col Glen and Taynuilt shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Glendaruel. Col Glen took the lead when they worked the ball forward from a goal-hit. Half forward Jamie MacVicar chipped the ball onto the D where Steven MacKellar finished in style. Taynuilt earned a point when Ryan Gillies made a darting run onto a well-placed corner from the left and he axed the ball above head-height into the top left corner of the next for what was a spectacular equaliser.
Lochside Rovers P Kyles Athletic P The venue for the match between the Kyles Athletic second team and Lochside Rovers was switched to Ganavan on Friday afternoon when Tighnabruaich was ruled unplayable. However the pitch at Ganavan failed a Saturday morning pitch inspection so the game was called off.
Glenorchy P Oban Celtic P The match between Glenorchy and Oban Celtic was postponed as Mart Park was unplayable. This means both Oban Celtic and Lochside Rovers, who occupy the top two spots in the league, had a free week ahead of this Saturday’s Oban Derby at Mossfield.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Glengarry 1 Caberfeidh 2 Two goals in the last 15 minutes gave the Caberfeidh colts a 2-1 win over Glengarry at Craigard. Glengarry included former Glenurquhart and Boleskine player Raymond Robertson in their side whilst Caberfeidh’s Declan Wilson was suspended. The first half finished goalless but Raymond Robertson put the home side ahead on the hour mark. However a Colin MacLennan goal on 75 minutes and James Rolfe effort just 5 minutes from time gives Cabers the win that sends them to the top of the table. Glengarry’s Scott Bremner faces a two match ban as he was sent off by referee by referee Daniel MacRae.
Boleskine 0 Lochaber 2 The Lochaber second team beat Boleskine 2-0 at Smith Park. Boleskine had new boss Jamie Matheson and his assistant Jimmy MacKenzie in their fold. Lochaber’s James MacIntyre was again sidelined through suspension. The first half looked as if it was going to finish without a goal when Lochaber’s Johnny Cameron played a corner in to around the penalty spot and Stuart Matheson fired a great shot into the net. It was the last hit of the first half. Stuart Matheson got his and Lochaber’s second on 77 minutes to leave the Spean Bridge side behind leaders Caberfeidh on goal difference.
Inverness 1 Lochcarron 3 Lochcarron collected their first two points of the season when they beat the Inverness second team 3-1 at the Bught Park. Nick Dalgety gave Lochcarron an 18 minute lead but former Kinlochshiel player Stuart MacRae drew Inverness level on 35 minutes. However it only took Lochcarron 3 minutes to get back in front and it was Nick Dalgety who again made the difference. Crisdean Finlayson sealed the win with a goal 15 minutes from time.
Kilmallie P Strathspey Camanachd P The Kilmallie second team and Strathspey Camanachd will both have to wait another week to start their league campaigns as an unplayable pitch led to the postponement of their game at the Canal Parks
Aberdeen University P Lewis Camanachd P Heavy rain in the Granite City led to the Friday afternoon postponement of the match between Aberdeen University and Lewis Camanachd at Balgownie
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth 7 Oban Lorn 0 Tayforth put six goals past the Aberdour seconds on the opening day of the season and they went one better this week with a 7-0 win over Oban Lorn at Levenhall Links. Oban Lorn’s Calum MacLean was free of his one-match suspension so joined the squad. However he will face another spell on the sidelines after being sent off by referee Ross Brown for speaking out of turn. Tayforth had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half and they led 4-0 at the break. Tayforth’s Orsten Gardner grabbed a hat-trick with Brendan Duggan and Finlay Stark both bagging a brace. The win means Tayforth top Marine Harvest South Division 1 on goal difference.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 8 Bute 1 The Glasgow Mid Argyll reserves are in second spot after they over-powered the Bute second team 8-1 at Yoker. Andy Mathie scored twice for GMA. When referee Iain Kennedy pointed to the penalty spot, former Kilmallie player Nick Lavin stepped up to score from the spot. Angus MacInnes was GMA’s top scorer with four goals with Lewis Miller getting the other. Ben Clarke scored a consolation goal for the Islanders. It’s been a good start to the season for GMA. Their first and second teams have both won their opening two fixtures, their ladies team has also made a winning start and they are getting 25-30 players at training each week. Bute’s Chris McGowan will miss his team’s next outing after he was sent off by referee Iain Kennedy.
Aberdour 0 Kilmory 9 Kilmory, who were relegated from Marine Harvest South Division 1 at the end of last season, seem intent on a swift return and they were too strong for the Aberdour second team, winning 9-0 at Silver Sands. Duncan MacBrayne gave Kilmory an early lead and he added a second shortly after. Kilmory full centre Ally Cunningham made it 3-0 mid-way through the first half with Alex Cunningham adding a fourth almost straight from the restart. Hal Jones scored either side of the break to make it 6-0. Duncan MacBrayne completed his hat-trick mid-way through the second half shortly before Alex Cunningham scored his second to make it 8-0. Hal Jones completed his hat-trick 15 minutes from time to complete a 9-0 triumph.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report says differently. The match reports will be updated as more information becomes available)
(Picture of Five-Goal Jack MacDonald Courtesy of Donald Cameron) |