Newtonmore reached the Camanachd Cup Final and Lochcarron and the Glenurquhart second team will contest the Strathdearn Cup Final following the shinty action on Saturday 13 August 2016.
Camanachd Cup – Semi Final
Kinlochshiel 1 Newtonmore 2
Newtonmore are through to the Camanachd Cup Final after they beat Kinlochshiel 2-1 in their 4.05pm throw up at the Bught Park.
Jordan Fraser returned for Kinlochshiel after missing the previous weekend’s league win over Kyles Athletic. Newtonmore’s Jamie Robinson and Andy MacKintosh both recovered from knocks and both started.
Newtonmore opened with the wind advantage but Kinlochshiel made a bright start with Keith MacRae and then Jordan Fraser threatening the Newtonmore goal early in the contest.
Norman Campbell needed treatment after 10 minutes. He took a knock following a Finlay MacRae challenge which saw the two full centres lock horns. Campbell was able to continue but he was moved to full forward with Jamie Robinson going to full centre and Neil Stewart dropping back to wing centre.
‘Shiel had a grip of the midfield and Oliver MacRae flicked on a high Gordie MacDonald ball from the right before shooting low past the keeper’s left post.
Paul MacArthur was booked by referee Deek Cameron on 15 minutes for a comment made after playing the ball forward from midfield.
Newtonmore’s first real chance came a minute later as Chris Seller strode forward but he tugged the ball past ‘Shiel goalie Scott Kennedy’s right post.
There was an opportunity for ‘More a minute later when Neil Stewart played the ball in from the right. Jamie Robinson pushed the ball into the heart of the ‘Shiel defence where it was missed by the back-line and Norman Campbell surged forward to the left of the D and he took a touch before flicking the ball to the keeper’s right but Scott Kennedy was wise to it and he forced the ball away for a corner on the ‘More left. Norman Campbell then took a Paul MacArthur’s corner in the air but steered it wide of goal.
As much as Kinlochshiel dominated the opening 15 minutes, Newtonmore were coming more and more into the game and when Norman Campbell lofted a ball forward midway through the first half, David Falconer looked favourite to clear the danger but he missed his hit. Glen MacKintosh took advantage but Scott Kennedy moved quickly across his goal to keep the ball out with his feet at his left post at the expense of a corner.
Kinlochshiel were forced to make a change on 25 minutes when defender Conor Cormack suffered a serious hand injury which will require surgery. .John Don MacKenzie came on in his place.
‘Shiel’s Mark MacDonald had to scramble the ball away for a corner after a dangerous Chris Sellar run and the irony of the earlier injury to Norman Campbell was that the men from the Eilan looked a better unit with Jamie Robinson at full centre and Campbell at full forward.
Evan Menzies was next to go close as he played a one-two with Norman Campbell before running in on goal but he just wasn’t able to get any force in his shot; under pressure from John Don MacKenzie.
The west coast side returned on the offensive and an Oliver MacRae shot went wide of goal following a ‘Shiel set-piece after Steven MacDonald was penalised for barging Jordan Fraser in the back.
Kinlochshiel were moving the ball around nicely and when Gordie MacDonald set up Finlay MacRae around 22 yards from goal, his shot rose just over the top.
However it was Newtonmore who would take the lead on 39 minutes. Evan Menzies closed down a clearance on the Newtonmore left before playing the ball to Norman Campbell. Campbell moved away from goal before drifting the ball in to Glen MacKintosh who took it down with his back to goal. MacKintosh made just enough space to shoot high towards the goal and although Scott Kennedy got a stick to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out of the net.
Scott Kennedy had to move smartly to flick a low Chris Sellar shot from the right away for a corner as the contest moved into the closing stages of the first half.
Sellar went close again before his side took their 1-0 lead into the break.
Kinlochshiel now had the breeze in their favour in the second half but it took a superb Scott Kennedy save just under his bar to keep out a Norman Campbell drive on 54 minutes after Paul MacArthur had played the ball forward from midfield.
Owen Fraser saved with his feet from John MacRae and MacRae went even closer with a low drive across goal from the resultant corner.
Owen Fraser then saved with his feet again, this time from Oliver MacRae.
Newtonmore made a couple of changes just short of the hour mark as Drew MacDonald and Ackie MacRae took over from Norman Campbell and Chris Sellar.
David Falconer needed treatment after a midfield collision before Glen MacKintosh took an Evan Menzies pass and shot into the side-netting.
Newtonmore doubled their lead on 68 minutes. A Neil Stewart shot from a Jamie Robinson pass was deflected for a corner. Ackie MacRae sent in the corner from the right and when the ball broke to Neil Stewart, he sent a low strike into the net despite Scott Kennedy’s attempts to keep the ball out with his feet.
Kennedy then saved well with his hand from Glen MacKintosh after the ‘More hit-man held off John Don MacKenzie and cut in from the left.
Play quickly switched to the other end and a John MacRae shot flashed wide after a quick break forward on 71 minutes.
A hurried Keith MacRae snap-shot a couple of minutes later lacked power and the Kirkton side knew they needed to score next.
‘Shiel came within a whisker of pulling a goal back on 77 minutes. John MacRae found Jordan Fraser and his shot took a deflection off man of the match Steven MacDonald before spinning just past the post.
The Kinlochshiel goal was coming and it arrived following a set-piece a minute later. Oliver MacRae scooped the ball ahead of Keith MacRae who lost his marker and he sent a low strike into the net from just inside the D to make it 2-1.
Newtonmore immediately made their third change as Fraser MacKintosh took over from Jamie Robinson.
Kinlochshiel continued to press but Newtonmore used their experience to see out the closing stages although they did have a couple of late scares. First, Finlay MacRae broke down the right and played a one-two with John MacRae but his ball into the D was bundled away for a corner at the back post by Rory Kennedy. Duncan “DA” MacRae took over from Jordan Fraser before the corner was taken and, when it was, Owen Fraser got his legs behind a Keith MacRae effort at his left post.
Kinlochshiel will rue not scoring when they were dominant early in the match. Conor Cormack’s enforced substitution was another blow. However we then saw Newtonmore do what Newtonmore do and they now await the winners of this coming weekend’s semi-final meeting between Oban Camanachd and Lochaber at the Taynuilt Sports Field
Strathdearn Cup – Semi Finals
Lochcarron 4 Skye Camanachd 2 (After extra-time)
Lochcarron reached the Strathdearn Cup Final with a 4-2 win over the Skye Camanachd second team after two hours of shinty in their semi-final tie at Battery Park.
Nick Dalgety got Lochcarron off to the best possible start with a goal in the opening minute.
Ross Gordon equalised on 28 minutes and the same player put the Islanders 2-1 ahead just 4 minutes into the second half.
A second Nick Dalgety goal on 64 minutes tied the contest for a second time.
With no further scoring, referee Scott Mcneil took the tie into an extra-time period.
And it was Lochcarron who went back in front through Sean MacCuish on 95 minutes whilst Peter MacKenzie made it 4-2 just a minute from the end of an exciting clash.
Glenurquhart 2 Kingussie 1
The Glenurquhart second team will play Lochcarron in the Strathdearn Cup Final after they beat the Kingussie second team 2-1 at Blairbeg.
Kingussie made a strong start and their forwards saw plenty of the ball during the first 5 minutes of the tie.
Glenurquhart came back into it with Stuart Reid at full centre getting to grips with the game.
It was first blood to the Glen on 8 minutes when James MacPherson collected a pass from Callum Smith and, from 15 yards out, his low shot went into bottom corner of net to make it 1-0.
There was further delight for the home support on 12 minutes when James MacPherson ran some distance when juggling the ball on his caman. MacPherson let the ball drop before almost losing it in a challenge. However he recovered to strike a low shot from same position as his opening goal and the ball ended in same corner of net.
Just before half hour mark, Kingussie moved Ronald Ross from buckshee back to full forward where he was well marked by Glen full back Paul MacKintosh.
With 5 first half minutes remaining, James MacPherson had the ball in the net once more but, to Glenurquhart’s frustration, referee Willie MacDonald blew for a foul on Rory Fraser.
Ronald Ross didn’t appear at the start of second half and looked as if he had been limping during the latter stages of the first half.
Kingussie pulled a goal back on 81 minutes after a period of constant pressure. The Kings’ centre line were feeding the forwards and the Glen defence were struggling to keep the visiting forwards away from goal. The ball fell to the alert Roddy Young who sent a strike through a packed defence to make it 2-1.
Just 30 seconds later, a fierce back-hand shot from Ronald Ross, who had returned to the field of play, was excellently saved with his hand by Cameron MacLennan.
Unlike his earlier spell in attack, Ronald Ross was now finding plenty of space and he sent a number of powerful shots on target, producing some fantastic saves from Cameron MacLennan in the Glen goals. One particular back-hand rocket a minute from time resulted in the best save of all which had the Glen support on their feet cheering their keeper.
There was late drama when referee Willie MacDonald awarded Kingussie a penalty after consulting with his goal judge. Prolific scorer Kevin Thain stepped forward but his powerful strike went wide of Cameron MacLennan’s left hand post.
His performance during a busy final 15 minutes made Cameron MacLennan a candidate for man of the match although Drew MacLennan at half back was also excellent whilst James MacPherson’s two goals made the difference.
The 2016 Strathdearn Cup Final between Lochcarron and the Glenurquhart second team is scheduled for Saturday 10 September 2016.
Marine Harvest Premiership
Skye Camanachd 1 Lochaber 2
Lochaber took the points in their relegation battle with Skye Camanachd, winning 2-1 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Skye Camanachd were missing brothers Steven Morrison and Danny Morrison who were at a family wedding.
Lochaber’s Danny Delaney served a one match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold.
Neil MacDonald gave Lochaber the lead on 22 minutes but an Iain Nicolson goal on 62 minutes drew the sides level.
The winner came from Lochaber’s Ben Delaney when the ball deflected into his path with only 5 minutes remaining.
Lochaber now move out of the league’s second relegation spot at Skye’s expense. Skye are a point behind eighth placed Lochaber but they have two games in hand, starting with a trip to Balgate this coming weekend to play Lovat.
Kyles Athletic P Oban Camanachd P
The match between Kyles Athletic and Oban Camanachd was postponed as the pitch at Tighnabruaich pitch was ruled unplayable.
Marine Harvest National Division
Kilmallie 4 Inveraray 1
Kilmallie scored three times in the last 5 minutes to beat Inveraray 4-1 in their noon throw up at the Canal Parks
Both teams were short of players and had their squads tested.
Kilmallie’s Craig MacIsaac served the final match of a three game ban. Jordan MacPhee started a two match suspension following his red card against Glasgow Mid Argyll last weekend. Duncan Rodger was booked in that match which triggers a one match suspension so he will sit out Kilmallie’s next outing which is scheduled to be a league meeting with Caberfeidh at Castle Leod at the start of September. He also missed this encounter as he was on holiday. Liam Cameron was missing through injury.
Inveraray captain Allan MacDonald was also suspended as he missed out with what was the second match of a three game ban. MacDonald should complete his suspension against Ballachulish this coming Saturday so he will be eligible to play in the Artemis MacAulay Cup Final against Kinlochshiel at Mossfield on Saturday 3 September 2016. David Robertson was working, Ally Munro was injured and Douglas Dando and Nicolas Crawford were on holiday. Euan McMurdo lined up alongside Ally MacDonald in the half back positions.
This was a game of two halves with Inveraray, with the wind advantage, controlling the first 45 minutes before Kilmallie took charge in the second half.
Lewis MacNicol had a great game on the wing for Inveraray and he put them ahead on 14 minutes. MacNicol sent in a speculative lob from the left which dropped behind Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies to make it 1-0.
Shane Gillies then saved a good shot from Gary MacPherson, managing to put it around his left hand post with 27 minutes played.
Inveraray would have been disappointed to only lead 1-0 at half time.
A below par Kilmallie made changes at the break and they made the brighter start to the second half. Indeed they almost equalised on 48 minutes when a long ball from Peter Carmichael was flicked on by Michael Rodger to Brian MacKay who hit a screamer that just went by the keeper Scott MacLachlan’s left hand post.
Kilmallie levelled with the goal of the match on 52 minutes. Liam MacDonald got the ball on the left side and he got past three Inveraray players before reaching the bye-line he then cut in to the edge of the D where he hit an unstoppable back-hand shot into the keeper’s top left hand corner of the net. He couldn’t have been able to see much of the goal and it was an excellent finish which made it 1-1.
The game then ebbed and flowed from each half and the closest we came to a goal was when referee John Angus Gillies played advantage after David MacPherson had been impeded which allowed Garry MacPherson a chance but he didn’t catch the ball as he would have liked and his shot from 19 yards went by the post for a goal-hit.
And that’s the way it stayed until the dramatic final 5 minutes. Michael Rodger was getting more involved in the game at buckshee forward and he sent an inch-perfect pass to Liam MacDonald, outside the D, and he slammed the ball into the keeper’s bottom right hand corner to put Kilmallie in front for the first time in the game with 5 minutes remaining.
Kilmallie now had their tails up and again Michael Rodger was the provider as he sent a diagonal ball to the stick of Brian Mackay who drove an unstoppable 20 yard shot into the roof of the net to make it 3-1 on 78 minutes.
And if that wasn’t enough, young substitute Callum MacDougall, who scored for the Kilmallie seconds in the day’s earlier game, made it 4-1 a minute from time. MacDougall’s 15 yard shot went inside the keeper’s left-hand post.
Kilmallie were solid in defence with Peter Carmichael playing one of his best games this season. Michael Rodger and the strength shown by Liam MacDonald caused problems for the Inveraray defence, especially in the second half. Lewis MacNicol in the centre line was best for Inveraray.
This game was played at a good tempo, particularly in the second half and there were no flashpoints and no yellow cards in what was a crucial encounter.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Inverness 0
Glasgow Mid Argyll beat Inverness 3-0 at Yoker.
Mark Bain was banned for GMA and he will also miss this coming Saturday’s league clash with Caberfeidh at Castle Leod.
Inverness forwards Charlie MacDonald and James Cameron both served one match bans as their bookings in the league win over Ballachulish a fortnight ago took them through the disciplinary points threshold.
Craig Anderson put GMA ahead on 12 minutes with the only goal of the first half.
Calum McLay struck twice in the second half – on 67 and 77 minutes – to round off the 3-0 win.
GMA are two points behind leaders Kilmallie with a game in hand.
Beauly 4 Caberfeidh 1
Fifth placed Beauly beat fourth placed Caberfeidh 4-1 in their 3pm throw up at Braeview Park.
Conor Ross gave Beauly an early advantage with goals on 8 and 21 minutes but Jamie MacKintosh pulled a goal back for Cabers just 3 minutes later.
However second half strikes from Robbie Brindle on 52 minutes and Marc MacLachlan on the stroke of full-time gave Beauly both points.
Beauly are now a point behind Caberfeidh but they have a game in hand.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Newtonmore 9 Fort William 1
The Newtonmore second team were back in league action as they defeated the Fort William second team 9-0 in their 1.30pm throw up at the Eilan. This fixture was originally postponed when the Fort were unable to raise a team meaning they forfeited two points.
Craig Ritchie gave the home side a 10 minute lead and lain Robinson added a second on 20 minutes. Craig Ritchie got his second on 42 minutes to make it 3-0 but the real goal-glut came in the second half.
David Cheyne got in on the act on 49 minutes with Craig Ritchie completing his hat-trick on 59 minutes and David Cheyne getting his second a minute later to make it 6-0.
Craig Ritchie added a seventh on 65 minutes before young Victor Smith gave the Fort something to cheer about on 71 minutes.
However a rare Kenny Ross goal on 83 minutes and a fifth from Craig Ritchie a couple of minutes from time made the final score 9-1.
The sides are scheduled to meet again this coming weekend; this time at An Aird.
The Newtonmore seconds are now just two points behind league leaders Strathglass and they have a couple of games in hand.
Beauly 0 Lovat 4
The reserve team derby between the Beauly and Lovat colts was a noon throw up at Braeview Park.
Beauly were along usual lines with Kyle MacDonald in goals, Rodger Cormack full back and Martin Davidson at wing forward.
With no first team game, Lovat had Danny Kelly at full centre, Mark Kelly at buckshee back, Scott MacKenzie at wing back and Graeme MacMillan at half forward.
Lovat started the game strongly and, on 5 minutes, Graeme MacMillan’s strong running saw him carry the ball some distance and his shot on the run went just past Kyle MacDonald’s left hand post.
Then, at regular intervals, shots from Graeme MacMillan, Fraser Gallacher and occasionally James Fraser were either just wide or were well saved by the Beauly keeper.
When Beauly did manage to get the ball to their forwards, Martin Davidson seemed to be their main goal threat.
A really good double-save from Kyle MacDonald on 10 minutes - first with his feet from Fraser Gallacher and then with his club from the rebound as Graeme MacMillan flicked the ball goalwards.
Beauly had a great chance to go in front when referee Andy MacLean awarded them a penalty. There was a scramble inside the D when a shot, which initially looked to be going wide, took a wicked bounce and keeper Ronan MacMillan lost his footing as he tried to play the ball away. The ball was eventually played up the park. But the goal judge flagged to penalise a Lovat defender for a kick and referee MacLean pointed to the penalty spot. Martin Davidson stepped up to take the spot-hit and although he didn’t get his full force behind the ball, Ronan MacMillan made a good stop to keep his team on level terms.
Kyle MacDonald was standing between Lovat and an opening goal but it came on 40 minutes and it was Graeme MacMillan who scored a poacher’s goal as he tapped home a rebound.
Fraser Gallacher on 58 minutes and Thomas Fraser on 64 minutes had Lovat 3-0 to the good.
Jonathon Janczak rounded off the 4-0 win just 5 minutes from time.
Lovat’s Cameron MacMillan was brought on late in the game and he was unlucky not to be amongst the goals.
Lovat didn’t have it all their own way though and it took a couple of outstanding saves from goalie Ronan MacMillan to keep Beauly at bay.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Inveraray 0 Oban Celtic 6
Oban Celtic go two points clear at the top of Marine Harvest South Division 1 after they beat the Inveraray second team 6-0 at the Winterton.
Oban Celtic were without David MacInnes, Kieran Carnie, David Graham, Ewan MacCorquodale, Michael MacKinnon, Gerry Kilmurray and John Hill. However they welcomed back Rory Bruce, Lewis MacPhee and Fraser MacMillan.
This was the day’s only match in this division and it brought together the league leaders and the bottom side.
Oban Celtic made an assured start to the game and they put early pressure on the Inveraray goal but some excellent goalkeeping from veteran Graham MacPherson kept the game scoreless.
However it was no surprise when the away side took the lead on 18 minutes through Neil Carmichael’s low drive which found the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Before Inveraray could even take a breath, they found themselves 2-0 behind. This time it was Ally McKerracher on target with 20 minutes played.
Another McKerracher goal in 27 minutes made it 3-0 and pretty much put the game to bed.
The goal of the game came on 36 minutes when Askew and MacMillan did well in the middle of the park to gain possession and some excellent link up play from MacKechnie, McKerracher and Carmichael set up Scotland U21 international Daniel Madej who coolly slotted the ball past MacPherson to make it 4-0 at half time.
Oban Celtic scored two more goals in the second half. Ally McKerracher completed his hat trick on 58 minutes and Fraser MacMillan scored on 66 minutes to make the final score 6-0 to the Oban side.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Strathspey Camanachd 1 Aberdeen University 4
Aberdeen University extended their lead at the top of the table when they beat Strathspey Camanachd 4-1 at Grantown Grammar School.
Aberdeen University forward Alex Duncan served the second match of a two game ban.
The Students haven’t been short of goal scorers this season and Scott Murray on 15 minutes and Stuart Cameron on 30 minutes had them 2-0 in front. The visitors scored twice more in the second half through Ross Robinson on 48 minutes and a second from Scott Murray on 54 minutes.
Donald Colville pulled a goal back on 73 minutes, but it’s the Aberdeen side who are now another step closer to the title.
Inverness 3 Lochaber 3
The Inverness seconds and the Lochaber seconds drew 3-3 in their noon throw up at the Bught Park.
A Stuart MacRae brace and a Ewen MacKinnon goal counted for Inverness whilst Findlay MacDonald, Keith Neville and Stuart Matheson were all on target for the Spean Bridge side.
Boleskine 2 Caberfeidh 2
Boleskine and the Caberfeidh second team shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Smith Park.
The home side led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Finlay MacKenzie on 22 minutes and Jamie Matheson a couple of minutes later.
Robbie Sehar halved the difference just 3 minutes into the second half and that’s the way it stayed until 5 minutes from time when Stuart Krzyzanowski scored to make it 2-2 to earn Cabers a point.
Kilmallie 4 Lewis Camanachd 3
The Kilmallie colts edged out Lewis Camanachd 4-3 at the Canal Parks.
Ross MacKenzie gave Kilmallie the lead in the opening minute only for Kenny Murray to level on 8 minutes.
Callum MacDougall on 15 minutes and a second from Ross MacKenzie on 35 minutes made it 3-1 although a Donald Lamont goal a minute before the break reduced the deficit at the interval.
Ally Lamont drew Lewis level just 5 minutes after the restart but the winning goal came 15 minutes from time with Kilmallie’s Donnie MacRae on target.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Tayforth 9 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1
Tayforth go two points clear at the top of Marine Harvest South Division 2 after they defeated the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team 9-1 in their noon throw up at Levenhall Links. Orsten Gardner grabbed a hat-trick, Brendan Duggan and Ewan Menzies got doubles whilst Conor Sweeney and Finlay Stark got the others. A Steven Thomson own goal was GMA’s only consolation.
Dunoon Camanachd P Aberdour P
The 1pm throw up between Dunoon Camanachd and the Aberdour reserves, scheduled for Strachurmore, was postponed on Friday afternoon because of an unplayable field.
(All throw ups were at 2pm unless the match report says differently. The match reports will be updated as more information becomes available)
(The picture of Newtonmore full centre Norman Campbell and his Kinlochshiel counterpart Finlay MacRae comes courtesy of Tina Marshall)