The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 23 February 2019 - UPDATED! | |
24 February 2019 The final round of pre-season friendlies took place whilst the WCA shinty season began on Saturday 23 February 2019.
This Weekend’s Pre-season Friendlies Aberdour 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 The Aberdour seconds beat the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds 3-1 at Silver sands. Aberdour, with Roddy MacColl as player / manager this term, resisted the temptation to use any first team players and Mack McKean, Chris Bowerman and Martin Cameron sealed the win. Angus MacInnes scored for GMA.
Beauly 1 Lochcarron 2 The young Beauly seconds lost 2-1 against Lochcarron in their noon throw up at Braeview Park. Finlay MacLennan scored for the hosts but Gregor Cushnie and Angus Urquhart gave Lochcarron victory.
Fort William 2 Kilmallie 1 The Fort William seconds beat the Kilmallie seconds 2-1 at An Aird. Jamie Duncan and Duncan Stevenson scored for the Fort whilst Cam Ross countered for Kilmallie.
Kilmallie 1 Fort William 0 Kilmallie lifted the BSW Cup with a 1-0 win over Fort William at the Canal Parks. Bryan MacKay scored the only goal of the game. The goal came when Michael Rodger had a shot from around the penalty spot and Fort keeper Paul MacKay saved with his feet. However when the ball bounced out to the edge of the D, Bryan Mackay bundled it into the net. The Kilmallie board agreed that the gate collection be donated to the Duncan Rodger memorial fund which is divided between local charities.
Kilmory 1 Taynuilt 2 Taynuilt won 2-1 at Kilmory. Scott Dempster scored both Taynuilt goals with James MacArthur replying for Kilmory. Both teams took the opportunity to give their younger players some game time.
Kingussie 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Kingussie and Glasgow Mid Argyll played out a hard fought friendly at Dunbarry. Kingussie went in front in the second minute with a goal from Ryan MacWilliam. However Calum McLay equalised for Glasgow Mid Argyll late in the first half to make it 1-1 at the break. It was an entertaining second half but neither side was able to find a winner.
Lochaber 5 Glengarry 2 Lochaber and Glengarry arranged a meeting at Spean Bridge with Michael Delaney’s side running out 5-2 winners. Max Campbell scored twice for Lochaber with Ryan Johnstone, Shaun Nicolson and Findlay MacDonald getting the others. Nick Dalgety and Raymond Robertson got the ‘Garry goals.
Lochside Rovers 2 Ballachulish 2 Lochside drew 2-2 with Ballachulish at Mossfield. Lochside included Gary McKerracher and goals were exchanged between Dan McLean (Balla’) and Willie Neilson (Lochside) before Balla’s Scott Henderson hit a powerful drive from 30 yards which took a deflection off Craig Easton and ended up in the roof of the net. However Lochside’s Lewis Buchanan equalised with just a minute to go with a 25 yard rocket-shot into the top corner. Overall it was probably a fair result in a match well-refereed by Alec MacVicar. Young Calum Kirsop turned in a man of the match performance for Lochside and he’s maturing game by game into fine player.
Lovat 5 Beauly 0 Lovat beat Beauly 5-0 at Balgate as they marked the official opening of their impressive new pavilion. Lorne MacKay bagged a brace with Greg Matheson, Lewis Tawse and Graeme MacMillan getting the others.
Lovat 2 Caberfeidh 1 Lovat and Caberfeidh second teams also clashed at Balgate with the hosts winning 2-1 courtesy of goals from Raymond Rennie and Cameron MacMillan.
Newtonmore 1 Oban Camanachd 3 Oban Camanachd recorded a morale-boosting 3-1 win against Newtonmore at the Eilan. The match was part of Newtonmore’s Open Day. Newtonmore were without some regulars who attended team-mate David MacLean’s wedding. However Oban Camanachd manager Stephen Sloss was also light, travelling without Scott MacMillan, Chrissie MacMillan, Keith MacMillan and Craig MacDougall. Youngsters Ross Campbell and Lennon Campbell started on the bench. Newtonmore went in front after just 2 minutes. Scott McKillop slipped on the surface and Iain Robinson was quickly in and he produced a peach of a finish, bulleting a knee-high shot past keeper Cameron Sutherland who was helpless. Oban Camanachd drew level on 19 minutes. Malcolm Clark launched a hit-in towards the danger-area and Andrew MacCuish took the ball down and held off his marker before finding Daniel Madej and he slipped the ball home to claim his first Oban Camanachd goal since signing from Oban Celtic. The Oban side went in front around the half hour mark when Andrew MacCuish floated the ball in from wide on the wing. Connor Howe took a touch to his left and his shot was well saved by ‘More keeper Calum Grover but Daniel MacVicar was there to slot the rebound home to give the visitors a 2-1 lead at the break. Oban Camanachd switched Daniel Madej to a defensive role with Scott McKillop coming off and they introduced Daniel MacCuish up front. Oban Camanachd continued to look threatening up front and some good work from Aidan MacIntyre set up a chance for Daniel MacCuish but Calum Grover made a great save with his feet. However Daniel MacCuish got his goal just before the hour and MacIntyre was again the provider, sending in a ball from the right and MacCuish crashed a shot high into the net to make it 3-1. Gavin Stobbart took over from Cameron Sutherland in the Oban goal as Stephen Sloss continued to make changes. Lennon Campbell took over from Andrew MacCuish, who felt a hamstring tweak, meaning Camanachd’s regular penalty taker was on the sidelines when they were awarded a spot-hit. Daniel MacVicar took responsibility and he struck the ball well enough but keeper Grover capped a fine performance as he kept the ball out with a combination of foot and stick.
Oban Celtic 2 Inveraray 4 Oban Celtic took on Premiership opposition, going down 4-2 against the Inveraray first team at Ganavan. David Martin in the home goal made a couple of good saves before, at the other end, Daniel MacMillan ran through but passed to his brother Ross MacMillan when shooting might have been a better option. Young Ruaraidh Graham gave Inveraray the lead with a shot from distance which took an awkward bounce on the way in before Ally McKerracher took on a defender before running in to slip the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1. McKerracher’s goal came against the run of play as Inveraray pinned their opponents back for a 20 minute period spell at the end of the half with Lewis MacNicol scoring twice to give them a 3-1 interval lead. MacNicol’s second strike was the goal of the match as he turned a defender before smashing the ball into the top corner of the net. Oban Celtic introduced Michael MacKinnon at the start of the second half which allowed them to push Andy MacDonald up front. Lewis MacNicol completed his hat-trick before Ally McKerracher got another, this time taking a pass from Andy MacDonald before slotting the ball home. Referee Des McNulty awarded Oban Celtic a penalty on 75 minutes when Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan upended Ross MacMillan as he ran in on goal. However the keeper made amends, making a good save to keep out Ross MacMillan’s spot-hit. The Oban side dominated the final 15 minutes and they had three set-piece opportunities but couldn’t find the net.
Skye Camanachd 5 Kinlochshiel 4 Skye Camanachd followed up their pre-season win over Lovat by beating Kinlochshiel 5-4 in their derby encounter at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. ‘Shiel took the lead on 12 minutes when John MacRae brought down Duncan “DA” MacRae’s long ball from the left. MacRae got a shot in from the edge of the D and although Skye keeper Ryan Morrison got a foot to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out. ‘Shiel introduced Keith MacRae for youngster Martin MacRae on the half hour mark and he played for 30 minutes as he works his way back from injury. Skye levelled when James Pringle’s shot was saved by new ‘Shiel keeper Stuart MacRae but the former Inverness and Boleskine player could do nothing to prevent Jordan Murchison turning home the rebound. Skye keeper Ryan Morrison saved a John MacRae penalty so the sides went into the break on level terms. Skye went in front when James Pringle ran onto a ball from Ally MacLeod before cutting inside and finishing low into the net. Duncan Matheson latched onto a John MacRae flick to make it 2-2 with almost an hour gone. Skye’s William MacKinnon, who had a great game throughout, held off a challenge before taking the ball to his left side and firing across the keeper and into the net to put Skye back in front and Jordan Murchison scored two more times to complete his hat-trick, giving Skye a 5-2 cushion. And they needed it with John MacRae and Duncan “WD” MacRae pulling goals back but it finished 5-4 to Skye.
Strathglass 0 Glenurquhart 1 Connor Golabek’s 83 minute goal gave Glenurquhart a 1-0 win over Strathglass to win the MacDonald Cup at Cannich. The goal came when Oliver Black won a free-hit and he took it quickly, finding Connor Golabek who had burst forward and he sent a 25 yard shot high into the net. Donald Fraser suffered a facial injury midway through the first half after being caught on the end of a swing by team mate George Phimister. The loss of such an influential player was a blow to Strathglass but they regrouped with Lawrence Jones moving from wing centre to wing back with George Phimister taking over from Fraser at full back. Glen had most of the territory in the second half thanks to man of the match Ally MacKintosh at full centre however their shooting was erratic. Glen's other big performers were Conor Golabek, Neale Reid and Cameron MacKintosh whilst for Josh Fraser best for Strathglass in the heart of the defence. George Phimister, Lawrence Jones and Jono Price also showed up well. Overall this was a very close affair with Glen just shading it. The sides meet again in the league next week. ‘Glass should have Hamish Myers back – he missed Saturday's game as he was best man at a friend's wedding. However Josh Fraser will miss out as he serves the last game of a three match suspension. Glen’s John Barr was an unused substitute.
Strathglass 0 Glenurquhart 1 The Strathglass and Glenurquhart second teams battling it out for the Ali Ban Cup with Duncan Fraser’s late goal, as he used his strength to hold off his marker, giving the Glen victory. Strathglass player Ali Rothe suffered head injury which required a hospital visit. Glen’s Liam Robertson was named man of the match.
Strathspey 3 Newtonmore 0 Strathspey Camanachd beat the Newtonmore second team 3-0 in their pre-season friendly at Grantown Grammar School. With some of the ‘More seconds having to cover absences in the first team, Strathspey took advantage. Connor Aubrey scored for the hosts whilst John MacKenzie, who had a fine game, netted twice.
WCA Fixtures Start The Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures are underway.
Mowi National Division Skye Camanachd 1 Badenoch 2 The match of the day was the clash between Skye Camanachd and Badenoch at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. These sides took last year’s title race to the final day of the season before Skye took the honours. Badenoch’s Rona Stewart came closest to breaking the deadlock when she hit the post before Skye took the lead thanks to Lorna MacRae’s low shot. Kirsty Deans made it 1-1 when she took a touch before crashing home Rona Stewart’s cross from the left. With just 90 seconds remaining, Badenoch broke forward and Zoe Reid found Kirsty Deans who squeezed the ball low into the corner of the net to clinch a 2-1 win.
Aberdour 1 Lochaber 4 Lochaber got off to a winning start; defeating Aberdour 4-1 at Silversands. Kirsty Delaney grabbed a hat-trick with Natalie MacDonald getting the other. Katie Booth netted for the home side.
Strathspey 4 Glasgow Mid Argyll 5 A last minute goal gave Glasgow Mid Argyll a 5-4 victory over Strathspey at Grantown Grammar School. Arabella Kennedy, Beth Rodgers, Jade Callum and an own goal counted for Strathspey. However Christy Doherty’s hat-trick and Shannon Birnie’s double gave GMA the points. |