The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 25 April 2015 | |
26 April 2015 There was another mixture of league and cup shinty action on Saturday 25 April 2015.
SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Preliminary Round (Replay) Kilmallie 2 Beauly 3 A last-gasp Jack MacDonald goal was all that separated Kilmallie and Beauly in their SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Preliminary Round replay at the Canal Parks. This noon throw up came about as Kilmallie came from two goals down to earn a last-gasp draw at Braeview Park a week earlier. Liam MacDonald, who scored Kilmallie’s dramatic injury-time leveller, was missing for the replay. Beauly were without Sean Stewart and full back Jamie MacLennan who picked up an injury in last week’s clash but Colin MacDonald was back in the side after recovering from a hand injury. Beauly took the lead after 13 minutes with Conor Ross getting on the end of a Jack MacDonald free-hit to score. Kilmallie, with the wind advantage in their favour, had a good share of the first half play but they were unable to take their chances. However they had young goalie Shane Gillies to thank for a fantastic save from Marc MacLachlan as the half drew to a close. The home side started well in the second half but again, they could not get through the Beauly defence. John Stewart shot over before Beauly enjoyed a period of pressure with Barrie MacDonald forcing a save from Shane Gillies. There was a flashpoint for referee John Angus Gillies to deal with on 70 minutes when John Stewart sustained a nasty gash on his lip which required treatment at the Belford Hospital and Ross Forbes was sent off for the challenge. Beauly may have been a man down but they extended their lead on 75 minutes. David MacLean won possession in midfield and he sent a brilliant through ball to Conor Ross who slotted home from 15 yards to make it 2-0. The game sprung back to life when two goals in quick succession drew Kilmallie level. First, Ryan Stewart made it 2-1 following a corner but Michael Rodger’s equaliser was the goal of the game. A Kilmallie corner was floated into the danger-area and Rodger took the ball on the volley and it flew past Beauly keeper Josh Grant to make it 2-2. Both sides went for a winner with David MacLean hitting the post and Martin Stewart passing up a chance at the other end. As the tie went deep into stoppage time, and with extra-time looming, Beauly’ Ryan MacKay broke forward and he found Conor Ross who slipped the ball to Jack MacDonald. MacDonald’s initial effort was blocked but Kilmallie were unable to fully clear the danger and when the ball fell for Jack MacDonald again, he pounced to score. There was barely time to restart the tie and it is Beauly who will now face Strathglass in the SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup first round.
RBS MacTavish Cup – Second Round Skye Camanachd 2 Fort William 1 Skye Camanachd are through to the RBS MacTavish Cup semi-finals after they beat Fort William 2-1 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye were missing the injured Shockie MacLennan and Allan MacKinnon as well as keeper Jamie Gannon who failed a mid-week fitness test. Fort William talisman Gordie MacKinnon was on holiday but defenders Stevie Stewart, James Tangney and Sean Cameron were back after missing last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Kinlochshiel. Kenny Campbell got on the end of a Jordan Murchison free-hit to give Skye a 6 minute lead which they took into the break. Skye goalie Iain MacLeod made a tremendous save from a Ryan Campbell drive on 54 minutes but Fort William levelled from the resultant corner when Ewan Campbell was first onto a rebound after Skye goalie Iain MacLeod saved well from Arran MacPhee. The winning goal came 5 minutes from time when Will Cowie teed up Jordan Murchison who drove the ball low into the net to clinch a 2-1 victory and a place in the last four of the North competition. Skye will now meet Glenurquhart in the last four and the venue will be decided on by a toss of the coin at the Camanachd Association Offices on Monday 27 April 2015.
Artemis Macaulay Cup – First Round Oban Celtic 2 Ballachulish 3 Oban Celtic and Ballachulish met for the second successive Saturday; this time at Mossfield. Oban Celtic were 3-0 winners when the teams meet in the Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup at the Jubilee Park seven days earlier. However Balla’ were to turn the tables in this Artemis Macaulay Cup first round tie, eventually running out 3-2winners. Balla were without talisman John MacDonald who faces another spell on the sidelines. He returned from a four week ban in last Saturday’s meeting with Oban Celtic but his 32 minute straight red card means he is suspended for four more matches. David Grant was free to play for the visitors but he will miss their next outing for a bookings points accumulation. There were places in the squad for forward Grant MacKenzie and an outfield slot for former keeper David MacPhee. The first half looked to be ending scoreless until Balla’s Scott MacDonald popped up to give the visitors a 43 minute lead. Lee Askew continued his run of scoring in every game this season when he netted on 56 minutes. However the inclusions of both David MacPhee and Grant MacKenzie paid dividends for Balla’ as MacPhee restored his team’s lead on 62 and MacKenzie made it 3-1 just 5 minutes later. Lee Askew got his and Oban Celtic’s second goal on 71 minutes to make it 3-2 which set up a tense finish. The home side had chances throughout the game but Balla’ goalie Cameron Sutherland was in superb form. Ballachulish’s suspension woes were added to when Stuart Robertson was sent off by referee Lachie Wood. But Balla’ held on and they now go forward to an away quarter-final tie against either Bute or Oban Camanachd who meet this coming weekend.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup – First Round Lochaber 3 SCOTS Camanachd 0 Lochaber secured the final place in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup second round when they beat SCOTS Camanachd 3-0 at Spean Bridge. Ben Delaney put Lochaber ahead after 25 minutes and Stuart Matheson doubled the home side’s advantage 10 minutes before the break. Ben Delaney got his second and Lochaber’s third a couple of minutes from time. Lochaber now travel to Silver Sands next weekend to play Aberdour in the second round.
Marine Harvest Premiership Newtonmore 4 Inveraray 1 Newtonmore gained revenge for their early season 1-0 defeat to Inveraray at the Winterton when they ran out 4-1 winners following a tough encounter at the Eilan. Newtonmore’s Cameron Binnie picked up a hand injury in the win over Lochaber last weekend and he faces a month on the sidelines. Defenders Steven MacDonald and Scott Campbell as well as forwards Danny MacRae and Evan Menzies were amongst the other absentees for the home team. Youngsters Liam Mullender, Craig Ritchie and Neil Stewart were again in the side. An injured John Kennedy missed out for the visitors as did Nick Crawford through work commitments. Sixteen year old Allan Cameron was their only substitute as their resources were stretched. Chris Crawford gave Inveraray a 9 minute lead but Glen MacKintosh blasted the ball into the roof of the net to level on 18 minutes. Inveraray lost scorer Crawford during the first half with a suspected dislocated thumb so he required a trip to hospital. This is a blow for both Inveraray as they missed Crawford’s ability to hold the ball up and for the player himself as he is not long back in the side from another hand injury. Glen MacKintosh got his second on the stroke of half time to give ‘More a vital interval lead. Referee David Mitchell pointed to the penalty spot on 71 minutes after an Inveraray defender had kicked the ball inside the D. Glen MacKintosh stepped up to complete his hat-trick. There was a great tussle in the middle of the park between Jamie Robinson and his future brother-in-law David Robertson as each side tried to take control of the midfield area. Glen MacKintosh’s ability to control long balls forward, then turn and hit the target was causing Inveraray problems and the Scotland forward took his and Newtonmore’s tally to four goals with a strike on 82 minutes. The 4-1 win means Newtonmore now top the Marine Harvest Premiership from Lovat on goal difference. Eighth place Inveraray’s next league match is in a fortnight’s time when they host seventh place Lochaber with two important points up for grabs at the Winterton.
Kinlochshiel 2 Kingussie 3 Kingussie came from behind twice to beat Kinlochshiel 3-2 at Kirkton. Kinlochshiel made just one change from the side which beat Fort William seven days earlier with Alasdair Nixon coming on for the injured Keith MacRae. There was a place for Calum MacLean on the bench. Kingussie were without captain Louis Munro and Garry Munro. Youngsters Rory MacKeachan and Callum Grant started in the wing back positions. Kinlochshiel started well and Kingussie relied on influential defender James Hutchison to keep the home attacks at bay in the early part of this contest. Referee David Stafford awarded the home side a penalty after 19 minutes when ‘Shiel’s John MacRae was brought down inside the D. Jordan Fraser stepped up to score from the spot for the second successive match, sending the ball over keeper Dawson’s left shoulder to make it 1-0. Craig Dawson did well to keep out a scorching Jordan Fraser drive, saving the ball with his caman above his head. Kingussie had the chance to level on the half hour mark when they were awarded a penalty of their own. Kingussie’s Barrie Dallas had shot goalwards. However the ball took an awkward bounce on the fiery surface and shot into the air. ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy used his head to stop the ball going past him and referee Stafford had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, waving away appeals from Kennedy that he could do little about it. Savio Genini took responsibility and he scored to make it 1-1 and that’s the way it stayed until the interval. Kingussie had a chance to go in front 10 minutes into the second half when Savio Genini was put clean through but he put the ball over the top. Home full back Paul MacRae picked up a yellow card for a 65 minute foul and this was to prove crucial later in the match. Kinlochshiel took the chance to put Calum MacLean on in place of Gordie MacDonald during the break in play and he instantly put his side back in front on 66 minutes. MacLean found just enough space to gather a Jordan Fraser ball at the edge of the D and he sent the ball into the top corner of the net. The strike made it 2-1 but it did come against the run of play. However, just a minute later, Kinlochshiel’s Paul MacRae collected a second caution for a bad challenge on Barrie Dallas. Kingussie threw caution to the wind in the latter stages of the match and both James Hutchison and Lee Bain were pushed into attack. They got the leveller with just a couple of minutes remaining when Savio Genini got his second from 12 yards after a long ball forward had caused a goalmouth melee. However Kingussie didn’t just settle for a point and they got the winner in the final minute. There was another scramble in the ‘Shiel goal area and Savio Genini one-handed the ball across the line with his caman from close range to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-2. Kingussie go sixth in the table, a point behind fourth place Kinlochshiel.
Glenurquhart 1 Oban Camanachd 0 Glenurquhart were 1-0 winners against Oban Camanachd at Blairbeg. Defender Ally MacKintosh was missing for the Glen so Fraser Heath started at buckshee back in his place. However Andrew Corrigan was available. Oban Camanachd played a diamond formation up front with youngster Conor Howe at full forward. There was a wind blowing diagonally across the pitch in the first half which was more in Glenurquhart’s favour. The only goal of the game came after 15 minutes. Fraser Heath intercepted an Oban Camanachd attack and burst forward out of defence and, with the Oban players backing off; Heath had time to steady himself before shooting past visiting goalie Robert Dunnings to make it 1-0. Oban Camanachd’s centre line, marshalled by full centre Scott MacMillan, controlled the centre line for large periods in the first half but their forwards were unable to trouble home keeper Stuart MacKintosh. The Glen lost wing centre Arran MacDonald with what seemed like a recurrence of a back injury after 35 minutes and second team player / manager Iain MacLeod slotted in well in his place. Glenurquhart made changes during the second half with full centre Eddie Tembo switching from full centre to full forward, Neale Reid went from full forward to buckshee forward and Lewis MacLennan moved from buckshee forward to full centre. MacLennan’s influence in the middle of the park gave the Glen forwards more ammunition. When Oban Camanachd broke forward, they found the Glen defence, in which Stuart Reid was a steadying influence, to be a formidable barrier. The points lift Glenurquhart into fifth spot in shinty’s top division.
Lovat P Kyles Athletic P The top two, Lovat and Kyles Athletic, were to meet at Balgate but the match was postponed because of the passing of Callum MacRitchie, grandfather of Lovat defender Callum Cruden.
Marine Harvest National Division Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Inverness 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll turned on the style in the second half to beat Inverness 4-0 in their meeting at Yoker. Craig Anderson started for GMA although he was carrying an injury but the gamble didn’t pay off as the Scotland U21 forward had to be withdrawn after around 10 minutes. Inverness played with the wind at their backs in the first half and the sides went into the interval on level terms after a goalless opening 45 minutes. GMA took the lead a minute after the restart with Euan Forsyth getting the goal. Innes MacMillan added a second on 61 minutes whilst Andy Mathie added a third on 82 minutes. Youngsters Jack Berg and Calum McLay had come on for GMA during the second half and they made a real impact with Calum McLay on target 5 minutes from time to round off the 4-0 win. The two points leave GMA as early league leaders.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Fort William 2 Newtonmore 0 Table toppers Fort William beat Newtonmore 2-0 at An Aird. Fort William’s Cal Brown started a two gam ban following his sending off in the win over the Lovat seconds last weekend. However Fort William were able to call on the services of Bryan Simpson and he put them ahead with the only goal of the first half after 22 minutes. Duncan Rodger continued his scoring streak when he made it 2-0 after 52 minutes. Fort William are now three points clear of second place Newtonmore at the top of the table.
Lochcarron 6 Kinlochshiel 3 There were goals galore in the local derby between Lochcarron and the Kinlochshiel reserve side as the home team ran out 6-3 winners at Battery Park. Lochcarron flew out of the blocks and Gregor Cushnie netted in the opening minute and he added a second on 5 minutes. The impressive Niall Arnott made it 3-0 on 9 minutes and Lochcarron looked in control. Kenneth Loades pulled a goal back for ‘Shiel on 14 minutes only for David MacCuish to restore Lochcarron’s three goal advantage when he made it 4-1 on 15 minutes. The early goals didn’t stop there. Kenneth Loades got his and ‘Shiel’s second on 26 minutes to make it 4-2 but a second strike of the afternoon from David MacCuish made it 5-2 on 31 minutes. Kenneth Loades completed his hat-trick just 3 minutes later to make it 5-3 at half-time. The goals continued to flow as Lochcarron player / manager Ross Brown added his name to the list of scorers just 4 minutes into the second half to make it 6-3. But there was no further scoring and the win, Lochcarron’s first of the season, lifts them off the bottom of the table at the expense of the Beauly reserves.
Strathglass 0 Kingussie 4 The Kingussie second team returned from Cannich with both points as they beat Strathglass 4-0. Strathglass were without defender George Phimister who served a one game ban for a bookings points accumulation. Kingussie were without Ronald Ross but he was taking a keen interest from the touchline. Veteran Ally MacLeod was in goals for the away side and there was also a place in the squad for Ryan Borthwick who has been out for almost a year with a back problem. Kingussie’s Kevin Thain broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. Chris Holleysong made it 2-0 a minute before the interval. Kevin Thain got his second and Kingussie’s third 10 minutes after the restart and substitute Ryan Borthwick rounded off the 4-0 win when he beat keeper Steve MacLachlan on 83 minutes. Kingussie now go up to third in the table.
Beauly P Lovat P The reserve derby between Beauly and Lovat at Braeview Park was postponed because of the passing of Calum MacRitchie.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 5 Taynuilt 0 Lochside Rovers stay top of the table as they beat Taynuilt 5-0 at Mossfield. Lochside were without Lewis Buchanan who picked up a knock to the hand which left him with a broken finger in the Oban Camanachd U17’s 2-0 midweek win over Fort William U17. Daniel MacMillan scored both goals in that game and he opened the scoring in this one after just 10 minutes. Daniel MacVicar added a second on 23 minutes and Lochside took the 2-0 advantage into the break. Lochside full centre Craig MacDougall made it 3-0 on the hour mark. Brian MacCallum added a fourth on 71 minutes before Daniel MacVicar got his second goal of the game 8 minutes from time to round off a 5-0 victory and maintain their 100% league record. Three straight league defeats mean Taynuilt drop to bottom of the table.
Bute 1 Inveraray 1 Bute and the Inveraray reserve side drew 1-1 at the Meadows. Adam Stirling put Bute ahead with the only goal of the first half on 31 minutes. And that’s the way it stayed until 12 minutes from time when Fraser Watt scored to earn Inveraray a point. Inveraray stay second in the table whilst Bute drop to fourth place.
Kyles Athletic 2 Strachur 1 The Kyles Athletic second team beat Strachur 2-1 at Tighnabruaich. Kyles, playing in their white second strips, enjoyed most of the play and Scott MacDonald gave them a 35 minute lead. However Robert Flint levelled 4 minutes before the break. And that’s the way it stayed until a minute from time when Kyle Mcmartin scored the winning goal for Kyles. Kyles now climb to third whilst second bottom Strachur have no points from their first four league games.
Kilmory 2 Aberdour 0 Kilmory secured their first league win of the season when they beat Aberdour 2-0 at MacRae Park. A first half goal from John Strachan and an Alex Cunningham strike after the interval gave Kilmory both points. Kilmory go up to sixth pace in the division whilst Aberdour are eighth.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Kilmallie 2 Skye Camanachd 0 League leaders Skye Camanachd suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 2-0 to Kilmallie in their 3pm throw up at the Canal Parks. Ross MacKenzie gave Kilmallie the first half advantage with a goal after 29 minutes. Donald MacRae sealed the win when he made it 2-0 on 57 minutes. Skye stay top of the table but they now only lead second place Glengarry on goal difference.
Glengarry 4 Boleskine 1 Glengarry only trail league leaders Skye on goal difference after they beat Boleskine 4-1 at Craigard. This was a second meeting on successive Saturdays for these sides with Boleskine winning 3-2 at Smith Park a week earlier. Daniel MacLennan gave Glengarry a 2-0 half-time lead with goals on 15 and 26 minutes. MacLennan completed his hat-trick on the hour mark with Scott Bremner adding a fourth a couple of minutes later. Scott Watson scored a consolation goal for Boleskine on 70 minutes.
Caberfeidh 2 Strathspey Camanachd 0 Caberfeidh got back on the winning way when they defeated an injury-hit Strathspey Camanachd 2-0 at Castle Leod. Cabers fielded the same starting line-up which lost to Skye Camanachd a week earlier. Shaun MacIntyre was suspended for Strathspey as he served the second game of a two match ban for a points accumulation. Strathspey played with the first half and they gave a good account of themselves. However Gavin McLaughlin tucked the ball low into the net on 40 minutes to give Cabers a 1-0 first half lead. Colin MacLennan sealed the win with a strike 4 minutes from time. Cabers are third in the table, a point behind the top two.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Glenorchy 2 Oban Lorn 0 Oban Lorn suffered their first defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 to Glenorchy at Mark Park. Scott MacIntyre put the home side ahead after just 2 minutes and Zander Kilmurray doubled their advantage after 57 minutes. This was surprisingly Glenorchy’s first league win of the season and they climb to sixth spot. Oban Lorn drop to second place.
Col Glen 1 Tayforth 3 Tayforth beat Col Glen 3-1 at Glendaruel. Tayforth’s Finlay Stark opened the scoring on 35 minutes. Ross MacGregor got a second 5 minutes after the restart. Willie MacVicar pulled a goal back on 75 minutes but Finlay Stark got his second goal of the afternoon to make it 3-1 just 5 minutes later. Col Glen fall to third in the table, just a point ahead of fourth place Col Glen.
Aberdour 0 Ballachulish 2 The visitors came out on top as the Aberdour and Ballachulish reserve teams met at Silver Sands. The club’s respective U17 sides served up an entertaining MacQuiston Cup tie at the same venue during the week. It took extra-time to separate the youths with Aberdour eventually running out 4-3 extra-time winners thanks to goals from Connor MacLeod, Jack Mitchell, Ben Thomson and Tom Abbott. The Balla’ goals came from Alastair MacDonald, Ross MacLean and Patrick MacLean and first team keeper Cameron Sutherland was in inspiring form for David Campbell’s young side. The reserve team encounter featured many of the same players and the youth clash but this time Ballachulish took the honours. Indeed the visitors hit the frame of the goal on more than one occasion in the first half and had a goal ruled out for offside by referee Jon Gallacher but they did have a Ross MacLean goal to show for their efforts at the break. Aberdour came more into the game in the second half but they couldn’t conjure up an equalising going. It would be Balla’ who would gain their first league win and first points of the season when youngster Ross MacLean got his second goal of the afternoon to make it 2-0 late in the game. Balla’ move off bottom spot in the table at Aberdour’s expense.
Glasgow Mid Argyll W/O v Bute The Bute second team were unable to raise a team for their trip to Yoker to play the Glasgow Mid Argyll reserves. Therefore GMA have been awarded the points and the customary 5-0 win which takes them to the top of the table, a point ahead of Oban Lorn.
(Further updates will follow as more information becomes available) |