There was a mixture of league and cup action on Saturday 25 March 2017.
MacTavish Cup
Kinlochshiel 3 Kingussie 2
Kinlochshiel are through to the MacTavish Cup quarter finals after a Keith MacRae goal in injury time gave them a 3-2 win over Kingussie at Kirkton.
With the previous week’s league encounter against Kyles Athletic falling foul of the weather, ‘Shiel forward John MacRae was forced to sit this one out through suspension whilst Donald Nixon and Alasdair Nixon were unavailable. Scott MacLean and WD Macrae were both called up from the ‘Shiel second team.
Kingussie welcomed Martin Dallas back into the squad. A late call-off also meant Chris Holley-song was plucked from the Kingussie second team squad which was heading to Portree.
A large crowd gathered on a glorious day in anticipation of an exciting afternoon’s shinty with most of them hoping for a home win, and they weren’t disappointed.
Kingussie had to make an early change when Savio Genini had to come off with a hamstring problem that has been troubling him through the early part of the season.
Roddy Young gave Kingussie a 24 minute lead but Jordan Fraser levelled just 5 minutes before the break.
With the first half in time added on, Scott MacLean made it 2-1 to give the home side the advantage at the break.
Martin Dallas made it 2-2 on 77 minutes and, as the contest moved into stoppage time, it looked as if would take extra-time to separate the sides.
However, with Kingussie on the attack, a clearance out of the Kinlochshiel defence hit the wiring which crosses the field and the ball dropped for Gordie MacDonald in the half forward position. MacDonald played the ball high into the danger area where Oliver MacRae went to take it down but deflected it into the path of Keith MacRae between the penalty spot and the D. MacRae, just as he did against Oban Camanachd on the opening day of the season, scored what was a last-gasp winner as he first-timed the moving ball with a half swing, sending it into the corner of the net to make it 3-2.
It was a sore one for Kingussie who will have concerns over Savio Genini’s hamstring injury and a shoulder injury to James Falconer ahead of the league leaders meeting with Lochaber at Spean Bridge this Saturday.
Kinlochshiel are now off to Beauly in the MacTavish Cup quarter finals but first they take on Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker this week in the league.
Glenurquhart 3 Lochaber 1
Three goals early in the second half gave Glenurquhart a 3-1 triumph over Lochaber at Blairbeg.
Both sides started with second choice keepers as Garry MacKintosh continued to deputise for the injured Stuart MacKintosh for the Glen whilst Bryn Whittaker was in for Callum MacDonald in the Lochaber goal.
Lochaber had more of the first half possession although the Glen had good chances to go in front.
They broke the deadlock a minute after the restart when Neale Reid cut in from the left to send the ball low into the net.
The Glen had goalie Garry MacKintosh to thank for a couple of smart saves before they extended their lead. Daniel MacKintosh and Neale Reid combined to set up Callum Smith and he hammered the ball home to make it 2-0 with 51 minutes played.
Neale Reid completed a devastating 6 minute spell for the home side when he got his second goal just 60 seconds later. Reid found space to shoot goalwards and although keeper Whittaker got his stick to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out.
Lochaber’s Shaun Nicolson reduced the deficit on 64 minutes but Glenurquhart had done enough to win a place in the next round.
Caberfeidh 3 Skye Camanachd 2
Caberfeidh survived a Skye Camanachd come-back to run out 3-2 winners in their tie at Castle Leod
The sides had met at the same venue in the league a fortnight earlier. That game finished 0-0 and another close match was expected.
The Islanders were suffering from some-what of an injury crisis. Keeper Iain MacLeod was out with a broken knuckle so reserve goalie Ryan Morrison was promoted. Neil MacVicar was forced off with a broken thumb in the previous week’s win over Oban Celtic whilst Steven Morrison, Will Cowie and Ruaraidh MacLeod were also out through injury and Kenny Campbell was unavailable.
Skye’s Danny Morrison hit the bar before Caberfeidh took the lead on 15 minutes. Kevin Bartlett beat his marker and broke down the left before cutting back and firing the ball home.
Cabers doubled their lead from the restart. Ben MacDonald took a pass from the left and netted on his back-hand for his first goal at senior level.
When Kevin Bartlett added a third on 23 minutes, Skye were in trouble. Bartlett collected a corner from the left at the back post and, from a tight angle; he forced a low shot over the line to make it 3-0.
However James Pringle gave Skye hope when he pulled a goal back on 34 minutes. Pringle took down a Danny Morrison ball forward and his low shot beat keeper Ewan Pilcher at his left post.
The fight-back was on just 3 minutes into the second half when Jordan Murchison made it 3-2. The Caberfeidh defence failed to clear a Stewart Grant shy from the left and Murchison sent a low back-hand drive into the net, beating the keeper on his left side.
There was plenty of excitement late in the game. Full centres Craig Morrison and Gibbs MacDonald tangled in midfield and when Morrison swung out at his opponent, Skye substitute Calum Gibb ran from the bench to get involved. Both Morrison and Gibb were red carded by referee Calum Girvan.
However, bizarrely, as Gibb had been a substitute at the time of the incident, Skye had a one man advantage for the closing 5 minutes of the game.
And if that wasn’t enough, Skye were awarded a penalty shortly after when Danny Morrison was taken down inside the D. However Jordan Murchison sent the spot-hit over the bar.
Caberfeidh saw out the closing stages and their reward is an away meeting with either Fort William or Newtonmore in the next round.
Strathglass 2 Lovat 9
Lovat were too strong for Strathglass, winning 9-2 at Cannich.
Lovat had Drew Howie back but he started at wing back with Danny Kelly at full back. Craig Mainland was at full centre, Callum Cruden at buckshee back and Martin Mainland, back after injury, was given a place on the bench.
Lovat hit the front with less than a minute played. Scott MacKenzie played a long ball forward from his left wing centre position and, when the ball came off a defender’s club, Graeme MacMillan was on hand to send a first time shot into the net to make it 1-0 with only 35 seconds played.
It was 2-0 after 7 minutes as good play between Greg Matheson and Lorne MacKay set up Graeme MacMillan and he finished well.
MacMillan claimed a quick-fire hat-trick a minute later with a goal similar to his first and the home defence were struggling to contain the Scotland U21 player.
Greg Matheson added his name to the scoresheet on 29 minutes. Matheson came deep to collect possession and, from around 35 yards out, he turned and unleashed a rocket-shot into the net for what was a great goal.
The goals kept coming and when Scot MacKenzie won the ball in the midfield on 38 minutes, he picked out Greg Matheson on the Lovat right. Matheson controlled the ball and strode forward towards the penalty spot before shooting home make it 5-0.
Scott MacKenzie was again involved on 41 minutes when he found Graeme MacMillan around 14 yards out on the left and he added a sixth with a fine finish.
There was some consolation for the home team when Ross Balharry fired home a loose ball to make it 6-1 a couple of minutes later.
Strathglass suffered a blow during the first half when they lost influential defender George Phimister with a cut above the eye which required a hospital visit.
Lorne MacKay got on the end of a cross on 65 minutes and, from a central position, he beat keeper Ally MacAdams by his right post.
Greg Matheson completed his hat-trick on 68 minutes and, just 4 minutes later, some great vision from Lorne MacKay saw his ball elude the Strathglass defence and find Greg Matheson one-on-one with the keeper and he scored his fourth goal of the game with MacKay earning a big assist.
A Michael Stokes 35 yarder nearly burst the Lovat net on 74 minutes to make the final score 9-2
Lovat now travel to face Glenurquhart in the last eight of the competition.
Fort William P Newtonmore P
Holders Newtonmore will have to wait to start the defence of their trophy as their tie against Fort William at An Aird was postponed following the passing of Chico MacDonald, father of Newtonmore player Steven MacDonald.
The tie has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday.
Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup
Bute 1 Oban Celtic 1 (Bute won 1-0 on penalties)
It took a penalty shoot-out before Bute eventually got past Oban Celtic in their 3pm throw up at The Meadows.
Ally McKerracher fired Oban Celtic into a 9 minute lead and they stayed in front until 65 minutes when former Lovat player Duncan Davidson drew Bute level.
And that’s the way it stayed until the end of the 90 minutes and when no further goals were scored during the extra-time period, referee Alan Harrison took the tie to a penalty shoot-out.
Bute progressed with Robert Walker scoring the only successful spot-hit.
Bute now have home advantage against Inveraray in the quarter finals
Glenorchy 2 Ballachulish 1
Glenorchy are through to the next round after they beat Ballachulish 2-1 at Mart Park.
Glenorchy’s Graham Morrice was suspended.
Balla’ went in front on 30 minutes through Lewis Bryson but Conor Sartain found the target just 8 minutes later to ensure the sides went into the break on level terms.
The winning goal came 13 minutes from time and it was a second strike from Conor Sartain which gives Glenorchy an away tie against Glasgow Mid Argyll in the quarter finals.
Kilmory 4 Taynuilt 1
Kilmory will travel to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic in the Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup quarter finals thanks to a 4-1 victory over Taynuilt 0-0 at MacRae Park.
Alex Cunningham was again key for Kilmory, chipping in with a hat-trick.
Alastair MacArthur got the other with Daniel MacDonald replying for Taynuilt.
Tayforth 2 Col Glen 1
A late Jamie MacDonald goal gave Tayforth a 2-1 win over Col Glen at Levenhall Links.
David Arnott gave Tayforth the lead after 15 minutes but Kyle Kerr equalised just 10 minutes before the break.
The tie remained all-square until 7 minutes from time when Jamie MacDonald scored the winner.
Tayforth will now host Oban Camanachd at the quarter final stage.
Marine Harvest Premiership
Oban Camanachd 3 Kyles Athletic 4
Oban Camanachd missed out on the chance to top the Marine Harvest Premiership when they eventually lost to Kyles Athletic by the odd goal in seven at Mossfield.
Scott McKillop returned to the Oban Camanachd defence after injury but fellow defender Gary McKerracher was working and Scott MacMillan, who played in defence the previous week, was also unavailable. These absences, coupled with Garry Lord’s injury and James MacMillan’s move abroad, meant manager Iain Hay had to put together a make-shift defence which included Andrew MacCuish and Daniel Cameron.
Kyles were along usual lines with long-term absentee David Zavaroni still out.
Oban Camanachd made a great start, taking the lead in the opening minute. The ball broke to Connor Howe around 40 yards out and, on his left side, he floated the ball in on the on the goal and the ball bounced in front of keeper John Whyte and into the net.
It only took Kyles 5 more minutes to draw level. Grant Irvine ran onto a ball which Oban’s Andrew MacCuish could have cleared and the Scotland forward took advantage to make it 1-1.
Cammy Keith put Kyles ahead on 34 minutes. The defender won possession in his own half and broke up the left side and he kept running before playing the ball towards goal. Gavin Stobbart tried to palm the ball away but deflected it into his own net.
Matt Rippon ensured the sides would go into the break on level terms with a goal on 39 minutes. The goal came following good work from Daniel MacVicar down the right flank. MacVicar got the ball across to Rippon who hit a good strike on his right side around 15 yards from goal and the ball hit the post on its way into the net.
Oban Camanachd regained the lead on 61 minutes. The ball was drifted into the D by Lorne Dickie. Kyles’ full back Callum Miller took it down with his stick but the ball bounced out to Connor Howe around the penalty spot and he hit it first time on his right side into the middle of the net to make it 3-2.
Roddy MacDonald pulled Kyles level with 20 minutes remaining with the home side appealing for offside but referee Robert Baxter waved away their claims.
The winning goal came on 83 minutes. There were hesitancy in the Oban defence and Willie Neilson was clicked by Gordon Whyte as he tried to clear and Whyte touched the ball into the net from just four yards out.
Kilmallie 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 2
The leagues two newly promoted sides met at the Canal Parks where Glasgow Mid Argyll came from behind to beat Kilmallie 2-1.
Michael Rodger missed out for Kilmallie as her served the second game of a two match ban whilst Craig MacIsaac started a three game suspension.
Glasgow Mid Argyll, who had just played one game in four weeks, lost Brian Slattery to injury early in the match so Jamie McFadyen went to full centre where he had a superb game.
Kilmallie took the lead on 18 minutes with Duncan Rodger getting the goal.
Kilmallie held the lead until 9 minutes after the restart when the ball came into the D from a corner on the GMA right. The home side had a chance to clear the danger but didn’t and Garry Luke darted in to tap the ball home from just 5 yards out.
The winning goal came with 15 minutes remaining. Duncan “Ach” MacRae took a shy on from the right and Craig Anderson chested the ball down before sending a low, back-hand shot into the bottom right corner of the net to make it 2-1 and take the points south.
Marine Harvest National Division
Inveraray 1 Inverness 1
Inveraray and Inverness shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Winterton.
The sides had been scheduled to meet at the Bught in the league a week earlier but that game was rained off.
Inveraray’s Ally Munro started his first game of the season and Grant Griffin, back after injury, started on the bench.
Inveraray, with John Kennedy excellent at full centre, made a powerful start to the game and they went in front courtesy of a Fraser Watt goal on 5 minutes.
The home side had a number of first half chances to add to their tally and they gave the Inverness back line a torrid time.
However Inverness survived and they regrouped at the break, making their mark on the match in the second half.
Inverness looked well organised in the second half and they punished Inveraray’s slackness in front of goal when they levelled on the hour mark. Former Fort William player Padraig McNeil got the goal that earned his new team their first point of the season at what has always been regarded as a difficult venue for opposition teams.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Aberdeen University 8 Glenurquhart 0
Aberdeen University go top of Marine Harvest North Division 1 after they beat the Glenurquhart reserves 8-0 at Balgownie.
Scott Moffat's Aberdeen side were without Alex Duncan, Scott Murray and Robbie MacDonald.
The Glen travelled with a young squad.
Aberdeen University kept their play simple, complementing a lot of one-touch shinty with some great movement on a difficult surface and they led 4-0 at the break.
They added four more goals in the second half. Overall, Ewan Fraser scored three times and Gregor Cushnie netted five times.
The Students broke the 100 goal barrier in Marine Harvest North Division 2 last season and they have now scored twelve goals in two games already this term.
Skye Camanachd 1 Kingussie 2
A Kevin Thain double gave the Kingussie colts a 2-1 win over the Skye Camanachd colts at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Skye gave youngster Murphy Henderson a debut in goal as regular keeper Ryan Morrison was called up by the first team.
Kingussie had a late call-off to contend with as Chris Holley-song travelled with the senior side so Ronald Ross made his first appearance since last August, taking the buckshee back position.
Kevin Thain gave Kingussie the lead on 22 minutes. Kingussie captain Sorley Fraser found Thain just left of the D with a quick free hit and Thain took one touch before crashing the ball past a helpless Murphy Henderson to put his side 1-0 ahead.
Murphy Henderson made a good double stop late in the half to deny Liam Borthwick and Bradley Harvey.
Skye drew level on 64 minutes with Martin Pringle bursting through the heart of the Kings defence to score.
Skye’s John Angus MacInnes saw a shot clip the top of the bar and go over.
It stayed level until 3 minutes from time when Dylan Borthwick played in a shy from the Kings left. Kevin Thain controlled the ball before turning and firing a firm strike home to make it 2-1 and give Kingussie their first win of the season.
Beauly 1 Kinlochshiel 0
The Beauly seconds edged out the Kinlochshiel seconds 1-0 at Braeview Park.
This was a first match in charge of the Beauly colts for keeper Kyle MacDonald who has taken over from Neil Brindle.
The only goal of the game came on the 30 minute mark when Beauly’s Ross Forbes found the back of the net.
It was both sides’ first league fixture and Beauly marked it with the win.
Newtonmore P Fort William P
The match between the Newtonmore second team and the Fort William second team at the Eilan was postponed at Newtonmore’s request following a bereavement.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
There were no scheduled fixtures in this division.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Lochcarron 4 Lovat 1
Lochcarron continued on their winning ways with a 4-1 victory over the Lovat reserves at Battery Park.
Lance MacCuish put Lochcarron in front on 27 minutes but Raymond Rennie levelled on 41 minutes.
It only took Lochcarron 60 seconds to respond when Crisdean Finlayson put them back in front and it remained 2-1 at the break.
Lance MacCuish got his second on 65 minutes and Peter MacKenzie made it 4-1 on 73 minutes.
Lochcarron only trail leaders Glengarry on goal difference.
Lochaber 5 Kilmallie 1
Lochaber took the honours with a 5-1 win in the reserve team derby against Kilmallie at Spean Bridge.
Stuart Matheson and Andrew “Fleck” MacDonald both bagged doubles for Lochaber with Lachlan Campbell getting the other.
Former Fort William player Dean Williamson countered for Kilmallie.
This makes it two league wins out of two for Lochaber.
Strathspey Camanachd 5 Lewis Camanachd 0
Strathspey Camanachd join Glengarry and Lochcarron on six points after their 5-0 triumph over Lewis Camanachd at Grantown Grammar School.
Former Kingussie player Russell Menzies debuted for Strathspey and he got off to a great start with goals on 2 and 4 minutes.
A third from Matthew Davies on 9 minutes had Strathspey in the driving seat.
Indeed Davis went on to complete a first half hat-trick with goals on 14 and 30 minutes to make it 5-0.
Lewis Camanachd settled more into the match after that and the remainder of the game was a more even affair.
Boleskine 5 Strathglass 2
Boleskine bounced back from last week’s defeat to the Caberfeidh seconds by beating the Strathglass second team 5-2 at Smith Park.
Sam Evans put the home side ahead on 11 minutes and Dane MacPherson made it 2-0 on 25 minutes.
Strathglass managed to draw level before the break with Eoghan Stewart netting with a 25 yard strike on 35 minutes and a poacher's goal 5 minutes later to make it 2-2.
Boleskine pulled away after the interval. Neil Hope put them back in front 3 minutes after the restart and he got his second and Boleskine’s fourth on 68 minutes.
Keith Nicolson netted 15 minutes from time to round off the 5-2 victory.
Inverness 0 Caberfeidh 3
The Caberfeidh seconds beat the Inverness seconds 3-0 at the Bught Park.
Calum MacKinnon got the opener on 15 minutes and it stayed 1-0 until 12 minutes into the second half when Ruairidh McCreadie scored.
Jamie Matheson continues his fine scoring run with a third on 64 minutes.
Glengarry, who topped the table a week earlier, were the side without a scheduled fixture in this eleven team division and they stay in pole position on goal difference.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Aberdour 1 Strachur 2
Strachur made it two wins out of two when they beat the Aberdour seconds 2-1 at Silversands.
Angus Campbell gave Strachur the lead after 38 minutes with the only goal of a first half which the visitor’s dominated.
Angus Campbell added his and Strachur’s second on 55 minutes.
Aberdour came back strongly and created several second half chances. Brian Toal scored from one of them on the hour mark to make it 2-1.
However Strachur stayed in front to take the points.
The win lifts Strachur to the top of the table.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Inveraray 5
The Inveraray colts go second after they defeated the Glasgow Mid Argyll colts 5-0 at Peterson Park, Yoker.
This was a great team performance from an Inveraray team packed with youths and a sprinkling of old-timers.
The more experienced David Robertson and young Campbell Watt, barely in his teens, linked up very well in the Inveraray attacked and both bagged doubles.
David MacPherson got the crucial third goal which ended the match as a contest.
Inveraray also managed to introduce their U14 keeper Gregor Mather midway through the second half in place of veteran Graham MacPherson.
GMA worked hard throughout the game and Nick Lavin played well in the middle of the park.
The match was well-handled by referee Des McNulty who saw his daughter Lucy McNulty, who has signed for GMA ladies this season, came on as a first half substitute.
Bute P Dunoon Camanachd P
The meeting between the Bute second team and Dunoon Camanachd was postponed on Friday afternoon as, with the Bute seniors also scheduled to play at home, The Meadows was unable to take two games. .
Oban Lorn were without a scheduled fixture in this seven team league.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless stated in the match report)
WCA Round Up
The Womens Camanachd Association focus was on the Marine Harvest National Division 1 title race and the West and East Development Leagues on Sunday 26 March 2017.
Marine Harvest National Division 1
Fort William 3 Skye Camanachd 10
Skye stay top of Marine Harvest National Division 1 after they beat newly promoted Fort William 10-3 at An Aird.
Lorna MacRae was again key for Skye with now fewer than six goals. Jenna Beaton grabbed a hat-trick whilst Fiona Lamond got the other.
Elaine Wink and a Zoe Smith double counted for Fort William.
The win means Skye top the table on goal difference.
Lovat 1 Lochaber 8
Lochaber returned from Balgate with both points after they beat the division’s other recently promoted side, Lovat, 8-1 in their 1pm throw up at Balgate.
Kirsty Delaney was Lochaber’s top scorer with five goals whilst Natalie MacDonald bagged a brace with Claire Delaney also on target.
Fiona Urquhart picked up a consolation strike for Lovat.
Lochaber only trail league leaders Skye on goal difference.
Badenoch& Strathspey 4 Aberdour 0
Badenoch & Strathspey also remain very much in the title hunt after they beat Aberdour 4-0 at in their noon throw up in a warm day at the Dell.
Aberdour were forced to make late changes to their squad because of illness and they also travelled with their development squad which played at the same venue later in the afternoon.
A Kirsty Deans brace and goals from Zoe Reid and Eilidh Ross secured the win.
Glasgow Mid Argyll were without a scheduled fixture in this seven team division.
Marine Harvest Development Leagues
The Marine Harvest Development League – West tournament took place at An Aird.
Ardnamurchan fielded two teams, whilst sides from Fort William, Glenurquhart, and Skye also took part with Skye securing two wins and two draws.
Badenoch & Strathspey hosted the Development League – East games at The Market Stance. Aberdour and Tayforth also took part in a round-robin set of fixtures. Tayforth came out on top, winning all of their four matches.
(The picture from the MacTavish Cup tie between Caberfeidh and Skye Camanachd comes courtesy of Donald Cameron)