The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 26 September 2015 | |
27 September 2015 Tayforth lifted the Bullough Cup and Skye Camanachd were presented with the Marine Harvest National Division trophy following the shinty action on Saturday 26 September 2015.
Bullough Cup Final Tayforth 4 Kyles Athletic 2 Tayforth lifted the Bullough Cup after they saw off a late comeback to beat the Kyles Athletic second team 4-2 in their 2pm throw up at Yoker. The teams play in separate division. Tayforth have just finished in second place in Marine Harvest South Division 2 whilst the Kyles reserves sit sixth in the league above. Former Lochcarron player Finlay Stark provided Tayforth’s main goal threat, netting thirteen times already this term. Brendan Duggan was also in double figures with twelve goals. Sandy MacKenzie had scored fourteen goals for the Tighnabruaich side this term whilst South U17 player Scott MacDonald was just a couple of goals behind on twelve strikes. A Calum Barton goal was all that separated the sides at the interval as Tayforth held the slenderest of leads. Former Glenurquhart player Ewan Menzies made it 2-0 and Finlay Stark added a third. When Andy Scott made it 4-0, there was only going to be one winner. Rupert Williamson pulled a goal back for Kyles to make it 4-1. Rupert Williamson got his second following a goalmouth scramble to make it 4-2 but Tayforth stayed in front to take the trophy back to Levenhall Links. Ewan MacDonald was the match referee.
Marine Harvest Premier Division Newtonmore 2 Kingussie 0 League leaders Newtonmore won their game in hand over second place Kyles Athletic to extend their lead at the top of the table to 3 points thanks to a 2-0 derby victory over Kingussie at the Eilan. The sides were only separated by a single goal when they met in a televised match at the Dell at the end of July and the outcome of this encounter stayed in the balance until the end. Norman Campbell stayed at full forward for Newtonmore following his two goal appearance in attack against Glenurquhart a fortnight earlier. However he was well-marked but Kingussie full back James Hutchison. Kingussie were along usual lines, having got several players back over the last couple of matches. Newtonmore have relied on Glen MacKintosh this season and he came up trumps again when he scored a good goal after just 4 minutes to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Kingussie lost Ryan Borthwick after 10 minutes when he took a blow to the mouth and he lost one tooth and snapped two others. It was a set-back for the visitors as Borthwick had started the game well and was causing the ‘More defence problems. The Newtonmore midfield played well throughout in what was a key area of the field. Kingussie pushed James Hutchison forward late in the game in a bid to get an equaliser but it was Newtonmore who would seal the points when Norman Campbell scored 3 minutes into stoppage time to make it 2-0. Kingussie’s Lee Bain also required a hospital visit when he got on the wrong side of a John Gibson swing, resulting in a broken nose and a deep cut above his eye. The game rarely hit the heights of previous encounters but the outcome means two more important points for Newtonmore and they now lead second place Kyles Athletic by three points with both sides still having five games to go. Kingussie are just two points above the relegation play-off spot where second bottom Oban Camanachd have played four games fewer. The Kings have two huge matches remaining as they travel to play Inveraray next weekend before visiting Oban Camanachd at the end of the month.
Oban Camanachd 2 Lovat 1 2015 SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup winners Lovat returned to Mossfield, the scene of their historic win over Kyles Athletic just a week earlier, but the home side grabbed a much needed two points as they recorded a 2-1 win. Oban Camanachd were missing Andrew MacCuish who was still out with a hand injury and Lorne Dickie. Daniel Cameron was at full centre and South U17 player Daniel MacVicar was at full forward. Injury ruled out Lovat’s Lorne MacKay and Fraser Gallacher whilst Jamie Matheson and Martin Mainland were also missing. However Ryan Ferguson started in midfield despite suffering a head gash last weekend. There was also a place for Calum MacAulay who hasn’t played for a year and he was very lively and full of running throughout. Oban Camanachd went in front after 7 minutes when Daniel Cameron advanced from the middle of the park. Cameron wasn’t closed down and he sent a swerving 30 yard shot past Stuart MacDonald into the net to make it 1-0. Lovat levelled on 11 minutes when Calum MacAulay was first to react when the ball broke from a scramble at the edge of the D and he steered the ball past Gavin Stobbart to make it 1-1. Oban Camanachd boss Iain Hay made a switch after 28 minutes with midfielder Iain MacMillan and forward Scott MacMillan swapping roles. However they had to change their plans just 3 minutes later when defender Gary McKerracher, who had been playing well, took a blow to the knee so Scott MacMillan dropped into the back line. Lovat boss John MacRitchie replaced an injured Drew Howie with teenager defender Scott MacKenzie on 50 minutes. Greg Matheson came on for Euan Ferguson on 65 minutes as he battles back to fitness. Whilst the first 70 minutes of this contest were fairly even, Oban Camanachd pinned Lovat back for most of the last 20 minutes of the game. The home side seemed to be getting to the ball first and they bagged the winning goal after 77 minutes when Daniel Cameron sent a 20 yard backhand shot through a ruck of players past an unsighted Stuart MacDonald to make it 2-1. Mark Kelly came on for Lewis Tawse with 5 minutes remaining to make his Lovat senior team debut. The win means ninth place Oban Camanachd now only trail eighth place Kingussie by two points but they have fourth games in hand. Next up is a trip to Kirkton to play Kinlochshiel this coming Saturday. Lovat have three games to go and they could hardly be tougher – home and away matches against Newtonmore and a home meeting with Kyles Athletic.
Lochaber 4 Inveraray 0 Lochaber go fourth in the table and they also increased Inveraray’s relegation woes when they beat the Winterton side 4-0 at Spean Bridge. Lochaber’s Barry MacDonald was free of suspension. Shaun Nicolson returned after recovering from a broken thumb suffered against Glenurquhart in mid-July which is timely with the international Shinty / Hurling double-header on the horizon. Nicolson slotted into midfield alongside Pat Toal and Brian MacDonald. This allowed Zandz Ferguson to return to his more familiar buckshee back role now that he has a few games under his belt following his ankle break. Ruairidh Graham was free of suspension for Inveraray but didn’t travel North. Douglas Dando and John Kennedy were missing. Inveraray lined up with David MacPherson, Lewis MacNicol ad Ally MacDonald in midfield. Regular full centre David Robertson was at full forward as he was suffering from a back injury. Stuart Callison, who is having his best season at senior level, gave Lochaber the lead after just 4 minutes with his thirteenth senior goal of the season. Kevin Ferguson put a lot into the game and he notched the second on 15 minutes which was due reward for his drive and energy. Shaun Nicolson made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time with the goal of the match when he came across field to the opposite wing before cracking the ball past Scott MacLachlan. Inveraray had chances in the game but Calum MacDonald in the Lochaber goal had four good saves at crucial times in the match; particularly in the first half. Shaun Nicolson got his second and Lochaber’s fourth from a tight angle on 57 minutes to seal the points. The clean sheet will also please Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson although more than half the league goals they have lost this season have come in the four matches against title challengers Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic. This was a good Lochaber performance and they were better than their opponents in every department. Shaun Nicolson turned in arguably his best performance of the season whilst Zandz Ferguson was immense in the half back role and his good form since his return from injury has forced him into the international reckoning ahead of the home and away Shinty / Hurling meeting with Ireland. Lochaber’s final match of the season is a trip to Mossfield to play Oban Camanachd on Saturday 17 October 2015. Inveraray’s relegation now looks almost inevitable but valuable game time for youngsters such as Scott MacLachlan and Fraser Watt will leave them well placed for next season.
Glenurquhart 3 Fort William 1 Glenurquhart beat Fort William 3-1 at Blairbeg to all but seal a third place finish with two league matches remaining. John Barr returned for the Glen after several weeks out with hamstring problems. Fort William were understrength and Duncan Rodger, who was this week confirmed in the initial Scotland training pool ahead of final selection for the Shinty / Hurling double-header against Ireland, was amongst their absentees as he lined up for the second team at An Aird. Connor Golabek put Glenurquhart ahead on 6 minutes after Iain MacLeod had played the ball wide and James MacPherson found Neale Reid who cut the ball back to Golabek to score. Fort William lost Dean Williamson when he suffered a blow to the foot. A hospital visit confirmed heavy bruising. This stretched the Fort’s depleted squad which had father and daughter Victor Smith and Zoe Smith on the substitutes’ bench. And it was Zoe Smith who replaced Williamson to become the first ladies player to turn out in the Marine Harvest Premiership. Glenurquhart doubled their lead when James MacPherson made it 2-0 with a shot that flew past Fort keeper Paul MacKay on 15 minutes. Glen top scored Neale Reid grabbed his fifteenth senior goal of the season when he pulled an Eddie Tembo shy out of the air before crashing the ball into the net on the volley to make it 3-0 on 81 minutes. However there was still time for Fort boss Victor Smith to make a substitute appearance in place of his daughter Zoe Smith. The Fort William boss forced a fine save from Glen goalie Stuart MacKintosh before he marked his appearance on the field with an 84 minute goal from a tight angle to make it 3-1. Lovat could still match Glen’s current points total although that seems unlikely given their difficult run-in. Both sets of players formed a “Guard of Honour” at the end of the match to recognise Gordie MacKinnon’s on-field contribution to Fort William over the last 20 years. The skilful 40 year old forward has decided to hang up his caman.
Marine Harvest National Division Skye Camanachd 6 Beauly 1 Champions Skye Camanachd rounded off their Marine Harvest National Division programme with a 6-1 win over Balliemore Cup winners Beauly in their 1pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye Camanachd first team manager John MacLeod made two changes to the squad which clinched the Marine Harvest National Division title with a win over Kilmallie at the Canal Parks a fortnight earlier. Neil MacVicar was working and Allan MacKinnon was on holiday. However Chris Rose, David MacInnes and John Gillies were added to make up a sixteen-man squad. Rose replaced MacVicar in defence whilst MacInnes and Gillies joined Iain Nicolson and Chris MacLennan on the substitutes’ bench. This was also a final league fixture of the season for Balliemore Cup winners Beauly. Boss Roger Cormack was without Jamie MacLennan, Sean Stewart, Connor Ross, Marc MacLachlan and Sandy Elrick. Throw up was at 1pm at Beauly’s request as several of their players were looking to return early to attend the Loopalu Music Festival. There was LIVE commentary of the whole match on radio and online on Cuillin FM’s Camanachd Live show. Skye attacked from the throw up and Shockie MacLennan pounced of a loose ball to send a great backhand strike high into the net to make it 1-0 after just 4 minutes. Beauly drew level on 15 minutes when David MacLean capitalised on a slip in the Skye defence and he ran through to score. Skye lost Jordan Murchison, who picked up a bang on the nose, and his replacement Iain Nicolson caught out the Beauly defence when he turned quickly to score with just 3 first half minutes remaining. Skye held their single goal lead until 20 minutes from time, thanks in a big way to at least four great saves from home keeper Iain MacLeod. Jordan Murchison, now back on the field, made enough space to send a sweet 20 yard drive over Beauly goalie Josh Grant’s left shoulder on 73 minutes. Murchison made it 4-1 just 3 minutes later and he latched onto a rebound off the keeper to make it 5-1 on 78 minutes. Skye saved the best until last when Kenny Campbell stroked a Jordan Murchison ball home after a fine flowing move a minute later. After the final whistle, Marine Harvest Site Manager John Angus Gillies, who also refereed the game, presented the Marine Harvest National Division Trophy to Skye captain Shockie MacLennan in front of a delighted Skye support. The result was significant in that it means that John MacLeod’s Skye side has now completed the last two seasons undefeated. Indeed the only dropped points over the 24 month period were a home draw with Caberfeidh on the opening day of the 2015 season and a goalless away draw with the Beauly second team a year earlier. However Skye will have to step it up once more next season as they compete in shinty’s top flight next season for the first time since 2002.
Ballachulish 1 Kilmallie 6 Second place Kilmallie finished their league programme with a 6-1 victory over Ballachulish at Jubilee Park. Ballachulish were without the suspended David Campbell and Scott MacDonald. Kilmallie’s Iain Robertson was banned as his booking against Skye Camanachd a fortnight earlier took him over the disciplinary points threshold. Aaron Sandison gave Kilmallie the lead after just 7 minutes. Kilmallie’s Liam MacDonald then grabbed a quick-fire hat-trick with goals on 15, 26 and 31 minutes to make it 4-0 at the break. Lorne Brown pulled a goal back for Balla’ on 57 minutes but John Stewart made it 5-1 on 67 minutes. Liam MacDonald took his tally to four goals with a 73 minute strike which made it 6-1. The match doubled up as the inaugural Iain Aitchison Memorial Trophy which was presented to Kilmallie captain Liam MacDonald after the game. Iain Aitchison played for Ballachulish and managed Kilmallie and was their club secretary for many years. He passed away last year. Kilmallie now go forward to the Marine Harvest Premiership play-off where they will face the side who finish second bottom in shinty’s top flight. However that match is pencilled in for the end of November 2015 so Kilmallie boss Mark MacPherson will have to keep his troops on the boil until then. The game rounds off a tough season for Donald Wilson’s Balla’ side and they are sure to introduce more of their youngsters in Marine Harvest South Division 1 next season in the hope that they can match the performances this term of South U17 players Cameron Sutherland and Cain MacPhee.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Fort William 7 Strathglass 2 The Fort William second team stay top of the table following their 7-2 win over Strathglass at An Aird. Fort William called on the services of Duncan Rodger who didn’t travel with their first team. Strathglass, who were on a three match unbeaten run going into the game, hadn’t played since they drew 3-3 with Kingussie six weeks earlier. Duncan Rodger got the Fort off to a dream start with a goal in the opening minute. However Strathglass fought back and former Caberfeidh player Steven Hislaw levelled on 11 minutes. Scott Knox put Fort William back in front on 25 minutes and a second from Duncan Rodger on 32 minutes followed by a Peter Wood goal a couple of minutes later made it 4-1. Donald Fraser gave Strathglass hope when he scored on 37 minutes to make it 4-2 at the break. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed a minute after the restart when Scot Knox got his second to make it 5-2. Lewis Clark on the hour mark and Donald Walker 20 minutes from time gave Fort William the 7-2 win. The Fort William second team will now focus on this coming weekend’s crucial clash with the Newtonmore second team at the Eilan. Strathglass also have one more match remaining – also against the Newtonmore colts.
Kinlochshiel 2 Newtonmore 2 Second place Newtonmore colts dropped a vital point when they drew 2-2 with the Kinlochshiel colts at Kirkton. With some of their players unavailable as they’d returned to University, ‘Shiel took advantage of the fact that they had no first team game and they fielded Keith MacRae in midfield, Duncan “DA” MacRae, David Falconer and senior team keeper Scott Kennedy at full forward. Kinlochshiel struck first as Chris Townsend netted with a blistering drive after just 4 minutes. Iain Robinson got Newtonmore back on level terms when he scored from the penalty spot with referee Calum Girvan making the award after 36 minutes. The pitch continued to cut up through the game and Scott Campbell put Newtonmore in front for the first time in the match on 70 minutes. However Fraser MacVicar scored with just 9 minutes remaining to earn ‘Shiel a point. The game completes the Kinlochshiel seconds’ league programme and they finish seventh in the nine-team division. The Newtonmore seconds have three more league fixtures to go in their quest to complete the treble of Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup, Strathdearn Cup and Marine Harvest North Division 1 title. The title race should become clearer next weekend when leaders Fort William reserves travel to the Eilan to play their Newtonmore counter-parts. The Fort are now five points better off but next weekend’s game is their final match of the season.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Bute 3 Oban Celtic 0 The match of the day in Marine Harvest South Division 1 was the clash between Bute and Oban Celtic at the Meadows and the Islanders took the points with a 3-0 win. David Whitelaw put them ahead and a starlet Craig MacKay, who plays for the South U14 side against the North U14 at An Aird the following day, scored twice to complete the 3-0 win.
Aberdour 3 Inveraray 0 Aberdour made it four wins in a row when they beat the Inveraray second team 3-0 at Silver Sands. Inveraray’s Ross Montgomery was free of suspension. Aberdour’s John Martin Philips served the second game of a two match ban following his read card against Kilmory at the end of August. Angus Thorburn put the home side ahead on 27 minutes and Alister Shaw made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later. Daniel Neilson rounded off the 3-0 win when he scored 7 minutes from time. This was Inveraray’s penultimate match of the season and they drop to third place in the table on goal difference.
Kilmory 2 Glenorchy 2 Kilmory and Glenorchy shared the points following a 2-2 draw at MacRae Park. Kilmory’s Bruce Johnston served the second match of a two game ban following his red card against Aberdour at the end of August. However Alex Cunningham was free of suspension. Glenorchy’s Dylan Cooke served the second match of a two game ban following his red card against Bute in mid-August. Alex Cunningham and Calum McKinven scored for bottom side Kilmory whilst an Andrew Smith brace counted for Glenorchy. Referee Jim Innes red carded John McNulty for the visitors. Kilmory remain in bottom spot whilst Glenorchy are just a place above. The sides meet again at Mart Park this coming weekend.
Taynuilt 3 Strachur 1 Taynuilt beat Strachur 3-1 at the Taynuilt Sports Field. Jamie MacFarlane scored after 18 minutes to give Taynuilt the lead but Robert Flint levelled 5 minutes before the break to make it 1-1. Stuart Scott restored Taynuilt’s advantage 10 minutes into the second half and Willie Neilson made it 3-1 on 70 minutes. The win lifts Taynuilt to sixth place in what is a very competitive league.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Caberfeidh 1 Glengarry 2 Glengarry are still in the title race after they beat the Caberfeidh second team 2-1 at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh were without the suspended Declan Wilson who started a two game ban following his red card against the Lochaber seconds in the teams’ last outing five weeks earlier. Daniel MacLennan was missing for ‘Garry. The visitors got off to a great start when Steven Cameron gave them a second minute lead. And that’s the way it stayed until 77 minutes when Martin Cameron doubled the Craigard side’s advantage. Andrew MacMaster pulled back a goal for Cabers 4 minutes from time but Glengarry took the points. They are now six points behind leaders Skye reserves with three games remaining. However Skye have two more matches to go, starting with a trip to the Bught Park to play the Inverness seconds next weekend, and one more point will give the Islanders the title and promotion to Marine Harvest North Division 1. This was the Caberfeidh seconds final match of the season and they are currently in fourth place in the table.
Aberdeen University 4 Boleskine 0 Aberdeen University stay third in the table after their 4-0 win over and understrength Boleskine side in their 2pm throw up at Balgownie. Alex Duncan put the home side ahead after 12 minutes when he latched onto a through ball from midfield before knocking it passed the keeper. Player / manager Jamie Beaton made it 2-0 on 17 minutes when he found enough space to put the ball into the roof of the net. Greg Tilman grabbed a third 5 minutes before half time to give the varsity side a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break. Alex Duncan got his second on 65 minutes which ended the game as a contest. Although Aberdeen dominated, Boleskine turned in a stuffy performance and they were not easy opponents. Eoghan Stewart was the match referee. This was the Aberdeen side’s last home game of the season and they will be delighted to have kept another clean sheet. Both teams have one match remaining. The Students travel to Spean Bridge next weekend whilst Boleskine travel to Skye the week after.
Kilmallie 1 Inverness 0 The Kilmallie and Inverness second teams were only separated by a single goal at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie’s Ewan Mowat scored the only goal of the game and the Kilmallie seconds can improve on their eighth place position if they win their two remaining matches against Glengarry and the Lochaber seconds.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute W/O v Oban Lorn Oban Lorn were unable to raise a team for their match against the Bute second team at the Meadows. The Bute seconds have been awarded the points and a 5-0 win. Fourth place Oban Lorne, who last had a fixture on Saturday 1 August 2015 when they lost 3-1 to the Glenorchy seconds, have been docked a point.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless stated differently) (These reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |