Inveraray, Kilmallie, Kyles Athletic, Newtonmore, Skye Camanachd and Strathglass all made it safely through to the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-finals whilst Lovat and Glenurquhart and Oban Camanachd and Kinlochshiel will have to replay their ties following the shinty action on Saturday 27 May 2017.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – Second Round
Kinlochshiel 0 Oban Camanachd 0
The tie of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup second round looked to be at Kirkton where Kinlochshiel and Oban Camanachd played out a goalless draw.
Injury ruled out ‘Shiel trio Gordie MacDonald, Oliver MacRae and Paul MacRae whilst Oban Camanachd duo Willie Neilson and Gary McKerracher recovered from knocks picked up in the previous week’s draw with Kyles Athletic with the former starting on the bench.
This tie could have gone either way and a draw was probably a fair result as it would have been harsh on either side to have lost out.
Both defences were on top throughout the game which restricted the number of clear-cut chances and keepers Scott Kennedy and Gavin Stobbart comfortably dealt with anything that came their way.
Referee Graham Cameron sent-off Kinlochshiel full forward John MacRae for two yellow cards and he will miss the replay between the sides.
Oban Camanachd’s Andrew MacCuish had a great chance to win it a couple of minutes from time but his shot went just the wrong side of the post from around 15 yards out.
With Mossfield hosting Oban Live, the replay will take place at the Taynuilt Sports Field this coming Saturday.
Oban Camanachd defender Scott McKillop will be a doubt for that game after suffering a bad knock to the shin.
Fort William 1 Newtonmore 3
Holders Newtonmore survived a first half set-back to make it into the next round.
Fort William’s Lewis Clark served the second match of a two-game suspension whilst ‘More’s Jamie Robinson was able to take a place on the bench.
A powerful Graham Campbell strike gave Fort William the lead with just 3 first half minutes remaining.
However when referee Robert Baxter awarded Newtonmore a penalty on the stroke of half time, Steven MacDonald stepped up to score.
Fraser MacKintosh gave the visitors the lead just 3 minutes after the restart and Glen MacKintosh rounded off the win when he made it 3-1 on 76 minutes.
Skye Camanachd 2 Kingussie 1
Marine Harvest National Division leaders Skye Camanachd beat Kingussie, second in shinty’s top flight, 2-1 in their 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Skye were missing full centre Gilleasbuig MacDonald whilst Steven Morrison remained sidelined through injury. Danny Morrison hurt his back in the lead up to the game and was only able to take up a place on the bench. James Pringle returned to the starting twelve after injury.
Kingussie were missing James Hutchison so Lee Bain came into the defence at buckshee back with Robert Mabon going to full back. James Falconer and Martin Dallas remained on the Kingussie injury list.
Skye took an early lead with Jordan Murchison scoring after just 3 minutes. Iain Nicolson played in a high free-hit and Murchison found space at the back post and, from around 15 yards out, he crashed the ball into the roof of net to make it 1-0.
Craig Dawson made a fine save to deny Stewart Grant at the expense of a corner before the Islanders made it 2-0 on 14 minutes. Jordan Murchison beat a couple of defenders but his shot was going wide until Will Cowie managed to stop the ball with his feet on edge of D and his strike went through the keeper’s legs.
It was an outstanding first half from Skye but they were unable to get what would have been a killer third goal.
The first half was Skye’s, and they should have added to their tally, but Kingussie dominated for the second period.
It was a “backs to the wall” performance from Skye for the last half an hour of the tie and the Kings reduced the deficit on 75 minutes when referee Calum Girvan penalised Stewart Grant for a kick inside the D. Savio Genini didn’t catch the spot-hit as cleanly as he would have liked but the ball took a vicious kick off the surface as Skye goalie Iain Macleod tried to keep the ball out with his foot.
Kingussie pushed Lee Bain forward and he hit the post whilst Chris Holleysong sent the ball over the top from a good position.
So despite their excellent start to their league programme; Kingussie have exited all three cup completions at the first round stage.
Skye were delighted to progress and they’ll look to replicate their first half performance on a regular basis during the remainder of the season.
Glenurquhart 1 Lovat 1
Glenurquhart and Lovat will have to do it all over again this weekend after drawing 1-1 at Blairbeg.
Glenurquhart’s injury woes eased as Fraser Heath, Connor Golabek and John Barr returned to the starting line-up with Barr at full forward. Daniel MacKintosh was also back, taking up a place on the bench. However James MacPherson, David MacLennan and Callum Smith were all out. Lachlan Smith started at full back.
Lovat’s Daniel Grieve, who was nursing a foot injury, served a one match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold but Craig Mainland returned, starting at buckshee back.
It was a largely uneventful first half in which Neale Reid failed to connect with a through ball on 6 minutes and Connor Golabek forced a Stuart MacDonald save on 13 minutes.
There was a water break on 25 minutes when the Glen took the chance to replace Arran MacDonald with Ally MacKintosh at full centre.
John Barr just managed to get past Drew Howie but sent his shot over the top in what was the final real chance of the half.
The tie did improve in the second half and Stuart MacKintosh had to be alert to keep out a Lorne MacKay strike from 35 yards out with the keeper saving with his legs.
With the Glen now playing towards the shop end of the ground, a powerful Neale Reid shot from a tight angle saw Stuart MacDonald throw himself to spectacularly turn the ball away for a corner.
It was ironic that with two of shinty’s best keepers keeping the tie scoreless, it was former Ross County and Motherwell football goalie Michael Fraser who would break the deadlock a minute later. Finlay Ralston sent a corner to the edge of the D and the ball was knocked down to Michael Fraser who scored from close range to make it 1-0 with 61 minutes played.
Referee Archie Ritchie controlled the game well and on 71 minutes, Greg Matheson was downed by Lachlan Smith but he still managed to get the ball to an unmarked Lorne MacKay at the edge of the D but the referee blew for the infringement, with the goal judge flagging, whilst Lovat claimed for advantage.
However Lovat drew level just 3 minutes later. Lorne MacKay got a touch on a shy from the right, sending the ball goalwards, and Stuart MacKintosh was penalised for a kick as he made the save. Glen disputed the award but Greg Matheson expertly converted from the spot, smashing the penalty over the keeper’s left shoulder to make it 1-1 with 74 minutes played.
Glenurquhart had been on top but the goal lifted Lovat and Stuart MacKintosh made good saves during the last 10 minutes, especially from a Lorne MacKay piledriver at the end.
Both keepers played well with Glen’s Andrew Corrigan and Fraser Heath and Lovat’s Drew Howie and Martin Mainland also catching the eye.
Glenurquhart’s Finlay Ralston and Lovat’s Scott MacKenzie are surely two fine players for the future.
Inveraray 5 Caberfeidh 1
Underdogs Inveraray upset the odds with a 5-1 win over Marine Harvest National Division rivals Caberfeidh at The Winterton.
Inveraray started with a strong back four whilst up front, a mix of youth and experience saw player / manager Ruaraidh Graham and Fraser Watt start in the half forward positions leaving the dominant duo of Allan MacDonald and Lewis Montgomery at full forward.
Caberfeidh’s Martin MacDonald served a one match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold but the Castle Leod side travelled with confidence with their only defeat of the season being a narrow 3-2 reverse against Newtonmore.
Inveraray showed their intentions from the throw up and they hit the front with only 6 minutes on the clock when captain Lewis MacNicol scored following a well-worked move involving the forward line.
The goal seemed to motivate Inveraray and Caberfeidh alike, upping the tempo of the game, but it was Inveraray again who managed to convert their chances into goals with two well-struck Allan MacDonald shots breaching the Caberfeidh defence on 15 and 33 minutes to make it 3-0.
With just over 5 minutes remaining of the first half, Caberfeidh’s Scotland U21 international Craig Morrison threw his side a life-line, taking advantage of some lenient Inveraray defending, to make it 3-1 going into half time.
The pattern of play remained unchanged in the second half with Inveraray looking very hungry, leaving Caberfeidh struggling to show any composure on the ball.
In an effort to get back into the game, Cabers moved Kevin Bartlett into the middle of the park when Garry MacPherson had been dominating but the home side continued to hold the upper hand.
As the tie moved into the final third, Fraser Watt was rewarded for his continuous efforts as two quick snap-shots found the back of the net on 64 and 68 minutes to make the score 5-1.
Both teams had chances during the remainder of the second half but neither managed to turn the opportunities into goals and, following 3 minutes injury time, referee Deek Cameron blew the final whistle to seal Inveraray's place in the next round.
Inveraray defender Nicolas Crawford turned in a man of the match performance, marking Scotland marksman Kevin Bartlett. Gary Macpherson had another fantastic game in the middle of the park for the yellow and blacks with Lewis MacNicol and Ally McDonald starring on either side of him.
Inveraray will want to capitalise on this performance as they head north to play Strathglass this Saturday in a “must win” game if they want to push towards the top of the National Division.
Caberfeidh will look to put this loss firmly behind them when they return to league duty against Fort William at An Aird in mid-June.
Kilmallie 5 Lochaber 3
MacTavish Cup finalists Kilmallie fought off a Lochaber come-back to win their tie 5-3 at The Canal Parks.
Kilmallie’s Aaron Sandison and Innes Blackhall remained out through suspension and injury respectively but Craig MacIsaac was given a start in attack.
Lochaber defender John Sweeney was still out with a hand injury whilst Danny Delaney was also missing. There was a place in the squad for veteran Neil MacDonald.
Kilmallie did the damage in the first half and Craig MacIsaac lost his marker to score after just 5 minutes.
Michael Rodger made it 2-0 on 18 minutes when he came deep to gather possession before rifling the ball home.
When Craig MacIsaac got his second on 30 minutes and Duncan Rodger made it 4-0 just 5 minutes later, Kilmallie looked out of sight.
However Lochaber regrouped at the interval and Conor Sweeney pulled a goal back on 55 minutes.
There was a flashpoint for referee Lachie Wood to deal with when Stephen MacAllister and Conor Sweeney clashed. Sweeney was booked but MacAllister was sent off and the likely two match suspension means he will miss the MacTavish Cup Final against Newtonmore at The Bught Park on Saturday 10 June 2017.
Neil MacDonald made it 4-2 on 80 minutes but then Martin Stewart set up Duncan Rodger score his second, blasting an unstoppable shot into the back of the net, with just a couple of minutes remaining.
There was still time for Stuart Callison to make it 5-3 just 60 seconds later but Kilmallie go into the quarter-final draw.
Kyles Athletic 7 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0
Kyles Athletic beat an under-strength Glasgow Mid Argyll side 7-0 at Tighnabruaich.
Callum Miller returned in defence for Kyles but GMA travelled without Duncan “Ach” MacRae, Innes MacMillan, Ryan Harrison and keeper Robert Dunnings.
An 11 minute Gordon Whyte goal was quickly followed by a Scott MacDonald effort just 4 minutes later to give Kyles a 2-0 advantage.
Roddy MacDonald made it 3-0 on 38 minutes and the Scotland forward nabbed a second 5 minutes into the second period.
Three late goals put gloss on the win.
Thomas Whyte added a fifth on 79 minutes and Robbie MacLeod made it 6-0 with 5 minutes remaining.
Thomas Whyte got his second a minute later, giving the Tighnabruaich side safe passage into the next round.
Strathglass 2 Kilmory 1
Strathglass came from a goal down to beat Kilmory 2-1 at Cannich.
With both sides in maroon strips, there was some last minute improvisation which saw the hosts play in bibbed tops to avoid a colour clash.
Kilmory started strongly. They took an athletic and motivated side north, knowing they had a great opportunity to progress in the Scottish Cup.
And they took the lead on 22 minutes with Alister MacArthur scoring a well-taken goal.
Josh Fraser equalised a couple of minutes before the break with a beautifully worked goal but he then had to go off when he suffered a bad crack on the hand straight from the restart.
However Fraser returned to the park with around 20 minutes left to set up the period of play which led to Donald Fraser out-foxing his marker to make it 2-1 with 78 minutes played, clinching a quarter-final berth for David Balharry’s side.
Marine Harvest National Division
Oban Celtic 5 Inverness 3
The match between Oban Celtic and Inverness was originally scheduled for The Bught Park but was switched to Mossfield and Celtic took the chance to record their first National Division win of the season.
Oban Celtic went into the game still missing the experienced David MacInnes but turned in an improved performance than against Fort William a week earlier and they took their goals well.
Inverness welcomed Scotland U21 forward Charlie MacDonald back from injury but they travelled with just thirteen players, losing one of them through injury early in the match.
The Oban Celtic defence were pretty much spectators for the first 20 minutes of this match with the home forwards creating a number of chances without testing the visiting keeper.
However they were made to pay on 25 minutes when Inverness counter-attacked in a move brilliantly finished off by Charlie MacDonald who rocketed the ball into the top corner of the net for what was to be the pick of the day’s goals.
As frustration started to set in, Celtic they found themselves dominating play but unable to apply the finishing touch.
Inverness almost extended their lead on 35 minutes but it was Celtic who would draw level on the stroke of half-time when a Daniel Madej free-hit found an unmarked Connor Howe and he sent his shot low and hard into the net, bagging his first goal for his new club.
Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon had asked more off his players following the Fort William defeat and his half-time outburst was taken on board with the hosts going on to score four more times during the first 20 minutes of the second half as they turned on the style.
Daniel Madej put Oban Celtic in front for the first time in the match a minute after the restart and Neil Carmichael made it 3-1 on 52 minutes.
Rory Bruce on 59 minutes and Ross MacMillan on 65 minutes extended Celtic’s advantage.
The game wasn’t pretty at times and Celtic made changes but the final two goals of the match were scored by Inverness through Padraig McNeil on 75 minutes and James Cameron on 87 minutes, making the final score 5-3.
Referee John Wood flashed straight red cards for Inverness veteran Dougie Rankin and Oban Celtic’s Ally McKerracher, who had an impressive game, following a late clash.
Robert Alexander turned in a man of the match performance on his Oban Celtic debut.
The win takes Oban Celtic off the bottom of the table on goal difference at Inverness’ expense. The Oban side have no game this coming Saturday which will allow the players carrying knocks some time to recover.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Aberdeen University 2 Newtonmore 8
The top of the table clash between third placed Aberdeen University and the Newtonmore second team, who top the division, took place at Balgownie.
‘More travelled with a strong squad with Evan Menzies included for the first time this season and Conor Jones and Chris Sellar both returning after injury.
In the end, Ewan Fraser and Alex Duncan scored for the Students but doubles from Duncan Gorman, Evan Menzies and Conor Jones and strikes from Calum Stewart and Chris Sellar gave the reigning champions an emphatic 8-2 win.
Skye Camanachd 2 Glenurquhart 0
The Skye Camanachd colts go third after their 2-0 win over the Glenurquhart colts in their noon throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
After a goalless first half, Skye wing centre John Angus MacInnes, who came on as a substitute, missing the start of the game as he was working, hit a low 20 yard shot which bobbled along the hard surface and into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 with 62 minutes played.
Connor Gilpin made it 2-0 with a neat finish on 72 minutes. Gilpin’s shot from just outside the D gave the keeper no chance.
Forward Martin Pringle had his best game yet for the Skye seconds whilst Calum Robertson can be more than pleased with his debut in defence.
Beauly 1 Fort William 4
The Fort William seconds returned from Braeview Park with the points after they defeated the Beauly seconds 4-1 in their noon throw up.
Scott Henderson put the Fort ahead on 8 minutes but a 13 minute Peter Dickson counter made it 1-1 at the break.
Fort William pulled away in the second half and player / manager Neil Robertson put them back in front on 68 minutes.
Scott Henderson went on to complete his hat-trick, scoring on 72 and 74 minutes to lift Fort William to fifth in the division.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Lochside Rovers 12 Glenorchy 0
Lochside Rovers stay out in front at the top of Marine Harvest South Division 1 with a comprehensive 12-0 win over Glenorchy at Mossfield.
Lochside were without Evan MacLellan, Jordan Kerr, youngster Lennon Campbell and Iain MacMillan who was with the seniors.
Glenorchy’s Kieron Gallagher was free of his one match suspension. The visitors travelled with just thirteen players and Duncan Smith was free to play but he will miss his side’s next two matches as his booking against Aberdour a week earlier takes him through the disciplinary points threshold.
A quick-fire Craig MacDougall double on 3 and 9 minutes was a sign of what was to come.
Lewis Buchannan made it 3-0 on 31 minutes. David Sloss was fouled and he picked himself up to take a quick free-hit to Buchannan who took a lovely touch before sending a good finish low into the net.
Craig MacDougall completed his hat-trick a minute later. Craig Easton worked the ball forward to Craig MacMillan and he found MacDougall who scored from outside the D.
Lewis Buchanan converted a rebound off the keeper to make it 5-0 on 34 minutes and Craig MacDougall got his fourth a couple of minutes later to make it 6-0 at the break.
The message to the Lochside players at the interval was to maintain the tempo showed in the first half and Craig MacDougall did exactly that, adding his fifth a minute after the restart.
Craig MacMillan added his name to the scoresheet, making it 8-0 on 50 minutes and Lewis Buchanan took his tally to four goals with strikes on 63 and 64 minutes, the former which was the goal of the match. Chrissie MacMillan played the ball to the back post and it bounced once before Buchanan volleyed it into the top corner of the net from a tight angle.
Michael MacQueen made it 11-0 on 75 minutes and Craig MacDougall completed a productive afternoon’s work when he scored his sixth goal of the game just 4 minutes from time.
This was Lochside’s seventh successive clean sheet and the side have no game this weekend as Mossfield hosts Oban Live. However an Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup quarter-final tie against the Bute seconds is in their sights with the match coming a week later.
Aberdour 5 Col Glen 1
Aberdour remain a point behind the leaders following their 5-1 win over Col Glen at Silversands.
A first half Roddy MacColl double on 32 and 39 minutes gave Aberdour an early cushion.
Angus Thorburn made it 3-0 just 10 minutes after the restart.
Col Glen’s Andrew MacVicar pulled a goal back on 70 minutes but a second from Angus Thorburn on 73 minutes and hat-trick goal from Roddy MacColl just a couple of minutes later completed the 5-1 win.
Ballachulish 1 Taynuilt 1
Ballachulish and Tayforth both improved their league standings following their 1-1 draw at Jubilee Park.
Lorne Brown gave Balla’ ahead on the half hour mark but Steven Parr secured Taynuilt’s point with a 65 minute goal.
Tayforth 0 Bute 1
Tayforth and Bute met at Levenhall Links and the teams looked set to share the points.
However Bute’s Robert Walker popped up with what proved to be the winner just 8 minutes from time.
Bute remain bottom of the table because of their points deduction but it seems only a matter of time before they climb the division.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Caberfeidh 3 Lovat 1
The Caberfeidh seconds came from a goal down to beat the Lovat seconds 3-1 on a very hot day at Castle Leod.
Raymond Rennie put the visitors ahead after 14 minutes but Jamie Matheson, making a substitute appearance after a hamstring injury, made it 1-1 with Calum MacKinnon the provider.
Goals from Jamie MacLeod, scoring after running onto a through ball, and Ruaridh MacKinnon, who netted following a Jamie Matheson free-hit, gave Cabers a 3-1 triumph.
Lochcarron 4 Kilmallie 0
A Crisdean Finlayson hat-trick helped Lochcarron to a 4-0 win over the Kilmallie seconds at Battery Park.
Crisdean Finlayson gave Lochcarron the lead on 22 minutes and Peter MacKenzie made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later.
Finlayson completed his treble with strikes on 35 and 40 minutes and the match was won before the break.
Lochaber 6 Strathspey Camanachd 1
The Lochaber reserves recorded a solid 6-1 victory over Strathspey Camanachd at Spean Bridge.
Sam Lees gave Lochaber a 15 minute lead but Connor Aubrey levelled just 3 minutes later.
Ben Delaney on 32 minutes and Lachlan Campbell on 40 minutes made it 3-1 at the break.
Lochaber extended their advantage with three goals in the final 15 minutes of the match.
Lachlan Campbell got his second on 76 minutes and Harvey Allison made it 5-1 a couple of minutes later.
Lachlan Campbell completed his hat-trick on 87 minutes to round off the 6-1 win.
Lewis Camanachd W/O v Boleskine
Lewis Camanachd’s wait for a first home match of the season continues as Boleskine were unable to raise a team for their encounter at Shawbost so the Islanders were awarded the points.
This follows on from Lewis Camanachd’s home match against the Caberfeidh seconds in early May which will be rescheduled and the previous week’s game against the Lovat seconds which was called off due to the visitors’ team-raising difficulties.
Glengarry W/O v Inverness
League leaders Glengarry were awarded the points when the Inverness second team were unable to raise a team for their match at Craigard.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Oban Lorn 1 Inveraray 1
Table toppers Inveraray reserves and second placed Oban Lorn drew 1-1 in their match at Ganavan.
Oban Lorn’s Shaun MacIver started a two-game ban following his red card against the Bute second team a fortnight earlier.
The goals came late in the game with Kenny Kirkhope putting the visitors ahead with just 15 minutes remaining.
Oban Lorn drew level a couple of minutes from time courtesy of an own goal, with the ball going into the Inveraray net off David Robertson.
Dunoon Camanachd 0 Strachur 8
Strachur were too strong for Dunoon Camanachd, winning 8-0 at The Dunoon Stadium.
Kyles MacEwan started the scoring on 3 minutes and Ian MacLellan made it 2-0 on 6 minutes with Ian Wilson adding a third a couple of minutes later.
A second from Ian MacLennan on 34 minutes and an Angus Campbell goal on 37 minutes made it 5-0.
Angus Campbell got his second on 42 minutes to make it 6-0 at the break.
Ian Wilson got his second on 77 minutes and Angus Campbell completed his hat-trick a minute from time to lift Strachur to second in the table.
Bute P Glasgow Mid Argyll P
The Glasgow Mid Argyll colts were unable to raise a team for their trip to The Meadows to take on the Bute colts so the match will be rescheduled for a later date.
(All throw ups are 2.30pm unless stated differently in the match report)
(The picture from the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup clash between Strathglass and Kilmory comes courtesy of Donald Cameron)
WCA Round Up
The ladies shinty focus was on Marine Harvest Challenge Cup on Sunday 28 May 2017.
Marine Harvest National Division 1
Skye Camanachd P Lovat P
Lovat were unable to field a team for their meeting with Skye Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Lovat were docked a point and the game will be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest Challenge Cup - Quarter Finals
Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Oban Lorn 0
The Glasgow Mid Argyll second team beat Oban Lorn 4-0 at Yoker.
Amy Harris scored twice whilst Evie Coultas and Catherine Mullen also netted.
Inverness 1 Glengarry 3
Glengarry beat Inverness 3-1at The Bught Park.
Amber Mackay put Inverness ahead but a half-time change in formation from the visitors saw Elaine Cameron notch a double and Laura Mackay get the other to give ‘Garry the win.
Ardnamurchan 1 Strathglass 1 (After Extra-time - Ardnamurchan won 3-2 on penalties)
It took penalties to separate Ardnamurchan and Strathglass at Strontian. The visitors took a first half lead through Mattie Jones but Ardnamurchan’s Annie MacDonald equalised on 68 minutes. With no further scoring after 20 minutes extra-time; a penalty shoot-out ensued and goals from Rachel Ford, Annie MacDonald and Eilidh Ross for Ard cancelling out Kayleigh MacGregor and Sasha Pocock for Strath to put Ard through to the semis.
Cowal & Bute 3 Tayforth 2
Cowal & Bute beat Tayforth 3-2 in a close encounter.
The Marine Harvest Challenge Cup semi-final draw will take place at Oban Live this coming weekend.