The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 28 August 2021 | |
29 August 2021 Kinlochshiel reached the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final for the first time following the shinty action on Saturday 28 August 2021.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup - Semi Final Kinlochshiel 2 Kyles Athletic 0 Kinlochshiel are through to the Camanachd Cup Final for the first time in their 63-year history following their 2-0 victory over Kyles Athletic in their 4.10pm throw up at the Taynuilt Sports Field. Kinlochshiel had been missing defenders Conor Cormack, David Falconer and Mark MacDonald in recent weeks but both Cormack and Falconer were able to start with MacDonald taking a place on the bench. Kyles Athletic defender George Thomson was still out through injury but Neil MacVicar and Conor Kennedy, who both sustained injuries in the previous weekend’s Artemis Macaulay Final defeat to Kingussie, were passed fit to start. The pitch looked in great conditional and it was a warm afternoon in complete contrast to the rain endured by Oban Camanachd and Lovat at the same venue the previous Saturday. After two Saturdays without a match, Kinlochshiel made a sluggish start and their keeper Josh Grant twice saved well from low Colin MacDonald efforts. ‘Shiel settled though and Jordan Fraser dropped a teasing ball in on goal but keeper John Whyte dealt well with the bouncing ball, slapping it away for a corner. Whyte then saved with his feet to thwart Keith MacRae before sweeping the ball away for another corner and the opening 15 minutes remained goalless. Kyles defender Andrew King was spoken too by referee Ross Brown as the contest got feisty. Roddy MacDonald was pulled back from the forward line to take over from his brother Innes MacDonald at centre in an attempt to turn the tie the Tighnabruaich men’s way. Despite this, ‘Shiel were beginning to dominate and John MacRae played one-two with Jordan Fraser before pushing the ball into the side netting from the right of the D. ‘Shiel continued to press and Jordan Fraser took a ball from Duncan ‘DA’ MacRae before running forward and firing just over the bar. Kyles finished the half on the front foot and threatened when Colin Macdonald took the ball to the right of the D before crashing a wonderful shot off the crossbar with the keeper helpless. Josh Grant then had to spread himself to keep out Conor Kennedy’s low shot from the left with the keeper saving with his stick. Ross Macrae just couldn’t find the net from the rebound and the first half finished goalless. ‘Shiel replaced an injured Duncan ‘WD’ MacRae with Jonny Macaskill at half-time. Kinlochshiel created the first chance of the second half when Jordan Fraser took down a cross-field ball from Duncan Matheson and forced a John Whyte save with feet before the goalie cleared the ball wide. Meantime an already stretched Kyles were troubled when defender Callum Millar went down with cramp whilst Scott MacDonald started to feel the effects of his hand injury. Innes MacDonald needed treatment soon after. Kyles attacks were becoming more rare although Josh Grant had to save low from Ross Macrae’s shot. The keeper’s clearance deflected off Colin MacDonald but, luckily for ‘Shiel, the ball went wide to safety. Kinlochshiel forced a couple of corners and took the lead on 58 minutes. Jonny MacAskill’s corner from the right dropped for John MacRae whose shot was blocked by Callum Millar but when the rebound came back to MacRae in a central position, he pushed a short pass to his brother Keith MacRae and the ‘Shiel skipper fired a low shot into the net to break the deadlock. Kyles were always a threat and with Colin MacDonald occupying two ‘Shiel defenders, Innes MacDonald spurned a great chance when he nipped in to take the ball to his left but sent a drive over the bar with David Falconer challenging. ‘Shiel went back on the attack and Ali Nixon’s strike from wide on right went past the goal. Scott MacDonald went down again and had to succumb to his hand injury with Rupert Williamson coming on and Roddy MacDonald dropping back into defence where he shadowed Keith MacRae. Andrew King was spoken too again, this time after catching Keith MacRae on the back of legs. John MacRae held off Neil MacVicar to win possession but shot wide of goal whilst at the other end, ‘Shiel’s Finlay MacRae needed treatment after being caught by Colin MacDonald’s swing but he limped back into action. ‘Shiel claimed for a penalty when the ball came off John Whyte’s foot as he missed a swing in an attempt to clear the ball but the referee waved away their claims. Andrew King and Ali Nixon were next to require treatment. As the tie moved into the final 10 minutes, ‘Shiel keeper Josh Grant twice saved his side as he showed great reflexes to keep out Colin MacDonald’s shot which deflected off Conor Cormack but Grant, who was moving to his right, managed to change direction as he stretched left to keep the ball out with his club. Then Grant dived along the ground to palm away a spinning ball from Conor Kennedy. ‘Shiel’s Ali Nixon shot wide and with his calf injury worsening, under 17 player Archie MacRae came on in his place. Kyles pushed Roddy MacDonald forward again in an attempt to take the tie to extra-time. Cairn Limbert came on for a limping Thomas Whyte as 90 minutes approached. Referee Ross Brown signalled 8 minutes stoppage time and Kyles now pushed almost everyone forward including full back Callum Millar, but they couldn’t beach the ‘Shiel back line. This meant the Tighnabruaich men were vulnerable to a counter-attack and following a stray ball in midfield, Jordan Fraser found Archie MacRae whose back-hand shot was saved but John Whyte couldn’t clear the ball and Jordan Fraser nipped in and kept his balance, taking the ball by the keeper as he cut in from the right before knocking it over the line to make it 2-0. Archie MacRae could have added a third after a great John MacRae run but two goals were enough as ‘Shiel enjoyed the late pressure and Kyles looked spent. Scotland Head Coach Garry Reid’s choice as man of the match was ‘Shiel keeper Josh Grant who made good stops at important times. His team mate Jordan Fraser must have run him close. Kinlochshiel now await the outcome of this Saturday’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final between Kingussie and Lovat at an Aird.
Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup - Semi Final Skye Camanachd P Inveraray P The semi-final between Skye Camanachd and Inveraray at Spean Bridge was postponed because of covid restrictions as Skye suspended all shinty for a week.
Beauly P Bute P The last-for tie between Beauly and Bute was also postponed because of covid restrictions which affected the Islanders. The tie has been rearranged for this coming Saturday at the Jubilee Park with a 3pm throw up. Skye Camanachd and Inveraray meet in the other semi-final at the same venue with a noon throw up.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup - First Round Lovat 2 Glenurquhart 3 Glenurquhart stunned Lovat with a shock 3-2 win in their 3pm throw up at Blairbeg to take their place in the cottages.com MacTavish Cup quarter-finals. The teams went into the tie on the back of mixed fortunes from the previous weekend. Lovat beat Oban Camanachd in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-finals whilst Glenurquhart lost out to Lochaber in Mowi Senior League A. Glenurquhart got off to a great start with David MacLennan scoring within the opening minute. Jed Stoddart played on a ball forward and Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald came off his line and went wide but failed to clear. John Barr shot goalwards and the ball looked to be going in but David MacLennan was on hand to make sure. The Glen had the best of the first half chances with Stuart MacDonald saving from John Barr and the rebound then going wide whilst Eddie Tembo’s lofted ball from the right of midfield dropped on goal. MacDonald saved and Barr volleyed the rebound just wide. And that’s the way it remained until 20 minutes from time when Connor Golabek added a second. Glenurquhart worked the ball up-field and Michael Fraser played a one-two with Rory Ralston before Connor Golabek turned his marker and fired home. Greg Matheson pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just 3 minutes later. Referee Deek Cameron penalised Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh for falling on the ball as Lewis Tawse tried to profit. Matheson did his usual efficient job, beating the keeper by his right post. Lovat went in search of an equaliser but were always vulnerable to the counter-attack and when John Barr collected a long ball and beat his man, his low, hard shot flew into the corner of the net to make it 3-1 with 76 minutes played. Lovat kept attacking and Greg Matheson lost his marker to score his second with a fine shot on 87 minutes, setting up a tense end to the tie. However Glenurquhart stayed in front and now play Fort William in the quarter-finals with the prize a meeting with Kingussie in the last-four of the competition. The Glen deservedly won the match on the back of a solid spine to their side. Stuart MacKintosh was on top form in goal, supported by the excellent Lachie Smith at full back and wing backs Fergus Robertson and Chris Mack whilst Ally MacKintosh played to his strengths at buckshee back. Michael Fraser also made a significant contribution at full centre.
Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup – Quarter Final Ballachulish 0 Oban Camanachd 10 Oban Camanachd sealed a Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup semi-final spot after thumping Ballachulish 10-0 on a glorious day at the Jubilee Park. Oban Camanachd were missing Daniel Sloss with a shoulder muscle injury as well as Daniel Madej, Blair MacFarlane and Keith MacMillan so boosted their squad with some Lochside youngsters. Daniel MacVicar gave Oban Camanachd a 4 minute lead and quickly took his tally to four goals when he found the net three more times midway through the first half, one of which was a spectacular strike into the top corner of the net. Oban Camanachd switched things around with Daniel MacVicar going to half back. When referee Iain Kennedy awarded the Oban side a penalty on 34 minutes, Garry Lord converted to make it 5-0 and Connor Howe on 41 minutes and Daniel Cameron a minute later made it 7-0 at half-time. 16 year old Innes Jackson came off the bench to score his first goal at senior level a minute after the restart. Another youngster, Ross Campbell, added an eighth on 84 minutes with Daniel Cameron getting his second on the stroke of full-time to make the final score 10-0.
Mowi Senior League A Fort William 2 Lochaber 1 Fort William enjoyed a 2-1 derby win over Lochaber in a thrilling match at An Aird. The Fort were 4-0 winners when the sides met at Spean earlier in the season but they were missing a number of players for this game. Jay MacLeod, Cameron Grant and Sean Cruickshank all played with the latter making his first appearance in over two years. Referee Calum Girvan signalled a minute’s silence ahead of throw up as those present remembered much-respected Fort William Chieftain Bobby MacLeod who passed away the previous week. There was early action at both ends before Grant Disher found space on the left and his low, hard shot from a tight angle went into the far corner of the net to give the hosts a 10 minute lead. However Lochaber showed their mettle as Jack Dignan continued his scoring spree to level from in front of the goals just a couple of minutes later. Lewis Morrison, who suffered a knock moments earlier, put the Fort back in front on 20 minutes. The goal came out of nowhere as Morrison’s 25 yard shot from out on the right went just inside the post. Referee Calum Girvan awarded the visitors a penalty for a ‘kick’ with Fort William claiming there was an offside ahead of the infringement. There was a delay before Gregor Cameron stepped up and he hit the ball well enough but Paul MacKay made a brilliant save with the ball cannoning back off his club to the extent it almost went out for a hit-in. If that save was top drawer then Lochaber keeper Callum MacDonald bettered it. MacDonald’s initial save saw the ball go wide where Arran MacPhee unleashed a rocket-shot which MacDonald some-how palmed away to safety. Lochaber went all-out for a leveller although the final 20 minutes of the contest was more even.
Mowi Senior League B Newtonmore 5 Caberfeidh 1 After three Saturdays without a fixture, Newtonmore returned to the field to beat Caberfeidh 5-1 in their 3pm throw up at the Eilan. Newtonmore manager Orsten Gardner was unavailable so Michael Russell looked after the side. Caberfeidh have been boosted by Blair Morrison’s return to their defence after a nasty hand injury. Drew MacDonald put ‘More ahead on 40 minutes with the only goal of the first half. Iain Robinson made it 2-0 on 52 minutes with the goal of the game. Robinson and Drew MacDonald linked up really well in the build-up before Robinson finished. Kevin Bartlett pulled a goal back on 67 minutes only for substitute Max Campbell to make it 3-1 on 74 minutes. Referee Willie MacDonald spotted an off-the-ball incident between Max Campbell and Connor MacGregor with 10 minutes remaining and sent both players off. There were no complaints from either camp to the referee’s decision. Late goals from Declan Brannan and Drew MacDonald put gloss on the win. The final scoreline was harsh on Cabers who were foiled on several occasions by some fine Kenny Ross saves.
Beauly P Kingussie P The clash between Beauly and Kingussie at Braeview Park was called off because of covid restrictions.
Mowi Senior League C Glasgow Mid Argyll 6 Aberdour 2 Ewan Fraser scored five times as Glasgow Mid Argyll beat Aberdour 6-2 in their 3pm throw up at Peterson Park. Both teams were short of players with Aberdour travelling without seven regulars. Logan Adam was given a first start and brothers Calum Murray and Davie Murray made their debuts. Aberdour started well against their higher league opponents with David MacDougall leading by example at full centre and two goals late in the first half saw the sides go into the interval on level terms. GMA were creating more chances as the half went on and Brian Slattery found space to give his side a 43 minute lead but David MacKenzie levelled just 60 seconds later, taking a David MacDougall pass before hitting a blistering shot past the keeper. GMA’s Ewan Fraser then ran riot as he completed a quick-fire hat-trick with goals on 46, 48 and 55 minutes. Aberdour were awarded a penalty for a ‘kick’ inside the D but David MacKenzie saw his spot-hit saved. Ruaraidh Reid pulled a goal back on 61 minutes but Ewan Fraser took his tally to five goals with efforts on 82 and 87 minutes.
Strathdearn Cup - Semi Finals Newtonmore 4 Fort William 3 The Newtonmore colts edged out the Fort William colts 4-3 in their noon throw up at the Eilan. Mark Fraser got the Fort off to a great start with a fantastic strike from the left after just 2 minutes. Savio Vastano deflected shot drew ‘More level on 20 minutes and Craig Macleod gave them the lead for the first time on 38 minutes Graham Campbell turned home Rhys Kennedy’s corner from the right to make it 2-2 just a couple of minutes later only for Fraser MacKintosh to score on 44 minutes to give ‘More a 3-2 advantage at the interval. Craig Macleod’s second on 67 minutes made it 4-2 and ‘More looked set for the final. However when referee Steven MacLachlan awarded the hosts a penalty with just a 5 minutes remaining, Mark Fraser held his nerve to score his second goal of the afternoon. Fort keeper Stuart Disher made some great saves during the 90 minutes. Newtonmore saw out the closing stages and their experienced forward line of Glen MacKintosh, Fraser MacKintosh and Craig Macleod made the difference. ‘More will meet the winners from this Saturday’s semi-final between the Lovat and Kingussie second teams in the final.
Lovat P Kingussie P The noon throw up between the Lovat seconds and the Kingussie seconds at Balgate was postponed because of covid restrictions.
Bullough Cup - Semi Final Lochside Rovers P Oban Celtic P Lochside Rovers and the Oban Celtic second team face a wait as their semi-final at Mossfield was postponed because of covid restriction.
Mowi North League A Glengarry P Lochcarron P Team raising difficulties forced the postponement of Glengarry’s meeting with Lochcarron at Craigard.
Skye Camanachd P Kinlochshiel P The game between the Skye Camanachd seconds and the Kinlochshiel seconds was brought forward to Thursday 26 August 2021 to allow both sets of players to attend their first team’s important semi-finals on the Saturday. However the game was called off when Skye suspended shinty activity for a week as a covid precaution.
Mowi North League B Inverness 2 Glenurquhart 2 Inverness and the Glenurquhart second team drew 2-2 at the Bught Park. After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Angus MacCallum gave the Glen a 50 minute lead but Alan MacPherson levelled 5 minutes later. Angus MacCallum’s second and Ruaraidh Hughes strike, both around the hour mark, made the final score 2-2.
Mowi North League C Aberdeen University P Beauly P Travel issues forced the postponement of the match between Aberdeen University and the Beauly second team at Balgownie.
Strathglass P Strathspey Camanachd P The meeting between the Strathglass second team and Strathspey Camanachd at Cannich was an early postponement due to covid restrictions affecting the home club.
Mowi South League B Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Tayforth 1 The Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds beat Tayforth 2-1 in a match played at Peterson Park. Jamie MacLeod gave GMA a 26 minute lead but Sean Taylor levelled on the stroke of half-time. Cailean MacInnes scored what proved to be the winner with just 12 minutes remaining.
Mowi Central League Kilmory 0 Lochaber 3 The Lochaber second team made their first visit to MacRae Park and returned with both points after beating Kilmory 3-0. David Langan scored on 37 minutes to give Lochaber an interval lead and he added a second a couple of minutes after the restart. Darris Riddle made it 3-0 on 66 minutes.
Glenorchy P Kilmallie P Glenorchy’s game against the Kilmallie colts at Mart Park was called off because of covid restrictions.
(All throw ups were at 2pm unless the match report states differently) |