The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 28 March 2015 | |
29 March 2015 The wet weather caused postponements and reversed fixtures across the country but Glenurquhart, Inverness, Lochaber and Newtonmore all made cup progress on Saturday 28 March 2015.
RBS MacTavish Cup – First Round Newtonmore 4 Lovat 1 Holders Lovat are out of this year’s RBS MacTavish Cup after they were beaten 4-1 by Newtonmore at the Eilan. There was a mid-morning pitch inspection at the Eilan and had it been deemed unplayable, the tie would have been reversed to Balgate. However the Blues’ pitch was given the green light and the match went ahead as originally scheduled. It was a bitterly cold day and there was a strong wind blowing across the park which made for difficult conditions for both sets of players. Norman Campbell returned in defence for ‘More after missing last weekend’s defeat to Inveraray. Steven MacDonald recovered from an injury picked up in that game but Jamie Robinson, Calum Stewart and Scott Campbell missed out and there was also no place in the starting line-up for Fraser MacKintosh. Danny MacRae was still out. Lovat were along usual lines with long term injury victim Graeme MacMillan out but Lorne MacKay had recovered from injury to start. Newtonmore had the better of the early exchanges and they went ahead after 33 minutes. ‘More full centre Cameron Binnie pushed forward from the middle of the park and it was a delighted Binnie who fired the ball home from around the penalty spot to make it 1-0. When Paul MacArthur added a second on 41 minutes, things looked ominous for the holders. It was another goal from midfield with MacArthur first to react when Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald had made a save and the wing centre knocked the ball into the empty goal. The home side almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time but Stuart MacDonald made a brilliant save to keep out a terrific effort from buckshee forward Rory Kennedy. Newtonmore replaced Scott Chisholm with Craig Ritchie on 51 minutes. Lovat were finding it difficult to threaten the ‘More goal but when Kevin Bartlett found Greg Matheson from a corner on the hour mark, Matheson’s drive rose just over the bar. Greg Matheson scored his first goal of the season to get Lovat back into the game on 66 minutes. Matheson collected possession and sent a blistering drive over goalie Michael Ritchie’s head into the net. It was a really good goal and it gave Lovat hope. Kevin Bartlett, who was well-marked for most of the game by the speedy Andy MacKintosh, had a half-chance to level the game but he lost the ball on a bobbly surface. Lovat defender Drew Howie limped off with 15 minutes remaining. Jamie Matheson came on with Michael MacKenzie initially going to full back with full centre Craig Mainland taking over there later in the game. Newtonmore had by far the more efforts on goal throughout the match and when Glen MacKintosh was given too much space on 87 minutes, he steadied himself before scoring to ensure Newtonmore would be in the next round. When referee Deek Cameron pointed to the penalty spot in the final minute, Glen MacKintosh stepped up to score his second goal of the game to complete a deserved 4-1 win.
Lochaber 2 Kingussie 1 Lochaber have had a tough start to their Marine Harvest Premiership campaign but they put that behind them to beat Kingussie 2-1 in their tie at Spean Bridge. Lochaber were without defender Lachlan Campbell and forwards Shaun Nicolson and Kevin Ferguson. Kingussie keeper Craig Dawson was still injured. Rory MacGregor had been deputising for him but Kings veteran Kevin Thain was between the sticks for this encounter. There other absentees included pivot Louis Munro. Stuart Callison put Lochaber in front on 33 minutes when he was first to the ball after Kevin Thain had made a goal-line save and Callison knocked the ball over the line. Savio Genini kept up his goal-a-game ratio when he netted just a couple of minutes later. Genini was well-marked by Lochaber defender Duncan MacKinnon but he managed to escape MacKinnon’s clutches on 35 minutes to send a well-taken strike past helpless home goalie Calum MacDonald. The teams went into the half time interval all-square. Findlay MacDonald has impressed in the Lochaber reserves this season, scoring four goals against Boleskine last weekend, and the 18 year old came off the substitute’s bench with around 20 minutes remaining. It was an inspired change by Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson as with just a couple of minutes remaining, MacDonald was the toast of Spean Bridge when he got in behind Garry Munro and onto the end of a through ball from Stuart Callison. There was still plenty for the youngster to do but from a tight angle, he cracked a shot across the keeper into the corner of the net to make it 2-1. Kingussie fought back and it took two outstanding saves in the dying minutes from Calum MacDonald to see the game out. Lochaber’s reward is meeting with another Badenoch side as they will make a trip to the Eilan to face Newtonmore in the quarter-finals.
Beauly 0 Glenurquhart 1 Last year’s RBS MacTavish Cup runners-up Glenurquhart edged out Beauly with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Braeview Park. Beauly were without full back Jamie MacLennan and attacker Sean Stewart. However there was a welcome return for Dougie Blaine who started on the bench. Glenurquhart were still minus the injured Euan Lloyd with Andrew Corrigan also still out for work reasons. However Billy Urquhart was back and he was to make a telling contribution. The strong wind was an influence in this match and Glenurquhart played with it at their backs in the first half. The game’s first real chance fell to Glen’s Neale Reid but he shot past the post. A Lewis MacLennan shot whistled just wide of target whilst Beauly goalie Josh Grant did well to save a Fraser Heath effort with his hand. Billy Urquhart gave his team a 24 minute lead. Urquhart got away from his marker to collect a Neale Reid pass and he crashed the ball over Josh Grant’s shoulder, into the net and this spectacular finish made it 1-0. Beauly had goalie Josh Grant, stand-in full back Ewen Campbell and the more experienced Conor Cormack to thank that the deficit remained at a single goal at half time. Whilst Glenurquhart had most of the first half pressure, the second half was a different story as Beauly now had the elements in their favour. Barrie MacDonald and Marc MacLachlan tested Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh before Jack MacDonald shot wide of target. Beauly pushed hard for an equaliser with David MacLean joining the attack in the closing stages but despite the best efforts of Conor Ross and Marc MacLachlan, they were unable to take the tie into an extra-time period. Beauly boss Roger Cormack will be concerned that Colin MacDonald sustained a suspected broken hand which could keep him out of action for a number of weeks.
Inverness 4 Strathglass 2 (after extra-time) Inverness survived a scare before securing a place in the next round thanks to a 4-2 extra-time win over neighbours Strathglass at the Bught Park out-side pitch. Inverness, with Davie Glass at full centre, got off to a flier as Charlie MacDonald put them ahead after just 7 minutes. Former Skye Camanachd player Somhairle MacDonald doubled the Highland Capital side’s advantage a couple of minutes later. However Michael Stokes gave Strathglass hope when he pulled a goal back a couple of minutes before the break. And that’s the way it stayed until 3 minutes from time when Darren Reid scored for Strathglass so referee Ron Kennedy took the tie into extra-time. Charlie MacDonald put Inverness back in front just 2 minutes into the extra-time period. James Cameron gave Inverness some breathing space with a goal a minute before the extra-time interval which made it 4-2 and that’s the way it stayed. This was a thoroughly entertaining, good old fashioned cup-tie with no quarter asked nor given. The outcome could have gone either way but it is Inverness who will now make the short distance to Blairbeg in the next round and a meeting with former club Glenurquhart for Inverness boss Drew McNeil.
Kilmallie P Caberfeidh P The tie between Kilmallie and fellow Marine Harvest National Division side Caberfeidh was postponed as the Canal Parks was unplayable. The match will now take place at the same venue at noon this coming weekend.
Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup – First Round Strachur P Ballachulish P The Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup first round tie between Strachur and Ballachulish was postponed as the Strachurmore pitch was unplayable. The tie has been rescheduled for this coming weekend.
Glenorchy P Bute P An unplayable pitch also let to the cancelation of the game between Glenorchy and Bute at Mart Park. The teams will try again this Saturday.
Taynuilt P Aberdour P The tie between Taynuilt and Aberdour was postponed as the Taynuilt Playing Field was unplayable. This pairing will now battle it out at the same venue on Saturday 4 April 2015.
Oban Celtic P Kilmory P The tie between Oban Celtic and Kilmory at Mossfield was postponed because of a bereavement. The tie will now take place on Saturday 4 April 2015..
Marine Harvest Premiership Kyles Athletic P Kinlochshiel P The match between league leaders Kyles Athletic and Kinlochshiel was postponed on Saturday morning as the pitches at Tighnabruaich and Shellfield were unplayable.
Inveraray P Oban Camanachd P The game between Inveraray and Oban Camanachd was postponed as both the Winterton and Mossfield were unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Glenurquhart 0 Newtonmore 0 The Newtonmore reserves stay out in front at the top of the table after they drew 0-0 with the Glenurquhart reserves at Blairbeg. The ‘More seconds had scored ten goals in their previous two league outings but they were unable to breakdown the Glen defence. ‘More now lead second place Kinlochshiel on goal difference.
Kingussie 2 Kinlochshiel 2 The contest between Kinlochshiel and Kingussie second teams was originally scheduled for Kirkton but an unplayable field led to a reversed fixture at the Dell. And Kinlochshiel maintained their unbeaten start to the season when they twice came from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw. Chris Holleysong gave Kingussie the lead after 14 minutes but ‘Shiel levelled just 10 minutes later through Kenneth Loades with his first goal after signing from Inverness. The Kings, who were without Kevin Thain, went back in front on 31 minutes with Jack Anderson applying the finish. However Allan MacDiarmid rescued a point for ‘Shiel just 5 minutes from time with his first goal since resigning for the west coast side after a spell with the Newtonmore reserves. ‘Shiel trail league leaders Newtonmore only on goal difference.
Lovat 3 Lochcarron 1 The match between Lochcarron and Lovat was switched to Balgate on Saturday morning as Battery Park was unplayable. However the teams had a nervous wait before the game was confirmed as had the Eilan failed a pitch inspection, the RBS MacTavish Cup tie between Newtonmore and Lovat would have taken precedent at the Lovat club’s home pitch. Lovat had U17 keeper Ronan MacMillan in goal whilst Gregor Cushnie and David Bauermeister were missing for the visitors who were also without manager Ross Brown who was working. Both sides were looking for their first points of the season and Rory Campbell got the game’s opening goal after 41 minutes to give Lovat the advantage at the break. Rory Campbell was a thorn in the visiting defence and he went on to complete his hat-trick with goals on 56 and 67 minutes. Matthew Young pulled a goal back for Lochcarron on 74 minutes but Lovat took the points.
Fort William P Beauly P Fort William gave their An Aird pitch every chance but it failed a mid-morning inspection so the 2pm throw up with Beauly was postponed.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Inveraray P Lochside Rovers P The noon throw up between Inveraray and Lochside Rovers also fell foul of an unplayable Winterton.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Caberfeidh 2 Aberdeen University 2 Caberfeidh and Aberdeen University shared the points following a 2-2 draw at Castle Leod. The home side had won their opening two games of the season and Aberdeen were aiming to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Skye Camanachd and they had a strong wind in their favour in the first half. The visitors had most of the early play with Mark Fraser getting the only goal of the first 45 minutes just before the break. Cabers had the conditions in their favour after the interval but it was John Sweeney who extended Aberdeen’s advantage midway through the half. However Caberfeidh reshuffled their pack and with no first team a match, they were able to call on the services of top team defender Blair Morrison and he pulled a goal back to make it 2-1. Blair Morrison got his and Cabers’ second goal to level the match and keep the Castle Leod side’s unbeaten record it tact. Caberfeidh are now just a point behind league leaders Skye Camanachd.
Boleskine 1 Lewis Camanachd 3 Lewis Camanachd recorded arguably their best result in their five years in league shinty when they came from behind to beat Boleskine 3-1 at Farr. Boleskine’s Matthew Ross started a two match ban and they were also without Craig Pirrie. Boleskine led 1-0 at half time with Neil Hope putting them in front. The goal came following a scramble inside the D and Lewis Smith found Hope and his effort looped over Lewis keeper Calum Stamper into the net. The arrived just before half time and it was against the run of play. Undeterred, the Islanders responded well and they drew level just a minute after the restart. Will Church robbed his opponent around 20 yards from goal and he slipped a short pass to Donald Lamont who turned and hit the ball low into bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1. Lewis went in front around 10 minutes later. A long shy from Scott Murray sent the ball into the Boleskine danger area. Ally Lamont challenged for the ball in air with a Boleskine defender and the ball came off the defender’s stick and went over the keeper’s head into the net to make it 2-1. Lewis sealed the win with just over 20 minutes remaining. They took a corner from right and the ball broke to Donald Lamont near the by-line and he managed to fire it into opposite corner of the net for his second goal of the afternoon which made it 3-1. The Lewis defence were excellent throughout, especially Innes Lamont who was given a marking job on Boleskine talisman Lewis Smith. This was Lewis Camanachd’s first win of the season and the two points lifts them over Boleskine into seventh place in the table.
Inverness P Kilmallie P The noon throw up between Inverness and Kilmallie was postponed as, with the Inverness senior side also at home, it was deemed that the Bught Park outside pitch could not take two games.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Tayforth 1 Table toppers Glasgow Mid Argyll beat fourth place Tayforth 3-1 at Yoker. GMA gained a 2-1 lead at the break courtesy of goals from Calum McLay and Nick Lavin with Finlay Stark notching the Tayforth strike. Nick Lavin clinched the win in the second half when he made it 3-1 with his second goal of the game.
Aberdour 1 Col Glen 4 Third placed Col Glen returned from Silver Sands with both points after they beat Aberdour 4-1. The visitors made a superb start to the match and they were 3-0 to the good after the opening 10 minutes. Conor Kennedy got the opener after 3 minutes with Steven MacKellar making it 2-0 on 6 minutes. Conor Kennedy got his second on 10 minutes to leave the visitors in control. Aberdour’s John Kay reduced the deficit on 62 minutes but there was to be no way back for the home side as Steven MacKellar got his second goal with just 7 minutes remaining to seal a 4-1 triumph. Col Glen are third in the table, a point behind second place Oban Lorn.
Ballachulish v Oban Lorn W/O The Ballachulish reserves were unable to raise a team for their match against Oban Lorn at Jubilee park. The visitors were given a walk-over and the prescribed 5-0 victory.
Bute P Glenorchy P The match between Bute and Glenorchy could not go ahead as the Meadows was unplayable. |