The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 28 September 2019 | |
29 September 2019 Kingussie go two points clear at the top of the Mowi Premiership, Glasgow Mid Argyll move into the second promotion spot from the Mowi National Division and the Fort William second team won the Strathdearn Cup following the shinty action on Saturday 28 September 2019.
Mowi Premiership Newtonmore 1 Oban Camanachd 5 Oban Camanachd recorded a stunning 5-1 victory over Newtonmore in their noon throw up at the Eilan only 7 days after losing by the same scoreline to their opponents in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final. This was the third meeting between the sides over successive Saturdays and Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh was forced to make three changes from the previous week with Iain Richardson and Ewen Fraser unavailable and Steven MacDonald suffering a shoulder injury. Broken thumb victim Iain Robinson was still out but Glen MacKintosh was able to play. Owen Fraser, Duncan Gorman and David Fraser made up the bench. Oban Camanachd manager Stephen Sloss revamped his starting line-up with Daniel Cameron going to full back and Andrew MacCuish on the wing behind a speedy forward line of Daniel Sloss, Daniel MacVicar, Daniel MacCuish and Malcolm Clark. Craig Easton and Chrissie MacMillan came into the side. Sloss was again without the injured Willie Neilson and the suspended Scott MacMillan whilst Gary McKerracher and Aidan MacIntyre were also missing. Oban Camanachd got off to a great start as Lorne Dickie gave them the lead within the opening minute. Andrew MacCuish stepped into the centre for the throw up and when the ball broke out to Lorne Dickie on the wing, he floated the ball in on goal and it deceived ‘More keeper Kenny Ross and ended up in the net. Oban Camanachd hit their hosts with a goal blitz late in the first half. They doubled their lead on 38 minutes when the excellent Lorne Dickie played a high ball forward and Chrissie MacMillan let it drop for Daniel MacVicar whose shot went low and hard into the goal. Clever play from Daniel MacCuish out on the left created Oban Camanachd’s third goal on 42 minutes and Chrissie MacMillan lashed the ball goalwards with his effort beating the keeper at his near post. Just a couple of minutes later, the ball was played up to Daniel MacVicar who cut back to Malcolm Clark and his powerful low shot made it 4-0 at the interval. Newtonmore’s Drew MacDonald pulled a goal back on 75 minutes however it was only to be a consolation effort. Daniel MacVicar went on a mazy run with a minute remaining and although he was initially dispossessed, the ‘More defender slipped and MacVicar reacted first to score. Newtonmore keeper Kenny Ross made a number of terrific saves in the match, keeping out a good strike from Daniel MacCuish, tipping a top corner effort from Daniel MacVicar over the bar and stopping another from Daniel Madej who had by this time been pushed up front. The result means Oban Camanachd now trail leaders Kingussie by seven points but they have played two games fewer. Oban Camanachd are back in action this coming Saturday and they will be without the suspended Daniel Cameron when Inveraray visit Mossfield whilst Newtonmore host Kyles Athletic.
Caberfeidh 4 Kingussie 5 Kingussie took a giant step towards a first Mowi Premiership success since 2009 when they beat Caberfeidh 5-4 at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh were minus full centre Ally MacLennan and suspended defenders Scott Mclauchlan and Connor MacGregor. Robbie Brindle and Colin MacLennan were also missing. However Ben MacDonald and Kenneth MacKenzie returned. Iain McCall continued in goal with Ewan Picher on the bench, coming on as an outfield player. Kingussie’s James Hutchison has been troubled by a hamstring problem and he was joined on the bench by Alexander Michie, who was also nursing and injury, and Liam Borthwick. Craig Morrison continued his prolific scoring run on 9 minutes as he netted for the twenty first successive match this season. Kevin Bartlett picked out Morrison who turned and hit the ball first time. Kingussie keeper Rory MacGregor tried to keep the ball out with his foot but it went in. Referee Graham Cameron awarded the Kings a penalty on 19 minutes when Iain McCall brought down Roddy Young and Kieran MacPherson made it 1-1 from the spot. Roddy Young scored the goal of the match on 23 minutes. Fraser Munro and Ruaridh Anderson were involved in some great build-up play and Young finished well to put the Kings in front. Savio Genini fired home a great shot from distance, after running onto Ruaridh Anderson’s pass to the right, to make it 3-1 on 26 minutes. However when Kevin Bartlett turned his man and saw his shot come back off the post, Craig Morrison got to the rebound to make it 3-2 on the half hour mark and, following a first half during which they had the better chances, Kingussie had to settle for a one-goal cushion at the break. Cabers came much more into it in the second half and Craig Morrison pulled them level straight from the restart. Cabers won the throw up and Kevin Bartlett passed the possession on to Craig Morrison who tried to dummy it and the ball bounced in his favour and the Premiership’s top scorer slotted the ball home. Kingussie made changes at the back with Calum Grant now marking Craig Morrison and Robert Mabon moving to pick up Kevin Bartlett. Savio Genini got his second on 65 minutes, finishing well after a mazy dribble forward from Roddy Young. Savio Genini completed his hat-trick just 5 minutes later with another fine strike, thumping the ball past the keeper on his forehand, and the ball went into the top left corner of the net. Craig Morrison took his tally to 36 goals this season when he made it 5-4 with just 10 minutes remaining. Blair Morrison lofted a trademark free-hit forward and there was a bit of a melee around the D where Craig Morrison kept his composure to tap the ball home. Kingussie had chances to extend their lead but Caberfeidh keeper Iain McCall made number of good saves in the game. Kingussie will be delighted with the win although they will be a little concerned that the energetic Kieran MacPherson suffered a hand injury. Kingussie have a noon meeting with Kinlochshiel, who haven’t played since they opened their new pitch against Caberfeidh on Saturday 3 August 2019, at the Dell this Saturday and they finish the season with trips to Kilmallie and Kyles Athletic. Two wins will secure the title. Caberfeidh complete their season at Kyles Athletic in mid-October.
Mowi National Division Oban Celtic 3 Glenurquhart 3 Oban Celtic signed off for the season with a creditable 3-3 draw with Glenurquhart at Mossfield. Oban Celtic’s Lewis Mcphee returned from suspension and although Scott Turnbull was also back, he was delayed in heavy traffic and was only able to play the final 15 minutes of the match. Ally McKerracher and Michael MacKinnon were missing. Neale Reid returned for Glenurquhart with Connor Golabek free of suspension. Andrew Corrigan remained banned and with keeper Stuart MacKintosh unavailable, Iain MacLeod took over in goal. Oban Celtic were quicker out of the traps and Daniel MacMillan opened the scoring on just 3 minutes. Neil Carmichael played the ball wide to half forward Jamie Anderson and he carried possession 20 yards up-field before finding Daniel MacMillan whose pace took him away from his marker and MacMillan sent a 25 yard shot low into the corner of the net from the angle on the right. Referee Archie Ritchie awarded Oban Celtic a penalty on 8 minutes. Dylan Cooke played in Daniel MacMillan who found Ross MacMillan and he got past his marker but was brought down just inside the D. Ross MacMillan picked himself up to make it 2-0 with a clean, knee-high strike into the side of the net from the spot. Oban Celtic’s Daniel MacMillan went off felling unwell on 15 minutes. The lively Ross MacMillan ran through and rattled the post on 21 minutes before Lennon Campbell made it 3-0 just 3 minutes later. Ross MacMillan was taken down 25 yards out on the left. Jamie Anderson took the free-hit and Lennon Campbell made a great run round the back of the defence before firing the ball into the roof of the net from 25 yards range. Neale Reid pulled a goal back on the half-hour from a twice taken free-hit. Celtic keeper Iain MacFarlane saved from the initial take, putting the ball out for a corner, but referee Archie Ritchie ordered a retake as players weren’t the requisite 5 yards back. This time Neale Reid made a clever run and he hit the ball first-time into the side of the net on the angle. Oban Celtic’s Neil Carmichael took a heavy knock on 40 minutes and although he continued, he had to succumb to injury 10 minutes into the second half. This prompted a major reshuffle with Scott Mossman coming to full centre, Lennon Campbell moving deeper and Keegan Mcphee introduced at full forward. Glenurquhart’s Cameron Bremner was sent off on 65 minutes for flicking his caman at Ross MacMillan, catching the Oban Celtic attacker on the visor. Oban Celtic played their spare man at the back but despite being a man down, Glenurquhart pressed hard during the closing third of the match, showing good movement and some clever play. They got their reward when Neale Reid took a long ball forward to the side and he scored from 25 yards on the angle to make it 3-2 with 10 minutes remaining. Glenurquhart went all out for a leveller and Ali MacKintosh salvaged a point with a goal a minute from time. Iain MacFarlane saved a rasping Neale Reid shot with his feet and a melee on the goal-line followed with Ali MacKintosh eventually forcing the ball over the line to make it 3-3. There was a late chance for Oban Celtic to win it but Ross MacMillan blazed an effort over the bar with Daniel MacMillan, now back on the field, in space at the front of the D. Oban Celtic had John Hill back in defence and he made a big impact, turning in a very solid performance in what was only his second match of the season. The draw completes Oban Celtic’s season and they finish fifth in the league. Glenurquhart are on the road for a third successive Saturday; this time heading for Bute.
Strathglass 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll moved into the division’s second promotion spot after beating Strathglass 3-0 at Cannich. The sides drew 0-0 in Glasgow a fortnight earlier but the visitors were on it from the start in this one. GMA travelled north without player / manager Mark Bain, Oliver MacRae, John Don MacKenzie and Jonny MacAskill. GMA survived a scare before Iain Luke gave them the lead with a deflected shot on 8 minutes. Jamie McFadyen added a second following a smart passing move on11 minutes and Calum McLay blasted home to make it 3-0 on 17 minutes. Strathglass were still in the game though and GMA goalie Robert Dunnings was called into action on a couple of occasions to protect his side’s lead. Home keeper Adam Todd also showed his ability as twice foiled Jamie McFadyen; turning one effort over the bar before parrying the other with his club. Glasgow Mid Argyll now move into the division’s second promotion spot: a point clear of Skye Camanachd. They have two matches remaining; away to Skye this Saturday and away to champions Fort William the week after. However they know a draw in Portree against promotion rivals Skye will seal s step up to the Mowi Premiership as it’s the Islanders’ final match.
Strathdearn Cup Final Newtonmore 0 Fort William 4 The Fort William seconds beat holders Newtonmore seconds 4-0 in their 3pm throw up at Spean Bridge to claim the Strathdearn Cup. This was a repeat of the 2018 Final which Newtonmore won 4-0 with Calum Stewart scoring twice. However he was suspended for this one as was defender Cameron McNiven. Fort William took the lead on 15 minutes. The goal came following a Donnie Walker hit-in and Scott Knox blasted the ball low into the corner of the net from the angle, just outside the box. There was a flashpoint for referee Steven MacLachlan to deal with shortly after following an off-the-ball incident which left Fort William’s Duncan Stevenson on the ground and Newtonmore’s Declan Brannan was shown a red card. Fort William doubled their lead on 57 minutes when Neil Clark found Grant Disher around the penalty spot and he pinged the ball home. When substitute Alan Knox made it 3-0 on 67 minutes, with a fine volley from just outside the D which went mid-height to the keeper’s right, Fort William had one hand on the trophy. Scott Knox put gloss on the win when he found space 10 minutes from time and his 20 yard shot went high into the net, giving the keeper no chance, to claim his second goal of the final which made it 4-0 with just 3 minutes remaining. After the final whistle, Fort William captain David Wright stepped forward to receive the Strathdearn Cup from Camanachd Association President Keith Loades.
Mowi North Division 1 Glengarry 2 Skye Camanachd 3 League leaders Glengarry’s title chances suffered a blow when they surrendered a two-goal lead to go down 3-2 to the Skye Camanachd second team at Craigard. John MacKinnon put ‘Garry ahead on 8 minutes and Steven Cameron made it 2-0 on 32 minutes. A quick-fire double from Skye’s Iain Nicolson on 63 and 66 minutes brought the score back to 2-2 and Skye’s Ross Gordon grabbed the winner with 15 minutes remaining. Glengarry now face the Newtonmore seconds home and away in their final two league fixtures with the first of these at Craigard this coming Saturday. Newtonmore trail Glengarry by seven points but they have five games in hand. However ‘Garry know they will take the title if they win their final two games.
Lovat 8 Inverness 2 The Lovat second team came from two goals down at the interval to beat the Inverness first team 8-2 at Balgate. This was the second successive Saturday meeting between the sides following their 1-1 draw at the Bught Park a week earlier. It started well for Inverness with Daniel Palombo on 9 minutes and Finlay Calder on 37 minutes giving them a 2-0 lead. Raymond Rennie pulled a goal back 3 minutes after the restart and player / manager Jamie Matheson made it 2-2 on 62 minutes. Raymond Rennie got his second a minute later to put Lovat ahead for the first time in the match. The hosts went on to score five more times in the final 8 minutes. Raymond Rennie completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes whilst Jamie Matheson got his second on 86 minutes. It was Raymond Rennie again a couple of minutes later before Jamie Matheson completed his hat-trick at the death. There was still time for Raymond Rennie to take his tally to five goals in injury time and Lovat stay second in the division.
Kinlochshiel 5 Glenurquhart 2 The Kinlochshiel colts beat the Glenurquhart colts 5-2 at a sunny Reraig. Kinlochshiel fielded Scotland U17 player Duncan Matheson whilst the Glen missed a number of players including keeper Iain MacLeod so Ross Macaulay played in goal. Kinlochshiel, shooting away from the Kyle end in the first half, took the lead on 4 minutes. Stuart MacRae’s deep ball from the left wasn’t dealt with by the Glen defence and Sandy MacDiarmid hit a great shot from the left, high into the net across the keeper to make it 1-0. The hosts added a second just 3 minutes later. Stuart MacRae was again the provider with a ball cut back low from the right and, from the left of the D, Duncan Matheson’s firm shot went low into the net. Ross MacAulay did well to twist low to his left to keeper out Archie MacRae’s shot from the left on 18 minutes and he made an even better reaction save to foil Duncan Matheson from close range soon after. ‘Shiel keeper Graham Kennedy was a virtual spectator although he was called into action to push the ball out for a corner when Glen’s David MacLennan threatened. ‘Shiel’s Colin MacDiarmid was very influential in midfield and he launched a high hit-in from the right of the centre spot which came to Duncan Matheson and he jinked to make space before sending a low shot just wide of the keeper’s right post. Duncan Matheson got his second on 49 minutes with a low shot from the left with keeper MacAulay just unable to readjust his feet. Glenurquhart claimed for a free-hit in the lead up to the goal as a ‘Shiel attacker was on the ground as he played the ball but referee Ronnie Campbell ruled the player wasn’t endangering himself. Duncan Matheson completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes later after making a good run into the danger area and he again finished low into the goal. Kinlochshiel were well on top with Duncan “WD” MacRae letting very little go by him from the buckshee back position. The Glen came a bit more into it and Louis Montague twice went close. He was impeded as he sent his first attempt wide and shot past the post following a set piece. Archie MacRae made it 4-0 on 75 minutes when he hammered the ball home after Sandy MacDiarmid’s shot had been blocked. When Glen’s David MacLennan dispossessed Corrin Campbell late in the match, he got a shot in from the left of the D but Graham Kennedy saved with his feet at the expense of a corner. However when the resultant corner was played in from the left, David MacLennan fired the ball low into the net on his backhand from the front of the D to make it 5-1 with 10 minutes remaining. A stoppage time effort from youngster Angus MacCallum, from another corner on the left which wasn’t cleared, made the final score 5-2.
Aberdeen University P Kingussie P Having won in the west against Skye the previous weekend, the Kingussie second team were to head for the opposite end of the country to play Aberdeen University at Balgownie. However the match was postponed because of an unplayable pitch.
Mowi South Division 1 Kyles Athletic 3 Lochside Rovers 0 Lochside Rovers were back in action after an absence of four weeks, losing 3-0 against the Kyles Athletic first team at Tighnabruaich. George Easton took charge of Lochside Rovers and whilst he was without the suspended Scott Robertson, Blair MacFarlane and Ross Campbell played and Easton gave valuable game time to 13 year old Calum MacMillan, 14 year old Louis MacFarlane and 14 year old Innes Jackson who all gathered great experience ahead of next season. They all played very well but Louis MacFarlane at half back was probably Lochside’s top performer. The match had an end of season feel to it and Kyles took the lead on 15 minutes when a defensive slip allowed former Skye Camanachd player Stewart Taylor a shot on the angle from the right and he made no mistake. Luke Thornton made it 2-0 on 40 minutes when he slipped his marker and with Lochside keeper Brian MacCallum coming out to narrow the angle, Thornton tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net. David MacMillan turned the clock back as he replaced his son Calum MacMillan for the final third of the match. Ewen Mitchell turned his marker to add a third on 65 minutes, slotting the ball low to the keeper’s right. The match marked a final game in charge for one of shinty’s top Grade 1 referees, Lachie Wood, who hasn’t claimed a match fee for the last three seasons, and both sides made a point of thanking him for his dedication to the game of shinty at the end of the match. They also made his final 90 minutes a straight-forward affair as the match passed without incident.
Taynuilt 5 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Taynuilt go sixth in the division after beating the Glasgow Mid Argyll colts 5-1 on a heavy Taynuilt Sports Field. GMA made the journey north by the train which was a throw-back to the past. Taynuilt welcomed back Billy Irving and it only took him 5 minutes to open the scoring. A quick double from Zander Kilmurray on 10 and 20 minutes had the hosts 3-0 ahead although veteran Angus MacInnes reduced the deficit on 25 minutes. Taynuilt took a deserved 3-1 lead into the break but the next goal was always going to be important and it was the home team who got it thanks to a long-range strike from David Campbell with 15 minutes remaining. Taynuilt’s Ali Cameron rounded off the scoring with an effort a minute from time. GMA put up a spirited showing with Jamie Macleod catching the eye. Taynuilt’s final match is at Lochside Rovers this coming Saturday.
Mowi North Division 2 Beauly 3 Kilmallie 0 The Beauly reserves go second in North 2 after beating the Kilmallie reserves 3-0 at Braeview Park. Finlay MacLennan put the hosts ahead on 15 minutes with what would be the only goal of the first half. Duncan Anderson made it 2-0 on the hour whilst he got his second and Beauly’s third a minute from time. Strathspey are a point behind Beauly in third but they still have a match remaining which is against Kilmallie this Saturday whilst Beauly have now completed their programme.
WCA Round Up The Women’s Camanachd Association representative matches, sponsored by the Macaulay Association, took place at Mossfield on Sunday 29 September 2019. The dividing split between the North and South squad selection was again the Commando Monument at Spean Bridge and there were three games at different age groups between the North (Blues) and the South (Reds) throughout the afternoon.
South 0 North 13 The North senior squad were 13-0 winners against their South counterparts in their 2.30pm throw up. Skye’s Sarah Corrigall struck twice on 7 and 10 minutes and Badenoch’s Kirsty Deans added a third on 16 minutes. Lovat’s Laura Gallacher added her same to the scoresheet on 23 minutes with Skye’s Lorna MacRae making it 6-0 with a double on 31 and 40 minutes. Kirsty Deans got her second 5 minutes later before Lorna MacRae took her tally to four goals with efforts on 52 and 55 minutes and the North now led 9-0. Sarah Corrigall completed her hat-trick on 66 minutes to take the North into double figures. An own goal on 70 minutes and another from Laura Gallacher 5 minutes later made it a dozen with a fifth Lorna MacRae strike a minute from time rounding off the scoring. Skye’s Caitlin MacLean was named player of the match.
South U14 1 North U14 11 North U14 ran out 11-1 winners against South U14 in their 1pm throw up. Glenurquhart’s Freya Gault scored on 6 and 9 minutes to put the North 2-0 ahead. An own goal on 23 minutes made it 3-0 before Dunadd’s Eilidh Cameron pulled a goal back on the half hour mark. Badenoch’s Hope Borthwick made it 4-1 on 35 minutes before Skye’s Megan Campbell added two more on 46 and 49 minutes. Morven McCallum from Strathglass netted on 59 minutes before Megan Campbell completed her hat-trick on 63 minutes. Skye’s Leah MacLeod hit the back of the net a couple of minutes later to make it 9-1. Morven McCallum got her second on 68 minutes Freya Gault, who started it all off, completed the scoring with a hat-trick goal on 70 minutes.
South U18 0 North U18 0 Finally, following the high-scoring games that went before them, North U18 (Blue) and South U18 (Red) drew 0-0 in their 4pm throw up.
Youth Shinty Oban Camanachd U17 1 Newtonmore U17 1 Newtonmore U17 will play Skye Camanachd U17 in this year’s London Shield Final following ‘More’s 1-1 draw with Oban Camanachd U17 in their semi-final second leg at Mossfield on Wednesday 25 September 2019. Goals from Sorley Thomson and Struan Ross cancelled Ross Campbell’s effort to give Newtonmore a 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Eilan. With aggregate scores not counting, Oban Camanachd new they needed to win this 5pm throw up to take the outcome to a penalty shoot-out. Newtonmore scored early through Struan Ross but Ross Campbell found a leveller for Oban Camanachd. The hosts created a number of chances throughout both halves but a combination of good Newtonmore defending and some wasteful finishing, meant they couldn’t find a winner. Skye Camanachd, who accounted for Beauly in their semi-final, await Newtonmore in the final.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently) |