The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 3 August 2019 | |
04 August 2019 Kingussie stay out in front in the Mowi Premiership, Glasgow Mid Argyll boosted their Mowi National Division promotion chances and Lochside Rovers lifted the Bullough Cup following the shinty action on Saturday 3 August 2019.
Bullough Cup Final Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Lochside Rovers 4 Lochside Rovers added the Bullough Cup to the HIS Sutherland Cup won earlier in the season when they beat the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team 4-1 in their 4pm throw up at Strachurmore. The Glasgow side made the better start on the spongy surface and Lochside had to rely on a fine early double-stop from keeper Dougie MacDonald; first saving with his feet from John McNulty before keeping out Seb MacMillan’s effort from the rebound. Lochside managed their first shot on target on 12 minutes with Lewis Buchanan’s effort down the middle saved by GMA goalie Jonathon Oates. Oates again denied Buchanan on 20 minutes, this time stopping a low strike, before play switched to the other end and, on 29 minutes, John McNulty’s strike from wide out the left, from fully 30 yards range, went just over the far top corner of the goal. However Lochside went in front a minute later when Jamie MacGillivray played the ball from wide on the left to Lewis Buchanan who lost his marker 30 yards out and he drifted the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-0. Referee Ewan MacDonald ruled out a Jamie MacGillivray effort on 36 minutes as Innes Jackson was in an offside position. Lochside had the chance to double their lead on 41 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Ross Campbell was pushed in the back inside the D. Lewis Buchanan stepped up but his strike went wide of goal. Lochside did get their second however just a couple of minutes later as Michael MacQueen, who had come on for youngster Innes Jackson, took a neatly slipped pass from Lewis Buchanan before hitting a good low drive from 20 yards to make it 2-0 with what was practically his first touch of the game. The interval score was perhaps harsh on GMA who had the better of the first 30 minutes but Lochside never looked back after going in front. Craig MacDougall made it 3-0 on 63 minutes when Michael MacQueen’s corner fell for him at the back post and his low shot deceived the keeper. Lewis Buchanan got his second on 73 minutes to finish the tournament’s top scorer. Blair MacFarlane made a strong run forward from midfield and he touched the ball to Buchanan who ran away from his marker before shooting low into the net. GMA finished strongly and when Nick Lavin found himself free to the left of the penalty spot on 88 minutes, he fired the ball into the top corner of the net. Scott Robertson was Lochside’s top performer throughout and their captain Jordan Kerr stepped forward to collect the Bullough Cup from Jock Turner from the Camanachd Association.
Mowi Premiership Kingussie 2 Newtonmore 2 Conor Jones scored late into stoppage time to earn Newtonmore an unlikely draw with neighbours Kingussie in their 6.30pm throw up at the Dell on Friday 2 August 2019. It was confirmed ahead of throw up that Kingussie would host the 2020 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final and the Dell surface was in superb condition for this fourth Badenoch derby of the season which was broadcast live on BBC ALBA. Kingussie, who had won two of this season’s previous encounters, were unchanged from the side which won at Oban Camanachd and Roddy Young, Lee Bain and James Hutchison made up a strong bench. Michael Russell, Glen MacKintosh, Duncan Gorman and Neil Stewart all remained out for ‘More but Evan Menzies and Iain Richardson came into their starting line-up. The first half-chance from a cagey early period came when Jamie Robinson released Drew MacDonald and it took a fine Alexander Michie challenge to save the day, stretching in to steer the ball out for a corner. ‘More took the lead on 10 minutes. There seemed little danger when Fraser MacKintosh won the ball around 35 yards out but when he lofted the ball goalwards, keeper Rory MacGregor misjudged the flight of the ball in the bright sun and it dropped by his outstretched hand and into the net. ‘More kept the pressure on and keeper MacGregor did well to palm away a deflected Evan Menzies effort from a central position on 17 minutes. When a mishit Rory Kennedy clearance midway through the ‘More half came to Savio Genini on the Kingussie right, his strike dipped just over the bar. It was a very warm evening and referee Calum Girvan stopped the match shortly after for a water break. A delightful touch from Ruaridh Anderson got him away from Andy MacKintosh on the Kings right and the move ended with Anderson’s shot from a central position being deflected for a corner. After Newtonmore’s good start, Kingussie were coming much more into it and James Falconer forced a Kenny Ross save before Ruaridh Anderson’s high shot was blocked with his club by a defender. Kingussie were denied a leveller on 36 minutes. Ruaridh Anderson ran onto superb diagonal ball from James Falconer and although he was fouled by Rory Kennedy, Anderson quickly got to his feet and darted into the D to score but referee Calum Girvan had already blown for a home free-hit. With just under 5 first half minutes remaining, the Kings made the first change of the match as Roddy Young took over from Liam Borthwick. Fraser MacKintosh moved up front after picking up an injury and he was replaced shortly after by Ewen Fraser who had just arrived from work in Glasgow. Kingussie continued their search for an equaliser with Ruaridh Anderson involved in all their good play and he slipped Roddy Young in but he was unable to get a shot away and ‘More took their one-goal lead into the break. Conor Jones replaced Jamie Robinson as ‘More made their first change with Evan Menzies going to full forward. Savio Genini snatched at the first chance of the second half and his effort went wide of the keeper’s left post. Play switched to the other end and Conor Jones saw a low shot saved by MacGregor and when the rebound eventually came back to Jones, he pulled his shot wide. Kingussie equalised on 56 minutes. Fraser Munro’s hit-in from the left went over Andy MacKintosh and fell for Ruaridh Anderson on the right of the D and his firm, low shot from the tightest angle beat keeper Kenny Ross to make it 1-1. Evan Menzies struck a shot into the side-netting from wide on the left as ‘More responded. Ian Robinson collected a Conor Jones ball from the left before running at the home defence and when Robinson released the ball to Evan Menzies, it took superb stretch by Robert Mabon to touch the ball away for a corner. The chances were now coming thick and fast and Roddy Young sent an effort over from the left of the D. Kingussie brought the versatile Lee Bain on with just over 20 minutes remaining. Calum Grant went off with Kieran MacPherson dropping into defence and Bain going to centre. The tireless Fraser Munro saw an effort flash wide after Ruaridh Anderson’s strike had been blocked. With 15 minutes remaining, Kingussie’s Robert Mabon held off Evan Menzies as he played a clearance out of defence. Ruaridh Anderson, the obvious choice as man of the match, took the ball down before picking out James Falconer on the right. Falconer allowed the ball to stop before sending a superb, swerving shot into the top corner of the net to make it 2-1. It was a great goal and no more than the Kings deserved. Roddy Young made space before sending a back-hand effort wide of target as the hosts tried to seal the win. Liam Borthwick returned to the field as Fraser Munro hobbled off whilst Jamie Robinson returned to the attack for a limping Evan Menzies. As the contest moved into stoppage time, Andy MacKintosh was yellow-carded for chopping down Roddy Young and Steven Macdonald joined him in the book for an unnecessary comment. With the derby 3 minutes into stoppage time, Kieran MacPherson was penalised for a push in the back on Ewen Fraser wide on the left of midfield. Iain Richardson’s quick free-hit found Jamie Robinson on the left. Robinson played the ball inside to Conor Jones who held off Rory MacKeachan before lifting the ball on his left side, over keeper MacGregor’s left shoulder, to make it 2-2 and snatch what could yet be a crucial point in this title race. Referee Calum Girvan blew for time and then took the match to a penalty shoot-out to decide the Sir Tommy MacPherson Memorial Trophy. Kingussie’s Alexander Michie went first and scored low into the corner of the net. Steven Macdonald then sent his strike high to the keeper’s left to make it 1-1. Savio Genini struck his effort wide of goal before Conor Jones scored, low into the goal to make it 2-1. Kieran McPherson blasted his spot-hit high into the net before Andy MacKintosh saw his effort saved with his legs by Rory MacGregor and it was now 2-2. Keeper MacGregor played a key role as he then turned penalty-taker, finishing emphatically, before returning between the posts and stretching to his left to foil Iain Robinson and the Kings had now turned the shoot-out around to now led 3-2. Kingussie’s Ryan MacWilliam now had a penalty to win it but pulled his effort wide which gave Jamie Robinson the chance to take it to sudden death and his strike went in off the keeper to tie the shoot-out at 3-3. The players lined up once more in the same order and Alex Michie scored again to make it 4-3. Steven Macdonald, who converted earlier in the shoot-out and who also scored twice from the spot in the previous weekend’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final win over Caberfeidh, fired his penalty just over the bar to give Kingussie their first-ever Sir Tommy MacPherson Memorial Trophy success. Kingussie captain Robert Mabon came forward to accept the prize but the Kingussie camp must have had in mind the point that got away.
Oban Camanachd 4 Kilmallie 0 Oban Camanachd showed no ill-effects from last week’s defeat to Kingussie as they beat Kilmallie 4-0 in their noon throw up at Mossfield. The early throw up allowed the Oban players and committee members to make their way to Strachur afterwards for the Bullough Cup Final between Lochside Rovers and the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds. Oban Camanachd manager Stephen Sloss had Daniel MacCuish back from injury and he joined the attack. Keith MacMillan and Blair MacFarlane came in to take the wing centre positions whilst Garry Lord also returned. Scott MacMillan, who was a booking away from a two-match suspension, joined David Lafferty, Gary McKerracher, Willie Neilson and Aidan MacIntyre on a strong home bench. Kilmallie’s Innes Blackhall was suspended whilst boss John Stewart was also without the services of Liam Cameron, Jordan MacPhee, Andrew Mcalister, Michael Rodger and Aaron Sandison. Kilmallie started well Liam MacDonald pulled and early chance wide of Cameron Sutherland’s post after a good lay off by Daniel Stewart. Oban Camanachd took the lead on 19 minutes. Keith MacMillan’s initial corner was blocked but when he played the second corner in, Daniel MacCuish touched the ball down and Daniel Cameron sent a neat drive into the net to make it 1-0. Kilmallie’s Ryan Stewart had to go off in first half with a pulled hamstring and was he replaced with Lewis Birrell at wing centre. Daniel Cameron’s strike was the only goal of the first half but Oban Camanachd doubled their lead 6 minutes into the second period. Andrew MacCuish saw a smart shot from the edge of the D well-saved with his feet by Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies but Daniel MacVicar was quickly in, ghosting past his marker and flicking the ball high into the net. The next goal was always going to be crucial and it came on the hour when Daniel MacCuish’s shot came back to Andrew MacCuish and he netted to make it 3-0. Kilmallie wing back Cam Clark, who represented the Scotland U17s during the week, had to go off injured with 30 minutes to go and was replaced by Bryan MacKay who went on to wing forward with Iain MacIntyre to wing centre and Stephen Macalister to wing back. Daniel Cameron and Blair MacFarlane came off for the hosts, with the latter dashing to Strachur to play for Lochside, in favour of Willie Neilson and Aidan MacIntyre. Oban Camanachd showed good levels of fitness and they kept Kilmallie pinned back to the extent that they struggled to get up the park at times. Aidan MacIntyre added a fourth with 20 minutes remaining, scoring the goal of the game. The hosts broke up a Kilmallie attack with Daniel MacCuish picking the ball up in the centre line and he played a one-two with Lorne Dickie and with forwards Andrew MacCuish, Willie Neilson and Daniel MacVicar all involved, the ball came back to Daniel MacCuish who sent it wide to Lorne Dickie and he picked out Aidan MacIntyre who unleashed a rocket-shot which flew into the net before bouncing back out; off the inside of the stanchion. Gary McKerracher came on for the hosts late in the match and the win sets Oban Camanachd up nicely as they embark on a crucial double-header; against Kyles Athletic in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-finals at Strachurmore this coming Saturday and against Kingussie in the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final at Mossfield a week later.
Kinlochshiel 7 Caberfeidh 0 Kinlochshiel marked the opening of their new pitch at Reraig with a 7-0 victory over Caberfeidh. Former Beauly keeper Josh Grant made his home debut for ‘Shiel whilst both Finlay MacRae and Jordan Fraser returned to the starting line-up. However Duncan Matheson was unavailable. Cabers missed key players Craig Morrison, Blair Morrison and Kevin Bartlett who were all at a family wedding. Craig Morrison, with 26 goals already this season, was a particular loss having scored in his last fifteen successive matches. Second team keeper Iain McCall started at full forward. ‘Shiel opened towards the Kyle end of the ground and they went on the attack from the throw up with John MacRae taking Ali Nixon’s pass after just 10 seconds and going one-on-one with keeper Ewan Pilcher but the goalie got his feet to the ball to deflect it to safety. The last thing Caberfeidh manager Jodi Gorski needed was an injury but he had to make a change after just 2 minutes when Scott MacLachlan limped off with a groin problem and Scott MacPhail went to full back. Not many supporters would have predicted Mark MacDonald to score Kinlochshiel’s first goal on their new pitch but, after just 6 minutes, MacDonald flew into a terrific blocking tackle wide on the right, just inside the Cabers half, and he launched the ball high on the Caberfeidh goal. Ewan Pilcher got his club to the dropping ball but couldn’t keep it out of the net. There was no doubt about the second goal on 11 minutes which was a superb Donald Nixon finish, following a Jordan Fraser flick, fired shin-high across the keeper and into the corner of the net from the ‘Shiel left. John MacRae opened his account on 35 minutes, using his strength to hold off his marker before flicking Donald Nixon’s hit-n to the keeper’s left to make it 3-0. It was John MacRae again just 3 minutes later, exchanging passes with Duncan “DA” MacRae before sending a bouncing shot home. Ali Nixon added a fourth on 42 minutes when his low shot from John MacRae’s scooped pass deceived the keeper to make it 5-0 at half-time. John MacRae completed his hat-trick 4 minutes into the second half with the goal of the match. David Falconer broke up a Caberfeidh attack on the right before finding Donald Nixon and he held off his marker before playing a one-two with Jordan Fraser. Nixon picked out John MacRae who beat a couple of players before exchanging passes with substitute Martin MacRae and then slotting the ball low into the net. Jordan Fraser rounded off the scoring on 74 minutes. Conor Cormack, playing at full centre for ‘Shiel, played the ball forward to man of the match John MacRae whose perfectly weighted pass picked out Jordan Fraser’s run from left to right and Fraser smashed the ball into the net. It was the perfect day for Kinlochshiel and the win keeps them in third place. Referee John Angus Gillies was in full control throughout, keeping his cards in his pocket.
Inveraray 1 Kyles Athletic 5 Sixth placed Kyles Athletic are six points off the top of the table with two games in hand after beating Inveraray 5-1 at the Winterton. Inveraray had Lewis Montgomery free of his three-match ban but player / manager Ruaraidh Graham and Allan MacDonald were still banned. Paul MacArthur was back for Kyles with Scott MacDonald making his return from the bench. Callum Millar, Donald Irvine and Grant Irvine remained out. Robbie MacLeod broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. Paul MacArthur floated a free-hit, 10 yards from the corner flag on the left, across the penalty spot to Robbie MacLeod who scored. Young Ruaraidh Graham was credited with Inveraray’s 51 minute leveller although the ball went in off Kyles wing back Innes Macdonald. Fraser Watt’s half-hit shot across goals from the left was diverted past John Whyte from the edge of the D by the unfortunate Macdonald to make it 1-1. Robbie MacLeod got his second to put Kyles back in front just 10 minutes after the restart. Conor Kennedy played a cross-field pass and Robbie MacLeod turned the ball back from his right to his left before driving into the roof of the net from 15 yards range. Ross MacRae made it 3-1 on 75 minutes, turning home a rebound following a Paul MacArthur shot and MacRae tapped the ball home from a Rupert Williamson corner just 5 minutes later to claim his second goal of the game. Robbie MacLeod completed his hat-trick from the edge of the D a minute from time with Ross MacRae and Cairn Limbert involved in the lead-up play. Kyles have a concern over Neil MacVicar who came off midway through the second half, showing the ill-effects from an ankle injury picked up in the previous week’s defeat to Kinlochshiel.
Mowi National Division Glasgow Mid Argyll 10 Bute 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll boosted their promotion chances when they beat bottom side Bute 10-0 in their noon throw up at Yoker. The sides had previously met four times this season with GMA recording two wins and the other two encounters ending in draws. Bute started brightly but they fell behind on 4 minutes when Duncan MacRae’s shot bounced in from a tight angle. GMA, who were without Gary Luke, went on to score six more times before the break. Calum McLay twice finished low into the net on 6 and 7 minutes before referee Robert Baxter pointed to the spot on 10 minutes after Iain Luke was impeded. Craig Anderson blasted to spot-hit into the roof of the net to make it 4-0. Bute keeper Kevin Queen made good saves from Mark Bain and Iain Luke before Calum McLay finished high into the net to complete his hat-trick on 27 minutes and he added two more on 33 and 35 with smart finished from the edge of the D to make it 7-0 at half-time. GMA continued to attack from the restart and when an Oliver MacRae shot was saved by Queen on 47 minutes, Duncan MacRae turned the rebound inside to post for number eight. Oliver MacRae had an effort ruled out for offside before Calum McLay rounded off a terrific individual performance with goals on 63 and 73 minutes to make it 10-0. Next up for GMA is a meeting with Oban Celtic at Yoker this coming Saturday.
Mowi North Division 1 Glenurquhart 1 Fort William 0 The Glenurquhart seconds edged out the Fort William seconds with a 1-0 win at Blairbeg. The only goal of the game came on the hour when James Hurwood lobbed a free-hit to Neale Reid, just further out from the penalty area and he controlled the ball before turning his marker and driving the ball low through the keeper.
Kingussie P Aberdeen University P The match between the Kingussie second team and Aberdeen University at the Dell was postponed.
Mowi South Division 1 Taynuilt 3 Inveraray 2 Taynuilt saw off a second half fight-back from the Inveraray second team to win 3-2 in a thrilling match at the Taynuilt Sports Field. Taynuilt were five players short from the previous week’s team and, with both goalies unavailable, George Reid stepped in between the sticks. Inveraray’s David MacPherson was unavailable through work commitments. Both teams had chances early on but it was Taynuilt who took the lead in fortuitous circumstances on 15 minutes when a cross from the wide area deflected off Inveraray defender Donald Ferguson and ended up in the bottom corner of the net. Taynuilt doubled their lead on 40 minutes after a superb run from Jamie MacFarlane saw him dribble from midfield to Inveraray D before firing a waist-high shot to the keeper’s right to make it 2-0 at the break. Inveraray pushed for the goal that would get them back into the game and Peter McIntyre and Kenny Kirkhope came close; both hitting the bar. Inveraray eventually got their goal on 66 minutes when the ball broke out to Campbell Watt on the edge of the D and he fired a low, powerful strike into the bottom right corner to make the score 2-1. Inveraray were level just a couple of minutes later when Peter McIntyre fired a shot into the top right corner from far out; giving the keeper no chance. Both teams pushed for a winner and it was Taynuilt who grabbed both points with goal just 4 minutes from time. Zander Kilmurray made the difference after turning his man before striking the ball knee-high across the keeper to make it 3-2. There was late drama as Inveraray had a goal disallowed with a minute remaining. Following a goalmouth scrabble, an attempted clearance out of the Taynuilt defence deflected off Inveraray’s Peter McIntyre and ended up in the back of the net but was ruled out by referee Iain Kennedy for a “kick”. The win lifts Taynuilt above Inveraray to seventh in the table and they have games in hand on most of the teams above them.
Col Glen 1 Tayforth 2 Tayforth scored twice in the last 20 minutes to win 2-1 against Col Glen at Glendaruel. Finan Kennedy put the hosts ahead on 38 minutes with the only goal of the first half. However Finlay Stark levelled on 70 minutes and that’s the way it stayed until the final minute when Ewan Menzies won the game and both points for Tayforth.
Mowi North Division 2 Kilmallie 5 Lewis Camanachd 0 The Kilmallie colts defeated Lewis Camanachd 5-0 at the Canal Parks. Andrew Gibb on 2 minutes and Ross MacKenzie on 6 minutes got Kilmallie off to a great start. Michael Rodger made it 3-0 on the half hour and the hosts took that advantage into the break. Andrew Gibb got his second on 62 minutes with Ben MacKinnon rounding off the 5-0 win on 76 minutes.
Mowi South Division 2 Glenorchy 4 Aberdour 0 Glenorchy return to the top of the league on goal difference after they beat the Aberdour second team 4-0 at the Mart Park. Aberdour opened with the wind advantage on a hot day and there were few first half chances although both Conor Sartain and Kieran McKay hit the post for the hosts. There were just 60 first half seconds remaining when Conor Sartain took a touch on John Sartin’s long hit-in before shooting low into the net to put the Glenorchy ahead. There were close things at both ends before Kieran McKay made it 2-0 on 61 minutes. Murray McKay’s initial shot was saved by Craig Callaghan but Kieran McKay showed great determination to muscle past three defenders to score from the edge of the D. Conor Sartain got his second on 67 minutes, turning home a rebound after a fantastic, flowing move. Kieran McKay got his second 3 minutes from time with John Sartain providing another assist from a hit-in. Glenorchy now lead Kilmory on goal difference. Both sides have two matches remaining and they are due to meet at MacRae Park in the final match of the season.
WCA Round Up Skye Camanachd and Aberdour were top flight winners following the weekend shinty action.
Mowi National Division Strathspey 0 Skye Camanachd 15 Skye Camanachd closed the gap at the top of the Mowi National Division when they beat Strathspey 15-0 in their noon throw up at Grantown Grammar School. Sarah Corrigall was Skye’s top scorer with six goals whilst Caitlin MacLean netted five times. Jenna Beaton grabbed a hat-trick and Amy MacKinnon got the other. Skye now trail leaders Badenoch by two points but the Islanders have a game in hand.
Ardnamurchan 0 Aberdour 4 Aberdour collected the points when they beat Ardnamurchan 4-0 in their 1pm throw up at Strontian. Lisa MacColl scored twice with Katie Booth and Kirsty Fraser also on target.
Mowi South Division 2 Dunadd 3 Oban Lorn 0 Oban Lorne were 3-0 winners Dunadd and Oban Lorn 0-0 Grace Drummond bagged a brace and Eilidh Cameron also counted.
Ardnamurchan P Cowal & Bute P The match between the Ardnamurchan second team and Cowal & Bute has been rescheduled for Sunday 15 September 2019.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently) |