The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 3 October 2015 | |
04 October 2015 The Fort William and Skye Camanachd second teams clinched their respective league titles and Newtonmore extended their lead at the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership following the shinty action on Saturday 3 October 2015.
Marine Harvest Premier Division Lovat 1 Newtonmore 4 It was a significant day in shinty’s top flight as Newtonmore took another step closer to clinching their sixth successive title when they beat Lovat 4-1 in their noon throw up at Balgate. Lorne MacKay and Fraser Gallacher were back for Lovat with the latter starting on the bench. The SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup winners were still without Martin Mainland and Jamie Matheson and Euan Ferguson also missed out. Norman Campbell continued at full forward for Newtonmore and he was joined in attack by Glen MacKintosh, Cameron Binnie and Fraser MacKintosh. Evan Menzies was on the bench. Lovat almost gifted their rivals a goal within the opening minute. Michael MacKenzie went to clear the ball out of defence but missed his hit which allowed Glen MacKintosh a shot from the edge of the D. However Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald made a brilliant save with his foot when he had no right to get to the ball. Lovat lost defender Craig Mainland after 5 minutes when he suffered a cut around his eyebrow and Calum Macaulay came on in defence. Lovat managed to keep Newtonmore at bay until the 25 minute mark. ‘More have relied on Glen MacKintosh’s goals this season and their ace marksman lost his marker and slotted the ball under Stuart MacDonald’s arm to make it 1-0. The visitors came close to extending their lead on 37 minutes when a Fraser MacKintosh effort came back off the post. Lovat made positional changes at half-time. Calum Macaulay moved up front and Danny Kelly dropped back to defence. Kevin Bartlett went to full centre. Cameron Binnie made it 2-0 on 51 minutes with a sweet 25 yard drive from the middle of the park. Newtonmore had to reshuffle the pack on 54 minutes when Jamie Robinson had to come off. He suffered a cut to the eye are earlier in the game and the wound opened and started to bleed so a hospital visit was necessary. Scott Chisholm came on and joined the attack with Cameron Binnie moving into midfield. Glen MacKintosh made it 3-0 on 62 minutes when he shot across keeper Stuart MacDonald’s chest into the net. Lovat replaced defender Michael MacKenzie a minute later with a bandaged Craig Mainland coming back on. Newtonmore made another change on 65 minutes with Evan Menzies taking over from Craig Ritchie and Scott Chisholm dropping back into midfield. Lovat pulled a goal back on 83 minutes. Calum Macaulay burst forward down the wing and played the ball outside to Lorne MacKay who held off Steven MacDonald and laid the ball off to Greg Matheson. Matheson allowed the ball to run across his body before blasting goalwards from an acute angle, wide on the right, and the ball went through keeper Michael Ritchie’s legs into the net to make it 3-1. Newtonmore rounded off the 4-1 win with a goal 3 minutes from time when Glen MacKintosh completed his hat-trick with a 25 yard drive from wide on the left – his 31st goal of the season. Defenders Rory Kennedy and Andy MacKintosh were excellent for Newtonmore with Lewis Tawse best for Lovat. This in truth was a comfortable ‘More win which gives them a four point cushion at the top of the table over rivals Kyles Athletic.
Kyles Athletic 1 Glenurquhart 1 An injury time goal from Neale Reid cost Kyles Athletic a vital point in the championship race as they drew 1-1 with Glenurquhart at Tighnabruaich. Kyles were without Roddy MacDonald. The cut knee he suffered against Kinlochshiel 5 weeks earlier opened up in the SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final against Lovat so he was rested. The Glen travelled without Michael Brady, Ewan Brady, James Hurwood, James MacPherson and their captain Andrew Corrigan. Glenurquhart almost took the lead after 3 minutes when a Neale Reid shot came back off the post. Robbie MacLeod drove the ball home to put Kyles ahead after 35 minutes. This was a really close game and it could have gone either way. The visitors, who pushed Lewis MacLennan into attack late in the game, were therefore deserving of their draw, even if they did leave it late, with Neale Reid’s equalising goal coming in stoppage time. Glenurquhart will now finish the season in third place regardless of their result against Oban Camanachd next weekend in their final league fixture at Mossfield. Second place Kyles Athletic now trail leaders Newtonmore by four points which each side having four games remaining including a meeting at the Eilan.
Inveraray 1 Kingussie 2 Kingussie collected two valuable points in their quest to avoid the Premiership play-off spot when they came from behind to beat Inveraray 2-1 at the Winterton. Ruaridh Graham returned for Inveraray but they were without Douglas Dando and John Kennedy. Regular full centre David Robertson continued at full forward as he was still suffering from a back injury so David MacPherson came off the wing to deputise at full centre. John MacKenzie was in defence against Savio Genini. Fraser Munro was free to play for Kingussie but he will miss their final match of the season and the first game of next term as he collected a two-match ban for passing the disciplinary points threshold. Ryan Borthwick and Lee Bain recovered from knocks picked up in last week’s defeat to Newtonmore to play. Inveraray turned in a much improved performance than in their last two outings – league defeats to Kingussie at the Dell just 3 weeks ago and a defeat to Lochaber at Spean Bridge last Saturday. The home side punished a defensive error to go in front early in the game. David Robertson turned his marker which left him one-on-one with keeper Craig Dawson and he stroked the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0. The goal gave Inveraray some much-needed confidence and they started to move the ball about well. Kingussie had plenty of pressure but they rarely trouble Scott MacLachlan in the home goal. Kingussie pushed full back James Hutchison into attack as the match moved into the final 20 minutes. However, almost immediately, Inveraray had the chance to double their lead when referee Robert Baxter awarded them a penalty after David Robertson was impeded inside the D. Euan McMurdo’s spot-hit was well-struck, and was heading for the top corner of the net, but Craig Dawson stretched to turn the ball away with his caman for what was a fine save. This lifted Kingussie and had the opposite effect on Inveraray. Hutchison’s addition to the attack gave them more composure in the forward positions and he made it 1-1 with a well taken goal. The winning goal came with just 7 minutes remaining and it was a superb individual effort from Rory MacGregor who broke forward from wing centre and beat three Inveraray players before smashing the ball into the roof of the net for what was a tremendous goal from 18 yards out. Things went from bad to worse for Inveraray when Ruaridh Graham was red carded for a high, late swing on Savio Genini which was perhaps a sign of the team’s frustration. It looks bleak for Inveraray and their only survival hope is to reach the relegation play-off spot. To achieve this, they need to win their final two league matches - at home to both Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic - and hope that Oban Camanachd lose their remaining matches and that there is a significant turnaround in the Oban side’s healthy goal difference advantage. Kingussie have one match remaining; away to Oban Camanachd at the end of the month. A win coupled with other results going their way could yet see them finish as high as sixth place in the league.
Kinlochshiel 4 Oban Camanachd 1 Kinlochshiel quashed any lingering doubts that they might be sucked into the relegation battle when they beat Oban Camanachd 4-1 at Kirkton. Kinlochshiel were without Oliver MacRae who started a two match ban for passing the disciplinary points threshold. Lorne Dickie returned for Oban Camanachd and he started at wing centre. However the injured Andrew MacCuish was still out and will likely miss the rest of the season as he has had to get his injured finger reset. Iain MacMillan was another absentee as he was working. Youngster Daniel MacVicar retained his place in the starting line-up. Oban Camanachd started well but Kinlochshiel soon settle into the contest and Finlay MacRae almost profited from a miss-hit Gavin Stobbart goal-hit but the ball came off his foot and the chance was gone. Stobbart then saved from Finlay MacRae and his brother John MacRae sent the rebound wide of goal. A spectacular overhead flick from Finlay MacRae almost caught out the visitors but the ball went just the wrong side of Stobbart’s left post. A combination of David Falconer and home goalie Scott Kennedy kept out the visitors following a goalmouth scramble and it looked more and more as if the first goal would be crucial. Both sides hit the post before Finlay MacRae, playing in attack, and Keith MacRae combined to set up a shooting chance for John MacRae. Gavin Stobbart saved MacRae’s effort at the expense of a corner. Keith MacRae played the resultant corner in from the right and the ball took a bounce inside the D before Finlay MacRae turned it into the net to give ‘Shiel the lead. The second half was just a couple of minutes old when Keith MacRae volleyed the ball home following a Jordan Fraser free-hit. It was a terrific finish which gave Gavin Stobbart no chance. Malcolm Clark, Gary McKerracher and Scott MacMillan all had shots wide of target as the Mossfield side tried to get back in the game. Oban Camanachd manager Iain Hay made a change as Daniel Lafferty replaced Aidan MacIntyre at wing centre. He also switched forward Gary McKerrachar and defender Scott MacMillan. The moves paid off when a Daniel Lafferty shy from the left found Malcolm Clark running into the D and he steered the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the season to make it 2-1 with 71 minutes played. Kinlochshiel boss Colin Fraser then made changes with Nathan Whear coming off and Fraser MacVicar coming on. Finlay MacRae dropped back into defence to help protect the home sides’ lead. Duncan “DA” MacRae also came on for Jordan Fraser in attack. The Oban side almost levelled when Malcolm Clark hit the post from in front of goal in what was a real let-off for the home side. The ‘Shiel switches paid dividends on 76 minutes when the visitors failed to clear an Alasdair Nixon shy from the left and a John MacRae snap-shot from 22 yards flew into the bottom corner of the net to make it 3-1 with 76 minutes played. Kinlochshiel sealed the win in injury time when John MacRae latched onto a miss-hit Oban Camanachd shy from deep inside their own half. MacRae drew the defender before unselfishly squaring the ball to the unmarked Fraser MacVicar and he struck the ball low and hard into the net to make it 4-2. Scott MacMillan shone for Oban Camanachd as did Mark MacDonald for Kinloshiel but ‘Shiel full centre Donald Nixon was the pick of the players on show. Kinlochshiel climb to fifth place in the table. They are a point ahead of Fort William and a point behind Lochaber and all three sides have one match remaining. Oban Camanachd still have five matches remaining – four of which are at home – starting with the visit of Glenurquhart this Saturday. They host Lochaber and Kingussie later this month before travelling to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic and meeting Newtonmore at the Dell in November. However they are now four points behind Kingussie so their focus will be fully on collecting something from the Glenurquhart match.
Marine Harvest National Division Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Caberfeidh 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll will finish third in the Marine Harvest National Division after they beat fourth place Caberfeidh 2-1 at Yoker. GMA’s Mark Bain was free of suspension and the Glasgow side had a full squad to choose from. Caberfeidh went in front when Craig Morrison sent a 30 yard shot screaming into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0. GMA’s Craig Anderson gave Scotland U21 Head Coach Garry Reid a reminder of his scoring ability when he levelled following a corner to the front post. The ball was flicked back to Anderson who was positioned around the penalty spot and he sent a firm fore-hand shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1 with an hour played. Craig Anderson got his and GMA’s second when he got on the end of a shy at the back post, the GMA left, and he half-volleyed the ball on his back-hand into the bottom far corner of the net to seal the win. Caberfeidh finish the season two points behind GMA in fourth spot. This fixture completes the seven team Marine Harvest National Division programme.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Newtonmore 4 Fort William 4 The Fort William second team clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title and denied the Newtonmore second team “the treble” following their 4-4 draw at the Eilan. Newtonmore were along usual lines. Scott Knox and Cal Brown were available for Fort William but they will miss the first two matches of next season for passing the disciplinary points threshold. Bryan Simpson and Duncan Rodger started in attack whist Zoe Smith returned to the second string after her first team appearance last weekend as Lachie Wood and Peter Wood (senior) named a 17 player squad. It was first blood to Newtonmore when Drew MacDonald put them ahead after just 3 minutes. Bryan Simpson levelled on 23 minutes and a Duncan Rodger goal had the Fort 2-1 ahead at the break. Duncan Rodger got his second 6 minutes into the second half but Iain Robinson made it 3-2 just 3 minutes later. Cal Brown made it 4-2 on the hour mark. Newtonmore were down but not out. Calum Stewart made it 4-3 on 69 minutes and Struan Kish set up a dramatic final 10 minutes when he scored on 80 minutes. However Fort William, who lost wing-back Donald Walker with an ankle injury in the second half, saw out the closing stages to get the point they needed. Fort William have now completed their league programme and they are currently five points ahead of Newtonmore who have two more games to play – away to Strathglass and the Beauly second team and these fixtures will complete the division programme. Fort William captain Peter Wood (junior) was presented with the Marine Harvest North Division 2 trophy by David Corrigan from Marine Harvest after referee Evan MacRae’s final whistle.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 3 Kyles Athletic 1 Lochside Rovers stay top of the table after they beat the Kyles Athletic second team 3-1 at Mossfield. Lochside scored all their goals in the first half with Michael MacQueen netting on 4 and 31 minutes, either side of a 14 minute Brian MacCallum strike. Brandon Wilson countered for Kyles Athletic. Lochside remain two points ahead of Bute who have a game in hand.
Bute 7 Taynuilt 1 Bute were too strong for Taynuilt, winning 7-1 in their 3pm throw up at the Meadows. Bute were boosted by Robert Walkers return from injury and he could be a crucial addition to their squad during the tile run-in. James Craig and hat-tricks from Robert Walker and Duncan Davidson made the difference with a Stuart Scott consolation goal counting for Taynuilt.
Inveraray 1 Oban Celtic 3 Oban Celtic climb to third spot in the league thanks to their 3-1 win over the Inveraray second team in their noon throw up at the Winterton. Daniel Madej fired the visitors into a 14 minute lead but a Ross Anderson goal on the half hour mark ensured the sides went into the break all-square. Kenny Wotherspoon put Oban Celtic back in front on 65 minutes but the outcome remained in the balance until Celtic’s Calum Fox found the back of the net just 3 minutes from time. Oban Celtic now move above the Inveraray colts into third spot and they still have three games remaining whilst the Winterton side has completed their league programme. The title race is now between Lochside Rovers, Bute and Oban Celtic.
Glenorchy 4 Kilmory 0 Glenorchy and Kilmory met for the second successive Saturday; this time at Mart Park. The sides drew 2-2 at MacRae Park last weekend. Alex Cunningham and Calum McKinven scored for bottom side Kilmory whilst an Andrew Smith brace counted for Glenorchy. Glenorchy’s John McNulty started a three game ban after his red card last weekend. This weekend’s encounter saw was more one-sided with Glenorchy wrapping up a 4-0 win over a Kilmory side who had Bruce Johnston free of suspension. James Livingston put Glenorchy ahead after 15 minutes and Andrew Smith made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later. Kieran Gallacher made it 3-0 on 68 minutes before James Livingston got his second goal of the afternoon 8 minutes from time. The win means Glenorchy leap-frog Strachur into seventh place in the table.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Inverness 1 Skye Camanachd 3 The Skye Camanachd second team clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title with a 3-1 win over the Inverness second team at the Bught Park on Saturday 3 October 2015. Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie Pringle was at a wedding so John MacLeod and Douglas MacDougall looked after the side. There were three changes to the sixteen man squad which beat Glengarry in their last match a fortnight earlier. Stewart Grant has moved abroad whilst Ross Nicolson and Kenny MacLeod were unavailable. Chris MacLennan and John MacKenzie were added to make up a 15 player pool. Keeper Jamie Gannon was still missing so North U17 goalie Ryan Morrison continued between the sticks. Inverness included first team keeper Adam MacMaster, Liam Girvan and Charlie MacDonald but the rest of their second string was along usual lines. Skye knew that they needed just one more point to clinch the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title and they had the chance to take the lead when referee Andy MacLean awarded them a penalty. However John Gillies was unable to convert from the spot. Skye forward John MacKenzie had to leave the field early in the match when he caught his studs on the turf and twisted his knee. Angie MacDonald came on in his place and he was hardly in position for 5 minutes when he gave Skye the lead. Angie MacDonald added a second after the restart. Stuart MacRae pulled a goal back for the home side from the penalty spot to make it 2-1. However Skye were not to be denied and a 40 yard John Angus MacInnes shot deceived the Inverness keeper to put Skye 3-1 to the good. The Skye seconds will be presented with the Marine Harvest North Division 2 following their final match of the season next weekend when Boleskine visit Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Kilmallie 3 Glengarry 1 The Kilmallie second team beat Glengarry 3-1 at the Canal Parks. Arran Sandison got the Kilmallie colts off to a great start when he scored after 4 minutes. Andrew Gilchrist drew Glengarry level on 36 minutes but Ewan Mowat netted 5 minutes before the break to give the home side the advantage at half time. The second half was just a minute old when Arran Sandison got his second to make it 3-1.
Lochaber 7 Aberdeen University 0 A strong Lochaber second team ended Aberdeen University’s five-match unbeaten run when they beat the Students 7-0 at Spean Bridge. Danny Delaney, Ben Delaney and Neil MacDonald all scored twice for Lochaber with Finlay MacDonald got the other. This was the Aberdeen side’s final game of the season and fourth place Lochaber trail them by two points but they still have two games to play.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Oban Lorn 0 Ballachulish 2 Oban Lorn were back in action for the first time since they lost 3-1 to the Glenorchy second team at Ganavan on Saturday 1 August 2015. The Balla’ seconds hadn’t played since they drew with Tayforth on Saturday 22 August 2015. Alan Duffy missed out for Oban Lorn as he served the second game of a two-game ban for his red card against Aberdour in mid-July. The Jubilee Park side went ahead in this meeting at Ganavan when Malcolm Watson scored after 25 minutes. Par Carr made it 2-0 just 3 minutes before half time. Referee Jon Gallagher was forced to show red cards to Calum MacLean for the home side and visiting players Pat MacLean and Kenny Michie. Ballachulish stay seventh in the league whilst Oban Lorn drop a place to fifth spot.
Bute W/O v Glasgow Mid Argyll The Bute second team were awarded the points and the customary 5-0 win when the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team were unable to raise a team for their noon meeting at the Meadows. Bute leap-frog Oban Lorn into fourth place in the league. Third place GMA were docked a point.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless stated differently) (These reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |