The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 31 October 2015 | |
01 November 2015 There were mixed fortunes for the Badenoch sides as Newtonmore were presented with the Marine Harvest Premiership trophy whilst Kingussie must now win a play-off match against Kilmallie to maintain their top division status following the shinty action on Saturday 31 October 2015.
Marine Harvest Premiership Oban Camanachd 2 Kingussie 1 The match of the day was at Mossfield where the stakes were high for both Oban Camanachd and Kingussie. The home side went into the game in the relegation play-odd spot, a point behind the Kings, but with two more matches still to play after this clash – away to Kyles Athletic nest weekend and at home to Newtonmore a week later. There was to be late drama as Oban Camanachd came from a goal down to score twice in the last 6 minutes and confirm their top flight status for next season. Oban Camanachd manager Iain Hay was back on the touchline after missing the 2-0 win over Lochaber a fortnight earlier when he was on holiday. Scottish international Daniel Cameron was also back after missing the Lochaber game to attend a wedding in Cyprus and he started at full back, marking Barrie Dallas. Injured top scorer Andrew MacCuish was still out for the home side. Kingussie co-managers Russell Jones and Davie Anderson were without Fraser Munro who started a two-match suspension for passing the disciplinary points threshold. Kingussie took the lead on 25 minutes with Ryan Borthwick getting the goal. Craig Dawson saved well under his bar from Lorne Dickie and Conor Howe shot wide from close-in with the goal at his mercy so the visitors took their lead into the break. Kingussie were unable to get the second strike which would have seen off a spirited Oban Camanachd side but they came close through Louis Munro after Oban keeper Gavin Stobbart had dashed from his line to try and foil an attack, leaving his goal unattended. Oban Camanachd kept pressing and tried hard to level with youngster Daniel MacVicar looking good in attack but James Hutchison and Lee Bain were excellent at the back for the Kings. Oban goalie Gavin Stobbart saved well from Savio Genini following a free-hit. Oban Camanachd boss Iain Hay pushed Scottish international Daniel Cameron into attack and the game’s defining moments came late in the match. With just 6 minutes remaining, Daniel Cameron gathered possession inside the D and he was brought down with three Kingussie defenders in attendance and referee Robert Baxter pointed to the penalty spot. Lorne Dickie’s spot-hit was saved with his feet by Craig Dawson the ball broke wide and Malcolm Clark, who had turned 21 just 24 hours earlier, ran onto the rebound and he put the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to square the match. And there was still more drama to come. Oban Camanachd took a shy from in front of the changing rooms area and the ball broke to Aidan MacIntyre at the back post with his back to goal. MacIntyre tried to turn but seemed to lose his balance but as he fell to his knees, he managed to flick the ball goalwards past keeper Dawson from inside the D to make it 2-1. The home supporters were euphoric and there were just 3 minutes left on the clock. Referee Robert Baxter’s final whistle signalled the end of an eight match sequence where Oban Camanachd, who have not been out of the bottom two league positions since mid-April, have taken eleven out of a possible sixteen points and their recent form has only been bettered by champions Newtonmore. It’s not clear whether the Mossfield tannoy boomed out Elmer Bernstein's theme from The Great Escape at the end of the game but what is clear is that their manager Iain Hay deserves the plaudits for his contribution since taking over from the dedicated Iain Campbell in late July 2015 and Oban Camanachd can now enjoy their final two fixtures against the league top two teams. The top division play-off match between ninth Kingussie and Marine Harvest National Division runners-up Kilmallie is unlikely to be played until both Oban Camanachd games are completed as, technically, if Oban Camanachd were to fail to fulfil either game, they would be docked points so could fall from their eighth place spot. Don’t bet on that happening though.
Newtonmore 4 Kyles Athletic 1 Newtonmore celebrated their sixth successive title success win a 4-1 win over nearest challengers Kyles Athletic at the Eilan. The home side were without Evan Menzies who suffered a fractured hand in the title win over Lovat a couple of weeks earlier so Conor Jones started in his place. ‘More manager Paul John MacKintosh was back in the dug-out after missing the Lovat match when he was on holiday. Kyles travelled with a depleted squad. Indeed veteran Kenny MacDonald was their only substitute whilst full forward Matthew MacColl was carrying an injury and actually limped onto the park at the start of the game. Andrew King, Thomas Whyte, David Zavaroni, Roberto Zavaroni and Dunkie Kerr were all missing and Roddy MacDonald lined up at buckshee back and he was given a marking role on Glen MacKintosh. Grant Irvine was at full centre and youngsters Ross MacRae and Scott MacDonald started in attack. Newtonmore looked up for the game from referee Deek Cameron’s opening whistle and Norman Campbell put in a heavy challenge on Kyles keeper John Whyte early in the contest. The home side went in front on 14 minutes when Norman Campbell burst through the middle of the Kyles defence and he flicked the ball wide of keeper Whyte into the net to make it 1-0. Conor Jones made it 2-0 on 19 minutes. Jones had cut in from his right wing-forward position and he sent a 25 yard shot which beat an unsighted John Whyte on his right side. The Kyles defence with-stood a lot of Newtonmore pressure but it remained 2-0 at the break. Newtonmore made a double-substitution early in the second half with Craig Ritchie and Scott Chisholm replacing Michael Russell and Jamie Robinson. Russell was believed to be a one booking away from a ban which would take effect at the start of next season. Two goals in three minutes put Newtonmore out of sight. Fraser MacKintosh took the ball in to score on 57 minutes and ‘More led 3-0. ‘More wing centre Paul MacArthur pushed forward to drive home a fourth goal on the hour mark. It was an ill-tempered encounter at times and Newtonmore made their third change when Chris Sellar came on for Conor Jones. Robbie MacLeod pulled a goal back for Kyles just 4 minutes from time. The goal came from a Newtonmore goal-hit. ‘More full back Steven MacDonald rushed forward and called for keeper Michael Ritchie to play the ball to him in midfield, However Robbie MacLeod read what was happening and he intercepted the goal-hit before sending a precise shoulder-high 35 yard shot into the net for a consolation counter. After the match, Camanachd Association President Jim Barr complemented Newtonmore on their consistency which has reared six successive league titles. He then introduced Steve Bracken from sponsors Marine Harvest who presented Newtonmore captain Cameron Binnie with the Marine Harvest National Division trophy after the match. It was a particularly poignant moment for Scott Chisholm who is unlikely to play next season as he plans to move abroad. It remains to be seen whether some of his older team-mates such as keeper Michael Ritchie will turn out next year. If it is to be a time of change, then there is certainly a talented batch of youngsters in the ‘More seconds just itching to step up to the senior ranks. Both teams have one match remaining. Kyles will hope to have players back when they host Oban Camanachd next weekend whilst Newtonmore travel to Mossfield to play the Oban side a week later.
Marine Harvest National Division The Marine Harvest Premiership fixtures are complete.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Strathglass v Newtonmore W/O The Newtonmore second team were given a walk-over as Strathglass were unable to raise a team for their meeting at Cannich. Strathglass were also unable to raise a team when the sides were scheduled to meet at the same venue a fortnight earlier. The Newtonmore colts end the season in second place whilst Strathglass finish in fifth spot. This completes the Marine Harvest North Division 1 programme.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Bute 6 Strachur 2 Bute took advantage of Lochside Rovers’ inactivity to go top of Marine Harvest South Division 1 for the first time since mid-March thanks to a 6-2 triumph over Strachur at Strachurmore. This was Bute’s home match but with the Meadows unplayable, Ted MacDonald’s side agreed to play the fixture at their opponents ground. Robert Walker gave Bute a 29 minute lead but a Brian Dickie goal on 40 minutes ensured the sides went into the break on level terms. Robert Walker got his second a couple of minutes after the restart to put Bute back in front and he completed his hat-trick on 49 minutes to make it 3-1. Strachur reduced the deficit on 54 minutes with Brian Dickie’s second goal of the afternoon to make it 3-2. Bute began to pull away though and Gordon MacMillan made it 4-2 just 60 seconds later. A double from former Kingussie and Lovat player Duncan Davidson on 62 and 74 minutes made 6-2 and sealed the points. The only down-side for Bute came when James Craig was sent off by referee Ronnie Campbell. Craig will now miss Bute’s next two matches. Bute now lead second place Lochside Rovers on goal difference and each side has one match remaining. However Bute’s final fixture is a difficult encounter away to Oban Celtic next weekend but their goal difference is such that victory should give them the title.
Kyles Athletic 3 Oban Celtic 1 The Kyles Athletic second team beat Oban Celtic 3-1 on a heavy Tighnabruaich pitch. Thomas Whyte and Dunkie Kerr didn’t travel to Newtonmore with the Kyles first team so they lined up with the second string and Kerr gave his side an 18 minute lead. Kyles, with veteran Dan MacRae in their side, took the single goal lead into the break but Oban Celtic drew level just 5 minutes after the restart with Lee Askew getting his 21st goal of the season. Kyles were not to be denied though and Rupert Williamson scored twice on 62 and 67 minutes to give the home side a 3-1 win. Despite the defeat, Oban Celtic will finish the season in third place regardless of the outcome of their final fixture against Bute next weekend. The win means the Kyles colts climb to fifth spot.
Glenorchy P Lochside Rovers P Lochside Rovers were left frustrated as their 1pm throw up against Glenorchy was postponed with Mart Park deemed unplayable and efforts to find an alternative venue were unsuccessful. The title destination will be decided this coming Saturday, weather permitting, as Glenorchy and Lochside Rovers try again and Bute visit Oban Celtic. The teams are currently level on points but Bute have a 15 goal superior goal difference.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 The Marine Harvest North Division 2 fixtures are complete.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Ballachulish P Aberdour P The match between the Ballachulish and Aberdour second teams was postponed as Jubilee Park was unplayable.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless stated differently) (These reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |