The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 9 March 2019 | |
10 March 2019 The wet weather once again proved to be a tough opponent, forcing a number of postponements on Saturday 9 March 2019.
Mowi Premiership Oban Camanachd 2 Lovat 2 Oban Camanachd twice led against Lovat before having to settle for a point following their 2-2 draw at Mossfield. Oban Camanachd manager Stephen Sloss was without defender Scott MacKillop who has a knee problem but Aidan MacIntyre returned and Daniel Madej played in defence. Craig Easton was called up from Lochside and he started on the bench. Andrew MacCuish was carrying a niggling injury so he was also listed as a substitute whilst Chrissie MacMillan served his one match suspension. Lovat manager Fraser Gallacher had Callum Cruden free of suspension and he started in defence. Calum MacAulay also returned to take a place on the bench. Martin Mainland was unavailable. It was a good day in Oban and although the pitch was soft, there was a drying wind and it comfortably passed an 8am inspection. This was always going to be a close contest between two of the sides likely to feature at the top end of the table come the end of the season. Oban Camanachd took a 12 minute lead. Aidan MacIntyre and Scott MacMillan combined in midfield to find Daniel MacCuish on the left. He played the ball on to Malcolm Clark and his superb cross from the corner was volleyed home first-time by Daniel MacVicar to make it 1-0. The lead up play and execution were a delight to watch. When the ball broke to an unmarked Daniel MacCuish on 20 minutes, his shot cannoned back off Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald as the home side looked to increase their lead. However the visitors levelled from a disputed penalty on the half-hour. Daniel Cameron lost his footing and was adjudged to have brought down Marc MacLachlan inside the D by referee Ross Brown who waved away the Oban protests. Greg Matheson kept his cool, thumping the penalty over keeper Cameron Sutherland to make it 1-1. Oban Camanachd replaced Connor Howe and Malcolm Clark with Andrew MacCuish and Craig MacDougall at half-time as they moved from a two-two to a three-one attacking formation. Scott MacMillan saw a 25 yard shot deflected wide on 60 minutes but Oban Camanachd regained the lead just 3 minutes later. Andrew MacCuish and Daniel MacVicar were involved and although MacCuish’s shot was saved by Stuart MacDonald, Daniel MacCuish slipped the rebound into the net. However Marc MacLachlan drew Lovat level for a second time just a minute later. Fraser Heath played the ball to MacLachlan who bulleted a back-hand effort from the Lovat left and the ball soared across the keeper and just under the bar and into the net to make it 2-2. It was a fantastic finish and MacLachlan’s fifth goal in two games. The remainder of the game was a midfield battle with both defences on top although Lovat’s Lewis Tawse almost got on the end of a late free-hit. In the end the sides had to settle for a point apiece. The Oban defence was touch-tight throughout and Daniel Sloss had a great game; restricting Lovat danger-man Greg Matheson to few opportunities. Lorne Dickie also played well in the middle of the park, displaying good hitting on both sides. However they will be concerned about an injury picked up by Craig MacDougall.
Kingussie 1 Lochaber 1 Ben Delaney’s late goal earned Lochaber a 1-1 draw against Kingussie as both sides got their seasons underway at the Dell. Kingussie’s James Falconer sat this one out through suspension. This was first competitive match in charge for new Lochaber boss Michael Delaney and he was able to call on keeper Callum MacDonald who missed most of last season following an accident at work. Kingussie broke the deadlock on 7 minutes. The Lochaber defence failed to deal with a long hit-in from the right and Rory MacGregor played the ball down the inside right channel to Roddy Young who fired a great shot into the net to make it 1-0. And that’s the way it stayed until, with 90 minutes on the clock, Martin Johnstone shot goalwards following a hit-in from the Lochaber right and although Kingussie keeper Craig Dawson made the save, Ben Delaney managed to scramble the rebound over the line to earn Lochaber a moral boosting draw.
Caberfeidh 0 Newtonmore 3 Newtonmore bounced back from the previous week’s defeat to Kilmallie with a convincing 3-0 win over Caberfeidh at Castle Leod. This was Caberfeidh’s first match of the season and they were missing Scotland U21 captain Blair Morrison with a shoulder injury. Robbie Brindle was given a first competitive start after joining the club n the close season from Beauly. Newtonmore’s Steven Macdonald was free of suspension but didn’t play. Andy MacKintosh started on the bench whilst Stuart Mitchell was injured. Iain Richardson played in defence and Drew MacDonald was back after missing the Kilmallie defeat. The weather made it difficult for the players but it was Newtonmore who took the lead almost from the throw up. The ball came down the wing to Evan Menzies who took the ball out towards the corner on the ‘More right before flicking it back infield to the on-rushing Jamie Robinson who ran from the centre line, getting by Calum MacKinnon, before shooting over keeper Ewan Pilcher from close in. The goal came at a cost though as captain Menzies pulled up after releasing the ball to Robinson and had to be replaced by David MacLean. Cabers had good possession and played most of the first 15 minutes in the ‘More half however they struggled to gather a goal threat. Newtonmore then came into the game strongly and David MacLean was making the most of his opportunity in attack as he made it 2-0 on 35 minutes with a low drive from 20 yards out. Fraser MacKintosh added a third on 52 minutes and the visitors could have had more but for some wayward finishing and some good saves from Ewan Pilcher in Caberfeidh goal who continues to enhance his reputation. As the match moved into the last quarter, Jamie Robinson and Owen Fraser, were well positioned in the midfield to mop up the high balls that came out of the Cabers’ defence.
Kilmallie P Inveraray P The contest between Kilmallie and Inveraray was called off on Saturday morning as the Canal Parks was ruled unplayable.
Kinlochshiel P Kyles Athletic P Kinlochshiel’s match against Kyles Athletic was another Saturday morning postponement as Kirkton was waterlogged.
Mowi National Division Fort William 5 Oban Celtic 1 Fort William top the National Division after defeating Oban Celtic 5-1 at An Aird. This was the only second tier match to beat the elements and the pitch was in relatively good condition. Fort William captain Arran MacPhee was free of suspension. Oban Celtic boss Dougie MacIntyre was still minus the suspended Craig MacMillan whilst Neil Carmichael and Lee Askew were ruled out through injury. Ally McKerracher went to centre where he played well. A heavy hail shower meant the throw up was delayed by 10 minutes and Oban Celtic started with a cold wind at their backs. Fort William looked pacey up front and Lewis Morrison finished off a good move to give them a 12 minute lead. The visitors lost defender Calum MacLeod who had been suffering from a chest infection and they suffered a further blow when a disputed free-hit was played forward and Lewis Clark made it 2-0 with 23 minutes on the clock. Oban Celtic came more into in during the second quarter of the match but it remained 2-0 until the break. When Oban Celtic keeper David Martin made a save with his foot by his right post on 57 minutes, referee Martin MacLean signalled for a “kick” and awarded Fort William a penalty which Arran MacPhee converted. Fort William then replaced Sean Cameron and Lewis Morrison with Mark Grant and Padraig McNeil. Fort William now had a grip of the midfield and Arran MacPhee got his second and Fort’s fourth on 72 minutes before Padraig McNeil knocked home a rebound just 4 minutes later after keeper Martin had made another good save. Oban Celtic had introduced 16 year old substitute Jamie Forgrieve at half forward for the final 20 minutes of the match and he set up Oban Celtic’s goal a couple of minutes from time. Forgrieve burst down the right before cutting inside and his ball into the goal area was diverted into the net by Daniel MacMillan. The win means the Fort have scored ten goals from their opening two league fixtures ahead of this week’s trip to Bute.
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Glenurquhart P Glasgow Mid Argyll’s 3pm throw up with Glenurquhart was postponed as Peterson Park was unplayable.
Beauly P Bute P Beauly’s match against Bute was called off as Braeview Park failed a pitch inspection.
Strathglass P Skye Camanachd P The match between Strathglass and Skye Camanachd was postponed on Saturday morning as Cannich was waterlogged.
Mowi North Division 1 Lovat 3 Fort William 5 The Lovat seconds put up a good fight before going down 5-3 to the Fort William seconds at Balgate. Raymond Rennie grabbed a Lovat hat-trick but Greig Kelly and doubles from Cal Brown and Connor MacRae gave the Fort a winning start to their league campaign.
Inverness 2 Caberfeidh 4 After opting to drop down from the National Division, Inverness started life back in North 1 with a 4-2 defeat against the newly promoted Caberfeidh colts at the Bught Park. Cabers got off to a flier as they won the throw up and pushed forward and Ruaraidh MacLeman had the ball in the net with just 20 seconds played. Scotland U21 player Charlie MacDonald drew the Inverness side level on 20 minutes but a second from Ruaraidh MacLeman gave the visitors a 2-1 interval advantage. Jordan MacKenzie extended Cabers’ advantage on 68 minutes and although David Campbell pulled a goal back on 75 minutes, James MacLeod made it 4-2 with just 5 minutes remaining, beating home keeper James Cameron who made some good saves during the 90 minutes.
Glenurquhart 3 Kinlochshiel 4 The Kinlochshiel seconds beat the Glenurquhart seconds 4-3 following an enthralling clash at Blairbeg. Both teams were at the wrong end of the table last season but, with their first team games postponed, they each fielded strong sides for this one. John Barr, working his way back from injury, started for the Glen as did Ewan Brady who returned for the first team the previous week after a two-year absence from the game. First team keeper Stuart MacRae, Duncan “WD” MacRae, Duncan Matheson and Keith MacRae, also playing his way back after injury, started for ‘Shiel. Glenurquhart’s David MacLennan came off injured early in the game and, after creating a number of early chances, they were awarded a penalty on 11 minutes when referee John Angus Gillies penalised Stuart MacRae for a “kick”. Ewan Brady took the spot-hit but keeper MacRae redeemed himself as he saved low at his post, turning the ball away for a corner. It was then Ewan Brady’s turn to make amends as he gave the hosts a 25 minute lead. Brady, in space on the left, sent a speculative lob goalwards and the ball dropped over the out-stretched caman of keeper MacRae and into the net by his left post. When referee John Angus Gillies awarded the Glen a second penalty on 29 minutes, this time spotting a “kick” from youngster Martin MacRae, substitute Charlie MacLeod made no mistake from the spot, driving the ball high into the net. However ‘Shiel got right back into it seconds later as Keith MacRae found Duncan Matheson with a rehearsed free-hit routine and the youngster sent the ball low into the net. From the restart, ‘Shiel were given a set-piece opportunity on the right of the D when Glen’s Bradley Sneddon was booked for kicking out at Colin MacDiarmid after he had impeded the ‘Shiel full centre. Keith MacRae played a clever free-hit, waiting for Duncan Matheson to dart in behind the Glen defence. Matheson ran onto MacRae’s inch-perfect ball and his low drive beat keeper Ewen Fraser at his left post. ‘Shiel drew level on 30 minutes when Sandy MacDiarmid won the ball on the right and he crossed to Keith MacRae who netted from 20 yards range and it stayed 2-2 until the break. The teams were welcomed onto the field at the second half by a snow blizzard which lasted for 20 minutes. A long ball from Sandy MacDiarmid on 51 minutes found Keith MacRae free on the edge of the D and he slammed a shot past the keeper to put ‘Shiel ahead for the first time in the game. ‘Shiel went further ahead on 66 minutes. The referee played advantage when a couple of players collided and Duncan Matheson went on a diagonal run before striking a superb 20 yard shot which flew past a helpless keeper. Kinlochshiel were in the ascendency and Glenurquhart showed signs of frustration with Cairn Urquhart booked for a reckless swing which caught Colin MacDiarmid. The hosts set up a nail biting finish when they made it 4-3 on 79 minutes. Ewan Brady showed great perseverance to win the ball on the left and he shrugged off a couple of challenges before playing the ball across the D where Christopher Mack slammed a shot into the back of the net. However ‘Shiel saw out the closing stages to claim two valuable points. Glen’s Ewen Brady was always a handful as the sides played out an entertaining contest in difficult conditions. Colin MacDiarmid and John Barr had a very competitive battle in the middle of the park whilst young Kinlochshiel defenders Corran Campbell, Martin MacRae and Duncan “WD” MacRae were brave in the tackle and they also showed good distribution. Keith MacRae and Duncan Matheson made the expected impact in attack.
Newtonmore P Aberdeen University P Aberdeen University were unable to raise a team for their meeting with the Newtonmore second team at The Eilan. The Students, who lost their opening day fixture to Glengarry with just eleven players, will be docked two points and the match will be rescheduled for a later date.
Skye Camanachd P Kingussie P There was disappointment for the Skye Camanachd and Kingussie reserve sides as their 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree fell foul to a waterlogged pitch.
Mowi South Division 1 Taynuilt 1 Lochside Rovers 2 Lochside Rovers edged out Taynuilt 2-1 after the Taynuilt Sports Field passed an 11am inspection. Lochside boss Brian MacCallum made five changes and he played in goal with Gavin Stobbart at full back. Aidan MacIntyre returned to first team duty with Craig Easton also called up by the seniors. Youngsters Gregor MacDonald and Jamie MacGillivray started and had great games whilst Ross Campbell was taken out of the forward line to play centre where he showed strength, skill and maturity beyond his 15 years. Iain MacMillan opened the scoring on 17 with a neat finish after the home defence failed to clear their lines. Lewis Buchanan lashed the ball past Brian Logan to make it 2-0 on 28 minutes, taking advantage of some slackness in the home defence. When referee Graham Fisher awarded Taynuilt a 43 minute penalty for a “kick” inside the D, Scott Dempster stepped up to make it 2-1 with a well struck spot-hit. Whilst Lochside edged the first half, Taynuilt came more into it after the interval and they had the ball in the net following a free-hit but the referee ruled the ball had entered the net without a second touch, much to the frustration of the home support, and Lochside managed to see the game out. The sides also contested the JC Memorial Cup, remembering James Cameron, and James’ father Dougie Cameron presented the trophy to Lochside skipper Jordan Kerr.
Inveraray P Ballachulish P The game between the Inveraray seconds and Ballachulish at the Winterton was postponed because of an unplayable pitch. The match had been reversed to the Jubilee Park but that also proved unplayable.
Kyles Athletic P Col Glen P The clash between the Kyles Athletic second team and Col Glen was called off as the Tighnabruaich Playing Fields failed a pitch inspection.
Aberdour P Glasgow Mid Argyll P The game between the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team and Aberdour was reversed to Silversands on Friday evening. However a Saturday morning pitch inspection deemed Silversands could only take one game so the reserve team match went ahead as it was scheduled first.
Mowi North Division 2 Inverness 2 Strathglass 7 A storming second half performance gave the Strathglass seconds a 7-2 win over the Inverness seconds in their noon throw up on the Bught Park outside pitch. Inverness led 1-0 at the break with youngster Finlay Calder scoring on 39 minutes. Ciaran Melons netted a minute after the restart to make it 1-1 and he notched a second just 3 minutes later. Finlay Calder got his second on 53 minutes to make it 2-2. However the Cannich side pulled ahead during the final 20 minutes with Steven Hyslop on 71 minutes, Penri Jones on 78 minutes, Rory MacInnes on 83 minutes, a Colin Fraser own goal on 86 minutes and an effort from Eddie Noble a minute from time completed the win.
Strathspey Camanachd 2 Beauly 2 Strathspey Camanachd and the Beauly seconds shared the points following a 2-2 draw in their 1.30pm throw up at Grantown Grammar School. John MacKenzie gave the hosts a 2 minute lead but Elliot Moir’s brace on 15 and 42 minutes had Beauly 2-1 ahead at half-time. Strathspey’s Connor Aubrey netted 5 minutes into the second half to make it 2-2 and although Beauly had a late effort ruled out for offside by referee Des McNulty, it finished level pegging.
Lochcarron P Kilmallie P Lochcarron’s match against the Kilmallie second team was called off on Saturday morning as Battery Park was unplayable.
Boleskine P Lewis Camanachd P The clash between Boleskine and Lewis Camanachd at Smith Park was postponed on Friday evening because of an unplayable pitch.
Mowi South Division 2 Aberdour 1 Kilmory 4 Kilmory made it two wins out of two as they beat the Aberdour second team 4-0 at Silversands. Kilmory, with Sandy Leiper free of suspension, took a 14 minute lead through Ally MacLennan. The visitors, with a strong wind at their backs, did the damage in the first half, as Alex Cunningham made it 2-0 on 17 minutes with Hal Jones doubling their lead with strikes on 31 and 36 minutes. The hosts made changes at the break and they claimed for a penalty when player / manager Roddy MacColl went down inside the D and they also had a strike ruled out for offside before Kevin McKell pulled a goal back with just 3 minutes remaining.
Oban Celtic P Glenorchy P The match between Oban Celtic and Glenorchy was postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
WCA Round Up It was the second round of fixtures in the ladies top flight but only one game beat the elements.
Mowi National Division Lochaber 7 Glenurquhart 0 Lochaber were too strong for newly promoted Glenurquhart, winning 7-0 at Spean Bridge. With Kirsty Campbell making her Lochaber debut, Kirsty Delaney scored four times with Natalie MacDonald bagging a brace and Claire Delaney getting the other. The result puts Lochaber two points clear at the top of the table.
Badenoch P Glasgow Mid Argyll P The game between Badenoch and Glasgow Mid Argyll at the Dell was called off on Sunday morning. Badenoch were dealt a blow the day after their opening day win over champions Skye as key player Kirsty Deans suffered a fractured ankle when playing football for Inverness Caledonian Thistle Ladies.
Strathspey P Aberdour P The poor road conditions led to the postponement of Strathspey’s match against Aberdour.
Skye Camanachd P Ardnamurchan P The wet weather resulted in the postponement of Skye Camanachd’s meeting with Ardnamurchan at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. |