The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 7 July 2012 | |
09 July 2012 Oban Camanachd and Glenurquhart will meet in the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final and Kyles Athletic are the last Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter-finalists following the shinty fixtures on Saturday 7 July 2012.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Second Round Kyles Athletic 7 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Five goals in the last half hour earned Kyles Athletic the last place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup as they beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 7-1 at Tighnabruaich. Kyles had David Zavaroni back after he missed last week’s win over Lovat. They also had Donald Irvine available although his work commitments mean that he will likely miss the crucial league clash with Newtonmore on 21 July 2012. Three of the players – Zack Coley from Kyles and GMA pair Finlay MacMillan and Craig Anderson – were last week named in the Scotland U17 squad which will tour Ireland later this month. Gordon Whyte got the home side off to a great start with a goal after just 3 minutes and a 41 minute David Zavaroni strike made it 2-0 at the break. However Andy McGhee pulled a goal back a couple of minutes into the second half and it remained 2-1 until Roddy MacDonald struck on the hour mark. The 2011 Marine Harvest National Player of the Year got his second 6 minutes later to make it 4-1. This left Kyles in control and GMA chasing the game. The Orion Group Premiership side went on to add gloss to their victory as Fraser MacDonald struck on 73 minutes and Dunkie Kerr made it 6-1 just 3 minutes later. Fraser MacDonald got his second on 83 minutes to wrap up a 7-1 win which earns Kyles a trip to Portree next weekend to play Skye in the quarter-finals. GMA’s Mark Bain suffered a nasty hand cut which could keep him out of action for a couple of weeks.
Artemis Macaulay Cup – Semi Finals Fort William 0 Glenurquhart 3 Fort William and Glenurquhart met at the Bught Park, Inverness in what was the biggest game of the season so far for both clubs. The sides met in the league two weeks earlier with Fort William coming out 3-1 winners. However this time the spoils went to the Glen thanks to a 3-0 victory. After an even first half, Glenurquhart made the break-through 5 minutes into the second half when the excellent David Smart fired past Paul MacKay in the Fort goal. Ruaraidh Cameron made it 2-0 on 73 minutes whilst James MacPherson got the clinching third goal 5 minutes from the end to give Glenurquhart a deserved 3-0 win. It was a powerful second half performance by the Glen who also had a Billy Urquhart goal disallowed and who passed up another couple of chances. They now have a final at Mossfield, Oban to look forward to on Saturday 18 August 2012 which provides the Blairbeg side with the chance to win their first senior trophy. Colin MacDonald was the match referee and this tie was filmed for the Camanachd Association’s YouTube archive. Oban Camanachd 4 Inveraray 3 Oban Camanachd were surprise 4-3 winners in their noon semi-final against Inveraray at Mossfield. Oban Camanachd had a couple of absences due to the T in the Park Music Festival whilst Scott MacMillan served a one match ban. Inveraray went into the tie on the back of a record AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup win against Taynuilt last weekend in which their forwards looked particularly potent. Andrew MacCuish put the home side ahead on 8 minutes only for Russell MacKinlay to level 20 minutes later. MacCuish got his second on 35 minutes to give Oban Camanachd a 2-1 lead at the interval. Aidan MacIntyre made it 3-1 on 72 minutes but Garry MacPherson just 5 minutes later and Ruairidh Graham 3 minutes from time squared the game at 3-3. With just 60 seconds of the 90 minutes remaining, Oban Camanachd’s Iain MacMillan fired home to give his side a meeting with Glenurquhart on their own Mossfield pitch in next month’s final. Inveraray missed two penalties during the game as Garry MacPherson and Russell MacKinlay saw efforts saved by the excellent Robert Dunnings in the Oban goal. The only sour note for Oban Camanachd was the dismissal of Gareth Evans by referee Graham Cameron for two bookable offences.
Orion Group Premiership Kinlochshiel 0 Newtonmore 2 With league leaders Kyles Athletic in cup action, Newtonmore took the chance to return to the top of the Orion Group Premiership with a 2-0 win over Kinlochshiel at Kirkton. Kinlochshiel manager Johnston Gill started with Finlay MacRae at full centre and John MacRae in attack. ‘Shiel put ‘More out of the Artemis Macaulay Cup at the same venue earlier in the season and Norman MacArthur’s side were at full strength with Danny MacRae starting at full forward and looking free of the knee injury which he picked up in that earlier Kirkton cup meeting. Newtonmore, who hit up the hill in the first half, had the better of the opening exchanges but they were restricted to shots from distance with home keeper Graham Kennedy palming away one such effort from ‘More captain John MacKenzie. Kinlochshiel were dangerous on the break-away but they found ‘More defenders Rory Kennedy and Andy MacKintosh in fine form. A good run from Ackie MacRae on the ‘More right created a chance for John MacKenzie, but his shot whistled just over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Finlay MacRae won the ball in midfield and he resisted a challenge before shooting just past Michael Ritchie’s right post. Kinlochshiel changed their forward line to the traditional South two-two formation in a bid to make the breakthrough. Newtonmore returned on the attack and Danny MacRae fed the ball to Glen MacKintosh and his drive through a ruck of players was chested away by Graham Kennedy who must have seen the ball late. Kinlochshiel received a blow on 36 minutes when wing back John Don MacKenzie suffered a leg knock and he had to be replaced by David Falconer. Newtonmore conjured up a good passing move a minute into the second half which culminated in Danny MacRae laying the ball off to Glen MacKintosh who shot past the post. Newtonmore took the lead with a goal out of nothing on 50 minutes. John MacKenzie collected the ball on the left where he was afforded too much space by the home defence. However few expected the ‘More captain to unleash a powerful shot which flew across keeper Kennedy into the top left corner of his net to put the visitors 1-0 in front. ‘Shiel responded and good play from John MacRae found his brother Keith MacRae. He cut the ball back to Gordie MacDonald but his shot rose agonisingly over the bar. A 59 minute Graham Morrison shot from distance was well saved by Michael Ritchie. Kinlochshiel moved Finlay MacRae into attack midway through the second half with John MacRae dropping back to full centre. Newtonmore freshened things up with a double substitution as Blair MacKintosh and Chris Sellar replaced Jamie Robinson and Ackie MacRae. Danny MacRae caught out the home defence when he sent a superb overhead flick goalwards but the ball fell just the wrong side of the post. Kinlochshiel, prompted by the excellent Oliver MacRae in midfield, came close to leveling when substitute Jordan Fraser, who had come on in place of captain Gordie MacDonald, sent a rasping drive from the right which Michael Ritchie saved brilliantly. Kinlochshiel’s Mark MacDonald was given the job of marking Danny MacRae and he carried out this task admirably throughout the game. However with only a couple of minutes remaining, MacRae came deep to collect a pass and he turned before bulleting a blistering drive into the top corner of the net to make it 2-0. Bute 1 Lovat 2 Lovat bounced back from last week’s defeat to Kyles Athletic when they came from a goal down to beat Bute 2-1 at the Meadows. Bute had not played since their Macaulay Cup defeat to Oban Camanachd in the middle of June. Iain MacDonald was out with a broken toe. Lorne MacKay made a surprise appearance form the bench for Lovat although he then had to be substituted after sustaining a cut face which required several stitches. Ally Carmichael was back in the Bute side and he put them ahead after 16 minutes when he got on the end of a Roberto Zavaroni pass. Owen Ferguson made it one each a couple of minutes before the break when he pounced on a poor clearance to score. Lovat’s Greg Matheson scored what proved to be the winner a minute into the second half when he combined with Lewis Tawse. Bute pushed Hector Whitelaw into attack in a bid to level. There was controversy at the end of the game when Bute claimed a Robert Walker effort had gone over the line and come back of the stanchion but their claims were waved away by referee Davie Mitchell. Lovat are third whilst Bute remain rooted to the bottom of the table and they look likely to return to Marine Harvest South Division 1. Kilmallie 0 Kingussie 4 Kilmallie and Kingussie met for the second successive Saturday when they did battle at the Canal Parks. Kingussie came from a goal down to win 3-1 last weekend thanks to a Ronald Ross hat-trick. Neither side was at full strength. Kilmallie were without the unavailable Michael Rodger whilst Euan Stoddart was working off-shore and Peter McIntyre remained on the injury list. However Martin Stewart was available for the home side before he starts a two match ban for a points accumulation and Ross Lavin returned. Kingussie were without captain Craig Dawson who suffered a broken wrist in last week’s game and he joins Louis Munro on the injury list. John Hutchison was another Kings absentee. Lee Bain was passed fit to play for the visitors after receiving a burst nose during the previous week and he captained the side. Bob MacGregor and Hamish Anderson were called up from the second team. Kilmallie conceded a soft opener when a Barrie Dallas effort evaded home keeper Kevin Toye, who went on to make some excellent saves, after just 5 minutes. Ronald Ross made it 2-0 on 16 minutes and he got his second on the hour mark. Rory Borthwick made it 4-0 on 77 minutes. The defeat leaves Kilmallie in relegation trouble, level on points with Glenurquhart and Inveraray in the league’s second relegation spot. However they only have three league matches remaining, all of which look difficult, at home to Newtonmore and away to Inveraray and Fort William.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Lochaber 7 Caberfeidh 2 Lochaber go second in the table following their 7-2 win over Caberfeidh in their 3pm throw up at Spean Bridge. Lochaber were missing Shaun Nicolson, Stuart Callison and Danny Delaney last week but boss Michael Delaney had all three back in his squad. However work commitments ruled out Donald MacRae. Caberfeidh manager Stewart MacLennan was pleased to have defender Liam Mutch free from suspension after he served a one match ban last week when his side threw away a two goal lead to go down 3-2 to Inverness. Goals from Ben Delaney for the home side on just 2 minutes and Alan Ross for the visitors on the half hour mark left the game level after an hour. Then Shaun Nicolson put Lochaber back in front and Bean Delaney made it 3-1 just 3 minutes later. Shaun Nicolson completed his hat-trick with goals on 66 and 71 minutes to make it 5-1. Ryan Toal on 82 minutes and Stuart Callison a couple of minutes later put Lochaber out of sight before Craig Morrison got a late consolation for Cabers to make it 7-2. Cabers swap places with Lochaber as they drop to third place in the league. Lochcarron 3 Strathglass 1 There was a Battery Park meeting between Lochcarron and Strathglass at noon with the club’s reserve side’s meeting later that afternoon at the same venue. Lochcarron led 2-1 at half time before having to settle for a share of the points in a 3-3 draw. An Iain MacKenzie double and a Gregor Cushnie penalty counted for the home side whilst player / manager Robert Geddes and a Robbie Stokes brace earned Strathglass a point. Beauly P Skye Camanachd P The match between Beauly and Skye Camanachd at Braeview Park was postponed at Skye’s request because of a bereavement.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Oban Celtic 2 Kilmory 0 Oban Celtic were 2-0 winners over Kilmory in their 3pm throw up in Oban The home side were without former Oban Camanachd keeper Gavin Stobbart who they have been deploying in attack. Oban Celtic’s Gary McKerracher was this week named Scotland U17 captain for this month’s Ireland tour. Kilmory were without the suspended John Strachan but Mark Robertson returned after missing last week’s Balliemore Cup semi-final defeat to Beauly because of a points accumulation. Oban Celtic took the points thanks to early goals from Alan Duffy on 15 minutes and Kieran Gallagher just 3 minutes later. Aberdour P Glenorchy P The match between Aberdour and Glenorchy was postponed because of an unplayable pitch in Fife.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Newtonmore 7 Fort William 0 League leaders Newtonmore beat Fort William 7-0 at the Eilan to go six points clear at the top of the table. A double from Fort’s Neil Clark inflicted one of only two league defeats on ‘More when the sides met at the Black Parks in early May. However there was to be no repeat as a first half double from Evan Menzies on 20 and 25 minutes put his side 2-0 up at the break. Calum Stewart made it 3-0 a couple of minutes into the second half whilst Evan Menzies completed his hat-trick on 49 minutes. Calum Stewart got his second 60 seconds later to make it 5-0 and when referee Evan MacRae awarded ‘More a 55 minute penalty, Conor Jones stepped up to convert from the spot. Calum Stewart got the second hat-trick of the afternoon when he netted 10 minutes from time to complete a 7-0 win. Kinlochshiel 1 Glenurquhart 1 Kinlochshiel at Glenurquhart clashed in a 3pm throw up at Kirkton. The sides met in the Strathdearn Cup quarter-finals a fortnight ago when the Glen ran out 3-1 winners at Blairbeg but this was a closer affair. Ewan Menzies gave Glenurquhart a 10 minute lead and they held this advantage until 10 minutes from time when John MacRae, who played for the first team against Newtonmore earlier in the day, squared the game at a goal each. Glen’s Drew MacLennan received an accidental blow to the face during the game and he later required hospital treatment and an operation Skye Camanachd 5 Kingussie 1 A strong Skye Camanachd side ran out 5-1 winners against an under-strength Kingussie team at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Click on the following link to read the match report in full Lovat 3 Lochaber 1 Lovat’s win over Skye Camanachd last weekend took them off the bottom of the table at Lochaber’s expense and these sides met at Balgate. Lovat made it a second win in a row with a 3-1 win and all the goals came in the first half. Martin Porter gave Lochaber a 7 minute lead but Laura Gallacher levelled a minute later. Two goals in two minutes just before the interval from Rory Cruden on 43 minutes and Connell MacIllechiar on 44 minutes gave Lovat the points.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Ballachulish 1 Kyles Athletic 4 Third place Ballachulish went down 4-1 at home to second place Kyles Athletic. Ballachulish’s Jubilee Park is still out of action so this game took place at the Black Parks, Fort William. Darren Sutherland scored for the home side but a Roddy MacColl hat-trick and a David Martin effort gave Kyles the points. Col Glen W/O v Inveraray Inveraray were unable raise a team for their trip to play Col Glen so the home side were awarded the points. Ardnamurchan W/O v Bute Bute were unable to raise a team for their trip to Ardnamurchan so the home side were awarded the points.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Beauly 6 Lochbroom 0 League leaders Beauly need only two more wins to clinch the title and promotion to Marine Harvest North Division 2 following their 6-0 win over second place Lochbroom in their 1pm throw up at Braeview Park. Beauly took the lead on 27 minutes through Martin Davidson and Calum Morrison made it 2-0 on 32 minutes. Martin Davidson’s second goal of the game gave Beauly a 3-0 half time lead. Martin Davison completed his hat-trick 5 minutes into the second half and a fine double from Sean Stewart on 65 and 87 minutes round of a 6-0 win. The home side looks unstoppable in the league this season with this victory giving them thirteen straight wins, seventy six goals scored and only ten conceded. Boleskine 4 Caberfeidh 1 Boleskine welcomed Caberfeidh to Farr and eventually ran out 4-1 winners. Boleskine were 3-1 winners when the sides met earlier in the season at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh’ Ruairidh McCreadie was free of suspension for this one. Ewan Fraser scored twice as Boleskine whilst Iain Grant and Lewis Smith got the others. Veteran Archie Ritchie was on target for Caberfeidh. Lochcarron 11 Strathglass 1 Lochcarron continued their good recent league form by making it four wins on the trot with a crushing 11-1 victory over Strathglass in their 2.30pm throw up at Battery Park. Gregor Cushnie, who scored for the Lochcarron first team when the sides’ senior teams met earlier in the day, got his side off to a great start with goals on 2 and 4 minutes. Kenny Cushnie added a third on 11 minutes whilst Andrew Slaughter made it 4-0 with a goal just 4 minutes later. Iain Cameron truck on 35 minutes and Andrew Slaughter got his second a minute before the break to make it 6-0 for the home side at half time. Gregor Cushnie completed his hat-trick 3 minutes into the second half whilst David Cameron made it 8-0 on 51 minutes. Iain Cameron got his second 5 minutes later and David Cameron did like-wise on 62 minutes. Sean MacCuish made it 11-0 on 71 minutes and Ewan Harper got a consolation goal for Strathglass on 74 minutes to make it 11-1. Lewis Camanachd 3 Inverness 1 Inverness headed for Shawbost play Lewis Camanachd. The sides occupied the bottom two places in the league going into the game with Lewis having a one point advantage. Lewis were missing the injured Daniel Gallagher in defence. A Scott Murray double on 18 and 23 minutes delighted the home crowd and put Lewis Camanachd 2-0 up. Calum Stamper made it 3-0 on 36 minutes although Iain Greenhouse pulled a goal back for Inverness a minute before the break. Lewis had played with the wind in the first half but Inverness were unable to make the most of that advantage in the second period. Indeed Lewis had the ball in the net for a fourth time during the second 45 minutes but the goal was disallowed by referee John MacLeod for a kick by Donald Lamont. The 3-1 win means that Lewis climb to seventh place in the table. |