The Shinty Preview – Saturday 17 March 2012 | |
16 March 2012 Lovat, Beauly and Oban Camanachd are the early league pace-setters ahead of the shinty league fixtures on Saturday 17 March 2012. Orion Group Premiership Newtonmore v Kinlochshiel Newly promoted Kinlochshiel could hardly have had a more difficult start to the season. They won their opening match against Kingussie at the Dell and then had to give up home advantage against Fort William but still managed a 1-1 draw. Next up is a meeting with reigning champions Newtonmore at the Eilan. The game is likely to be too early for ‘More’s Jamie Robinson. ‘Shiel’s Steven Callander has an eye injury but boss Johnston Gill is hopeful that he will make it. Both sides have the chance to top the table if they pick up both points. This is because Inveraray have a “free Saturday” as last weekend’s goal hero Andrew MacMurdo has taken his team-mates on a stag do which means league leaders Lovat are without a fixture. Kingussie v Fort William The match between Kingussie and Fort William has been switched to the Dell as the Black Parks is unplayable. Both sides are going through a period of reconstruction and their best chance of success will likely be in the cup competitions. Kingussie continue without Ronald Ross but club captain Craig Dawson took up the goal-scoring mantle with a hat-trick in the win over Kyles Athletic last weekend. Gary Innes should return for the Fort after missing last week’s draw with Kinlochshiel. Defender Duncan Rodger could also be back in the side. Throw up is at 2.45pm Kyles Athletic v Glenurquhart The match between Kyles Athletic and Glenurquhart was originally scheduled for Tighnabruaich but an unplayable pitch means a switch to Blairbeg. Kyles remain without Donald Irvine whilst Dunkie Kerr could also be missing. Glenurquhart have an injury doubt over Neale Reid and managers Fraser MacKenzie and Drew McNeil do not want to rush him back too soon. Throw up is at 3pm. Bute v Kilmallie Bute and Kilmallie meet on Rothesay. Kilmallie have been unfortunate not to take anything from their opening two fixtures against Glenurquhart and Lovat; losing both games by a single goal. Defender Alan MacDonald is unlikely to make it after picking up an injury against Lovat. Peter Carmichael also picked up a knock last weekend but he is more likely to be take the field against Bute. The points will be crucial in this one, even at this early stage in the season.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Caberfeidh v Beauly The top match in this division should be the clash between Caberfeidh and Beauly at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh will be without midfielder Martin MacDonald who is suspended following his sending off against Skye a fortnight ago. However the influential Ally MacLennan returns from his ban which was carried forward from last season. Beauly’s Scottish U21 international David MacLean hopes to shake off a knock in time to play. Barrie MacDonald has been in great scoring form for Beauly, netting four times in his two outings already this season. Skye Camanachd v Strathglass Skye Camanachd will look to bounce back from last week’s heavy defeat against Lochaber when they play Strathglass at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye manager Willie MacRae has several injury concerns. Forward Danny Morrison has a hand injury and won’t make it. Shockie MacLennan and Jamie MacDonald are doubts but they will be given every chance to prove their fitness. Strathglass manager Robert Geddes will be encouraged by his side’s display against Inverness last week when Euan Wotherspoon was a stand-out in the centre line. Inverness v Lochcarron Inverness and Lochcarron meet at the Bught Park. Ewan MacLeod is unavailable for Inverness. Somhairle MacDonald will provide the Capital side’s main goal threat. Ben Dalgety is thriving on his switch from defence to attack for Lochcarron.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kilmory v Oban Camanachd Kilmory face a tough test when title favourites Oban Camanachd come to visit. Kilmory are boosted by forward Hal Jones’ return to the side. Aidan MacIntyre has been in great form for the visitors. Glasgow Mid Argyll v Aberdour Second place Glasgow Mid Argyll are at home to Aberdour. Mid Argyll have two wins out of two this season whilst Aberdour are looking for their first point of the campaign. Glenorchy P Strachur P Glenorchy and Strachur were to meet at Dalmally but an unplayable pitch has ruled this one out.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Kinlochshiel v Newtonmore Kinlochshiel hope to play their first match at Kirkton this season when reigning champions Newtonmore are the visitors. Lochaber v Skye Camanachd Second place Skye Camanachd head for Spean Bridge to play Lochaber. Skye manager Murdo Morrison is likely to be without a couple of regulars including Paul MacKinnon because of the injury situation with the Islanders first team. The Lochaber first team is not in action so they may take the opportunity to boost their squad. Kingussie v Fort William The Kingussie and Fort William reserve sides meet at the Dell. Neither side has picked up any points this season which is a surprise as both had what could be considered to be a successful 2011. Glengarry v Lovat Glengarry and Lovat clash at Craigard, Invergarry. ‘Garry have won both their opening fixtures with Ewan Brady in fine form. Lovat are still chasing their first point and they will be without the injured Rory Cruden. Glenurquhart v Aberdeen University Glenurquhart are after their first points of the season when they welcome Aberdeen University to Blairbeg. Throw up is at the earlier time of 1pm.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Col Glen v Kyles Athletic Early leaders Col Glen host Kyles Athletic and their danger-man Roddy MacColl has scored five times in the opening two games. Tayforth v Ballachulish Tayforth play Ballachulish in Musselburgh. The home side has four points out of four whilst Ballachulish have won their only match so far. Inveraray v Aberdour The Inveraray and Aberdour second strings meet at the Winterton. The home side were resounding 9-0 winners in the corresponding game last season with Gordon Watt getting a hat-trick. Ardnamurchan v Glasgow Mid Argyll Ardnamurchan have home advantage against Glasgow Mid Argyll. JD MacMaster was on target for Ardnamurchan in the defeat against Tayforth last week but he misses out. Throw up is at 1.30pm. Lochside Rovers P Bute P The match between Lochside Rovers and Bute does not go ahead as the Islanders cannot raise a team.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Beauly v Caberfeidh Beauly have scored thirteen goals with the loss of just one this season and they entertain Caberfeidh at Braeview Park. Cabers should be in little doubt where Beauly’s main goal threat lies as Marc MacLauchlin has netted nine of his side’s goals. Lochcarron v Kilmallie Lochcarron go in search of their first points of the season when they play Kilmallie at Battery Park. The visitors have won both their opening games as they look to make a quick-fire return to Marine harvest North Division 2. Lochbroom v Inverness Second place Lochbroom have made a good start to the season and they play Inverness in Ullapool. Former Strathglass player Scott Douglass made a surprise appearance for the Inverness reserve team last season and he is likely to feature again. Strathglass v Lewis Camanachd Strathglass play Lewis Camanachd at Cannich. Lewis Camanachd face a goalkeeping crisis with Conor MacDonald unavailable. The sides shared the points following a 2-2 draw at the same venue last season. Strathspey Camanachd v Boleskine Strathspey Camanachd are at home for the third successive game as Boleskine make the short journey to Freuchie Park. |