Fort William added the Strathdearn Cup to the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup won earlier in the season and the Badenoch giants Newtonmore and Kingussie – with Ronald Ross scoring 10 goals in the process - both won in their race for the Scottish Hydro Premier Division title on Saturday 12 September 2009.
The early exchanges in the Strathdearn Cup Final failed to produce a goal but it was Fort William who drew first blood when a James Cameron strike gave them the lead after 35 minutes. Some goad goalkeeping from Lovat’s Stuart MacDonald kept the margin to a single goal until James Cameron made it 2-0 on 57 minutes. However Lovat countered with a Steven Cameron goal on 63 minutes to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Michael Slezas made it 3-1 on 87 minutes but a goal from Lovat substitute Greg Matheson on 90 minutes ensured a nervous injury time for the Fort. Matheson had played for the Lovat first team earlier in the day and scored both their goals in a vital 2-1 win over Strathglass. The Fort deserved their win against a gallant Lovat side who will wonder if the outcome would have been different if Matheson had been introduced earlier in the game. Fort William have now added the Strathdearn Cup to the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup which thy also won earlier in the season when they also defeated Fort William in the final. The Strathdearn Cup Final was expertly refereed by Skye’s John Angus Gillies.
The Bullough Cup Final between Marine Harvest South Division 1 runaway leaders Lochside Rovers and Kyles Athletic has been postponed as the pitch at Winterton was unplayable.
The Scottish Hydro Premier Division title race continued apace and leaders Newtonmore were expected to face a tough test when Oban Camanachd visited the Eilan with the sides having drawn earlier in the season. Evan Menzies gave ‘More the lead with a goal after only 10 minutes. However that was the only goal of the first half and it was 10 minutes into the second period before David Cheyne made it 2-0. Menzies added his second after 67 minutes and Cheyne also notched a second 5 minutes later to give ‘More a 4-0 win and preserve their unbeaten record in the league.
Kingussie were without suspended keeper Andrew Borthwick for Glenorchy’s visit to the Dell and Greg Dawson took over in goal. Paul Gow was injured and James Hutchison was serving the second match of his 3 game ban. Ronald Ross reverted to his more accustomed position up front and this proved significant. Just when it seemed as if Ross had broken all shinty known shinty records, he notched another memorable feat when he scored an incredible 10 goals The King’s eventually ran out 13-0 winners and the margin would have been even greater but for some fine saves from the Glenorchy keeper. Ross scored a double hat-trick in the first half with goals after 7, 20, 27, 32, 40 and 43 minutes to give the Kings a 6-0 interval lead. He knocked in another 4 in the second half with goals after 65, 74, 85 and 88 minutes. The 10 goals included one penalty – the 40 minute strike. Just for the record, Ryan Borthwick scored on 59 minutes and Kevin Thain notched a double on 68 and 79 minutes. This win moves Kingussie into second place and provides a massive boost to their goal difference – they are now a goal better off than ‘More. However they still trail their rivals by 5 points but with a couple of games in hand.
Lochaber travelled to the Meadows to take on Bute but Ally Ferguson’s side returned without the points as the Islanders clinched a vital 2-1 win. Hector Whitelaw returned to the Bute line-up and he gave his side the lead with a goal after 6 minutes. Neil Ferguson equalised for Lochaber a minute before the break. However Whitelaw scored his and Bute’s second goal 12 minutes before the end to give his side a 2-1 win and a priceless 2 points. This result now means that second bottom Bute draw level with third bottom Inveraray with both sides having played 12 matches. Lochaber sit 2 points ahead but they have played 2 games more.
Lovat took a giant step towards the Marine Harvest North Division 1 when they beat Strathglass 2-1 at Cannich. This was one of only 2 remaining away games for the Balgate side – the other one is against Skye Camanachd. Lovat have been the league’s form club of late whilst the Strath have suffered a form slump since their Balliemore Cup win, taking only a single point from their last 3 matches. After a goalless first half, teenage striker Marc MacLaughlan gave the home side the lead after 55 minutes. However another teenage hit-man was to have the final say as Lovat’s Greg Matheson followed up his penalty winner against Caberfeidh last weekend with goals in 70 minutes and 80 minutes to give his side the points.
Kilmallie emphasised that they are also very much in the title race when they beat Kinlochshiel 3-1 at Canal Parks. Michael Rodgers gave the home side the lead with a goal after just 7 minutes. Fraser MacVicar levelled for Shiel after 38 minutes but Trevor Jackson restored Kilmallie’s advantage just a minute later. Jackson made the points safe with his second and Kilmallie’s third goal on the hour mark.
League leaders Skye Camanachd returned to action for the first time since 15 August 2009 in their west coast derby against Lochcarron at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye took the lead in 6 minutes when wing forward Alan Palmer crossed into the danger area to find Ally MacLennan. MacLennan took the ball first time around 25 yards from goal, flicked the ball a few inches in the air before crashing a first time volley into the roof of the net for one of the goals of the season. Lochcarron levelled on 16 minutes when the Skye defence failed to clear a free hit from the left and Gregor Cushnie tucked the ball low into the bottom right hand corner of Jamie Gannon’s net. Skye regained the lead on 22 minutes and it was Ally MacLennan who did the damage once again as he drifted across goal before guiding the ball into the top left corner of the net. Somhairle MacDonald scored from a corner 5 minutes before the break but the goal was ruled out for offside. Skye made it 3-1 on 56 minutes. Kerr Gibb played a great cross from the right and Alan Palmer ran in to tuck the ball under the on-rushing Lochcarron keeper Craig Callaghan into the net. Just 3 minutes later it was 4-1. Alan Palmer turned provider again and his ball across goal was touched home from a couple of yards out by Somhairle MacDonald.
The title race now seems to be between 3 sides. The win against Lochcarron guarantees Skye at least third place in the league which was the Islanders original target at the start of the season. A final league match against Lovat in Portree on Saturday 3 October 2009 could prove crucial in determining their final league placings, as will the outcome of Lovat and Kilmallie’s final games. Kilmallie sit in second place, a point behind Skye but with a game in hand. Lovat however trail Skye by only 2 points and crucially have 3 games in hand.
At the bottom of the table, it looks bleak for Lochcarron who have lost all 12 of their league matches. With 4 games to go they sit 5 points behind an Inverness side who still have to play 3 matches. Lochcarron know that 2 more defeats will definitely see them finish last but a home game against Inverness may give them hope.
The Marine Harvest South Division 1 match between Ballachulish and Kilmory did not go ahead as Jubilee Park was unplayable. Indeed a senior match has not taken place on this field since the infamous Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi final double header on 15 August 2009.
Oban Celtic did the double over Inveraray when they added a 6-0 home win to their 7-4 victory at Winterton at the end of July. Alan Miller gave them the lead after 12 minutes and 2 goals in 2 minutes from Neil Carmichael in 21 minutes and David Hill in 22 minutes gave Celtic a 3-0 half time lead. Alan Miller added his second on 63 minutes and an 80 minute Kieran Gallagher strike followed by a last minute Kenny Wotherspoon effort completed the scoring.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 leaders Glenurquhart looked to have a difficult task when they traveled to the Dell to place second place Kingussie. However they put in a terrific performance to come away with a 7-1 win and place one hand firmly on the title. Veteran Stuart Morrison grabbed a hat-trick whilst Calum Fraser also scored twice. Billy Urquhart and David Smart completed the scoring. Kingussie’s own veteran Davie Anderson scored their consolation. A couple of wins in their remaining 3 games will confirm Glenurquhart as champions.
Kilmallie travelled west to pay bottom club Kinlochshiel at Kirkton and returned home with both points following a 3-0 win. Third bottom Kilmallie are now 5 points off bottom spot in the league table but Shiel have 2 games. Caberfeidh are a point ahead of Shiel but they have played a game more.
Caberfeidh went down 4-3 in a 7 goal thriller against Newtonmore at Castle Leod. ‘More’s David Wylde was amongst the goals again with a double. The Badenoch side now leap-frog Skye Camanachd into sixth place.
The Marine Harvest South Division 2 match between fifth place Col Glen and title favourites Taynuilt was postponed as the pitch was unplayable.
Second bottom Glenorchy were up against it from the off when Scott Rodgers gave third place Aberdour the lead after just 4 minutes. Craig Grant made it 2-0 after 11 minutes and Ross Nicol added a third on 35 minutes. Rodgers added his second 2 minutes later to give the home side a 4-0 interval lead. Alec Mitchell made it 5-0 on 52 minutes and Scott Rodgers followed up his 7 goals on his last outing against Strachur on 22 August 2009 by completing his hat-trick 6 minutes later. Connor MacPherson confirmed a convincing Aberdour win with the seventh goal on 76 minutes.
Bute travelled to Glasgow to play Mid Argyll at Yoker. Before this match, the sides were only separated by a point and although the Islanders trailed, they had 2 games in hand. However Mid Argyll came out on top in this one with goals from young Ryan Harrison, Donald Colville and Craig Anderson. Neil McCurdy replied for Bute.
The Marine Harvest North Division 3 match between Aberdeen University and Boleskine was postponed.
Ardnamurchan were awarded the points in their home match against Strathglass as the visitors were unable to raise a team.