All To Play For After Kingussie Win Derby. | |
09 November 2009 It’s all to play for in the Scottish hydro Premier Division after a Ronald Ross hat-trick helped Kingussie to a 3-1 derby win over Newtonmore on Saturday 7 November 2009. A crowd of over 2,000 congregated on the Dell for this much anticipated encounter. If fact almost every shinty club in Both sides were at full strength and a home victory would likely take the title to the wire whilst a draw or away victory would have meant advantage Newtonmore. Newtonmore started brightly but the first real chance came in 3 minutes when Ronald Ross leapt with his caman in an out-stretched arm to bring the ball down and fire a low effort which Michael Ritchie did well to stop with his left foot. The home forwards unable to latch onto the rebound. However it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after 11 minutes and what a goal it was. Danny MacRae reacted first to a bouncing ball and he used great technique to turn and crash a half volley past Andrew Borthwick to the delight of the Newtonmore end of the ground. The opening period was peppered with yellow cards shown by Marine Harvest referee of the year Ronnie Campbell. This included an early booking for the King’s Ally MacLeod who was penalised for catching Danny MacRae in the face with his caman. Kingussie levelled on 38 minutes with a goal which actually came from a Newtonmore free hit. The King’s Louis Munro did exceptionally well to stop a Paul MacArthur free hit above his head from only around 15 yards away. Kingussie broke with pace and Munro found Kevin Thain who played in Ronald Ross. Ross proved to be the coolest person at the Dell as he slipped the ball low past Ritchie to make the score 1-1. The frantic pace never let up but the game took a very significant turn a couple of minutes before the break. As ‘More defended a corner, Scott Campbell caught the onrushing Russell Dallas on the head with his stick. A silence fell over the ground with all eyes on the referee’s card. It was red and the men from the Eilan were faced with playing out the remainder of the match a man down. Worse was to follow as the free hit was slipped to Ronald Ross and he fired low into the net to give the champions a 2-1 interval lead. Newtonmore fought hard to get back into the match but it was Kingussie who created a vital 2 goal advantage on the hour mark and it was that man Ross who completed his hat-trick as he shot past Ritchie from around 20 yards. There was still time for more incident and 5 minutes from the end, Kingussie’s Ally MacLeod received a straight red card for a wild swing which caught David Cheyne on the leg. Kingussie brought Ronald Ross back into defence for the closing period and they needed a couple of neat saves from Borthwick to retain their advantage. The final whistle sparked celebrations amongst the home contingent whilst the visitors trooped off in frustration at decisions which they felt had not gone their way. Kingussie now have a 2 point advantage in the league but Newtonmore have one match in hand. Kingussie also have a goal difference advantage of plus 5 and manager Jimmy Gow believes this leaves his side in pole position. However if this weekend’s fixtures go ahead, Newtonmore could have the advantage of knowing exactly what they need to do in their final match. Norman MacArthur’s men have fire-power throughout their forward line and a mean defence and they will be out to challenge Gow’s view. |