The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 13 March 2010. | |
15 March 2010 The results from the second weekend of the new shinty season on Saturday 13 March 2010 leave National Scottish Hydro Premier Division sides Bute, Fort William and Inveraray with maximum points from their opening 2 games. .
National Scottish Hydro Premier Division champions Kingussie made their first appearance of the season as they took on Inveraray. The match was scheduled to take place at the Dell but as it was encased in a covering of snow, the fixture was switched to the Winterton. Kingussie were without suspended full back Ally MacLeod but 16 year old Thomas Borthwick started in attack in what was a young King’s side. Inveraray’s new manager John Smylie made a good start to their season with a win over Kyles Athletic last weekend and after securing a 3-2 win over the champions, he must be thinking that this management lark is very straightforward indeed! Russell MacKinlay continued his good start to the season when he put the home side ahead after just 6 minutes – his second goal in 2 games. Thomas Borthwick repaid manager Stevie Borthwick’s faith in him by leveling the game after 15 minutes. However goals in 23 and 32 minutes from Inveraray stalwarts Garry MacPherson and Ewan McMurdo gave their side a 3-1 half time lead. The inevitable Ronald Ross goal for Kingussie came after 65 minutes but the Inveraray defence remained resolute for the reminder of the game to win the points. The victory gives Inveraray 2 wins out of 2 which is indeed a good start to the season.
League leaders Bute remain at the top of the table with a 4-1 win over newly promoted Lovat at the Meadows, Rothesay. John MacCallum gave Bute a 20 minute lead which the Islanders carried into the interval. Scottish international Hector Whitelaw made it 2-0 just 10 minutes into the second half and the same player added a third on 75 minutes. However in between Whitelaw’s brace, Fraser Gallagher continued his good scoring run when he replied for Lovat after 70 minutes. Roberto Zavaroni rounded off the scoring when he made it 4-1 just 5 minutes from the end.
Fort William also maintained their 100% record as they followed up last weekend’s win over Oban Camanachd with victory over Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. The Fort were without defender John MacLeod who will be missing for 3 weeks because of work commitments and forward John MacDonald who is recovering from injury. Glenurquhart were playing their second consecutive home match as they looked to build on last weekend’s draw with Newtonmore. Bryan Simpson opened the scoring for the visitors after 19 minutes whilst veteran Victor Smith gave them a 2-0 first half advantage just 2 minutes later. Neale Reid gave the Glen hope when he beat Paul MacKay after 65 minutes. It was left for the Fort’s Garry Innes to clinch the points with a goal after 82 minutes. The goal was the Scotland captain’s third strike in 2 games.
Robbie MacLeod gave Kyles Athletic a 15 minute lead against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Tighnabruaich. However Mid Argyll’s Ryan Stewart levelled just 2 minutes later. MacLeod added his second on the half hour mark to regain Kyles the lead but he was matched again by Stewart who equalised for a second time after 38 minutes to leave the teams all square at the break. However Kyles took control in the second half as Dunkie Kerr made it 3-2 just 5 minutes after the restart. Calum Miller made it 4-2 on the hour mark whilst Kerr scored his second 5 minutes from the end for a 5-2 win. The result gives Kyles their first points of the season whilst Mid Argyll sit bottom of the table with no points.
Newtonmore found their scoring touch after last weeks goalless draw against Glenurquhart when they beat Oban Camanachd 5-1 at Mossfield. ‘More were at full strength with Danny MacRae and Norman Campbell back in their line up. Aiden MacIntyre gave the home side the lead after 19 minutes however ‘More full forward Glen MacKintosh levelled. Danny MacRae added a brace to make it 3-1 to the visitors whilst David Cheyne opened his goal scoring account for the season to make it 4-1. The blue and white hoops added a fifth before the end to seal a convincing 5-1 win. ‘More manager Norman MacArthur will be delighted with the win at a ground where his side dropped a point last season. Oban’s Liam MacIntyre, who had just returned last week after a whooping 10 match suspension last season, was sent off by referee Dunkie Kerr.
In Marine Harvest North Division 1, Kilmallie were too strong for Inverness at Canal Parks, eventually running out 5-1 winners. Kilmallie led at the break with 2 goals in 2 minutes thanks to strikes from Liam MacDonald on the half hour mark and Scottish international John Stewart a minute later. Inverness’s Fraser Heath pulled a goal back on 50 minutes but Liam MacDonald netted his second to restore the home side’s 2 goal advantage. John Stewart also scored his second to make it 4-1 after 63 minutes and Kilmallie’s Michael Rodgers completed the scoring in the final minute.
Lochaber got their Marine Harvest North Division 1 campaign off to the best possible start with a 3-2 win over Kinlochshiel at Spean Bridge. The home side had former youth player Jack Keenan in goal as a replacement for club stalwart Angus Morrison who retired at the end of last season. Ally Ferguson’s side went ahead after 35 minutes when Lachlan Campbell scored the only goal of the first half. Keith Neville made it 2-0 just 3 minutes into the second period but Shiel’s Gordy MacDonald pulled a goal back 0n 75 minutes. Sean Nicolson scored what proved to be a vital third goal for the home side just a couple of minutes from the final whistle. The goal was crucial as Keith MacRae scored for the visitors in injury time. The west coast side have lost both their opening games but with players returning, their winless run is unlikely go on for much longer.
Lochcarron and Beauly shared the points in an eventful match at Battery Park. A goalless first half was marred when Lochcarron's Kenny Ross received a suspected broken hand in a challenge. Hospital treatment later revealed an open fracture to his hand and he had an operation the following day. Finlay Stark gave the home side the lead on 55 minutes. Jamie MacLennan earned the Braeview Park side a share of the points with a 75 minute strike. Beauly went all out for a winning goal in the final 15 minutes but Lochcarron held on.
Caberfeidh came out on top with a 3-1 win over Strathglass at Cannich. Darren Reid gave the home side the lead after 27 minutes. Ali MacLennan levelled after 31 minutes and Kirk Taylor gave Cabers a 2-1 first half lead. Lee Nicol made the points safe when he scored on 77 minutes to make the final score 3-1.
The Skye Camanachd first team has a free weekend in this 9 team league.
In Marine Harvest South Division 1, Kilmory followed up last weekend’s win over reigning champions Lochside Rovers with a share of the points against Oban Celtic in Oban. Ian Robertson gave Kilmory a 3 minute lead but Kenny Wotherspoon scored in 15 and 20 minutes to give Celtic a 2-1 half time lead. The home side held on to their lead until 9 minutes from the end when John Strachan scored to win Kilmory a point. Both sides sit top of the table with 3 points out of a possible 4 with Oban Celtic ahead on goal difference.
Reigning champions Lochside Rovers travelled to Dalmally to play recently relegated Glenorchy. Lochside have introduced a younger side this season and they were no match for their more experienced opponents. Glenorchy eventually ran out 4-0 winners thanks to a Grant MacPherson hat-trick and a J Livingston goal.
The match between Inveraray and Ballachulish at Tighnabruaich was postponed.
The entire Marine Harvest North Division 2 programme was wiped out last weekend but a full programme of matches went ahead this week.
2009 champions Glenurquhart safely negotiated a tricky trip to Balgate with a 5-3 win over Lovat. There were only 2 goals in the first half and the visitors scored them both. David Smart put them ahead on 17 minutes and 16 year old Kelvin MacKenzie made it 2-0 just a couple of minutes before the break. However Lovat fought back in the second half and Jamie Matheson made it 2-1 after 52 minutes. Euan Ferguson made it 2-2 on 70 minutes but David Smart completed his hat-trick with goals on 75 and 78 minutes to restore the Glen’s 2 goal advantage. Martin Anderson made it 4-3 but a late Ewan Brady strike completed a 5-3 win.
Beauly and Kilmallie met at Braeview Park with the home side ending up 3-1 victors. However they had to come back from a goal down as Mark Graham gave Kilmallie a 3 minute lead. Simon Holmes levelled on 13 minutes to leave the sides all square at the break. Scott MacLean was the Beauly hero as goals on 64 and 89 minutes sealed the points to give his side a winning start in their first match in the second division.
Fort William were 6-3 winners over Newtonmore at An Aird. There was a minutes silence before the match refereed by Skye’s John Angus Gillies in memory of DR MacDonald. The Fort had the advantage of including 2008 Marine Harvest Player of the Year John MacDonald in their side. MacDonald is recovering from injury and as well as scoring a goal, he was a major influence on the game. James Cameron with a double, Ryan Campbell and Michael Slezas were amongst the Fort’s other scorers.
Skye Camanachd went down to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Glengarry in their Marine Harvest North Division 2 meeting at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. There was a minutes silence before the match in memory of Skye Camanachd stalwart DR MacDonald. Glengarry won the toss and played with a strong wind at their backs in the first half. They made their advantage pay after just 8 minutes when full forward Steven Cameron collected a corner from the right, made space for himself in front of goal, and blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Skye came close to equalising on 15 minutes when Neil MacVicar played in Angie MacDonald from the left but the full forwards shot went wide of the target. Allan MacKinnon cracked a fine effort on target on the half hour mark but ‘Garry keeper Gordon MacDonald made the first in a series of fine saves. Glengarry’s Scott Johnstone almost doubled his side’s advantage 5 minutes later but his shot hit the side-netting. Neil MacVicar was brought down on the Skye left after 39 minutes and a quick free hit found Allan MacKinnon but he couldn’t get a shot in on goal. Neil MacVicar came close to leveling the match 5 minutes from the break but his shot came back off the ‘Garry keeper. Just a couple of minutes later, ‘Garry’s Stuart Gregory found space in front of the Skye goal but his shot was straight at Ross Graham who saved well and cleared the ball to safety. Just when Skye looked to be heading for the break a single goal behind, their defence failed to clear a free hit from the left and Stuart Gregory took advantage to shoot the ball low past Graham and give his side a 2-0 interval lead. Skye manager Davie MacVicar made changes at the break, introducing Danny Morrison in attack in place of Iain Morrison who had picked up a hand injury and deploying Iain Nicolson in place of Stewart Grant in the centre line. Just 5 minutes into the second period, an Iain Nicolson shot was saved by MacDonald and cleared for a corner. Glengarry’s Daniel MacLennan was booked for a crude challenge on Shocky MacLennan on the hour mark which left the Skye player requiring treatment. Skye’s Angie MacDonald fired a great shot on target after 64 minutes which MacDonald saved but the keeper’s foot was clearly off the ground. 2008 Marine Harvest Referee of the Year Ronnie Campbell pointed to the spot and Skye full back David Grant stepped forward to expertly dispatch the spot hit into the back of the net. Some rough challenges from the visitors followed and on 71 minutes, Glengarry’s Mathew Ross was sent off for a wild swing which caught Skye’s Iain Nicolson on the knee. Just as Skye pressed to square the game, the visitors broke and Mathew Clark sent a shot goalwards which went in off keeper Ross Graham to make it 3-1 to the visitors. Jordan Murchison came on in place of Angie MacDonald and the youngster almost made an immediate impact when he blasted a terrific effort on goal which was blocked by MacDonald and Skye’s Iain Nicolson just failed to reach the rebound. Glengarry took the points but the positives for Skye were the performances of Shockie MacLennan throughout the game, Stewart Grant in the first half and Iain Nicolson in the second period.
Kinlochshiel put their team raising difficulties of last weekend behind them when they hosted an experienced Kingussie side at Kirkton. Kingussie took the lead in the first minute with the quickest goal of the day from 48 year old Dave Borthwick. The King’s veteran went on to complete a first half hat-trick with goals after 14 and 43 minutes. Brian Mabon also got his name on the scoresheet with a 28 minute strike and Greg MacRae also scored for the visitors. A 47 minute effort from Jordan Fraser and a Neil MacRae strike 5 minutes later were consolation for Shiel.
In Marine Harvest South Division 2, the venue for the fixture between Tayforth and Aberdour was switched when the Perth pitch was deemed unplayable. Tayforth’s Stuart Ferrier followed up his 5 goals last week with the opening goal after 24 minutes. However 2 goals in 2 minutes from Aberdour duo Ross Nicol after 27 minutes and Doug Newman a minute later made it 2-1. Tayforth’s Davie Arnott levelled the game on the hour mark but Aberdour’s Doug Newman scored his second goal which proved to be the winner on 67 minutes.
A last minute Duncan Simpson goal gave Bute a 3-2 win over Ballachulish at Jubilee Park. Steven Davitt gave the home side the lead after just 2 minutes. Malcolm Grant put Ballachulish in control when he made it 2-0 on 30 minutes. Tom McCready started the Bute fight back with a 50 minute effort. Ballachulish held on until 5 minutes from the end when Duncan Simpson made it 2-2 before he notched his side’s late winner.
Col Glen traveled to play Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker but the left on the wrong end of a 6-1 defeat. Craig Anderson and Ian Luke scored doubles whilst Ewan Forsyth and Brendan McLoone scored the other Glasgow goals.
Strachur and Kyles Athletic shared the points after a goalless draw at Home Farm.
Aberdeen University made the long journey west to play Lochbroom in Ullapool in Marine Harvest North Division 3. Former Skye Camanachd player Kenny MacLeod is in fine form for the Students after bagging a hat-trick in last weekend’s win over Inverness and after a goalless first half, MacLeod was back on the goal trail again when he gave the students a 2-0 lead after 65 minutes. Aberdeen University player / manager Donald Lamont scored the opener 10 minutes earlier and Brian Slattery scored the final goal of the game 6 minutes from the end to seal a 3-0 win.
Lochaber were the division’s top scorers when they returned from their meeting with Inverness at the Highland Capital with a resounding 8-0 win. Stuart Callison scored 4 whilst Alan Knox bagged a hat-trick. Pat Toal scored the other.
The meeting between Boleskine and Caberfeidh at Farr was postponed because of an unplayable pitch.
Strathglass were unable to raise a team for the trip west to play Ardnamurchan. |