The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 3 April 2010. | |
04 April 2010 The MacTavish Cup first round took centre stage on Saturday 10 April 2010.
Kinlochshiel put up a spirited performance against Fort William at An Aird in the MacTavish Cup first round. Whilst the home side went into the match with a strong squad to choose from, Shiel managers Keith Loades and Johnstone Gill had a selection headache of a different kind. Keeper Graham Kennedy suffered ankle ligament damage in the previous week’s win at Kilmory and was replaced by reserve keeper Ian Cameron. Crisdean MacRae missed out with an eye injury whilst Finlay MacRae was serving the second game of a 2 match ban. Factor in that the home side had beaten Kingussie 6-0 the previous weekend and this was indeed a more than respectable effort from the west coast side. Bryan Simpson scored the only goal of the first half after 34 minutes and it was 20 minutes into the second period before James Clark added Fort’s second. A Gordie MacKinnon strike 3 minutes from the end sealed Fort William’s place in the quarter finals.
Skye Camanachd won through to the quarter finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Lochcarron in their west coast derby at Battery Park. Skye missed the presence of Somhairle MacDonald in their forward line as they passed up a series of first half chances. It was left to Allan MacKinnon to score the only goal of the game 8 minutes into the second half. It also took a brilliant point blank save from Skye keeper Jamie Gannon midway through the second half to deny Finlay Stark an equaliser.
Skye Camanachd can now look forward to a home match against Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup winners Fort William in the quarter finals.
Kingussie manager Stevie Borthwick welcomed Ronald Ross back into the side for their tricky cup trip to Blairbeg to play Glenurquhart. Lee Bain was also called into the side following his goal scoring appearance for the reserves last weekend and both players made important contributions. The home side got off to a great start when Billy Urquhart fired them into the lead after just 6 minutes. The Glen held on to this lead until 10 minutes into the second half when Ronald Ross equalised. Lee Bain made it 2-1 on 70 minutes but the Glenurquhart response was instant as Neale Reid leveled a minute later. Just when it looked as if it would a period of extra time to separated the sides, Ronald Ross popped up with just 8 minutes remaining to put the Kings into the next round.
Lovat took on the MacTavish Cup holders at the Eilan and shocked the home side when they took the lead after 14 minutes courtesy of a Greg Matheson strike. Danny MacRae equalised for Newtonmore on 22 minutes and two goals in 3 minutes just before the break put ‘More out of sight. Danny MacRae added his second from the penalty spot on 41 minutes and David Cheyne made it 3-1 on 43 minutes. Drew MacDonald made it 4-1 on 75 minutes and Danny MacRae rounded off a successful afternoon when he completed his hat-trick 5 minutes from the end to give the reigning champions a 5-1 win.
These results now set up a Badenoch derby at the Eilan in the quarter finals.
There was no repeat of Lochaber’s emphatic win over Inverness the previous week in the league when they met on MacTavish Cup business. The match was originally due too take place at Spean Bridge but was switched to the Bught Park when Lochaber’s pitch failed a pitch inspection. It was a stronger Inverness side which took the field as manager Stevie Munro had the benefit of 3 returning players to call on. His side also put up a really determined performance to restore a great deal of pride. It looked as if Inverness were going to reach the interval all square but Lochaber’s Ben Delaney gave his side the lead right on the stroke of half time. The match was in the balance all the way until 5 minutes from the end when Lachlan Campbell clinched Lochaber’s place in the last eight when he netted to secure a 2-0 win.
Strathglass’ disappointing start to the season continued when they went down 5-1 to Kilmallie at Cannich. Peter MacIntyre scored a hat-trick and John Stewart a double as Kilmallie’s good form continued. Garry Reid scored a consolation goal for the home side.
Theses results mean another local derby in the quarter finals as Kilmallie host Lochaber at Canal Parks.
Both Beauly and Caberfeidh received byes in the first round and the sides have been drawn against each other at Braeview Park in the quarter finals.
There were two ties in the first round of the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup. Glasgow Mid Argyll enjoyed some respite from league action when they beat Taynuilt 3-1 at Yoker. Fulton Ross was the Mid Argyll hero with a hat-trick – 2 of which were from the penalty spot. Stuart Scott scored the Taynuilt goal – also from the spot.
Kilmory were below their best when they went down 2-1 to Ballachulish at Lochgilpead. Hal Jones netted for the home side but his goal was cancelled out by efforts from Andrew Young and Scott Henderson.
There was one match in Marine Harvest North Division 1 and Caberfeidh missed out on the chance to increase their lead at the top the league when they went down to Beauly in an exciting match at Castle Leod. The visitors took the lead within the opening minute. They carved open the Cabers defence straight from the throw up and an unmarked David Neilson was allowed time to tuck the ball past Donald Mellis. Kirk Taylor continued his impressive scoring start to the season when he leveled for Cabers on 31 minutes. However Marc MacLauchlan restored Beauly’s lead 5 minutes later and they held this advantage until the break. Beauly went 3-1 up on 58 minutes when MacLauchlan scored his second and although Kevin Bartlett pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on 67 minutes, Beauly held on to take the points. Beauly now go level on points with Cabers at the top of the table.
There was also only one match in Marine Harvest South Division 1 where recently relegated Glenorchy had to fight all the way to take the points at home to Inveraray. A John Slaughter goal after 22 minutes gave the visitors the lead. However a Kenny MacDougall strike on 40 minutes ensured the sides went into the break all square. Glenorchy’s Alex MacDonald scored the winner 8 minutes into the second half. The win takes Glenorchy to the top of the table where they are likely to prove difficult to shift.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 leaders Glengarry were to meet Beauly at Braeview Park but the match was switched to Invergarry because of an unplayable pitch. Unfortunately Beauly player Kenneth MacKenzie took ill during the game and the youngster had to be taken to the Belford Hospital so the game was abandoned. Everyone in shinty hopes that Kenneth makes a speedy recovery.
The noon throw up between title contenders Fort William and reigning champions Glenurquhart produced a 3-0 win for the home side. Alex Duncan gave the Fort the lead on 20 minutes and James Cameron doubled their advantage 3 minutes later. Cameron went on to add his second on 76 minutes.
It was honours even following the west coast derby at Kirkton where Kinlochshiel and Skye Camanachd drew 1-1. The visitors got off to the best possible start when Daniel Morrison won a free hit 40 yards from goal, straight from the throw up. Neil MacVicar played the ball into the danger area and whist the Shiel defence had opportunities to clear their lines, Jordan Murchison grabbed the chance to fire his side into the lead when he crashed a backhand volley into the roof of the net, leaving keeper Scott Kennedy helpless. This was Murchison’s first goal for the Skye Camanachd second team and his performances of late suggest it will be the first goal of many. The Shiel response was swift and a melee 20 yards from the Skye goal led to referee Ronnie Campbell blowing for a throw up between Neil MacVicar and Duncan MacRae. The Shiel player got his stick to the ball first and it fell beautifully for Allan MacDiarmid who turned his man before passing the ball low into the net. Shiel were awarded a penalty after 53 minutes when Andrew Banks kicked the ball in the D. Allan MacDiarmid stepped up to take the hit but his shot crashed back off Ross Graham’s left post. What resulted was a titanic stramash in front of the Skye goal and the visiting defence deserves great credit for keeping the ball out of the net. Eventually it was full back David Grant who used his strength and determination to scoop the ball clear for a corner to the relief of the visiting fans. Skye finished the game strongly with Neil MacVicar and Scott Martin controlling the midfield area. Skye substitute Ally MacDonald almost won it at the death when he sent a glorious 25 yard drive on target but Scott Kennedy made a great save with his hand before clearing the ball for a corner.
Lovat and Kilmallie shared the points after a goalless draw at Balgate.
The reserve Badenoch derby between third place Kingussie and sixth place Newtonmore was postponed as the Dell was unplayable.
The Marine Harvest South Division 2 match between leaders Kyles Athletic and fourth place Aberdour at Tighnabruaich fell foul to an unplayable pitch.
Second place Col Glen and Strachur, who are just a point behind in the league, shared the points after a 1-1 draw. Jamie Sutton scored for Col Glen with Iain MacLellan on target for Strachur.
The match between bottom club Bute and third place Glasgow Mid Argyll was postponed as the pitch at Rothesay was unplayable.
In Marine Harvest North Division 3, third place Caberfeidh passed up the chance to top the table when they drew 1-1 with a battling Inverness side at the Bught Park. Gordon MacKenzie gave the home side the lead after 22 minutes and Allan Ross leveled for Cabers after 69 minutes.
Lochcarron and Strathglass met in a 12 noon throw up at Battery Park. Lochcarron’s Ian Cameron scored the only goal of the first half 5 minutes from the break but Seth Jones made in 1-1 just 5 minutes into the second period. Lochcarron veteran, 47 year old Davie MacKenzie, restored the home’s side lead on the hour mark and he made it 3-1 on 67 minutes. Seth Jones scored his second a couple of minutes later but Iain Cameron completed the scoring when he netted his second 5 minutes from time to make the final score 4-2 in Lochcarron’s favour.
Boleskine and Ardnamurchan served up a thrilling match at Farr. Ewan Mowat gave the visitors the lead on 7 minutes but Ian Grant replied for Boleskine just 2 minutes later. Craig Lindsay made it 2-1 to Ardnamurchan on 15 minutes but Lewis Smith ensured the sides went into the break all square when he scored on 28 minutes. Just when a share of the points looked likely, Ian Grant scored his second goal in the 89 minute to win the points for Boleskine.
The match between Lochaber and Lochbroom was postponed as the pitch at Spean Bridge was unplayable. |