Kinlochshiel 3 Strathglass 0 | |
14 June 2011 Kinlochshiel went two points clear at the top of Marine Harvest North Division 1 with a 3-0 win over Strathglass at Kirkton on Saturday 11 June 2011. It was back to the bread and butter of league action for Kinlochshiel after their Scottish Camanachd Cup exploits last weekend when they knocked Scottish Hydro Premier Division side Glenurquhart out of the competition. They faced a Strathglass team who have picked up points from draws with Beauly and Inverness in their last two outings. ‘Shiel manager Johnston Gill was without keeper Graham Kennedy who has a groin muscle injury and reserve goalie Iain Cameron came in as his replacement. Defender Mark MacDonald was available again following a one match ban and he started in defence. Fellow defender Calum MacLean was missing. Strathglass were without Michael Stokes who won’t return until later in the summer, and the injured Les Fraser and long term casualty Scott Douglass. A shoulder injury limited Garry Reid to a place on the bench and Reid stood in for manager Brian MacKay who missed the game because of work commitments. . The home side enjoyed the majority of the early pressure with Strathglass’ threat limited to the occasional break-away. ‘Shiel took the lead on 24 minutes with a terrific individual goal from Keith MacRae. The ‘Shiel forward collected a Steven Callander pass, wide on the right. MacRae cut in field, leaving his marker in his wake. MacRae reached the edge of the D before shooting into the roof of the net, giving Strathglass keeper Steve MacLaughlin no chance. The closest ‘Shiel came to a second goal during the first period came a minute before the break when MacLaughlin had to spread himself at his left post to stop Keith MacRae prodding a rebound into the net. ‘Shiel were almost made to pay for not making more of their first half pressure when young Strathglass forward Josh Fraser had the ball in the net 3 minutes into the second half. However the goal was correctly ruled out by referee John Angus Gillies who spotted Fraser shoving his marker in the back. ‘Shiel forced a series of corners on 55 minutes. First Finlay MacRae set up his brother Keith MacRae and his shot was saved with his feet by Steve MacLaughlin who cleared for a corner. Steven Callander played in the corner from the right to Neil Fraser who was also thwarted by MacLaughlin who this time cleared the ball for a corner on the left which came to nothing. ‘Shiel went 2-0 up on the hour mark. Substitute Neil Fraser latched onto a ball over the top and his shot was saved by MacLaughlin. However Gordie MacDonald was first onto the rebound and he tucked the ball into the net. Keith MacRae drifted into space on the ‘Shiel left on 66 minutes and he set up a chance for Finlay MacRae but his shot flew wide of target. ‘Shiel were pressing for the killer third goal and Keith MacRae shot into the side net on 69 minutes. The third goal came on 78 minutes when MacLaughlin could only chest away a lob into the D from distance and Keith MacRae got in ahead of the visiting defence to put the rebound into the net. ‘Shiel boss Johnston Gill took the opportunity to introduce youngsters Donald Nixon and Zander Grant whilst Garry Reid also brought on young Arran Redpath. Kinlochshiel from; Iain Cameron, Paul MacRae, John Don MacKenzie, David Falconer, Mark MacDonald, Steven Callandar, John MacRae, Graeme Morrison, Finlay MacRae, Fraser MacVicar, Gordie MacDonald, Keith MacRae subs Neil Fraser, Donald Nixon, Zander Grant Strathglass from; Steve MacLaughlin, Gordon Fraser, George Phimmister, Rhu MacKay, Donald Fraser, Ross Balharry, Ally MacAdam, Robbie Stokes, Robert Geddes, Ewan Wotherspoon, Darren Reid, Josh Fraser, subs Arran Redpath, Garry Reid Match Referee – John Angus Gillies |