Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Quarter Finals
Inveraray 4 Kyles Athletic 1
The only all-south tie of the quarter finals saw Kyles Athletic lose for the first time this season as they went down 4-1 to Inveraray at the Winterton. The sides had met twice already this season with Kyles winning both times. Inveraray had Kyles watched in the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final against Oban Camanachd last weekend so their boss John Smylie had his players well prepared for this one. Several pundits, including Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil, fancied Inveraray to progress to the semi finals as they did last season before losing out to eventual winners Fort William. Kyles were without Donald Irvine who was controversially ordered off near the end of last week’s final and he was left watching nervously on the touchline as he started a two match ban. Euan MacMurdo got Inveraray off to a great start with a goal after just 3 minutes. Grant Griffin made it 2-0 on 25 minutes and he scored again straight from the throw up. Inveraray were in control and they took this 3-0 lead into the break. Scotland U21 cap Robbie MacLeod pulled a goal back 5 minutes from time but Euan MacMurdo added his second in the final minute to give the home side a well deserved 4-1 triumph as they put the Scottish Hydro Premier Division leaders and Glasgow Celtic Society Cup winners out of this year’s competition.
Bute 0 Kingussie 3
Kingussie dodged a potential banana skin when they beat Marine Harvest South Division 1 runaway leaders Bute 3-0 on Rothesay. The Islanders have a 100% record in the league this season and their confidence is such that Kyles Athletic recently needed extra-time to get past them in the Artemis Macaulay Cup. Kingussie managers Stevie Borthwick and Russell Jones didn’t have their problems to seek for this one. Thomas Borthwick, Ryan Borthwick and Martin Dallas all missed out as they were on holiday. The influential Louis Munro is out for the rest of the season with a broken collar-bone. Garry Munro was suspended and James Hutcheson was working. Craig Dawson returned to the side and Kevin Thain kept his place after scoring a hat-trick in the 8-0 victory over Kilmallie last week. Last year’s captain Barry Dallas was also involved as was James MacLean but Ricky Grant was a late call-off. Ally MacLeod has been hampered by the recurrence of a hamstring problem and although he started in defence for the King’s, he was forced to leave the field of play after just 15 minutes. Just when it looked like the sides would go into the break all square, Kevin Thain scored a crucial opener 3 minutes from half time. Ronald Ross made it 2-0 just 10 minutes into the second half to give Kingussie a cushion and the Kingussie captain made it 3-0 on the stroke of full time to seal a place in the last four of shinty’s premier competition.
Kilmallie 6 Lovat 2
Kilmallie turned in a fine performance to reach the semi finals with a 6-2 win over Lovat at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie’s Martin Graham missed the game as he picked up a knee injury playing football that could rule him out for the rest of the season. Ross Lavin was also an absentee as he was at wedding but Euan Stoddart returned to the squad after work commitments had ruled him out of Kilmallie’s last two games. Lovat were without forward Jamie Matheson who was cup-tied having played for Inverness in the opening round of the competition. Fraser Gallacher was also missing as he also had a wedding to attend. Kilmallie hit their visitors with three quick goals. Captain John Stewart put them ahead after 7 minutes and Michael Rodger made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later. John Stewart grabbed his second on 15 minutes before Owen Ferguson gave Lovat some hope when pulled a goal back a minute later. John Stewart completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes into the second half to make it 4-1. Peter McIntyre continued his good scoring run by netting twice in two minutes on 51 and 52 minutes to make it 6-1. This put the tie beyond Lovat and although Jimmy MacKenzie made it 6-2 on 66 minutes, it proved to be no more than a consolation goal for the Balgate men.
Kinlochshiel 3 Newtonmore 6
A large crowd at Kirkton saw Kinlochshiel put up a good fight before eventually going down 6-3 to Newtonmore. It took a Ronald Ross goal in the last minute of extra time to separate Kinlochshiel and Kingussie in a Co-operative MacTavish Cup tie at the Dell earlier in the season and whilst ‘Shiel lost 5-0 to Newtonmore at the Eilan in the Artemis Macaulay Cup, the opening two goals were own goals and the west coast side felt they did not give a fair account of themselves that day so they were determined to correct that for this encounter. ‘Shiel boss Johnston Gill was pleased that keeper Graham Kennedy showed no ill-effects following his return from a groin injury against Skye Camanachd last weekend. However he was without the services of wing centres Steven Callander and Graeme Morrison. The ‘Shiel boss sprung a surprise by playing Finlay MacRae at full centre with John MacRae going to wing centre. David Falconer came into the attack. Danny MacRae missed out for Newtonmore last weekend because of a dead leg and ‘More paid their opponents respect by including a half-fit MacRae on the bench in case he was needed as they expected a tough tie. ‘More boss Norman MacArthur also put keeper Michael Ritchie on the bench after he missed the last couple of games as he was on holiday Sean MacQuarrie retained his place in goal. John MacKenzie put Newtonmore ahead after just 3 minutes but Keith MacRae made it 1-1 on 12 minutes. However Glen MacKintosh put the visitors in front for the second time on 26 minutes from the penalty spot after a ‘More forward was brought down inside the D. This was Newtonmore’s second spot hit of the game as referee Graham Irving had earlier penalised home keeper Graham Kennedy a couple of minutes earlier for using his head to deflect a goal-bound effort for a corner. However Glen MacKintosh failed to capitalise on this first opportunity from the spot. Keith MacRae levelled again on 32 minutes but ‘Shiel were only able to maintain parity for two more minutes as Jamie Robinson made it 3-2 to the visitors on 34 minutes. Robinson had started the match at full centre but Norman MacArthur made a tactical change in bringing Steven MacDonald back to full centre to combat the threat posed by the pacy Finlay MacRae and Robinson took MacDonald’s place in the forward line. The switch paid further dividends when Jamie Robinson added his second goal a couple of minutes after the break to give the the men from the Eilan a 4-2 advantage. John MacKenzie also scored his second goal sixty seconds later to make it 5-2 to Newtonmore. Jamie Robinson killed off ‘Shiel’s challenge when he completed his hat-trick on 64 minutes although Finlay MacRae pulled a goal back for Kinlochshiel 11 minutes from time to make the final score 6-3 in ‘More’s favour.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division
Glenorchy 1 Fort William 3
Fort William headed for Dalmally in the knowledge that they only had the league left to play for this season so they were desperate not to drop any points against a Glenorchy side which had lost all ten on their league matches this season. Fort William manager Peter McIntyre was without Gary Innes as he had an operation on Thursday to repair a lingering problem from the broken nose he sustained when he captained Scotland against Ireland in the Shinty / Hurling international at Croke Park last October. Also missing were the suspended John MacDonald and Liam McIntyre and Duncan Rodger. Glenorchy got off to a great start when Sandy Leiper scored in the first minute to put them ahead. Fort William’s Daniel Stewart made it 1-1 on 15 minutes and the same player put his side 2-1 ahead on the half hour mark. Ryan Campbell made it 3-1 on 38 minutes and Fort William took this two goal lead into the half time interval. The day was to turn sour for Glenorchy scorer Leiper as he was ordered off by referee Dunkie Kerr on the hour mark. There was no scoring in the second half which indicates an improved showing from a Glenorchy side which lost 9-0 at An Aird three weeks ago. The win lifts Fort William into second place in the table, trailing leaders Kyles by just a point although the Tighnabruaich men have two games in hand. Newtonmore are level with Fort William on 15 points but have a game in hand as do Kingussie who are two points behind in fourth place.
Glenurquhart 4 Oban Camanachd 1
The match between Glenurquhart and Oban Camanachd was switched to Blairbeg as Mossfield was unavailable. The Glen were still without Eddie Tembo and David Girvan but Andrew Corrigan and Ruairidh returned for this 5pm throw up. Glenurquhart benefited from an own goal which gave them the lead on 30 minutes. John Barr scored twice with a great effort 5 minutes before half time and a tap-in 5 minutes after the interval to make it 3-0. Matt Rippon pulled a goal back for Oban Camanachd on 60 minutes but a Neale Reid strike on 79 minutes gave Glenurquhart a 4-1 win and an important two points. There was a major flash-point for referee Deek Cameron to deal in a generally bad tempered clash with when the outcome of a scuffle was red cards for Glenurquhart’s Andrew Corrigan and James MacMillan of Oban Camanachd. The win lifts Glenurquhart into fifth place and puts them ahead of the batch of clubs fighting to retain their top flight status.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Caberfeidh 3 Inverness 1
It was third bottom versus third top at Castle Leod as Inverness looked to bounce back from losing ten goals against Beauly last weekend. However they faced a difficult match against Balliemore Cup finalist Caberfeidh. Inverness were without the suspended Davie Glass but they started well and young Reece Munro fired them into a 12 minute lead. However Stewart Kryzanowski scored twice in the first half on 17 and 42 minutes, either side of a 34 minute Ruairidh MacLennan strike, to give the home side a 3-1 lead at the break. There was no scoring in the second half but there was some weekend paperwork for referee Colin MacDonald who sent off Martin MacDonald and Liam Mutch from Caberfeidh and Inverness’ Craig Nicolson following an on-the-field spat. Caberfeidh led 2-1 at the time of the ordering offs. Cabers remain in third spot.
Lochaber 4 Strathglass 0
Lochaber returned to league action after an absence of 9 weeks when they beat Strathglass 4-0 at Spean Bridge. The lack of league action left the red and white hoops in the unfamiliar position of second bottom in the league. This was a fourth consecutive away fixture for the Strathglass men after three trips to the west coast to play Kinlochshiel, Skye Camanachd and Lochcarron all ended in defeat. Lochaber have Ian Love back in their side and Andrew “Fleck” MacDonald at full back with Shaun Nicolson at full centre. Scott Paterson put Lochaber ahead after 29 minutes and Shaun Nicolson burst forward to make it 2-0 just on the half time whistle. Lochaber added two late goals as Lachlan Campbell made it 3-0 on 85 minutes and Martin Cameron netted a fourth on the stroke of full time. Both keepers, Callum MacDonald of Lochaber and Strathglass’ Stevie McLaughlin, made some good saves during the game.
Skye Camanachd 10 Lochcarron 1
Skye Camanachd beat Lochcarron 10-4 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Click on the following link to read the match report in full Skye Camanachd 10 Lochcarron 4
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Kilmory 2
Glasgow Mid Argyll missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Bute by a couple of points when they could only draw with Kilmory at Yoker. A Craig Anderson hat-trick helped Mid Argyll to a 4-1 win when the sides met in league action in May but this 3pm throw up was a much closer affair. Fulton Ross and Patrick Jamieson scored for the home side whilst Colin Campbell and Andrew Cunningham replied for Kilmory in a 2-2 draw.
Ballachulish 2 Kyles Athletic 1
Ballachulish took the points with a 2-1 win over Kyles Athletic at Jubilee Park. The home side were without former Fort William player Mark Lawrie who was sent off against Taynuilt last weekend. A Roddy MacColl hat-trick gave Kyles a 3-1 win when the sides met at the end of March but Ballachulish got revenge this time. Grant MacKenzie scored for the home side on 10 and 48 minutes whilst Roddy MacColl pulled a goal back for the visitors 15 minutes from time.
Lochside Rovers 2 Taynuilt 1
Lochside Rovers came from a goal down to beat Taynuilt 2-1 in Oban. Third place Lochside led their opponents by a point ahead of the game although fourth place Taynuilt had a game in hand. Taynuilt were without the suspended Willie Gillies. Mark Beaton put visitors Taynuilt ahead after just 3 minutes. However Brian MacCallum levelled after 19 minutes and a David Lafferty strike 10 minutes into the second half gave Lochside Rovers the points.
Aberdour 0 Oban Celtic 1
Aberdour and Oban Celtic occupied the bottom two places in the league ahead of their 3pm meeting in Fife. A goalless draw was looking the likely outcome until an Ally McKerrachar goal 5 minutes from time gave Oban Celtic a 1-0 win.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Newtonmore 2 Kilmallie 0
League leaders Newtonmore extended their lead at the top of Marine Harvest North Division 2 with a 2-0 win over Kilmallie at the Eilan on Friday 1 July 2011. Click on the following link to read the match report in full Newtonmore 2 Kilmallie 0
Fort William 1 Skye Camanachd 1
Fort William and Skye Camanachd shared the points following a 1-1 draw at An Aird. Click on the following link to read the match report in full Fort William 1 Skye Camanachd 1
Glenurquhart 4 Kingussie 0
Glenurquhart beat an understrength Kingussie side 4-0 at Blairbeg. Both sides have lost players because of first team unavailability this season and Kingussie were particularly badly hit for this one with their first team minus seven players for the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup trip to Bute. Kingussie’s difficulties were such that manager Norman Dickson played in goal and Davie Anderson and Dallas Young dusted down their camans and came out of retirement to help out. Daniel MacKintosh put the Glen ahead and Gregor MacCormack scored a hat-trick to seal a four goal triumph.
Lochaber 6 Lovat 5
There were goals galore in the 12 noon throw up at Spean Bridge where Lochaber eventually ran out 6-5 winners over Lovat. Lovat were able to call on the services of Jamie Matheson as he was cup-tied for their first team’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup tie against Kilmallie. Alan Knox put the home side ahead on 6 minutes but Connal MacIllechiar made it 1-1 on 19 minutes. Connor Sweeney put Lochaber in the lead again just a couple of minutes from the break. Stewart Callison scored 3 minutes into the second half to make it 3-1 but Jamie Matheson struck on 51 minutes to reduce Lochaber’s advantage to a single goal. The match was all square on 68 minutes when a Lewis Tawse goal made it 3-3 and it was anybody’s game with a little over 20 minutes remaining. Alan Knox scored his second on 73 minutes to make it 4-3 in Lochaber’s favour however a Bradley MacHardie effort made it 4-4 with only 11 minutes remaining. Alan Knox completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes later but again Lovat fought back and Connal MacIllechiar scored his second to make it 5-5 on 89 minutes. Just when a share of the points seemed inevitable, Scott Knox fired the ball into the net to give Lochaber a 6-5 victory.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Inveraray P Bute P
The 12 noon clash between Inveraray and league Bute at the Winterton was postponed because of a bereavement.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Ballachulish 2
Glasgow Mid Argyll and Ballachulish shared the points following a 2-2 draw in their 12 noon throw up at Yoker. Ian Luke put the home side ahead after 8 minutes but Elliot Wilson made it 1-1 on 23 minutes. Donald Colville restored Mid Argyll’s advantage with a 32 minute strike but Ballachulish equalised for a second time through Malcolm Wilson on the hour mark. Ballachulish remain a point behind their rivals in the league but they have a couple of games in hand.
Aberdour 1 Tayforth 6
Tayforth beat basement side Aberdour 6-1 in their 12 noon throw up in Fife to close the gap at the top of the table as leaders Strachur were not in action. An own goal put the visitors ahead on 6 minutes whilst goals from Donald Merilees on 43 minutes and Kenny Campbell a minute later put Tayforth 3-0 up at the break. Neil Shearer made it 4-0 on 56 minutes whilst Craig Ferrier hit a fifth a couple of minutes later. Lewis Nicol pulled a goal back for Aberdour on 80 minutes but Tayforth had the final say when a Dave Arnott goal a minute from time made it 6-1.
Marine Harvest North Division 3
Lewis Camanachd 0 Aberdeen University 4
League leaders Aberdeen University maintained their 100% record with a 4-0 win over Lewis Camanachd in their 1.30pm throw up in Ullapool. Former Skye Camanachd player Kenny MacLeod put them ahead on 18 minutes and he scored again a couple of minutes later. Scott Moffat made it 3-0 just 5 minutes into the second half and Kenny MacLeod completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes as the Students continue their seemingly inevitable march to the title. Lewis put up a great fight though in what was possibly their best performance of the season.
Boleskine 1 Beauly 2
A Simon Holmes goal 20 minutes from time gave Beauly a 2-1 win in a close match against Boleskine at Farr. Calum Morrison added to his increasing goals tally when he put Beauly ahead on 15 minutes but a Lewis Smith shot squared the match on 50 minutes. Simon Holmes’ winner means Beauly now draw level on points with second place Boleskine and the Braeview Park men have a couple of games in hand.
Inverness 3 Lochbroom 3
A Peter Gow penalty a minute from time earned Inverness a morale-boosting 3-3 draw with Lochbroom at the Bught Park. Both sides suffered heavy defeats last weekend with Inverness losing 9-1 to Caberfeidh and Lochbroom going down 7-0 to Aberdeen University but this game proved to be the perfect tonic. Josh Talbot put Lochbroom ahead on 10 minutes but Fraser Stoddart made it 1-1 just 5 minutes later. A goal from former Skye Camanachd player James Munro put Inverness 2-1 up on the hour mark only for Neil Brown to make it 2-2 on 65 minutes. Lewis Scott put Lochbroom ahead for a second time 10 minutes from the end but when referee Ronnie Campbell awarded Inverness a penalty on 89 minutes, Peter Gow stepped up and made now mistake from the spot.
Lochcarron W/O Ardnamurchan
Ardnamurchan were unable to field a team for their trip to Battery Park so home side Lochcarron have been awarded the points.
Strathglass P Caberfeidh P
The match between Strathglass and Caberfeidh at Cannich has been rearranged for Tuesday 5 July 2011 with a 7.30pm throw up.