The Shinty Preview – Saturday 27 August 2011. | |
25 August 2011 It’s a big shinty day at both the top and bottom of the Scottish Hydro Premier League and Bute can clinch the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title and a return to shinty’s top flight on Saturday 27 August 2011. Scottish Hydro Premier Division Newtonmore v Fort William The match of the day in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division should be the 3pm clash at the Eilan where reigning champions Newtonmore meet league leaders Fort William. The Fort have a one point lead over second place Kyles Athletic and a three points advantage over ‘More. However the league leaders have played three more games than their title rivals. A defeat for either side could be a fatal blow to their title chances. Newtonmore have had an exhausting fortnight as it took extra time to get past Inveraray in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi finals and they looked tired at the end of a gruelling Artemis Macaulay Cup Final defeat to Kyles Athletic last weekend. Fort William on the other hand were idle both Saturdays although they would have much rather have faced Newtonmore’s set of fixtures. This is a crucial game for both sides. Kilmallie v Kyles Athletic Second place Kyles Athletic will hope to capitalise on any Fort William slip-up but they have a tricky match against Kilmallie at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie picked up a good point at the Dell against Kingussie last weekend and they are in contention for a fourth place finish with Kingussie and Glenurquhart. Injury meant Fraser MacDonald could only take a place on the bench for Kyles in last weekend’s Artemis Macaulay Cup Final win and he will be given every chance to prove his fitness for this one. Glenorchy P Lovat P The match between Glenorchy and Lovat at Dalmally has been postponed because of a bereavement. Inveraray v Kingussie Inveraray are in the middle of the relegation battle and they welcome Kingussie to the Winterton. Andrew MacMurdo is suspended for the home side following his red card against Newtonmore a fortnight ago. Kingussie will have Ronald Ross and Ryan Borthwick back from suspension and they were boosted by Ally MacLeod and Louis Munro’s return from injury last week. Marine Harvest North Division 1 Beauly v Kinlochshiel Newly crowned champions Kinlochshiel head for Braeview Park to play Beauly. With the title and promotion to the Scottish Hydro Premier Division in the bag, ‘Shiel will want to win their final two matches so that they can go through the season with a 100% record. However Johnston Gill is aware that it is important that he gives some of his younger players some game time to build up his squad for the challenge of Scottish Hydro Premier Division shinty next year. Lochcarron v Lochaber Lochcarron and Lochaber meet at Braeview Park. The home side should have Gregor Cushnie available and Peter MacKenzie hopes to be included despite a back problem. Lochaber fielded a young side against Caberfeidh last weekend and manager Michael Delaney will likely give youth its chance again. Marine Harvest South Division 1 Bute v Glasgow Mid Argyll Bute can clinch the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title and promotion to shinty’s top flight with victory over Glasgow Mid Argyll on Rothesay. The Balliemore Cup holders have regarded the title as the main prize this season and they are a formidable outfit on their own patch with Robert Walker in particularly good scoring form. Ballachulish v Lochside Rovers Ballachulish take on Lochside Rovers with the Oban side in with a chance of nicking second place in the league. Willie Sutherland’s Ballachulish side haven’t had a game for three weeks and this is both sides penultimate game of the season. Lochside Rovers scored seven goals against Aberdour last weekend with David Devine and Malcolm Clark each getting a hat-trick. Kyles Athletic v Taynuilt Third bottom Kyles Athletic and fourth top Taynuilt meet at Tighnabruaich. The sides are only separated by four points and Kyles have two games in hand which demonstrates how tight the middle section of the division is. Taynuilt will be boosted by last week’s surprise win over Glasgow Mid Argyll. Aberdour v Kilmory The bottom two sides Aberdour and Kilmory meet in Fife. Marine Harvest North Division 2 Newtonmore v Fort William The match of the day in Marine Harvest North Division 2 is the 12 noon throw up between Newtonmore and Fort William at the Eilan. This game precedes the top division clash between the club’s senior sides. Michael Russell will miss out for the home side as he was sent off in the Strathdearn Cup semi final win against Fort William a fortnight ago. Ewan Campbell is also out for Fort William as he was sent off in the same game. Glengarry P Lovat P The match between Glengarry and Lovat at Invergarry has been postponed because of a bereavement. Lochaber v Kinlochshiel Lochaber can pull themselves out of the relegation dog-fight with a win over Kinlochshiel at Spean Bridge. The home side were convincing winners over Skye Camanachd last weekend. ‘Shiel’s Colin MacDiarmid serves the final match of a three game ban. Skye Camanachd v Kingussie Skye Camanachd will look to put the disappointment of last week’s poor showing against Lochaber behind them as they take on Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup winners Kingussie at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye boss Davie MacVicar should have a full squad to choose from as the Islanders first team is not in action. Kingussie will send a side featuring a mixture of youth and experience. Marine Harvest North Division 3 Boleskine v Lewis Camanachd Boleskine and Lewis Camanachd play before the BBC Alba cameras at Smith Park. The TV station has been following the Islanders maiden season in the league and this is both teams’ final league game. |