The Shinty Preview – Saturday 10 September 2011 | |
09 September 2011 The main interest will be at the top of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division in the shinty fixtures played on Saturday 10 September 2011. Scottish Hydro Premier Division Kyles Athletic v Kingussie League leaders Kyles Athletic’s home match against Kingussie looks to be a tough task on paper although injuries, work commitments and a focus on next weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final against arch-rivals Newtonmore, suggest the Kings won’t send their strongest side south. Kyles should be at full strength whilst Kingussie’s absentees will likely include captain Ronald Ross. The recent heavy rainfall has affected the Tighnabruaich pitch so a change of venue is a possibility for this game. Throw up is at 3pm. Kilmallie v Newtonmore Newtonmore will look to capitalise on any potential Kyles’ slip-up when they play Kilmallie at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie will be short up front as John Stewart is out with a broken thumb and Michael Rodger is suspended. Defender Martin Stewart remains a longer term absentee. Newtonmore were without Ackie MacRae and Steven MacDonald when they beat Kingussie last weekend but they could return as manager Norman MacArthur sets the reigning champions out to fight on two fronts ahead of next weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final. Oban Camanachd v Fort William Fort William make the short trip to Mossfield to play Oban Camanachd. Gary Innes returns for the visitors after missing last week’s defeat to Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. Fort William are assured a third place finish and this is the final match of a trophy-less season for the An Aird side. However they will take heart from the performances of younger players such as Stevie Stewart and Daniel Stewart as they rebuild for next season with one or two of the old guard considering retirement. Oban Camanachd are fighting it out with Lovat and Inveraray to avoid the league’s second relegation spot. Neither Inveraray nor Lovat are in action this weekend and both sides are on eleven points with three games remaining. Oban Camanachd are a point behind but they have four matches remaining after the Fort William match. Glenorchy v Glenurquhart Glenorchy meet Glenurquhart at Dalmally. Whilst Glenorchy’s fate was sealed some weeks ago, the Glenurquhart first string has the end their league campaign in fourth position if they finish ahead of Kingussie and Kilmallie. The Glen currently have a one point advantage over their rivals but they have played a game more. A change of venue is a possibility if the recent heavy rain deems the Mart Park unplayable. Marine Harvest North Division 1 Skye Camanachd v Caberfeidh Skye Camanachd and Caberfeidh both play their final match of the season at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. It has been a stuttering season from the Islanders who have missed the influence of regulars such as Steven Morrison, Jamie MacDonald, Kenny Campbell and Ally MacLennan throughout the year. Skye have only played once over the last eight weeks when they lost to champions Kinlochshiel. A win would see Cabers finish level on points with second place Lochaber and third place Beauly although their goal difference is such that they would likely still finish fourth with Skye set for a sixth place finish regardless of the result. Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kilmory v Bute Champions Bute head for Kilmory to play one of their three remaining matches; all of which are away from home. Barry Martin’s side has won all thirteen league matches so far this season and they start as favourites against second bottom Kilmory. A Robert Walker double helped Bute to a 4-0 when the teams met on Rothesay three weeks ago. It could be argued that the points are of more importance to the home side as Kilmory fight it out with Aberdour to see who will escape the drop to Marine Harvest South Division 2. Kilmory currently have a one point advantage and the sides meet in a fortnight’s time at Lochgilphead in what is Aberdour’s final game. Kilmory also have a trip to play Kyles Athletic a week later. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Aberdour has a reserve side in Marine Harvest South Division 2 and a club side cannot have two teams in the same division. Glasgow Mid Argyll v Oban Celtic Second place Glasgow Mid Argyll take on Oban Celtic at Yoker. Mid Argyll have had a run of three away fixtures and they will finish second in the table no matter the result. Oban Celtic forward Ally McKerracher has been in good form recently, netting three times in his last two outings. Kyles Athletic v Lochside Rovers There is a 12 noon throw up at Tighnabruaich where third bottom Kyles Athletic meet third top Lochside Rovers. Lochside were narrow 3-2 winners when the sides met in May Marine Harvest North Division 2 Kinlochshiel v Glenurquhart Both sides have everything to play for when Kinlochshiel meet Glenurquhart at Kirkton. The home side could include U21 players John MacRae and Mark MacDonald whilst the Glen will be keen to have some of the players who missed the defeat to Skye last weekend back in their line-up. A win for Glenurquhart will ensure their safety whilst second bottom ‘Shiel also need the points to set them up for their final league match at home to bottom side Kilmallie whom they currently lead by two points. Lovat v Fort William Lovat are another side keen to ease any relegation fears and they play Fort William at Balgate. Scotland U17 captain Greg Matheson is expected to lead the Lovat attack whilst Fort William defender Cameron Grant’s second team season is over as he serves the first match of a two game ban following his sending off against Lochaber last weekend. |