The Shinty Preview – Saturday 8 October 2011. | |
07 October 2011 It is a crucial shinty weekend for the teams fighting relegation from the Scottish Hydro Premier Division whilst leaders Kyles Athletic will look to extend their lead at the top of the table on Saturday 8 October 2011. Scottish Hydro Premier DivisionGlenorchy v Lovat Lovat head for Dalmally knowing any slip-up could end their stay in the top division. It’s Allan MacKechnie’s side’s penultimate game of the season and they do not want to finish their stay in the top division without any points and this makes them dangerous opponents. Glenorchy will take heart from the fact they drew 1-1 with Lovat at Dalmally in the first round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup before losing out in the replay. The home side will again be under-strength and they were officially relegated several weeks ago. Lovat are in the second relegation spot with 11 points and they have two games left to avoid the drop. Bosses James Gallacher and John MacRitchie know this is their best chance of picking up a couple of points with their final game away to Kilmallie. Fraser Gallacher remains on the absentee list but Lovat were boosted when Drew Howie made a substitute appearance last weekend following injury. If Lovat were to lose and both Oban Camanachd and Inveraray were to win, Lovat’s fate would be sealed. Oban Camanachd v Kilmallie Oban Camanachd are another side who need to take something from their fixture against Kilmallie at Mossfield to ease their relegation fears. The home side will be without Scott MacMillan who was on target in the 3-1 defeat to Glenurquhart last weekend. Oban Camanachd currently have 12 points and they have one more match after this one – against Newtonmore at the Eilan. Kilmallie have talisman John Stewart following his broken thumb and he has the added incentive of trying to impress Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil with the national boss is set to name his final squad ahead of the international Shinty / Hurling double-header against Ireland. Incredibly Stewart hasn’t missed any Kilmallie first team games since he broke his thumb against Kyles Athletic on Saturday 27 August 2011 as the Canal Parks side has not been in action since then. Michael Rodger is suspended but Peter Carmichael returns from his ban. Martin Graham remains injured. Kyles Athletic v Inveraray Inveraray face the most difficult task of the sides in the relegation zone as they travel to Tighnabruaich to face leaders Kyles Athletic. With Newtonmore not in action, Kyles have the chance to double their two point advantage at the top of the table. This is Inveraray’s final game of the season and they currently have 13 points. A Garry MacPherson hat-trick helped Inveraray to a 5-0 win over Glenorchy last weekend which boosted their survival chances. Throw up in this derby match will be at 2.30pm and not 3pm as originally scheduled. Marine Harvest South Division 1Kilmory v Bute Bute will complete their league campaign with an impressive 100% record if they win at Kilmory. The home side will be without forward Alex Cunningham who was sent off in the defeat to the Kyles Athletic reserve side last Saturday. Kyles Athletic v Lochside Rovers There is a12 noonthrow up as sixth place Kyles Athletic meet third place Lochside Rovers in both sides final game of the season. This game was originally scheduled for Tighnabruaich but it will now take place at Strachur. Lochside Rovers will likely field a young side as their main attention will be given to their first team’s meeting with Kilmallie. Marine Harvest North Division 2Kinlochshiel v Kilmallie Kinlochshiel and already relegated Kilmallie meet at Kirkton. The home side can leap from second bottom to sixth if they take both points. Glengarry v Lovat Lovat can go fifth if they beat Glengarry at Invergarry. ‘Garry hope to have Scotland U17 forward Ewan Brady back in their line-up after he missed the defeat against Skye Camanachd last weekend with a knee injury. Lovat will field a young side as their focus will be on the crucial first team fixture against Glenorchy. |