The Shinty Preview – Saturday 15 October 2011. | |
14 October 2011 There are crucial matches affecting the top and bottom of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division onSaturday 15 October 2011. Scottish Hydro Premier DivisionKyles Athletic v Kingussie League leaders Kyles Athletic will have their title credentials tested when they meet Kingussie. This match has been switched to Mossfield as the pitch at Tighnabruaich has again been deemed unplayable. The home earned were well represented in Drew McNeil’s Scotland squad this week with places for Donald Irvine, Roddy MacDonald, Grant Irvine and Robbie MacLeod and they remain two points in front of reigning champions Newtonmore with three games remaining. Kyles came from 2-0 down to earn a draw when the sides met at the Dell earlier in the season. Kingussie will have new keeper Craig Dawson in goal and they will almost be at full strength, with Thomas Borthwick and Ryan Borthwick returning from holiday, although injuries rule out Iain Borthwick and Paul Gow. Kingussie need a point to be sure of a fourth place finish. Newtonmore v Oban Camanachd Second place Newtonmore welcome Oban Camanachd to the Eilan in a game where both teams have everything to play for. It took a last minute Glen MacKintosh goal to earn Newtonmore a share of the points in a 2-2 draw at Mossfield earlier in the season. Newtonmore will want to capitalise should Kyles slip up but Oban’s need is also great as they battle relegation with Lovat and Inveraray. Kilmallie v Lovat Lovat travel to the Canal Parks for what is their biggest match for some time. Kilmallie have talisman John Stewart back following his broken thumb. Incredibly Stewart hasn’t missed any Kilmallie first team games since his injury against Kyles Athletic on Saturday 27 August 2011 as the Canal Parks side has not been in action since. Michael Rodger is suspended but Peter Carmichael returns from his ban. Martin Stewart remains on the injury list and Euan Stoddart is working off-shore. Ian Robertson and Mark MacPherson could also miss out. A point for the home side will rule out any chance of them being drawn into the relegation battle. Lovat remain without defender James Grieve and forward Fraser Gallacher. A point for Lovat will put them ahead of Invergarry who travel to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic in their final game. Glenorchy v Glenurquhart Glenorchy and Glenurquhart each play their final games of the season when they meet at Mart Park, Dalmally. Defeat for the home side will mean they have completed their top division campaign without picking up a point. Glenurquhart are still contesting a fourth place finish with Kingussie and Kilmallie. A Neale Reid penalty was all that separated the sides when they met at Blairbeg earlier in the season. Marine Harvest South Division 1Kilmory v Bute Kilmory and Bute will make another attempt to play what is the final match in Marine Harvest South Division 1. 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 a fortnight ago. Marine Harvest North Division 2Fort William v Glengarry Second place Fort William have home advantage in their derby match against third place Glengarry. Fort William will be without the suspended Cameron Grant. Kinlochshiel 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. |