The shinty card was dominated by senior and junior cup action on Saturday 21 May 2011.
Artemis Macaulay Cup - First Round
North Draw
Artemis Macaulay Cup holders Kingussie opened the defence of their trophy with a 4-1 win at Blairbeg against Glenurquhart. The Glen have been climbing steadily up the league table this season and they sit in fourth place behind Newtonmore on goal difference. The sides met in both the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup and Co-operative MacTavish Cups last season so there was a sense of inevitability that they would be drawn together in this year’s Artemis Macaulay Cup. King’s manager Stevie Borthwick was without Iain Borthwick and Louis Munro. Kingussie are unbeaten since Ronald Ross’ return from injury and he put them ahead in the second minute. Ryan Borthwick made it 2-0 on 11 minutes although Lewis MacLennan pulled a goal back on 28 minutes. Kingussie restored their two goal cushion on 59 minutes through Craig Dawson and Ronald Ross rounded off the scoring on 63 minutes when he cracked home his second goal of the game. This takes Ross’ tally to 13 for the season and Kingussie are unbeaten since his return from injury.
Newtonmore dropped out of the Co-operative MacTavish Cup last weekend but they avoided the same fate in this competition with a 5-0 win over Kinlochshiel at the Eilan. ‘More were originally due to head west to play ‘Shiel at Kirkton but the heavy west coast rain meant the pitch was deemed unplayable and competition rules dictated a change of venue. ‘Shiel had to face last season’s top division champions without star forward Finlay MacRae. ‘More benefited from an own goal on the half hour mark and it was the only goal of the first half. Another own goal on 55 minutes left ‘Shiel 2-0 down before late strikes from Danny MacRae on 70 minutes, Ackie MacRae just 4 minutes later and John MacKenzie 10 minutes from time sealed their win. Kinlochshiel manager Johnston Gill gave Oliver MacRae, son of club stalwart Neillie MacRae a run in the side for the closing 15 minutes of the game.
Local rivalries were resumed at Spean Bridge where Lochaber welcomed Kilmallie. Lochaber manager Michael Delaney will have been pleased with his son Ben Delaney’s performances in recent weeks as the young striker has amassed 16 goals so far this season. Kilmallie have a potent goal threat of their own with their goals often shared amongst the forwards and that is how it turned out in this one. Lochaber’s Neil MacDonald remains on the injured list and Kilmallie hope to be at full strength. The sides played out a tight contest in Marine Harvest North Division 1 last season before Kilmallie were eventually crowned champions. They have also had a Co-operative MacTavish Cup meeting already this season with Kilmallie winning 2-1 at the Canal Parks thanks to goals from Fraser Massie and Liam MacDonald. A 23 minute goal from Lachlan Campbell gave Lochaber a first half lead in this one but two goals in a minute on the hour mark put the Scottish Hydro Premier Division side ahead. Liam MacDonald levelled on 60 minutes before Peter McIntyre gave Kilmallie a 2-1 advantage just 60 seconds later. McIntyre notched his second goal of the game on 83 minutes before a John Stewart goal clinched a 4-1 win just 3 minutes from time.
The shock of the round was at Balgate where Lovat ran out 2-1 winners against Fort William. This was the second meeting between the sides this season and Peter McIntyre’s side were well aware that they were unable to break down a stubborn Lovat rear-guard whilst on league duty and they had to settle for a share of the points following a goalless draw. Lovat bosses James Gallagher and John MacRitchie continued to be minus injured defenders Drew Howie and Lorne MacKay whilst Euan Ferguson was also out injured. The Fort were minus John MacDonald and Gary Innes. This was striker Jamie Matheson’s first match for Lovat since he re-joined them after a short spell with Inverness and he celebrated his come-back in style with an 18 minute goal. However Fort William’s Bryan Simpson made it one each just 6 minutes later. The winning goal was scored by Lovat forward Fraser Gallagher on 55 minutes and the home side could have won for a bigger margin but a Greg Matheson effort was ruled out for offside by the Lovat nominated goal judge.
South Draw
The South part of the draw saw the second shock of the opening round as 2010 runners up Inveraray were knocked out of the competition by Islanders Bute at the Winterton. Inveraray were without play-maker Garry MacPherson who was suspended following his sending off against Kyles Athletic the previous week. Bute’s David Whitelaw netted the winner 13 minutes from time. This is a particularly disappointing defeat for Inveraray as the final will take place on their home pitch.
The length of the Scottish Hydro Premier Division separates Glenorchy and Kyles Athletic and that showed as the Tighnabruaich men ran out 11-0 winners at Mart Park, Dalmally. The sides had already played twice in the league this season with Kyles winning both 8-0 and 7-1. Kyles were without defender Andrew King due to suspension. It was only 3-0 at the break with Roddy MacDonald scoring on 5 and 17 minutes and Dunkie Kerr netting a third 3 minutes before the break. However Kyles were rampant in the second half. Dunkie Kerr netted his second a couple of minutes into the second period and Grant Irvine grabbed a four minute hat-trick with goals on 57, 58 and 59 minutes to make it 7-0. Roddy MacDonald took his personal tally to four goals with efforts on 74 and 80 minutes. Grant Irvine scored his fourth to give Kyles double figures on 84 minutes whilst Rupert Williamson made it 11-0 just 60 seconds later.
Glasgow Mid Argyll and Oban Celtic meet at Yoker. The sides had met twice already this season with Mid Argyll winning both their league and Glasgow Celtic Society Cup encounters by four goals to three. The Glasgow side ran out 8-2 winners in this and they took the lead through an own goal on 5 minutes. Craig Anderson made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later and an Andy Mathie strike on 12 minutes gave Mid Argyll a 3-0 advantage which remained until a second own goal on 40 minutes made it 4-0 lead at the break. Oban Celtic’s David Duffy pulled a goal back a minute into the second half but a goal from Patrick Jamieson on 58 minutes restored Mid Argyll’s four goal advantage to put his side 5-1 in front. Dan Hood made it 6-1 on 65 minutes but Kenny Wotherspoon pulled another goal back on 79 minutes to make it 6-2. Craig Anderson and Andy Mathie each netted their second goals on 80 and 85 minutes to give Glasgow Mid Argyll a convincing 8-2 victory. Mid Argyll’s Ben Simmister and Celtic’s David Duffy were both sent off by referee Colin MacDonald on 82 minutes.
Unplayable fields meant the tie between Kilmory and Oban Camanachd was postponed.
Strathdearn Cup - Second Round
Strathdearn Cup holders Glenurquhart are safely through to the next round after strikes from Ewan Menzies on 11 minutes, Euan Lloyd on 36 minutes and Gregor MacCormack on the hour mark gave them a 3-0 win against runaway Marine Harvest North Division 3 league leaders Aberdeen University in their noon throw up at Blairbeg.
2010 runners up Lovat were 2-0 winners against Lochcarron in their noon throw up at Balgate. The visitors suffered a blow ahead of the game when injury ruled out top scorer Gregor Cushnie. Lochcarron’s Jonathon Stewart missed a good chance to give his side the lead before Lovat full forward Steven Cameron turned his marker and beat keeper Stuart MacKenzie to score on 29 minutes. Lochcarron included 14 year old Robin Smith in their line-up and he claim close to levelling the tie with a blistering drive which flew wide of target. A 20 yard Ryan Fraser drive made it 2-0 on 50 minutes and this sealed a last eight place for Lovat. There were second half bookings for Lochcarron duo Kenny Murray and David MacCuish.
Glengarry made up for the disappointment of going out of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup to Glenurquhart last week with a 5-0 win over Beauly at Invergarry. Steven Cameron scored the only goal of the first half after just 4 minutes. The second half was only sixty seconds old when Cameron added his second to make it 2-0. Glengarry then rattled in three goals in just three minutes to win the tie. Steven Brady made it 3-0 on 66 minutes and a strike from Shaun Sloggie made it 4-0 a minute later. Ewan Brady made it 5-0 almost straight from the throw up.
Martin Dallas hit five and Kevin Thain a hat-trick as Kingussie beat Lochbroom 10-1 in Ullapool. Russell Menzies and Hamish Anderson got the others. Trevor Innes netted a consolation goal for Lochbroom.
Skye Camanachd beat Boleskine 5-1 at Farr. Click on the following link to read a full match report Boleskine 1 Skye Camanachd 5
Kilmallie and Caberfeidh were scheduled to meet at the Canal Parks. However the tie was switched to Castle Leod because the field was unplayable. Kilmallie were unable to muster a team to travel at such short notice so the tie was awarded to Caberfeidh.
The tie between Fort William and Kinlochshiel was postponed because of unplayable pitches.
Newtonmore go through to the next round after Inverness were unable to field a team for their tie at the Eilan.
Bullough Cup – First Round
Goals from Ross MacDonald, Angus Campbell, Steven Bulloch and Reece Campbell gave Marine Harvest South Division 2 leaders Strachur a 4-0 win over third place Bute on Rothesay.
The all-Marine Harvest South Division 1 clash between Aberdour and Glasgow Mid Argyll in Fife went all the way as it took penalties to separate the sides. Aberdour led 3-0 at the break but a great fightback from Mid Argyll took the match into scoreless extra time period. Lewis Nicol was the Aberdour hero as he scored twice during the game and netted the winning penalty in the shoot-out. Jack Kelly also scored for Aberdour whilst Donald Colville, Cameron MacKenzie and Alan Brunton. It took 14 penalties to seperate the sides and some great goalkeeping from both keepers ensued. Craig Grant and Lewis Nicol scored the crucial penalties as Aberdour won the shoot-out 2-1.
The Kyles Athletic and Inveraray reserve sides met at Tighnabruaich. The home side will be without the suspended Sandy MacKenzie but this didn’t affect them as they ran out convincing 11-0 winners. There was little sign of the goals avalanche in the first half as Kyles only led 3-0 at the break thanks to efforts from Innes MacDonald after 15 minutes and Ally MacKay just 3 minutes later. John Whyte made it 3-0 on the half hour mark. Ally MacKay added his second a minute into the second period and John Whyte also grabbed his second goal of the game on 49 minutes to make it 5-0. Peter Mobeck then went on to complete a hat-trick with goals in 53, 65 and 71 minutes to put his side 8-0 in front. David Martin made it 9-0 on 75 minutes and a late double from Roddy MacColl on 85 and 88 minutes completed the 11-0 victory.
A goal from Camanachd Association referee Euan Pearson got the Forces side The Scots off to a good start in their 3-0 win over Ballachulish at Musselburgh. Andy Scott and Jake Reid got their other goals.
The tie in Oban between Lochside Rovers, who sit third in Marine Harvest South Division 1, and the Kilmory second team which has been assembled for cup competitions, was postponed because of unplayable pitches.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
There was a share of the points at the Bught Park as Inverness and Skye Camanachd drew 2-2. Click on the following link to read a full match report (link to follow)
Strathglass went down 6-1 to Beauly at Cannich. Jack MacDonald bagged a double for Beauly whilst Marc McLaughlin was also on target. Jamie MacLennan netted twice for the second week in a row and wing centre Barrie MacDonald also found the back of the net. Robert Geddes replied for Strathglass.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
An unplayable field ruled out the match between Ballachulish and Taynuilt at Jubilee Park.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Fourth place Col Glen went down 4-3 at home to second place Tayforth. Both sides had a free Saturday last weekend because of unplayable pitches and they served up goals galore in this clash. Stuart Ferrier put Tayforth 2-0 in front with goals on 20 and 40 minutes. However young Jamie MacVicar pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time to leave the visitors 2-1 up at the break. Calum Campbell gave Tayforth a 3-1 advantage on 61 minutes but Iain MacKellar again reduced the deficit to a single goal just a minute later. Stuart Ferrier completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes and although Jamie MacVicar scored his second goal of the game 3 minutes later, the league leaders held on to take the points. .
Marine Harvest North Division 3
The match between Lewis Camanachd and Ardnamurchan at Shawbost was postponed. Lewis Camanachd believed the game was called off as the visitors were unable to raise a team. However travel difficulties have been given as the official reason and Ardnamurchan are believed to be prepared to play the game at a later date.