Newtonmore Reach 2013 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final - Fort William 0 Newtonmore 7 | |
11 August 2013 Newtonmore will face Kyles Athletic in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final following their 7-0 win over Fort William in their BBC Alba live television 4.05pm clash at the Bught Park on Saturday 10 August 2013. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh was determined that his squad stayed focused ahead of the tie as they were most peoples’ heavy favourites to reach the final. Norman Campbell and Glen MacKintosh returned for ‘More after missing the 7-0 league win over Oban Camanachd a fortnight ago. Fort William have been finding goals difficult to come by and their cause hasn’t been helped by the loss of Gary Innes due to work commitments. However Bryan Simpson started his return from injury in the 0-0 draw with Glenurquhart last weekend and he started on the bench where his presence boosted co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson’s options. Newtonmore won the toss and played with the Bught Park breeze at the backs. Newtonmore went in front after just 4 minutes with a neatly worked goal. Fraser MacKintosh slipped the ball to Rory Kennedy on the ‘More right. Danny MacRae let Kennedy’s cross run on to Glen MacKintosh in space and he slotted the ball low into the net to make it 1-0. There was an early booking for Fort’s Niall MacPhee after an exchange of swings with Cameron Binnie. Newtonmore doubled their advantage on 18 minutes. Glen MacKintosh found Danny MacRae with a short free-hit and MacRae blasted the ball over Paul MacKay’s shoulder to make it 2-0. It was mainly one-way traffic although Michael Ritchie had to make a smart save with his legs from a Duncan Rodger snap-shot on 22 minutes and the keeper did well to get the ball away from the on-rushing Jack Fraser. One of the games main talking points came on 28 minutes when a reckless Steven Stewart challenge in the middle of the park left Newtonmore’s Rory Kennedy writhing on the ground. Steven Stewart was booked by referee Graham Cameron and was very fortunate not to be sent off. Kennedy had to leave the field with a leg and hand injury and it was later confirmed that he’ll need pins inserted in a broken finger. John MacKenzie came on in his place of Kennedy. Michael Ritchie had to stretch his leg to keep out a low Duncan Rodger shot from a Gordie MacKinnon free-hit on 42 minutes. Fort William would probably not have been too unhappy to go into the half time break two goals down given that they had been playing into the wind and had soaked up so much Newtonmore pressure. However they fell 3-0 behind a couple of minutes before the break. A Steven MacDonald ball forward was deflected into the path of substitute John MacKenzie and he turned and drove the ball across keeper MacKay and into the net at the goalie’s left post. Bryan Simpson came on in place of Cameron Grant for Fort William as the heavy rain came down at the start of the second half with Duncan Rodger moving back into defence. However Cameron returned to the action seconds later to replace the injured Duncan Rodger. Danny MacRae hit the post on 49 minutes as Newtonmore kept up the pressure. Fort William’s Arran MacPhee was booked on 57 minutes after the youngster seemed to be initially tripped. John MacKenzie got his second and Newtonmore’s fourth goal on 61 minutes. MacKenzie collected a Glen MacKintosh pass before turning and firing past an unsighted Paul MacKay. Danny MacRae’s second goal of the afternoon made it 5-0 just 4 minutes later after a surging Glen MacKintosh run at the heart of the Fort William defence. MacKintosh pushed the ball to Danny MacRae on his right and MacRae’s first time shot gave Paul MacKay no chance. Danny MacRae completed his hat-trick on 72 minutes after a one-two with John MacKenzie, and a slip by Fort full back Neil Robertson, left him free in front of goal. Paul MacKay got his caman to the shot but the sheer power of MacRae’s effort took the ball into the roof of the net. Ryan Campbell came on in attack for Fort William in place of Daniel Stewart seconds later. A double Michael Richie save on 79 minutes denied Bryan Simpson and Jack Fraser a consolation goal. BBC Alba man of the match Danny MacRae made it 7-0 just 9 minutes from time as he took his personal tally for the afternoon to four goals. John MacKenzie hit the bar with a looping shot and Paul MacKay saved Glen MacKintosh’s attempt from the rebound but Danny MacRae followed up to stroke the ball home. Newtonmore made a double substitution with midfielders Jamie Robinson and Paul MacArthur coming off and Blair MacKintosh and Michael Russell getting a run out for the closing 8 minutes. The final whistle signalled celebrations from the Newtonmore support. Newtonmore will now put thoughts of the Camanachd Cup Final against Kyles Athletic to one side as they prepare for next weekend’s Artemis Macaulay Cup Final against who else but Kyles Athletic. Fort William from; Paul MacKay (captain), Neil Robertson, Jamie Cruickshank, Cameron Grant, Stevie Stewart, Chris Bamber, Niall MacPhee, Arran MacPhee, Gordie MacKinnon, Daniel Stewart, Jack Fraser, Duncan Rodger, subs Alex MacMillan, Calum Shepherd, Ryan Campbell, Bryan Simpson, Sean Cameron Newtonmore from; Michael Ritchie, Norman Campbell, Andy MacKintosh, Ackie MacRae, Cameron Binnie, Steven MacDonald, Jamie Robinson (captain), Paul MacArthur, Rory Kennedy, Fraser MacKintosh, Danny MacRae, Glen MacKintosh, subs John MacKenzie, Blair MacKintosh, Scott Chisholm, Michael Russell Match Referee – Graham Cameron Goal Judges – Robert Morrison, Russell Ross |