The Saturday Shinty Snapshot – Saturday 13 July 2013 | |
14 July 2013 Newtonmore and Kilmallie have extended their lead at the top of the Orion Group Premiership and Marine Harvest North Division 1 and Kinlochshiel reached the Strathdearn Cup Final following the weekend shinty action on Saturday 13 July 2013.
Strathdearn Cup - Semi Final Beauly 0 Kinlochshiel 2 Strathdearn Cup holders Beauly went down 2-0 to Kinlochshiel at Braeview Park. Beauly were still without the suspended Ryan MacKay. The home side made the better start on what was a hot day in Beauly but they couldn’t breach the ‘Shiel defence. The visitors came more into the game and they deservedly took the lead and Jordan Fraser was the ‘Shiel hero as he netted from a tight angle on the right after 37 minutes. Jordan Fraser made it 2-0 a couple of minutes before the break when he took a Scott MacLean pass and despatched the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Beauly fought hard in the second half but they found ‘Shiel keeper Iain Cameron in formidable form. ‘Shiel full back Graham MacRae did well to snuff out the threat of Beauly full forward Martin Davidson. Kinlochshiel will now face the winner of next weekend’s semi final tie between Newtonmore and Lovat in the final. This will be Kinlochshiel’s first appearance in the Strathdearn Cup Final since 1975. Ronnie Campbell was the match referee.
Orion Group Premiership Glenurquhart 2 Newtonmore 4 Newtonmore tightened their grip on the Orion Group Premiership with a 4-2 win over Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. The visitors suffered a blow ahead of the game when influential full back Norman Campbell was ruled out following an accident at work. Lewis MacLennan served the second game of a two match ban for the Glen but forward David Smart was free of suspension. Glenurquhart dominated the first quarter of the game and Fraser Heath put them ahead after 14 minutes. However Newtonmore capitalised on a couple of defensive lapses and Fraser MacKintosh on 34 minutes and Chris Sellar a couple of minutes later saw ‘More lead 2-1 at the break. Danny MacRae extended the visitors advantage 5 minutes into the second half but Neale Reid pulled a goal back on 56 minutes to make it 3-2. However Fraser MacKintosh’s second goal of the afternoon on 68 minutes made it 4-2. Glenurquhart were short of players and co-manager Drew Mcneil named himself on the substitute bench and he made an appearance at full back for the last quarter of the game.
Fort William 2 Inveraray 2 Doubles from Gary Innes and Lewis MacNicol; ensured that Fort William and Inveraray shared the points in their 3pm throw up at An Aird. Fort William were still without long term injury victim Liam McIntyre. Inveraray called up teenage defenders Fraser MacNicol and Ally MacDonald from their second team and both featured in attack. Fort William have been boosted by Gordie MacKinnon’s return from injury and he came closest to opening the scoring when his shot came back of Graham MacPherson’s crossbar. Gary Innes put the Fort ahead on 35 minutes after good lead up play by Niall MacPhee. However Inveraray came back into the game and Fort keeper did well to save from Garry MacPherson. Inveraray’s Lewis MacNicol levelled on 43 minutes, squeezing a shot in from a tight angle. Gary Innes restored Fort William’s lead on 66 minutes when he tucked the ball low into the corner of the net. Fort William again hit the frame of the goal as Ryan Campbell’s shot hit the bar. Lewis MacNicol denied the home side both points when he made it 2-2 with a shot from distance just 10 minutes from time. The point takes Fort William off the foot of the table at Oban Camanachd’s expense.
Kinlochshiel 2 Lochaber 4 Lochaber’s resurgence under interim boss Robert Johnstone continued when they came from two goals down to beat Kinlochshiel 4-2 at Kirkton. ‘Shiel manager Johnston Gill was working so Murdo Fraser looked after the side. Kinlochshiel were still without the injured Gordie MacDonald and Fraser MacVicar. However Paul MacRae and Davie Glass were free from suspension after missing the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup defeat to Kingussie last weekend. Paul MacRae started at full centre with Finlay MacRae moving into attack. Lochaber full back Lachlan Campbell served a one match ban for a points accumulation. However Iain Love returned and he started on the bench and Martin Johnstone recovered from a facial injury to start. Finlay MacRae got the home side off to a great start when he forced the ball home following a goalmouth scramble on 2 minutes. Duncan “Ach” MacRae collected a Keith MacRae pass to score on 7 minutes and this seemed to put ‘Shiel in control. However when the impressive Shaun Nicolson, who was playing wing centre, found Zandz Ferguson with a 34 minute free hit from the right, the former Scotland U21 cap took the ball first-time in the air to make it 2-1. Zandz Ferguson was in the thick of things again 3 minutes later when he was brought down inside the D. Ferguson took the penalty himself but he didn’t catch the ball as he would have liked and home keeper Scott Kennedy saved. Zandz Ferguson atoned for his penalty miss to get his fifth goal in four league games when he equalised on 67 minutes. A Kevin Ferguson half-volley put the Spean Bridge side ahead for the first time in the match on 71 minutes. Lochaber had their tails up and it took an outstanding Scott Kennedy save to deny Zandz Ferguson his hat-trick. Ben Delaney got in on the act to make it 4-2 with a powerful backhand drive just 3 minutes from time. Indeed Scott Kennedy had to be at his best moments later to prevent Ben Delaney making it 5-2. ‘Shiel rallied and Finlay MacRae twice went close but Lochaber held on to take the points. It is now getting very interesting at the bottom of the table. Oban Camanachd, on five points, drop back down to the foot of the table, behind Fort William on goal difference. Kyles Athletic are only three points better off. Lochaber and Glenurquhart are on ten points with Kinlochshiel and Kingussie having almost done enough to secure their positions on twelve points. Both Fort William and Kyles Athletic have at least three games in hand on the sides round-about them which could be significant. Lochaber play Fort William at An Aird next weekend in what is sure to be a cracker.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Caberfeidh 4 Strathglass 0 The match between Caberfeidh and Strathglass at Castle Leod was brought forward to Friday 12 July 2013 and Caberfeidh kept their fight for a third place finish alive with a 4-0 win. Stewart MacLennan’s Cabers side gave a fine showing against Newtonmore before going down 2-0 in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup last weekend. Ruairidh MacLennan was free of suspension. Strathglass manager Callum Duff was boosted by the return from suspension of Innes Simpson. However the influential George Phimmister served the final game in what was effectively a four match ban – three games for a red card and an additional match for a points accumulation. Strathglass defended stoutly in the first half and a 36 minute Scott MacLean goal was all that separated the sides at half time. Ruaridh MacLennan celebrated his return from suspension with goals on 55 and 60 minutes to make it 3-0 and a Craig Morrison effort just 3 minutes from time sealed a 4-0 triumph. Caberfeidh and Skye Camanachd are battling for the third place finish which should guarantee a place in next season’s national second tier. Cabers trail Skye by five points but they have three games in hand. Cabers play Inverness next weekend whilst the Islanders are idle so the gap could be just three points when the sides meet in Portree in a fortnight’s time.
Skye Camanachd 0 Kilmallie 3 Kilmallie are now four points clear at the top of the table following their 3-0 win over Skye Camanachd in their 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. The Islanders haven’t had their selection problems to seek in recent weeks. Injury ruled out Danny Morrison, Ally “Spod” Macleod, Darryl Macintosh, Kenny MacLeod and Michael Nicolson whilst Steven Morrison was working but Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Chris Rose returned. Kilmallie were hit with suspension to defender Iain Robertson who served the second game of a two match ban and Liam MacDonald sat this one out because of a points accumulation. Michael Rodger, Martin Graham and Mark Graham were also missing. Seb MacMillan caught out the Skye defence when he rolled the ball home to give Kilmallie a 9 minute lead. An outstanding penalty save from Skye keeper Aonghas MacDonald denied Kilmallie’s John Stewart but Grant MacKenzie increased Kilmallie’s lead with a blistering drive 3 minutes into the second half. Kilmallie’s Martin Munro scored the goal of the game on 75 minutes when he cut in from the left before sending an unstoppable 30 yard drive into the top corner of the net to make it 3-0. Second place Beauly now trail Kilmallie by four points but they have two games in hand with the sides due to meet at the Canal Parks in a fortnights time.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Strachur 3 Bute 3 With Glasgow Mid Argyll not in action, Bute missed out on the chance to go top of Marine Harvest South Division 1 as they drew 3-3 with bottom side Strachur at the Strachurmore Sports Centre. Throw up was brought forward to noon and the home side had Ross MacDonald free of suspension. The Islanders were without talisman Robert Walker who had a wedding on his mind. All the goals came in the second half with Rhys Campbell giving the home side the lead a couple of minutes after the restart. Angus Campbell put Strachur 2-0 ahead on 51 minutes but Leighton Reid on 62 minutes and Davie Whitelaw on 69 minutes squared the game at 2-2. The Islanders then went in front thanks to a 77 minute goal from James Craig. However Strachur had the final say and Duncan MacNicol made it 3-3 just 5 minutes from time to ensure a share of the points. Bute are second in the table on goal difference but leaders GMA have a game in hand.
Taynuilt 4 Aberdour 1 Taynuilt beat Aberdour 4-1 in the heat at the Taynuilt Playing Fields. Taynuilt were short on numbers with Stephen Parr and Fraser MacMillan missing. A knee injury ruled out James MacLaren and he could be missing for several weeks. However MacLaren managed to play in goal to help his side out as regular goalie Gary Cameron was another absentee. Taynuilt manager Willie Gillies started at full centre for the home side. Willie Irvine gave Taynuilt a 15 minute lead but it was into the second half before Taynuilt pulled away from a dogged Aberdour side. New signing Alan Duffy made it 2-0 on 55 minutes and David Campbell added a third a couple of minutes later. Alan Duffy got his second and Taynuilt’s fourth on 67 minutes although the visitors gained some consolation through an Angus Thorburn strike 5 minutes from time.
Oban Celtic 2 Glenorchy 1 Oban Celtic made it three league wins in a row with a 2-1 victory over Glenorchy at Ganavan. Oban Celtic’s Kenny Wotherspoon was free of suspension. Scott Burnett gave the Oban side a 10 minute lead but Duncan Smith squared the match a couple of minutes into the second half. Oban Celtic’s Alan Miller scored what proved to be the winner on 77 minutes. Only three points separate league leaders Glasgow Mid Argyll and sixth place Oban Celtic in what is proving to be a very competitive league.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Newtonmore 4 Glengarry 1 Newtonmore go top of Marine Harvest North Division 2 with a 4-1 win over Glengarry at the Eilan. A knee injury ruled out Newtonmore forward Neil Stewart and he will be out of action for several weeks. Glengarry were without Scott MacDonald who was suspended for a points accumulation. Newtonmore’s Mark MacDonald scored the only goal of the first half on 25 minutes. Martin Hall made it 2-0 on 67 minutes and although Glengarry’s Andrew Gilchrist pulled a goal back on 70 minutes, Mark MacDonald’s second just 4 minutes later and Conor Jones a couple of minutes from time sealed a 4-1 win. Newtonmore lead second place Lovat by a point and they still have a game in hand.
Skye Camanachd 2 Glenurquhart 1 Skye Camanachd leap-frogged Glenurquhart to go third following their 2-1 win over the Glen at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye had a keeper crisis for this noon throw up with Jamie Gannon on holiday and Michael Nicolson ruled out with an ankle injury so Ross Graham stepped in to play in goal. Graham made a couple of good saves to twice deny Cairn Urquhart as Glenurquhart opened brightly. The visitors had shaded the first half but it was Skye who took the lead a couple of minutes into first half stoppage time. Angie MacDonald sprinted out to the right to win possession for Skye. He sent a deep ball across goal which was chased by Jordan Murchison. The Skye forward cut back to make an angle for himself before sending a great drive into the top corner of the net. The game remained in the balance until second half injury time when Skye substitute Ally MacCrimmon smashed the ball past Cameron MacLennan in the Glen goal to make it 2-0. This was to prove to be a crucial goal as there was still time for Bradley Dixon to burst forward and pull a goal back from a corner on the left.
Fort William 3 Kingussie 2 Fort William beat Kingussie by the odd goal in five in their noon throw up at an Aird. Fort’s U17 ace Alexander MacMillan gave his side an 8 minute lead but Rory MacGregor levelled just 5 minutes later. Davie Duncan struck on 33 minutes to give the home side a 2-1 lead at the break. Kingussie manager Michael Falconer made it 2-2 a minute into the second half and it was Fort William’s Jay MacLeod who sealed the points with a goal after 74 minutes.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Inveraray 0 Kyles Athletic 3 A 3-0 derby win over Inveraray at Tighnabruaich kept Kyles Athletic out in front at the top of Marine Harvest South Division 2. This was Kyles first game in five weeks, when they beat Col Glen 5-2 on 8 Jun 2013, but they showed little sign of rustiness as two fine individual goals from Matthew MacColl on 19 and 22 minutes put them two goals to the good. Kyles went 3-0 in front when Brandon Wilson released Roddy McColl who netted on 33 minutes. Kyles now have a seven point advantage over second place Col Glen and they have a game in hand. Third place Ballachulish are eight points behind but they have three crucial games in hand.
Col Glen 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 5 Second placed Col Glen went down to a surprise 5-0 home defeat to Glasgow Mid Argyll. Youngsters Ryan Harrison and Calum McLay each scored twice for the Glasgow side with Andy Mathie getting the other.
Tayforth P Ballachulish P Third place Ballachulish still have games in hand on the teams above them and they remain in the title chase after they were awarded the points as Tayforth were unable to field a team for their game in Musselburgh.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lochcarron 5 Lochaber 6 Lochaber go two points clear at the top of the table following a thrilling 6-5 win over Lochcarron at Battery Park. The home side went into the game without several regulars including Gregor Cushnie, Andrew Slaughter, David MacCuish and the injured Sean MacCuish. Lochaber were along usual lines and had Stuart Callison in their line-up. An early Keith Neville double put the visitors 2-0 ahead but Lochcarron drew level thanks to two powerful efforts from Allan MacKay. Lochcarron went in front for the first time in the game on 34 minutes when Ross Brown flicked the ball home from close range after good play from Dougie MacKenzie. Lochaber squared the contest 5 minutes before the break when Stuart Callison shot through a ruck of players to make it 3-3. Stuart Callison netted after a flowing move to give Lochaber a 4-3 lead on 75 minutes. Lochcarron player / manager Kenny Murray came on in place of the injured Iain MacKenzie and he blasted home a leveller a couple of minutes later. Pat Toal got in on the act and he scored on 80 and 85 minutes to put the Spean Bridge side 6-4 ahead. This was the first time that either side had led by more than one goal and this was to prove crucial as although Kenny Murray set up Ross Brown to make it 6-5, there was only a minute remaining and Lochaber held on to take the points.
Strathglass 3 Boleskine 2 Strathglass picked up an unlikely two points when they beat second top Boleskine 3-2 at Cannich. The home side raced into a 3-0 interval lead thanks to a Scott Douglass double on 12 and 38 minutes, either side of a 27 minute Josh Ironside strike. Boleskine battled back after the break and a Lewis Smith double on 65 and 84 minutes reduced the deficit but the Strath held on to take both points.
Lewis Camanachd 2 Inverness 3 Inverness moved off the bottom of the table with a 3-2 win over Lewis Camanachd at Shawbost. Will Church got both Lewis goals but strikes from Gordie MacKenzie, Andrew Henderson and Scott Watson gave Inverness their third league win of the season.
Caberfeidh P Strathspey Camanachd P The match between Caberfeidh and Strathspey at Castle Leod has been put back to Tuesday 16 July 2013 with a 7.30pm throw up.
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