The Saturday Shinty Snapshot – Saturday 27 July 2013 | |
29 July 2013 Ballachulish won the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup, Newtonmore stay out in front in the Orion Group Premiership and Lochaber clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 3 title following the shinty fixtures on Saturday 27 July 2013.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup - Final Lochcarron 1 Ballachulish 3 (after extra time) Ballachulish beat Lochcarron 3-1 after extra time in their 4.05pm throw up at Smith Park, Farr to lift the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup for the third time. The final came too soon for Ballachulish captain Alan Clark who, despite fracturing his collar-bone in the semi-final victory over Lovat, went on to grab a hat-trick in the 4-3 extra time win. Lorne Brown was also injured in that game but he started in attack Ballachulish took the lead on 28 minutes when Duncan MacDonald got past Arran Matheson and played the ball to Michael Slezas who spun past Michael MacMillan before slotting the ball low by Peter MacKenzie to make it 1-0. Lochcarron levelled on the hour mark when Gregor Cushnie wrestled with David Campbell for possession on the Lochcarron left. David MacCuish won the ball from Andrew MacDonald’s clearance and he picked out the unmarked Crisdean Finlayson with a forward pass. There seemed little danger as Finlayson allowed the ball to run across his body before sending an unstoppable swerving shot into the top left corner of David MacPhee’s net for a quite brilliant goal which left the teams all square after an hour. Balla boss Craig Munro moved John MacDonald into attack. It was a positive move which was to reap positive rewards for the Jubilee Park side as they had the better of the remainder of the regulation 90 minutes. Lochcarron suffered a blow when full back Ian MacKenzie took a knock when challenging Scott Henderson 4 minutes into extra time and he had to come off with Kenny Cushnie coming on in his place and Douglas MacKenzie going to full back. A Ross Brown effort came back off the frame of the Balla goal as Lochcarron looked to get their noses in front. Balla attacked from the start of the second period of extra time they regained the lead on 111 minutes when Scott Henderson burst through the Lochcarron defence. His initial shot was saved by Peter MacKenzie but Henderson latched onto the rebound and he steered the ball through a ruck of players into the net to make it 2-1. Ballachulish sealed the win on 115 minutes when Scott Henderson found John MacDonald in space on the Balla right. MacDonald cut inside before taking a touch, steadying himself and tucking the ball low into the bottom left corner of Peter MacKenzie’s net to make it 3-1. The final was expertly controlled by referee John Angus Gillies and his final whistle sparked scenes of celebration in the Ballachulish camp. Balla’s David Campbell was selected as BBC Alba man of the match by former television pundit Willie MacDonald. Balla’s John MacDonald and Lochcarron’s Peter MacKenzie were also serious contenders.
Bullough Cup - Semi Final The SCOTS 0 Kyles Athletic 2 Kyles Athletic will meet either Ballachulish or Lochside Rovers in the Bullough Cup Final following their 2-0 win in a tight match against Forces side The SCOTS in their 2 pm throw up at Musselburgh. Kyles took their chances, scoring a goal in each half. Dan MacRae put them ahead after 25 minutes and Brandon Wilson made it 2-0 on 52 minutes. Neil MacDonald was the match referee.
Orion Group Premiership Newtonmore 7 Oban Camanachd 0 Title favourites Newtonmore brushed aside any fears of complacency by beating Oban Camanachd 7-0 in their 2pm throw up at the Eilan. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh took the opportunity to leave out a couple of players who were carrying niggling injuries, with the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi final meeting with Fort William in a fortnight’s time in mind. Newtonmore took the lead after 6 minutes when the ball went into the Oban net off visiting defender Gareth Evans. Scott Chisholm made it 2-0 on 22 minutes and Danny MacRae on 32 minutes and Rory Kennedy 5 minutes later made it 4-0 at the break. Fraser MacKintosh added a fifth on 72 minutes and late strikes from John MacKenzie on 87 minutes and Fraser MacKintosh’s second a minute later wrapped up a 7-0 victory. Newtonmore now only require a maximum three wins from their remaining six fixtures to retain the title. Oban Camanachd have a crucial meeting with Lochaber at Spean Bridge this weekend as they battle to beat the drop.
Lovat 2 Kingussie 1 Lovat edged out Kingussie to win 2-1 in their 2pm throw up at Balgate. Martin Mainland was free of suspension for the home side but Craig Mainland remained sidelined through injury. Defender Callum Cruden was available ahead of a two match suspension for a points accumulation. Kingussie were down to the bare bones with a number of absentees. Fraser Munro started a three match ban for his red card against Glenurquhart last weekend and Ronald Ross was still out with a knee injury. Savio Genini was on holiday and Paul Gow was another absentee whilst Louis Munro is abroad for another couple of weeks. Kevin Bartlett put Lovat ahead after 24 minutes only for Thomas Borthwick to level 3 minutes from the break. The winning Lovat goal after 67 minutes had a touch of good fortune about it as an attempted clearance from Kings’ keeper Craig Dawson cannoned back off full back James Hutchison and bounced into the net to make it 2-1. Lovat’s Lorne MacKay was in the mix and he was credited with the goal. Lovat remain second but they have increased their advantage over third place Kingussie to four points.
Fort William 2 Kyles Athletic 3 Kyles Athletic twice came from a goal down to beat Fort William 3-2 in their 3pm throw up An Aird. Fort William defender Cameron Grant missed out as he served a one match ban for a points accumulation. Fort William have found goals hard to come by in the league this season and their cause hasn’t been helped as Gary Innes is unlikely to be available to the remainder of the season. However Daniel Stewart may be the answer to their scoring problems and he put the Fort ahead on 13 minutes. Kyles talisman Roddy MacDonald levelled on 28 minutes but Daniel Stewart’s second strike of the afternoon a couple of minutes before the break restored the home side’s lead. Kyles’ Matthew MacColl made it 2-2 on 65 minutes and that’s the way it stayed until a minute from time when Grant Irvine, who has had a terrible time with injuries over the last couple of seasons, popped up to score the winner and take the points back to Tighnabruaich. Fort William remain bottom of the table and they have not won a league game since they beat Oban Camanachd 2-1 on 23 March 2013, in what is their only league win of the season so far. They have games in hand on most of their rivals but know that they need to start picking up points quickly to beat the drop.
Glenurquhart 2 Inveraray 1 Glenurquhart leap-frogged Kinlochshiel to go fifth following their 2-1 win over Inveraray at Blairbeg. Glenurquhart were without Eddie Tembo and Ewan Brady who were both sent off against Kingussie the previous weekend. Glen were also missing Ruairidh Cameron, Andrew Corrigan, Billy Urquhart, Andrew MacDonald, Ewan Menzies and Stuart Reid. Ross Macaulay, who has played in their last three games, retained his place in the side. Bradley Dickson and second team player / manager Ian MacLeod joined first team co-managers Drew McNeil and Fraser MacKenzie the substitutes’ bench. Inveraray were also light in numbers with Chris Crawford and David Robertson longer-term absentees. They were also without Andrew McMurdo and Douglas Dando so co-managers Graham MacPherson and Garry MacPherson had to re-jig their defence. Glenurquhart took the lead when a well worked free hit was lashed home by Neale Reid after just 3 minutes. The home side dominated the first half and should have added to their tally before the interval. They were made to pay 5 minutes from the break when they failed to close down Ruairidh Graham and the ball was slipped to former Kilmallie player Peter McIntyre who scored to make it 1-1. The second half was a much closer affair with Glenurquhart perhaps edging it. They pushed Lewis MacLennan forward in search of the winner and when he challenged Alan MacDonald in the air on 58 minutes, the Inveraray full back hit the ball into the ground and it looped over Graham MacPherson for what was to prove to be the winner. Glenurquhart introduced Bradley Dickson in place of Ross Macaulay. He performed well as did fellow substitute Ian MacLeod who came on wing centre for the last 15 mins. Bradley, MacLeod and Drew McNeil had all played the previous evening for the Glen reserves.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Kilmallie 1 Beauly 0 The top of the table clash at the Canal Parks saw Kilmallie taking the honours with a 1-0 win over fellow title challengers Beauly. Kilmallie manager Duncan Kelly was unavailable so Donald Lamont looked after the side. Peter Carmichael’s booking against Skye Camanachd a fortnight ago took him over the disciplinary points threshold so he sat this one out. However Liam MacDonald was free of suspension following a one match ban. Beauly’s David Groat also missed out following his red card in the Balliemore Cup defeat to Ballachulish last weekend. Young Kilmallie forward Martin Munro made a scoring debut for the Scotland U17s in their Ireland tour during the week and he scored the only goal of the game on the half hour mark. Kilmallie now lead second place Beauly by six points although the Braeview Park side have two games in hand. Kilmallie need three more points to clinch the title but their goal difference is such that a win over Caberfeidh next weekend will all but confirm them as champions.
Skye Camanachd 0 Caberfeidh 1 Skye Camanachd and Caberfeidh are battling it out for a third place finish which should be rewarded with a place in the next season’s new national second tier. And it’s advantage Caberfeidh as they beat the Islanders 1-0 with Craig Morrison netting a controversial penalty in injury time. Skye first team manager Willie MacRae had a number of absentees with Danny Morrison, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Kenny MacLeod and Darryl Macintosh all injured. Shockie MacLennan, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Kenny Campbell and Chris MacLennan were also unavailable whilst David Grant cannot play until he sits out a second team one match suspension. However Steven Morrison returned after missing the defeat to Kilmallie. Paul MacKinnon started in attack and Jamie Gannon replaced Aonghas MacDonald in goal. Caberfeidh manager Stewart MacLennan saw his side come from 3-1 to beat Inverness 4-3 last weekend. Ally MacLennan scored all four Caberfeidh goals and he was their danger-man. Full back Ian MacDonald was a late call off for Cabers so Brian MacDonald took up his defensive duties. Jordan Murchison came closest to opening the scoring in a dour first half but Cabers keeper Alan MacDonald saved his effort. The visitors switched Ally MacLennan from full centre into attack from the start of the second half and they looked the more likely side to break the deadlock. Skye had keeper Jamie Gannon to thank for a couple of fine saves. One stop from a vicious Ally MacLennan drive drew warm applause from around the ground as the keeper first showed great reflexes to parry MacLennan’s effort with his caman and he then volleyed the ball to safety. The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot in stoppage time. The goal judged flagged to bring the referee’s attention to a kick by a Skye defender inside the D. Referee Ronnie Campbell had not spotted the incident but pointed to the spot on the goal judge’s advice. Skye defender Allan MacKinnon was booked for taking his complaints too far as the home team protested furiously. Cabers Craig Morrison kept his nerve to slam the penalty over Jamie Gannon’s left shoulder to give Caberfeidh the points. Cabers now trail Skye by just one point but they have three remaining games whilst the Islanders have just one match to go – away to Beauly in a fortnight’s time.
Inverness 2 Strathglass 2 Strathglass twice came from a goal down to earn a share of the points in a 2-2 draw with Inverness at the Bught Park. Former Ballachulish and Skye Camanachd player Dougie Rankin put Inverness ahead on 14 minutes. However a Josh Fraser strike a couple of minutes before the break restored parity. Former Lochcarron player Mark Sproule put Inverness back in front on 57 minutes. Strathglass had the final say though and Scott Douglas, who had a spell with Inverness last season, scored for the visitors on 68 minutes to make it 2-2.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Aberdour 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 5 League leaders Glasgow Mid Argyll returned from Silver Sands with both points following a 5-0 win in the 2pm clash with Aberdour. Andy Mathie put GMA ahead and they had added a second before Aberdour’s Darren Coyle was sent off by referee Euan Pearson on 44 minutes for two bookings. GMA capitalised on their one man advantage to run out comfortable winners. Craig Anderson grabbed a hat-trick to take his personal tally to 28 goals for the season and Garry Luke added the other.
Lochside Rovers 3 Strachur 1 Lochside Rovers stay second thanks to a 3-1 win over Strachur in their noon meeting in Oban. Lochside Rovers were without the influential Diarmid MacMillan. Lochside’s Sean Morgan made a scoring appearance for the Scotland U17 squad when they beat Dublin U17 midweek and he put his side ahead on 20 minutes. Strachur benefited from a Keith MacMillan own goal which made it 1-1 on 55 minutes. Referee Colin MacDonald awarded Lochside two second half penalties and Brian MacCallum converted both on 64 and 85 minutes to complete a 3-1 win.
Oban Celtic 2 Bute 5 Bute stay third after their 5-2 win in their 3pm throw up over Oban Celtic in Oban. The home side went into the match without Kenny Wotherspoon and the injured Lee Askew. Andy MacDonald put the home side ahead on 6 minutes but the prolific Robert Walker hit a first half hat-trick with goals on 15, 37 and 43 minutes to leave Bute 3-1 ahead at the break. James Craig on 66 minutes and John MacCallum on 75 minutes added to the Islanders tally. Oban Celtic youngster Rory Bruce netted a minute from time to make it 5-2.
Kilmory 0 Glenorchy 4 Glenorchy remain in the title race following their 4-0 win over Kilmory at MacRae Park. Kieran MacKay was the Glenorchy hero, scoring all four goals on 22, 50, 58 and 70 minutes.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Beauly 0 Glenurquhart 1 The match between Beauly and Glenurquhart at Braeview Park was brought forward to Friday 26 July 2013 with a 7pm throw up. Glenurquhart scored the only goal of the game 3 minutes before half time through player / manager Iain MacLeod. Beauly tried hard to level but Glen first team co-manager Drew McNeil marshalled the visiting defence to great effect. The points lift Glenurquhart above Skye Camanachd into third place although the Islanders have three games in hand.
Aberdeen University 0 Newtonmore 4 Newtonmore remain top of the pile after beating Aberdeen University 4-0 in their 2pm throw up at Balgownie. Newtonmore youngster Neil Stewart is likely to miss the remainder of the season following an operation on his injured knee last week. His older brother Calum Stewart gave ‘More a 2-0 interval lead with goals on 27 and 41 minutes. Conor Jones made it 3-0 on 61 minutes and Sam Richardson added a fourth on 70 minutes. Newtonmore remain a point ahead of second place Lovat and they also have a game in hand.
Fort William 2 Lovat 4 Second place Lovat remain in hot pursuit of leaders Newtonmore after beating Fort William 4-2 in a hard fought noon throw up at An Aird. Rory Campbell put Lovat ahead on 6 minutes but goals from Ewen Campbell on 20 minutes and Alexander MacMillan 5 minutes later swung the advantage Fort William’s way. A Steven Cameron strike on 37 minutes made it 2-2 at the interval. Fraser Gallacher put Lovat back in front and Steven Cameron’s second goal of the afternoon on 72 minutes made it 4-2.
Kingussie 4 Glengarry 1 Kingussie came from a goal down to beat Glengarry 4-1 in their 1.30pm throw up at the Dell. Kingussie were without Ryan MacWilliam. He has a broken thumb and will be out for the rest of the season. Stephen Simpson put the visitors ahead on 19 minutes and they took that advantage into the break. Jake MacPherson made it 1-1 just 3 minutes into the second half and Michael Clark put the Kings 2-1 ahead on 66 minutes. Jake MacPherson and Michael Clark each scored their second goals of the afternoon on 80 and 83 minutes respectively to seal a 4-1 win.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Aberdour 1 Inveraray 2 Inveraray beat Aberdour 2-1 at Silver Sands. Russell MacKinlay scored both Inveraray goals witch Chris Bowerman countering for Aberdour.
Col Glen W/O v Tayforth Col Glen were awarded the points from their home meeting with Tayforth as the visitors were unable to raise a team.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lewis Camanachd 0 Lochaber 9 Lochaber clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title in style with a 9-0 in over Lewis Camanachd in their 2pm throw up at Shawbost. Stuart Callison grabbed a hat-trick for Lochaber and Keith Neville and Pat Toal also scored. Stuart Matheson also notched a hat-trick whilst Ryan Johnstone got the other.
Strathspey Camanachd 8 Kilmallie 6 Strathspey were 8-6 winners in an epic encounter with Kilmallie in their 1.30pm throw up at Freuchie Park. Andy Hay grabbed four goals for the home side and Donald Colville bagged a brace. Jonathon Gray and Gavin Wood got the others. John MacIsaac got a double for Kilmallie. Innes Blackhall also scored for the visitors with Bryan MacKay also getting two and Craig MacIsaac got the other.
Strathglass v Lochbroom W/O Strathglass’ run of two successive wins came to an end when they were unable to field a team for their 1.30pm throw up against Lochbroom at Cannich. The points were awarded to Lochbroom. |