The Shinty Round Up - Saturday 24 February 2018 | |
25 February 2018 With the new shinty season just around the corner, the final round of pre-season friendly matches took place on Saturday 24 February 2018.
Oban Celtic 10 Ballachulish 1 Oban Celtic beat Ballachulish 10-1 at Mossfield to lift the Robert Wylie Memorial Cup. The Oban High School 3g pitch was booked as back-up for this 2pm throw up but Mossfield was in great condition following the good Oban weather during the week. Unsurprisingly, Oban Celtic started with the same forward line - Ross MacMillan, Daniel MacMillan, Andy MacDonald and Daniel Madej - who put eleven goals past Glengarry a week earlier. There were only a couple of minutes gone when Daniel Madej put the home side ahead with a knee-high shot which beat the keeper on his left side. Celtic added another 5 minutes later when a corner on the right was only cleared as Celtic full centre Ally McKerracher and although the keeper got a hand to McKerracher’s shot, he could only palm the ball into the net. Oban Celtic continued to press and they extended their lead on 22 minutes when Daniel MacMillan did well down the left and he picked out Daniel Madej who made no mistake, firing into the corner of the net. Andy Hunt was playing well for the home side on the wing as was Ally McKerracher in the middle of the park whilst Fulton Ronald was there to mop up at the back when called upon. Balla’ pulled a goal back on 28 minutes. Daniel MacLean floated the ball towards the Celtic D and it seemed to deflect off Michael MacKinnon’s heel, catching out keeper Jack Hill, and ending up in the back of the net, much to the angst of Celtic manager Wotherspoon. Oban Celtic responded instantly with Daniel Madej scoring almost straight from the restart to complete his hat-track. Madej rounded the goalkeeper to put his side in control. There was still time for Celtic to add two more first half goals. A Celtic corner from the right wasn’t cleared and came to Ross MacMillan who pinged the ball home from 20 yards, high into the net to the keeper’s right. Daniel Madej was too hot to handle and he got a fourth goal as the first half drew to a close. The goal was very similar to his third as he again rounded the keeper before netting to make it 6-1 at the break. Kenny Wotherspoon made changes with both wingers Andy Hunt and Dylan Cooke replaced by Kieran Carnie and George MacMillan. Daniel Macmillan also made way for Neil Carmichael. A good Ross MacMillan run down the left on 51 minutes ended with MacMillan cutting the ball back to Daniel Madej and, with the aid of a slight deflection off Balla’ defender Lorne Brown, the ball ended up in the roof of the net. A quiet spell followed and Lorne Brown deserves mention for some good defending to keep the Celtic attackers temporarily at bay. A tactical change by Kenny Wotherspoon for the closing 20 minutes saw Neil Carmichael move back into centre and, for the second successive week, the impressive Ally McKerracher was switched into the forward line. The moves paid dividends almost immediately as Ross MacMillan made it 8-1 with a snap-shot from the edge of the D following good work down the right from his brother Daniel MacMillan, who had come back on in place of Andy MacDonald. Ally McKerracher made it 9-1 with a superb finish which flew past the keeper and McKerracher completed his hat-trick with a shot on his weaker left hand side to finish the scoring at 10-1 to Celtic. The game was played in good spirits and was well refereed by Des McNulty. The Robert Wylie Cup was presented to Oban Celtic club captain Daniel Madej by Robert’s mother Catherine and Robert’s sister Lorna. It was no surprise that five-goal Daniel Madej was presented with the Robert Wylie (senior) award as man of the match.
Fort William 0 Kyles Athletic 3 Fort William and Kyles Athletic played their annual challenge for the Drew Ferguson Memorial Cup at An Aird with Kyles retaining the trophy. Fort William were minus James Tangney and Jack Fraser whilst Kyles travelled without Neil MacVicar, Cammy Keith, Gordon Whyte, Sandy MacKenzie, Colin MacDonald, Rupert Williamson and Donald Irvine. New signing Luke Thornton made his debut, getting 60 minutes at full forward. The first half was very scrappy but Kyles dominated the second period with their superior fitness giving them an edge. Kyles started with Roddy MacDonald, Grant Irvine, Innes MacDonald and Scott MacDonald up front and they gave the Fort William defence of Sean Cruickshank, Ally MacRae, Ryan Boyle and Sean Cameron a hard time. Kyles had to make a first half change when, during a goalmouth scramble, Grant Irvine was whacked on the ankle by team mate Scott MacDonald who was trying to get a shot away. However Irvine, after treatment, was able to return in place of Innes MacDonald for the final third of the game. Innes MacDonald came back on in defence for Ross MacRae for the final 15 minutes of the contest. In the end Grant Irvine scored twice, earning the man of the match accolade in the process, whilst Roddy MacDonald got the other Kyles Athletic goal. Kyles captain John Whyte accepted the Drew Ferguson Memorial Cup from Drew’s mum, Sheila Ferguson.
Fort William 1 Lochside Rovers 2 With the second team derby between Fort William and Kilmallie called off earlier in the week, and Lochside Rovers meeting with the Newtonmore second team not going ahead, the Fort and Lochside quickly arranged this noon throw up at An Aird. Oban Camanachd had been due to face Kilmallie but with that game called off, Matt Rippon, Lorne Dickie, Willie Neilson and Scott MacMillan were included with the last two starting on the bench. Iain MacMillan looked after Lochside as manager Gareth Evans was working and his assistant Brian MacCallum was also unavailable. Fort William took a first half lead when a terrific long-range shot from young Victor Smith nestled in the top corner of the net. It was the only goal of the first half with Lochside unable to convert their pressure into goals. Lochside brought on Willie Neilson and Scott MacMillan at half time and moved Matt Rippon from defence to attack. Connor MacRae capitalised on some poor communication in the Lochside defence to make it 2-0. Matt Rippon pulled a goal back but Fort William stayed in front to win 2-1.
Lochaber 1 Lovat 4 Lovat beat Lochaber 4-1 in their all-Premiership friendly match at Spean Bridge. New Lochaber manager was without keeper Callum MacDonald so 19 year old Ally MacDonald took over in goal and did well. Brian MacDonald and Zandz Ferguson were also missing. Former Newtonmore player John MacKenzie started at full forward for Lochaber and he was joined in attack by Shaun Nicolson, Findlay MacDonald and Stuart Matheson. Lovat also had a change in goal with manager Fraser Gallacher replacing Stuart MacDonald who was on holiday. Drew Howie and Lorne MacKay were also unavailable for the Balgate side whilst Martin Mainland was injured. Lochaber took the lead on 35 minutes when a clearance out of defence from Lovat goalie Fraser Gallacher went straight to Shaun Nicolson and he struck the ball first time from outside the D to make it 1-0. Lovat levelled a couple of minutes before half time when Greg Matheson darted into the D to turn home a ball across goal with Lochaber claiming for offside. Greg Matheson put Lovat ahead for the first time in the game on the hour mark. Matheson jinked before unleashing a 30 yard rocket-shot on his back-hand. Marc MacLachlan made it 3-1 just 10 minutes later, netting from 15 yards to give Lovat a cushion. A first senior goal for Bailey MacKay followed on 73 minutes. Wing centre MacKay seemed to come from nowhere with a late run at a corner, catching out the home defence. MacKay took a nice touch to take the ball down with his stick and he slipped it past keeper MacDonald only for the ball to come back off the post. However the rebound fell perfectly for MacKay and he tapped it into the bottom corner of the net to make it 4-1. Lochaber substitute Danny Delaney missed a late penalty, sending the ball wide of Fraser Gallacher’s right post.
Beauly 0 Skye Camanachd 5 Skye Camanachd took the field for the first time this year, beating Beauly 5-0 in their 1pm throw up at Braeview Park. Whilst Beauly had already appeared pre-season, this was fourth time lucky for Skye as the wet weather had wiped out their pre-season programme so far. Skye took the lead after 6 minutes when Ruaraidh MacLeod was slipped in by Jordan Murchison and MacLeod finished well into the top corner from 15 yards out for what was his first goal at senior level. James Pringle made it 2-0 after 13 minutes. Pringle went on a great solo run from half-way line and he beat the keeper with great finish. The second half was just 11 minutes old when Iain MacLellan tucked a back-hand finish past Josh Grant, beating the keeper from 15 yards out. A great turn by Ross Gordon ended with a pass to Jordan Murchison on 76 minutes. Murchison juggled the ball with his back to goal before turning and smashing the dropping ball on his back-hand from 20 yards out, past a helpless keeper. A minute later, Ruaraidh MacLeod nipped in between a defender keeper Josh Grant to make it 5-0.
Inverness 0 Kinlochshiel 6 Inverness and Kinlochshiel have been drawn together at Kirkton in the first round of the cottages.com MacTavish Cup and they arranged a friendly at The Bught Park. ‘Shiel had Scott Kennedy back in goal but the other end of the park saw most of the action with Jordan Fraser impressing with four goals whilst Finlay MacRae and John MacRae got the others.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Kingussie 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll and Kingussie lined up for a 12.30pm meeting at Yoker. Kingussie travelled south with a young squad but they had keeper Craig Dawson and Fraser Munro back in the side. GMA were without full back Ryan Harrison who is unlikely to play this season. Fraser Munro put Kingussie ahead 5 minutes from the end of first half. Munro found the net from left of the penalty spot, crashing the ball high into roof of net. Lee Bain made it 2-0 when, standing on the penalty spot, he turned sharply and his half-swing sent the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. Darren Hanlan hit Kingussie’s third with a good drive into the top corner of the net from middle of pitch; around 20 yards out. John McNulty netted for the hosts with literally the last hit of the game. McNulty’s low shot from right went across keeper Dawson and into the bottom corner of the net. Kingussie’s Fraser Munro was the game’s stand-our performer whilst Ewan Murray was best for GMA in a match refereed by Ross Brown.
Glenurquhart 3 Strathglass 0 Glenurquhart retained the MacDonald Cup when they beat Strathglass 3-0 at Blairbeg. It was a good afternoon for Glen’s Fraser Heath who scored all three of his side’s goals.
Glenurquhart 2 Strathglass 0 There was a reserve team meeting between the Glen and the Strath at Blairbeg, with the Ali Bhan Cup at stake, also went Glen’s way as they won 2-0. Bradley Sneddon and Ben Hosie grabbed the goals.
Newtonmore 5 Inveraray 1 Newtonmore and Inveraray met at The Eilan as part of the host club’s annual open day. All the goals in this one came it the second half. Ewan Fraser, who has joined the club from Aberdeen University, scored twice as did Evan Menzies. Glen MacKintosh got the other. Lewis MacNicol countered for Inveraray who included new signing Craig Taylor.
Aberdour 1 Col Glen 2 A mixture of Aberdour first and second team players took on Col Glen at Silversands with the visitors coming out 2-1 victors. The Aberdour second team had been due to play Strachur but that game was postponed so coach Lisa MacColl was awash with players and tried to give as many as possible a game. This affected the rhythm of the match but the hosts went in front when David MacDougall slotted home a Kieran Burns ball from the wing. It was a fairly even first half and Col Glen got their reward when Jamie MacVicar set up Donnie McDiarmid to equalise before half time. Aberdour, with captain Cammy McCue having a fine game, continued to rotate their side and, just when it looked like the game would finish on level terms, Willie MacVicar popped up to score a late winner for Col Glen with Jamie MacVicar again the provider.
Kingussie 1 Caberfeidh 0 The Kingussie colts from Marine Harvest North Division 1 and the Caberfeidh colts from Marine Harvest North Division 2 meet in a 2pm throw up Dunbarry. In the end, a Kevin Thain goal was the difference between the sides; giving the Kings a 1-0 victory.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Bute 3 The Glasgow Mid Argyll second team and the Bute second team drew 3-3 in their 2.30pm throw up at Yoker. Scott Anderson, Connor McLeod and Angus MacInnes were on target for GMA but two goals from Bute captain Neil McKirdy and a Chris McGowan goal ensured a share of the spoils.
Tayforth P Strathspey Camanachd P The game between Tayforth and Strathspey Camanachd at Levenhall Links didn’t go ahead.
Glengarry P Skye Camanachd P The match between Glengarry and the Skye Camanachd second team at Craigard was postponed on Thursday evening.
Boleskine P Lovat P Boleskine’s meeting with the Lovat second team didn’t go ahead.
WCA Round Up The new WCA Marine Harvest National Division 1 fixtures got underway on Sunday 25 February 2018.
Fort William 1 Skye Camanachd 15 Champions Skye Camanachd got their season off to a great start, beating Fort William 15-1 at An Aird. Leah Maxtone scored for the Fort but Lorna MacRae and Jenna Beaton both netted five times for Skye. Sarah Corrigall scored four and Katherine Dibble got the other.
Ardnamurchan 0 Lochaber 13 Lochaber, who finished second in the division last season, were too strong for newly promoted Ardnamurchan, winning 13-0 at Strontian. Kirsty Delaney scored six times whilst Rebecca Masson and Caitlin MacDonald bagged doubles. Thea Robertson, Christy MacIntyre and Natalie MacDonald got the others for a Lochaber side who gave debuts to Caitlin MacDonald, Thea Robertson and Katie MacRae.
Badenoch 4 Aberdour 1 Badenoch were 4-1 winners against Aberdour at Dunbarry. Goals from Eilidh Ross, Mairi Stewart, Klaudia Ordys and an own goal counted for Badenoch with Catriona Chamberlain scoring for Aberdour.
Strathspey 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Strathspey were surprise 2-1 winners in their 1.30pm throw up against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Grantown Grammar School. After a goalless first half, Jade Longworth gave Strathspey the lead soon after the restart, quickly followed by a Jane Moodie effort which made it 2-0. GMA pulled a goal back through Rachel McCafferty but Strathspey, with Stacey Hutton having a great game, stayed in front to win. |