The Shinty Round Up - Saturday 3 February 2018 | |
04 February 2018 A number of pre-season friendly matches beat the elements on Saturday 3 February 2018.
Oban Camanachd 3 Inveraray 0 Oban Camanachd took the field for the first time this season as Iain Hay’s side entertained Inveraray. With the Oban High School 3g pitch on stand-by, an 8.30am Saturday morning pitch inspection ruled Mossfield playable. Both teams were short of players with Lorne Dickie, Scott MacMillan, Daniel MacCuish and David Lafferty amongst the Oban Camanachd absentees. Oban Camanachd took the lead on 10 minutes. Daniel MacVicar played in a ball from the left and found Aidan MacIntyre just outside the D. MacIntyre, who had lost his marker, struck the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0. Oban Camanachd had keeper Gavin Stobbart to thank as Inveraray went on the hunt for a quick leveller. It was then Inveraray custodian Scott MacLachlan’s turn to show his worth with some good stops. The Oban side doubled their head on 37 minutes. Andrew MacCuish, who had a great battle with Garry MacPherson in the middle of the park, played a fine pass to down the right to Aidan MacIntyre. MacIntyre ran in, drawing keeper MacLachlan and a defender, before slipping the ball to Craig MacDougall who steered a shot into the open goal. Whilst Inveraray had their chances during the first period, Oban Camanachd were dominant after the break. They went 3-0 ahead on 37 minutes. Daniel MacVicar saw a 20 yard shot saved with his legs by goalie Scott MacLachlan but Aidan MacIntyre was quickly in to knock home the rebound for his second goal of the game. The goal seemed to knock the zip out of the match and only a commanding performance from Scott MacLachlan prevented the hosts going further ahead.
Oban Celtic 8 Taynuilt 0 The Oban Celtic first team squad were to travel to the Taynuilt Sports Field to play Taynuilt. However this 2pm throw up was postponed on Friday evening as the pitch was unplayable. With Mossfield ruled playable for the clash between Oban Camanachd and Inveraray, Camanachd boss Iain Hay made his Oban Celtic counterpart Kenny Wotherspoon aware that the Oban High School 3g pitch was free for use so a hastily rearranged encounter between Oban Celtic and Taynuilt went ahead on the all-weather surface at 12.30pm. Both teams did well to reassemble their squads at short notice although, understandably, both had key players missing. Oban Celtic had sixteen players to choose from, including two under 14s – John Douglas and Innes MacDonald – whilst Dylan Cooke, their pre-season signing from Glenorchy - started on the wing. The teams played 40 minutes each way and, at the end of the first half, a brace from captain Daniel Madej and a spectacular Neil Carmichael volley gave Celtic a 3-0 cushion. Oban Celtic, prompted by the excellent Daniel MacMillan, went for more goals after the restart but former Lochside Rovers keeper Beano Logan did well in the Taynuilt goals. Both teams took the opportunity to chop and change their line-ups throughout the match. Daniel Madej completed his hat-trick to make it 4-0, whilst Ross MacMillan added a couple of fine strikes with his brother Daniel MacMillan adding a seventh. A debut goal from Dylan Cooke completed the scoring, making it 8-0.
Fort William 4 Ballachulish 0 The Fort William second team lined up against Ballachulish in a 1.30pm throw up at An Aird. Young Victor Smith, Padraig McNeil, who has rejoined the club after a season with Inverness, Scott Henderson and Grant Disher got the goals in Fort William’s 4-0 victory. Balla’ confirmed that Scottish international John MacDonald will be their captain for the season ahead, taking over from Lorne Brown. Cian MacPhee will be vice-captain.
Glenurquhart 2 Inverness 1 Glenurquhart and Inverness saw their first action of the new term when they meet at Blairbeg. Glen had keeper Stuart MacKintosh back from injury and Fraser Heath played but John Barr and Ally MacKintosh were missing as were Eddie Tembo, Arran MacDonald, Euan Lloyd, James Hurwood and Oliver Black. The sides were level at the break with James Cameron on target for Inverness and Finlay Ralston scoring for the Glen. Finlay Ralston got his second after the break and that proved to be the winner. Glen’s James MacPherson had an effort ruled out for offside. Inverness were also minus some regulars and they give a good account of themselves against top flight opposition. David Campbell at full back and Dougie Rankin at buckshee back stood firm to withstand a lot of pressure and it finished 2-1. The clubs reserve sides were also scheduled to meet but that encounter was called off on Saturday morning.
Caberfeidh 8 Strathglass 0 Caberfeidh and Strathglass were to meet at Castle Leod but an unplayable field led to a venue switch to the Dingwall Academy astro pitch with the teams playing 10-a-side. It proved a testing afternoon for Strathglass, who were forced to include five second team players in their 15-man squad, as Cabers ran out 8-0 winners. Craig Morrison and Ally MacLennan, back after injury, both grabbed a hat-trick with Blair Morrison and Calum MacKinnon getting the others.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Tayforth 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll took on Tayforth at Yoker. Craig Anderson and Seb MacMillan scored in the first half to leave GMA two up at the break. Calum Mclay netted twice after the restart to round off the 4-0 win.
Lochaber 3 Newtonmore 4 There were goals galore at Spean Bridge as the Newtonmore seconds edged out the Lochaber seconds by the odd goal in seven in their 1pm throw. The Newtonmore goals were scores by Craig MacLeod, former Aberdeen University and Boleskine player Ewan Fraser, Cameron MacNiven and Iain Robinson. A Max Campbell brace and Stuart Callison counted for Lochaber.
Strathspey Camanachd 3 Aberdour 5 Strathspey Camanachd welcomed Aberdour to a snowy Grantown Grammar School for a 1.30pm throw up. The snowfall ahead of throw up could well have led to a postponement but both teams opted to brave the elements for what was a fine team building exercise. Aberdour made a strong start, attacking their hosts but struggling to find the target. ‘Dour were punished for their wastefulness when Strathspey, who gave debuts to a number of youngsters, went 1-0 up through Donald Colville. The conditions made it difficult for both teams and Strathspey took their single goal advantage into the break. The hosts made the better start to the second period and Donald Colville got his second to make it 2-0. Aberdour fought their way back into the match and David MacKenzie pulled a goal back. Strathspey restored their two-goal cushion when Dane Taylor found the net from distance. ‘Dour, with five under 17 players in their squad, responded in the best possible way and went on to have their best period during the final 20 minutes of the match. They got their reward as first Jamie Anderson and then a second from David MacKenzie made it 3-3. Ally Abbott then put Aberdour ahead for the first time in the match and David MacKenzie grabbed a hat-trick goal to seal a 5-3 win.
Liz Young Sixes With six teams named for the popular Liz Young Sixes, it was the Blue team who took the honours following the 12.30pm start at Dalfaber. The winning team was Owen Reid, Chris Holleysong, Rory MacGregor, Derek Young, Rachel Young, Jordan Reid, James Falconer, Somhairle Fraser and coach Barrie Dallas.
Newtonmore P Kinlochshiel P The match between Marine Harvest Premiership champions Kinlochshiel and 2016 league winners Newtonmore at the Eilan didn’t go ahead.
North Skye P South Skye P Skye Camanachd took the decision not to play the Ewen Morrison Memorial Cup match between North Skye and South Skye at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree for fear of damaging the pitch ahead of their pre-season friendlies.
Strathspey Ladies Are Champs The final championship from the 2017 shinty season was decided when Lochaber Ladies and Strathspey Ladies met on Sunday 4 February 2018 with the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title at stake. This 1.3opm throw up was to take place at Grantown Grammar School but an unplayable field led to a venue reversal to Spean Bridge. This play-off came about when the sides finished level at the top of the table at the end of the season. A close first half finished goalless but Strathspey’s Jessica Hart and then Jade Longworth got the goals that made the difference, cancelling out Anna Berardelli’s effort for Lochaber, to clinch a 2-1 win. Strathspey are promoted to the Marine Harvest National Division 1 as champions although a second placed finish would also have allowed a step up as Lochaber are a reserve side and their first team already completes in the top flight. |