The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 1 March 2014 | |
03 March 2014 The new shinty season started on Saturday 1 March 2014 with just over half the scheduled fixtures going ahead.
Orion Group Premiership Lovat 2 Kyles Athletic 0 Two of the title contenders met at Balgate where Lovat scored a goal in each half to beat Kyles Athletic 2-0. Injury deprived Lovat of Martin Mainland’s services with Fraser Gallacher making a return to the first team squad. Kyles were missing keeper Kenny MacDonald for work reasons. However the Tighnabruaich stalwart is expected to be available next weekend when he will start his thirty second season in the first team, after making his debut for the Kyles Athletic Camanachd Cup winning side of 1983. John Whyte deputised in goal. Robbie MacLeod started on the bench following a hernia operation and Grant Irvine and Dunkie Kerr were missing. Lovat had chances before they went in front on 18 minutes with Owen Ferguson on target. Kyles had plenty of possession after the goal with Donald Irvine dictating play. However they didn’t trouble Lovat keeper Stuart MacKintosh enough although he did make one good save with his foot following a shot through a ruck of players. Lovat sealed the win with a final minute breakaway when a long ball from Graeme MacMillan found Ryan Ferguson and his pass picked out the unmarked Greg Matheson who found the back of the net to make it 2-0. This wasn’t a classic match but the win gave Lovat an important two points in front of a crowd which included several representatives from the Newtonmore camp.
Glenurquhart 4 Kinlochshiel 0 Glenurquhart got off to a winning start with a 4-0 triumph over Kinlochshiel at Blairbeg. The returning Glen co-managers Dave Menzies and Billy MacLean in charge and they were able to call on the services of Andrew Corrigan, who raced back from work to make the throw up. There was also a debut for former Glengarry player Michael Brady in defence but the injured Ally MacKintosh was missing. The visitors were without injured pair Keith MacRae and Fraser MacVicar and a bigger concern for manager Colin Fraser will be the recurrence of a knee injury for Gordie MacDonald. Glenurquhart attacked from the throw up and David Smart and Eddie Tembo went close before ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy had to drop to his knees to deflect an early effort from Lewis MacLennan for a corner. ‘Shiel’s injury woes increased when full back David Falconer had to leave the field with what was later confirmed as a broken collarbone which will keep him on the sidelines for at least six weeks. Donald Nixon came off the substitutes’ bench with Mark MacDonald taking over at full back. Glen’s Neale Reid twice went close before ‘Shiel’s Duncan “Ach” MacRae shot wide after 25 minutes. Stuart MacKintosh used his body to keep out a Jordan Fraser drive after 37 minutes in what was the visitors first shot on target. The first half looked to be ending on even terms until James MacPherson netted for Glenurquhart a minute before the break. Neale Reid started the move as his flick found David Smart who hit the ball in the air to MacPherson and he shot across keeper Kennedy into the net to make it 1-0. Kinlochshiel tried desperately to get back on level terms in what little first half time remained. However Glenurquhart defended their goal but it came at a price as defender Andrew Corrigan suffered what was later confirmed as a broken thumb which will keep him out of action for six weeks. With tempers rising following the incident, the half time whistle probably came at an opportune time. Lewis MacLennan made it 2-0 on 53 minutes when he scored from a rebound after Scott Kennedy had saved from Neale Reid. James MacPherson got his second on the hour mark, again from a rebound off the goalie. Kinlochshiel tried desperately to get back into the game and Jordan Fraser set up Oliver MacRae but Fraser Heath saved the Glen with a fine tackle. David Glass and Neil Fraser came on for Jordan Fraser and Duncan “Ach” MacRae in an attempt to change ‘Shiel’s fortunes. Their full centre Finlay MacRae went close on two occasions. ‘Shiel were enjoying their best period of the match but they were caught on the break on 74 minutes. Neale Reid had been in dazzling form all afternoon and he rounded off a fine 4-0 victory when he collected a Ewan Brady cross from the right before crashing the ball past a helpless Kennedy, into the net. There was still time for the impressive Fraser Heath to cover half the length on the field with the ball before being unceremoniously stopped in his tracks by Paul MacRae and referee Deek Cameron booked ‘Shiel defender John Don MacKenzie for a late challenge at the death. It is commonly accepted that points will be at a premium in shinty’s reduced top flight and Glenurquhart deserved their winning start.
Newtonmore P Lochaber P Newtonmore’s quest to secure a fifth successive Orion Group Premiership title was put on hold as their match against Lochaber was postponed following the tragic passing of former Lochaber and Glengarry player Bryan Whyte.
Kingussie P Inveraray P The match between Kingussie and Inveraray was switched to the Dell as the Winterton was unplayable. However the game was postponed on Friday evening because of the passing of Inveraray stalwart John Crawford, who was an uncle of players Scott Robertson and David Robertson.
Marine Harvest National Division Beauly 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Beauly recovered from an early set-back to beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-1 at Braeview Park. Craig Anderson gave GMA the lead after just 7 minutes. However David MacLean struck twice on 38 and 42 minutes to give Beauly a 2-1 lead at the break. Ross Forbes made it 3-1 a minutes into the second half and with no further scoring, Beauly took the spoils.
Caberfeidh 1 Oban Camanachd 2 Oban Camanachd also came from behind to beat Caberfeidh 2-1 at Castle Leod. Blair Morrison scored the first goal of the new shinty season after just 3 minutes but Andrew MacCuish levelled on 35 minutes. The winning goal came a minute from time when Andrew MacCuish got his and Oban Camanachd’s second goal. There was a good tussle in the middle of the park between Ally MacLennan and Daniel Cameron.
Bute P Kilmallie P The pitch at the Meadows was waterlogged so the game between Bute and Kilmallie was postponed.
Fort William P Glenorchy P The meeting between Fort William and Glenorchy was postponed as An Aird was deemed unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Inverness 1 Newtonmore 6 Three time Marine Harvest North Division 2 champions Newtonmore recorded one of the most impressive results of the day with a 6-1 win over Inverness at the Bught Park. Inverness were without the suspended Conor Golabeck whilst Zander Grant was injured. The visitors included Evan Menzies to give him additional game time following his spell abroad. There were early saves for Kenny Ross in the Newtonmore goal to prevent the home side taking the lead. A Martin Hall volley gave ‘More the lead after 12 minutes. John MacKenzie’s work commitments mean that he will be playing mainly second team shinty this season and he proved his worth by making it 2-0 on 22 minutes with a shot from distance. Calum Stewart bulleted home a back-hand drive just 3 minutes later which made it 3-0 at the interval. Inverness reduced the deficit 5 minutes into the second half when a long range Dougie Ranking strike beat Kenny Ross to make it 3-1. However Newtonmore restored their three goal cushion just two minutes later through Evan Menzies. Blair MacKintosh replaced the injured Conor Jones in midfield for Newtonmore They also took on youngsters Iain Robinson and Iain Richardson in attack and late second goals for John MacKenzie on 78 minutes and Calum Stewart, 5 minutes from time sealed the 6-1 win.
Strathglass 8 Lovat 1 Strathglass beat Lovat 8-1 at Cannich. The home side were missing George Phimmister and Robbie Stokes. Lovat were short in numbers including the unavailable Jimmy MacKenzie and the suspended Alan MacPherson so there were places for Stevie Munro and Mark Scobie. However the remainder of the team consisted mainly of youth players. Ally MacAdams put Strathglass ahead on 4 minutes and Ciaran Melons made it 2-0 on 8 minutes. Ciaran Melons got his second on 11 minutes to make it 3-0 and Ally MacAdams did like-wise on 24 minutes. Rory Campbell pulled a goal back 4 minutes later but Robert Geddes on 32 minutes and Josh Ironside on 42 minutes made it 6-1 at the break. Strathglass added two more goals in the second half. Raymond Fraser was on target on 64 minutes and Robert Geddes got his second on 75 minutes to complete a comfortable 8-1 win.
Skye Camanachd 6 Beauly 0 Skye Camanachd beat a very youthful Beauly side 6-0 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Beauly travelled with a 15 man squad which contained 11 players still eligible for their U17 side. Skye on the other hand were virtually at full strength although Aonghas MacDonald was a late call-up to replace flu victim Jamie Gannon in goal. Will Cowie rattled in a first half hat-trick with goals on 7, 21 and 27 minutes. His third goal came from the penalty spot after a needless shove by Martin Davidson on Kenny Campbell. In-between times, Allan MacKinnon burst forward from his wing centre position to get on the end of a Kenny Campbell cross from the left and hammer the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle. The heavy pitch made it difficult for both sets of players and it took Skye until 15 minutes from time to add to their tally. Shockie MacLennan had just been pushed into attack and he made an immediate impact, setting up Jordan Murchison to make it 5-0. Shockie MacLennan then rounded off the scoring a couple of minutes later when he slotted the ball past Josh Grant to make it 6-0.
Kingussie 4 Glenurquhart 1 Kingussie started their season with a 4-1 win over Glenurquhart at Dunbarry. Chris Hollysong put the home side ahead after 22 minutes with the only goal from what was an even opening 45 minutes. Kevin Thain stepped up to convert when referee John Matheson penalised visiting keeper David MacFadyen for a kick inside the D and awarded the Kings a penalty 4 minutes into the second half. Kingussie deployed experienced trio Ally MacLeod. Kevin Thain and Michael Clark down the middle of the park and they were now in control of the game. Michael Clark punished some slack defending to make it 3-0 on the hour mark and although Jack Hosie pulled a goal back with a good finish on 75 minutes, Kevin Thain got his second goal of the afternoon 4 minutes from time to make it 4-1.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Strachur 1 Kilmory 1 A Preston Shuttleworth goal just 3 minutes from time earned Strachur a point against Kilmory at Strachurmore. Alastair MacArthur had given Kilmory the lead a minute into the second half and that was the way it stayed until Shuttleworth’s late leveller earned John Montgomery’s side an earned point.
Kyles Athletic P Ballachulish P The game between Kyles athletic and Ballachulish was postponed as the pitch at Tighnabruaich was unplayable.
Taynuilt P Lochside Rovers P The match between Taynuilt and Lochside Rovers was postponed as the Playing Field was deemed unplayable.
Oban Celtic P Aberdour P The encounter between Oban Celtic and Aberdour was postponed because of an unplayable field.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Boleskine 5 Fort William 4 Boleskine twice came from behind to beat Fort William 5-4 at Farr. This was the only match in this division to go ahead. Graham Campbell grabbed a first half hat-trick with goals on 20, 35 and 40 minutes. Ewen Fraser countered for Boleskine to leave the visitors 3-1 ahead at the break. Goals early in the second half from Neil Hope and Doneil MacLeod saw Boleskine draw level at 3-3. A strike from Steven Stewart on 53 minutes put the Fort back in front but Ewen Fraser, with his second of the afternoon, drew Boleskine level once more. The winning goal came from Ian Grant just 10 minutes from time to clinch a 5-4 victory.
Glengarry P Skye Camanachd P The match between Glengarry and Skye Camanachd was postponed because of an unplayable field at Craigard.
Kinlochshiel P Lochcarron P The derby clash between Kinlochshiel and Lochcarron was postponed as Kirkton failed a pitch inspection.
Lochaber P Aberdeen University P The meeting between Lochaber and Aberdeen University at Spean Bridge was postponed because of a bereavement.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth 2 Col Glen 0 The fixture between Col Glen and Tayforth was switched to Musselburgh as the Glendaruel pitch was waterlogged. Jamie MacDonald and Andy Fraser got the goals as the home side took the points with a 2-0 win.
Aberdour 0 Bute 3 Bute returned home from the Silver Sands with both points following a 3-0 win over Aberdour. Liam Poole and a Neil McKirdy brace won the points for the visitors.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 6 Glenorchy 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll beat Glenorchy 6-2 at Yoker. The visitors’ day got off to a bad start when they arrived without their playing kit. However the Glasgow University Ladies team stepped in to offer their strips, albeit they it was smaller in size. Euan Forsyth grabbed a hat-trick for GMA with Callum Forsyth and a Lewis Miller brace making up their tally. Veteran Andy MacLean and 13 year old Shay Smith replied for the newly formed Glenorchy second string.
Ballachulish P Inveraray P An unplayable Jubilee Park led to the postponement of the match between Ballachulish and Inveraray.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lochbroom 3 Inverness 1 Lochbroom got off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory over Inverness at Inverlael. George MacInnes gave Inverness the lead after 5 minutes although he later ended up in hospital with a leg injury. Ewen MacFadyen made it 1-1 on 22 minutes to leave the match all-square at half time. Mark Dorrian put Lochbroom in front for the first time on the hour mark and James Rolfe on 75 minutes rounded off the 3-1 victory. The game marked the refereeing debut of former Skye Camanachd player Andy MacLean.
Kilmallie P Caberfeidh P The match between Kilmallie and Caberfeidh was postponed because the Canal Parks was ruled unplayable.
(This round up will be updated as more information becomes available) |