The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 19 July 2014 | |
20 July 2014 It was back to league action for most shinty clubs on Saturday 19 July 2014.
Orion Group Premiership Kinlochshiel 2 Lovat 2 Lovat dropped a point for the second successive Saturday when they drew 2-2 with Kinlochshiel in their 3pm throw up at Kirkton. John MacRae was still out for the home side with a broken thumb. Finlay MacRae started at full centre for ‘Shiel and he had a good tussle with Lovat centre Ryan Ferguson. Ewan Falconer, who played in goal for the ‘Shiel second team in their noon game with Glengarry, was given the full forward shirt. Kevin Bartlett was free of suspension for Lovat and he was joined in attack by Craig Mainland but the injured Drew Howie was still missing. Keeper Stuart MacDonald, Owen Ferguson and Jamie Matheson were at a stag weekend so Greg Matheson, who was still carrying an injury, took over in goal. Gordie MacDonald’s return to the Kinlochshiel side has been a real boost for manager Colin Fraser and it was MacDonald who put his side in front on 6 minutes when he charged down a Greg Matheson clearance before pushing the ball over the line to make it 1-0. The match was a real end-to-end encounter but there was no further first half scoring. Oliver MacRae had done a good marking job on Kevin Bartlett but the Scotland forward escaped his clutches 3 minutes after the restart and found just enough space to lash the ball home to make it 1-1. Lovat went ahead on 55 minutes. A Calum MacAulay free-hit found Kevin Bartlett and he quickly hit the ball through a ruck of players past the unsighted Scott Kennedy to make it 2-1 to the Balgate side. ‘Shiel fought back to win a priceless point and Gordie MacDonald got his second goal when his 22 yard effort flew into the net to make it 2-2. Lovat lacked their usual composure up front and, despite replacing Lewis Tawse and Graeme MacMillan with Iain Nicolson and Danny Kelly, they were unable to get the winning goal they desperately craved. Both teams had penalty shouts. Lovat claimed home goalie Scott Kennedy denied Ryan Ferguson a goal with a kick but referee John Angus Gillies ruled that his foot was stationary. At the other end, ‘Shiel had perhaps the better shout when they claimed Greg Matheson cupped the ball away but again referee Gillies waved away the claims. Lovat now trail Newtonmore by two points and both sides have three games left to play. Lovat can’t afford any more slip-ups when they travel to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles in a fortnight and then host Kingussie and, crucially, Newtonmore. The draw gives Kinlochshiel a three point cushion over bottom side Lochaber and the sides meet at Spean Bridge next weekend. A draw would relegate Lochaber and secure the Kirkton side a seventh place finish after coming eighth in their previous two years in the top flight.
Glenurquhart 2 Kingussie 1 Glenurquhart have staked a strong claim on a third place finish when they beat Kingussie 2-1 at Blairbeg. Neale Reid and David MacLennan both sat this one out for the Glen as they each served a one game ban for a points accumulation. However Lewis MacLennan was back in defence. Fraser Munro served the second game of a two match suspension for Kingussie whilst Craig Dawson returned in goal and defenders James Hutchison and Lee Bain were also back. However Savio Genini was on holiday but they had an able replacement in shinty’s record goalscorer Ronald Ross. A great strike from Fraser Heath put the home side ahead on 26 minutes with what was the only goal of the first half. James MacPherson added a second just 3 minutes into the second half. Ronald Ross pulled a goal back for the Kings on 56 minutes and his inclusion will be a terrific boost for Kingussie with the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final against Fort William on the horizon.
Lochaber 1 Kyles Athletic 3 Kyles Athletic came from behind to beat Lochaber in their 3pm throw up at Spean Bridge. Shaun Nicolson gave Lochaber hope with a goal on 11 minutes. However Dunkie Kerr levelled on 22 minutes. Grant Irvine put Kyles in front on 28 minutes and they took this advantage into the break. Lochaber are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table but they had to admit defeat when Grant Irvine got his second goal 5 minutes from time to make it 3-1. Kyles go fifth in the table and they have four matches remaining – more than any other side.
Marine Harvest National Division Oban Camanachd 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Table toppers Oban Camanachd returned to league action to beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 2-1 at Mossfield. Oban boss Gussie Campbell had to do without injured defender Craig MacMillan and Gary McKerracher and Malcolm Clark who were unavailable whilst GMA have not had their injury problems to seek and they travelled with just thirteen player. Andrew MacCuish put the Oban side ahead on 17 minutes with the only goal of the first half. Iain Luke made it 1-1 on 51 minutes but a second from Andrew MacCuish on 57 minutes proved to be the winner. Referee Robert Baxter red-carded Oban’s Scott MacMillan and Mark Bain from GMA in separate incidents and the decisions left both sides unhappy. MacMillan will now miss Oban Camanachd’s Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final against Kyles Athletic this coming weekend. The win means Oban Camanachd stay a point clear at the top of the table.
Beauly 10 Bute 0 Second top Beauly beat an under-strength Bute side 10-0 in their 1.30pm throw up at Braeview Park. The visitors’ player shortage meant they travelled with just twelve players including two U14 players who played the whole game. Calum Morrison gave Beauly a 3 minute lead. Conor Cormack made it 2-0 on 8 minutes and a rare Scott MacLeod goal on 17 minutes gave Beauly a 3-0 advantage. Jack MacDonald on 20 minutes and David MacLean just 3 minutes later made it 5-0 at the break. Conor Cormack got his second on 53 minutes and David Neilson added a seventh on 57 minutes. Conor Cormack took his personal tally to four goals with strikes on 61 and 80 minutes. David Neilson made it a perfect ten just 3 minutes from time.
Kilmallie 7 Glenorchy 0 Kilmallie beat Glenorchy 7-0 at the Canal Parks. Michael Rodger served the second match of a four game ban for Kilmallie whilst Peter Carmichael completed his two match suspension. Martin Munro got Kilmallie off to a great start with a goal after just 2 minutes. Liam MacDonald made it 2-0 on 18 minutes and Kilmallie took this lead into the interval. The second half belonged to Kilmallie and Martin Munro got his second 5 minutes after the restart. Liam MacDonald got his second on the hour to make it 4-0. John Stewart bagged his first goal since his return to the side on 65 minutes and Liam MacDonald completed his hat-trick 5 minutes later to make it 6-0. Donald MacIntyre rounded off the 7-0 win on 72 minutes and Kilmallie stay second in the table and the winning margin could have been greater had it not been for some fine saves from the Glenorchy keeper.
Fort William 7 Caberfeidh 1 Fourth place Fort William beat Caberfeidh 7-1 in their 3pm throw up at An Aird. Bryan Simpson was back in the Fort William side whilst Ian MacCall was free of suspension for Caberfeidh. Scott MacLean put Cabers ahead on 20 minutes but Fort William levelled through Niall MacPhee just 3 minutes later. Bryan Simpson put the Fort ahead on 32 minutes and Daniel Stewart made it 3-1 a couple of minutes later. Arran MacPhee got his first goal on 37 minutes to give the home side a 4-1 half-time lead. Arran MacPhee got his second on 70 minutes and when referee Lachie Wood pointed to the penalty spot on 76 minutes, MacPhee stepped up to complete his hat-trick. Bryan Simpson got his second 5 minutes from time to make it 7-1.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Skye Camanachd 2 Lovat 0 Skye Camanachd made it seven straight wins as they completed the first half of their league programme with a 2-0 victory over the Lovat reserves at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye boss John MacLeod was without Danny Morrison who was on holiday, the injured Kenny Campbell, Neil MacVicar who was working and Jordan Murchison who was unwell. Lovat gaffer Graeme MacMillan had a long list of absentees including Martin Mainland, Alan MacPherson, Danny Kelly and captain Sam Ferguson. The lack of player availability was highlighted by the respective teams’ substitutes’ bench. Skye’s replacements were boss John MacLeod and his assistant Aonghas MacDonald whilst the Lovat subs were boss Graeme MacMillan and his assistant John MacRitchie. Skye set siege on the Lovat goal but they were unable to break the deadlock thanks to some fine goalkeeping from Chris MacCallum and some stout defending from the visiting back four. Skye pushed Steven Morrison into attack early in the second half in a bid to break the deadlock and the switch paid dividends on 52 minutes. Gibbs MacDonald sent in a shot from the left which keeper Chris MacCallum saved but Shockie MacLennan was first onto the rebound and, with the keeper closing him down, MacLennan cut the ball back to Steven Morrison who slotted it into the unguarded net to make it 1-0. Skye made the points save on 78 minutes when substitute Aonghas MacDonald converted his first chance with Will Cowie the provider after the Lovat defence were unable to clear their lines. The sides meet again at Balgate next weekend.
Newtonmore 4 Inverness 1 The Newtonmore second team remain in second place in the table after they beat the Inverness first team 4-1 at the Eilan. Arran MacMaster and John MacLennan were free of suspension for Inverness. The Newtonmore youngsters were again amongst the goals with Iain Robinson hitting a double on 13 and 35 minutes to make it 2-0 at the break. Charlie MacDonald pulled a goal back for Inverness on 57 minutes but Calum Stewart on 64 minutes and Craig MacLeod on 83 minutes ensured the points went to the home side.
Strathglass 5 Glenurquhart 0 The Strathglass first team came out on top in their derby clash with the Glenurquhart seconds at Cannich. A Darren Reid brace, Gary Reid, Michael Stokes and Scott Douglas all counted for the home side in a 5-0 win. Strathglass stay third in the league.
Kingussie 3 Beauly 6 Beauly and Kingussie traded goals at the Dell before a late surge saw the visitors run out 6-3 winners. Ross Forbes put Beauly ahead on 13 minutes but Kevin Thain equalised on 26 minutes. Ross Forbes got his second a couple of minutes later to put Beauly back in front only for Kevin Thain to do like-wise just 3 minutes before the break. The goals kept coming with Robbie Brindle giving Beauly the edge when he made it 4-3 a minutes after the restart. However Kevin Thain completed his hat-trick on 68 minutes to make it 3-3. Ryan Tillman put Beauly in front for a fourth time on 78 minutes and this time they stayed ahead. Jamie MacLennan made it 5-3 a couple of minutes from time and Ryan Tillman’s second effort of the afternoon in injury time made it 6-2.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kilmory 1 Kyles Athletic 4 Kyles Athletic returned to the top of the table as they beat Kilmory 4-1 at MacRae Park. Both sides fielded U14 players in goal and whilst John Slaughter was on target for Kilmory, a Matthew MacColl hat-trick and a goal from Roddy MacColl sealed the 4-1 win. Lochside Rovers had led the table ahead of the weekend action but they now drop to third place with 13 points from eleven games.
Ballachulish 3 Strachur 0 Ballachulish’s title charge is on as they moved into second place with a 3-0 win over an under-strength Strachur side in their 4pm throw up at Jubilee Park. Balla had Mark Wilson free of suspension but unable to play. Scott Henderson and Michael Slezas were missing and the influential David Campbell had a broken bone in his hand. Teenagers Craig McLaughlin and Glenn Campbell came into the starting line-up and there was a starting spot for Duncan MacDonald. Stuart Nairn was free of suspension for Strachur. Top scorer Lorne Brown put Balla’ ahead 3 minutes before the break and that was all they had to show for their first half dominance. Brown added a second just 6 minutes after the restart. Ballachulish talisman John MacDonald, who had been pushed forward into attack during the second period, rounded off the win with a strike on 67 minutes. It wasn’t all one-way traffic though and the home side had keeper David MacPhee to thanks for some fine saves in the final quarter of the match including a superb penalty save. Leaders Kyles Athletic have fourteen points and they are a point ahead of second place Ballachulish but they have played ten matches – two more than the Jubilee Park side. The sides meet at Tighnabruaich next weekend. Fourth place Aberdour are also tidily placed with 12 points from eight games.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Kinlochshiel 3 Glengarry 2 Glengarry stay top although they lost 3-2 to Kinlochshiel in their noon meeting at Kirkton. Alister MacRae started a two game ban for Kinlochshiel and Ewan Falconer took over from Iain Cameron in goal. Glengarry were also short with the early throw up depriving of a couple of players who work on Saturday mornings including their keeper. The home side raced into an early 3-0 lead. Davie Glass put them ahead after 10 minutes and two goals in two minutes from Duncan Newton Grant on 30 and 31 minutes made it 3-0. Glengarry came back strongly in the second half and Daniel MacLennan pulled a goal back a couple of minutes after the restart. ‘Garry continued to press and it took a couple of fine saves from Ewan Falconer to preserve the home side’s two goal lead. A Daniel MacLennan shot from distance made it 3-2 on 83 minutes. This was a tousy affair and referee Calum Girvan red-carded Glengarry’s Scott Bremner in the closing minutes following an altercation and Kinlochshiel saw out the rest of the game to take the points.
Fort William 4 Skye Camanachd 0 Fort William bounced back from last week’s defeat to Glengarry to beat Skye Camanachd 4-0 in their noon throw up at An Aird. The Islanders travelled with a depleted squad – especially in defence - with Andrew Banks, Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, Kyle Pirie, Ally “Viewfield” MacLeod and Calum Gibb all missing. However Magnus Burd returned to the side. Ewen Campbell was back from suspension for Fort William and he made up for lost time by putting his side ahead after just 3 minutes. His brother Graham Campbell added a second on 24 minutes and when their cousin Ryan Campbell got in on the act to make it 3-1 on 31 minutes, things looked bleak for Skye. However Fort William only added one more – mainly thanks to some superb goalkeeping from Islanders’ goalie Iain MacLeod – and that was a second goal of the game for Ryan Campbell on the hour mark. The Fort now only trail leaders Glengarry by a point and they have two games in hand.
Lochaber 4 Aberdeen University 0 Lochaber beat Aberdeen University 4-0 in their noon meeting at Spean Bridge. Lochaber were without Ryan Toal who served a one game ban for a points accumulation. Paddy Fitzgerald was missing for the Students as he began a two game ban following his red card against Kinlochshiel last weekend. Finlay MacDonald gave Lochaber an early lead and Connor Sweeney made it 2-0. A Keith Neville goal and another from Sweeney rounded off the 4-0 win. The win lifts Ally Ferguson’s side into third place in the table.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Aberdour P Col Glen P Col Glen were unable to raise a team for their trip to Silver Sands to play Aberdour.
Bute P Glenorchy P Bute pulled out of their meeting with Glenorchy at the Meadows as they were unable to raise a team.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Caberfeidh 3 Strathspey Camanachd 0 The top two in the league met at a wet Castle Leod with Caberfeidh beating Strathspey 3-0. Colin MacLennan gave the home side the lead with a goal on 13 minutes. Gavin MacLaughlin added a second on 21 minutes. Strathspey, for whom Lawrence Belleni was excellent, fought hard but a goal from youngster Ben MacDonald on the stroke of full time completed a 3-0 win. Cabers now look sure to win the title and promotion to Marine Harvest North Division 2.
Inverness 1 Lochbroom 2 Lochbroom go second with a 2-1 win over Inverness at the Bught Park. Paddy Wilson was free to play for Lochbroom but he will miss their home meeting with Kilmallie in a fortnight’s time because of a points accumulation. Gordy MacKinnon scored for Inverness but goals from Jamie MacFadyen and Ewen MacFadyen took the points back to Ullapool. |