The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 26 July 2014 | |
31 July 2014 The 2014 Artemis Macaulay Cup Final will be a repeat of last year’s meeting between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore as the main shinty focus was on the semi-final ties on Saturday 26 July 2014.
Artemis Macaulay Cup - Semi Finals Oban Camanachd 0 Kyles Athletic 3 Kyles Athletic are through to the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final after they beat Oban Camanachd 3-0 at Mossfield. Roddy MacDonald and Grant Irvine returned to good effect for Kyles whilst Oban’s Scott MacMillan missed out following his red card against Glasgow Mid Argyll last weekend. Grant Irvine’s return to the side has been a big boost for Kyles this season and he put the Tighnabruaich ahead after 13 minutes. Oban Camanachd had chances to level during the remainder of the first half but they were unable to level. Dunkie Kerr made it 2-0 just 5 minutes after the restart and Roddy MacDonald sealed the win with a goal just 3 minutes later. One concern for Kyles will be a knee injury suffered by key defender Callum Miller which forced him to leave the field. Billy Wotherspoon was the match referee.
Newtonmore 3 Lovat 1 Newtonmore booked their place in the final with a 3-1 win over Lovat at Braeview Park. Newtonmore’s Danny MacRae showed no ill-effects from his appearance for the ‘More reserves the previous evening so he started in attack. Steven MacDonald continued at full back and Jamie Robinson was at full centre but the game came too early for both Norman Campbell and Fraser MacKintosh. Keeper Stuart MacDonald and Owen Ferguson returned for Lovat although the latter started on the bench. Lovat defender Drew Howie remained on the injury list. Evan Menzies struck on 11 minutes to give Newtonmore the lead and although they dominated the remainder of the first half, they were unable to add to their tally. The men from the Eilan sealed the lead with two goals in a four minute spell. Evan Menzies got his and his teams’ second on 72 minutes and Danny MacRae, who had a great tussle with Callum Cruden, made it 3-0 on 76 minutes. Greg Matheson pulled a goal back for Lovat 5 minutes from time but it is no more than a consolation effort as Newtonmore earned a deserved win. Deek Cameron was the match referee. Newtonmore will now meet Kyles Athletic in a repeat of last year’s final at Mossfield on Saturday 23 August 2014.
Bullough Plate – Semi Final Aberdour 2 English Shinty Association 0 Aberdour are through to the Bullough Cup Plate Final after they beat the English Shinty Association 2-0 in their noon meeting at Silver Sands. Brian Toal put Aberdour ahead on 29 minutes but the tie remained in the balance until 4 minutes from time when Kevin Latimer made it 2-0. The English side enjoyed more than their fair share of pressure during the game but they were unable to find the back of the net. Alan Harrison was the match referee.
Orion Group Premiership Lochaber 4 Kinlochshiel 1 Lochaber’s came out on top 4-1 in their “must win” Orion Group Premiership meeting with Kinlochshiel at Spean Bridge. Lochaber, who had yet to win in the league this season, were without Hugh Innes whilst the injured John MacRae and the holidaying Ally Nixon were missing for ‘Shiel. Referee Robert Baxter awarded the home side a penalty on 11 minutes when Scotland U17 player Barry MacDonald sent the ball goalwards but it was headed away by ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy. Ben Delaney took the penalty but keeper Kennedy got his body behind the ball to save and Shaun Nicolson put the rebound wide of target. However Nicolson was bang on target a couple of minutes later when he scored following a set-piece. ‘Shiel responded and Keith MacRae and Donald Nixon had efforts and Lochaber goalie Calum MacDonald saved well from Gordie MacDonald but it was to be the home side who extended their advantage on 29 minutes as Shaun Nicolson found just enough space on the right to put the finishing touch on a good move. The home support were in raptures a couple of minutes later when Stuart Callison fired home to make it 3-0. Keith MacRae pulled a goal back on 34 minutes when he gave keeper MacDonald no chance with a bullet shot. However Lochaber seemed to want victory more and Stuart Callison completed his hat-trick on 39 minutes. Kinlochshiel manager Colin Fraser made a change at half time with Oliver MacRae taking over marking duties on Shaun Nicolson from Mark MacDonald. Finlay MacRae twice went close for ‘Shiel with Lochaber’s Shaun Nicolson having a 75 minute goal disallowed for hand-ball. Gordie MacDonald fired over near the end but it was the Spean Bridge side who were to take the points. Kinlochshiel lost Keith MacRae through injury in the second half which will be a concern with home matches against Glenurquhart and Kyles Athletic remaining. Lochaber are a point adrift at the foot of the table and their last match, which is yet to be scheduled, is a trip to Tighnabruaich to face Kyles Athletic.
Inveraray 0 Glenurquhart 2 Third place Glenurquhart beat Inveraray 2-0 in their 3pm meeting at the Winterton. The home side were missing brothers Andrew McMurdo and Euan McMurdo whilst Neale Reid and David MacLennan were free of suspension for Glenurquhart. David Smart gave Glenurquhart a first half lead and a Lewis MacLennan goal 8 minutes from time rounded off the victory. The win puts Glenurquhart level on points with second place Lovat but they have played two games more. Glenurquhart complete their league programme with a visit to Kirkton to play Kinlochshiel this coming weekend.
Marine Harvest National Division Fort William 8 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Fort William moved to within a point of leaders Oban Camanachd following their emphatic 8-0 victory over Glasgow Mid Argyll at An Aird. Steven Stewart was missing for Fort William as was long-term injury absentee Jack Fraser and a returning Gary Innes started on the bench. GMA were missing eight players. Mark Bain sat this one out after his red card against Oban Camanachd last weekend. As well as missing Euan Murray, who is out injured for the season, GMA were also without the services of Andy Mathie but Nick Lavin and Iain Luke were back after injury. Euan Forsyth and Ben Dalgety also missed out. The match had a noon start to allow some GMA players to make an early return to Glasgow as they were involved in Commonwealth Games duties. Gordie MacKinnon gave Fort William a 10 minute lead and an Arran MacPhee piledriver made it 2-0 on 18 minutes. Fort William wing centre Alex MacMillan crashed the ball high into the net to make it 3-0 on the half hour mark and he added a fourth on the stroke of half time. Youngster MacMillan took his personal total to four goals – a superb contribution from midfield - with two more individual efforts on 47 and 61 minutes. Earlier Bryan Simpson had sent a 57 minute unstoppable shot from distance high into the net for a determined Fort William side. When referee John Angus Gillies awarded the home side a penalty for a kick inside the D on 70 minutes, substitute Gary Innes looked to take the spot-hit. However Scotland U17 captain Arran MacPhee was having none of it and he assumed responsibility to slam the ball over keeper Jonathon Oakes’ shoulder to score his second goal of the game. There were no bookings in this one-sided encounter. Fort William are a point behind Oban Camanachd but they have a game in hand and the sides are still to meet twice in the league.
Bute 1 Kilmallie 1 Kilmallie’s title chances suffered a blow when they drew 1-1 with bottom side Bute at the Meadows. Michael Rodger served the third match of a four game ban for Kilmallie but Peter Carmichael was free of suspension after serving his two game ban. Kilmallie veteran John Stewart started and he scored his first goal of the season on 10 minutes to put the visitors’ one goal to the good. Defeat would have relegated Bute and stalwart Hector Whitelaw, who had come out of retirement to help the Islanders, levelled on 68 minutes. Whilst third place Kilmallie will have been disappointed not to take both points; this was Bute’s first point of a difficult season.
Caberfeidh 6 Glenorchy 0 Caberfeidh go fifth after beating Glenorchy 6-0 at Castle Leod. John McNulty started a two game ban for Glenorchy. The hosts clocked up a 3-0 interval lead thanks to goals from Craig Morrison on 13 minutes, Ally MacLennan on 26 minutes and James MacIntosh just 4 minutes later. Liam Symonds made it 5-0 just 5 minutes after the restart. Caberfeidh’s Jodi Gorski went from saint to sinner when he scored after 62 minutes but was later sent off by referee Evan Menzies. Gorski was struck on the ankle as he pushed forward but played on as referee MacRae allowed advantage. Gorski was fouled again seconds later and lashed out in retaliation. The incident happened in front of the match official who had no option but to show a red card. Caberfeidh remained in control and they completed the 6-0 win with a Blair Morrison goal in the final minute.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Newtonmore 5 Beauly 1 The meeting between Newtonmore and Beauly was brought forward to Friday 15 July with a 7.30 throw up. Newtonmore fielded six juveniles and, as expected, Danny MacRae returned from injury to be given a run-out to test his fitness ahead of the first team’s Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final against Lovat the following day. Craig MacLeod on 13 minutes and Chris Sellar on 26 minutes left ‘More 2-0 ahead at the break. Danny MacRae made it 3-0 just 20 minutes from time and although Calum Morrison pulled a goal back 3 minutes later, Newtonmore wrapped up the win with two late goals. Danny MacRae got his second on 80 minutes and Iain Robinson continued his good scoring run when he made it 5-1 just 5 minutes from time. The win took Newtonmore to the top of the table for almost 24 hours.
Inverness 1 Kingussie 9 In the other Friday night match, Kingussie powered to a 9-1 win over Inverness at the Bught Park outside pitch. Inverness were missing Mark Sproule whilst Dougie Rankin started at full back with former Oban Camanachd player Matt Rippon at buckshee back. Kingussie had Lee Bain at buckshee back and Thomas Borthwick in attack and it was Borthwick who put them ahead in the opening minute. Connor Golabeck levelled on 7 minutes only for Kevin Thain to put Kingussie back in front with a 15 minute strike and Thain got his second and his side’s third to make it 3-1 a minute before the break. The second half belonged to the Kings and Chris Hollysong, back from injury, made it 4-1 on 53 minutes. Thomas Borthwick got his second on 61 minutes and Ronald Ross, who was playing at full centre, hit a shot from distance to make it 6-1 on 66 minutes. Thomas Borthwick and Ronald Ross each got their second with 78 minutes played and Borthwick rounded off the scoring when he completed his hat-trick 6 minutes from time. Ronald Ross also hit the frame of the goal and home keeper Stuart MacRae made some good saves to prevent the Kings hitting double figures.
Lovat 2 Skye Camanachd 5 The Skye Camanachd first team made it eight Marine Harvest North Division 1 wins out of eight with a 5-2 victory over the Lovat reserves in their noon throw up at Balgate on Saturday 26 July 2014. Skye had Neil MacVicar, Jordan Murchison and Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod added to the squad which beat Lovat 2-0 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree last weekend whilst Calum Gibb was included for the first time this season. Iain Murray and Shockie MacLennan were both missing, Danny Morrison was on holiday and Kenny Campbell remained out with a hand injury. Lovat boss Graeme MacMillan had several players back from the side which performed admirably in Portree last weekend and one of their returning players, Danny Kelly, put his side in front on 34 minutes when his shot took a deflection off a Skye defender and looped over keeper Jamie Gannon into the net. A Jordan Murchison rocket shot from the edge of the D levelled the game on 49 minutes. Skye went in front a couple of minutes later when Ally “Spod” MacLeod sent another blistering drive, on his backhand, into the top corner of the net. Will Cowie put Skye 3-1 up on 55 minutes and although a Conall MacIllechiar shot from distance bounced into the Skye net on 66 minutes, the Islanders finished strongly. Aonghas MacDonald showed his strength as he held off several challenges before flicking the ball home on 75 minutes and Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod darted in from wing and sent a tidy finish past Chris MacCallum a minute later to make it 5-2. Skye are a point ahead of second place Newtonmore reserves but the Islanders have three games in hand.
Glenurquhart 2 Strathglass 0 The Glenurquhart reserves recorded a fine 2-0 win over the Strathglass first team as the sides met for the second successive Saturday, this time at Blairbeg. Strathglass were 5-0 victors at Cannich just seven days earlier but this was the Glen’s day. Player / manager Iain MacLeod put the home side ahead a minute before the break. Bradley Sneddon made it 2-0 on 65 minutes. Other than leaders Skye, Glenurquhart have played fewest games in the league. They trail third place Strathglass by three points but they have three games in hand.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kyles Athletic 1 Ballachulish 1 The top two shared the points in difficult weather conditions at Tighnabruaich. Injury ruled out Balla’s David Campbell and Scott Rodger was also missing. Young defender Cain MacPhee was available for the visitors although he will miss his side’s next outing because of a points accumulation. Kyles got off to a great start when Roddy MacColl put them ahead in the opening minute. David Grant levelled on 32 minutes and although Kyles had the better chances, there was no further scoring with the worsening conditions making flowing shinty almost impossible. Kyles remain a point ahead of Ballachulish but the visitors will likely be happier with the draw as they still have two matches in hand.
Lochside Rovers 0 Oban Celtic 3 Oban Celtic came out on top in the Oban derby against Lochside Rovers at Ganavan. Daniel Madej missed out for Oban Celtic through suspension. Oban Celtic edged a close first half thanks to a Lee Askew goal after 37 minutes. Damian MacIntyre made it 2-0 and Lochside’s cause wasn’t helped when referee Graham Cameron sent off Chris MacMillan. Lee Askew got his second and Oban Celtic’s third a minutes from time. Oban Celtic remain fifth in the table with Lochside Rovers staying in third place.
Aberdour 2 Strachur 5 Fourth place Aberdour went down to a surprise 5-2 defeat to Strachur in their 3pm throw up at Silver Sands. Michael Lightbody and Darren Coyle were on target for Aberdour but goals from Brian Dickie and two each from Duncan Smart and Ross Montgomery ensured the points went back to Strachurmore.
Kilmory 2 Taynuilt 2 Kilmory and Taynuilt shared the points with a 2-2 draw at MacRae Park. Kilmory’s goals came from Alistair MacArthur and Gordon Watt with Mark Bergant netting twice for Taynuilt.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Aberdeen University 3 Fort William 4 Fort William edged out Aberdeen University by the odd goal in seven at Balgownie. Paddy Fitzgerald was missing for the Students as he served the second game of a two game ban. Graham Campbell gave the Fort a 24 minute lead and Ewan Campbell made it 2-0 on 31 minutes. John Sweeney pulled a goal back a minute before the break and former Fort William player Alex Duncan scored against his old side to make it 2-2 on 56 minutes. Ewan Campbell got his second to make it 3-2 to the visitors on 71 minutes but Alex Duncan did like-wise a minute later. Peter Wood scored what proved to be the winner just 13 minutes from time. Fort William go to the top of the table and two wins from their final three matches will give them the title.
Lochcarron 5 Lochaber 3 Lochcarron climb to third in the table with a 5-3 victory over Lochaber at Battery Park. Both teams were without their regular managers with Ross Brown and Ally Ferguson missing. Lochcarron were without the services of captain Crisdean Finlayson and Andrew Slaughter whilst Lochaber’s Ryan Toal was free of suspension. A Finlay Stark shot from the right gave Lochcarron the lead. A Kenny Cushnie effort deceived the Lochaber keeper to make it 2-0. Pat Toal punished hesitancy in the home defence to make it 2-1 but Gregor Cushnie restored Lochcarron’s two-goal advantage after the interval. The home support were silenced when quick strikes from Sandy Corrigan and Archie Johnstone made it 3-3. However Lochcarron were not to be denied and a 20 yard Gregor Cushnie shot put them back in front. Veteran Cushnie completed his hat-trick when he crashed the ball into the roof of the net as the contest drew to a close.
Kinlochshiel 3 Skye Camanachd 1 Kinlochshiel beat Skye Camanachd 3-1 in their Marine Harvest North Division 2 derby at Kirkton. Kinlochshiel recorded a fine 3-2 win over Glengarry the previous weekend. Iain Cameron returned in goals for Willie MacRae’s side but Alister MacRae was unavailable as he serving the second game of a two match ban. Calum MacLean made a long awaited return in defence and David Falconer started at full forward despite a groin injury. There were half a dozen changes from the Skye squad which lost out to Fort William in their last outing. Andrew Banks, Kyle Pirie, Stephen Murchison, John MacKenzie and Chris Campbell returned to the squadwhilst there was a first appearance of the season for Allan MacLeod. Alan Palmer, Magnus Burd, Scott Martin, Daniel Morrison and Iain MacPherson were all missing whilst Calum Gibb was on first team duty. Skye made a good start to the game and they pinned ‘Shiel back during the opening 10 minutes. However the home side came more into the game and they took the lead when on 21 minutes when Aedan MacRae strode forward from midfield and his bouncing shot flew high into the net past Skye keeper Iain MacLeod. Skye levelled 5 minutes later when Angie MacDonald latched onto a John Gillies flick and he held off his marker and beat keeper Iain Cameron at his right post. ‘Shiel went back in front on 41 minutes when David Falconer crashed a 22 yard shot high into the net to make it 2-1. Skye pressed hard to get a leveller in the closing stages of the match and it took a brilliant save from Iain Cameron under his crossbar to keep his side in front. Skye were hit by a sucker-punch in the final minute when good play from Stuart Anderson saw the ball crossed in on goal and Ross MacRae put the ball over the line from just a yard out. Skye had a late chance to pull a goal back when referee Robert Morrison awarded them a penalty but Chris MacLennan put the spot-hit past the post. David Falconer was excellent for ‘Shiel whilst Chris MacLennan was the pick of the Skye players. Skye remain two points adrift of Aberdeen University at the bottom of the table. Aberdeen have just one match remaining at home to Skye. However the Islanders have four more games – away to the Students and Lochcarron and at home to Boleskine and Lochaber.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Glenorchy P Col Glen P The game between Glenorchy and Col Glen at Mart Park was off as Col Glen were unable to raise a team.
Inveraray P Bute P The noon throw up between Inveraray and Bute at the Winterton was postponed as the visitors were unable to raise a team.
Ballachulish P Tayforth P The match between Ballachulish and Tayforth at Jubilee Park was postponed as Balla’ were unable to raise a team.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lewis Camanachd 3 Caberfeidh 0 Caberfeidh passed up the chance to win the Marine Harvest North Division 3 title and promotion to Marine Harvest North Division 2 when they lost 3-0 to an inspired Lewis Camanachd at a wet Shawbost. Lewis got off to a great start when Paul Duke, who captained the team, scored after just 2 minutes. Cabers were not allowed to settle and Ally Lamont made it 2-0 shortly after when the visitors failed to clear their lines. Cabers came back strongly after the break but they found home keeper Graham Cay and former Lochcarron player Kenny Murray to be in fine form at the back. Lewis, with former Skye Camanachd player Stuart Campbell prompting them from midfield, went back on the attack and they doubled their advantage through a strike from talisman Will Church. Caberfeidh will surely still win the league whilst Lewis are finishing their best ever season in senior shinty with a flurry.
Kilmallie 3 Inverness 5 Inverness won for just the second time in the league this season when they beat Kilmallie 5-3 at the Canal Parks. Donnie MacRae netted twice for Kilmallie whilst Ewan Mowat got the other. However Inverness included Zander Grant, who played in defence for the first team the previous evening, in their attack and he provided four goals with Charlie MacDonald getting the other. |