The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 30 August 2014 | |
31 August 2014 Kyles Athletic lifted the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup and Skye Camanachd, Ballachulish and the Fort William reserves all secured league titles following the shinty action on Saturday 30 August 2014.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final Fort William 2 Kyles Athletic 4 (after extra time) This year’s cup specialists Kyles Athletic added the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup to the Bullough Cup won earlier in the season with a 4-2 extra-time win over Kyles Athletic in their 4.05pm throw up at the Eilan. Fort William boss Lachie MacDonald’s gave Duncan Rodger the task of marking Kyles’ danger-man and player / manager Roddy MacColl who had scored in every round of this year’s competition; notching seven goals in the process. There was a minutes silence ahead of throw up to mark four sad passings in the shinty world - Gary Wells, Fort William, Ewen Cameron Ormiston, Newtonmore, Jackie Henton Lovat and Donnie McNiven, Glasgow Mid Argyll. The match was played on a wet and windy day and both teams took time to adapt to the conditions. Graham Campbell had a 9 minute chance for Fort William but Kyles keeper John Whyte saved his shot from the edge of the D. Kyles went in front on 15 minutes when Matthew MacColl got on the end of a free-hit and he put the ball high into the net with a first time shot. That’s the way it stayed until the interval and Fort William pressed hard for a leveller in the second half. Kyles goalie John Whyte made a good double save from Peter Wood on 68 minutes. It looked as if a Fort William goal was coming and they pushed Duncan Rodger into attack on 82 minutes. It was a move that paid immediate dividends when he got onto the end of a Peter Wood shy from the right and he placed the ball into the net to make it 1-1 with 6 minutes remaining. Referee Ron Kennedy took the final into an extra-time period and Kyles went back in front within a minute of the restart when Gordon Whyte collected a quick free-hit from Innes MacDonald wide on the Kyles left and his speculative bouncing effort deceived Fort keeper Ricky Fraser and nestled into the net to make it 2-1. Duncan Rodger passed up a couple of chances to level and Kyles brought Roddy MacColl back to full back to try and snuff out his threat. Kyles weathered a period of Fort William pressure before extending their lead when Matthew MacColl collected the ball in space in front of goal and he made no mistake to make it 3-1 with 100 minutes played. Kyles were counter-attacking well and they went 4-1 up on 112 minutes when 15 year old Scott MacDonald ran onto a defence-spitting Matthew MacColl pass and MacDonald finished in style, crashing the ball into the roof of the net. Kyles now had one hand on the cup and although a Bobby MacMillan cross from the right was deflected into his own net by Christopher Blair, with a couple of minutes remaining, Kyles saw out the rest of the game to win 4-2. Kyles’ defender Christopher Moss was named BBC Alba man of the match. Kyles captain Christopher Blair was presented with the silver mounted caman and The Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup. It wasn’t all bad for Fort William as Lochaber’s win over Lochcarron meant they were crowned Marine Harvest North Division 2 champions.
Orion Group Premiership Lovat P Kingussie P The match between Lovat and Kingussie at Balgate was postponed as the players attended the funeral of Lovat stalwart Jackie Henton at Tomnacross.
Marine Harvest National Division Oban Camanachd 6 Beauly 3 Oban Camanachd survived a couple of scares and they now have it all to play for in their final league match against Fort William following their 6-3 win over Beauly at Mossfield. The home support was rocked when a first minute goal from Sean Stewart and a Jack MacDonald strike on 7 minutes put Beauly 2-0 ahead. However Gavin Stobbart on 23 minutes and Lorn Dickie on 37 minutes levelled the tie at 2-2. Colin MacDonald put Beauly back in front on 40 minutes and they took their 3-2 advantage into the break. Oban Camanachd made a good start to the second half and Andrew MacCuish drew them level once more a couple of minutes after the restart and he notched his second goal of the game to put the home side in front for the first time on 74 minutes. When referee John MacGregor awarded the Oban side a penalty on 80 minutes, Andrew MacCuish stepped up to complete his hat-trick and make it 5-3. Iain MacMillan rounded off the win when he made it 6-3 a couple of minutes from time. Oban Camanachd host Fort William in their final league match at the end of September and the game will be a league decider.
Fort William 8 Glenorchy 0 Fort William stayed on course for a title showdown with Oban Camanachd when they beat Glenorchy 8-0 in their noon throw up at An Aird. Defender James Tangey was free of suspension (and injury) for Fort William whilst Gary Innes also returned to the squad. Bryan Simpson opened the scoring in the second minute whilst Daniel Stewart made it 2-0 just 5 minutes later. Arran MacPhee struck twice on 14 and 31 minutes to take his tally to 28 goals for the season and the Fort took their four goal lead into the break. Daniel Stewart completed his hat-trick with goals on 46 and 62 minutes to make 6-0. Neil Robertson made the most of a chance to play up front with a goal 5 minutes from time and with just 3 minutes remaining; the returning Gary Innes was on target to make it 8-0. The Fort play their game in hand against Bute at An Aird next weekend. A win will mean they face Oban Camanachd on Saturday 27 September 2014 - in what is both side’s final fixture – with a single point advantage.
Bute 2 Caberfeidh 1 Bottom side Bute secured their first league win of the season when they beat Caberfeidh 2-1 in their penultimate league fixture which took place at the Meadows. Caberfeidh were without Jodi Gorski who completed a two match ban. When referee Robert Baxter awarded Bute a penalty after 20 minutes, club stalwart Hector Whitelaw stepped up to convert from the spot. John MacCallum put Bute 2-0 ahead on 70 minutes with what was to prove to be an important second goal. Neil Rose pulled a goal back for Cabers 10 minutes from time but the Islanders saw out the rest of the match to take the points. The fixture completes Cabers’ league programme and they will finish fifth in the table. The club confirmed after the game that club stalwart Stewart MacLennan was to retire from his first team manager position. Bute have one fixture left – away to Fort William next weekend.
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Kilmallie P The 2pm meeting between Glasgow Mid Argyll and Kilmallie at Yoker was postponed because of a bereavement.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Skye Camanachd 4 Glenurquhart 0 Skye Camanachd won the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title with a 4-0 win over the Glenurquhart reserves at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Throw up was delayed until 4pm and captain Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Jordan Murchison returned to the Skye squad in place of Chris MacLennan, who returned to the second team, and Aonghas MacDonald. Glenurquhart were without keeper David MacFadyen so player / manager Iain MacLeod took over in goal. Skye pressed the Glen goal from the throw up but they didn’t go in front until 37 minutes when Kenny MacLeod ran into space on the left to get on the end of an Allan MacKinnon free-hit and he crashed the ball high into the net to make it 1-0. Ally “Spod” MacLeod slotted the ball into the corner of the net from inside the D to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half time. Will Cowie made it 3-0 on 68 minutes when he latched onto a rebound after Glen keeper Iain MacLeod had made a save. Skye made it 4-0 a minute later when substitute Jordan Murchison flicked an Ally “Spod” MacLeod pass into the air and volleyed the ball into the net to make it 4-0. The trophy presentation will take place after the match against the Kingussie second team next weekend.
Beauly 2 Inverness 1 Beauly added to Inverness’ relegation fears when they beat the Highland Capital side 2-1 at Braeview Park. Beauly player / manager Stephen MacLean put his side ahead on 29 minutes with the only goal of the first half. Former Beauly player Martin Davidson was on target for Inverness and he made it 1-1 on 64 minutes. The winning goal came 10 minutes from time with Ross Forbes finding the net for Beauly. Fifth place Beauly still have two matches remaining. However second bottom Inverness have finished their league programme and if the Lovat reserve side – who are currently bottom of the table – can collect just one point from their remaining four fixtures, Inverness will be relegated.
Kingussie P Lovat P The match between Kingussie and Lovat was postponed as the players attended the funeral of Lovat stalwart Jackie Henton.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Strachur 0 Ballachulish 3 Ballachulish are Marine harvest South Division 1 champions after they beat Strachur 3-0 in their 2pm meeting at Strachurmore. Balla were still without the injured David Campbell and the suspended John MacDonald whilst keeper David MacPhee will miss the last two league games of the season and any potential league play-off following his red card against Aberdour last weekend. Youngster Cameron Sutherland proved an able deputy in goal. Ballachulish player / manager Donald Wilson put his side ahead after 7 minutes. Lorne Browne made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later and when Scott Henderson notched a third on 35 minutes, Balla’ were in command. There was no second half scoring and Ballachulish will be presented with the league trophy after their meeting with second place Kyles Athletic reserves next weekend. Strachur’s Iain MacLelland was sent off by referee Billy Wotherspoon and the home side will hope that young defender Cain MacPhee makes a quick recovery from an injury which forced him off late in the game. Ballachulish will now face Skye Camanachd for a place in the Marine Harvest National Davison with the match likely to take place at the end of September.
Kilmory 0 Oban Celtic 2 Third place Oban Celtic continued their good run and they go third in the table following their 2-0 win over Kilmory in their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park. Kilmory’s Mark Robertson was suspended for the game. Neil Carmichael gave the Oban side the lead a minute before the break. David MacInnes doubled Oban Celtic’s advantage on 56 minutes and Kilmory’s cause wasn’t helped when referee Lachie Wood sent off Euan Carmichael. The result means that Kilmory will finish bottom of the table and they face relegation to Marine Harvest South Division 2.
Aberdour 3 Taynuilt 2 Aberdour stay fourth after they edged out Taynuilt 3-2 in their 2pm throw up at the Aberdour Playing Fields. Angus Thorburn put Aberdour ahead on 21 minutes and Kevin Latimer added a second on 42 minutes. The Taynuilt fight-back took effect in the second half and Fraser MacMillan reduced the deficit on 65 minutes. David Campbell made it 2-2 just 4 minutes later. However Angus Thorburn, who has had a fine season for Aberdour, put his side back in front just 3 minutes later and the home side took the points. Taynuilt’s relegation fears were eased when news came through of Kilmory’s defeat to Oban Celtic.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Skye Camanachd 7 Boleskine 0 Skye Camanachd kept their Marine Harvest North Division 2 survival chances alive with a 7-0 win over Boleskine in their 1pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch. With Skye Camanachd co-managers Angie MacDonald and John Angus MacInnes on the field of play, Donnie Martin looked after the side from the touchline. Chris MacLennan and Allan MacLeod returned to the Skye squad whilst David Grant and Aonghas MacDonald were also included. Neil MacVicar also started whilst Daniel Morrisonand James Pringle dropped out of the squad. Boleskine hadn’t played since they lost 2-1 to Lochcarron on Saturday 12 July 2014. The Farr side were also preparing for a Mod Cup meeting with Inverness but they travelled west without forwards Lewis Smith and Iain Grant as well as Dickie MacKenzie, Darren MacLeod, Michael Pirrie and Craig Hazel. Skye dominated the first half but they didn’t break the deadlock until 37 minutes when Jordan Murchison, who remained with the reserve team after his appearance in Aberdeen the previous week, scored following a free-hit. Murchison got his and Skye’s second just before the half time whistle when he took the ball down from a Chris MacLennan corner and swept it into the net. The goals settled Skye and they went three goals to the good on 53 minutes when substitute Aonghas MacDonald battled for possession and found John Angus MacInnes in space on the Skye right and he slotted the ball low into the net. Boleskine’s Matthew Ross was red carded by referee Martin MacLean on 69 minutes which disadvantaged the visitors further. John Angus MacInnes played a Skye corner to Angie MacDonald on 76 minutes and his shot went into the net off keeper MacLeod. It was 5-0 a minute later when Aonghas MacDonald, who had been a constant threat to the Boleskine defence since his first half introduction as a substitute, put the ball into the corner of the net from 18 yards out on the right. Jordan Murchison flicked the ball into the air before blasting it home on 81 minutes to complete his hat-trick and Angie MacDonald got his second 4 minutes from time when he scored from an Aonghas MacDonald pass. Skye now must win their final fixture against Lochaber in Portree next weekend to avoid relegation.
Lochaber 15 Lochcarron 2 Lochaber were too strong for Lochcarron, running up 15-2 winners in their 2pm at Spean Bridge. Lochaber were able to field a strong side and they gave a few senior players a run-out ahead of next weekend’s vital Orion Group Premiership meeting with Kyles Athletic which they must win by a few goals to have any chance of staving off relegation. Both sides last outing was on Saturday 26 July when they met at Battery Park in the corresponding league fixture with Lochcarron running out 5-3 winners. However this was Lochaber’s day and their scorers were Pat Toal (2), Kevin Ferguson (4), Stuart Callison (4), Conor Sweeny (2), Finlay MacDonald (2) and Keith Neville. Gregor Cushnie got both Lochcarron goals. The win means that fourth place Lochaber are currently the top scoring team in the league.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Ballachulish P Bute P The 2pm throw up between Ballachulish and Bute at Jubilee Park was postponed because of a bereavement.
Glenorchy v Glasgow Mid Argyll W/O The match between Glenorchy and Glasgow Mid Argyll at Mart Part was postponed as Glenorchy were unable to raise a team. The points have been awarded to GMA.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lewis Camanachd W/O Strathspey Camanachd Strathspey Camanachd were unable to raise a team for their 2pm throw up against Lewis Camanachd at Shawbost and the points have been awarded to the Islanders who look set to finish second in the table. |