The Shinty Round Up – 22 April 2023 | |
23 April 2023 The main attention was on the Mowi Premiership and the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup following the shinty action on Saturday 22 April 2023.
Mowi Premiership Kingussie 1 Oban Camanachd 0 James Falconer scored the only goal of the game as Kingussie edged out Oban Camanachd 1-0 at the Dell. Oban Camanachd’s only dropped point this season was from their 1-1 draw with Newtonmore at Mossfield on the opening day of the season, so this was a tough test for the reigning champions, especially as they were without keeper Rory McGregor as well as Kieran Macpherson and Liam Borthwick. Lee Bain was passed fit and he made his return from injury in the home goals. Iain Fraser lined up at full centre, flanked by Cameron Bremner and Fraser Munro, in a revamped midfield. Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans was unavailable following the birth of his daughter so assistant manager Iain MacMillan took charge of the side. Daniel Sloss recovered from a knock to play and he was given a marking job on Roddy Young. Evan MacLellan, Scott Robertson, David Lafferty and Scott MacMillan were all unavailable. Daniel Cameron, Daniel MacVicar and Malcolm Clark lined up in their midfield. After an even opening spell, the game’s decisive moment came on 12 minutes. Oban full back Scott Mckillop received a shout from keeper Cammy Sutherland to say he had time to make a clearance upfield. Mckillop went for a big swing but quick-thinking James Falconer spotted an opportunity and he was quickly in to cleek Mckillop’s swing before turning the ball low by Cammy Sutherland on the keeper’s right side. Kingussie had a great chance to increase their lead midway through the half when James Falconer ran at the visiting defence but had the legs taken from under him as he had sight of goal. Referee Graham Cameron pointed top the penalty spot but the usually reliable Alexander Michie didn’t catch the ball as cleanly as he’d have liked and Cammy Sutherland saved with his legs. Otherwise, neither goalie was overly tested with stand-in keeper Lee Bain very tidy when dealing with the ball around his feet. Ruaridh Anderson had a fine first half for Kingussie and he was involved in everything good going forward. Oban Camanachd’s Gregor MacDonald came off the bench early in the second half, taking over from Andy MacDonald, to make his competitive debut at this level. James Hutchison started in attack for the Kings but was pulled back into the centre line in the second half to help consolidate his side’s lead. Oban Camanachd came close to scoring following Daniel MacCuish’s drive, which he probably caught too well, with the ball going just over the top whilst The Oban side made a change up front with Daniel Cameron moving up to the point and Matthew Sloss withdrawn. Indeed, Cameron came close to snatching a point for the Oban side at the death when the ball broke to him following a melee but his effort went just the wrong side of the post. Kingussie scorer James Falconer was forced off early, suffering a blow to the finger which required eight stitches.
Caberfeidh 1 Newtonmore 3 Newtonmore go three points clear at the top of the table after beating Caberfeidh 3-1 at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh boss Garry Reid fielded Blair Morrison at full centre. Newtonmore co-managers Norman MacArthur and Evan Cheyne welcomed back captain Conor Jones and he started in attack with Michael Russell dropping back into defence. After a lively opening, Newtonmore made the breakthrough on 21 minutes. Arron MacBean did well to hold off his marker on the right and play the ball forward to Conor Jones who made space before playing a low, diagonal ball across goal to Iain Robinson on the left. Robinson allowed the ball to run across his body before sending a waist-high shot between keeper Iain McCall and his right post. ‘More doubled their lead on the half-hour with MacBean and Jones again involved in the build up. Arron MacBean prevented Caberfeidh from properly clearing a Struan Ross corner on the left and Conor Jones won possession on the right before threading a bouncing ball through to the neat side of the D. Neil MacKenzie tried to clear for a corner but Craig Macleod stole the ball away before gleefully pushing it past the keeper to make it 2-0. Caberfeidh’s response was swift and they pulled a goal back through shinty’s top scorer Craig Morrison who scored his tenth goal of the season. Blair Morrison’s huge hit-in from the right dropped over the ‘More defence and into the D. Kenny Ross came off his line to save with his feet but Craig Morrison was quickly in to swipe the rebound low into the net. Newtonmore restored their two-goal cushion on 51 minutes with a wonderful goal. Iain Richardson played the ball out of defence and Craig Macleod gathered possession before spreading play to Conor Jones on the right. Jones sent a low ball across goal which Iain Robinson played to Craig MacIsaac in a central position. MacIsaac attempted a shot before playing the ball back to Robinson on the left and he spun his marker before bulleting an unstoppable shot high into the net on his left side for what was his seventh goal of the season. Cabers enjoyed a period of pressure but the ‘More defence allowed them little sight of goal whilst at the other end, Iain McCall did well to tip away Craig MacIsaac’s looping effort. Kenny Ross then made a good save from Keving Bartlett and an even better reaction stop from Blair Morrison’s piledraver. The hosts had the chance to cut ‘More’s lead to a single goal once more, and set up a grand-stand finish, when referee Steven MacLachlan awarded them a late penalty when Blair Morrison was bundled over inside the D. However, Kenny Ross used his feet to save Craig Morrison’s spot-hit before clearing the ball for a corner. Newtonmore, who are the only side in shinty’s top division yet to taste defeat this season now lead second placed Caberfeidh by three points and they have only lost four goals in their eight games played so far.
Skye Camanachd 1 Beauly 3 Beauly gained revenge for their cottages.com MacTavish Cup quarter-final defeat to Skye a week earlier when they beat the Islanders 3-1 at a sunny Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye were missing Ruaraidh MacLeod, who grabbed a hat-trick the previous week, whilst Neil MacVicar remained absent. Beauly travelled without defender Angus Renwick and forward players, Jack MacDonald, Robbie Brindle and Sandy Elrick. Beauly keeper Lee Dunbar saved with his hand to keep out an early Jordan Murchison effort but it was Beauly who made the better start and Finlay “Stork” MacLennan fired home a 20 yard, knee-high shot, past Skye keeper Murphy Henderson on his left side to put the visitors ahead on 11 minutes. Beauly added a second on 38 minutes when David MacLean found Ross Forbes with a free-hit on the right and he finished high over the keeper’s right shoulder from just left of centre. Skye, who lost Jordan Murchison with a hamstring injury midway through the first half, tried to get back into it after the restart and Archie Millar and Ross Gordon combined to set up James Pringle on the right of the D but Lee Dunbar saved with his feet on the line. However, it was Finlay “Stork” MacLennan who got his second and Beauly’s third on 79 minutes. Ross Gordon’s drive a couple of minutes into stoppage time deceived the keeper to make the final score 3-1. Buckshee back Euan MacCormick was excellent for Beauly.
Kyles Athletic 1 Lovat 2 Lovat won in the league for just the second time this season when they defeated Kyles Athletic 2-1 at Tighnabruaich. Lovat took a 9 minute lead through Greg Matheson and Duncan Davidson swept a second across keeper John Whyte from the right of the D to make it 2-0. Scott MacDonald pulled a goal back in the final minute, but it wasn’t enough.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Kinlochshiel 4 Kinlochshiel notched just their second league win of the season when they beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 4-2 in their 3pm throw up at Peterson Park. GMA went into the match in search of their first league point of the season. Kinlochshiel’s Jonnie MacAskill completed his four-match suspension, so he was unable to line-up against his former club and nor was Oliver MacRae who was unavailable. Duncan “WD” MacRae and Rhuairaidh MacDonald were both included in the senior squad for the first time this season. Finlay MacRae made the best of the opportunity up front when he opened the scoring after just 2 minutes and Keith MacRae doubled ‘Shiel’s lead on 27 minutes. ‘Shiel had captain Jordan Fraser back following a hand injury and he made it 3-0 on the 30 minute mark. Cailean MacLeod gave GMA hope when he pulled a goal back just before referee Alec MacVicar’s half-time whistle. Jordan Fraser got his second on 70 minutes and although former Glenurquhart player Ruairidh Ralston made it 4-2 with just 10 minutes to go, ‘Shiel took the spoils.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – First Round Northern Section Strathglass 1 Kilmallie 3 Kilmallie reached the last sixteen of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup following their 3-1 win over Strathglass at Cannich Martin Stewart gave Kilmallie a 22 minute lead whilst Kilmallie’s second came courtesy of Sam Cooper’s own goal on 30 minutes Ruairidh Strachan pulled a goal back on the hour but a second from Martin Stewart made it 3-1 on 70 minutes Kilmallie are off to Kinlochshiel in the next round.
Glenurquhart 0 Fort William 3 Fort William secured a second round trip to Lovat following their 3-0 victory over Glenurquhart in their 1pm throw up at Blairbeg. Graham Campbell got the opener on 8 minutes with Cam Stephen getting a second just 5 minutes into the second half. Calum Shepherd rounded off the 3-0 win on 81 minutes.
Lochaber 4 Inverness 2 Lochaber came from behind twice to beat Inverness 4-2 at Spean Bridge. Lochaber’s Danny Delaney was free of his two-match suspension and the hosts fell behind to a Lorn Hughes goal after just 5 minutes. Ryal Toal made it 1-1 on 35 minutes but when referee Deek Cameron awarded the Highland Capital side a penalty with just 5 first half minutes remaining, Steven Bellshaw stepped up to score from the spot. Lochaber’s Ben Delaney then took centre stage and he scored on 56 and 69 minutes to give Ally Ferguson’s side the advantage. Finlay MacDonald bagged Lochaber’s fourth with a couple of minutes remaining and they will now welcome Beauly in the next round.
Southern Section Bute 3 Inveraray 1 A late Josh Cowan double earned Mowi South Division 1 side Bute a 3-1 win over Mowi National Division Inveraray at the Meadows. Rory McDonald gave the home support early cheer when he scored after just 2 minutes. Bute almost took their lead into the break but Campbell Watt equalised on the stroke of half-time. It remained level until 8 minutes from time when Josh Cowan put Bute back in front and he got his second and Bute’s third on 87 minutes. Bute’s reward is a second round trip to Tighnabruaich to face Kyles Athletic.
Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup – First Round Beauly 1 Lewis Camanachd 3 Mowi North Division 2 side Lewis Camanachd came from behind to record a memorable 3-1 victory over the Beauly second team, from the league above, in their 12.30pm throw up at Braeview Park. William Zblewski struck on 16 minutes to put Beauly ahead but Callum MacRitchie on 22 minutes and Paul Duke on 36 minutes had Lewis ahead at the break. A second from Paul Duke on 61 minutes proved to be the winner and Lewis now travel to play the Skye seconds in the next round.
Mowi North Division 1 Kingussie 5 Glengarry 6 The top two sides in the division were scheduled to meet at Craigard but a switch of venue saw the clash take place at the Market Stance where league leaders Glengarry defeated the Kingussie second team 6-5 following an incredible game of shinty. The Market Stance is developing a reputation for being a high scoring venue and ‘Garry made a good start and looked lively for the opening 20 minutes. However, Kingussie turned the game on its head when Eoin Baikie put them ahead on 33 minutes with Robert Shiells scoring on 35 and 40 minutes to make it 3-0. Glengarry’s former Scottish international Shaun Nicolson pulled a goal back a minute later, but Robert Shiells completed his hat-trick on 43 minutes to make it 4-1 at the break. Nick Dalgety had been getting little change from Kingussie’s George-Taylor Ramsay in the first half but the visitors made changes at the interval with Dalgety dropping back to shore up their defence. The changes worked and Shaun Nicolson got his second just 3 minutes after the restart to make it 4-2. However, Robert Shiells scored his fourth goal of the afternoon a couple of minutes after the hour to restore Kingussie’s three goal cushion. Shaun Nicolson then showed his class as he became the day’s biggest scorer, amassing six goals with strikes on 64, 70, 80 and 85 minutes to give ‘Garry a remarkable 6-5 win.
Newtonmore 4 Skye Camanachd 2 The Newtonmore colts go second in the division after beating the Skye Camanachd colts 4-2 at the Eilan. Newtonmore had Ritchie Irvine back whilst Skye travelled without full back David MacInnes. Brodie MacBean put ‘More ahead with a good strike on 32 minutes after being played in on the right by a well-weighted Glen MacKintosh pass. Skye had the wind advantage in the second half but Glen MacKintosh’s quick-fire double on 47 and 52 minutes blew them away. Drew MacDonald made his return from injury for Newtonmore as a second half substitute and his shot was deflected into the Skye net off visiting defender Cameron MacKay’s club on 61 minutes to make it 4-0. Skye rallied though and youngsters Seonaidh-Alex MacLeod on 74 minutes and Alasdair Stewart on 85 minutes made it 4-2. Glen MacKintosh went close to completing his hat-trick near the end with a blistering volley that cannoned back off Skye keeper Calum Nicolson. ‘More trail league leaders Glengarry by four points but they have two games in hand.
Kinlochshiel 1 Fort William 0 Duncan Macmillan’s goal just 5 minutes before half-time gave the Kinlochshiel colts a 1-0 victory over the Fort William colts in their 3pm throw up at Rèaraig. Kinlochshiel fielded Archie MacRae whilst Fort William’s Rhys Kennedy missed out as he completed his three-game ban.
Lovat 2 Glenurquhart 0 The Lovat juniors scored a goal in each half to defeat the Glenurquhart juniors 2-0 at Balgate. Lovat’s Danny MacKenzie was free of his three-match suspension, but Lewis Bryson was banned following his red card against Kinlochshiel the previous week. Thomas Fraser broke the deadlock on 17 minutes with Raymond Rennie making it 2-0 on 66 minutes. Glenurquhart had their fair share of play, but Ronan MacMillan in the Lovat goal was outstanding.
Mowi South Division 1 Ballachulish 2 Kyles Athletic 0 The Ballachulish revival continued as they beat the Kyles Athletic juniors 2-0 at the Jubilee Park. Lorne Brown scored the only goal of the first half on 37 minutes whilst Lewis Morgan sealed the win just 15 minutes from time. Referee Graham Fisher sent off Balla’s Finlay MacMahon and Kyle McMartin from Kyles Athletic.
League leaders Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds dropped their first point of the season when they drew 3-3 with Aberdour, who are second in the table, in their noon throw up at Peterson Park. Ross Brown gave GMA a 22 minute lead but Tom Bowerman levelled just 3 minutes after. Indeed, Bowerman scored again on 27 minutes to put Aberdour ahead at the turn-around. Aberdour travelled without David MacDougall and the suspended Tom Aitchison, but when Joe Burns made it 3-1 a minute into the second half, it looked good for the visitors. However, Ross Brown completed his hat-trick with goals on 65 and 67 minutes to ensure a share of the points.
Mowi North Division 2 Strathspey Camanachd 1 Inverness 2 Andy Reid’s double gave the Inverness second team their first victory of the season, a 2-1 win over Strathspey Camanachd at Grantown Grammar School in their 6.30pm throw up on Wednesday 19 April 2023. All the goals came in the second half with Strathspey taking the lead through Matthew Davies on 56 minutes. However, Andy Reid drew Inverness level a couple of minutes later and Reid got the winner just 7 minutes from time.
Inverness 2 Aberdeen University 1 The Inverness second team notched their second 2-1 win of the week when they beat Aberdeen University in their 3pm throw up at the Bught Park. After a goalless first half, Finlay Calder struck on 53 and 81 minutes with Jamie Buchan pulling a goal back just 4 minutes from time.
Kilmallie 2 Lochaber 1 The Kilmallie reserves beat the Lochaber reserves 2-1 in their 1pm throw up at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie led through Martyn Cameron on 28 minutes but Michael Gordon equalised just 4 minutes later. Archie MacNiven scored what proved to be the winner on 68 minutes.
Lochcarron 3 Boleskine 2 Crisdean Finlayson grabbed a hat-trick as Lochcarron twice came from behind to beat Boleskine 3-2 at Battery Park. Boleskine led through Connor Aubrey on 28 minutes but Crisdean Finlayson pulled Lochcarron level on 39 minutes and it stayed that way until a minute before the break when Scott Knox fired Boleskine back in front. Crisdean Finlayson got his second to make it 2-2 just 3 minutes into the second half and Finlayson completed his hat-trick on 83 minutes to give Lochcarron a 3-2 win, and they remain top of the league.
Strathspey Camanachd 0 Caberfeidh 6 The Caberfeidh colts were 6-0 winners against Strathspey Camanachd at Grantown Grammar School. Caberfeidh’s Declan Wilson sat this one out through suspension. Early goals from Scott MacPhail on 2 and 4 minutes got Cabers off to a great start and MacPhail completed his hat-trick on the half hour to make it 3-0 at the break. Donald Wilson on 57 minutes, Ruairidh McCreadie on 66 minutes and Ruairidh MacLeman on 75 minutes completed the 6-0 victory and Caberfeidh stay second in the table.
Mowi South Division 2 Oban Celtic 3 Inveraray 1 The Oban Celtic second team recorded their first league win of the season, beating second placed Inveraray seconds 3-1 at Ganavan. Oban Celtic gave game time to Innes Jackson following his switch from Oban Camanachd whilst Inveraray’s John MacKenzie was free of his ban. Oban Celtic led through Iain Duffy on the half-hour with Innes Jackson making it 2-0 just a couple of minutes later. Inveraray halved the deficit through Cameron MacCallum’s own goal on 41 minutes, but Innes Jackson scored for a second time on 74 minutes to make the final score 3-1.
Third placed Strachur-Dunoon beat fourth placed Aberdour seconds 5-0 at the Strachurmore Sports Centre. Strachur-Dunoon’s Liam Robertson was free of suspension and his side took charge when Sam Bulloch hit a double on 8 and 13 minutes, either side of a Steven Thomson effort on 10 minutes to make it 3-0 at the break. Cammy Middleton scored his first goal of the season just 5 minutes into the second half with Nathan Ross making it 5-0 with 20 minutes remaining.
The Bute juniors beat Tayforth 3-1 at Peffermill. Aiden MacGregor put the Islanders ahead on 16 minutes and a strike from Stewart Stirling on 25 minutes made it 2-0 at the break. David Whitelaw added a third on 70 minutes and although Ewan Menzies pulled a goal back a minute later, Bute took both points.
Uddingston 0 Kilmory 10 League leaders Kilmory maintained their 100% record with a thumping 10-0 win over bottom side Uddingston at the Stepps Playing Field. Bruce Johnstone put the visitors ahead after 5 minutes and a double from Euan Gilmour on 21 and 26 minutes made it three. A second from Bruce Johnstone on 29 minutes and a strike from Alex Cunningham on the stroke of half-time made it 5-0. Bruce Johnstone completed his hat-trick on 58 minutes and a second from Alex Cunningham on the hour made it 7-0. Bruce Johnstone got his fourth just four minutes later whilst Euan Gilmour on 68 minutes and a hat-trick goal from Alex Cunningham on 75 minutes meant Kilmory reached double figures.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
WCA Round Up Mowi Premiership Badenoch 3 Lochaber 0 Badenoch closed the gap at the top of the Mowi National Division when they beat league leaders Lochaber 3-0 in their 3pm throw up at the Dell. Lochaber won 2-1 when the sides met at Spean Bridge on the opening day of the season, but this was Badenoch’s day. Jeanette McGregor played in goal for Badenoch, replacing her injured sister Elizabeth McGregor, and she made a couple of good stops and was very quick off her line throughout to deal with any danger that came her way. Hope Borthwick gave Badenoch the lead when she forced a rebound just over the line after the Lochaber keeper had made a save. And it was Hope Borthwick again with the goal of the match to make it 2-0. Badenoch played some nice shinty as they worked the ball out of defence and Hope Borthwick picked out Kirsty Deans as she peeled off to the right. Deans, who was tightly marked throughout, fired goalwards and although her shot was saved, Hope Borthwick followed in to score from the rebound. Indeed, Hope Borthwick might have had a hat-trick but saw a shoulder-high shot brilliantly saved after she had turned her marker. Zoe Reid put gloss on the win with a third goal, a strike from outside the box, and Badenoch now only trail Lochaber by a point and they have a game in hand.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Skye Camanachd 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll and Skye Camanachd drew 2-2 in their 2pm throw up at Peterson Park. Caitlin Maclean put Skye ahead only for GMA to lead 2-1 through a Kirsty Rodgers double. Skye’s Caitlin Maclean scored again to ensure a share of the points.
Inverness 1 Ardnamurchan 1 Inverness and Ardnamurchan drew 1-1 in their 2pm throw up at the Bught Park. Rebeka MacLean scored for Inverness with Annie MacDonald netting for Ard’.
Glenurquhart 8 Aberdour 1 Glenurquhart overcame Aberdour 8-1 in their 4pm throw up at Blairbeg on Saturday 22 April 2023 Hazel Hunter scored four times for the Glen whilst Kirsty Smith netted twice. Grace Montague and Abi Stoddart got the others with Niamh Donnelly countering.
Mowi North Division 2 Lovat 1 Kinlochshiel 10 Kinlochshiel’s title charge remains on course following their 10-1 win over Lovat in their 2pm throw up at Balgate. Laura Soffe scored Lovat’s only goal but hat-tricks from Lexi MacKenzie and Lorna MacRae and efforts from Katie MacRae, Effie MacLean, Alaina MacLennan and Isobel MacKenzie gave ‘Shiel a convincing victory.
Glengarry 0 Glenurquhart 1 Glenurquhart B were 1-0 winners in their 2pm throw up against Glengarry at Craigard. Freya Gault scored the winning goal.
Badenoch 2 Strathglass 1 Grace Fraser and Orla Olds scored the goals as Badenoch B defeated Strathglass 2-1 in their 1pm throw up at the Market Stance. Sheena MacKenzie countered.
Strathspey Camanachd P Skye Camanachd P The match between Strathspey Camanachd and the Skye Camanachd B team at Grantown Grammar School will be rescheduled. |