The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 1 April 2023 | |
02 April 2023 There were big wins for Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd following the shinty action on Saturday 1 April 2023.
Mowi Premiership Caberfeidh 2 Oban Camanachd 4 Oban Camanachd’s impressive start to the season continued as they beat Caberfeidh 4-2 in their 3pm throw up at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid was without keeper Iain McCall so second team goalie John Ritchie was between the sticks. Ben MacDonald returned to take a place on the substitutes’ bench. Oban Camanachd boss Gareth Evans had both Daniel MacVicar and Scott MacMillan free of suspension. MacVicar started at full centre with MacMillan on the bench alongside David Lafferty and Andy MacDonald. Matthew Sloss kept his place in the side following his impressive performance in the win over Kyles Athletic a week earlier whilst Alexander MacDonald played with Lochside. Jamie Forgrieve made his first competitive start with an ankle injury ruling out Evan MacLellan. Caberfeidh struck first on 14 minutes. The Oban defence just couldn’t clear Kevin Bartlett’s free-hit and after Connor Golabek’s shot was blocked, Craig Morrison’s big swing on his left side from 18 yards out sent the ball low into the net, inside keeper Cammy Sutherland’s right post. However, Camanachd drew level through Malcolm Clark just 3 minutes after. Daniel MacVicar played possession forward from midfield and, with his back to goal, Matthew Sloss controlled the ball before shooting goalwards. Keeper John Ritchie saved with his feet, but Malcolm Clark took the rising rebound in the air, turning it into the net and the contest remained level until half-time. Oban Camanachd’s Daniel MacVicar is thriving in the full centre role and he put the visitors in front on 55 minutes. Malcolm Clark touched and then volleyed the ball forward to Matthew Sloss on the right. The Caberfeidh defence just couldn’t pin down Sloss down and he jinked before playing the ball into the middle where it fell for MacVicar who lashed it home before turning in celebration. With just 15 minutes remaining, referee Calum Girvan awarded Camanachd a penalty when Matthew Sloss was sandwiched between keeper Ritchie and defender Liam Symonds. Louis MacFarlane stepped up to convert his third penalty of the season, high into the net. Craig Morrison had scored twice in three of his side’s first four games and he did so again with 5 minutes remaining. Cabers had pushed Blair Morrison up front and he went for a Liam Symonds free-hit from midway inside his own half. Kevin Bartlett twice tried to send the ball goalwards but when it reached Craig Morrison, he took a touch before hammering it home to make it 3-2. However, it only took Oban Camanachd 3 minutes to restore their two-goal cushion. Daniel Cameron’s long free-hit down the right found substitute Andy MacDonald, on for Daniel Madej, and when the home defence didn’t deal with his bouncing ball into the middle, it broke to Matthew Sloss who gave the keeper no chance with a low shot on his left side into the far corner of the net. Daniel MacVicar was excellent for Oban Camanachd and Daniel Sloss some-how played on with a wrist injury whilst Matthew Sloss ran the Caberfeidh defence ragged at times. To add to Caberfeidh’s woes, Billy Goodall suffered a knee injury which will keep him side-lined for several weeks.
Newtonmore 3 Kyles Athletic 0 Newtonmore took advantage of Caberfeidh’s defeat to go top the table after beating Kyles Athletic 3-0 at the Eilan. Newtonmore defender Iain Richardson sat this one out, so Declan Brannan started in defence with Arron MacBean at wing centre. Kyles were minus Innes MacDonald who has a broken thumb and Callum Millar who has a shoulder injury. They were also without Roddy MacDonald and opted to field Andrew King in attack as he was carrying an injury. There was a place for former Newtonmore player Sorley Thomson. ‘More took the lead with one of the quickest goals ever seen at the Eilan. As referee Steven MacLachlan got the match underway, Steven Macdonald won the centre, knocking the ball down to Arron MacBean on the ‘More right. MacBean immediately played the ball forward to Craig MacIsaac who was just right of centre with his back to goal. McIsaac turned marker Murdo MacRae who missed the ball before running through on goal and slipping the ball by keeper John Whyte who was racing off his line. ‘More were in the lead and there were barely 8 seconds on the clock. Despite enjoying the vast majority of the pressure, and there were some narrow escapes for the visiting back line, that proved to be Newtonmore’s only goal of the first half. Robbie MacLeod had the visitors’ only opportunity, and it was a good one from close range, but home keeper Kenny Ross some-how got his hand to the ball to deflect it away for a corner. However, the second period was just 10 minutes old when ‘More doubled their advantage. Steven Macdonald’s big hitting is always a feature when Newtonmore play and his free-hit from wide on the left of midfield, awarded after Struan Ross was fouled, found Iain Robinson who gathered the ball with his back to goal. Robinson ran across the penalty spot before crashing the ball high into the net on his right side to score his fourth goal of the season. John Whyte twice saved well from Iain Robinson, who also hit the post, before ‘More skipper Conor Jones struck a spectacular clincher with just 12 minutes remaining. Jones collected a pass from Struan Ross in acres of space on the right and when he wasn’t closed down, he had time to tee the ball up before striking a shot from distance, high into the net to make it 3-0. It was a convincing win, another clean sheet, Newtonmore’s fourth in succession, and Caberfeidh’s defeat to Oban Camanachd means Newtonmore now sit top of the Mowi Premiership.
Lovat 1 Kinlochshiel 0 Marc MacLachlan scored 15 minutes from time to give Lovat their first league win of the season, a 1-0 victory over Kinlochshiel at Balgate. Craig Mainland was amongst the Lovat absentees and whilst ‘Shiel’s Jonnie MacAskill served match two of a four game suspension. Archie MacRae returned to the visiting side but injury ruled out both Finlay MacRae and Donald Nixon. The goal that made the difference came on 75 minutes when Marc MacLachlan beat ‘Shiel keeper Josh Grant to score his third goal over two games.
Beauly 3 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Beauly have made an impressive start to their first season in the Premiership when they won for the second successive match, defeating Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-1 in their 3pm throw up at Braeview Park. Beauly led through youngster Finlay MacLennan on 22 minutes, but former Kingussie player Chris Holleysong tied the contest at the break with a goal on 35 minutes. When referee Graeme Irvine awarded Beauly a 56 minute penalty, Jack MacDonald produced his usual deadly finish from the spot. Robbie Brindle made it 3-1 on 64 minutes to the delight of the home support and Beauly are now the only side in shinty’s top-flight with a 100% record.
Skye Camanachd P Kingussie P The match between Skye Camanachd and Kingussie at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree was postponed following a Saturday morning pitch inspection. Skye have yet to play on their home pitch this season.
Mowi National Division Kilmallie 4 Col Glen 1 Kilmallie top the table on goal difference as they maintained their 100% record by beating Col Glen 4-1 at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie did the damage in the first half, running up a four-goal interval lead. Calum MacDougall put them ahead when he scored his fifth goal of the season on 18 minutes and Lewis Birrell added a second, after play from Martin Stewart, on 22 minutes. Shane O'Rua on 39 minutes and a second from Lewis Birrell on 44 minutes made it 4-0 at the turnaround. Col Glen were better in the second half former Kingussie player Cluanie Fraser scored his first goal for the club on 56 minutes.
Lochaber 3 Oban Celtic 1 Lochaber’s good start to the season continued as they won their third successive league match, beating Oban Celtic 3-1 at Spean Bridge. Iain Fyfe gave Lochaber an interval lead with a goal on 39 minutes but Scott Dempster levelled with just 20 minutes remaining. It remained level until 12 minutes from time when Lochaber regained the lead through Duncan MacKinnon and Ben Delaney made it 3-1 just 3 minutes from time.
Inveraray go third in the league after beating Fort William 3-2 in their 3pm throw up at the Winterton. Campbell Watt on 48 minutes, former first team manager Ruaraidh Graham on 72 minutes and Fraser Watt counted for Inveraray with Victor Smith scoring both Fort goals. Inveraray first team coach John Smylie was delighted with the determination and commitment shown by his players. He said: "The boys were told before the game to be at it from the first minute and keep the ball moving quickly, and they did just that which always made us a threat when we were attacking. “Our midfield and defence put in the hard graft with lots of skill involved as well so overall, it was a good team performance."
Glenurquhart 3 Strathglass 0 Glenurquhart won for the first time in the league this season, securing a 3-0 derby win over Strathglass in their derby at Blairbeg. David MacLennan opened the scoring on 25 minutes and John Barr gave the Glen a 2-0 interval lead when he scored on 36 minutes. A second from David MacLennan on 82 minutes clinched the points and the defeat leaves Strathglass bottom of the table and they will be without Colin Birnie for a spell after he suffered a nasty injury.
Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup – First Round Section 1 Kingussie 15 Inverness 0 The Kingussie second team were too strong for a young Inverness second team, running out 15-0 winners at the Dell. Having recently beaten the Inverness first team in the league, the Kingussie seconds were hot favourites to overcame the Inverness seconds in their HIS Sutherland Cup first round tie at the Dell. And that’s how it transpired with the Kings accumulating fifteen goals without reply against an Inverness side who had no answer. Michael Slimon started the goals avalanche on 3 minutes and Peter Dickson made it 2-0 on 6 minutes. Robert Shiells opened his account on 15 minutes and Michael Slimon got his second to make it 4-0 a couple of minutes after. The goals came with great regularity and a second from Robert Shiells on 23 minutes and a Calum MacKintosh effort a minute later made it six. Robert Shiells completed his hat-trick on 27 minutes and Peter Dickson got his second on the half-hour to make it 8-0. Russell Menzies made it 9-0 at the break with a goal on 43 minutes and he went on to complete his hat-trick when he found the net again on 65 and 72 minutes, taking the Kings through the double-figures barrier in the process. Alexander Michie’s recovery from injury has been going well and he found time to add his name to the score sheet with a strike on 81 minutes. Kingussie have played four times this season and Robert Shiells took his count to eight goals over that period when he scored for the fourth time just a minute later to make it an unlucky thirteen for Inverness. Lee Riddoch scored straight from the restart and Iain Fraser rounded off the fifteen-goal haul with 5 minutes remaining. The victory means the young Kings will now meet the winners from the first round tie between the Newtonmore second team and Strathspey Camanachd in the HIS Sutherland Cup second round with that tie currently scheduled to take place at the Dell on Saturday 6 May 2023.
Strathglass 0 Glenurquhart 16 With their senior sides having a derby meeting at Blairbeg, the Glenurquhart and Strathglass second teams had a noon throw up at Cannich and it turned out to be a one-sided affair. Daniel MacLean opened the scoring on 6 minutes with Oliver Black doubling the visitors lead on 17 minutes. Charlie MacLeod made it 3-0 on 25 minutes and Daniel MacLean completed his hat-trick with two goals in two minutes on 30 and 31 minutes. Neale Reid then ran riot, scoring six times during a sensational 35 minute spell with goals on 36. 43, 49, 56, 66 and 71 minutes. In-between times, Charlie MacLeod completed his hat-trick with efforts on 46 and 67 minutes and Jed Stoddart added his name to the scoresheet a minute short of the hour. Alfie MacLeod on 78 minutes and a second from Oliver Black a minute later completed the rout.
Boleskine 5 Aberdeen University 3 Boleskine came from two goals down to beat Aberdeen University 5-3 at Smith Park. Darren Cameron on 13 minutes and Cameron MacPhail on 38 minutes got the Students off to a great start. Liam Girvan pulled a goal back on 41 minutes and Scott Knox made it 2-2 a couple of minutes into the second half. Scott Knox got his second to put Boleskine ahead for the first time in the game on 51 minutes but Jamie Buchan made it 3-3 with just 15 minutes remaining. However, two goals in the closing stages sent Boleskine through. Scott Knox completed his hat-trick on 81 minutes and Connor Aubrey made it 5-3 a minute from time.
Newtonmore P Strathspey Camanachd P The Newtonmore second team, current Sutherland Cup holders, will have to wait to open the defence of their trophy as their noon throw up against Strathspey Camanachd at the Eilan was postponed.
Section 2 Caberfeidh 0 Skye Camanachd 1 Taylor Matheson scored the only goal of the game as the Skye Camanachd seconds beat the Caberfeidh seconds 1-0 in their noon throw up at Cannich. Taylor Matheson’s decisive strike came after 55 minutes.
Kinlochshiel P Lovat P The tie between Kinlochshiel second team and the Lovat second team at Rèaraig was called off on Saturday morning due to an unplayable field.
Beauly P Lewis Camanachd P The noon throw up between the Beauly reserves and Lewis Camanachd at Braeview Park was called off on Friday due to an unplayable pitch.
Section 3 Fort William 1 Lochside Rovers 0 Fort William colts edged out Lochside Rovers 1-0 at An Aird. Promising Fort youngster Reece Kennedy scored the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark. Lochside, who included former Newtonmore player John MacKenzie in their side, had chances in the game but Fort William keeper Stuart Disher was in fine form.
Kilmory 5 Lochaber 0 Kilmory were 5-0 winners against the Lochaber second team in their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park. The early exchanges were even before Bruce Johnston gave the hosts a 27 minute lead. Kilmory had chances to add to their lead before the break and although Lochaber were strong after the restart, Kilmory benefited from an own goal on 73 minutes. Kilmory scored three more times late in the tie to put gloss on the win. Davie MacAlister added a third on 85 minutes with Alex Cunningham’s late brace coming on 89 minutes and then again 5 minutes into stoppage time.
Section 4 Kyles Athletic 1 Bute 1 (Bute won 2-1 on penalties) It took a penalty shoot-out to separate the Kyles Athletic seconds and the Bute seconds in their 3pm throw up at Tighnabruaich. Kyles included both Thomas Whyte and Gordon Whyte but they fell behind on 8 minutes when David Whitelaw scored. However, ever-green Roddy McColl levelled on 76 minutes, sending the ball low into the corner of the goal following a good run forward by Roan MacVicar. With no further scoring, referee Craig Scott took the tie to an extra-time period and when that failed to separate the sides, they lined up for a penalty shoot-out. In the end, Roddy McColl was the only player to convert for Kyles whilst Bute pair Neil McKirdy and Ryan Tierney netted with their keeper Gordon Currie playing his part, saving two of Kyles Athletic’s penalties.
Inveraray 4 Strachur-Dunoon 2 David MacPherson and Ewan Donnan both scored twice as the Inveraray juniors beat Strachur-Dunoon 4-2 in their noon throw up which was moved from the Winterton to the Dunoon Stadium. The sides were paired at the same stage in last year’s competition when it took an Allan MacDonald’s goal in extra-time to see Inveraray through. David MacPherson put Inveraray in control with early goals on 13 and 15 minutes. His first was a tap-in from close range whilst the second took a slight deflection on its way by the keeper. Strachur-Dunoon’s Sam Bulloch pulled a goal back on 37 minutes to make it 2-1 at the break. Inveraray’s Ewan Donnan scored twice in last year’s tie between the sides and he did so again with goals on 76 and 79 minutes. When referee Cat Whyte awarded the visitors a penalty in the final minute, Ian MacLennan made it 4-2 from the spot.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Tayforth 1 The Glasgow Mid Argyll juniors defeated Tayforth 2-1 at Peterson Park. All the goals came in the second half with Andy McGhee on 53 minutes and Ross Brown on 73 minutes putting GMA two up. Tayforth’s Michael MacLeod halved the deficit on 81 minutes.
Mowi North Division 1 Glengarry extended their lead at the top of the division after defeating the Inverness first team 3-1 at Craigard. ‘Garry player / manager Scott Bremner completed his suspension, and his side went in front through Shaun Nicolson on 13 minutes. Steven Cameron made it 2-0 a couple of minutes short of the half-hour mark and although Steven Bellshaw pulled a goal back just 3 minutes after the restart, Jack West netted on 65 minutes to make the final score 3-1.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
WCA Round Up There was another busy Women’s Camanachd Association schedule with most matches taking place on Sunday 2 April 2023.
Mowi National Division Lochaber 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 League leaders Lochaber dropped their first point of the season, drawing 1-1 with Glasgow Mid Argyll in their 2.30pm throw up at Spean Bridge. Leah Maxtone scored for Lochaber with Kirsty Rodgers replying for the Glasgow side.
Badenoch 15 Aberdour 0 Champions Badenoch won for the first time this season, thumping Aberdour 15-0 in their 1pm throw up at the Dell. Kirsty Deans scored four times whilst Zoe Reid and Jeanette McGregor both grabbed hat-tricks. Rona Stewart and Rhona MacIntyre both bagged braces and Mairi Stewart got the other.
Ardnamurchan 0 Skye Camanachd 10 Skye Camanachd defeated Ardnamurchan 10-0 in their 1pm throw up at Strontian. Sarah Yoxon scored five times for Skye with doubles from Teri MacLeod and Lilidh Campbell and Rhianna Kirk’s effort making up their count.
Glenurquhart 2 Inverness 2 Glenurquhart and Inverness drew 2-2 in their 11am throw up at Blairbeg on Saturday 1 April 2023. Former Fort William player Zoe Smith scored both Glen goals with Ruth MacDougall and Katie McMillian earning Inverness a s share of the points.
Mowi North Division 2 Inverness 3 Glengarry 1 The Inverness second team beat Glengarry 3-1 in their 1pm throw up at the Bught Park. Isla McNeil’s double and Ruth MacDougall’s goal gave Inverness the points with Ruby Robson replying.
Badenoch P Lovat P The 3pm throw up between the Badenoch seconds and Lovat at the Market Stance was postponed.
Skye Camanachd P Strathglass P The Skye Camanachd second team were to take on Strathglass in a 1pm throw up at the Portree High School astro pitch on Saturday 1 April 2023 however the game was postponed on Friday evening.
Strathspey Camanachd P Glenurquhart P The match between Strathspey and the Glenurquhart second team was an early postponement as the pitch at Grantown Grammar School was unplayable.
Mowi South Division 2 Uddingston 7 Oban 4 Uddingston are the early league leaders after beating Oban 7-4 in their noon throw up at the Stepps Playing Field. Alison MacVicar, who is the sister of Oban Camanachd player Daniel MacVicar, took her tally to seven goals for the season with a double for Uddingston. Alison Howat also scored twice with Niamh McGill, Ceitidh Smith and Olivia Muir getting the others. This was Oban’s second league game and Caroline Smith struck twice with Katie Mackay and Ellie MacInnes also netting.
Tayforth W/O v Glasgow Mid Argyll Tayforth were awarded the points when the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds were unable to raise a team for their match at Peffermill.
Ardnamurchan P Dunadd P Ardnamurchan’s 3pm throw up with Dunadd at Strontian was postponed due to illness and the match will be rescheduled. |