Lochside Rovers lifted the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup, the Newtonmore second team secured the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title and Kyles Athletic returned to the top of the Marine harvest Premiership following the shinty action on Saturday 16 September 2017.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final
Lochside Rovers 3 Kingussie 1
Lochside Rovers lifted the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup thanks to a 3-1 win over the Kingussie second team in their 3pm throw up at An Aird.
Daniel Sloss returned to the Lochside Rovers side following suspension.
Kingussie fielded a youthful side with Kevin Thain and Rory Fraser both on the bench.
A big crowd gathered for this match and there was a moment of drama on 5 minutes when Lochside thought they had taken the lead. However the goal judge correctly signalled that Craig MacDougall’s effort had entered the goal through a hole in the side-netting.
MacDougall was not to be denied though and he put the Oban side ahead on 12 minutes with a low shot into the net.
Lochside created several chances in the first half but they were denied by the excellent Robert Shiells in the Kingussie goal.
Lewis Buchanan doubled Lochside’s lead following a rehearsed free-hit routine on 63 minutes. Buchanan’s short swing from just outside the D fired the ball into the top corner of the net.
Kingussie substitute Kevin Thain punished a rare Lochside defensive slip on 71 minutes, shortly after coming on, and his half swing sent the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 2-1.
Kingussie went all out for a leveller but the Lochside defence stayed firm.
Lochside substitute Ruaraidh Horn sealed the win on 82 minutes. Horne, at the back post, ran away from the goal following a corner and his half-volley flew into the net to make it 3-1.
Lochside were well worth the win with Chrissie MacMillan dominant at the back and Michael MacQueen, who was influential in midfield, was presented with the Sutherland Cup in front of a large Oban support.
This was Lochside Rovers first national success for 20 years when they last won the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup. Remarkably, Steven Sloss, now playing along-side his son Daniel Sloss, was also a member of that side and his return to the ranks this season, after a nine-year absence, has been a contributing factor in Lochside’s success.
Iain Kennedy was the match referee and he handled the game well.
With second placed Aberdour losing to Ballachulish, Lochside Rovers can now all but clinch the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title if they beat Aberdour at Silversands this Saturday as only Kilmory will be able to catch them if the Oban side suffered a complete collapse.
Marine Harvest Premiership
Kinlochshiel 2 Glenurquhart 2
The Marine Harvest Premiership title race took another twist as Kinlochshiel dropped a point, drawing 2-2 with relegation threatened Glenurquhart.
This was Kinlochshiel’s home match but, when Kirkton failed a Friday evening pitch inspection; the match was switched to Lovat’s Balgate pitch.
Kinlochshiel’s Scott MacLean returned from suspension and he started on the bench. Jordan Fraser took the field at full forward.
Glenurquhart’s John Barr was back after serving a three match suspension and he joined Finlay Robertson, Ally MacKintosh and Connor Golabek in defence. Callum Smith started in midfield whilst Lachie Smith remained banned.
This was Glenurquhart’s final match of the season and they were determined to take something from the game to ease their relegation fears.
James MacPherson put Glenurquhart ahead on 11 minutes with his first touch of the game. The former Lovat player, playing towards the houses on his former home pitch, struck a blistering 30 yard shot which keeper Scott Kennedy got his club to but the sheer power of the shot took the ball into the net. It was a great finish and just the start to that game that the Glen were looking for.
Things got even better for Glenurquhart just 3 minutes later when James MacPherson, this time with his second touch of the match, took the ball past marker Paul MacRae. MacPherson ran in on goal with full back MacRae in chase. The Glen marksman took a clever touch to take the ball away to his left, giving himself just enough space to send a back-hand shot into the net to make it 2-0.
Keith MacRae has been such an important player for Kinlochshiel this season and he made it 2-1 on 24 minutes. Ally MacKintosh’s clearance out of the Glen defence fell for MacRae and he ran in on goal before calmly slipping the ball past keeper Stuart MacKintosh.
Another powerful James MacPherson shot on 38 minutes, from the clubhouse side of the park, looked goal-bound but the ball took a nick off Paul MacRae’s stick and went out of play for a corner.
‘Shiel had a chance to draw level 3 minutes after the restart through John MacRae at the edge of the D but he sent the ball wide of goal.
However Johnston Gill’s side did get back on level terms on 54 minutes. The ball was played into the Glen D where Ally MacKintosh was penalised and, with the goal judge flagging, referee Martin MacLean pointed to the penalty spot. Jordan Fraser struck a powerful penalty and although Stuart MacKintosh got his chest to the ball, it spun high into the roof of the net.
Glenurquhart had to re-jig their side on the hour mark when defender Finlay Robertson fell awkwardly, landing on his hand and was unable to continue. Callum Miller came on in attack and Fraser Heath dropped back into defence.
Kinlochshiel applied intense pressure on the Glen goal during the second half; so much so that ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy was a virtual spectator.
‘Shiel introduced Fraser MacVicar for John MacRae and he spurned a good opportunity to net a winner.
Scott MacLean also came on in a bid to stretch the Glen defence but the west coast side were unable to breach a tight Glen back-line.
For all their pressure, there was almost a sting in the tail for ‘Shiel late in the match. James MacPherson played the ball into the corner where Callum Miller gathered possession. However Miller was unable to pick out an unmarked MacPherson with a return pass and the chance was gone.
The previous weekend, Iain MacLeod’s Glenurquhart side drew with bottom side Glasgow Mid Argyll and, just seven days later, they had taken a point of the pre-match league leaders.
Glenurquhart’s point was mainly down to an excellent defensive performance with Ally MacKintosh outstanding and Connor Golabek also catching the eye. James MacPherson’s double gave them something to hang onto and whilst they are not arithmetically safe from the drop, it would take an unlikely series of results to put them under pressure.
Glenurquhart have now completed their season on 10 points and they must now wait to see if two sides from Lochaber, Kilmallie or Glasgow Mid Argyll can overtake them.
Kinlochshiel were nervy at times but they still have the title destination in their own hands and they now have a massive match against Kyles Athletic at Kirkton this week to look forward to. It’s a game which will go a long way to determine the outcome of one of the most exciting top flight title races in recent years.
Kyles Athletic 1 Newtonmore 0
Kyles Athletic took advantage of Kinlochshiel’s slip-up by beating Newtonmore 1-0.
It became clear earlier in the week that Kyles’ Tighnabruaich pitch would not be playable so, with no fixtures in Oban, the match was switched to Mossfield.
Kyles were still without the injured Callum Miller whilst Roddy MacDonald started a two-match suspension. Martin MacFadyen was also missing.
With the league out of their reach, Newtonmore’s focus is on the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final against Lovat on Saturday 30 September 2017 and they travelled south without Glen MacKintosh and David MacLean. Paul MacArthur started in midfield along-side Michael Russell who returned from suspension. Jamie Robinson was also given game-time and captain Rory Kennedy was in attendance but remained out through injury. Steven MacDonald lined-up for Newtonmore but he will miss their next two matches, including the Camanachd Cup Final, as his booking a week earlier against Kinlochshiel takes him through the disciplinary points threshold.
The only goal of the game came following a corner on 43 minutes. Four players tussled for the ball and it bounced away to side, around penalty spot, where Sandy MacKenzie reacted first and he fired a waist-high shot to keeper Norman Campbell’s right, into the net.
Newtonmore had chances in what was a largely uneventful match and they were disappointed not to take something from the game.
Kyles defender Donald Irvine came off injured which will be a concern to manager James Perlich.
Kyles have different priorities and they have a five-goal advantage over Kinlochshiel with whom they are tied on points at the top of the table.
The sides are scheduled to meet in what should be a terrific encounter at Kirkton this Saturday.
Kyles complete their season at home to Glasgow Mid Argyll whilst Kinlochshiel will travel to Oban Camanachd in their final match.
The title race is simply too close to call.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Lovat 3
Lovat saw off a Glasgow Mid Argyll fight-back to win 3-2 at Yoker.
GMA were without Ewen Murray but were otherwise along usual lines. Full back Ryan Harrison was free to play but he will miss this Saturday’s match against Oban Camanachd as his booking against Glenurquhart the previous Saturday takes him through the disciplinary points threshold.
Greg Matheson and Martin Mainland started on the Lovat bench along-side Bailey MacKay whilst Thomas Fraser was promoted from the reserves and he played the full 90 minutes in defence. Craig Mainland didn’t play. Daniel Grieve returned to the starting line-up despite being a booking away from missing the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final against Newtonmore although he was withdrawn late in the game.
Lovat took the lead on 24 minutes when Danny Kelly crossed from out near the corner flag and Marc MacLachlan took the ball down around the penalty spot area before smashing the ball high into the net..
A low, powerful Danny Kelly shot from around the penalty spot on the stroke of half time went into the bottom-left corner of the net to make it 2-0 at the break.
Calum Mclay got GMA back into it 10 minutes into the second half. Seb MacMillan cut the ball back from a wide position and Mclay got to the ball at the front post with his back to goal and he turned and hit a strike into the bottom corner of the net.
The hosts drew level on 65 minutes when Jamie McFadyen got on the end of a ball played to the edge of the box and he ran into the D, rounded keeper Stuart MacDonald, and tapped the ball into the empty net to make it 2-2.
Lovat boss Fraser Gallacher risked Greg Matheson and Martin Mainland, both walking a suspension tight-rope ahead of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final, as both came off the bench with 20 minutes to go.
And captain Matheson was involved in the winning goal which came with just 12 minutes left when he got on the end of a long ball from Danny Kelly and he played in Marc MacLachlan one-on-one with keeper Robert Dunnings. MacLachlan showed great composure as he slotted the ball past the goalie for his second goal of the afternoon which made it 3-2.
The games are running out for GMA. Their final two matches are away to both Oban Camanachd and Kyles Athletic so a return to the Marine Harvest National Division looks likely.
Lovat have now won five games in a row and they host Kingussie in the league this Saturday ahead of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final against Newtonmore at the end of the month.
Kilmallie P Oban Camanachd P
The match between Kilmallie and Oban Camanachd was postponed to allow the Oban Camanachd players to watch their reserve side Lochside Rovers in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final against the Kingussie second team.
Marine Harvest National Division
Skye Camanachd 3 Inveraray 0
Skye Camanachd were presented with the Marine Harvest National Division trophy following their 3-0 win over Inveraray at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Skye remained without the injured Jordan Murchison whilst Ryan Morrison took over from Iain MacLeod in goal. MacLeod will miss the remainder of the season, including the chance to again represent Scotland at U21 level, through work commitments.
Inveraray travelled north without the experience of Nicholas Crawford, Douglas Dando and Ally MacDonald.
There were chances at both ends with Skye’s Iain MacLellan and Will Cowie both shooting wide whilst Inveraray’s Lewis Montgomery sent a strike over the junction between post and bar.
Will Cowie gave Skye the lead on 37 minutes when he rocketed the ball home from a tight angle on the Skye left following good lead up play from Iain MacLellan.
Inveraray player / manager Ruaraidh Graham switched Allan MacDonald from defence to attack at the interval.
Young Ruaraidh Graham went close for Inveraray 4 minutes after the restart before Skye started to turn on the style.
A Danny Morrison shot rose over the top and Inveraray goalie Scott MacLachlan saved well from Iain MacLellan.
MacLachlan made another good stop to keep out a Danny Morrison strike on 73 minutes but this time, Iain MacLellan gathered the rebound to score.
Skye goalie Ryan Morrison had to be alert, using his hand to keep out a dropping Lewis Montgomery effort before playing the ball out for a corner.
Inveraray now had to absorb a lot of Skye pressure and Ally Munro had a fine game in their defence.
James Pringle made 3-0 just 5 minutes from time when he took down a Kenny Campbell ball from the left before shooting low into the net.
There was still time from Scott MacLachlan to make an excellent save to his right to deny Will Cowie a second.
With Camanachd Association President-elect Keith Loades in attendance, John Angus Gillies from sponsors Marine Harvest presented the Marine Harvest National Division trophy to Skye captain Kenny Campbell.
The sides also played for the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup which was presented to Skye captain Kenny Campbell by Sammy Gordon, who was a team mate of Thomas Fergusons.
A commanding performance in the Skye defence meant Neil MacVicar was a deserved winner of the Glasgow Mid Argyll Shield as man of the match.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Newtonmore 6 Aberdeen University 2
League leaders Newtonmore seconds retained the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title, beating second placed Aberdein University 6-2 at The Eilan.
The Students hit the front on 14 minutes through Ewan Fraser but ‘More responded immediately with John MacKenzie scoring a minute later.
The goal rush came in the second half.
Calum Stewart put Newtonmore in front for the first time in the match on 55 minutes and the same player made it 3-1 on 58 minutes.
Gregor Cushnie made it 3-2 a minute later but there was to be no come-back.
Drew MacDonald, on his return from injury, added a fourth Newtonmore goal on 67 minutes and John MacKenzie went on to complete his hat-trick with efforts on 68 and 84 minutes to make the final score 6-2 and secure another league win for Cammy MacDonald’s side.
Beauly 4 Glenurquhart 1
The Beauly reserves beat the Glenurquhart reserves 4-1 at Braeview Park.
Ross Forbes on 27 minutes and Peter Dickson on 31 minutes had Beauly two goals to the good at the break.
Ross Forbes got his second to make it 3-0 on 56 minutes and Sean Stewart added a fourth on 63 minutes.
There was some consolation for the Glen when Davie Stewart netted 10 minutes from time.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Ballachulish 3 Aberdour 2
Aberdour missed out on the chance to close the gap on leaders Lochside Rovers when they lost 3-2 to Ballachulish at Jubilee Park.
Ballachulish, with David Grant back in their side, took the lead through Lorne Brown on 23 minutes.
Duncan MacDonald made it 2-0 on 27 minutes although Roddy MacColl pulled a goal back with 6 first half minutes remaining.
Pat MacLean got what was to prove to be a crucial home goal on 52 minutes as David MacKenzie netted for the visitors a couple of minutes from time.
The win lifts Balla’ to seventh in the table.
Col Glen 0 Kilmory 1
Kilmory edged out Col Glen 1-0 in a match transferred to Otter Ferry.
Alex Cunningham scored the only goal of a hard fought match when he received the ball just at the penalty spot and he hit a low, hard shot through the home defence and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to give Kilmory both points
The long grass on the pitch made it difficult for both sides to get a clean hit on the ball and dribbling with the ball was almost impossible.
Tayforth P Glenorchy P
Glenorchy were unable to raise a team for their trip to Levenhall Links to play Tayforth.
The match will be rescheduled.
Bute P Taynuilt P
The 3pm throw up between Bute and Taynuilt was postponed as The Meadows was unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Glengarry 5 Strathspey Camanachd 3
Glengarry bounced back from the previous week’s defeat to the Lochaber seconds when they defeated Strathspey Camanachd 5-3 at Craigard.
Nick Dalgety netted on 3 and 14 minutes, either side of Raymond Robertson’s 10 minute goal, to get ‘Garry off to a great start.
Raymond Robertson got his second a minute after the restart and Nick Dalgety completed his hat-trick on 79 minutes.
Strathspey, urged on by Fraser MacDonald, rallied though; netting three times during the final 7 minutes.
Matthew Davis pulled a goal back on 83 minutes whilst Mack Gordon on 86 minutes and Struan Ross a minute from time, made the final score 5-3.
Glengarry stay four points ahead of the Lochaber seconds but they have played a game more.
‘Garry’s final two matches are away to the Kilmallie seconds and at home to the Lovat seconds – both next month - and three points out of four will guarantee the title although their goal difference is such that two points would probably suffice.
Lochaber 12 Lewis Camanachd 0
The Lochaber seconds were too strong for Lewis Camanachd, running out 12-0 victors at Spean Bridge.
Youngster Max Campbell scored four times but his father Lachlan Campbell went one better with five goals.
Keith Neville scored twice whilst Finlay MacDonald got the other.
Lochcarron 0 Caberfeidh 4
The Caberfeidh reserves stay third after they beat Lochcarron 4-0.
This was Lochcarron’s home match but an unplayable pitch at Battery Park led to a venue switch to Castle Leod.
Cabers’ Jamie Matheson followed up the previous week’s hat-trick against Lewis Camanachd by scoring all four goals in this one.
Kilmallie 5 Lovat 0
The Kilmallie seconds go fourth in the league after they beat the Lovat seconds 5-0 in their 3pm throw up at The Canal Parks.
Lewis Birrell grabbed a first half hat-trick with goals on 7, 19 and 32 minutes to give Kilmallie a 3-0 interval lead.
Lewis Birrell capped a fine individual performance with a fourth goal on 53 minutes and Dean Williamson rounded off the 5-0 victory 7 minutes from time.
Boleskine 0 Inverness 3
The Inverness second team defeated Boleskine 3-0 in difficult weather conditions at Smith Park.
A Stuart MacRae drive put the visitors ahead midway through the first half.
Ewen MacKinnon made it 2-0 with a great solo effort 10 minutes before the break.
Boleskine made a good start to the second half but James MacKenzie, playing only his second game for the club; made it 3-0 with his first goal for the side.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Bute P Glasgow Mid Argyll P
The noon clash between the Bute and Glasgow Mid Argyll second teams was postponed on Thursday when it became clear that The Meadows could not host two matches.
Dunoon Camanachd P Oban Lorn P
The meeting between Dunoon Camanachd and Oban Lorn was postponed as The Dunoon Stadium pitch was unplayable.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states otherwise)
(The photograph of Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan, who was in fine form in the Marine Harvest National Division encounter with Skye Camanachd, comes courtesy of Moreen Pringle)
WCA Round Up
There were a number of Womens Camanachd Association fixtures over the weekend.
Marine Harvest National Division 1
Skye Camanachd W/O v Lovat
Lovat were unable to raise a team for their meeting with Skye Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree so the Islanders have been awarded the points.
Fort William P Glasgow Mid Argyll P
Glasgow Mid Argyll were deducted a point after failing to raise a team for their game against Fort William at An Aird. The match will be rescheduled.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Glengarry 5 Inverness 0
Glengarry beat Inverness 5-0 in their 2pm throw up at Craigard.
Elaine Cameron and Leona Falconer both scored twice whilst Joanne Gillanders got the other.
Strathglass 2 Glenurquhart 4
Glenurquhart beat Strathglass 4-2 in their noon derby at Cannich.
Cassie Dorrian and Charlotte Graham netted for the hosts but a Ishbel Barr hat-trick and a Hazel Hunter strike gave the Glen victory.
Strathspey 0 Lochaber 0
Strathspey and the Lochaber second team drew 0-0 in their 1pm throw up at Grantown Grammar School.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Lorn Ladies v Dunadd W/O
Lorn Ladies were unable to raise a team for their clash with Dunadd so Dunadd were awarded the points.