The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 18 March 2023 | |
19 March 2023 A number of matches beat the wet weather on Saturday 18 March 2023.
Mowi Premiership Newtonmore 1 Kinlochshiel 0 The fixture between Kinlochshiel and Newtonmore was switched to the Eilan on Friday afternoon when ‘Shiel’s Rèaraig pitch failed an inspection. Throw up was delayed until 3pm as the Eilan hosted two matches but the pitch was in good condition despite some pre-match rain. The home side welcomed Steven Macdonald back from suspension and he started at full centre, flanked by Declan Brannan and Struan Ross in what was a very effective midfield trio. New captain Conor Jones also made his first appearance of the season following injury, taking a place on the bench alongside Fraser MacKintosh and Tristan Ross. ‘Shiel’s David Falconer recovered from injury to start in defence but Jordan Fraser’s hand injury, suffered against Beauly last week, rules him out for at least six weeks. John MacRae was still missing but an early-April back operation could see him return in the summer. Newtonmore went on the offensive from the throw up and could easily have amassed an early three-goal lead. First, a Struan Ross hit-in from the left led to Mark MacDonald clearing Craig Macleod’s effort off the line. Craig MacIsaac then twice went close as he hit the side-netting from the left following Steven Macdonald’s long ball forward before shooting narrowly by goalie Josh Grant’s right post. ‘Shiel settled though and Duncan Matheson turned a rebound wide after home keeper Kenny Ross saved Archie MacRae’s shot. The contest flowed from end-to-end and Michael Russell sent Iain Robinson’s cross from the right just the wrong side of the post with Craig MacIsaac going close again soon after. Duncan Matheson shot wide on a couple of occasions with Iain Robinson doing likewise following Michael Russell’s corner and for all the chances created, neither keeper was overly troubled. Kinlochshiel made a change at the break with Jonnie MacAskill replacing David Falconer in defence. ‘Shiel enjoyed their best period of the game at the start to the second half, a defence of Rory Kennedy, supported by Craig Ritchie, Duncan MacPherson and Iain Richardson, kept them at bay. Wing centre Struan Ross was having a great game, establishing himself as a regular in the ‘More midfield, and he surged forward before shooting wide. As the match moved into the latter stages, it looked all the more likely that one goal would settle it. Then, with just 7 minutes remaining, ‘Shiel’s Conor Cormack seemed to double-swing as he tried to clear a Newtonmore attack. Referee Steven MacLachlan blew but was unsure whether the infringement took place inside the D but after consulting with the goal judge, he pointed to the penalty spot. Craig MacIsaac held his nerve and blasted an unstoppable spot-hit over the keeper’s right shoulder to win the game. There were a couple of late flashpoints and, in stoppage time, ‘Shiel’s Jonnie MacAskill was sent off after a wild swing at Conor Jones with the ‘More substitute receiving a yellow card for his part in the fracas.
Kingussie 0 Caberfeidh 3 Caberfeidh posted the shock result of the day when they went to the Dell and beat reigning champions Kingussie 3-0. With Rory MacKeachan working, Kieran Macpherson returned to a Kingussie defence which also included Lee Bain whilst Liam Borthwick went to full centre. Caberfeidh boss Garry Reid was without Ben MacDonald. Kingussie started brightly with Savio Genini twice shooting goalwards. However, Caberfeidh took the lead after just 2 minutes following a quick counter-attack. Billy Goodall and Jamie MacKintosh combined to send the ball up-field and Kevin Bartlett found Craig Morrison in a central position and his shot from distance beat keeper Rory McGregor at his right post. Kingussie went back on the attack and visiting goalie Iain McCall slapped away Savio Genini’s effort following Ruaridh Anderson’s free-hit whilst the Cabers custodian then saved under his crossbar to deny Ruaridh Anderson following good play from James Falconer. Roddy Young saw a shot blocked following another set-piece and Caberfeidh took their lead into the break. Kingussie launched the first attack of the second half and Kieran Macpherson found Savio Genini who spun away from his marker and made for goal. However, keeper Iain McCall was quickly off his line to save with his legs and James Falconer sent the rebound wide on his back-hand. There were shouts from the Caberfeidh management for substitute Gavin Mclauchlan to stay wide and that call paid dividends on 58 minutes when a passing move involving Jamie MacKintosh, Craig Morrison and Connor Golabek found McLachlan on the left and he unleashed a glorious drive from distance into the roof of the net. Kingussie tried again and this time James Falconers attempt from close-in was saved. Cabers sealed victory on 65 minutes when the Kingussie defence didn’t deal with Jamie MacKintosh’s a hit-in from the right. Connor Golabek’s shot was stopped by Robert Mabon but Craig Morrison was on hand to whip the ball low into the net from a tight angle to the right of the D. Kingussie kept pressing and substitute James Hutchison had a chance when a goal-hit came off him and James Falconer hit the frame of the goal before seeing another strike saved. It was Caberfeidh’s day though and they are early league leaders.
Beauly P Oban Camanachd P With Oban Celtic also playing at home, Oban Camanachd’s meeting with Beauly was transferred from Mossfield to Braeview Park. However, the overnight rain in Beauly left the pitch peppered with puddles of water and the game couldn’t go ahead.
Kyles Athletic P Skye Camanachd P Kyles Athletic and Skye Camanachd were to clash at Tighnabruaich but the field fell foul of a Saturday morning pitch inspection.
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Lovat P Glasgow Mid Argyll and Lovat were left disappointed when Peterson Park failed a field inspection.
Mowi National Division Oban Celtic 0 Glenurquhart 0 Oban Celtic and Glenurquhart played out a goalless draw at a wet Mossfield. The rain in the lead-up to the game made for a heavy pitch and groundsman Iain Hay had to work hard for the game to go ahead. Oban Celtic boss Dougie MacIntyre had to reshuffle his thin squad with defenders Peter Currie and Jamie MacFarlane, signed from Cruachanside, and forwards Lennon Campbell and Daniel MacFarlane, all unavailable. Bob MacIntyre returned but had to play at the back to cover the absences which included Lewis Macphee’s absence following his decision not to play this season. Youngsters Ewan Campbell, Joe MacVicar and Finlay Cameron – all aged 16 – featured. The rain eased around 20 minutes into the game which was welcome and this was a game of few chances until the final 15 minutes when Glenurquhart pressed for a winner. With Kieran Gallagher injured and Craig MacDougall struggling on with an injury, Oban Celtic were forced to sin in and defend deep and they had keeper Iain MacFarlane to thank for three good saves near the end. It is a second draw from their two games for Oban Celtic who travel to the Winterton to play Inveraray this coming Saturday. Injury continues to rule out Oban Celtic duo Lennon Campbell and Peter Currie whilst Inveraray pair Ross MacMillan and Ross Montgomery are suspended.
Strathglass 1 Inveraray 2 Inveraray picked up their first points of the season with a 2-1 win over Strathglass at Cannich. Inveraray’s Ross MacMillan started a two-game suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Inveraray led through Allan MacDonald on 12 minutes and Campbell Watt made it 2-0 at the turnaround when he scored on 32 minutes. Steven Hyslop pulled a goal back for Strathglass on 52 minutes but Inveraray stayed in front to take the points. Inveraray’s Ross Montgomery was sent off by referee Iain Kennedy on 65 minutes.
Fort William P Kilmallie P The much-anticipated derby between Fort William and Kilmallie at An Aird was postponed with both clubs’ pitches unplayable.
Col Glen’s 2pm throw up with Lochaber at Glendaruel was postponed on Friday evening as their field was unplayable.
Mowi North Division 1 Glengarry 1 Beauly 1 When the Beauly first team’s game against Oban Camanachd was switched from Mossfield to Braeview Park, their second team clash with Glengarry was moved to Craigard. The first half looked like it was going to end scoreless until Beauly’s Scott Cameron popped up a minute before the break to give his side the lead. Glengarry player / manager Scott Bremner was sent off by referee Andrew Grant McKenzie on 50 minutes but despite being a player short, ’Garry levelled through Steven Cameron on the hour. However, the hosts couldn’t get the goal they needed to follow up wins against the Newtonmore seconds and the Skye seconds in their first two games of the season.
Kingussie 3 Inverness 1 The clash between the Inverness first team and the Kingussie second team was transferred to the Market Stance with a 2pm throw up when the Bught Park was deemed unplayable. And it is the Kings who go second in the division following a solid 3-1 win. Kingussie manager Craig Dawson was able to field Alexander Michie at full centre as he works his way back from injury. Inverness travelled with confidence having won both their opening games without conceding a goal. All the goals came in the first half and it was the visitors who struck first through Ruaraidh Hughes on 13 minutes. However, Michael Slimon equalised on 19 minutes and Peter Dickson put the Kings ahead just 3 minutes after. Michael Slimon got his second to make it 3-1 on 31 minutes. There was no further scoring and the only negatives for Kingussie were injuries to Somhairle Fraser early in the game and George Taylor-Ramsay towards the end of the match.
Glenurquhart 3 Skye Camanachd 4 The Skye Camanachd second team’s noon throw up with the Glenurquhart second team was called off on Friday afternoon when Skye’s Pairc nan Laoch pitch failed an inspection. However, the teams agreed to switch the venue to Blairbeg with an 11am throw up and it was the Islanders who won by the odd goal in seven. In an unusual twist, all scorers for both sides were “MacLeods” as was the referee; Donald “Donjee” MacLeod. Skye broke the deadlock with Ruaraidh MacLeod netting from the right on 16 minutes and he added a second on 32 minutes when he turned home a rebound after Glen keeper Iain MacLeod saved Archie MacDonald’s effort. The Glen pulled a goal back a minute before half-time with Charlie MacLeod beating visiting goalie Calum Nicolson. There was a scoring burst at the start of the second half as Seonaidh-Alex MacLeod extended Skye’s lead on 47 minutes with a wonderful shot from distance which dipped just under the crossbar but Alfie MacLeod made it 3-2 on 49 minutes. Ruaraidh MacLeod, who was marked by veteran Eddie Tembo, completed his hat-trick to make it 4-2 with a fierce shot just a couple of minutes after and although Glenurquhart’s Alfie MacLeod scored his second on 85 minutes it was Skye who secured their second win of the season.
Newtonmore 4 Kinlochshiel 3 The home side came out on top as the Newtonmore reserves and the Kinlochshiel reserves served up a seven-goal, end-to-end thriller in their noon throw up at the Eilan. Newtonmore were without the injured Kyle Clark as well as Euan Dingwall whilst Kinlochshiel’s Rhuairaidh MacDonald missed out with a broken thumb and Paul MacRae didn’t travel. ‘More took the lead on 8 minutes following a swift passing move from the right which saw Brodie Macbean and Glen MacKintosh move the ball quickly to Xander Ross and he crashed the ball high into the net. The hosts continued to press and Brodie Macbean added a second on 15 minutes, forcing the ball in off the keeper with a shot from the left. However, ‘Shiel fought back and Seamus Martin halved the deficit from a central position on 19 minutes when he turned a ball from the right, low into the net. The goal lifted the visitors and, just 60 seconds later, Zander MacRae fired home from the left to make it 2-2. Kinlochshiel took the lead through Duncan MacMillan on 58 minutes. Zander MacRae’s ball from midfield was touched on by Duncan MacMillan. Seumas Martin got onto it and when the ball broke for MacMillan, he sent a good shot past an unsighted Jason MacDonald, beating the keeper on his right side. The game could have gone either way and, in the end, two trademark Glen MacKintosh finishes made the difference. With 20 minutes remaining, MacKintosh blasted the ball into the net from the right of the D following a Xander Ross free hit and, after more quick passing just 5 minutes later, MacKintosh finished well again, hammering a shot past a helpless Calum MacMillan in the ‘Shiel goal to make it 4-3 and win the game. Charlie Ferguson, Brodie Macbean and Xander Ross were the pick of the ‘More youngsters with Andrew MacKenzie best for Kinlochshiel.
Lovat 1 Fort William 3 The Fort William colts took the points with 3-1 triumph over the Lovat colts at Balgate. Lovat’s Danny MacKenzie started a three-game suspension following his red card against the Kingussie seconds last week. The Fort travelled with three brothers in their squad - Struan, Cam and Arran Stephen. Rhys Kennedy fired the visitors into a 13 minute lead and that was the only goal of the first half. Kris Knox added a second on 55 minutes and although Raymond Rennie pulled a goal back on 77 minutes, Kris Knox got his second to make it 3-1 on 84 minutes.
Mowi South Division 1 Ardnamurchan 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Ardnamurchan made the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team work for their 4-2 win at Strontian. Ard’ took the lead on 9 minutes through Herbie Patterson but Conal MacDiarmid restored parity on 17 minutes and it stayed that way until the break. GMA led for the first time through Cailean MacInnes on 51 minutes and, crucially, Mark Bain and Cailean MacLeod added goals on 61 and 63 minutes. Ardnamurchan started the scoring and they also ended it when Stuart MacLachlan made it 4-2 on 85 minutes.
A Saturday morning pitch inspection led to the postponement of Ballachulish’s meeting with the Kyles Athletic second team as the Jubilee Park was unplayable. The match between Bute and Aberdour at the Meadows was postponed due to a bereavement.
Mowi North Division 2 Lochaber 0 Aberdeen University 0 Jebby Remegio scored late in the match to earn Aberdeen University a share of the points against the Lochaber colts at Spean Bridge. Neil MacDonald gave Lochaber a 35 minute lead and they stayed in front until a couple of minutes from referee Martin MacLean’s final whistle when Jebby Remegio made it 1-1.
Caberfeidh 3 Strathglass 0 The Caberfeidh colts won for the second successive match when they defeated the Strathglass colts 3-0 at Castle Leod. Kai MacAulay put the hosts ahead on 19 minutes and Ruaraidh MacLeman made it 2-0 just a couple of minutes before the interval. Ruaraidh MacLeman got his second goal of the game to round off the win on 87 minutes.
Strathspey Camanachd v Lochcarron W/O Lochcarron were given a walk-over when Strathspey Camanachd were unable to field a team for their game at Grantown Grammar School.
Inverness P Boleskine P The noon throw up between the Inverness second team and Boleskine was called off on Friday afternoon when the Bught Park was ruled unplayable.
Mowi South Division 2 Inveraray P Uddingston P The fixture between the Inveraray seconds and Uddingston was called off on Saturday morning when the Winterton was ruled unplayable.
Kilmory P Tayforth P Kilmory and Tayforth will have to do it again as their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park was postponed on Saturday morning due to a waterlogged pitch.
Strachur-Dunoon P Oban Celtic P Strachur-Dunoon’s clash with the Oban Celtic second team at Strachurmore was postponed due to an unplayable surface.
Aberdour P Bute P The match between Aberdour juniors and the Bute juniors at Silversands will be rescheduled following a bereavement.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match reports states differently)
WCA Round Up There were national and regional fixtures scheduled, mostly on Sunday 19 March 2023.
Mowi National Division Lochaber 2 Badenoch 1 Lochaber sit proudly at the top of the Mowi National Division, following up their earlier victory over Glenurquhart with a 2-1 win over champions Badenoch in their 2.30pm throw up at Spean Bridge. Lochaber, with Mya Carmichael making he debut, benefited from Leah Maxtone’s double whilst Jeanette MacGregor scored the Badenoch goal.
Skye Camanachd P Glasgow Mid Argyll P The 3pm throw up between Skye Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 18 March 2023 was called off following a Friday afternoon inspection.
Inverness P Ardnamurchan P With the Bught Park unplayable, the meeting between Inverness and Ardnamurchan will be rescheduled.
Aberdour P Glenurquhart P The 1.30pm throw up between Aberdour and Glenurquhart at Silversands was postponed on Saturday.
Mowi South Division 2 Uddingston 10 Ardnamurchan 1 Uddingston beat Ardnamurchan B 10-1 in their 2pm throw up at the Stepps Playing Field. Alison MacVicar scored four times, Eilidh Barclay grabbed a hat-trick, Ceitidh Smith a double and Avia Love the other with Aine O’Rua scoring for Ard’.
Dunadd 5 Tayforth 1 Dunadd beat Tayforth 5-1 in their 1pm throw up at MacRae Park. Dunadd made a good start with Eilidh Cameron scoring in the opening minute. Laura Thomson added a second before Eilidh Cameron scored twice more to complete her hat trick before half-time. Tayforth’s Madeleine French pulled a goal back with a good finish, but Kyra Robertson turned home a rebound to complete the 5-1 victory.
Oban P Glasgow Mid Argyll B P The encounter between Oban and the Glasgow Mid Argyll B has been rescheduled to Sunday 27 August 2023. |