It’s shaping up to be a competitive Mowi Premiership season following the shinty action on Saturday 19 March 2022.

 

 

Mowi Premiership

Kinlochshiel 2 Oban Camanachd 0

Jordan Fraser scored twice in the second half to give Kinlochshiel a 2-0 win over Oban Camanachd in a game of few chances at Rèaraig.

Both teams were understrength for this clash in the sun and although the pitch had taken a lot of rain, it didn’t cut up as much as expected pre-match. 

Kinlochshiel’s John MacRae had been playing with a back injury recently and he missed this one. However Keith MacRae returned to the ‘Shiel starting line-up after sitting out the previous week’s win over Caberfeidh. Zander MacRae, who scored both goals in that game, was injured. David Falconer returned to the ‘Shiel bench where he was joined by youngster Seumas Martin.

Oban Camanachd were without a fixture the previous weekend which allowed Daniel Sloss, Daniel Madej and Evan MacLellan to shake off knocks and they all started. However Garry Lord was missing whilst Scott McKillop’s wedding the previous day ruled him out. The ensuing reshuffle meant Blair McFarlane started in defence with Malcolm Clark going to full centre.

Oban Camanachd started well but as ‘Shiel settled into the match, visiting keeper Cameron Sutherland was called into action on a couple of occasions in the first half, saving from Ali Nixon with his foot and parrying Duncan “WD” MacRae’s spectacular strike from wide on the right touchline before slapping the ball away for a corner.

‘Shiel continued to have most of the pressure in the second half without working the keeper and Jordan Fraser, who started despite a back problem and was withdrawn after 20 minutes, returned to the field for the final 25 minutes.     

It proved a decisive reintroduction as Ali Nixon found Keith MacRae wide on the right and he turned the ball back to Jordan Fraser who was racing into the centre of the D and he crashed the ball high into the net to make it 1-0.

Oban Camanachd pushed Daniel Cameron up front in an attempt to draw level with substitute Scott Robertson, who was at wing centre, dropping back into defence. However the Oban side struggled to get the ball to Cameron to allow any meaningful contribution.

Jordan Fraser sealed the win with 6 minutes remaining. Donald Nixon’s ball from the right was touched forward by Duncan “DA” MacRae and Fraser whipped the ball low into the corner of the net to the keeper’s right. 

Kinlochshiel full back Finlay MacRae came off late in the match as a precautionary measure after feeling his hamstring tighten.

Oban Camanachd substitute Connor Howe saw a shot saved with his feet by Josh Grant by his left post with what was the visitors’ first real effort on target. 

Oban Camanachd applied some late pressure but Kinlochshiel defended well to take the points.  

Daniel Sloss and Daniel Cameron were best for Oban Camanachd whilst the ‘Shiel defence of Finlay MacRae, Duncan Matheson, Mark MacDonald and Conor Cormack gave nothing away allowing Jordan Fraser to make a match-winning contribution.

 

Kingussie 2 Kilmallie 1

Kingussie were made to work hard before overcoming Kilmallie 2-1 at the Dell.

Rory Mackeachan was missing for the Kings but Calum Grant returned to make his first appearance of the season. Fraser Munro had a hamstring problem and was restricted to a place on the bench.

Kilmallie were without suspended trio Michael Rodger, Innes Blackhall and Stuart Callison but former Fort William player Jay MacLeod started in midfield.

Kingussie went on the attack from the start and they had a penalty appeal when visiting keeper Kevin Toye saved with his feet from Dylan Borthwick but when James Falconer went in for the rebound, Toye dived at his feet with Andrew McAlister clearing the ball for the first of a series of Kingussie corners. 

James Falconer went close after winning possession from Ryan Stewart before Kilmallie responded and Daniel Stewart controlled Stephen McAlister’s free hit before running across the D but Rory MacGregor dared off his line to save well with his feet at the expense of a corner. MacGregor used his feet to thwart Stewart again soon after, this time after the former Fort William man had run onto a long ball from Frankie Innes.

Kingussie went back on the offensive and Ruaridh Anderson got the opening goal on 42 minutes. Anderson allowed James Falconer’s corner from the right to run to the back post area before firing low into the net from a tight angle.

Kingussie were quickly out of the blocks from the restart and Kevin Toye did well to parry Dylan Borthwick’s shot from distance with Ruaridh Anderson shooting wide from the rebound.

However Kingussie doubled their lead on 48 minutes. Alexander Michie played the ball short to James Hutchison whose long drive sent Savio Genini racing out to the left. Genini’s weighted ball inside found James Falconer and he cleverly turned Frankie Innes before touching the ball to Dylan Borthwick who beat Kevin Toye from close range.

Roddy Young and Dylan Borthwick both send shots goalwards but to no avail and when James Hutchison’s ball from midfield was stopped on the line by Kevin Toye, a scramble ensued. With Toye on the ground, Savio Genini and Robbie McFadyen battled for the ball. The Kings looked for a penalty but Genini was penalised instead. Substitute Iain Fraser tried his luck with a shot from the right but Toye saved with his feet. Savio Genini later shot over before Toye denied Dylan Borthwick again.

Kilmallie, who lost 11-0 at the same venue last August, were a different proposition this time around and they pulled a goal back 4 minutes from time through Lewis Birrell. Daniel Stewart played the ball into the danger area. Keeper Rory MacGregor stopped the ball with his feet but Stephen McAlister took it away to the right before holding off a challenge and playing in Birrell to score on his left side.

Kingussie donated the £780 gate receipts to the UNICEF Ukraine Emergency Fund.

 

Kyles Athletic 2 Newtonmore 2

Kyles Athletic came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with league leaders Newtonmore at the Dunoon Stadium.

Kyles were without Innes MacDonald but Robbie MacLeod was available again whilst skipper Owen Fraser made a surprise return in goal for ‘More, wearing a glove to protect his injured finger.  

‘More got off to a great start with Max Campbell netting in the opening minute.

When Struan Ross added a second on 67 minutes, firing the ball through a crowded goal area, it looked good for the visitors.

Newtonmore had chances to extend their lead and Max Campbell’s volley was brilliantly saved by John Whyte to prevent what would have been a decisive third goal.  

However two goals in two minutes from Ross MacRae, with a shot from distance on 74 minutes, and Colin MacDonald, taking advantage of a defensive error just 60 seconds later, pulled the sides level.

Both teams had chances to win it but had to settle for a share of the points.

Newtonmore will be concerned after vice-captain Drew MacDonald was added to their injury list with what looked like a nasty knee injury.  

 

Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Caberfeidh 3

Blair Morrison’s hat-trick helped Glasgow Mid Argyll beat Caberfeidh 3-2 at Peterson Park.

GMA were still without injured pair Ewen Fraser and Calum McLay whilst Craig Morrison served the second game of a three-match ban for Cabers. 

Blair Morrison opened his account on 24 minutes but Oliver MacRae equalised a minutes later.

It was Blair Morrison again on 63 minutes only for the Glasgow side to level for a second time through Andy McGhee on 71 minutes.

Both teams were reduced to eleven players late in the game. Referee Graham Fisher was dealing with a separate incident when a scuffle broke out between GMA’s Ally McKerracher and Caberfeidh’s Ryan Symonds and both were sent off.

With just 3 minutes remaining, Caberfeidh got the winner and it was Blair Morrison again, completing his hat-trick, to give Cabers their first points of the season. 

 

Fort William P Lovat P

Fort William’s meeting with Lovat at An Aird was a covid-related postponement. 

 

 

Mowi National Division

Beauly 3 Glenurquhart 0

Beauly stay top of the Mowi National Division after beating Glenurquhart 3-0 at Braeview Park.

Glen’s John Barr saw an 18 yard shot go narrowly wide in the second minute but Beauly took the lead just 3 minutes later. Full centre Calum Morrison, who was excellent throughout, played the ball into the forward line where David MacLean turned his marker before setting up Euan MacCormick on the left and he drilled the ball past Stuart MacKintosh into the bottom corner of the net.

Glen’s Charlie Macleod hit the post before David MacLean made it 2-1 on 51 minutes. Jack MacDonald and Euan MacCormick combined to feed an unmarked MacLean on the left and he scored from 15 yards out.

With just 8 minutes remaining, Jack MacDonald’s shot was saved by Stuart MacKintosh but the ball rose into the air Finlay MacLennan got his stick to the ball first, touching it home from just two yards out.

Jack MacDonald had a 20 yard strike ruled out when a team-mate was offside and Beauly deserved the win.  

 

Aberdour 0 Skye Camanachd 4

Skye Camanachd scored twice in each half to beat Aberdour 4-0 in their 2pm throw up at Silversands.

Panda Fraser was missing for Aberdour whilst Skye travelled without Jordan Murchison and Danny Morrison.

Skye took the lead on 19 minutes. Ross Gordon picked the ball up on the wing before getting free of his man and pulling the ball back and it sat nicely for Pringle who fired home.

Ross Gordon added a second on 32 minutes with a neat finish and this time the pair swapped roles as James Pringle was the provider. John Gillies floated a free-hit from his own half which was won by an Aberdour defender but his miss-hit clearance went to James Pringle and his pass found Gordon who held onto the ball before turning and shooting low into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Iain MacLellan made it 3-0 just 5 minutes into the second half. Ross Gordon played a nice ball over the top from the half forward area and it dropped outside the D where MacLellan’s first time shot beat the keeper.  

Iain MacLellan’s second with just 10 minutes remaining was the goal of the match. MacLellan took ball on the stick before flicking it over a defender’s head and he caught it again inside the D, letting it drop for a half-swing finish into the bottom corner of the goal.  

Iain MacLellan had the chance to complete his hat-trick in the final minute of the game but missed a rebound off the keeper.

 

Strathglass P Oban Celtic P

The clash between Strathglass and Oban Celtic at Cannich was postponed because of covid restrictions affecting the Oban side.

 

Inveraray P Lochaber P

Inveraray’s meeting with Lochaber at the Winterton was postponed because of covid restrictions.

 

 

Mowi North Division 1

Caberfeidh 0 Glengarry 7

An impressive Glengarry side were too strong for the Caberfeidh second team, winning 7-0 at Castle Leod.

Shaun Nicolson put ‘Garry ahead on 7 minutes with Nick Dalgety adding a double on 13 and 15 minutes.

John MacKinnon’s effort on 24 minutes made it 4-0 at the break whilst Shaun Nicolson got this second on 55 minutes.

Nick Dalgety completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes with former Scottish international Shaun Nicolson doing like-wise on 72 minutes to round off a comprehensive win.

 

Lovat 0 Fort William 2

Two late goals gave the Fort William second team a 2-0 victory over the Lovat second team at Balgate.

The Fort, minus the suspended Rhys Kennedy, took the lead 5 minutes from time with promising youngster Archie MacKinnon scoring whilst Alan Knox added a second at the death.

 

Skye Camanachd 0 Kingussie 2

The Kingussie colts beat the Skye Camanachd colts 2-0 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.

Skye boss Ally MacDonald was without Iain MacLellan, Sam Macphee and Archie MacDonald who were all on first team duty. Callum Gillies was also missing whilst Gilleasbuig MacDonald was unavailable. William Sutherland, Calum Robertson, Charlie Latton and Cameron MacKay came into the squad for this 2.30pm throw up with the latter three on the bench.

Kingussie’s Dylan Borthwick, who scored four times in the previous week’s 5-5 draw with the Lovat seconds, returned to first team duty. Lee Bain was back in the side and he was influential at full back. 

The Islanders, shooting towards the Skeabost end of the ground, started with the wind in their favour and they went close after a nice passing move saw Ally MacLeod find James Robertson in a central position and his shot went just wide of the junction between post and bar to the keeper’s left.

Skye then had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. Angus Gilpin cut in from the right and appeared to be pushed in the back inside the D. James Robertson knocked the loose ball into the net but referee Rab MacAskill ruled the effort out after consulting the goal judge.

Robert Shiells gave Kingussie the lead on the hour with a shot on the turn from just inside the penalty spot.

Skye keeper Calum Nicolson made a great diving save to his left to deny Robert Shiells a second before Skye went for a leveller and Archie Millar’s first-time shot from distance rose just over the bar before the visiting goal survived a scramble.

Jordan Reid sealed the win with a second goal 15 minutes from time when his shot from wide on the right sneaked past the keeper.

Archie Millar tested Kingussie keeper Craig Dawson with a good strike from the left.

Skye introduced all their substitutes at various points with Charlie Latton making his second team debut.

 

Newtonmore 1 Inverness 1

The Newtonmore seconds and the Inverness first team drew 1-1 at the Eilan.

Iain Hunter gave Inverness a 37 minute lead but Glen MacKintosh levelled on 55 minutes.  

Dougie Rankin made a number of great saves in the Inverness goal including a penalty spot.

 

Glenurquhart 3 Kinlochshiel 0

The Glenurquhart reserves turned in a strong first half performance to defeat the Kinlochshiel reserves 3-0 at Blairbeg.

David MacLennan scored on 9 and 44 minutes, either side of James MacPherson’s 13 minute effort.

 

Lochcarron did not have an allocated fixture as their players attended the wedding of teammate David Bauermeister and Emma MacCuish.

 

 

Mowi South Division 1

Lochside Rovers 0 Bute 2

Bute scored twice in the second half to beat Lochside Rovers 2-0 at Mossfield.

Bute had a goal disallowed offside before Leon MacMillan broke the deadlock on 55 minutes following a free-hit.

Josh Cowan sent a clean strike low into the net from distance just to make 2-0 just 10 minutes later.

Lochside introduced Keith MacMillan on for last half hour.

Brian MacCallum made some good saved in the Lochside goals with Gavin Stobbart featuring in defence.

 

Cruachanside 3 Col Glen 5

Col Glen were 5-3 winners in an exciting match against Cruachanside at Mart Park.

Chris Blair gave the visitors a 16 minute lead but Kyle MacFarlane, who missed the whole of last season through injury, levelled 3 minutes before half-time.

Zander Kilmurray put the hosts in front on 50 minutes but Sandy Paterson made it 2-2 just 5 minutes after.

Andrew MacVicar put Col Glen back in front on 70 minutes and former Skye player Daniel Macdonald added a fourth with 10 minutes remaining.

Andrew Tyre made it 5-3 on 83 minutes and although Connor Sartain pulled a goal back on 86 minutes, Col Glen took the points.  

 

Tayforth P Glasgow Mid Argyll P

Tayforth’s encounter with the Glasgow Mid Argyll colts at Peffermill will be rescheduled because of covid restrictions.

 

Ballachulish P Kyles Athletic P

The match between Ballachulish and the Kyles Athletic second team at the Jubilee Park was called off because of covid restrictions.

 

 

Mowi North Division 2

Aberdeen University 2 Boleskine 0

Aberdeen University played their first home match since 2019, marking the occasion by beating Boleskine 2-0 at Balgownie.

Jamie Buchan got the opener on 29 minutes with veteran Jamie Beaton adding a second a minute before the break.

 

Inverness 2 Lewis Camanachd 4

Lewis Camanachd recorded their first win of the season as Donald Lamont’s hat-trick helped them beat the Inverness seconds 4-2 in their 1.30 throw up at the Bught Park.

Finlay Calder turned the ball behind Willie MacLeod in the Lewis goal to give the hosts the lead.

Donald Lamont opened his account to level on 35 minutes and it remained all-square until the break.

Donald Lamont got his second a couple of minutes into the second half to give Lewis the lead for the first time in the match and he completed his hat-trick on 52 minutes to make it 3-1.

Finlay Calder got his second to cut the deficit to a single goal on 61 minutes but a first goal at this level from Finlay MacLeod on 76 minutes sealed Lewis Camanachd’s 4-2 win.

 

Kilmallie P Beauly P

The match between the Kilmallie juniors and the Beauly juniors at the Canal Parks was another casualty to covid restrictions.

 

Lochaber P Strathspey Camanachd P

The clash between the Lochaber reserves and Strathspey Camanachd at Spean Bridge will be rescheduled due to covid restrictions.

 

The Strathglass second team were without an allocate fixture.

 

 

Mowi South Division 2

Oban Celtic P Aberdour P

Covid restrictions affecting the away team led to the postponement of the meeting between the Oban Celtic seconds and the Aberdour seconds at Ganavan.

Oban Celtic sought a rearranged home fixture but with no success. 

 

Ardnamurchan W/O v Inveraray

The fixture between Ardnamurchan and the Inveraray colts at Strontian was called off as the visitors were unable to field a team so Ardnamurchan were awarded the points.

 

Strachur-Dunoon P Kilmory P

Strachur-Dunoon and Kilmory were left disappointed when their encounter at Strachurmore was postponed due to covid restrictions.  

 

Uddingston had their designated Free Saturday whilst the Bute second team were without an allocated fixture.

 

 

(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states otherwise)

 

 

 

WCA Round Up

There were four Women’s Camanachd Association Mowi North Division 2 matches scheduled with all games that went ahead taking place on Sunday 20 March 2022.

 

 

Mowi North Division 2

Lovat 4 Skye Camanachd 5

The Skye Camanachd second team notched an impressive 5-4 win over Lovat in their 2pm throw up at Balgate.

Megan Campbell scored four times for Skye with Teri MacLeod getting the other.

Laura Gallagher grabbed a Lovat hat-trick with Jennifer Mair also on target.

 

Strathglass 1 Glengarry 6

The match between Strathglass and Glengarry was switched to Cannich as ‘Garry’s Craigard pitch recovers from the beating it took the previous weekend.

It was a wonderful day for a game of shinty with the visitors running out 6-1 victors in this 2.30pm throw up.

Isla MacKay gave ‘Garry an early lead but Isla Strachan levelled. However Isla Mackay went on to complete her hat-trick with Emily Gordon, Nicki Grant and Elaine Cameron getting the other ‘Garry goals to take the points back to Craigard.

 

Kinlochshiel 12 Badenoch 1

Kinlochshiel were 12-1 winners against the newly formed Badenoch second team in their 1pm throw up at Reraig.

Former Skye player Lorna MacRae scored five times for ‘Shiel with Sandra MacRae and Alaina MacLennan both netting twice. Lexie MacKenzie, Kristen MacBeth and Poppy Glasgow got the others.

 

Glenurquhart P Strathspey P

Strathspey were unable to field a team for their game against Glenurquhart at Blairbeg on Saturday 19 March 2022 so the match will be rescheduled.