The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 2 October 2021 | |
03 October 2021 Skye Camanachd won the Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup and Kinlochshiel reached the cottages.com MacTavish Cup Final following the shinty action on Saturday 2 October 2021.
Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup Final Skye Camanachd 3 Beauly 1 Skye Camanachd lifted the Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup for the third time following their 3-1 victory over Beauly at a wet An Aird, Fort William. John Gillies returned for Skye after missing recent games with concussion. Boss Kenny MacLeod gave Iain MacLellan a vote of confidence at wing centre with Sam Macphee dropping onto the bench. Beauly co-managers Gregor McCormick and Niall MacLennan had a full squad to choose from and the return of former players David MacLean from Newtonmore and Ross Forbes and Ryan MacKay from Caberfeidh have boosted their options this season. A good-sized crowd gathered for what was widely tipped to be a close encounter and, ahead of throw up, the players were introduced to Jane MacDonald from sponsors Alvance, Camanachd Association Chieftain John MacKenzie along with President Steven MacKenzie and Director John Finlayson. The rain eased ahead of throw up and the An Aird pitch was in great condition although the surface was on the greasy side. Skye started towards the town end of the ground and he final was played at a good pace from the outset. Beauly were first to threaten when David MacLean released Ross Forbes down the left. Forbes sent a high, dangerous ball into the D and although Robbie Brindle got a touch, Skye keeper Ryan Morrison got his stick to the ball and Martin Pringle cleared. Beauly forced a couple of early corners but Skye defended stoutly whilst at the other end, MacKay Murray saved well to foil Ross Gordon. Beauly took the lead on 9 minutes. The goal came from David MacLean’s set-piece on the left after John Gillies was penalised for sliding into a challenge. MacLean sent the ball across the face of the goal where Ross Forbes ran to the right, losing his marker, and his sweet strike went by Skye keeper Ryan Morrison’s left knee at his post to make it 1-0. As a heavy shower of rain fell, Skye switched John Gillies to buckshee back, picking up Euan McCormick, with William MacKinnon going to full back to mark David MacLean. Ross Gordon’s shot from nothing in a central position forced a good MacKay Murray saved at the expense of a corner as Skye responded to going behind. Skye suffered a blow after 13 minutes when veteran Somhairle MacDonald had to limp off with a hamstring problem and he was replaced by the Islander’s U17 skipper Taylor Matheson. James Pringle’s drive from the left was saved with his feet by MacKay Murray with Ryan MacKay doing well to get the rebound away for a corner. Ross Gordon pulled the ball out of the air from the resultant corner but sent his strike just wide of the keeper’s left post whilst after good play from Robbie Brindle; Euan McCormick’s low, hard strike was well-saved with his feet at his near post by Ryan Morrison. Skye drew level on 16 minutes with a great display of counter-attacking shinty. John Gillies sent the ball forward to Ross Gordon who took a touch before launching the ball down the Skye left. Angus Renwick looked to clear but James Pringle nipped in to win possession and he cut in on goal before tucking the ball low by the keeper from point-blank range to make it 1-1. It was Beauly’s turn to make an enforced change just after with David MacLean replaced by Jack MacDonald. This was an action-packed phase in the final with Skye taking the lead on 19 minutes. John Gillies cleared the ball down the Skye right. Colin MacDonald’s attempted clearance was charged down by Jordan Murchison and the ball broke to Ross Gordon who quickly found James Pringle and he sent a glorious 25 yard drive into the roof of the net. It was a terrific finish which turned the final Skye’s way. Beauly fought back and Conor Ross hit the side-netting before Ross Forbes saw his shot saved with his feet by Ryan Morrison and as the ball bounced up, the Skye keeper palmed it away for a corner. Beauly reintroduced David MacLean for Jack MacDonald with 7 first half minutes remaining whilst Sam Macphee took over from Iain MacLellan in the Islanders’ midfield just 3 minutes later. Skye’s James Morrison was booked by referee Alex MacVicar for pulling back Ross Forbes on 43 minutes as Beauly finished the half strongly. Robbie Brindle went close to a leveller with his backhand strike going wide of Ryan Morrison’s left post and with the final moving into first half stoppage time, Beauly forced a corner which was taken by Conor Ross but, not for the first time in the final, Skye defended well to take a 2-1 lead into the break. There was a bizarre moment seconds after the restart as referee Alex MacVicar took an accidental blow to the leg from Skye’s Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod with Skye medic Helen Gilpin administering treatment to a cut below the knee. Ryan Morrison saved with his hand by his right post as Euan McCormick had the first effort on goal of the second half. David MacLean knocked down Ryan MacKay’s free-hit to McCormick on the Beauly left and he tested the keeper with a strike on his backhand. Skye brought Iain MacLellan back on for Sam Macphee on 64 minutes with Taylor Matheson sending a crisp strike just over the bar following a flowing Skye move moments after. Taylor Matheson’s shot from the left flashed across the face of the good following a fine James Pringle run. Martin MacDonald put in a good challenge to thwart Jordan Murchison after William MacKinnon, Iain MacLellan and Taylor Matheson turned defence into attack in three passes. Robbie Brindle sent a shot from the left high and wide as the rain came down once more with Conor Ross doing likewise from the right soon after following a run from Jack MacDonald who was back on for Beauly. Sam Macphee reappeared, this time for Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, as both sides continued to make use of the rolling substitutes. Ryan MacKay and Sam Macphee were spoken too by the referee after a flair-up as the final reached a crucial stage. David MacLean needed treatment after colliding with teammate Euan McCormick but was able to continue. With the rain now teeming down again, Taylor Matheson came away from goal to make space before turning and firing wide of the keeper’s left post as the final moved into the closing stages. Skye were enjoying a good spell and they clinched victory with a couple of minutes remaining. Jordan Murchison’s run and shot forced a corner from the right which James Pringle sent out to the far side where Taylor Matheson touched a clever ball inside, picking out Sam Macphee’s run. Macphee’s superb shot on the run went low into the corner of the goal, beating the keeper on his right side, to make it 3-1. Beauly’s Sean Stewart and Skye’s Jamie Gillies made late appearances from the bench. Ross Gordon hit the side-netting following a stoppage time corner with what was the last chance of the game but it didn’t matter as Skye took the Balliemore Cup across the bridge for the third time. Skye captain Jordan Murchison stepped forward to be presented with the Alvance British Aluminium Balliemore Cup by Jane MacDonald from the sponsors in front of a delighted but soaked Skye support.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup - Semi Final Caberfeidh 1 Kinlochshiel 2 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup winners Kinlochshiel reached the cottages.com MacTavish Cup Final, defeating Caberfeidh 2-1 at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh’s Connor MacGregor was suspended whilst ‘Shiel were missing Conor Cormack and Jordan Fraser. Ali Nixon, who has been troubled by a hamstring problem, was an unused substitute. ‘Shiel’s John MacRae played the whole match at half forward and he capitalised on a poor clearance out of the home defence on 28 minutes, hitting a 20 yard shot on the angle into the net. John MacRae got his and ‘Shiel’s second just 4 minutes into the second half. The goal came following a corner which Blair Morrison tried to clear. MacRae stole in, taking a touch before finishing with a half swing. ‘Shiel lost Duncan Matheson and Duncan “WD” MacRae through injury for the final quarter of the match and Caberfeidh put the west coasters under a lot of pressure towards the end of the contest. Kevin Bartlett pulled a goal back with 3 minutes remaining but it wasn’t enough so Kinlochshiel are through to the cottages.com MacTavish Cup Final – a trophy they have never won – where they will play Fort William or Kingussie with their semi-final scheduled for An Aird this coming Saturday.
Mowi Senior League A Kilmallie 3 Lochaber 2 Kilmallie had to work hard to finally see off Lochaber 3-2 in their 3pm throw up at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie boss Martin Stewart kept faith with the side which won on Skye the previous week. Shane Gillies, Lewis Birrell, Andrew Mcalister and Craig MacIsaac all returned to take a place on a strong bench with defender Stephen Mcalister coming in for U14 player Shaun O’Rua the only change. This allowed Michael Rodger to play up front and that switch made immediate dividends when Rodger slotted the ball home to open the scoring on 7 minutes. Ben Delaney found space to level on 15 minutes before a good finish from Conor Sweeny put Lochaber in front on 56 minutes. There was a flashpoint on 64 minutes as Stuart Callison went through on goal with Barry MacDonald challenging. Referee Willie MacDonald blew for a Kilmallie free-hit but the players had late swings at eachother and were both sent off with Lochaber keeper Callum MacDonald booked. With the sides now playing eleven versus eleven, there was more space and Michael Rodger took advantage to make it 2-2 on 71 minutes. Then, with 6 minutes remaining, Daniel Stewart’s ball forward found Michael Rodger around the penalty spot and he passed the ball home to complete his hat-trick and win the game. The sides also contested the BSW Cup meaning Kilmallie skipper Robbie MacFadyen lifted a trophy for the second successive Saturday having taken the Thomas Ferguson memorial Cup in Portree the previous Saturday.
Mowi Senior League B Strathglass 0 Kingussie 7 Kingussie were too strong for Strathglass, winning 7-0 in their noon throw up at Cannich. Strathglass were without suspended skipper Josh Fraser as well as Innes Hood, Ruairidh Strachan, Neil Hope and Scott Douglas. Savio Genini returned for Kingussie but they were without Calum Grant, Fraser Munro and Ryan Borthwick whilst Lee Bain was with the second team. Keeper Rory MacGregor was a late-call off so Dylan Borthwick replaced him in goals although Liam Borthwick took over after half an hour. Roddy Young grabbed the opener on 3 minutes. The ball came across the box where Young took it in before turning and hitting a strike into the roof of the net. James Falconer has had a good season in front of goal and he didn’t let his wing centre role prevent him from adding to his tally. There was just 7 minutes on the clock when Falconer ran forward from midfield to chest down a Barrie Dallas corner at the edge of the box before firing past the keeper. Savio Genini added a third just 3 minutes later. Roddy Young found his strike partner just outside the D and Genini sent a backhand strike into the roof of the net. The goals kept flowing and Ruairidh Anderson made it 4-0 on 17 minutes. James Hutchison won possession in the middle of the park and played the ball over Anderson and his marker. The Kingussie playmaker won the race for possession, taking a few touches on his right side before shooting high above the keeper. Liam Borthwick, who had been troubled by a chest infection, took over in goal after half an hour with Dylan Borthwick going to wing centre and the visitors took their 4-0 cushion into the break. Roddy Young got his second a couple of minutes after the restart. The home defence missed a ball floated over to the back post and Young took the ball down before slotting it past the keeper. Barrie Dallas got a deserved goal to make it 6-0 on 68 minutes. Kingussie played the ball down the left in a well-worked move and Dallas found space just inside the penalty spot with his composed finish beating the goalie on his right side. Dylan Borthwick rounded off the scoring on 82 minutes, sending a waist-high shot from right of the penalty spot across the keeper, beating him on his right side.
Newtonmore P Lovat P The clash between Newtonmore and Lovat at the Eilan was postponed as Lovat were unable to raise a team.
Mowi Senior League C Oban Camanachd P Oban Celtic P The Oban derby between Oban Camanachd and Oban Celtic at Mossfield was called off 24 hours ahead of throw up due to covid restrictions. Oban Celtic are scheduled to host Aberdour in the league on Saturday whilst Oban Camanachd have the small matter of the Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final against Kyles Athletic at the Taynuilt Sports Field.
Kyles Athletic P Inveraray P Kyles Athletic’s meeting with Inveraray at the Playing Fields, Tighnabruaich was postponed as the visitors were unable to field a team.
Strathdearn Cup – Semi-Final Lovat 2 Kingussie 0 The Lovat seconds are through to the Strathdearn Cup Final, scoring twice in the second half to beat the Kingussie seconds 2-0 at Balgate. Lovat hit the front on 62 minutes. Iain Nicolson collected a goal hit in the half forward position and he played the ball wide to Jamie Matheson who ran out before cutting the ball back across goal and Fraser Gallacher was at the back post to tap the ball past keeper Craig Dawson. Iain Nicolson clinched the final spot with a couple of minutes remaining. A good defensive clearance found Jamie Matheson on the left, near centre line. Iain Nicolson ran in behind the defence, allowing Matheson to play a ball over the top. Nicolson took the ball down and took a touch to the right, past the keeper who was rushing off his line, and he found the net from a tight angle, sending the ball into the top corner of the net. Lovat now face their Newtonmore counterparts in the final this Saturday. The final venue was decided by the toss of a coin with Lovat winning home advantage.
Bullough Cup - Semi Final Lochside Rovers P Oban Celtic P The Bullough Cup semi-final between Lochside Rovers and the Oban Celtic second team at Ganavan has been rescheduled because of covid restrictions. The tie will now likely take place on Saturday 16 October 2021 with the winners playing the Kyles Athletic second team in the final.
Mowi North League A Kinlochshiel P Lochcarron P The west coast derby between the Kinlochshiel reserves and Lochcarron at Rèaraig was postponed as Lochcarron were unable to field a team.
Mowi North League B Newtonmore P Caberfeidh P The noon throw up between the Newtonmore seconds and the Caberfeidh seconds at the Eilan was postponed as Cabers couldn’t raise a team.
Mowi North League C Inverness 8 Lewis Camanachd 0 The Inverness colts were comfortable 8-0 winners against Lewis Camanachd in their 12.30pm throw up at the Bught Park. Steven Bellshaw scored on 24 and 42 minutes, either side of Ruaraidh Hughes’ 34 minute strike to have the hosts 3-0 ahead at the break. Steven Bellshaw completed his hat-trick a minute into the second half and he added his fourth a couple of minutes later. Skye MacIntosh made it 6-0 on the hour with Euan Campbell adding two more on 68 and 85 minutes to make the final score 8-0.
Strathspey Camanachd P Strathglass P The Strathglass second team were unable to raise a team for their encounter with Strathspey Camanachd at Grantown Grammar School.
Mowi South League A Col Glen 2 Bute 0 Col Glen scored a goal in each half to beat Bute 2-0 at Glendaruel. Andrew MacVicar crashed the ball high into the net to claim the opener on 25 minutes with Christopher Blair adding a second, tucking the ball low into the corner of the net following a good move on 65 minutes. The sides also competed for this year’s Carmichael Cup, played in memory of Hamish Carmichael who represented both Col Glen and Bute. Col Glen’s John McNaughton with the Carmichael family present.
Ballachulish P Taynuilt P Taynuilt were unable to raise a team for their clash with Ballachulish at the Jubilee Park.
Mowi South League B Bute P Aberdour P The Aberdour colts were unable to raise a team for their 2pm throw up against the Bute colts at the Meadows.
Kyles Athletic P Tayforth P The noon start between the Kyles Athletic second team and Tayforth at the Playing Fields, Tighnabruaich was postponed as Tayforth were unable to raise a team.
Mowi Central League Kilmallie P Ardnamurchan P The noon throw up between the Kilmallie reserves and Ardnamurchan at the Canal Parks was postponed because of covid restrictions.
Glenorchy P Kilmory P Kilmory were unable to field a team for their trip to Mart Park to play Glenorchy.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently) |