The Fort William seconds took the Strathdearn Cup and the Kyles Athletic juniors clinched the MKM Building Supplies Bullough Cup following the shinty action on Saturday 26 August 2023.

 

 

Mowi Premiership

Lovat 3 Oban Camanachd 3

They led twice and trailed once before Oban Camanachd finally had to settle for a 3-3 draw with Lovat in their match at Balgate.

Both sides made key changes for the game. Drew Howie, Daniel Grieve, Lorne MacKay and Graeme MacMillian were all missing for Lovat as they recover from injuries. Manager Jamie Matheson has an eye on next season, giving some of the club’s younger players a chance to prove themselves. There were starts for Chris Johnston, Angus Mearns and Sam Stubbs whilst Callum Cruden played at full back following his return from suspension.

After last week’s Artemis Macaulay Cup success, Oban Camanachd’s priority is the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final against Kingussie and Daniel Sloss and Blair McFarlane were left out with both just one booking away from a suspension. A yellow card against Lovat would have led to a ban for the league match against Kinlochshiel. However, if that game was postponed for any reason, the player concerned would miss the Scottish final. Ross Macmillan started his four-game ban, but Andy MacDonald was fit again, and he started at full centre.

Matthew Sloss was a late call-off with a throat infection, so Daniel Cameron was added to the bench, but wasn’t used as he nurses a groin injury.

Lewis Cameron set the tone with a fantastic opening goal on 25 minutes. Cameron gathered the ball wide on the right touchline before skipping by several challenges as he ran across the penalty spot, before sending the ball low into the corner of the net.

Lovat levelled just 4 minutes later. Oban keeper Cammy Sutherland saved with his feet but missed the chance to flick the ball away to safety and Lewis Tawse was quickly in to knock the rebound home.

Oban Camanachd regained the lead through Craig Macmillan, scoring with a quarter-swing from the left of the penalty spot, low across the goalie, on 35 minutes to give his side a 2-1 lead at the break. 

Lovat brought Fraser Heath on at full centre and he was influential so Oban Camanachd moved Daniel MacCuish against him just 5 minutes before the hour.

Greg Matheson hauled Lovat level on 66 minutes when he punished hesitation in the visiting defence.

The hosts took the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Fraser Heath gathered the ball in space around 40 yards from goal. Scott Robertson came towards him to close him down but that allowed Heath to slip the ball to an unmarked Lewis Tawse who finished well, into the roof of the net, to make it 3-2.

Oban Camanachd fought back though and on 78 minutes, Scott MacMillan sent a great shot into the opposite top corner of the net from the left of the penalty spot to make the final score 3-3.

 

Beauly 0 Newtonmore 4

Newtonmore scored three times in the first 10 minutes as they beat relegation-threatened Beauly 4-0 in their 3pm throw up at Braeview Park.

Michael Russell returned to the Newtonmore defence following suspension and he joined Rory Kennedy, Iain Richardson and Duncan MacPherson at the back. Martin Hall and Kyle Clark were on the bench for this 3pm throw up.

Beauly started Ryan MacKay at wing forward knowing they needed a win in their battle to beat the drop.

Newtonmore went route one for their opener which came after just a couple of minutes. A great ball from midfield into Steven MacDonald’s feet saw the full forward turn and get a shot away, low into the bottom corner of the net.

‘More doubled their lead a couple of minutes later following good build up play amongst their forwards. Iain Robinson managed to sneak through a gap in the home defence and he slipped the ball back to Steven Macdonald around the penalty spot. Macdonald fired low past keeper Lee Dunbar to claim his second.

There were only 10 minutes played when Drew McDonald sent a great ball into Stevan Macdonald at the D and with Iain Robinson arriving late on the left-hand side, Macdonald played him through, and Robinson slipped the ball past the keeper.

Newtonmore’s fourth goal on 36 minutes was the pick of the bunch. The ball was played forward from Iain Robinson to Steven Macdonald who then found Drew MacDonald. He played it across to Arron MacBean who’d made a run from midfield and MacBean took a touch before finishing emphatically.

 

Skye Camanachd 0 Kingussie 1

Kingussie bounced back from the previous week’s Artemis Macaulay Cup final disappointment when they beat Skye Camanachd 1-0 in their 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.

Heavy rain in Portree during the previous 24 hours left the game in some doubt but the pitch, although soft, was perfectly playable. 

Skye were without the suspended Sam Macphee who began a two-game ban.

Kingussie pair Alexander Michie and Cameron Bremner travelled with the squad but didn’t play through injury whilst Rory MacKeachan was working and Savio Genini was an unused substitute.

James Hutchison (full centre) and Lee Bain (full forward) both started whilst Fraser Munro returned to take a place on the bench.

There was a minute’s silence ahead of throw up, as there was at all games over the weekend, as shinty marked the passing of legendary Kingussie figure Donnie Grant MBE.

Kingussie could hardly have got off to a better start and there were less than 2 minutes played when the impressive Iain Fraser found Ruaridh Anderson in space on the left. Anderson still had plenty to do but he sent a rasping drive across keeper Murphy Henderson and into the far corner of the net to open the scoring.

Skye went straight up the park from the restart and Ross Gordon’s over the shoulder flick played in Jordan Murchison in front of goal, but he missed his hit. James Pringle came in from the right to latch onto the loose ball but sent it by keeper Rory McGregor’s right post.

Jordan Murchison then saw a shot from wide on the left parried by McGregor as Skye tried to get back on level terms.

Kingussie started to play some nice shinty and they pushed Skye back. James Falconer seemed to be tugged back by James Morrison as he ran onto Ruaridh Anderson’s ball down the left. Falconer crossed to Iain Fraser at the back post, but Murphy Henderson was quickly off his line to save.

Falconer then forced a good stop from Skye keeper Murphy Henderson before the break.

Skye substitute Ally MacLeod, on at the interval, went close at the back post early in the second half, running onto James Pringles ball from the left but his strike from a tight angle went wide.

Kieran Macpherson came off after suffering to a knee-knock after being caught by Ally MacLeod’s late swing, but he was able to return after treatment.

Ross Gordon then sent a 22-yard effort just wide after William MacKinnon had won possession before finding Seonaidh-Alex MacLeod.

Skye were enjoying their best spell of the match but Kingussie still created chances with substitute Eoin Baikie forcing a Murphy Henderson save with his foot by his left post and James Falconer sending a strike by the post from the resultant corner.

Skye went back on the attack and Rory McGregor raced off his line to foil William MacKinnon who had been played in by Jordan Murchison.

At the other end, Ruaridh Anderson sent the ball just over the junction between post and bar to the keeper’s right when Callum MacKintosh’s hit-in from the right wasn’t cleared.

When James Falconer found Ruaridh Anderson with a ball from the left, the Kingussie play-maker went close again, this time firing by the keeper’s left post. 

Skye keeper Henderson saved with his feet ahead of Ruaridh Anderson and then kept out Eoin Baikie’s effort at the back post.

Skye finished the contest, including 9 minutes stoppage time, on the attack but despite a couple of goalmouth scrambles, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

 

 

Mowi National Division

Col Glen 2 Kilmallie 5

Kilmallie continued their climb up the table after beating Col Glen 5-2 in their 1pm throw up at Glendaruel.

The Canal Park side are looking to close the gap on the other promotion hopefuls as they play their games in hand, but they fell behind to Cluanie Fraser’s goal on 27 minutes.

However, Shane O’Rua equalised on 36 minutes and Calum MacDougall put the visitors in front when he scored a minute before the break.

Kilmallie took charge in the final quarter with Calum MacDougall getting his second on 65 minutes and Shane O’Rua doing likewise on 74 minutes to make it 4-1.

Calum MacDougall completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes so Sandy Paterson’s effort for Col Glen with 3 minutes to go was only consolation.

Kilmallie are the only side Col Glen haven’t taken a point off in their maiden national division appearance.

 

Strathglass 3 Lochaber 6

The promotion battle in the Mowi National Division is providing a fitting end to the season and Lochaber reclaimed top spot with a 6-3 win in their 3pm throw up against bottom side Strathglass at Cannich.

Strathglass sparked into life when Penri Jones scored after just 2 minutes but Lochaber were in no mood to slip up and doubles from Ben Delaney on 3 and 14 minutes and Max Campbell on 19 and 34 minutes had them comfortably ahead before Ben Delaney completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time.

Penri Jones got his second on 68 minutes only for Findlay MacDonald to add a sixth for the visitors a couple of minutes later.

Penri Jones completed his hat-trick just 3 minutes from time, but Lochaber took the points and their return to shinty’s top flight is almost confirmed.

 

 

Strathdearn Cup Final

Fort William 2 Kinlochshiel 1 (after extra-time)

The Fort William second team followed up their 2019 success by beating the Kinlochshiel second team 2-1 after extra-time to win the Strathdearn Cup at Smith Park.

Fort William’s Greig Kelly and Cameron Grant both missed out through suspension and with keepers Paul MacKay and Stuart Disher both ineligible, Mark Fraser played in goal.

Kinlochshiel’s Andrew MacKenzie was free of his two-game ban and keeper Calum Macmillan and full forward Duncan Macmillan both returned after missing the previous week’s draw with Glenurquhart. However, Colin MacDiarmid served the final game of seven-match suspension.

There was heavy rain throughout and Fort William stuck first when Padraig McNeil found Bobby MacMillian with a free-hit on 37 minutes and MacMillan, with his back to goal to the left of the D, struck the ball across the keeper on the half-turn to make it 1-0.

‘Shiel, who last lifted the trophy in 1976, levelled with 20 minutes remaining when full centre Paul MacRae chipped a free-hit from wide on the right over the Fort William defence and Rory Slaughter, who had lost his marker, had time to steady himself before scoring in front of the goal.

With no further scoring, referee Graeme Irvine took the final into an extra-time period and when a Struan Stephen corner from the left fell for youngster Jack Kearney on 101 minutes, he kept his cool to lift the ball over the keeper to win the game.

Fort William skipper Struan Stephen came forward to be presented with the Strathdearn Cup by Richard Gall and he raised the trophy in front of his delighted teammates.

 

 

MKM Building Supplies Oban Bullough Cup Final

Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Kyles Athletic 3

The Kyles Athletic juniors have saved their best performances for the cup competitions this season and they beat holders Glasgow Mid Argyll juniors 3-2 at the Strachurmore Sports Centre to win the MKM Building Supplies Oban Bullough Cup.

Kyles raced into a two-goal lead in the final through Roan MacVicar’s double on 13 and 16 minutes, one of which was a terrific strike into the net.

Kyles Athletic’s Connor Giudici was helped off during the first half with what looked like a serious knee injury.

With the returning George Thomson dominating the middle of the park, Kyles added a third through David Martin on 32 minutes.

GMA came out fired-up after the interval made a good start to the second half as two goals in two minutes from Angus MacInnes on 47 minutes and Ross Brown on 48 minutes had them back in it.

With substitute Connor MacLeod influential and 14 year old Zac Menzies also catching the eye, GMA pressed for a leveller but Kyles defended well and they had the chance to increase their lead from the penalty spot but keeper Neil Robertson saved Dave Martin’s spot-hit.

Luke Thornton, marking dangerman Ross Brown, was outstanding at full back for Kyles who stayed in front for the rest of the final to win the trophy for the third time over the last 10 years.

David Mitchell was the match referee. 

 

 

Mowi North Division 1

Newtonmore 5 Kingussie 1

The Newtonmore seconds clinched the Mowi North Division 1 title and consigned the Kingussie seconds to likely relegation following their 5-1 win at the Eilan.

Glen MacKintosh gave ‘More the perfect start with a goal in the opening minute. The hosts played the ball out of defence and into the midfield, quickly to Xander Ross who sent the ball first-time to Glen MacKintosh. After controlling the ball, MacKintosh struck a 25-yard drive into the net.

Charlie Ferguson added a second on 9 minutes. Xander Ross chipped a ball from midfield to Glen MacKintosh and his cushioned volley picked out Charlie Ferguson and from an acute angle on the right, he sent a knee-high shot into the net for the goal of the game. 

Newtonmore kept attacking and Hayden Taylor-Ramsay was in top form in the Kingussie goal, but he could do nothing to prevent Glen MacKintosh getting his second goal on 29 minutes and ‘More led 3-0 at the break. 

Miko Berowski pulled a goal back on 50 minutes with a shot from distance but a well-placed Craig Macleod finish from outside the box made it 4-1 on 53 minutes.

Declan Brannan completed the scoring on 70 minutes when, following a corner, Glen MacKintosh’s shot was saved by Hayden Taylor-Ramsay but following a goalmouth scramble, Brannan whipped the ball into the net.

The result all but relegates Kingussie who now need Glenurquhart to suffer heavy defeats in their final three games, two of which are against Newtonmore, as with both sides level on eleven points at the bottom of the table, the Glen have a huge 21-goal difference advantage over the Kings. 

 

Beauly 3 Glengarry 4

Glengarry completed their league programme with a 4-3 win over the Beauly second team in their noon throw at Braeview Park.

Beauly led a minute after the half-hour through Scott Cameron, but Raymond Robertson levelled on 40 minutes.

Shaun Nicholson chipped in with a hat-trick, scoring goals on 41, 47 and 63 minutes to make it 4-1 and although Beauly pulled goals back through Leon Maclennan on 73 minutes and Louie MacLellan on 79 minutes, ‘Garry stayed ahead to take the points and they go third in the table.

 

 

Mowi South Division 1

Ballachulish 0 Bute 7

The Bute first team all but clinched the Mowi South Division 1 title when they beat Ballachulish 7-0 at the Jubilee Park.

Rory McDonald blasted the ball home to give Bute a 10 minute lead and Iain McDonald’s double on 17 and 20 minutes made it 3-0.

When Franko Devlin added a fourth with a powerful shot on the stroke of half-time, there was only going to be one winner.

Rory McDonald completed his hat-trick with goals on 52 and 80 minutes against an over-worked Balla’ defence and Reagan Craig, slipping the ball home for his first senior goal for the club after Franco Devlin’s lob from distance had been saved, made it 7-0 with just 3 minutes remaining.

The win maintains Bute’s 100% record in the league, and they need just one point from their two remaining league matches to secure the title and a return to Mowi National Division shinty.

 

 

Mowi North Division 2

Caberfeidh 4 Lochcarron 2

Second placed Lochcarron’s title challenge suffered a dent when they lost 4-2 to the Caberfeidh seconds at Castle Leod.

There was a minute’s silence ahead of throw up following the passing of Caberfeidh greats John MacGregor and Ian “Tumba” MacDonald.

After some excellent goal goalkeeping – from Caberfeidh’s John Ritchie and Lochcarron’s Michael MacMillan, contributed to a goalless first half, Ruaridh McCreadie put Cabers ahead on 50 minutes following a long ball from Matthew MacPherson and Seumas Henderson’s deflected effort on the hour, following a goalmouth scramble, had Cabers two up. 

Ruaraidh MacLeman passed up the chance to add a third from the penalty spot before Crisdean Finlayson held off his marker to score his 18^th goal of the season on 71 minutes, and Ian MacKenzie’s first-time strike from the left on 78 minutes, had the contest tied at 2-2. 

Third placed Caberfeidh had keeper John Ritchie to thank again before Cameron Grant’s brace took the points. His first was a shot on 83 minutes, which took a deflection off David McCuish’s stick, and a disputed effort on 88 minutes, which Lochcarron claimed hadn’t crossed the line.

 

Lewis Camanachd W/O Lochaber

Lewis Camanachd were awarded the points when the Lochaber seconds were unable to field a team for their fixture at Shawbost.

Lochaber have been deducted a point.

Following Lochcarron’s defeat, Lewis now hold a two-point lead at the top of the table but Lochcarron have two games in hand.

 

Strathglass v Aberdeen University W/O

The Strathglass reserves were unable to raise a team for their noon throw up against Aberdeen University at Cannich.

The Students have been awarded both points whilst Strathglass are deducted a point.

 

 

Mowi South Division 2

Kilmory 6 Tayforth 1

Kilmory need just one more point to clinch the Mowi South Division 2 title after beating second placed Tayforth 6-1 in their top of the table clash at MacRae Park.

Alex Cunningham on 21 minutes and Duncan MacBrayne on 28 minutes had the hosts 2-0 ahead whilst Sandy Leiper on 43 minutes and another from Alex Cunningham on the stroke of half-time made it 4-0 at the break.

Tayforth’s Neil Arnott pulled a goal back on 57 minutes but a second from Duncan MacBrayne on 67 minutes and Euan Gilmour’s effort on 82 minutes confirmed the 6-1 triumph.

The sides have still to meet at Peffermill in Tayforth’s final league match of the season but a point against the Bute seconds in their next outing will be enough to give Kilmory the title.

 

Uddingston W/O v Oban Celtic

Uddingston were given the points when the Oban Celtic juniors were unable to raise a team for their match at the Stepps Playing Fields.

The Oban side were deducted a point. 

 

Bute P Aberdour P

The meeting between the Bute juniors and the Aberdour juniors has been rescheduled for Saturday 7 October 2023.

 

 

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

 

 

 

WCA Round Up

There were a sprinkling of WCA fixtures with most matches scheduled for Sunday 27 August 2023.

 

 

Mowi National Division

Ardnamurchan 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 5

Glasgow Mid Argyll were 5-1 winners against Ardnamurchan in their 1pm throw up at Strontian.

Kate Bradley scored for the hosts but doubles from Violet Mair and Millie MacRae plus Laura McCafferty’s effort gave GMA victory.

 

Aberdour P Inverness P

The match between Aberdour and Inverness was postponed.

 

 

Mowi North 2 Division

Skye Camanachd P Strathglass P

The wet weather meant the meeting between Skye Camanachd B and Strathglass on Saturday 26 August 2023 was switched from Pairc nan Laoch to the astro pitch at Portree High School. However, the weather led to a Saturday morning postponement.

 

 

Mowi South Division 2

Ardnamurchan 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 5

Kirsty Gray scored four times as Glasgow Mid Argyll B won 5-0 in their 3pm throw up against Ardnamurchan B at Strontian.

Kirsty Rodger netted the other.

 

Tayforth 0 Dunadd 8

Dunadd are homing in on the Mowi South Division 2 title after beating Tayforth 8-0 in their 1pm throw up played at Silversands

Eilidh Cameron scored seven times before Rhian McCuaig added the goal of the match.