The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 26 March 2022 | |
27 March 2022 There was a packed shinty programme over Saturday 26 March 2022 and Sunday 27 March 2022.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup – First Round Kinlochshiel 0 Lovat 3 cottages.com MacTavish Cup holders Kinlochshiel crashed out of this year’s competition in the opening round, losing 3-0 to Lovat at Rèaraig. John MacRae returned to the ‘Shiel starting line-up after missing the previous week’s win over Oban Camanachd. Zander MacRae was also back and he started on the bench. Finlay MacRae came off late in the Oban match as a precautionary measure after feeling a tight hamstring and he was injury-free to take his usual role at full back. Youngster Archie MacRae was ruled out after taking a knock to the knee. Danny Kelly returned for Lovat but Callum Cruden was again ruled out through suspension. Joe Embleton started as did Greg Matheson with the latter nursing a hamstring problem. Lovat started well before ‘Shiel began to dominate, so much so that when Lewis Tawse gave Lovat a 26 minute lead, the goal came against the run of play. Fraser Heath intercepted Finlay MacRae’s clearance out of defence and when Heath played the ball forward, Lewis Tawse struck a brilliant first time volley past a helpless Josh Grant, beating the keeper on his left side. The closest Lovat came to a first half goal was when John MacRae cleverly turned his marker to run onto a great ball forward from Ali Nixon but MacRae shot wide of target from the left. Josh Grant got his body behind a Lewis Tawse shot from the left after the restart before Stuart MacDonald showed his class as the Lovat and Scotland keeper saved brilliantly, parrying Keith MacRae’s 18 yard drive. Lewis Tawse got his second goal of the game to make it 2-0 on 68 minutes. A high ball from Fraser Heath from wide on the left was palmed away by Josh Grant but Tawse was in the right place to expertly knock the dropping ball into the net. At the other end, Donald Nixon picked out Keith MacRae on the left and he cut in before playing the ball across goal to Jordan Fraser but Stuart MacDonald spread himself to save. When the ‘Shiel defence didn’t deal with substitute Chris Johnston’s ball into the D from the Lovat right on 75 minutes, Greg Matheson swept the ball home to the delight of the visiting support. There was a late Lovat claim for a penalty when Fraser Heath was tripped just on the D. Referee Graham Cameron consulted with goal judge Roddy Gillies before awarding a free-hit just outside the D with match footage proving the decision to be correct.
Kilmallie 3 Inverness 2 Kilmallie weren’t at their beat but they still did enough to beat a well organised Inverness side 3-2 at the Canal Parks. Innes Blackhall and Michael Rodger served the final games of their suspensions for the hosts with Lewis Birrell, Jay MacLeod, Aidan Love and Cam Clark also unavailable. However Stuart Callison made a welcome return from his ban. Dougie Rankin continued in goal for Inverness with Arran MacMaster and Adam MacMaster in defence. Inverness took the lead on 17 minutes when Kilmallie keeper Kevin Toye and defender Stephen McAlister went for the same ball which McAlister turned into the net. However Kilmallie levelled straight from the restart. There was a scramble around the penalty spot and when the ball was pushed forward, Shane O’Rua, who made his first start at Skye last season, got to the ball just ahead of team-mate Ryan Stewart and he tucked the ball into the net. Stuart Callison gave Kilmallie the lead on 27 minutes and they stayed in front until the break. Shane O’Rua got his second on 58 minutes with the goal of the match. A low corner was missed at the front post and O’Rua ran in to crack a low, controlled first time finish into the corner of the net, giving keeper Dougie Rankin no chance. Inverness stuck to the task though and they were rewarded through Steven Bellshaw’s 72 minute goal which left the outcome in the balance until then end. Kilmallie gave debuts from the bench to 14 year old Seamus MacFarlane, Lewis Cameron and Ryan MacLeod. Speaking afterwards, Kilmallie manager Martin Stewart said: “The win is always welcome but we didn’t really get going in the game nor apply ourselves as we can. we may have underestimated Inverness and there was a bit of role reversal from the previous week when we were underdogs against Kingussie but I must say Inverness battled all through the game; they play just how Drew Mcneil wants them to. “We gave three boys their debuts from the bench and that is eighteen guys who have made their first team debut for the Kilmallie first team in less than a year. “Age is no barrier either and Shane (O’Rua) proved that. He’s only 14 but he was terrific. He didn’t back out of any challenge the whole game and he took his goals really well.” “We are without a game on Saturday but that is not bad thing. We now have Innes (Blackhall) and Michael (Rodger) available again so we can regroup before we play GMA.”
Strathglass 0 Fort William 3 Fort William, cottages.com MacTavish Cup semi-finalists last season, are safely through to this year’s quarter-finals after beating Strathglass 3-0 at Cannich. Calum Shepherd got the opener on 36 minutes with two goals in three minutes sealing the win as Ali MacRae netted on 67 minutes and Lewis Morrison on 70 minutes.
Newtonmore 3 Lochaber 0 Newtonmore have won four of the last cottages.com MacTavish Cup Finals and they beat Lochaber 3-0 in their 2pm throw up at the Eilan. Injured trio Darrin Fowler, Iain Robinson and Drew MacDonald all missed out for ‘More but Michael Russell returned to the midfield whilst Lochaber’s Barry MacDonald was suspended. Struan Ross got the opener on 4 minutes with a 20 yard strike which went through a couple of players on its way into the net. Another promising youngster, Max Campbell, who passed up a couple of earlier opportunities, scored with a crisp strike against his former club on 18 minutes. Newtonmore continued to create chances and they introduced Kenny Ross at full centre at the interval and Struan Ross got his second on 74 minutes, running forward with the ball before lifting it high into the net to send Newtonmore into the quarter-final draw.
Glengarry 0 Skye Camanachd 7 Mowi National Division side Skye Camanachd proved too strong for Glengarry from Mowi North Division 1, winning 7-0 at Craigard. Glengarry were missing Nick Dalgety whilst Skye had Danny Morrison and Jordan Murchison back with the latter starting on the bench. Skye started really well, creating four early chances but it was Glengarry who went closest with a shot off the post. Skye went on to dominate though but despite some nice shinty between their forwards, they only had an Iain MacLellan goal to show for their efforts after 35 minutes of play so boss Kenny MacLeod made a double switch with Danny Morrison and Iain MacLellan withdrawn in favour of Somhairle MacDonald and Jordan Murchison. The moves paid immediate dividends with Somhairle MacDonald scoring with his first touch and he added another just 5 minutes later. The Islanders’ centre line were dominant, especially Ross MacKinnon who played his best game in a Skye shirt and it was no surprise when Somhairle MacDonald completed his hat-trick to make it 4-0. John Gillies added another for Skye whilst Jordan Murchison looked back to his old self with two goals and two assists and he was unlucky not to get a hat-trick, bringing out a good save from ‘Garry keeper Gordon MacDonald before sending a rocket-shot that just went just over late on. This was a very good Skye performance and James Pringle caused problems throughout with his running and set-up play.
Mowi Premiership Oban Camanachd 5 Caberfeidh 1 Oban Camanachd bounced back from the previous week’s defeat to Kinlochshiel by beating Caberfeidh 5-1 at Mossfield. Garry Lord returned for the Oban side. Scott McKillop and Scott MacMillan were back too and both started on the bench. Suspended pair Craig Morrison and Ryan Symonds missed out for Cabers who continued with Blair Morrison in attack following his hat-trick against Glasgow Mid Argyll. And that proved a good call by boss Jodi Gorski as there were only six seconds on the clock when Caberfeidh won the centre and Kevin Bartlett’s ball from the right found Blair Morrison around the penalty spot and he turned before sending the ball low into the net. Oban defender Daniel Cameron had been carrying a rib injury ahead of the game and he swapped positions with Daniel Sloss with the latter going in at full back. However Oban Camanachd settled into the game and they were awarded a penalty when referee Iain Kennedy penalised a rash swing on Louie MacFarlane. Daniel Cameron struck the penalty well enough, down the middle, but Caberfeidh Iain McCall saved. However Connor Howe regained possession and Daniel Madej flicked the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1 with half an hour played. Oban Camanachd switched to a two-two in attack with Louie MacFarlane and Daniel Madej up top and they caused the visiting defence all sorts of problems. Daniel Madej got his and Oban Camanachd’s second goal on 41 minutes when he chested down Craig Easton’s long ball from the right before netting from around the penalty spot. The second half was just a couple of minutes old when Louie MacFarlane went on a zigzag run through the visiting defence before scoring a fine individual goal. Then, on 50 minutes, Daniel MacVicar beat two players before firing home on his backhand. Louie MacFarlane got his second with a tap-in on the hour after another Craig Easton ball out of defence caused Caberfeidh concern. Daniel Sloss and Evan MacLellan were excellent for the hosts with Blair MacFarlane also starring. Oban Camanachd were also able to give game time to Scott MacMillan for the first time this season with Scott McKillop also introduced. Next up for Oban Camanachd is a trip to Balgate to play unbeaten Lovat on Saturday.
Kingussie 2 Kyles Athletic 0 Kingussie scored a goal in each half to beat Kyles Athletic 2-0 at the Dell, returning to the top of the Mowi Premiership in the process. Rory Mackeachan and Fraser Munro made timely returns for the Kings with Ryan Borthwick and Liam Borthwick both missing. Kyles were without Colin MacDonald and Conor Kennedy but Innes MacDonald returned to the side. Ex-Newtonmore player Somhairle Thomson and former Lochcarron attacker Liam Arnott joined Roddy MacDonald and Scott MacDonald in the forward line. The visitors almost took advantage of hesitancy in the Kingussie defence after 4 minutes when Rory Mackeachan tried to put the ball out for a corner with one hand on his club. However he didn’t connect properly and Somhairle Thomson took advantage to flick the ball inside to an unmarked Roddy MacDonald, just 5 yards out, but he sent the ball by the post. Kingussie were forced into a change on 8 minutes when James Hutchison came off with a pulled hamstring. Lee Riddoch came on at wing centre with Fraser Munro going to the middle of the park. Both teams started to spread the ball about and the crowd was entertained to some fast flowing shinty in both halves of the field. Kingussie took the lead on 14 minutes. Ruaridh Anderson went on a mazy run, beating two players in the process. Anderson was fouled but referee John Angus Gillies played advantage and the Kingussie play-maker’s shot came off a defender and went out for a corner. Ruaridh Anderson played in a corner and Savio Genini got to the ball ahead of Callum Millar, before producing a great finish from the back of the D. Kyles passed up a chance to level just 3 minutes later when referee John Angus Gillies penalised home full back Robert Mabon for falling on top of the ball. Ross MacRae sent the spot-hit towards the keeper’s top left corner but Rory MacGregor produced a fantastic save to keep his side in front. With 10 first half minutes remaining, Robbie MacLeod floated a perfected weighted ball to Somhairle Thomson on the right and he found the on-rushing Roddy MacDonald who took the ball into the D but shot agonisingly wide for a second time. Kingussie began to take a grip of the game and when Roddy Young squared the ball to Savio Genini, he turned but fired over the top. Genini went close again on half-time when, following a good passing move; he forced a great reflex save from John Whyte. Kingussie doubled their lead just 3 minutes into the second half when Alexander Michie won possession in defence before finding Dylan Borthwick on the right. Borthwick’s surging run took him by two defenders and he beat a third before passing the ball by keeper Whyte by his left post to make it 2-0. Fraser Munro had been playing well since his switch to full centre but he was also forced off with a hamstring injury with 20 minutes remaining. Former Glenurquhart player Cameron Bremner came on for his senior competitive debut for the Kings at full centre. Kingussie finished strongly with Alexander Michie solid at the back. The home forwards linked up really well and Ruaridh Anderson and Dylan Borthwick were constant menaces whilst James Falconer was the game’s top performer. Roddy MacDonald played really well for Kyles despite the missed chances. The game was a great spectacle, played in good spirit with no bookings. Kingussie now top the league after three games, a point ahead of second placed Newtonmore. With John Gibson unavailable for the next two Saturdays, Ali MacLeod will look after the side against ‘Shiel this on Saturday and Newtonmore in the derby the week after.
Glenurquhart had their designated “Free Saturday”.
Mowi National Division Oban Celtic 0 Inveraray 3 All the goals came in the second half as Inveraray beat Oban Celtic 3-0 at Ganavan. Craig Taylor put Inveraray ahead on 50 minutes with Lewis Montgomery adding a double on 60 and 70 minutes.
Strathdearn Cup Preliminary Round Beauly 8 Lochaber 2 The Beauly second team were too strong for the Lochaber second team, winning 8-2 in their Strathdearn Cup preliminary round tie at Braeview Park. Kyle MacDonald on 15 minutes and Lee Dunbar on 22 minutes got Beauly off to a solid start. Finlay MacLennan notched a third on 23 minutes and indeed a fourth on 28 minutes. Jack MacDonald added his name to the scoresheet an 38 minutes and Beauly led 5-0 at the break. David Langan pulled a goal back on 55 minutes but Kyle MacDonald went on to complete his hat-trick with goals on 61 and 64 minutes to make it 7-1. David Langan got his second on 80 minutes but Torrin Cairns scored on the stroke of full time to make the final score 8-2.
Mowi North Division 1 Fort William 1 Kingussie 2 The Kingussie colts go top of Mowi North Division 1 after beating the Fort William colts 2-1 at An Aird. Rhys Kennedy was suspended for the Fort whilst, with Lee Bain on first team duty and Iain Fraser missing, Ronald Ross played at full back with Barrie Dallas also answering the call and both did well for an understrength Kingussie side. Miko Berowski struck on 5 minutes to give the Kings an early advantage with Robert Shiells adding a second a couple of minutes before the break. Cam Ross halved the deficit on 83 minutes but Kingussie took the points to stay top of the table.
Caberfeidh 1 Lochcarron 2 Lochcarron recorded their first league win of the season, beating the Caberfeidh second team 2-1 at Castle Leod. Gregor Cushnie gave Lochcarron the lead a minute before the break, punishing some defensive slackness before beating John Ritchie in the home goal. However Colin MacLennan was credited with the leveller a minute after the restart when his corner went by visiting keeper Peter MacKenzie off Ross Mathieson. Cabers attacked but Peter MacKenzie was equal to their efforts. Then, Lochcarron’s Ross Mathieson made amends as he scored what proved to be the winner for Murdo John Fraser’s side just 15 minutes from time.
Newtonmore P Glenurquhart P The noon throw up between the Newtonmore juniors and the Glenurquhart juniors was scheduled to take place at Kincraig. However the match was postponed because of covid restrictions.
Skye Camanachd P Lovat P The Skye Camanachd second team’s noon throw up against the Lovat second team at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree was postponed. Lovat were unable to raise a team so the game will be rescheduled. Lovat were also docked two points.
The Kinlochshiel second team did not have an allocated fixture.
Mowi South Division 1 Col Glen 3 Lochside Rovers 1 Col Glen are early league leaders after running out 3-1 winners against Lochside Rovers at Glendaruel. Lochside featured father and son Stephen Sloss and Matthew Sloss in a largely youthful side. A late first half brace from Daniel MacDonald on 35 minutes and again 5 minutes later gave the hosts a 2-0 lead. Innes Jackson pulled a goal back on 43 minutes to make it 2-1 at the break. When referee Des McNulty awarded Col Glen a penalty 18 minutes from time, Scott MacVicar held his nerve to score from the spot to seal a 3-1 victory.
Cruachanside’s encounter with Tayforth at the Taynuilt Sports Field will be rescheduled due to covid restrictions. The clash between the Glasgow Mid Argyll colts and Ballachulish at Peterson Park was a covid related postponement.
Bute P Kyles Athletic P There was disappointment for Bute and the Kyles Athletic juniors as their derby at the Meadows was postponed because of covid restrictions.
Mowi North Division 2 Strathspey Camanachd 3 Kilmallie 2 Strathspey Camanachd survived a late scare to defeat the Kilmallie reserves 3-2 at Grantown Grammar School. Strathspey had the better of the first half but just couldn’t find the goal their play merited. The visitors made a good start to the second half however, just after the hour, Strathspey’s Euan Dingwall scored his fourth goal of the season. Alfie Roberts struck a shot low into the net on 68 minutes and Matthew Davies turned home a rebound on 78 minutes to give the home side what looked like an unassailable 3-0 lead. Strathspey had to sweat out the closing stages though when Jack Campbell on 87 minutes Bryan Mackay’s stoppage time strike made it 3-2 but Strathspey took the points and they are the early league leaders. The match was refereed by Glenurquhart player James MacPherson.
Boleskine P Strathglass P Boleskine were scheduled to play their first match at Smith Park in two years with the Strathglass second team providing the opposition. However covid restrictions affecting the visitors meant the game was postponed.
Aberdeen University P Inverness P Aberdeen University’s match against the Inverness second string at Balgownie will be rescheduled due to covid restrictions.
Lewis Camanachd were without a fixture.
Mowi South Division 2 Kilmory 4 Oban Celtic 0 Kilmory ran out 4-0 winners against a young Oban Celtic second team in their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park. Sandy Leiper on 33 minutes and Alex Cunningham on 37 minutes made it 2-0 at the break with the prolific Alex Cunningham going on to complete his hat-trick with efforts on 50 and 80 minutes.
Inveraray 2 Bute 2 The Inveraray colts and the Bute colts drew 2-2 at the Winterton Craig Speirs gave the Islanders a 6 minute lead but Neil Campbell levelled just a couple of minutes later. Bute regained the advantage through Aiden MacGregor on 15 minutes only for Neil Campbell to level for a second time on 74 minutes.
Aberdour 4 Uddingston 0 The Aberdour seconds beat Uddingston 4-0 at Silversands. 14 year old Logan Adam broke the deadlock on 33 minutes with 13 year old Ciaràn Burns adding a second on 43 minutes. A debut goal from Ally Chamberlain on 67 minutes and Logan Adam’s second on 86 minutes rounded off Aberdour’s win.
Ardnamurchan P Strachur-Dunoon P The match between Ardnamurchan and Strachur-Dunoon at Strontian was postponed due to covid restrictions. Strachur-Dunoon quickly arranged an open training session at Strachurmore instead.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states otherwise)
WCA Round Up A number of national and regional Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures took place on Sunday 27 March 2022.
Mowi National Division Lochaber 0 Badenoch 6 Kirsty Deans scored five times as Badenoch beat Lochaber 6-0 at Spean Bridge. Zoe Reid got the other for the league leaders.
Skye Camanachd P Aberdour P The Skye Camanachd A team’s match with Aberdour at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 26th March 2022 was postponed due to covid restrictions.
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Ardnamurchan P Glasgow Mid Argyll’s clash with Ardnamurchan at Yoker was calld off due to covid restrictions.
Mowi North Division 2 Badenoch 0 Glengarry 5 Glengarry took the points, beating the Badenoch second team 5-0 at the Market Stance. Elaine Cameron grabbed a ‘Garry hat-trick with Emily Gordon and Leona Falconer getting the others.
Inverness 0 Kinlochshiel 8 Lorna MacRae grabbed a hat-trick as Kinlochshiel won 8-0 against Inverness at the Bught Park. Beth Murphy scored twice with Lexi Mackenzie, Alaina Maclennan and Sandra MacRae also on target.
Lovat P Glenurquhart P The game between Lovat and Glenurquhart at Balgate was a covid postponement.
Strathspey P Strathglass P Strathglass were unable to field a team for their trip to Strathspey so the game will be rescheduled.
Mowi South Division 2 Uddingston 1 Dunadd 6 Dunadd scored three goals in each half to defeat Uddingston at St Ambrose High School. Christie Robertson netted for the hosts but Eilidh Cameron’s treble, Rhian McCuig’s double and Nicola Smyth’s goal counted for Dunadd.
Tayforth P Oban Lorn P Tayforth’s meeting with Dunadd was postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Ardnamurchan P The second team match between Glasgow Mid Argyll and Ardnamurchan was also a covid related postponement. |