The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 28 July 2018 | |
29 July 2018 Holders Newtonmore reached the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final at the expense of a brave Kilmallie side, Lovat only trail Marine Harvest Premiership leaders Newtonmore on goal difference and the Newtonmore second team clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title following the shinty action on Saturday 28 July 2018.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – Semi-Final Newtonmore 1 Kilmallie 1 (After extra-time – Newtonmore won 2-1 on penalties) Newtonmore’s quest for a third successive Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup win is still on course, but only just as it took penalties to finally see off a spirited Kilmallie at An Aird. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh was still without the injured David MacLean whilst Steven MacDonald served the second game of a two-match suspension. The starting line-up was unchanged from the side that beat Skye in the league a week earlier. Kilmallie boss Mark MacPherson was without influential full back Iain Robertson who was on holiday. Martin Stewart (foot) and Innes Blackhall (hand) remained on the injury list. Steven Stewart went to full back whilst Michael Rodger dropped into buckshee back. This tie was broadcast LIVE on BBC ALBA and the players were piped onto the field ahead of this 4.05pm throw up. An early Liam MacDonald turn and shot was well dealt with by ‘More keeper Kenny Ross before Macdonald went close again a couple of minutes later. ‘More’s Jamie Robinson needed treatment after being caught on the top of the head by Jordan MacPhee’s loose caman following an aerial dual but he was able to carry on after treatment. ‘More switched Rory Kennedy to mark Liam MacDonald which helped settle their defence. Kilmallie suffered a blow on 15 minutes when Aaron Sandison had to come off with a hamstring. He was replaced by Craig MacIsaac. Newtonmore’s Craig Ritchie was also treated for a knock and although he was able to continue for a few minutes, he eventually limped off. Michael Russell dropped back into defence and Neil Stewart came off the bench to join the attack. There was a scare in the Kilmallie defence as an Evan Menzies flick into the D bounced through the legs of keeper Shane Gillies but the goalie was able to turn and sweep the ball away before it rolled over the goal line. Shane Gillies then made a great double-save, using his feet to first deny Evan Menzies and then Glen MacKintosh. After Kilmallie’s early dominance, Newtonmore were now much more in the game and they took the lead on 31 minutes. Neil Fraser did well to block Michael Rodger’s attempted clearance and, as the ball fell for Ewen Fraser, he still had plenty to do but he turned his marker Cam Clark before running across goal and sending a glorious back-hand drive into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0. There was a booking for Michael Rodger for a late flick-out at Neil Stewart following the restart. There was action for both keepers before the interval as Shane Gillies came off his line to foil Evan Menzies whilst, at the other end, Kenny Ross was smartly off his line to sweep away a dangerous ball following a Kilmallie free-hit on the left. Kenny Ross then used his caman to turn away a dropping Jordan MacPhee ball from the right of midfield. Keeper Ross was again called into action moments later. Michael Rodger’s long pass was controlled by Liam MacDonald and his shot from a central position was well-stopped by the Newtonmore custodian who also thwarted MacDonald again following a corner. It then took a good Rory Kennedy challenge to halt a Craig MacIsaac run forward. The tie brought together the Premiership and National Division leaders and you would struggle to tell which was which as Kilmallie went in search of a leveller. And it arrived on 58 minutes. The Newtonmore defence didn’t deal with Jordan MacPhee’s shy from the right and Calum MacDougall gathered the ball and, on his left side, slammed it low through the keeper’s legs and into the net to make it 1-1. Jordan MacPhee needed treatment for a head cut after a blocking challenge on Glen MacKintosh. There was a two-minute break in play when MacPhee was bandaged up and the break came at a bad time for Kilmallie who had the momentum at this stage. A further stoppage followed as there was almost a four minute break as Fraser MacKintosh needed treatment for a bleeding nose. Evan Menzies sent a dropping ball wide of target with 20 minutes remaining. Fraser MacKintosh was then withdrawn with Craig Ritchie coming back on, allowing Michael Russell to push further forward again whilst Duncan Gorman replaced Drew MacDonald. Newtonmore had a great chance to win the game with 13 minutes to go. Great play from Neil Stewart, cutting in from the left, set up the chance, leaving Ewen Fraser one-on-one with Shane Gillies but the keeper raced from his lime to make a crucial stop with his foot. Glen MacKintosh was booked for a high swing at Liam Cameron with 10 minutes remaining. Michael Russell sent a shot over after being played in by Glen MacKintosh. Iain Robinson took over from Ewen Fraser with 5 minutes remaining. With no further scoring, and after 6 minutes’ stoppage time, referee Lachie Wood took the tie to an extra-time period. Drew MacDonald returned for the start of extra-time in favour of Neil Stewart. ‘More pressed from the throw up and Drew MacDonald crossed low from the right to Iain Robinson but his fierce shot rose just over the top. Robbie MacFadyen did well to get in the way of an Evan Menzies shot from the left of the D as the first period of extra-time drew to a close. As tiredness really kicked in, a number of late chances were created. With 12 minutes remaining, Shane Gillies came off his line to save from Iain Robinson who had been played in by Evan Menzies. Gillies then got his body in the way of a Glen MacKintosh shot through a crowded goal area, which came after a Michael Russell pass. There enough time for a last couple of chances for Kilmallie as Calum MacDougall played on a Jordan MacPhee shy from the right to Liam MacDonald who couldn’t get any power in his shot. Kenny Ross then dived low to block a Liam MacDonald effort from a corner. The sides were now slugging it out and, after some more heroic Kilmallie defending; Shane Gillies used his feet to turn Jamie Robinson’s strike away for a corner as ‘More tried to win it at the death. The final whistle sounded and a penalty shoot-out is a cruel way to decide any match, far-less a Camanachd Cup semi-final. However the managers nominated their five penalty takers and had a final word with their players before the shoot-out got underway. Kilmallie’s Michael Rodger was first up but saw his strike saved with his feet by Kenny Ross. Shane Gillies then saved with his hand from Glen MacKintosh. Liam MacDonald didn’t catch his penalty cleanly but got enough on it to send it past Kenny Ross so when Shane Gilles saved with his feet from Evan Menzies, Kilmallie had a 1-0 advantage. Daniel Stewart didn’t catch his penalty as he would have liked and Kenny Ross saved with his feet. Jamie Robinson certainly hit his penalty with power but Shane Gillies made an outstanding save with his stick to his right. Nerves must have been playing a part and Stephen Mcalister topped his strike and Kenny Ross saved easily. Iain Robinson produced a great finish, sending the ball inside the keeper’s right post to make it 1-1 and, with two penalties to go; it was now effectively sudden death. Craig MacIsaac was last up for Kilmallie but his powerful shot was well-saved with his stick by Kenny Ross – his fourth save of the shoot-out. So it now fell for Newtonmore captain Andy MacKintosh, an unlikely spot-hit taker, to send his team into the final and he didn’t disappoint, despatching the ball into the corner of the net to win the shoot-out 2-1. Once again, Newtonmore found a way to win and they now await the outcome of the second semi-final between Lovat and Kingussie at the Bught Park on Saturday 11 August 2018. New Scotland Head Coach Garry Reid selected Kilmallie defender Steven Stewart as the BBC ALBA man of the match.
Marine Harvest Premiership Glenurquhart 0 Lovat 5 Lovat only trail Marine Harvest Premiership leaders Newtonmore on goal difference after they beat Glenurquhart 5-0 at Blairbeg. With fellow-title contenders Newtonmore, Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic not in league action, Lovat knew this was an opportunity to make ground at the top of the table. James MacPherson returned after suspension for the Glen whilst Lachie Smith was also back. Conor Golabek and Finlay Ralston were missing whilst Andrew Corrigan remained unavailable. Lovat’s Drew Howie was again on the bench where he was joined by Graeme MacMillan and Thomas Fraser. Bailey MacKay returned to the starting line-up. Lovat were quickly into their stride and Greg Matheson came deep to gather possession on the right side of the Lovat midfield on 7 minutes. Matheson made a diagonal run in from the right before striking the ball with hardly any back-swing and it beat Stuart MacKintosh to make it 1-0. The Glen came close to levelling on 12 minutes. Daniel Grieve slipped on the wet surface and the ball came to James MacPherson on the left and he struck a powerful shoulder-high shot which Stuart MacDonald did well to save with his club to his left. There wasn’t much by way of incident until 41 minutes when Marc MacLachlan held off a challenge and, from the edge of the D on the Lovat left, he had time to turn to his right side before shooting into the net. Any chance of a Glen fight-back suffered a blow a minute before the break. Ally MacKintosh, who had earlier been booked for dissent, received a second yellow card and his marching orders from referee Graham Cameron after he threw the ball away after a tussle with Marc MacLachlan. Lovat took Drew Howie on at the break but, with no substitute card given to the referee, he was also booked when his presence was noticed. Lovat extended their lead on 54 minutes. Lewis Tawse kept the ball away from two Glen defenders who were trying to clear. Tawse then pushed the ball forward inside the D where he slipped it past keeper MacKintosh and into the net to make it 3-0. Lewis Tawse got his second and Lovat’s fourth on 59 minutes when he juggled the ball before touching it on and scoring. There was more to come as Marc MacLachlan went over in a goalmouth scramble but still managed to get onto his feet and with a back-hand swing from the edge of the D, he steered the ball into the net to make it 5-0. The one black-spot for Lovat was a yellow card picked up by Danny Kelly for kicking the ball away which is likely to trigger a ban meaning he will miss the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final against Kingussie. Lovat climb to second and they are now level on points with league-leaders Newtonmore but they have played two games more. Glenurquhart on the other hand are six points away from safety with only three games to go – away to Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic and at home to Skye. Even three wins may not be enough as their survival hopes are dependent on Caberfeidh taking nothing from their last five matches.
Kingussie 0 Oban Camanachd 1 It was fifth plays sixth as Oban Camanachd beat Kingussie 1-0 at The Dell. Kingussie’s Kieran MacPherson faces a spell on the sidelines with a collar-bone injury. Savio Genini was also missing but Fraser Munro and Louis Munro both returned to the starting line-up. Ryan Borthwick, Rory MacKeachan and Ryan MacWilliam made up the bench. Oban Camanachd’s Scott MacMillan was missing as he began a two-match suspension. Daniel MacVicar remained out and the Oban side also travelled without Aidan MacIntyre, Scott MacKillop, Daniel Lafferty and Keith MacMillan. There was a first start for Lennon Campbell whilst the travelling bench was made up from Graham Morrice, Ross Campbell and Craig Easton. Malcolm Clark played but he will miss this Saturday’s league meeting with Kinlochshiel for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Oban Camanachd got off to the perfect start when, after just 2 minutes, Malcolm Clark found Willie Neilson running down the right. Neilson got away from Lee Bain, around 10 yards to the right of the penalty spot, and he sent a blistering shot past Craig Dawson with the pace of the ball taking it past the keeper before he could react. Willie Neilson saw a 7 minute shot saved by keeper Dawson and Lennon Campbell hit the rebound off the outside of the post from close in. Kingussie had plenty of possession in attack but they were a little over-elaborate at times. Oban Camanachd also created first half chances without adding to their tally. Oban Camanachd took Ross Campbell on for Lennon Campbell after 55 minutes. Kingussie pressed for a second half leveller but the Oban defence restricted them to few clear-cut chances. The closest they came was a James Falconer shot which came off keeper Cameron Sutherland’s shoulder and hit the post on its way to safety. Graham Morrice took over from Connor Howe with 15 minutes to go. Kingussie had a late penalty claim waved away by referee Calum Girvan. Oban Camanachd’s Daniel Sloss and Kingussie’s Ruaridh Anderson, who had both been on Scotland U17 duty in Ireland during the week, had a great tussle throughout the game. Willie Neilson gave Lee Bain problems but Oban Camanachd’s best players were at the back where Chrissy MacMillan was probably the man of the match. Oban Camanachd will rue not being able to turn in this type of performance a week earlier against Kyles Athletic in the Artemis MacAulay Cup semi-finals and after two narrow 1-0 defeats to Kingussie in recent fixtures, it was hard to grudge them this victory. The win means the sides swap positions in the league with Oban Camanachd now fifth.
Lochaber 5 Caberfeidh 2 Lochaber have now gathered five out of the last six available points to ease their relegation fears after they beat Caberfeidh 5-2 in their 3pm throw up at Spean Bridge. Lochaber’s Ryan Johnstone was free of suspension and Caberfeidh’s Scott MacLachlan was still out injured for a game featuring the sides immediately above the relegation zone. Caberfeidh took the lead in the opening minute. With referee Ross Brown playing advantage, Caberfeidh cut inside the Lochaber D where Colin MacLennan found the net. Lochaber drew level on 4 minutes when Findlay MacDonald turned home a rebound off Caberfeidh keeper Ewan Pilcher. Findlay MacDonald got his and Lochaber’s second midway through the first half when he beat the keeper at his near post. Lochaber stretched their lead 5 minutes later. Keeper Picher saved an initial shot but ended up volleying the rebound into the roof of his own net to make it 3-1. Jamie Matheson got Caberfeidh back into it when he scored from just outside the box on 35 minutes and it remained 3-2 until the break. Caberfeidh’s Liam Symonds was sent off for violent conduct on 67 minutes after a clash with Lochaber’s Martin Johnstone. Lochaber eventually made the extra man pay with a Ben Delaney strike taking an awkward bounce by the keeper on 82 minutes. Then, with just seconds remaining, Findlay MacDonald fired a shot into the roof of the net from out on the left to complete his hat-trick. Lochaber’s Donald MacRae had a great game, nullifying Kevin Bartlett’s threat, in what was a good old fashioned game of north shinty.
Marine Harvest National Division Oban Celtic 4 Strathglass 1 Oban Celtic and .Strathglass met for the third time this season and Celtic made it three wins out of three with a 4-1 victory at Mossfield. Ross MacMillan captained an understrength Oban Celtic with Ally McKerracher away for the weekend, Fulton Ronald, Iain MacKechnie and John Hill all unavailable and Connor Howe returned to Oban Camanachd. 39 year old veteran David MacInnes answered the call to help out and manager Kenny Wotherspoon still managed to list a sixteen-man squad with 14 year old John Douglas and 16 year old Jamie Anderson making up the numbers on the bench. Strathglass manager Bruce Douglas and his assistant Roy MacKenzie were also without a number of regulars and they travelled with just thirteen players. Hamish Myers, Seth Jones, Ross Balharry, Steven Hyslop, Archie Wotherspoon and Lawrence Jones were all missing. The first half was very flat with no real chances created. Oban Celtic’s Lewis Mcphee kept Scott Douglas relatively quiet whilst Daniel Madej sent some snap-shots wide of target. The Strathglass defence, marshalled by George Phimister, kept the Celtic forwards at bay with Celtic’s George Macmillan, asked to play out of position, was doing fine in his less accustomed forward role. With Neil Carmichael and Michael Stokes having a good battle in the middle, referee Robert Baxter blew for half-time after a goalless first 45 minutes. The midfield battle continued into the second half. 17 year old Scott Mossman, making his Celtic debut, did well having only previously played South 2 shinty with the Oban Celtic second team. Strathglass broke the deadlock on 57 minutes. A high ball forward found ‘Glass danger-man Scott Douglas and he gained a yard on Lewis Mcphee before thumping a rocket-shot beyond keeper Iain MacFarlane, beating the goalie on his right side from 15 yards range. Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon instantly made a change with young Scott Mossman coming off and David MacInnes introduced on the wing. Oban Celtic grabbed a leveller just 3 minutes later. David MacInnes was involved as he sent a long ball forward from the centre line which fell for Ross MacMillan and his shot looped over keeper Adam Todd to make it 1-1. The goal helped kick Celtic on and Daniel Madej, Daniel MacMillan and Ross MacMillan all had good chances. The game’s turning point came on 75 minutes when referee Baxter showed Josh Fraser a second yellow card for persistent fouling. Kenny Wotherspoon used the extra man across the midfield with half back Andy MacDonald pushed forward to make up a centre line quartet. David MacInnes’ presence on the field helped encourage the young Celtic team and it wasn’t long before the Oban side took the lead. Neil Carmichael and David MacInnes did well in midfield and when the ball fell to Daniel Madej, he shifted it to his left where Ross MacMillan fired low and hard into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-1 with just 10 minutes to go. Ross MacMillan completed his hat-trick just 40 seconds later. Daniel Madej was again the provider, this time cutting the ball back from the by-line for MacMillan to make it 3-1. From the throw up, Celtic pushed the ball forward where Andy MacDonald was in the mix, backing up Neil Carmichael. The ball was cleared out of play by George Phimister but George MacMillan’s quick shy picked out Ross MacMillan and he had time to tee-up his shot before blasting home to make it 4-1. Despite the win, Oban Celtic suffered a major blow with 5 minutes remaining when Andy MacDonald was sent off which will result in a spell on the touchline.
Beauly 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Glasgow Mid Argyll defeated Beauly 4-1 in their 3pm throw up at Braeview Park. Calum Mclay gave GMA a 12 minute advantage but Sean Stewart made it 1-1 on 33 minutes. However Calum Mclay went on to be a thorn in Beauly’s side and he got his second to put the visitors back in front just a minute later. Mclay went on to score twice more, taking his haul to four goals and the points went south.
Inveraray 4 Inverness 1 Third place Inveraray are just two points off the top of the table after they beat Inverness 4-1 at The Winterton. Inveraray’s Garry MacPherson was finally free of his four-match suspension. The home side won the game in the first half. Fraser Watt gave them the lead on 17 minutes and Lewis Montgomery added a second on 33 minutes. A second from Fraser Watt just 5 minutes later made it 3-0 at the break. James Cameron pulled a goal back for Inverness on 54 minutes but most of the pressure was around the Inverness goal. Inveraray had plenty of shots but didn’t hit the target as often as they would have liked. They did get a fourth goal though when Allan MacDonald scored on 64 minutes.
Strathdearn Cup – Quarter Final Newtonmore 2 Strathspey Camanachd 1 The Newtonmore second team set up a Strathdearn Cup semi-final derby against the Kingussie second team when they beat neighbours Strathspey Camanachd 2-1 at The Eilan on Wednesday 25 July 2018. Newtonmore were without some regulars but they still fielded a strong side and they took a 12 minute lead through Calum Stewart. Calum Stewart then went on to score what was to prove to be an important second goal on 58 minutes. ‘More had most of the tie against their lower league opposition and Jason MacDonald in the visiting goal produced a number of great saves. Strathspey stuck to the task though and Chris Cameron halved the deficit on 76 minutes to set up a tense finish. However Newtonmore saw out the closing stages and they will now play the Kingussie second team in the Strathdearn Cup semi-finals at The Dell on Saturday 4 August 2018. Throw up will be at 4.30pm. The Fort William and Skye Camanachd second teams meet at An Aird in the other semi-final.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Kinlochshiel 4 Glengarry 8 Glengarry knew they needed to beat the Kinlochshiel seconds in their noon throw up at Kirkton to force the Newtonmore reserves to take something from their match against their Skye counter-parts later in the day in order to win the league. Ewen Cameron’s side did just that, beating ‘Shiel 8-4 in what was a thoroughly entertaining match. Nick Dalgety on 7 minutes and Raymond Robertson, who cause ‘Shiel all sorts of problems, on 16 minutes had ‘Garry 2-0 ahead. Sandy MacDiarmid pulled a goal back on 26 minutes but full forward Raymond Robertson’s second, just a minute later, restored the visitors two-goal cushion. Nick Dalgety got his second goal of the game on the stroke of half-time. A quick exchange of passes between Raymond Robertson and substitute Archie Robertson - who had just come on – created the chance and Dalgety bundled the ball over the line from close range, ending up in the net with the ball. ‘Shiel manager Willie MacRae made changes at the interval with Michael Morrison switch from full back to join the attack and he provided a cross from the right for Scott MacLean to make it 4-2 on 48 minutes. MacLean controlled Morrison’s pass around the penalty spot and he turned before checking back onto his right side and crashing the ball into the top corner of the net, beating the keeper on his left side with what was a stunning finish. Good play from Scott MacLean down the left side saw him play the ball into the middle. Duncan Matheson got a touch before Michael Morrison hit the bar from inside the D. However the rebound fell kindly for Morrison and he steered a shot into the net to make it 4-3 with 61 minutes on the clock. The next goal was always going to be important and a quick ‘Garry passing move cut open the ‘Shiel defence but keeper Graham Kennedy did well to go low to keep out Nick Dalgety’s effort at the expense of a corner. At the other end, a couple of ‘Shiel efforts were blocked before Lewis MacVicar’s strike was saved by goalie Gordon MacDonald. Raymond Robertson completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes when he fired a 30 yard shot from left of centre with the ball taking a horrible bounce off the ground by the keeper’s legs on its way into the net. Raymond Robertson scored again on 74 minutes when he beat the keeper by his right post when ‘Shiel were unable to clear their lines. ‘Garry now led 6-3 but ‘Shiel were never out of it and a high David MacAskill ball into the goal area caused problems before being swept off the line. Al Nixon, who had been pushed forward with Michael Morrison returning to defence, made it 6-4 with a great finish on 83 minutes. Scott MacLean took a ball forward on the right side and he crossed low into the danger-area where Nixon let the ball run across him before shooting on his left side, sending the ball low into the corner of the net, beating the helpless Gordon MacDonald on his right side. It was an eventful second half for Glengarry defender Rhuairaidh MacDonald who was booked following a challenge on Scott MacLean. He then picked up an injury and finished up in attack where he rounded off the win with goals on 89 and 90 minutes.
Newtonmore 3 Skye Camanachd 1 The Newtonmore seconds retained the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title when they beat the Skye Camanachd second team 3-1 at The Eilan. Glengarry’s win earlier in the day meant Newtonmore still needed a point to clinch the title and some good build up play culminated in a fine Calum Stewart finish to make it 1-0 after 10 minutes. With full forward Paul MacArthur causing the Skye defence problems, Calum Stewart then went on to punish some poor Skye defending to clinch his hat-trick with goals on 38 and 50 minutes. Skye introduced Marcus Ross into midfield and his battling style boosted the Islanders and Ross Gordon scored a brilliant goal on 65 minutes to lift Skye hopes. Ruaraidh MacLeod went close but lifted the ball over the bar from inside the D as Skye pinned Newtonmore back. Connor Gilpin had a goal disallowed after bundling the ball, keeper and full back into the net but referee Brian MacKay ruled one of his teammates was in an offside position. ‘More keeper Callum Grover made some good saves but it was too little too late. Newtonmore are worth champions though and they finished with a flurry, twice hitting the post during the final 10 minutes. After the final whistle, both squads left for An Aird to watch the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final between Newtonmore and Kilmallie.
Aberdeen University P Glenurquhart P The division’s bottom two sides were due to meet at Balgownie but an unplayable pitch means the match between Aberdeen University and the Glenurquhart reserves will be rescheduled.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 2 Ballachulish 1 Lochside Rovers beat Ballachulish 2-1 in a close encounter at Mossfield which was brought forward to Wednesday 25 July 2018. It was a beautiful evening and a good crowd gathered for this 7pm throw up. Lochside included Daniel MacCuish and Daniel Sloss for this one, both players having returned late in the afternoon from the Scotland U17’s Ireland tour. MacCuish started at half back with Sloss on the bench. Lennon Campbell, Ross Campbell, Lewis Buchanan and Connor Howe made up the attack. Balla fielded John MacDonald in goal. They had a couple of absentees and Cain MacPhee misses his side’s next two matches for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Lochside had most of the first half pressure without really threatening. Connor Howe sent a chance over the bar and Lennon Campbell shot wide of the post. John MacDonald also made a couple of good saves but, just as if it looked as if the first half would finish goalless. Balla’ captain Duncan MacDonald fired his side into a 43 minute lead. The goal came following a corner and full centre MacDonald stole in unmarked to score. Lochside manager Gareth Evans made changes at the break. Daniel Sloss came off the bench to take over the full centre role. Michael MacQueen joined the attack with Ross Campbell withdrawn. The move paid dividends. Sloss quickly settled into his midfield role and MacQueen was on hand to play the ball to Lewis Buchanan, 20 yards from goal on the angle, and he sent the ball across the keeper into the opposite corner of the net to make it 1-1 with 56 minutes played. The winning goal was scored just a couple of minutes later. Michael MacQueen was again the supplier as he found Daniel MacCuish, who by now had been pushed forward. MacCuish hit the ball on the run into the far corner of the net to make it 2-1. Balla’ had a late chance to salvage a point but the ball went just the wrong side of the post. Lochside may have done just enough to deserve the win but they couldn’t have complained if Ballachulish had taken a point. This was a sixth successive win for Lochside but they have not been hitting the form of last season over recent weeks. The Oban side have a huge match this Saturday as they play Glenorchy at Mart Park in the Bullough Cup semi-finals.
Kyles Athletic 5 Tayforth 2 The Kyles Athletic seconds stay top of the table after they beat Tayforth 5-2 at Tighnabruaich. George Thomson eased Kyles into the game with a 15 minute goal but Ewen Menzies drew Tayforth level on 23 minutes. Kyle Mcmartin put the home side back in front on 41 minutes and Luke Thornton added a third on 56 minutes. Finlay Stark made it 3-2 on 61 minutes but a second from Luke Thornton on 80 minutes and a Sandy MacKenzie goal just 5 minutes later, put gloss on the win. Kyles have a five point lead at the top of the table although second place Bute have a game in hand. Kyles still have some tough games to go including matches home and away against last year’s champions Lochside Rovers, at home to 2017 runners up Aberdour and home and away against fellow title hopefuls Bute.
Bute 5 Kilmory 0 Bute stay in the title race after they beat Kilmory 5-0 in their 3pm throw up at The Meadows Bute’s Craig MacKay was free of a two-match suspension. However Chris Lawrence began a two-game ban for an accumulation of disciplinary points. Kilmory’s Sandy Leiper had served his one-match ban whilst David MacBrayne sat out the second game of a three-match suspension. Bute attacked from the start and a combination of some dogged Kilmory defending and some wastefulness in front of goal meant the hosts only had a good Steven Dunn finish on 30 minutes to show for their first half efforts. When referee Des McNulty pointed to the penalty spot on 54 minutes, Iain McDonald stepped up to slam the ball home. Robert Walker scored on 63 and 85 minutes, either side of a 70 minute Craig MacKay goal, to complete the 5-0 victory.
Aberdour 0 Inveraray 1 The Inveraray second team moved off the bottom of the table after doing a “smash and grab” job on fourth placed Aberdour, winning 1-0 in their 1pm throw up at Silversands. Inveraray player / manager Graham MacPherson began a two-game suspension following his red card against Col Glen a week earlier and his side travelled with only twelve players. Despite having a hand injury, 16 year old Gregor Mather returned between the sticks after missing the previous week’s defeat to Col Glen and he would go on to turn in a man of the match performance. 15 year olds Coll Mackay and Calum MacDonald started up front for the youthful looking Inveraray side. However Inveraray have young Gregor Mather to thank for some heroic saves to keep the score line at 0-0.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Kilmallie 2 Lovat 3 With the Lochaber second team’s match against their Kilmallie second team postponed, there was a quickly rearranged meeting between the Kilmallie seconds and title hopefuls Lovat seconds at The Canal Parks. The early throw up allowed the players to make the short journey to An Aird to watch the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final between Newtonmore and Kilmallie. Lovat took the early initiative in this noon throw up with top scorer Raymond Rennie netting on 7 and 21minutes. However Andrew Gibb scored twice for Kilmallie, on 29 and 40 minutes, to make it 2-2 at the break. Raymond Rennie’s goals have been so important to the Lovat seconds this season and he made the difference when he claimed his hat-trick to make it 3-2 with just 4 minutes remaining. Lovat stay three points ahead of second placed Lochcarron. The Cabers seconds are seven points off the top but they have three games in hand on the leaders with the sides still due to meet at Castle Leod and Balgate.
Lochcarron 8 Strathglass 1 Second top Lochcarron beat the second bottom Strathglass reserve side 8-4 at Battery Park. The pitch looked in excellent condition after some scarifying work for this match which was punctured by some heavy rain showers. With their first team off to Oban Celtic, Strathglass found their resources stretched and Penri Jones, Eoghan Stewart, Ali Rothe and Colin Birnie, with the latter with the first team, were amongst their absentees. Lochcarron named fifteen players but they were without the likes of Sean MacCuish, Dougie MacKenzie, David Bauermeister and Peter MacKenzie. Niall Arnott drifted the ball high into the net from around 25 yards out to give Lochcarron a 13 minute lead. Strathglass keeper Sasha Pocock then made a good same from a Michael MacMillan shot but MacMillan wasn’t to be denied and he made it 2-0 when he stretched to touch the ball into the net from close range on 23 minutes with the Strath trying to play the ball out for a corner. Some persistent play saw Crisdean Finlayson turn and score with a back-hand strike on 33 minutes, beating the keeper low to her right side. Sasha Pocock then did well to keep out an Angus Urquhart strike from wide on the left, on the clubhouse side. Pocock stretched her leg to the right to keep out Urquhart’s shot, which took a vicious bounce, deflecting the ball away for a corner. Lochcarron, now shooting up the slope, hit both posts in the early minutes of the second half before Michael MacMillan got his second on 49 minutes when he cut into the D and sent the ball low across the keeper and into the corner of the net. Lochcarron were dominant and Michael MacMillan played the ball out to the right side to Liam Arnott who bulleted the ball high into the top corner of the net for the goal of the match on 57 minutes. Michael MacMillan’s return to the side this season has been a boost for Lochcarron and he completed his hat-trick to make it 6-0 on 61 minutes. The ball was played into MacMillan at the edge of the D and he held off a couple of challenges before placing the ball low into the corner of the net, to the keeper’s right. Michael MacMillan got his fourth on 67 minutes and, although Eddie Noble notched a consolation goal for Strathglass on 69 minutes, Niall Arnott got his second on 74 minutes to make the final score 8-1.
Strathspey Camanachd 4 Lewis Camanachd 0 After a run of six home matches, Lewis Camanachd headed for Grantown Grammar School for a1.30pm throw up against Strathspey Camanachd. Strathspey, boosted by their fine performance against the more fancied Newtonmore seconds in their Strathdearn Cup tie earlier in the week, never looked like losing this one. Dane Taylor on 9 minutes and Donald Colville on 21 minutes had the hosts 2-0 ahead. Dane Taylor got his second on 35 minutes and Donald Colville did like-wise just 5 minutes after the restart. Perhaps all their efforts midweek took their toll but Strathspey, with Bruce Grant influential throughout, never hit the heights after that but the win lifts them above Lewis to sixth in the table.
Caberfeidh P Inverness P The Caberfeidh colts clash with the Inverness colts at Castle Leod was rescheduled for Wednesday 15 August 2018.
Beauly P Boleskine P The game between the Beauly seconds and Boleskine at Braeview Park has been rescheduled for Wednesday 8 August 2018.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute 1 Strachur 3 Strachur are just a point away from the Marine Harvest South Division 2 title, and promotion to South 1, after they beat the Bute reserves 3-1 in their noon throw up at The Meadows. The hosts took the lead on 20 minutes with Aiden MacGregor scoring. However Ali Mirlees levelled on 35 minutes to make it 1-1 at the break. It looked as if Bute might have done enough to earn a point but two late goals gave Strachur victory. Steven Wilson scored on 84 minutes to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the game and Ali Mirlees got his second with just 3 minutes remaining to clinch a 3-1 win. Strachur’s final league match is at home against the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds, who are the only other team who can take the title, on Saturday 11 August 2018. A draw will give Strachur the spoils whilst GMA need to win to keep their championship hopes alive. Strachur also have an important Bullough Cup semi-final tie against the Kyles Athletic second team at Tighnabruaich this Saturday.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Glenorchy 1 The Glasgow Mid Argyll second team and Glenorchy have remained on Strachur’s tails throughout the season and, with the games running out, something had to give when the sides met at Yoker. In the end it was three goals late in the game which gave the Glasgow side the points. Seb MacMillan opened the scoring on 19 minutes and the hosts took their single goal advantage into the break. The second half was just a minute old when Glenorchy’s Conor Sartain equalised. Nick Lavin scored to put GMA back in front on 77 minutes. Late goals from Mark Bain on 85 minutes and another from Seb MacMillan with just 3 minutes remaining made the final score 4-1. GMA now know that wins over league leaders Strachur and the Bute seconds would give them the title.
Aberdour W/O v Oban Celtic The Aberdour second team were awarded a walk-over when the Oban Celtic second team were unable to raise a team for their match at Silversands.
Cholmcille Challenge Match ALBA 11 England 1 ALBA beat England 11-1 in their 7pm Cholmcille Challenge match at The Dell on Saturday 28 July 2018. Mark Fraser scored three goals with Lachie Shaw, Jack Fraser and Iain Hunter getting two goals each. Paddy Sinclair and Sorley Thomson got the other goals with Matt Mossop countering for the English.
WCA Round Up With the international preparation sessions taking place, there were a limited number of Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures on Sunday 29 July 2018.
Marine Harvest National Division 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Aberdour 2 Aberdour beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 2-1 in their 1pm throw up at Yoker. Joan Nicolson scored for GMA but Katie Booth’s double gave Aberdour the points.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Inverness 2 Glenurquhart 9 Glenurquhart defeated Inverness 9-2 in their 2pm throw up which was switched to Balgate. Katie McMillian and Hannah Johnson got the Inverness goals but Abi Stoddard (4), Donna MacKenzie (3), Hazel Hunter and Shauna Aris wrapped up the Glen win.
Glengarry W/O v Lovat Glengarry were given a walk-over when Lovat were unable to raise a team for their meeting at Craigard.
Skye Camanachd P Strathglass P Both sides agreed to reschedule the game between the Skye Camanachd seconds and Strathglass for Saturday 11 August 2018.
(All throw ups were at 2pm unless noted differently in the match report) |