The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 29 July 2017 | |
30 July 2017 The Marine Harvest Premiership title race took another twist and the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup between Lochside Rovers and the Kingussie second team was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch following the shinty action on Saturday 29 July 2017.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final Lochside Rovers P Kingussie P There was disappointment for Lochside Rovers and the Kingussie second team as the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup was postponed at 11am on the morning of the game as An Aird was waterlogged. Despite a major effort from the Fort William ground staff, the heavy rain over the previous 24 hours left too much water on the surface.
Marine Harvest Premiership Kyles Athletic 2 Kinlochshiel 2 Title hopefuls Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic were scheduled to meet at Kirkton and a Friday evening pitch inspection ruled the game on. However, the heavy overnight rain left the field unplayable so the match was reversed to Tighnabruaich on Saturday morning with a 4pm start. Injury continued to rule out Kyles’ Innes MacDonald whilst Dunkie Kerr was on holiday. However, Cammy Keith was able to take up a place on the bench after injury and he came on in the second half. Kinlochshiel’s Colin MacDiarmid sat out the final match of his five-game suspension. Gordy MacDonald’s knee injury means he will struggle to play again this season but Oliver MacRae returned. Kinlochshiel took the lead after 5 minutes. John MacRae collected the ball in a lot of space and he drilled a shot into the bottom corner of the net. Having scored early in the first half, Kinlochshiel started the second period in a similar fashion. John MacRae played in a good through-ball and Jordan Fraser slipped it past keeper John Whyte to make it 2-0 with 48 minutes played. Kinlochshiel claimed for a penalty soon after when John MacRae went down inside the D but referee Lachie Wood turned away their pleas. Kyles Athletic talisman Roddy MacDonald started the match in defence but was moved up front at the hosts attempted to mount a comeback. Grant Irvine halved the deficit on 82 minutes. ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy made a good, low save and the ball bounced through a few players to Grant Irvine around the penalty spot and he struck it low and hard, through a ruck of players, into the bottom right corner of the net. Kyles continued to press, forcing a series of corners, and Scott Kennedy had to twice come off his line to foil both Roddy MacDonald and Scott MacDonald in one-on-one situations. Kennedy came to the rescue again as the match moved into injury time when he saved from Robbie MacLeod but the ball found its way to an unmarked Sandy MacKenzie at the edge of the D and he smashed a shot into the bottom right corner of the net to make it 2-2. The share of the spoils means Kinlochshiel stay two points clear of Kyles at the top of the table but the Tighnabruaich men have a game in hand. Newtonmore, now just three points behind Kyles, are also very much in the mix. Both Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic look forward to home games this coming weekend with Kinlochshiel hosting Kilmallie at Kirkton and Kyles welcoming Lochaber to Tighnabruaich.
Newtonmore 6 Kilmallie 0 Newtonmore extended their winning run to seven matches by beating bottom side Kilmallie 6-0 at The Eilan. The venue was switched on Saturday morning after heavy rain left The Canal Parks unplayable. Injury deprived Newtonmore of Drew MacDonald and Chris Sellar and Evan Menzies served the second game of his two-match ban. However Paul MacArthur and David MacLean were able to take up places on the substitutes’ bench. Kilmallie defender Peter Carmichael returned after suspension and Steven Stewart was back after injury. However Stephen McAlister was still out injured. Although the outcome of this match was never in doubt, Kilmallie started well; man-marking Newtonmore’s danger-men to good effect. Newtonmore took the lead on 13 minutes. Innes Blackhall gave away a needless free-hit on the half way line. He was penalised for a reckless swing after slipping to the ground. Michael Russell played the free-hit into the Kilmallie goal area where Glen MacKintosh turned his man and unleashed a powerful shot, beating Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies at his right-hand post. Newtonmore started to dominate the centre line and referee John Angus Gillies played advantage following a dangerous swing and, with the ball played up to the home forward line, Jamie Robinson was on hand to score his third goal in two games to make it 2-0 with 24 minutes on the clock. Newtonmore started the second half as they finished the first period and the game was won on 47 minutes when Glen MacKintosh got past a defender before drilling a shot inside the keeper’s left-hand post. Scotland U17 captain Iain Robinson scored the goal of the match on 58 minutes. Newtonmore played the ball out from defence to substitute David MacLean on the right wing. MacLean sent the ball down the line to Fraser MacKintosh who found Glen MacKintosh and he chipped the ball to the back post where the on-rushing Iain Robinson took the ball down, then took it round the keeper and slotted it into the net to make it 4-0. Fraser MacKintosh notched a well-deserved goal on 71 minutes. He put in a tremendous amount of work in the forward line and his efforts were rewarded when he rifled a 20 yard screamer past the helpless Shane Gillies to make it 5-0. Kilmallie’s day went from bad to worse with 4 minutes remaining when defender Peter Carmichael stretched out at a Newtonmore ball into the goal area and inadvertently deflected it past keeper Shane Gillies and into the net. There were a number of good Newtonmore performances throughout all areas of the team. Steven MacDonald and Rory Kennedy were solid at the back whilst Michael Russell and Iain Richardson were excellent in the centre line. International recognition will surely follow for Russell if he maintains his levels of performance since his switch to full centre. Fraser Mackintosh and Iain Robinson caused the Kilmallie defence problems throughout the match. Steven Stewart and Martin Stewart were Kilmallie’s top players on the day. The match was played in good spirits with referee John Angus Gillies keeping his cards in his pockets. Next up for Newtonmore is this Friday night’s Badenoch derby against Kingussie at The Dell. The 6pm throw up will be broadcast live on BBC Alba.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Lochaber 4 Lochaber came out on top against Glasgow Mid Argyll, winning 4-2 in their relegation four-pointer at Peterson Park, Yoker. GMA’s Mark Bain was free to play but he will miss this coming weekend’s home match with Oban Camanachd through suspension. Lochaber’s Stuart Callison collected a one-game ban for a disciplinary points accumulation. It was a wet afternoon in Glasgow with a fairly strong wind but the pitch was in good condition. Lochaber started against the wind but they took the lead after just 2 minutes with Connor Sweeney taking on the wing back before coolly slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0. That was the only goal of the first half but Neil MacDonald made it 2-0 just 10 minutes after the restart when he held off the GMA full back before sending a reverse angled drive past Robert Dunnings in the GMA goal. Brian Slattery pulled a goal back with a shot from deep on the hour mark and an even spell of play followed It was a tough, fair and competitive match with strong tackling from both sides and it was only in the final 15 minutes that Lochaber put the game away. Iain Fyfe made it 3-1 just 10 minutes from time when he collected a reverse pass from Neil MacDonald before smashing the ball home. A second from Connor Sweeney made it 4-1 when he latched onto a long Ryan Johnstone shy before cracking the ball home past a helpless keeper. GMA’s Ewan Murray netted a minute later when his high ball forward looked to be going wide but, with shouts from visiting defenders to leave it, the wind caught the ball and it curled into the net. Lochaber deserved the win but at no point during the 90 minutes did GMA let their heads drop with visiting keeper Callum MacDonald tested on more than one occasion. Lochaber now go above Glenurquhart to seventh in the table and they are level on points with sixth placed Oban Camanachd although they have played five games more. Glasgow Mid Argyll welcome Oban Camanachd to Yoker this coming Saturday whilst Lochaber head south again; this time to Tighnabruaich to play title challengers Kyles Athletic.
Lovat 4 Glenurquhart 3 Lovat twice came from behind to beat local rivals Glenurquhart 4-3 in their 1pm throw up at Balgate. This was the fifth meeting between the sides this season and Lovat’s only victory was a 3-0 success in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup. Lovat boss Fraser Gallacher was back from holiday so took up his customary position in the dug-out and he resisted the temptation to include new signings Marc MacLachlan and Duncan Davidson from Beauly and Bute respectively. Lovat youngster Scott MacKenzie faces a period on the sidelines after suffering a broken wrist and a broken bone in his arm against Newtonmore seven days earlier. Calum MacAulay was also unavailable so Bailey MacKay started with Craig Mainland at full centre. Glenurquhart’s Ally MacKintosh was back after suspension but manager Iain MacLeod was without Fraser Heath, Connor Golabeck, Michael Fraser and James Hurwood. Glenurquhart made a bright start with Oliver Black and James MacPherson both forcing good saves from Lovat goalie Stuart MacDonald. However it was Lovat who went in front on 9 minutes when an unmarked Greg Matheson crashed a powerful shot through the keeper’s legs and into the net. With a wind blowing across the park, neither team were able to grab the upper-hand so it was no surprise when Glenurquhart levelled on 28 minutes. The ball was deflected into the air following a Glen corner and Oliver Black volleyed the dropping ball into the net to make it 1-1. There were a number of stoppages during the first half which didn’t allow the game to get into a rhythm. Referee Innes Wood kept a tight grip of proceedings with Andrew Corrigan and John Barr collecting early bookings. The end to end nature of the contest continued and James MacPherson gave Glenurquhart the lead on 33 minutes. A free-hit close to the penalty spot was played wide to James MacPherson and he sent a first-time shot low past Stuart MacDonald to make it 2-1. Lovat pushed for a leveller and when Greg Matheson found just enough space to get a shot in on 41 minutes, his effort was expertly saved with his right foot by Glen goalie Stuart MacKintosh. Lovat had a great chance to draw level a minute before the break when referee Innes Wood awarded them a penalty after consulting with goal judge Billy MacLeod. Stuart MacKintosh got his hand to Greg Matheson’s spot-hit but couldn’t keep the ball out. However referee Wood, who had signalled for the penalty to be taken, blew again before the ball was hit and booked Lovat’s Lorne MacKay for something he said. Matheson lined up the retake but keeper MacKintosh saved above his head, just to his left, with his club. Lovat found an equaliser on 51 minutes. Greg Matheson’s shot was cleared as far as Danny Kelly, who started at buckshee forward, and he tucked the low into the net from around the penalty spot. Glenurquhart regained the lead on 58 minutes with James MacPherson getting his second goal of the game. The ball deflected high into the air and, as it fell, MacPherson caught it on the volley from a central position 25 yards from goal, and the former Lovat player’s cracking finish beat keeper MacDonald to make it 3-2. Glenurquhart were reduced to eleven players on 63 minutes when John Barr was penalised for a challenge, although the second yellow card may have been for persistent fouling. Lovat struggled to take advantage of the extra player; at times bunching around the Glen goal. They were almost caught out with 15 minutes remaining when Glen broke forward and James MacPherson’s shot produced an excellent Stuart MacDonald save. Just as it looked as if there would be no way through; Lovat found a leveller with just a minute remaining. Glenurquhart had pressed forward, holding the ball up front but a long Thomas Fraser clearance out of defence put the home side on the attack and they took advantage of the space as Lewis Tawse fed Greg Matheson and he beat his marker before running in to touch the ball past keeper MacKintosh to make it 3-3. The goal set up an explosive finish. With the match a couple of minutes into stoppage time, a long, high ball from the Lovat midfield dropped into the Glen defence. A visiting defender went to shy the ball away in the air but was challenged by Greg Matheson. Glenurquhart claimed that the Scotland forward had played the defender’s stick, forcing him to miss the ball. Matheson didn’t stop to debate the matter and, as he turned, he found himself in a 50-50 challenge with Stuart MacKintosh to win the ball. Matheson got there first and he knocked the ball home to make it 4-3. Both camps were spoken to following some feisty exchanges as the referee tried to calm things down and it probably helped that there were just seconds remaining. Had it not been for some dropped points earlier in the season, Lovat could have been part of the title race. Drew Howie did a thorough job at full back, Craig Mainland won a lot of ball in midfield and Greg Matheson’s goals would make a difference to any side. Five successive league defeats have sucked Glenurquhart into the relegation battle. They drop to eighth place, just three points above the relegation zone, and they have played more games than both Glasgow Mid Argyll and Kilmallie. Their youngsters Finlay Robertson and Oliver Black give them hope for the future.
Marine Harvest National Division Oban Celtic 1 Caberfeidh 6 Caberfeidh stay out in front in the Marine Harvest National but they had to come from a goal before beating Oban Celtic 6-1 at Mossfield. This was always going to be an uphill battle for Oban Celtic against a team sitting unbeaten at the top of the table. To make matters worse for home boss Kenny Wotherspoon, he had no fewer than eleven players unavailable; most notably keeper Stephen Davidson, defenders Fulton Ronald, David MacInnes, David Hill and John Hill, midfielder Andy Hunt and forwards Neil Carmichael, Lee Askew and Connor Howe. Caberfeidh’s Ryan MacKay was finally free of his three-game ban whilst manager Jodi Gorski gave a place to former Lovat player Jamie Matheson after some free-scoring performances for the Caberfeidh seconds. Celtic quickly settled into the game and they were unlucky not to take the lead in the first minute when Iain MacKechnie’s 30 yard drive was heading for the top corner only to be brilliantly saved by Caberfeidh keeper Ewan Pilcher. Celtic didn't have to wait too long to take the lead and the goal came when a Daniel Madej through ball found Daniel MacMillan and he shot past the keeper to make it 1-0 with 18 minutes played. Caberfeidh didn't offer much in attack until 32 minutes when a mistake in the home defence allowed Craig Morrison to rifle home from a narrow angle. Cabers took the lead 3 minutes later when Jamie Matheson justified his inclusion by making it 2-1 at the break. Any plans of a Celtic come-back went out the window within 90 seconds of the restart as Martin MacDonald made it 3-1. A glimmer of hope followed for the home side when Caberfeidh’s Martin MacDonald was sent off by referee Calum Girvan; reducing the visitors to eleven men. However despite the extra man advantage, it was the league leaders who galloped away, scoring a further three times. Kevin Bartlett added a fourth on 72 minutes and Jamie Matheson got his second just 4 minutes later. A second from Kevin Bartlett on 82 minutes rounded off the 6-1 triumph. This was Oban Celtic’s heaviest defeat of the season and they’ll look to bounce back this coming Saturday when they head for Pairc nan Laoch, Portree to play second placed Skye Camanachd.
Beauly 2 Skye Camanachd 4 Skye Camanachd kept their title push on track but they had to come from two goals down to beat Beauly 4-2 at Braeview Park. Beauly were without Marc MacLachlan who has signed for neighbours Lovat. Skye welcomed back Ally MacDonald, Gilleasbuig MacDonald and John Gillies who replaced Connor Gilpin and Daniel Morrison who both travelled to Aberdeen with the second team. Beauly had the wind in their favour in the first half and they took the lead after just 4 minutes. Iain MacLeod in the Skye goal made a save but Jack MacDonald struck home the rebound. Ian MacLeod made a couple of good stops from close-range to deny Daniel Lamont before Lamont eventually found the back of the net on 24 minutes to make it 2-0. Skye had their keeper to thank again when he thwarted Colin MacDonald who shot 15 yards from goal. Jordan Murchison was just an inch away from making it 2-1 with the ball going just the wrong side of the post following an Iain Nicolson free-hit into the goal area. However, Danny Morrison did pull a goal back 5 minutes into the second half. The ball broke to Morrison 20 yards out and he hit a half-volley through a ruck of players, low into the bottom left corner of the net. Skye introduced John Gillies for Kenny Campbell who had suffered a head knock. Will Cowie squared the match on 55 minutes when he netted a rebound after Josh Grant had made a good save with his hand to parry a Jordan Murchison effort. Skye took the lead for the first time in the match on 58 minutes when a James Pringle half-volley from the edge of the D went into the bottom corner of the net - off the post – after being played in by Danny Morrison. Robbie Brindle cleared a Jordan Murchison effort off the line and Josh Grant made a save as he was getting back up, keeping out a rebound attempt from Will Cowie. Jordan Murchison sealed the win a minute from time with a back-hand shot from the left; 18 yards from goal, with the ball going in off the post. There were similarities to Skye’s Camanachd Cup visit to Braeview Park earlier in the season when they also fought back from 2-0 down to win 4-2. Skye stay a point behind Caberfeidh but with a game in hand.
Inverness 0 Strathglass 5 Strathglass join Oban Celtic and Inveraray on seven points after they beat Inverness 5-0 at The Bught Park. Suspension ruled out Inverness defender David Campbell whilst Somhairle MacDonald, Daniel Palombo, Davie Glass, Padraig McNeil and Ian Munro were amongst their other absentees. Strathglass defender George Phimister served the second match of a two game suspension. Darren Reid got the visitors off to the perfect start with a goal after just 2 minutes. Inverness player Adam MacMaster put through his own goal on 35 minutes and Strathglass extended their lead 5 minutes before the break when Scott Douglas made it 3-0. A second from Darren Reid on 75 minutes and a Josh Fraser strike 10 minutes from time gave Strathglass a comfortable 5-0 winning margin.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Aberdeen University 1 Skye Camanachd 0 A Gregor Cushnie goal was all that separated Aberdeen University and the Skye Camanachd colts at Balgownie. There was a delay ahead of throw up referee David Mitchell insisted the hosts cut grass on areas of the pitch. David Fraser was missing for the home side as he served a one-game ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Connor Gilpin, Calum Gibb, Daniel Morrison and Ally “Spod” MacLeod came in for Skye in place of David MacInnes, Shockie MacLennan and Calum Robertson. However, Iain Murray was a late injury call-off. The only goal of the game came on 18 minutes. As the Aberdeen side worked the ball down the wing, the Skye defence stopped claiming the ball was out of play. David Duncan played the ball on and it landed at Gregor Cushnie’s feet and he hit it low into the net from the edge of the D. Skye were furious but referee Mitchell waved away their appeals. Aberdeen stay second in the division, three points behind Newtonmore but with a game in hand.
Newtonmore P Beauly P The meeting between the Newtonmore reserves and the Beauly reserves was called off as The Eilan was unable to take two games.
Kinlochshiel P Glenurquhart P The meeting between the Kinlochshiel and Glenurquhart second teams was postponed on Friday when it became clear that Kirkton could not host two matches.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Taynuilt 1 Bute 5 Bute continued to progress up the table; beating Taynuilt 5-1 at The Taynuilt Sports Field. Ian McDonald gave the visitors the lead on 24 minutes with what proved to be the only goal of the first half. Two goals in three minutes left the Islanders in control. Ian McDonald got his second on 52 minutes to make it 2-0 and Graham Fisher added a third on 54 minutes. Euan MacCorquodale, who started the season with Oban Lorn, pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining. However the Islanders benefited when the ball ended up in the Taynuilt net off Taynuilt’s Chris Parr a couple of minutes later and Willie Boag made it 5-0 on 80 minutes. Bute’s climb up the table now sees them move up to fourth position, three points behind third placed Tayforth with a game In hand.
Col Glen 4 Ballachulish 1 Col Glen beat Ballachulish 4-1 at Glendaruel. Donald MacDermid gave Col Glen the lead on 5 minutes and Willie MacVicar made it 2-0 on 14 minutes. Alan Clark pulled a goal back from Balla’ on 20 minutes but a Neily Mcnaughton effort on 28 minutes made it 3-1 at the interval. Conor Kennedy added a fourth on 58 minutes with the only goal of the second half. Col Glen go seventh in the league following the win whilst Balla’ slip to second bottom on goal difference.
Kilmory 3 Glenorchy 0 Kilmory go fifth in the division after beating Glenorchy 3-0 at MacRae Park. Andy Cunningham got the hosts off to the best start with a great strike from outside the box after just 2 minutes. The pitch started to cut up which made it difficult for both teams and there was no further first half scoring. It started to get a bit heated in the second half with some heavy challenges going in. Kilmory got a second goal on 72 minutes to tie up the game. Alistair MacArthur got on the end of a pass just outside the D and he took the ball past his marker and tapped it over the goalie and into the net. Hal Jones showed nice skills to make sure of the win a couple of minutes later. Jones picked the ball up just outside the D, dribbled past a defender and tapped it in at the left hand corner to make it 3-0.
Kyles Athletic P Aberdour P The 1pm throw up between the Kyles Athletic seconds and Aberdour was a casualty of the decision to transfer the senior clash between Kyles Athletic and Kinlochshiel to Tighnabruaich.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Boleskine 1 Glengarry 9 It was top versus bottom at Smith Park where league leaders Glengarry visited Boleskine. The contest went to form with ‘Garry running out convincing 9-1 winners. Boleskine’s Keith Nicolson was free of his two-game ban. Raymond Robertson got ‘Garry off to a flier with goals against his former club on 2 and 4 minutes. Nick Dalgety made it 3-0 on 13 minutes and Raymond Robertson completed his hat-trick on 13 minutes to make it 4-0 at the interval. Raymond Robertson took his tally to five goals with strikes on 49 and 56 minutes and Daniel MacLennan made it 7-0 on 64 minutes. Nick Dalgety got his second on 76 minutes to make it 8-0. There was some consolation for Boleskine when James Anderson pulled a goal back with 5 minutes remaining. However’ Garry had the final say when Daniel MacLennan got his second to make it 9-1 a minute from time. Glengarry lead both the Lochaber and Caberfeidh seconds by six points although the former has two games in hand whilst the latter has three games in hand. If goal difference is to count, ‘Garry did their chances no harm and their goals differential is now a remarkable 80 goals.
Caberfeidh 5 Strathglass 1 The Caberfeidh reserves stay third after they beat the Strathglass reserves 5-1 at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh were missing Jamie Matheson, who was on first team duty, Paul Ross, Paddy Wilson and Brian Mackain and, like Strathglass, they included several talented youngsters. Cabers started well and Stuart Krzyzanowski, who had travelled north form Leeds the previous evening to play in the game, gave them the lead after just 7 minutes. Gavin McLaughlan got in on the act with a 14 minute hat-trick; scoring on 20, 26 and 34 minutes to make it 4-0 at half time. Caberfeidh, who gave a debut to 13 year old Kyles Grant, extended their lead on 70 minutes when a Gavin McLaughlan turn and shot from distance secured his fourth goal of the match. Thomas MacLean pulled a goal back for the young Strathglass side on the stroke of full time.
Inverness v Lochaber W/O The Lochaber seconds were given a walk-over and the points when a mixture of injuries, work commitments and holidays meant the Inverness seconds were unable to raise a team for their game at The Bught Park.
Lewis Camanachd P Lochcarron P The contest between Lewis Camanachd and Lochcarron at Shawbost has been rescheduled for Saturday 2 September 2017.
Kilmallie P Lovat P The game between the Kilmallie reserves and the Lovat reserves was postponed as The Canal Parks was unplayable.
(All throw ups were 2.30pm unless the match report states differently) |