The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 3 September 2016 | |
04 September 2016 Kinlochshiel lifted the Artemis MacAulay Cup, Oban Camanachd go second in the Marine Harvest Premiership and Kilmallie extend their lead at the top of the Marine Harvest National Division following the shinty action on Saturday 3 September 2016.
Artemis MacAulay Cup Final Inveraray 3 Kinlochshiel 5 Kinlochshiel made history when they finally saw off Inveraray to win 5-3 in the Artemis MacAulay Cup Final at Mossfield on Saturday 3 September 2016. Inveraray may be playing in shinty’s second tier but this was their second final of the season. They lost out to Kyles Athletic in the Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final and they had been preparing hard for this encounter. Captain Allan MacDonald was free of suspension and he led lead the attack. However top scorer Lewis Montgomery missed out with a broken hand; sustained playing for the South U21 against the North U21 a week earlier. Kinlochshiel went into this 2pm throw up in third spot in the Marine Harvest Premiership and their main absentee was former Beauly defender Conor Cormack who was also out with a hand injury picked up in the Camanachd Cup semi-final defeat to Newtonmore. John Don MacKenzie started in his place. The Oban High School Pipe Band led the squads onto the field and the players were introduced to an official party consisting of MacAulay Association Chairman David Thomson, Graham Mitchell from sponsors Artemis and Argyll & Bute Councillor Roddy MacCuish. Kinlochshiel played with the wind advantage in the first half and they went on the attack from the throw up. John MacRae couldn’t believe his luck when he was allowed to cut in from the right following a second minute corner on the far side but he put the ball past the post on his back-hand. Inveraray were struggling to clear their lines and Keith MacRae made them pay when he put his side in front after just 5 minutes. The Inveraray back line seemed hesitant when given the chance to clear their lines following a Gordie MacDonald flick into the danger-area. John MacRae battled for possession and Keith MacRae swept the ball into the corner of the net; beating the keeper on his left side from 15 yards out. An Inveraray free-hit saw Fraser Watt move the ball to the left but Allan MacDonald’s shot lacked power and Scott Kennedy saved easily with his feet. The Winterton side took encouragement and Garry MacPherson shot just over the top at the second attempt following another set-piece moments later after Allan MacDonald had been pushed. As the final moved to the 10 minute mark, Scott Kennedy saved with his feet following a Jordan Fraser shot from the left. Kinlochshiel had an early grip of the game and Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan made the first of a series of great saves; this one to his left with his caman from Jordan Fraser’s waist-high shot before knocking the ball out for another Kinlochshiel corner. There was a stoppage in play when Garry MacPherson needed treatment to a cut just below his eye following an aerial challenge with John MacRae. MacPherson was struggling to see clearly out of his eye so David MacPherson came on in his place and the final restarted with 20 minutes on the clock. The pattern of play continued with ‘Shiel on the attack and when Jordan Fraser was impeded, Keith MacRae played a short free-hit to John MacRae who ran in from the left but Scott MacLachlan saved with his feet. A second ‘Shiel goal seemed inevitable and it came on 28 minutes. Jordan Fraser played a one-two with John MacRae and Fraser collected MacRae’s reverse pass at the right of the D and he controlled the ball, taking it just inside the box, before slotting it low into the net to make it 2-0. Inveraray boss Ruaridh Graham resisted the temptation to pull big-hitter Allan MacDonald back from the forward line to help out his beleaguered defence and he was rewarded when his team scored twice in two minutes to square the match with MacDonald making a key contribution. Inveraray needed to score next and they did just that on 34 minutes. Allan MacDonald gathered a fluffed clearance out of defence and although his initial shot from the left was blocked, the ball came back to the Inveraray captain and his back-hand effort bounced across ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy and into the net off the far post. The goal lifted Inveraray and they levelled a minute later. This time Allan MacDonald turned provider as he flicked the ball across goal where Fraser Watt got a yard on his marker, David Falconer, and ran to the left before cannoning an unstoppable 12 yard shot into the roof of the net for what was an outstanding goal. And, after all Kinlochshiel’s pressure, it was now all-square at 2-2 with 35 minutes played, a score which seemed more than unlikely just moments earlier. Kinlochshiel returned on the offensive and Scott MacLachlan did well to save a bouncing John MacRae shot and he got the ball away for a corner under pressure from Keith MacRae. Inveraray defender John Kennedy was booked on 44 minutes for holding Keith MacRae’s caman and then throwing the stick away as the ‘Shiel man broke down the right. The west coast side got themselves back in front in first half stoppage time. John MacRae collected a Keith MacRae ball down the ‘Shiel right and he played the ball infield to Jordan Fraser who turned his marker before sending a great, rising shot into the top corner of the net to make it 3-2. With the rain starting to fall, Kinlochshiel wanted their two-goal lead back and Scott MacLachlan saved with his feet from Keith MacRae as the final moved into the third minute of time added on and, a minute later, referee Evan MacRae signalled for the half-time interval. The rain was considerably heavier as the second half started but the pattern of play remained the same as Jordan Fraser sent a shot into the side-netting just a couple of minutes after the restart. John MacRae threaded a precise pass to Jordan Fraser on the right but Fraser’s shot didn’t trouble the goalkeeper. Scott MacLachlan saved well with his hand from Oliver MacRae as the traffic continued towards the Inveraray goal. Inveraray tried to mount an attack and some silky skill from Fraser Watt down the right flank almost created a chance. ‘Shiel’s John Don MacKenzie took a blow to the face in a midfield tussle with David Robertson with the match officials all missing the incident. Inveraray made a second change as Ally MacDonald was withdrawn in favour of player / manager Ruaridh Graham before play restarted. Keeper MacLachlan some-how kept out a John MacRae shot from the edge of the D. The ball deflected off the keeper’s heel for a corner and could easily have ended up in the net. The rain had abated but there was no relief for the Inveraray defence and John MacRae teed up Jordan Fraser but MacLachlan saved with his feet and Inveraray scrambled the ball out for a corner. Scott MacLachlan then made a superb save with his stick from Keith MacRae with Ally Munro getting the ball away to safety. There was a first Inveraray shot at goal of the second half on 69 minutes when Scott Kennedy saved Allan MacDonald’s strike with his feet. Kinlochshiel just couldn’t see off Inveraray and a when a perfectly weighted Doulas Dando free-hit was knocked into the ‘Shiel D, John Don MacKenzie brought down the advancing Lewis MacNicol and referee Evan MacRae pointed to the penalty spot. Fraser Watt kept his nerve and dispatched the penalty with style, to the right of a diving Scott Kennedy, and it was 3-3 after 71 minutes. ‘Shiel boss Colin Fraser made his first changes of the match and a double substitution saw Duncan “DA” MacRae and Calum MacLean replace Jordan Fraser and David Falconer. A nice Inveraray passing move saw Ruaridh Graham play the ball to Lewis MacNicol on the left and he crossed to Allan MacDonald but a blocking challenge prevented him getting any power in his shot and Scott Kennedy saved with his feet. Inveraray made another switch as Grant Griffin came on for Douglas Dando with 13 minutes remaining. Scott MacLachlan came off his line to thwart Duncan “DA” MacRae but Kinlochshiel went back in front from the resultant corner when the ball fell kindly for Oliver MacRae and, to the delight of the ‘Shiel support, he struck the ball inside the post to make it 4-3 with 10 minutes remaining. A Scott MacLachlan double-save denied both Duncan “DA” MacRae and Keith MacRae and Douglas Dando came back on for Ross Montgomery before the resultant corner could be taken. Kinlochshiel had one hand on the cup on 83 minutes when Keith MacRae latched onto a ball poked through by Oliver MacRae and his strike partner sent the ball low into the net from the edge of the D, past a helpless keeper. It was Keith MacRae’s last action of the match as he was replaced by Alasdair Nixon. There was still time for Scott MacLachlan to save from Alasdair Nixon before referee Evan MacRae sounded the final whistle, after playing a couple of minutes of stoppage time, to give Kinlochshiel a deserved success. There was no surprise when Inveraray goalie Scott MacLachlan was named man of the match award. He deserved the accolade although Jordan Fraser, Keith MacRae and John MacRae deserve mention in despatches. All that remained was for Graham Mitchell from sponsors Artemis to make the official presentation and David Falconer became the first-ever Kinlochshiel captain to lift a senior trophy as he held aloft the MacAulay Cup.
Marine Harvest Premiership Kyles Athletic 1 Oban Camanachd 2 The match between Kyles Athletic and Oban Camanachd at Tighnabruaich was played on Wednesday 31 August 2016 with a 6.45pm throw up and it’s the Oban side who go second in the table courtesy of a 2-1 win. Kyles co-managers Fraser MacDonald and Kenny MacDonald had a number of selection headaches ahead of the game. Grant Irvine remained on the injury list whilst Dunkie Kerr, Andrew King, Donald Irvine, Robbie MacLeod and David Zavaroni were all missing. A number of second team youngsters were given the chance to shine and the re-jigged team saw Scotland U21 player Innes MacDonald line-up in the unusual role of half back and he settled into the game well in his new position. Oban Camanachd manager Iain Hay remained without defender Garry Lord who served the final match of a four game ban. Hay will be able to give Lord some game time this coming Saturday in the league meeting with Fort William at Mossfield, with the Camanachd Cup Final against Newtonmore coming just seven days later. Oban Camanachd took the lead on 32 minutes. The ball was played up the line to Andrew MacCuish who flicked it forward to Daniel MacVicar and he beat marker Callum Miller with his first touch before turning and smashing the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-0. Kyles Athletic were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when referee Lachie Wood penalised Ross MacMillan for pushing Sandy MacKenzie in the back inside the D before he could get a shot away. Roddy MacDonald converted the spot-hit to make it 1-1. There was controversy on 75 minutes when Oban Camanachd made strong claims for a penalty. Referee Wood waved aside their claims and they had to settle for a corner instead. However they jeers turned to cheers seconds later as the resultant corner was played into the edge of the D where there was a battle for possession. Andrew MacCuish took a shot on his right side which was blocked but he then scored on the rebound on his back-hand, sending the ball under Kyles keeper John Whyte to make it 2-1. The win means Oban Camanachd go second in the league, two points ahead of third placed Kinlochshiel with each side having four more league games remaining. However Newtonmore are two points clear at the top of the table and they have two games in hand.
Kyles Athletic 5 Glenurquhart 2 Kyles Athletic’s second home game in a four day period was a 1.30pm throw up against Glenurquhart at Tighnabruaich where four-goal Roddy MacDonald helped them to a 5-2 win. Grant Irvine was still amongst the Kyles absentees but Robbie MacLeod was back for this one. Glenurquhart had to make a change between the sticks as regular keeper Stuart MacKintosh went over his knee in training so second team goalie Cameron MacLennan was promoted. This could pose the Glen a problem this coming Saturday if MacKintosh hasn’t recovered as MacLennan will be required for the Glenurquhart second team who play Lochcarron in the Strathdearn Cup Final at Castle Leod. Fraser Heath was back but David Smart remained on the injury list. Roddy MacDonald put Kyles in front on 36 minutes but when Stuart Reid levelled on 44 minutes; it looked as if the sides would go into the break on level terms. However Roddy MacDonald got his and Kyles second on the strike on the stroke of half time to put the home side 2-1 in front. Two goals in a couple of minutes gave Kyles a comfortable 4-1 lead as Roddy MacDonald completed his hat-trick on 58 minutes with Sandy MacKenzie firing home a minute later. Andrew Corrigan reduced the deficit on 81 minutes but Roddy MacDonald capped a fine individual performance when he made it 5-2 with his fourth goal of the afternoon a minute later. Kyles stay fourth in the table whilst the Glen stay seventh, two points above Lochaber but they have played a game more. Skye trail Lochaber by a point but they have a game in hand on the Spean Bridge men.
Newtonmore P Skye Camanachd P The match between Newtonmore and Skye Camanachd at the Eilan was postponed at Skye’s request following the passing of Tommy Wilson whose funeral was on the Saturday afternoon. The match has been rescheduled for Saturday 29 October 2016.
Marine Harvest National Division Caberfeidh 1 Kilmallie 4 Kilmallie extended their lead at the top of the Marine Harvest National Division when they came from a goal down to beat Caberfeidh 4-1 in their 3pm throw up at Castle Leod. Kilmallie were without the suspended Duncan Rodger and Jordan MacPhee whilst Stephen McAllister and Ryan Stewart were also missing. Kilmallie fell behind to a Craig Morrison goal on 16 minutes. It was a very good strike but a Blair Morrison own goal on 37 minutes ensured the sides finished the first half on level terms. Kilmallie dominated in the second half and Bryan MacKay put them ahead for the first time in the game on 57 minutes. Liam MacDonald on 65 minutes and Michael Rodger on 75 minutes gave the Canal Parks side the points from a 4-1 win. League leaders Kilmallie are now two points ahead of second placed GMA with both teams having three games remaining. Inveraray are a point behind GMA in third spot but they have played a game more. The top three are all at home this coming Saturday. Kilmallie host Ballachulish, where victory will secure one of the two promation places to next season's top flight, GMA host Bute and Inveraray host Beauly.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Beauly 2 Beauly twice came from behind to earn a share of the points in a 2-2 draw with second placed Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker. Both teams were affected by suspension as Finlay MacMillan missed out for GMA whilst Beauly were denied the services of top scorer Jack MacDonald and defender Ryan MacKay. Calum McLay gave GMA a 15 minute lead but Conor Ross levelled on 23 minutes. John McNulty put the Glasgow side back in front on 54 minutes but Beauly equalised for a second time with 15 minutes remaining with Sandy Elrick on target. This was an end to end encounter with both keepers in good form. The match was played in good spirit and both teams had chances to win and although the final outcome was a fair result, it probably didn’t suit either side.
Bute 1 Inverness 1 Two goals late in the match saw Bute and Inverness draw 1-1 at the Meadows. Inverness found their resources stretched with both their teams visiting islands on the same day – their seconds were in Lewis. They travelled to Bute with just twelve players and defender David Campbell was amongst their absentees as he started a five game ban which will carry forward into next season. The visitors took the lead on 78 minutes when James Cameron got the ball with his back to goal around the penalty spot. Cameron turned the full back and sent a rocket shot high, just inside the keeper’s left-hand post. However Bute equalised just a couple of minutes later when James Craig slipped home a loose ball just inside the D, taking a heavy challenge from Inverness stand-in keeper Craig Nicholson – who had played well throughout - in the process. Inverness appealed for offside but referee Ewan MacDonald waved away their claims. This was the final match of the season for Inverness who remain seventh, a point behind sixth placed Bute who have one match remaining, away to title hopefuls Glasgow Mid Argyll this coming Saturday.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Lovat 1 Newtonmore 10 The Newtonmore seconds showed no sign of slipping up in their title quest as they brushed aside the Lovat seconds 10-1 at Balgate. Conor Jones gave ‘More a 5 minute lead and Iain Robinson made it 2-0 on 25 minutes. Conor Jones then went on to complete a first half hat-trick with strikes on 30 and 40 minutes to make it 4-0 at the turnaround. Iain Robinson got his second 5 minutes after the restart and Duncan Gorman made it 6-0 on 57 minutes. Craig MacLeod added his name to the scoresheet on 69 minutes before Iain Robinson completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes. Lovat, with first manager John MacRitchie in their side, found the target through Graeme MacMillan a minute later. Cameron MacMillan sent a corner bouncing through to Daniel Stewart who slipped the ball to Graeme MacMillan and he sent a 20 yard shot into the keeper’s bottom left-hand corner of the net. Newtonmore had the final say though as a fourth goal from Iain Robinson on 85 minutes and a second from Duncan Gorman a couple of minutes from time rounded off the 10-1 win. Newtonmore now only need three points from their last three matches to win the league.
Glenurquhart 2 Strathglass 1 The Glenurquhart reserves warmed up for this weekend’s Strathdearn Cup Final with an impressive 2-1 win over second placed Strathglass at Cannich. Darren Reid settled Strathglass into the match with the only goal of the first half after 20 minutes. However the Glen turned things around after the break and James MacPherson drew them level on the hour mark. Daniel MacKintosh notched what proved to be the winner 8 minutes later.
Kingussie 5 Beauly 0 The Kingussie young guns were to the fore as their colts beat the Beauly colts 5-0 at the Dell. Kingussie left Rory Fraser and Kevin Thain on the bench whilst Ronald Ross didn’t play. Indeed all the home goals came from teenagers with most of the damage done in the first half. Ruaridh Anderson got the Kings off the mark with a goal after 10 minutes and, with Jake MacPherson controlling proceedings from midfield, James Falconer netted on 23 and 33 minutes to make it 3-0. The young Kingussie forward line was sharp and fast and Liam Borthwick added a fourth on 36 minutes. Roddy Young scored the only goal of the second half a minute after the restart The remainder of the game was stop-start with a number of injuries and stoppages which seemed to disrupt Kingussie’s rhythm whilst Beauly stuck in and gave a better showing in the second half. Kingussie are now six points behind second placed Strathglass but they have two games in hand.
Skye Camanachd P Fort William P The match between the Skye Camanachd and Fort William second teams at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree was postponed at Skye’s request following a bereavement. The match will be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Lochcarron 3 Glengarry 2 A storming second half performance saw second placed Lochcarron come from two goals down to beat Glengarry 3-2 at Battery Park. ‘Garry went in front on 19 minutes. Referee Martin MacLean pointed to the penalty spot and Stuart Gregory fired home the spot-hit. Andrew Gilchrist made it 2-0 on 37 minutes and ‘Garry took the lead into the half-time break. The Lochcarron come-back started on 52 minutes when the ball ended up in the ‘Garry net off visiting player Martin Cameron. Sean MacCuish squared the contest on 67 minutes and it looked as if Lochcarron’s dropped point would confirm Aberdeen University as league champions. However Liam Arnott had other ideas and, with just 3 minutes remaining, he scored for the second successive Saturday to give Lochcarron the win. The victory means Lochcarron go into this weekend’s Strathdearn Cup Final against the Glenurquhart second team in high spirits.
Caberfeidh 8 Lochaber 2 Five goals in the last 20 minutes gave the Caberfeidh seconds an 8-2 victory over the Lochaber seconds in their noon throw up at Castle Leod. Robbie Sehar gave the home side a 12 minute lead but they only stayed in front for 3 minutes. Lochaber had Zandz Ferguson in their line-up after a spell abroad and he not only got a game under his belt but he also gave the visitors a 15 minute lead. Colin MacLennan put Cabers back in front and they took the 2-1 lead into the break. Ruaraidh McCreadie made it 3-1 on 54 minutes but Keith Neville narrowed the gap on the hour. Then came the Caberfeidh goal glut. Calum MacKinnon made it 4-2 on 70 minutes and Colin MacLennan got his second a minute later. Stuart Krzyzanowski scored a sixth home goal with 15 minutes remaining and he netted again on 82 minutes with a second from Calum MacKinnon making it 8-2 just 60 seconds later. Caberfeidh stay third in the league whilst Lochaber remain in fifth spot.
Lewis Camanachd 4 Inverness 1 Lewis Camanachd rounded off their season with a 4-1 win over the Inverness second team at Shawbost. Lewis got off to a great start when Scott MacLeod played in Will Church who slipped the ball past the keeper who was sprinting off his line to narrow the angle. Scott MacLeod went close for the home side on more than one occasion before Lewis were forced to make a change. Full back Daniel Gallagher suffered a blow to the face and had to come off. Kenny Murray initially went to full back with Peter Gomez coming off the bench. Lewis extended their lead a minute before the break with Kenny Murray, now restored to the attack, getting the goal. Lewis were worthy of their lead and they made it 3-0 on 52 minutes when Kenny Murray found Ally Lamont with a free-hit and he scored. Stuart MacRae pulled a goal back for Inverness on 58 minutes but it was Lewis who sealed the win on 79 minutes. Peter Gomez played a corner to Will Church and he set up Ally Lamont to score his second goal of the afternoon. Alexander Gordon came off the bench to make his Lewis debut whilst the home side were also able to introduce Ronan Sinclair on his return after surgery. The win lifts Lewis up to eighth place in the league, above Strathspey and Inverness who meet this coming Saturday.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll v Kilmory W/O Kilmory were given a walk-over when the Glasgow Mid Argyll colts were unable to raise a team for their meeting at Yoker.
Tayforth P Bute P The encounter between Tayforth and the Bute second team at Levenhall Links is to be rescheduled. This meant both Tayforth and Kilmory had free Saturdays ahead of this coming weekend’s Bullough Cup Final meeting at Strachurmore.
Dunoon Camanachd P Aberdour P Dunoon Camanachd and the Aberdour reserves have agreed to rearrange their meeting at Glendaruel this coming Saturday.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report says differently. The match reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |