The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 30 April 2016 | |
01 May 2016 Shinty’s Artemis MacAulay Cup took centre stage with all but two of the first round ties taking place on Saturday 30 April 2016.
Artemis Macaulay Cup – First Round Kingussie 1 Newtonmore 2 The first Badenoch Derby of the season brought Kingussie and Newtonmore together at the Dell in the first round of the Artemis Macaulay Cup and this was a close affair. Kingussie were again without Ryan Borthwick, Rory MacKeachan and Calum Grant whilst Garry Munro missed out with a hamstring problem. Fraser Munro was at a wedding although he was listed as a substitute and he made an appearance late in the game. However Louis Munro was available. Evan Menzies returned for cup holders Newtonmore but Norman Campbell was out following his knee operation so Kenny Ross continued at full centre. Fraser MacKintosh and Jamie Robinson were on the bench. Kingussie went in front on 14 minutes with a peach of a goal from Chris Holleysong. His strike flew into the net past a helpless Owen Fraser in the ‘More goal. However Newtonmore got themselves in front when they punished two defensive lapses with two quick goals. First, Evan Menzies collected a pass in the full forward position and he knocked the ball past the on-rushing Craig Dawson to make it 1-1 with 22 minutes played. Then, on 26 minutes, a ball was played across to Chris Sellar and he showed great composure to ride a challenge from Lee Bain before slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 2-1. This was a stuffy match which ebbed and flowed after that with neither side really having the upper-hand. The sides meet once again this coming Saturday on Marine Harvest Premiership duty at the Eilan.
Oban Camanachd 2 Inveraray 3 The surprise result of the Artemis MacAulay Cup first round was Oban Camanachd’s 3-2 defeat to Inveraray at Mossfield. Oban Camanachd boss Iain Hay was without Daniel Cameron who was on his honeymoon. Andrew MacCuish recovered from a knock picked up in the team’s last outing against Col Glen. Inveraray manager Ruaraidh Graham was a number of players short with David MacPherson, Nicholas Crawford, Douglas Dando, Grant Griffin and David Robertson all missing. Willie Neilson got Oban Camanachd off to a great start when he netted with a low strike from 15 yards after just 3 minutes. The home side only stayed in front for a couple of minutes though. Inveraray had a corner which was played to the front post. The ball went past a number of players and took a deflection off an Oban Camanachd defender before falling for Fraser Watt on the penalty spot and although Gavin Stobbart got a hand to Watt’s shot, the power of the strike took the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-0. Inveraray went in front on 18 minutes when Lewis MacNicol went on a run from the wing and he managed to cross the ball into the danger-area. It went past everyone to the far post where Fraser Watt cut it back to Lewis Montgomery who sent a shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-1. Willie Neilson got his and Oban Camanachd’s second goal on 33 minutes. This time Neilson poked the ball home from just a couple of yards out after a scramble inside the D. Alan MacDonald’s switch to full forward has proved profitable for Inveraray and he grabbed the winner on 63 minutes. MacDonald got on the end of a free-hit and he controlled the ball before turning and striking it into the far corner of the net to make it 3-2. Inveraray didn’t have that many shots on target but they were efficient and they took full advantage of Oban Camanachd having an off-day. This was a first blip in what has been a good start to the season for Oban Camanachd and there were harsh words spoken in the changing rooms afterwards with the squad looking to get back on track in the league against Lovat this coming weekend.
Kinlochshiel 7 Fort William 1 Kinlochshiel recovered from going a goal down to beat Fort William 7-1 in their 3pm throw up at Kirkton. ‘Shiel boss Colin Fraser had a full squad to choose from and Finlay MacRae started at full centre, supported by Donald Nixon and Jordan Fraser on the wings, with Duncan “DA” MacRae at full forward. Victor Smith took full charge of Fort William as co-manager Adam Robertson was called up as a late substitute driver to take a group of Fort youngsters, including both his daughter and Victor’s daughters, to a gymnastics event in Irvine. The Fort were also along familiar lines with Calum Shepherd and Steven Stewart supporting full centre Niall MacPhee in midfield. There was an early booking for Fort William forward Graham Campbell after he didn’t heed a warning from referee John Angus Gillies for speaking out of turn. Cal Brown found Bryan Simpson with a free-hit 18 yards from goal but Simpson’s shot went past keeper Scott Kennedy’s right post. Kinlochshiel, hitting down the hill, also went close from a set-piece, with Keith MacRae sending the ball past Paul MacKay’s left post. Fort William took the lead on 18 minutes when Daniel Stewart sprinted onto a ball on the left and he shot low, across keeper Kennedy, into the far corner of the net to make it 1-0. Fort William had their tails up and Scott Kennedy did well to come off his line to sweep away a dangerous ball into the D seconds later. Daniel Stewart went close to making it 2-0 from the same spot as his earlier goal and Cal Brown should have done better from the edge of the D after being set up by Graham Campbell. ‘Shiel fought back and Keith MacRae ghosted in at the back post on 25 minutes to send a ball from the left into the net but the effort was harshly ruled out for offside. Paul MacKay confidently batted away a long Donald Nixon ball from midfield as the home side continued to press. ‘Shiel levelled from a set-piece on 28 minutes when Oliver MacRae slipped the ball to Duncan “DA” MacRae, who had just missed a chance from inside the D, and he sent a great waist-high drive into the net to make it 1-1. Paul MacKay made a fine flying save from John MacRae a couple of minutes later. However he could do nothing to prevent Duncan “DA” MacRae bulleting home a loose ball on 31 minutes to put ‘Shiel in front. Jordan Fraser played in Keith MacRae on 42 minutes but his shot rose over the bar. Play switched quickly to the other end of the field and Niall MacPhee played a long ball forward into the ‘Shiel D but there were no takers and Scott Kennedy watched carefully as the ball went past his right post. The home side notched a crucial third goal a minute before the break when they worked a ball from the left inside the D. Fort keeper Paul MacKay looked as if he would clear the danger but John MacRae nipped in to force the ball home for what was a well-worked goal. Both Finlay MacRae and Keith MacRae, after good play on the wing from his brother John MacRae, had chances early in the second half and the Fort then replaced defender David Wright with Sean Cameron. Kinlochshiel went 4-1 up on 56 minutes when Finlay MacRae ran across goal with the ball and his shot was saved with his legs by Paul MacKay but the rebound fell nicely for John MacRae who got his second goal of the game. Fort William attacked from the restart but Scott Kennedy saved a Bryan Simpson drive with his feet. Then Daniel Stewart shot through a ruck of players but keeper Kennedy diverted the ball with his feet at the expense of a corner. By this time, ‘Shiel had taken Gordie MacDonald on at wing centre with Jordan Fraser moving to wing forward and Oliver MacRae coming off. Ally Nixon then came on for Finlay MacRae as the tie moved into the final quarter. Kinlochshiel added a fifth goal from a set-piece on 68 minutes as Jordan Fraser ran from left to right to get onto the ball and he netted with a good strike. Scott Kennedy saved a Graham Campbell shot with his caman, above his head, a couple of minutes later. The ‘Shiel forward line now consisted of substitutes Ally Nixon and Calum MacLean as well as Jordan Fraser and Duncan “DA” MacRae and it was MacRae who completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes when the Fort defence failed to clear their lines and MacRae cracked the ball into the net from inside the D. There seemed little danger when Duncan “DA” MacRae collected an Ally Nixon pass wide on the ‘Shiel right on 78 minutes, after Conor Cormack had cleared out of defence, and MacRae sent a glorious drive high into the net for his fourth goal of the afternoon which made it 7-1. Fort William made a double switch with Calum Shepherd and Daniel Stewart coming off in favour of Lewis Morrison and Alexander MacMillan. Kinlochshiel had the better of the closing stages without adding to their count and they now await an away day against the winners of the tie between Glenurquhart and Skye Camanachd in the Artemis MacAulay Cup quarter-finals on Saturday 11 June 2016.
Kyles Athletic 8 Aberdour 0 Kyles Athletic ran out 8-0 winners against Aberdour at Tighnabruaich Kyles co-managers Fraser MacDonald and Kenny MacDonald were still without the injured David Zavaroni and Roberto Zavaroni. Innes MacDonald had a foot injury so he started on the bench. This was always going to be a tough tie for Aberdour who have made a superb start to the Marine Harvest South Division 1 season. Boss Lisa MacColl travelled without Alex Mitchell, the injured Tom Abbott and youngsters Jack Mitchell and Craig Grant who were studying for exams. However John Martin Philips declared himself fit despite not yet having fully recovering from a hand injury. Kyles were in no mood to show mercy to their lower league opponents and Sandy MacKenzie on 7 and 12 minutes had them two goals to the good. Aberdour were forced to make a change on 15 minutes when Cammy McCue had to come off, suffering from foot blisters so young Ally Abbott came on to make his debut. The fast, fluid Kyles forward line added to their tally when Thomas Whyte on 24 and Dunkie Kerr on 27 minutes made it 4-0. Whyte’s effort was the pick of the day’s goals as he sent the ball screaming into the top corner of the net. Sandy MacKenzie completed his hat-trick to make it 5-0 on 36 minutes Kyles were forced to introduce Innes MacDonald on 40 minutes when Gordon Whyte sustained a hand injury and the substitute made an almost immediate impact when he sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net at the second attempt to make it 6-0 at half time. The visitors made changes at the break and they came out fighting in the second half. They also had keeper Tom Bowerman to thank for a number of fine stops, particularly from Sandy Mackenzie. However Bowerman could do little to prevent Dunkie Kerr form getting his second goal a couple of minutes after the restart and Roddy MacDonald making it 8-0 on 66 minutes. The match gave the promising Aberdour squad an idea of what they should be aiming at to progress to the top level in the game. Kyles Athletic will now go one to host the winners of the tie between Glasgow Mid Argyll and Ballachulish which has still to be played.
Lovat 5 Lochaber 3 Lovat beat Lochaber 5-3 in what was a thrilling end-to-end encounter at Balgate Lovat manager John MacRitchie was without Callum Cruden and Martin Mainland who both have foot injuries. Ryan Ferguson was unwell so young Scott MacKenzie was pushed forward to wing centre. Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson didn’t have his problems to seek as Brian MacDonald, Neil MacDonald, Zandz Ferguson remained out and Lachie Campbell was also missing with fluid on the knee after taking a knock in the draw with Kinlochshiel a week earlier. Barry MacDonald and Jack Dignan were also unavailable meaning the Spean Bridge side was without an entire defence. Brennan MacDonald, Ryan Johnstone, John Sweeney and Duncan MacKinnon assumed the defensive positions. Pat Toal returned and he started at wing centre. Kevin Ferguson was free to play for Lochaber but he will miss their Marine Harvest Premiership derby meeting with Fort William at An Aird this coming Saturday for exceeding the disciplinary points threshold. Lovat were 5-1 winners when the sides met at Balgate in the Marine Harvest Premiership in mid-March. Wing forward Graeme MacMillan twice went close for Lovat in the opening minutes and at the other end, a 9 minute Ben Delaney shot rose over the bar. A Kevin Bartlett shot was well saved with his feet by Callum MacDonald on 11 minutes and the keeper just managed to get the ball away for a corner ahead on Graeme MacMillan who was quickly closing him down. A nice one-touch move from the Lovat forwards saw the ball passed from Greg Matheson to Lorne MacKay to Kevin Bartlett with Graeme MacMillan just failing to get on the end of Bartlett’s pass. Lovat went in front on 24 minutes when Greg Matheson ran onto a Lorne MacKay pass and he scored from wide on the right to make it 1-0. Ben Delaney shot straight at Stuart MacDonald in the Lovat almost from the restart. Lochaber almost levelled on 27 minutes when there was a scramble at the edge of the D and Craig Mainland had to dash back to clear the ball off the goal line. A blistering Ben Delaney shot was saved with his hand by Stuart MacDonald just 5 minutes later. Lovat doubled their lead on 37 minutes when Greg Matheson thumped a Lewis Tawse pass into the net. The play continued to move from one end of the field to the other and a Ben Delaney effort went over the top with 5 first half minutes remaining. Greg Matheson completed his hat-trick a minute into the second half. Scott MacKenzie won possession in midfield and he played the ball up the wing to Graeme MacMillan. Greg Matheson took MacMillan’s cross first-time for what was a terrific finish. Danny Kelly missed a chance a minute later after he had surged forward into the D. Lochaber pulled a goal back on 49 minutes. Stuart MacDonald saved a Stuart Callison shot but Ben Delaney was on hand to score from the rebound. However Lovat restored their three-goal advantage on 52 minutes when Callum MacDonald stopped a Kevin Bartlett effort and Graeme MacMillan slammed the rebound into the net to make it 4-1. It was game-on again a minute later when Ben Delaney got his second to make it 4-2. After the flurry of goals, the tie got tousy for a stage with both teams knowing that the next goal would be crucial. And the next goal came Lovat’s way on 63 minutes. Lochaber keeper Callum MacDonald came off his line to block a Kevin Bartlett attempt on goal. Graeme MacMillan was first onto the rebound and his first-time shot was heading high into the net. Callum MacDonald and defender John Sweeney both raced back towards the goal line and MacDonald appeared to get the final touch as he stretched to hook the ball away. However the ball fell for Lorne MacKay who netted to make it 5-3. Lochaber made a change on 66 minutes with Danny Delaney coming on for Pat Toal. Findlay MacDonald dropped back to wing centre with Delaney joining the attack. When Ben Delaney played a great pass to Kevin Ferguson on 71 minutes, Stuart MacDonald had to be at his best to keep out Ferguson’s strike. A minute later, Lorne MacKay picked out Graeme MacMillan with a free-hit but the Scotland U21 player’s shot went just the wrong side of the base of the post. Scott MacKenzie and Graeme MacMillan were replaced by Calum MacAulay and Euan Ferguson on 73 minutes. Lochaber’s Stuart Callison beat his man and fed the ball to Danny Delaney on 82 minutes and the substitute scored to make it 5-3. With 3 minutes remaining, Callison then sent a shot wide as Lochaber finished strongly. Referee Archie Ritchie awarded the Spean Bridge side a penalty on 89 minutes when Danny Delaney went down inside the D. Delaney picked himself up and took the spot-hit but Scotland keeper Stuart MacDonald made a cracking save as he stretched low to his right-hand side to turn the ball away. Scott MacKenzie and Graeme MacMillan were best for Lovat whilst Lochaber were well served by Kevin Ferguson, Ben Delaney and Stuart Callison. This was an enjoyable match for the spectators with plenty of goalmouth action. Lovat will now face a trip to the Eilan to play Newtonmore in the quarter-finals.
Bute 1 Oban Celtic 1 (after extra-time - Bute won 2-0 on penalties) The noon tie between Marine Harvest National Division side Bute and Oban Celtic from Marine Harvest South Division 1 at the Meadows went all the way to penalties before the home side came out on top. It was a depleted Oban Celtic squad which made the journey to Rothesay. They were without nine players, five of whom featured in the previous week’s cup defeat to Glasgow Mid Argyll. Work commitments ruled out Rory Bruce, David Hill, Daniel MacMillan, David MacInnes, David Graham and Callum Fox whilst the injured Lee Askew was also out. However Neil Carmichael returned from injury and new signing from Lochside Rovers, Ewan MacCorquodale, was on the bench. The game was evenly contested throughout, with Neil Carmichael, Daniel Madej and player / manager Kenny Wotherspoon all having chances for the Oban side. The deadlock was eventually broken on 77 minutes with Daniel Madej again proving his worth to the Celtic forward line when he put them in front. Celtic thought they had caused an upset and the job was almost done. They kept the ball in their opponents half as the clock ran down. However as the tie moved into the second minute of injury time, Bute won possession and they played the ball up the field. It looked as if the ball would run out of play when Scott Harvey tried his luck from the tightest of angles and the ball looped over Celtic keeper Scott Mossman’s head into the net to force the tie into extra-time. The tired and weary players fought out the extra 30 minutes without any further scoring and referee David Mitchell took the tie to what was to prove to be a controversial penalty shoot-out. Both sides missed their first two spot-hits. Then Celtic missed again and Bute had a chance to go ahead. However Scott Mossman saved Bute’s third effort from Duncan Davidson with his feet but, in the act of saving the shot, the keeper lost grip of his stick and the referee ordered a retake which Davidson scored. An Ian McDonald conversion meant that the eventual shoot-out finished 2-0 in Bute’s favour but they have keeper Kevin Queen to thank after he saved all of Oban Celtic’s spot-hits. Bute will now host Inveraray in the quarter-finals.
Balliemore Cup - First Round Ballachulish 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 7 The final Balliemore Cup first round tie saw Glasgow Mid Argyll beat Ballachulish 7-0 at the Jubilee Park. This was the second times the sides have met at the same venue this season, with GMA running out 4-0 winners in their league encounter on the opening day of the shinty season. Mark Bain was still missing for the visitors but Brian Slattery returned to the squad that beat Oban Celtic in their last outing. Ewen Murray was on holiday and Innes MacDonald was a late call-off. This was Ballachulish’s first competitive match in five weeks and they missed the influence of talisman John MacDonald who started a five match suspension following his red card in their fixture against Col Glen. Scott MacDonald was free of suspension following that game. Garry Luke put GMA ahead on 16 minutes when he ran the ball across the penalty spot before sending a firm strike through a group of defenders, past an unsighted Cameron Sutherland in goal, into the corner of the net. When referee Innes Wood awarded GMA a penalty on 31 minutes, Craig Anderson took responsibility. Anderson didn’t hit the ball as firmly as he’d have liked but the ball evaded the keeper and ended up in the net. Calum McLay sent a rasping shot into the net to make it 3-0 on 39 minutes and that’s the way it stayed until the interval. Craig Anderson got his second on 51 minutes to make it 4-0. Another fierce Calum McLay strike 4 minutes later added to GMA’s tally and youngster McLay blasted home on 68 minutes to complete an impressive hat-trick. Euan Forsyth rounded off the scoring in style on 74 minutes when he took the ball out of the air on his left side before sending a back-hand shot into the bottom right corner of the net to round off the 7-0 win. GMA now have what will be a keenly contested Balliemore Cup quarter-final clash with Kilmallie at the Canal Parks on Saturday 21 May 2016.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup – Second Round Glengarry 1 Kingussie 3 The Kingussie reserves are through to the last-eight of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup after they beat Glengarry 3-1 at Craigard. It was the Kingussie youngsters who got the goals that made the difference. Ruaridh Anderson put the Kings ahead on 9 minutes and a Liam Borthwick strike on 32 minutes made it 2-0 at the break. Roddy Young made it 3-0 on 75 minutes and although Steven Cameron pulled a goal back a minute from time, it’s Kingussie who progress.
Kinlochshiel 3 Lovat 2 (after extra-time) The noon meeting between the Kinlochshiel and Lovat reserve teams at Kirkton was switched to the Bught Park as the west coast pitch was unable to host two fixtures and the Artemis MacAulay Cup tie between Kinlochshiel and Fort William took precedent. Neil Fraser gave ‘Shiel the lead after just 10 minutes with a shot from distance. And it was Fraser again who made it 2-0 with just 5 first half minutes remaining. Lovat had just had an effort ruled out, with the goal judge flagging for offside, when ‘Shiel broke quickly up the right wing. A cross was missed by Lovat defender Sam Ferguson and Neil Fraser had time to steady himself before picking his spot to score Lovat had the wind at their backs in the second half and Fraser Gallagher pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 on 69 minutes when he gathered possession and turned John Don MacKenzie before sending a powerful shot into the net. Lovat equalised with just 6 minutes remaining when Fraser Gallagher slipped the ball to the over-lapping Conall MacIllechiar who fired the ball home from 20 yards out; from almost the same spot as Gallagher’s goal. With the contest tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes, referee John Matheson took the match into extra-time. And it was Neil Fraser who made the difference when he completed his hat-trick on 96 minutes after being set up by Scott MacLean to make it 3-2. A Chris Townend effort hit the post and the ‘Shiel danger-man then forced a great save from Lovat keeper Ronan MacMillan. ‘Shiel looked in control and they could have added to their lead had it not been for some good saves from Ronan MacMillan in the Lovat goal. Lovat came back in the second period of extra-time but it’s the Kinlochshiel seconds who can now look forward to a home tie against the winners of the game between the Newtonmore and Skye Camanachd second teams which takes place in a fortnight.
Glenurquhart 5 Lochcarron 0 The Glenurquhart second team were 5-0 winners against Lochcarron at Blairbeg. The Glen went into the match as favourites, playing in Marine Harvest North Division 1 with Lochcarron in the league below. The visitors were still without Calum Finlayson but Angus Urquhart was back after injury. The Glen made an explosive start to the tie and they were 3-0 ahead after just 10 minutes. Ryan Porter got the opener from close range in the first minute with Finlay Ralston on 8 minute and James MacPherson a couple of minutes later making it 3-0. Cairn Urquhart made it 4-0 on 22 minutes and things went from bad to worse for Lochcarron when they lost Liam Arnott with a knee injury. A second from James MacPherson on 31 minutes made it 5-0. It was maybe surprising that there was no further scoring and it’s Glenurquhart who are safely through to the next round.
Caberfeidh 1 Kyles Athletic 2 (after extra time) The Kyles Athletic colts, who won this trophy a couple of years ago, edged out the Cabers colts after extra-time at Castle Leod. After a goalless first half, Martin MacFadyen gave Kyles the lead after 55 minutes. However a Colin MacLennan goal on 83 minutes meant referee Callum Duff had to take the tie to an extra-time period. The crucial goal came just 3 minutes into extra-time when Rupert William scored to make it 2-1. Cabers tried hard to find a leveller but it wasn’t to be and Peter Mobeck’s Kyles team now have a home tie against Tayforth in the last-eight of the tournament.
Kilmory 4 Oban Lorn 0 Kilmory are through to the next round after they beat Oban Lorn 4-0 at MacRae Park. Alex Cunningham scored twice with Hal Jones and Craig Taylor getting the others. Kilmory will now travel to the Dell to play the Kingussie reserves in the quarter-finals.
Boleskine 1 Beauly 7 The Beauly second team recorded an impressive 7-1 triumph over Boleskine at Smith Park. Marc MacLachlan, who was the match winner against the Skye Camanachd second team a week earlier, scored on 8 and 10 minutes to put the visitors 2-0 in front. Rory Campbell, back in the Beauly side, made it 3-0 on 17 minutes and Angus Renwick added a fourth on 21 minutes. Dickie MacKenzie pulled a goal back for Boleskine on 37 minutes but a Robbie Brindle strike on 44 minutes made it 5-1 at the break. Late goals from Peter Dickson on 81 minutes and Martin Davidson on 89 minutes put gloss on the win. The Beauly reserves have a home tie against the Glenurquhart reserves in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup quarter-finals on Saturday 28 May 2016.
Marine Harvest National Division Beauly 6 Inverness 1 Beauly bounced back from the previous weekend’s defeat to Caberfeidh by beating Inverness 6-1 in their noon throw up at Braeview Park. The result takes Steven MacLean’s side to the top of the Marine Harvest National Division on goal difference. Inverness were without Somhairle MacDonald who continues to be dogged by a hamstring injury. Jack MacDonald has started the season well for Beauly and he put his side in front on 6 minutes with a half-volley from outside the D. Charlie MacDonald drew Inverness level on 28 minutes. However Jack MacDonald got his second with a low, hard shot to restore the home side’s advantage on 35 minutes. Calum Morrison then got in on the act with two quick goals on 52 and 53 minutes. Both efforts from the Beauly forward were tap-ins from inside the D, giving the home side a 4-1 lead. Jack MacDonald completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes when he struck the ball low, into the net. A powerful Jack MacDonald strike into the roof of the net just 3 minutes later – his fourth goal of the game and his fourteenth goal in seven competitive matches this season – made it 6-1. Beauly are now one of four teams – half the division – tied at the top of the table, separated only by goal difference.
Kilmallie 2 Caberfeidh 0 Two second half goals meant Kilmallie beat Caberfeidh 2-0 in their 11am throw up at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie boss Mark MacPherson was without defender Craig MacIsaac who started a two-match ban following his red card against Inveraray the previous weekend. Forwards Duncan Rodger and Ryan Stewart were injured whilst Grant MacKenzie was working. However Scotland international Liam MacDonald started on the bench after an appearance for the reserve side the previous weekend. Ally MacLennan was still missing for Lee Nicol’s Caberfeidh side. Despite the best efforts of both sets of players, there were no goals in the first half. Kilmallie made the best possible start to the second half when Bryan MacKay put them ahead within a minute of the restart. MacKay was played in one-on-one with the Caberfeidh keeper and he slotted the ball home to make it 1-0. Liam MacDonald came on mid-way through the second half and he made it 2-0 on 70 minutes when he collected possession and turned his marker before shooting past the keeper. The win lifts Kilmallie to third spot in the league, behind the top two on goal difference.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Strathglass 7 Fort William 1 League leaders Strathglass showed their title credentials when they beat reigning champions Fort William seconds 7-1 at Cannich. David Balharry’s Strathglass side went into the match having dropped just one point from their opening six league fixtures. Fort William’s Jay MacLeod started a two match suspension following his red card in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup defeat to the Kyles Athletic second team in their last match a fortnight earlier. Barry Phimister and Scott Douglas have been prolific for Strathglass this season and they did the damage once more with Phimister grabbing a hat-trick and Douglas bagging a brace. Steven Hyslop and Darren Reid got the other goals with Seamus Gall getting a consolation strike for the Fort. Strathglass now top the table, three points ahead of the Newtonmore second team although they have played a game more.
Tayforth W/O v Lochaber One of the most intriguing ties of the second round was the meeting between Marine Harvest South Division 2 leaders Tayforth and Marine Harvest North Division 2 leaders Lochaber seconds at Levenhall Links. However there was disappointment all round as Lochaber were unable to raise a team for the game so Tayforth now travel to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic in the quarter-finals.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 3 Glenorchy 2 Lochside Rovers came from two goals down to beat Glenorchy 3-2 at Ganavan. Glenorchy got off to a super start with Dylan Cooke on 4 minutes and Connor Sartain on 8 minutes putting them 2-0 ahead. However Lochside were level by the break thanks to two Lewis Buchanan goals on 11 and 37 minutes. And Lewis Buchanan was the Lochside Rovers hero when he completed his hat-trick on 79 minutes with what proved to be the winner. The 3-2 victory puts Lochside a point clear at the top of the table although they have played two games more than second placed Aberdour.
Inveraray 2 Taynuilt 3 Taynuilt twice came from behind to beat the Inveraray seconds 3-2 at the Winterton. When referee Willie MacDonald pointed to the penalty spot on the half-hour mark, Robert Wood stepped up to convert the spot-hit. However Ryan Gillies equalised just 5 minutes later when he scored from inside the D. Graham MacPherson put Inveraray back in front on 40 minutes only for Liam Higgins to make it 2-2 with a strike from outside the D on the stroke of half-time. The winning goal came on the hour when a second close range strike of the afternoon from Ryan Gillies made it 3-2. Taynuilt now jump to fourth in the table and they only trail third placed Oban Celtic on goal difference.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Kilmallie 0 Aberdeen University 6 Aberdeen University maintained their 100% league record when they overcame the Kilmallie colts 6-0 in their 1.30pm throw up at the Canal Parks. It was a close first half with not much between the teams but the Students grabbed a couple of goals before the interval with Stuart Cameron on 35 minutes and Willie Hunter on 43 minutes both putting away rebounds off the keeper. The Aberdeen side upped the pressure in the second half and player / manager Jamie Beaton made it 3-0 just 10 minutes after the restart after an Alex Duncan shot had been saved by the keeper. Stuart Cameron got his second on 60 minutes after he chased a loose ball which everyone thought was going out of play and he scored from the tightest of angles. Kenny Cushnie made 5-0 on 64 minutes when Alex Duncan knocked down a corner and Cushnie fired home into the roof of the net on the half-volley. It was Cushnie again who rounded off the scoring with just 6 minutes remaining. The goal came following another corner and this time the former Lochcarron player got in front of his marker to score on the half-volley. There were heavy rain showers throughout the game which didn’t help the players and the visitors were delighted to pick up another two points away from home at a place where they haven’t had much recent success. The Granite City side now move to the top of the table, ahead of the Lochaber reserves and Lochcarron on goal difference and they have played a game fewer. Aberdeen University have now averaged seven goals in each of their five league fixtures.
Inverness P Strathspey Camanachd P The match between the Inverness reserves and Strathspey Camanachd at the Bught Park was postponed as the visitors were unable to raise a team. Inverness opted not to claim the points as they felt it would be more beneficial for their young side’s development to play the match so it will be rescheduled for Saturday 4 June 2016.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute 2 Dunoon 0 The Bute second team beat Dunoon 2-0 in their 3pm throw up at the Meadows. Chris McGowan gave Bute a 12 minute lead. And that’s the way it stayed until a couple of minutes from time when Ryan Craig added a second. Bute climb to fourth in the table, behind third place Kilmory on goal difference.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report says differently. The match reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |