The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 30 March 2019 | |
31 March 2019 The first cup action of the shinty season took place on Saturday 30 March 2019.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup – First Round Skye Camanachd 4 Fort William 1 Skye Camanachd were 4-1 winners against Fort William in their 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Padraig McNeil’s late goal earned the Fort a 3-2 win when the sides met in the league a week earlier. Skye co-bosses Kenny MacLeod and Allan MacLeod allowed Ross MacKinnon to travel with the second team so Allan MacLeod went onto the bench. Fort William co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson travelled without Lachie Shaw, Alexander MacMillan, Sean Cameron and Ruaraidh Shaw. Skye started with the wind but the game’s first sight at goal came at the other end when an early Jack Fraser shot forced a fine Ryan Morrison save with his caman, deflecting the ball away for a corner. At the other end, Jordan Murchison lost his marker and spun round but his flick went just wide of the post. Ross Gordon and Will Cowie both twice went close with James Pringle doing like-wise and you sensed a Skye goal was coming. It duly arrived on 27 minutes. Will Cowie won possession and found Ross Gordon. Gordon’s effort was blocked and Jordan Murchison took the rebound to his side before threading the ball home from a tight angle on the left to make it 1-0. Skye were immediately forced to make a change as Will Cowie was withdrawn with a tight calf and Ian MacLellan came off the bench. Skye extended their lead on 50 minutes. The goal came from a set-piece as Jordan Murchison found Iain MacLellan and he pushed the ball goalwards, squeezing it between keeper Paul MacKay’s right foot and the post. MacKay then came off his line to save well from James Pringle before diverting a Ross Gordon shot for a corner with his right foot. It was MacKay again moments later, making a reflex stop to deny James Pringle following William MacKinnon’s corner from the left. Skye brought Will Cowie back on at full forward with James Pringle withdrawn. Fort William needed to score next and they pulled a goal back on 67 minutes when Arran MacPhee, now pushed into attack, swept home at the second attempt following substitute Greg Kelly’s corner from the right. Skye restored their two-goal cushion on 76 minutes. Paul MacKay saved from Jordan Murchison but Iain MacLellan ran in from the left to bundle the ball over the line. The goal knocked the stuffing out of Fort William and it was 4-1 just a couple of minutes later. Will Cowie played the ball in from the left and Jordan Murchison, in a central position, had time to flick the ball in the air before hammering it past Paul MacKay to make it 4-1. Frustrations grew and Fort William’s Mark Grant was sent by referee Calum Girvan shortly after following a tussle with Jordan Murchison who was booked. There were also bookings for Skye’s James Morrison and Fort William’s Lewis Morrison before the end. Skye had a number of good performers including wing backs James Morrison and Martin Pringle whilst the midfield of Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, John Gillies and William MacKinnon showed great power. Sean Cruickshank played well for Fort William; first in midfield and then in defence, and wing centre Lewis Clark was a tireless worker throughout. Skye travel to take on Glenurquhart in the next round.
Caberfeidh 3 Lochaber 2 Caberfeidh had to work hard to eventually see off Lochaber 3-2 at Castle Leod. Stuart Callison put Lochaber ahead on 22 minutes but Ryan MacKay on the half hour and Craig Morrison just 6 minutes later had the hosts 2-1 ahead at the interval. Pat Toal made it 2-2 on 69 minutes but, with just 15 minutes remaining, Caberfeidh’s Kevin Bartlett got the winner. Lochaber were left wondering what might have been had it not been for two early penalty saves from Caberfeidh keeper Ewan Pilcher. Cabers now have a quarter-final tie away to Kilmallie or Newtonmore who meet this coming Saturday.
Lovat 4 Kinlochshiel 1 Lovat were 4-1 winners against 2018 cottages.com MacTavish Cup finalists Kinlochshiel at Balgate. Lovat’s Lewis Tawse returned but was named as a substitute with manager Fraser Gallacher selected an unchanged starting twelve. ‘Shiel boss Johnston Gill had both David Falconer and Keith MacRae back from injury and both started on the bench. Finlay MacRae again up front so Donald Nixon continued at full centre. Kinlochshiel, who had lost 5-0 on the same venue on the opening day of the shinty season, got off to the best possible start. ‘Shiel were awarded a free-hit in the centre circle just after the throw up. Conor Cormack sent the ball the ball dropping into the D and John MacRae raced in from the left and got to the ball ahead of the advancing Stuart MacDonald in the home goal and MacRae flicked the ball into the net to make it 1-0 with just 25 seconds played. Lovat levelled on 34 minutes. Marc MacLachlan gathered Craig Mainland’s free-hit and he found Fraser Heath on the left. Heath picked out Graeme MacMillan whose strike was deflected to MacLachlan on the right and he cut the ball back to Greg Matheson whose first time shot beat ‘Shiel keeper Stuart MacRae low to his right to make it 1-1. With just a couple of first half minutes remaining, Greg Matheson got his second to put the hosts 2-1 up at the break. Graeme MacMillan’s corner from the left was deflected to Marc MacLachlan on the far side. Paul MacRae blocked MacLachlan’s shot but his clearance went straight to Matheson who struck the ball first-time, low across the keeper and into the net. Lovat pressed from the restart and, during the early exchanges, Graeme MacMillan had a chance, Greg Matheson hit the post and Fraser Heath just failed to get on the end of a Graeme MacMillan pass. ‘Shiel’s Finlay MacRae, who had been replaced by his brother Keith MacRae, returned to the field on the hour. At the same time, Lovat’s Lewis Tawse took over from Graeme MacMillan Lovat extended their lead on 73 minutes. Marc MacLachlan and Greg Matheson combined on the left and with Matheson’s shot saved with his feet by Stuart MacRae; MacLachlan was quickly in to turn home the rebound. Lovat rounded off the win with 5 minutes remaining. The goal came following a ‘Shiel hit-in and Marc MacLachlan and Calum MacAulay exchanged passes before MacAulay whipped the ball into the net from a central position. The match sponsors named Lovat's Lorne MacKay as man of the match. Craig Mainland and Daniel Grieve were again excellent for Lovat whilst Greg Matheson and Marc MacLachlan continue to terrorise defences. John MacRae and Jordan Fraser worked hard for ‘Shiel but didn’t see enough of the ball as they would have liked. Lovat can now look forward to a quarter-final tie at Kingussie
Strathglass P Inverness P The tie between Strathglass and Inverness at Cannich was postponed as the funeral of Strathglass player Lawrence Jones took place just 24 hours earlier.
Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Cup – First Round Col Glen 2 Ballachulish 3 Ballachulish edged out Col Glen 3-2 in their all-South Division 1 tie at Glendaruel. Willie MacVicar gave Col Glen the lead on 10 minutes but Dougie Rankin drew the visitors level on 21 minutes. Lorne Brown gave Balla’ the perfect start to the second half when he scored within 60 seconds of the restart. However they were only in front for 4 minutes before Jamie MacVicar made it 2-2. On 78 minutes, Conor MacGregor got the goal that sent Ballachulish through to the quarter-finals where they will face Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker. Col Glen’s Ian Wilson and Balla’s Ally Banks were both red carded by referee Robert Baxter.
Mowi Premiership Kilmallie 0 Kyles Athletic 2 Kilmallie suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 2-0 to Kyles Athletic at the Canal Parks. Kyles went in front on 12 minutes through Ross MacRae. The goal came following a corner and MacRae netted from the edge of the D. The match stayed in the balance until 6 minutes from time. Scott MacDonald cut the ball back and MacRae scored again from the edge of the box.
Inveraray 1 Kingussie 5 Kingussie now only trail league leaders Lovat on goal difference after they came from behind to beat Inveraray 5-1 at the Winterton. The Inveraray supporters were given something to cheer when Garry MacPherson fired them into a 16 minute lead. However it was the Kings, with stand-in keeper Rory MacGregor in goal, who knocked in three goals before the break. Roddy Young levelled on 35 minutes and Ruaraidh Anderson put them in front just a minute later. Savio Genini made it 3-1 just a couple of minutes before the break with a strike on his forehand from the edge of the box. Indeed the in-form Genini, a player who really looks to have his mo-jo back this season, went on to complete his hat-trick a volley on 64 and another on 85 minutes when he won a 50-50 ball on the edge of the D.
Mowi National Division Oban Celtic 5 Bute 4 Oban Celtic recorded their first win of the season when they beat Bute 5-4 in a thrilling match at Mossfield. The Oban side had Ally McKerracher, Andy MacDonald and Lee Askew back but Michael MacKinnon was missing and Neil Carmichael’s return from injury is still several weeks away. Ross MacMillan was free of suspension and he started in defence in place of MacKinnon. Bute also had absentees and they travelled with just twelve players. A large crowd created a great atmosphere and they were treated to an entertaining 90 minutes. The hosts made a bright start and they took the lead after just 10 minutes. As Celtic broke forward, they were awarded a free-hit as Jamie Forgrieve was pushed as he made a great run in an attempt to get onto a ball to the back post. Forgrieve jarred his knee and although he was able to continue, he had to come off shortly after, replaced by Jamie Anderson. The free-hit was played to Ally McKerracher who took a touch and beat his man before rifling the ball home from 20 yards. And it was the impressive McKerracher again on 14 minutes, this time shooting home after Andy MacDonald had won a throw-up 40 yards from goal following an accidental clash. Bute responded immediately and Craig Fisher pulled a goal back just a minute later. Oban Celtic keeper Jack Hill made a save with his feet but was left helpless when the rebound was tapped across goal for Fisher to score. Ally McKerracher completed his hat-trick to make it 3-1 on 24 minutes when he beat his man before scoring following a good run by Daniel MacMillan. Bute fought back and Craig MacKay showed good movement on 27 minutes to get onto Iain McDonald’s free-hit and he blasted the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 3-2 at the break. Oban Celtic, with Andy MacDonald impressing at centre, had the better of the first half but the second period was a more even affair with the Islanders switching John MacCallum to the middle of the park. Bute drew level on 56 minutes with Iain MacDonald making it 3-3 following a hit-in from the left. Bute took the lead for the first time with 20 minutes remaining. Josh Cowan was credited with the goal but there was an element of good fortune as the visitors capitalised on a defensive slip and Oban Celtic keeper Jack Hill made an initial save to his left with his feet but, as he turned to clear, the ball came off his foot and went into the net. Oban Celtic’s response was positive as they pushed Ross MacMillan forward to join Ally McKerracher in attack with Jamie Anderson and Scott Mossman on the wings. The hosts, with John Hill solid at the back, were denied a leveller when Bute keeper Kevin Queen made a brilliant save with his caman to keeper out Ally McKerracher’s shot which was heading for the top corner of the net. It was one of several fine Queen saves during the closing stages of the match. However Oban Celtic weren’t to be denied and Ally McKerracher got his fourth goal of the game on 81 minutes. Rory Bruce played the ball out of defence to George MacMillan. He found Ross MacMillan who picked out McKerracher who scored to make it 4-4. There was still time for a winner and it came from Ross MacMillan with just 4 minutes remaining. MacMillan played a one-two with Ally McKerracher before driving the ball home on the angle to win the game.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Glenurquhart 1 Glenurquhart missed the chance to top the Mowi National Division when they drew 1-1 with Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker. GMA manager Mark Bain was without John Don MacKenzie who was on holiday. Glen co-managers Stuart MacKintosh and Eddie Tembo travelled without five players including Ewan Brady, James MacPherson and Neale Reid. The hosts made a bright start with John Sweeney impressive, and they took the lead on 21 minutes. The ball broke to Calum McLay who tussled with his marker before firing a shot into the back of the net. GMA would have loved a second goal but they found Stuart MacKintosh in the visiting goal to be a significant barrier. When Glenurquhart did press, they found Ryan Harrison and Jonnie MacAskill to be formidable in the home defence. However the leveller came with 15 minutes remaining. The ball came to Connor Golabek from a hit-in and although GMA keeper Robert Dunnings got a hand to Golabek’s shot, the ball spun high into the net.
Mowi North Division 1 Glengarry 2 Glenurquhart 4 Ewan Brady inspired the Glenurquhart second team to a 4-1 win over former club Glengarry at Craigard. The hosts opted to play against the wind in the first half but it was the Glen who almost went ahead after 5 minutes when Ewan Brady found himself free on the left and he sent a screaming shot goalwards which home keeper Gordon MacDonald not only managed to save with his stick but he also managed to clear to safety. ‘Garry took the lead on 11 minutes. Nick Dalgety managed to get away from his marker, Cameron MacKintosh, which didn’t happen too often in the game, and he ran into the D where he was obstructed by Euan Lloyd. Referee John Angus Gillies pointed to the spot and Raymond Robertson stepped up to strike the spot-hit high into the net. The next chance fell to Ewan Brady and, from 20 yards range; his shot went narrowly by the post. The Glen should have levelled on 23 minutes. Home keeper Gordon MacDonald came off his line in an attempt to clear a ball into the D. However the ball fell nicely for Bradley Dickson who only had to tap the ball into the net but he missed the target. With young Finlay Ralston having a good game at full centre and Cameron MacKintosh denying ‘Garry danger-man Nick Dalgety any space, the Glen levelled on the stroke of half-time. Ewan Brady was fouled as the Glen attacked but referee Gillies played advantage and Brady took a shot from 15 yards which keeper MacDonald saved but the rebound fell inside the D where Bradley Dickson had the simple task of knocking the ball into the empty net, atoning for his earlier miss. Glenurquhart took the lead a couple of minutes into the second half. Finlay Ralston ran from the halfway line, riding a couple of tackles with advantage again played, before flicking the ball past Matthew Ross and young Lewis MacDonald found space outside the D to slam the ball past the helpless keeper. The visitors increased their lead on 75 minutes when the skilful Ewan Brady won the ball 25 yards out and he looked up before hitting a perfect shot into the top corner of the net. Glenurquhart went 4-1 ahead from the throw up. Lewis MacDonald won the ball on the right from the centre and he played an inch-perfect ball towards Donnie MacLennan, who proved a handful for Matthew Ross since his introduction 10 minutes before the break. MacLennan turned Ross and hit a low shot past the keeper on his right side. The game began to get feisty and Bradley Dickson and Stuart Sloss were both booked. ‘Garry scored their second goal on 87 minutes when the Glen defence failed to clear the ball and Ruthven Goudie-Hamilton sent an 18 yard shot past the keeper to make the final score 4-2. Cameron MacKintosh was influential for Glenurquhart, shadowing Nick Dalgety, whilst full centre Finlay Ralston was the man of the match. Euan Brady was strong and skilful up front for the Glen whilst Euan Lloyd was solid at full back. ‘Garry’s Rhuairaidh MacDonald was one of few ‘Garry players who showed the required level of urgency over the 90 minutes.
Aberdeen University 2 Skye Camanachd 4 The Skye Camanachd second team notched their first win of the season, beating Aberdeen University 4-2 at Balgownie. New Skye Camanachd co-player / manager Daniel Morrison led by example with strikes on 14 and 18 minutes. Aberdeen’s Jamie Beaton pulled a goal back on 40 minutes and Stuart Cameron made it 2-2 on 68 minutes. However Skye scored twice in the final 15 minutes to win the game. Youngster Archie MacDonald grabbed his first goal at reserve team level on 75 minutes and Daniel Morrison completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes to make it 4-2.
Kingussie 3 Fort William 0 The match between the Fort William colts and the Kingussie colts was switched from An Aird to the Dell midweek. Calum Miller put the Kings ahead on 17 minutes with the only goal of the first half. And it remained 1-0 until 77 minutes when Ryan Borthwick added a second. Jordan Reid rounded off the 3-0 win a couple of minutes from time.
Newtonmore 4 Lovat 1 Reigning champions, the Newtonmore reserves, got their season underway with a 4-1 victory over an under-strength Lovat reserves at the Eilan. ‘More’s Conor Jones got the opener on 29 minutes and he added a second on the stroke of half-time. Ewan Fraser, back for ‘More after a spell abroad, marked his return with a goal on 53 minutes and David MacLean, a couple of minutes later, put ‘More out of sight. The ever-green James Gallacher’s 76 minute goal was some consolation for Lovat.
Kinlochshiel P Caberfeidh P The match between the Kinlochshiel seconds and the Caberfeidh seconds was postponed on Friday as Kirkton was unplayable.
Mowi South Division 1 Kyles Athletic 3 Inveraray 0 The Kyles Athletic second team got their season underway with a 3-0 triumph over the Inveraray second team at Tighnabruaich. This was also a first game for the Inveraray seconds and the derby meeting was always going to be a keenly contested match. Inveraray’s new side took time to find their feet and, as they settled, it took some good, clean hitting from the Kyles Athletic backline to suppress some nice attacking play from visiting forwards. However it was Kyles who made the breakthrough on 14 minutes when, after some neat play, the ball broke to Jack Whyte and he drove home from an angle, 20 yards out. Undeterred, Inveraray had their best period of the match, linking well up front and looking solid at the back with Kenny Kirkhope and Andrew Fraser in particular playing well. However the visitors were caught out on the stroke of half-time as an unmarked Luke Thornton made it 2-0, driving high into the roof of the net from 20 yards out to give his side a cushion. Luke Thornton got his second on 56 minutes and there was no way back for the Royal Burgh side.
Aberdour 6 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Aberdour were too strong for the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team, winning 6-1 at Silversands. The hosts, missing regulars Ali Abbott, Ruairidh Drake-Reid and Craig Grant, who served the second match of a two-game ban, took the lead through Alec Mitchell on 9 minutes. However former Lochcarron player Matthew Young was left unmarked to level just 5 minutes later. Aberdour’s David McDougal then made his mark, grabbing a hat-trick with goals on 24, 28 and 43 minutes to make it 4-1 at the interval. Alec Mitchell added a fifth, finishing off a good move just a couple of minutes into the second half. Alec Mitchell got his hat-trick goal on 71 minutes to make the final score 6-1.
Mowi North Division 2 Strathspey Camanachd 5 Kilmallie 0 Strathspey Camanachd beat the Kilmallie second team 5-0 at Grantown Grammar School. Martin Ross scored on 27 minutes and again on 30 minutes to give Strathspey an early advantage and Arron McBain’s 42 minute goal made it 3-0 at the break. Dane MacPherson added a fourth on 77 minutes with Martin Ross completing his hat-trick just 3 minutes later.
Inverness 3 Lochcarron 4 Lochcarron saw off a determined fight-back before beating the Inverness seconds 4-3 at the Bught Park. Gregor Cushnie scored on 15 and 27 minutes and when David Bauermeister added a third on 33 minutes, Lochcarron already looked good for the win. However Finlay Calder pulled a goal back goal back just a minute later and it stayed 3-1 until the break. Paul O’Parka made it 3-2 on 53 minutes and when Finlay Calder got his second on the hour, it was all to play for. The score remained 3-3 until 3 minutes from time when Lochcarron’s Alasdair Shillaker came up with the winner.
Beauly 3 Lewis Camanachd 1 Duncan Anderson gave the Beauly second team a 9 minute lead against Lewis Camanachd at Braeview Park Kyle MacDonald added a second although Lewis, who had their fair share of the game, pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Beauly’s Farquhar MacRae sealed the 3-1 win with 20 minutes remaining.
Boleskine P Strathglass P Boleskine’s match against the Strathglass second team at Smith Park was postponed.
Mowi South Division 2 Bute 3 Ardnamurchan 1 Ben Clarke scored twice as the Bute colts defeated Ardnamurchan 3-1 at The Meadows. Ian Crawford got the other with Ard’s Craig MacDonald countering.
Oban Celtic P Aberdour P Both sides agreed to reschedule the match between the Oban Celtic seconds and the Aberdour seconds at Ganavan.
WCA Round Up There were several Women’s Camanachd Association league fixtures over the course of the weekend.
Mowi National Division Glenurquhart 5 Ardnamurchan 0 The league’s two newly promoted sides, Glenurquhart and Ardnamurchan, met at Blairbeg. Goals from Claire Hannon (2), Donna Mackenzie, Hazel Hunter and Abi Stoddart gave the Glen a 5-0 win.
Mowi North Division 2 Skye Camanachd 5 Lochaber 2 The Skye Camanachd Ladies second team beat the Lochaber second team 5-2 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Abby MacLean scored all five goals with Claire Delaney, Carla Berardelli replying. Lochaber had both Ann Cameron and Jean Campbell playing their first game for the side.
Glengarry 5 Kinlochshiel 4 The match between Kinlochshiel and Glengarry was switched from Kirkton to Craigard with ‘Garry running out 5-4 victors. An Eilidh MacInnes hat-trick and Isabelle MacKenzie counted for ‘Shiel but Leona Falconer’s double and strikes from Isla Mackay, Elaine Cameron and Nikki Grant gave ‘Garry the win.
Inverness 1 Fort William 5 Fort William were 5-1 victors against Inverness at the Bught Park Zoe Smith and Leah Maxtone hit doubles with Beth MacDonald getting the other. Amber Mackay got the Inverness goal.
Strathglass 1 Lovat 5 Lovat beat Strathglass 5-1 at Cannich Freya Strachan netted for the hosts but Fiona Urquhart’s hat-trick and Holli Sneddon’s double gave Lovat the points.
Mowi South Division 2 Oban Lorn 0 Ardnamurchan 7 Hannah MacDonald capped a terrific performance by scoring all seven goals as the Ardnamurchan second team won 7-0 at Oban Lorn.
Dunadd 13 Tayforth 1 Dunadd were too strong for Tayforth, winning 13-1 at MacRae Park. Eilidh Cameron was the weekend’s top scorer with ten goals. Grace Drummond grabbed a hat-trick and Rosie Holligan got the other. |