The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 30 May 2015 | |
31 May 2015 Shinty’s SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup reached the second round stage on Saturday 30 May 2015.
SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Second Round Fort William 0 Kingussie 0 Fort William and SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup holders Kingussie will have to do it all over again after they drew their quarter-finals tie 0-0 at a blustery An Aird. A good crowd gathered for this tie and Fort William were without Niall MacPhee so his brother Arran MacPhee took over his full centre duties. They were also without wing centre Calum Shepherd. Kingussie full back James Hutchison was free of suspension whilst Savio Genini recovered from a blow to the leg which forced an early substitution in last weekend’s league win over Kyles Athletic and he played the whole game. The Fort had went into the tie on the back of three successive wins whilst Kingussie were on a six game unbeaten run. Fort William played with the wind at their backs in the first half whilst Kingussie had the elements after the restart and this influenced the flow of play. Each team had had two or three good chances throughout the tie which were either saved by two on-form keepers – Paul MacKay for Fort William made a great save from Rory MacGregor and Craig Dawson for Kingussie who denied Ryan Campbell at the death - or were hot off target. In the end, neither team deserved to win or lose so the sides will replay at the Dell on Saturday 6 June 2015. This means the Badenoch derby between Newtonmore and Kingussie will have to be rescheduled.
Lochaber 0 Newtonmore 4 Newtonmore secured their place in the last eight of shinty’s most prestigious competition with a 4-0 victory over Lochaber in their 11.45am throw at Spean Bridge. The pitch was heavy after the recent wet weather and the clash between the Lochaber and Kingussie reserves the previous evening. The tie came too early for the injured Zandz Ferguson of Lochaber whilst Newtonmore were without forwards Glen MacKintosh and Calum Stewart and injured defender Cameron Binnie. Whilst ‘More may have been without top scorer MacKintosh, Evan Menzies stepped up to the plate and the Birthday Boy celebrated in style with a hat-trick. Menzies got the opener from the edge of the D following a free-hit on 28 minutes and his strike gave Lochaber keeper Calum MacDonald no chance. Menzies gave his side a two-goal half time advantage when he collected a Fraser MacKintosh pass and slotted the ball home with just 3 first half minutes remaining. Evan Menzies completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes and he saved the best fort last as he juggled the ball through the home defence before finding the back of the net. Jamie Robinson’s strong strike 8 minutes from time confirmed a comfortable 4-0 win. So Newtonmore go forward into the SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter-final draw which takes place at the BBC Scotland Headquarters in Glasgow on Tuesday 2 June 2015.
Kinlochshiel 3 Kyles Athletic 5 Kyles Athletic safely negotiated a difficult tie against Kinlochshiel, eventually winning 5-3 win in their 3pm throw up at Craigard. The game was originally scheduled for Kirkton but an unplayable field led to a switch down the road to Glengarry’s ground. Kinlochshiel’s Oliver MacRae served a one game ban for a bookings points accumulation and David Falconer remained on the injury list. However Keith MacRae was back after missing recent games with hamstring injuries. Roberto Zavaroni was missing for Kyles Athletic but Donald Irvine and David Zavaroni returned after missing last weekend’s league defeat to Kingussie with Zavaroni lining up against Mark MacDonald at full centre. An early low shot from Keith MacRae was kept out by John Whyte who has settled in well as a replacement for stalwart Kenny MacDonald in the Kyles goal. Kyles went on to dominate the early stages and ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy made a terrific double-save to keep out shots from Dunkie Kerr and Roddy MacDonald. Roddy MacDonald and Grant Irvine were combining well to cause problems for the ‘Shiel defence. Kyles Athletic went in front on 31 minutes when Dunkie Kerr took advantage of a defensive slip-up and he slotted a low drive past a helpless Scott Kennedy in the ‘Shiel goal to make it 1-0. However the goal was unusual in that keeper John Whyte played a goal-hit to buckshee back Donald Irvine and the Tighnabruaich men continued to play the ball down their left side until Kerr pounced to score at the back post. Keith MacRae had to leave the field with what looked like a recurrence of his hamstring problems and Duncan “Ach” MacRae came on in his place. ‘Shiel had a chance to level just before the break when Jordan Fraser found Gordie MacDonald around 10 yards from goal but he was unable to get enough power in his shot and keeper Whyte made the save. Whilst Kyles had the better of the first half, the second period was a different affair with both teams playing open, attractive shinty. Dunkie Kerr got his second on 65 minutes when his low 25 yard shot flew into the net to make it 2-0. And then the goals started flowing thick and fast. But before they did, a frantic period of play saw Scott Kennedy made a brilliant save from Dunkie Kerr and Roddy MacDonald and Gordon Whyte also went close. Kinlochshiel full back Paul MacRae came off with a hamstring injury. Alasdair Nixon came on in attack, Duncan “Ach” MacRae came back into midfield and Nathan Whear slotted into the defence. ‘Shiel fought back and Jordan Fraser pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 with a 25 yard shot on 69 minutes. Grant Irvine restored Kyles’ two goal cushion when he made it 3-1 on 72 minutes. Irvine pounced on a rebound after Scott Kennedy had saved with his hand following a corner. Duncan “Ach” MacRae pulled another ‘Shiel goal back to make it 3-2 a couple of minutes later when he sprinted forward from midfield to get on the end of a Jordan Fraser ball. ‘Shiel almost levelled when John Whyte saved from Jordan Fraser and the keeper managed to clear the ball off his goal-line. Kyles always just looked the more dangerous and Gordon Whyte steered the ball into the net at the bear post to make it 4-2 with just 13 minutes remaining. Again ‘Shiel responded though and John MacRae (not Jordan Fraser as has been widely reported) scored just 60 seconds later after a Duncan “Ach” MacRae effort had been blocked and this made it 4-3. Dunkie Kerr sealed the win when he completed his hat-trick with a strike on 82 minutes to make it 5-3 after good lead-up play from Grant Irvine. Kyles took Roddy MacDonald back into midfield and they saw out the remainder of the tie to go into Tuesday’s draw. Indeed it was Kyles who went closest to adding to their tally with Kennedy saving from Dunkie Kerr and David Zavaroni. ‘Shiel’s cause wasn’t helped when they also forward Gordie MacDonald through injury during the second half. Kinlochshiel were well served by Jordan Fraser who scored twice and created several chances up front. Kyles’ Roddy MacDonald was the man of the match and he showed great touches and superb movement off the ball.
Lovat 5 Caberfeidh 0 Marine Harvest Premiership side Lovat beat Caberfeidh from the Marine Harvest National Division 5-0 in their tie at Balgate. Drew Howie returned from injury for Lovat and he took up his usual full back position. Lorne MacKay shook off injury to start at full forward whilst Fraser Gallacher was on the bench along-side Euan Ferguson and Danny Kelly. Cabers boss Lee Nicol continued in their side at full forward whilst Blair Morrison was given a man-marking job on his cousin Kevin Bartlett. This was Lovat’s first home match in almost two months; since they were 6-1 league winners over Kingussie on their own turf. Lovat boss John MacRitchie had to make an early reshuffle when Craig Mainland had to leave the field with a face injury on 10 minutes. Fraser Gallacher replaced him and went to full back with Drew Howie switching to left back and Daniel Grieve to buckshee back. Lovat’s Greg Matheson had a shot saved by Cabers’ keeper Ewan Pilcher on 15 minutes and as the ball spun into the air, Kevin Bartlett did as he often does and ran in and guided the ball in the air into the net to make it 1-1. Lovat doubled their lead on 31 minutes when Ryan Ferguson took a shy from the right and the ball came to Kevin Bartlett who returned the ball to Ferguson and he drilled a fierce shot into the net from 30 yards, wide on the right. It was 3-0 just a minute later. The Caberfeidh defence afforded too much space to Lovat’s Lorne MacKay on the left and as he collected the ball, Ewan Pilcher rushed out of goal but MacKay calmly guided the ball past him into an empty net with Lewis Tawse rushing in to make sure ball crossed the goal line. Cabers made a change at the start of the second half with Jamie MacKintosh a direct replacement for Ruaridh MacLennan at wing centre. Lorne MacKay again found space on the left on 67 minutes and he gathered the ball with his back to goals, turned quickly, and his snap-shot from 18 yards flew across goalie Pilcher into the bottom corner of the net to make it 4-0. Euan Ferguson and Danny Kelly came on in place of Lorne MacKay and Lewis Tawse on 69 minutes, giving youngster Kelly his first shinty appearance this season. Lovat rounded off the 5-0 win just 3 minutes from time. Euan Ferguson took a free-hit on the edge of the D and Greg Matheson was allowed to run forward unchallenged and he scored from inside the box. This was an entertaining game and Caberfeidh gave a good account of themselves in the first half. The main difference between the sides was that Caberfeidh could not keep the ball in their forward line whereas Lovat held the ball up front more often, creating a lot of chances. Cabers youngsters Ewan Pilcher and Blair Morrison worked very hard to keep the score down but Lovat go through to the next round.
Glenurquhart 1 Inveraray 2 Inveraray came from behind to beat Glenurquhart 2-1 in their 2pm throw up at Blairbeg. Arran MacDonald recovered from a knock to take his place in the Glen midfield and they started with the same team which started the RBS MacTavish Cup semi-final win over Skye Camanachd last weekend. Ewan Brady was still out with a calf injury and Ally MacKintosh remained on the bench. Chris Crawford returned to the Inveraray squad after scoring for the reserves last weekend on his comeback from injury. David MacPherson was also back after missing the defeat to Kyles Athletic in the senior teams last outing a fortnight earlier. Both Crawford and MacPherson joined Ally MacDonald on the Inveraray substitute’s bench. Inveraray had a mini-crisis to contend with mid-journey when they realised they had left their strips at the Winterton. However they stopped off at An Aird and borrowed a spare set of Fort William strips and that is what they played in. The visitors suffered a blow when forward Grant Griffin went over his ankle early in the match and he had to be replaced by Chris Crawford. Glen captain Andrew Corrigan gave his side a 23 minute lead when his shot went through Inveraray keeper Graham MacPherson’s legs and the home side were the better team in the first half and could and should have added to their tally. However Inveraray started the second half well and they levelled on 53 minutes. The Glen defence failed to clear the ball properly and a sweet strike from distance from Inveraray substitute David MacPherson flew into the postage stamp corner of the net to make it 1-1. The goal galvanised Inveraray and Stuart MacKintosh in the Glen goals made some great saves. Inveraray’s two-two formation in attack drew Glen defenders Lewis MacLennan and John Barr out of their central positions and it was clear the next goal was going to be crucial. The winning goal came on 81 minutes when a Euan McMurdo effort deceived keeper MacKintosh and the ball ended up in the net to make it 2-1.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Bute 0 It took a late Ben Dalgety double to see Glasgow Mid Argyll into the quarter-finals as they beat Bute 2-0 at Yoker. GMA have had to do without the services of injured top scorer Craig Anderson for several games this season and he was missing again yesterday. And this tie looked like heading for a replay at the Meadows with neither side able to break the deadlock in the opening 85 minutes. However Ben Dalgety, who was on target against Glenorchy last weekend, turned out to be the GMA hero when he bagged a double with goals on 86 and 87 minutes to give the Glasgow side a 2-0 win.
Strathdearn Cup – Second Round Lochaber 2 Kingussie 3 The tie between the Lochaber and Kingussie second teams was a 7pm throw up at Spean Bridge on Friday 29 May 2015. A good crowd were attracted to this ding-dong battle which Kingussie eventually won by the odd goal in five. The home side were without the suspended Jamie MacIntyre following his red card against Lochside Rovers last weekend. Ryan Borthwick continued his comeback from injury for the Kings. Lochaber went in front when Findlay MacDonald shot home to make it 1-0. However the first half ended all-square as Kevin Thain drew the Kings level to make it 1-1. Kingussie then took the lead after the restart with Rory Borthwick getting the goal to make it 2-1. The sides were level for a second time when Findlay MacDonald got his and Lochaber’s second to make it 2-2. Kevin Thain put Kingussie back in front with what proved to be the winning goal. The Kingussie seconds will now welcome the Kinlochshiel second team to the Dell in the quarter-finals.
Skye Camanachd 2 Fort William 2 (after extra time – Fort William won 4-3 on penalties) The Fort William second team edged out the Skye Camanachd second team on penalties following their 2-2 draw Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye boss Davie Pringle was without keeper Ross Graham so Jamie Gannon came in between the sticks. Stewart Grant returned to the squad as did Thomas Wilson. However Angie MacDonald, Kyles Pirie, Daniel Morrison and Ryan Morrison were all missing. The Fort William second team has made an excellent start to the season and they currently top Marine Harvest North Division 1. Forward Duncan Rodger posed a real threat, having averaged over three goals a game so far this season. However Scott Knox served the second match of a two game ban following his red card against Strathglass a fortnight ago. Fort William attacked from the throw up and when Duncan Rodger slipped the ball to Lewis Morrison on the left, he thumped the ball high into the net and there were only 45 seconds played. There seemed little danger when Skye’s John Angus MacInnes collected the ball on the Skye left on 4 minutes but he held off a challenge and drilled the ball low into the net to make it 1-1. Referee Martin MacLean awarded Skye a penalty on 11 minutes for a kick inside the D. Stewart Grant sent an unstoppable spot-hit into the top right corner of keeper Jamie Savage’s net. Skye went on to dominate the remainder of the game but the Fort defended well and the Islanders were unable to add to their tally. And they were made to pay with 10 minutes remaining when Duncan Rodger picked up the ball on the Fort William left and he sent a low, firm shot into the net to make it 2-2. There were no goals during an even extra-time period, during which Fort’s Mark Lawrie was sent off, so the tie went to a penalty shoot-out. John MacKenzie, David Grant and Iain MacLellan converted for Skye with Duncan Rodger, Cal Brown and Lewis Morrison doing like-wise for Fort William. The tie went to sudden-death and Duncan Rodger scored for Fort William but Stewart Grant’s effort was saved by Jamie Savage. Fort William will now travel to Balgownie to face Aberdeen University in the quarter-finals.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Newtonmore 10 Lovat 2 The Newtonmore reserves were too strong for the Lovat reserves; winning 10-2 at the Eilan. John MacKenzie put Newtonmore ahead after just 2 minutes but Rory Campbell levelled on 10 minutes, Newtonmore’s Conor Jones then took centre stage, scoring on 25, 30. 33. 35 and 40 minutes to make it 6-0. John MacKenzie got his second on the stroke on half time to give Cammy MacDonald’s ‘More side a commanding 7-0 interval lead. When referee Duncan Kelly pointed to the penalty spot after 54 minutes; Conor Jones stepped up to convert. John MacKenzie completed his hat-trick on the hour mark and although Lovat’s Rory Campbell got his second on 74 minutes, Conor Jones took his tally to a superb seven goals when he scored on the final whistle. The win means Newtonmore close the gap on league leaders Fort William to five points and ‘More have a game in hand.
Kinlochshiel P Glenurquhart P The noon throw up between the Kinlochshiel second team and the Glenurquhart second team was switched from Kirkton to Lochcarron’s Battery Park. However the game was postponed on the Friday evening because of an unplayable field.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Inveraray 2 Kyles Athletic 0 Inveraray knocked Kyles Athletic off top spot, winning their reserve team derby 2-0 at the Winterton. Fraser Watt gave Inveraray the lead after just 2 minutes. And that’s the way it stayed until Neil Campbell added a second 15 minutes from time. Kyles had the chance to stage a grandstand finish when referee Euan Pearson awarded them a late penalty. Roddy MacColl’s spot-hit was heading high into the night but Inveraray goalie Scott MacLachlan brilliantly turned away his effort with his caman for his second penalty save in second successive Saturdays. Inveraray’s Scott Robertson faces a two game ban after being sent off by referee Euan Pearson. The win lifts Inveraray into second place in the league.
Aberdour 0 Lochside Rovers 7 Second place Lochside Rovers returned from Silver Sands as league leaders following their 7-0 win over Aberdour in their 1.30pm throw up. Aberdour played with the wind advantage in the first half and they had their chances although a Brian MacCallum double on 11 and 19 minutes gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break. Lochside took control in the second half and Daniel MacVicar on 52 minutes and a hat-trick goal from Brian MacCallum on 57minutes and his fourth on 62 minutes made it 5-0. Scott Dempster got in on the act when he found the back of the net a minute later to make it six whilst Daniel MacVicar got his second on 83 minutes to round off the 7-0 win. The win lifts Lochside Rovers, who have a 100% league record, to the top of the table. They lead the Inveraray seconds by a point and they have a game in hand.
Kilmory 0 Oban Celtic 3 Oban Celtic got back in the winning grove as they beat Kilmory 3-0 at MacRae Park. The visitors were without the injured Kenny Wotherspoon who faces a number of weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. Oban Celtic’s Neil Carmichael will miss their next outing because of a points accumulation. The Oban side led 2-0 at the break thanks to a quick-fire Daniel Madej brace on 36 and 38 minutes. Ally McKerracher sealed the win with a goal 3 minutes after the restart. Oban Celtic climb to fourth and they to have a 100% record with six points from their three league games.
Glenorchy 2 Taynuilt 0 Glenorchy scored a goal in each half to beat Taynuilt 2-0 at Mart Park. Conor Sartain scored the only goal of the first half after 35 minutes. It was then left for Kieran MacKay to clinch the 2-0 win with a goal on 68 minutes. This was Glenorchy’s first league win although they have only played two league games. However they will have to do without Duncan Smith in their next match as he is suspended for a points accumulation.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Lewis Camanachd 1 Caberfeidh 6 After travelling east to Aberdeen last weekend, the Caberfeidh second team journeyed west to play Lewis Camanachd at Shawbost. The game marked a 100th match in the “Dugh & Gorm” strip for Lewis stalwart Paul Duke but there was to be no celebratory victory. Gavin McLachlan gave Cabers the lead on 20 minutes and Andrew MacMaster made it 2-0 from close range shortly after. Lewis manager Iain Sinclair had to make changes up front with first Crawford MacLellan coming off and then Conor MacDonald requiring treatment for a head injury. Ruairidh MacMillan and Ally Lamont came on in their place. Lewis started to show more in attack and Ally Lamont finished from inside the D to make it 2-1. Donald Lamont and Will Church came close to levelling before the break. The home side had a chance to level when they were awarded a penalty but Paul Duke was unable to mark his century of matches as his spot-hit missed the target. It was now Caberfeidh’s turn to dominate once more and a nice finish from Colin MacLennan – his second goal of the game - made it 3-1. A couple of more enforced changes in the Lewis camp saw Daniel Gallagher go of with an ankle injury whilst Paddy Sinclair retired unwell. Caberfeidh took advantage and Colin MacLennan completed his hat-trick with a second for Andrew MacMaster and Ruairidh McCreadie contributing to a 6-1 win.
Aberdeen University 2 Glengarry 2 Fifth place Aberdeen University and second place Glengarry shared the points following a 2-2 draw at Balgownie. Greg Tillman gave the Students a 25 minute lead. When former Lochcarron player Kenny Cushnie made it 2-0 just 3 minutes after the restart, the home side looked in control. However ‘Garry’s Daniel MacLennan pulled a goal back on 62 minutes and he continued his prolific scoring run with a second strike on 71 minutes to make it 2-2. However two-goal MacLennan will miss Glengarry’s next match because of bookings points accumulation.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Tayforth 6 Oban Lorn 0 Tayforth beat Oban Lorne 6-0 at Levenhall Links, Musselburgh. An early Steve Thomson brace with goals on 5 and 15 minutes left Tayforth two goals to the good and Ross MacGregor added a third on the half time whistle. Former Lochcarron player Finlay Stark bagged a double with efforts on 55 and 75 minutes whilst Ross MacGregor got his second just 5 minutes from time to complete the 6-0 triumph. Tayforth climb to fourth whilst after making such a promising start to the season, fifth place Oban Lorn have now lost their last four league fixtures.
Glenorchy 1 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 The Glenorchy reserves were surprise 1-0 winners against the Glasgow Mid Argyll reserves in their noon meeting at Mart Park. GMA went into the match at the top of the table on goal difference but they lost out to an Andy MacLean goal after 26 minutes which lifts Glenorchy into fifth place in the table. GMA remain in second spot.
Col Glen W/O v Ballachulish League leaders Col Glen were given a walk over and the customary 5-0 win when the Ballachulish second team were unable to raise a team for their meeting at Glendaruel. The two points lift Col Glen to the top of the table.
(These reports will be updated as more information becomes available) |