The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 4 August 2018 | |
05 August 2018 Newtonmore go two points clear at the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership, Kilmallie extended their lead at the top of the Marine Harvest National Division and the Kyles Athletic colts and Lochside Rovers will contest the Bullough Cup Final and Fort William and Newtonmore second teams will meet in the Strathdearn Cup Final following the shinty action on Saturday 4 August 2018.
Marine Harvest Premiership Kingussie 0 Newtonmore 2 The second Badenoch derby of the season was brought forward to Friday 3 August 2018 for live television with the 6pm throw up broadcast live on BBC ALBA. Kingussie were surprise winners when the sides met at The Eilan earlier in the season with Savio Genini getting the only goal of the game. Kingussie’s Kieran MacPherson remained sidelined through injury but Savio Genini was back after missing the previous week’s defeat to Oban Camanachd and he took a place on the bench. Rory MacKeachan was given a start in defence. Newtonmore’s Steven MacDonald started in midfield after completing his two-match suspension. Iain Robinson came into the attack with Drew MacDonald and Ewen Fraser dropping onto the bench where they were joined by David MacLean on his return from injury. Glen MacKintosh was free to play but he will miss this Saturday’s league match against Glenurquhart after passing through the disciplinary points threshold. The sides contested the Sir Tommy MacPherson trophy for the fourth time with Newtonmore winning on the three previous occasions. ‘More’s Kenny Ross was the first keeper called into action as he used his caman to parry Rory MacGregor’s lofted effort after James Falconer had touched on a Louis Munro shy from the right. Fraser Munro ghosted in at the back post to flick a Rory MacGregor free-hit from wide on the left just the wrong side of the far post but the goal judge flagged for offside. Michael Russell sent a shot from distance high and wide as ‘More struggled to get into a rhythm up front with a quarter of the game gone. However when they did bring their pass and move game into play, they took a 29 minute lead. Norman Campbell’s goal-hit was won by a determined Even Menzies on the ‘More left and he knocked the ball to the outside where Glen MacKintosh had made a run. MacKintosh played a low first-time ball inside to Iain Robinson who took a touch to get away from Rory MacKeachan before thumping the ball high into the net on his left side. It was a good finish and it immediately lifted Newtonmore. Craig Dawson had to use his feet to keep out a back-hand effort from Evan Menzies but, following a half of few real chances, Newtonmore took a 1-0 lead into the break. There were changes at the break. Kingussie replaced Rory MacGregor and James Hutchison with Savio Genini and Roddy Young. Rory Kennedy went to full back to mark Young and Norman Campbell went to centre with Steven MacDonald taking over the buckshee back duties. Iain Robinson cut inside and sent a strike high over the top with the first effort of the second half. Craig Dawson did well to deal with a high ball into the D from Jamie Robinson as the pattern of play continued towards the Kingussie goal. James Hutchison took over from James Falconer with almost 10 second half minutes gone but ‘More continued to press and Glen MacKintosh made enough space to get a shot in from the left but Craig Dawson was alert to it. Kingussie’s Louis Munro had been pushed forward and when he crossed low from the left, Ruaridh Anderson’s first-time effort rose just over which encouraged the home support. A nice Newtonmore passing move on 63 minutes started when Norman Campbell found Iain Robinson on the right. He quickly slipped the ball inside to Michael Russell and he spread play to the left where Evan Menzies turned Rory MacKeachan and cut in on goal but Craig Dawson was quickly off his line to get a foot to the ball. Newtonmore looked the likelier to score again and Evan Menzies sent a strike just over after an exchange of passes with Iain Robinson. Kingussie introduced their third substitute with Ryan Macwilliam coming on in favour of James Hutchison. Craig Ritchie needed treatment after being caught late by Louis Munro with 20 minutes remaining. Newtonmore never looked like losing from the moment they took the lead and they doubled their advantage straight from the restart. Rory Kennedy sent the resultant dead-ball long and Glen MacKintosh prevented Calum Grant from clearing his lines. Fraser MacKintosh nipped in to sweep the ball goalwards but Evan Menzies diverted it to Iain Robinson on the right and he finished confidently, striking the ball across the keeper, to get his and ‘More’s second goal with 71 minutes on the clock. A lung-busting Robert Mabon run took him into the ‘More half and he released the ball to Louis Munro whose shot went over the bar. Drew MacDonald replaced Fraser MacKintosh and Ewen Fraser came on for a limping Craig Ritchie with Michael Russell dropping back into defence. New Scotland Head Coach Garry Reid was again on man of the match duties as part of his television summariser’s role and he selected two-goal Iain Robinson. With James Hutchison back on at full back, Robert Mabon was thrown into the attack but Kingussie were unable to trouble Kenny Ross. After almost 3 minutes’ stoppage time, referee Andy MacLean brought proceedings to an end and Lady Jean MacPherson presented the Sir Tommy MacPherson trophy to Newtonmore captain Andy MacKintosh. The win sends Newtonmore two points clear at the top of the table as they bid to wrestle the championship back from Kinlochshiel.
Oban Camanachd 4 Kinlochshiel 1 Kinlochshiel’s title chances suffered a blow when they lost 4-1 to an impressive Oban Camanachd side in their 1pm throw up at Mossfield. Oban Camanachd welcomed Aidan MacIntyre, Craig MacDougall and Daniel MacVicar back with MacDougall starting on the bench. However the hosts were without Malcolm Clark, who served a one-match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold, and Scott MacMillan, who served the second game of a two-match suspension. Injury ruled out David Lafferty and Scott MacKillop. Keith MacRae remained ‘Shiel’s main injury concern and he was the west coast side’s only substitute. Scott MacLean and Fraser MacVicar were missing whilst WD MacRae was ruled out through injury. Duncan Matheson started in attack with Ali Nixon at wing centre. Kinlochshiel had the wind advantage in the first half and they created the better chances during this spell. Ali Nixon gave them the lead on 33 minutes when a corner was missed by two Oban defenders. An initial shot was saved by keeper Cameron Sutherland but Ali Nixon made no mistake as he ran in to score from close-range. However, just 3 minutes later, Oban Camanachd levelled. The goal came from a Daniel MacCuish corner with Connor Howe hitting the ball on the run into the top of the net from 15 yards out. It was an important goal as Oban Camanachd, who lost Garry Lord after he was hit on the eye by the ball on 40 minutes, now had the elements in the second period and Andrew MacCuish put them in front with a cracking goal on 52 minutes. MacCuish went to shoot from the left but, with the defender slipping, MacCuish had time to steady himself before sending a rocket-shot across the keeper, beating Scott Kennedy on his left side, to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the contest. A well-taken second Conner Howe goal made it 3-1 on 53 minutes. Another Daniel MacCuish corner took a couple of bounces and Howe struck the ball first-time from the back of the circle. Craig MacDougall replaced Willie Neilson on the hour and Oban Camanachd were playing well without any pressure and they almost increased their lead when Aidan MacIntyre played a good ball over from the right but, with Scott Kennedy trying to clear, the ball just skimmed off Andrew MacCuish’s caman and went wide. ‘Shiel pressed to get back into the game and, had they scored at this stage, it would have made for an interesting finish. However the final goal came at the other end. Daniel MacVicar returned from a spell in Africa just the day before the game and he justified manager Ian Hay’s decision to start him by finishing well, with just 5 minutes remaining, to clinch the win. Oban Camanachd looked fit, particularly in the second half, and they merited the victory on the strength of their second half performance, coupled with the fact they didn‘t allow ‘Shiel to get away from them when the visitors played with the elements during the first 45 minutes. Kinlochshiel will be concerned that Keith MacRae’s comeback from the bench only lasted around 12 minutes with his knee problem again forcing him off. Kinlochshiel return to Mossfield in the Artemis MacAulay Cup Final on Saturday 18 August and they will need to play better if they are to beat Kyles Athletic in the final.
Kyles Athletic 4 Skye Camanachd 0 Kyles Athletic go third in the division following their 4-0 victory over Skye Camanachd in their 3pm throw up at Tighnabruaich. Kyles Athletic attacker Sandy MacKenzie served a one-match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Roddy MacDonald and Donald Irvine were still out for the hosts whilst Dunkie Kerr and captain Cammy Keith were also missing. Grant Irvine didn’t start after limping away following the warm up and he wasn’t risked. Innes MacDonald played in defence with Gordon Whyte, Thomas Whyte and Robbie MacLeod all returning to make up the midfield trio. Skye manager John MacLeod was working so Donnie “Digg” MacDonald and Iain “Dowel” MacLeod looked after the side and they didn’t have their troubles to seek. John Gillies was added to an injury list that already included Jordan Murchison, Ally MacDonald, Iain Murray and Steven Morrison. Iain Nicolson, Allan MacLeod and Ally “Spod” MacLeod were unavailable. Stewart Grant returned and Calum Gibb, David Grant, Ian MacPherson and Marcus Ross were called up from the second team with the latter two making senior debuts. Kyles took the lead on 8 minutes when Colin MacDonald scored following a scramble inside the D, with Luke Thornton involved, after Skye failed to clear their lines. Iain MacLeod in the Skye goal made a couple of good first half saves and although Skye had a couple of half-chances, Kyles deserved their interval lead. Indeed Colin MacDonald almost got his second goal late in the half when he ran in and rounded the keeper but sent the ball outside the post. Kyles took a grip of the game with two goals early in the second half. Wing centre Ross MacRae got away from his marker to net their second on 50 minutes with 30 yard shot into the bottom left corner of the net. Just 3 minutes later, Scott MacDonald made it 3-0 when he scored from the edge of the D. Skye’s Ian MacPherson saw a shot saved with his foot by Kyles Athletic goalie John Whyte. Skye introduced David Grant at full forward for the final 15 minutes. Ian MacPherson was forced off late in the game with what was later confirmed as a lower leg break and he will miss the remainder of the season. Skye’s best players were at the back, restricting Kyles to one more goal with Colin MacDonald getting his second goal of the game with just 3 minutes remaining with a 20 yard rocket into the net to make it 4-0. The sides meet again in the league this coming Saturday; this time at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree and they will both hope to have players back.
Marine Harvest National Division Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Kilmallie 3 Marine Harvest National Division leaders Kilmallie led Glasgow Mid Argyll three times before having to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw at Yoker. GMA were without Ewen Murray who is likely to miss the rest of the season through injury. Kilmallie’s Aaron Sandison joined Martin Stewart and Innes Blackhall on the injury list and they were also without Michael Rodger. This was a competitive encounter and Kilmallie, with Peter Jackson in charge as Mark MacPherson was on holiday, took the lead with Liam MacDonald scoring on 9 minutes. Craig MacIsaac hit an initial shot which Liam MacDonald turn into the net. It took an outstanding save from Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies to deny Calum Mclay but Mclay did get his goal on 20 minutes when he sent the ball screaming into the top corner of the net from around the penalty spot and it stayed 1-1 until the break. Calum MacDougall put Kilmallie back in front on 54 minutes. Daniel Stewart played a ball through to MacDougall and with keeper Robert Dunnings first making the save; MacDougall rolled the ball into the open goal. GMA drew level for a second time through Jamie McFadyen on 66 minutes and although keeper Gillies got his stick to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out. Bryan MacKay put the visitors into the lead for a third time on 76 minutes. Keeper Dunnings saved from Calum MacDougall but MacKay volleyed the rebound into the net But, with just a couple of minutes remaining, Calum Mclay played the ball across goal and Jack Berg tapped it home to restore parity for a third time.
Bullough Cup - Semi-Finals Glenorchy 0 Lochside Rovers 3 Lochside Rovers reached the Bullough Cup Final courtesy of a 3-0 win over Glenorchy at Mart Park. Lochside played with a strong wind in their favour in the first half and they pinned Glenorchy back but were guilty of over-playing the ball in attack. The Lochside defence were tight and the midfield provided plenty ball to the attack and Lennon Campbell went close when he clicked a defender to win possession and then beat two players before slipping the ball wide of an advancing keeper but also wide of the post. Just when it look as if the sides would go into the break on level terms, Craig Easton sent a long ball out of defence and Ewen MacCorquodale, who started in defence but was moved up front because he was troubled by a groin problem, controlled the ball and played in Lennon Campbell who pushed the ball home from 5 yards out right on the 45 minute mark. Lochside were able to introduce Daniel Sloss at full centre on 55 minutes after he had played for the Oban side’s senior team earlier in the day. This allowed Michael MacQueen to push forward into the attack and he doubled the lead on 66 minutes. Lewis Buchanan’s shot rebounded to MacQueen who scored from a tight angle with the Glenorchy defence perhaps thinking he would cut the ball back. Lennon Campbell got his second on 68 minutes with an 18 yard shot across the keeper from a wide angle on the left. The introduction of Daniel Sloss made a difference to Lochside whilst Aaron MacKay in defence, young Arik MacKechnie and veteran Allan MacKechnie, when he came on, all did well for Glenorchy. Ewan MacDonald was the match referee.
Kyles Athletic 5 Strachur 2 The Kyles Athletic second team beat Strachur 5-2 in their noon throw up at Tighnabruaich The tie brought together the league leaders from South 1 and South 2 but underdogs Strachur were up for the game and Ian Wilson put them ahead on 17 minutes. However Kyles turned the tie on its head with two goals in the closing minutes of the first half. Luke Thornton levelled the tie on 44 minutes, and if that wasn’t enough, Kyle Mcmartin put them in front on the stroke of half-time. Martin MacFadyen added a third Kyles Athletic goal on 53 minutes but Strachur weren’t for folding and David Limbert made it 3-2 on 62 minutes. Brandon Wilson restored the hosts’ two-goal cushion on 74 minutes and he got his second a couple of minutes from time to make it 5-2. The Kyles Athletic second team will now play Lochside Rovers in the Bullough Cup Final on Saturday 8 September 2018 with the venue still to be decided. Kyles and Lochside are due to meet in the league at Tighnabruaich this coming Saturday. Des McNulty was the match referee.
Strathdearn Cup – Semi-Finals Fort William 2 Skye Camanachd 0 A goal in each half from Grant Disher gave the Fort William colts a 2-0 win over the Skye Camanachd colts at An Aird. Skye started with Lorna MacRae in attack, the first ladies player to play for the Islanders at second team level since Sarah Corrigall around 10 years ago, and MacRae didn’t look out of place as she joined Ruaraidh MacLeod and Ross Gordon in threatening the Fort William goal. Fort William’s opener came 4 minutes from the break when some confusion in the Skye defence allowed Grant Disher to gather the ball all in space at the back post and he finished with a hard, low shot into the net. Fort William got a grip of the centre line in the second half and they now created the bulk of the chances. Grant Disher got his and Fort William’s second on 63 minutes. The goal came following a corner which the Skye defence didn’t deal with and Disher looped the ball in from 20 yards out and it dipped just under the crossbar. Skye brought on Caitlin MacLean for her second team debut with 15 minutes to go. Skye’s Sam MacPhee played for an hour with a broken finger and the visitors lost Jamie MacKay through injury, having to reshuffle with no defenders remaining on the bench. Alex MacVicar was the match referee.
Kingussie 2 Newtonmore 3 The Newtonmore reserves came from two goals down to beat the Kingussie reserves 3-2 in their 4.30pm throw up at The Dell. Ryan Borthwick gave Kingussie the lead on 10 minutes with the only goal of the first half. Ryan Borthwick got his second a minute into the second period. Newtonmore fought back and Duncan Gorman gave them hope with a goal on 54 minutes. Calum Stewart proved to be the game-changer, netting on 64 and 79 minutes to send the Newtonmore seconds through to the final. Steven MacLachlan was the match referee. Orsten Gardiner’s Newtonmore second team has already clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title. They also have an Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final meeting with the Kingussie seconds at the end of August to look forward to so a “treble” is still very much a possibility.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Aberdeen University P Glenurquhart P The crucial relegation battle between Aberdeen University and the Glenurquhart reserves at Balgownie will be rescheduled.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Bute 3 Inveraray 2 Bute saw off a late fight-back from the Inveraray second team to win 3-2 in their 3pm throw up at The Meadows. Bute had a couple of absentees and Chris Lawrence completed a two-game ban for an accumulation of disciplinary points. As usual, they fielded a mixture of youth and experience with veterans Robert Walker and Iain McDonald up front. Inveraray made the journey without the previous week’s match-winner, Calum MacDonald. Keeper Gregor Mather was also missing and with second team player / manager Graham MacPherson serving the second game of a two-match suspension, Kieran Kirkhope provided cover in goals. Experienced forward Craig Taylor took up the full forward position. The sun was shining as the hosts drew first blood, punishing the Inveraray defence for not dealing with a routine corner. The ball made its way through to the unmarked Robert Walker who had the simple task of tapping the ball home to make it 1-0 with 15 minutes played. Bute’s centre line started to dominate play and John MacCallum set up Iain MacDonald who made it 2-0 with 5 minutes remaining until the break. Inveraray came out stronger in the second half, enjoying the bulk of play, and Kevin Queen in the Bute goal pulled off a tremendous save from a tight-angled Craig Taylor drive. However it was Bute who scored a third goal with Robert Walker netting with 15 minutes remaining. The goal seemed to spark life into the Inveraray team who went on to score two goals in a four-minute spell. Craig Taylor fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net on 79 minutes and then, just a couple of minutes later, captain John MacKenzie slotted the ball home to make it 3-2 and deal Bute a nervy final 9 minutes. The visitors almost snatched a draw at the death as Steven Cameron found himself in space at the back post but his shot went just inches wide of goal. Just seconds later, Deek Cameron blew the final whistle to end a game that had no yellow cards. Bute are now just three points off the top of the table and they will be relieved to take the two points from this encounter. Inveraray will take heart from their comeback against a very good Bute side.
Taynuilt 2 Kilmory 3 Alister MacArthur scored twice as Kilmory beat Taynuilt 3-2 at The Taynuilt Sports Field. Kilmory’s Duncan MacBrayne completed a three-match suspension. Taynuilt started strongly and dominated the first half. Numerous chances were made and missed and the Kilmory keeper didn’t have a save to make as the Taynuilt forwards missed chance after chance. Kilmory rarely threatened in the first half and were delighted to arrive at half-time with the score still blank. The second half was only three minutes old when Alister MacArthur, who individually has scored more goals than the whole Taynuilt team this season, showed the reason why by firing the ball past Reid in the Taynuilt goal. He repeated the feat 5 minutes later to give Kilmory a two goal cushion. This seemed to stir Taynuilt into action and David Campbell scored from the edge of the D on the hour to reduce the deficit. Taynuilt went all out for the equaliser but were caught out at the back on 72 minutes when Sandy Leiper ran away from his marker and laid the ball off to Ally MacLennan to slip it passed Reid and restore Kilmory's two-goal advantage. It was a crucial strike as the home side pulled a goal back just 6 minutes later after a well-worked corner between David Campbell and Jamie MacFarlane; with the latter firing a shot passed the Kilmory keeper to make it 3-2. Taynuilt laid siege to the Kilmory goal for the remainder of the game but they lacked the composure to get an equaliser. Best for Kilmory were Jones, Cunningham, and MacArthur and man of the match, Sandy Leiper. Kilmory leap-frog Taynuilt in the league and unless Taynuilt can find someone to put the ball in the net, they are going to be in the relegation dog-fight.
Col Glen 1 Ballachulish 1 Col Glen and Ballachulish drew 1-1 at Glendaruel. Col Glen’s John MacPhail started a two-game ban following his red card in his side’s last match; a 2-0 win over the Inveraray second team a fortnight earlier. Ballachulish’s Cain MacPhee missed out as he served a one-match ban for an accumulation of disciplinary points. Col Glen got off to a great start with Conor Kennedy scoring in the opening minute. However Lewis Bryson levelled on the hour to ensure a share of the points.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Strathspey Camanachd 2 Kilmallie 2 Andrew Gibb’s late double earned the Kilmallie second team a 2-2 draw against Strathspey Camanachd in their 1.30pm throw up at Grantown Grammar School. The first half finished scoreless but Donald Colville gave Strathspey a 59 minute lead. When Donald Colville got his and Strathspey’s second on 76 minutes, things looked good for the home side. However Andrew Gibb ensured a grand-stand finish when he pulled a goal back on 83 minutes and, with just 3 minutes remaining, it was Gibb again, with his fifth goal in the last three matches, to make it 2-2 and earn Kilmallie a point.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Bute 0 Aberdour 3 The Aberdour second team beat the Bute second team 3-0 in their noon throw up at The Meadows. A Mack Mckean goal on 25 minutes gave Aberdour the lead. Tom Bowerman made it 2-0 on 57 minutes and Chris Bowerman added a third with 15 minutes remaining.
WCA Round Up There were a small number of Women’s Camanachd Association fixtures on Sunday 4 August 2018.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Kinlochshiel 5 Lochaber 9 The Lochaber second team defeated the Kinlochshiel 9-5 in their 1pm throw up at Kirkton. Natalie MacDonald was Lochaber’s top scorer with six goals whilst Rebecca Masson, Stephanie Spiers and Caitlin MacDonald got the others. Eilidh MacInnes and Isabelle MacKenzie both scored twice for Kinlochshiel with Kirsty Gordon also netting.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Cowal & Bute 6 Oban 0 Cowal & Bute defeated Oban 6-0. Lindsay Mitchell struck twice with the other goals coming from Fay Robertson, Jennifer Cairney, Eowyn Wilson and Leigh McCard.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 4 Dunadd 3 The Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds edged out Dunadd 4-3 in their 1pm throw up at Yoker.
Tayforth P Ardnamurchan P The match between Tayforth and the Ardnamurchan second team will be rescheduled.
(All throw ups were at 2pm unless noted differently in the match report) |