The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 4 March 2017 | |
05 March 2017 Despite the wet weather across the country, most games went ahead as the new shinty season started on Saturday 4 March 2017.
Marine Harvest Premiership Newtonmore 4 Lovat 2 Champions Newtonmore opened their bid for an eighth successive league title with a 4-2 win over Lovat at the Eilan. ‘More boss Paul John MacKintosh went into the match without defenders Michael Russell, who is working abroad, and the suspended Andy MacKintosh. Attacker Evan Menzies was also missing and he will be unavailable for the early part of the season at least. Ackie MacRae and Craig Ritchie deputised in defence as expected whilst David MacLean, who joined the team from Beauly, started on the bench alongside Glen MacKintosh. New Lovat boss Fraser Gallacher is without Kevin Bartlett, Euan Ferguson and Michael MacKenzie from last year’s squad whilst the injured Mark Kelly was sidelined. There was a starting place in midfield for Bailey MacKay. The pitch was splashy in places and it was ‘More who took the lead after 4 minutes. David Fraser played in a long ball from the right which Norman Campbell touched on and Conor Jones beat keeper Stuart MacDonald to the ball before slipping it into the net from the edge of the D. The home side almost doubled their lead on 7 minutes when Norman Campbell got onto another long ball from the right but his shot came off the post. Referee Graham Cameron flashed yellow cards to Jamie Robinson and Craig Mainland on the half hour mark with Callum Cruden also booked for getting involved. Iain Robinson made it 2-0 on 54 minutes. Paul MacArthur collected a Rory Kennedy pass in midfield and he sent a high ball forward, Robinson turned Martin Mainland and he sent the ball firmly into the net from wide on the right. Lovat pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later when a clearance out of the ‘More defence fell to Lorne MacKay in space and he sent the ball low into the net to make it 2-1. David MacLean made his debut for Newtonmore on 58 minutes when he replaced the injured Fraser MacKintosh. Just after the hour, a Lovat reshuffle saw Graeme MacMillan come on for Bailey MacKay in a rejig which also Craig Mainland drop into midfield where he was very effective. The changes worked well for the visitors and they went on to have their best spell of the match. So much so that when ‘More scored their third on 74 minutes, it was against the run of play. Paul MacArthur sent a ball from the left into the goal area and Lovat failed to deal with it which allowed Iain Robinson to expertly take the ball past the keeper to score. Lovat narrowed the gap again on 78 minutes thanks to an alert bit of play from Graeme MacMillan. MacMillan was fouled and played a quick free-hit to Greg Matheson who turned and shot low into the net. With a minute remaining, the impressive Iain Robinson completed his hat-trick. David MacLean chased after a Jamie Robinson ball played towards the corner flag on the left. MacLean waited before playing a perfectly weighted pass to Iain Robinson who took a touch before firing a shot low into the net to complete his hat-trick.
Kinlochshiel 3 Oban Camanachd 2 An injury time Keith MacRae goal gave Kinlochshiel a 3-2 win over Oban Camanachd at Kirkton. This was probably the match of the day in the top division with the sides both securing top four spots last year. Johnston Gill is back in charge at Kinlochshiel and although John Don MacKenzie and Duncan “Ach” MacRae have left for Glasgow Mid Argyll, his starting line-up was along usual lines. Oban Camanachd boss Iain Hay didn’t have the same luxury. 2016 captain James MacMillan has moved abroad, Garry Lord suffered a broken leg in a pre-season game against Strathglass and a third defender, Ross MacMillan, has switched to Oban Celtic. Daniel Cameron was pulled back into a restructured defence but this also dented the visitors attacking options. Kinlochshiel broke the deadlock just 3 minutes before the break when Oliver MacRae got on the end of a pass across goals and, from around the penalty spot, he hit the ball hard and low into bottom corner of the net. Kinlochshiel strung several passes together to create a well-worked second goal. The move ended with John MacRae playing the ball to Donald Nixon, who had made a good run forward, and Nixon finished from a few yards out on the left of the D to make it 2-0 with 56 minutes played. Oban Camanachd were good in defence and never out of the game and they pulled a goal back through Daniel MacVicar on 68 minutes. MacVicar shrugged off his marker and then shot from the left with his effort looping over the keeper into the net. The visitors drew levelled on 79 minutes through Malcolm Clark, who had a great game up front. A good bit of play saw the ball played down the Oban right and although ‘Shiel cleared the resultant ball into the D, Malcolm Clark ran in, and from 18 yards out, he drove a shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. This was a hard physical game which threatened to boil over at times and, with the match moving in to injury time, it looked there would be a share of the spoils. ‘Shiel had other ideas though and when Oliver MacRae played a ball over from the left, near the D, Keith MacRae gambled that it would be missed by the Oban defence. MacRae beat the keeper to the ball and, stretching with one hand on his club, he managed to steer the ball into the net to make it 3-2 and secure two valuable points.
Lochaber 2 Kyles Athletic 4 Kyles Athletic saw off a late comeback to beat Lochaber 4-2 at Spean Bridge. Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson is minus stalwarts Neil MacDonald and Lachlan Campbell who both retired from first team duty at the end of last season. Ben Delaney was another absentee but Zandz Ferguson’s availability has increased. James Perlich has taken over the Kyles Athletic management role from Norman MacDonald and he’ll be delighted that Grant Irvine is back after missing the latter part of last season through injury. The match was end to end in the first half and Stuart Callison went close for Lochaber. When referee Archie Ritchie pointed to the penalty spot on 37 minutes, Robbie MacLeod stepped up to make his usual efficient job from the spot. Grant Irvine capitalised on a mistake in the home defence just a minute before the break and the 2-0 interval gap was harsh on the home side. Lochaber made a good start to the second half and Shaun Nicolson was unable to take a couple of chances to cut the deficit. Kyles’ keeper John Whyte made a couple of fine saves before a poor clearance from Lochaber goalie Callum MacDonald on 54 minutes resulted in a third goal for the away team with Grant Irvine again the scorer. Kyles were pacey throughout and a Roddy MacDonald goal on 65 minutes had them four goals to the good. Kevin Ferguson, who didn’t start through injury, came on for the last 20 minutes and Lochaber piled on the pressure and forced an own goal on 75 minutes with the ball ending up in the net off the unfortunate Andy King. Shaun Nicolson added another Lochaber goal on 83 minutes after good build up play from the forward but it was to be Kyles Athletic‘s day. Andy King, Roddy MacDonald and Grant Irvine were Kyles’ best performers whilst Zandz Ferguson, Donald MacRae and Martin Johnstone were best for the home side.
Kilmallie 2 Glenurquhart 4 A James MacPherson hat-trick helped Glenurquhart come from behind to beat 2016 Marine Harvest National Division champions Kilmallie 4-2 at the Canal Parks. Peter McIntyre has returned to the Kilmallie squad but Scotland international Liam MacDonald is out, resting a persistent knee problem. New Glen boss Iain MacLeod was still without injured keeper Stuart MacKintosh so Garry MacKintosh continued to deputise. Michael Rodger gave Kilmallie the lead after 26 minutes but Callum Smith levelled a minute before the break. Duncan Rodger put the home side back in front before substitute James MacPherson did well to get on the end of a cross which seemed to be going out of play to tie the match once more. Work commitments meant James MacPherson spent most of last season in the Glen reserves but he went on to complete his hat-trick with goals on 62 and 70 minutes to make the difference. After the match, played on a heavy surface, Kilmallie announced that they had collected £550 from their gate which was donated to the Emily Campbell Fund.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Kingussie 3 Kingussie consigned newly promoted Glasgow Mid Argyll to a 3-1 defeat at Yoker. This was GMA’s first match in the top flight since 2010 and a first competitive game as Kingussie manager for Dallas Young. The team news saw Duncan “Ach” MacRae passed fit to play for GMA. Kingussie captain Ryan Borthwick recovered from an injury picked up against Skye a week earlier but the match came too soon for Savio Genini who has a hamstring problem. First half goals from Ruaridh Anderson on 20 minutes and Ryan Borthwick on 39 minutes had Kingussie 2-0 ahead at the break. The speedy Kingussie forwards caused GMA problems throughout the game and Chris Holleysong made it 3-0 just 10 minutes after the restart. There were plenty positives for GMA to take from the game and they passed up a couple of good chances to score before Calum McLay pulled a goal back with a couple of minutes remaining.
Marine Harvest National Division Oban Celtic 1 Fort William 2 A Daniel Stewart goal 6 minutes from time gave Fort William a 2-1 win over Oban Celtic at Mossfield. Fort William took the lead on 31 minutes when Alexander MacMillan got on the end of a knock-down and he finished well. Oban Celtic equalised on 42 minutes when a well-taken David MacInnes free-hit picked out Ally McKerracher who slotted the ball home to make it 1-1. McKerracher passed up a chance to score goal a second a minute before half time and the sides went into the break on level terms. Fort William started the second period well and failed to take an opportunity to regain the lead from the penalty spot on 55 minutes. With regular penalty taker Arran MacPhee unavailable, Graham Campbell sent the spot-hit past the post. An attempted Fort clearance from a Celtic corner almost resulted in an own goal and then Ally McKerracher shot straight at keeper Paul MacKay with 10 minutes to go. Fort William countered on 84 minutes and Daniel Stewart crashed the ball high into the net to put the visitors back in front. Fort William then had keeper Paul MacKay to thank as he stretched with his caman to deny McKerracher again with just a couple of minutes remaining. Iain MacKechnie thought he rescued a point for Celtic when but his deflected shot went just past the post with the keeper stranded.
Skye Camanachd 4 Inverness 1 Skye Camanachd got off to a winning start with a 4-1 victory over Inverness at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. The Portree pitch easily passed an 8.30am inspection but steady rain from later in the morning meant the surface cut up as the game went on. New Skye co-managers Willie Cowie and Peter Gordon were without the injured Shockie MacLennan but Steven Morrison was passed fit to play. Inverness boss Drew McNeil was without the suspended Davie Glass. New keeper Ian Munro was working so former Fort William player Andy Reid, who has been playing full centre for the Inverness seconds, started between the sticks. Former Taynuilt player Ewan Neilson started in defence. Skye took the lead within 20 seconds of the start when they worked the ball down the right and Danny Morrison set up Will Cowie at the back post and he crashed the ball over the keeper’s shoulder into the net. Worse was to follow for the visitors as Jordan Murchison set up Danny Morrison who finished confidently from the right of the D with only 4 minutes gone. Inverness regrouped and although Skye passed up chances to increase their lead, it remained 1-0 as the match moved into first half stoppage time. Inverness had a set piece chance as Padraig McNeil, who has joined the club from Fort William, played in a corner from the right and a turn and shot from James Cameron saw the ball nestle low into the corner of the net to make it 2-1. Skye pressed from the restart but they didn’t restore their two goal advantage until 68 minutes when man of the match Iain Nicolson scored with a shot from distance. Nicolson also had a hand in Skye’s fourth goal which was scored by Jordan Murchison with almost the final hit of the game. Inverness youngster William MacKinnon suffered a hand injury in the first half. He played on into the second period but later had to come off with what turned out to be a broken finger.
Inveraray 5 Beauly 1 Inveraray got off to a superb start to the season with a 5-1 win over Beauly at the Winterton. It’s arguably a new era for both clubs. Inveraray fielded a fresh faced, youthful side. David Robertson and Andrew McMurdo have retired and David MacPherson started on the bench as the second team match was postponed. Ally Munro was out with ligament problems whilst Grant Griffin has broken ribs. Garry MacPherson was another absentee as he waits for surgery to an eye surgery sustained in last year’s Macaulay final. Ross Montgomery was at full back; Ruaraidh Graham junior was in midfield whilst Lewis Montgomery, back following a hand injury, and Fraser Watt, started in attack. There are also changes at Beauly with David MacLean, Ryan MacKay and Kenneth MacKenzie all departing and Barrie MacDonald recovering from injury although new boss Alan MacRae has been able to add Liam Girvan to his squad. Inveraray came quickly out the blocks with new full centre John Kennedy winning the ball from throw up. Veteran player / manager Ruaraidh Graham kept the momentum going by passing to 18 year old Lewis Montgomery who was waiting at the penalty spot to fire the ball high into the net for Inveraray’s first competitive goal of the new season. Inveraray’s dream start saw them dominate the centre line with 23 year old captain Lewis MacNicol and 16 year old Ruaraidh Graham both having fantastic games on the wings. Lewis Montgomery struck again on 29 minutes when he finished a well-worker move for his second strike of the afternoon. Both teams knew that the next goal would be pivotal to the match. Beauly looked dangerous on the counter attack at the start of the second half but Inveraray’s back line, marshalled by Douglas Dando, stood strong with Nicholas Crawford having a great game at the heart of the defence, marking 2016 Marine Harvest National U21 player of the year Jack MacDonald. 18 year old Lewis Montgomery completed his hat-trick on 61 minutes. The move started from deep in the Inveraray defence with Montgomery finishing off another well-created move. The 'Aray side’s fourth goal came on 68 minutes at the hands of another 18 year old when Fraser Watt, who looks to have mastered Inveraray’s renewed style of fast forward play, slotted the ball home following a free-for-all on the edge of the Beauly D. Lewis Montgomery found the net again on 71 minutes when a well-timed Lewis MacNicol run saw him take on two Beauly defenders before passing the ball to Montgomery who comfortably slotted home the yellow and blacks final goal of the day. There was some consolation for Beauly when Daniel Lamont took advantage of a defensive error on 88 minutes to make the final score 5-1. Inveraray introduced 18 year old Bobby Wood and 17 year old Hamish MacLellan in the second half. Both joined the forward line with the experienced David MacPherson swapping positions with young Ruaraidh Graham at wing centre. Scotland U21 player Lewis Montgomery clearly caught the eye whilst Lewis MacNicol on the wing was outstanding.
Strathglass 2 Caberfeidh 2 Few people would have expected Strathglass to get anything from their game against Caberfeidh but they led 2-0 before having to settle or a point in a 2-2 draw at wet Cannich. Strathglass finished second in Marine Harvest North Division 1 at the end of last season but they made a case for promotion which was accepted by the Camanachd Association. Caberfeidh have had a productive pre-season. Manager Jodi Gorski has added Scotland international Kevin Bartlett and former Beauly players Ryan MacKay and Kenneth MacKenzie to his squad and the side recorded pre-season wins over Glenurquhart, Beauly and Kingussie. However Scott Douglas put Strathglass ahead in the second minute when he capitalised on some poor marking to score. Cabers pressed hard for a leveller but it remained 1-0 at the break. Scott Douglas was also involved in the home side’s second goal. His initial shot was saved but Josh Fraser was on hand to score from the rebound to make it 2-0 with 65 minutes played. Caberfeidh pulled a goal back on 75 minutes when home keeper Ally MacAdams brought down a visiting forward inside the D and Kevin Bartlett scored from the spot. With around 5 minutes remaining, there was a stramash in the home goal area and Kevin Bartlett got a shot away to score and ensure a share of the points. George Phimister and Jono Price were in fine form for Strathglass and Cabers benefited from a second half tactical switch which saw full forward Kevin Bartlett and buckshee forward Ally MacLennan swap positions. Michael Stokes and Craig Morrison had a great battle in the middle of the park; an area of the pitch which was very wet in places. Calum Girvan refereed well in what was at times a lively tussle.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Fort William 3 Skye Camanachd 3 The Fort William colts came from 3-0 down to earn a point from a 3-3 draw with the Skye Camanachd colts at An Aird. Ross Gordon put Skye in front on 25 minutes with the only goal of the first half. A blistering drive from Iain MacLellan made it 2-0 and MacLennan got his second and Skye’s third just 5 minutes later. Youngster Victor Smith sparked the Fort William comeback with a goal on 64 minutes. Scott Henderson made it 3-2 on 73 minutes and, when the home side were awarded a free-hit in their own half late in the game, the ball was floated into the Skye goal area. The ball fell for Mark Fraser who found space to fire the ball home and earn his team a point.
Kingussie 2 Aberdeen University 4 Aberdeen University marked their first match back in Marine Harvest North Division 1 with a 4-2 win against a young Kingussie seconds at the Dell. The Students completed a perfect 2016 season in North 2 in 2016; taking maximum points from their league games scoring 105 goals into the bargain and they made a really fast start to the game. Boss Jamie Beaton added former Lochcarron veteran Gregor Cushnie to his squad and he put the Aberdeen side 2-0 ahead with goals on 10 and 21 minutes. Another veteran, Kingussie’s Kevin Thain, pulled a goal back on 27 minutes only for Gregor Cushnie to complete a first half hat-trick with a strike on 37 minutes. Kingussie introduced John Gibson at half time and another Kevin Thain goal on 59 minutes reduced the deficit but Ewan Fraser sealed the 4-2 win with a goal on 74 minutes.
Glenurquhart P Kinlochshiel P The Glenurquhart second team and the Kinlochshiel second team will have to reschedule as the Glen’s Blairbeg pitch was waterlogged.
Beauly P Newtonmore P There was a Saturday morning call off for the match between Beauly reserves and 2016 league winners Newtonmore reserves as the pitch at Braeview Park was left unplayable due to the heavy rain.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 6 Aberdour 1 Two of the title challengers had an early season meeting as Lochside Rovers hosted Aberdour at Ganavan. Aberdour finished second in the division last season, a point ahead of third placed Lochside Rovers so a close encounter was expected. However a powerful second half performance gave the home side a 6-1 win. Lewis Buchanan gave Lochside a 24 minute lead but Angus Thorburn equalised on 31 minutes. Craig MacDougall, back with Lochside after a spell with Oban Lorn, scored a couple of minutes later to give the home side a 2-1 lead at the break. Daniel Sloss hit home a crucial third on 57 minutes and Craig MacDougall got his second on 70 minutes. A late double from Craig MacMillan on 81 and 83 minutes put gloss on the 6-1 victory.
Col Glen 4 Tayforth 0 Col Glen beat newly promoted Tayforth 4-0 at Otter Ferry. Col Glen won the game in the first half hour thanks to goals from Jamie MacVicar after 10 minutes and Conor Kennedy on 22 and 30 minutes. Neilly MacNaughton made it 4-0 with just 15 minutes remaining.
Taynuilt 4 Kilmory 1 Taynuilt beat newly promoted Kilmory 4-1 at the Taynuilt Sports Field. Taynuilt broke the deadlock a minute before the break through Willie Lafferty. Willie Lafferty got his second on 62 minutes and Zander Kilmurray added a third a couple of minutes later. Zander Kilmurray then got his second with 20 minutes remaining to make it 4-0. When referee Ronnie Campbell pointed to the penalty spot on 85 minutes, Ally Cunningham stepped up to convert to make the final score 4-1.
Ballachulish P Bute P A waterlogged pitch at Jubilee Park led to the postponement of the game between Ballachulish and Bute
Kyles Athletic P Glenorchy P The match between the Kyles Athletic second team and Glenorchy was postponed as the pitch at Tighnabruaich was unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Glengarry 8 Lewis Camanachd 1 Glengarry netted seventeen goals in two pre-season friendlies and they kept up their scoring ratio by beating Lewis Camanachd 8-1 at a rain-soaked Craigard. The home side had the early pressure and Raymond Robertson found the back of the net after 25 minutes to put ‘Garry ahead in this 1.30pm throw up. Shaun Sloggie thumped the ball into the roof of the net following a corner on 36 minutes. Raymond Robertson showed good skills to take the ball forwards and score his second following another corner on the stroke of half time. Paul Duke and Kenny Murray both went close for Lewis after the restart but it was ‘Garry who extended their lead on 57 minutes when Raymond Robertson got onto the end of a clearance out of the Lewis defence to slot the ball into an empty net to complete his hat-trick. Glengarry signed Scotland U21 player Nick Dalgety from Lochcarron during the close season and he made it 5-0 when he pushed home a rebound off the post. Dalgety added a sixth a minute later but there was some consolation for Lewis when Al Reid scored his first goal at this level with a shot from distance which flew over the keeper and into the net with 10 minutes remaining. There was still time for the home side to score twice more. Scott Bremner netted on 82 minutes and Raymond Robertson got his fourth a minute later to make it 8-1 and get ‘Garry’s season off to a great start.
Strathspey Camanachd 4 Kilmallie 0 Strathspey Camanachd got their season off to a flier with a 4-0 win over the Kilmallie second team in their 1.30pm throw up at Grantown Grammar School. Matthew Davis opened the scoring on 5 minutes and Donald Colville made it 2-0 on 25 minutes. Connor Aubrey added a third a minute after the restart and a second from Donald Colville on the hour mark rounded off the win.
Inverness 2 Strathglass 6 The newly reformed Strathglass colts made the relatively short journey to the Bught Park to play the Inverness colts and returned home with both points following a 6-2 win. This was a game of two halves as a Stuart MacRae double on 7 and 34 minutes had the home side 2-0 ahead at the break. The home side suffered a blow when veteran Ewen MacKinnon had to come off injured at the interval. It was later confirmed that he had suffered a broken foot. The home side missed his presence in midfield in the second half. Barry John Phimmister pulled a goal back on 54 minutes and Eoghan Stewart, who joined the club from Lewis Camanachd during the close season, made it 2-2 a couple of minutes later with a low 30 yard shot on his competitive debut. The Strath went on to score four more times to take the points. Ally Rothe on 71 minutes, Penri Jones on 78 minutes and a second from Eoghan Stewart on 85 minutes, when he calmly drifted the ball into the net from the edge of the D, made it 5-2. Eddie Noble netted a minute from time to seal the 6-2 win.
Caberfeidh P Lochaber P The game between Caberfeidh and Lochaber seconds teams at Castle Leod was postponed earlier in the week following the passing of Neilly Fraser, brother of Lochaber second team manager John Fraser.
Lovat P Boleskine P The clash between the Lovat seconds and Boleskine was a late call off as the referee ruled that the heavy Saturday mid-morning rain had left the pitch at Balgate unplayable.
Lochcarron were given a free week in this eleven team league.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Strachur P Oban Lorn P After taking a year away from competitive shinty, Strachur‘s return to Marine Harvest South Division 2 action will have to wait another week as their match against Oban Lorn was postponed as their Strachurmore pitch was ruled unplayable.
Bute P Inveraray P The Bute seconds and the Inveraray seconds were scheduled to meet at The Meadows but that match also fell foul of the weather.
Aberdour P Glasgow Mid Argyll P The game between the Aberdour second team and the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team was postponed on Saturday morning as the pitch at Silversands was unplayable.
Dunoon were the free team on the opening day of the season in this seven team league.
All throws ups were at 2.30pm unless stated differently.
WCA Round Up A number of Womens Camanachd Association fixtures took place on Sunday 5 March 2017.
Marine Harvest North 2 Division 2 Strathglass were 4-1 away winners in their noon meeting against Glenurquhart.
Lochaber 4 Strathspey 4 The Lochaber second team drew 4-4 with Strathspey at Spean Bridge. Claire Delaney scored twice for Lochaber with Stephanie Walsh and Alison MacVicar also on target. Jessica Hart grabbed a hat-trick for Strathspey with Jade Longworth also scoring. Lochaber led 3-0 at one stage to Strathspey will have been happy to head home with a point.
The match between Inverness and Glengarry was postponed
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Eilidh Ross was top scorer with six goals, Kate Bradley grabbed a hat-trick and Abigail Woods got the other.
The match between Cowal & Bute and Dunadd was postponed.
(The picture of former Skye Camanachd players Eoghan Stewart and Ewen MacKinnon, clashing in the Marine Harvest North Division 2 match between the Inverness and Strathglass second teams, comes courtesy of Donald Cameron) |