The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 5 May 2018 | |
06 May 2018 Ballachulish, Glenurquhart, Kingussie, Kinlochshiel, Kyles Athletic, Lovat, Oban Camanachd and Oban Celtic all made it through to the Artemis MacAulay Cup quarter-finals whilst Beauly made Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup progress following the shinty action on Saturday 5 May 2018.
Artemis MacAulay Cup – First Round Kinlochshiel 2 Newtonmore 1 Newtonmore, beaten by Kyles Athletic in last year’s final, have been knocked out of this year’s competition, going down 2-1 to Kinlochshiel at Braeview Park. The match was switched from Kirkton which was ruled unplayable on Friday morning. Kinlochshiel were unchanged from the side which drew with Oban Camanachd a week earlier, and their bench was made up of Paul MacRae, Scott MacLean, Duncan WD MacRae and Duncan Matheson. Newtonmore’s Evan Menzies was free of a two-match suspension and he started in attack. Norman Campbell also returned and he joined Ewen Fraser and Conor Jones on the bench. Stuart Mitchell retained his place in defence however Jamie Robinson, Paul MacArthur and Craig Ritchie were all missing. Newtonmore won the toss and, with a strong wind behind them in the first half, they got off to the best possible start. Newtonmore were award a free-hit on the right hand side on the forward line when David Falconer impeded Evan Menzies. Glen MacKintosh hovered over the ball before spotting Drew MacDonald peeling away from his marker and he found MacDonald on the left and he ran towards goal before slotting a bouncing shot past Scott Kennedy to make it 1-0. On 21 minutes, Neil Stewart hit a speculative lob and, with the wind behind the shot, the ball almost caught out Scott Kennedy and he was thankful to see the ball go past for a goal-hit. The wind was causing problems for both teams as they tried to get a grip of the game and the ball was being over-hit on a number of occasions by Newtonmore. Glen MacKintosh almost put Newtonmore further ahead with a shot that hit the side-netting. However Kinlochshiel drew level on 34 minutes. Referee John Angus Gillies penalised David MacLean for a push in the back on Keith MacRae. Conor Cormack floated a perfect free-hit from the left wing into the heart of the Newtonmore defence where the ball fell kindly for Keith MacRae who drilled a shot past Kenny Ross to make it 1-1 at the break. ‘Shiel had the wind advantage in the second half and they immediately pressed the Newtonmore defence. Ali Nixon found John MacRae on the ‘Shiel right and his shot just went by the right-hand post. The west coast side went in front for the first time on 54 minutes. Duncan “DA” MacRae took a shy from the left, finding Jordan Fraser in the penalty area. Fraser’s shot was saved with his feet by Kenny Ross but the keeper couldn’t get the ball away and Ali Nixon was first to dart into the box and he tapped the ball over the line to make it 2-1. ‘Shiel mounted more pressure on the Newtonmore defence and a long ball forward from Oliver MacRae, who by this time had swapped midfield positions with Donald Nixon, found Keith MacRae on the ‘Shiel left but his shot went wide of the post. Newtonmore could have levelled on 70 minutes. Fraser Macintosh sent the ball into the Shiel defence. Glen MacKintosh turned his marker and played an inch-perfect ball to Iain Robinson who had the goal at his mercy from inside the D. However Robinson’s strike screamed high over the bar. Newtonmore introduced Norman Campbell for Iain Robinson to try and get the all-important equaliser but Kinlochshiel held on for a deserved victory. Both teams contributed to a very exciting match in difficult windy conditions. On the day, the ‘Shiel defence was solid and worked well as a unit with Conor Cormack excellent at buckshee back. Oliver MacRae and Donald Nixon combined very well in the centre line whilst Ali Nixon was a thorn in the flesh of the Newtonmore defence and he was strong, creating several openings for his teammates. Newtonmore had Rory Kennedy to thank for his control and effectiveness at full back. He played very well against a strong John MacRae. Fraser MacKintosh had terrific dual with Donald Nixon in the second half. The Newtonmore forward line struggled to get anything from the well organised ‘Shiel defence. There were no bookings during the 90 minutes.
Oban Camanachd 5 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Oban Camanachd came from a goal down to beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 5-1 in their noon throw up at Mossfield. This was the first of four consecutive home matches for Oban Camanachd and Daniel Sloss returned following suspension and he took a place on the bench in what was a 16-man squad. Scott MacMillan was working and Malcolm Clark started at full centre. GMA travelled north minus former Aberdeen University player Brian Slattery. Oban Camanachd’s Andrew MacCuish hit the post before GMA broke forward to take the lead. Craig Anderson produced a good finish from outside the D, and the well-taken goal gave the Glasgow side a 24 minute lead. Oban Camanachd went in search of an equaliser but Robert Dunnings in the GMA goal made good saves from some close range efforts. The hosts made changes after 30 minutes with Daniel MacVicar and Daniel MacCuish replaced by Keith MacMillan and Daniel Sloss. Their desire to score led to Oban Camanachd losing their shape up front with crowding and bunching inhibiting their chances in front of goal. This led to manager Iain Hay making further changes at the break, including moving to a diamond forward formation in a bid to utilise the flanks more profitably. The changes helped and Willie Neilson, who had come off the bench just 5 minutes earlier, made it 1-1 on 58 minutes although the goal had a touch of good fortune about it. There was a scramble in the GMA goal area and Neilson stepped in to shoot goalwards. His effort hit a defender and looped up and over Robert Dunnings and into the net. GMA no longer had something to hold on to and the Oban side looked the more likely to add to their total. And they did just that with 15 minutes remaining when Craig MacDougall ran in to tuck a rebound into the bottom corner of the net from close in after Robert Dunnings had made another save. Lorne Dickie added a third a couple of minutes later. Garry Lord played the ball out of defence to Willie Neilson and he found Dickie who hit the ball sweetly on the run. Oban Camanachd pushed Daniel Cameron up front for the final 15 minutes of the game with Daniel Sloss, who had come off the bench in attack, dropping back into his more accustomed defensive role. Cameron certainly ruffled things up before helping himself to a goal on 80 minutes. An Andrew MacCuish strike was saved but with keeper Dunnings on the ground, Cameron poked the ball into the net to make it 4-1. There was now only going to be one winner and when the ball broke to Daniel MacVicar at the edge of the D with just 3 minutes remaining, he steered a shot low into the net to complete the scoring.
Oban Celtic 2 Bute 1 Oban Celtic progress to the next round following their 2-1 win over Bute in their 3pm throw up at Mossfield. The Islanders have proved to be a bit of a bogey team for Kenny Wotherspoon’s side and they came out on top when the sides met earlier in the season in the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup. Oban Celtic’s Ally McKerracher returned after missing the previous week’s win over Aberdour. However the hosts missed captain Daniel Madej, Kieran Gallacher and George MacMillan. Bute travelled with just thirteen players. Oban Celtic had their chances in the first half but they didn’t go ahead until 51 minutes. Some excellent play from Daniel MacMillan saw him find his brother Ross MacMillan and he slipped a through ball forward to Ally McKerracher who took the ball in his stride and thumped it high beyond the keeper to bag the crucial opening goal. Oban Celtic added a second from the penalty spot on 63 minutes after Ally McKerracher was clearly brought down when clean through on goal. Ross MacMillan stepped up to blast the spot-hit low and hard to the keeper’s right. There was then a major flashpoint for referee Des McNulty to deal with. Andy MacDonald’s physical play troubled the Bute defence and a melee involving a number of players ensued following a double swing which caught the Celtic forward on the ankle. This resulted in red cards for Bute pair Chris Lawrence and Arran Dunn with Celtic’s Ally McKerracher extremely fortunate not to join them for retaliation. Despite being down to ten men, Bute halved the deficit with Robert Walker finishing with a great drive on the angle with 6 minutes remaining. However Oban Celtic deserved the win and next up for them is a Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup first round tie against Strathglass at Mossfield this Saturday.
Glenurquhart 4 Caberfeidh 4 (after extra-time – Glenurquhart won 3-0 on penalties) Glenurquhart achieved the day’s surprise result, beating on-form Caberfeidh on penalties following their thrilling 4-4 draw at Blairbeg Glen full back Ally MacKintosh served a one-match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. John Peteranna was injured playing for the club’s U17 side during the week whilst Daniel MacKintosh was also unavailable. Caberfeidh were without the injured Scott MacLachlan and Jamie Matheson so Scott MacPhail was called up from the second team. James MacPherson gave the hosts a 25 minute lead. There was an infringement at the edge of the D and Michael Fraser took the free-hit and, in a routine from the training ground, he found James MacPherson who knocked the ball past the on-rushing keeper Ewen Pilcher from the edge of the D. This was the only goal of the first half and probably came against the run of play. The Glenurquhart forward line of Fraser Heath, Connor Golabek, Michael Fraser, with James MacPherson and Oliver Black sharing duties through the use of rolling substitutes, was working well and they doubled their lead on 53 minutes. Michael Fraser took an Oliver Black pass before turning and pushing the ball wide of the full back and firing home. Cabers got themselves back into the game on the hour when Colin MacLennan turned home a rebound following a Kevin Bartlett shot. Caberfeidh levelled just 4 minutes later when Kevin Bartlett scored after some good inter-play. Cabers were taking a direct route to goal and when Craig Morrison gave his side the lead with just 15 minutes remaining, it looked as if the Castle Leod men would take their place in the next round. Glenurquhart had other ideas though and Connor Golabek’s goal, when he found space to shoot, after good play and a smart cross from Michael Fraser in a wide position, with just 4 minutes remaining took the tie into an extra-time period. Craig Morrison got his second goal of the game just 4 minutes into the additional 30 minutes but Glen came back again as James MacPherson got his second with just 5 minutes of the first period of extra-time remaining. Fraser Heath played the ball out wide to Connor Golabek who sent the ball across the pitch. James MacPherson blocked Ryan MacKay’s attempt at a first time clearance and, with MacKay getting back to his feet, MacPherson let the ball bounce before hitting it low into the bottom corner of the net to make it 4-4. With no further scoring, referee Graham Cameron took the tie to a penalty shoot-out where the drama continued. Glen went first and James MacPherson made his usual efficient job, sending a rasping penalty into the net. Kevin Bartlett stepped up next but his spot-hit went wide. However the goal judge signalled for a re-take, judging Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh to have moved his feet before the ball was struck. Bartlett’s second attempt was saved with his body by MacKintosh but again the keeper was penalised. Bartlett went again and this time MacKintosh made the stop with his foot but, remarkably, another retake was ordered for the same offence. Kevin Bartlett, Scotland’s dead-ball expert in the Shinty / Hurling internationals, stepped up for a fourth time but with MacKintosh’s saves were getting better each time, the keeper made a spectacular stop with his club and his side led the shoot-out 1-0. Caberfeidh never recovered and they missed their next two penalties which allowed Fraser Heath to blast home before Connor Golabek kept his nerve to score the decisive third home spot-hit to win the shoot-out. One concern for Glen manager Iain MacLeod will be a hand injury to young defender Lachie Smith.
Kyles Athletic 3 Inveraray 0 Artemis MacAulay Cup holders Kyles Athletic beat Inveraray 3-0 in their derby meeting at Strachurmore. With improvement works at Tighnabruaich, Kyles have yet to play on their home pitch this season and it is likely to be August at the earliest before they return. Kyles returned to the field of play after being idle for a couple of Saturdays. The first goal came on 25 minutes and was created after a period of Kyles pressure which led to the ball being played to Roddy MacDonald who tucked the ball into the net from close range to make it 1-0. Kyles added a second just 3 minutes later with the goal coming after more pressure and when space opened up in front of him, Grant Irvine crashed the ball home from the edge of the D. The pick of the goals was Grant Irvine’s second on 65 minutes which made it 3-0. The ball was sent up the left wing to Roddy MacDonald who played a square pass inside to his cousin Scott MacDonald. He played a slide rule pass into the path of an onrushing Grant Irvine who drilled the ball first time into the right hand bottom corner of the net. Grant Irvine also had the ball in the net midway through the second half when he thought he had completed his hat-trick but his effort was ruled offside by goal judge Dunkie Kerr. Kyles Athletic keeper John Whyte really only had one save of note, when he saved well with his foot from a long-range drive from Lewis MacNicol in the first half. Kyles reward is a trip to Oban Celtic in the quarter-finals.
Kingussie 2 Skye Camanachd 0 (After extra-time) Kingussie final broke Skye Camanachd’s resistance, winning 2-0 after extra-time as the sides met for the second successive Saturday; this time at The Dell. Kingussie were 2-0 winners in Portree a week earlier and it took extra-time for them to achieve the same outcome this time around. Kingussie’s Ryan MacWilliam was free of suspension and he took over from Kieran MacPherson in defence. Lee Bain was back from injury and started on the bench whilst the game came too soon for the injured Louis Munro. Skye’s squad was unchanged from the previous week with Ally MacDonald and Iain Nicolson still on the injury list. However Will Cowie started at full centre with Danny Morrison pushed up front. Skye’s Iain MacLeod was the busier of the two keepers during the 90 minutes but Kingussie were almost made to pay in the closing stages when Ruaraidh MacLeod passed up a late chance to win it for Skye. Iain MacLeod again denied the Kings when he used his body to block a Savio Genini penalty just 3 minutes into extra-time. However Kingussie broke the deadlock a couple of minutes later when James Hutchison scored at the second attempt from a central position, around 20 yards from goal. Skye needed a goal and they pushed John Gillies from full back to full forward. However it was Kingussie who got the clincher. A long ball from the halfway line was controlled by Roddy Young with his back to goal. Young moved the ball to the side before finishing well on his back-hand to make it 2-0. Kingussie travel to play Kinlochshiel in the next round.
Lovat 3 Lochaber 1 Lovat had to work hard to beat Lochaber 3-1 at in a noon throw up at Balgate. These sides also faced eachother for the second week in a row with Lovat winning in the league at Spean Bridge a week earlier. Lovat were without the injured Scott MacKenzie whilst Drew Howie was unavailable but Lorne MacKay and Daniel Grieve were back in the side. Lochaber’s Brian MacDonald was free of suspension but John MacKenzie was missing through injury. Greg Matheson gave Lovat the lead on 13 minutes but Connor Sweeney equalised on 22 minutes. Greg Matheson got his second 5 minutes before the break and the outcome stayed in the balance until Lorne MacKay made it 3-1 on the stroke of full-time. Lovat have home advantage against Glenurquhart in the quarter-finals.
Ballachulish WO v Aberdour Ballachulish were the first team through to the Artemis MacAulay Cup second round. They were given a walk-over when Aberdour were unable to raise a team for their tie at The Jubilee Park.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup – First Round Inverness 3 Beauly 6 Beauly are through to the last sixteen of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup after they beat Inverness 6-3 in their first round tie at The Bught Park. Jack MacDonald gave Beauly a 10 minute lead but James Cameron levelled just 5 minutes later. There was no further scoring during the first 45 minutes but a goals explosion followed in the second half. Jack MacDonald got his second on 50 minutes only for James Cameron to make it 2-2 just 5 minutes later. Robbie Brindle restored Beauly’s lead on 58 minutes but Andy Reid made it 3-3 just 3 minutes later. Beauly went in front for a fourth time on 67 minutes with Sean Stewart scoring and this time they stayed in front. Conor Ross made it 5-3 on 76 minutes and Robbie Brindle got his second with just 9 minutes remaining. The remaining Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup first round ties take place this coming Saturday.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup – Second Round Newtonmore 6 Glenurquhart 0 The Newtonmore reserves scored four times in the first half to beat the Glenurquhart reserves 6-0 at The Eilan. Craig MacLeod scored on 21 and 27 minutes to give the hosts a two-goal advantage. A Ross MacAulay own goal on 31 minutes followed by a 43 minute hat-trick effort from Craig MacLeod made it 4-0 at the break. Paul MacArthur added a fifth just 4 minutes after the restart and David Fraser made it 6-0 on 76 minutes. The Newtonmore seconds will host the Strathglass seconds, from the league below, in the quarter finals.
Bute 2 Skye Camanachd 3 Two of shinty’s island reserve teams; Bute and Skye Camanachd, met at The Meadows. And’s it is Skye who progress to the last eight of the competition after they came from two goals down; to win 3-2. Skye set off from Portree just after 6am on Saturday morning and the long journey may have contributed to their slow start as Bute raced into a 2-0 lead. Neil McKirdy got the opener on 8 minutes with a low finish from just outside the D. Skye’s Angie MacDonald hit the post before Bute got a disputed second goal on 22 minutes. The ball was floated to the back post and squared across the box where it deflected off a Skye player before being passed back to young Stewart Stirling who was inside the D. Stirling scored and although referee David Mitchell spoke to the goal judge, who hadn’t flagged, the goal stood. Skye manager Kenny MacLeod made changes and he came off the bench to replace Calum Gibb. John Angus MacInnes moved from buckshee forward to wing centre and Skye went two-two in attack with Stewart Taylor and Daniel Morrison now playing closer to the centre line. Angie MacDonald tested the keeper a couple of times before a shot from Daniel Morrison was saved but the goalie couldn’t get the ball away and Angie MacDonald won possession and tapped home to get Skye back in the game with half an hour played. Just 5 minutes later, with ball floated in to the danger area; Angie MacDonald took control and hit a low drive past the keeper to square the tie. The winning goal came on the stroke of half time. Iain Murray won the ball in the centre line, playing in Daniel Morrison down the Skye left. Morrison found Kenny MacLeod who threaded a through ball to Angie MacDonald who was running in from left to right and he struck the ball first time, high into the net, for what was the goal of the game. Bute made changes in the second half and it took some good defending from Skye to stop them equalising. Skye were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes but the keeper saved Daniel Morrison’s low shot. Kenny MacLeod had a late chance to put the tie out of reach but it stayed 3-2.
Caberfeidh 2 Kingussie 5 The Kingussie seconds, from Marine Harvest North Division 1, were given a scare before eventually beating the Caberfeidh seconds, from the league below, 5-2 at Castle Leod. Caberfeidh lost Scott MacPhail to their first team but Neil MacKenzie returned whilst Declan Wilson was given a marking job on Kevin Thain. Dylan Borthwick returned for Kingussie as did Darren Hanlon. Caberfeidh’s Kyle MacLeod proved to be a handful for the Kingussie defence and he opened the scoring on 15 minutes when the ball broke to him after some good play from Stewart Krzyzanowski. Kyle MacLeod got his second on 35 minutes with a blistering drive past a helpless Robert Shiells in the Kingussie goal. However, perhaps crucially, Kingussie pulled a goal back a minute before the break when wing forward Russell Menzies got away from his marker and he ran in to score. Kingussie came out for the second half fired up and Dylan Borthwick marked his return with an equalising goal on 52 minutes. The next goal was always going to be so important and it didn’t come until 5 minutes from time when Sandy Elrick put the Kings ahead for the first time in the game. The goal deflated Caberfeidh and a second from Dylan Borthwick on 87 minutes and a Kevin Thain effort a minute from time completed the 5-2 win.
Lovat 1 Strachur 1 (After extra-time - Strachur won 3-2 on penalties) Marine Harvest South Division 2 league leaders Strachur colts edged out the Lovat colts, from Marine Harvest North Division 2, on penalties after it finished 1-1 after extra-time in their tie at Balgate. David Limbert gave Strachur an 18 minute lead but Raymond Rennie equalised on 31 minutes. With no further scoring in the second half, nor during the extra-time period, referee Ronnie Campbell took the tie to a penalty shoot-out. In the end, Strachur ran out 3-2 winners to win a place in next month’s quarter-finals.
Lochcarron 0 Fort William 4 Graham Mitchell scored twice as the Fort William seconds beat Lochcarron 4-0 at Battery Park. Graham Mitchell gave Fort William a 25 minute lead with what was the only goal of the first half. Mark Fraser made it 2-0 a couple of minutes into the second half and when Graham Mitchell got his second on 49 minutes; it looked like there would only be one winner. Grant Disher made it 4-0 on 68 minutes to give the Fort seconds a quarter-final tie at Strachur.
Lochaber 2 Beauly 1 The Lochaber second team beat the Beauly second team 2-1 at Spean Bridge Calum Flynn scored for Beauly but the father and son duo Lachlan Campbell and Max Campbell gave Lochaber victory and a quarter-final tie away to the Skye Camanachd second team.
Strathglass W/O v Inveraray The Inveraray colts were unable to raise a team for their trip to Cannich so the Strathglass colts were given free passage into the quarter-finals.
Lochside Rovers P Kyles Athletic P The tie between Lochside Rovers and the Kyles Athletic second team was postponed on Friday as Ganavan was ruled unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Glengarry 7 Aberdeen University 1 Glengarry cut the Newtonmore second team’s lead at the top of the table to two points when they beat Aberdeen University 7-1 at Craigard. Nick Dalgety gave ‘Garry the lead with 9 minutes gone. However three goals either side of the break made the difference. Nick Dalgety got his second on 44 minutes and then, immediately after the restart, Raymond Robertson netted after 46 and 47 minutes to make it 4-0. Aberdeen’s Stuart Cameron pulled a goal back on 58 minutes only for Raymond Robertson to complete his hat-trick on 69 minutes. Nick Dalgety took his tally to four goals with strikes 74 and 76 minutes to round off the 7-1 win.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Tayforth 3 Col Glen 2 Tayforth fought off Col Glen to win 3-2 at Levenhall Links. A Finlay Stark double on 5 and 11 minutes gave the hosts an early two goal advantage. Col Glen’s Conor Kennedy pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time. However Ewan Menzies restored Tayforth’s two-goal cushion before John MacPhail made it 3-2 with just 7 minutes remaining. The win means Tayforth move two points ahead of the Inveraray second team at the bottom of the table.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Glasgow Mid Argyll P Aberdour P The meeting between the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds and the Aberdour seconds at Yoker will be rescheduled for a later date.
Glenorchy P Oban Celtic P Glenorchy meeting with the Oban Celtic second team was postponed as Mart Park was waterlogged.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless noted differently in the match report)
WCA Round Up There were top flight wins for Lochaber and Strathspey following the Women’s Camanachd Association action on Sunday 6 May 2018.
Marine Harvest National Division 1 Lochaber 14 Aberdour 1 Lochaber were too strong for Aberdour, winning 14-1 in their 1pm throw up at Spean Bridge. Kirsty Delaney was Lochaber’s top scorer with six goals. Rebecca Masson netted four times whilst Natalie MacDonald grabbed a hat-trick and Thea Robertson got the other. Mhairi Bryson notched a consolation goal for Aberdour.
Ardnamurchan 1 Strathspey 5 Strathspey beat Ardnamurchan 5-1 in their 1pm throw up at Strontian. Beth Rodgers scored four times for the visitors whilst Jade Longworth got the other. Kate Bradley countered for Ardnamurchan.
Badenoch W/O v Fort William Badenoch were given a walk-over when Fort William were unable to raise a team for their match. Badenoch’s next match is a top of the table clash at home to Skye Camanachd on Sunday 20 May 2018.
Skye Camanachd P Glasgow Mid Argyll P Skye Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll agreed to rearrange their match at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree
Marine Harvest Challenge Cup English Shinty Association 0 Strathglass 2 English Shinty Association lost 2-0 to Strathglass in their noon throw up at Cannich on Saturday 5 May 2018. The Strathglass goals were scored by Kayleigh MacGregor and Laura Fraser. |