The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 11 August 2012 | |
17 August 2012 Kyles Athletic will face Inveraray in next month’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final following their 2-1 win over Newtonmore 2-1 at Mossfield on Saturday 11 August 2012.
Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup – Semi Final Kyles Athletic 2 Newtonmore 1 The 2012 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final will be an all-South affair between Kyles Athletic and Inveraray after Kyles beat Newtonmore 2-1 in their semi-final at Mossfield. Newtonmore were 5-2 winners when the sides met in Tighnabruaich on league duty three weeks ago but Kyles were missing defender Donald Irvine that day and he was in defence for this 4.05pm throw up. However young defender Zac Coley was still side-lined with a broken hand and Rupert Williamson started in his place. Calum Miller was given a marking job on Newtonmore danger-man Danny MacRae. Newtonmore manager Norman MacArthur started with Scott Chisholm at wing centre. Newtonmore, playing into the Mossfield breeze, thought they had taken an early lead when Fraser MacKintosh rifled the ball home after good work by Danny MacRae but the goal was disallowed for offside. Kyles then came within a whisker of going in front when Fraser MacDonald got on the end of a Ewen Campbell cross from the right. But with Michael Ritchie dashing from his line to narrow the angle, MacDonald pushed the ball just the wrong side of the post. Kyles made the break-through on 31 minutes. Full centre David Zavaroni won possession from a Newtonmore shy on their left and the ball dropped for Roddy MacDonald. He played the ball across to Fraser MacDonald and as Thomas Whyte collected MacDonald’s pass, he lifted the ball over Michael Ritchie to put Kyles 1-0 in front. Kyles enjoyed the bulk of the pressure and they extended their lead on 42 minutes. Referee Graham Cameron penalised Paul MacArthur in the middle of the field and Andrew King took the free-hit. Roddy MacDonald knocked the ball down to Fraser MacDonald and he slipped the ball back to Roddy MacDonald who had darted into the D and he steered the ball one-handed through Michael Ritchie’s legs into the net. Holders Newtonmore were not going to give up this trophy easily though and Danny MacRae pulled a goal back a minute before the break. Scott Chisholm closed down a clearance from the Kyles defence. The ball broke for Jamie Robinson who played in Glen MacKintosh. He tried a first time effort but was challenged by Robbie MacLeod. Glen MacKintosh then managed to prod the ball forward to Danny MacRae who was almost on the penalty spot and he turned and fired low into the bottom left corner of Kenny MacDonald’s net to make it 2-1. ‘More’s Glen MacKintosh was booked for kicking out at Robbie MacLeod after the goal was scored. Kenny MacDonald turned away Danny MacRae drive as Newtonmore looked to get back on level terms. MacDonald then stopped a MacRae effort with his foot and he stretched to sweep the ball away for a corner. Substitute Evan Menzies then saw a shot rise over the bar as Newtonmore took a grip of the midfield area. Kyles brought Roddy MacDonald back in a move to try and win the midfield battle in the Oban heat. The games most controversial moment came when Robbie MacLeod won the ball and slipped it to Dunkie Kerr on 67 minutes. Kerr played a long ball forward which Fraser MacDonald controlled and, despite the attentions of Norman Campbell, he made his way into the D before slipping the ball past Michael Ritchie. However the Kyles supporters’ cheers were short lived as referee Graham Cameron had blown for an infringement by Campbell on MacDonald when allowing advantage would have would have been a better option for the men from Tighnabruaich. Kyles were unable to make anything from the resultant free-hit. Newtonmore tried to freshen things up by taking off full centre Jamie Robinson and reintroducing John MacKenzie with Glen MacKintosh coming back to the middle of the park. Ewen Campbell had the chance to put the outcome beyond doubt on 82 minutes when Fraser MacDonald played him in but his shot flashed across goal. Kyles tried to add to their lead in the closing minutes but as Graham Cameron’s whistle signalled the end of the 90 minutes, it was Kyles Athletic who went through to next month’s final which will also be at Mossfield. Calum Miller was outstanding in defence for the victors, and he deservedly picked up the BBC Alba man of the match award. This will only be the second time that two South sides have contested shinty’s premier prize. The first was in 1983 when Kyles beat Strachur & District 3-2 in Fort William. The Kyles keeper that day was a 21 year old Kenny MacDonald who collected winners’ medal in his debut season for the first team and he is still going strong.
Orion Group Premiership Glenurquhart 3 Lovat 1 Glenurquhart came out on top in their local derby with Lovat at Blairbeg. The Glen’s Jamie MacPherson was unable to line-up against his former club for the first time as he had just started a new job in Kirkwall. However he has been able to secure time off for Glen’s appearance in the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final in their next outing. Work commitments also ruled out Glenurquhart’s Andrew Corrigan whilst Neale Reid was injured. However Ruairidh Cameron was fit enough to start and he lined up in attack. The visitors took the lead on 18 minutes when a Greg Matheson strike beat Stuart MacKintosh in the Glen goal. However Ruairidh Cameron marked his return with goals on 25 and 32 minutes to give the Glen the advantage. David Smart shot past Stuart MacDonald to make it 3-1 on just 3 minutes later. There was no further scoring and the Glen are now level on points with fourth place Kingussie and they have the Artemis Macaulay Cup Final against Oban Camanachd to look forward to next weekend. Bute 1 Inveraray 5 Bute are officially relegated following their 5-1 defeat to Inveraray in their derby clash at the Meadows. Russell MacKinlay missed that game and this one too. Inveraray defender Allan MacDonald was available but he served a one match ban in his side’s next outing for a points accumulation. Inveraray were on a high from securing a place in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final last weekend and Garry MacPherson gave then a 2 minute lead. Ruairidh Graham made it 2-0 on the half hour mark and MacPherson got his second a couple of minutes later. Graham got his second for the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup finalists on 35 minutes. Chris Crawford made it 5-0 on 51 minutes whilst Graham Fisher, who scored for the Bute reserves earlier in the day, got some consolation for the Islanders with a 68 minute strike. The win also secures Inveraray’s top flight status.
Fort William 4 Kingussie 3 Fort William celebrated their return to An Aird by coming from 3-0 down to beat Kingussie 4-3. Fort boss Peter McIntyre has been struggling to get selection consistency in recent weeks and a raft of players missed last weekend’s defeat to Kyles Athletic. However this has allowed same of the club’s younger players like Jamie Cruickshank and Cameron Grant to get some valuable first team experience. Alex Duncan was free from suspension and he started in midfield. Kyle Grant had also served his ban. The Kings had Rory Borthwick available after he served a one match ban last weekend but Louis Munro and Craig Dawson were still injured and Ronald Ross didn’t feature. Second team keeper Russell Menzies was in goal in place of Andrew Borthwick for this 2pm throw up. A Barrie Dallas strike on 10 minutes and a Fraser Munro brace on 13 and 24 minutes put the Kings 3-0 up. However a 28 minute Alex Duncan strike made it 3-1 at the break. Bryan Simpson made it 3-2 on 52 minutes and Gordy MacKinnon squared the game on 65 minutes. Alex Duncan got his second with what proved to be the winner just 3 minutes later to give the Fort 4-3 win.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Skye Camanachd 4 Beauly 1 Skye Camanachd returned to the top of the table following their 4-1 win over Beauly at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Click on the following link to read the match report in full http://www.skyecamanachd.com/news/skye-camanachd-4-beauly-1.htm Lochaber 6 Strathglass 0 Lochaber were favourites when they played Strathglass in a noon throw up at Spean Bridge. However they were missing several regulars who were at a pre-arranged stag party. Brian MacDonald remained out with a hand injury. Michael Stokes made a welcome return from injury for Strathglass in their last outing. Ben Delaney put the home side ahead after 15 minutes and Pat Toal made it 2-0 a couple of minutes before the break. Ben Delaney added a third on 50 minutes whilst with his second goal of the game. Stuart Callison netted on 75 and 82 minutes, either side of Pat Toal’s second goal of the afternoon on 78 minutes. Lochaber remain in third place, four points behind leaders Skye but with three games in hand. Inverness 3 Lochcarron 2 Inverness beat Lochcarron 3-2 in their 2pm throw up at the Bught Park. Inverness forward Somhairle MacDonald was back from holiday but he was on television duty covering the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final tie between Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic for BBC Alba. Craig Nicholson was suspended for the home side after his red card against Caberfeidh last week and he started a three match ban but James Cameron was free of suspension. Lochcarron boss Andrew MacKenzie continued to field several of the club’s younger players with next season in mind. Alan MacKenzie gave Lochcarron a 3 minute lead but Arran MacMaster levelled 4 minutes into the second half. MacMaster got his second on 53 minutes only for Kieran Murray to make it 2-2 on 65 minutes. James Cameron got what proved to be the winner for Inverness 3 minutes from time.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Oban Camanachd 7 Kilmory 1 Oban Camanachd went top of Marine Harvest South Division 1 and showed that they will be difficult to shift as they beat Kilmory 7-1 at Mossfield. The sides agreed to bring throw up forward to noon. Kilmory’s Bruce Johnston was banned. Iain MacMillan got the home side off to the best possible start when he scored in the opening minutes. MacMillan got his second on 22 minutes whilst Scotland U17 forward Malcolm Clark made it 3-0 just 4 minutes later. Garry Lord added a fourth on 34 minutes and the Oban side took this lead into the break. Kilmory’s Mark Robertson pulled a goal back on the hour mark but Aidan McIntyre made it 5-1 a couple of minutes later. Lorn Dickie on 64 minutes and Ian Campbell on 69 minutes got the others to round off the 7-1 win. Aberdour 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 A goal from Fulton Ross was all that separated Aberdour and Glasgow Mid Argyll in their 2pm throw up in Fife. Bottom side Aberdour had already beaten GMA 1-0 in both the league and the AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup this season. However four goals from Mark Bain gave GMA safe passage when the sides met in the Balliemore Cup. The deciding goal from Fulton Ross came on 65 minutes. (more to follow) |