Advantage Kinlochshiel
Kyles suffer heavy defeat as top two battle it out for shinty honours
Marine Harvest Premiership Kinlochshiel Kyles Athletic 4 0
SHINTY’S match of the day was the meeting between the Premiership’s top two teams – Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic at Kirkton.
With just one more league match each remaining after this encounter, the sides were level on points, with Kyles just in front courtesy of a goal differential of five.
Kinlochshiel quickly settled into the game and took the lead on four minutes following a brilliant passing move before Keith MacRae drove the ball past Kyles Athletic keeper John Whyte.
Oliver MacRae made it two on 12 minutes – the Kinlochshiel man quickest on to a rebound off the Kyles’ goalie.
The next goal came from the hosts, four minutes into the second half, when John MacRae saw an initial effort blocked before he wriggled forward past a couple of defenders and showed great perseverance to slot the ball into the net from close range.
Kyles had their chances in this game, but the Kinlochshiel defence were excellent, with Mark MacDonald outstanding.
Whenever the Tighnabruaich men got a sight of goal, they found keeper Scott Kennedy in no mood to give anything away and one flying first half save, diving to his right to deny Grant Irvine, was special.
Kyles threw Dunkie Kerr on in midfield and Callum Miller and Innes MacDonald up front, but it was Jordan Fraser who put the icing on the cake, scoring for the hosts with five minutes remaining.
Kinlochshiel deserved the win, although the four-goal winning margin was harsh on Kyles who missed Callum Miller at the back and Roddy MacDonald up front.
Kinlochshiel finish the season against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield on Saturday October 7, knowing that a point is enough for a first Marine Harvest Premiership success.
Kyles Athletic are scheduled to complete their league programme against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Tighnabruaich the same day.
Marine Harvest National Division Inveraray Oban Celtic 1 2
OBAN Celtic recorded a good win, beating Inveraray 2-1 in their 3pm throw-up at the Winterton.
The pitch passed a Saturday morning inspection, though the surface was difficult for both sides.
Oban Celtic got themselves in front on seven minutes when makeshift full forward Andy MacDonald scored, with the help of a deflection.
The visitors suffered a blow on 12 minutes when experienced defender David MacInnes was sent off by referee Ross Brown for retaliation following an off-the-ball incident.
Inveraray pressed hard from the start of the second half, but Oban Celtic had the chance to double their lead six minutes after the restart when they were awarded a penalty. David Hill’s clearance found Neil Carmichael and he picked out Daniel Madej who lost his marker and made for goal only to be brought down inside the box. David Hill sent the penalty low and hard to the keeper’s right.
Oban Celtic now led 2-0 with the goal coming against the run of play.
Iain MacFarlane continued to deny Inveraray, turning in an outstanding performance between the posts. Garry MacPherson made it 2-1 with a rocket shot on 79 minutes but despite intense pressure, Oban Celtic held out to move up to sixth place in the division, just two points behind fifth-placed Inveraray, with what was their fourth league win of the season.