Cup action and change at top of premiership
KYLES Athletic reached the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals, the Kingussie and Newtonmore reserve teams will meet in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final and Newtonmore returned to the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership following the shinty action on Saturday July 2.
Artemis Macaulay Cup quarterfinals
Kyles Athletic 5 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0
Kyles Athletic are through to the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals after beating Glasgow Mid Argyll 5- 0 at Tighnabruaich.
Kyles Athletic welcomed Andrew King back into their squad after injury, which is a boost ahead of this coming weekend’s Camanachd Cup quarter-final tie at home to Lochaber.
GMA’s resources were stretched and they travelled with just 13 players. They were without the banned John McNulty, the injured Brian Slattery and Euan Murray, as well as Mark Bain.
Kyles’ class told and Gordon Whyte scored on 12 and 15 minutes to put his side 2- 0 ahead. Sandy MacKenzie added a third on 31 minutes.
Ronnie MacLeod on the hour and Grant Irvine, a couple of minutes from time, rounded off the 5- 0 win.
Kyles Athletic will now meet Inveraray in the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals in a tie scheduled for Saturday July 23.
Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup – semi finals
Glenurquhart 1 Kingussie 2
The Kingussie reserves edged out Glenurquhart reserves 2-1 at Bught Park to reach the 2016 Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final.
Kingussie had the wind advantage in the first half and they went 1- 0 ahead through Roddy Young after 25 minutes.
Glen’s James MacPherson was proving a handful against Kingussie’s Rory Fraser though and he went close on more than one occasion.
There were chances at the other end too with Kevin Thain passing up a couple of opportunities.
Kingussie went 2- 0 ahead against the run of play on 70 minutes with Kevin Thain scoring.
Referee John Wood awarded Glenurquhart a penalty five minutes later when Kings’ keeper Robert Shiells was adjudged to have fallen on the ball. James MacPherson hit a low spot-hit which was saved by the keeper but Calum Smith bundled the rebound into the net to make it 2-1.
Kingussie did enough to deserve the win though, creating the better chances in the game.
Tayforth 0 Newtonmore 7
The Newtonmore seconds were too strong for Tayforth, winning 7- 0 in their 1pm throw up at Silver Sands.
Three early goals had ’More in control as Darrin Fowler on two minutes, David Cheyne on four minutes and Craig MacLeod on six minutes had them 3- 0 ahead.
A second goal from Darrin Fowler on 16 minutes and likewise from David Cheyne three minutes later made it 5- 0 and ended the tie as a contest.
Scott Campbell made it 6- 0 on 39 minutes and Duncan Gorman netted with the only goal of the second half on 77 minutes.
The Newtonmore side included some promising youngsters as well as the experienced Scott Campbell, David Cheyne, Kenny Ross, Cameron Binnie, Ackie MacRae and John MacKenzie, making them a match for any team at this level.
Alan Harrison was match referee.
Newtonmore now face Kingussie in a reserve team derby in the 2016 Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final.
Marine Harvest Premiership Division
Newtonmore 3 Lochaber 1
With Oban Camanachd not in action, Newtonmore took the chance to return to the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership with a 3-1 win over Lochaber at the Eilan.
Newtonmore defender Michael Russell was free of suspension and Glen MacKintosh, although perhaps not yet fully fit, played at full forward. Evan Menzies was banned for passing through the disciplinary points threshold, Rory Kennedy was unwell and injury ruled out Andy MacKintosh and Fraser MacKintosh.
Lochaber defender Jack Dignan remained on the injury list whilst buckshee forward Kevin Ferguson served the second game of a two-match ban. Full back Lachlan Campbell was free of his suspension.
With the Eilan pitch in excellent condition, Iain Robinson put Newtonmore ahead on 33 minutes. A looping ball from Paul MacArthur dropped into the ‘D’ and Robinson was first to react to make it 1- 0.
That was the main action from a pretty low-key first half.
Lochaber shocked their hosts when they equalised through Zandz Ferguson on 49 minutes.
’More went back in front just four minutes later. Another looping ball caught Lochaber full back Lachie Campbell in no-man’s land and, as the ball dropped over the Lochaber defender, an unmarked Glen MacKintosh took advantage and slotted the ball home from just outside the ‘D’ to make it 2-1.
Newtonmore sealed the win on the hour thanks to a nice Chris Sellar half-volley on the turn which saw the ball nestle in the bottom corner of the net.
Next up for Newtonmore is a Camanachd Cup quarter-final tie against Skye Camanachd at the Eilan this coming Saturday.
Lochaber are also in the last eight of shinty’s blue riband competition when they travel to Tighnabruaich to face Kyles Athletic.
Kinlochshiel 4 Kingussie 1
Kinlochshiel go second in the league after they beat Kingussie 4-1 at Kirkton.
The home side went in front four minutes before the break when Jordan Fraser fed the ball to Oliver MacRae who turned and sent the ball past the keeper to make it 1- 0.
The second half was just a minute old when Keith MacRae went on a good run and finished well to double ’Shiel’s advantage.
A good pass from Duncan ‘DA’ MacRae set up Jordan Fraser for Kinlochshiel’s third on 64 minutes and, just three minutes later, John MacRae lashed the ball home from just inside the ‘D’ meaning all four home forwards had found the back of the net.
Kingussie pulled a goal back a couple of minutes from time through Savio Genini, his sixth goal in the last three games, to make it 4-1.
Kinlochshiel only trail league leaders Newtonmore on goal difference but they have played four games more.
Fort William 2 Skye Camanachd 2
A Jordan Murchison double against Fort William at An Aird earned Skye Camanachd their sixth draw in their seven league fixtures this season.
Fort William co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson were boosted by Arran MacPhee’s return to the first team squad last weekend after a long injury lay- off, whist Stevie Stewart was back for this one.
Skye Camanachd manager John MacLeod made two changes to his squad. Chris MacLennan was out with a broken finger whilst Neil MacVicar was a late injury call- off. They were replaced by John Gillies and Kenny Campbell.
The 3pm throw-up was delayed as the goals had to be repositioned after the earlier match between Fort William and Kinlochshiel reserves had left the goal mouths muddy.
Skye took the lead on 17 minutes. James Pringle was fouled inside the ‘ D’ when through on goal and referee Graham Cameron pointed to the penalty spot. Jordan Murchison made no mistake from the resultant spot-hit.
Fort William drew level on 31 minutes when Bryan Simpson created just enough space 20 yards from goal to fire in a low drive which evaded Jamie Gannon in the Skye goal.
There were chances at both ends before Fort William’s Seamus Gall, who had also played in the day’s earlier match against Kinlochshiel, sent a lofted ball from 15 yards which deceived Skye keeper Jamie Gannon to make it 2-1 with 64 minutes played.
Skye equalised with just three minutes remaining when an Iain Murray corner from the right fell at the feet of Jordan Murchison at the edge of the ‘D’ and he blasted the ball past Paul MacKay in the Fort goal to make it 2-2.
Lovat 0 Glenurquhart 1
Glenurquhart collected two valuable league points thanks to a 1- 0 derby win over Lovat at Balgate.
Lovat were still without the injured Drew Howie and Craig Mainland but Kevin Bartlett returned after missing his team’s last two fixtures.
Glenurquhart’s David MacLennan served a one-match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. John Barr went to full back in a revamped defence with Fraser Heath at buckshee back. Arran MacDonald was full centre with Lewis MacLennan in attack.
There were near misses at either end, from Lovat’s Kevin Bartlett and Glen’s Neale Reid, before Glenurquhart had to make a change mid-way through the half with Ally MacKintosh coming on for James Hurwood, who had taken an early knock. MacKintosh went to wing centre with Euan Lloyd dropping back into defence.
The game’s decisive goal came after 51 minutes when Lewis MacLennan peeled away to get on the end of a cross from the right from the excellent Connor Golabeck. MacLennan took a touch before sending a bullet shot from 12 yards out into the net to make it 1- 0.
The visitors, who seemed stronger when playing against the wind in the second half, almost doubled their lead on 54 minutes when a Neale Reid shot from the edge of the ‘D’ produced a fine reflex save from Stuart MacDonald just inside his post.
Both sides made changes on the hour. Martin Mainland replaced Calum MacAulay for Lovat, with Mainland going to wing centre and Lewis Tawse moving up front. Glenurquhart replaced Arran MacDonald with Michael Brady. Brady went up front and Michael Fraser took on the full centre role and looked comfortable in the posi- tion he starred in as a youngster. A Michael Brady shot came back off the post on 63 minutes with Lovat goalie Stuart MacDonald getting the merest touch to the ball with his caman.
An injured Danny Kelly, who by this time had switched from buckshee back to full centre, came off with Scott MacKenzie coming on and Martin Mainland going to full centre.
Lovat, with Ryan Ferguson strong in midfield, threw everything at Glenurquhart in the closing 10 minutes.
There was a moment of controversy on 87 minutes. Lovat forward Greg Matheson charged in to try and get on a rebound after Stuart MacKintosh had made a save. With the ball in the air, and the ‘Glen’ trying to clear the danger, Matheson was felled after taking a blow to the head.
Referee Innes Wood spoke to the goal judge and awarded Lovat a penalty. Kevin Bartlett took the spot-hit but keeper MacKintosh got his left knee to the ball to keep it out.
Ninth-placed Glenurquhart now only trail eighth-placed Skye Camanachd on goal difference although the islanders have three games in hand. Lochaber are a point ahead in seventh spot.
Marine Harvest National Division
Ballachulish 0 Inveraray 8
Inveraray stay top of shinty’s second tier after they defeated Ballachulish 8- 0 at Jubilee Park.
Scott MacDonald was banned for Balla’ whist John MacDonald was also missing from the side which beat Bute a fortnight earlier leading to boss Donald Wilson fielding a young side.
Inveraray were eight players short from their Gregor Cameron Consultancy Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final squad a week earlier.
Andrew McMurdo was suspended and, with an injured David MacPherson assisting from the sidelines, player/manager Ruaridh Graham also fielded a young side with an average age of 22 or 19 if you exclude the boss. There were places for U17 players Allan Cameron, Robert Wood, Kieran Kirkhope and Hamish McLennan, with 15-year- old Ruaridh Graham linking up well with his father in attack and playing his first full 90 minutes for the senior side.
Fraser Watt got Inveraray off to a great start with a goal after two minutes. Alan MacDonald added a second on 14 minutes with a Lewis Montgomery strike on the half-hour giving Inveraray a 3- 0 advantage at half time.
Watt got his second on 54 minutes before Inveraray scored three times in three minutes to go out of sight. Watt completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes, while Lewis Montgomery got his second a minute later and Ruaridh Graham made it 7- 0 on 77 minutes.
The Winterton side kept things simple and they were good to watch. It was a comprehensive win and Ross Montgomery had a good game at buckshee back.
Ballachulish goalie Cameron Sutherland more than justified his selection for the Scotland U17 squad with a number of fine saves.
Beauly 5 Bute 0
Beauly go second in the Marine Harvest Premiership after they beat Bute 5- 0 in their 1pm throw up at Braeview Park.
Beauly boss Steven MacLean had Barrie MacDonald back after a long injury lay- off and Marc MacLachlan’s scoring exploits with the reserve team earned him a call up.
Jamie MacLennan, Sandy Elrick and Liam Mutch were missing.
Two goals in two minutes from Jack MacDonald settled the home support.
First MacDonald collected a Ross Forbes shy from the left before sending a blistering drive across Bute keeper Kevin Queen into the net.
Then, just a minute later, the Scotland U21 cap, sent a low shot through a ruck on players past a helpless keeper to make it 2- 0.
Conor Ross crashed a Robbie Brindle corner into the net to make it 3- 0 on 23 minutes and worse was to follow for Bute five minutes before the break when a Jack MacDonald shot was deflected into his own net by Ian McDonald.
Beauly added to their tally once more 15 minutes from time. This time Ian McDonald put in a blocking challenge to try and prevent a low Conor Ross shot at goal but the ball came off the unlucky defender and ended up in the net, giving him the unusual feat of scoring two own goals in one match.
Beauly are now two points behind leaders Inveraray but they have a game in hand. The win sets Beauly up nicely for this coming weekend’s Camanachd Cup quarter-final against Kinlochshiel at Kirkton.
Kilmallie 5 Inverness 2
Kilmallie only trail second -placed Beauly on goal difference after they beat Inverness 5-2 at Canal Parks.
Kilmallie’s Peter Carmichael and Michael Rodger were suspended, whilst Martin Stewart, Liam MacDonald, Mark Graham, Liam Cameron and keeper Shane Gillies were also missing. Former goalie Kevin Toye answered the call to return in goal.
Craig Nicholson and Somhairle MacDonald were amongst the Inverness absentees along with Davie Duncan, Davie Glass, David Campbell, Liam Girvan and youngster William MacKinnon.
Brian MacKay put Kilmallie in front on 20 minutes but a terrific Charlie MacDonald strike from a tight angle evened things up on 34 minutes.
Brian MacKay got his and Kilmallie’s second a couple of minutes later and although Inverness forced a couple of good Kevin Toye saves, a Duncan Rodger strike on 43 minutes gave the home side a 3-1 advantage at the break.
Kilmallie extended their lead a minute into the second half when Brian MacKay completed his hat-trick to make it 4-1.
There was a first goal at senior level for Kilmallie U17 full centre Calum MacDougall on 61 minutes.
James Cameron reduced the deficit when he made it 5-2 just three minutes from time with a good strike from the edge of the ‘D’ following a corner.
Kilmallie, who have games in hand on the teams above them in the league, now have a Camanachd Cup last- eight tie against Oban Camanachd this coming weekend at Canal Parks to look forward to.
Inverness only have three matches remaining this season. They have a home league meeting with Ballachulish scheduled for the end of the month with away league games against Glasgow Mid Argyll and Bute to follow.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Skye Camanachd 1 Strathglass 7
Strathglass stay top of the table after beating Skye Camanachd 7-1 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Skye boss Davie Pringle made four changes to the squad which beat the Lochaber seconds in their Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup tie at Spean Bridge a fortnight earlier.
Keeper Iain MacLeod returned in goal whilst Ryan Morrison started in attack. There were also places for veteran Allan MacLeod, who took up the buckshee back position, and youngster Ross Gordon who started on the bench.
Ally ‘Spod’ MacLeod was with the first team, John Angus MacInnes was on holiday whilst U17 players Jamie Gillies and Martin Pringle were left out.
Strathglass boss Dave Balharry had seen his side continue their improvement from last season.
The Marine Harvest North Division 1 table-toppers are the only unbeaten side in the division, winning seven of their nine league matches going into this encounter.
Balharry was also without some regulars including Michael Stokes and Adam Todd.
Strathglass started well but Skye came back into the match and there wasn’t much between the teams as the first half moved into the final 10 minutes.
Strathglass grabbed a grip of the game, however, as Scott Douglas slotted home a rebound on 36 minutes and Lewis Douglas made it 2- 0 a minute later.
Strathglass substitute Josh Fraser knocked the ball home from close range following a goal mouth scramble on 40 minutes to make it 3- 0 at the break.
Skye made changes and the interval but the Cannich side extended their advantage on 51 minutes when Scott Douglas was allowed too much space and turned to send a low shot into the net.
Josh Fraser got his second on the hour to make it 5- 0 after a Scott Douglas shot following a free-hit had been saved by Skye keeper Iain MacLeod.
Skye pulled a goal back on 79 minutes when U14 player Ross Gordon fired in a low shot from the left to notch his first goal at second team level.
Strathglass finished strongly though and Darren Reid collected a Scott Douglas pass to score the goal of the game on 81 minutes with a thumping 22yard shot into the roof of the net.
Strathglass substitute Penri Jones got the biggest cheer of the day when the 15-year- old slotted home a rebound following a Barry John Phimister shot a minute from time to make it 7-1.
Strathglass are now two points ahead of the Newtonmore second team, although they have played a game more.
Fort William 1 Kinlochshiel 2
The Kinlochshiel colts move off the bottom of the table after beating the Fort William colts 2-1 in their noon throw up at An Aird.
Scott MacLean put ’ Shiel in front on 10 minutes with a rare backhand shot from 20 yards out
Fort’s Jordan Morrison was the busier of the two keepers and he made good saves from Neil Fraser and Scott MacLean.
Fort William, who had 10 youth players in their 15-man squad, started to come more into the game as the first half went on and they deserved to draw level on 25 minutes thanks to a thunderous drive from young Grant Disher who cut in from the left before driving an unstoppable low show which beat veteran ’Shiel keeper Graham Kennedy at his left-hand post.
Fort William introduced Neil Robertson into their defence to mark the influential Neil Fraser at full forward.
Referee John Angus Gillies awarded ’Shiel a penalty 10 minutes into the second half following consultation with his goal judge after ’Shiel substitute WD MacRae had been impeded inside the ‘D’.
Neil Fraser put the resultant spot-hit high into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.
Duncan ‘Ach’ MacRae missed a chance to make it 3-1 on 80 minutes when he was put clean through on goal but he took an extra touch to go round the keeper and sent his shot wide of the post.
This was a very competitive match with two even teams playing good shinty.
It was played in good spirits despite the slippery surface caused by heavy showers before and during the match.
Nathan Whear stood out at buckshee back for ’Shiel and Chris Bamber showed his experience at buckshee forward for the Fort.
It’s very tight at the bottom of the table with Fort William now above Glenurquhart on goal difference on five points and Skye above Lovat on goal difference on four points.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Taynuilt 0 Lochside Rovers 4
Lochside Rovers, Oban Camanachd’s reserve team, stay top of South Division 1 after a convincing win against Taynuilt.
In the absence of team manager Gareth Evans, David MacCuish was in charge. On the playing side, keeper ‘Beano’ Logan and Ross MacMillan were unavailable, but Scott MacMillan and David Lafferty from the senior squad were included.
Taynuilt playing field was in excellent condition and Lochside made a positive start and were two goals to the good through Lewis Buchanan after 20 minutes.
This spurred the home side into action but with the midfield trio of Evan McLennan, Robert Alexander and Daniel MacCuish controlling the midfield it proved to be a difficult task for the home side who showed plenty of endeavour.
It was the league leaders who went in at half-time with a twogoal lead that could have been more but for some excellent saves by the home keeper.
The second half was more of the same with Lochside looking to increase their lead and it was no surprise when two further goals from Michael MacQueen completed the scoring although to their credit Taynuilt came back at Lochside but found the defensive unit of Christopher Macmillan, Craig Kilpatrick, Scott MacMillan and Jordan Kerr in no mood to concede.
Anytime the home forwards breached the Lochside defence they came up against stand-in keeper Scott Buchanan in good form.
The game was well handled by Archie Ritchie.
This result sets up a tense finish to South Division 1 with Lochside, Oban Celtic and Ab- erdour, who are still unbeaten, all in contention. They all have to play each other which will make for an interesting finish to the league.
Lochside have no game next week as the focus turns to Oban Camanachd who travel to Lochaber to play Kilmallie in the quarter final of the Camanachd Cup.
Team manager Ian Hay will have a full squad to choose from for this important fixture. With Kilmallie going well at the moment, Camanachd will need to be at their best for what is a difficult tie with a semi-final place up for grabs.
Aberdour 2 Oban Celtic 1
Aberdour maintained their unbeaten record when they came from a goal down to beat Oban Celtic 2-1 in their 1pm throw up at Silver Sands.
Aberdour’s Finlay Williamson started a two-match suspension following his red card against Glenorchy a fortnight earlier.
The visitors started with the wind in their favour and Neil Carmichael punished some slackness in the home defence to put Oban Celtic ahead on 32 minutes, a lead they carried into the break.
Aberdour, now with the .elements in their favour, levelled on 67 minutes. Roddy McColl collected possession at the edge of the ‘D’ following a scramble inside the box and steered the ball low into the net to make it 1-1.
The goal sparked the Oban side into life and they went all out to regain the lead.
The Aberdour defence stood firm though and when the winning goal came, it was at the other end.
It was the irrepressible Roddy MacColl who got his and Aberdour’s second just six minutes from time when he crashed the ball high into the net to give the home side the win.
They remain just a point off leaders Lochside Rovers with three games in hand.
Col Glen 2 Kyles Athletic 8
Kyles Athletic’s second team returned from Glendaruel with both points following an 8-2 triumph over Col Glen.
Angus Churchill and Rhys Campbell scored for the home team. On target for Kyles were Connor Giudici, Fraser Williamson (2), Kyle Mcmartin, Brandon Wilson and Martin McFadyen, hat-trick. The win lifts Kyles to fifth in the division, a point behind fourth-placed Col Glen, but the Tighnabruaich side has four games in hand.
Glenorchy P Inveraray P
The meeting between Glenorchy and the Inveraray second team at Mart Park was postponed as a number of first team absentees meant the Inveraray reserves were unable to raise a team.
The match will be rescheduled for a later date.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Aberdeen University 4 Lochcarron 2
League leaders Aberdeen University recorded a significant victory in their title quest when they beat second-placed Lochcarron 4-2 at Balgownie.
Lochcarron were without the suspended David MacCuish and Sean MacCuish.
Alan MacKay scored twice for Lochcarron but Alex Duncan, two from Ewan Fraser and a Stuart Cameron effort gave the Aberdeen side the win.
Aberdeen University are now eight points ahead of secondplaced Lochcarron who have a couple of games in hand.
Lewis Camanachd 5 Lochaber 4
Lewis Camanachd recorded their first league win of the season as they beat Lochaber 5- 4 in a thrilling encounter at Shawbost.
Both sides went close early in the match before Keith Neville gave Lochaber the lead after a corner on 19 minutes.
Lewis levelled on 27 minutes when Ally Lamont and Scott MacLeod combined to set up player/manager Duncan MacIntyre who sent the ball low into the corner of the net.
It took a good Eoghan Stewart save to prevent Keith Neville putting the Spean Bridge outfit back in front before Ally Lamont slipped the ball to Duncan MacIntyre who got his second to make it 2-1 on 32 minutes.
Lewis had their tails up and Scott MacLeod made it 3-1 three minutes later following a Connor Chalmers corner.
There was more to come from the home side on 38 minutes when Donald Lamont thumped a re-bound into the net to make it 4-1.
There was a Lewis Camanachd debut for Steven Morrison who replaced a winded Scott MacLeod.
Keith Neville got his and Lo- chaber’s second goal a minute before the break to make it 4-2 at the interval.
Keith Neville completed his hat-trick on 51 minutes to narrow the deficit to a single goal.
Lochaber looked set to take a point when Keith Neville got his fourth goal of the afternoon to make it 4- 4.
There were chances at both ends before Donald Lamont become the Lewis hero as he sent a back-hand effort into the net to make it 5- 4 with just three minutes remaining.
‘The Shinty Referee’ Henry MacInnes blew the final whistle shortly after to give Lewis the two points which move them off the bottom of the table.
Strathspey Camanachd 1 Boleskine 2
Two early Neil Hope goals gave Boleskine a 2-1 win over Strathspey Camanachd at Kincraig.
Neil Hope put Boleskine in front on 12 minutes and made it 2- 0 on 31 minutes.
It stayed that way until five minutes from time when Keith Callum pulled a goal back for Strathspey.
Boleskine saw out the closing stages, however, and only trail sixth-placed Glengarry on goal difference.
Caberfeidh P Kilmallie P
The match between the Caberfeidh seconds and the Kilmallie seconds at Castle Leod was postponed after both teams agreed to reschedule the match for a later date.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Oban Lorn 1 Kilmory 5
Kilmory return to the top of the table after they beat Oban Lorn 5-1 at Ganavan.
Hal Jones and Ally Cunningham both scored twice for Kilmory with David MacAllister getting the other.
Shaun MacIver notched a consolation goal for Oban Lorn.
Kilmory are now ahead of second-placed Tayforth on goal difference although they have played a game more.
Dunoon Camanachd 0 Glasgow Mid Argyll 4
Three goals in the first halfhour put Glasgow Mid Argyll’s second team in control against Dunoon Camanachd at Dunoon Stadium.
Dunoon were minus the suspended Jonathon Black.
Josh Souter gave GMA the lead in two minutes and Lewis Miller made it 2- 0 on 21 minutes. Josh Souter got his second on 28 minutes and the visitors took that advantage into the break. An Adrian MacLeod goal in the final minute gave GMA a 4- 0 victory which lifts them to third place in the league.