Oban Celtic win South Division One
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Kyles Athletic 1 Oban Celtic 9
Oban Celtic clinched the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title and promotion to the Marine Harvest National Division with an emphatic 9-1 win over Kyles Athletic’s second team in their 3pm throw up at Tighnabruaich.
Kyles Athletic’s keeper Douglas Nicholson was with the first team, as was Cammy Jack.
Celtic travelled without David Graham, Daniel MacMillan, Fraser MacMillan, Ewan MacCorquodale, Gerry Kilmurray, Zander Kilmurray and John Hill.
The pitch at Tighnabruaich proved to be a test for both teams as the heavy rain midweek dampened the surface.
Oban came out all guns blazing and opened the scoring inside the first 90 seconds through Ally McKerracher.
Kyles equalised on 13 minutes, courtesy of a great Rupert Williamson shot which went in off the post.
Angry with themselves at the loss of the goal, Celtic replied instantly through a Neil Carmichael goal on 14 minutes.
Celtic’s David MacInnes, George McMillan and Rory Bruce were beginning to control things in the middle of the park and provided the platform for Daniel Madej to add a third on 26 minutes.
The Oban side showed they had more to offer in the second half and six more goals followed. Neil Carmichael led the way as he completed his hat trick with goals on 56 and 58 minutes.
Iain MacKechnie got involved to grab a sixth on 61 minutes and, three minutes later, Daniel Madej made it 7-1 with his second goal of the afternoon.
Kyles didn’t lie down and moments later a spectacular goal bound strike was brilliantly taken out of the air by Celtic’s Davidson in goal.
Hungry for more, Oban Celtic player/manger Kenny Wotherspoon asked more of his players and Ally McKerracher completed his hat trick with goals on 76 and 88 minutes to complete the scoring.
Both sets of supporters, including injured Scotland internationalist Grant Irvine in the home ranks, applauded the victors who can now look forward to Marine Harvest National Division shinty next season.
After the match, Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon said: ‘We have achieved our main objective for the season. I’m new to management but the response I have had from the players, the supporters and everyone involved with the club, especially Davy Hamilton, has been excellent. We will enjoy this and it’s great for Oban as a whole.
‘We wish Oban Camanachd all the best in the Scottish Cup Final this weekend. As for next year, the National Division awaits. I’m still undecided whether or not I will carry on as manager - time will tell - but I’m just delighted for the club to finally get their hands on some silverware.’
Strathdearn Cup Final Lochcarron 4 Glenurquhart 1
Marine Harvest North Division 2 side Lochcarron won the Strathdearn Cup with a 4-1 win over Glenurquhart’s second team in their 3pm throw up at Castle Leod.
Lochcarron, with Peter MacKenzie dominating the centre line, got off to a great start when player/manager Alan MacKay scored a well-worked goal after three minutes. MacKay controlled a ball from the right, before turning and sending the ball into the corner of the net past an unsighted Cameron MacLennan in the ‘Glen’ goal.
Lochcarron’s Peter MacKenzie continued to boss the game in midfield with Glenurquhart’s hitting out of defence not up to their usual standard.
Glenurquhart made changes, with Stuart Reid going from midfield to attack and Cairn Urquhart moving in the opposite direction. This helped their cause and ‘Glen’ danger-man James MacPherson levelled three minutes before the break. MacPherson, with his back to goal, held off a couple of heavy challenges on the left before sending a screaming shoulder-high, back-hand shot across keeper Matthew Young on his left side. It was a great goal which made it 1-1.
Lochcarron lost the influential Peter MacKenzie through the recurrence of an ankle injury suffered in the semi-final win over Skye and Crisdean Finlayson came on at full centre in his place.
Both teams made changes at the break. Peter MacKenzie came back on for Lochcarron with Crisdean Finlayson going to full forward and Alan MacKay coming off. Youngster Finlay Ralston, who went on to play well, replaced Callum Miller for Glenurquhart.
Lochcarron came within a whisker of going back in front when Sean MacCuish got onto the end of a cross from the right, but he sent the ball the wrong side of the post.
The west coast side’s Peter MacKenzie was again withdrawn 10 minutes into the second half, with Rory MacKenzie taking over.
Glenurquhart were more in the game now, but it was Lochcarron who would score three more times to lift the trophy. It was slightly against the run of play when Crisdean Finlayson put Lochcarron back in front on 69 minutes. Finlayson came deep to collect the ball and it opened up for him to turn and hit a shot from distance which beat the keeper to make it 2-1.
Nick Dalgety scored from close in to make it 3-1 on 71 minutes and Lochcarron were 4-1 to the good with just 13 minutes remaining when Crisdean Finlayson punished a mistake in the ‘Glen’ defence.
Glenurquhart had chances in the game but Lochcarron, with Liam Arnott the best player on the park, took their opportunities and captain Peter MacKenzie was presented with the Strathdearn Cup.
Martin MacLean was the match referee.
Bullough Cup Final Tayforth 4 Kilmory 3
Tayforth survived a second half fight-back to beat Kilmory 4-3 and win the Bullough Cup at Strachurmore.
The sides are currently going head-to-head for the Marine Harvest South Division 2 title with Tayforth edging their only league meeting so far.
The first half belonged to Tayforth who were 3- 0 ahead midway through the half thanks to a Conor Sweeney double on 18 and 20 minutes and a goal from Orsten Gardner a couple of minutes later. Kilmory hadn’t played a competitive match since mid-July, which would not have helped their cause.
When Andy Scott made it 4- 0 on 36 minutes, the final outcome looked inevitable.
Kilmory were a different proposition in the second half though scoring three quick goals to get back in the contest. John Strachan pulled a goal back on 48 minutes and Steven Walsh on 51 minutes and Alex Cunningham a minute later made it 4-3.
Kilmory had a great chance to make it 4- 4 when they were awarded a penalty in injury time. But on a heavy surface, Ally Cunningham didn’t catch the ball as he would have liked and his effort went past the post.
Tayforth goalie Steven Thomson then made a good save from Alex Cunningham at the death to prevent the final going into extra-time and Tayforth took the spoils.
Ross Brown was the match referee.
Marine Harvest Premiership Newtonmore 5 Lovat 0
League leaders Newtonmore now only need five points from their five remaining league fixtures to clinch a seventh successive Marine Harvest Premiership title after they beat Lovat 5- 0 at the Eilan.
It was a game Newtonmore never looked like losing right from the moment Neil Stewart gave them a third minute lead. Stewart opened the scoring with a long-range shot, sending the ball high into the net.
Norman Campbell made it 2- 0 on 20 minutes from a similar distance. Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald got a touch to the ball but couldn’t keep it out of the net.
Evan Menzies added a third a couple of minutes before the break when he found the back of the net from a tight angle around 12 yards from goal.
Neil Stewart got his second on 57 minutes with a neat finish from the edge of the ‘D’.
Fraser MacKintosh finished the scoring after a scramble on the penalty spot, striking the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 5- 0.
Next up for Newtonmore is the Camanachd Cup Final meeting against Oban Camanachd at An Aird this coming Saturday.
Chris Sellar is their main injury doubt with an infected knee but he will train during the week and be given every chance to prove his fitness.
Oban Camanachd 4 Fort William 1
Oban Camanachd stay second in shinty’s top division after they overcame already relegated Fort William 4-1 at Mossfield.
Oban Camanachd’s Garry Lord returned to side after suspension and he started in defence.
Fort William were without Arran MacPhee and Jack Fraser who travelled to Portree with their reserves.
Oban Camanachd took the lead after 26 minutes. An Andrew McCuish shot was saved by the keeper but Daniel MacVicar ran in to score from the rebound.
Fort William shocked their hosts when Graham Campbell equalised a minute into the second half.
The sides were only on level terms for three minutes though. David Lafferty collected a Lorne Dickie pass in the corner. Lafferty played the ball into the danger area where Daniel Cameron showed good control before sending a low shot into the bottom right corner of the net from the edge of the ‘D’ to make it 2-1.
Daniel Cameron turned provider for Oban’s third goal on 55 minutes as he played in a good pass to Scott MacMillan who ran in from the wing to the back post to hit a low shot from an angle, beating the keeper at his right side from just outside the ‘D’.
Oban Camanachd saved the best to last when Malcolm Clark made it 4-1 a minute from time. Scott MacMillan collected a ball from the wing 20 yards from goal and slipped the ball to the right side to Malcolm Clark who sent a blistering shot above the keeper’s head before he could raise his stick.
It was a great goal and the win sets Oban Camanachd up nicely for the biggest match of the season this coming Saturday when they face Newtonmore in the Camanachd Cup Final at An Aird. Daniel Cameron and Andrew McCuish both needed stiches to head cuts after taking knocks in the Fort William match but both will be fine for the final, as will young Ross MacMillan who was an unused substitute against the Fort.
Lochaber 4 Kinlochshiel 2
Lochaber secured an important win, and an invaluable two points, when they beat Kinlochshiel 4-2 at Spean Bridge.
Kinlochshiel took the lead after five minutes. Home keeper Callum MacDonald stopped a shot from distance with his hand but he kicked the ball as it landed and referee Calum Girvan pointed to the penalty spot. Jordan Fraser dispatched the spot-hit with his usual assurance.
It took a fantastic Callum MacDonald save to stop ’Shiel doubling their lead.
Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson gave youngster Findlay MacDonald a start and he repaid his manager’s faith in his ability when he drew the home side level on 20 minutes. MacDonald hit the ball on his left side from the left wing and it flew across the keeper, high into the net.
Finlay MacDonald was instrumental in Lochaber’s second goal on 28 minutes when he got himself into a shooting position but was brought down inside the D and referee Girvan once more pointed to the spot. The home support held their breath as Shaun Nicolson’s penalty eluded the keeper at his left-hand post and the goal put Lochaber 2-1 in front.
John MacRae looked to have earned ’Shiel a point when he made it 2-2 with 20 minutes to go after Lochaber had failed to clear the ball just outside their ‘D’.
The Lochaber camp, and substitute Danny Delaney in particular, had other ideas and they dominated the remainder of the game. Danny Delaney had come on for his brother Ben Delaney at full forward and he struck an unstoppable 15-yard shot into the net to make it 3-2 on 80 minutes.
Delaney repeated the feat a minute later when he made it 4-2 with another rasping shot.
This was a good contest with both teams fighting hard until the end. Zandz Ferguson, back in the first team after a spell abroad, had a cracking game at buckshee back for Lochaber. Martin Johnstone had an excellent game on the wing, whilst Brian MacDonald had a great game at full centre against ’Shiel’s Finlay MacRae.
The relegation battle continues with eighth-placed Lochaber now three points ahead of Skye, although the islanders have a game in hand.
Seventh-placed Glenurquhart are two points better off than Lochaber, but they have played a game more. Lochaber and Glenurquhart are scheduled to meet at Spean Bridge in a fortnight’s time.
Skye Camanachd 2 Kyles Athletic 4
Skye Camanachd’s relegation fears increased when they let a two goal lead slip, going down 4-2 to Kyles Athletic at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Skye were without the injured Kenny Campbell, Iain Nicolson who was working and Steven Morrison who was a late calloff.
Kyles travelled with just 12 recognised players and coach James Perlich was their only substitute. They gave Cammy Jack a first senior start.
Will Cowie sent a low drive from the right past Kyles reserve keeper Douglas Nicholson into the corner of the net to give Skye the lead.
The home team put themselves in a good position to get that elusive first top flight win when Ally ‘Spod’ MacLeod rifled the ball into the net to make it 2- 0 on 38 minutes following a Danny Morrison corner from the Skye right.
Kyles, however, with Donald Irvine at full centre, took control in the second half.
Roddy MacDonald reduced the deficit on 53 minutes when he scored following a Gordon
Whyte free-hit. Sandy MacKenzie levelled the contest on 62 minutes when he got onto a Roddy MacDonald ball to score.
The same two players struck again to give Kyles the points. A long Robbie MacLeod shy dropped for Sandy MacKenzie to make it 3-2 on 70 minutes.
Roddy MacDonald made it 4-2 on 76 minutes after a driving Sandy MacKenzie run from the left.
Glenurquhart 3 Kingussie 1
Glenurquhart put any relegation fears to one side as they beat Kingussie 3-1 in their noon throw up at Blairbeg.
Keeper Stuart MacKintosh was still out for the ‘Glen’ and will likely miss the rest of the season. With second team goalie Cameron MacLennan between the sticks in the Strathdearn Cup final, veteran Iain MacLeod was keeper for the day. David Smart’s injury will also keep him out for the remainder of this term.
However Lewis MacLennan, back from the Isle of Muck to watch his brother Drew MacLennan play in the Strathdearn Cup Final later in the afternoon, started at wing forward.
Kingussie were still without the injured Ryan Borthwick, with Louis Munro also unavailable. Savio Genini also missed out so Roddy Young was in the attack and Lee Bain started at full back.
Glenurquhart started well and Michael Fraser sent a clever pass to Connor Golabeck who took a shot on the run but Craig Dawson saved well with his stick.
There was a flair up between Fraser Heath and Thomas Borthwick on 12 minutes which saw referee Andy MacLean, refereeing his first match at premiership level, show a yellow card to both players.
Michael Fraser’s intelligent use of the ball set up the opening goal on 17 minutes when he again picked out Connor Golabek whose low drive from the left of the penalty spot nestled into the back of the net.
Kingussie’s Roddy Young did well to hold off his marker midway through the half but his shot hit the side-netting.
Kingussie drew level on 31 minutes when Thomas Borthwick hit a firm shot through a crowded goal area with the keeper unsighted.
Glenurquhart replaced Andrew Corrigan with Neale Reid just before the break but it was Kingussie who started to control the midfield.
The home side almost went back in front on 65 minutes when Andrew Corrigan, now back on the pitch, pushed the ball goalwards towards an empty net but Kingussie defender Robert Mabon did well to clear the ball off the line.
Glenurquhart regained the lead on 77 minutes. Lewis MacLennan picked up a clearance out of the Kingussie defence on the ‘Glen’ left and Connor Golabek was again in the right place at the right time to crash the ball into the net off the keeper to make it 2-1.
Glenurquhart sealed the win in injury time when Neale Reid struck a clean shot into the net to make it 3-1.
The early throw up allowed the Glenurquhart players and officials to head to Castle Leod to watch their second team play in the Strathdearn Cup Final against Lochcarron.
Marine Harvest National Division Kilmallie 7 Ballachulish 0
Kilmallie will play Marine Harvest Premiership shinty next season after defeating Ballachulish 7- 0 in their 3pm throw up at the Canal Parks.
Liam MacDonald bagged a hat-trick, Michael Rodger scored twice and a Martin Stewart penalty and a goal from Duncan Rodger, back in the side after suspension, completed the triumph.
The win meant Kilmallie also lifted the Iain Aitchison Memorial Cup.
Kilmallie travel to second placed Glasgow Mid Argyll in a fortnight’s time and a win would give them the title.
Glasgow Mid Argyll 5 Bute 0
After two successive league draws, Glasgow Mid Argyll got back on their winning ways when they beat Bute 5- 0 at Yoker.
Calum MacRae gave GMA a four minute lead and John McNulty on 19 minutes and Mark Bain on 33 minutes had them 3- 0 ahead at the break.
GMA extended their lead four minutes into the second half thanks to a second from Mark Bain.
Euan Forsyth made it 5- 0 10 minutes from time. Secondplaced GMA are now two points ahead of third-placed Inveraray with a game in hand. GMA need just one more point to clinch a spot in the Marine Harvest Premiership next season.
Inveraray 4 Beauly 4
Inveraray and Beauly’s promotion hopes are hanging by a thread after they drew 4- 4 at the Winterton.
Lewis Montgomery remained on the Inveraray injury list whilst Allan MacDonald, Fraser Watt and Grant Griffin were also missing. Garry MacPherson was also sidelined but is making a good recovery from an eye injury. Inveraray U17 player Ruaraidh Graham started in an unfamiliar attacking role, along with Ally MacDonald, Andrew McMurdo and the more recognised forward Lewis MacNicol. David MacPherson was drafted in at wing centre, as was youngster Allan Cameron.
Beauly’s Jack MacDonald was free of suspension, but Ryan MacKay served the second game of a two-match ban.
Heavy rain during the week had left the pitch soft but there was the added attraction of a music festival taking place in the castle gardens, including acts such as Manran, which provided background music during the whole of the match.
Beauly started well and took the lead when Marc MacLachlan sent a rocket-shot into the roof of the net.
Good build-up play from Lewis MacNicol set up an early equalising chance for Andrew McMurdo and he netted with a half-volley.
Inveraray went ahead in fortunate circumstances when the visiting keeper misjudged a Lewis MacNicol effort and the ball ended up in the net. But Conor Ross finished well, making it 2-2, and it stayed that way until the break.
Inveraray swapped Ruaraidh Graham for David Robertson at the break and there were to be three quick goals during the first 10 minutes of the second half. Andrew McMurdo got his second to put Inveraray 3-2 ahead when he was first onto a rebound off the keeper. Beauly equalised straight away. Referee Deek Cameron pointed to the penalty spot, penalising Ross Montgomery for heading the ball and Jack MacDonald made it 3-3 with a sweetly struck spot-hit.
Some good stick-work from Lewis MacNicol gave Andrew McMurdo the chance to complete his hat-trick from inside the ‘D’. And McMurdo, playing in the old fashioned full forward role, finished well although Beauly could have defended the situation better.
Inveraray, with youngster Allan Cameron playing well throughout in midfield, introduced another U17 player, Robert Wood, at full back, but Beauly, with David MacLean superb again in midfield, had the final say and they earned a point thanks to a late Jack MacDonald strike which gave the keeper no chance.
It was a share of the points that probably suited neither team’s promotion push.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Kinlochshiel 3 Newtonmore 4
Newtonmore’s second team survived a late scare to beat the Kinlochshiel seconds 4-3 at Kirkton to win the Marine Harvest North Division 1.
Iain Robinson gave New- tonmore a 10-minute lead and a Duncan Gorman goal on 28 minutes made it 2- 0 at the break.
Neil Fraser got ’Shiel back into the game with a goal on the hour, only for Duncan Gorman to restore the visitors’ two goal advantage five minutes later with his second goal of the game.
Another from Iain Robinson made it 4-1 on 75 minutes but ’Shiel rallied and Neil Fraser completed his hat-trick, finding the back of the net on 85 and 86 minutes to make it 4-3.
Newtonmore saw out the closing stages and there was further celebration for the men from the Eilan when news filtered through that their Badenoch rivals Kingussie seconds had done them a favour by beating second place Strathglass 3-1, giving ’More the title with two league matches remaining.
Kingussie 3 Strathglass 1
The Kingussie reserves beat Strathglass 3-1 at the Dell.
Kevin Thain scored twice for the ‘Kings’ with Ruaridh Anderson getting the other. Scott Douglass notched the Strathglass goal.
Skye Camanachd 2 Fort William 3
The Fort William second team collected what could be two valuable points when they beat their Skye Camanachd counter-parts 3-2 in their noon throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Fort William took the lead after nine minutes when Mark Fraser found Arran MacPhee to the left of the ‘D’ and slotted the ball home.
Grant Disher made it 2- 0 a minute before the break with Mark Fraser again the supplier.
The next goal was always going to be important and it came on 53 minutes when Arran MacPhee took advantage after the Skye keeper misjudged a Lewis Clark ball into the ‘ D’ and MacPhee rolled the ball home to make it 3- 0.
Skye rallied late in the game and substitute Iain ‘Spod’ MacLeod sent a great strike into the top corner of the net on 83 minutes with Iain MacLellan the provider.
David Grant slipped the ball to Daniel Morrison who netted with a well-struck shot on 89 minutes but the Fort, with JD MacMaster and Jack Fraser always influential, saw out a minute of injury time to take two valuable points.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Lochside Rovers P Aberdour P
There was disappointment for Lochside Rovers and Aberdour as their 3pm throw up at Ganavan was postponed because of an unplayable field.
Glenorchy P Taynuilt P
The game between Glenorchy and Taynuilt was called off on Saturday morning as Mart Park was deemed unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Inverness 5 Strathspey Camanachd 4
The Inverness second team came from three goals down to edge out Strathspey Camanachd 5- 4 at Bught Park.
A Mathew Davis goal on 12 minutes followed by a Chris Cameron brace on 18 and 25 minutes had the visitors 3- 0 ahead.
Matthew Ross pulled a goal back for Inverness five minutes later but a Graham Shand strike on 37 minutes left Strathspey in a strong position.
However, Inverness, who had Scotland U21 hopeful Charlie MacDonald in their side, pulled another goal back 3 minutes before the break with MacDonald on target.
Charlie MacDonald did his chances of catching Scotland U21 Head Coach Allan MacRae’s eye no harm when he netted on 71 minutes to make it 4-3. Stuart MacRae drew the sides level with an effort four minutes from time and Charlie MacDonald had the final say when he put Inverness in front for the first time in the match, making it 5- 4 with just a couple of minutes remaining.
Kilmallie P Boleskine P
The noon throw up between the Kilmallie second team and Boleskine was postponed on Friday afternoon as the Canal Parks was ruled unplayable.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Dunoon Camanachd P Aberdour P
The match between Dunoon Camanachd and Aberdour’s second team was postponed because of an unplayable pitch.
Youth shinty National U14 Development Trophy – Final Ballachulish U14 11 Glengarry U14 1
Ballachulish Under 14 beat Glengarry Under 4 11-1 to lift the National Under 14 Development Trophy following their 11am throw up at Jubilee park.
The final was originally scheduled for Spean Bridge but there was a switch of venue late in the week with concerns that the pitch couldn’t take two matches because of the heavy rain which hit the west.
Marcus Pence was ‘Balla’s’ top scorer with five goals. David Wilson and Robert Middleton bagged doubles whilst Lewis Moran and Logan Thompson got the others. Mungo Blakey notched a consolation goal for ’Garry.