Camanachd Cup semi-final win for Newtonmore
NEWTONMORE will play Lovat in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final, Kyles Athletic returned to the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership and Lochside Rovers increased their lead at the top of Marine Harvest South Division 1 following the shinty action on Saturday 26 August 2017.
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi final Skye Camanachd 1 Newtonmore 4
Newtonmore will play Lovat in the 2017 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final after they beat Skye Camanachd 4-1 in their semi-final tie at The Bught Park, Inverness.
This 4pm throw up was broadcast live on BBC Alba and a good crowd gathered in the Highland capital for the game.
Skye went into the tie on top of the Marine Harvest National Division and, whilst a return to shinty’s top flight has been their priority this season, the squad were well aware that they were just 90 minutes away from a place at shinty’s biggest day of the year.
Skye’s last Camanachd Cup semi-final was in 2014 when they lost out to Glenurquhart.
Skye manager Willie Cowie missed the previous weekend’s league win over Fort William as he was abroad at a family wedding but he was back in the dug-out for this one as was forward Will Cowie who started on the bench.
Marine Harvest Premiership side Newtonmore are Camanachd Cup holders having beaten Oban Camanachd in last year’s final. Manager Paul John MacKintosh has been without the injured Drew MacDonald and Chris Sellar in recent weeks.
Rory Kennedy’s ankle ligament injury also kept him on the sidelines whilst a one-match ban for passing through the disciplinary points threshold deprived Evan Menzies of a place in the side.
Neil Stewart was given a start in attack after he made his return for the reserves the previous week following a serious knee injury. David Fraser was selected at wing centre in preference to Iain Richardson who dropped onto the bench.
The players and officials were piped into the field before they were introduced to George Fraser from sponsors Tulloch Homes; himself no stranger to the Camanachd Cup during his playing days with Newtonmore.
Despite heavy rain overnight, the pitch was in good condition and Newtonmore won the toss; opting to play with a slight wind in their favour.
Skye made a bright start and they forced an early free-hit following a Stewart Grant shy on the left, but the Newtonmore defence, with something to prove after losing seven goals in their Artemis Macaulay Cup Final defeat to Kyles Athletic a week earlier, cleared their lines.
Newtonmore had a let-off when on seven minutes good play down the Skye left saw Iain Nicolson play in Iain MacLellan who beat Steven MacDonald before setting up a chance for James Pringle but he steered the ball just the wrong side of the post.
Newtonmore made their first attack count a minute later. David MacLean sent a free-hit from the right of midfield to the far side where Glen MacKintosh made enough space to turn and rifle a shot across the keeper and into the net to make it 1-0. The goal was against the run of play and a lesson in clinical finishing from the Scotland international.
Newtonmore came more into the game but it took a late Craig Ritchie intervention to stop Iain MacLellan getting a shot on goal on 17 minutes and Skye had to settle for a corner.
The Newtonmore defence had to work hard to survive a scramble around the D on 26 minutes; blocking shots and protecting keeper Norman Campbell as Skye looked to draw level.
Skye keeper Iain MacLeod did well on 29 minutes when a cross was deflected on target off a Skye defender following some skilful play from Glen MacKintosh on the Newtonmore left.
Skye made the first change of the match on 31 minutes as Will Cowie took over in attack from Iain MacLellan. James Pringle went to full forward with Cowie at wing forward.
Glen MacKintosh was the main focus of the Newtonmore attack and he almost bustled his way through the middle of the Skye defence on 35 minutes but Neil MacVicar got the ball away with keeper Iain MacLeod tripped by the Newtonmore marksman as he went send the ball up-field.
Moments later, Iain MacLeod was quickly off his line to get the ball away for a corner with Fraser MacKintosh looking to capitalise on any slip.
Skye, roared on by an enthusiastic travelling support, continued to press without working Norman Campbell and Will Cowie shot wide of the keeper’s left post following a Jordan Murchison free-hit with just a couple of first half minutes remaining.
Glen MacKintosh was yellow carded for bad language by referee Innes Wood in the final minute of the first half.
Iain Nicolson drove wide after being played in by Jordan Murchison with what was the last chance of the opening 45 minutes.
If Skye started the first half well then they made an explosive opening to the second period and they were level just 27 seconds after the restart. Skye attacked from the throw-up and when Newtonmore failed to clear their lines, Jordan Murchison found James Pringle around 22 yards from goal. Pringle took the ball down and his firm shot from a central position went low into the corner of the net, bating the keeper on his right side to make it 1-1.
Kenny Campbell sent Skye forward from the restart and James Pringle slipped the ball to Jordan Murchison on the Skye left. Referee Innes Wood played advantage as Murchison was impeded as he cut in but he was unable to get a shot on goal.
Danny Morrison then won possession and set a shot wide of the keeper’s left post as Skye continued to pin Newtonmore back.
’More made their first change on 49 minutes when defender Craig Ritchie was withdrawn. Michael Russell dropped back to wing centre with Iain Richardson coming off the bench to slot into the midfield.
Glen MacKintosh gathered a Fraser MacKintosh pass but his strike for goal was deflected for a corner. Iain MacLeod then got his feet behind a David Fraser shot from the left as ’More looked to get themselves back in front. Norman Campbell made a good save with his feet to deny James Pringle before batting the dropping ball away for a corner.
Jordan Murchison won the ball from Michael Russell wide on the Skye right and he floated a speculative effort on goal which had Campbell back-peddling but the ball fell just wide of target.
Newtonmore made a second change as Paul MacArthur came on in a straight swap for wing centre David MacLean.
Iain MacLeod saved low from Fraser MacKintosh with close to an hour played.
Skye almost created another chance when James Pringle scooped the ball into the danger-area and Andy MacKintosh blocked Jordan Murchison’s run, earning Skye a free-hit. James Pringle found Will Cowie from the set-piece but his effort bounced wide of Norman Campbell’s left post.
Will Cowie needed treatment after taking a blow to the hand in a challenge with Michael Russell but he was able to continue after treatment.
Michael Russell threw his body in the way to stop what looked like net-bound Will Cowie shot from the edge of the D after James Pringle and Jordan Murchison combined to set up the chance. With 20 minutes remaining, Skye looked the better side.
However, as play switched to the other end, the Glen MacKintosh effect swung the tie in Newtonmore’s favour. Paul MacArthur’s high ball from the right dropped for Glen MacKintosh on the left and his fierce drive gave the keeper no chance as the holders led 2-1 with 70 minutes played.
Jamie Robinson took over from Fraser MacKintosh just before the restart.
Craig Ritchie came back on for ’More; this time in attack, with Neil Stewart withdrawn whilst Jordan Murchison’s hamstring went after making a run into the D so Iain MacLellan returned to the Skye attack.
Iain MacLeod used his feet to turn a Paul MacArthur strike away for a corner on 77 minutes.
It was an energy-sapping contest and Skye’s Gibbs MacDonald replaced Stewart Grant, who seemed to be suffering from cramp, whilst Newtonmore’s David MacLean returned in favour of Iain Robinson as both teams freshened up.
Newtonmore forced a couple of corners and Craig Ritchie played a one-two with Jamie Robinson before finishing well and Newtonmore led 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining.
The game was now out of Skye’s reach and a turn and shot from Jamie Robinson made it 4-1 on 84 minutes.
Skye’s Allan MacLeod replaced for Ally ‘Cleodi MacLeod for the closing stages.
The final scoreline was harsh on Skye who will rue some missed chances. John Gillies and James Pringle were particularly good in what was a fine team performance.
The Islanders now know that a point at home to Caberfeidh in their next match will clinch the Marine Harvest National Division title and a return to shinty’s top flight.
Michael Russell had a good game for Newtonmore and Glen MacKintosh, who scored three times last week but still ended up on the losing side, made the difference and his two goals earned him the man-of-thematch accolade, selected by BBC Alba pundit Garry Reid.
The 2017 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final between Newtonmore and Lovat takes place at The Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday September 30.
Marine Harvest Premiership Kingussie 3 Kyles Athletic 6
Kyles Athletic returned to the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership but they had to come from two goals down before eventually defeating Kingussie 6-3 at The Dell.
This was Kingussie’s first match for three weeks and defender Robert Mabon missed out through suspension whilst Savio Genini and Lee Bain were working.
Kyles Athletic full back Callum Miller remained out with a broken foot whilst Donald Irvine was also missing.
Kingussie’s Chris Holleysong missed from the penalty spot after 10 minutes but the hosts built a 2-0 lead courtesy of two well-taken Ryan Borthwick goals on 20 and 40 minutes.
However, perhaps crucially, Dunkie Kerr, who had come off the bench to replace Scott MacDonald, pulled a goal back a minute later and Sandy MacKenzie scored on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-2 at the break.
Kyles Athletic talisman Roddy MacDonald started at wing back before later switching to full back where he stayed for the remainder of the game.
The Tighnabruaich men were excellent during the second 45 minutes and Grant Irvine put them ahead for the first time in the match on the hour mark and Sandy MacKenzie got his second just four minutes later.
Colin MacDonald made it 5-2 on 71 minutes and Grant Irvine got his second with nine minutes remaining.
Rory MacGregor pulled a goal back to make it 6-3 on 86 minutes but the points went south.
Grant Irvine was Kyles’ star man and Innes MacDonald made his return from injury with 20 minutes remaining.
James Perlich’s side now lead Kinlochshiel on goal difference at the top of the table with both sides having four games to go. Next up for Kyles is a trip to Balgate to play Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup finalists Lovat.
Oban Camanachd 4 Kilmallie 1
Oban Camanachd increased Kilmallie’s relegation fears, winning 4-1 at Mossfield.
Oban Camanachd’s Garry Lord was banned whilst Matt Rippon and Scott MacKillop remained on the injury list. However, Aidan MacIntyre returned to the side.
Stephen McAllister was still missing for Kilmallie although he did make his return from injury with the Kilmallie seconds.
Oban Camanachd took the lead within seconds of the throw up. Lorne Dickie won the centre and found Andrew MacCuish on the left. MacCuish’s cross was met by Daniel Cameron who hit the ball on the run into the bottom corner of the net from 18 yards out.
Andrew MacCuish made it 2-0 on 20 minutes when he moved onto a Malcolm Clark pass and he sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the D.
Andrew MacCuish got his second and Oban Camanachd’s third goal on 35 minutes. Aidan MacIntyre shyed down an Oban Camanachd free-hit into MacCuish’s path and he again sent the ball low into the corner of the net. The red and blacks also had two goals disallowed during the first period. Evan MacLellan netted but was adjudged to have kicked the ball whilst Daniel Cameron had an effort ruled out for offside.
The home side had scored within seconds in the first half and Kilmallie did like-wise immediately after referee Lachie Wood got the second half under-way with a carbon-copy goal which was finished off by Martin Stewart.
Kilmallie were awarded a penalty around the hour mark but Michael Rodger’s spot-hit was saved with his feet by Gavin Stobbart.
Daniel MacVicar made a welcome return from injury for the Oban side midway through the second half.
The home team introduced youngsters Craig Easton and Lewis Buchanan for the final 15 minutes and Buchanan had an early shot well saved by Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies.
However, the 17-year-old was not to be denied when he went on to make it 4-1 after 78 minutes. Andrew MacCuish found Buchanan in space 12 yards from goal and the youngster crashed the ball high into the net.
Oban Camanachd also had a goal ruled out in the second half with Andrew MacCuish having his effort chalked off for offside.
The home side finished strongly but Shane Gillies made some great saves to keep the scoreline down to 4-1.
Oban Camanachd keeper Gavin Stobbart picked up a yellow card meaning he will miss the team’s next outing when Kingussie visit Mossfield in league action on Saturday September 9.
Camanachd manager Ian Hay said: ‘The reaction of the players since our disappointing defeat to Lovat in the Camanachd Cup semi-final has been first class given the impact of decisions made that day which went against us and ultimately cost us a place in the final.
‘Our aim now is to finish as high up the league as possible.
Lochaber 2 Lovat 5
Lochaber let a two-goal advantage slip, losing 5-2 to Lovat at Spean Bridge.
Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson was without Shaun Nicolson who got married the previous day whilst Martin Johnstone and Donald MacRae were also absent. Neil MacDonald started at full forward with Zandz Ferguson in attack.
Lovat manager Fraser Gallacher was still without Lorne MacKay, who served the second match of a two-game ban, and the injured Scott MacKenzie. Marc MacLachlan made his second start in attack.
The recent heavy rain left the pitch very wet but playable.