Oban Celtic win Robert Wylie Memorial Cup
Taynuilt 0 Oban Celtic 3
Oban Celtic lifted the Robert Wylie Memorial Cup, beating Taynuilt 3-0 in their 2pm throw-up at Taynuilt Sports Field.
Oban Celtic made a good start to the game and Daniel MacMillan gave them an early lead. Celtic played some good shinty in the lead up to the goal and a scramble in the ‘D’ followed. MacMillan took the ball on the run, sending it low and hard into the net after the keeper had made a save.
Ross MacMillan added a second soon after, punishing Taynuilt for not clearing their lines.
It remained 2-0 at the break, although Taynuilt’s Billy Irving came close to pulling a goal back, but his effort was cleared off the line by Celtic’s Lewis McPhee.
Celtic introduced two 14 year olds – John Douglas and Calum MacDonald – off the bench and they each got half an hour’s play.
Lee Askew got the third late in the contest to round off the 3-0 win.
Oban Celtic captain Ross MacMillan was presented with the Robert Wylie Memorial Trophy by Lorna Wylie and Neil Carmichael was awarded the man of the match quaich.
Speaking after the game, new Oban Celtic manager Dougie MacIntyre said: ‘It was good to finally get the chance to see the boys in action. We started well on a heavy pitch and played some decent stuff during that early period when we scored twice.
‘However, a number of the boys will have to work on their fitness if we are going to get to the next level. We get good numbers at training but we need to work harder or it will cost us. We have a fit, fast forward line but we need to pick it up elsewhere.
‘Ally McKerracher came up from Glasgow to play, which was great, and he will help us out whenever he can this season. Iain MacFarlane played in goal but he now has a knee operation which will probably rule him out for the season. With others like Fulton Ronald not available, we could suffer if we pick up injuries or suspensions.
‘Taynuilt gave us a tough game though and I was particularly impressed with their youngster Blair MacFarlane.
‘We’ll be tested again against Inveraray this Saturday which is a good game for us ahead of the new season.’