Mowi Premiership
Oban Camanachd 2
Kyles Athletic 1
Oban Camanachd recorded their first league win of the season, beating Kyles Athletic 2-1 in their 3pm throw-up at Mossfield.
Daniel MacCuish served the second game of his three-match ban for the Oban side, but Daniel Cameron returned. There was a start for Gregor MacDonald whilst Daniel MacVicar was pitched at full forward. Andy MacDonald, Ross Campbell and Ross MacMillan were on the bench.
Kyles Athletic were without Will Cowie, who had a knee injury, whilst Callum Millar remained out injured. They held Roan MacVicar, Ross Donald and Max Carr in reserve.
Oban Camanachd lost defender Daniel Madej after half an hour with a foot problem. He was replaced by Andy MacDonald who played well.
After a goalless, scrappy first half, Kyles Athletic took the lead three minutes after the hour. Innes Macdonald won possession on the right and, on his left side, shot goalwards from around 25 yards. Oban Camanachd keeper Cammy Sutherland lost the flight of the ball in the blinding sun and it ended up in the net.
Oban Camanachd introduced Ross MacMillan from the bench and they restored parity on 75 minutes. Substitutes Andy MacDonald and Ross Campbell combined to get the ball forward and Malcolm Clark ran into the ‘D’ and finished well, slipping the ball by the advancing John Whyte in the visiting goal.
Kyles defenders Roddy MacDonald and Andrew King had specific marking jobs, following Daniel MacVicar and Matthew Sloss respectively, whichever position they moved into.
Lewis Cameron got the winner with a minute to go. Andy MacDonald and Matthew Sloss were involved in the lead-up play and Cameron turned the ball home with the slightest swing, on the right of the ‘D’, almost bending it around the keeper and into the far corner of the net to win the game.
Kyles players Innes Macdonald and Cammy Keith picked up injuries so face a spell on the sidelines.
Daniel MacVicar was good for Oban Camanachd as was substitute Ross Campbell.
Speaking after the match, Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “It was tight and we probably got the luck that has deserted us so far this season. We started poorly but I’m really pleased with the character the boys showed to come back from a goal down.
“We needed the win and it will put a bit of doubt in their minds with a few meetings between the sides to go this season. We now want to go on a winning run.”
This Saturday, Oban Camanachd, sponsored by TSL Contractors, play newly-promoted Glenurquhart at Mossfield.
Gareth Evans added: “Louie MacFarlane took a blow to the achilles against Kyles but hopefully he’ll be okay by the time the Glenurquhart game comes round.”
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Preliminary Round
Southern section
Oban Celtic 1
Bute 5
Bute progress to the Camanachd Cup first round after beating Oban Celtic 5-1 in their noon throw-up at Mossfield.
The sides met in the Mowi National Division a fortnight earlier, with Celtic winning 2-1, but Scott Harvey scored the only goal of the first half for the islanders on 20 minutes.
Iain McDonald put the tie out of Celtic’s reach with goals on 46, 58 and 64 minutes and although Ewen Campbell pulled a goal back on 68 minutes, Josh Cowan rounded off the 5-1 win on 84 minutes.
Bute now travel to Col Glen in the southern section first round on Saturday April 27 whilst, in the other ties, Glasgow Mid Argyll host Kilmory and Aberdour welcome Inveraray.
In the northern section, Kilmallie and Fort William meet at Canal Parks, Strathglass play Beauly and Cannich and Ardnamurchan have a home tie against Inverness.
Mowi South Division 1
Lochside Rovers maintained their 100 per cent record, opening up a three point lead at the top of the table after defeating Aberdour 3-1 in their 3pm throw-up at Ganavan.
With Oban Camanachd getting players back from injury, Lochside were able to field Alexander MacDonald at full centre and Scott Robertson on the wing. Logan Black was also back increasing the competition for places.
Lewis Buchanan got his customary goal on 22 minutes, getting away from his marker for the first time in the game and sending the ball low into the corner of the net.
Lochside have used training sessions to work on converting re-bounds off the keeper and Iain Duffy put this to good use on 38 minutes, turning the ball home after Lewis Buchanan’s initial shot had been saved to score his first goal for Lochside.
Ruairidh Buchanan was unfortunate to drop onto the Lochside bench after his recent contributions, but he wasted no time in making an impact when he came on, scoring with his first touch on 58 minutes.
However, his afternoon was marred when he suffered a suspected broken thumb following an off the ball incident.
Hail showers started and made for difficult conditions underfoot but, given recent weather, it’s credit to Oban groundsman Iain Hay that four games took place in the town on Saturday.
Aberdour pulled a goal back through Joe Burns on 84 minutes, turning home a re-bound when Lochside keeper Brian MacCallum had saved.
Lochside cousins Fraser MacMillan and Cammy MacMillan both impressed when they came off the bench.
The Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds and Kilmory shared the points following a 3-3 draw at Peterson Park. Cailean MacInnes, Garry Luke and Ryan MacKenzie counted for GMA with Sandy Leiper, Nairn Jackson and Craig Taylor earning Kilmory a point.
Ardnamurchan were 5-1 winners against Ballachulish at Jubilee Park.
Ross MacLean claimed the Ballachulish goal, but Freddie Patterson’s hat-trick and efforts from Alexander MacGregor and Kris MacKenzie gave Ardnamurchan their first win of the season.
Mowi South Division 2
The Oban Celtic second team and Tayforth drew 2-2 in their noon throw-up at Ganavan.
Celtic led through Alister Cameron on the half-hour, but Neil Shearer on 43 minutes and Steven Stewart on 63 minutes put Tayforth ahead.
But Adrian Cakebread earned Celtic a point, scoring with 20 minutes remaining.
The fixture between the Bute seconds and Uddingston at the Meadows was postponed.
The match between Aberdour juniors and Inveraray juniors will be rescheduled as the pitch at Silversands was unplayable.
All throw-ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently.
Women’s Camanachd Association
There was a full Women’s Camanachd Association Mowi National Division programme over the weekend.
Mowi National Division
Badenoch stay top of the Mowi National Division after coming from a goal down to beat Kinlochshiel 6-2 in their 2pm throw-up at Kirkton.
Kirsty Deans scored four times with Zoe Reid and Megan Ralph getting the others.
Lochaber remain second on goal difference after beating Ardnamurchan 7-0 in their 2pm throw-up at Spean Bridge. Natalie MacDonald grabbed a hat-trick, Rebecca Stafford scored twice and Claire Delaney and Mairi Duncan got the others.
Skye Camanachd beat Glenurquhart 3-2 in their 11am throw-up at Blairbeg.
Caitlin Maclean’s opener for Skye on 11 minutes was cancelled out by Zoe Smith on 28 minutes.
Donna MacKenzie put Skye back in front a minute later and Catherine Robertson made it 3-1 on 48 minutes. Zoe Smith scored for a second time on 64 minutes, but Skye took the points.
Mowi North Division 2
Badenoch B were 7-1 winners against their Kinlochshiel counterparts in their noon throw-up at Kirkton.
Orla Olds scored twice with Lexi Farquhar, Millie Lavin, Alice Lavin, Grace Fraser and Kate McAdam, with her first goal at second team level, getting the others.
The cottages.com MacTavish Cup quarter-finalists are all but known following the shinty action on Saturday March 30.
cottages.com MacTavish Cup first round
Kingussie 2
Lovat 2 after extra time
Kingussie won 6-5 on penalties
Holders Kingussie were made to sweat before booking their place in the quarter finals, edging out Lovat on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the Dell.
Kingussie’s James Falconer remained sidelined with an ankle problem and Lovat’s Marc MacLachlan, who pulled out before the Kyles game with an ankle issue, recovered sufficiently to start.
The visitors took the lead after eight minutes. The Kingussie defence didn’t deal with Callum Cruden’s hit-in from the right and Lorne MacKay slipped play to Marc MacLachlan on the right and his low cross was swept home at the back post by Lewis Tawse.
Kingussie drew level on 65 minutes when Thomas Borthwick’s hit-in from the left was knocked out to Savio Genini on the left who, on the turn, hit a low, firm strike into the corner of the goal.
Kingussie got themselves in front on 97 minutes when Ruaridh Anderson’s corner from the right was taken down by Dylan Borthwick as he ran into the ‘D’ and he flicked the ball by the keeper to make it 2-1.
Lovat made it 2-2 with the last hit of the game when Lewis Tawse ghosted into the ‘D’ to flick Craig Mainland’s lofted ball by the keeper.
Referee Willie MacDonald took the tie to penalties during which Lovat had two chances to win the tie, but Kingussie keeper Rory McGregor saved brilliantly from Graeme MacMillan and then Callum Cruden.
It was tied at 5-5 after 16 penalties when Zander Michie sent his spot-hit into the corner of the goal to the keeper’s left and Craig Mainland tugged his effort by the keeper’s right post.
Kingussie boss Iain Borthwick said: “I thought we were out at a couple of points during the shoot-out but fair play to our keeper Rory McGregor, he pulled it out the bag with a couple of fantastic saves.
“We should have won it in extra time but, as the weather worsened, it was difficult weather conditions for both sets of players.”
Lovat manager Jamie Matheson added: “It’s really tough to take. The lads put in an incredible effort, and we twice came within a penalty of winning, but Rory McGregor made great saves from Graeme MacMillian and Callum Cruden and they eventually pipped us to the post.
“The supporters were treated to a great game of shinty. Our second goal came from the last hit of the game and credit to our lads who kept battling to the end. It’s a tough way to go out of the cup. There has to be a winner and a loser, but the performance gives us confidence.”
Caberfeidh A
Kinlochshiel A
Caberfeidh’s tie with Kinlochshiel at Castle Leod was abandoned after 13 minutes when referee Steven MacLachlan took unwell.
A defibrillator located in the Caberfeidh clubhouse, supplied in conjunction with charity Lucky2BHere, was called for and put into use by Kinlochshiel captain Conor Cormack, an experienced firefighter, helped by Keith MacRae. They both showed expertise and calmness before an ambulance arrived.
Steven was taken to hospital and is recovering well, with goodwill messages flooding in from shinty clubs across the country.
Lochaber 3
Beauly 4
Beauly edged out Lochaber 4-3 in a thrilling tie at Spean Bridge.
The sides are top scorers in the Mowi Premiership and Mowi National Division after swapping leagues at the end of last season, so a high scoring contest was likely.
It was lower league Beauly who took an early two-goal lead through Finlay MacLennan on two minutes and Jack MacDonald on 10 minutes.
Ben Delaney pulled a goal back five minutes before half-time, but Finlay “Stork” MacLennan on 42 minutes and Jack MacDonald again on the stroke of half-time, made it 4-1.
Lochaber have twice fought back from 3-1 down this season and although Ben Delaney completed his hat-trick with a strike on 57 minutes and a 66th minute penalty, awarded by referee Alec MacVicar, they left themselves too much to do.
Glenurquhart 1
Kilmallie 2
Mowi National Division side Kilmallie turned in their best performance of the season, recovering from the loss of an early goal to beat Mowi Premiership side Glenurquhart 2-1 in their 3pm throw-up at Blairbeg.
Daniel Maclean gave Glenurquhart an early lead but Shane O’Rua fired home a spectacular shot to level on the half-hour mark.
Calum MacDougall’s effort dipped under the bar a minute before the break to make it 2-1 for Kilmallie and that’s the way it stayed.
Kilmallie’s spirit was typified by Innes Blackhall who came off with a broken nose midway through the first half but returned for the final 10 minutes to see the tie out.
Kilmallie manager Mark MacPherson was happy afterwards. He said: “We’ve had a tricky start to the season, but everyone played really well today.
“Their goal was a calamity of errors on our part, but Shane O’Rua doesn’t score ordinary goals and his leveller was something special. He took it well and he’s had pass marks in every game this season.
“There was a bit of luck about our second goal, but we’ll take the breaks when they come our way. The half-time message was to fight for every ball and the players were terrific.
“The weather changed as the game went on, making it difficult, but Shane Gillies in our goal had little to do in the second half.
“It will be tough whoever we get in the next round, but this result gives us such a boost for the league campaign.”
Newtonmore 3
Strathglass 0
Newtonmore made Friday’s draw, scoring three times in the first half to beat Mowi North Division 1 side Strathglass 3-0 at the Eilan.
Cameron McNiven scored on 16 and 26 minutes to put Newtonmore two up, with skipper Drew MacDonald adding a third on 41 minutes.
Mowi North Division 1
The Lovat seconds defeated the Fort William seconds 3-2 at Balgate.
Fraser Heath gave Lovat the lead on eight minutes and Lewis Bryson added a second on 31 minutes.
When Dario Marshall made it 3-0 three minutes into the second half, Lovat looked comfortable. Fort William pulled goals back through Owen O’Hagan on 56 and 70 minutes but Lovat, who had Danny MacKenzie sent off by referee Jamie MacPherson, stayed in front.
Skye Camanachd beat Kinlochshiel 2-1 in their second team derby at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
An unmarked Rhuairaidh MacDonald turned Duncan MacMillan’s low ball from the right into the net at the back post to put Kinlochshiel ahead on 36 minutes but when Archie Millar was shoved over as he cut into the right of the ‘D’, referee Donjee MacLeod pointed to the penalty spot and Millar picked himself up to score his seventh goal of the season.
Both keepers made excellent first half saves with Skye custodian Murphy Henderson defying Liam Matheson whose strike was heading for the top corner and Callum MacMillan tipping away Archie Millar’s blistering effort which was going in under the crossbar.
Archie Millar also hit the post in the second half and scored the winning goal on 73 minutes.
Martin Pringle sent the ball forward and a low, 30-yard John Archie Tuncay strike went in off the keeper’s foot.
All the goals came in the second half as Glengarry knocked the Glenurquhart reserves off the top of the table, winning 2-1 at Craigard.
Glenurquhart led through Jed Stoddart on 65 minutes but Nick Dalgety on 73 minutes and Raymond Robertson on 83 minutes gave Glengarry victory.
Lochcarron won 2-1 against Inverness at Battery Park.
Matthew Brady put the home side ahead five minutes before the interval and Lachlan Dean-Morris added a second on 70 minutes.
Skye MacIntosh pulled a goal back a minute from time.
The Newtonmore seconds beat the Beauly seconds 4-1 at Braeview Park.
The Beauly goal came from Louie MacLellan but Joe Coyle, Jamie Robinson, Xander Ross and Glen MacKintosh sent Newtonmore to the top of the table.
Newtonmore’s Ross Haig was sent off.
Mowi North Division 2
The Kingussie second team stay top of the table after beating the Inverness second team 7-0 at the Bught Park outside pitch.
Michael Slimon and Miko Berowski both scored twice with the other goals coming from Robert Shiells, Rory Munro and Brandon Keith.
The Kilmallie colts stay second after drawing 1-1 with Boleskine at Canal Parks.
Aden MacMillan put the visitors ahead after 18 minutes, but Oran Henderson levelled for Kilmallie with 20 minutes to go.
Jebby Remegio scored after six minutes as Aberdeen University beat the Strathglass seconds 1-0 at Cannich.
The noon throw-up between the Caberfeidh reserves and the Lochaber reserves at Castle Leod was postponed. Damage to the pitch the previous weekend meant the field couldn’t take two games.
All throw-ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently.
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