Mowi Premiership
Oban Camanachd 3
Lochaber 3
Oban Camanachd made their delayed start to the 2024 shinty season and led Lochaber 3-1 before the game finished in a 3-3 draw in their 2.15pm throw-up at Mossfield.
Following the postponement of the previous week’s encounter with Kyles Athletic, the Oban side were without Daniel Cameron, Scott McKillop, Blair MacFarlane, Ross Macmillan, Craig Macmillan and Scott MacMillan.
Daniel MacCuish recovered from injury to start despite having a heavy cold and Daniel Sloss returned to take his usual place at the back. Alexander Macdonald was rewarded for good pre-season displays with a place in defence.
Lochaber’s Ryan Johnstone was free of suspension, whilst Duncan MacKinnon, who trains with Oban Camanachd during the week, returned from holiday at half-time and played the second half. Jack Dignan was missing.
Playing with the wind in the first half, the game was just five minutes old when Camanachd’s Daniel MacCuish, who was clearly showing the effects of his cold, was moved up front with Daniel MacVicar going to full centre where he played very well.
Malcolm Clark was Oban Camanachd’s top scorer last season and he opened his 2024 account with a goal on 14 minutes.
Referee Graham Fisher, who was also the man in the middle for Lochside’s game against the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team earlier in the day, awarded the hosts a penalty for a foul inside the ‘D’ on 19 minutes. Louie MacFarlane’s spot-hit was saved with his feet by Lochaber keeper Ali MacDonald, but Malcolm Clark flicked the rebound into the net to claim his second goal of the game.
Stuart Callison halved the deficit a minute after the half-hour, scoring from the edge of the ‘D’ when Oban Camanachd failed to clear their lines.
However, five minutes later, Matthew Sloss turned his marker before firing a glorious 25-yard shot into the top corner of the net to restore the Oban side’s two goal cushion.
Ali MacDonald in the Lochaber goal made some good saves with his feet and it remained 3-1 at half-time when Camanachd’s Gregor MacDonald, who had gone over his ankle in the first half, had to come off.
Oban Camanachd had chances to see Lochaber off as Daniel MacCuish put the ball wide from the edge of the ‘D’, Lewis Cameron hit the outside of the post and Scott Robertson went through on goal but couldn’t finish.
Lochaber finished the game strongly though and got back in it when Duncan MacKinnon’s shot was deflected by Max Campbell, wrong-footing keeper Cameron Sutherland to make it 3-2.
When Daniel Sloss was penalised for a challenge inside the ‘D’ on 81 minutes, Ben Delaney stepped up and finished confidently, smashing the ball home from the spot to make it 3-3.
Lochaber pushed for a winner but had to settle for the draw, chalking up their first point of the season.
Oban Camanachd made a late penalty claim after Daniel MacCuish went down in the box, but their claims were waved away.
Speaking after the match, Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “I was quite pleased at half-time. I thought we were in control, playing well, albeit with a fairly strong wind behind us. We needed the next goal but missed some really good chances to kill the game.
“Fair play to Lochaber as they got a deflected second goal and they were the better team after that and, in the end, we were hanging on a bit for the point.
“I’m not happy with result because at 3-1 we should have seen it out, but I need to take into account we were seven players short.
“The real bonus was having Daniel Sloss back. He played very well and showed no ill-effects following his rib injury. Matthew Sloss and Daniel MacVicar were also very good.”
This Saturday, Oban Camanachd, who are sponsored by TSL Contractors, travel to Skye in the league. It was probably the scene of the Camanachd’s poorest display last season, when they lost 4-0 to the islanders so they will be out to make amends.
Gareth Evans added: “It will be a battle against Skye and we’ll still be without Scott McKillop, Daniel Cameron and Blair MacFarlane but we should have Ross Macmillan and Scott MacMillan back.”
Newtonmore 0
Kyles Athletic 2
Kyles Athletic took to the field for the first time this season and beat Newtonmore 2-0 at the Eilan.
Newtonmore’s Martin Hall was suspended, whilst Conor Jones and Craig Ritchie remained out through injury. Struan Ross returned to the side and there was a starting place for Euan Dingwall.
New Kyles signing James Pringle started at wing centre as he and Innes Macdonald flanked full centre David Zavaroni. Roddy Macdonald played at full back.
Ross MacRae got Kyles off to a great start with a goal after six minutes.
The outcome remained in the balance until a minute from time when Newtonmore keeper Kenny Ross made a save but inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
The sides also played for the Glenmorangie Shield which was presented to Kyles captain Scott Macdonald by Newtonmore president Norman MacArthur.
Kyles player/coach Roddy Macdonald said: “It was a good win, if not a great performance, but the result is the most important thing at this point in the season.
“There’s lots to improve on and it certainly wasn’t a great game to watch. James Pringle played around 80 minutes which will do him good as he and the rest of the team will all admit to being a bit rusty.”
Mowi National Division
Beauly 4
Col Glen 0
Beauly are the early Mowi National Division leaders on goal difference after beating Col Glen 4-0 at Braeview Park.
Beauly’s Ryan MacKay was free of suspension and the hosts went ahead after seven minutes through Callum Flynn. Robbie Brindle on 15 minutes and another from Callum Flynn on the half-hour made it 3-0 at half-time.
Euan Maccormick rounded off the scoring 10 minutes from time.
Fort William 2
Inveraray 1
Fort William won again, this time beating Inveraray 2-1 at An Aird.
Fort William’s Cameron Grant served the second game of his two-match suspension, but Mark Grant was free of his ban.
Fort William’s Cam Stephen scored the only goal of the first half on nine minutes, but Neil Campbell levelled three minutes after the re-start.
Archie MacKinnon scored what proved to be the winner on 53 minutes.
Fort William co-manager Alan Knox said: “We’re very pleased with the win. We are getting closer to where we want to be in terms of performance. There are still slight improvements and adjustments to be made but we are looking forward to what will be a good game this Saturday against Glasgow Mid Argyll.”
Glasgow Mid Argyll 6
Oban Celtic 1
Glasgow Mid Argyll (GMA) won 6-1 against an under-strength Oban Celtic side at Peterson Park.
Glasgow Mid Argyll’s Cammie McCue began a two-game ban, whilst John McNulty was also missing. Finlay Ralston and Iain Luke returned.
Oban Celtic travelled with half a dozen players short of their usual squad and fielded a side with an average of just 20 years.
Calum McLay put GMA ahead on 32 minutes and Calum Morrison on 37 minutes and Cailean Macleod on 44 minutes made it 3-0 at the break.
The second half was just four minutes old when Craig Anderson made it 4-0 and Calum Morrison got his second on the hour.
Oban Celtic’s Gabriel Tidser scored a consolation goal on 90 minutes, but Finlay Ralston made it 6-1 a minute into stoppage time.
This Saturday, Oban Celtic play Bute at Mossfield.
Kilmallie 1
Bute 0
Kilmallie claimed their first points of the season, beating Bute 1-0 at Canal Parks.
There was a minute’s silence ahead of throw-up as a mark of respect following the recent passing of Hughie MacMaster who had strong links to Kilmallie and Tayforth.
The only goal of the game came on 18 minutes - and it is an early contender for goal of the season. Kilmallie were defending a corner and the ball was cleared up-field. Shane O’Rua, at half forward, dropped deep before skinning his marker and carrying the ball 35 yards. Then, on his backhand, the youngster struck a superb 30-yard backhand shot into roof the net to win the game.
Speaking after the match, Kilmallie assistant manager Martin Stewart said: “It was good to get the two points. That’s all that really matters. We are still looking a bit rusty but there are some good signs.
“Shane’s goal was a screamer. It was some hit. You won’t see many better over the rest of the season.”
Mowi South Division 1
Lochside Rovers continued their winning start to the season, beating the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds 5-3 at Ganavan.
Oban Camanachd’s absentee list has had a knock-on effect on Lochside’s selection options with Logan Black missing whilst Glasgow Mid Argyll, Bullough Cup runners-up last season, no longer have experienced duo Rory Fraser and Ross Brown.
Duncan MacMillan and Scott Buchanan led Lochside as boss David MacMillan was in London. Rumours he travelled south on a spying mission to watch Bullough Cup opponents the English Shinty Association have been dismissed!
Referee Graham Fisher awarded Lochside a penalty after four minutes for a “kick” inside the ‘D’ and Lewis Buchanan sent the ball low by the keeper’s feet and into the net.
GMA opened with the wind at their backs and dominated the opening period, getting their reward on 20 minutes.
GMA’s Mark Bain needs no introduction and the former Celtic player’s low shot took a wicked bounce by keeper Brian MacCallum to make it 1-1.
Lochside regained the lead on 30 minutes when Lewis Buchanan fired the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to leave the hosts with their noses in front at the interval.
GMA drew level for a second time 10 minutes into the second half when Cailean MacInnes flicked the ball home.
Lochside led for a third time on 75 minutes when Jordan Kerr bundled the ball and the keeper into the net.
The lead only lasted three minutes though as Mark Bain got his second when his snapshot gave the goalie no chance.
Lochside won the game during the final five minutes and it was Lewis Buchanan who made the difference as he took his tally to four goals.
First, Buchanan fired into the top corner of the goal on 85 minutes and then, with GMA searching for another leveller, the home side broke forward and, with a minute remaining, Lewis Buchanan finished low into the corner of the goal to make the final score 5-3.
Lochside assistant manager Duncan MacMillan said: “It was a good win with a lot of good performances. We always knew Lewis Buchanan would be a key player for us this season.
“We were able to use Andy MacDonald on Saturday and he did well to come back on bandaged up after getting a head cut, whilst Cammy MacMillan played for us and was a substitute for the first team.”
Lochside are the only team in the division to have won both their opening games. They welcome second-placed Ballachulish to Ganavan on Saturday.
The Kyles Athletic juniors were without the banned Andrew Fraser for their goalless draw with Ballachulish at Tighnabruaich.
Aberdour beat Ardnamurchan 5-1 at Silversands. Logan Adam and Angus Thorburn both scored twice with David Murray also on target. Herbie Patterson offered a late counter.
Mowi South Division 2
The venue for the match between the Bute seconds and the Aberdour seconds was reversed to Silversands with a noon start.
Lewis Thorington gave the home side an early lead, but they then had Kevin McKell sent off by referee Les Kinvig after 35 minutes. Bute took advantage and second half goals from John MacCallum and Neil McKirdy sealed a 2-1 win.
The Inveraray colts were too strong for Tayforth, winning 7-0 in their noon throw-up at the Winterton. David Robertson grabbed a hat-trick, whilst Evan Robertson and Ross Anderson both scored twice.
The game between Strachur-Dunoon and Uddingston was transferred to Stepps Playing Field where the sides drew 1-1. Former Kyles player Cairn Limbert scored for the second successive Saturday for the visitors, but Christopher Gavin found the net 13 minutes from time to earn Uddingston a point.
Women’s Camanchd Association
Mowi National Division
Badenoch beat Inverness 3-0 in their 1pm throw-up at the Bught Park outside pitch on Sunday.
Zoe Reid, Kirsty Deans and Megan Ralph got the goals.
Lochaber won 1-0 against Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. Leah Maxtone grabbed the only goal with Mairi Duncan a top performer for the visitors.
Kinlochshiel won for the first time in the top flight, beating fellow promoted side Dunadd 12-2 in their 1pm throw-up at Lochgilphead. Lexie MacKenzie scored seven times with Emily Gordon grabbing a hat-trick. Lorna MacRae and Tibby MacKenzie got the others. Eilidh Cameron and Ailsa Crawford scored for Dunadd.
Glasgow Mid Argyll overcame Ardnamurchan 7-1 in their 1pm throw-up at Peterson Park. Beth McLennan scored five times with Ali MacVicar and Christy Doherty making up their tally. Aine O’Rua replied.
The match between Skye Camanachd and Aberdour will be rescheduled.
Mowi South Division 2
The Glasgow Mid Argyll second team defeated the Ardnamurchan second team 9-0 in their 3pm throw-up at Peterson Park.
Eilidh Mackenzie hit the target four times, Violet Mair and Katie Mullen hit doubles and Kirsty Gray also netted.
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