Shinty: Unfamiliar goalkeeper helps Caberfeidh to victory against Beauly

The pre-season friendlies continued, and Kevin Bartlett assumed the unfamiliar role of goalkeeper as Caberfeidh were 2-0 winners over Beauly at Braeview Park.

So frequently a significant scorer for Scotland and Caberfeidh, Bartlett will play in goals for the Strathpeffer side this season, but he was hardly troubled as Ali Taylor set up Seamus Henderson for the opener and Blair Morrison added a second.

Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid said: “Kevin took a number of knocks last year, so wanted to try out in goals.

“He’s been training there since our return and has been looking good.

“I had hoped Iain McCall, who previously played in that position, would stay and play a role with the first team, but he’s decided to take a step back. Iain’s been a great servant and has never ever let the club down.

“Beauly were good opposition with fit players, so I’m pleased we more than matched them fitness-wise and played some nice shinty at times.”

Campbell wins it for Oban

Oban Camanachd secured a narrow 1-0 win against Lochaber at Mossfield. Ross Campbell got the goal on 28 minutes with a good strike from a well-worked corner.

Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “We played really well in the first half, creating several chances but failed to hit the target as often as we should have.

“The rain then got heavy and made it hard to create many opportunities.

“We’re happy with the win and clean sheet and another 90 minutes under the belt. Fourteen-year-old Daniel Duffy came on for last 15 minutes after impressing for Lochside and he’s shown a great attitude at training.”

Roddy Young, Thomas Borthwick and Dylan Borthwick all bagged braces with Savio Genini and James Falconer getting the others as Kingussie beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 8-0.

It’s a second big win for the Kings but manager Ronald Ross struck a cautionary note, saying: “We are doing okay but it’s important the remember that it’s still early days.”

Newtonmore ran out 6-1 victors over Kilmallie. Iain Robinson scored twice, and Struan Ross, Declan Brannan, Euan Dingwall and Craig McIsaac got the others. Innes Blackhall countered.

Lovat edged out Col Glen 4-3 with new captain Marc MacLachlan, Greg Matheson, Graeme Macmillan and Craig MacKinnon scoring whilst Neily Mcnaughton followed by two-goal Sam Bulloch counted for the visitors.

Kinlochshiel defeated Glenurquhart 2-1 at Blairbeg. Andrew Corrigan struck for the hosts, but John MacRae and Jordan Fraser gave Shiel the win.

Kyles Athletic beat Inveraray 2-1 at The Dunoon Stadium. Ewan Donnan netted for Inveraray, but Luke Thornton and Will Cowie gave Kyles the win.

Manager Grant Profit said: “We didn’t start too well and went a goal down, but it was good to see the fight in the boys and the turnaround in our performance.

Fort William’s meeting with Skye was postponed due to illness in the Skye camp.

Oban Celtic confirm co-managers

Alex Dunnings will join Cammy Mccallum to co-manage Oban Celtic this coming season.

Mccallum led the side to a Mowi South Division 1 and Chieftain’s Cup double last season, and he welcomed Dunnings’ appointment.

He said: “Alex’s been great addition to our playing squad and with his shinty knowledge and the great rapport he has with myself and the lads, it’s been a natural progression for him to step up to management.

“We’ve lost a couple of players from last season and with our squad being as tight as it is, I’m sure you will see both Alex and I featuring on the pitch at times.”

With Oban Celtic now competing in the Mowi National Division, they face an injury sweat over top scorer and 2025 Mowi South Leagues player of the year Kyle MacFarlane.

Mccallum added: “Kyle hobbled off with a hamstring pull just 10 minutes into last week’s friendly against Kyles Athletic. We’re hoping he’ll be back for the start of the season as he’s obviously an important player for us.”

[Source: Press and Journal]