Shinty round-up: Kinlochshiel edge Lochaber as Skye boss voices frustrations over refereeing decisions

All the goals came during a 10-minute first-half burst as Kinlochshiel notched a 2-1 Mowi Premiership win at Lochaber.

Shiel led after 20 minutes when Ali Nixon’s ball from midfield was stopped by keeper Callum Macdonald, but John MacRae whipped the rebound home.

Oliver MacRae made it 2-0 just a couple of minutes after with a turn and shot from distance. Findlay MacDonald countered from the edge of the D on the half-hour, but it wasn’t enough.

It was nervy towards the end but Shiel saw it out and manager Willie MacRae said: “We dug deep when we had to and that’s us beaten the league’s two newly promoted teams in our first two games.

“We’ll know more about what to expect from the other sides.”

Skye manager Kenny MacLeod cut a frustrated figure following Skye’s 3-0 defeat to Newtonmore in Portree.

The Islanders passed up some early chances and had James Morrison sent off by referee Jamie MacPherson.

The Skye boss said: “I don’t mind the referee refereeing the game the way he sees fit and I won’t criticise him for that, but he has to be consistent with his decisions for both teams. We’ve lost both our opening games, but no one here is downhearted.”

Visiting keeper Kenny Ross made a couple of smart stops before ‘More skipper Iain Robinson bagged the opener following Conor Jones’s free-hit. Robinson’s second came from the penalty spot after Matthew Sloss went down inside the D.

Substitutes Charlie Ferguson and Craig McIssac combined to find Iain Robinson who showed good movement to cut in from the right and finish low into the net to complete his hat-trick.

‘More manager Peter Ross said: “This is a hard place to come. Kenny Ross made a fantastic early save from Jordan Murchison, but the others were saves I’d expect him to make. Our four forwards were brilliant and Conor Jones in midfield too. I think we have the best defence in shinty and Duncan MacPherson came in at the back and did exactly what we asked him to do.”

The sides also played for the George Michie Memorial Cup.

Kings come from behind

After a goalless first half, Caberfeidh shocked Kingussie when Logan Beaton gave them a 52-minute lead. Roddy Young levelled but it took an Alexander Michie penalty eight minutes from time to give the Kings a 2-1 win.

Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid said: “It was close. Kingussie had more of the ball and their centre line was excellent, but we defended really well and always looked dangerous when we went past their half back line.”

Kingussie manager Ronald Ross added: “From our point of view, it shouldn’t have been as close as it was. We passed up a lot of chances and Kevin Bartlett was excellent in their goals. It was a very hard-fought, competitive game.”

Archie MacKinnon and Mark Fraser gave Fort William a two-goal interval lead against Kyles Athletic before Roan MacVicar made it 2-1 a minute from time. The sides also contested the Drew Ferguson Memorial Trophy.

Oban Camanachd got their season up and running with a 3-1 victory over Col Glen. Daniel MacVicar and Lewis Cameron’s brace came before Cally Mcnaughton’s late counter.

Mowi National Division leaders Glenurquhart came from behind to beat Kilmallie 3-1. Archie MacNiven gave Kilmallie an early lead, but Daniel Maclean’s brace and John Barr’s injury time goal gave Glenurquhart victory.

Regan Craig gave Bute an early lead at Lovat, but Lewis Tawse equalised and two Greg Matheson penalties gave Lovat a 3-1 success.

Glasgow Mid Argyll had seven different scorers as they defeated Oban Celtic 7-1. Craig Anderson, Calum Morrison and Cailean MacLeod all scored in the first half before Gabriel Tidser replied. Scott Craig, Logan Adams, James MacLeod and

Ross Brown added to GMA’s tally.

Ewan Donnan, Ruaraidh Graham (jnr), Coll MacKay and Allan MacDonald helped Inveraray beat Beauly 4-1. Louie MacLellan countered.

[Source: Press and Journal]