Shinty: Fort William close the gap on Mowi Premiership leaders Newtonmore

Fort William took the chance to narrow the gap on Mowi Premiership leaders Newtonmore to four points with two games in hand by beating Col Glen 2-0 at An Aird.

Col Glen started well, with the wind advantage, but couldn’t score and the Fort came much more into it as the first half went on.

The home centre line of Jack Fraser, Archie MacKinnon and Lewis Clark were involved before Ewen Campbell volleyed home a fine finish on the stroke of halt-time. Substitute Mark Fraser sealed victory 14 minutes from time with his strike going in off keeper Jack Whyte.

Fort William manager Scott McNeill said: “I’m happy with the result but fair play to Col Glen who are big strong lads and clean strikers of the ball and their keeper Jack Whyte made some great saves, especially from Lachie Shaw.

“We went into the game without Ali MacRae, Hamish Shaw and Victor Smith and they’re big players for us. Victor Smith is lethal up front, and we played Lachie Shaw further forward to compensate for his absence, but you would like to have a Lachie Shaw in almost every position.

“Young Craig MacDonald was the man of the match, and he’s really come on already this season. Alexander Cameron was solid at the back which was just as well at times when Col Glen pressed.

“There was standing water on the pitch this morning, but a combination of some great groundwork and a good breeze meant the field was in good condition for the game.”

The wet weather wiped out almost half off the overall shinty calendar and the top-flight fixtures between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd and Kinlochshiel were among the postponements.

Skye set up a date with Kings

Skye Camanachd will host Kingussie in the WM Donald MacTavish Cup quarter-finals after beating Kilmallie 4-1 in Portree.

A strong wind influenced this tie and after winning the toss of the coin, Kilmallie claimed the elements in the first half, but some stout Skye defending meant they didn’t test Skye keeper Ally MacDonald enough.

Dan MacDonald put Skye ahead within minutes of the restart and Ross Gordon, who had a brilliant battle with Innes Blackhall in the middle of the park, surged forward to add a second at the back post.

Innes Blackhall pulled a goal back from the penalty spot but efforts soon after from Archie Millar and Jordan Murchison sent Skye through.

Skye manager Kenny MacLeod spoke straight after the final whistle and said: “The conditions were a leveller, and in some ways, I thought Kilmallie adapted against the wind better than we did.

“We took our chances in the second half but there were signs in the first half that we are still that bit rusty. That’s all three games this season we’ve had a penalty against us but I’ve no complaints about the decision as it was a clear ‘kick’”.

Kilmallie manager Liam Macdonald said: “We didn’t capitalise on the chances we created in the first half, and we knew it would be uphill after that. Overall, the final scoreline was disappointing to take but we’ll take it on the chain and move on to next week.”

Glen prove too strong for Bute

Glenurquhart extended their lead at the top of the Mowi National Division to four points after beating Bute 2-0 in a match reversed to Blairbeg.

Just before the half-hour, Doug Brockie turned inside on the right before hammering the ball into the roof of the net on his left side.

Then, just after the hour, Neale Reid’s low, bouncing strike from around 25 yards out beat keeper Kevin Queen by his left-hand post.

Beauly beat Oban Celtic 5-0. Louie MacLellan bagged a first half double whilst Hector MacLennan was on target within minutes either side of the break. Euan Mccormick completed the scoring five minutes from time.

Glasgow Mid Argyll’s match with Lovat was postponed.

[Source: Press and Journal]