Strathglass Shinty Club - Match Reports Season 2010

13th February 2010: MacDonald Cup

Strathglass 2 Glenurquhart 2

Team: Raymond Fraser, Garry Reid, Robbie Stokes, Adam Todd, Donald Fraser, Leslie Fraser, Andy Behan, George Phimister, Darren Reid, Alistair Macadams, Gordon Fraser, Robert Geddes.

Substitute: Josh Fraser, Seth Jones, Alistair Rothe

First game of pre-season and it was to be against the old rivals “The Glen” who along with everyone else had made the Strath the underdogs. Well they say “one likes a challenge” so the team to a man were out to prove all the doubters wrong. There were a number of positional changes within the team from the previous season, some of which were forced upon us. However the belief was evident for all to see, that each team member was more than capable of fulfilling their given position and role.

Both Michael Stokes and Scott Douglas were unavailable for this fixture. Gordon Fraser, Alistair Macadams and Raymond were making a welcome return to first team shinty, whilst young Josh was also included as a sub. From the throw up it was obvious that the Glen were up for this, but were being matched in all departments by a robust Strath team who were willing to match the Glen both physically and with equal amounts of skill. It was evenly balanced for periods in the first half but the Glen took the lead when following a mistake by Adam in not clearing the ball at the first attempt the forward was able to drive a shot past Raymond. This was much to the delight of the travelling support.

However Strath continued to play their game getting the ball forward with ease at times, only to be met with a doggit defence. Strath were attempting shots at the goal but these were not coming off for them. Andy Behan at wing center was suffering from a sickness bug and was not on top of his game, but was still holding his own to an extent. Garry’s inclusion in the defence was settling and this enabled Donald to play at half back where his hitting was of benefit.

Unfortunately the Glen doubled their lead through a mix up with the officials, the ball had been struck at goal but was obviously going wide, goal judge raises his flag, ref blows his whistle for a bye hit, somewhat premature one might add. The ball hits the post and remains in play, Strath attempt to defend their goal only for the ball to be forced over the line. Bearing in mind the whistle has gone, confab between both officials and goal stands !!!!!! two nil to the Glen. Somewhat confused Strath attempted to educate the ref on this error but to no avail. Half time came and it was still two nil to the Glen. Strath had matched the Glen throughout that half and did not deserve to go in two nil down, however they were all still upbeat about the task ahead and out they went full of enthusiasm to turn the game around.

From the off it was more of the same, full on tackling from both sides which has to be said is what it is about, it wasn’t dirty just hard and fair. Strath were pressurising the Glen and most of the play was now in the Glen half. Andy was still struggling and was replaced by Seth Jones who was on home leave from the Navy. Gordy was also tiring having given his usual 110 percent effort from the off. He was replaced by Alistair Rothe. Strath continued to plug away with the defence coping with what Glen were offering, Robert was being given a lot of attention by the Glen defence when on the ball and this paid off for the Glen in the first half, but was to be their downfall in the second. Shortly after going on Ali Rothe had got a goal back for the Strath following a speculative cross come shot across the goal which either deflected across the line or bounced but either way it was now 2 1 to the Glen.

Strath continued to believe in them selves and with the encouragement from the sides for a change, didn’t give up, they continued to fight for and match the glen all the way. This enabled the pressure to remain in the Glen half and it eventually told on the Glen. The ball broke outside the D to Ali Rothe who was being given space due to the attention that Robert was receiving, the Glen were slow to react and Ali fired a well struck ball high into the back of the net to make it two two.

This was more than deserved, the travelling support went quiet and with only a matter of minutes left the Strath held on and it ended in the two two draw which saw the Strath retain the cup for yet another year. Overall this was a decent performance from a changed Strath side, one that has more than matched their Premier league opponents and shown that they were not worthy of the underdog tag that the majority of folk not connected to the club had labelled them with.

13th February 2010: Ali Ban Cup

Strathglass 1 Glenurquhart 7

Team: Brian Mackay, Ali Rothe, Ryan Balharry, Ross Balharry, Aaron Redpath, John Stirling, Barry John Phimister (captain), Seth Jones, Josh Fraser, Stuart Harvey, Lucy Macleod, Laurence Jones.

Substitute Not Used: George Fraser

A young Strathglass second team were beaten but far from disgraced against a talented Glenurquhart side on their first outing of the new season.

First team calls, injuries and illness left Strath struggling to field a team, but the players on duty could not be faulted for their determination and effort throughout. Eight of the Strathglass side were aged 17 or under – and the club also made history when Lucy Macleod became the first female player to participate in the annual local derby clash. Some textbook blocking and spirited running showed that she merited her place in the team.

Signs looked ominous for the hosts when a Kelvin Mackenzie double put Glenurquhart two up inside the opening nine minutes, but Stuart Harvey reduced the arrears with a 12th minute shot drilled into the bottom corner for his first senior goal. Glen maintained their fast start and further efforts from Ewan Menzies, Calum Fraser and Ewan Brady put them 5-1 ahead with only a quarter of the match played. Gradually Strath adjusted to the pace of the game with their youngsters gaining in confidence, and half-time arrived with the scoreline unchanged.

Early in the second period Strathglass reshuffled their pack with captain Barry John Phimister, who was troubled by a long-standing knee injury, moving to full back from full centre. His powerful presence and big hitting bolstered the home rearguard, in which another injury-hampered player in the shape of goalkeeper Brian Mackay shone with a string of fine saves.

Seth Jones settled well into the central midfield slot and, with his brother Laurence and fellow youngster Ryan Balharry also battling hard throughout, Strath continued to make a contest of it. Veteran Stuart Morrison, a half-time substitute, added Glen’s sixth 10 minutes into the second period and David Smart rounded off the scoring midway through the half.

Undoubtedly the much stronger side deserved to retain the cup, but the Strathglass youngsters showed enough to demonstrate that they will be valuable to the club in the years ahead.