Marine Harvest South Division One

Kilmory 1-3 Glenorchy

The second part of a double header between these two sides was a 2 o'clock throw up on Saturday due to the MacTavish Cup final at the Bught Park between Newtonmore and Lochaber taking place at 4pm and being shown live on BBC Alba.

Last week's encounter finished 5-1 to Glenorchy at Dalmally so although confident after that win they realised Kilmory would be desperate to exact some revenge at the earliest opportunity. It didn't help matters that Glen's strips were late on arrival and finally made an appearance at 10 to 2!

Glenorchy made 2 changes to the starting 12 from last week with Ewan Murray and John Sartain coming in for the missing James Livingstone and suspended Alec MacPherson. The match got underway with Glen quicker to assert themselves on proceedings with Kieran MacKay firing just wide after good link-up play between Sartain and Grant MacPherson. MacPherson himself was next to try his luck with a snapshot from 25 yards which forced the Kilmory keeper into action with his feet.

The Glen forwardline of MacKay, Sartain, John McNulty and Grant MacPherson were creating chances at will it seemed and the opening goal didn't seem far away at all.

Kilmory's first chance was a drilled low shot from Stevie Gilmour which Andrew Smith in the Glen goal managed to turn behind with his stick. Glen took the lead shortly after however when Kieran MacKay received the ball 40 yards out on the left and his shot sailed into the net to make it 1-0 to Glenorchy which they richly deserved.

Kieran McKay fired glen into the lead from long range.

McNulty then shot over the top and Sartain registered another effort on target as Glen tried to turn their superiority into goals. The midfield of Sandy Leiper, Findlay Ross and Duncan Smith were beginning to win their respective battles as the pressure mounted on the home side, who were still looking dangerous on the break.

Another goal before the interval was exactly what Orchy were after and they got it thanks to Grant MacPherson's turn and low drive into the corner of the net which was unstoppable and made the scoreline 2-0 to Glenorchy.

A few more chances came they way of the visitors before half time with MacKay and MacPherson both having efforts saved whilst Alex Cunningham had a great chance saved by Smith at the other end of the park.

John McNulty and Grant MacPherson battle for the ball against the Kilmory defence.

Half time came with the score at 2-0 to Glenorchy and this was just about right in terms of possession and chances created. Glen's managerial team led by Allan MacKechnie urged the team to start taking more chances because the game was certainly not over and one goal and Kilmory would be right back in the game.

The second half got underway eventually after referee Dunkie Kerr got his wave back from a passing truck driver whose attention he was desperate to attract! The home side started quicker this time though and Gilmour and Cunningham both had shots off target but the momentum was beginning to swing.

Ally Cunningham then went on a run and his shot was well blocked by Smith. The Glen's defence of Duncan MacDougall, Ewan Murray, Scott McKillop and Fulton Ronald were now having their first real testing period of the game as the Glen struggled to get out at all.

John McNulty received Glen's first yellow card of the game for hitting the ball away which seemed very harsh indeed. MacKay and Sartain created an opening for Grant MacPherson which saw his powerful drive palmed away as Glen searched for a killer third goal.

Kilmory were still the more dangerous side and they made this count when Ally Cunningham reacted quickest to an error from MacDougall and rattled the ball past Smith to make it 2-1 to Glenorchy.

The Glen's response to this setback was almost immediate with Grant MacPherson firing low past the keeper from edge of the dee to make it 3-1 to Glenorchy and restore the 2 goal cushion his side had enjoyed.

Glen made their first switch of the afternoon shortly after with Lorne Brown coming on for Leiper with Brown moving up front and McNulty dropping back onto the wing. The play became bogged down in the middle of the park as conditions took a turn for the worse and the rain seemed unrelenting.

John 'The S-Train' Sartain was firing on all cylinders and leaving the Kilmory defence in his wake.

Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline as the clock ticked down with Brown and McNulty coming close for Glen. Scott MacIntyre was then introduced for Glenorchy in place of Grant MacPherson up front as Glen closed in on two valuable points.

Dunkie Kerr's full time whistle was greeted with relief by most Glen players and the spectators as the rain lashed down. A valuable win for Glen at what is a notoriously tough venue to visit as many other sides have found out down the years and they move joint top of the league alongside Oban Camanachd.

Next week is a free week for both these sides due to the AJG Parcels Celtic Cup final at Strachur between Inveraray and Taynuilt. Glenorchy would like to wish good luck to both teams and hope for a great day of shinty.

Glenorchy: Andrew Smith, Duncan MacDougall, Ewan Murray, Scott McKillop, Fulton Ronald, Sandy Leiper, Findlay Ross, Duncan Smith, Kieran MacKay, John Sartain, John McNulty, Grant MacPherson. Subs used: Lorne Brown, Scott MacIntyre. Unused: Allan MacKechnie

Duncan Smith