Marine Harvest South Division One

Glenorchy 5-1 Aberdour

Glenorchy got the 2013 season underway with a visit from Fife based side Aberdour to Dalmally. After a winter of upheaval, Glen were still without a first team manager following Allan MacKechnie's decision to take a back seat this term. A select committee comprising senior players and former players and coaches were in charge of team affairs with John Smith and John MacPherson leading this.

After pre-season friendly defeats away to Premier League side Fort William (4-0) and Lovat at home (0-3) Glen were optimistic about the coming season due to good showings in both matches and a trophy was also picked up at the Dropkick 6's in Edinburgh which further enhanced confidence.

Glen were without Sandy Leiper, Duncan 'Doch' MacDougall, Grant MacPherson and Graham Morrice for this tie. New signings, Ben Taylor-MacPherson from Tayforth and Stephen McNab from Aberdour boosted the squad from last season having lost Lorne Brown back to Ballachullish.

Referee, Lachie Wood got the game underway in glorious conditions for the first weekend in March and Glen were fast out the blocks and were handed the ideal start after only 3 minutes when Kieran MacKay continued his goalscoring exploits from Edinburgh with a spectacular overhead volley into an unguarded net to make it 1-0 to Glenorchy.

Both clubs fielded teams packed with youngsters on a glorious day at the Mart Park

The pressure continued to be applied and John Sartain was unlucky to see a low drive fly just past the post after some superb link-up play among the forwards. It looked just a matter of time until the second goal arrived and it duly did courtesy of James Livingstone reacting quickest to a MacKay shot to steer the ball into the net and make it 2-0 to the home side.

The forwardline of MacKay, Sartain, James Livingstone and Scott Livingstone were producing some fast, free flowing shinty which was a joy to watch and looked capable of scoring almost at will. Sartain again firing wide and John McNulty with a terrific long distance shot were the best efforts.

Aberdour were finding it hard to get going but Darren Coyle in the full forward position rifled a blistering drive just wide and he was certainly keeping Scott McKillop on his toes.

Glen went 3-0 ahead after 35 minutes when John Sartain received the ball around the penalty spot and his drive was too powerful for the visiting keeper, Tom Bowerman to deal with as Glen increased their advantage.

John 'The S-Train' Sartain Opened his account with a hard drive into the bottom Corner.

This 3 goal lead didn't last long however as that man Coyle gathered the ball in from a corner and bundled it past Andrew Smith in the home goal to make it 3-1 at half time.

The Glen management team were delighted with the showing from the players in the opening half and demanded more of the same following the interval with a touch more ruthlessness to make the scoreline more reflective of the balance of play.

The Glen centreline of McNulty, Findlay Ross and Duncan Smith began the second period the way they did the first in competing and winning every second ball. Ross himself was the first to test the keeper in this half with a long floated ball in which was palmed to safety.

The next goal in the tie was going to be crucial and Glen notched this after 54 minutes when James Livingstone again showed good awareness to steer a rebound high past Bowerman to make the scoreline 4-1 to Glenorchy.

The home defence of McKillop, Fulton Ronald, Ewan Murray and Alec MacPherson were dealing comfortably with the attacks of the visitors as they tried to find a way back into the game.

The match then entered a lull in proceedings with Glen introducing young Conor Sartain for his full debut in place of Scott Livingstone in the forwardline and the younger Sartain showed great skill to create an opening for himself then firing inches over the top as Glen searched for a 5th goal.

Findlay Ross then had to be withdrawn after suffering from cramp and he was replaced by Stephen McNab who made his Glen bow against his former side. He slotted into defence with Alec MacPherson moving into the centre.

John McNulty then picked up the ball 20 yards from goal and his high strike into the net increased Glen's advantage to 5-1 with just a few minutes to play and the points were now assured.

Ben Taylor-MacPherson then made his debut in the forwardline as the clock ticked down on an impressive showing from Glenorchy.

Lachie Wood brought proceedings to a close with the final score, Glenorchy 5-1 Aberdour. It was a very impressive showing from Glen and maybe should have been a few more goals but given it was the first game of the new campaign they can be more than satisfied with their efforts which sees them lie top of the league on goal difference from Oban Celtic and Lochside Rovers.

Next week sees Glen make the trip to Bute to take on the recently relegated side in what promises to be a hard-fought and crucial encounter. Throw up at the Meadows is 2.30pm.

Glenorchy: Andrew Smith, Scott McKillop, Fulton Ronald, Ewan Murray, Alec MacPherson, John McNulty, Findlay Ross, Duncan Smith, John Sartain, Scott Livingstone, James Livingstone, Kieran MacKay. Subs used: Stephen McNab, Conor Sartain, Ben Taylor-MacPherson.

Duncan Smith