Scottish Hydro Premier Division

Glenurquhart 1-0 Glenorchy

The Premier League season for Glenorchy so far has not been that enjoyable an experience and few would have gave them much hope before travelling north to face an experienced and physical Glenurquhart outfit.

A car accident on the outskirts of Drumnadrochit delayed the arrival of the visiting team and referee, Charles Young for the scheduled 3.00pm throw-up. This delay didnt seem to do the visitors any harm as they came out of the traps the better team and created a few chances in the opening period of the game. Duncan Smith and Kieran MacKay both having a few shots each which forced home keeper, Stuart Mackintosh into action. The wind was with Glenorchy and they realised they had to start taking these chances but Glenurquhart were equally dangerous at the other end and Neil Reid had a shot from distance turned round the post by Glenorchy keeper, Andrew Smith. The Glenorchy midfield of Sandy Leiper, Findlay Ross and Scott Livingstone were winning their respective battles throughout the half and this, in-turn helped the defence which defending very resolutely and putting bodies on the line for the cause.

Half-time arrived with the scoresheet still blank and the visitors took great heart and encouragement from this as it was the first time this season they had managed to reach the interval on level terms. Manager Allan MacKechnie reitarated that belief to his players and to be wary of an early Glenurquhart onslaught at the start of the second period.

This proved to be the case as Glenurquhart opened the scoring after 50 minutes from the penalty spot. The award of this by Mr Youing caused much debate among fans and the Glenorchy coaching staff and players felt extremely hard done by. A long ball was floated in on Orchy keeper Smith and as he came out to meet it the ball took a bounce to his side and he stopped it with one foot which looked to be stationary and on the deck but the goal judge disagreed and Neil Reid stepped up to fire home the resultant spot hit.

Thereafter, the second half mainly followed the opening period with the match being keenly fought in the middle of the park and neither side really looking like adding to the scoreline. The Glenorchy backline of Scott McKillop, Fulton Ronald, Grant MacPherson and Ewan Murray were defending brilliantly and not giving Glenurquhart many clear-cut openings.

With 20 minutes remaining MacKechnie made his first change, sending on Iain Livingstone in place of young John McNulty who had worked tirelessly for the cause. An injury to full centre Ross meant the ever verstalile Graeme MacKechnie ended up the game at centre having started off up front and then in defence when Grant MacPherson suffered a nasty blow to the hand.

Glenorchy had a couple of chances left, and Kieran MacKay was unlucky to see a drive from 20 yards whistle just wide of the target. With 5 minutes to play, a ball across goal from the reintroduced McNulty was perfectly weighted into the path of Duncan Smith but as he was about to shoot he was fouled by the Glenurquhart defender but Mr Young didnt agree and the chance was lost.

The game ended 1-0 to the home side but Glenorchy will take a lot of positives from the game and although they will be disappointed not to get off the mark in terms of points, they will look to put in a similar display at home to runaway league leaders Kyles Athletic in the first round of the Artemis MacAulay Cup this weekend.

Glenorchy: Andrew Smith, Scott McKillop, Fulton Ronald, Ewan Murray, Grant MacPherson, Sandy Leiper, Findlay Ross, Scott Livingstone, Kieran MacKay, Duncan Smith, John McNulty, Graeme MacKechnie. Subs: Iain Livingstone, Andy McLean, Malcolm Gillies.