Marine Harvest South Division One

Stachur 0-2 Glenorchy

Glenorchy made the trip to the new facilities at Strachur for the first time on Saturday in this South Division One fixture. The sides had met earlier in the season at Dalmally with Glenorchy emerging victors by 2 goals to nil so they knew that this newly-promoted outfit would be no pushovers especially on their own patch.

With Allan MacKechnie of the management team unavailable, John MacPherson assumed the managerial duties for the afternoon and he made 3 changes to the previous weeks' starting 12 with John McNulty, Duncan MacDougall and Scott MacKillop returning to the side in place of Kenny MacDougall, Sandy Leiper and Scott MacIntyre.

After losing last time out, Glen were determined not to squander any more points this early in the season and started off as if they meant business with Duncan Smith and Alec MacPherson both coming close in the opening few minutes as they sought an early goal.

The forwardline of Duncan Smith, John Sartain, Alec MacPherson and Lorne Brown were enjoying their early dominance of the ball as Sartain rifled a low drive just off target after some excellent link-up play.

After 14 minutes however, the opening goal did arrive and it was no surprise that it was the visitors who got it courtesy of Lorne Brown who received a neat pass from Alec MacPherson after a poor hit by the keeper and dispatched it low and hard into the net to make it 1-0 to Glenorchy.

Lorne Brown celebrates his 2nd goal in as many games against Strachur this season to put Glen 1-0 up.

This goal had been coming and the pressure continued with the home side finding it hard to get the ball past the Glen centreline of John McNulty, Findlay Ross and Ewan Murray who were completely dominant. McNulty himself and Brown again both had efforts on target which forced the Strachur keeper into action.

Strachur finally made some headway and Angus Campbell came close just before John Sartain extended Glen's lead after 33 minutes. Sartain weaved into the area past 2 or 3 somewhat dubious tackles and with the aid of a wee kick slotted into the far corner of the net to make it 2-0 to Glenorchy. The Strachur defenders reacted angrily that the goal stood but, with the goal judge in the perfect position and his decision final, the goal stood.

Goalscorer Sartain was forced to leave the field just 5 minutes later when his niggling hamstring played up again and Sandy Leiper took his place in the forwardline. Brown, Smith and MacPherson all had efforts on goal as the interval approached.

Half time came with Glenorchy 2-0 up and everyone content with the showing thus far but Duncan MacDougall reiterated to his team-mates the need to kill the game off as one goal for Strachur would change the mindset of both sides if it stayed at 2-0.

The second period began in very similar fashion to the opening one with Glenorchy pressing against an overworked Strachur rearguard with Brown and then MacPherson forcing the keeper into smart saves from neat free hits. Captain, Findlay Ross then succumbed to his ankle problem and he reverted to full forward with Alec MacPherson dropping back into full centre.

Duncan Smith was then unceremoniously chopped to the deck when he was in on goal after a neat through ball from Ross. Ross himself fired just past the upright as began to adjust to his new position.

Duncan 'Didier' Smith hits the deck once again under some harsh tackling from the Strachur back line.

Scott MacIntyre was then introduced to the action in place of Lorne Brown who took a knock to the knee making a tackle. At this stage, the Glen defence of Grant MacPherson, Duncan MacDougall, Scott MacKillop and Fulton Ronald were rarely troubled or overworked as they restricted the passage through to goalkeeper Andrew Smith.

Smith, himself was involved in a freak accident prior to throw up when he went over his ankle trying to inexplicably kick the ball behind his goals but after much commotion and with Lorne Brown ready to play in his place, Smith declared himself fit.

With 15 minutes remaining, Glen used their final sub with Iain Livingstone coming on for Duncan Smith up front as Glenorchy seeked the killer third goal. Ross once again shot just wide as he began to relish his new found freedom but he was replaced by Brown with 10 minutes to play.

The game petered out thereafter with Sandy Leiper firing just over for Glen after a great ball from Ewan Murray, who was performing outstanding in his new position on the wing. Referee, Gus Campbell brought proceedings to a halt with the full time whistle as Glen emerged 2-0 winners.

The win moves Glenorchy onto 8 points but remain in third place whilst Strachur stay on 3 points and level with Oban Celtic at the foot of the table. Next up for Strachur is a home league game against Kilmory whilst Glenorchy entertain Oban Camanachd at Dalmally in the first round of the Artemis MacAulay Cup. After 2 draws over 90 minutes between the sides earlier this season in the Camanachd Cup it is anticipated this will be a close encounter with not many goals in it.

Special mention must go to Strachur for their excellent changing room and clubhouse facilities which are arguably second to none in the shinty world in will make a great venue for the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup final.

Glenorchy: Andrew Smith, Grant MacPherson, Duncan MacDougall, Scott MacKillop, Fulton Ronald, Ewan Murray, Findlay Ross, John McNulty, Duncan Smith, Alec MacPherson, John Sartain, Lorne Brown. Subs used: Sandy Leiper, Scott MacIntyre, Iain Livingstone

Duncan Smith