Glen youngsters win London Shield
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
IN the last act of the 2011 season, Glenurquhart edged out Kinlochshiel 2-1 to win the Marine Harvest London Shield.
With the agreement of the two clubs, shinty’s governing body voided the match awarding a point apiece. It means that Kingussie leapfrog Glenurquhart to finish fourth on goal difference.
Meanwhile earlier in the week, the Camanachd Association decided to draw a line under the Scottish Hydro Premier Division season when it became apparent that it was proving almost impossible to find a playable venue to house the outstanding match between Kyles Athletic and Kingussie.
It was anyone’s game after that, yet the Glen were not to be denied, holding out for a well deserved victory.
Kinlochshiel responded immediately and Fraser looked to have equalised with a powerful strike, but the Glen goalkeeper Cameron MacLennan reacted with a terrific save to avert the danger.
It was not all one-way traffic, however, and Ewan Brady in midfield for the Glen was at the heart of some dangerous counter attacking moves. In 57th minute, Daniel MacKintosh powered his way through the ’Shiel defence and from 25 yards crashed a superb drive high into the roof of the net.
With the wind at their backs ’Shiel did dominate for periods in the second 45 minutes, but the Glen rearguard dug in impressively. Fraser Heath played a captain’s role as he did an excellent marking job on ’Shiel dangerman Conal Fraser and James Hurwood was superb on the flanks as ’Shiel attacked with purpose.
As half-time approached, the Glen fans were fearful that the one-goal lead was not enough of a margin to keep ’Shiel at bay in the second half. Their fears, however, were realised quicker than that as Aidan MacRae applied a neat finish to a slick Kinlochshiel move.
The Glen were on top for long spells after that and Sam Cummings hit an upright as they pressed to take full advantage of the strong wind.
Glenurquhart, however, took an early lead through Conor Golabek as they made their early pressure pay off.
Lovat’s Balgate pitch passed an early morning pitch inspection, although the heavy conditions suited neither team and together with the strong wind blowing down the pitch, the match was not the best showcase for the cream of young shinty talent in which to shine.
It was a deserved win for the Glen in the under-17 national championship, but they had to rely on a strong defensive effort, particularly in the second half when ’Shiel had the strong wind in their favour.
