A MERE eight miles separate the two neighbouring shinty communities of Kyles Athletic and ColGlen, and things were just as close on the pitch on Saturday as the two rival Premiership teams went head-to-head in a much anticipated clash at the Clachan of Glendaruel.
Played on a very soft pitch following heavy rain, the playing surface deteriorated and cut up badly as the match progressed. The difficult conditions, combined with plenty of physical challenges from both teams, contributed to the tense atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
However, it was ColGlen who almost made the perfect start. In the opening minute, Andrew MacVicar found himself unmarked in front of the Kyles goal, but his effort went narrowly wide.
The game then settled into a competitive midfield contest, with both sides battling hard for possession. Kyles were determined to keep their survival hopes alive, while ColGlen knew that a victory would be crucial to their own fight against relegation.
The breakthrough came four minutes before half-time. Andrew MacVicar found himself in space with the ball again after receiving a neat pass back from Sam Bulloch. MacVicar made no mistake this time as he cracked the ball perfectly, finding the back of the net to put ColGlen 1–0 up.
ColGlen came out after the interval looking to build on their slender lead, but Kyles defended well with Luke MacVicar in particular reading the game well from half back.
Kyles stand-in goalkeeper Luke Thornton also produced a high quality save to deny Neily McNaughton, after the ColGlen forward got an excellent effort on target.
As the heavens opened, the match certainly had its flashpoints as both teams competed for every ball on a boggy field.
Kyles’ Andrew King found his name in referee Alec Macvicar’s book and was shown a yellow card in the 85th minute as the tension continued to build.
Both sides had to use all their substitutes, and with Scott MacDonald coming off the bench, Kyles came close to finding an equaliser during the final five.
With the visitors pushing forward in search of a late goal, the pressure on the ColGlen defence intensified. Bossing the Glen’s back line was captain Murray McClymont, who produced an impressive performance earning him man of the match and a well earned victory.
So, it was on a heavy battered pitch in October that the Glen found a way to hold on and clinch a historic victory.
For their supporters it was a significant moment, it was the first time ColGlen has beaten the Kyles Athletic senior team since forming in 1920.
For Kyles, the result brings the curtain down on a remarkable 19-year spell in Shinty’s top flight. Defeat means that relegation is now officially confirmed for the Tighnabruaich side.
ColGlen, meanwhile, although still in the relegation zone, have given themselves renewed hope. With two matches against Skye still to play, the Glen can potentially overtake Lochaber, who are currently only two points ahead, and retain their Premiership status.
