IT WAS a tough opening game for newly promoted ColGlen as they took on Kinlochshiel at home at the Clachan on Saturday, March 7.
It was ColGlen’s first ever appearance in shinty’s top flight and prior to throw up Kinlochsheil presented ColGlen with a carved wooden plaque to mark the occasion – classy gesture of sportsmanship that was gratefully received by the club.
Glen gaffer Ronnie MacVicar was disappointed to be missing from the occasion due to a family wedding, although he was kept up to date throughout the ceremony. In his absence, assistant manager Stevie Bulloch ably took the reins for the day.
As referee Robert Baxter got the game underway, the sizeable home crowd were buoyed up, and with good cause too as ColGlen started well and looked the sharper side initially. The Glen, playing a good old South two-and-two up front were a cause for concern to Kinlochshiel, as the half forward combo of Sam Bulloch and Neily McNaughton opened up the Kyle of Lochalsh defence a number of times. However, the Glen just lacked the clinical finishing required and didn’t capitalise, allowing Kinlochshiel to break back up the field where they muscled the ball through to Ali Nixon, who scythed it across the D into the top corner to open the scoring on 12 minutes.
Spurred on by scoring, the Sheil men piled the pressure on, but The Glen backs put in an impressive shift to clear their lines. Auryn Kerr – who has moved into defence this season – showed some great skill as he managed to extract the ball from the danger area by way of keepy-ups. Eventually, Kinlochshiel’s Jay Macrae found his way through on goal and bundled the ball past Symons, who was late off his line to put the visitors two up just prior to half-time.
The second period saw both teams compete well in what was a physical yet mostly fair encounter, as ColGlen brought on subs, Chris Blair and James Hamilton, who are both known to enjoy the more robust side of the game.
Although the Glen created a number of chances, it was Kinlochshiel who struck again. A slick series of passes among the forward line ended with Oliver Macrae finishing with a rasping shot on target.
ColGlen were handed a lifeline shortly after when at the other end the Kinlochshiel full back kicked the ball within the area.
Scott MacVicar stepped up and struck his penalty well, but agonisingly for the home support keeper Josh Grant managed to get his club onto it and parried it safely aside.
To their credit, ColGlen kept working hard, and their fitness levels appeared impressive as they still looked fresh in the latter phases.
Team captain Murray McClymont led by example, repeatedly putting his body on the line, and even putting in an impressive flying tackle – taking out his man and a match photographer.
Bulloch’s last replacement of the day was Steven Thomson who had been brought in from the second team, Strachur-Dunoon, and impressed on his first team debut.
ColGlen’s Andrew Tyre, sponsored by John Tyre & Son, picked up man of the match award for an energetic performance at the back.
The entertaining match was sponsored by Glendaruel Caravan Park, ending 3-0 to the visitors who were deserved winners.
But despite the loss, the ColGlen coaching staff were encouraged by their players performance and are keen to turn the page and prepare for this Saturday’s away game to Kyles Athletic.
