Glen hit Cabers for Six in the Sutherland

Sutherland Cup
Glenurquhart 6 Caberfeidh 1
This was yet another fine win for the Glen seconds notwithstanding the fact that it was to be overshadowed by the win against Kyles later in the afternoon. Make no mistake about it Mr MacLean’s Cabers outfit are no mugs and when ex-Boleskine player Garry Maclennan came on in the second half it was clear that the Blues intended to put up a fight. The Glen however have exceeded expectations this season so far and if they can keep their personnel together-including their youngsters – then there is every chance they can give Victor and Willie Can a game when the showdown eventually comes.
Key to the Glen’s success are the Old Heads - venerable players who would hold down a place in most first teams in North Division 1 and with a bit of training could have a stab at the Premier. The backbone of the side consists of Iain Macdonald at full back, Garry Smith at buckshee, Iain Macleod at full centre and Stuart Morrison and Calum Fraser up front. Add to that Dave “Chips” Smart and “Boo Boo” Fraser whom the Wing Centre considers could be in the top side if they wanted it and you have a team. Add to that a clutch of youngsters – two have already gone up to the Premier side - and the impression is that if the luck holds and we get some sensible referees then the Glen have a chance of more silver even although the Strathdearn was allowed to slip away at the ‘Garry.
The opening ten minutes at Blairbeg on Saturday saw the Glen serve up some lovely stuff with Ewan Brady, veteran Stuart Morrison and half forward Dave Smart putting together a series of interconnected plays which tested the Cabers defence. At the other end keeper Dave Emery, back between the stick after injury – Garry Mackintosh had deputised more than ably- also had to look lively to smother a Cabers attack.
In 18 minutes though Brady turned neatly and from the resultant through ball Stuart Morrison fired a fierce drive which came back off the keeper into the path of Brady who made no mistake with his finish.
The second Glen goal came in 25 minutes when Dave Smart picked up the ball at buckshee and drove a long ball home very much out of the blue. The Glen went three up in the next minute when a neat touch from Morrison fell on to the caman of Calum “Jock” Fraser and the big striker finished the move beautifully.
At that point, and for well into the second half, the game seemed to die somewhat – and while Cabers cannot be blamed for wanting to hang on the Glen seemed to lack some urgency in their approach. With recently injured first teamer Paul Mackintosh on the bench– and the Kyles boys arriving to prepare for the next match- it seemed as if the prevailing mood in everyone along the sideline- except Hendo and big Mike- was for the game to be over and done with.
Then Andrew MacMaster - a famous Cabers name- got a fine goal back for the Blues. 3-1 : if Cabers were to get another one could it all turn pear shaped. It was now decision time.
Would Paul Mac come on? In the absence of Corky and Stuart Mac there was every reason to believe he would be needed for the Premier match. In the end, with youngster Calum Smith having to go off because of a hand injury, Paul Mac received the call and within five minutes he had made his mark on the game with a fantastic strike into the roof of the net to make it four.
Paul Mac’s was the strike that galvanised the Glen. Young Kelvin Mackenzie then got his first start in the second team and caused the stand to jump to its feet as he ran through and fired a shot goal wards but it whistled just past the post. Brad Dickson who fetched and ran his heart out all afternoon began to push forward and all of a sudden Dave Smart completed his hat trick - the second one in as many weeks-with two excellent finishes and the Glen were coasting on the back of a 6-1 victory into the semi of the Sutherland. Let’s hope the draw is kind.

Two photos this week - one of Brad printed with the permission of Dave Fallows from his Shintyworld website (http://www.shintyworld.com) It is of a quality which the Wing Centre can only dream of and much beyond the capacities of however many megapixels are credited to his Nokia Phone . The old phone however was certainly up to the job of capturing young Kelvin on his debut.



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