Magazine Fixtures & results

Latest league table Season 2007 Season 2006 Season 2005 Season 2003-04 Season 02-03 and 01-02 Season 2000-01 Season 1999-2000

Season 2008

Boleskine adult team will play in North League Div 3 competing teams are

Aberdeen University, Ardamurchan, Beauly, Boleskine, Glenurquhart, Inverness, Kincraig, Lochbroom, Lochcarron and Strathglass

Boleskine will be entering an U14 team & an U17 team into competition this season.

For direction to Boleskine's Shinty pitch , Smith Park click on MAP

Forthcoming Fixtures

23 Aug Strathnairn Gala at Smith Park so Boleskine v GlenUrquhart sheduled game will not go ahead (Cam ASS informed 5 months ago of Gala date)

30 Aug Boleskine v Kincraig throw up 2:30 noon referee Russell Ross

In the event of the pitch being unplayable the game is switched to the other teams pitch

Results

9 Aug Beauly 3 Boleskine 2

Results & Scorers Season 2008

For U12, U14 & U17 results and scorer's see BOLESKINE MAGAZINE JUNIOR TEAM NEWS

Saturday 9Aug Beauly 3 Boleskine 2

Boleskine travelled to Beauly to met the third placed team in the league, who were strengthened today as their first team were not playing by including several first team regulars within their side . Sandy Fraser, in the second minute opened the scoring for Boleskine with a low shot from right, however our joy was short lived when Beauly equalised two minutes later with a shot from forty yards. Beauly blend of experience youth were producing some good shinty and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the eleventh minute with a long low drive. In the twenty third minute the home team increased their lead following a good stop by Peter Tinney in the Boleskine goals, a Beauly forward netted the loose ball . Play was end to end and a good game to watch if you were a natural supporter, with Boleskine carving out a few excellent scoring opportunities before they managed to score two minutes before half time through Kevin Hunter . The second period was was very much a case of each team having the better of the game in certain periods throughout the half and it was only good defending and sound goalkeeping that ensured there was no more scoring. A disappointing result after the good start ,which now leaves us requiring other teams to take points of our near rivals, for us to win the league.

Saturday 2 Aug Inverness 6 a sides

This years Inverness 6 a sides returned to the Bught Park after the enforced staging at Beauly in 200, due to damage to the Bught caused by the Inverness Highland Games. Boleskine entered one team this year in the Jubilee Shield and found themselves alongside Lovat A , Inverness B and Glengarry on an outside pitch that in parts suffered badly from overuse from football matches. In the section first game with a duration of ten minutes against Lovat A, Boleskine went down by two goals to nil . Against Glengarry a two nil victory was achieved, when Mike Pirrie stooped to connect with the ball opening the scoring and Sandy Fraser getting the second. The final section game against Inverness B, a Lewis Smith goal saw us reach the knockout stage as second placed team. In the quarterfinal Lovat B ended Boleskine interest in the competition by two goals to nil . The final of the Jubilee Shield, Kinlochshiel defeated Caberfiedh by 3 goals to nil, incidentally two former Boleskine players Garry Maclennan and Wayne Grant featured in the Caber's team.

Saturday 26 July Boleskine 6 Lochbroom 0

For the second game on the trot Boleskine scored six goals improving their goal difference tally, this time against against Lochbroom at Smith Park . With the away fixture proving a tough encounter, Boleskine just managing to hold out to get the points by three goals to two, after being three nil up at half time the home support were a bit wary on the outcome of today's fixture . The home side had by far the best of the early encounters but were finding difficulty scoring, the best effort in fifteen minutes when the Lochbroom keeper got his foot to a rasper of a shot from Raymond Robertson . Boleskine finally drew first blood with a goal from Sandy Fraser, playing today at full forward. Sandy from fully forty five yards sent an un-saveable shot high into the net a contender surly for Boleskine goal of the season. A bit different from his only other goal scored, which was from about ten inches. This settled the team and eight minutes later Lewis Smith made it two from the penalty spot following an infringement inside the box . Boleskine were running the game now creating some good openings like the one in 35 minutes when a Lewis Smith shot came back of the post and two minutes later from the edge of the D, Lewis made it three. A good first half performance from the team with the defence once again competently dealing with any Lochbroom attacks and the centre line ensuring the forwards had plenty of the ball. Eight minutes after the restart Raymond Robertson scored from the edge of the D made and Boleskine were playing some nice open shinty but the the keeper and the post came to the visitors rescue on several occasions. in the seventy eighth minute Lewis Smith scored and five minutes later made it six to complete the scoring for the day A good performance from the home team who played some bonny shinty throughout the match and a higher winning margin would not have flattered them.

Saturday 19 July Strathglass 1 Boleskine 6

For today's trip to Cannich, our manager Joey Smith, had his strongest team available since weeks. Boleskine took the lead in 5 minutes with a high shot from Raymond Robertson, and the same player scored a second 10 minutes later. Andrew Young scored a third goal 5 minutes before half-time, making the score at half-time 0-3. Boleskine dominated the first half and could have scored more goals but for some excellent saves by the Strathglass keeper. Ten minutes into the second half Strathglass scored against the run of play, but almost immediately Lewis Smith scored from close in. Boleskine continued attacking and had several chances to increase the lead, but again valiant defending by the home side kept the game alive. In the 85th minute Kevin Hunter put another shot in past the keeper and with one minute remaining Lewis Smith scored his second of the afternoon, with a long low drive into the bottom corner. A very good team performance by Boleskine, with the defence in particular outstanding, in what we thought was going to be a difficult fixture.

Today's reporter Ali Fraser

Saturday 5 July Boleskine1 Aberdeen University 1

Top of the table Aberdeen University arrived at Smith Park without their strips, resulting in them playing attired in an old Boleskine one turned inside out. Boleskine two points behind the leaders but with three games in hand hoped to continue there fine run of six victory's on the trot in the league, but it was the visitors who looked more livelier early on. The home team came more in to the game and in twenty five minutes hit the post but but both defences were so on top that it was another ten minutes that a keeper had their first save when James Fraser came to Boleskine's rescue . Boleskine had a couple of chances to score before the break the best one being a delightful passage of play by Andrew Young in thirty eight minutes saw his lob being met first time by Kevin Hunter with the volley shot clearing the bar. While the Aberdeen keeper had a fine save as the ball came off his defenders stick following a free hit to Boleskine, but overall a draw at half time was a fair reflection. Three minutes after the break Lewis Smith opened the scoring with a shot from the left. Boleskine had the better of this early period as they strove for a second ,but it was Aberdeen who got the next goal sixty four minutes flowing a free hit Alex Murray netted from close in, allegedly from an offside position. Boleskine had a few chances to regain the lead and had the ball in the net from Kevin Hunter but this was correctly cancelled following an earlier infringement by a Boleskine forward. Probably a draw over the piece was justified, but another observation could be, that they took the shirts off our backs and stole a point.

Photos of today's game courtesy of Peter Paul http://www.chadan.co.uk/index.htm

Glengarry 4 Boleskine 1 Macbain cup

After the game against Aberdeen, the Boleskine team travelled to Invergarry to meet Glengarry in the Macbain Cup. A trophy in memory of Roddy Macbain contested annually, now between Glengarry and an Invited team as the last event of the Glengarry Highland Games . Boleskine team had a couple of changes from this afternoon team, while ten were starting their second game of the day and three of the subs were involved in the earlier game. The match began a furious pace as both teams went for an early opener and it was Glengarry who got the break through, when James Mackinnon netted in three minutes. Several robust tackles were happening and the referee John Sloggie had his work cut out keep control, but in his own inevitable style order was once again brought back into play. In the eighteenth minute Steven Cameron grabbed a second for Glengarry, who were by far the better team at this point . Things looked up for Boleskine when John Fraser scored from close in in the twenty sixth minute, however the home team regained their two goal advantage, with a Stewart Gregory low shot from the edge of the D in the thirty seventh minute. The half finished with Glengarry deserving their lead as Boleskine finding the efforts of the previous game taking their toll. In the second half Boleskine came more into the game, if they could have pulled a goal back outcome of the match could have been anyone's guess, but with ten minutes to go Steven Cameron sealed the result with a low shot . After the game Tony Macbain handed over the cup to the Glengarry captain Steven Brady along with medals to both teams and the match officials. The Boleskine player that got the biggest cheer when collecting the medal, was Annie Butterworth from her Glengarry ladies team-mates.

Saturday 28 June Boleskine 9 Inverness 1

Inverness were today's visitors to Smith Park to meet a more experienced home team, who against the wind took the lead in the fourteen minute though Kevin Hunter finding himself in space after a free hit and his shot, though partly stopped by the Inverness keeper spun into the net. Twelve minutes later Kevin got his second by pulling down a high pass and his rocket shot ricocheted of the visitors keeper Adam Macmaster high into the roof of the net. Boleskine had by far the better of the play in the first half, but Inverness stuck gamely to their task in hand defending well and mounting attacks when permitted which on another day could have bourn fruit. Three minutes after the break a Lewis Smith shot was saved by the keeper but Andrew Young was on hand to make it three goals to nil for the home team. A Kevin Hunter double in the fifty third and forth minutes following good work by James Fraser and Andrew Young respectively saw us further increase our lead . Six minutes David Fraser passed back to the unmarked Mike Pirie ,who sent a fine thirty yard shot high into the net . Kenneth Loads in the sixty fourth minute pulled a goal back a goal for Inverness with a long shot which over the game was deserved consolation for their valiant performance. However Boleskine were not finished yet with Neil Fraser moving into unfamiliar territory at full forward, it did not take him long to adjust as in the seventy fourth minute he latched on to a through pass to score his first goal of the season. Six minutes later Lewis Smith opened his account for the day with a low shot from thirty yards and concluded the scoring three minutes from time after being put through by Neil Fraser, he netted from close in. An excellent team performance against an young Inverness team hampered by the injury to Garry Lightbody midway through the first half, but good defending and strong midfield play , created opportunities which allowed the Boleskine forward's to improve our goal ratio .

Photos of today's game courtesy of Peter Paul http://www.chadan.co.uk/index.htm

Saturday 14 June Lochbroom 2 Boleskine 3

Boleskine travelled to Lochbroom with 13 players due to late call offs and unavailability of players, a difference from our last fixture at home when there six substitutes on the bench. Lochbroom's park is in a very picturesque setting and the playing surface is good, but would benefit greatly with decent stock fence round it, though perhaps the grass would not be so lush. Boleskine dominated the early stages with Kevin Hunter scoring in five minutes and continued to confine the play to Lochbroom's half, but the home defence with the goalkeeper outstanding stood firm . The twenty seventh minute saw Lochbroom in a rare attack snatch the equaliser. This spurred on the Boleskine forwards and two goals within a minute from Raymond Robertson saw us leading by three goals to one with thirty minutes gone. A minute later Boleskine were awarded a penalty, but Raymond Robertson's well taken hit was saved by the Lochbroom keeper. The half ended with us still dominating the match, but unable to increase our lead against a defence well marshalled by Ian Fraser and good goalkeeping by the Lochbroom custodian. The second period Lochbroom came more into the game and it was Boleskine's turn to come under the cosh for long periods resulting in the home team scoring again in the sixty sixth minute. Our defence held firm for the remainder of the match to gain the two points, much to the relief of the team and travelling support.

Saturday 31 May Boleskine 2 Caberfiedh 4 Strathdearn Cup

Today's fixture at Farr in the Strathdearn Cup against Caberfiedh which was played in glorious sunshine, started like a typical cup tie with both teams going at furious pace to gain the upper hand . Chances were created by both teams with possibly Cabers having the more pressure and in the ninth minute a Jodie Gorski shot, which Boleskine keeper Peter Tinney managed to get his body to ended up in the net. Four minutes later a long Raymond Robertson pass found Kevin Hunter who turned his marker and his thirty yard low shot took a bounce en-route to equalise. Within a minute Raymond Robertson added his name to the score sheet, when his shot from the right hand side thirty five yards out, found the net to make it two goals to one in favour to Boleskine . It was a right ding dong cup tie which kept the interest of the largest crowd of the season and in the twenty second minute Caberfiefdh were awarded a penalty. The Boleskine support were relieved to see the resulting shot soar well over the bar, but within a minute a mix up in Boleskine's defence found the ball reaching an unmarked Kirk Taylor, who scored from the edge of the D . Worse was to follow for the home support in less than a minute a first time mid air strike from Kirk Taylor made it three goals to two in favour of the visitors. The remainder of the half though chances were created by both teams there was no further scoring . The second half due to the heat and the effort already produced, was not played in such a frantic pace as the first period and whatever team scored the next goal would more than likely take the tie. Boleskine had a couple of chances to square the match in goal line scrambles. But it was Cabers who made the breakthrough in sixty nine minutes, when former Boleskine captain Garry Maclennan, scored with a long range shot to seal the tie. From then till the final whistle, Boleskine created several chances to get back into the game but to no avail . Overall an enthralling match, in which Cabers took their chances better than we did, to progress into the quarter final to meet Ardamurchan at home .

Photos of today's game courtesy of Peter Paul http://www.chadan.co.uk/index.htm

Saturday 24 May Ardamurchan 2 Boleskine 3

After an enforced break of two weeks Boleskine, travelled westwards to play their first ever match of shinty in the Ardamurchan peninsula. With glorious weather on route, on reaching Strontin the temperature was well into the twenties, with the park very fiery due to the lack of rain over the last couple of weeks . Boleskine with a lot of call offs, had just the bare twelve, which resulted in team manager Joey Smith taking position between the sticks . Ardamurchan turned up the heat in the first minute, with a high looping shot that ended up in the Boleskine net to lead by one goal to nil . Boleskine settled down after this setback taking control of the game and in the fifteenth minute their pressure was rewarded, when a Lewis Smith drive from twenty yard made the scores even. The thirty fifth minute saw a brilliant solo run from Raymond Robertson, which ended with him scoring with a shot from the edge of the D to give Boleskine the lead and that is how the score stood at half time . Boleskine fully deserving their lead on the first half performance, however the second period saw the home side come more into the game as the heat and no substitutes were having an effect on Boleskine. Our defence was holding out against the home attack as their substitutions were giving them fresh impetus and in the seventh minute following a corner, Raymond Robertson scored with a shot high into the net to increase our lead . With ten minutes left Ardamurchan pulled a goal back, but Boleskine held on to take the points. An excellent team performance by the twelve available Boleskine player's, who gave their all to secure the points and gives us a good result prior to the Strathdearn Cup game next week.

Saturday 3 May Boleskine 18 Naver Athletic 0 Strathdearn Cup

Our Strathdearn cup opponents today Naver Athletic from Sutherland playing their second ever competitive game, brings back memories of possible the the last shinty game played in Caithness when Boleskine's Sutherland winning team travelled north in mid June 1966 to play a friendly match against Dounraey Athletic .The match which was organised by Foyers man Angus Maclaren who had helped to start a Shinty team there, ended with a victory of six goals to one to the visitors . In today's game Naver Athletic wearing the strips of Farr Camanachd Sutherland shire had travelled southwards to play in Farr Inverness-shire. Naver with their team made up of youngsters and few more seasoned campaigners such as Kenny Macleod, had the wind in their favour in the first half, however with their lack of experience and match practice it was always going to be a difficult match for them . Boleskine very early on took control of the play, resulting in Lewis Smith opening the scoring in the fifth minute and by the fourteenth minute the home side were leading by four goals to nil . Naver defence were struggling to contain the Boleskine forwards, which was highlighted in the thirty thirds minute when the visitors keeper Duncan Clark had three excellent saves consecutively in one attack, before the defence managed to clear their lines. Naver managed a few attacks of their own, but found the Boleskine defence too experienced to break down and has the half time whistle blew the score was eight nil to Boleskine (Kevin Hunter 5 Lewis Smith 3) . For the start of the second half Boleskine's manager Joey Smith used two of his substitutes and within a minute of play resuming, Kevin Hunter had secured his sixth goal of the match., which lead to him being replaced by Annie Butterworth, as Joey used all his sub's to give all the squad a decent length of time on the park . The remainder of the match followed the same pattern as the first half with Boleskine greater experience proving too large a gap between the teams . Naver did not let there heads go down, but battled on gamely sticking to their task, with Chris Smith and Allan Scott showing a lot of promise in defence and Duncan Clark proving a very good shot stopper between the sticks . The game finished with the score of eighteen goals to nil to Boleskine, more than probably their greatest ever winning margin with Raymond Robertson 3, Jamie Hunter 3, Simon Fraser 2 and Mike Pirrie completing the scoring. Simon Fraser will be pleased to score his first goal in senior shinty during the game, as the younger Boleskine players benefited from a prolonged run out during the game .

. Saturday 26 April Boleskine 2 Strathglass 1

Today's game against Strathglass current league leaders at Farr, was the third time this season we have been scheduled a 12 noon throw up, so much for alleged equivalence in shinty . There was a very strong westerly wind today which curtailed long hitting against it and had a bearing on the game, which saw Strathglass blown of the top of the table. As the wind also prior to the game blew their team sheets away and sent two Boleskine supporters scampering after them,100 yard down the park to retrieve them . With the wind in their favour Strathglass were in the ascendancy early on, in the first minute a scramble in the home goal line, miraculously ended with the ball being cleared away and a few minutes later James Fraser came to the rescue with a fine save. Strathglass had the better of possession, but the Boleskine defence were managing avoid them getting off many shots on target. While in our few attacks we managing to create some openings, one of which from a David Fraser cross resulting in Andrew Young netting from close in on the twenty six minute. That was the score at half time as the game followed the same pattern, with the Boleskine defence in good form repelling the wind assisted Strathglass team . In the forty ninth minute an incident occurred between Boleskine's Andrew Young and the Strathglass No7 which resulted in a full scale brawl on the ground between both players, both sets of players are to be commended for not getting involved apart from separating the pair. To the amazement of all who viewed the incident, the referee Ronald Kennedy red carded Andrew Young, spoke only briefly to the other combatant and no cards were shown, when the consensus was red cards to both players. Boleskine now down to eleven men and galvanised by this injustice, in the fifty eight minute a precision lob from Raymond Robertson on the centre line went behind the Strathglass defence and was met first time by the on rushing Lewes Smith to volley into the net for our second goal . Strathglass pulled a goal back in sixty four minutes following a couple of corners, when they netted from close in . Boleskine with whole the team giving there all, created by far the more chances to increase their lead, managing to play nice open shinty that possibly on another day would have resulted in goals . So the game ended with a win for Boleskine by two goals to one to go to the top of the league, with all the players performing so well it would unfair to single out anyone on today's performance .

Saturday 19 April Glenurquhart 3 Boleskine 4

On paper today�s visit to Drumnadrochit was going to be one of the hardest games of the season, so manager Joey Smith was fortunate to have almost all his first choice players available for the first time this season. Due to a technical hitch the game was 20 minutes late in starting and Glenurquhart took the lead in 11 minutes with a shot from the left. However in the 24th minute Raymond Robertson latched on to a long ball from Neil Fraser and gave the home keeper no chance with a fine low drive. The Glen restored their lead 4 minutes later, when a shot which looked to be heading past the post took a wicked bounce and deceived Boleskine�s goalie James Fraser. The score remained the same until half-time. Ten minutes into the second half, Lewis Smith scored with a shot from 15 yards to level up the scoring and with play being pretty even; it was hard to predict which way the match would go. Wing centre Ben Macpherson, in 60 minutes scored with a high shot from fully 35 yards, which carried over the Glen goalkeeper and gave us the lead for the first time in the match. The lead only lasted a few minutes when the home side equalised with a low shot low into the corner, setting up an exciting last quarter of an hour with both sides pressing for a winner. With 11 minutes remaining Andrew Young was scythed down as he ran into the D and ref Calum Duff awarded Boleskine a penalty, which Lewis Smith stepped up to take. The penalty was well struck but the keeper pulled of a fine save, only for the in-rushing David Fraser to slam the ball into the net from a yard out. Glenurquhart piled on the pressure after this, but the Boleskine defence who all played very well all afternoon, stood firm until the final whistle. A very pleasing result, as this was our first away win of the season against a strong side and our season seems to be gathering momentum after a slow start. A red letter day for Ben and David, who both scored their first goals for the senior team. But the two players with the biggest smiles on their faces were former Glen players Raymond and Younger�s. Today's reporter Ali Fraser

Saturday 12 April Boleskine 4 Ardnamurchan 1

Boleskine's game against Ardnamurchan in the league was the first time these clubs had ever played each other in competition. Prior the start of the match a minutes silence was observed by both teams in respect of Billy Stoddart (Scoopy), Boleskine's goalkeeper in the1964 Sutherland final who had passed away during the week. Boleskine with the wind in their favour drew first blood in eleven minutes when following a corner, the ball fell to Lewis Smith and his thirty yard high strike found the net. Six minutes later, Raymond Robertson opened his account for the season after dispossessing his opponent of the ball, his low twenty yard shot from right hand side made it two. Raymond, now having found his shooting range, in the twenty fourth minute bagged his brace with a similar shot from slightly further out to make the score three goals to nil in favour of Boleskine . There was no more scoring to half time, Boleskine had by far the better of the half deserving their lead , while Ardnamurchan young team played some nice shinty but the home defence had stood firm . Ardnamurchan bolster by their managers half time team talk and at least a minute of time from the referee John Sloggie, as he gave them the benefit of his thirty years experience involved in shinty, started the second period but in the fourth minute Jamie Hunter's low shot from the right had side of the D, had made it four . Boleskine continued to have the better of the play and team manager Joey Smith midway through the half used his young substitutes to give them all an extended run out during the game. Though we had plenty of the ball which resulted in creating some chances, a Lewis Smith shot that came off the bar and a Annie Butterworth shot that went narrowly past were the nearest we came to increasing our lead. Ardnamurachan however were rewarded a goal for their efforts in the seventy fourth minute following a shot that came of the Boleskine bar, Mark Brazendale reacted first to score for the visitors with a low shot. A deserved win for Boleskine after the disappointment of last week cup defeat, which will give the team a boost before next weeks trip to Drumnadrochit.

Saturday 5 April Skye 5 Boleskine 0 Sutherland cup

This years Sutherland Cup campaign, began and ended today in Portree in horrendous weather conditions, on a pitch which was virtually unplayable. Trailing 3-0 at half-time and conceding a further 2 goals in the second half this just wasn�t our day, but all 14 squad players gave 100 %. Hopefully we can record our first home league victory of the season next Saturday, when the visitors are Ardnamurchan. Today's reporter Ali Fraser

Saturday 29 March Boleskine 1 Beauly 1

For our second home game of the season we were again missing several experienced players for one reason or another, but as in previous matches this gave some of our younger players the chance to show what they can do and these opportunities can only benefit the boys [ and girl ] themselves and be for the long term good of the team. Beauly, with a strong wind at their backs, started the game strongly and the home defence were under almost constant pressure but played well and James Fraser had relatively few saves to make as a lot of the shooting was well of target. We were pleased when the half-time whistle went with the score-line reading 0-0 and certainly fancied our chances, playing with the wind in the second half. However the second half was only 10 minutes old when team captain Graham Black was ordered of the field by referee Kennedy who deemed his challenge on a Beauly player to be violent conduct. To loose a player of Graham�s calibre and to be reduced to 11 players was a major blow but the manager made some positional changes and the players fought bravely and we hoped to keep the score at 0-0. However with 25 minutes of the half played during a Boleskine attack the Beauly keeper played the ball while on the ground and a penalty was awarded, which Lewis Smith converted to give us the lead. With 1 minute of the match remaining Beauly pressure paid of and they fired a shot high into the corner of the net and so the points were shared. The team will certainly miss Grahams influence over the next couple of matches and to complete a miserable afternoon for him, Rangers beat Celtic 1-0.

Today's reporter Ali Fraser

Saturday 15 March Boleskine 2 Lochcarron 2

Our first home game of the season saw visitors Lochcarron and ourselves share the points and on the balance of play this was about right. Kevin Hunter with both goals and keeper James Fraser with some fine saves were the pick of the team, but on the whole it was a poor performance and should be viewed as a point lost. In the 25th minute some good work by the Boleskine forward line lead to a low shot from the left by Kevin Hunter beating the Lochcarron keeper and giving us a 1-0 lead, which we retained until after half-time. Ten minutes into the second half the visitors pulled the scores level, after a free hit on the edge of the D. Kevin Hunter again restored our lead after a melee in the Lochcarron goalmouth, only for this to be cancelled out shortly afterwards to make the final score 2-2. The match referee is to be commended on his handling of the game which was played in a fair and sporting manner. Today's reporter Ali Fraser

Saturday 1 March Aberdeen Uni 3 Boleskine 2

For the third Saturday running strong winds affected our match and this was certainly true this afternoon at Balgownie sports field in Aberdeen, where gusts in excess of 50 mph made play difficult for both sides. This was our first match of the 3^rd division campaign and was against a team which must be one of the favourites to finish at the top of the league. Playing into the wind in the first half Boleskine where under pressure from the start but goalie James Fraser and his defenders dealt comfortably with all attacks until the 25^th minute when a low drive from 20 yards found its way into the net. However we were on level terms 3 minutes later when Lewis Smith scored with a long range shot which found the top corner of the goal. Our lead however was short lived as 2 minutes later an Aberdeen long pass up field was knocked past James by a suspiciously off-side looking forward, only for matters to get even worse a few minutes later when a third was added from close in. At half time 3-1 down Boleskine were far from out of the match and with the wind at their backs they set about trying to win the match but a mixture of strong defending and indifferent shooting kept the score line the same until the final few minutes when Kevin Hunter showed real determination to score from close in. All in all a good team performance and the return of Neil Fraser has certainly strengthened the middle of the team and we can head to Lochbroom next Saturday with a good measure of confidence. Today's reporter Ali Fraser

Saturday 23 Feb Boleskine 0 Kinlochshiel 2 Boleskine Challenge Cup

Kinlochshiel were the invited club this season to compete for the Boleskine challenge cup . The team from the west won the toss and elected to go with the strong wing which had an strong bearing on the game . Kinlochshiel much as expected, had by far much better territorial advantage, keeping Boleskine pinned back in there own half for long periods and in the 24 minute Criosdan Mackenzie well taken first time low shot found the net from twenty five yards. Boleskine defence held out till the half time whistle and with the wind now in our favour, the home spectators anticipated a better second period for the team . However, Boleskine never had the same territorial advantage as the visitors enjoyed in the first half and the spells they had in the ascendancy, their forwards lacked cohesion and were unable to penetrate the visitors defence . While the Kinlochshiel centre line were playing better against the wind than the home side managed and in the sixty third minute Alister Mackenzie made it two nil from close in . From then till the end of the game Boleskine had a few openings, but over the piece Kinlochshiel were fully deserving of their victory to win the Challenge Cup.

Saturday 16 Feb Boleskine 3 Lochaber 2

Our visitors today at Smith Park were Lochaber who finished last season mid table in the 2nd division so a hard game was in prospect. With the bright sun in their eyes and a strong wind blowing into their faces the Boleskine defence found themselves under pressure from the start and went behind after 10 minutes when an unmarked Lochaber forward shot from the edge of the D. The visitors doubled their lead after a shot from the left crept in at the post with 25 minutes gone and they could have scored more but for some poor finishing . Boleskine had few attacking opportunities, but with 10 minutes of the half remaining Lewis Smith pulled a goal back to make the score at half time 2-1 for Lochaber. The home side started the second half a lot sharper, pressing forward strongly and equalised when the full back was caught out and Lewis Smith scored his second from near the penalty spot. The same player completed his hat-trick not long after this and with sharper finishing a few more goals could have been scored but it was encouraging to see so many chances created. Our unluckiest forward was Annie Butterworth, who saw a shot stick in the mud in the goal mouth just millimetres from the line, which Lochaber managed to clear away to safety. Today's team Peter Tinney, Keith Nicholson, Mathew Ross, Sandy Fraser, Ben Macpherson, David Fraser, Andrew Young, Graham Black, Lewis Smith, James Fraser, Raymond Robertson and Simon Fraser, and subs {all used} Annie Butterworth, John Fraser, Mike Pirrie, Kevin Hepburn and Gavin Butterworth. Today's reporter Ali Fraser

Saturday 9 Feb Brian Stoddart & Donald Macgruer Memorial Cup Boleskine Veterans 0 Boleskine 2008 3

The Brian Stoddart & Donald Macgruer Memorial Cup, was this season's curtain raiser for Boleskine. The current Boleskine against the veterans who this year included Hendry Macpherson, Stevie Munro, Eddie Smith and their guest player for the day Annie Butterworth, the first lady player to feature in the cup. The first period with the 2008 team playing with the wind was a very even, both defences being very sound and very few chances being created. The 2008 team possible had the slightly better chances, but the resulting shots were capable dealt with by Gus Fraser in goals while the Veterans had a couple of long rand efforts narrowly past. Overall a draw was a fair reflection of the half. The 2008 team made a few positional changes for the start of the second half and early on enjoyed a fair amount of possession without actually creating any clear chances. The veterans weathered this flurry and soon had the youngsters pinned back. In sixty two minutes a Duncan Macdonald shot went narrowly past and eight minutes later Stevie Munro brought out a good save from Keith Nicholson. Just as it looked as though the veterans pressure would pay dividends for them, the youngsters broke up field and a Simon Fraser shot came off the post. James Hunter was first to react to the rebound and scored from close in on seventy two minutes. The Veterans had now to chase the game to get back on even terms, but they were tiring as the match wore on. In eighty minutes a long high ball came off their keeper and once again James Hunter was on hand to bag his brace. In the final minute Lewis Smith scored the best goal of the game with a shot from thirty five yards to conclude the scoring. The youngsters avoided losing the cup for the third year in a row ,however the score flattered them. It was a game that that had only a one nil winning margin written all over it, but you have to take your chances and they did in the latter stages. Ally Stoddart , Brian's older brother presented the cup to 2008 captain Graham Black and medals to each team. The winners of the best player medals chosen by former players Jim Chisholm & Ian Rae were were presented by Ally to Neil Fraser for 2008 and Duncan Macdonald for the Veterans ( incidentally the same winners as 2006).

2008 :- James Fraser, Keith Nicholson, Mathew Ross, Graham Black, Neil Fraser, Sandy Fraser, Andrew Young, Ben Macpherson, Lewis Smith, Raymond Robertson, James Hunter David Fraser, Kevin Hepburn, Shane Mason, Gavin Butterworth and Simon Fraser.

Veterans :- Gus Fraser , Mark Sloggie, Neil Robertson, Clive Girvan, Duncan Macmillan, Duncan Macdonald, Annie Butterworth, Peter Gow, Stevie Munro, Hendry Macpherson, Robert Henderson, Eddie Smith , Ian Macmillan, Sandy Cameron, Ian Hope and Peter Macdonald

Boleskine Season 2008 Fixture list

Adult games throw up at 2:30 pm unless specified ,

DATE	Adult North League Div 3
1 MARCH	ABERDEEN UNI 3 BOLESKINE 2
8 MARCH	LOCHBROOM v BOLESKINE (cancelled pitch unplayable )
15 MARCH	BOLESKINE 2 LOCHCARRON 2
22 MARCH	KINCRAIG v BOLESKINE (cancelled pitches unplayable 12 00 )
29 MARCH	BOLESKINE 1 BEAULY 1 (12:00)
5 APRIL	SKYE 5 BOLESKINE 0 (SUTH CUP first round)
12 APRIL	BOLESKINE 4 ARDNAMURCHAN 1
19 APRIL	GLENURQUHART 3 BOLESKINE 4
26 APRIL	BOLESKINE 2 STRATHGLASS 1 (12:00)
3 MAY	BOLESKINE 18 NAVER ATHLETIC 0 (STRATH CUP first round)
10 MAY	LOCHBROOM v BOLESKINE rearranged fixture (cancelled death in Lochbroom)
17 MAY	BOLESKINE v INVERNESS (Cancelled road accident)
24 MAY	ARDNAMURCHAN 2 BOLESKINE 3
31 MAY	BOLESKINE 2 CABERFIEDH 4 (STRATH CUP second round)
7 JUNE	no fixtures Rock Ness
14 JUNE	LOCHBROOM 2 BOLESKINE 3 rearranged fixture
21 JUNE	SUTHERLAND CUP QF POSTPONEMENTS MACTAVISH CUP FINAL
28 JUNE	BOLESKINE 9 INVERNESS 1 rearranged fixture
5 JULY	BOLESKINE 1 ABERDEEN UNI 1
11 JULY F	BEAULY v BOLESKINE FRIDAY NIGHT GAME to be rearranged on another date
12 JULY	KINCRAIG v BOLESKINE Mix up by Cam to be rearranged on another date
19 JULY	STRATHGLASS 1 BOLESKINE 6
26 JULY	BOLESKINE 6 LOCHBROOM 0 (12.00) rearranged fixture from 4 OCT
2 AUG	MARINE HARVEST FESTIVAL INVERNESS SIX A SIDES
9 AUG	BEAULY 3 BOLESKINE 2
16 AUG	LOCHCARRON v BOLESKINE SUTHERLAND CUP FINAL
23 AUG	BOLESKINE v GLENURQUHART rearranged fixture from 9 AUG Farr Gala so this fixture date will change again
30 AUG	BOLESKINE v KINCRAIG
6 SEPT	INVERNESS v BOLESKINE
13 SEPT	POSTPONEMENTS CAMANACHD CUP FINAL
20 SEPT	POSTPONEMENTS
27 SEPT	POSTPONEMENTS STRATHDEARN CUP FINAL???
4 0CT	~~BOLESKINE v LOCHBROOM~~ Cancelled No fixture now
11 0CT	POSTPONEMENTS
18 0CT	POSTPONEMENTS
25 OCT	POSTPONEMENTS HURLING INTERNATIONAL ??

Games still to be scheduled KINCRAIG v BOLESKINE, BOLESKINE v GLENURQUHART.

Str = Strathdearn Cup, Suth= Sutherland Cup, MacM= Macmaster Cup.

Letter after date in date column indicates the day game is on, if no letter game is on Saturday.

Team selection for 2008 season

Name

S
K
Y
E

suth

str

Bol chall cup

frd

str

mcb

Keith Nicholson

Graham Black

Kevin Hunter

Mathew Ross

Lewis Smith

Andrew Young

Neil Fraser