Aberdour 4 Lochside Rovers 0

ABERDOUR maintained their place at the top of shinty's Mowi South Division One after a convincing win over Lochside Rovers on Saturday.

Lisa MacColl's team stayed ahead of Ballachulish on goal difference – and unbeaten – thanks to a dominant display at Silver Sands.

Craig Grant, who had returned from suspension, netted a well-taken goal in the eighth minute to set them on their way in what was a niggly encounter.

The home side doubled their advantage in the 34th minute when David MacKenzie's determination in preventing the ball running out of play on the wing left him with plenty of space and time to float a ball beyond the goalkeeper, who came out with his hand, and into the net from 40 yards.

David McDougall scored their third in the 66th minute by firing home a loose ball after it rebounded off a Lochside defender.

The scoring for Aberdour, who were without Angus Thorburn, Ali Abbott and Tom Aitchison, was completed with 13 minutes to go when MacKenzie, instrumental on the wing, left his opponents behind as he added his second of the afternoon.

MacColl commented: "We've had a couple missing over the last few weeks but everyone has managed to step up. "Some of the young boys have made their mark and they are a team. Everyone is playing well and contributing.

"It's always good to get a win against Lochside. They always give us a tough game, and don't like to lose to Aberdour, and it was a bit of a niggly game.

"It's a good league and fairly competitive. We've scored 17 goals already, which is very positive, but we play Ballachulish on Saturday and that will be a test."

Meanwhile, in the women's National Division, eight goals were shared between Aberdour and Ardnamurchan on Sunday.

After an even start, with both teams showing early attacking intent, the visitors led by a goal at the interval but the home side levelled and the teams went on to share a further six goals, with MacColl (2), Katie Booth and Mhairi Bowerman netting for Aberdour.

MacColl added: "We were missing the majority of our regular defenders. We were scoring goals at the other end but let in soft goals, so it was slightly frustrating. I think everyone can play better."

This Saturday, Aberdour men's firsts host Ballachulish at 2.30pm on Saturday, while the second team travel to Strathglass in the Sutherland Cup.

The ladies are also in league action as they travel to Skye.