Beauly dent champions' perfect run - plus this weekend's shinty previews...
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CHAMPIONS Skye surrendered their 100 per cent Marine Harvest North Division One record when they were held to a 0-0 draw against Beauly reserves at the weekend.
The island side made the journey to Braeview Park minus a number of regular players and found the going tough against an inspired Beauly second string who will feel unlucky not to have taken both points.
With keeper Jamie Gannon being one of the Skye absentees, 17-year-old Iain MacLeod made his first-team debut between the sticks and ended up making a number of superb saves to keep the Beauly attack at bay to salvage a point for the visitors.
North Division One runners-up Newtonmore reserves were bolstered by the inclusion of Glen MacKintosh in their attack for their meeting with Lovat second team at Balgate and the Badenoch club’s most prolific goalscorer of recent years made his presence felt by netting a first-half hat-trick.
A Duncan Gorman strike in the 62nd minute made the final score 4-0 in ’More’s favour.
Lovat round off their campaign with a local derby clash against Glenurquhart reserves at Drumnadrochit on Saturday, but their defeat by Newtonmore means the Balgate colts are now unable to pip Kingussie reserves to a sixth place finish.
Skye complete their league programme on Saturday away to Newtonmore after which they face a likely three-week lay-off before the play-off against South Division One champions Ballachulish for a place in the National Division. The Camanachd Association has pencilled in Saturday, November 1, as the date for this decider.
The South Division One season was brought to a conclusion at Jubilee Park on Saturday where champions Ballachulish were stunned by a late equaliser after holding a two-goal lead against runners-up Kyles Athletic reserves.
After a goalless first half, Duncan MacDonald opened for Balla in the 47th minute with David Campbell extending the home lead in the 58th minute.
A Cian MacPhee own goal on the hour reduced the deficit before Connor Giudici levelled late on to tie the scoring at 2-2.
In addition to the two matches bringing the curtain down on the North Division One season, two other fixtures feature on this Saturday’s card.
At Yoker, the final outstanding National Division One fixture takes place between Glasgow Mid Argyll and
Kilmallie.
Both teams already have their final placings confirmed, GMA in sixth and Kilmallie third, so pride is the only motivational factor involved for the teams.
Kilmallie were 5-1 winners when the teams met at Canal Park two months ago, but for an end-of-season fixture with nothing at stake, they may have to travel light and could find matters different as a consequence.
The Mòd Cup is the prize on offer when Inverness take on Boleskine at the Bught.
Traditionally two teams local to the area where the annual Gaelic festival is being held are invited to compete for this fine piece of silverware and, with both these teams hoping to be involved in the North Division Two title race next season, this match is shaping up to be an intensely-fought local derby.
