Glen double up against Strathglass
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GLENURQUHART enjoyed a double celebration when they retained both the MacDonald Cup and the Ally Bhan Trophy with emphatic victories over old rivals Strathglass.
The Glen’s reserve side proved too strong for their lower league opponents when recording a 6-0 victory in the Ally Bhan with the experienced trio of Calum Fraser, Ian MacLeod and Calum Millar among the goals.
Strathglass came out in determined mood as they set about wresting the MacDonald Cup from the Glen for the first time since 2009, but it was the home side who struck first with goals by David Smart and Fraser Heath giving them an early lead.
The Strath fought back strongly, but a penalty miss from Gary Reid, who was returning to the side after a long lay-off, dented their progress.
A Robert Geddes strike gave them hope, however, before doubles by James MacPherson and Ewan Brady sealed a 6-1 victory for the Glen.
Lovat were also in ruthless form against area league opposition as they thrashed North Division One side Caberfeidh 9-0 at Balgate.
An understrength Cabers side proved no match for the rampant Lovat forward line, who appeared to be to score at will in a very one-sided first half.
Defensively, the Strathpeffer side were all at sea, particularly in the opening period, when they conceded eight goals. They were clearly missing the influence of their top defender Brian MacDonald, who is reported to have called time on his career as a result of a persistent back injury.
The Matheson brothers, Greg and Jamie, struck five with Greg hitting a hat-trick, while Owen Ferguson hit three. Lewis Tawse completed the scoring.
With Inverness losing 5-0 at home to Premiership side Kinlochshiel, it was left to Beauly to uphold the honour of North Division One and they came away from their tussle with Kingussie with a creditable 3-3 draw.
Beauly got off to a dream start with Conor Ross scoring inside the opening 30 seconds.
Barrie Dallas fired home in the 23rd minute after a period of Kingussie pressure and 15-year-old Savio Genini put the Badenoch side ahead shortly after the interval.
Beauly then shocked the Kings with goals from Marc MacLachlan and Martin Davidson to edge them in from going into the final quarter, but with 11 minutes remaining Paul Gow drew Kingussie level with a fine 20-yard strike to complete the scoring.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Premier sides Newtonmore and Lochaber, who enjoyed 2-0 victories over Skye and Kilmallie respectively.
At reserve level, North Division Two champions Newtonmore enjoyed an 11-1 win at Caberfeidh, while Inverness’ young second string were also on the wrong end of a heavy defeat, going down 10-0 to Kinlochshiel at Bught Park.
In the battle of the island teams, Lewis lost 7-2 against Skye, Strathspey showed promise as they held Kingussie 3-3 and in the Lochaber derby Fort William and Lochaber shared four goals at An Aird.
