Glen put an end to Lovat's winning start
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GLENURQUHART shattered Lovat’s 100 per cent record this season with a gritty 2-1 win in their Orion Premiership clash at Drumnadrochit.
Glen chairman Russell Fraser hailed the victory and paid tribute to his players who bounced back impressively from the 1-0 defeat by Fort William in the first round of the Macaulay Cup.
"Make no mistake, the lads were hurting," he said. "They knew their performance against the Fort was not good enough, but on Saturday they put all that behind them and I believe we got the result we deserved."
Fraser was left in no doubt about the magnitude of his side’s victory.
"To take the scalp of one of the top two in the league is a terrific achievement," he said. "The players were well rewarded for their efforts and I thought our defence was magnificent."
Fraser was reluctant to single out individuals for praise, but felt that Andy Corrigan, just back from a two month injury lay-off, did a superb marking job on Lovat dangerman Kevin Bartlett.
"Andy was on top form and our teenage wing centres Euan Lloyd and James Hurlwood also stood out, and were in no way overawed by the occasion," added Fraser.
Glenurquhart got off to a flier with David Smart scoring in the third minute and the second half had barely started when former Lovat player James MacPherson added a second.
An Owen Ferguson strike on the hour mark had the Glen defending in depth late on, but they held out for a famous victory and exacted a measure of revenge for last season’s four-match whitewash at the hands of the Kiltarlity side.
On derby day in the Premiership, Newtonmore took advantage of Lovat’s slip as they hammered Kingussie 5-2 at the Eilan.
Kingussie conceded three goals in a four minute spell just before the interval with Danny MacRae, Evan Menzies and Glen MacKintosh on target.
Newtonmore extended their lead to five with MacKintosh adding a second and namesake Fraser also getting his name on the scoresheet.
Goals from Fraser Munro and Thomas Borthwick restored some Kingussie pride, but the result will have come as something of a reality check after a run of encouraging results.
Elsewhere, Inveraray got their season back on track with a 4-1 defeat of Kyles Athletic, despite conceding to a Robert Zavaroni goal in the first minute. The Royal Burgh side struck back with goals from Euan McMurdo, Peter MacIntyre, Grant Griffin and Neil Campbell.
Down at the foot of the table, Kinlochshiel moved away from the relegation zone with a 3-2 home win over Lochaber.
In the first round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup, Inverness left Strathglass bereft as they mounted a stunning comeback to win 3-2.
The Strath came out of the blocks and had the city club on the ropes with two goals in the opening 16 minutes, the first from 14-year-old Jono Price in the ninth minute and the second by Donald Fraser seven minutes later.
Liam Girvan reduced the leeway on the half hour mark and in the 46th minute Dougie Rankin produced the equaliser. With the match on a knife edge, Scott Watson edged Inverness ahead for the first time.
Despite coming under strong pressure, Inverness held out and will take their place in today’s last 16 draw for the sport’s premier trophy.
At Braeview, Beauly romped to a 5-1 win over the more fancied Oban Camanachd.
Beauly survived an opening blitz from the Red and Blacks and were indebted to keeper Josh Grant for two outstanding saves.
The hosts first attack in the sixth minute produced an against the run of play opener when Marc MacLachlan pounced on slack defending and then two minutes later he had Camanachd reeling with his second — a searing 30-yard drive.
MacLachlan was again on target in the 39th minute with a terrific solo goal, but Oban threw themselves a second half lifeline with Aidan MacIntyre scoring in the 43rd minute.
In a repeat of the first half, Oban bombarded the Beauly defence in the opening 10 minutes, but were rocked in the 54th minute when MacLachlan rammed home his fourth. Oban’s effort faded and Sean Stewart completed the scoring with Beauly’s fifth in the 71st minute.
Caberfeidh will also take their place in the last 16, but were made to struggle against Kilmory, who took a shock lead before going down 3-1 at Castle Leod.
Skye produced the day’s best result with a 6-2 win away at Glenorchy, while victories for Ballachulish, Bute, Kilmallie and Fort William completed the list of side’s who progressed to the next round.
In the Marine Harvest Leagues, Boleskine’s North Division Two promotion hopes remain intact following a 4-2 win over Skye, but Inverness’ struggles in North Division Three continue after losing 1-0 to Lochbroom.
