Interesting ties in last eight of MacTavish
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IT has reached the quarter-final stage in the Co-operative MacTavish Cup and all four ties are highly attractive ties with the away team favoured in each to progress to the last four.
Beauly, who put Lovat out at the first round stage, face the other local Premiership side Glenurquhart with the form book pointing to a win for the latter.
Since that shock win over Lovat three weeks ago, Beauly’s season has somewhat unravelled losing twice in succession to leave their Premiership promotion ambitions badly dented.
By contrast, the Glen are on something of a roll and tomorrow they are chasing their third win in a row. Last Saturday’s 4-2 success at Fort William has come at a cost, however, with Rhuaridh Cameron and David Smart both injury doubts.
Beauly will be without Innes Simpson, who is out with a muscle strain, while Jack MacDonald has had stitches in a knee wound and is unlikely to have recovered in time.
The winner faces either Fort William or Newtonmore, who play each other tomorrow, for a place in the final.
Newtonmore, record winners of the famous rosebowl, have bounced back impressively since their shock defeat to Lovat in the opening match of the season. They have Danny MacRae in top scoring form, but Glen MacKintosh and Chris Sellar are also a threat.
This was always a transitional season for the Fort after four of their old guard retired at the end of last season, but their young squad have — the Glen result apart — played well and remain a threat to Newtonmore’s push towards a grand slam of shinty’s top four trophies.
This match will be played at Glengarry’s Craigard Pitch with Fort William’s temporary pitch at the Black Parks unavailable.
In the all North Division One tie at Portree, hosts Skye will be seeking revenge when they take on Lochaber after the Spean Bridge side beat them 7-1 in a league match earlier in the season.
The winners face either Kilmallie or Kingussie in the semi’s with the Badenoch side, the current holders, favourites to progress.
In the South area, it is also down to the last eight in the AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup with the pick of the action at Inveraray where the holders Kyles Athletic are the visitors.
There is just one fixture in the Orion Group Premiership and it sees a reversal of last week’s highly-entertaining clash between Lovat and Kinlochshiel.
‘Shiel are the form team, but have looked more convincing on their travels than at Kirkton. They will be without defender John Don MacKenzie after his red card at Kiltarlity last Saturday.
Lovat picked up a few knocks, but should be along the same lines with the welcome sight of Fraser Gallagher back in the first-team squad.
In the Marine Harvest North Division One, Inverness travel to Lochcarron buoyed up by their 6-1 win over Oban Celtic in the first round of the Balliemore Cup, although they will be missing the MacMaster brothers. Sorley MacDonald is expected to return, however, while David Higham has recovered from ankle ligament damage more quickly than expected and could get a place on the bench.
Strathglass, who hope to have George Phimister back, but have doubts surrounding Donald Fraser, entertain Caberfeidh with the Strathpeffer side desperate to get their title challenge up and running.
North Division Two leaders Newtonmore are in first round action in the Strathdearn Cup against Skye and second place Glengarry can close the gap at the top at the expense of Aberdeen University.
Glenurquhart’s young squad have played steadily and find themselves in fourth. They will be looking to pick up both points at home to Kingussie, while Lovat play host to Fort William.
There is a top of the table clash in North Division Three where Boleskine entertain Beauly.
