Inverness thrash Oban Celtic in Balliemore
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Robert Geddes and Mark MacLeod were the Strathglass scorers, while David MacLean struck just after the interval for a disappointing Beauly side.
Despite missing influential defenders George Phimister and Donald Fraser, Glass’s makeshift defence staged a magnificent rearguard action with goalkeeper Steven MacLachlan in almost unbeatable form.
Strathglass are celebrating their first win of the season in North Division One after a stunning 2-1 triumph over joint league leaders Beauly.
The home side struck first with Peter MacIntyre firing home in the 14th minute, but Tom Whyte equalised just eight minutes later. Two goals from shinty’s player of the year Roddy MacDonald saw the Argyllshire side pull away, but John Stewart struck eight minutes from time to set up a nervy finish.
Kyles Athletic got their title challenge back on track with a 3 - 2 win over bottom club Kilmallie.
Bute were reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Kevin Queen and midfielder James Craig were both red carded, leaving visitors Kingussie to stroll to a 2-0 victory. Strikes from Martin and Barrie Dallas wrapped up the points for the Kings.
The only disappointment for Glenurquhart was that Rhuaridh Cameron had to taken to the Belford Hospital for treatment on a head knock and he is now a doubt for the Glen’s MacTavish Cup quarter-final tussle against Beauly on Saturday.
With 15 minutes of the second period left, the Glen sealed the points with two goals in a minute from Smart and Neale Reid.
An own goal by Fort defender Neil Robertson in the 16th minute was an early setback for the home side, but they rallied and goals from Gary Innes and Ryan Campbell put them in front before Glenurquhart’s David Smart levelled with the last action of the first half.
Fort William lost their first match of the season when they went down 4-2 at home to Glenurquhart at the Black Parks.
It came in the most dramatic of circumstances with Bell, who had played in the striker’s role all match, levelling with virtually the final act of the match.
With 15 minutes remaining, ‘Shiel’s Jon Don MacKenzie was dismissed for retaliation opening the way for Lovat to mount an all out attack in pursuit of the equaliser.
Owen Ferguson’s strike in the 52nd minute brought parity, but Finlay MacRae hit ‘Shiel’s third on the hour mark.
Lovat striker Greg Matheson ended his goal drought when he opened the scoring in the 30th minute ,but ’Shiel’s response was almost immediate with Keith MacRae on target four minutes later. On the stroke of half-time, Finlay MacRae edged the visitors in front.
In a feisty match at Kiltarlity, Lovat salvaged a point with Martin Bell scoring a last gasp goal to secure a 3-3 draw against Kinlochshiel.
Newtonmore remain top in the Orion Group Premiership and results elsewhere mean they have extended their lead to three points. Their 4 - 0 home win over Inveraray came courtesy of doubles in each half by Danny MacRae and Chris Sellar.
In other Balliemore first round matches, Aberdour were thumped 4-0 at home by Glasgow Mid Argyll, while Strachur marched through with a 4-2 away win over Taynuilt.
Both sides had chances after that, but Ben Delaney’s 72nd minute goal proved to be the difference between the sides with Lochaber securing an away tie to either Oban Camanachd or Strathglass in the second round.
Cabers got off to the best possible start, establishing a two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from Gary MacLennan and Martin MacDonald in the 16th and 28th minutes, but their lead was wiped out almost immediately as Lochaber levelled with Ryan Toal and Zander Ferguson on target.
Caberfeidh, beaten Balliemore finalists in 2011, fell at the first hurdle this year as they were beaten 3-2 by Lochaber at Spean Bridge.
Inverness will now face an away trip to either Beauly or Glenorchy for a place in the last four of the competition.
Cameron then went onto complete his four-goal haul with efforts in the 77th and 88th minute, while Arran MacMaster weighed in with his first goal of the season five minutes from time.
Cameron’s second on the hour mark proved to be the turning point, however, leaving the young Celtic side visibly demoralised.
The Green and Whites were boosted by Callum Fox’s strike and for the opening 15 minutes or so after the interval looked dangerous as they pressed hard looking to take the lead.
Inverness dominated the first half, but sloppy finishing restricted their lead to goals from Cameron and Connor Golabek. To make matters worse, Oban scored against the run of play in the 44th minute to leave the second half in the balance.
Hero for the city side was James Cameron with the former Fort William striker scoring four goals, including a second half hat-trick.
INVERNESS cruised into the last eight of the Balliemore Cup after demolishing Oban Celtic 6-1 at Bught Park.
