Kyles reach Camanachd Cup final
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KYLES Athletic are through to the final of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup after knocking out holders Newtonmore courtesy of a 2-1 win in their semi-final.
Kyles coach James Perlich attributed the victory to teamwork and the stability offered by goalkeeper Kenny MacDonald, who kept Newtonmore at bay with a series of outstanding saves.
"Kenny’s 50 now, but he is a Kyles legend and his reactions are as sharp as ever," he said.
"We are delighted to be in the final. We played as team and we deserved the victory."
MacDonald certainly played his part, particularly during a spell of strong Newtonmore pressure just after the interval, but young full back Calum Millar deservedly won the man of the match award for his marking job on Newtonmore danger man Danny MacRae.
Newtonmore manager Norman MacArthur was left to bemoan several missed chances by a forward line that failed to click on the day.
Kyles did an excellent job of containing the powerful Newtonmore attacking line-up in a somewhat lacklustre opening half hour, although veteran Kyles striker Fraser MacDonald did come close to open the scoring in the 14th minute with a snap shot that ‘More goalkeeper Michael Ritchie had to be at his best to steer round the post.
In the 31st minute and against the run of play, Tom Whyte gave the Tighnabruaich side the lead with a deft volley from the edge of the box.
Nine minutes later, Kyles doubled their advantage, Roddy MacDonald burrowing his way through the Newtonmore defence to score from close range.
‘More finally made the breakthrough two minutes before the interval when Danny MacRae beat MacDonald at his left hand post from 20 yards after good work by Glen MacKintosh.
Newtonmore dominated possession in the second half, but Kyles looked dangerous on the break. They finished strongly to set up the first all-South Camanachd Cup final since 1983 and only the second since the cup was introduced in 1896.
In the Orion Premiership, Glenurquhart came out on top in the Aird derby with a 3-1 win over Lovat.
Both teams were short of their strongest line-up with Owen Ferguson and Martin Bell among five Lovat players missing, while the Glen were without James MacPherson and Andy Corrigan.
Lovat were first to strike with Greg Matheson on target in the 18th minute. The Glen, however, battled back strongly and in a devastating 10 minute spell stunned Lovat with a three-goal blast with Ruaridh Cameron scoring twice and David Smart also on target.
Both sides had chances after that, but defences remained on top to allow the Glen to avenge their 5-1 defeat at Balgate earlier in the season.
Bute’s relegation was confirmed after they lost 5-1 at home to Inveraray — a result that ends the Royal Burgh side’s stay in the top league for another season. Doubles from Gary MacPherson and Ruaridh Graham did the damage with Graham Fisher on target for the islanders.
In an amazing match at An Aird, Fort William battled back from 3-0 down to defeat Kingussie 4-3.
Kingussie raced into a three-goal lead in the opening 25 minutes with Barrie Dallas and Fraser Munro (two) on target, but the Fort slowly pegged them back and although trailing 3 - 1 at the interval, they staged a fine second half fight with Alex Duncan hitting his second and Bryan Simpson and Gordy MacKinnon also on the scoresheet.
Matches in North Division One went with the form book. Lochaber kept their title challenge alive with a 6-0 rout of Strathglass with doubles form Ben Delaney, Pat Toal and Stuart Callison.
Beauly lost 4-1 in Portree with Skye in control for most of the match.
Iain Murray struck the opener for Skye in the 11th minute and Ally MacDonald made in two in the 63rd minute. Steven MacLean pegged one back for the visitors two minutes later, but a late double by Jordan Murchison sealed the points for islanders.
Inverness move above Beauly in the table and into fourth place after taking both points in a 3 -2 win over Lochcarron at the Bught.
In a contest as close as the scoreline suggests, Inverness trailed to an Allan MacKenzie third minute goal, but battled back early in the second half to take the lead through a double by Arran MacMaster.
Kieran Murray levelled for the Wester Ross side in the 65th minute, but a late strike from James Cameron secured both points for the city side.
In North Division Three, Beauly were crowned champions following a comprehensive 12-0 win over Lewis Camanachd at Braeview. Martin Davidson top scored with a double hat-trick, while Sean Stewart, Conor Ross and Robbie Tuach each hit a double.
While there was no cup presentation to Beauly, in a highly sporting gesture the Lewis Camanachd players applauded the new champions from the field.
