Lovat and Glen through to last four
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FOR the first time in a generation, there are two Inverness area sides in the last four of the Co-operative MacTavish Cup after Lovat and Glenurquhart battled through the quarters, overcoming Lochaber and Kinlochshiel respectively in two nerve-jangling matches.
Lovat’s cautious approach to their clash at Spean Bridge proved correct with Lochaber at last finding the form that has deserted them since their return to the Premiership.
If Lovat thought that they would have easy pickings Shaun Nicholson jolted them out of any complacency when he opened the scoring in the 15th minute.
The hosts were good value for their lead, but nine minutes later Greg Matheson levelled from the spot. Kevin Bartlett then eased Lovat in front in the 32nd minute only for Scott Paterson to pull Lochaber level two minutes later.
In the lead up to half-time Matheson pounced again to give Lovat a crucial advantage at the interval, yet they could not shake off a determined Lochaber and in the 63rd minute a Ben Delaney strike brought the scores level.
An increasingly nervous looking Lovat were now coming under sustained pressure and were indebted to goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald, who kept them in the competition with several outstanding saves.
The match finished all square after the regulation 90 minutes and the teams could not be separated after 30 minutes of extra time.
MacDonald eventually proved to be Lovat’s match winner with three penalty stops, while Matheson and Bartlett converted to send the Balgate side through to the semi finals where they will face Kilmallie.
Glenurquhart were involved in a five-goal thriller at Blairbeg as they were made to battle all the way by a dogged Kinlochshiel.
It had all looked so easy in the opening spell as the Glen found the attacking fluency which has been largely absent from their performances so far this season.
Fraser Heath struck twice in the 11th and 15th minutes and could have had a hat-trick just minutes later, but ‘Shiel goalkeeper Scott Kennedy denied him with a superb reaction save.
The Glen went off the boil after that and Kinlochshiel came more into the match. Shortly after the interval, a goal by Oliver MacRae reduced the deficit.
Minutes later, Neale Reid re-established the Glen’s two-goal lead when he took advantage of hesitancy in the ‘Shiel rearguard to push the ball over the line.
The visitors, however, responded well and with just 18 minutes remaining Gordie MacDonald beat Glen goalkeeper Stuart MacKintosh with a chipped shot from the edge of the box.
The goal set up a tense finale, but the Glen held out to go through to the semi’s where they will meet the holders Newtonmore.
‘More prevailed in the Badenoch derby with a solid, if unspectacular, 2-0 win over arch-rivals Kingussie. Calum Stewart scored twice in the first half to secure the victory.
In the all area league quarter-final clash, Beauly were sent packing by Kilmallie, who battled to a 3-0 victory.
There was little to separate the sides in an even first half, but Kilmallie edged in front in the 33rd minute courtesy of a Grant MacKenzie strike.
After the break and against a strengthening wind, Beauly continued to give a good account of themselves, yet were reduced to 11-men when Jack MacDonald was red carded following a skirmish with Kilmallie’s Martin Stewart.
It proved too a big burden for the Green and Whites and with 20 minutes remaining they were given a mountain to climb when Michael Rodgers fired in Kilmallie’s second. Rodgers then completed the scoring with the final move of the match.
After five league matches and two cup games, Strathglass recorded their first win of the season with a fine 2-0 triumph over Caberfeidh in a first round tie in the Balliemore Cup.
Veteran striker Robert Geddes underlined his value to Calum Duff’s side with a quickfire double in the first half to set up a clash with Glenorchy in the next round.
In the only match in Marine Harvest North Division One, Inverness were narrowly beaten by Skye with Nui MacDonald’s goal in the 44th minute all that separated the sides.
The top of the table clash in Division Two saw Lovat knock Glenurquhart off their perch at the top with a hard fought 2-1 win, but Beauly’s young side found champions Newtonmore a tough nut to crack, losing 4-2 at the Eilan.
