Lovat battling on two fronts this weekend
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AS July gives way to August the pressure on Lovat cranks up a further few notches and tomorrow Kyles Athletic stand in their way not only in the Orion Premiership, but also in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup as well.
While the senior side embark on a 400-mile round journey to Tighnabruaich, the reserve team has a slightly easier itinerary as they also head south, but to the nearer location of Ballachulish’s Jubilee Park.
For Lovat’s first-team squad it has been a week of rebuilding confidence following their wretched defeat at the hands of Newtonmore in last Saturday’s Macaulay Cup semi-final.
It has had to be done, however, without team manager Alan MacRae, who is away on duty at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and will miss tomorrow’s clash with Kyles — a match Lovat need to take both points from if they harbour any hopes of winning the title.
In MacRae’s absence it is expected that fitness coach Paul Mellis will take the managerial reins, while senior figures at the club are also set to lend a hand.
The mood in the camp appears to be one of steely determination, according to goalkeeper and captain Stuart MacDonald.
"The lads were really down after the Newtonmore game," he said. "We know we can play a lot better and we just have to work that performance out of the system.
"It’s important that we pull together and work as a team. We went down there last year and won for the first time, so it can be done.
"Our resources are stretched with the Sutherland Cup semi on as well, but it is the same for Kyles and we just need to concentrate on taking both points".
Lovat should be along the same lines as last Saturday which means that defender Drew Howie remains sidelined.
Before then, Lovat’s players will be looking to tonight’s match at the Dell where champions-elect Newtonmore can take a giant stride towards securing their fifth successive title when they meet their old foes Kingussie in the Badenoch derby.
Newtonmore will be looking to maintain the momentum from last Saturday and with Kingussie likely to have half an eye on next weekend’s Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final, both points would give them a perfect boost ahead of the forthcoming clash with Lovat.
Victory this evening, allied to avoiding defeat against the Kiltarlity side, would leave ‘More needing to beat Kinlochshiel in their final match of the season to retain the title.
In the remaining match of the Premiership schedule, Glenurquhart complete their league programme away to Kinlochshiel.
The Glen are on a five-game unbeaten run in the league and co-managers Billy Maclean and Dave Menzies will be keen to finish the season on a high with the points on offer almost assuring them of a top three finish in the league and depending on how Lovat finish the season, the runner’s up position is within their grasp.
But ‘Shiel’s needs are greater and a point against the Glen would almost assure them of avoiding relegation. They were destroyed by Lochaber in last Saturday’s relegation battle, but the odds are remain firmly in their favour as they seek the single point needed for safety.
Elsewhere, the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup reaches the semi-final stage with Beauly and Lovat both hoping to progress to the final, which will take place at the Eilan, Newtonmore, on Saturday 30th August.
Beauly face Fort William at Bught Park as the Braeview side bid for their first appearance in the final of the sport’s national junior championship for the first time since 1957.
This is expected to be an extremely tight match and although Beauly are narrow favourites by virtue of the fact they operate in a higher league, Fort William have stormed to the top of North Division Two and are in the driving seat for the title.
Beauly coach Steve MacLean hopes to have a full squad at his disposal as he bids to make a little piece of club history, breaking a near 60-year hoodoo in the competition.
Lovat, who have won the competition twice in recent years, have bounced back after a poor start to the season, but will be the underdogs against a Kyles side, who lead South Division One.
Meanwhile, there are just two matches in the Marine Harvest National Division, but Fort William will go top if they beat Beauly at An Aird. A point for Glenorchy at home to Kilmallie will ensure their safety for another season and relegate Bute.
In North Division One, it is top versus bottom as Inverness visit Portree with the islanders looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the league. A win would leave them needing to take just three points from their remaining five games to secure the title and promotion to the National Division.
