Lovat face crucial game against Kilmallie
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LOVAT’S escape route from the Scottish Hydro Premier Division relegation trap door has became clearer after Saturday’s matches and the only certain path to their survival is a victory against Kilmallie on Saturday.
On Saturday, a double from Conor Golabek and a strike by Daniel MacKintosh secured a deserved victory.
Meanwhile, in the battle for the London Shield — the under-17 National Championship — Glenurquhart saw off a determined Newtonmore side, winning 3-0 to book their place in the semi-finals where they will be joined by Kinlochshiel.
In the end, a point apiece just about suited both teams with Inveraray now almost safe from relegation.
Inveraray, battling for their Premier Division survival, quickly established a 2-0 advantage with Garry MacPherson and Russell MacKinlay on target. Newly crowned player of the year Roddy MacDonald clawed one back just before half-time and, on the hour mark, Robbie Mac-Leod levelled for the Blue and Whites. MacPherson then converted a penalty in the 66th minute, but five minutes later MacDonald notched his second.
This contest was transferred to Yoker in Glasgow after Kyles agreed to give up home advantage because of the state of their Tighnabruaich pitch,
After 90 dramatic minutes, the scores were level at 3-3, but the scoreline masks a courageous performance by Kyles who battled back to parity after trailing twice in the match.
In a pulsating Argyllshire derby, Kyles Athletic were pushed to the limit by relegation-threatened Inveraray.
In just two games, Newtonmore have narrowed the goal difference gap between themselves and Kyles, hitting 11 without reply against Kilmallie and Oban.
The win sees ’More consolidate their lead at the top and the stage is now set for a winner-takes-all contest against Kyles Athletic in two weeks time.
apiece.
MacKintosh completed his hat-trick while David Cheyne, Steven MacDonald and Danny MacRae each hit one
Chasing the goals which could yet prove crucial in deciding the destination of the title, Newtonmore were then frustrated by Kilmallie before four goals in the final quarter settled the match.
Glen MacKintosh fired home the opener in the sixth minute and he doubled ’More’s advantage with another goal in the 20th minute.
The match was played at the Dell, home of local rivals Kingussie, after Kilmallie’s Canal Parks pitch was ruled unplayable following an early morning pitch inspection.
At the other end of the table, Newtonmore edged towards a league and cup double after hammering Kilmallie 6-0 in Saturday’s Premier Division league clash.
Oban will almost certainly be relegated if Lovat triumph at Canal Parks on Saturday.
Inveraray clawed a point from their encounter against Kyles Athletic and have almost ensured their safety, leaving Oban Camanachd and Lovat to battle it out to avoid slipping into area league shinty next season.
