Lovat facing battle to beat drop
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LOVAT remain deep in relegation trouble in the Scottish Hydro Premier Division after falling to a 4-3 home defeat against an understrength Kingussie side.
The Badenoch club were short of seven of their Camanachd Cup final squad, including goalkeeper Andy Borthwick, defender Lee Bain and midfielder Paul Gow.
With Thomas Borthwick and cousin Ryan both away on holiday, it was the first time since 1985 that a Kingussie team had taken the field without a Borthwick in their line-up.
Lovat’s failure to take advantage of Kingussie’s problems could cost them dear in the final run-in with Inveraray’s 5-0 win at Dalmally moving them two points clear of the Kiltarlity side.
It means that Lovat may have to win both their remaining matches — away to Glenorchy and Kilmallie — to be certain of beating the drop.
The one glimmer of hope for Lovat came from an unlikely source when local rivals Glenurquhart did them a huge favour by inflicting a 3-1 home defeat on Oban Camanachd meaning that the Argyllshire side are very much back in the relegation mix, just a point ahead of Lovat and with two difficult matches remaining.
On Saturday, Lovat’s inability to close off a match they twice led was a source of frustration for joint team boss James Gallagher.
"It was disappointing but I cannot really blame the lads," he said. "They gave their best, but the eight-week lay-off caught up with us in the final 15 minutes.
"Exhaustion played its part and against a team as good as Kingussie, you need to be at your best for the whole match."
Lovat got the start they could only have dreamed of when teenage striker Greg Matheson fired them ahead with barely a minute on the clock, but their celebrations were shortlived and two minutes
later James Hutcheson levelled for the Badenoch side.
The hosts looked the more assertive team as Kingussie’s makeshift side struggled to find their rhythm and in the 18th minute Matheson rounded off a good move with an accomplished finish only for Ronald Ross to benefit from a defensive mix-up to level in the 28th minute.
A minute into the second half, all Lovat’s good work was undone when Barrie Dallas scored with a 20-yard snapshot to put Kingussie in front for the first time, but they responded courtesy of Euan Ferguson’s goal eight minutes later.
Kingussie, however, dominated the final period and in the 85th minute, Ross produced a trademark finish from 25 yards to break Lovat hearts.
Glenurquhart, also a team without a
game since early August, came out on top against Oban.
John Barr opened the scoring for the visitors after 25 minutes before Neale Reid doubled the Glen’s advantage on the hour mark.
Scott MacMillan reduced the leeway with a penalty conversion in the 72nd minute, but Glenurquhart held out against strong Oban pressure and Reid hit a last minute strike to seal the points.
Inveraray grabbed a Premier Division lifeline with a routine 5-0 win over Glenorchy. A hat-trick from Garry MacPherson and a double by Chris Crawford secured the win, leaving the Royal Burgh side just a point away from safety.
The title showdown between Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic was postponed after the Kyles pitch failed to pass a Saturday morning pitch inspection.
Elsewhere, Glenurquhart reserves left it late to secure their status in Marine Harvest North Division Two.
Just four minutes remained of their relegation shoot-out against Kilmallie and the Glen trailed 1-0, but Liam Girvan hit the equaliser, giving his side the point they needed and consign Kilmallie to North Division Three next season.
