Lovat lead the way in top division
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Hat-tricks from Sean Nicholson and Zander Ferguson, as well as a goal by Scott Paterson, underlined Lochaber’s title ambitions, while Jordan Murchison scored a late consolation for the islanders.
Skye’s euphoria following their 4 - 3 win at Caberfeidh was severely dented as they were hammered 7-1 by Lochaber at Spean Bridge.
Laurence Jones and Robbie Stokes were the ‘Glass marksmen in Robert Geddes’s first game since agreeing to take over the managerial reins from Brian MacKay.
The match was as close as the scoreline suggests, but Inverness fans will be pleased with the contribution of new signing Sorley MacDonald, who opened his account with a strike in the 16th minute and scored again in the 71st minute to secure his side’s first point of the season.
At Cannich, Inverness and Strathglass played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Lochcarron held out until the interval and with the breeze at their back in the second half mounted a spirited fightback. Beauly held firm, however, and in the 75th minute Jamie MacLennan struck home the clinching goal with a long range strike.
MacDonald then put Beauly ahead with a 20-yard strike in the 20th minute, but the goal of the game came eight minutes later when David MacLean sent home a scorching drive from a narrow angle.
Beauly recovered quickly from this setback and in the fifth minute Barrie MacDonald deflected a long range Conor Cormack shot beyond Kenny Ross in the Lochcarron goal.
The Green and Whites were rocked in the opening minute when Lochcarron’s Ben Dalgetty fired home with just 45 seconds on the clock.
Beauly lead the way in North Division One following a 4-1 win over Lochcarron at Braeview.
Gordon MacDonald gave ‘Shiel a fine start with the opener in the 14th minute — a lead they held until the 75th minute when teenager Arran MacPhee, making his first-team debut, levelled for the Fort.
Despite the disruption to their preparations, the Wester Ross side produced another battling performance to force a 1-1 draw with Fort William.
Newly-promoted Kinlochshiel were also on the move after their Kirkton pitch failed a late inspection, forcing the match to be played at Lovat’s Balgate ground.
The move north disadvantaged the islanders, who conceded three goals in the final 10 minutes. David Cheyne (two), Glen MacKintosh and Chris Sellar were on target for Newtonmore in this 4-0 triumph.
Elsewhere, fortune smiled on reigning champions Newtonmore as opponents Bute were forced to give up home advantage after their Meadows pitch in Rothesay failed an inspection.
Kingussie captain Craig Dawson hit a first half hat-trick against Kyles Athletic, who were playing their first game of the season. The Tighnabruaich side found their touch in the second half, but failed to build on a Duncan Kerr strike in the 59th minute.
The Badenoch big two — Kingussie and Newtonmore — found the winning formula to get their league challenge off the ground after the shock defeats of the opening day.
The Glen had plenty of pressure after that, but with top scorer Neale Reid still sidelined, their attempts on goal lacked any real threat.
The only goal of the game came on the stroke of half-time when Andrew McMurdo finished off a set piece free hit move.
The move proved a success for John Smillie’s side, however, who produced a robust defensive performance with the Glen unable to find a way past Graham MacPherson in the Inveraray goal.
Glenurquhart had been relieved to see the Royal Burgh side travel north without their star striker Russell MacKinlay and were further encouraged when his erstwhile partner in the forward line, Garry MacPherson, lined up in the wing back position.
The Glen went into the match as favourites, but it was tag which weighed heavily on the shoulders of the Red and Blacks as they produced a disappointing performance, particularly upfront where their goalscoring deficiencies persisted.
Meanwhile, Glenurquhart were unexpectedly beaten 1-0 by Inveraray at Blairbeg as their early season optimism suffered a jolt.
Owen Ferguson restored Lovat’s lead in the 56th minute and after that Kilmallie had the bulk of the possession, but could not find a way through the visitors rearguard.
Striker Greg Matheson hit the opener in the 14th minute, but the home side rallied and John Stewart levelled from the spot just before half-time.
The Kiltarlity side followed up their shock defeat of champions Newtonmore on the opening day of the new season with another gritty performance, holding out for a win that puts them one point clear at the top of the table.
LOVAT continue to set the pace at the top of the Orion Group Premiership after a 2-1 victory at Kilmallie.
