‘Mature’ performance from Lovat inflicts first defeat of the year on Fort William as Kiltarlity outfit sets up MacTavish Cup final against shinty powerhouse Kingussie
Lovat have made it through to the 2025 MacTavish Cup final after inflicting a first defeat of the year on Premiership high-flyers Fort William.
Despite being newly promoted to shinty’s top flight this season, Fort William have established themselves as one of the stronger teams in the division, while Lovat sit just outside the relegation zone after losing a host of players in the off-season.
However, the form book went out the window in Kiltarlity last weekend, as Lovat ran out 2-0 winners.
With the game in the balance into the second half, Greg Matheson broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute to put Lovat ahead, with Marc MacLachlan doubling their advantage with 20 minutes left.
Fort William could not find a response, meaning Lovat booked their place in the final.
“I thought the game went really well overall,” club captain Martin Mainland said.
“We didn't start the best but grew into the game, defended well when we needed to, then started to progress the ball through the thirds and started to get shots off.
“The second half was a very mature performance against a strong side. It was our ability to manage the game and control the tempo that really helped us push on and control the later stages of the game.
“We were still pushing for a third, and it wasn't all about preserving a two goal lead.”
In the final, they will take on a Kingussie side who defeated Lochaber 2-0 in the other semi final, an occasion that Mainland feels will be invaluable for Lovat’s new-look youthful squad for this season.
“Lovat had had such a settled squad for years, so when many of the old faithful retired we have had to look at youth,” he continued.
“Every game is extra experience for the younger players, and Saturday’s game just teaches us all that is we trust the process and stick to the managers game plan we can achieve what we set out to.
“It will be great for the younger players to experience the atmosphere of a final. You can’t put a price on it for developing them going forward.
“I know each younger player will have a development plan headed up by the management team and coaches, so it’s about them doing what they can to stick to those plans.
“Their individual performances are the only barometer of how well this is working for them, and given the improvement of many of the young players that I’ve seen so far my personal opinion is that they are developing very well.”
Elsewhere last weekend, there were only two matches on the calendar in the Premiership thanks to the cup action, but Beauly are still searching for their first points of the year after losing 3-0 at Caberfeidh.
Newtonmore, on the other hand, were victorious, seeing off Kinlochshiel 2-0 at Balmacara.
Glenurquhart’s first team lost 5-0 to Bute in the only game to take place in the National Division last weekend, however the Glen’s second team picked up a 2-1 win at Kingussie in the North Division One.
Other results in that league saw Kinlochshiel see off Newtonmore 5-1 and Skye overcome Fort William 2-0.
In the North Division Two, Boleskine lost 3-0 at Aberdeen University, Inverness were beaten 4-1 by Caberfeidh and Lovat lost 5-2 away at Lewis. Kilmallie also saw off Lochaber 4-1.
In the second round of the Chieftain’s Cup, Glengarry defeated Kilmory 4-1.
Oban Celtic beat Lochcarron 3-1, Uddingston eeked past Arndamurchan 4-3 after extra time, while an English Shinty Association select lost 6-2 to Ballachulish.
