Lovat retain trophy
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Referee Cameron kept a lid on proceedings and booked just three players — Beauly’s Dougie Blaine and Barrie MacDonald, and also Lovat’s Calum Cruden.
The match will not be remembered as a classic in the long tradition of the event, but there was no doubt that Lovat ended as worthy winners.
With just three minutes remaining, however, Beauly got themselves on the scoresheet, Jack MacDonald rounding off a fine move to fire home a consolation for the visitors.
Beauly were struggling to clear their lines as Lovat continued to press forward and in the 72nd minute, Euan Ferguson finished off a free hit move with a searing shot beyond Davidson.
Beauly almost visibly wilted at this setback as the realisation that they now needed to score three goals to wrest the trophy from Lovat hands began to dawn. The crowd too began to dwindle as conditions worsened.
Buoyed by this, Lovat’s confidence began to grow and in the 55th minute they doubled their lead with Matheson scoring from close range.
The match’s pivotal moment possibly came shortly after the interval when a Barrie MacDonald strike looked to be going in at the post, but his namesake in the Lovat goal reacted to pull off a terrific save.
Despite this, Beauly were far from out of it and efforts by Jack MacDonald and Conor Ross caused anxious moments in the Lovat defence.
The goal was against the run of play, but there were signs that Lovat were beginning to get a foothold in midfield with Lorne MacKay and Ryan Ferguson starting to dictate matters.
The Green and Whites paid the penalty for not capitalising on their possession when in a rare breakaway in the 22nd minute, Lovat forced a free hit just outside the penalty area. In a neat move, the ball was worked to an unmarked Matheson and he blasted a fine strike high into the Beauly net from 20 yards.
Beauly continued to enjoy the bulk of possession and Lovat goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald was easily the busier of the two custodians.
Veteran striker Jamie MacLennan found space on the edge of the Lovat penalty area, but his fiercely hit shot struck Lovat defender Tom Smith on the face, preventing an almost certain goal. Smith looked to be out cold, but was able to continue after treatment.
Beauly responded well to this let off and began to assert control with Barrie MacDonald in the half forward position becoming an increasing threat.
Referee Graeme Cameron had already awarded a penalty, however, and much to Lovat’s annoyance he struck off the goal and insisted on the spot hit. There was an almost audible sigh of relief from Beauly when James Macpherson’s strike from the spot was easily saved by goalkeeper Martin Davidson.
With just eight minutes on the clock, Lovat dangerman Greg Matheson survived an illegal tackle from Beauly’s Dougie Blain to keep his balance before firing home from close range.
Lovat began the match on the front foot and, as holders, needed only a draw to retain the trophy.
Balgate had a light dusting of snow from an overnight fall, but with snow falling throughout the match, actually seeing the standard white shinty ball became a problem and a variety of coloured balls were used with varying degrees of success.
No normal shinty match would have gone ahead in such atrocious weather, but this is no normal shinty match and the players, match officials and some 700 or so hardy spectators braved the elements that had seen most other sport in the area cancelled.
MacRae, however, will not be reading too much into the result with the match played in dreadful conditions both overhead and underfoot.
It was the perfect start for new Lovat manager Alan MacRae, who was in control of the senior side for the first time since taking over the reins in the close season from both James Gallagher and John MacRitchie.
LOVAT retained the Lovat Cup with a deserved 3-1 victory over traditional rivals Beauly at Balgate in their annual clash.
