Lovat shock Newtonmore on opening day
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LOVAT got the 2012 season off to a sensational start on Saturday, defeating reigning champions Newtonmore 3-1 at their Eilan stronghold in Badenoch.
A first half hat-trick from teenager Greg Matheson stunned Norman MacArthur’s side, who have lost just two league games in their double league winning seasons of 2010 and 2011.
Newtonmore were missing Camanachd Cup-winning captain Scott Campbell and top scorer Danny MacRae, but that should not be allowed to detract from a terrific performance by the Kiltarlity side.
Matheson fired Lovat into the lead in the 10th minute and then to the disbelief of the Newtonmore support, he repeated the trick in the 20th minute and then again six minutes later.
The hosts put Lovat under pressure after that, but could not find away past a determined Lovat backline. They eventually pulled one back in the 89th minute after Lovat defender Daniel Grieve put through his own net, yet it did little to take away from what was Lovat’s finest win in generations.
Earlier in the day, three miles down the Spey and the once proud Kingussie were also being put to the sword by unfancied opposition when Premier Division new boys Kinlochshiel shocked them with a 5-3 win.
This was a dream Premier Division debut for Johnston Gill’s side, who were promoted after winning North Division One with a 100 per cent record.
On Saturday, ‘Shiel were first out of the blocks with the pacey Gordy MacDonald firing them into the lead in the fifth minute.
The established order looked like being imposed minutes later when the Dallas’s — Barrie and Martin — scored in the 12th and 15th minutes.
Kinlochshiel, however, battled back and MacDonald was again on target with the equaliser in the 35th minute.
Kingussie, without injured talisman Ronald Ross, were not prepared for happened next when ‘Shiel’s international forward Finlay MacRae fired home a hat-trick in a spectacular burst around the hour mark.
Ryan Borthwick reduced the leeway in the 72nd minute, but the Wester Ross side were not to be denied and held on to record an unforgettable Premier Division debut.
Glenurquhart got their campaign off to a winning start with a 3-2 home success at the expense of Kilmallie.
In a tight match, the Glen emerged worthy winners with the Kilmallie goalkeeper easily the busier of the two custodians.
Glenurquhart’s match preparations received a double blow when first choice forwards Neale Reid and Rhuriadh Cameron both failed fitness tests.
Despite this, it was strong Glen side who took the field and within four minutes John Barr put them in front. Liam MacDonald levelled for the Caol side in the 21st minute with a fine angled drive, but two minutes before half-time Fraser Heath restored the Glen’s lead.
MacDonald was providing plenty of problems for the Glen defence and four minutes after the break he silenced the home support with a well-taken equaliser.
Eddie Tembo, back from injury, was having a quiet match, but he popped up in the 72nd minute to score what proved to be the winner.
In the only other match to go ahead in the newly-titled Orion Group Premiership, Fort William and Bute shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Black Parks — the Fort’s temporary home until An Aird recovers from essential drainage works.
In North Division One, Beauly lead the table following a 3-1 victory at Bught Park over a rejuvenated Inverness side.
The match was affected by a strong wind throughout, while both teams also looked to be ring rusty.
It was slightly against the run of play that Beauly struck first with Barrie MacDonald scoring form the edge of the box in the eighth minute.
Inverness, with new signings Dougie Rankin and Sorley MacDonald playing, settled in well and on the stroke of half-time MacDonald and James Cameron linked up well to allow the latter to score a fine goal from 20 yards.
Beauly had the wind at their backs in the second half and in the 51st minute Jack MacDonald struck home a rebound after Inverness goalkeeper MacMaster had saved well from a David MacLean shot.
Beauly edged the second period in terms of possession and in the 71st minute, a Barrie MacDonald shot squirmed under the legs of MacMaster to complete the scoring.
In an incredible match at Castleod, Caberfeidh let slip a 3-0 lead going into the final 25 minutes of their match against Skye to eventually lose 4-3.
Goals from Lee Nicol and Stewart Krzyzanowski (two) looked to have sealed the points for the Sky Blues, but Skye rallied magnificently with goals from Daryl MacKintosh, Jordan Murchison, Danny Morrison and Iain Nicholson.
Lochcarron and Lochaber shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the New Battery Park.
