Lovat to face Glen in MacTavish Cup final
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LOVAT are through to the final of the RBS MacTavish Cup for the second year in succession after a 4-0 win over Kinlochshiel in an anti-climatic semi-final clash at Kiltarlity.
‘Shiel were bidding for their first-ever appearance in a senior final, but their dream was shattered as they produced a below-par performance appearing to be overcome by the occasion.
Kevin Bartlett was a notable absentee for Lovat, along with injury victim Craig Mainland, who faces a race against the clock to be fit for the final in four weeks time.
Lovat went in front with a slick move in the 13th minute, Greg Matheson applying the finish from the edge of the box after a clever interchange of play between his brother Jamie and Lorne MacKay had cut through the ‘Shiel defence.
Ten minutes later, MacKay doubled their advantage after he was afforded too much room by the visitors rearguard to strike at goal.
On the stroke of half-time, another mistake by ‘Shiel was punished as Graeme MacMillan steered the ball home from close range.
‘Shiel produced a belated fightback after the break, but Lovat’s defence gave little away with goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald enjoying a fairly quiet afternoon.
Substitute Neil Fraser was looking lively for the visitors and he twisted and turned his marker before unleashing a blistering shot that crashed off the Lovat crossbar with MacDonald beaten.
Minutes later, Lovat applied the killer blow as Matheson pounced to bag his second following a swift counter attack to complete the scoring.
Lovat, the current holders of the trophy, will now face Glenurquhart next month in what is a repeat of last year’s final.
In the Orion Premiership, Glenurquhart consolidated their position in the top half of the table following a 2-0 win over Lochaber.
Goals in each half by James MacPherson and David Smart secured the points as the clubs indulged in a spot of shadow boxing ahead of Saturday’s Camanachd Cup second round clash where Lochaber will have home advantage this time round.
The Glen’s John Barr is giving the Blairbeg camp serious concern as he continues to suffer from a damaged hamstring. Against Lochaber, he was drafted in as a makeshift full forward with Lewis MacLennan continuing in the role of fullback after a sterling display against Newtonmore the previous weekend.
Glenurquhart also have concerns about the fitness of Ally MacKintosh as he struggles to overcome a long-term knee injury.
There was also a Camanachd Cup dress rehearsal at Tighnabruaich as league leaders Newtonmore, depleted by injury, grabbed a 1-0 win with Glen MacKintosh scoring after the interval to take the points back north.
Kyles Athletic will have an early shot at redemption when they pair meet on Saturday at the same venue with a place in the last eight of shinty’s top trophy at stake.
The win carries ‘More two points clear of Lovat at the top of the table and their title ambitions received a further boost when third place Kingussie lost 2-0 at Inveraray. The Royal Burgh side eased their relegation worries with veteran Ruaridh Graham grabbing a second half double.
In the Marine Harvest National Division, Beauly sit top of the table after a gritty 3-2 win over Glasgow Mid Argyll in Yoker.
The city side were fast out of the blocks with Craig Anderson netting in the third minute, but Jack MacDonald maintained his recent run of scoring when he struck the equaliser in the 15th minute.
The visitors then edged in front from a Sean Stewart strike in the 27th minute, but it was Anderson who had the final say of the half with an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
In a tense second half, Mid Argyll had Andrew MacAllister red carded before David MacLean struck the winner in the 68th minute.
Kilmallie went goal crazy at Canal Parks with a goal difference boosting 10-0 demolition of Bute with the highlight a Craig MacIsaac hat-trick.
Fort William dropped a point at Glenorchy in their bid for a quick return to the Premiership. The Fort looked to be cruising to a 2-0 victory after goals in each half by Gordie MacKinnon and Daniel Stewart.
They were left stunned, however, by two goals in the final seven minutes from Grant MacPherson and John Sartain, securing a draw for the home side.
There were mixed fortunes for the local sides in Marine Harvest North Division One with Beauly’s 4-0 victory over Lovat moving them away from the relegation zone.
Glenurquhart and Newtonmore shared the points in a 1- 1 draw at Blairbeg, but Strathglass’ title aspirations received a setback as they went down 4-3 at Kingussie.
The championship hopes of Inverness, however, are over after a 4-1 home defeat by Skye leaves the city club second from bottom in the table.
