Lovat up to third in Premiership
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Eslewhere, Army team The SCOTS were knocked out of the Sutherland Cup 2-1 by Caberfeidh with Jodi Gorski finding the winner in extra-time.
In the Strathdearn Cup, Skye shocked the holders Newtonmore with a 3 - 2 win at Portree after the Badenoch side had both Brett Munro and David Campbell sent-off.
The Cabers struck twice in 60 seconds through Stewart Krzyzanowski and Kevin Bartlett in the 18th and 19th minutes, but an Aaron Redpath goal in the 32nd minute put ‘Glass back in contention. However, a Martin MacDonald goal just after the interval ensured victory for Caberfeidh.
Strathglass were unable to build on their win over Beauly, losing 3-1 at home to Caberfeidh, who were playing only their third league game of the season.
Lochcarron veteran Gregor Cushnie reduced the leeway in the 72nd minute, but a goal from Inverness joint manager Stevie Munro 10 minutes from time sealed the points.
Connor Golabek eventually broke the deadlock in the 50th minute and Inverness went onto establish a three-goal lead with Sorley MacDonald and James Cameron on target.
Both teams were well short of their strongest line-up and with defences on top, the scores were level after a goal-less first half.
Meanwhile, Inverness continued their run of good form with a fine 4-1 win in a North Division One clash at Lochcarron.
Taynuilt and Aberdour are also through after wins over Oban Celtic and Kilmory respectively. Neither of these sides have ever featured in the final of the South area’s most prestigious competition.
In the South area, it was also the quarter-final stage in the AJG Parcels Celtic Society Cup and Inveraray are celebrating after knocking out the holders Kyles Athletic 1-0 at the Winterton with Euan McMurdo’s goal on the hour proving crucial and setting up a semi-final clash with Bute, who beat Oban Camanachd 3-1 after extra-time.
Kingussie will play Lochaber for a place in the final after the Spean Bridge side thrashed Skye 4-0 in Portree.
Holders Kingussie are also through, but were made to work hard before overcoming Kilmallie 3-1 at Canal Parks. A Ronald Ross effort 10 minutes before the final whistle sealed the tie.
Earlier, a Danny MacRae strike was cancelled out by one from the Fort’s Duncan Rodger, who scored just three minutes from the end of regulation time. The win came at a cost, however, with ‘More’s Glen MacKintosh red carded and set to miss two games through suspension.
In the ties that went ahead, Newtonmore are through to the semi-finals following a 2-1 extra-time victory over Fort William. With penalties looming, Paul MacArthur hit the winner three minutes before the end.
Glenurquhart’s Blairbeg Park was little better and the Marine Harvest North Division Two match where Kingussie were the visitors had to be abandoned at half-time as both the overhead and underfoot conditions deteriorated and player safety became a concern.
Heavy rainfall on Friday left Beauly’s Braeview Park waterlogged and their Co-operative MacTavish Cup tie with Glenurquhart postponed.
Matheson completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, but ‘Shiel struck twice in the final 15 minutes through Keith MacRae and Duncan MacRae to set Lovat nerves jangling.
That relief for Kinlochshiel was, however, shortlived and two minutes later Matheson was on target to send the Kiltarlity side 3-1 up at the interval.
A shellshocked ‘Shiel battled to find their rhythm on only their second home league match of the season, but in the 39th minute Duncan MacRae reduced the deficit.
Lovat came out of the blocks in devastating fashion, striking twice in the opening 10 minutes through Ryan Ferguson and Greg Matheson.
"It is a long season and what every team will need is strength in depth to cover for injury, suspensions and the like."
"Third in the league is great, but we will not be getting carried away. I think we have developed a good balance in the side and on Saturday we played better right across the park than before.
"I am pleased with the performance, but we went from 4-1 ahead to holding on a bit at the end when they came back strongly," he said. "It was like last Saturday in reverse when we had them pinned back in the last 10 minutes.
Balgate boss Allan MacRae declared that he was happy with Saturday’s result, but warned that the 2012 campaign in shinty’s top league promised to be the closest in years.
The Kiltarlity side’s win ends a sticky spell in their league campaign of two draws and a defeat since their 2-1 triumph at the expense of Kilmallie on the second day of the season.
LOVAT have moved into third place in the Orion Group Premiership after a fine 4-3 victory over Kinlochshiel at Kirkton.
