Lovat's title hopes dealt another setback
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LOVAT’S Orion Premiership title bid faltered after they were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Kinlochshiel.
The contrast between the teams at the end of a vibrant 90 minutes could hardly have been clearer with the Wester Ross side celebrating the capture of the single point that will go a long way to ensuring their top league status for another season, while for Lovat the shedding of points in successive weekends has handed the initiative to Newtonmore in the championship race.
This crucial match came at the worst possible time for Lovat with a trio of first-team players, including captain and goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald, missing out.
Lovat manager Alan MacRae was forced into a major reshuffle and took the highly unusual step of handing the number one jersey to his first choice striker Greg Matheson.
On the plus side, MacRae welcomed back Kevin Bartlett from a one-match suspension, while key defender Michael MacKenzie was also available.
Lovat’s makeshift defence, with full back Drew Howie also sidelined, were put on the backfoot as early as the sixth minute, Kinlochshiel’s effervescent striker Gordie MacDonald swooping on a rebound off Matheson to knock the ball home.
The visitors survived any further mishap until the interval and then stunned ‘Shiel with two quick goals from Bartlett shortly after the restart.
Lovat settled in to defend their narrow lead but MacDonald, who has been missing for most of the season through injury, showed his worth to the hosts cause when he blasted home from distance to level the scores in the 76th minute.
In the end, Lovat were forced to settle for a draw — an outcome that has done little to help their title hopes.
League leaders Newtonmore are back in the driving seat, but Lovat can prevent the Badenoch club’s march to their fifth successive championship by winning their remaining three matches, including what could be a title decider at Balgate next month.
At the other end of the table, Kinlochshiel need just a point from Saturday’s clash with Lochaber. This would be enough to see them survive into a fourth year in the top league.
Lochaber saw their survival hopes dim after losing 3-1 at home to Kyles Athletic. Kyles came from behind after Shaun Nicholson had edged Lochaber in front in the 11th minute. Goals from Dunkie Kerr and a double by Grant Irvine sent the points back to Tighnabruaich and all but sealed Lochaber’s fate.
Glenurquhart and Kingussie, who could potentially meet in September’s Camanachd Cup final, are currently battling it out for the honour of finishing third in the table.
The pair clashed at Blairbeg in the latest round of fixtures — a game the Glen edged 2-1.
Once again Glenurquhart were missing several key players with Neale Reid and Dave MacLennan suspended. In what could perhaps be a sign of their Camanachd Cup intentions, Kingussie fielded Ronald Ross for a rare appearance in the first-team.
It was the Glen who were first to show with a stunning goal from Fraser Heath and a James MacPherson strike either side of the interval. An effort from Ross on the hour mark set up a nervous final period for Glenurquhart, but they held out to take the points and a firm grip on the third place in the league.
In the Marine Harvest National Division, Beauly went goal crazy as they hammered Bute 10-0 at Braeview to remain in second place in the league.
International midfielder Conor Cormack top scored with four goals and Dave Neilson weighed in with a double. Efforts by Jack MacDonald, David MacLean, Scott MacLeod and Calum Morrison completed the rout.
The defeat all but confirms Bute’s relegation to area league shinty next season and defeat in Saturday’s home match against Kilmallie would seal their relegation.
Caberfeidh slumped to their fifth league defeat in a row with Fort William handing out a 7-1 thrashing at An Aird.
Oban Camanachd kept their noses in front at the top of the league after a narrow 2-1 home win against Glasgow Mid Argyll, while Kilmallie kept up the pressure with a 7-1 triumph over Glenorchy.
Skye maintained their 100 per cent record in North Division One courtesy of a 2-0 success at Lovat’s expense. Second half goals from Steven Morrison and Nui MacDonald secured the points for Skye.
Inverness battled hard at the Eilan before falling to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Newtonmore colts. Teenager Charlie MacDonald struck for the Highland capital side, but goals by Iain Robinson (two), Craig MacLeod and Calum Stewart confirmed the win for ‘More which sees them maintain their challenge for second place in the league.
In a ding–dong battle at the Dell, Beauly emerged with a 6-3 win over Kingussie with doubles from Ross Forbes and Ryan Tillman helping the greens to victory.
Strathglass won their derby clash against Glenurquhart with a Darren Reid hat-trick underpinning a 5-0 victory.
In North Division Three, Caberfeidh have the champagne on ice and need just a point from their remaining three matches to secure the title and promotion.
BEAULY duo Josh Grant and Callum Morrison have been named in the Scotland under-17 squad that will travel to Ireland this week to take on a side from Wexford County and a Dublin Development Squad.
Euan Lloyd, of Glenurquhart, and Caberfeidh’s Blair Morrison are also in the 17-strong squad, which leaves on Sunday and returns on Wednesday 30th August.
