'More on course for Premiership title
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NEWTONMORE moved a step closer to retaining the Orion Premierships title following a 3-1 win over derby rivals Kingussie at the Eilan.
Kingussie, with an eye to rebuilding for next season, fielded several teenagers and it was a dream first-team debut for 15-year-old Savio Genini, who stunned the Newtonmore support with a goal in the second minute.
A shock seemed on the cards, but Newtonmore’s strength and experience became a telling factor and captain John MacKenzie struck the equaliser in the 25th minute.
A Chris Sellar goal two minutes from the interval set up Newtonmore for the second half, but despite dominating possession after the interval it took the home side until 80th minute to seal the points with midfielder Paul MacArthur on target.
Kyles Athletic clung onto Newtonmore’s coat tails as they scraped a 2-0 home win over relegated Bute in the Cowal derby at Tighnabruaich.
Goals in each half from Dunkie Kerr and Gordon Whyte brought home the points which keeps Kyles level with Newtonmore, but with a game more played.
With Newtonmore enjoying a significant goal difference advantage, four points from their remaining three matches would seal the title. They are scheduled to play in Rothesay against relegated Bute on Saturday and then face Glenurquhart home and away.
Inveraray were denied both points against Kinlochshiel when Keith MacRae scored three minutes from time to cancel out Neil Campbell’s 20th minute strike.
Fort William wrapped up their season with a 2-0 win over Kilmallie in the Lochaber derby at An Aird courtesy of late goals by Bryan Simpson and Gordie MacKinnon.
In Marine Harvest North Division One, it is advantage Lochaber in their title tussle with Skye when the islanders dropped a point after being held to a 3-3 draw by Caberfeidh.
Skye got off to an encouraging start when Danny Morrison fired them ahead in the eighth minute, but two goals in a seven minutes burst from Kevin Bartlett put Cabers in the driving seat at half-time.
A Jordan Murchison strike 12 minutes from time raised Skye’s hopes, but an effort from teenager Blair Morrison in the 89th minute looked to have secured Caberfeidh a shock victory. In a last ditch effort, Skye midfielder Chris Rose grabbed an injury-time goal to rescue a precious points for Willie MacRae’s side.
Lochaber enjoyed a much easier passage at Cannich where they hammered Strathglass 6-0. Two first half goals by Shaun Nicholson were added to after the interval by Scott Paterson, Stuart Callison and Martin Johnstone. Nicholson then completed his hat-trick, and the scoring, in the 59th minute.
Beauly found their touch in front of goal as they beat Lochcarron 5-1 at Braeview. David MacLean (two) Ross Forbes, Jack MacDonald and Barrie MacDonald were all on target for the hosts.
Meanwhile, shinty’s only 100 per cent league record was ended on Saturday as Boleskine came back from 2-0 down to win their North Division Three clash against Beauly 3-2.
