Share of spoils is no good for Lovat
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AS the Orion Group Premiership title race reaches its climax, second-placed Lovat’s dropped point in Saturday’s clash with Kinlochshiel at Kirkton has altered the landscape slightly.
With second-bottom Kinlochshiel trying to remove themselves from the relegation equation, Lovat’s trip west was always going to be difficult.
Striker Gordon MacDonald, restored to the ‘Shiel forward line after injury, was the home hero in picking up a valuable point after a 2-2 draw.
MacDonald gave ’Shiel an early lead before Kevin Bartlett levelled just after the break. Bartlett struck again before MacDonald found the net again in the 73rd minute to square the match.
While Lovat still have the matter in their own hands if they can win all three matches, including a home game against leaders Newtonmore, they may have to overturn the marginally superior goal difference that ’More hold to pip the champions to the title.
Glenurquhart are heading for a best ever finish after defeating Kingussie 2-1 at Drumnadrochit which leaves them in third spot, two points ahead of their opponents. If Glen hold this position, it will be the highest the Drumnadrochit club has finished in the Premiership.
Fraser Heath’s opener was added to by James MacPherson early in the second half and, although Ronald Ross reduced their advantage, Kings were unable to prevent Glen moving two points ahead of them.
Kyles Athletic’s 3-1 win at Spean Bridge means Lochaber are still without a victory after 12 games and now need almost a miracle to preserve their top-flight status.
Shaun Nicolson got Lochaber off to a good start before Duncan Kerr and Grant Irvine netted to give Kyles a 2-1 interval lead. The outcome remained in question until late on when Irvine struck to ensure Kyles move up a place to fifth.
For the second time this season, Marine Harvest National Division strugglers Bute were on the wrong end of a 10-0 trouncing when Beauly went goal crazy at Braeview Park.
Conor Cormack was Beauly’s major scorer with four, netting three goals in the second half after grabbing his side’s second goal before the interval, while former Fort William and Inverness striker David Neilsen netted a second-half double.
Calum Morrison started the Beauly rout after only three minutes, with Scott MacLeod, Jack MacDonald and David MacLean all contributing to another day of misery for the island club.
Oban Camanachd still sit top of the National Division, one point ahead of Beauly, after edging it against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Mossfield Park. In a 2-1 win, Andrew MacCuish’s double clinched it for Oban, with Lewis Miller having pulled GMA level in the 51st minute.
Oban’s Scott MacMillan and GMA’s Mark Bain both received their marching orders from referee Robert Baxter.
Fort William cruised to a 7-1 win over Caberfeidh at An Aird to keep up their challenge.
With two games in hand to bridge a three-point gap on Oban, Fort look good prospects to lift the title and regain their place in the Premiership.
Cabers opened the scoring through Scott MacLean, but by half-time were 4-1 down through strikes from Niall MacPhee, Bryan Simpson, Daniel Stewart and Arran MacPhee, who went on to complete his hat-trick with a penalty. Simpson notched his second late on.
For Cabers, this was a sixth consecutive league defeat.
It’s as you were at the top of Marine Harvest North Division One after all top four teams registered wins.
Leaders Skye are still on course for a maximum points total after their seventh straight win, but joint bottom side Lovat made the islanders fight hard for their 2-0 home win.
Newtonmore’s second team completed a league double over Inverness in a 4-1 win at The Eilan.
Strathglass defeated Glen-urquhart reserves 5-0 at Cannich, with three late goals emphasising their superiority.
At The Dell, despite bagging a hat-trick, veteran striker Kevin Thain ended up on the losing team as Kingussie reserves went down 6-3 to their Beauly counterparts.
The championship hopes of Marine Harvest North Division Two leaders Glengarry were dealt a blow when they were beaten 3-2 at Kinlochshiel and ’Garry’s Scott Bremner was red-carded by referee Calum Girvan.
Fort William, with two fewer games played than Glengarry, are now only a single point off top spot after a 4-0 win over Skye at An Aird. Lochaber move into joint third alongside Lochcarron thanks to a 4-0 home victory over Aberdeen University.
Caberfeidh stay six points clear of Lochbroom at the top of Marine Harvest North Division Three after both challengers came out with wins on Saturday. Cabers were 3-0 winners against Strathspey at Castle Leod, while Lochbroom defeated Inverness 2-1.
In the inter-island challenge for the Heb Celtic Cup, Lewis Camanachd had a 4-0 win over Uist.
