Two out of two for Lovat
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LOVAT maintained their 100 per cent record in the 2014 Orion Premiership with a deserved 3-1 win over Kingussie at the Dell.
Lovat took complete control with three goals in the opening 26 minutes with Greg Matheson, Ryan Ferguson and Graeme MacMillan on target.
Matheson struck first with a goal in the sixth minute to maintain his goal a game start to the new season and Ferguson opened his account for the season in the 17th minute. Lovat took a stranglehold on the match with MacMillan rounding off a good move in the 26th minute.
Kingussie’s youngsters held their nerve until half-time and within three minutes of the restart had clawed their way back into contention courtesy of a Lee Bain strike.
Lorne MacKay’s dismissal in the dying minutes meant an uncomfortable ending to a match that Lovat should have had tied up long before, but they held out to secure maximum points for their opening two matches.
For the second Saturday in succession, waterlogged pitches decimated the fixtures card with only eight of the 26 scheduled fixtures taking place considerably worse than last week when nine matches were cancelled.
Reigning champions Newtonmore showed that they are ready to defend their title and got their quest for a fifth successive league success with a 5-1 win over rivals Kyles Athletic. Kyles were forced to give up home advantage with the match switched to the Eilan after Tighnabruaich was ruled unplayable.
Newtonmore wasted little time in asserting themselves against their old rivals and with barely 25 minutes gone had pulled out a three goal lead with Evan Menzies, Danny MacRae and Glen MacKintosh on target.
Kyles responded impressively after that but Newtonmore were relentless as Menzies and MacRae completed their doubles. Robbie Macleod scored at the death for the Argyll-shire side who have lost their opening two matches of the season and sit bottom.
Only one match survived the conditions in the Marine Harvest National Division but Beauly fans were left wishing that their match against Kilmallie had also not started after their side went down 5-1 at Braeview.
In the area leagues Inverness got their season back on track with a 6-1 win over Lovat reserves at Balgate, where there was an impressive debut for Inverness’ new signing Innes Simpson. Simpson, who had spells with Beauly and Strathglass, was commanding in central midfield as Inverness romped to a 6-0 interval lead with youngster Charlie MacDonald striking a hat-trick. Liam Girvan with two and Dougie Rankin were the other Inverness scorers.
The second half proved more difficult for Alan MacLeod’s side with Simpson out and playing into the strong wind. Lovat’s young side claimed the moral victory and scored the only goal of the half when Rory Campbell converted a penalty in the 80th minute.
In other matches Glenurquhart beat Beauly 5-0 while Newtonmore thrashed Kingussie 8-1.
Boleskine’s promising start to the season came to a shuddering halt when they were trounced 6-1 at home by Kinlochshiel.
