The Blue and Whites support was expecting more of the same against their opponents at the Eilan but would have been disappointed at the break with the scores tied at 0-0.

However, they bounced back after the term to win 5-1 and strengthened their credentials for a first ever Premier League title win.

The first half of Saturday's game was a bleak affair for the home support with Lochaber often first to the ball and creating pressure with their clean first time hitting.

Newtonmore's centre line in particular looked lethargic but their defence coped well enough with everything that came their way.

At the other end there were only a handful of Newtonmore attacks, best of which was a Steven MacDonald effort that forced a good foot save out of Angus Morrison.

As the interval approached, John Mackenzie was forced to leave the field with badly smashed fingers after being hit off the ball in an incident the referee failed to notice.

The second half proved to be a delight for the Blue and White crowd as the team looked a different proposition after the break.

Control was re-established in midfield and the forwards were being supplied with plenty of ball.

David Cheyne looked threatening following his arrival for the injured Mackenzie.

The first real opening came to Paul MacArthur, who picked up a glorious cross from the right side, but his effort blazed wide.

Lochaber's Martin Johnston (front) is challenged by Newtonmore's Rory Kennedy.

Danny MacRae put the keeper under pressure in the 50th minute and was able to push the ball through to Cheyne to slot home for the opener.

There was a mad scramble in the Lochaber goal area in the 57th minute and after a series of reaction saves by Morrison, the ball was finally put out and from the corner.

Cheyne then hit a screamer from 15 yards that rebounded with some venom from the top right angle of the crossbar.

In the 66th minute, Glen MacKintosh turned his marker close by the left hand post and his shot eluded the keeper to put 'More 2-0 up.

By now, Newtonmore looked totally in control and, in the 76th minute, MacRae lashed home from wide right to make it 3-0.

Two minutes later and the Eilan side were on easy street after another goalmouth scramble saw the ball come to MacKintosh, who closed in to drive home the fourth.

Normal service was briefly interrupted when a quick Lochaber break saw Shaun Nicholson lash a 25 yard rocket high into the Newtonmore net.

But the game ended with Newtonmore in the ascendency with Evan Menzies firing home to make it 5-1.

In the closing minutes, only the superb efforts of Morrison in goal kept 'More from notching up another two.

With Kingussie engaged in Camanachd Cup action, the result puts Newtonmore four points clear of their Badenoch rivals and six goals ahead on goal difference, though the Kings now have two games in hand.

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