The casualties included Kingussie's potentially testing tie at Kyles Athletic, and Newtonmore's match at relegation threatened Lochaber.

The seven surviving matches produced two notable shocks – most encouraging of which was Newtonmore's second team victory at Drumnadrochit over previously unbeaten Glenurquhart.

Calum Fraser posted the Glen's intent in the first minute, but Newtonmore's improving young side fought back strongly and David Wilde equalised ten minutes later.

The Badenoch side continued to play well and Wilde struck again five minutes before the interval to give the visitors the lead.

Chris Sellar added to Newtonmore's tally on the hour mark and, try as they might, Glenurquhart were only able to pull one back through Calum Miller with five minutes left on the clock.

Despite the defeat, Glenurquhart remain in top spot and only Fort William can pip them to the post, but, realistically, given the Glen's vastly superior goal difference, a single point from either of their last two games will be enough.

The other significant shock came at the top of North Division 1, where hot favourites Lovat went down by a convincing 5-2 margin to fellow contenders Skye in Portree.

Ally MacLennan scored the only goal of the first half for Skye, then Kenny Campbell made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute.

Fraser Gallagher pulled one back for Lovat, then Dougie Rankin made no mistake with a penalty hit to make it 3-1.

In a late flurry of activity, Sorley MacDonald made it 4-1 with ten minutes left. Greg Matheson struck back a minute later with a penalty, but MacDonald rounded off the 5-2 win with five minutes left.

The result means Skye go top of the table in this, their last fixture of the season, leaving Kilmallie a point behind with one game left – this coming weekend at home to Strathglass. They demolished Beauly 6-1 away last weekend.

Lovat still have the edge, being four points behind with three to go. They play lowly Kinlochshiel this coming weekend and will no doubt be wary that 'Shiel have underperformed this term and are always capable of better things.

Kinlochshiel themselves recorded a victory at the weekend, defeating bottom club Lochcarron 3-1 at home.

For Lovat, whose goal difference is substantially poorer than both the other contenders, there can be no more slip-ups if Kiltarlity is once again to be a top flight venue.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---