The Blue and Whites were still without striker Danny MacRae, out for some weeks with a broken hand, going into Saturday's match at The Dell.

A number of players took the field with niggling injuries, but hopes were high in the Eilan camp that revenge would be exacted for their defeat a couple of weeks ago in the MacTavish Cup..

On a bright but blustery day, Newtonmore carved out the first attack, winning a corner in the first minute from which Andrew Borthwick saved well with his feet.

Five minutes later, it was Ritchie's turn to save, putting the ball out for a corner..

Ronald Ross showed for Kingussie in the eighth minute with a shot that flew wide.

But just a minute later he popped up again in what must be his favourite scoring position - tight on the left side just outside the D - to fire home the opener.

A couple of minutes later, Evan Menzies was close to scoring, after following in on a shot from Glen MacKintosh, but Borthwick did just enough to clear for a corner.

David Cheyne scored the equaliser in the 16th minute when Evan Menzies created havoc down the left wing and cut the ball back.

The Kingussie defence failed to clear, and Cheyne seized his opportunity to lash home high into the net.

Newtonmore had the greater share of territorial advantage, but neither side was actually creating much by way of clear cut chances.

But that did not deter Kingussie's Ross from giving the Red and Blues the lead four minutes before the break.

He twisted, turned and dodged inside his marker to create his own space to fire home for Kingussie's second.

Newtonmore were playing with the strong breeze in the second half and went close early on, but MacKintosh was unable to dig a ball out from under his feet, and the Kingussie defence eventually put it out for a corner.

Kingussie's Fraser Munro and Newtonmore's Evan Menzies challenge for the ball during their encounter at the Dell on Saturday

Paul MacArthur earned a yellow card for a foul on Kingussie's Paul Gow a few minutes later. After superb work by Steven MacDonald on the right wing, MacKintosh spurned a glorious opportunity in the 54th minute when he mishit his shot to give Borthwick the easiest of saves..

Newtonmore were not creating enough genuine scoring opportunities despite having the lion's share of the play, and Kingussie were still looking dangerous on occasion.

The Eilan side substituted Owen Fraser with the tricky Drew MacDonald on the right wing.

It was the new arrival who had the next scoring opportunity after good work by MacKintosh and Menzies, but he failed to connect fully and Borthwick cleared the danger. Kingussie then enjoyed their own spell of pressure but both sets of supporters were noticeably silent as neither team threatened on goal.

Evan Menzies powered in from the left wing in the 75th minute, but Borthwick smuggled the ball away for a corner.

A few minutes later, a heavy body charge on Menzies by Kingussie's Louis Munro went unpunished, but the Newtonmore player was able to continue after treatment..

Steven MacDonald went in the book for Newtonmore after an altercation in midfield with seven minutes left.

Neither team was able to carve out any more good scoring chances.

Newtonmore manager Norman MacArthur was clearly distraught that his side had not delivered.

"I've taken this side as far as I can," he said afterwards, "I don't know what more I can do." But in truth he was being too hard on himself and on his injury hit side.

PERHAPS a couple of night's rest and a couple of days to reflect, may improve Norman MacArthur's humour.

There were some good moments from Newtonmore, but Kingussie, after a rocky start, have been improving steadily.

When Ross is in form, they are still difficult to stop.

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