Finalists preparing for MacTavish Cup at the Eilan
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Holders Kingussie defend their cottages.com MacTavish Cup crown when they meet Fort William in the final at the Eilan on Saturday.
Kingussie are captained this year by Calum Grant who said: “We’ll follow our usual routine for a game at the Eilan. It’s something we are used enough to which is a wee bit of an advantage.
“The manager certainly has options with several players competing for a starting place.
“There are two main aspects to being captain. One is to perform on the pitch and everything else follows after that. Off the field, it’s about encouraging the boys and I try to do that.
“We’ll bring a big support to the game. It will be a bit different without the Stand at the Bught Park but I’m sure the supporters will be three-deep around the pitch on Saturday.”
Mowi National Division side Fort William are captained by Victor Smith and he feels their supporters can be the club’s “thirteenth man” as they bid to upset the odds.
He said: “The supporters are everything and they were fantastic against Newtonmore in the last round. I’m sure every single one of them, and quite a few more, will be at the Eilan to cheer the team on in the final.
“Other than our keeper Paul MacKay, it will be a first senior final for the rest of the lads. We lost a tough game against Beauly in the league at the weekend, and we were maybe guilty of having one eye on the final. We’ll have players back for Saturday too and we’re looking forward to it.”
In terms of team news, Graham Cameron returns from suspension for Fort William after missing the last two games through suspension whilst Kingussie’s James Falconer made his return from injury against Lochaber last weekend.
Throw up will be at 4.05pm and Graeme Irvine is the match referee.
Steven MacLachlan, who is recovering well from a critical cardiac incident that took place when he was the man in the middle at a match between Caberfeidh and Kinlochshiel in early April, makes his return to officiate as one of the goal judges.
The senior final will be preceded by the MacTavish Juvenile Cup final between Newtonmore under-17 and Skye Camanachd under-17 which throws up at 1pm.
There will be food and refreshments on site throughout the day provided by The Cairngorm Brewery, Highland Hog Roasts and Newtonmore Camanachd.
