Kingussie leave it late but start title defence with win
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They kept going until the final whistle and Kingussie got their reward as their quest for a fourth successive Mowi Premiership title began with a 1-0 victory over Kinlochshiel at the Dell on Saturday.
The Kings were without Cameron Bremner, who failed to recover from a foot injury in time, whilst Lee Bain travelled to Aberdeen with the Kingussie seconds. Liam Borthwick, Thomas Borthwick and Kieran Macpherson made up the Kingussie centre line.
Kinlochshiel travelled with a full squad but there was no Mark MacDonald who has decided not to play this season following a change of job.
The visitors created chances in the first half but could not break the deadlock with Robert Mabon outstanding in Kingussie defence.
The Red and Blues had chances too and they finished the game strongly. With a draw looking likely, the goal that made the difference came just a couple of minutes from time.
Ruaridh Anderson surged forward from midfield and his shot deflected off Finlay MacRae for a corner on the left with Kinlochshiel claiming for offside.
Ruaridh Anderson floated the dead ball into the danger-area and Dylan Borthwick took the ball down before running into the left of the D and slipping the ball by keeper Josh Grant to take the points.
Kings boss Iain Borthwick said: “They had a lot more play than us and bossed us in the first half but I think both sides had the same number of chances in front of goal.
“They might have edged the first 15 minutes of the second half but both defences played well.
“We came more into it during the last half-hour, creating the best chances, and it was so good to see Dylan getting the winning goal.”
Shiel manager Willie MacRae commented: “We’re gutted as we had so much of the play and had plenty of chances. We could have been three-up by half-time but the ball just didn’t run for us.”
Kingussie travel to Blairbeg to face newly promoted Glenurquhart on Saturday and Borthwick will decide whether to add Lee Bain to his squad and if Cameron Bremner will be fit enough to face his former club.
