Kyles hold on as Kings come close
KINGUSSIE entertained unbeaten Kyles Athletic at the Dell on Saturday, knowing that the only team so far to have taken a point of the Tighnabruaich raiders was Newtonmore.
Before the match, all bar one of the surviving members of the 1961 Camanachd Cup winning team were piped on to the field to join the current team.
They were then treated to seats with shelter from the unpleasant and cold showers which constantly swept across the Dell.
The Kings were missing the influence of MacLeod in defence, and Louis Munro in midfield.
Kyles were quick off the mark and mounted a series of attacks on the home goal, testing Ryan Borthwick, in an unusual role at right back, to the full.
But the Kingussie defence held firm.
Fraser Munro was on the end of a quick Kingussie break in the 14th minute to lash home an excellent shot from tight on the left side of the D to put the home side one up.
Kyles were stung into action and tried everything in their repertoire to find a way back, even being awarded a penalty on 21 minutes that Andrew Borthwick saved well.
But as the half-time whistle came, the score remained one up to the Kings.
Into the second half, and once again, Kyles were fast out of the starting blocks.
But again Kingussie hit them with a sucker punch thanks to another swift break.
Ronald Ross snapped home a shot in the 50th minute that left Kenny MacDonald in the Kyles’ goal with no chance.
With Kyles now two down, it began to look as though Kingussie might be the team to end Kyles’ run.
They had the chance to make the game safe in the 55th minute when they were awarded a penalty for a kick inside the area.
But, for once, Ross was unable to convert with MacDonald saving his effort.
Kyles took heart and were looking to capitalise on fast breaks out of defence.
In the 63rd minute, Kyles’ Colin MacColl picked up a loose ball after a deflection and found himself with the time to pick his spot and fire home.
Kyles began to pile on the pressure, tackling hard, but Kingussie were still able to mount fast breaks, calling for saves from MacDonald.
Kyles’ substitute, Rupert Williamson, fired home the equaliser in the 83rd minute, and the visitors continued to pile on the pressure looking for the winner.
But with just a couple of minutes on the clock, the Kings had perhaps the best chance to settle the game following a break from Fraser Munro on the left wing.
But there was to be no winner as the teams shared the points.