Newtonmore move into Premiership title contention with 10th win in a row
Newtonmore won for the 10th successive match to move within a point of Mowi Premiership leaders Kingussie after beating Kinlochshiel 3-0 at The Eilan on Saturday.
Blue and Whites manager Peter Ross named an unchanged starting 12 with Conor Jones, Euan Dingwall and Joe Coyle on the bench.
‘More got the job done early in this encounter with Iain Robinson scoring in the opening minute whilst Matthew Sloss and Declan Brannan added two more, all within the first 20 minutes.
‘More hit the front in the opening minute when the prolific Iain Robinson scored his 16th goal of the season, and his eighth in the last five games.
Drew MacDonald’s low ball from the left found Robinson who let the ball run across his body before sending a 25-yard strike on the turn, from a central position, high into the net.
‘More doubled their advantage on 12 minutes when Aaron MacBean’s clever, low reverse ball from the right picked out Matthew Sloss who initially went to shoot before letting the ball come onto his left side and he sent a stinging shot on the turn to the keeper’s left to make it 2-0.
When the visiting defence did not deal with a corner from the right, Iain Robinson gathered possession at the back post, and he set up Declan Brannan whose clean strike flew by keeper Josh Grant to make it 3-0 and there were only 20 minutes played.
That was the end of the scoring which means league leaders Kingussie are ahead of Fort William on goal difference and are both now only a point ahead of Oban Camanachd and Newtonmore.
The Fort have played one game more than their challengers.
Speaking after the game, Newtonmore manager Peter Ross said: “I’m delighted, and we played some really nice shinty again today and we’re starting to prove the doubters wrong.
“Their keeper Josh Grant must have had five good saves in the first half alone and although ‘Shiel came into it when we lost the centre line for a spell in the second half, we were always dangerous up front.
“The league title is in our own hands and although Kingussie, Oban Camanachd and Fort William will say the same, they have difficult games ahead.
“The games between ourselves will all be key.
“Steven Macdonald was tremendous for us again. He knows what to do before the ball comes to him and he’s a great leader.
“Struan Ross, especially in the first half, and Matthew Sloss too were excellent. Joe Coyle kept the ball moving quickly in the forward line when he came on.
“July is a big month for us, ending with a game at Kingussie but it’s started well.”
Newtonmore are in Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-final action on Saturday when they play Inveraray at The Winterton.
Defender Daniel Sloss misses out as he serves a one-match suspension.
Kingussie had their designated free Saturday at the weekend and they now continue the defence of their Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup crown with a quarter-final tie against Beauly at Braeview Park on Saturday.
The Kings will be without Rory MacKeachan who misses the game due to a bookings accumulation.
