AT the end of a week in which the shinty world struggled to come to terms with the tragic death of Kilmallie striker Duncan Rodger – he had scored twice last weekend in his side’s 5-3 Camanachd Cup derby victory over Lochaber – the main business of the day concerned the two second-round replays in the same competition.
In the first of these, Lovat defeated neighbours Glenurquhart 3-0 with all three of home side’s goals coming in the first half of a match which was actually tighter than the scoreline might suggest. Last week in Drumnadrochit these two teams fought out a 1-1 draw with only the fortuitous award of a late penalty permitting Lovat a further chance at winning the trophy, which they last held in 2015. This time, while both teams still appeared evenly matched, Lovat’s clinical finishing eventually decided the issue of who travels to face Kilmallie in the third round which is scheduled for July 8.
Glenurquhart had in fact looked the more likely to score of the two sides in the opening minutes but thanks to tight marking by a Lovat backline that has steadily improved over recent outings, the Glen front pair of Neale Reid and John Barr were never able to pose a credible threat.
The tables turned in Lovat’s favour in the 9th minute, in more or less their first venture downfield, when a shot by Lovat’s top-scorer Greg Matheson came back off Glen keeper Stuart Mackintosh, allowing winger Lewis Tawse to squeeze the ball home from a tight angle.
Lovat further tightened their grip on the game on the half-hour mark when Glenurquhart’s careless defensive hitting allowed Lorne Mackay to pick up the ball in a central area. His quick turn gave him the space to fire home Lovat’s second, and with the visitors still in a state of disarray Matheson again profited from defensive uncertainty to smash in his side’s third and final goal.
Despite there being no further goals, the game maintained its competitive edge with a tightening up in the Glenurquhart defence to match that of their opponents. There was nothing more of substance to note except a penalty save by Mackintosh from Matheson. However, late bookings for Glenurquhart forwards John Barr and Fraser Heath only served to compound the visitor’s misery and make it an afternoon they will quickly want to forget.
In the other Camanachd Cup replay at Taynuilt, Oban Camanachd took advantage of their Argyll-shire venue to overcome Wester Ross visitors Kinlochshiel 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from full-forward Andrew MacCuish. With both sides sharing a goalless draw in last week’s encounter at Balmacara there was never going to be much between the teams, but with Shiel weakened by the absence of several key players through injury or suspension, Oban were always favourites.
However early chances which fell to both Aiden Macintyre and Mattie Rippon were scorned before Daniel Cameron knocked a free hit through to MacCuish in the 36th minute and Oban’s top scorer kept his composure to poke the ball past Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy for the only goal of the game. To make things worse for the visitors they had half-back Conor Cormack red carded in the last minute of the match and he will now miss his side’s next fixture. Oban will now face what could be a tricky away trip to Inveraray in the next round of the competition.
Meanwhile in the only Marine Harvest Premiership match, Kyles Athletic posted a 3-1 home victory over Kingussie to retain their place at the top of the table. Goal-scorers for Kyles were Grant Irvine and brothers Roddy and Innes Macdonald. Lee Riddoch netted for Kings.
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