IN shinty’s biggest game of the weekend, present holders Newtonmore came out on top in the Badenoch derby, beating neighbours Kingussie 2-1 at the Eilean to reach the final of the cottages.com MacTavish Cup.
This competition is the de facto championship of the North shinty area and has been largely dominated by these two since it was first contested back in 1902. Indeed, Kingussie have won it on 27 occasions, while Newtonmore have tasted victory 42 times to date. They will be looking to make it four in a row when they face Glenurquhart in the final on Inverness’s Bught Park on June 15.
However, history is not something that overly concerns Newtonmore manager PJ MacKintosh. He is more concerned with how his team is shaping up in the here and now: “It was a reasonable enough performance and we certainly started well, though Kingussie never made it easy and kept us working right to the end. I just feel our squad doesn’t quite have the depth it has had in recent years and injuries and suspensions which might crop up could reduce it further.
“Looking at the positive side of things, this time last year we were out of at least one competition – this year we are still in with a fighting chance of everything and that’s all I can ask.”
Newtonmore certainly got their quest for silverware off to a flying start in this contest, going ahead in the fourth minute with the simplest of goals. It followed a long ball forward down the middle from full-centre Steven MacDonald which was gathered by full-forward Glen MacKintosh. More’s veteran frontman is an expert at the disguised feint and turn and, with Kingussie full-back Robert Mabon allowing him too much space, his quick change of direction and sharp shot from distance caught out Kingussie keeper Rory MacGregor, who deflected the ball into his own net with his caman.
A disappointing start for Kingussie, but worse was to follow in the 12th minute when More doubled their advantage. The move started deep, with a ball being fired long to half-forward Evan Menzies. He took it at pace past defender Rory MacKeachan before sliding it across the D where a slip by King’s midfielder Ryan MacWilliam set up Glen MacKintosh to smash the ball home to make it 2-0 for More.
Giving a side like Newtonmore a two-goal lead to defend is never a good idea but Kingussie quickly rose to the challenge and in 17 minutes after a well-taken sideline touch by Fraser Munro caused confusion in the Newtonmore defence wing-forward Savio Genini was quick to pounce on the loose ball and ram it waist high past Kenny Ross to make the score 2-1.
That was however as good as it got for Kingussie. They certainly went on to compete hard in the rest of the match and their defence was never really under serious pressure again, particularly in the second half when they had the upper hand. MacGregor had to make one especially tricky save from More sub David MacLean, which he blocked with his feet, whilst crucially at the other end the Kingussie forwards made little impression on the Newtonmore backline, expertly marshalled by full-back Rory Kennedy.
The introduction by Kings of the experienced Lee Bain up front for the last quarter came too late to seriously affect the pattern of play and the holders, despite losing defender Andy MacKintosh to injury, were able to see the game out comfortably.
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