NEWTONMORE manager Paul John Mackintosh is setting his players the target of capturing the RBS MacTavish Cup for the fortieth time after watching his side knock out the holders Lovat in a first-round tie at the Eilan.
Mackintosh’s side produced a dominant performance winning 4-1, crushing the Kiltarlity side’s own ambition of securing the famous rosebowl for the third season in succession.
Speaking after the match Mackintosh said: “This is a competition Newtonmore have always done well in but we haven’t won it since 2012. So it is about time and to reach the landmark of forty wins would be special.”
Mackintosh praised his makeshift side that was missing four first-choice players, although he was able to welcome back Norman Campbell and Stephen MacDonald.
“We went into the game missing Danny MacRae, Jamie Robinson, Fraser Mackintosh and Calum Stewart and to come away with such a convincing win against a side as good as Lovat says a lot about the strength in depth we have at the club,” he added.
The win came against the background of some difficult weather conditions with a strong wind which made playing conditions difficult but also served to dry out the pitch – which was so wet in the morning that Newtonmore had considered moving the game to Lovat’s Balgate pitch.
“The wind was certainly a factor but by throw-up time the playing surface was almost perfect and really suited our style of play,” the boss said.
Newtonmore dominated the opening forty-five and went in at the interval holding a 2 - 0 lead with strikes from Cameron Binnie and Paul MacArthur. Lovat struggled to make an impact and might have been further in arrears but for the heroics of goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald.
Newtonmore continued to dominate possession but against the run of play a terrific 30 yard strike from Greg Matheson in the sixty-fifth minute inspired a Lovat fightback.
Newtonmore produced a grandstand finish, however, and two goals from Glen Mackintosh in the final three minutes, including a penalty conversion, closed the tie out.
With round one safely negotiated and the holders out, Newtonmore are installed as the bookies’ favourites and the betting would favour them meeting Glenurquhart in June’s final.
That is a prospect which excites Mackintosh: “In the last two seasons Glenurquhart have knocked us out on penalties at the semi-final stage so we would like to get the chance to set the record straight.”
But Glenurquhart co-manager Billy MacLean struck a note of caution.
“We have just come through a very difficult match against Beauly and there is no way I am thinking about the final,” he said.
MacLean had just watched his side struggle to subdue local rivals Beauly from the Marine Harvest National Division, with the Glen desperately defending a 1-0 lead which had come courtesy of 24th minute volley from Billy Urquhart.
“It was as I expected – Beauly gave us a really tough game although I am a bit disappointed how we failed to close the game out when we were on top in the first half.”
Glenurquhart victory hands them with a home tie against Inverness – extra-time winners over Strathglass.
Elsewhere Lochaber were surprise 2-1 winners over Kingussie with Findlay MacDonald scoring at the death to secure a welcome victory for the Spean Bridge side, who have experienced a torrid time lately with heavy league defeats against Newtonmore and Kyles in their last two games.
The Kilmallie-Caberfeidh tie was among a number of matches washed out by Friday’s heavy overnight rain. The two scheduled Marine Harvest Premiership matches were the most notable victims of waterlogged pitches.
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