41st MacTavish Success For Newtonmore | |
10 June 2017 Newtonmore retained the MacTavish Cup with a hard fought 3-2 win over Kilmallie in their 4.05pm throw up at Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 10 June 2017. Newtonmore manager Paul John MacKintosh was without young forward Iain Robinson who was abroad on a school trip. Jamie Robinson came in a full centre with Steven MacDonald continuing in attack. Evan Menzies joined the senior squad for the first time this season after scoring six times in two outings for the seconds and he took a place on the bench. Kilmallie boss Mark MacPherson had to do without suspended defender Stephen McAlister so Martin Stewart dropped back to cover. Innes Blackhall returned after a hand injury and he started in midfield. Aaron Sandison was free of his five match ban and he joined Ryan Stewart and veteran John Stewart as substitutes. New signing Daniel Stewart was cup-tied. It was a difficult fortnight for Kilmallie in the lead up to the final following the passing of top scorer Duncan Rodger and club stalwart Donald Lamont senior. The Canal Parks side were offered the opportunity to postpone the final by the Camanachd Association but decided to proceed following a club meeting. Both men were remembered on specially designed pre-match Kilmallie training tops and there was a minute’s applause ahead of throw up as a mark of respect. Michael Rodger added to the poignancy, wearing his cousin Duncan Rodger’s number twelve shirt rather than his usual number nine top in this televised match. Kilmallie started with a slight win in their favour, playing towards the town end in the first half A Steven MacDonald shot within 20 seconds showed early intent but the ball bounced wide. MacDonald went close again on 4 minutes when he got to a ball that looked to be going out of play but his touch from a wide angle went across the face of the goal. A couple of minutes later, as a heavy rain shower fell, Drew MacDonald sent a great ball into the goal area but Glen MacKintosh uncharacteristically blazed a strike over the top from point black range. A long ball from Kilmallie defender Steven Stewart bounced into the ‘More D where keeper Norman Campbell chested it down before volleying it to safety. Newtonmore still looked the more threatening though and they broke the deadlock on 16 minutes. Ackie MacRae lofted the ball high into the danger area where it was controlled by Steven MacDonald on the ‘More left and, with his back to goal, MacDonald made just enough space to turn and drill a low shot; just inside the keeper’s left post, to make it 1-0. Kilmallie were forced to make an early change when Peter McIntyre was caught on the top of the head by the dropping caman of team mate Martin Stewart, leaving a nasty gash, so Aaron Sandison came on. Newtonmore made a set-piece opportunity count on 26 minutes. Allan MacDonald bundled down Steven MacDonald just outside the D as the forward made for goal. Fraser MacKintosh, with his back to goal, slipped the ball to his left where Drew MacDonald lost his marker before crashing the ball into the same spot as MacDonald had for the opener to make it 2-0. Kilmallie needed a goal and Calum MacDougall’s direct running was causing problems for the Newtonmore defence. With the match approaching the half hour mark, MacDougall forced his way through on goal but Michael Russell got a crucial touch with his stick to clear for a corner. Moments later, a superb Mark Graham run across goal saw him latch onto a Michael Rodger free-hit but he dragged his shot wide of goal. Play started to flow from end to end and Glen MacKintosh was denied a shot on goal by an excellent Steven Stewart block. A Michael Rodger free-hit then found Craig MacIsaac but his effort from the left was well-blocked by Scotland defender Andy MacKintosh. Both keepers were called into action as Norman Campbell saved with his feet from Calum MacDougall, although the shot lacked power, and Kilmallie custodian Shane Gillies kept out a Drew MacDonald strike. Calum MacDougall went on another direct run before being impeded by Andy MacKintosh and a fiery midfield exchange saw both players spoken to by referee Archie Ritchie. Glen MacKintosh launched the ball just over the bar from the ‘More left and Shane Gillies used his feet to keep out a low Fraser MacKintosh drive. Peter McIntyre returned to the field of play after treatment with Aaron Sandison returning to the bench. Norman Campbell then had to look lively to get to a Lewis Birrell ball from the left ahead of Mark Graham who was looking to profit from any slip-up. It remained 2-0 until the break but Newtonmore looked home and dry just 3 minutes into the second half when Fraser MacKintosh ran down the left to get onto a low, diagonal Steven MacDonald pass. MacKintosh steadied himself before giving keeper Gillies no chance with a blistering drive which made it 3-0. However Kilmallie didn’t buckle and, showing great courage, they pulled a goal back on 54 minutes. Innes Blackhall ran at the ‘More defence and his ball forward deflected to Michael Rodger who took a superb touch before sending a low strike past the keeper from just inside the left of the D. You could sense the emotion in the goal celebrations, from the pitch to the touchline to the Bught Park stand and Kilmallie were back in the game. Newtonmore returned on the attack and Shane Gillies made a great save from Fraser MacKintosh, turning the strike from the left away for a corner. Norman Campbell then made a good stop from Mark Graham with both sides recognising the importance of the next goal. Martin Stewart was the first player to find his way into referee Archie Ritchie’s book for something said to the match official. Aaron Sandison was reintroduced for Lewis Birrell, who had taken an earlier knock, as the final moved into the final quarter. Veteran John Stewart took over form Mark Graham in the Kilmallie attack with 20 minutes remaining and it was to prove to be a profitable change. Fraser MacKintosh came within a whisker of netting a fourth ‘More goal when he controlled a Glen MacKintosh ball from the right but he sent a low drive just past Shane Gillies’ left post. Keeper Gillies was back in action again when his clearance from inside he D went straight to Paul MacArthur and his drive came off the crossbar. Gillies got his body in the way of Fraser MacKintosh’s effort from the rebound with Martin Stewart bundling the ball out of play for a corner. Newtonmore were now dominating again but given their limited preparation for the final, Kilmallie’s fitness levels were surprising and they pulled another goal back on 76 minutes. Calum MacDougall had taken a knock and was down to the left of the outside of the D. As he made his way to his feet, Kilmallie’s Peter Carmichael sent the ball back into the goal area where Michael Rodger kept it moving to John Stewart and his ball forward deflected into Calum MacDougall’s path and, under pressure from Rory Kennedy, he found just enough space to drill the ball home to make it 3-2. For all Newtonmore’s pressure there was now only one goal in it and, when John Stewart was fouled just outside the D, he sent the free-hit to Michael Rodger at the back post but the Newtonmore goal survived. Craig MacIsaac came off in favour of Ryan Stewart before Andy MacKintosh and Calum MacDougall resumed hostilities with the pair picking up yellow cards after another midfield spat. Glen MacKintosh hit the side netting following a disputed free-hit when Steven Stewart was penalised for a challenge on the Scotland forward. Iain Richardson was introduced to add energy to the Newtonmore midfield, replacing Jamie Robinson with less than 5 minutes to go. With Martin Stewart now pushed forward, the traffic was mainly towards the Newtonmore goal and an Aaron Sandison free-hit from wide on the right was well defended with just over a couple of minutes left. Evan Menzies took over from Drew MacDonald with a minute of the regulation 90 minutes to go. A Steven MacDonald shot swerved wide as the final moved in to stoppage time. Kilmallie tried desperately to create the chance that could take the final into extra-time. David MacLean was booked for hitting the ball away after he fouled Aaron Sandison. Sandison touched the free to Peter Carmichael but his shot was blocked and three shrills of referee Archie Ritchie’s whistle brought proceedings to a close. Kilmallie deserve enormous credit for their part, in difficult circumstances, in what was an entertaining final. Goalscorers Michael Rodger and Calum MacDougall also netted in the semi-final win over Kinlochshiel. The other scorer that day was Duncan Rodger and the players did his memory, and that of stalwart Donald Lamont, proud with their display. The man of the match award went to one of the game’s bright young talents; Kilmallie’s Calum MacDougall, who was a constant threat throughout, and he was presented with the Tom MacKenzie Medal from Tom’s Daughter Katherine Geegan. It was another trophy success for Newtonmore who put in a professional performance over the piece in what must have been a difficult game to prepare for. Susan Scott from match-day sponsors Anderson, Shaw & Gilbert presented the medals and the MacTavish Cup to Rory Kennedy, his first as Newtonmore captain, as the squad and supporters celebrated a 41st success in this North of Scotland cup competition. John Stephens from Wills Bros presented Rory Kennedy with the captain’s silver mounted caman. Newtonmore from: Norman Campbell; Rory Kennedy (captain), Andy MacKintosh, Ackie MacRae, Michael Russell; David MacLean, Jamie Robinson, Paul MacArthur; Steven MacDonald, Glen MacKintosh, Fraser MacKintosh, Drew MacDonald; subs Iain Richardson, Evan Menzies, Craig Ritchie, David Fraser, Kenny Ross Kilmallie from: Shane Gillies; Allan MacDonald, Martin Stewart, Steven Stewart, Peter Carmichael (captain); Peter McIntyre, Innes Blackhall, Lewis Birrell; Mark Graham, Craig MacIsaac, Calum MacDougall, Michael Rodger; subs Arran Sandison, John Stewart, Ryan Stewart Match Referee - Archie Ritchie Goal Judges - Andy MacLean & Martin MacLean Linesmen - Brian MacKay & Steven MacLachlan Fourth Official - Calum Girvan |