Lochaber & Newtonmore To Meet In 2012 Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final | |
20 May 2012 Lochaber and Newtonmore are through to the 2012 Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final after dramatic semi-final wins on Saturday 19 May 2012. The sides will meet in the Co-operative Cup Final at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 16 June 2012 in a match likely to be televised by BBC Alba.
Lochaber 2 Kingussie 1 Co-operative MacTavish Cup holders Kingussie were knocked out of this year’s competition following a dramatic ending to their quarter final tie with Lochaber at Spean Bridge. The sides met at the same venue last weekend when Kingussie came from 2-0 down to win 6-4 in a pulsating tie but Lochaber won much admiration for their performance. Kingussie were without the injured Paul Gow and they suffered a further blow as defender Lee Bain was unavailable. The tie was goalless until 4 minutes from time when referee Graham Irving awarded Lochaber a penalty. Scottish international Shaun Nicolson was impeded inside the D and the referee pointed to the spot. Shaun Nicolson picked himself up and he was given the responsibility of putting his side in front and he produced a great strike to beat Andrew Borthwick in the Kings goal. Stuart Callison produced strike fit to win any tie to make it 2-0 on 90 minutes and although Ronald Ross pulled a goal back in stoppage time, it is Lochaber who are deservedly through to the final. This tie was filmed for the Camanachd Association YouTube archive.
Glenurquhart 2 Newtonmore 2 (after extra time – Newtonmore won 2-0 on penalties) There was also drama at Blairbeg where Glenurquhart met last year’s beaten finalists Newtonmore. Glenurquhart co-managers Fraser MacKenzie and Drew McNeil had Lewis MacLennan free from suspension following his one match ban for his sending off in the draw with Kingussie a fortnight ago. MacLennan’s return was a boost as he had been showing good form prior to his suspension. Newtonmore were without Danny MacRae who hobbled out of the defeat to Kinlochshiel at Kirkton last weekend after just 5 minutes with a knee problem. He will see a specialist about the injury and is likely to be missing for a few weeks. With Chris Sellar was also missing as he starts a two match ban for his red card in the same game and with David Cheyne not having played for several weeks, manager Norman MacArthur was relieved to welcome forward Glen MacKintosh back suspension. MacArthur sprung a surprise by playing Rory Kennedy in attack and Steven MacDonald in defence where he was excellent. Fraser Heath continued his good scoring run when he put the Glen ahead on 18 minutes but two strikes before the break from Glen MacKintosh on 40 minutes and Jamie Robinson 3 minutes later put ‘More 2-1 up. Billy Urquhart levelled matters on 59 minutes and with no further scoring; referee Innes Wood took the tie into extra-time. Glenurquhart edged the extra-time period but neither team was able to get a crucial third goal so the tie went to penalties. Fraser Heath stepped up first for Glenurquhart but his penalty was saved by ‘More keeper Michael Ritchie. Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh then made a superb save just under the bar from Glen MacKintosh. John Barr was up next but his spot-hit went wide of target. Steven MacDonald was first to find the net when he scored to put ‘More 1-0 up after two penalties each. Eddie Tembo hit his effort straight at keeper Michael Ritchie and ‘More captain John MacKenzie fired low and hard into the net to put ‘More 2-0 ahead after three penalties each. Andrew Corrigan had to score to keep Glenurquhart in the tie but his miss meant Newtonmore go through to next month’s final. This tie was filmed for the Camanachd Association YouTube archive. |