2012 Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final - Lochaber 1 Newtonmore 5 | |
17 June 2012 Newtonmore picked up the first silverware of the 2012 shinty season when they beat Lochaber 5-1 to win the Co-operative MacTavish Cup at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 16 June 2012. The light rain from earlier in the day started to get heavier close to throw up time. The Bught Park pitch was in excellent condition although the rain on the surface gave the players something to contend with. Lochaber lined-up along usual lines with defender Donald MacRae and captain Hughie Innes returning after missing the win over Bute a fortnight ago. Scott Paterson was also back but he started on the bench. Newtonmore paid Lochaber the respect of including talisman Danny MacRae on their substitutes bench even though he may still require an operation to repair damage to his injured knee. MacRae’s inclusion meant there was no place for second team top scorer Evan Menzies. Newtonmore flew out of the blocks from the start, just as they did in last season’s Camanachd Cup Final. The won possession from the throw up and a Fraser MacKintosh ball into the D was stopped with feet by Lochaber keeper Callum MacDonald, and turned away for a corner. Blair MacKintosh took the corner from the right and he found Glen MacKintosh who took the ball down and steadied himself before blasting it into the net on the half volley. There was only one minute played. Callum MacDonald was forced to sweep the ball away a couple of minutes later as Glen MacKintosh threatened again. Worse was to follow for Lochaber on 14 minutes as Brian MacDonald conceded what proved to be a costly free-hit on the Lochaber right. Paul MacArthur took the free and. Chris Sellar took the ball down and wriggled his way into the D before slotting the ball into the net to make it 2-0. It was beginning to look as if it would be a long afternoon for Lochaber. Callum MacDonald did well to thwart Fraser MacKintosh on 18 minutes as the big forward burst into the D. ‘More keeper Michael Ritchie was called into action for 24 minutes when he stooped low to turn a fierce Ben Delaney shot from the right away for a corner. This lifted Lochaber and on 31 minutes, Ben Delaney beat Norman Campbell on the left but his dangerous ball into the D was cleared by Rory Kennedy before Stuart Callison could reach it. Newtonmore made the first substitution of the afternoon when Connor Jones replaced Blair MacKintosh a couple of minutes later. Lochaber finished the half on the attack and on 42 minutes, Shaun Nicolson and Stuart Callison linked up on the right to set up a shooting opportunity for Ben Delaney but his shot went wide of target. Ben Delaney caused havoc on the Lochaber left a couple of minutes later, and he found Stuart Callison and Michael Ritchie did well to save the teenager’s bouncing shot with his foot. With seconds of the opening half remaining, a cross-field pass from Zandz Ferguson gave Stuart Callison a good chance but he blazed his effort wide of goal. Lochaber made their first change during the interval as Scott Paterson replaced Stuart Callison Newtonmore’s Glen MacKintosh had an accidental shoulder to shoulder clash with Lochaber’s Neil MacDonald on 47 minutes and the ‘More man was forced to leave the field with a cut forehead. He was replaced by Danny MacRae who entered the field with a heavily strapped left knee and he was immediately in the thick of the action. John MacKenzie won possession on the Newtonmore left on 50 minutes and his shot was saved with his legs by Callum MacDonald and Danny MacRae just couldn’t get on the rebound. However Newtonmore extended their lead 60 seconds later. A huge Steven MacDonald clearance found Danny MacRae. The ‘More talisman held off Lachlan Campbell and the ball broke for Chris Sellar who took a touch before beating Callum MacDonald at his right post with his second strike of the afternoon to make it 3-0. Lochaber didn’t let their heads drop though and with almost an hour played, Martin Johnston found Stuart Nicolson on the Lochaber left and he beat his marker before cutting inside and rifling a 25 yard shot past Michael Ritchie into the net to make it 3-1. A couple of minutes later a long Neil MacDonald ball into the ‘More D fell to Shaun Nicolson but he fired wide. Glen MacKintosh was re-introduced into the action in place of Fraser MacKintosh on 73 minutes and he took up the buckshee forward role. Newtonmore extended their advantage on 75 minutes with a well worked goal. Andy MacKintosh won possession from goal hit. He slipped the ball to Paul MacArthur who played it forward where in was neatly controlled by Danny MacRae. He flicked the ball to Glen MacKintosh who saw his shot come off Callum MacDonald’s right post and it fell perfectly for ‘More captain John MacKenzie who placed the ball in the empty net to make it 4-1. With a minute of normal time remaining, John MacKenzie prevented the Lochaber defence from clearing a Paul MacArthur shy. He forced the ball into the D where Danny MacRae’s tried to get a touch but the ball bobbled over the line for MacKenzie’s second strike of the day which made it 5-1. Ackie MacRae came on for Chris Sellar for the two minutes of injury time and Lochaber’s Iain Love was replaced by Ryan Toal. The final whistle sparked Newtonmore celebrations and captain John MacKenzie was presented with the trophy which eluded them last year. There was disappointment, but pride in their team, from the Lochaber support who out-numbered their rivals around the Bught Park pitch. The Tom MacKenzie man of the match award deservedly went to Newtonmore’s Steven MacDonald who was magnificent for Newtonmore as he dealt well with the threat posed by Lochaber danger-man Shaun Nicolson. Jamie Robinson was also excellent in midfield for Newtonmore and he looks to be back to his best after injury delayed his start to the season. Best for Lochaber were Neil MacDonald and Ben Delaney. The Spean Bridge players will now return to their main objective of winning the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title and promotion to shinty’s top division. They will all be the better for their cup experiences. Graham Irving refereed the match in his usual efficient manner and there were no yellow cards. There rarely seems to be any controversy when Irving is the man in the middle and that cannot be just coincidence. Lochaber from; Callum MacDonald, Lachlan Campbell, Brian MacDonald, James MacRae, Neil MacDonald, Iain Love, Hughie Innes (captain), Martin Johnstone, Shaun Nicolson, Stuart Callison, Zandz Ferguson, Ben Delaney, subs Scott Paterson, Donald MacRae, Ryan Toal, Brennan MacDonald, Danny Delaney Newtonmore from; Michael Ritchie, Norman Campbell, Rory Kennedy, Andy MacKintosh, Steven MacDonald, Blair MacKintosh, Jamie Robinson, Paul MacArthur, Fraser MacKintosh, John MacKenzie (captain), Chris Sellar, Glen MacKintosh, subs Connor Jones, Danny MacRae, Ackie MacRae, Michael Russell, Calum Stewart Match Referee – Graham Irving Goal Judges – George MacKay & Robert Watson Fourth Official – Deek Cameron |