Newtonmore and Lochaber meet in the 2016 RBS MacTavish Cup Final at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 11 June 2016.
Lochaber have only reached the final on one previous occasion, losing out to Newtonmore in 2012. However Spean Bridge, who amalgamated with Brae Lochaber in 1946 to form the club now known as Lochaber, have three previous successes in 1922, 1925 and 1923. Ally Ferguson’s side have taken some notable scalps on their way to this year’s final.
RBS MacTavish Cup – First Round
Saturday 26 March 2016
Lochaber 4 Kinlochshiel 2
Lochaber sealed their place in the quarter-finals with a 4-2 victory over Kinlochshiel in a close contest at Spean Bridge.
Although the pitch was heavy, Spean Bridge once again beat the wet weather with many matches in the surrounding area postponed.
Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson had Zandz Ferguson, home for the Easter weekend, back in the squad and he started on the bench. Defender Jack Dignan was missing.
Kinlochshiel manager Colin Fraser gave last year’s top scorer Jordan Fraser his first start of the season. Fraser joined the attack with Finlay MacRae dropping back to full back in a reshuffled defence which had Paul MacRae and David Falconer missing with flu although Falconer did start on the bench. An injured Conor Cormack only able to be listed as a third substitute after suffering an ankle knock in the defeat to Kingussie a week earlier. John Don MacKenzie and Duncan “DA” MacRae started in defence.
Lochaber played with the wind at their backs in the first half and they took the lead after just 10 minutes. Brennan MacDonald played a cross from the right to the back post and Kevin Ferguson showed great anticipation to dart in and score from the edge of the D.
‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy denied the home side a second goal when he saved from Stuart Callison.
At the other end, Lochaber number one Callum MacDonald kept out an Oliver MacRae effort with his feet.
Lochaber suffered a blow when they lost buckshee back and captain Brian MacDonald midway through the half. MacDonald was hurt in an accidental coming together with ‘Shiel’s Gordie MacDonald which left the Lochaber man’s cheekbone fractured in four places after colliding with his opponent’s shoulder. Zandz Ferguson came on as a straight replacement for his first appearance of the season.
A Shaun Nicolson effort went just wide and some good goalkeeping from ‘Shiel custodian Scott Kennedy restricted the home side to a single goal advantage at the end of the first 45 minutes and but was the visitors turn to have the wind in their favour after the break.
Kinlochshiel equalised 8 minutes after the restart. ‘Shiel wing centre Gordie MacDonald picked up a clearance from Lochaber goalie Calum MacDonald and sent a shot into the postage-stamp corner of the net to make it 1-1.
However Lochaber, with Martin Johnstone on for Brennan MacDonald, regained the initiative with three goals in a lethal 15 minute burst which effectively won the tie. Ben Delaney and Kevin Ferguson combined to set up a chance for Stuart Callison and he sent the ball across the keeper for what was a well-worked goal with 20 minutes remaining.
Kinlochshiel had created a number of chances during the second half but a couple of great stops from Callum MacDonald – in particular when he stretched low to keep a John MacRae strike out by the foot of his post - and a solid defensive play, in which young wing-backs Barry MacDonald and Duncan MacKinnon shone, kept the Kirkton side at bay.
As the home side broke forward, Stuart Callison got his second goal of the afternoon to make it 3-1 on 76 minutes. This was the goal of the match as Callison sent a blistering, well-struck 25 yard drive from the left high into the back of the net.
And Kevin Ferguson, now fighting back to full fitness with the help of club physio Jemma Docker, got his second to make it 4-1 just 5 minutes from time. Ben Delaney flicked the ball past his marker to Ferguson who buried the ball in the far corner of the net from 12 yards out.
The visitors pushed took David Falconer on in defence and pushed Finlay MacRae into attack in the closing stages of the game and he narrowed the deficit on 87 minutes when the home defence were unable to clear a high ball which dropped into a muddy goal area and MacRae took advantage to make it 4-2.
RBS MacTavish Cup – Quarter Finals
Saturday 16 April 2016
Beauly 3 Lochaber 5
Lochaber had to fight all the way to see off Beauly; winning 5-3 in their 3pm throw up at Braeview Park.
Beauly boss Stephen MacLean was without the suspended Ryan MacKay who served a one game ban for passing the disciplinary points threshold. Play-maker Barrie MacDonald remained sidelined through injury.
Lochaber manager Ally Ferguson also had absentees. Brian MacDonald and Neil MacDonald were still out through injury whilst Donald MacRae was working and Zandz Ferguson remained unavailable. Keeper Callum MacDonald was unwell so second team goalie Bryn Whittaker took over between the sticks.
Beauly got off to the best possible start when Ross Forbes scored with just 2 minutes played.
The visitors settled into the tie though and Stuart Callison levelled from close-range on 19 minutes with Shaun Nicolson the provider.
Lochaber took a grip of the tie and Josh Grant made some fine saves in the home goal before he was beaten on 42 minutes by a superb Shaun Nicolson strike from well out.
Ben Delaney made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time when he combined with Stuart Callison to score.
Beauly fought their way back into the tie though and Conor Ross narrowed the deficit to a single goal on 65 minutes with Jack MacDonald the provider.
However the Spean Bridge side restored their two-goal advantage on 75 minutes when Ben Delaney grabbed his second to make it 4-2.
Again the home side showed their mettle and Calum Morrison made it 4-3 just a minute later.
There was to be no leveller though, despite Jack MacDonald hitting the post, and it was Stuart Callison who would get his second goal of the game on 81 minutes to round off the 5-3 triumph.
RBS MacTavish Cup - Semi Finals
Saturday 14 May 2016
Lochaber 2 Kingussie 1
Lochaber will play Newtonmore in the 2016 RBS MacTavish Cup Final after they beat Kingussie 2-1 at Spean Bridge.
Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson was still without the injured Brian MacDonald, Barry MacDonald and Neil MacDonald whilst Zandz Ferguson and Donald MacRae were unavailable. Jack Dignan returned to the defence. Kevin Ferguson was free of suspension after serving a one game ban for exceeding the disciplinary points threshold.
Kingussie co-managers Russell Jones and Davie Anderson also had absentees with the injured Ryan Borthwick added to their growing injury list.
There was a flashpoint for referee Evan MacRae to deal with on 14 minutes. Kingussie were awarded a free-hit in the Lochaber defensive area and Fraser Munro made a run forward and clashed with Jack Dignan. Munro caught the Lochaber defender below the eye with the top of his caman and was rightly red carded.
Lochaber used the extra man at the back, playing with a spare defender in front of the full back.
Just 5 minutes later, Kingussie’s Thomas Borthwick went past Brennan MacDonald but was chopped down. Referee MacRae opted for a yellow card, one of five bookings during this at times feisty match.
Kingussie were still very much in the game but they were sunk by two quick goals in the final third of the game. First, a cross-field pass found Pat Toal unmarked at the left-hand side of the D and he shot across keeper Craig Dawson into the back of the net to make it 1-0 with 63 minutes played.
The home side doubled their lead just 3 minutes later when Stuart Callison sent a glorious strike, high into the net to make it 2-0.
Kingussie rallied and pulled a goal back on 74 minutes when Savio Genini smashed home a back-hand, shoulder-high volley from the edge of the D to make it 2-1.
Kingussie went for a leveller but the Lochaber back-line stayed firm and they can now look forward to the 2016 RBS MacTavish Cup Final.
Event Details
The 2015 RBS MacTavish Cup Final between Newtonmore and Lochaber throws up at 4.05pm and the match will be televised live on BBC ALBA.
The RBS MacTavish Juvenile Cup Final between Skye Camanachd U17 and Fort William U17 takes place on the main field at 1pm.
Gates open at noon and tickets cost £10 for Adults, £5 for Concessions and U12s go free.
Skye referee John Angus Gillies will be the man in the middle in what is his first senior final. He will be assisted by goal judges Roddy Gillies and Iain Petrie whilst Andy MacLean and Neil Ferguson are the linesmen. Deek Cameron is the fourth official.
2016 RBS MacTavish Cup Final …………. 1 Day To Go!
The early team news is starting to emerge ahead of the 2016 RBS MacTavish Cup Final between Newtonmore and Lochaber at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 11 June 2016.
Newtonmore boss Paul John MacKintosh will be pleased to have seen Norman Campbell get game time in his team’s last two outings following knee surgery. Glen MacKintosh has been nursing a knee injury and has been used sparingly in recent weeks. Like Campbell, he scored in last Saturday’s league win over Glenurquhart. Chris Sellar is struggling to make the squad after breaking down on his return from injury. This will be a first senior final for ‘More keeper Owen Fraser who has taken over from veteran Michael Ritchie between the sticks.
Lochaber manager Ally Ferguson was boosted by Neil MacDonald’s appearance against Lovat last Saturday where he shared the full centre duties with Brennan MacDonald. Martin Johnstone has a broken thumb whilst the game has come too soon for Jack Dignan although he will be part of the official party. Defender Barry MacDonald will be relieved that his one match ban was served against Lovat last weekend so he is free to play. Donald MacRae is back from a spell working abroad. Stuart Callison will be Lochaber’s main goal threat and he has scored four times in Lochaber’s last two matches.
Newtonmore were 3-0 winners when the sides met in the league in early April. Fraser MacKintosh scored twice with Evan Menzies getting the other.
Event Details
The 2015 RBS MacTavish Cup Final between Newtonmore and Lochaber throws up at 4.05pm and the match will be televised live on BBC ALBA.
The RBS MacTavish Juvenile Cup Final between Skye Camanachd U17 and Fort William U17 takes place on the main field at 1pm.
Gates open at noon and tickets cost £10 for Adults, £5 for Concessions and U12s go free.
Skye referee John Angus Gillies will be the man in the middle in what is his first senior final. He will be assisted by goal judges Roddy Gillies and Iain Petrie whilst Andy MacLean and Neil Ferguson are the linesmen. Deek Cameron is the fourth official.