Newtonmore and Lochaber meet in the 2016 RBS MacTavish Cup Final at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 11 June 2016.
Newtonmore’s defeat to Glenurquhart in last year’s final means there will be no complacency from by Paul John MacKintosh’s side. They have yet to concede a goal in this year’s competition, knocking out three Marine Harvest Premiership sides on the way to the final.
RBS MacTavish Cup – First Round
Saturday 26 March 2016
Newtonmore 3 Lovat 0
The tie of the RBS MacTavish Cup first round looked to be the meeting between Marine Harvest Premiership champions Newtonmore and Camanachd Cup holders Lovat at the Eilan.
Newtonmore had to make a change in goal as Owen Fraser’s red card in the 2-2 draw with Kyles Athletic the previous weekend meant he started a two-game ban. Boss Paul John MacKintosh persuaded Michael Ritchie to come out of retirement to deputise. Conor Jones was still out with a knee injury whilst Michael Russell, Jamie Robinson and Chris Sellar were also missing so Craig Ritchie started in defence.
Lovat’s Lorne MacKay was free of his two-match suspension and he started in attack. Lewis Tawse and Craig Mainland were missing as was longer-term absentee Calum MacAulay.
With a wind blowing across the park, and the surface a touch slippy, Newtonmore settled well into the game and they took the lead after just 4 minutes when Fraser MacKintosh scored with a shot from wide on the right which beat Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald.
Greg Matheson had a chance to level on 6 minutes but his shot, at the second attempt, was saved with his feet by Michael Ritchie.
Lovat knew they were in trouble when ‘More buckshee forward Evan Menzies made it 2-0 with only 9 minutes played. The home side had a shy on the right and Menzies stayed out of the goal area to leave space for full forward Glen MacKintosh. The shy was half-cleared with the ball falling kindly for Menzies who struck it on the run from around 35 yards out. The ‘More hit-man caught the ball really well and it flew high into the net, giving Stuart MacDonald no chance.
Fraser MacKintosh met a ball in from the ‘More left first-time on his back-hand but Stuart MacDonald made a good save with his foot, just inside the post.
A poor clearance from Stuart MacDonald on 28 minutes was controlled by Evan Menzies who played in Neil Stewart but the Scotland keeper redeemed himself with a superb close-range reflex save with his hand, low down to his left.
Newtonmore continued to stretch the Lovat defence and Evan Menzies crossed from the left on 33 minutes. Again, Fraser MacKintosh met the ball first-time on his back-hand but his strike went just wide of the base of the post.
The Lovat forwards were coming really deep in search of the ball. So much so that a Callum Cruden clearance out of defence on 35 minutes was swept clear unchallenged by Michael Ritchie around 20 yards from his goal.
There was still time in the first half for Ritchie to make a good save to deny Lovat and for ‘More to add to their lead. The third goal came on the stroke of half-time when Fraser MacKintosh sent a ball in from the right to Glen MacKintosh. The Scotland forward, with his back to goal, jockied with Drew Howie before making just enough space to turn and he hit a low bobbling shot which beat the keeper to make it 3-0.
Newtonmore were strong in the tackle and they took more than their share of 50-50 challenges. Their centre line of the dominant Norman Campbell, flanked by the speedy Drew MacDonald and the accurate passing of Paul MacArthur, had a grip of the game and their high-intensity first half performance didn’t allow Lovat to play their usual passing game and they could have led to an even greater margin at the interval.
The home side withdrew Fraser MacKintosh, who has been nursing a groin problem, at the break with Darrin Fowler taking his place.
The lack of goals in the second half was a combination of a better Lovat performance coupled with Newtonmore taking their foot off the gas.
Graeme MacMillan replaced Euan Ferguson for Lovat on 70 minutes with Connal MacIllechiar taking over from Lorne MacKay 6 minutes later. Newtonmore also made further changes as Iain Robinson was introduced in place of Evan Menzies on 75 minutes and Neil Stewart was withdrawn in favour of David Fraser with 10 minutes remaining.
Callum Cruden and Kevin Bartlett were best for Lovat although the former was given a tough time by Evan Menzies and the latter was well-policed by Andy MacKintosh.
Newtonmore were well-served by Norman Campbell who won tackles and distributed the ball superbly all afternoon. He seems to be revelling in his new midfield role. Steven MacDonald also impressed at full back where he is an excellent reader of the game and a big hitter. Rory Kennedy turned in another stylish performance at buckshee back and he snuffed out the threat posed by Lorne MacKay. Fraser MacKintosh is also worthy of mention for his first half performance where he was involved in all his side’s attacking moves.
Newtonmore now await an away day against the winners of the tie between Skye Camanachd and Kilmallie.
RBS MacTavish Cup – Quarter Finals
Saturday 16 April 2016
Skye Camanachd 0 Newtonmore 4
Skye Camanachd and Newtonmore met in the only all-Premiership RBS MacTavish Cup quarter-final tie.
Skye boss John MacLeod was minus Shockie MacLennan and Iain Nicolson who were both working. Iain Murray sustained a broken finger in training on the previous Thursday. The Skye boss was also minus Will Cowie and the injured Ally “Spod” MacLeod. Chris MacLennan returned after playing for the seconds the previous weekend and there were call-ups for David MacInnes and DJ Gilpin.
Newtonmore boss Paul John MacKintosh had Paul MacArthur back after he missed the previous weekend’s 3-0 win over Lochaber in their Marine Harvest Premiership meeting at Spean Bridge. Norman Campbell took the field for last match for at least 6 weeks as he is scheduled to have knee surgery. Keeper Owen Fraser was free of his two match suspension so he took over from Michael Ritchie in goal. Fraser MacKintosh was missing whilst Jamie Robinson continued his comeback from injury with the second team.
Glen MacKintosh put Newtonmore ahead after 6 minutes when he controlled a Paul MacArthur shy before sending a 20 yard waist-high shot into the net to make it 1-0.
Skye had to make an early change with David MacInnes replacing Allan MacKinnon who had been carrying an injury going into the game.
Skye created some chances without really threatening keeper Owen Fraser but it was the visitors who doubled their advantage on 26 minutes when Evan Menzies collected a pass from Glen MacKintosh and, with little back-lift, he sent a 12 yard past Skye keeper Jamie Gannon.
Menzies then gave ‘More a 3-0 interval advantage with his second goal on 39 minutes. Drew MacDonald sent a corner to the back post where Menzies tucked the ball home.
Evan Menzies completed his hat-trick on 62 minutes following a great move and he picked up a reverse pass from Glen MacKintosh before sending the ball into the far corner of the net to seal the 4-0 win.
Newtonmore now face Glenurquhart in the RBS MacTavish Cup semi-finals on Saturday 14 May 2016 in what is a repeat of the 2015 final.
RBS MacTavish Cup - Semi Finals
Saturday 14 May 2016
Newtonmore 2 Glenurquhart 0
Newtonmore are through to the RBS MacTavish Cup Final after they beat Glenurquhart 2-0 in their 1pm throw up at the Eilan. This was a repeat of the 2015 Final but the Glen were unable to copy their success on that particular occasion.
Norman Campbell was still sidelined for Newtonmore as he recovers from a knee operation. Glen MacKintosh was also missing so boss Paul John MacKintosh started Steven MacDonald up front to add strength to the attack. The resulting rejig saw Rory Kennedy go to full back, Andrew MacKintosh to buckshee back with Craig Ritchie coming in at wing back.
Glenurquhart co-managers Billy MacLean and Dave Menzies were without Andrew Corrigan, Arran MacDonald and Euan Lloyd as they were last week. Michael Brady was also missing as was Fraser Heath who took part in the finals of the charity dance event, Strictly Inverness, in aid of Highland Hospice and the Inverness Ice Rink.
Glen’s injury woes increased when defender James Hurwood limped off with a foot problem.
The Glen created a couple of early chances but ‘More keeper Owen Fraser was equal to their efforts.
Evan Menzies got the all-important opening goal on 42 minutes. Paul MacArthur took a free-hit from just inside the ‘More half. He played the ball towards Evan Menzies who was just off Lewis MacLennan’s shoulder. Menzies gambled that the defender would miss the ball, making a rare mistake, and this left the ‘More hit-man one-on-one with Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh and Menzies slipped the ball low past him, into the net.
Steven MacDonald sealed the win with a killer second goal 9 minutes from time. MacDonald took possession from a free-hit and he turned and sent a low, hard drive from around 25 yards out through three or four players. The ball took a couple of bounces on the hard surface before ending up in the corner of the net.
This was a very competitive encounter and Newtonmore did enough to win the game and they notched another clean sheet despite the changes in defence.
Graham Cameron was the match referee.
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.