Beauly Lift 2015 Lovat Cup | |
03 January 2015 Beauly lifted the Lovat Cup when they came from behind to beat local rivals Lovat at Braeview Park on Friday 2 January 2015. The Braeview Park pitch passed a morning inspection with Balgate on stand-by should there have been any problems. Both clubs remembered those who lost their lives at the Festubert during World War 1. This brutal battle took place a hundred years ago; in 1915. Renowned piper Duncan MacGillivray led the players onto the field and amongst his repertoire was the tune “Beauly Shinty Club”, composed by former Beauly player Donald Paterson. Sadly, Donald Paterson and his brother Alastair Paterson, who captained Beauly to their 1913 Camanachd Cup success, were amongst those who lost their lives during the Great War. The usual large crowd braved the wintery weather conditions with both sets of players having to contend with a blustery wind as the game progressed. Home manager Roger Cormack’s squad was along usual lines including 2014 Beauly Senior Player of the Year David Neilson in defence and forward Marc MacLachlan, who hadn’t played since the first half of the 2014 shinty season. Iain Broadhead, Ross Forbes and Scott MacLeod, who had an injury-plagued 2014, were missing. Lovat boss Allan MacRae was without Graeme MacMillan who could be out for some time as he recovers from a broken leg. Fraser Gallacher was a late injury call-off so Drew Howie was pressed into an early return from injury in his place. Calum MacAulay has moved abroad whilst Craig Mainland was out with a football injury. There was a return for Duncan Davidson who missed most of last season through work commitments. Lovat went into this 1pm throw up as holders and so only required a draw to retain the trophy. And it was the returning Duncan Davidson who gave Lovat the lead when he scored from close-range after just 6 minutes, with Beauly claiming offside, to make it 1-0. It was just the start the Lovat supporters were hoping for. It took time for Beauly to settle into the game and when they did, Calum Morrison levelled on 25 minutes with a well taken goal as he lobbed Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald. Beauly went in front on 39 minutes when Marc MacLachlan did the lead-up work before Jack MacDonald smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1. Beauly now had their tails up but some stout Lovat defending prevented them adding to their tally. Lovat came close to levelling on 60 minutes but Beauly goalie Josh Grant saved well from Greg Matheson. Beauly substitute Conor Ross put the outcome beyond doubt with only 4 minutes remaining. Ross sprinted forward from midfield and delivered a well struck shot on the half-volley from just a few yards out. The goal killed the game and sparked the Beauly celebrations. There was a powder-keg ending to the match as tempers flared and referee Deek Cameron’s final whistle came at an appropriate time. Beauly deserved the win and the victory is a confidence booster for Roger Cormack’s side ahead of what looks to be a very open Marine Harvest National Division next season. Beauly captain Conor Cormack was presented with the Lovat Cup by Lord Lovat, whose Great-Grandfather donated the cup in 1904. |