Glen closing in on Premiership survival

GLENURQUHART edged closer to Orion Premiership survival on Saturday following a goal-less draw with Fort William at An Aird.

Supporters hailed the Glen’s performance after injury, suspension and the attraction of the Belladrum music festival had robbed of the team of a raft of first-choice players.

The final blow came when Andy Corrigan was forced to withdraw at the last minute due to work commitments leaving Glenurquhart no alternative but to call on the services of first-team joint manager Drew MacNeil and reserve team coach Iain MacLeod, both of whom believed their senior playing days were well in the past.

But the veterans were magnificent as they rolled back the years using their experience to thwart a Fort William side in desperate need of both points and who threw everything at the visitors in an intensive second half bombardment.

Glen goalkeeper Stuart MacKintosh typified the backs-to-the-wall attitude of the Drumnadrochit-based club as he inspired his side with a brilliant overall performance that was topped off with two superb penalty saves.

MacKintosh played the captain’s role to perfection and broke the hearts of the Fort team, who are quickly running out of options as they bid to avoid dropping out of shinty’s elite top league.

Presented with a run of three home games, they have taken just two points and now face a desperately difficult run-in to the end of the season where realistically they will need to take eight points from their remaining six matches, five of which are away from home.

Results elsewhere in the Premiership have hardly helped the Fort’s cause with Lochaber continuing their spirited escape, beating Oban Camanachd 4-0 at Spean Bridge.

A double from Zands Ferguson and strikes by Duncan MacKinnon and Shaun Nicholson saw them capture their ninth point from their last five matches, leaving them potentially one point short of safety,

Kinlochshiel showed their battling qualities as they secured a precious point in a 2-2 draw at Inveraray. Coming from behind twice, the Wester Ross side were indebted to former Inverness stalwart Davie Glass, who scored the equaliser with the last move of the match.

The table now shows a middle order log jam of five clubs on either 13 or 14 points with Fort William and Oban isolated at the foot of the table, both on seven points.

Fort William and Glenurquhart were forced to wait an hour beyond the scheduled 4.30pm throw-up time after the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi-final between Kingussie and Kyles Athletic, which preceded the Premiership match, was forced into extra-time.

Kingussie, who were hoping to end a seven-year drought in the Camanachd Cup, will have to wait another year after Kyles Athletic showed their legendary cup fighting qualities to come from behind twice before Roddy MacDonald grabbed the winner on the stroke of half-time at the end of the first period of extra-time.

Kingussie piled on the pressure after that but Kyles, with veteran keeper Kenny MacDonald an inspiration, held out.

Earlier after a goal-less first half, played in near stormy conditions, Kingussie took the lead when Ronald Ross struck a superb goal just a minute after the break.

Kyles needed a quick response and Thom Whyte produced a clinical finish to level the tie six minutes later.

Savio Genini (16) edged Kingussie ahead with a goal six minutes into the first period of extra-time, but the cup holders were not to be denied and Colin MacDonald levelled before his namesake Roddy struck the winner to ensure that it is Kyles and not Kingussie who will be returning to the same venue in four weeks time to defend the trophy against either Newtonmore or Fort William.

Kilmallie have the champagne on ice as they prepare to be crowned Marine Harvest North Division One champions.

However, they were given a massive scare by Caberfeidh who produced a sensational performance before being edged out 5-4 with Michael Rodger hitting the winner with less than 10 minutes left to play.

The result leaves Kilmallie in an unassailable position, but Caberfeidh and Skye remain locked in an intriguing battle to secure the coveted third place in the league which carries with it entry into next season’s new National Division One.