Newtonmore goalkeeper Kenny Ross went from villain to hero as he helped his side move three points clear at the top of the Mowi Premiership with a hard-fought 3-1 win at Caberfeidh.
More led 2-0 thanks to an Iain Robinson double before a mistake from Ross allowed Craig Morrison to half the deficit.
Craig MacLeod restored Newtonmore’s two-goal advantage in the second half while Ross also saved a penalty to snuff out the home side’s hopes of getting back into the game.
Goalkeeper Ross said: “It’s always a tough game here. We got off to a good start with two goals before a terrible error. I hold my hands up but hopefully I redeemed myself in the second half.
Craig Morrison scores to make it Caberfeidh 1 Newtonmore 2 0n 22nd April 2023 Mowi Premiership #shinty pic.twitter.com/BXFgq4LGYX
— Shinty (@camanachd) April 22, 2023
“The defence in front of me were absolutely outstanding and really limited them. If you can come here and take two points it’s a really good win. We’re top of the table so we’re happy.”
More boss Norman MacArthur said: “I’m delighted to get a result. I knew it would be a hard game here but our defence was outstanding.
“Mike Russell was man of the match for me but Rory equally, picked up Craig and hardly gave him a shot.
“Rossco in goals, he made a mistake for the first goal but had three or four cracking goals and saved the penalty. It’s a brilliant result.”
Craig MacLeod scores to make it Caberfeidh 1 Newtonmore 3 0n 22nd April 2023 Mowi Premiership #shinty pic.twitter.com/dfO4zPH2N7
— Shinty (@camanachd) April 22, 2023
Caberfeidh boss Garry Reid hopes his side can learn from their defeat in the top of the table clash.
He said: “I’m disappointed with how the game went and the result.
“We had a couple of chances and Newtonmore goalie Kenny showed age isn’t a barrier with a couple of brilliant saves and he saved the penalty.
“Overall I’m slightly disappointed with our performance. We let ourselves down a bit but we’re competing with the top of the table teams.
“We just need to get a little more streetwise and never forget to play shinty.”
Kingussie end Oban Camanchd’s unbeaten start
Premiership champions Kingussie inflicted a first defeat of the season on Oban Camanachd as James Falconer got the only goal of the game at The Dell.
Beauly are in third on goals scored after goals from David MacLean, Ross Forbes and Finlay MacLennon gave them a 3-1 win at Skye, who grabbed a late consolation through Ross Gordon.
Greg Matheson and Duncan Davidson were on the scoresheet for Lovat in their 2-1 win at Kyles Athletic while Glasgow Mid Argyll’s wait for a first league win continues following a 4-2 home defeat by Kinlochshiel.
Finlay MacRae, Keith MacRae and Jordan Fraser had the visitors three up in the opening half hour before Cailean MacLeod pulled a goal back.
However, Fraser grabbed his second of the game to make it 4-1 before Ruairidh Ralston pulled another goal back for the home side.
Goals galore at Kingussie
In North Division 1 there was an incredible shootout in the game between Kingussie and league leaders Glengarry.
Robert Shiells scored four of Kingussie’s five goals with Eoin Baikie also on the mark for the home side.
However, their five goals counted for little as Shaun Nicolson scored a double hat-trick for Glengarry to give them a stunning 6-5 win.
Newtonmore are second thanks to 4-2 home win against Skye.
Brodie MacBean, a Glen MacKintosh double and a Cameron Mackay own goal did the damage with two late efforts from Seonaidh MacLeod and Ali MacLeod for Skye providing some comfort for the visitors.
Thomas Fraser and Raymond Rennie were on the scoresheet as Lovat picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 home victory over Glenurquhart.
In the other game in the division Duncan MacMillan got the only goal of the game for Kinlochshiel against Fort William.
Six goal thriller in South Division 1
Glasgow Mid Argyll’s 100% winning record in South Division 1 was ended by Aberdour despite Ross Brown grabbing a hat-trick.
Tom Bowerman (2) and Joe Burns scored for Aberdour as the spoils were shared in a 3-3 draw.
Ballachulish beat Kyles Athletic 2-0 thanks to goals for Lorne Brown and Lewis Moran.
Finlay MacMahon was sent off for the home side while Kyle McMartin was also set off for the visitors.
Cup round-up
Martin Stewart scored a double as Kilmallie won 3-2 at Strathglass in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup first round Northern Section. Sam Cooper also scored an own goal with Rhuaraidh Strachan netting for the beaten homesters.
Fort William ran out 3-0 winners at Glenurquhart thanks to goals from Graham Campbell, Cam Stephen and Calum Shepherd.
Lochaber beat Inverness 4-2 in a thriller. Lorn Hughes had put the visitors ahead before Ryan Toal equalised for Lochaber. Steven Bellshaw’s penalty restored Inverness’ lead but a second half double from Ben Delaney completed the comeback before Finlay MacDonald scored a late fourth for Lochaber.
In the Southern Section a Josh Cowan double after Rory McDonald’s early opener gave Bute a 3-1 win at home to Inveraray.
Lewis are through to the second round of the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup thanks to a 3-1 win at Beauly.
William Zblewski had put Beauly in front but Callum MacRitchie equalised before Paul Duke scored twice to secure victory for the visitors.
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