Fort William pulled off shinty’s shock scoreline of the weekend, winning 4-3 against Newtonmore in their cottages.com MacTavish Cup semi-final.
Early strikes from Cam Stephen, Lachie Shaw, and Graham Campbell had the National Division side 3-0 ahead, and although Craig Ritchie replied soon after, another from Lachie Shaw in first half stoppage time made it 4-1.
Just before then, Fort’s Graham Campbell was sent off by referee Robert Baxter for a swing which left Newtonmore full-back Rory Kennedy needing hospital treatment for an arm injury, while Fort’s Victor Smith sent a penalty over the bar in an action-packed encounter.
Jonny Forster deflected a strike from More’s Struan Ross past his own keeper and Martin Hall’s looping effort made it 4-3 with half-an-hour still to play.
But Fort William stayed in front to reach the final.
Fort co-manager Alan Knox said: “We were very good in the first half, but, a man down, we were up against it for most of the second half – but held out.”
Holders Kingussie also reached the final, beating Skye 3-0 with Ruaridh Anderson, Dylan Borthwick and Lee Bain all scoring.
Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick said: “The boys did really well, especially in the second half, but the heavy rain showers made it tough for both teams.
“I thought we dominated the midfield where Lee Bain was excellent, and he deserved his goal. Lee won everything, with Thomas Borthwick and George Taylor-Ramsay either side of him keeping us on the front foot.
“Skye keeper Ryan Morrison made many good saves.
“We’ve not met Fort William in a final for a good few years and certainly won’t take them lightly.”
Skye boss Willie MacDonald was without injured pair John Gillies and Ryan Harrison, who failed fitness tests, and he said: “We’re very disappointed to be honest, even though we competed well enough.
“We just didn’t have enough in the centre line, but our forwards had chances.
“Over our last three games, we’ve conceded nine goals and scored just once, which doesn’t make good reading.
“To beat teams like Kingussie, all our players have to turn up and play.”
Celtic Society Cup: Oban and Kyles to contest showpiece
Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Challenge Cup holders Oban Camanachd are through to the final again after defeating Inveraray 4-0.
Daniel MacCuish’s first-half opener was followed up by substitute Ross Macmillan’s second-half hat-trick.
Oban manager Gareth Evans said: “We were awful in the first half, extremely poor.
“We made a couple of changes at half-time, one being Ross Macmillan’s introduction – and he’s different class when focused.
“That said, we have to stop making a passive start to games.”
The Oban side will face Kyles Athletic, who overcame Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-1 after extra-time.
GMA led through Craig Anderson, but David Zavaroni levelled, before extra-time goals from Luke Thornton and Ross Macrae sent Kyles through.
Kyles player-coach Roddy Macdonald said: “That was a difficult game in the heat and GMA were up for it and started well.
“We came more into it later on and I thought we deserved to win.
“It was good to see Will Cowie return after not playing since March. He made a difference when he came on and we are getting bodies back, so can hopefully kick on from here.
“It all makes for what is always a hard-fought final against Oban Camanachd and we’ll look forward to that.”
Mowi Premiership and National Division results
In the Mowi Premiership, Jordan Fraser’s deflected low shot from a free-hit midway through the first half gave Kinlochshiel a 1-0 win at Lovat, while Craig Morrison and Kevin Bartlett both bagged braces and Jamie Mackintosh the other as Caberfeidh beat Glenurquhart 5-0.
Mowi National Division leaders Beauly beat Bute 2-1 with Euan Maccormick and Angus Renwick’s late goal cancelling out Scott Harvey’s opener. Harvey was sent off just after the hour.
Calum MacDougall scored four times and Shane O’Rua twice in Kilmallie’s 6-2 victory over Oban Celtic. Ewen Campbell and Kyle MacFarlane countered.
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