Newtonmore make it five wins in a row
After an indifferent start to the season, Newtonmore have now put a run of five successive victories together following their 4-1 Mowi Premiership win over Glenurquhart at Blairbeg on Saturday.
As expected, ‘More’s Iain Robinson missed out with a hamstring injury.
However, Rory Kennedy provided a boost when he was passed fit to play, recovering from an ankle injury, whilst Cameron McNiven rearranged his plans to attend a family wedding to line up in attack.”
Glenurquhart’s Fergus Robertson missed this 3pm throw up as he began a three-game ban.
The Blue and Whites led though Cameron McNiven’s turn and shot into the top corner of the net after just three minutes but Daniel Maclean capitalised on a defensive slip to equalise on 14 minutes.
Newtonmore regained the lead on 24 minutes when Martin Hall finished well and despite the Glen playing well, if lacking a bit of punch up front, ‘More took their 2-1 advantage into the break.
Cameron McNiven looked sharp, and he got his second goal following a scramble on 58 minutes with Martin Hall ready to pounce, but Hall did get his second just 10 minutes from time with another good strike.
Reflecting on the 90 minutes, Newtonmore co-manager Norman MacArthur was pleased with the win but rued a growing injury list.
He said: “Conor Jones (hamstring), Drew MacDonald (foot) and Craig Ritchie (shoulder) all picked up injuries on Saturday and we seem to be picking up injuries right, left and centre at the moment.
“Rory (Kennedy) was fine to play, and he was good as usual.
“Chilli (Cameron McNiven) rearranged his plans which was a help. He’s been nipping my ear to get in the team for a while and now he wants to stay there.
“He had a good game too, scoring goals which is just what you want your full forward to do.
“Michael Russell went on the bench as his knee is still a problem, but we had to use him because of the other injuries.
“From my point of view, that’s Cameron McNiven, Iain Robinson, Drew MacDonald and Martin Hall all scoring goals over the last few weeks which is great, and we had half-a-dozen shots at the Glen goal during the first 10 minutes of the game.
“Glenurquhart put up a good fight in the first half but that was our best second half performance of the season and we scored goals at the right time.
“Glen’s Lachie Smith was outstanding, and they have some good young players but perhaps promotion has come just a bit too soon for them.”
Newtonmore are in Artemis Macaulay Cup action on Saturday as they welcome Lovat to the Eilan in what is probably the tie of the opening round.
MacArthur commented: “Iain Robinson and Conor Jones won’t make it but we’ll see how Drew MacDonald and Craig Ritchie are nearer the game.”
Lovat’s Lorne MacKay is unavailable through suspension.
