KINGUSSIE eventually won through to the quarter-finals of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup after defeating visitors Caberfeidh 3-2 in their replayed second-round tie at the Dell.
In the first meeting between the sides two weeks ago at Strathpeffer, the Badenoch side were kept in the comp-etition by a late goal from forward Fraser Munro. They found the going equally tough in the replay, twice coming from behind before a 73rd-minute penalty strike from teenage half-back Alexander Michie proved to be the winner.
Kings manager John Gibson, in his first season at the helm, thought the result was the right one, although he did admit he was relieved his team got through safely. “Cabers are a good side and it’s taken some effort to get past them,” he said. “After a tough first half we were happy to come back into it, but I felt we were on top overall, particularly in the second half. Still, to win you need to score and although in the end it came down to a penalty, we’re happy to take that.”
Although Kingussie started well enough with territorial possession, it was Caber’s Colin MacLennan who struck first, after 11 minutes. Somewhat against the run of play, his 25-yard drive from the right was deflected past Kings keeper Craig Dawson by Michie’s caman.
Kingussie were level almost immediately, after a long, dipping shy from wing-centre Savio Genini caused confusion in the visitors’ defence. The ball was only half cleared from the box, giving Kings captain Rory MacGregor a close-range opportunity which he fired past Cabers keeper Ewan Pilcher.
Caberfeidh took the take the game to Kingussie for a spell and went ahead after 18 minutes when winger Liam Symonds snapped up a rebound off Dawson, who had used his feet to block the initial strike from Kevin Bartlett. Minutes later, Dawson’s caman kept out Craig Morrison’s excellent shot. Caberfeidh fell away somewhat towards the end of the half and a resurgent Kingussie passed up chances. Roddy Young pulled a shot wide and Fraser Munro’s attempt was well saved by Pilcher.
Kings continued to turn the screw in the second half but without much success, until tenacious tackling from veteran James Hutchison –who had replaced the injured Ruaraidh Anderson – stopped Caber’s defender Blair Morrison putting distance on his clearance. This allowed full-centre Louis Munro to fire the ball home through a ruck of players for the equaliser.
Soon afterwards, Kingussie got their penalty for a foul in the box on front man Roddy Young, and Michie duly converted to win the tie. Kingussie now travel to face Fort William in the next round, with the match scheduled for July 7.
In the Marine Harvest Premiership, Newtonmore’s 8-1 away victory over Lochaber puts pressure on leaders Kinlochshiel, who drew 0-0 away with bottom side Skye. While Shiel are two points clear of Newtonmore, the Badenoch side now have a better goal difference and a game in hand on the defending champions.
Lovat drew 1-1 away to Kyles and remain third, while Glenurquhart’s 3-3 draw at Oban Camanachd means they stay ahead of Skye and move closer to third-bottom club Lochaber.
Kilmallie and Glasgow Mid Argyll will contest this year’s Liberty British Aluminium Balliemore Cup final, having seen off Fort William and Beauly respectively in Saturday’s semi-finals.
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