Fort William remain top ahead of big cup weekend

Fort William's goalless draw with Kingussie keeps them top. (Pic: Neil G Paterson Photography)

Fort William looked the sharper of the two sides in the first half, with John Macdonald running time and time again at the King's defence creating space and chances. At the other end Fort's defence looked sharp and well balanced restricting Kings to long range shooting.

In the second half things changed, little niggles and silly fouls started to stack names up in ref Greame Cameron's little black book. This was quickly followed by a red card for Fort's Alex Duncan, after he received his second yellow card offence of the day.

Kingussie used the extra man to good effect dominating the rest of the match, and only outstanding goal-keeping from Fort's Paul MacKay saved them from losing the fixture.

I think both clubs will feel they could or possibly should have won this match, but for Fort who are grasping to stay top of the league, ahead of Kyles and Newtonmore who have games in hand, this was all the more frustrating when the news came in from Tighnabruiach.

Oban Camanachd's Gareth Evans had scored on the 90th minute to share a point with Kyles Athletic. Kyles who have not yet lost a game have been the dominant force in this year's championship, as they look to clinch the club's first ever Premier title.

Roddy Macdonald opened the scoring for the home side putting Kyles ahead on 30 minutes. Oban Camanachd's Matt Ripon then bagged himself a double to take the lead. Grant Irvine was then on hand to level the score and doubled moments later to once more give Kyles the advantage, until Gareth Evans equalised in the dying seconds on the match.

Glenurquhart stomped Inveraray deeper into their relegation battle, as they brushed them aside with a 3-0 home victory. Goals from Liam Girvan, Paul Macintosh, and an own goal from Rary's Chris Crawford, saw no way back for the Argyle men.

A huge day of shinty awaits us this weekend when both Camanachd Cup semi finals take place at Spean Bridge. The 2007 finalists, Inveraray, battle it out with Newtonmore at 12.45, followed by 2010 finalists, Kingussie, who will go head to head with Kilmallie at 3.30pm.

Both these games are guaranteed to have every shinty fan on the edge of their seat. Newtonmore have not made a Camanachd cup final since 1997 and stand their greatest chance of succeeding this weekend as Inveraray have really struggled to find form of late.

Kingussie are masters of this competition and after setting aside Kilmallie 8-0 in their last encounter, managers Lachie Innes and John Morrison have some huge tactical decisions to make if they wish to progress.

How do you think it will go this weekend?

Are we in for a shock result, or are we looking at the first Badenoch Camanachd Final this Century?