Premier League champions Newtonmore are trying to find the answer to a form slump in time for this weekend’s home game against surprise leaders Kyles Athletic.
More manager Norman MacArthur was unhappy at his team’s display in the 2-2 draw with Kingussie, following on from a home defeat by Glenurquhart.
“I know Kingussie got a late equaliser, but a draw was fair enough in what was a pretty poor game for a Badenoch derby,” he said. “We started the campaign very strongly but in the past two games we’ve dropped our standards quite substantially.”
Manager’s son Paul MacArthur will miss the game against Kyles after being sent off four minutes from time for retaliation on Rory Kennedy.
Craig Dawson gave Kingussie a deserved half-time lead but More had the best of the second half with a Glen MacKintosh double putting them in front until Dawson struck again six minutes from the end.
The north’s big three are all wondering how to catch Kyles after their surprise but impressive 3-2 win at Fort William ended the An Aird side’s unbeaten record.
Kyles are now four points clear at the top from Kingussie with Newtonmore, Fort and Glenurquhart a point behind.
Duncan Kerr put the Argyll men in front and although John MacLeod equalised within a minute, Tom Whyte and Grant Irvine had Kyles two up by the interval.
Gary Innes hit Fort’s second in 53 minutes, but they lacked the spark to save the day.
Glenurquhart continued their fine form with Jim Barr’s men thumping visitors Kilmallie 5-1. Ruaridh Cameron and Calum MacAulay had them two up at half-time and although Liam MacDonald pulled one back Cameron and MacAulay each grabbed their second goals before Neale Reid wrapped up Glen’s spree.
Teenager Greg Matheson was the toast of Kiltarlity after firing four goals as Lovat gained their first league victory with a 6-0 win against struggling Glenorchy. Craig Mainland and Lewis Tawse also boosted Lovat’s goal difference which hoisted them above Kilmallie, now second bottom.
Oban Camanachd suffered a second successive home defeat, beaten 3-1 by Inveraray with Grant Griffin scoring twice and Russell MacKinlay once, with Daniel MacIntyre netting for Oban.
Strathglass, three times winners of the Balliemore Cup, are out after losing a penalty shootout at home to 2008 winners Skye. It was 2-2 after extra time with veteran Robert Geddes twice on target for the Cannich men while Alan Palmer and new signing Robbie MacDougall counted for the islanders.
It was 2-2 on penalties when full back Steve Morrison stepped up for Skye’s fifth spot hit – and his cool conversion took them through.
Finlay MacRae hit a hat-trick as cup holders Kinlochshiel won 7-1 at Kilmory.
Lochaber won 8-0 against Inverness. There was a hat-trick for young Ben Delaney.
Criosdain Finlayson grabbed both goals in Lochcarron’s 2-0 win at Taynuilt while Duncan MacDonald struck twice as Ballachulish knocked out visitors Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-1.
Five-time winners Caberfeidh received a bye into the next round when visitors Oban Celtic scratched, being unable to field a team.
Danny Marshall’s 115th minute goal took Beauly through 5-4 after extra time in their Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup tie at Lochcarron.
Skye completed a good day for the Portree side by knocking out visitors Fort William 5-3 after extra time with four goals from Jordan Murchison.
Alan Knox also hit four as Lochaber won 7-1 at Inverness but pride of place went to Steven Cameron, with five in Glengarry’s 9-0 win against Bute.