With four teams in contention, shinty’s Mowi Premiership title race is shaping up to be the best in years.
Newtonmore teenager Joe Coyle scored in the final minute to seal a 3-2 win over Fort William, knocking Fort off top spot.
Drew MacDonald’s performance for More in the previous week’s win over Skye had earned him a starting spot, and he cancelled out Lachie Shaw’s opener for Fort, which came from a corner.
Victor Smith put an understrength Fort back in front, but Iain Robinson made it 2-2 on the stroke of half-time.
Newtonmore had most of the second half, but found home keeper Paul MacKay in top form.
With seconds remaining, though, Conor Jones came deep to win possession and, with Matthew Sloss and Iain Robinson involved, substitute Coyle swivelled to beat his marker and snatch the winner.
More manager Peter Ross said: “The most pleasing thing for me was the way our forwards linked up so intelligently, and in Matthew Sloss, we had the best player on the park. The winning goal is what we’ve come to expect from Joe, and whilst all the boys are playing with confidence, we’re not over-confident.”
Newtonmore are three points off the top with a game in hand.
More’s win helped Badenoch rivals Kingussie back to the summit on goal difference after defeating Kinlochshiel 3-0.
Dylan Borthwick’s 47th-minute strike was followed by Ruaridh Anderson’s quick-fire double.
Kingussie boss Iain Borthwick said: “We couldn’t get going in the first half.
“I put Rory MacKeachan on at wing centre just before the break and he made a big impact, winning tackles and getting the ball forward.
“I’m happy with our second half performance, though, and Ruaridh Anderson’s second goal gave us space.
“Kinlochshiel had a couple of chances which our keeper Rory McGregor dealt with brilliantly and I was highly impressed with their young wing forward, Jay MacRae.”
Away run will be key to Oban hopes
Meanwhile, Oban Camanachd and Kyles Athletic both went into their clash understrength, with the Oban side emerging 5-2 victors.
Joe MacVicar’s first senior goal, and efforts from Matt Rippon and Daniel MacVicar had Camanachd three-up at half-time, and Daniel Maccuish added a fourth after the break.
Luke Thornton countered, but Scott Campbell added Oban’s fifth, before Ross Macrae’s penalty.
Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “Malcolm Clark, Louie MacFarlane, Calum MacMillan, Lorne Dickie and Alexander Macdonald were unavailable whilst Evan MacLellan has a rib injury.
“Matt Rippon scored within 5 minutes of coming off the bench and young Iain Duffy came on at half-time for his senior debut. That’s us used 27 players already this season.
“The remaining games between the top four sides will be huge and, for us, it’s going to be about how well we travel, as we’ve still to visit Kingussie, Newtonmore, Lovat and Skye.”
Lovat injury sees match abandoned
Lovat led Caberfeidh 2-0 through early goals from Sam Stubbs and Marc MacLachlan before their match was abandoned just before half-time.
Lovat substitute Cameron Macmillan required medical attention after suffering a blow under the jaw just minutes after coming off the bench. There was a delay before ambulance assistance arrived and referee Des McNulty took the sensible option to abandon the game.
Lovat manager Iain Nicolson said: “The scoreline’s immaterial when a player suffers an injury like that.
“Cammy is a very popular player amongst our squad, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”
Findlay Macdonald’s goal midway through the first half was enough to give Mowi National Division leaders Lochaber a 1-0 win at Glenurquhart. Referee Steven MacLachlan sent off Glen’s Ali MacKintosh and Lochaber’s Stuart Callison following a flare-up before the break.
Glasgow Mid Argyll’s promotion chances remain very much alive following their 3-0 win at Strathglass. Calum McLay put GMA ahead just before half-time, while Ross Brown added two more late on.
Fraser Watt and former manager Ruaraidh Graham had Inveraray two-up against Bute, but goals during the final 15 minutes from Josh Cowan and Iain McDonald earned the Islanders a point.
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