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National Division Strathglass 1 Inveraray 2
AS TITLE contenders for the National Division this season, Inveraray knew it was crucial to take home both points against Strathglass at Cannich on Saturday.
The pitch was in excellent condition and the visitors made a strong start with captain Lewis MacNicol once again dominating the centre line, challenging for every loose ball.
Spurred on by their captain’s efforts, Inveraray started to control the game and took the lead on 13 minutes. A break from the centre line ended on the stick of 18-year-old Lewis Montgomery who slotted home the yellow and blacks’ opener.
As the first half continued, Strathglass edged their way back into the game but Inveraray’s mixture of youth and experience earned them a second goal when Allan MacDonald doubled their lead on 34 minutes.
It was a much more determined Strathglass side that started the second half, challenging every free ball and not giving Inveraray any time in possession.
The visitors struggled to match Strathglass for the first time in the game and Darren Reid pulled a goal back on 57 minutes to make the final score 2-1.
The win lifts Inveraray to fourth in the division and they will now seek revenge on Oban Celtic in the Balliemore cup quarter-final this coming Saturday.
South Division 1 Bute 4 Kilmory 2
FOR THE first time this season, Bute are on positive points in South Division 1, making up for their eight point penalty deduction incurred at the start of the season. The Rothesay side made it three successive league wins when they beat Kilmory 4-2 at The Meadows.
Bute started strongly, with Craig Fisher giving the islanders the lead after just three minutes with Robert Walker adding another half an hour later.
Roberto Zavaroni, back with Bute after a spell with Kyles Athletic, made it 3-0 on 42 minutes, giving Bute a commanding lead at half time.
Zavaroni got his second on 69 minutes and this seemed to spark Kilmory into life.
Ian Robertson pulled a goal back a minute later and Alister MacArthur made it 4-2 on 78 minutes.
Kilmory remain two points ahead of Bute in eighth position and look forward to a trip to Col Glen next Saturday.
South Division 2 Inveraray 2 Oban Lorn 1
TWO late goals gave league leaders Inveraray reserves a 2-1 win over second-placed Oban Lorn as they met for the second successive Saturday.
The sides drew 1-1 at Ganavan a week earlier and this was another tight affair.
Oban Lorn scored a wellworked goal through Daniel MacKinnon on 40 minutes after the Inveraray defence failed to clear their lines.
Coll MacKay’s substitution on to the pitch sparked up the Inveraray forward line and they equalised on 75 minutes when MacKay showed excellent movement to make space and fire home.
Inveraray found another gear and, with five minutes remaining, captain Allan Cameron launched a shot from 35 yards which found the net and proved to be the winner.
Inveraray youngster Campbell Watt played beyond his years, turning in a man of the match performance.
Inveraray reserves are now two points clear at the top of South Division 2, although Oban Lorn have two games in hand.