Mowi National Division
Beauly 1
Inveraray 0
Ryan MacKay’s stoppage time goal gave Beauly a 1-0 win over a valiant Inveraray side in their 1.30pm throw-up at Braeview Park, confirming their promotion to the Mowi Premiership next season.
Beauly were missing goalie Martin MacDonald so promising second team keeper Lennox Stewart stepped in between the sticks. Euan McCormick was also unavailable.
Inveraray were without the suspended Ross MacMillan and with Allan MacDonald amongst their other absentees, they travelled north with just 12 players including player/ manager Ruaraidh Graham and Ross Anderson.
Beauly attacked from the throw-up and Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan did well to turn away Finlay MacLennan’s shot for a corner following Sandy Elrick’s free-hit from the left. David MacLean shot wide of the far post from a good position soon after. It wasn’t all Beauly though and Ross Anderson saw his shot from a Lewis Montgomery’s free-hit deflected away for a corner by Beauly defender Ryan MacKay as the first half finished goalless.
Substitute Jack MacDonald’s second half shot from wide on the left was saved with his feet by Scott MacLachlan and the ball was cleared for a corner.
Inveraray’s Robert Wood fired over from a central position following a free-hit from inside the visitor’s half whilst, at the other end, Scott MacLachlan saved well again, this time from Jack MacDonald following David MacLean’s free-hit.
Beauly’s Colin MacDonald was booked by referee Iain Kennedy for a heavy challenge on Ruaraidh Graham as the game moved into the final stages.
Beauly pushed Ryan MacKay up front as they went for the goal that would keep the title race alive with a draw giving Skye the title.
Scott MacLachlan made a smart stop with his feet after substitute Robbie Brindle struck Finlay ‘Stork’
MacLennan’s corner from the left on goal. Ryan MacKay then pushed the ball the wrong side of the post from the right of the ‘D’ after being played in by Jack MacDonald.
Ninety minutes came and went and it looked as if Inveraray’s old heads may have won a hard-earned point against Beauly’s youthful exuberance, however, with the match three minutes into stoppage time, Beauly took the lead. Sandy Elrick launched a hit-in from the right into the heart of the Inveraray defence. For once, the visitors struggled to clear, and Angus Renwick pushed the ball forward to Ryan MacKay who swept the ball into the net from the right of the ‘D’.
Speaking after the final whistle, Beauly co-manager Niall MacLennan said: ‘We certainly left it late, that’s for sure.
‘Inveraray were always going to be dogged and, fair play to them, they didn’t make it easy for us. We got the win in the end which is a nice way to finish the season.’
Inveraray boss Ruaraidh Graham added: ‘We’re disappointed with the last minute goal but I am so proud of the players. They were all outstanding.
‘We travelled with just 12 players but, in reality, it was ten with myself and Ross Anderson playing. The guys put in some shift. We learned from the Balliemore Cup final defeat against Beauly and if these guys stick in, they are on the up without question. They did the club proud today.
‘Congratulations to Beauly. They got the winner and that’s what it is all about.’
This was Beauly’s final game of the season and the victory leaves them ahead of Skye Camanachd on goal difference at the top of the table.
However, Skye still have one game remaining, also against Inveraray, with the sides scheduled to meet at the Winterton this Saturday when a point would give Skye the title.