The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Big game setback for More
Macarthur’s experience will be missing against second-top Kyles
Former champions Newtonmore will be without Paul Macarthur through a groin injury as they face second-top Kyles Athletic at the Eilan in the first big match of Premiership title candidates of the season.
It sparks off a hectic six weeks for both teams and for champions Kinlochshiel which could have a major influence on their prospects for glory.
Manager Paul John Mackintosh said: “We’ve got a very challenging upcoming run of fixtures starting with Kyles.
“The top teams all seem to have a demanding run and it will be interesting to see how things are after them.”
Veteran Norman Campbell, who played full back
“We’ve got a very challenging upcoming run of fixtures starting with Kyles”
last week, will again figure but is likely to be switched positionally.
Macarthur’s absence robs More of big-game experience but Fraser Mackintosh will be on first team duty.
The Newtonmore manager said: “New-boy Ewen Fraser is settling in well and is proving a good foil for Evan Menzies and Glen Mackintosh but Kyles have a lot of pace and we need to be ready to cope.”
Kyles hope to have John Whyte fit to return to goal after a two-game absence but Innes Macdonald is standing by in case he is needed again as Athletic, three points behind leaders Kinlochshiel, bid to maintain momentum at a venue where they lost twice last season.
After Newtonmore play host to Kyles Athletic tomorrow, they are at home to Glen Urquhart in the MacTavish Cup, away to Caberfeidh, then away to Kinlochshiel in the Macaulay Cup followed by being at home to Skye and away again to Kinlochshiel.
Shiel entertain Skye tomorrow and then are away to Lochaber in the MacTavish Cup, home to Newtonmore in the Macaulay then away to Kyles and Kingussie and at home to Newtonmore.
Kyles, meanwhile, follow their trip to Newtonmore with home ties against Tayforth in the Celtic Society Cup and Inveraray in the Macaulay Cup, then they are at home to Kinlochshiel, away to Oban and home to Lochaber.
Lovat, who can also be considered an outside bet for the championship, are also only three points behind Kinlochshiel, and welcome back Scotland star Calum Cruden for their match with Glen Urquhart at Kiltarlity.
Martin Mainland, who has been out with knee trouble since playing 45 minutes of a pre-season friendly, had a medical check-up this week and manager Fraser Gallacher said: “The verdict was that Martin isn’t quite there yet and it will be another two weeks at best before he can make a comeback.”
Duncan Davidson, who broke his wrist in the Lovat Cup match on January 2, resumed training this week and Gallacher said: “Duncan’s fit again but he missed pre-season training and he’ll also need another couple of weeks, possibly getting a second team runout first.
“But they’re both getting closer to stepping up our competition for places.”
Glen are still looking for their first win but beat Lovat twice last season so Stuart Mackintosh and company will be tricky opposition.