The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Kyles end hoodoo
More beaten –
Kyles Athletic goalkeeper John Whyte defied medical advice to help the Argyll men record their first victory against Newtonmore at the Eilan in more than a decade.
After the 2-1 win, the 27-year-old said: “When my ankle ligaments were diagnosed, the hospital warned me not to play for a month.
“But I was so desperate I came back two weeks early and I’m glad I did for a win at Newtonmore’s ground has always eluded me until now. Very few of the lads had done that until now.
“It’s also our third win in succession against Newtonmore, beating them in the Macaulay Cup final and then at home in our final league game of the season. How many years is it since we won three in a row against them?
“We were under pressure in the last 20 minutes and I was kept busy but the whole defence stood firm and everyone in the team played well.”
Newtonmore lost experienced midfielder Jamie Robinson at the end of the first half with what is confirmed as two broken fingers.
Manager Paul John Mackintosh said: “I spoke to Jamie this morning and the breaks are particularly severe, so he faces quite a lay-off.
“In addition, wing back Craig Ritchie came off early with knee trouble. He was replaced by Fraser Mackintosh, who later also had to be substituted after a knee knock.
“Rory Kennedy had to pull out before the start after being ill and Norman Campbell played at full back. So, it certainly wasn’t our day.”
The Eilan men have now lost both home league games so far and Mackintosh said: “Kyles are a good side and everyone is going to take points off each other. I thought Kyles had the better of the first half but we just didn’t take our chances in the second half.
“Their keeper had two or three good saves but our finishing wasn’t clinical enough.”
John Whyte’s younger brother Gordon, 24, was switched from the attack to the centre line last week and gave a second successive outstanding performance.
Kyles manager James Perlich replaced Daniel MacVicar with Donald Irvine to add defensive strength in the last half hour but the islander is now close to making the half-back place his own.
Cammy Keith also shone as Kyles stay second top.
The pace of new boy Ewen Fraser saw him first to the ball to fire Newtonmore in front in 24 minutes but six minutes later Roddy Macdonald pounced to level from close range.
The winner came just before half-time with big Colin Macdonald dispossessing Campbell to slam home another important goal.