The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
MacRae gains extra time for recovery
Keith MacRae, Kinlochshiel’s free-scoring striker, is facing a race to be fit for the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-final against Newtonmore – and now the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final against Lovat.
MacRae missed their 1-0 Macaulay quarterfinal win over Kingussie at Kirkton with a knee injury. But he has been handed a lifeline with the Newtonmore tie, due this weekend, now being postponed for a week as Shiel had claimed the date as their optional free day.
Manager Johnston Gill said: “Our club notified the association about this date before the season began. We did this because of important local functions.
“But I’ll admit it has worked out well for it gives Keith another week to try to recover.
“The same applies to Oliver MacRae, who didn’t face Kingussie because he has a groin problem.”
Kingussie pushed the Reds all the way in an evenly fought affair. Finlay MacRae had been restored to full centre with Paul MacRae returning to full-back and it was Finlay who hit the 69th minute winner.
Youngsters Duncan Matheson and Duncan MacRae started for Shiel. Gill said: “We weren’t at our best. Kingussie are a good side and the first goal was always going to be decisive.”
In the National Division, Fort William moved to within a point of leaders Kilmallie with a 6-0 spree against Beauly at An Aird.
Beauly’s usually reliable defence has now leaked 15 goals in two games. Fort were five up at the interval through Arran MacPhee (2), Jack Fraser, Greig Kelly and JD MacMaster with 16-year-old Lachie Shaw adding the sixth.
Kilmallie’s game at Glasgow Mid Argyll was postponed.