Kingussie & Lovat face off in the W M Donald MacTavish Cup Final this Saturday at Bught Park, Inverness, the senior game throws up at 4pm, with two juvenile games preceding the big event.
This stat pack is brought to you thanks to support from:
Lovat are scoring an average of 1.71 goals per game and conceding an average of 2.07.
Kingussie are scoring an average of 2.93 goals per game and conceding an average of 1.07.
Locomotive momentum
Lovat’s goals this season have come with a sense of balance rather than bursts, showing a side that grows into games and remains in the contest from start to finish.
Their most productive spell is just after half-time, with five goals arriving between the 45th and 60th minute. This suggests strong team talks and effective adjustments at the break — something that could be crucial in a tight MacTavish Cup Final.
Across the rest of the match, Lovat have returned consistent figures: four goals in each of the 15–30, 30–45, 60–75, and 75–90-minute windows. That even spread indicates persistence rather than volatility — a team capable of sustaining pressure over long spells.
Fewer goals come in the opening 15 minutes (just three), hinting at a slower start in comparison to their opponents this Saturday. But once settled, Lovat find ways to create chances throughout the ninety.
They may not be as explosive as Kingussie, but Lovat’s scoring trends show a patient, durable approach — one that could prove effective if the game turns into a tactical battle.
Fragile Bookends?
Lovat’s concession data points to two clear areas of concern going into Saturday’s MacTavish Cup Final — the closing stages of each half.
They’ve conceded eight goals apiece in both the 30–45 and 75–90-minute windows, accounting for more than half of their total goals against this season. These late-half lapses suggest potential issues with concentration or on pitch game management at key moments.
The rest of the match tells a steadier story: just two goals conceded in the opening 15 minutes, and only three between 60 and 75. However, the period immediately after half-time remains vulnerable too, with five goals shipped from 45 to 60.
While they’ve shown the ability to compete across a full 90 minutes, the data suggests that Lovat’s defence can come under pressure in the final minutes of each half — precisely the moments when Kingussie tend to strike.
If Lovat are to lift the W M Donald MacTavish Cup, staying compact and composed during these high-risk phases could prove just as important as anything they do going forward.
Timing is everything
Kingussie’s goal timings this season reveal a side capable of striking at any point, but particularly dangerous in key transitional phases of a match — a factor that may prove significant in Saturday’s MacTavish Cup Final against Lovat.
They’ve opened the scoring early in several games, with eight goals arriving in the first 15 minutes — more than in any other period. That suggests a team that prepares well and starts with intent, something Lovat will need to be ready for from the outset.
Their most productive spell, however, has come just before half-time, where Kingussie have scored nine times between the 30th and 45th minute. It reflects a strong control of the game’s rhythm and an ability to capitalise as the first half develops.
Second-half scoring is well distributed, with consistent output in all three final intervals. Seven goals in the closing 15 minutes also points to a team that maintains focus and pressure to the end.
As they prepare for the final, Kingussie’s capacity to score throughout the match — but especially early and late in halves — could shape the tactical approach of both sides.
Vulnerable windows?
While Kingussie remain unbeaten this season, their goals conceded data reveals a few patterns Lovat may look to exploit in Saturday’s MacTavish Cup Final.
Five of the sixteen goals Kingussie have conceded came in the opening 15 minutes — a disproportionately high number that suggests early defensive organisation can sometimes take time to settle. A fast Lovat start might be their best chance to gain an early advantage.
The other clear spike appears in the final 15 minutes, where another five goals have been shipped. Whether through fatigue, pressure, or game management, these late concessions are notable and could influence how Lovat approach the closing stages if the match is finely poised.
Between these two windows, Kingussie have generally defended well. In particular, the 15–30 minute period stands out — they’ve yet to concede in that timeframe all season.
Overall, while their defensive record remains strong, the data shows that early and late phases of play may provide Lovat with their clearest opportunities.
Marc'ing his territory
Marc MacLachlan is Lovat's top scorer with 7 goals this season closely followed by Lewis Tawse and Graeme MacMillan. What will eb extra pleasing for Lovat boss Iain Nicolson is that goals have come from 9 different sources so far this season, so there is threat from multiple positions.
Young at heart for Kings
Roddy Young has marked his first full season back after an ACL tear by picking up exactly where he left off, 14 goals in 15 games is a good return and he is ably deputised by 2023 top goalscorer Ruaridh Anderson and 2024 top goalscorer Dylan Borthwick!
Two teams in prime?
Kingussie and Lovat bring contrasting age dynamics to Saturday’s final. On average, Lovat’s squad skews slightly older at 28.5 years, while Kingussie’s players average 26 years.
For Lovat, the presence of several players in their early to mid-thirties will mean a core of seasoned campaigners guiding the team, they have plenty of cup final experience so it will be about translating that into a match winning performance, and guiding the younger players who have been promoted to the 1st team following some retirals after the Camanachd Cup Final in 2024.
Kingussie, meanwhile, blend youth with reliability. Their slightly younger average hints at greater energy and perhaps a faster tempo, supported by a handful of younger players in their late teens and early twenties.
This subtle difference could influence how both teams manage the game’s tempo and intensity, what you would say is that despite Kingussie being younger overall, they have more experience in major cup finals.
Kings the form team
Kingussie arrive at the MacTavish Cup Final with solid recent form, unbeaten in their last five outings. Their attacking prowess has been particularly impressive, scoring 17 goals across those matches, demonstrating a consistent ability to find the net and maintain pressure. This sharp finishing will be a key asset against Lovat.
Lovat, meanwhile, have shown resilience and determination in their last five games. Despite a couple of setbacks, they secured important wins that highlight their capacity to bounce back and compete fiercely under pressure. Their ability to grind out results, especially in tight matches, suggests they will be tough opponents who won’t yield easily.
Both sides carry positive momentum: Kingussie with their free-scoring confidence and unbeaten streak, Lovat with their fighting spirit and experience of handling adversity. Saturday promises a contest where form and resolve will both be tested to the full.
Kingussie Road to the Final
2-2 (Kingussie won 2-0 on pens) vs Beauly
5-1 vs Skye
2-0 vs Lochaber
Lovat Road to the Final
3-3 (3-2 win on pens) vs Caberfeidh
1-3 vs Glenurquhart
2-0 vs Fort William
W M Donald Operations Director
Ian Gray
At W M Donald, we’re committed to supporting communities across the Highlands and beyond, and we recognise the deep roots and cultural importance of shinty in this part of the world. Partnering with the Camanachd Association to support the MacTavish Cup feels like a natural fit — community, resilience, and pride in a job well done are values we share.
Lovat Captain
Martin Mainland
“Everyone at the club is looking forward to Saturday’s final, none more so than the crop of young players who have come into the team this season. They have given us a different element but the bulk of the squad have been in multiple finals before and know what its all about. We know Kingussie are a good side, that’s been evident over the past few years, we just need to find a way to dislodge them!”
Kingussie Captain
Thomas Borthwick
“It’s great to be Captain of Kingussie and lead the team out into a major cup final on Saturday, we know Lovat well over the past few years and everyone at the club is looking forward to taking to the pitch. One of our main strengths is our strength in depth, we have had a number of players out this year with various issues but we have been able to keep grinding results out, we are all looking forward to the test on Saturday!”
Camanachd Association President
Burton Morrison
Today’s teams are no strangers to success in this competition, Kingussie, the current holders, have continued as front runners this season and will start as favourites. Like many teams they are having difficulty finding a settled team due to injuries and availability, but coach Iain Borthwick has the knack of getting the best out of whatever line-up takes the field.
Lovat too have had difficulty finding a settled side but will relish the opportunity to challenge their opponents in a repeat of last year’s Camanachd Cup Final which they narrowly lost. Their coach Iain Nicolson is in his first season in the post but has already demonstrated game management and tactical skills. I wish both sides the very best of luck.
Camanachd Association CEO
Ruari Davidson
“We are really looking forward to welcoming the shinty community to the newly refurbished Bught Park for the W M Donald MacTavish Cup Final, our thanks go to Highland Council, Highlife Highland and Clark Contracts for getting the facility ready in time to host the final, and of course to our partners, W M Donald for sponsoring the competition. I wish both Kingussie and Lovat the very best of luck on Saturday in what is shaping up to be an absorbing contest.”
Provost of Inverness & Councillor
Glynis Campbell-Sinclair
Shinty is part of the fabric of many Highland communities and it brings enormous health and wellbeing benefits to all who are involved in the game at clubs and schools across our area.
We are delighted that this showpiece final is back at its historic home of Bught Park in Inverness, the scene of so many great shinty occasions in the past. Our very best wishes go to all who are participating on Saturday in what should be another fantastic celebration of Highland sport.
Relive the Semi-Final goals:
Get discounted tickets now:
To buy tickets for this event please visit our events page: 2025 W M Donald MacTavish Cup Final tickets from Skiddle .
