Kingussie & Newtonmore face off in the W M Donald MacTavish Cup Final this Saturday at Bught Park, Inverness, the senior game throws up at 4:10pm, with two juvenile games preceding the big event.
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Newtonmore are scoring an average of 3.1 goals per game and conceding an average of 0.6.
Kingussie are scoring an average of 4.75 goals per game and conceding an average of 0.6.
Half-time inspiration
Newtonmore’s scoring record suggests a side that builds steadily into matches before hitting top gear after the break. Their most productive spell is between the 45th and 60th minute, with nine goals scored, while they have found the net consistently throughout the first 75 minutes, recording six, six, seven and seven goals across the other periods. The final quarter-hour has been their quietest, with five goals, indicating their greatest attacking threat often comes before the closing stages.
Right to the end
Defensively, Newtonmore have been exceptionally strong for much of the season. They have conceded just two goals across the entire first half, with only one arriving in each of the opening two quarters and none at all between the 30th and 60th minute. Their only notable vulnerability has come later in matches, with three goals conceded between 60 and 75 minutes and a further three in the final quarter-hour. Even so, the figures point to a side that is extremely difficult to break down.
40 goals in last 5
Kingussie’s scoring pattern is defined by fast starts and emphatic finishes. They have struck 12 times in the opening 15 minutes and 11 more before half-time, underlining their ability to put opponents under pressure from the outset. Their most prolific spell, however, comes in the closing stages, with a remarkable 16 goals scored in the final quarter-hour. The only significant dip arrives immediately after the break, where they have managed just two goals between the 45th and 60th minute, making it the clear outlier in an otherwise potent attack.
Vulnerable windows?
Kingussie’s defensive record is every bit as impressive as their attacking output. They have conceded just eight goals in total, with no goals allowed between the 30th and 45th minute or between the 60th and 75th minute. Their most vulnerable periods have been the opening 15 minutes and the spell immediately after half-time, with three goals conceded in each. Outside of those brief lapses, Kingussie have been exceptionally difficult to break down, conceding just two goals across the remaining four quarters of matches.
Robinson squashes opponents
Iain Robinson is Newtonmore's top scorer this season with 13 goals despite missing 4 games this campaign through injury. There were some concerns at the start of the year as to what 'More might do if he did pick up injuries but Brodie MacBean and Struan Ross' strikes have kept Newtonmore's 100% record intact.
Lightning Rod
Roddy Young is Kingussie's top scorer and the top scorer in all competitions in shinty, seven of his 17 have come in King's five cup games and having scored in the final last year, he will be looking to pick up where he left off.
Prime candidates
Both Kingussie and Newtonmore have similar average ages but the breakdown of the profile is slightly different for each team. Newtonmore have far more U24 year olds but equally have more 30+, that blend of youth and experience will come up against a Kingussie side which have grown up playing alongside one another.
Class is permanent
Both teams arrive at the final in top form having won all of their last 5 games. Newtonmore are the side with a 100% record courtesy of their 1-0 win against Kingussie earlier this season, however, Kingussie have been in imperious form over the last 5 weeks and have scored an incredible 40 goals in that period.
Kingussie Road to the Final
2-1 vs Kinlochshiel
1-3 vs Skye
0-8 vs Lovat
Newtonmore Road to the Final
1st Round Bye
1-3 vs Glenurquhart
3-3(p) vs Caberfeidh
W M Donald Commercial Manager
Barry Smeaton
I had the pleasure of being at the final last year and it was a great game between Kingussie and Lovat, I was also at the Camanachd last year and know the kind of game you get when the two halves of Badenoch come together, we are really excited for the final and proud to support this important competition.
Newtonmore Captain
Iain Robinson
“We know we can go and beat them, we’ve already done it this season which gives us confidence. But it makes their team talk easier and ours harder, they’ll have the fire in their belly, and they’ll want to make that right from the start of the season, so we’ll have to play well.”
Kingussie Captain
Ruaridh Anderson
“We’re delighted to be in another final. We’re pretty fortunate that our team are in the same age range and have gone up through the ranks together, and we’ve managed to drip feed players from the second team, all with the same will to win.”
Camanachd Association President
Burton Morrison
Saturday’s final promises to be an epic encounter with the great Badenoch rivals lining up against each other in a repeat of last year’s Camanachd Cup final. Surprisingly, this is the first time that Kingussie and Newtonmore have met in the MacTavish Cup final since 2009 although both teams have enjoyed periods of dominance in this competition in recent history. I wish Kingussie, Newtonmore and the officials the best of luck ahead of the final.
Legends in waiting. Live it live.
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