Newtonmore II and Skye II face off in the 100th Anniversary Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup Final this Saturday at Blairbeg, Drumnadrochit.
Read the below stats to get you warmed up for the big fixture!
Made possible by:
Skye are scoring an average of 3.09 goals per game and conceding an average of 1.86 goals per game.
Newtonmore are scoring an average of 3.95 goals per game and conceding an average of 1.24 goals per game. While both numbers are still extremely impressive, they do represent a 0.72 drop in goals per game and a 0.14 increase in concessions per game when compared to the same time last year.
Lethal throughout
The stats show that while Newtonmore are marginally more dangerous in the second half (52% of their goals) they are capable of scoring goals in any period of the game with their most prolific segment between 60-75 minutes (22%).
Sluggish starters?
Newtonmore have identical patterns in each half when it comes to conceding; the opening 15 minutes are where they are likely to concede, but they grow into each half and get stronger as time progresses. Skye will be desperate to catch the holders flat footed at the start of the halves.
Striking the balance
The stats show that Skye are prone to having a quieter 15 minute segment in each half, but also two strong goal scoring periods. Skye's strongest goal scoring period (45-60) coincides with Newtonmore's weakest defensive period so the islanders would do well to target early in the 2nd half.
Tired legs?
The stats show that Skye are most vulnerable to conceding in the final 15 minutes of each half with the two periods accounting for 46% of the goals that they have conceded.
Masterful Mackintosh
Once again Glen Mackintosh is Newtonmore's top goalscorer this season, although in Brodie MacBean and Xander Ross there are some very telnted youngsters waiting in the wings to take the crown from the all-time great.
Unlucky 13 missing for Skye
Dan MacDonald has had a great season for the islanders notching 13 goals, however, he will not be available on Saturday as he is cup tied due to his exploits with Col Glen earlier this season. It will isntead fall to Scotland U17 Internationals Archie Millar and Taylor Matheson to pick up the goal scoring slack.
Youth or experience?
Despite a couple of senior heads in the squad it is actually Newtonmore that have the younger panel compared to Skye, will experience come into question come Saturday though?
Both sides high flying
Both sides come into this game in good form with the holders just edging Skye with 5 wins compared to 4.
Newtonmore Road to the Final
W/O vs Strathspey
2-5 vs Kingussie
0-6 vs Newtonmore
4-2 vs Fort William
Skye Road to the Final
0-1 vs Caberfeidh
6-0 vs Lewis
5-4 vs Glenurquhart
0-4 vs Kilmallie
Last two meetings...
Tickets available online now, beat the queues by purchasing in advance...
To buy tickets for this event please visit our events page: Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup - 100th Anniversary tickets from Skiddle .
Want more?
Check out the Half-Swing Shinty Podcast to make sure you are up to speed on the weekend’s action – released Wednesday evening.
