Lochside Rovers Kinlochshiel II face off in the for the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup Final this Saturday at Blairbeg, Drumnadrochit at 16:00 – with the game also available to livestream from the Association’s YouTube channel.
Read the below stats to get you warmed up for the big fixture!
Made possible by:
Lochside Rovers are scoring an average of 3.67 goals per game and conceding an average of 1.13 goals per game.
Kinlochshiel are scoring an average of 3.2 goals per game and conceding an average of 2.9 goals per game
Strong starters
Lochside’s strongest spell comes between 15 and 30 minutes. Their 13 goals in that period is 3.8 above their segment average, suggesting they often find another gear once the opening exchanges have settled. Their weakest returns come in the third and fifth segments, with six goals apiece, 3.2 below average. Interestingly, they respond strongly immediately after half-time, scoring 11 times, which could point towards effective tactical adjustments or renewed intensity following the interval.
Final 15 danger
Lochside are at their strongest in the second and third segments, conceding just once in each, 1.7 below their average. Their greatest vulnerability comes in the final 15 minutes, where five goals conceded is 2.3 above average. That late increase could reflect fatigue, changes in game state as opponents chase results, or simply the greater openness that can develop towards the end of matches due to changes in concentration level.
Frantic finish
Kinlochshiel's strongest attacking periods coming in the fifth and final segments. Their 12 goals in each are 2.3 above their average, suggesting they carry a considerable threat late in matches, potentially as games become more stretched or fatigue creates additional space. The major dip comes immediately after half-time, where just four goals is 5.7 below average. That sharp fall could reflect tactical reshuffling at the interval, either from Shiel themselves or opponents adapting to restrict their attacking threat.
Stiffening up?
Kinlochshiel's strongest period is the second segment, where four goals conceded is 4.8 below average. Their greatest vulnerability comes immediately after half-time: 15 goals conceded in the fourth segment is 6.2 above average and comfortably their highest figure. Coupled with their lowest scoring return occurring in exactly the same period, the 45–60 minute segment stands out as a particularly difficult spell. Tactical changes at half-time, a slow restart or opponents emerging with greater intensity could all potentially contribute, it will be key for the Rearig outfit to stay tighter right after half-time if they are to lift the Sutherland Cup for the first time since 1977.
Buchanan Goaleries
Lewis Buchanan is Lochside's top marksman this year with 12 goals to his name and he is averaging a goal a game in the Sutherland Cup this year. Scott MacMillan and youngster Daniel Duffy make up the top three, but Lochside have a plethora of talent available to unlock a defence.
Gamekeeper turned poacher
Gamekeeper Duncan MacMillan is the top goal poacher for Kinlocshiel this year, closely followed by 15-year-old Jay MacRae who was the Man of the Match in the Sutherland Cup Final in 2025 and has been with the first team for much of 2026.
Kinlochshiel Road to the Final
1-2 vs Glenurquhart
2-7 vs Lovat
1-0 vs Kyles Athletic
6-4 vs Newtonmore
Lochside Rovers Road to the Final
5-3 vs Lochaber
5-0 vs Skye
5-1 vs Fort William
Unable to make the big game? The match will be livestreamed on the Camanachd Association's YouTube Channel, so you needn't miss a second!
