Newtonmore and Lovat face off in the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup Final this Saturday at Blairbeg, Drumnadrochit.
Read the below stats to get warmed up for the big fixture!
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Lovat are scoring an average of 2.36 goals per game and conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game. Their best scoring games came against Caberfeidh & Strathglass who they beat 6-0 and 6-1 respectively.
Newtonmore are scoring an average of 4.67 goals per game and conceding an average of 1.38 goals per game. More’s biggest margin of victory came in the Sutherland Cup Quarter-Final where they defeated Beauly 12-1 at the Eilan.
Half time legginess?
The stats show that Lovat are pretty effective in all but one period of the game - the 15 minutes after half time (8) is far lower than the next lowest scoring periods 15-30 & 30-45 (both 9). Lovat are considerably better in terms of scoring in the first half (30) than the second (22).
Stronger in the first
Similarly, Lovat are stronger defensively in the first half of games conceding 24 in the 1st compared to 31 in the second. Whether that is a fitness issue or just down to concentration it is hard to say but a good start will be imperative if the Kiltarlity side are going to take the Sutherland back to Balgate for the first time since 2010.
The best time to score!
They often say that right before half-time is the best time to score as it gives players a lift and energizes them for the 2nd half. Well that is something Newtonmore can certainly testify to - they have scored a quarter of their goals in the 15 minute period before the break.
More open in the 2nd
Newtonmore concede 42% more goals in the 2nd half than in the first so that will be something that they will have to be wary of, even if things are going well at half-time - there's still a long way to go!
Raymond Rennie Reigns
Veteran forward Raymond Rennie is far and away Lovat's top scorer this season with 19 goals. He proved he could score against Newtonmore in the Strathdearn Final earlier this year - can he fire Lovat over the line on Saturday?
MacKintosh Makes Mark
Glen MacKintosh has won all there is to win in shinty and at the ripe old age of "I'm not telling you get lost" he continues to show real quality in leading the scoring charts for Newtonmore. Craig MacLeod and Craig MacIssac make up a fearsome trio of potent attacking threat.
Lovat Road to the Final
1st Round Bye
6-1 vs Strathglass (A)
2-1 vs Glasgow Mid Argyll (N)
4-2 vs Kingussie (H)
Newtonmore Road to the Final
4-1 v Lochside Rovers (A)
3-1 vs Kilmallie (H)
4-6 vs Glenurquhart (N)
12-1 vs Beauly (H)
The Gaffer
Lovat - Raymond Rennie
Raymond took over as Lovat II boss after Jamie Matheson moved into the first team role ahead of the 2020 season. In his first full season in charge Raymond led Lovat to Strathdearn Cup glory against Newtonmore in one of the most bizzare games in shinty history. As you will have read above Raymond also still plays and is in fact Lovat’s top scorer bagging an impressive 19 goals so far this campaign.
The Gaffer
Newtonmore - Peter Ross
Peter Ross has had a stellar two seasons in charge of Newtonmore II. In his first season he led the team to the Strathdearn Final as well as winning the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup. Two weeks ago, ‘More secured the Strathdearn Cup with a victory over Lovat so a win on Saturday would make it 3/4 Cup trophies at this level for Ross.
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