SHINTY: Unbeaten Kinlochshiel aiming to continue dominance and win Challenge Cup final
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KINLOCHSHIEL will look to continue their unbeaten season with silverware on Saturday when they take on Inverness B in the Women’s Challenge Cup final.
The Wester Ross outfit will look to come out on top in the final which is taking place at Newtonmore with throw-up at 1.45pm.
Kinlochshiel have been in dominant form this season, winning all 12 matches in North Division Two and require only one point from their remaining matches to secure the title.
Coach Andrew Mackenzie says the team have been outstanding during 2023 and is confident they can bring the trophy back to Balmacara on Saturday.
However, his team have not played in over a month and he hopes there is no rustiness from his players as they head into the final against Inverness B.
“Things have been going well, but we have had a slack period where we have had no games,” he said.
“There have been no competitive fixtures for the past month, so we have had to get a couple of friendlies and matches between ourselves.
“But the reason for our success this season has a lot to do with the young ones that have come through.
“A lot of them benefited from being in the under-14’s last year and the difference in them this year, since making the step up, has been incredible and they have been playing really well so far this season.”
Kinlochshiel have been ruthless in front of goal scoring 77 goals from their 12 matches.
Two players have accounted for 48 of the goals alone with Lexie MacKenzie scoring 28 and Lorna MacRae scoring 20.
But Mackenzie says his team have proven they have goalscoring threats from all over the park.
“We have been scoring well, but the great sign for us is that it is not the same people scoring all the time.
“Although Lexie and Lorna are getting a lot of the goals we’re having six or seven different scorers in individual games at times.
“We have around 30 girls training at the club, but have played 17 players in competition this season, so women’s shinty is in a strong place at the club.”
Mackenzie says he is expecting a tough contest against Inverness B who are in third place in North Division Two.
But he remains confident that if his team play to the best of their ability, they will return home with the Challenge Cup.
“Inverness B are a strong physical team and we expect that they will put up a good challenge.
“We will be looking to score early goals and get ourselves settled quickly in the final.
“If you don’t get an early goal, frustration has a tendency of settling in.
“We have a game plan and hopefully it will pay off for us.”
