The story of this one-sided match was perhaps best summed up by
the sight of Skye custodian Angie Murchison sheltering beneath an umbrella
in the sodden goalmouth for the bulk of the second half.
However, despite a late goal deluge against the students in a
rain-lashed Portree on Saturday, Skye had their promotion hopes dashed by
the news that Beauly had triumphed over Kinlochshiel to give the Braeview
park side the runners-up spot thanks to a superior goal difference. Dropped
points earlier in the season ‹ in games such as the fixture at Aberdeen ‹
have ultimately proved to be Skye's Achilles heel over the campaign. But
with home and away wins over Beauly and champions Lochaber, the young island
side were far from dispirited as the curtain finally came down on what has
proved a lengthy league season.
Manager Ally Morrison was forced into two personnel changes from the side
which drew with Kinlochshiel the previous week, with Allan MacLeod
unavailable and Jamie Macdonald nursing a wrist injury. Kenny Campbell
started at wing centre while Stevie Morrison reverted to a wing back role
with Iain Nicolson initially deployed at full forward.
And Nicolson was immediately involved in creating Skye's first chance in the
opening minute. His clever lay-off found Ally MacLennan in space 25 yards
out and it took a fine reflex stop from Aberdeen goalkeeper Doneil Macleod
to turn the ball away with his outstretched stick. MacLeod was called into
action on a couple of further occasions before Skye eventually broke the
deadlock in the 17th minute. This time the keeper was helpless as Palmer cut
in from the left before crashing the ball high into the top right-hand
corner to give Skye a lead that never looked in doubt from then on in.
With news filtering through of an early goal for Beauly, Skye knew they
would need at least 14 to edge the runners-up place. This prompted the
manager to push Steven Morrison up to full forward in a bid to bolster the
attack with Iain Nicolson dropping into defence. There was, however, a
setback for Skye as Kenny Campbell was unable to continue as a result of an
earlier head wound and he was replaced by Kerr Gibb.
Skye's pressure was relentless and, while Alan MacPherson and John MacFadyen
in the varsity defence both did their best to stem the tide, a second goal
for Skye was inevitable. It took the islanders until the final moments of
the first half to extend their lead and again it was Palmer who did the
damage. Aonghas Macdonald's pass from midfield began the move and Palmer ‹
in a near-identical effort to his first of the afternoon ‹ once more left
MacLeod beaten all ends up with another searing drive.
At the same time the mobile phones were buzzing with news of a Shiel
equaliser at Balgate to raise the islanders' spirits still further at the
interval.
And Skye were quickly out of the blocks in the second period. Just two
minutes were on the clock when Gilleasbuig Macdonald caused panic in the
visitors' defence with a shot from distance and, with the ball sticking in a
deteriorating goalmouth, Steven Morrison was on hand to prod it over the
line. By now conditions were bordering on the farcical but Palmer gave the
few hardy spectators further cause for celebration with another classy
finish to complete his hat-trick in the 54th minute. MacLennan was the
provider with a nice reverse pass and Palmer did the rest ‹ sweeping the
ball high into the roof of the net from 20 yards to put Skye four ahead.
By the time they added a fifth, however, the hosts' chances of promotion had
all but disappeared after two goals in the space of five minutes had swung
the play-off pendulum firmly in Beauly's favour. Kerr Gibb managed to bundle
the ball home in another goalmouth stramash before Skye's victory was
completed with a fine turn and shot from Aonghas Macdonald ‹ who finished
the match in attack ‹ in the last minute.