Skye Camanachd U14s - A Champion Season! | |
09 March 2009 Skye Camanachd navigated some very competitive matches on the road to winning the 2008 U14 North Division 1 Championship. The season started with a home match on 1 August 2008 against 2007 league winners The team was starting to take shape and that match gave a few pointers of what was to come. Captain Martin Bruce won the midfield battle against Skye followed this win up with a difficult trip to Drum na Drochit to play Glenurquhart. Chris MacLennan gave Skye an early lead before the Glen scored twice through Kelvin MacKenzie to take a 2-1 half time lead. The Skye players were given tongue lashing by coach Willie Cowie at half time. Cowie took control of the team that night in the absence of manager Davie MacVicar and the players responded in the second half. First Willie Cowie and Jordan Murchison combined to play in John Gillies for the equaliser and then Willie Cowie crossed for Chris MacLennan to score his fourth goal in two games to win two very important points. Two main pointers came from this game. There was a terrific performance in goal from keeper Ally MacLeod. He made some great saves at vital periods in the game, and with a lesser keeper, Skye could well have been beaten. MacLeod’s preference is to play outfield but he made the sacrifice of playing in goal throughout the season and his contribution was crucial. The second pointer was the introduction of 11 year old Willie Cowie as a substitute. His wing play un-nerved the Glenurquhart defence and he made a major contribution to both the second and third goals. Cowie was also playing full centre for the On 29 August 2009, Skye faced another difficult away match against Skye displayed a never-say-die attitude in this game and many teams would have crumbled at 3-0 down against the Fort on their own patch. The senior players in the side had to stand up and be counted in what at times was a very physical match. Just when it looked as if Skye had done much of the hard work, they were humbled in a 6-1 defeat at Beauly. Probably the least said about this game the better. The whole team simply did not play well although Scott MacLeod can be excused as he was clearly unwell during the whole of the game. Skye actually scored first through Calum Gibb but they had no answer to Beauly’s Jack MacDonald who netted five goals. Skye had a chance to respond when they faced Glenurquhart in Portree on 27 September 2008. The two sides were only separated by goal difference before the match, which made Skye’s 5-1 win all the more impressive. John Gillies gave Skye the lead but the Glen equalised from a controversial penalty. The Glen came close to increasing their lead before the break as Skye seemed a bit shell shocked. The second half was a different affair. Jordan Murchison restored Skye’s lead before Willie Cowie scored a third. Chris MacLennan and Cowie again completed the scoring. The forward play in this match was impressive. Jordan Murchison was making a major contribution to the side - scoring goals as well as bringing others into the game. Chris MacLennan had a happy knack of scoring at least one goal in almost every game and John Gillies was a difficult opponent for any full back. Willie Cowie continued to make a telling contribution, often against players older than him. Beauly were the next visitors to Portree on 1 November 2008. This was a frustrating game for Skye and one in which they at least deserved a draw. Jack MacDonald again did the damage with second half goal. Skye put Beauly under tremendous pressure for the remainder of the game. Willie Cowie hit the bar, Beauly survived an incredible goal mouth scramble, Chris MacLennan had the ball in the net but the play was brought back for an earlier foul on a Skye player and the Islanders had a penalty claim turned down. Thereafter, only two matches remained – both against Lochaber. Skye ran out 7-2 winners in the first match in Portree on 22 November 2008 although it has to be said that the final result was a little harsh on the visitors. Lochaber took the lead through Shaun Kane. Skye levelled through John Gillies – who missed the defeat against Beauly – however Stewart Calson gave Lochaber the lead once again. Willie Cowie made the half time score 2-2. John Gillies and Chris MacLennan increased Skye’s lead before Gillies went on to complete his hat-trick. Two late strikes from Jordan Murchison completed the scoring. Skye knew that if they won their final league match against Lochaber on 31 January 2009, they would be guaranteed at least a league play-off against Glenurquhart or Beauly. They started well and John Gillies opened the scoring after 7 minutes. Stewart Calson levelled for Lochaber and the Skye forwards were finding keeper Calum MacDonald to be in fine form. There was no repeat of the previous game’s goal rush but two clinical finishes from Jordan Murchison secured a priceless two points. Shaun Hedley, and Magnus Burd were in excellent form in this game and Thomas MacDonald, Ruairidh Morrison, and Mark Mortimer did well in what was a successful season. Congratulations are due to team manager Davie MacVicar and to coach Willie Cowie who took the players through weekly coaching sessions. There were 20 players involved throughout the league campaign. However seven of the players will not be eligible as Skye set out to defend their trophy in 2009. The remaining players will do their utmost to try and win the title again. |