Skye Camanachd 1 Strathglass 0. | |
10 May 2009 A first half strike from Ally MacLennan gave Skye Camanachd victory over Strathglass and put the Islanders top of Marine Harvest North Division 1 on Saturday 9 May 2009. Skye Camanachd started the game at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree without defender Allan MacLeod and forward Norman MacLeod who were both unavailable. AB Connor came in at wing back with Jamie MacDonald at buckshee back. Dougie Rankin switched from defence to full forward. Strathglass also had to make changes for this rescheduled meeting between two of the sides vying for promotion to the National Premier League. Forwards Marc McLaughlin and Robert Geddes were absentees and Les Fraser came into the centre line. Skye manager Angie Murchison had to deal with another defensive reshuffle after 20 minutes when full back Steven Morrison had to leave the field with a suspected broken thumb. John Moir moved to full back and Iain Nicolson moved from the forward line to wing back. Alan Palmer came on in attack. There were several early exchanges between the sides which helped take the supporters minds off the heavy showers. Somhairle MacDonald had a shot saved by Stevie McLaughlin and Skye keeper Jamie Gannon saved well from Garry Reid on two occasions. A good move involving Dougie Rankin and Somhairle MacDonald opened up the Strath defence midway through the half but Alan Palmer was unable to get a shot on goal. Just when it looked as if the first half would remain goalless, Dougie Rankin sent a glorious cross into the Strathglass danger area and Ally MacLennan lashed the ball into the net. Jamie Gannon was called into action a minute later and he saved well with his feet from Reid again to give Skye an interval lead. Strathglass started the second half strongly but the make-shift Skye defence coped well. Jamie MacDonald made a great last gasp challenge to prevent a strike on goal and AB Connor was relishing the physical battles with the Strath forward line. Alan Palmer saw a goal bound effort cleared off the line after 51 minutes and Jamie Gannon did well to deal with two efforts on target from near the halfway line. Skye came close on two further occasions when Somhairle MacDonald fired into the side netting on the hour mark and Alan Palmer shot wide 8 minutes from the end. Shockie MacLennan came on for Kerr Gibb and Danny Morrison also made an appearance in the forward line. As referee Donald MacRae sounded the final whistle, Skye returned to the top of the league with 3 wins, a draw and a defeat from their first 5 games. Their next test will be a visit to Kirkton on Saturday 16 May to face local rivals Kinlochshiel. The two Jamies – Gannon and MacDonald – put in terrific performances and Kenny Campbell also put in a great shift in the centre line. Skye Camanachd from; Jamie Gannon, Steven Morrison, (Alan Palmer), (Danny Morrison), AB Connor, John Moir, Jamie MacDonald Kenny Campbell, (captain), Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Kerr Gibb, (Shockie MacLennan), Somhairle MacDonald, Iain Nicolson, Ally MacLennan, Dougie Rankin, sub Allan MacKinnon, (not used) |