Newtonmore 4 Skye Camanachd 3. | |
09 November 2009 A young Skye Camanachd side, with an average age of just 18, went down to a 4-3 defeat to Newtonmore at Kincraig in an early throw up on Saturday 7 November 2009. The home side started the game in a fine run of league form having won their last 7 consecutive matches. In fact their last dropped point was in a 2-2 draw on 11 July 2009 - against Skye Camanachd in Portree. In what was the final game of the season for both sides, Skye manager Davie MacVicar took the opportunity to field 11 players from his U17 side in preparation for next weekend’s London Shield Final against Glenurquhart U17 at Battery Park, Lochcarron. Skye took the lead after 8 minutes when Angie MacDonald played a ball across goal which was knocked into the net by Ian Grant. The home side leveled 3 minutes later when a shot from Andrew Aitken took a wicked bounce on the uneven surface a flew into the net. Newtonmore were forced to replace full centre Glen Tonkin after he suffered a muscle spasm in his back. Paul MacKintosh came on in his place. The home side took the lead after 22 minutes when Chris Sellar’s deep cross was tucked away by Mark MacDonald. Skye keeper Ross Graham made a good stop with his feet from MacDonald just 4 minutes before the break and Skye wing back Scott MacLeod required treatment for a cut above his eye. Skye leveled the match 3 minutes into the second period when a Danny Morrison shot from the right deceived ‘More keeper Douglas Gray. Ross Graham was back in action on 56 minutes when he saved well with his caman and cleared the danger for a shy. Skye’s U14 player Shaun Hedley came on for his second team debut on the hour mark to replace the injured Neil John Campbell. A flowing Skye move 5 minutes later almost gave them the lead. Stewart Grant won the ball in midfield and released his brother Ian Grant down the left wing. Grant’s cross found Ally MacDonald who set up Angie MacDonald and his shot flashed just wide of goal. Ally MacLeod also made his second team debut when he replaced Ally MacDonald and Daniel Morrison replaced the injured Ian Grant. Newtonmore regained the lead when the Skye defence failed to clear a corner and Gary Young swept home to give them a 3-2 advantage. The Skye youngsters fought back on 70 minutes when Angie MacDonald played in Danny Morrison who crashed the ball into the net for his second to level the match at 3-3. Ross Graham saved well from Paul MacKintosh on 76 minutes and just a minute later, Chris Sellar lashed the ball high into the net to give his side the lead once again. Skye pounded the ‘More goal in an attempt to level the game again and Douglas Gray made a superb save from Danny Morrison with just minutes remaining. As referee Deek Cameron blew the final whistle, both sets of players headed for the Dell to watch the crucial league meeting between Kingussie and Newtonmore. Skye Camanachd from; Ross Graham, (captain), David Grant, Scott MacLeod, Neil John Campbell, (Shaun Hedley), Martin Bruce, Neil MacVicar, Donnie Campbell, Stewart Grant, Danny Morrison, Ally MacDonald, (Ally MacLeod), Ian Grant, (Daniel Morrison), Angie MacDonald Match referee – Deek Cameron |