Saturday 20 September 1986 - North Division 1 – Fort William 2 Skye Camanachd 2

Skye Camanachd were unchanged for this tricky trip to An Aird to take on a Fort William side who had already drawn with Newtonmore in the league. Calum Murchison resisted the temptation to play Willie Cowie who was back on-shore following a spell on the rigs. However Cowie was included as one of the substitutes. 

Skye opted to play with a strong wind at their backs in the first half and they started well. In fact Fort William keeper Graeme MacMillan was forced to make 3 great saves in the opening minutes to deny the Islanders. He first blocked a long range effort from Caley MacLean before making smart saves from Shorty Murchison and Peter Gordon.

It was all Skye at this stage and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 28 minutes. A Calum Murchison effort from fully 25 yards was blocked but Shorty Murchison ran in from the right to first time the ball into the net.

Willie MacKinnon had a goal ruled out for offside and Skye then had a decent penalty appeal turned down when Calum Murchison was felled in the box.

Skye had to settle for a single goal half time head and their only failing was perhaps being a little too elaborate in front of goal.

Fort William came back into the match before the break and the home side gave warning when one effort came back off the Skye crossbar.

Just as the first half drew to a close, Fort William were awarded a penalty. However Deek Cameron saw his effort brilliantly saved by Ian “Dowel” MacLeod in the Skye goal.

Fort William had the wind at their backs in the second half and they levelled on 75 minutes when Ronnie MacLeod took advantage of some sloppy defending to make it 1-1.

Skye went back on the offensive and 5 minutes later Calum Murchison, who was having a great tussle with Fort William full back Astie Cameron, was fouled on the edge of the box. Second half substitute Willie Cowie found Peter Gordon with the free hit and he rifled the ball past MacMillan to put Skye ahead once again.

However it was agony for Skye as Deek Cameron levelled the match in the closing minutes to give Fort William a share of the points.

The Skye centre line performed well with Caley MacLean outstanding. The win left Skye Camanachd level on points with Newtonmore at the top of the table although ‘More had a slightly superior goal difference.

It was Beauly in Portree next for Skye.