Memory Lane – Season 1986 / 87 – Part 12. | |
04 December 2009 A large crowd at the King George V Park, Portree were treated to an action packed local derby as Skye Camanachd came out on top and restored some pride after last week’s thumping at Newtonmore. At the end of the match, the Skye supporters were delighted to have gained another 2 points which keeps them in contention at the top of the table but many were also marvelling about the performance of Kinlochshiel keeper Leslie Gordon who turned in a man of the match performance which a string of superb saves. Skye looked very much as if they wanted to put the memory of the Newtonmore defeat behind them and a trademark Peter Gordon effort forced a fantastic save from Gordon. Caley MacLean fired an effort just wide of goal and a long range Peter Gordon effort produced another good stop from his namesake. Davie MacLeod burst through the ‘Shiel defence and seemed certain to score but he also found Gordon to be a formidable barrier. Shiel started to come more into the game and Skye keeper Ian “Dowel” MacLeod was forced into action, making two saves in quick succession – the first from James “Raxer” Fraser was an eye catcher. Skye’s Caley MacLean and Kinlochshiel’s Davie MacLeod were having an enthralling encounter in the middle of the field with MacLean having the better of his rival. Peter Gordon almost scored the most spectacular of opening goals when he first-timed a Caley MacLean corner but the ball flew just wide of the post. Willie MacKinnon was next up to test keeper Gordon but the keeper blocked MacKinnon’s effort after he beat his opponent on the Skye right and another MacKinnon effort rose just over the bar. Caley MacLean then made a forceful run forward but shot just wide. With 2 minutes to the break and almost constant Skye pressure, the inevitable happened. A long ball forward evaded Skye’s Donnie “Digg” MacDonald and Murdo John Fraser nipped in and finished with some aplomb to give the visitors a 1-0 interval lead. Skye weren’t deterred though and they started the second half in the same was as they first – on the attack. They got their reward 2 minutes after the restart when Peter Gordon drove the ball into the net to square the match. Just 10 minutes later, Caley MacLean burst forward towards goal and crashed an unstoppable shot past Gordon to put the Sgiathanaichs 2-1 up. The Skye defence then had to withstand a period of Kinlochshiel pressure with 19 year old John “Spod” MacLeod turning in a good performance with some timely tackles and clearances. Leslie Gordon was back in action when he made a tremendous reflex save from Calum Murchison after Caley MacLean had set up his player / manager. Gordon made a another save from Murchison – this time at point blank range and James “Raxer” Fraser almost produced a shock equaliser at the other end when his shot came back of the post. Calum Murchison and Leslie Gordon were continuing their personal dual at the other end with the keeper requiring a goal line clearance from John Don MacKenzie after one save. It was going to take something special for Skye to clinch their third goal and the points and this came when Callum Murchison smashed a volley goalwards from a tight angle in the last minute to beat the diving Gordon. John “Spod” MacLeod, Caley MacLean and Calum Murchison were best for Skye whilst Leslie Gordon was the obvious Shiel stand out. Skye’s next challenge was the visit of Lovat to Portree. |