Memory Lane – Season 1989 / 90 – Part 5. | |
14 March 2010 North Division 1 Skye Camanachd 4 Fort William 2.
Skye Camanachd came out on top following this thrilling encounter with Fort William at the King George V Park, Portree.
The result was all the more impressive as Skye were without 3 of their 4 first choice forwards. They missed the suspended duo of Willie Cowie and John MacRae whilst Calum Murchison was working off-shore.
Skye started strongly and they almost took the lead when a Peter Gordon shot from a tight angle came back of the post.
Just moments later a fantastic over-head flick from Willie MacKinnon forced a great save from Fort William keeper Steve Stott.
Skye took the lead after 10 minutes when a Peter Gordon free-hit found John “Slippy” Finlayson who made space for himself before tucking the ball past Stott at his right hand post.
The home side continued to press and good link up play between Ally “Stenscholl” MacDonald and John “Slippy” Finlayson created a chance for Skye captain Caley MacLean but his shot whistled wide of the target.
Both sides were giving their all and there was a particularly competitive midfield battle with no quarter asked nor given. Referee Brian Watts produced his yellow card twice in a couple of minutes with Skye’s John “Slippy” Finlayson and the Fort’s Ally Clark on the receiving end. Both bookings were for dissent.
The Skye centre line continued to dominate their Fort William counter-parts and this meant plenty possession for the home side’s forwards.
Skye went 2-0 up on 38 minutes when full forward Willie MacKinnon, who gave Fort William full back Astie Cameron a torrid time, was taken down when clear through on goal and referee Watts had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Peter Gordon took the hit and although Stott touched the ball, the shear power of the shot beat the keeper.
Skye almost made it 3-0 when John “Slippy” Finlayson, who was having a great game, played in Ally “Stenscholl” MacDonald but he shot over from just in front of the goal.
Fort William made a fantastic start to the second half they went close to pulling a goal back on 2 occasions during the opening minutes of the second half.
They continued to pressure the Skye defence and they got their reward after 64 minutes when a Deek Cameron snap-shot from the left beat John “Bodach” MacKenzie to make it 2-1.
They almost levelled moments later as the Skye defence hung on.
The Skye centre line began to fight their way back into the game and from a ball played forward from midfield, Peter Gordon flicked the ball to Andy MacLean who shot narrowly wide.
Great inter-play between Peter Gordon, John “Slippy” Finlayson and Andy MacLean caused havoc in the Fort defence before the ball was eventually cleared for a corner.
From the resultant corner, Peter Gordon found space to crack the ball into the net and give his side a 3-1 lead.
Caley MacLean almost made it 4-1 but Stott saved well from his 30 yard daisy cutter.
Drew McNeil had the ball in the Skye net minutes from time. Referee Watts initially looked as if he as going to disallow the “goal” but after consulting with his goal judge the goal was given.
Skye didn’t let this upset their concentration and in injury time, a super long ball from full centre Caley MacLean was flicked on by John “Slippy” Finlayson and from the ensuing goalmouth melee, Willie MacKinnon slipped the ball past the prostrate keeper Stott to confirm a 4-2 win.
Duncan MacDougall was inspirational at full back whilst John “Slippy” Finlayson was at the heart of everything good for Skye.
Skye now had a trip to the Dell to face Kingussie to look forward to. |