Memory Lane – Season 1989 / 90 – Part 9. | |
25 March 2010 North Division 1 Kinlochshiel 0 Skye Camanachd 3.
This league meeting at Kirkton had the all the usual ingredients of a keenly contested derby match. Skye’s slick forward play probably won them the day as they made it 3 wins from their opening 4 matches.
Kinlochshiel were without Johnston Gill and James “Raxer” Fraser whilst Skye’s Willie Cowie made his first league appearance of the season following suspension.
Shiel’s Johnny MacRae sent a dangerous ball into the Skye goalmouth in the opening minutes but the Skye defence reacted first to clear the threat.
Skye, playing down-hill in the first half, showed their class when Willie Cowie played a one-two with Caley MacLean before bursting forward and playing in Willie MacKinnon on the wing. MacKinnon sent a tantalising ball into the danger area but Davie MacLeod was alert enough to intercept and clear the danger.
Skye pressed for the opening move and Caley MacLean went close when he burst forward but his shot rose over the bar.
Skye continued to press the Shiel defence and although they defended well, a goal looked on the cards.
An Andy MacLean shy from the right after 15 minutes found Calum Murchison who in turn played in Willie Cowie. As Shiel scrambled to block the inevitable shot, Cowie fired through a ruck of players to put Skye 1-0 up.
Cowie looked as if he wanted to make up for the time lost during his suspension and it was no surprise when he made it 2-0 after 25 minutes.
Ally “Stenscholl” MacDonald delivered a shy from the left which was well intercepted by Darkie Fraser. However Shiel’s misfortune was that the ball fell to Willie Cowie and he made no mistake.
Skye continued to press and Shiel keeper Donnie Callander saved well from an Andy MacLean rocket, a Willie Cowie snapshot and a 15 yard Cowie drive – all in the space of 3 minutes.
Peter Gordon crashed a shot off the post as Skye were dominant. However they were unable to add to their lead and the home side started to come more into the game as the first half drew to a close.
Johnny MacRae shot wide of the target from a good position whilst a 20 yard Neil MacRae lob dropped just short of the near post.
Skye produced one more fine move before the half ended as Peter Gordon played the ball up to Calum Murchison on the left as he raced clear of Darkie Fraser. Murchison cut the ball back to Willie Cowie who played a delightful ball to Ally “Stenscholl” MacDonald in space. However MacDonald’s shot flew high over the bar and Skye had to settle for a 2-0 half time advantage.
Skye continued the second half on the offensive and a Cowie effort flew just wide of the target.
However Shiel, now playing down the slope, enjoyed a period of pressure but they were unable to take their chances.
A massive lob from Colin Fraser from just inside his own half went just wide of the post whilst Murdo John Fraser fired a shot straight at Skye keeper John “Bodach” MacKenzie who cleared for a corner.
Skye freshened up their centre line by bringing on Ally Grant in place of Andy MacLean and Shiel replaced Christopher MacKenzie in attack with John Don MacKenzie.
Skye ended the match as a contest on 67 minutes when Willie Cowie completed his hat-trick in some style. A Caley MacLean free hit dropped behind the Shiel defence and found Cowie who controlled the ball expertly before tucking it past Callander before the home defenders could react.
Good link up play between Calum Murchison and Peter Gordon saw the latter shoot wide whilst Murchison failed to connect properly with another effort and the ball was cleared.
Shiel made a desperate effort to get back into the game by swapping defender Darkie Fraser and forward Murdo John Fraser. Skye introduced John “Slippy” Finlayson in place of Willie MacKinnon.
The switches energised both sides. John “Bodach” MacKenzie produced a good save, turning a Darkie Fraser shot for a corner off his post.
Then John “Slippy” Finlayson played a great ball in to Calum Murchison and Callander did well to save his effort.
Indeed Callander made two more great saves from Murchison in the closing minutes to prevent the Islanders increasing their lead.
Skye were well worth their win with the returning Willie Cowie making a significant contribution in attack. Shiel were well served by Darkie Fraser in defence.
Skye’s next match was a trip to Castle Leod to play Caberfeidh. |