Kinlochshiel 1 Skye Camanachd 1. | |
04 April 2010 The Skye Camanachd second team picked up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw with Kinlochshiel at Kirkton in Marine Harvest North Division 2 on Saturday 3 April 2010.
Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie MacVicar was on holiday so Willie MacRae and Alasdair Bruce looked after the side.
Skye’s selection problems continued as Ian Morrison, Neil John Campbell remained absent with hand injuries whilst Danny Morrison and Stewart Grant were in first team action. However Martin Bruce returned to the side after being with the first team the previous week, Andrew Banks was home from university and Ally MacDonald also returned after illness. Scott Martin also returned after injury. With Davie MacVicar also missing on the field, his son Neil MacVicar took up the full centre position.
Kinlochshiel also had absentees to deal with. Keeper Ian Cameron was called up to the first team to replace the injured Graeme Kennedy and Zander Grant and Donald Nixon were also notable absentees. However they were able to call on more experienced replacements than their counter-parts with Allan MacDiarmid coming in at full forward and Scott MacLean also joining the attack. Colin Fraser started at full back whilst Scott Kennedy replaced Cameron in goal.
Conditions underfoot were heavy but the pitch held up well considering the recent elements.
The visitors got off to the best possible start when Daniel Morrison won a free hit 40 yards from goal, straight from the throw up. Neil MacVicar played the ball into the danger area and whist the Shiel defence had opportunities to clear their lines, Jordan Murchison grabbed the chance to fire his side into the lead when he crashed a backhand volley into the roof of the net, leaving Kennedy helpless. This was Murchison’s first goal for the Skye Camanachd second team and his performances of late suggest it will be the first goal of many.
The Shiel response was swift and a melee 20 yards from the Skye goal led to referee Ronnie Campbell blowing for a throw up between Neil MacVicar and Duncan MacRae. The Shiel player got his stick to the ball first and it fell beautifully for Allan MacDiarmid who turned his man before passing the ball low into the net.
A David Grant clearance on 13 minutes was picked up by Willie MacRae. The Skye veteran played a terrific diagonal ball forward to Angie MacDonald but his shot flew across goal.
Shiel were playing a two-two forward line and Skye defenders Martin Bruce and Shaun Hedley swapped positions so that Bruce could mark Shiel danger man Ian Campbell.
Skye keeper Ross Graham saved well with his legs from a Scott MacLean drive on 33 minutes as the game continued to swing from end to end.
The second half brought more of the same with Skye now hitting up the slope.
Shiel were awarded a penalty after 53 minutes when Andrew Banks kicked the ball in the D. Allan MacDiarmid stepped up to take the hit but his shot crashed back off Ross Graham’s left post. What resulted was a titanic stramash in front of the Skye goal and the visiting defence deserves great credit for keeping the ball out of the net. Eventually it was full back David Grant who used his strength and determination to scoop the ball clear for a corner to the relief of the visiting fans.
Skye introduced Ally MacDonald into the forward line and he helped the side enjoy their best spell in the match. Ian Grant moved back to replace Shaun Hedley, and he also looked very assured in his defensive role.
Ally MacLeod came on in place of Jordan Murchison for the Islanders and Scott MacLeod made his first appearance of the season when he replaced Daniel Morrison.
Skye finished the game strongly with Neil MacVicar and Scott Martin controlling the midfield area.
Scott MacLeod sent a great free-hit from the right fizzing across the goal but there were no takers from Skye.
Skye substitute Ally MacDonald sent a glorious 25 yard drive on target right at the death as the visitors pressed for the winner. However Scott Kennedy made a great save with his hand before clearing the ball for a corner.
The referee’s final whistle blew moments later to end a match which neither side really deserved to lose.
Skye were well served by Neil MacVicar who seemed to relish the challenge of playing full centre and he had a great tussle with Duncan MacRae in the middle of the park. Ally MacDonald reignited the Skye forward line when he came on to make a welcome return to the team.
Skye Camanachd from; Ross Graham, David Grant (captain), Andrew Banks, Shaun Hedley, Martin Bruce, Daniel Morrison, (Scott MacLeod), Neil MacVicar, Scott Martin, Willie MacRae, Iain Grant, Jordan Murchison, (Ally MacLeod), Angie MacDonald
Match Referee – Ronnie Campbell |