Skye Camanachd U17 0 Lochaber U17 3. | |
11 June 2010 The Skye Camanachd U17s missed out on a place in the MacTavish Juvenile Final when they lost 3-0 to holders Lochaber U17 in their semi final tie at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. The Lochaber side, who were coached by first team manager Michael Delaney, were without keeper Paul MacDonald-Wotherspoon so Calum MacDonald deputised in goal. Their team contained 4 players – including Connor Sweeney, Danny Delaney and Brenan MacDonald – who featured in their first team squad in the Marine Harvest North Division 1 match against Skye Camanachd the previous weekend. Skye started well and enjoyed some early pressure without creating any real goal scoring opportunities. The closest they came was a high John Gillies cross from the left which Magus Burd reached but couldn’t direct on target. When Lochaber responded they found Iain MacLeod alert between the Skye posts and he made a good save low to his right from Pat Toal. However the ball was only half cleared by the Skye defence and when Jamie McIntyre won possession on the Lochaber left, he crossed into the danger area where Scott Knox fired the ball into the net to give the visitors the lead. Skye pressed to get back into the game and Magnus Burd set up a chance for Chris MacLennan on 28 minutes but Lochaber keeper Calum MacDonald saved with his feet. A minute later Jordan Murchison sent a rocket shot on target from the Skye right and MacDonald saved brilliantly with his stick. Skye buckshee forward Jordan Murchison picked up a head knock on 37 minutes and he had to come off for the remainder of the first half to be patched up. Skye introduced 13 year old Willie Cowie in his place for his first appearance at U17 level. Skye had one more chance to level before the break but Ally MacLeod shot wide of target. A shot from Skye’s Ally MacLeod just 6 minutes into the second half was blocked by keeper MacDonald. Magnus Burd just failed to get on the end of the rebound and Lochaber full back Danny Delaney cleared the danger. Just as in the first half, Skye pressed the Lochaber defence without creating any real chances in front of goal and the Lochaber defence, for which captain Danny Delaney and Brenan MacDonald were excellent, coped with the pressure. Skye lost Jordan Murchison with a hand injury and he was replaced again by Will Cowie. Skye created a chance midway through the second half when a free hit from full centre Martin Bruce found Chris MacLennan but his shot flew wide of the target. Lochaber doubled their lead 23 minutes into the second half. They were awarded a free hit 25 yards from goal for a push on the back. Connor Sweeney played the free hit forward and Jamie McIntyre slotted the ball low into the net. They almost made it 3-0 just 6 minutes later when Pat Toal was played clean through on goal. However Iain MacLeod came out to narrow the angle and saved well with his feet. With 8 minutes remaining, Skye coach Davie MacVicar pushed full centre Martin Bruce, who had a good tussle with Connor Sweeney in the middle of the park, forward and Ally MacLeod took up the full centre position. This move almost paid immediate dividends when Bruce battled to win possession but shot wide of target. With just 2 minutes remaining, Lochaber made it 3-0. Connor Sweeney burst forward from midfield and played a one-two before blasting the ball high into the net. Skye had a late chance for a consolation goal when Ally MacLeod collected the ball from a corner and forced MacDonald to save with his feet. Best players for a disappointing Skye were Jordan Murchison, Martin Bruce, Ian Grant who was tidy in defence and John Gillies who played well on the left wing, especially in the first half. Lochaber had good performance from Danny Delaney, Brenan MacDonald and Connor Sweeney. Skye Camanachd from; Iain MacLeod, Iain Grant, Calum Gibb, Shaun Hedley, Scott MacLeod, Ally MacLeod, Martin Bruce, Daniel Morrison (captain), Jordan Murchison, Chris MacLennan, John Gillies, Magnus Burd, Will Cowie, Mark Mortimer, Scott MacDonald Match Referee – Donnie Martin The match balls are sponsored by Nor-Dan |