Skye Camanachd U17 4 Kingussie U17 3. | |
15 August 2010 The Skye Camanachd U17 side beat Kingussie U17 4-3 in their opening London Shield match at Invergarry on Tuesday 10 August 2010. Skye’s were without defender Calum Gibb and forward Chris MacLennan who were both working and forward Magnus Burd who was injured. This was Skye’s home match but the sides agreed to play at Invergarry, as they did last season when Kingussie held home advantage, to ease travelling difficulties. Skye started well and pressured the Kingussie goal from the start. There were several close things before Paul MacKinnon and Will Cowie, making his first start at U17 level, combined to set up a shooting opportunity for Jordan Murchison after 13 minutes. Murchison hit a bobbling shot which deceived keeper Russell Menzies to give the young Islanders the lead. However there was nothing fortunate about Murchison’s second strike a minute later. He collected a pass from full centre Martin Bruce around 35 yards from goal and sent a blistering drive into the roof of the net which gave Menzies no chance. With the Skye midfield of Marti Bruce, flanked by Ally Macleod and Daniel Morrison dominating the game, their forwards enjoyed plenty possession and it took some fine saves from Russell Menzies, especially from Jordan Murchison, to prevent the Islanders increasing their lead. Martin Bruce played in John Gillies and he fired a great drive which clipped the junction between bar and post. Jack Anderson, son of Kingussie legend Davie Anderson, sent a good shot whistling just past the Skye goal as Kingussie looked to get back in the game. Kingussie broke up the park after 25 minutes and Ewan Graham cut in from his left wing centre position and sent a fine shot into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit. Skye allowed Kingussie more into the game in the closing stages of the first half and just a minute before the break, Thomas Borthwick burst forward and collected a pass from Ewan Graham before sending a low 25 yard shot just inside the Skye post to square the match at half time. Kingussie pressed hard from the restart. Skye keeper Iain MacLeod made a brilliant save above his head with his stick from a Thomas Borthwick blockbuster just 3 minutes into the second period whilst Scott MacLeod and Martin Bruce combined to clear the danger. Kingussie took the lead 11 minutes into the second half. Thomas Borthwick pushed forward with the ball. He was tackled by Martin Bruce but the loose ball broke to Kingussie’s Alec Cleeton who shot into the net. The King’s goal seemed to reignite Skye and they were level just 3 minutes later. Martin Bruce won possession on the left of midfield before crashing a 30 yard shot on target. Kingussie keeper Menzies stopped the ball with his body but Will Cowie, who had switched to the full forward position, was first to the rebound and he collected the ball and tucked it into the net. Menzies made a good save from Jordan Murchison after 58 minutes as Skye looked to regain the lead. A minute later a 20 yard shot from Martin Bruce was well saved and cleared by Menzies. Skye went 4-3 up on 61 minutes. Paul MacKinnon made a great run down the right wing. His cross left Will Cowie one on one with keeper Menzies and Cowie held his nerve and lifted the ball into the net. Russell Menzies made another good save from Jordan Murchison on 62 minutes. Kingussie made a final push at the end of the game and Iain MacLeod had a couple of tidy clearances and one outstanding save from a deflected shot with Scott MacLeod sweeping the ball to safety. This was an entertaining battle and just as last season, Skye won by a single goal. There was a great tussle in the middle of the park between Skye’s Martin Bruce and Kingussie first team forward Thomas Borthwick. Will Cowie can be pleased with his 2 goal contribution in his first start as can Jordan Murchison who was always a threat. Iain Grant was solid in the Skye defence. Ewan Graham and keeper Russell Menzies also stood out for John Gibson’s Kingussie side. Skye Camanachd U17 from; Iain MacLeod, , Iain Grant, Mark Mortimer, Scott MacLeod, Shaun Hedley, Ally MacLeod, Martin Bruce, Daniel Morrison (captain), Paul MacKinnon, Will Cowie, Jordan Murchison, John Gillies, subs Euan Forrest, Iain MacPherson, not used Match Referee – John MacLeod |