Skye Camanachd ended their league season with a 5-2 win over Strathglass at Cannich in Marine Harvest North Division 1 on Saturday 25 September 2010.
Skye Camanachd first team manager Aonghas MacDonald made 4 changes to his starting line-up following the draw with Caberfeidh a fortnight ago. Michael Nicolson returned in goal in place of Jamie Gannon who was unavailable. Shockie MacLennan came back in defence after injury to replace Allan MacLeod who was also unable to make the trip. Iain Nicolson was injured so Iain Morrison started in attack and Neil MacVicar took the wing centre position in place of Stewart Grant who joined his brother Iain Grant – in the squad for the first time - and Jordan Murchison on the bench. Shaun Hedley turned out for the second team in Portree.
Strathglass started with player / manager Brian MacKay in goal as Raymond Fraser was unavailable. U14 starlet Josh Fraser was also unavailable.
The home side almost took a first minute lead when Garry Reid collected a poor clearance but his shot was saved by Michael Nicolson in the Skye goal.
Strathglass enjoyed some early pressure but Skye broke with devastating effect after 5 minutes. Neil MacVicar played the ball down the right wing to Iain Morrison who cut a pass inside to Danny Morrison in the buckshee forward position. Morrison took a touch to control the ball before send a glorious drive into the top corner of the net to put Skye 1-0 ahead.
It took a remarkable save from Brian MacKay to stop Skye increasing their advantage after 13 minutes. Somhairle MacDonald fired goalwards but his shot was deflected off a defender’s stick, forcing MacKay to twist and touch the ball over the ball with his caman.
Iain Morrison shot wide a couple of minutes later after good lead up play from Danny Morrison.
Somhairle MacDonald met a Gilleasbuig MacDonald corner from the left after 16 minutes but MacKay saved well with his feet.
Skye were by no means having it all their own way and a Robert Geddes shot flew wide of target on 20 minutes.
A foul on Skye full forward Somhairle MacDonald inside the D gave Skye the chance to double their advantage from the penalty spot on 25 minutes. MacDonald made no mistake when he took the penalty himself as he smashed the ball low into the net.
Strathglass got them selves back in the game on 33 minutes when Skye keeper Michael Nicolson missed a clearance and Scott Douglass took advantage to make it 2-1.
Douglas almost levelled the game a minute later when he shot just wide from a Garry Reid free hit.
Skye defender Martin Bruce was spoken to by referee MacRae for a late challenge on Garry Reid near the touchline as Skye battled to keep their advantage.
Strathglass should have levelled on 39 minutes when a cross from Darren Reid found veteran Robert Geddes in space 12 yards in front of goal but he never caught the ball properly and Michael Nicolson kept his nerve to save with his foot.
Skye went 3-1 up with the goal of the match and it was an effort which held a striking similarity to Garry Innes’ Camanachd Cup winning goal a week earlier. Neil MacVicar played the role of John MacDonald as he took a corner from the right. MacDonald made a near-post Garry Innes type run before rocketing a first time shot past MacKay to score the goal of the match.
There was a flurry of goal mouth action in the minutes leading up to the break. First Michael Nicolson made a good save with his feet from a Scott Douglass shot.
At the other end, a Somhairle MacDonald run and shot was calmly dealt with by MacKay.
Finally Skye’s Iain Morrison made a good run down the right before being tripped. Morrison took a quick free hit to Kenny Campbell who made a good run in on goal but keeper MacKay turned the ball away at the expense of a corner. Neil MacVicar took the corner but Iain Morrison couldn’t find the target after dribbling the ball into the area.
Strathglass put Skye under pressure from the start of the second half. Michael Nicolson had to look lively to turn away a Scott Douglass shot from the left.
There was an almighty scramble in front of the Skye goal on 47 minutes and Shockie MacLennan and Kerr Gibb combined to clear the danger.
Skye full back Steven Morrison was booked by referee Donnie MacRae on 48 minutes for comments made to the goal judge.
Michael Nicolson was called into action again on 52 minutes when he saved from Geddes and cleared for a corner.
Skye weathered the storm and Gilleasbuig MacDonald played in Iain Morrison on 65 minutes and although he turned past his marker, but his back-hand shot went wide of goal.
Alan Palmer then went close as Skye looked to finally see off Strathglass.
However a minute later, the home side were given the chance to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty. Skye keeper Michael Nicolson went to ground when making a save and referee MacRae had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Garry Reid stepped forward to take the spot-hit but he never caught the ball cleanly and Nicolson saved with his feet.
Skye went 4-1 up on 71 minutes when Somhairle MacDonald completed his impressive hat-trick with a low shot which gave MacKay little chance.
Skye went 5-1 up on 75 minutes with a goal you don’t see often – a 30 yard Kenny Campbell back-hand shot which flew into the top corner of the net.
Skye manager Aonghas MacDonald took the opportunity to make some changes and Neil MacVicar was replaced by Stewart Grant in midfield whilst Jordan Murchison took over from Danny Morrison in attack.
Sixteen year old Iain Grant was rewarded for some sterling U17 and second team performances this season when he came on for his first team debut on 79 minutes as he replaced Shockie MacLennan in defence.
Strathglass pulled a goal back on 80 minutes when the Islanders defence failed to clear a ball and substitute Gordon Fraser lashed the ball into the net to make it 5-2.
The final chance of the game fell to Strathglass when Michael Stokes, who made a welcome return to the side as a substitute following an injury last year, set up Scott Douglas but he shot over the bar.
Skye must now awaiting the outcome of other fixtures before their final league position is known but they will take optimism from the fact that the squad included 7 players from the 2009 U17 London Shield winning side - Martin Bruce, Neil MacVicar, Danny Morrison, Iain Morrison, Stewart Grant, Jordan Murchison and Iain Grant.
Strathglass will finish bottom of the league. However they are unlikely to be relegated and should take strength from Lochcarron’s revival this season after finishing bottom of the table in 2009.
Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, Steven Morrison, (captain), Martin Bruce, Kerr Gibb, Shockie MacLennan, (Ian Grant), Kenny Campbell, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Neil MacVicar, (Stewart Grant), Danny Morrison, (Jordan Murchison), Alan Palmer, Iain Morrison, Somhairle MacDonald
Referee – Donnie MacRae