Lovat 5 Skye Camanachd 2. | |
21 February 2011 Lovat beat Skye Camanachd 5-2 in their 2011 Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup clash at Balgate on Saturday 19 February 2011. Skye Camanachd first team manager Aonghas MacDonald made one change to the starting line-up from the team which drew with Kingussie a week earlier. Defender Shaun Hedley was unavailable but Steven Morrison returned to the side. Lovat were without Scotland U21 keeper Stuart MacDonald who has a leg injury. Second team keeper Chris MacCallum took his place between the stick. There were 3 changes from Lovat’s 2010 squad as defender Martin Bell and forward Fraser Gallagher have opted to play second team shinty whilst Calum Macaulay has moved to Glenurquhart. Managers James Gallagher and John MacRitchie otherwise had a full squad to choose from. Skye opened brightly and enjoyed the better of the early exchanges without actually getting any shots on target. However it was Lovat who took the lead on 7 minutes when full forward Greg Matheson turned and whipped a good shot past Michael Nicolson in the Skye goal to make it 1-0. Skye returned on the attack but Lovat showed how clinical they were front of goal when they went 2-0 ahead on 11 minutes. James MacPherson, who demonstrated his dedication by making an overnight bus journey from London where he is working to play in the game, got on the end of a sweeping move. Michael Nicolson blocked MacPherson’s first effort with his foot but the Scotland U21 cap made no mistake with the rebound as he lifted the ball over Nicolson into the net. Skye threatened on 23 minutes when Danny Morrison slipped the ball to Iain Morrison but the danger was cleared. Skye manager Aonghas MacDonald made some changes as Lovat came more and more into the game. Steven Morrison was pushed forward to help in the attack, Shockie MacLennan moved to buckshee back and Martin Bruce came on at left wing back. The switch almost played immediate dividends on 27 minutes when Alan Palmer set up Steven Morrison and his shot whistled just wide of target. Lovat’s Ryan Ferguson missed a golden opportunity to put his side 3-0 ahead on 39 minutes when he was unable to find the target after he connected with a cross from the right. Skye had also introduced Jordan Murchison and the youngster almost pulled a goal back for the visitors when he took possession on the edge of the D but Lovat’s Drew Howie, who was excellent throughout, made a crucial click to deny Murchison. With just seconds of the first half remaining, Lovat’s Ryan Ferguson sent a blistering drive from the Lovat left which few into the roof of the Skye net to make it 3-0. Lovat were now looking every inch the Premier Division side and Skye keeper Michael Nicolson denied Ryan Ferguson a couple of minutes into the second half. Lovat continued to press the Skye goal and their tenacity paid off after 49 minutes when the Skye defence failed to clear a corner from the right and Greg Matheson slammed the ball into the net to make it 4-0. Skye manager MacDonald withdrew full back Iain Murray with Steven Morrison dropping back to his more accustomed position. Skye pulled a goal back on 52 minutes when Alan Palmer was allowed the space to turn and slam the ball low into the net to make it 4-1. Skye were now starting to come more into the game although Lovat’s comfortable lead may have contributed to them dropping down a gear. On 56 minutes a Gilleasbuig MacDonald corner from the left found Alan Palmer but Lovat keeper Chris MacCallum saved Palmer’s snap-shot and cleared the ball for a corner. Lovat were next to threaten from a set-piece as Greg Matheson shot wide from a corner on the right. Good play between Jordan Murchison and Alan Palmer created a chance for Somhairle MacDonald but he was unable to get a shot on goal and the ball was cleared. Skye introduced another youngster after 68 minutes when Ally MacDonald came on in attack for his second appearance for the club. MacDonald immediately linked up well with Jordan Murchison and a one-two between the forwards saw Murchison’s shot saved by MacCallum. Jordan Murchison looked to be Skye’s most effective forward and his turn and shot on 75 minutes deceived MacCallum and the ball trundled into the net to make it 4-2. A couple of minutes later Ally MacDonald battled for possession and played in Iain Morrison who made space but his shot rose over the bar. Lovat had introduced former Skye player Iain Nicolson to their attack and he had a couple of chances to extend Lovat’s lead and he was foiled by an unorthodox challenge from Steven Morrison on one occasion. Lovat went 5-2 up 5 minutes from time when a 25 yard drive from Euan Ferguson beat Nicolson to clinch victory. The match was well refereed by Evan MacRae and both players served up a good pre-season game of shinty for the appreciative Balgate crowd with the home side deserving their win. The Thomas Ferguson Cup was presented to Lovat captain Euan Ferguson by Skye Camanachd stalwart John Angus Morrison. It was appropriate that John Angus Morrison should make the presentation as he has held many positions within the Island club including player, first team manager and Chieftain. He was also a former teammate of Thomas Ferguson and he was the keeper who saved several penalties when Skye defeated Kingussie in a penalty shoot-out to win the trophy for the first time in 1974. Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, Iain Murray, AB Connor, Shockie MacLennan, Steven Morrison, Neil MacVicar, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Kerr Gibb, Danny Morrison, Alan Palmer, Iain Morrison, Somhairle MacDonald (captain) subs Martin Bruce. Jordan Murchison, Ally MacDonald Lovat from; Chris MacCallum, James Grieve, Drew Howie, Daniel Grieve, Lorne MacKay, Calum Cruden, Euan Ferguson (captain), Craig Mainland Ryan Ferguson, Owen Ferguson, James MacPherson, Greg Matheson subs Iain Nicolson, Tom Smith, Jamie MacKenzie Referee – Evan MacRae |