Strathglass 2 Skye Camanachd 0. | |
06 March 2011 Skye Camanachd lost 2-0 to Strathglass at Cannich in Marine Harvest North Division 1 in what as a disappointing opening day of the season for the Islanders on Saturday 5 March 2011. Skye Camanachd first team manager Aonghas MacDonald made just one change to the starting line-up which beat Glenurquhart a week earlier. Steven Morrison returned to take the full back slot with Shockie MacLennan unavailable. Danny Morrison also returned to join Martin Bruce and Robbie MacDougall, who returned to the Skye first team after an absence of several seasons, on the bench. Strathglass were along usual lines with Garry Reid continuing at full back and Les Fraser returning in attack. Strathglass enjoyed the early pressure without really threatening the Skye goal whilst the Islander’s threat was limited to the odd break-away attack. Andrew Fraser spurned the best chance of the opening exchanges when he pulled a shot wide of goal on 20 minutes. The over-worked Skye defence had little respite as every clearance they made seemed to come straight back to them and full back Steven Morrison played a crucial role holding the team together. Skye’s AB Connor managed to block a goal bound effort on 31 minutes. The ball hit the rugged defender on the thigh which was later to prove costly for Skye. Just 5 minutes later, Skye had a lucky escaped when a shot came off one of their defenders and deflected off the post for a corner. However Skye’s luck ran out when they failed to clear the resultant corner from the right and wing centre Robbie Stokes slammed the ball into the net. AB Connor had been limping since blocking the earlier shot which seemed to trigger a muscle problem in his leg. Connor was forced to come off and was replaced by Martin Bruce. Skye manager Aonghas MacDonald also introduced Danny Morrison and Robbie MacDougall in attack in place of Iain Morrison and Jordan Murchison. For MacDougall, it was his first appearance for Skye since he featured for the second team during Ally “Mhor” Morrison’s reign in charge. The Skye players were starting to show more urgency in their play and they created the final chance of the half but Somhairle MacDonald shot wide on 39 minutes. Robbie MacDougall blasted the ball on target in the opening minute of the second period. However Strath keeper Stevie McLaughlin saved with his legs, MacDougall pounced on the rebound but his shot went past the keeper’s left post. Skye defender Shaun Hedley, who was excellent throughout, was warned by referee Jock Matheson following a late challenge on Gordon Fraser. Michael Nicolson stopped a rocket shot from Ali McAdams on 48 minutes but the rebound fell to Darren Reid who seemed certain to score. However Skye defender Martin Bruce was quick to challenge the Strathglass forward before clearing the danger. This came at a cost for Skye as Bruce was injured in the challenge and it was later confirmed that he suffered a broken hand. Aonghas MacDonald was again forced to shuffle his pack with wing centre Neil MacVicar going to wing back and Iain Morrison coming on in midfield. Strathglass forward Ali McAdams fired into the side netting on 71 minutes as the home side went for the crucial second goal. A minute later Kerr Gibb played the ball forward to Robbie MacDougal and his rasping shot went just wide of target. Iain Morrison burst forward from midfield on 76 minutes and his shot on goal was diverted by Danny Morrison which wrong-footed keeper McLaughlin but the ball crept agonisingly past the post. A deep ball forward from Gilleasbuig MacDonald on 82 minutes forced Stevie McLaughlin to race from goal. Alan Palmer intercepted the keeper’s clearance but his shot drifted wide. Just 60 seconds later Strathglass went 2-0 ahead. A Robbie Stokes shy from the left was collected by Ali McAdams and he shot through a ruck of players past the unsighted Michael Nicolson in the Skye goal. Strathglass’ Robbie Stokes and Skye’s Iain Morrison were enjoying a feisty tussle in midfield and Stokes had his name taken by referee Matheson for over-stepping the mark 5 minutes from time. Skye pressed for a consolation goal and a turn and shot from Robbie MacDougall following a Gilleasbuig MacDonald free hit whistled just past the goal. A couple of minutes from time Somhairle MacDonald set up Jordan Murchison and he fizzed a terrific shot just past the goal. Strathglass only won one league game in 2010 so they were understandably delighted with the win. As for Skye, Steven Morrison and Shaun Hedley were top performers whilst the other defenders each earned pass marks. Keeper Michael Nicolson was blameless for both Strath goals. However the inconsistency the Islanders showed pre-season has seeped into their league form and the other players will need to show a marked improvement if they are to take anything from the derby meeting with Kinlochshiel next week. Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, Steven Morrison, AB Connor, Iain Murray, Shaun Hedley, Neil MacVicar, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Kerr Gibb, Alan Palmer, Iain Morrison, Jordan Murchison, Somhairle MacDonald (captain) subs Martin Bruce, Danny Morrison, Robbie MacDougall Strathglass from; Stevie McLaughlin, Garry Reid, George Phimmister, Michael Stokes, Scott Douglas, Robbie Stokes, Donald Fraser, Andrew Fraser, Alister McAdams, Leslie Fraser, Gordon Fraser, Darren Reid subs Raymond Fraser, Josh Fraser, Mark MacLeod Referee – Jock Matheson |