Lovat 1 Skye Camanachd 0. | |
09 May 2010 Skye Camanachd went out of the Artemis Macaulay Cup by the narrowest of margins against Premier Division side Lovat at Balgate on Saturday 8 May 2010.
Skye Camanachd first team manager Aonghas MacDonald made one change to the starting line up from last week’s MacTavish Cup tie against Fort William. Jamie MacDonald returned to the defence with AB Connor dropping onto the bench. There were also changes on the bench as Alan Palmer missed out because of a university exam and Neil MacVicar and Martin Bruce returned to second string action. Norman MacLeod came back into the 15 man squad.
Lovat were without 16 year old Greg Matheson who picked up a foot injury in their reserve side’s defeat to Newtonmore in midweek. Forward James MacPherson started on the bench.
Skye started well with Somhairle MacDonald asking questions of the Lovat defence and one ball across the Lovat goal just required a touch to give the Islanders the lead but there were no takers.
Lovat captain Euan Ferguson threatened on their first attack but he shot wide of the target.
Skye suffered a major blow on 22 minutes when Somhairle MacDonald aggravated a hamstring problem as he shot for goal. He was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Danny Morrison.
A neat knockdown from Allan MacKinnon set up a chance for Dougie Rankin but he couldn’t find the target.
Lovat’s Fraser Gallacher was spoken to by referee Ron Kennedy after a clash with Allan MacLeod left the Skye defender on the ground.
Jamie Gannon sprung into action before the break when he saved well from a Euen Ferguson shot across goal.
The second half continued in a similar vein with little between the sides.
Gannon again saved well from Euen Ferguson, this time with his foot.
Skye replaced full forward Dougie Rankin with Norman MacLeod in a bid to add some impetuous to their attack.
Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald made a good save with his feet to deny Kenny Campbell on 64 minutes and a minute later, Jamie Gannon made a brilliant stop above his head to keep out a Gavin Macaulay rocket shot.
Owen Ferguson had a shot deflected wide on 72 minutes and Lovat took the lead from the resultant corner. Fraser Gallacher was allowed space on the left to unleash a thunderous drive into the roof of the net.
Skye replaced forward Allan MacKinnon with defender AB Connor and pushed Iain Nicolson into the attack.
Jamie Gannon had to look lively on 76 minutes to save with his feet to prevent Gallacher scoring a second. However the rebound fell for Owen Ferguson right in front of goal but his shot went over the bar.
Lovat’s full centre Gavin Cruden was booked for a crude challenge on Skye’s Gilleasbuig MacDonald a minute later.
Kenny Campbell made a good run down the right on 81 minutes but his shot went wide of goal.
Both Kenny Campbell and Shockie MacLennan suffered knocks and with all 3 substitutes used, MacLennan had to move to full forward for the remainder of the game.
Skye created a great chance to equalise on 86 minutes with the move of the match. Danny Morrison came deep to receive a ball from defence and he sent a delightful pass down the left wing to Iain Nicolson. Nicolson sprinted clear of his marker before sending a perfectly weighted cross into the danger area. The cross found Kenny Campbell right in front on goal but he knocked the ball wide of the post.
Jamie Gannon saved with his legs from Owen Ferguson as Lovat countered.
Skye made one final push and a Danny Morrison effort went wide of target.
A long ball forward from Steven Morrison found Shockie MacLennan. He played the ball across goal But Norman MacLeod shot wide.
Skye’s final opportunity came from a corner which flew across goal.
Lovat held on and they will now meet Fort William in the next round.
The whole Skye back line, especially captain Steven Morrison, were excellent throughout the game and will feel unfortunate to be on the losing side. However the Islanders will need to get back into the habit of converting chances after 2 weeks against Premier Division opposition.
Skye Camanachd from; Jamie Gannon, Steven Morrison (captain), Allan MacLeod, Ian Nicolson, Jamie MacDonald, Shockie MacLennan, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Kerr Gibb, Somhairle MacDonald, (Danny Morrison), Allan MacKinnon, (AB Connor), Kenny Campbell, Dougie Rankin, (Norman MacLeod)
Match Referee – Ron Kennedy |