North Division 1
Lovat 0 Skye Camanachd 3
Skye Camanachd reduced Kingussie’s lead at the top of the table to a single point with a 3-0 win over Lovat at Kiltarlity. The Islanders also have the added advantage of a game in hand.
This was Skye’s first outing of 1990 and the game was played in less than ideal conditions with a biting south-westerly wind making it difficult for the players. However there can be no complaints about the Balgate surface which was in excellent condition for the time of year.
Lovat started with the wind at their backs and Skye made a nervy opening to the game and seemed unable to get into their usual rhythm.
The Islanders were also becoming frustrated by some decisions given by referee Brian Watts. Their mood wasn’t helped after 13 minutes when Watts awarded the home side a penalty when he adjudged that Skye keeper John “Bodach” MacKenzie had kicked the ball when saving a Dave Urquhart shot. The Skye players felt the decision was harsh. Urquhart stepped forward to take the spot-hit but MacKenzie saved and the ball was cleared for a corner.
Referee Watts was forced to speak to several Skye players for voicing their opinion too strongly before Willie Cowie was booked for his contribution on the half hour mark.
The Skye defence had certainly played their part in the team’s title push and they again showed their credentials during the first 45 minutes, prompted by imposing full back Duncan MacDougall.
A shot from distance from wing centre Andy MacLean was Skye’s best effort of a disappointing first half.
Skye manager Ross Cowie gathered his troops at the interval and made two things clear. The back-chat to the referee had to stop and the performance had to be stepped up a couple of levels.
It was a different Skye who took the lead at the start of the second half and they rattled in 3 goals in the opening 10 minutes.
Willie Cowie was first to take the game by the scruff of the neck. The Skye playmaker collected a pass before surviving three heavy challenges – each of which could have been considered a foul but Watts played good advantage – before crashing an unstoppable 20 yard drive over Lovat keeper Ally MacRae’s shoulder to put the visitors 1-0 up.
The goal made an enormous difference to the team and the Skye forwards looked eager as they threatened to over-run the Lovat defence.
Skye went 2-0 up 6 minutes later through John MacRae. There seemed little danger when MacRae stood 15 yards out with his back to goal, surrounded by four Lovat defenders. However MacRae turned and crashed a terrific angled shot which gave Ally MacRae no chance.
Just 90 seconds later it was 3-0. A number of Skye shots were blocked by a combination of keeper MacRae and his defenders before the ball fell to Willie Cowie at the edge of the D. Cowie showed tremendous accuracy to pick his spot and slot the ball into the net for what was his 16th goal of a productive campaign. Cowie’s form was earning him recognition as one of the very best players in the game and Skye were benefiting from his talents.
With the game over as a contest, Skye boss Ross Cowie introduced substitutes John “Slippy” Finlayson and John Angus Gillies. Lovat also made changes brining on James Gallagher and Mathew Sloggie.
Both MacKenzie in the Skye goal and MacRae in the Lovat goal made good stops before the end.
This would have been a more uncomfortable afternoon for Skye if Lovat had scored their penalty but a 10 minute burst, including some great play from Willie Cowie, secured an important win which keeps the pressure on Kingussie.
With the King’s in Macaulay Cup action next weekend, Skye have the chance to play their game in hand and go a point clear at the top of the table.
In the other matches played, Newtonmore drew 2-2 with Fort William. Norman MacArthur and John Russell had put ‘More 2-0 up at the break before second half goals from Victor Smith and Drew McNeil earned Fort a share of the points.
Kinlochshiel and Glenurquhart won through to the North Qualifying Cup Final. A Ken Fraser double gave Shiel a narrow 2-1 win over Inverness whilst the Glen beat Lochaber 4-2.
| P | W | D | L | PTS |
Kingussie | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
Skye | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 16 |
Fort William | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 12 |
Newtonmore | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
Caberfeidh | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 8 |
Lovat | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
Beauly | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Kinlochshiel | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 |