Aberdeen University 1 Skye Camanachd 5 | |
24 March 2015 The Skye Camanachd second team came from a goal down to beat Aberdeen University 5-1 in their Marine Harvest North Division 2 meeting at Balgownie on Saturday 21 March 2015. Aberdeen University, managed by former Skye Camanachd player Jamie Beaton, opened their shinty season with two victories in their opening two matches. Former Lochcarron player Kenny Cushnie had already showed a keen eye for goal, scoring four times over these two games. Former Skye player Robert Urquhart started at wing centre for the Students. Skye manager Davie Pringle was unable to make the trip so Aonghas MacDonald, captain David MacInnes and his brother John Angus MacInnes all looked after the side for this 2.30pm throw up. Skye made five changes to the sixteen man squad which beat Lochaber 5-2 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree a week earlier. Ally MacDonald and Jordan Murchison returned to first team duty whilst Kyle Pirie, Shaun Hedley and Angie MacPherson were all missing. DJ Gilpin, Alan Palmer and youngster Ross Nicolson came into the squad. Magnus Burd was a late call off so Aonghas MacDonald took up the third substitute’s position. Aberdeen University are managed by former Skye Camanachd player Jamie Beaton and he named himself on the substitute’s bench. Former Fort William player Jamie Cruickshank started in defence. Skye struggled to get going from the throw up which is probably understandable given the long journey – they left Skye at 7.15am. When they got into their rhythm, they started to produce some nice link-up play up front. The first half was fairly even with nether team really testing the opposing keeper to any great extent. Alan Palmer was very effective for Skye at wing back, sweeping up several loose balls into the danger area. Aberdeen University went ahead just before half-time and it was a well worked goal. It ended when former Fort William player Mark Fraser was given too much space near to the penalty spot and the full forward sent a powerful low drive into the net, giving Skye keeper Ryan Morrison no chance. Things got quite heated towards the end of the first half with the half-time whistle coming at an opportune moment. Skye made some changes at the interval. Calum Gibb was replaced by Marcus Ross at wing centre and Ross went on to have a good game. Stewart Grant moved to buckshee back and Chris MacLennan, who had played well in defence but took a knock to the wrist, switched to wing forward. James Pringle dropped back to replace Stewart Grant at wing centre. Skye made a great start to the second half and they got an early goal through John Gillies. Chris MacLennan collected the ball on the Skye touchline on the right and he floated the ball in on goal from around 25-30 yards out. The keeper saved with his feet but Gillies was on hand to slot the ball past him into the net to make it 1-1. It was a composed finish and the goal gave the Islanders a lift. Chris MacLennan made it 2-1 when he collected possession on the right from Iain MacLellan following a Skye free-hit. MacLennan hit the ball along the ground and it found its way past the keeper into the net. Skye’s tails were up and MacLennan got his second and Skye’s third following a corner on the right. John Gillies and Iain MacLellan were unable to get a touch but MacLennan made his way to the back post and he caught the ball on the half-volley from 15 yards to make it 3-1. Chris MacLennan’s move to attack was proving profitable and he completed his hat-trick following a scramble around the penalty spot. The ball broke to MacLennan wide on the Skye right and he reacted quickly, catching the ball sweetly, and he rocketed a low shot into the net to make it 4-1. The Skye forwards were continually swapping positions and John Gillies completed the scoring when he got on the end of a Marcus Ross shy at the back post. Gillies first played the ball past his marker before hitting a powerful shot into the net to make it 5-1. There was a second team debut for Ross Nicolson who replaced Iain MacLellan with around 10 minutes remaining and he didn’t look out of place at this level. Skye keeper Ryan Morrison made a cracking save - which was captured on video - in the closing minutes as he turned away a net-bound shoulder-high shot with his caman following an Aberdeen free-hit on the right. It was a physical game at times and Skye showed great team spirit and a good work ethic which probably won them the game. Best for the Islanders was David MacInnes who showed great drive and effort. He ran the midfield, hardly putting a foot wrong. Stewart Grant, youngster James Pringle and scorers MacLennan and Gillies also deserve a mention. Aberdeen University from: Darren Ross: Graham Black, Joe Folan, Ross Robinson, Jamie Cruickshank: Robert Urquhart, David Fraser, Stuart Cameron: John Sweeney (captain), Kenny Cushnie, Greg Tillman, Mark Fraser: subs Jamie Beaton, Tom Adrian, Scott Moffat, Willie Hunter Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison: Andrew Banks, Alan Palmer, DJ Gilpin, Chris MacLennan: Stewart Grant, David MacInnes (captain), Calum Gibb: John Gillies, James Pringle, Iain MacLellan, John Angus MacInnes: subs Marcus Ross, Ross Nicolson, Aonghas MacDonald Match Referee – Calum Girvan
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