Skye Camanachd came from two goals down to beat Beauly 4-2 in their Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup preliminary round tie at Braeview Park on Saturday 8 April 2017.
Beauly had only played twice this season and they gave a starting position to Ross Forbes who had been on a scoring run with their second string. However they resisted the temptation to play Barrie MacDonald who is working his way back from injury.
Skye’s Calum Gibb began a two match suspension following his red card against Caberfeidh a fortnight earlier. However forward Will Cowie and keeper Iain MacLeod were back after injury whilst captain Kenny Campbell also returned and all three came into the starting line-up. Neil MacVicar, Steven Morrison and Ruaraidh MacLeod remained out injured for this 3pm throw up.
The tie was played on a fiery pitch and Beauly could hardly have got off to a better start; taking the lead in the opening minute. A low shot from Robbie Brindle was saved by Iain MacLeod but Ross Forbes was quickly onto the rebound to guide the ball into the net.
It could have been even better for Beauly just moments later when Jack MacDonald set up Conor Ross and his effort hit the frame of the goal.
Beauly did however score again on 28 minutes. Conor Ross sent the ball in from the left and Colin MacDonald picked up possession before running in to score.
Skye came more into the game late in the first half with Will Cowie shooting wide and then Jordan Murchison seeing a shot saved by Beauly goalie Josh Grant but it was the home side who took their 2-0 lead into the break.
There were harsh spoken in the visiting changing room at half time and it looked a different Skye team which started the second half.
Beauly’s Robbie Brindle shot wide shortly after the restart and Ross Forbes tested Iain MacLeod but what could have been a crucial third goal eluded Beauly.
Skye were starting to control the midfield area, with wing centre Iain Nicolson in excellent form, and they pulled a goal back on 61 minutes. Beauly defender Ewen Campbell did well to clear a Jordan Murchison effort off the goal line but the home side couldn’t fully clear the danger and Will Cowie drove the ball low and hard into the net on his back-hand from a tight angle.
Skye levelled on 67 minutes. There was a melee in the home goal and Danny Morrison did well to knock the ball over the line as he was falling to the ground, taking a knock in the process which eventually led to his substitution; replaced by Iain MacLellan.
Will Cowie’s switch to full forward was paying dividends for Skye and Cowie got his second on 70 minutes to put the Islanders ahead for the first time in the tie. Cowie won possession from Ryan Tillman and beat Liam Girvan and Ewen Campbell as he cut in from the left before steering the ball past Josh Grant, just inside the keeper’s post to claim a superb individual goal.
Skye were rampant and their fourth goal in a devastating 11 minute spell came on 72 minutes. Kenny Campbell was the provider as he ran at the home defence and when keeper Grant saved Campbell’s shot, the rebound fell for Cowie who claimed his hat-trick to make it 4-2.
Skye replaced Kenny Campbell and Jordan Murchison with Stewart Grant and Jordan Murchison during the closing stages.
Skye saw out the remainder of the game to win a place in the first round proper of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup where they play Aberdeen University at Balgownie on Saturday 6 May 2017.
Skye Camanachd from: Iain MacLeod; Ally MacDonald, Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, John Gillies; Kenny Campbell (captain), Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Iain Nicolson; Will Cowie, James Pringle, Jordan Murchison, Danny Morrison; subs Stewart Grant, Iain MacLellan, Daniel Morrison
Match Referee – Innes Wood
Scorers
Beauly
Ross Forbes (1)
Colin MacDonald (28)
Skye Camanachd
Will Cowie (61,70, 72)
Danny Morrison (67)
(The picture of Skye's 3-goal Will Cowie being congratulated by his team mates comes courtesy of Moreen Pringle)