Fort William 7 Skye Camanachd 1 | |
10 February 2013 A powerful second half performance gave Fort William a 7-1 win over Skye Camanachd in their 1.30pm throw up at An Aird on Saturday 9 February 2013. Fort William followed up a 3-0 home defeat to Oban Camanachd a fortnight ago with a 4-0 home win over Glenorchy a week later. New boss Victor Smith looks as if he will be without Duncan Rodger and Alex Duncan this season whilst John MacDonald has returned to Ballachulish. However he hasn’t given up hope of having 2012 captain and player of the year Bryan Simpson in his line-up but he didn’t play in this one. Skye Camanachd first team manager Willie MacRae named a 15 man squad for the meeting with the Orion Group Premiership side in what was the Skye players’ second outing of the season following the Ewen Morrison Memorial Cup meeting between North Skye and South Skye last Saturday. MacRae was without Chris Rose, Iain Nicolson, Jamie Gannon and Shaun Hedley but he has still managed to name a strong squad. Skye suffered a blow after just 5 minutes when full back Steven Morrison was forced to come off with an injury. Gilleasbuig MacDonald came off the bench to make a welcome return after missing most of last season with a hand injury. MacDonald went to full centre with Neil MacVicar dropping back to full back. The Islanders gave a good account of themselves in the first half and they had the chance to take the lead midway through the half when referee Dave Stafford awarded them a penalty but Kenny MacLeod’s effort rose over the bar. However visiting keeper Michael Nicolson was forced into some good saves to keep the Fort forwards at bay. The home team took control in the second period and they looked the sharper side in what was their third pre-season friendly in as many weeks. They moved Gordie MacKinnon to full forward and this was to prove crucial as much of the play came through him. In the end, Gordie MacKinnon was the Fort’s top scorer with four goals; Ryan Campbell bagged a brace whilst Alexander MacMillan got the other. Skye’s consolation was a Will Cowie goal. Jordan Murchison hit a fantastic shot from distance and the ball cannoned off the crossbar and Cowie struck the rebound firmly into the net. Shockie MacLennan was the pick of the Skye players with a fine performance in defence. Michael Nicolson did well in goal and had it not been for him, the winning margin could have been greater. It was a boost to have Gilleasbuig MacDonald back after a long absence but the only other positive for Skye is that they won’t face Gordie MacKinnon every week. Next up for Skye is a meeting with three time Orion Premiership champions Newtonmore as the sides contest the George Michie Memorial Cup at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 16 February 2013. Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, Steven Morrison, Shockie MacLennan, David Grant, Allan MacKinnon, Darryl Macintosh, Neil MacVicar, Stewart Grant, Jordan Murchison, Danny Morrison, Ally MacDonald, Kenny MacLeod, subs Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Iain Murray, Will Cowie Match Referee – Dave Stafford |