Kingussie 0 Skye Camanachd 0 | |
08 June 2016 Skye Camanachd recorded their fifth draw in six league matches following their scoreless Marine Harvest Premiership meeting with Kingussie at the Dell on Saturday 4 June 2016. Kingussie co-managers Russell Jones and Davie Anderson were still minus the suspended Fraser Munro and the injured Ryan Borthwick, James Hutchison and Garry Munro whilst Rory MacKeachan was another absentee. Skye Camanachd manager John MacLeod made two changes to the squad which drew 1-1 with Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker in their Camanachd Cup second round tie a week earlier as Iain Nicolson and James Pringle came into the squad to replace Chris Rose and Aonghas MacDonald. Both Nicolson and Pringle started on the bench. It was a glorious day with the Dell in excellent condition for this 2.30pm throw up which aided some excellent hitting from both sides and the game started at a good pace. Skye were first to have a shot at goal when Jordan Murchison sent the ball over the bar from a tight angle out on the right wing with just 2 minutes played. Skye were dealt a blow on 15 minutes when forward Shockie MacLennan had to leave the field after injuring his back when stretching for the ball. He was replaced by Iain Nicolson. Both keepers were called into action midway through the first half and Kingussie goalie Craig Dawson had to look alert on 25 minutes as he palmed away a ball into the D from Jordan Murchison. A couple of minutes later, Skye keeper Jamie Gannon was called into action when he palmed the ball out for a KIngussie corner. A Kenny Campbell effort from 25 yards on the half-hour mark went past the post. On 32 minutes, Craig Dawson then pulled off a double save from Iain Nicolson who was replaced by James Pringle on 38 minutes as Skye changed their approach. Skye keeper Jamie Gannon made a good double-save from Savio Genini and then Chris Holleysong as the teams’ battled for the opening goal. Skye had chances either side of the interval with a Will Cowie effort well-saved by Craig Dawson and then, a couple of minutes into the second half, James Pringle showed some great skill by flicking the ball over a defender’s head to go through on goal but keeper Dawson deflected the ball for a corner. A Will Cowie shot went narrowly wide on 49 minutes. A low drive from Jordan Murchison from all of 25 yards was superbly turned round the post by Dawson on 52 minutes. Thomas Borthwick and Chris Holleysong worked hard throughout the game and they caused the Skye defence problems, keeping the visiting back-four on their toes. Iain Nicolson was re-introduced into the forward line for Danny Morrison on 59 minutes as the heat began to take its toll. Craig Dawson saved with his hand from Jordan Murchison on 60 minutes. David MacInnes replaced a tiring Chris MacLennan with 15 minutes remaining. Skye goalie Jamie Gannon made a good stop with his feet as the game moved in the final stages. The game was played at a fast pace which started to take its toll towards the end of the game. Both teams displayed some great hitting throughout the match and they had similar levels of possession up front but Skye had more shots on target, making Craig Dawson the busier keeper. Kingussie stay sixth in the league whilst, remarkably, this was Skye’s fifth draw in six league matches and although they drop to eighth place in the table, they have three games in hand on the three teams above them. The Skye defence put in their best collective performance so far this season with Neil MacVicar, Steven Morrison and Ally MacDonald leading by example whilst John Gillies putting turned in a terrific display at wing back. Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Kenny Campbell put in a power of work in midfield, assisted by Chris MacLennan whilst up front, the Skye forwards found Kingussie custodian Craig Dawson in fine form. Kingussie full back Lee Bain was superb and Skye found it difficult to get past him. Calum Grant and James Falconer were also good as was Ryan MacWilliam at full centre. Kingussie from: Craig Dawson; Lee Bain (captain), Calum Grant, James Falconer, Robert Mabon; Darren Hanlon, Ryan MacWilliam, Jake MacPherson; Thomas Borthwick, Rory MacGregor, Savio Genini, Chris Holleysong; subs John Gibson, Barrie Dallas Skye Camanachd from: Jamie Gannon; Neil MacVicar (captain), John Gillies, Ally MacDonald, Steven Morrison; Chris MacLennan, Kenny Campbell, Gilleasbuig MacDonald; Will Cowie, Danny Morrison, Jordan Murchison, Shockie MacLennan; subs Iain Nicolson, James Pringle, David MacInnes Match Referee – David Mitchell |