Kingussie 4 Skye Camanachd 0 | |
05 July 2021 The Skye Camanachd first team lost 4-0 in their cottages.com MacTavish Cup first round tie against Kingussie at the Dell on Saturday 3 July 2021. This was a first opportunity for shinty supporters to watch a game since March 2020 and the ticketed event was well-organised by the Kingussie club. Close to 150 fans from both clubs took their socially distanced places for this 3pm throw up. Kingussie welcomed skipper Rory MacKeachan, James Hutchison and Roddy Young back from injury and boss John Gibson listed all three on the bench. Skye were missing full centre Will Cowie whose knee injury is likely to keep him out for some time. The Dell pitch was in its usual pristine condition and Kingussie opened with a slight wind advantage in their favour. The Kings made a blistering start to the tie as they set siege on the Skye goal. Skye defended well though and they had keeper Ryan Morrison to thanks as he pulled off three outstanding saves. Skye began to see more of the ball as the pace of the game began to drop but it was the hosts who took the lead on 31 minutes. Savio Genini’s snap-shot did the damage with the ball moving quickly off his stick to finally beat Morrison in the Skye goal. The energetic Thomas Borthwick made it 2-0 just 3 minutes later. The goal came following a rehearsed free-hit routine with all home forwards waiting behind the ball for the referee’s whistle before Borthwick ran onto a ball forward to score. Kingussie were always quick on the counter-attack with their wing centres constantly running in on goal. Whilst Kingussie had most of the pressure, Skye did create chances with Ross Gordon first hitting the post and before the same player forced a fine Rory MacGregor save. Kingussie finished strongly and James Falconer made it 3-0 with a brilliantly worked goal on 80 minutes. The ball was played forward to Roddy Young who found Falconer and his strike killed the tie. Wing centre Thomas Borthwick got his second goal 5 minutes from time following a great solo run forward from the middle of the park. Borthwick’s shot went across the keeper’s right side. Ryan Morrison’s saves included a brilliant point blank parry with his club to deny Ruaridh Anderson and a fine stop with an outstretched foot to keep out Dylan Borthwick’s effort from the right of the penalty spot. Defenders Alexander Michie and Calum Grant were excellent for Kingussie. Keeper Ryan Morrison was best for Skye with full back John Gillies also playing very well. Kingussie from: Rory MacGregor: Robert Mabon, Calum Grant, Ryan Borthwick, Alexander Michie: Kieran MacPherson, Liam Borthwick, Thomas Borthwick: Ruaridh Anderson, James Falconer, Dylan Borthwick, Savio Genini: subs Rory MacKeachan (captain), James Hutchison, Roddy Young Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison: John Gillies, Martin Pringle, James Morrison, William MacKinnon: Ally "Cleodi" MacLeod, Ross MacKinnon, Sam Macphee: James Pringle, Ross Gordon, Iain MacLellan, Jordan Murchison (captain): subs Jamie Gillies, Daniel Morrison, Archie MacDonald Match Referee – Steven MacLachlan |