Lochaber 1 Skye Camanachd 1 | |
14 March 2016 Skye Camanachd and Lochaber drew 1-1 in their Marine Harvest Premiership match at Spean Bridge on Saturday 12 March 2016. Lochaber boss Ally Ferguson was still without Zandz Ferguson whose studies are likely to keep him out of the picture for the first couple of months of the season. Martin Johnstone returned after missing last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Kingussie and he started on the bench alongside Barry MacDonald and Findlay MacDonald. Skye Camanachd first team manager John MacLeod was without forward Will Cowie who is abroad until mid-April. However Shockie MacLennan, Iain Nicolson and David MacInnes were added to the squad named for last week’s postponed match against Lovat. Neil John Campbell, Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod and John Angus MacInnes made way as they returned to the second team. Ally “Spod” MacLeod was a late call-off for the Islanders with a knee injury which is likely to keep him out for around four weeks so Shockie MacLennan started in defence. Danny Morrison, who had just hours earlier flown in from a spell abroad, was named as a third substitute in MacLeod’s absence for this 2.30pm throw up. With most of the west coast shinty pitches deemed unplayable this weekend, Spean Bridge bucked the trend to host what was Skye’s first match on their return to shinty’s top flight since their relegation in 2002. Skye started well on a heavy pitch and John Gillies, making his first senior start at right wing forward, shot wide after 5 minutes. At the other end, Skye goalie Jamie Gannon was called into action to save with his feet shortly after. Skye looked up for the match with Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Kenny Campbell particularly impressive in midfield whilst John Gillies and Chris MacLennan linked up well with Jordan Murchison in attack. However it was Lochaber who took the lead on 23 minutes. The Skye defence failed to clear their lines and although an initial shot was saved by Jamie Gannon, Stuart Callison followed in and he crashed a rebound into the net to make it 1-0. Lochaber finished the first half strongly with Stuart Callison’s strong running causing the Skye defence problems. Skye’s Jordan Murchison sent a drive past the post on 38 minutes but the home side took their 1-0 advantage into the break. Skye started the second half with intent and Jordan Murchison went close on a couple of occasions before the Islanders equalised on 61 minutes. Skye’s Iain Nicolson did well to shield the ball from Lochaber full back Lachlan Campbell around 20 yards from goal, just to the left of the penalty spot. Referee Evan MacRae penalised Lachlan Campbell and Kenny Campbell took the free-hit. Campbell found Jordan Murchison who had his back to goal. Under pressure from Jack Dignan, Murchison made just enough space to turn and send a great 25 yard waist-high shot just inside keeper Callum MacDonald’s right post to make it 1-1. Both sides had chances to win it. Lochaber went close when a Shaun Nicolson shot whistled just the wrong side of the post. At the other end, Jordan Murchison ran across the D onto a rebound and, as the ball spun up, he tapped it into space at the back post and with Murchison and Chris MacLennan in attendance; the players hesitated before a falling Murchison attempted to steer the ball between the posts in the muddy goalmouth but he was unable to make contact. Skye lost Kenny Campbell with 8 minutes remaining. He limped off after a heavy challenge and he was replaced by Iain Murray. The Skye back-line of keeper Gannon and defenders Steven Morrison, Shockie MacLennan, Ally MacDonald and in particular Neil MacVicar had to work hard to keep the home attack at bay. The draw gives Lochaber a second point from two games whilst Skye will be happy to have secured a first league point from a difficult opening fixture. Lochaber from: Callum MacDonald, Lachlan Campbell, Brian MacDonald (captain), Brennan MacDonald, Jack Dignan; Shaun Nicolson, Neil MacDonald, Pat Toal; Kevin Ferguson, Duncan MacKinnon, Stuart Callison, Ben Delaney; subs Barry MacDonald, Findlay MacDonald, Martin Johnstone Skye Camanachd from: Jamie Gannon; Steven Morrison, Shockie MacLennan, Ally MacDonald, Neil MacVicar (captain); Allan MacKinnon, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Kenneth Campbell; Jordan Murchison, John Gillies, Chris MacLennan, Iain Nicolson; subs Iain Murray, David MacInnes, Danny Morrison Match Referee – Evan MacRae Scorers Lochaber Stuart Callison (23) Skye Camanachd Jordan Murchison (61) |