Memory Lane - 2000 / 2001 Shinty Season Part 1/20 | |
20 December 2015 As Skye Camanachd look forward to their first season in shinty’s top division since 2002, let’s look back to the 2000 / 01 season, Skye’s first year in the national top tier. The Islanders only spell in the National Premier Division came when they won promotion from the National League Division 1 after a final-day win over Lochcarron at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree at the end of the 1999 / 2000 season. Skye joined Fort William, Glenorchy, Kilmallie, Kingussie, Kyles Athletic Newtonmore and Oban Camanachd in an eight team top flight in hope of winning the championship but with a definite aim of avoiding finishing bottom of the table which would mean relegation. Skye prepared for the new season with a pre-season Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup meeting with Fort William at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Saturday 5 August 2000 Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup Skye Camanachd 4 Fort William 4 (Fort William won 2-1 on penalties) Skye Camanachd warmed up for their first season in the National Premier Division with a Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup meeting with Fort William at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye manager Angie Murchison went into the game without the services of Dougie Rankin and Ewen “Crossal” MacKinnon. However Fort William also travelled half a dozen players short of the squad which finished second to Kingussie in the league the previous season. Fort William started well and they went 1-0 in front after just 14 minutes when a 35 yard shot from Wood beat Skye keeper John “Podge” MacLeod with the ball dipping into the net just under the bar. The visitors stayed in front until 3 minutes before the interval when Skye’s Ally “Stenscholl” MacDonald played in Willie Cowie and he sent a low shot goalwards with the ball taking a bounce off the surface past Fort keeper Scott Mcneil to make it 1-1. Skye had a great chance to go in front a minute after the restart. Somhairle MacDonald slipped the ball to Willie Cowie who ran in on goal. Cowie was brought down inside the D by an advancing Scott Mcneil and referee Bob Wilson pointed to the penalty spot. Skye full back Ewen “Yogi” MacSween came forward to take the spot-hit but he hit fired his effort straight at keeper Mcneil and the chance was gone. Fort William regained the lead on 56 minutes when Richard Weir played a great ball forward to Victor Smith and he gave John “Podge” MacLeod no chance with a fine finish to make it 2-1. Skye levelled for a second time on 66 minutes when an Ally “Stenscholl” MacDonald free-hit found John MacLean at the back post and he rifled the ball home to make it 2-2. Skye were only able to stay in on level terms for a couple of minutes. Gary Innes created a chance for Victor Smith and he netted for a second time to put the visitors 3-2 in front. Fort William went 4-2 ahead on 70 minutes when Victor Smith capitalised on a mistake by Ewen “Yogi” MacSween and he sent a back-hand drive into the net to complete his hat-trick. There was still plenty of fight in the Skye side though and they pulled a goal back just a minute later. John MacLean sent a shy hurtling towards the Fort William goal and Willie Cowie was on hand to make it 4-3. Skye drew level for a third time just 3 minutes later. Peter Gordon played a perfectly-weighted pass to John MacLean who cut inside his marker and blasted a shot goalwards. Scott Mcneil saved MacLean’s effort but Somhairle MacDonald was first onto the rebound and he made no mistake to restore parity at 4-4. Referee Bob Wilson’s final whistle signalled the end of the 90 minutes and the teams opted to fore-go an extra-time period and go straight to a penalty shoot-out. Victor Smith scored for Fort William and Ewen “Yogi” MacSween did like-wise for Skye. However neither team were unable to convert their remaining four penalties and it remained 1-1 after ten spot-hits. Smith and MacSween started the sudden-death contest with the Fort man scoring whilst the Islander missed and Fort William took the trophy by the narrowest of margins. This was a good test for Skye but Fort William would travel to Portree with a stronger squad just 14 days later when the sides clashed again in their opening match of the National Premier Division season. |