Skye Camanachd 2 Kilmallie 3 | |
27 September 2021 An understrength Kilmallie side recovered from the loss of an early goal to beat Skye Camanachd 3-2 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 25 September 2021. This 2.30pm throw up was broadcast LIVE on Radio Skye’s “Camanachd LIVE” show. Ross Gordon returned for Skye following a hand injury, taking a place on the bench whilst John Gillies was unavailable. Martin Pringle started at full back whilst Ross MacKinnon at buckshee back and William MacKinnon at buckshee forward gave a strong core to the side. Kilmallie travelled without a clutch of regulars including keeper Shane Gillies, Stephen Mcalister, Andrew Mcalister, Ryan Stewart, Lewis Birrell, Craig MacIsaac and the suspended Innes Blackhall. Shane O’Rua and Martyn Cameron were given starting debuts whilst Stuart Ross and Kale Lacey made debuts from the bench. Skye opened towards the Braes end of the ground and Somhairle MacDonald’s strike from wide on the left on 7 minutes deceived keeper Kevin Toye to give the hosts an early lead. Skye had the majority of the early pressure however Martyn Cameron ensured the sides went into the break on level terms, scoring at the back post on 23 minutes following a corner on the right. The goal lifted Kilmallie and they came much more into the game. The match remained level until a great strike from Daniel Stewart on 68 minutes put Kilmallie in front. Stewart ran onto Steven Stewart’s long ball forward before sending a first-time shot from left of the D high into the net. Substitute Taylor Matheson pulled Skye level on 75 minutes, taking Jordan Murchison’s pass before turning inside from the right and hammering the ball over the keeper’s left shoulder on his backhand to make it 2-2. However the winning goal came a couple of minutes later when two Skye defenders collided allowing Michael Rodger’s ball out of defence to break to Stuart Callison on the left and he sent a terrific drive across the keeper and inside the far post to make it 3-2. The sides also contested the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup on the 50th year since Thomas tragically died in a road accident. The trophy was presented to Kilmallie skipper Robbie MacFadyen by Skye Camanachd stalwart Alasdair MacKinnon, who was best friends with Thomas. Skye’s Ross MacKinnon, who suffered a nasty head cut during the game, was Kilmallie’s choice as the best player in the opposing team so took the Glasgow Mid Argyll Shield. Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison: Martin Pringle, James Morrison, Sam Macphee, Ross MacKinnon: Ally "Cleodi" MacLeod, James Pringle, Iain MacLellan: William MacKinnon, Somhairle MacDonald, Jordan Murchison (captain), Jamie Gillies: subs Ross Gordon, Archie MacDonald, Taylor Matheson Kilmallie from: Kevin Toye: Robbie MacFadyen (captain), Liam Cameron, Frankie Innes, Michael Rodger: Ben MacKinnon, Steven Stewart, Shane O’Rua: Stuart Callison, Aidan Love, Martyn Cameron, Daniel Stewart: subs Stuart Ross, Kale Lacey, Martin Stewart Match Referee – Calum Girvan |