The Skye Camanachd second team lost 5-1 to Strathglass in their Marine Harvest North Division 1 encounter at Cannich on Saturday 12 March 2016.
David Balharry’s Strathglass side drew 3-3 with the Kingussie second team at Cannich last weekend and although they lost heavily to the Skye first team in a pre-season friendly, they were too strong for the Skye seconds.
Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie Pringle was unavailable so Aonghas MacDonald looked after the side. The Islanders made five changes to the squad which lost 1-0 to the Lovat reserves at Balgate in the team’s opening Marine Harvest North Division 1 fixture last weekend. Neil John Campbell Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod and John Angus MacInnes returned to the Skye squad after being named with the Skye firsts last weekend. There were also places for Andrew Banks and Iain MacPherson. Some experienced campaigners were missing though as Iain Nicolson and David MacInnes were on first team duty whilst Iain MacLellan was unavailable. Thomas Wilson was out with a hand injury and Kenny MacLeod was also unavailable.
The match was originally scheduled for Pairc nan Laoch, Portree but constant rain from late Friday afternoon left the Portree pitch unplayable so the fixture was reversed to Cannich.
The home side went in front when Steven Hyslop scored.
Skye lost full centre Neil John Campbell with a hand injury midway through the half and fortunately a trip to Raigmore Hospital revealed no broken bones. Ryan Morrison came on in his place.
Barry-John Phimister made it 2-0 following a free-hit.
A James Pringle goal got Skye back in the game. The ball was played into Ryan Morrison who took a touch away from goal around 22 yards from goal. Morrison looped the ball over the Strathglass defence from right to left for James Pringle to run onto and Pringle hit a waist-high shot into the right side of the goals.
Skye introduced youngster Jamie Gillies in place of Ross Nicolson at half-time and after making his debut at this level against the Lovat reserves last weekend, Gillies went on to having another good game in the unfamiliar role of wing centre.
There was no be no comeback though as Darren Reid shot home from just outside the D to make it 3-1 with Skye claiming a home forward was offside.
Strathglass substitute Eddie Noble sent a shot past Skye goalie Iain MacLeod to make it 4-1.
Darren Reid scrambled home a fifth for a Strathglass side who deserved their win.
Iain MacPherson came on for Skye in the closing stages of the game.
The win gives Strathglass three points out of their first two matches and they trail leaders Kingussie only on goal difference.
Skye have a free weekend as they are the odd side out in the nine team league.
Strathglass from: Adam Todd; Donald Fraser, Lawrence Jones, Archie Wotherspoon, Jono Price; Michael Stokes, Ryan Balharry, Hamish Myers; Scott Douglas, Darren Reid, Barry John Phimister, Steven Hyslop; subs Ally MacAdams, Eddie Noble, Penri Jones
Skye Camanachd from: Iain MacLeod; David Grant (captain), Calum Gibb, DJ Gilpin, Andrew Banks; Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, Neil John Campbell, Ross Nicolson; James Pringle, Connor Gilpin, Ruaraidh MacLeod John Angus MacInnes; subs Ryan Morrison, Iain MacPherson, Jamie Gillies
Match Referee – Willie MacDonald
Scorers
Strathglass
Steven Hyslop
Barry Phimister
Darren Reid (2)
Eddie Noble
Skye Camanachd
James Pringle
(Picture of Skye Camanachd's John Angus MacInnes courtesy of David Balharry)