Skye Camanachd 0 Lochaber 0 | |
07 August 2012 The Skye Camanachd first team drew 0-0 with Lochaber in their Marine Harvest North Division 1 meeting at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 11 August 2012. The sides had already met twice this season with Lochaber coming out on top on both occasions. Skye manager Willie MacRae named a 15 man squad for this 1pm throw up and he made four changes from the squad which drew with Caberfeidh last weekend. John Moir was on holiday and both Iain Nicolson and Alan Palmer were working. Paul MacKinnon was unavailable. However Allan MacKinnon returned as did keeper Jamie Gannon with Aonghas MacDonald starting at full forward. David Grant and Stewart Grant were also included and both started on the bench. Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Jamie MacDonald and Iain Morrison are longer-term absentees. Skye had Shaun Hedley available but he will miss next week’s game against Beauly as a serves a one match ban for a points accumulation. Lochaber manager Michael Delaney named an 18 man strong for the game. He was without injured defender Brian MacDonald with James MacRae taking his place. Ryan Toal and Scott Patterson were also missing. Skye had the early pressure and the closest they came to opening the scoring was when good play from Darryl Macintosh on the Skye right saw him delver a ball into the danger-area where Aonghas MacDonald made space before shooting over the bar. Skye threatened again when a long ball from Neil MacVicar found Jordan Murchison on the Skye left and Ally MacDonald just failed to get on the end of Murchison’s cross. Aonghas MacDonald stretched to knock down a Lachlan Campbell goal-hit and the Skye full forward flashed a shot just over the top. Lochaber defender Donald MacRae was booked by referee Ronnie Campbell as Lochaber held out. Skye’s Jordan Murchison threatened twice. First he put the ball over the bar from a free-hit and he then saw a bullet shot come back off the post. Skye captain Shockie MacLennan was in the wars and he twice required treatment from Skye medic Dr Wilson Banks before having to be replaced by David Grant. Lochaber responded and Shaun Nicolson went through on goal but he was unable to finish. Skye’s Iain Murray twice saw efforts palmed away by Lochaber keeper Calum MacDonald as Skye continued to create most of the first half opportunities. Skye’s Allan MacKinnon was the next player to find his way into referee Ronnie Campbell’s notebook as the half came to an end. Lochaber created the first chance of the second period and Jamie Gannon did well to palm away a Ben Delaney effort. Skye introduced 15 year old Will Cowie and he was immediately in the thick of the action and he saw a snap-shot saved with his feet by Calum MacDonald. Lochaber’s Stuart Callison collected a ball from the left and he took a touch before shooting wide. The Skye forwards combined to set up a chance for Ally MacDonald and he shot over. Ally MacDonald then saw a shot palmed away by keeper MacDonald Jamie Gannon did well to save a Martin Johnston shot and Stuart Callison latched onto the rebound but his attempt rose over the bar. A good Ben Delaney run had the Skye support concerned and his deflected shot was produced a fine Gannon save. It was then Lochaber keeper Calum MacDonald’s turn to shine and he made a fantastic double save from Will Cowie and Jordan Murchison. Jamie Gannon then produced an agile save to deny Ben Delaney as he palmed away an effort from the Lochaber hit-man. Lochaber finished strongly and they forced a series of corners without finding a way past Jamie Gannon in the Skye goal. This was a very entertaining 0-0 draw played on a superb surface and the pitch at Pairc nan Laoch is a match for any other in the country at present. Steven Morrison at full back was immense for Skye and his regular availability has been a major factor in the Islanders good form this season. Keeper Jamie Gannon and Neil MacVicar also impressed at the back. Aonghas MacDonald’s inclusion at full forward gave Skye another dimension in attack. Lochaber keeper Calum MacDonald was also on fine form whilst Neil MacDonald continues to perform at a consistently high standard. Skye Camanachd from; Jamie Gannon, Steven Morrison, Shockie MacLennan (captain), Neil MacVicar, Allan MacKinnon, Darryl Macintosh, Chris Rose, Shaun Hedley, Jordan Murchison, Iain Murray, Ally MacDonald, Aonghas MacDonald, subs David Grant, Will Cowie, Stewart Grant Lochaber from; Calum MacDonald, Lachlan Campbell, James MacRae, Donald MacRae, Neil MacDonald, Iain Love, Hughie Innes (captain), Martin Johnston, Zandz Ferguson, Stuart Callison, Ben Delaney, Shaun Nicolson, subs Ryan Johnston, Brennan MacDonald, Finlay Nicolson, Barry MacDonald, Danny Delaney, Duncan MacKinnon Match Referee – Ronnie Campbell The match balls are sponsored by Nor-Dan |