Skye Camanachd 2 Lochaber 1 | |
28 August 2012 Skye Camanachd beat Lochaber 2-1 in their Marine Harvest North Division 2 meeting at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 25 August 2012. The Islanders were keen to get over the disappointment of last week’s Strathdearn Cup semi-final defeat to Beauly. Captain David Grant played at full forward despite picking up a leg knock in that game. However Skye boss Murdo Morrison was without nine players from the previous week as John MacLeod, Neil John Campbell, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Paul MacKinnon, Will Cowie, John Angus MacInnes, Iain MacLeod, David MacInnes and DJ Gilpin were all missing. However U17 players Stevie MacKinnon, Andrew Grant and Angie MacPherson were called up and Daniel Morrison, Michael Nicolson, Iain MacPherson and veteran Davie MacVicar were also included. Victories for Fort William and Kingussie a week earlier confirmed Lochaber’s return to Marine Harvest North Division 3 after one season in the higher division. They travelled to Portree with just eleven players and their absentees included Martin Porter and Danny Delaney who were both suspended. Former Lochaber first team and Scotland Head Coach Ally Ferguson started at full forward. Despite being a man short, Lochaber made a promising start so when Skye took the lead after 4 minutes, it was against the early run of play. David Grant collected the ball and made space before shooting into the net. Skye were 2-0 ahead just 3 minutes later. A high ball dropped in on Lochaber keeper Bryan Whittaker and David Grant forced the ball over the line before the keeper could clear. Skye enjoyed most of the pressure for the remainder of the half without troubling the Lochaber goal. Skye manager Murdo Morrison replaced Iain MacLellan with Daniel Morrison at the break in an attempt to bolster the attack. Lochaber suffered a blow on 66 minutes when wing forward Aidan MacLean-Stewart fell awkwardly and twisted his knee. He was attended to by Skye medic Dr Wilson Banks he had to leave the field and later required hospital treatment. Lochaber shocked Skye when they pulled a goal back just 4 minutes later. Ally Ferguson turned and fired goalwards. Skye keeper Michael Nicolson got to the ball but he could only turn it into the roof of the net. Lochaber may have been a couple of players short but they enjoyed more than their share of the game for the remaining 20 minutes and provided more than one scare for the home defence along the way. Skye introduced substitute Ian MacPherson and he showed some nice touches. Veteran Davie MacVicar relieved Ally Ferguson of the title of oldest player on the park when he came on late in the game for his first appearance for some time. When referee Donald MacRae blew the final whistle after 7 minutes injury time, it was a relief for the home support. With one match remaining, third place Skye will want to end the season with a much better performance when champions Newtonmore visit Pairc nan Laoch, Portree this coming weekend. Lochaber will take more from the game. Their defence was well marshalled by Finlay Nicolson and Ryan Johnstone was also impressive at the back as were the midfield trio of Pat Toal, Barry MacDonald and Duncan MacKinnon. Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, Andrew Banks, Ally “Cloudy” Macleod, Stevie MacKinnon, Magnus Burd, Chris MacLennan, Stewart Grant, John MacKenzie, Andrew Grant, Iain MacLellan, Angie MacPherson, David Grant (captain), subs Daniel Morrison, Iain MacPherson, Davie MacVicar Lochaber from; Bryan Whittaker, Finlay Nicolson, Stuart Matheson, Ryan Johnstone, Chris MacRae, Pat Toal, Barry MacDonald, Duncan MacKinnon, Finlay MacDonald, Aidan MacLean-Stewart, Ally Ferguson Match Referee – Donald MacRae The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan |