Skye Camanachd "Beat The Drum" To Reach Balliemore Cup Final. | |
05 July 2008 A last minute extra time strike by Ian Nicolson wins a thrilling Balliemore Cup semi final for Skye Camanachd. Skye were first to threaten when Aonghas MacDonald crashed a shot into the side netting When the Islanders did take an early lead, it was from an own goal although MacDonald would surely have scored had the Glenurquhart defender not got the final touch. Glen had an immediate chance to draw level when Skye keeper Jamie Gannon was penalised for playing the ball with his hand when lying on the ground. However he redeemed himself when he pulled off a terrific save to his left from Lewis MacLennan's spot hit. Glen did equalise 5 minutes later through Calum Miller and MacLennan redeemed himself by giving his side a 2-1 lead. Just when it looked as if Glen would take their lead to the interval, Kenny Campbell crashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to level the tie. Steven Morrison took a sore knock to the ankle in the first half and although he manfully tried to continue, he had to be replaced at half time by Shockie MacLennan. Team manager Alasdair Morrison reshuffled the pack and Aonghas MacDonald took Morrison's place at full back, Ian Nicolson moved from wing centre to replace MacDonald at full forward with MacLennan taking over Nicolson's full forward role. These changes were very significant with all 3 players playing an important role in the remainder of the game. The second half was goalless but had plenty of incident including some great saves by Gannon, a simply superb performance from Alan MacLeod at buckshee back and a very determined performance from wing centre Jamie MacDonald. Extra time provided more of the same and just when the match looked as if it was heading for penalties, Ian Nicolson stretched his stick guide the ball into the back of the net send the large travelling support into derilium. Skye Camanachd will face Kilmallie - who beat Glenorchy 4-1 in the other semi final - in the final on Saturday 26 July 2008. A more detailed article on the game is in "The View From The Touchline" section. |