Alistair Nicolson Memorial Cup
Skye Camanachd U14s 10 Wester Ross U14s 0
Skye Camanachd retained the Alistair Nicolson Memorial Cup with a fine win over their Wester Ross neighbours – a side made up from a mix of Kinlochshiel and Lochcarron players.
This trophy is played in the memory life long Skye Camanachd supporter Alistair Nicolson. However the Nicolson family were unable to take their usual place at the match as the late Alistair’s father passed away on the morning of the game. The family were keen that the match went ahead and the youngsters showed their respect by holding a minutes silence before the throw up.
This may have finished as a convincing win for Skye but the end to end action in the first half gave no indication to the final winning margin. Wester Ross opened brightly and Ally MacLeod in the Skye goal had to look lively on a couple of occasions to keep the game goalless.
Skye took the lead after 20 minutes when Stuart MacSween and John Gillies combined and Gillies gave the home side the lead. Five minutes later, Martin Bruce fired a shot from 30 yards which Wester Ross keeper Ross Gordon did well to deflect onto the crossbar and then clear to safety.
On the half hour, good play by Jordan Murchison gave John Gillies a chance but he shot just inches wide.
However a minute before the break, Stewart MacSween scored a glorious second goal for Skye with a back hand strike into the top corner of the net.
Skye started the second half with the wind at their backs and quickly doubled their lead. Willie Cowie, who had been moved from midfield into the forward line, cracked in a third from the left and a minute later Jordan Murchison sent a back hand drive into the roof of the net.
Ten minutes into the second half, a Murchison shot was well saved by Gordon and MacSween nipped in to score with the rebound.
Wester Ross battled hard and they were well served throughout by Donald Nixon, Oliver MacRae and Jordan Fraser with Duncan James outstanding in defence.
A Willie Cowie snapshot midway through the second half made it six and Jordan Murchison added another minutes later.
Wing centre Calum Gibb got in on the act with a great 20 yard drive into the net and minutes before the end, Jordan Murchison completed his hat trick with a great individual goal.
Not to be out-done, Stuart MacSween also completed his hat-trick when he blasted the ball into the roof of the net moments before referee Iain Nicolson blew the final whistle.
Each side selected a man of the match from the opposing side. Skye selected Wester Ross defender Duncan James who had a great game at full back. Wester Ross selected Jordan Murchison who gave a sparkling performance, especially during the second half.
The Alistair Nicolson Memorial Cup was presented to the delighted Skye Camanachd U14 captain Martin Bruce by Skye Camanachd Vice President John “The Caley” Nicolson.
With the new U14 shinty season just around the corner, Skye Camanachd will lose Martin Bruce, Scott MacLeod, Iain Grant, keeper Ally MacLeod, Tommy MacDonald and John Gillies. However forwards Jordan Murchison, Willie Cowie and Chris MacLennan are still eligible to play next season as are defenders Shaun Hedley and Calum Gibb and midfielder Magnus Burd. Skye will also be encouraged by the recent performances of youngsters Stuart MacSween, Ruairidh Morrison and Andrew Grant as they prepare for the season ahead.
Skye Camanachd from; Ally MacLeod, Iain Grant, Shaun Hedley, Tommy MacDonald, Scott Macleod, Calum Gibb, Martin Bruce (captain), Willie Cowie, Jordan Murchison, Ruairidh Morrison, Stuart MacSween, John Gillies sub Angie MacPherson