Memory Lane – Season 1986 / 87 – Part 22. | |
11 December 2009 This was only the Skye Camanachd reserve team’s second league game in a period of 14 weeks. They had fallen to third place in the league, trailing leaders Kilmallie by 5 points but the Islanders recent inactivity meant they had 3 games in hand which gave them the potential to go top. On paper Skye looked favourites against a Newtonmore side who propped up the table with only 3 points from their 11 league games played. However Skye were without captain Neil MacLean so youngster Angus “Mucky” Nicolson retained his place at left wing back. Injury ruled out Skye keeper Calum “Columbo” Nicolson so forward Ronnie Reid took his place between the sticks. To compound matters, the Newtonmore first team did not have a game so the second string benefited from the inclusion of Mike Maguire, George Campbell and the famous Dave “Tarzan” Ritchie. All 3 were to make significant contributions to the game. Skye led 3-0 after 75 minutes and whilst throwing such a lead away in the final 15 minutes can be considered careless, they were hit by such an onslaught in the closing minutes that they were perhaps fortunate to leave the Eilan with a point. Skye took the lead on the half hour mark. John MacRae, who had been in prolific goal scoring forms in previous league games, turned provider and set up Ally “Mhor” Morrison (Portree) to fire into the net. The visitors made it 2-0 just 5 minutes before the break when Ally MacInnes raced in to tuck the ball into the back of the net. Just a minute into the second half it looked all over as MacInnes was again on target to make it 3-0. Newtonmore pulled a goal back through Mike Maguire after 55 minutes when he shot past Reid to make it 3-1. However John MacRae restored Skye’s 3 goal cushion midway through the second half when he sent a 35 yard shot whizzing into the back of the net, giving ‘More keeper Ross Kennedy no chance of stopping it. Tarzan Ritchie pulled another goal back for Newtonmore and this seemed to galvanise the large home support. They cheered on their team to such and effect that both Mike Maguire and George Campbell found the net within the next 4 minutes to leave the game all square at 4-4. ‘More who finished the stronger but the Skye defence survived to escape with a point. It was a blow for Skye to drop a point against the league’s bottom side but all things considered, they might well look at the result as a point gained. Indeed Skye’s next league match was away to leaders Kilmallie. |