Memory Lane – Season 1986 / 87 – Part 40. | |
02 January 2010 The Strathdearn Cup Saturday 28 February 1987 – Strathdearn Cup Semi Final – Skye Camanachd 4 Glenurquhart 5 Skye Camanachd failed to clinch a second consecutive Strathdearn Cup Final appearance as the holders lost out in a 9 goal thriller against Glenurquhart. This semi final was played at Invergarry and the cup holders got off to the perfect start with 2 goals inside the first 10 minutes. Skye went 1-0 up when Ally “Mhor” Morrison (Portree) set up his strike partner John MacRae to net within the first 5 minutes. John MacRae notched his and Skye’s second goal just 5 minutes later when he flicked the ball over the line following a goalmouth melee. However the Skye defence looked more and more venerable with each Glenurquhart attack and they were missing the presence of the injured Calum “Columbo” Nicolson in goal. Glenurquhart forwards Russell Cameron and Ken Carmichael took full advantage and they scored on 31 minutes and 35 minutes to level the tie. Worse was to follow for Skye as Russell Cameron bagged his second and the Glen’s third to give Glenurquhart a 3-2 half time lead. Skye suffered a blow when defender Ross Cowie was forced to come off at half time with a back injury. Glenurquhart’s route one approach continued to put the Skye defence and stand-in keeper Ronnie Reid under pressure from the start of the second half. Skye manager Archie MacDonald had to further reshuffle his pack when captain Neil MacLean had to be withdrawn with a leg injury. Skye refused to let the changes upset them and they fought back to level the tie on 57 minutes through John MacRae again as the Skye talisman completed his hat-trick. However the Islanders defensive frailties were cruelly exposed with 2 goals in a minute from Ken Carmichael to give the Glen a 5-3 lead. This quick-fire double rocked Skye but they desperately tried to fight back. Skye’s misfortune continues when wing forward Ally MacInnes suffered a nasty leg knock but he had to continue as both substitutes had already been used. With MacInnes virtually a passenger, Skye gave themselves a glimmer of hope when a 40 yard drive from Angie Murchison dipped just under the bar to reduce the deficit to a single goal. This set up a frantic finish but Skye just couldn’t find the goal that would have taken the game to a replay. So it was Glenurquhart who made it to the Strathdearn Cup Final with a 5-4 win and holders Skye were left to rue a thoroughly unfortunate afternoon. |