Memory Lane – Season 1986 / 87 – Part 47. | |
10 January 2010 Season 1986 / 87 – The Cups The Sutherland Cup Saturday 21 March 1987 – Sutherland Cup Semi Final – Glenurquhart 2 Skye Camanachd 1 (after extra time) This was a keenly fought Sutherland Cup semi final in which the breaks simply didn’t seem to go Skye’s way. Skye’s main regret will be that they failed to convert their ample possession into goals and so it was the Glen who progressed from the tightest of cup clashes. Skye missed the presence of the injured Angie Murchison in the forward line. Murchison picked up an injury in the previous week’s league encounter between the sides and this game came too soon for his return. Second team manager Archie MacDonald called Davie MacLeod into the side at buckshee back. John Angus Gillies was moved into the centre line with Ally “Digg” MacDonald pushed forward to wing forward to provide a goal threat. Skye, playing into the wind in the first half, had a great chance to take the lead after only 6 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Speedy wing forward Ally MacInnes was brought down in the D, however John “Bodach” MacKenzie fired the resultant penalty wide of the post. Skye did take the lead just 4 minutes later. John MacRae went on a mazy run through the Glenurquhart defence and he managed to knock the ball over the line as the Glen defence scrambled to try and clear the danger. Skye were only able to hold on to their advantage for 2 minutes. Glenurquhart’s Russell Cameron did the damage as his shot crept past the unsighted Calum “ The first half finished all square. Skye started the second period with wind advantage but although they did most of the attacking, they were unable find the back of the net. Skye lost defender Neil MacLean with a reoccurrence of a knee problem and Ross Cowie came on in his place. Skye’s dominance came on the back of a superb performance from their centre line. Full centre Ally “Mhor” Morrison (Kyleakin) was outstanding and he was having the better of a titanic battle with the Glen’s Mike Cameron. However Skye suffered another blow when Morrison was injured in one clash with Cameron. He had to be moved to full forward but he was virtually a passenger for the remainder of the 90 minutes. There was no further scoring and the match finished 1-1. Skye played against the wind for the first extra time period and Glenurquhart used the elements to their advantage. However the Skye defence stood firm and keeper Calum “ Ally “Mhor” Morrison (Kyleakin) eventually had to succumb to his injury during the extra time interval and he was replaced by Ally “Mhor” Morrison (Portree) in attack. Skye were unable to get the goal that would have seen them through to the final. Just 6 minutes from the end, Mike Cameron became the Glenurquhart hero as he tucked the ball home from close range to put his team into the final. Glenurquhart eventually lost out to Kyles Athletic in the 1987 Sutherland Cup Final. |