Skye Camanachd secured another point to aid their climb up the Marine Harvest North Division 2 table as they drew 2-2 with Fort William at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 10 July 2010.
Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie MacVicar made 4 changes to the starting line-up from the side which beat Kinlochshiel a fortnight earlier. Forwards Aonghas MacDonald, Allan MacKinnon and Danny Morrison were on first team duty as was midfielder Stewart Grant who was a late call up for the senior side. Captain David Grant returned at full back and defender Iain Grant was pushed up to full forward. Scott Martin came into the midfield whilst Ally MacDonald and Paul MacKinnon – making his first reserve team appearance of the season – played in attack.
It was a younger Fort William side which traveled to Portree with forward Daniel Stewart injured. Brothers Kyle, Mark and Cameron Grant started in defence.
Fort William made the livelier start and pressed the Skye defence from the throw up. However it was Skye who took the lead after 9 minutes when Ally MacDonald coolly shot home after good work by Paul MacKinnon.
MacDonald almost scored his second on 24 minutes but he shot over after being put through by Iain Grant.
Fort William took on Donald Walker in place of injured wing back Carl Brown. Ewen Campbell dropped back into defence. However Walker had strapping on a thigh problem and he was forced to come off shortly after with Mark Fraser coming on in his place.
Iain Grant sent a looping shot onto the top of the net after 33 minutes as Skye pinned back their opponents.
Skye keeper Michael Nicolson saved with his feet from Ryan Campbell a couple of minutes later and Shaun Hedley cleared the danger.
Fort William leveled on 39 minutes. Neil MacVicar cleared a corner from the right and there seemed little danger when the ball broke to Josh McGhee on the right wing. However McGhee cracked a shot goalwards which the unsighted Michael Nicolson got his feet to but couldn’t keep out as the ball squeezed in at the post.
Neil MacVicar fired a shot on target from the middle of the park on 41 minutes but Kyle Grant brought the ball down in front of goal and played it out for a corner.
The game swung from end to end and Josh McGhee shot over moments before Iain Grant fired wide when set up by Ally MacDonald.
There was still time for Fort William’s Jack Fraser to shoot wide before referee Donnie MacRae blew for half time.
Fort William started the second half well and McGhee shot wide in the opening minute.
Good battling from Ally MacDonald on 54 minutes set up a chance for Iain Morrison and he sent a sizzling shot just past the post.
Skye regained the lead on 61 minutes following really good link up play by the home attack. Paul MacKinnon dribbled up the wing and played the ball across goal to Iain Grant whose flick was blocked by a defender. Ally MacDonald chased the short clearance before turning and shooting into the roof of the net from 20 yards.
Fort William had already used both their outfield substitutes so manager David Stafford came on in goal after 63 minutes which allowed keeper Sean Cruickshank to play outfield with Jack Fraser withdrawn.
Fort William pushed Alex Duncan to full forward and he shot over a minute later.
Fort William went on to enjoy their best period in the game as they attacked the Skye defence in search of an equaliser.
Angie MacDonald came on in place of Iain Morrison after 66 minutes and Skye later replaced Scott Martin with Daniel Morrison and Neil MacVicar with Jordan Murchison in a bid to regain control in the midfield.
Some determined defending kept Skye ahead but the Islanders finally succumbed to the pressure 3 minutes from the end when Alex Duncan burst through the middle of the defence and slotted the ball past Nicolson to make it 2-2.
The point takes Skye a place up the table and with a game in hand of some of their rivals.
Skye keeper Nicolson and his defence were solid despite periods on intense pressure whilst Ally MacDonald and Paul MacKinnon were excellent in the forward line.
Next up for Skye is a crucial home match against Beauly who sit just a couple of points behind them in the table.
Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, David Grant (captain), Andrew Banks, Shaun Hedley, Martin Bruce, Neil MacVicar, (Jordan Murchison), Darryl MacIntosh, Scott Martin, (Daniel Morrison), Paul MacKinnon, Iain Morrison, (Angie MacDonald), Ally MacDonald, Iain Grant
Match Referee – Donnie MacRae
The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan.