The Skye Camanachd U17s fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Beauly in their London Shield match at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Monday 20 June 2011.
The Skye youngsters took the field fresh from their MacTavish Cup Final victory over Lochaber. However, they did so without top scorer Jordan Murchison who was suffering from a recurrence of a hip injury and full back Iain Grant who was on a school trip to France. The loss of these two key players would make for a difficult game against a Beauly side containing two first team players in Jack MacDonald and Scott MacLeod.
The loss of Murchison and Grant forced coach Davie MacVicar to make two changes to the cup final starting line-up. Calum Gibb came into the defence in place of Iain Grant and Stephen Murchison joined the attack in place of his older brother Jordan Murchison.
Skye went on the offensive from the throw up and were almost ahead within the first two minutes but the foot of Beauly keeper Josh Grant deflected an Andrew Grant shot for a corner with loud appeals from the Skye players for a penalty. However referee John MacLeod wasn’t interested and gained no support from the goal judge.
Beauly looked threatening when they attacked and found themselves ahead on 8 minutes when Jack MacDonald set up 12 year old Sandy Elrick who fired high into the net past Iain MacLeod to make it 1-0 in the visitors favour.
Skye looked to be suffering from a cup final hangover and Beauly looked the more likely to add to their tally. Skye’s attacks were sporadic and they were struggling to retain forward possession with full forward Magnus Burd superbly policed by Beauly full back Calum Morrison who was excellent throughout.
Beauly doubled their advantage when 13 year old Kieran MacTavish finished from close range following hesitancy in the Skye defence.
Skye were a much improved side in the second half and created numerous chances but lacked that killer touch with young Josh Grant in the Beauly goal saving from Magnus Burd and Angie MacPherson on several occasions.
Skye had a great chance to open their account when they were awarded a penalty for a kick by the Beauly keeper. The award seemed harsh and justice was done when Andrew Grant’s well struck penalty rose just over the bar.
Skye perseverance finally paid off when Mark Mortimer, Stephen Murchison and Magnus Burd combined to set up Angie MacPherson who bundled the ball home from close range to make it 2-1.
Following a tactical switch that saw Magnus Burd move to buckshee forward with Andrew Grant moving to full forward, Skye fashioned a deserved equaliser. The provider on this occasion was substitute Angie Grant whose superb volleyed pass allowed his cousin Andrew Grant to turn his marker before rifling the ball into the Beauly net to make it 2-2.
After the game Beauly coach Ian Morrison was quick to acknowledge Skye’s second half effort and deserved share of the points.
Skye Camanachd U17 from; Iain MacLeod, Ruairidh Morrison, Calum Gibb, Steven MacKinnon, Alasdair MacLeod, Chris MacLennan, Shaun Hedley (captain), Mark Mortimer, Andrew Grant, Stephen Murchison, Angie MacPherson, Magnus Burd subs Angie Grant, Ian MacPherson
Beauly U17 from; To follow
Match Referee – John MacLeod
The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan