Kinlochshiel 1 Skye Camanachd 3. | |
11 May 2011 The Skye Camanachd second team are through to the quarter finals of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup following a 3-1 win over Kinlochshiel at Kirkton on Saturday 7 May 2011. Manager Davie MacVicar was in Bute as part of the first Skye team squad so assistant manager Murdo Morrison and coach Willie MacRae made four changes to the squad which lost to Newtonmore at the Eilan the previous week. Ally MacDonald and Calum Gibb joined MacVicar with the first team whilst Iain MacPherson dropped out of the squad. Ross Graham came back into the side and he replaced John MacLeod in goal. MacLeod dropped onto the bench where he was joined by Martin Bruce with Ally MacLeod given a starting place at right wing back. John MacKenzie returned from injury to also take up a substitute’s role. There were staring places Paul MacKinnon at buckshee forward and Iain Nicolson at full centre. Allan MacKinnon also came into the first twelve at full centre. Ian Cameron returned in goal for Shiel following commitments as accordionist with the Cast Ewe Ceilidh Band. However defender Ian Fraser and midfielder Ian Campbell were missing as was David Falconer who was on first team duty. Skye played up the slope in the first half and they were first to threaten when home keeper Ian Cameron did well to stop a bouncing shot from Allan MacKinnon with his feet after 6 minutes. A hook shot from ‘Shiel’s Duncan MacRae went wide of goal after 14 minutes. Skye created a good opening after 18 minutes when Iain Nicolson won the ball in midfield and played it forward to Jordan Murchison 20 yards from goal. Murchison played a superb weighted pass to Allan MacKinnon on the left but his shot went past the post. ‘Shiel responded and a minute later when a Graeme MacRae shot was deflected onto the Skye post before squirming away for a corner. A brilliant ball forward from Allan MacKinnon on 24 minutes found Iain MacLellan on the Skye right but Allan MacDiarmid managed to get his body in the way to deflect MacLellan’s shot for a corner. Stewart Grant took the corner which was cleared by the ‘Shiel defence but only as far as Paul MacKinnon but his shot went wide. ‘Shiel broke down their left after 35 minutes and Ross Graham had to sweep Ross Fraser’s cross away for a corner. A couple of minutes later Iain MacLellan rattled the frame of the ‘Shiel goal and the resultant clearance fell to Stewart Grant who fired in a 30 yard shot which Ian Cameron saved with his caman. Skye had enjoyed most of the early pressure but they were almost hit with a sucker-punch on 38 minutes when the goal judge ruled that a Skye defender had “kicked” the ball and referee Robert Morrison pointed to the penalty spot. Duncan MacRae stepped forward to take the spot-hit but he “topped” his shot and Ross Graham saved easily with his feet before clearing the ball for a corner. Just 3 minutes from the break, Michael Morrison won possession on the right ‘Shiel but Ross Graham saved his low shot with his feet. Skye started the second half strongly and a cross from the left found Iain Nicolson in space at the back post after 55 minutes but he failed to get any power behind his shot. However Skye took the lead a couple of minutes later. Allan MacKinnon played a clever short corner on the right to Iain MacLellan and he quickly slipped the ball to Will Cowie who gave Cameron no chance as he powered a shot into the roof of the Shiel net. Skye extended their lead after 59 minutes. Paul MacKinnon and Jordan Murchison linked up to set up a chance for Allan MacKinnon who fired a glorious 25 yard shot goalwards. The ball hit keeper Ian Cameron on the shoulder before appearing to come back off the post and Iain MacLellan knocked the rebound into the net. Referee Robert Morrison did seem to indicate that MacKinnon’s initial effort had crossed the line but the goal was officially awarded to MacLellan. The Skye forward line was now linking up really well and they pinned ‘Shiel back as they searched for a killer third goal. This came on 65 minutes when Jordan Murchison collected a free hit from the left and created enough space for himself to fire the ball across the keeper into the net. Skye introduced Martin Bruce in defence in place of Ally MacLeod and later John MacKenzie replaced Stewart Grant in midfield whilst Daniel Morrison took over from Will Cowie up front. Skye had a couple of earlier penalty shouts but referee Morrison wasn’t interested. Islander’s keeper Ross Graham made a great save with his body from a Graeme MacRae rocket shot on 78 minutes as ‘Shiel looked for a consolation goal. They got this in the final minute when a shy into the centre of goal fell to Allan MacDiarmid, who had been pushed from full back to full forward. MacDiarmid turned and lashed the ball into the net to make it 3-1. Skye were well served by Allan MacKinnon and Iain Nicolson in the centre line whilst their forward play, particularly in the second half, was a joy to watch. Shiel’s Ian Cameron could do nothing about the goals and he made some good saves. Youngsters Ewan Falconer and Donald Nixon also continue to shine and they are great prospects for the future. Kinlochshiel from; Ian Cameron, Allan MacDiarmid, Sandy MacDiarmid, Ewan Falconer, Donald Nixon, Michael Morrison, Colin MacDiarmid, Duncan MacRae, Stewart MacRae, Steven Isles, Ross Fraser, Graeme MacRae subs Jordan Fraser, Oliver MacRae, Conall Fraser, Aedan MacRae Skye Camanachd from; Ross Graham, David Grant, Ally MacLeod, Scott MacLeod, Iain Grant, Allan MacKinnon, Iain Nicolson, Stewart Grant, Paul MacKinnon, Will Cowie, Jordan Murchison, Iain MacLellan, subs Martin Bruce, John MacKenzie, Daniel Morrison, John MacLeod (captain) Match Referee – Robert Morrison |