Beauly 0 Skye Camanachd 0 | |
05 October 2014 The Beauly second team became the first side to take a league point off champions Skye Camanachd with a 0-0 draw at Braeview Park on Saturday 4 October 2014. Beauly resisted the temptation to load their side with first team players and they included eight of their promising U17 players in their squad. They also called on the experience of first team manager Roger Cormack at full back with Jack MacDonald at buckshee back and David MacLean at full centre also starting. Second team player / manager Steven MacLean missed out through injury. Skye first team manager John MacLeod was working and David Pringle and Aonghas MacDonald were at Craigard for the London Shield semi-final between Skye Camanachd U17 and Kingussie U17 so Donnie MacDonald and Douglas MacDougall looked after the side. The Islanders went into the match without keeper Jamie Gannon so reserve stopper Iain MacLeod was given a debut in goal. Full back Steven Morrison was at the Scotland Shinty / Hurling international training at Spean Bridge whilst Will Cowie was with the Skye Camanachd U17 squad for the London Shield semi-final against Kingussie U17. Shockie MacLennan was working, Kenny MacLeod was injured and Iain Murray was a late call-off. Aonghas MacDonald’s absence left Skye seven players down from their regular squad. Chris Rose returned to the Skye squad and took up his usual place in defence whilst reserve team player John MacKenzie started at full forward. Beauly kindly agreed to a 12pm throw up as the Skye players had a pre-arranged function at the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse, Portree later in the evening. In a change of match referee; Deek Cameron took charge of the game in place of Calum Girvan. The Beauly pitch was in great condition but as the game went on; the ball ran very quickly on the slippery surface. Both teams started well but Beauly slightly edged the first 10 minutes with Skye still getting to grips with their changed line-up. Skye eventually found a steady gear midway through the first half and they started to move the ball about better without troubling home goalie Kyle MacDonald. David MacLean and Jack MacDonald were influential in the Beauly ranks and the hosts had the best first half chances and Skye had goalie Iain MacLeod to thank for some fine saves. Skye started the second half with a two-two formation in attack and this helped create more opportunities in front of goal but the revamped forward line was unable to capitalise with shots either going wide of target or dealt with by keeper Kyle MacDonald. Iain MacLeod continued his golden debut in the Skye goal with a string of first class saves and he at times kept Skye in the game. Beauly came closest to breaking the deadlock when a David MacLean rocket shot look set to go into the net just under the bar but Iain MacLeod stretched to brilliantly turn the ball away with his caman. Skye finished the stronger team but it turned out to be a frustrating last 10 minutes for the visitors with no lee-way being given by the Beauly defence. The game may have ended without any goals but this was a very entertaining contest, played in good spirit with no bookings. Best for Skye was undoubtedly keeper MacLeod and it’s to Beauly’s credit that defenders Neil MacVicar, Chris Rose, Ally MacDonald and Davis Grant had to be at the top of their game. The match completes Beauly’s season and they move into fourth place in the table. Champions Skye complete their league programme with a trip to the Eilan to play the Newtonmore second team this coming weekend and they then have a two week wait before the Marine Harvest National Division play-off against Marine Harvest South Division 1 champions Ballachulish. Beauly from: Kyle MacDonald; Roger Cormack, Rory Campbell, Andrew Morrison, Jack MacDonald; Ryan MacKay, David MacLean, Iain Rankin; Robbie Brindle, Neil Brindle, Craig Rankin, Jamie MacLennan; subs Kieran MacTavish, Daniel Lamont, Josh Grant Skye Camanachd from: Iain MacLeod, Neil MacVicar, David Grant, Ally MacDonald, Chris Rose; Alan MacKinnon, Gilleasbuig MacDonald (captain), Kenny Campbell; Jordan Murchison, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Danny Morrison, John MacKenzie; subs Calum Gibb, Daniel Morrison Match Referee – Deek Cameron |