Beauly 0 Skye Camanachd 2 | |
09 October 2022 Skye Camanachd toppled league leaders Beauly 2-0 in their top of the table clash at Braeview Park on Saturday 8 October 2022. Beauly have been runaway leaders in the division for most of the season, but Skye continued to win their games in hand, drawing level on points at the summit with last week’s win over Inveraray. Beauly youngster Finlay MacLennan was on the bench but carrying a hand injury and host’s goal difference was such that even a draw would have left them title favourites ahead of their final match at home to Inveraray. Skye needed to win and boss Kenny Macleod named an unchanged starting twelve. Iain MacLellan returned to take a place on the bench, but Martin Pringle remained out with a hamstring injury. This 2.30pm throw up was broadcast LIVE on Radio Skye’s Camanachd LIVE show. This was a tense affair and whilst Beauly had more of their share of the first half possession, Skye created the better chances with home keeper Martin MacDonald the busier of the two goalies. Enforced changes affected both sides as Beauly duo Euan McCormick and Colin MacDonald were withdrawn with Skye defender John Gillies hampered by a tight hamstring forcing a reshuffle which saw Iain MacLellan join the midfield, Ross MacKinnon go to buckshee back and William MacKinnon to full back. Skye broke the deadlock on 73 minutes. Jordan Murchison’s 25-yard shot was saved by home keeper Martin MacDonald, but Ross Gordon was quickly in to steer the rebound home. Skye keeper Murphy Henderson was quickly off his line to clear a dangerous Beauly attack soon after and the next goal was going to be crucial. Ross Gordon was again involved on 82 minutes when he was fouled on the Skye left. Substitute Somhairle MacDonald rolled the free-hit short to James Pringle and, from around 25 yards out, he sent a wonderful strike, high into the top corner of the net. It was a goal fit enough to win any game. The victory guarantees Skye Camanachd a place in next year’s Mowi Premiership. Going into the final matches of the season, Skye hold a two point lead over Beauly at the top of the table. Inveraray are third and whilst they could still technically match Beauly’s points total, it would take a massive goal difference swing for them to finish second. Skye travel to Inveraray on Saturday and a draw will secure the title. The hosts will be without the suspended Ross MacMillian whilst Skye will check on John Gillies and Martin Pringle. Inveraray follow up their Skye clash with a trip to Glenurquhart the week after before completing their season at Beauly on Saturday 29 October 2022 in what is also Beauly’s final match of the season. Skye Camanachd from: Murphy Henderson: John Gillies, Sam Macphee, James Morrison, William MacKinnon: Chris Rose, Ross MacKinnon, Ally ‘Cleodi’ Macleod (captain): Will Cowie, Jamie Gillies, Ross Gordon, Jordan Murchison: subs Somhairle MacDonald, Taylor Matheson, James Pringle, Iain MacLellan Match Referee – Deek Cameron |