Caberfeidh 1 Skye Camanachd 3 - UPDATED! | |
20 April 2015 The Skye Camanachd second team edged out the Caberfeidh seconds 3-1 in their Marine Harvest North Division 2 match at Castle Leod on Saturday 18 April 2015. Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie Pringle made five changes to the squad which beat Inverness in the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup the previous weekend. Iain Murray and Will Cowie returned to first team duty whilst Kyle Pirie was missing and John MacKenzie was with the first team. However John Gillies returned to the squad having missed the last two games and there was also a place for Marcus Ross. Captain David MacInnes was also back whilst there was a return after injury for Jamie Gannon in goal. There was also a start for Iain Nicolson who had rejoined the club from Lovat during the previous week and he came in in place of Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod who was unavailable. However Andrew Banks and DJ Gilpin were late call-offs for the Islanders so Skye U14 players Connor Gilpin and Martin Pringle, who are regular attenders at the club’s weekly senior training, were added to the squad. They joined Ryan Morrison on the substitute’s bench. The Caberfeidh first team were to host their Glenorchy counter-parts in the Preliminary Round of the SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup at the same venue later in the afternoon. However Glenorchy forfeited the tie so Cabers were able to add Scotland U21 player Blair Morrison to their substitute’s bench for this noon throw up. Both sides had made a strong start to the season with Skye leading the table and Caberfeidh just a point behind in third place. It was a very warm day in Strathpeffer and the pitch was in good condition. The early exchanges were even and this was typified when Iain Nicolson sent a good shot just wide on 21 minutes whilst Skye goalie Jamie Gannon was forced into a good save just a couple of minutes. Iain Nicolson fired over the bar on 26 minutes and Cabers hit the side-netting at the other end just 5 minutes later. Skye made the break-through on 33 minutes and it was John Angus MacInnes who put the ball past home keeper Roy Mutter to make it 1-0. Caberfeidh immediately made a couple of changes, including the introduction of Blair Morrison in attack. The visitors had Jamie Gannon to thank for their lead being intact as he made an unbelievable save to turn the ball over the bar on 40 minutes. Skye had the final chance of the half with John Angus MacInnes putting the ball just past the post on 43 minutes. John Angus MacInnes threatened the Caberfeidh goal twice in the opening two minutes of the second half. First he saw a goal-bound shot palmed away buy keeper Roy Mutter and then, seconds later, he sent a screaming shot wide of goal. Skye suffered a blow on 55 minutes when goalie Jamie Gannon injured his back and he had to leave the field of play. Skye were fortunate to have Ryan Morrison on the substitute’s bench and he came on between the sticks. Iain Nicolson and John Angus MacInnes both shot wide on 58 and 59 minutes whilst Caberfeidh went close on 61 minutes. Skye’s James Pringle powered through the Cabers defence a minute later but Skye were unable to conjure up a second goal. The Islanders made a second change on 67 minutes as Connor Gilpin made his second team debut, replacing the injured Marcus Ross. The 13 year old Gilpin joined the Skye attack and he found the back of the net just 3 minutes later to make it 2-0 after good lead up play from Daniel Morrison who had joined the forward line by this. Caberfeidh had the chance to pull a goal back on 75 minutes when referee John Wood awarded them a penalty and Colin MacLennan stepped up to score from the spot to make it 2-1. Ryan Morrison kept his side ahead with a good save before Connor Gilpin rounded off a good day for him and his team when he scored his second and Skye’s third goal. Daniel Morrison was again the provider and Skye now led 3-1 with just 5 minutes remaining. The two points was a welcome 44th birthday present for Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie Pringle. Caberfeidh stalwart Andrew MacMaster also celebrated a birthday and claimed to be at least a couple of years younger. This was a great all-round performance from Skye and there were notable contributions from the MacInnes brothers – John Angus and David – as well as keeper Jamie Gannon, before he had to leave the field injured, and youngster Ross Nicolson who has settled well into the squad since his introduction this season. Two-goal Connor Gilpin also deserves a mention for grabbing the headlines with a debut he won’t forget. The battle between Skye defender Stewart Grant and Cabers’ Blair Morrison was one of the features of the game. Skye Camanachd now go two points clear at the top of the table after Boleskine beat second place Glengarry 3-2. Caberfeidh from: Roy Mutter: Scott MacLachlan, James MacLeod, Paddy Wilson, Alan Ross: Neil MacKenzie, Jack Pilcher (captain), John Ritchie: Gavin MacLachlan, Ben MacDonald, Ruairidh McCreadie, Andrew MacMaster: subs Colin MacLennan, Declan Wilson, Blair Morrison Skye Camanachd from: Jamie Gannon: David Grant, Daniel Morrison, Marcus Ross, Stewart Grant: James Pringle, David MacInnes (captain), Ross Nicolson: Iain Nicolson, John Gillies, Iain MacLellan, John Angus MacInnes: subs Ryan Morrison, Connor Gilpin, Martin Pringle Match Referee – John Wood |