Skye Camanachd completed an unbeaten league season when they drew 4-4 with champions Skye Camanachd in their 3pm throw up at An Aird on Saturday 7 October 2017.
There was a 9am pitch inspection scheduled for Saturday morning when the field was passed playable.
Fort William went into the match challenging Caberfeidh for the second promotion spot to shinty’s top division. Caberfeidh have completed their league programme and they held a three point advantage. Fort William had two matches remaining but Cabers’ goal difference is such that the Fort knew they needed to win both games to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Fort William manager Victor Smith suffered a pre-match blow with Bryan Simpson unavailable.
Skye boss Willie Cowie remained without keeper Iain MacLeod through work commitments so Ryan Morrison continued to deputise in goal. Jordan Murchison remained on the injury list whilst youngster Connor Gilpin was on holiday. Neil MacVicar, Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod and Stewart Grant were unavailable from the squad which beat Inveraray in the team’s last outing so Daniel Morrison was recalled and he started on the bench. There were first call-ups for U17 trio James Morrison, Martin Pringle and Sam MacPhee with Morrison starting in defence where he played the full 90 minutes.
Skye started well and created a couple of chances but it was Fort William who raced into a two-goal lead. Alexander MacMillan opened the scoring on 12 minutes with shot from the edge of the D.
Fort William again broke from midfield from the restart and Graham Campbell gave Ryan Morrison in the Skye goal no chance with a shot from 15 yards.
Skye pulled a goal back on 22 minutes when Will Cowie netted with a low, back-hand shot from 20 yards, to the right of the goal.
James Pringle made it 2-2 with 5 first half minutes remaining. Pringle took the ball onto his left side and finished well, sending the ball into the roof of the net.
Skye had the wind in their favour in the second half and Danny Morrison turned the match their way on 56 minutes, scoring with a low shot from 18 yards out on the right.
Fort William worked the wings well throughout the match and the pendulum swung their way when Lachie Shaw made it 3-3 on the hour and, 7 minutes later, Sean Cameron capitalised on a defensive mistake to put the hosts 4-3 ahead
Skye had only lost five goals in thirteen league matches and they had now lost a further four goals in this game alone.
Martin Pringle came off the Skye bench, replacing Danny Morrison, to make his senior debut and he produced a good strike on 76 minutes, hitting the ball well to grab the equalising goal.
There were chances at both ends during the final stages of the match and Skye had keeper Ryan Morrison to tanks near the end. Lachie Shaw caught the ball well; striking a waist-high shot through a ruck of players. Morrison saw the ball late but managed to stop it to his right with his club and his reaction save kept Skye’s unbeaten record intact
Fort William must now beat Inveraray by thirteen goals in their final league match if they are to pip Caberfeidh for second spot. That match is scheduled for Saturday 28 October 2017 at An Aird.
For Skye, it is the end of a very satisfying league campaign. Their only dropped points were away to both Caberfeidh and Fort William and the players and management will now take a well-deserved break ahead of starting preparations for another crack at the Marine Harvest Premiership.
Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison; Ally MacDonald, James Morrison, Allan MacLeod, John Gillies; Iain Nicolson, Kenny Campbell (captain), Stewart Grant; Danny Morrison, James Pringle, Iain MacLellan, Will Cowie; subs Martin Pringle, Daniel Morrison, Sam MacPhee
Match Referee – Martin MacLean
Scorers
Fort William
Alexander MacMillan (12)
Graham Campbell (13)
Lachie Shaw (60)
Sean Cameron (67)
Skye Camanachd
Will Cowie (22)
James Pringle (40)
Danny Morrison (56)
Martin Pringle (76)
(The picture of Martin Pringle making it Fort William 4 Skye Camanachd 4 comes courtesy of Moreen Pringle)