George Michie Memorial Cup - Skye Camanachd 1 Lovat 3 | |
14 February 2017 The Skye Camanachd first team lost 3-1 to Lovat in their George Michie Memorial Cup match at Pairc nan Laoch Portree on Saturday 11 February 2017. There were new bosses at both ends with co-managers Willie Cowie and Peter Gordon beginning their tenure at Skye and Fraser Gallacher in charge at Lovat. Skye were without keeper Neil MacVicar and Kenny Campbell whilst Chris MacLennan is unlikely to be available for the early part of the season. Iain MacLeod started in goal. Lovat travelled without Ryan Ferguson and the injured Mark Kelly. The freezing temperatures overnight left the pitch more than firm but both teams were keen to go ahead with the contest. The first 20 minutes of the match were fairly even but Lovat started to get a grip of the midfield with Callum Cruden and Bailey MacKay particularly effective. Fraser Gallacher opted to play Craig Mainland, back after a serious shoulder injury, in the Lovat attack rather than his more accustomed defensive role and the move paid dividends when Mainland gave the Balgate side a 29 minute lead after the ball broke to him at the edge of the D. Greg Matheson made it 2-0 on 33 minutes when he ran forward to get to a ball just ahead of his marker and Matheson slammed the ball home. The closest Skye came to a first half goal was a Jordan effort following a rebound. Skye had to replace the injured Shockie MacLennan at the break. Iain Nicolson dropped back into defence with Stewart Grant coming on at wing centre. Lovat’s Craig Mainland was also withdrawn at half time but the visitors extended their lead when Greg Matheson added his second and Lovat’s third goal on 58 minutes. Lorne MacKay cut in from the Lovat left and his shot was well saved by keeper Iain MacLeod but Matheson ran in to knock the rebound past the keeper before tapping the ball into the empty net. There was some consolation for Skye when James Pringle pulled a goal back on 78 minutes. The ball fell to Pringle in some space and he touched the ball wide before hitting it low across keeper Stuart MacDonald into the bottom corner of the net. This was a good workout for Skye and they’ll continue their preparation for the new season with away matches against Glenurquhart and Kingussie over the next two Saturdays. Lovat looked that bit sharper throughout the game and deserved the win. After already lifting the Lovat Cup a day into the New Year, this was their second cup success of the year and good start to his Lovat captaincy for Greg Matheson who came forward to lift the George Michie Memorial Cup. Skye Camanachd from: Iain MacLeod; Steven Morrison, John Gillies, Shockie MacLennan, Ally MacDonald; Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Iain Nicolson; Will Cowie, James Pringle, Jordan Murchison, Danny Morrison (captain); subs Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Stewart Grant, Calum Gibb Lovat from; Stuart MacDonald; Drew Howie, Martin Mainland, Daniel Grieve, Danny Kelly; Scott MacKenzie, Callum Cruden, Bailey MacKay; Craig Mainland, Lewis Tawse, Lorne MacKay, Greg Matheson (captain); subs Calum MacAulay, Graeme MacMillan, Martin Bell Match Referee – John Angus Gillies Goal Judges – Donnie Martin & Alan MacPherson The match balls were sponsored by Nor Dan Scorers Skye Camanachd James Pringle (78) Lovat Craig Mainland (29) Greg Matheson (33, 58) |