Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Skye Camanachd 3 | |
12 April 2016 The Skye Camanachd seconds beat the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds 3-0 in their Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup first round tie at Yoker on Saturday 9 April 2016. GMA included Scotland U21 forward John McNulty who was finally free of a four match suspension, incurred last season with former club Glenorchy. With no first team match, there was also a place for young speedy forward Calum McLay. Skye Camanachd second team manager Davie Pringle made four changes to the 16-man squad which lost 5-3 to the Newtonmore second team last weekend. Iain MacLeod and Neil John Campbell returned to the squad after playing for the first team the previous weekend. Glasgow-based Chris MacLennan was also included but youngsters Jamie Gillies, Connor Gilpin, Jack Henderson and Martin Pringle dropped out of the squad. On a day when a number of fixtures were postponed, the Yoker pitch was in poor condition and GMA officials worked on two areas where water was lying on the surface right up until just before the 2pm throw up. Skye showed no ill-effects from their early start and long journey south as they went in front with just 3 minutes on the clock. Skye full forward Ryan Morrison fought hard to win possession at the edge of the D and he laid the ball off to John Angus MacInnes who scored. Former Skye player David Nicolson lined up at full back for GMA. However he had to come off after taking a knock in a challenge from John Angus MacInnes. He came back on later in the game at full forward where he was marked by Skye captain David Grant. The game then became more competitive and Skye struggled to maintain any period of pressure against their Marine Harvest South Division 2 opponents. Skye struggled to hold the ball up in the last third of the pitch and their centre line was struggling to cope. It was end to end for the first half hour of the tie. Skye boss Davie Pringle then made changes with Ryan Morrison and Calum Gibb coming off. Ruaraidh MacLeod and Ross Gordon came on in the wing forward positions with Iain MacLellan dropping back into the centre line. That worked well for the visitors and they started to enjoy longer periods of pressure as the game went on. Skye thought they were about to score a second but referee Jon Gallagher blew the half time whistle just as John Angus MacInnes was about to shoot from close range. Skye huffed and puffed and they had some decent shots on goal which GMA keeper Ewan MacLeod saved heroically. GMA also threatened, mainly on the break, but Skye goalie Ian MacLeod dealt with everything in a calm manner and he never looked under pressure. Young Skye forwards Ruaraidh MacLeod and Ross Graham were playing really well but the muddy GMA goal area made it difficult for them. Another youngster, Sam MacPhee, made a debut appearance as he replaced Andrew Banks and he made an immediate impact as he cut-out a goal scoring opportunity to deny the home side. On a difficult surface, Skye had to wait until the tail-end of the tie to wrap up the win. Iain MacLellan made it 2-0 after 87 minutes. MacLellan took a short corner and played a one-two with James Pringle before dribbling forward into the D and his shot from a tight angle took a deflection off a defender’s leg on the way into the net to make it 2-0. Two of Skye’s young substitutes combined to get their team’s third goal a minute from time. Ross Gordon sent a shot from distance on target and whilst the keeper saved his effort, Ruaraidh MacLeod was first onto the rebound and he bundled the ball home to make it 3-0. There were good Skye performances from keeper Iain MacLeod, Chris MacLennan, David MacInnes, James Pringle and young forwards Ruaraidh MacLeod and Ross Gordon who had a great debut at this level. Young Calum McLay gave Skye defender DJ Gilpin a torrid time whilst former Lochbroom player Jamie McFadyen at wing centre had an impressive game. The Skye Camanachd seconds will now travel to the Eilan to face the Newtonmore seconds in the next round of this national competition on Saturday 30 April 2016. Glasgow Mid Argyll from: Ewan MacLeod; David Nicolson, Angus MacInnes, James Doherty, Nick Lavin; Gregor Hendry, Luke Thornton, Jamie McFadyen; John MacNulty, Calum McLay, Connor MacLeod, Lewis Miller; subs Scott Anderson, Lewis Clark, Calum Forsyth, Jamie Dodman Skye Camanachd from: Iain MacLeod; David Grant (captain), DJ Gilpin, Andrew Banks, Chris MacLennan; Calum Gibb, David MacInnes, Neil John Campbell; James Pringle, John Angus MacInnes, Iain MacLellan, Ryan Morrison; subs Ruaraidh MacLeod, Ross Gordon, Sam MacPhee Match Referee – Jon Gallagher |