Kilmallie 2 Skye Camanachd 5 (after extra-time) | |
27 June 2014 It took extra-time to separate Kilmallie and Skye Camanachd in their Strathdearn Cup quarter final tie before the Islanders ran out 5-2 winners in their keenly contested 3pm throw up at the Canal Parks. Skye Camanachd co-managers Angie MacDonald and John Angus MacInnes had to rejig their squad after two late call-offs with Magnus Burd and Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod pulling out. Aonghas MacDonald and Will Cowie were added to the squad in their place. DJ Gilpin and Ally “Viewfield” MacLeod were also missing but there were first appearances of the season for Alan Palmer and Chris MacLennan whilst captain David MacInnes returned to the side. With Angie MacDonald and John Angus MacInnes on the field of play, Aonghas MacDonald looked after the team from the touchline for this 3pm throw up. Kilmallie had an impressive 2-1 win over Beauly in the last round with Craig MacIsaac and Innes Blackhall on target. Both sides benefited from the rule which allows youth players to play in this competition even although they are first team regulars. Craig MacIsaac was in the Kilmallie line-up after playing the whole of the first team match earlier in the day whilst Will Cowie started at full centre for Skye. The new Skye line-up started slowly and took time to settle into a pattern of play. Craig MacIsaac put Kilmallie ahead on 12 minutes when he was given too much space and he took advantage by driving the ball home. John Gillies was unlucky not to level for Skye minutes later when he sent a shot into the side-netting. Skye made a change after half an hour with co-manager Angie MacDonald coming off and Alan Palmer taking over in his place at full forward. Kilmallie edged the remainder of the first half and took their 1-0 advantage into the break. Skye had the breeze in their favour in the second half and they pushed Will Cowie to buckshee forward, Chris MacLennan to full centre and Iain MacLellan to wing centre. John Angus MacInnes came off. The new formation suited Skye with Chris MacLennan comfortable in midfield and Will Cowie adding edge to the attack. Skye they drew level on 50 minutes when Iain MacLellan sent a low shot from distance through a ruck of players and the ball seemed to take a bobble in front of the keeper before creeping into the net. However Kilmallie went back in front just 60 seconds when Craig MacIsaac notched his second goal with a carbon copy of his opener. The young Kilmallie forward took a touch before sending an unstoppable 20 yard shot into the net to make it 2-1. Skye seemed to get stronger as the tie went on. Further changes saw Daniel Morrison replace Thomas Wilson and James Pringle came on for John Gillies. Skye equalised for a second time thanks to a goal from substitute Alan Palmer. The goal came late on when the Skye substitute netted after a goalmouth scramble. Both teams tried to get a winner and Skye keeper Iain MacLeod and his Kilmallie counter-part Donald Pearce made some important saves. Skye buckshee back David MacInnes also did well to see of a couple of Kilmallie attacks with Kilmallie full back Stephen MacAllister also impressing. With no further scoring, referee Alex MacVicar took the tie to extra-time. Skye’s fitness started to tell during the additional half hour although Kilmallie were always dangerous on the break. It seemed it was going to take something special to separate the sides and that came 5 minutes into the second period of extra-time when a magnificent 35 yard drive from Will Cowie flew into the far top corner of the Kilmallie net to make it 3-2. Angie MacDonald, who came back on during the second half of extra-time, made it 4-2 when he scored from a rebound after Alan Palmer’s initial shot had been saved by David Pearce. Alan Palmer, who looked dangerous throughout the game, was then foiled by a magnificent save from Donald Pearce in the Kilmallie goal. Skye kept pressing and a late second from Alan Palmer made it 5-2 and rounded off the scoring with this goal also coming from a rebound. One downside for Skye was a thumb injury to Will Cowie and an x-ray confirmed heavy bruising but no break. This was a tough, physical encounter and the 5-2 win earns Skye a Strathdearn Cup semi-final meeting with Strathspey Camanachd at Grantown Grammar School on Saturday 5 July 2014. Skye Camanachd from: Iain MacLeod; Andrew Banks, Calum Gibb, Kyle Pirie, David MacInnes (captain); Thomas Wilson, Will Cowie, Chris MacLennan; John Angus MacInnes, John Gillies, Iain MacLellan, Angie MacDonald; subs Daniel Morrison, Alan Palmer, James Pringle, Aonghas MacDonald Match Referee – Alex MacVicar |