Lovat 1 Skye Camanachd 2 | |
11 February 2019 Skye Camanachd co-managers Allan MacLeod and Kenny MacLeod got their term in charge off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Lovat at Balgate to win back the George Michie Memorial Cup on Saturday 9 February 2019. The game, originally scheduled for Pairc nan Laoch, was switched to Balgate on Thursday as the pitch fell victim to the heavy midweek rain. Balgate passed a Saturday morning inspection although some heavy rain made for tricky underfoot conditions and the teams agreed to play 40 minutes each way to protect the pitch. Lovat, who finished fourth in the Premiership last season, only behind Kyles Athletic and Kinlochshiel on goal difference, went into to the game as holders and their manager Fraser Gallacher fielded a strong side with new signing Fraser Heath their only absentee. Skye, playing in their blue change strip, were missing injured trio Ally MacDonald, Connor Gilpin and Ross MacKinnon as well as the unavailable Stewart Grant and Iain MacLellan. Having won the toss, Skye took advantage of the strong breeze and immediately put the Lovat defence under pressure with the fast and direct running from forwards James Pringle, Ross Gordon, Jordan Murchison and Will Cowie creating uncertainty in the home defence with every attack. With John Gillies dominant at full centre, it wasn't long before Skye created the game’s first clear chance as Jordan Murchison, who continued to find space throughout the match, shot just off target after some nice play from Will Cowie. It wasn't all one-way traffic though. Skye keeper Ryan Morrison pulled off a smart save with his caman from a Greg Matheson rocket with the Lovat danger-man well policed by Skye defender James Morrison throughout. However the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes as Skye took the lead. Jordan Murchison played the ball on and a lovely lay-off from Ross Gordon set up James Pringle and his strike into the bottom right hand corner gave Lovat and Scotland keeper Stuart MacDonald no chance. As half-time approached, keeper MacDonald had to deal with a difficult looping Will Cowie effort. Lovat introduced Ryan Ferguson and Martin Mainland at the break in place of wing centres Graeme MacMillan and Duncan Davidson as they tried to win back the midfield from Skye. And the hosts started the second half in a more determined fashion and they now had the wind advantage. The Skye defence came under increasing pressure and it was no surprise when Marc MacLauchlin capitalised just 5 minutes after the restart. Lewis Tawse’s initial low shot from distance was saved with his feet by Ryan Morrison. Skye were unable to clear their lines and a smart turn and shot from MacLachlan found the net to make it 1-1. However Skye gradually worked their way back into the game with Iain Nicolson at buckshee back expertly marshalling the young defence as they restricted Lovat to shots from distance. With conditions underfoot becoming increasingly difficult, it was Skye who adapted better with William MacKinnon’s powerful running from wing centre continually asking questions of the Lovat defence. Skye regained the lead with 8 minutes remaining when some good inter-play between Cowie and Murchison saw the latter’s strike beat the keeper. However the ball came back off the post but Ross Gordon was quickest to react and he steered the ball home to make it 2-1. Skye remained on the front foot during the closing stages with John Gillies twice going close as full-time approached George Michie’s sister Fiona MacDonald was introduced to the crowd by Skye’s Ross Cowie who spoke warmly of his late friend. The George Michie Memorial Cup was presented to Skye captain Will Cowie, getting the Islanders season off to a positive start. After the match, Skye co-manager Allan MacLeod said: “It was a very encouraging performance and result. Lovat are a benchmark team and they have been for a few seasons now. We made a few positional changes to bring a better balance to the team. John Gillies went to full centre, Ian Nicolson to buckshee back and Martin Pringle came in at wing back where he was tremendous. We have real competition for places when everyone is available and the boys have responded really well to our training. We looked the stronger team during the last 20 minutes of the game on Saturday but we are not going to get carried away. The reality is we have a lot of hard work ahead of us." Lovat from: Stuart MacDonald; Daniel Grieve, Craig Mainland, Danny Kelly, Callum Cruden; Graeme MacMillan, Lorne MacKay, Duncan Davidson; Lewis Tawse (captain), Calum MacAulay, Greg Matheson, Marc MacLachlan; subs Martin Mainland, Ryan Ferguson Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison; Jamie Gillies, Martin Pringle, James Morrison, Iain Nicolson; William MacKinnon, John Gillies, Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod; Martin Pringle, Ross Gordon, Jordan Murchison, Will Cowie (captain); subs Daniel Morrison, Marcus Scott Match Referee – John MacRitchie Scorers Lovat Marc MacLachlan (50) Skye Camanachd James Pringle (27) Ross Gordon (72) (The match was played 40 minutes each way) |