Lovat Retain Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup - Skye Camanachd 0 Lovat 3 | |
01 March 2013 Lovat held on to the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup for the third consecutive year with a 3-0 win over Skye Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 23 February 2013. Skye boss Willie MacRae was still without Aonghas MacDonald and Shaun Hedley whilst Iain Murray was injured. Ally MacDonald had stitches after cutting his hand at work so he started on the bench. Lovat boss Allan MacRae missed midfielder Craig Mainland whilst Lorne MacKay made it to Portree despite fears he would miss the game. Skye made a promising start but Lovat went on to enjoy most of the first half possession. The opening goal came following a great turn and strike from Greg Matheson which flew into the top corner of Michael Nicolson’s net. Skye suffered a blow when defender Shockie MacLennan, who was one of the Islanders’ top pre-season performers, had to come off after twisting his ankle. Gilleasbuig MacDonald came on in his place and he took up the full centre mantle with Allan MacKinnon dropping back into defence. Greg Matheson made it 2-0 when he was allowed two attempts to fire the ball into the net by a hesitant Skye defence. Owen Ferguson thought he had made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time but his effort was ruled out for offside by goal judge Davie MacVicar. Lovat went 3-0 up on 53 minutes when Lorne MacKay was allowed too much space down the Skye left and he steadied himself before sending a tremendous 25 yard drive which nestled high in the Skye net. Skye went on to enjoy their best spell of the game in the final half hour but they failed to trouble visiting keeper Stuart MacDonald. The nearest the Islanders came was a Jordan Murchison effort which was comfortably palmed away by the Lovat keeper. Skye played Chris Rose at buckshee forward where he hid well before being forced off with a foot injury. Skye’s Allan MacKinnon was awarded the Glasgow Mid Argyll Shield as the home side’s best player, selected by the Lovat camp. Gilleasbuig MacDonald ran him close following a fine substitute appearance in midfield. Lovat look in fine fettle for the start of their Orion Group Premiership campaign and new signing Kevin Bartlett will just add to their options. There were a few tasty clashes during the game which made a mockery of the pre-season friendly tag but referee John Angus Gillies showed, once again, that he is more capable of taking charge of games at the highest level. Ally MacKinnon, a friend of Thomas Ferguson, presented the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup to Lovat captain Callum Cruden who had picked up an ankle injury during the game. Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, Steven Morrison (captain), Shockie MacLennan, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Neil MacVicar, Darryl Macintosh, Allan MacKinnon, Kenny MacLeod, Chris Rose, Jordan Murchison, Will Cowie, Danny Morrison, subs Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Ally MacDonald, David Grant, Chris MacLennan Lovat from; Stuart MacDonald, Drew Howie, Michael MacKenzie, James Grieve, Callum Cruden (captain), Lorne MacKay, Duncan Davidson, Ryan Ferguson, Owen Ferguson, Greg Matheson, Lewis Tawse, Jamie Matheson, subs Martin Mainland, Gavin Macaulay Match Referee – John Angus Gillies The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan |