Morrison Hat-trick Gives Skye A Winning Start - Skye Camanachd 6 Inverness 1 | |
03 March 2013 Danny Morrison grabbed a hat-trick as Skye Camanachd got their Marine Harvest North Division 1 campaign off to a winning start with a 6-1 victory over Inverness at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 2 March 2013. This was the Islanders first match of the new shinty season and manager Willie MacRae had to do without last year’s captain Shockie MacLennan who served a one match ban following a points’ accumulation carried forward from last term. Shaun Hedley was another absentee for this 2.30pm throw up as he was working. Iain Nicolson made his first appearance after missing the pre-season games through work commitments and he slotted in in place of MacLennan at wing back. It was Allan MacLeod’s first competitive match in charge of Inverness and former Lochcarron player Mark Sproule featured at full centre for the visitors. They also included former Skye Camanachd pair Dougie Rankin and Somhairle MacDonald in their line-up with Rankin at full back and MacDonald at full forward. However James Cameron was unable to make the trip as he was working in the morning so he featured for the Inverness reserves. Fellow forward Connor Golabek was also unavailable. Skye looked in the mood from the throw up and they took the lead after just 6 minutes. Chris Rose made a great run, beating two players, before releasing Will Cowie down the Skye right. Cowie played a perfect cross which found Danny Morrison in space at the back post. Morrison controlled the ball before seeing his shot saved by Inverness keeper Adam MacMaster. Jordan Murchison retrieved possession for Skye and his ball from the left was turned into the net by Danny Morrison to give Skye an early advantage. A Chris Rose snap-shot rose just over the bar on 9 minutes. A couple of minutes later, Danny Morrison diverted a Kenny MacLeod ball just past the post. Neil MacVicar played the ball forward to Jordan Murchison on 15 minutes but keeper MacMaster palmed away Murchison’s attempt at goal. Skye suffered a scare on 19 minutes when Charlie MacDonald burst through the middle of the home defence and keeper Michael Nicolson had to be alert to clear the ball past the post. Craig Nicolson found James Ross with the resultant corner and his shot look net-bound until keeper Nicolson stretched to brilliantly tip the ball away with his caman from just under the crossbar. Michael Nicolson saved with his feet from James Ross again on 23 minutes as Inverness enjoyed their best period of the game. However it was Skye who extended their lead on 41 minutes when Will Cowie collected a ball from the left and held off a challenge from his marker Daniel Palombo before shooting across keeper MacMaster into the net to make it 2-0. Skye went 3-0 ahead on 51 minutes. Skye broke quickly and Chris Rose spread the ball wide to Kenny MacLeod on the left. MacLeod played the ball inside to Jordan Murchison who jinked to gain enough space to turn before sending a fine drive into the Inverness net. The Skye forwards were linking up well and Danny Morrison always looked a threat. On 58 minutes, Morrison collected a pass from Gilleasbuig MacDonald but his effort went over the junction between post and bar. Moments later Kenny MacLeod was the provider and another Morrison effort went narrowly wide of target. Skye manager Willie MacRae introduced substitutes Ally MacDonald and Iain Murray in place of young wing forwards Jordan Murchison and Will Cowie. Inverness pulled a goal back on 81 minutes. The Skye defence managed to foil an Inverness attack but the ball was only cleared as far as Charlie MacDonald, 30 yards from goal. Skye keeper Michael Nicolson seemed to have MacDonald’s effort covered as he dropped to his knees but the ball crept past the keeper and entered the net at his left post to make it 3-1. However Skye’s superior fitness showed in the closing stages and they restored their three goal advantage 5 minutes from time with another goal created down the Skye left and keeper MacMaster couldn’t keep Danny Morrison’s low drive out with his feet. Skye went 5-1 in front almost straight from the throw up. Chris Rose collected the ball 30 yards from goal and he drifted a shot towards the top corner of the net which MacMaster tried to save with his hand but failed to reach. Rose deserved the goal after a productive afternoon prompting the Skye attack. Goal number six arrived on the stroke of full time when Danny Morrison slid in to the D to steer the ball past keeper Adam MacMaster and claim his hat-trick. Camanachd Association Grade One referee Innes Wood showed yellow cards to Skye’s Danny Morrison and Peter Grace and Craig Nicolson from Inverness. This was a good opening day performance from Skye and whilst their stretching pre-season programme against Orion Group Premiership opposition may not have produced any wins, it does seem to have left the players well prepared for the rigours of North Division 1 shinty. The Skye rear-guard were solid and the centre line was much more involved with Gilleasbuig MacDonald dominant at full centre and Kenny MacLeod creating several opportunities for the forwards. The forwards were always a threat, especially when they shook off a reluctance to shoot which was apparent early in the game. Danny Morrison’s performance pleased manager Willie MacRae most of all with the Skye forward demonstrating his undoubted goal scoring ability. Inverness are a “work in progress” for new manager Allan MacLeod as he looks to mould together a side. Skye Camanachd from; Michael Nicolson, Steven Morrison (captain), Iain Nicolson, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Neil MacVicar, Allan MacKinnon, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Kenny MacLeod, Chris Rose, Will Cowie, Jordan Murchison, Danny Morrison, subs Ally MacDonald, Iain Murray, Darryl Macintosh Inverness from; Adam MacMaster, Dougie Rankin, Peter Grace, Daniel Palombo, Arran MacMaster (captain), Craig Nicolson, Mark Sproule, Gordon MacKenzie, James Ross, Michael Pirie, Charlie MacDonald, Somhairle MacDonald, subs Iain Greenhouse, Gary MacInnes, Billy Hunter, Allan MacLeod Match Referee – Innes Wood The match balls are sponsored by Nor-Dan |