Newtonmore 1 Skye Camanachd 4 | |
13 October 2014 The Skye Camanachd first team rounded off their Marine Harvest North Division 1 season with a 4-1 win over the Newtonmore reserve team at the Eilan. on Saturday 11 October 2014. Both Skye first team manager John MacLeod and his assistant manager Davie Pringle were on holiday so Donnie “Digg” MacDonald looked after the side. The Skye boss made three changes from the fourteen man squad that drew with the Beauly reserve side the previous weekend with six players missing overall. Captain Gilleasbuig MacDonald and David Grant were unavailable whilst keeper Iain MacLeod, who played so well on his debut, dropped out of the squad. Also missing were Steven Morrison who was at international training whilst Iain Murray and Aonghas MacDonald were also unavailable. Jamie Gannon, Shockie MacLennan, who captained the side in Gilleasbuig MacDonald’s absence, Will Cowie and Kenny MacLeod all returned. Neil MacVicar was a late call-off due to work commitments so 15 year old Ryan Morrison was added to the squad. Newtonmore co-managers Cammy MacDonald and Glen Tonkin were also forced into changes with several players on a pre-planned trip abroad. They were able to call on first team keeper Michael Ritchie in goal and Glen MacKintosh in attack. However other than John MacKenzie at full back, Calum Binnie at buckshee back and Calum Stewart at full centre, they largely relied on their U17 squad which takes Kingussie U17 in the London Shield Final in a fortnight’s time. Skye took the lead on 10 minutes when referee Evan MacRae pointed to the penalty spot after John MacKenzie had fallen on the ball. Will Cowie stepped up to net from the penalty spot. A low Jordan Murchison shot from around 20 yards out on 44 minutes made it 2-0 at the break. Skye went 3-0 ahead just 5 minutes after the restart when a Danny Morrison effort came back of the crossbar and Kenny MacLeod put the rebound into the net. ‘More youngster Iain Robinson pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later to make it 3-1. However Jordan Murchison got his second on 82 minutes to seal the 4-1 win. Skye substitutes Daniel Morrison and Calum Gibb were given a run-out with 15 year old Ryan Morrison, joining his brother Daniel on the pitch to make his first team debut late in the game. Will Cowie was excellent at full centre for Skye whilst John MacKenzie did very well in attack. Champions Skye have now finished their league season undefeated, eight points ahead of second place Newtonmore, and their attentions now turn to the Marine Harvest National Division play-off against Ballachulish at Blairbeg on Saturday 1 November 2014. Newtonmore will reflect on what has been a successful season for their colts. As well as lifting the Strathdearn Cup, they have blooded several youngsters and fought off the challenge of a couple of other senior sides to finish a credible second in the table. After the match, co-manager Glen Tonkin announced that he would be stepping down after 6 years at the helm with Cammy MacDonald. Newtonmore hope that Cammy MacDonald will continue in the manager’s role. Newtonmore from: Michael Ritchie; John MacKenzie, Iain Richardson, Liam Mullender, Calum Binnie; Craig MacLeod, Calum Stewart, Craig Ritchie; Glen MacKintosh, Duncan Gorman, Darrin Fowler, Iain Robinson, subs Neil Stewart, Jordan Beaton, Ally Thompson, Mathew Ivil Skye Camanachd from: Jamie Gannon; Ally MacDonald, Chris Rose, Ally "Spod" MacLeod, Shockie MacLennan (captain); Kenny Campbell, Will Cowie, Allan MacKinnon; Jordan Murchison, John MacKenzie, Danny Morrison, Kenny MacLeod; subs Daniel Morrison, Calum Gibb, John Mackenzie Match Referee – Evan MacRae |