Newtonmore 2 Skye Camanachd 1 | |
08 July 2019 Holders Newtonmore are through to the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-finals after coming from behind to beat Skye Camanachd 2-1 in their 3pm throw up at the Eilan on Saturday 6 July 2019. ‘More were again without David MacLean and Duncan Gorman for this 3pm throw up. Michael Russell was also out whilst Andy MacKintosh started on the bench. Skye, the only team from out-with the top flight to reach the last sixteen of shinty’s blue riband competition, were missing John Gillies, the injured James Morrison, and Stewart Grant who was working. Iain Nicolson was carrying a knee injury which flared up during the warm up so he was only able to take a place on the bench. Newtonmore started brightly and they dominated the early exchanges. Skye edged into the game and they looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Jordan Murchison came close with a brilliant effort that just skimmed the front of the post. Skye shocked their hosts when they took the lead on 12 minutes with a neatly worked goal which started from a clearance out of defence and ended with Iain MacLellan’s quick turn and blistering low drive that gave ‘More keeper Kenny Ross little chance. Skye kicked on during a sparkling 30 minute spell with shots from Jordon Murchison, Iain MacLellan, Ross Gordon and Ross MacKinnon all going close. When Ross Gordon’s strike wasn’t dealt with by Kenny Ross, Jordan Murchison looked destined to touch the ball into the net but it wouldn’t fall quick enough and the ‘More defence scrambled the ball out for a corner. A rocket shot from Ian Robinson was heading for the top corner of the net but Skye keeper Ryan Morrison produced a fantastic save to keep his side in front. The Islanders knew any lapse in concentration would be punished and their defence, with Ally MacDonald excellent as he played only his second 90 minutes over the last year, saw out the remainder of the half. Newtonmore brought Andy MacKintosh into the centre line at the break and they started the second half well without threatening the Skye goal. The key battles were in the middle off the park and the Skye defence was closing out the Newtonmore attack. However Skye weren’t finding the same fluency as in the first half and two half-chances in a minute proved their undoing as ‘More pulled the rug from under their feet. Both goals came from deep floated balls into the danger zone. The first came on 56 minutes when a ball from out on the left came into the D and Ian Robinson finished nicely, slotting the ball under the on-rushing Ryan Morrison. Just a minute later, a ball from deep landed just outside the D and an instinctive first-time low shot from Glen MacKintosh went through a packed goal area, beating keeper Morrison who saw the shot late with no time to react. Skye picked themselves up and went looking for an equaliser but Newtonmore are masters at protecting a lead and Marcus Scott’s shot from distance was one of Skye’s few attempts at goal. The game ended in controversy when a Newtonmore goal-hit was won in midfield by Skye with the ball played forward to an unmarked Jordan Murchison 20 yards from goal. Murchison raised his stick to shot but referee Graham Cameron blew for full-time, much to Skye’s frustration as they claimed there were still a couple of minutes remaining. The young Skye side will take much from the tie; especially their first half performance. However it is Newtonmore who go into Monday’s semi-final draw with their bid for a fourth successive Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup success still alive. Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison; Jamie Gillies, Ally MacDonald, Ally MacLeod, Martin Pringle; Ross MacKinnon, William MacKinnon, James Pringle; Will Cowie (captain), Ross Gordon, Jordan Murchison, Iain MacLellan, subs Marcus Scott. Iain Nicolson Newtonmore from: Kenny Ross; Steven Macdonald, Craig Ritchie, Iain Richardson, Rory Kennedy; Jamie Robinson, Conor Jones, Fraser MacKintosh; Drew MacDonald, Evan Menzies (captain), Iain Robinson, Glen MacKintosh; subs Owen Fraser Ewen Fraser, Andy MacKintosh Match Referee – Graham Cameron Scorers Newtonmore Iain Robinson (56) Glen MacKintosh (57) Skye Camanachd Iain MacLellan (12) |