Oban Celtic 1 Skye Camanachd 2 | |
07 March 2022 Skye Camanachd came from behind to beat Oban Celtic 2-1 in their Mowi National Division encounter at Mossfield on Saturday 5 March 2022. Oban Celtic manager Dougie MacIntyre and his assistant Allan Duffy were without the suspended Andy MacDonald but Jordan Kerr made his competitive debut after joining the club from Lochside Rovers. Celtic’s other new signing, Scott Dempster, was unavailable. Callum Fox was in goal and Bob MacIntyre swapped his golf clubs for his caman for this 2.30pm throw up. Skye boss Kenny Macleod had Will Cowie back after a knee injury suffered on the opening day of last season but Danny Morrison was missing. The bobbly surface made it tricky for both sides to control the ball and Skye created some chances with Jordan Murchison looking the more likely to score whilst Murphy Henderson dealt comfortably with anything that came his way. Skye’s James Pringle had the most clear-cut chance of the first half but didn’t connect properly and blazed the ball over the bar. Ross MacKinnon and Ross Gordon were unlucky with a couple of efforts which went narrowly wide. Skye introduced Somhairle MacDonald on the half hour as the hosts had control of the centre line. Ross Mackinnon moved from wing forward to wing centre and immediately forced a Callum Fox save as the first half finished goalless. Skye looked brighter after the restart with Will Cowie and Ross MacMillan having a great battle in the middle of the park with the former full of running and the latter showing his experience. There were signs of frustration from both teams but it was Oban Celtic who broke the deadlock on 71 minutes. Skye’s William Mackinnon was caught in two minds in midfield after initially missing his hit and the ball came to Ross MacMillan who sent a looping ball over the top of the visiting defence into the path of the onrushing Daniel MacMillan who raced clear, through on goal, and he slipped the ball under keeper Murphy Henderson as he came off his line. Oban Celtic looked to be playing with an extra defender and Skye introduced young forward Taylor Matheson for James Pringle in an attempt to find an equaliser and they pinned Celtic back. Skye’s fitness looked good as they launched wave after wave of attack on the Celtic goal and they got their reward when Jordan Murchison made it 1-1 with a low drive on 78 minutes. The home side were reduced to eleven men soon after when referee Alex MacVicar sent off Ross MacMillan, who was Celtic’s best player on the day, for a poor challenge on Skye’s Ross Gordon. Skye pushed full back John Gillies up front for the closing stages as they went all out for a winner and the switch paid off as he scored the winner on 82 minutes with his shot taking two deflections on the way into the net. Skye were a little rusty on the grass but their defence was excellent with John Gillies the man of the match; he was outstanding throughout. Next up is a league meeting with Inveraray at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 12 March 2022. Oban Celtic from: Callum Fox: Michael MacKinnon, Lewis Mcphee, Craig MacMillan (captain), Jamie Forgrieve: Dylan Cooke, Ross MacMillan, Robert MacIntyre: Daniel MacMillan, Duncan MacDonald, Ewen Campbell, Jordan Kerr: subs Keegan Mcphee, Niall MacFarlane Skye Camanachd from: Murphy Henderson: John Gillies, James Morrison, Martin Pringle, William MacKinnon: Iain MacLellan, Will Cowie, Ally “Cleodi” Macleod: (captain), Ross Gordon, Ross MacKinnon, Jordan Murchison, James Pringle: subs Somhairle MacDonald, Chris Rose, Taylor Matheson Match Referee - Alex MacVicar |