Oban Celtic 2 Skye Camanachd 5 | |
15 April 2019 Skye Camanachd saw off a plucky Oban Celtic fight-back to win 5-2 in their Mowi National Division match at Mossfield on Saturday 13 April 2019. Oban Celtic boss Dougie MacIntyre was still without the injured Neil Carmichael whilst Jamie Forgrieve failed to recover from a knock and Craig MacMillan served the final game of his suspension. Ross MacMillan continued in defence with Andy MacDonald at full centre. All three Oban Celtic substitutes played for the second team earlier in the day whilst 17 year old Scott Mossman started both games. Skye Camanachd co-managers Allan MacLeod and Kenny MacLeod were able to include 2018 player of the year Stewart Grant for the first time this season and he started on the bench. Ross MacKinnon was with the second team and Chris Rose was unavailable. With a strong breeze blowing down the park, Skye chose to take the wind advantage but it was Oban Celtic who made by far the better start and they looked sharper and hungrier in every challenge during the first quarter of the match with Ross MacMillan commanding at half back and Ally McKerracher a constant threat in attack. Indeed McKerracher was through one-on-one with Skye keeper Ryan Morrison but he sent the ball past the post whilst it also took a smart stop with his feet from the Skye custodian to keep the scores level. However it was Skye who took the lead on the half-hour following a strike on goal from Ross Gordon. Home keeper Jack Hill made the save but Will Cowie was quickest to react as the ball broke and he got the final touch to make it 1-0. Just 3 minutes later, a quickly taken free-hit from outside the penalty area caught out the Oban Celtic defence and Jordan Murchison found time and space to rifle the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0. Despite being two goals down, Oban Celtic continued to be a threat, particularly on the break, and, on the stroke of half-time they pulled a goal back after the some good forward play and, with the Skye defence failing to clear. Ally McKerracher got by his marker to score. Skye attacked from the restart but it was Oban Celtic who drew level on 48 minutes through danger-man Ally McKerracher who showed great skill to flick the ball before volleying past a helpless Morrison in the Skye goal. The goal lifted the hosts but their joy was short-lived as Skye full centre John Gillies showed great athleticism to first win the ball in midfield and then play a long pass to Will Cowie. Gillies continued his run forward, receiving a return pass from Cowie on the right before taking a touch and firing a rocket-shot into the top corner of the net to make it 3-2 with 55 minutes on the clock. Skye, with Cowie and Murchison swapping positions to great effect, now began to take control of the game with John Gillies and Iain Nicolson in no mood to let the lead slip for a second time. A neat finish from Ross Gordon on the hour made it 4-2 before referee Alex MacVicar administered a straight red card to Oban Celtic’s Ross MacMillan for a late challenge on Will Cowie, meaning the home side had to play out the final 15 minutes a player short. Whilst Skye certainly didn't have it all their own way, their superior fitness was now evident and they took control with Will Cowie, who got the opener, getting his second on 80 minutes to complete the scoring. There was a late chance for Oban Celtic substitute Jamie Anderson, who had come on for Scott Mossman, but he was just unable to get on the end of a ball forward. Skye can now look forward to a cottages.com MacTavish Cup quarter-final against Glenurquhart at Blairbeg this coming Saturday. However they know an improved performance will be required to get past the free-scoring Glen side. Skye Camanachd from: Ryan Morrison; Jamie Gillies, Martin Pringle, James Morrison, Iain Nicolson, Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, John Gillies, William MacKinnon; Jordan Murchison, Will Cowie (captain), Ross Gordon, Iain MacLellan; subs James Pringle, Stewart Grant Match Referee – Alex MacVicar Scorers Oban Celtic Ally McKerracher (45, 48) Skye Camanachd Will Cowie (30, 80) Jordan Murchison (36) John Gillies (55) Ross Gordon (60) |