Skye Camanachd 1 Caberfeidh 5 | |
23 May 2022 Skye Camanachd fell short in their attempt to reach the cottages.com MacTavish Cup Final when they lost 5-1 to Caberfeidh at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 21 May 2022. After three Saturdays without a game, Skye manager Kenny Macleod had a full squad to choose from with the exception of Sam Macphee who is in Australia. This was a third MacTavish semi over his six seasons in charge for Cabers boss Jodi Gorski who started Craig Morrison despite the effects of a slight hamstring strain. Piper AB Connor led the teams onto the field before referee Graham Cameron signalled a minutes silence for what was Skye’s first match following the death of Chieftain Donnie Martin. Both sides wore black armbands as a mark of respect. In a nice touch pre-match, referee Graham Cameron, on behalf of himself and his father and goal judge Willie, presented Skye Camanachd Chairman Thomas Wilson with a goal judge vest embossed with Donnie Martin’s name. The match was broadcast LIVE on Radio Skye’s Camanachd LIVE show. Skye created the better early chances and it took a diving Iain McCall save to keep out James Pringle’s shot after Somhairle MacDonald had played the speedy forward through. Skye were forced into a change when Martin Pringle was withdrawn with a hamstring injury. Danny Morrison came on in midfield with Ross MacKinnon dropping into defence. Skye went close again on 35 minutes when Jordan Murchison’s head-high shot went just wide of the keeper’s right post and they also had a first half penalty claim turned down. However Caberfeidh’s Kieran MacPherson started to take control of the midfield and, on 43 minutes, when Craig Morrison’s ball from wide on the left was only cleared as far as Kevin Bartlett on the right, he turned quickly and although Skye keeper Murphy Henderson got a hand to Bartlett’s shot, he couldn’t keep the ball out. It went from bad to worse for Skye straight from the restart when Kieran MacPherson’s long ball forward came to Craig Morrison who held off John Gillies before touching the ball past Ross MacKinnon and slipping past the on-rushing keeper to make it 2-0. Despite the arrears, Skye had been playing well but they need to score next and their plans went totally awry just seconds into the second half when Blair Morrison’s ball out of defence found Craig Morrison in a central position. Morrison spun away from John Gillies before running in on goal and touching the ball home. It proved a double blow for Skye as John Gillies pulled his hamstring as he chased Morrison and had to come off. William MacKinnon dropped back into defence. Kevin Bartlett got his second to make it 4-0 on the hour when he took a short pass from Craig Morrison before scoring from wide on the right. Craig Morrison completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes later as he gathered Kieran MacPherson’s long ball forward before turning William MacKinnon and sending the ball low into the net. Caberfeidh top scorer Craig Morrison was withdrawn soon after to protect his hamstring problem. There was some consolation for Skye as substitute Taylor Matheson pulled a goal back with a minute remaining. Danny Morrison’s shot was knocked down by Blair Morrison and Matheson netted on his back-hand past a diving keeper. The cottages.com MacTavish Cup Final between Caberfeidh and Kingussie takes place at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 11 June 2022. Throw up is at 4.05pm. Skye Camanachd from: Murphy Henderson: John Gillies, Martin Pringle, James Morrison, Neil MacVicar: Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod (captain), William MacKinnon, Ross MacKinnon: Ross Gordon, Somhairle MacDonald, Jordan Murchison, James Pringle: subs Will Cowie, Iain MacLellan, Danny Morrison, Taylor Matheson, David Grant Caberfeidh from: Iain McCall: Ryan Symonds, Liam Symonds, Connor MacGregor, Blair Morrison (captain): Ben MacDonald, Kieran MacPherson, Jamie MacIntosh: Gavin MacLachlan, Kevin Bartlett, Colin MacLennan, Craig Morrison: subs Kyle Grant, Fraser MacDonald, Taylor Condon, Finlay Coleman Match Referee – Graham Cameron Skye Camanachd home fixtures are sponsored by Macleod and MacCallum solicitors, estate agents and letting agents, serving the Highlands & Islands for more than 50 years. Click on the following link to see coverage from the game SKYESPORTS Click on the following link to see coverage from the game Norman Strachan |