Skye Camanachd 3 Lewis Camanachd 0 | |
01 March 2016 The Skye Camanachd second team lifted the “Kaid” MacLean Cup following a 3-0 win over Lewis Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 27 February 2016. The Skye side, led by new captain David Grant, was a mixture of youth and experience. The squad was along the lines of that which won the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title last season. Iain MacLeod was in goal whilst his younger brother Ruaraidh MacLeod was included after his scoring exploits for the Skye youth sides last season and he started on the bench. Whilst this was the Skye reserves first outing of the season, it was a second pre-season match for new Lewis boss Duncan MacIntyre who had already seen his side beat Lochcarron 3-2 with youngster Scott MacLeod scoring twice, either side of a Donald Lamont goal. Former Skye Camanachd players Stuart Campbell and Eoghan Stewart were included but influential defender Daniel Gallagher was missing after suffering a broken hand late in the Lochcarron game whilst skilful midfielder Scott Murray has joined Aberdeen University. The sides played for the “Kaid” MacLean Cup which was won by Kingussie in 2015 and Oban Celtic in the previous and inaugural contest back in 1935. The 2.45pm throw up was broadcast LIVE on radio and online on Cuillin FM’s Camanachd Live show on what was a glorious day in Portree. Skye played towards Viewfield end of the ground in the first half on what was a bigger pitch than usual. An early Iain MacLellan shot went wide – with James Pringle and John Angus MacInnes involved in the build-up - as Skye attacked from the throw up Lewis responded and a Kenny Murray shot was stopped with his feet by Iain MacLeod as the visitors made their first real attack with 7 minutes played. Skye forced a number of corners but a well-hit James Pringle strike past Eoghan Stewart’s left post was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock. Calum Gibb played a one-two with Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod after taking a corner on the Skye right and Gibb’s back-hand shot rose just over the bar after 13 minutes. Skye continued to have the bulk of the play and they came close again when John Angus MacInnes played a one-two with Iain MacLellan but Eoghan Stewart stopped the ball on the goal-line before knocking the ball out for a corner. Next Eoghan Stewart denied James Pringle and John Angus MacInnes following separate attacks but it only seemed a matter of time before Skye would get the opening goal. The home side eventually broke through a determined Lewis defence on 33 minutes. John Angus MacInnes played the ball into the goal area following a Thomas Wilson corner on the left. Lewis were unable clear their lines and Iain MacLellan did well to win possession before thumping an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-0. Skye boss Davie Pringle made the first change of the match as as Thomas Wilson came off and Ruairidh MacLeod entered the field of play on 38 minutes. Skye doubled their lead with a soft goal on 43 minutes. David MacInnes played the ball forward and Iain MacLellan found John Angus MacInnes at the back post on the Skye left. MacInnes pushed the ball goalwards at the second attempt and his effort from a tight angle ended up in the Lewis net off the foot of keeper Eoghan Stewart. Skye took the 2-0 lead into the break. Lewis put Stuart Campbell to full back from the start of the second half with Paul Duke taking over from Campbell at full centre. Eoghan Stewart saved a Ruairidh MacLeod shot with his feet seconds after the restart. Stewart then saved with his feet from James Pringle at the expense of another corner as the pattern of play continued towards the Lewis goal. Lewis goalie Stewart came off his line to close down James Pringle and the youngster’s shot went wide of the post. Another nicely worked Skye move on the left ended with Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod driving the ball just over the bar. Lewis boss Duncan MacIntyre was forced to make a change 10 minutes into the second half as Innes Lamont came off with a hand injury and Michael MacLeod was brought on in his place. A forceful run and shot from Ruaraidh MacLeod ended with the youngster’s shot going wide of goal. Skye made a double change with 57 minutes played. Ryan Morrison replaced Iain MacLellan in the Skye attack with Ross Nicolson taking over from Calum Gibb at wing centre. Skye produced another flowing move on 63 minutes when James Pringle slipped the ball to Ruaraidh MacLeod on his left and MacLeod let the ball run past his opponent before slipping it back to Pringle who took a good touch but keeper Eoghan Stewart did well to get the ball away. The Lewis goal somehow survived a major scare from Ross Nicolson’s resultant corner as Stewart made a brilliant save above his head from Ryan Morrison’s strike and James Pringle was unable to turn the rebound home. Skye threatened again with a spectacular effort from Ryan Morrison when he took the ball down before volleying wide after a poor goal hit was intercepted by John Angus MacInnes. Skye’s third goal came on 66 minutes. Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod played a corner from the left into the goal area and a James Pringle ball was deflected into the air and a superb deft flick from Ryan Morrison sent the ball over keeper Stewart’s right shoulder into the net to make it 3-0. The Lewis goal survived again following a throw up at the edge of the D after John Angus MacInnes had taken a knock to the head. James Pringle’s shot went past the post. Thomas Wilson took over from Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod and Connor Gilpin cam on for John Angus MacInnes on 72 minutes whilst Lewis withdrew Donald Lamont for Ruairidh MacMillan just seconds later. A Ryan Morrison effort was flicked off the goal-line by Eoghan Stewart on 74 minutes. The game fell into a bit of a lull in the closing stages but home goalie Iain MacLeod was called into action to stop a bouncing Kenny Murray shot with his feet before clearing with just over 10 minutes remaining. Eoghan Stewart made a fine save in the air from the dangerous Connor Gilpin on 82 minutes. Stewart then stopped a good shot from James Pringle a couple of minutes later as he dived to keep the ball out before getting to his feet to volley the ball away for a corner. Ruairidh MacLeod had the ball in the Lewis net on 85 minutes following a James Pringle free-hit but referee John Angus Gillies order the set-piece be retaken. Donald MacAskill replaced Scott MacLeod in the Lewis forward line for the closing minutes. Skye’s youthful forward line were stringing some nice passes and, with a couple of minutes remaining, David MacInnes won possession in midfield and he played the ball to the left to Ruaraidh MacLeod who found James Pringle and he set up Ryan Morrison who saw his shot saved by keeper Stewart who fell on top of the ball and referee John Angus Gillies pointed to the penalty spot. Ruaraidh MacLeod took the spot-hit but he put the ball just the wrong side of Eoghan Stewart’s right post. The Skye forwards combined again and Neil John Campbell, who had pushed forward, sent a shot over the top with what was the final action of the game. Some heroic goalkeeping from Eoghan Stewart kept the score down and he was Lewis Camanachd’s top performer with Al Reed, particularly in the second half, and Seumas Charity also excellent in defence. Skye were creative if not clinical in attack with James Pringle and John Angus MacInnes always involved. Neil John Campbell was assured in the Skye defence. Skye Camanachd Chairman Douglas MacDougall spoke about “Kaid” MacLean and he introduced Donald Allan MacKinnon to present Skye captain David Grant was with the “Kaid” MacLean Cup after the match. Skye Camanachd from: Iain MacLeod; David Grant (captain), DJ Gilpin; Neil John Campbell, John Gillies; Calum Gibb, David MacInnes, Thomas Wilson; Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, Iain MacLellan, James Pringle, John Angus MacInnes; subs Ruaraidh MacLeod, Ross Nicolson, Ryan Morrison, Connor Gilpin Lewis Camanachd from: Eoghan Stewart; Paul Duke, Innes Lamont, Al Reed, Seumas Charity; Peter Gomez, Stuart Campbell, Ally Lamont; Donald Lamont, Will Church, Scott MacLeod, Kenny Murray (captain); subs Conor Chalmers, Michael MacLeod, Ruairidh MacMillan, Donald MacAskill Match Referee – John Angus Gillies Scorers Skye Camanachd Iain MacLellan (33) John Angus MacInnes (43) Ryan Morrison (66) Lewis Camanachd None
(The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan) |