Skye Camanachd U14 2 Kingussie U14 1 | |
03 October 2014 Skye Camanachd U14 beat Kingussie U14 2-1 in a close Marine Harvest North Division 1 contest at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 27 September 2014. Ross Nicolson remained out with a broken thumb but, with the exception of Ross Gordon who was a late call-off, the remainder of the squad was the same as the pool which beat Fort William U14 last weekend. Kingussie co-managers Dallas Young and Iain Borthwick welcomed Roddy Young back into their side following a period of absence with a broken thumb. It was a quick recovery as Young had the plaster removed from his hand just four days earlier. This was always going to be a close encounter and the sides had already met twice this season. They drew 1-1 at the Dell in the league and Skye edged their MacMaster Cup semi-final tie with a 5-4 win at Castle Leod. This 2pm throw up was broadcast live on Cuillin FM’s Camanachd Live show. It was a bright day with a wind blowing across the pitch and although Skye won the toss, it was Kingussie who made the brighter start. Kingussie went in front on 5 minutes when Ruaridh Anderson reacted first to a loose ball and he shot home from the edge of the D. A last gasp John Gillies challenge prevented Roddy Young making it 2-0 before Skye settled into the game. Skye drew level on 9 minutes when Angie MacDonald surged forward from midfield before calmly slotting the ball past Kingussie keeper Robert Shiells to make it 1-1. A solo run by Ruaraidh MacLeod on 17 minutes ended with a save from keeper Robert Shiells Skye's Anna MacDonald was replaced by Jack Henderson on 20 minutes. The game flowed from end to end for the reminder of the half with neither keeper being troubled. Martin Pringle came on for Ryan Macaskill after 31 minutes and the sides went into the half time interval on level terms. Skye started brightly in the second half with the wind at their backs and they began to press the visitors back with Ruaraidh MacLeod causing problems for the Kingussie defence. A 15 yard shot from Ruaraidh MacLeod went past the post on 42 minute. The contest became a midfield battle with neither side able to threaten their opponents’ goal. An Angus MacDonald shot went over the top on 58 minutes but the Skye wing centre had to leave the field just 3 minutes later with a hand injury. A minute later Skye boss John MacLeod had to make another change with Jack Henderson coming off with a rib injury Both sets of players had given their all and the outcome of the match rested on two incidents late in the game. Skye keeper Murphy Henderson made a great save with his hand from a Ruaridh Anderson shot before clearing the danger. The Skye keeper hadn’t had much to do but the save was to prove crucial in the match. Then at the other end, with just 4 minutes remaining; Ruaraidh MacLeod collected a long ball forward from midfield before turning and sweeping the ball into the net from 12 yards for what proved to be the winning goal. Skye now have home and away matches with Caberfeidh and the league title outcome is in their own hands. Skye boss John MacLeod was delighted with the win and his team’s performance and he cited some great battles on the pitch between: John Gillies and Roddy Young, Marcus Ross and Ruaridh Anderson, James Morrison and Liam Borthwick, Ruaraidh MacLeod and Kieran MacPherson and Emma Gordon and Rona Fraser. Skye’s Conor Gilpin and Kingussie’s Somhairle Fraser also deserve a mention for their performances. Skye Camanachd U14 from; Murphy Henderson; John Gillies (captain), James Morrison, Jamie Gillies, Marcus Ross; Angus MacDonald, Conor Gilpin, Emma Gordon; Anna MacDonald, Stewart Taylor, Ryan MacAskill, Ruaraidh MacLeod; subs Jack Henderson, Martin Pringle, Mark MacQueen, Kingussie U14 from: Robert Shiells; Kieran MacPherson, Alexander Michie, Andrew Leiper, Somhairle Fraser; Bradley Harvey, Andrew Kennedy, Sean Macwhirter; Ruaridh Anderson, Liam Borthwick, Dylan Borthwick, Roddy Young; subs Rona Fraser, Joe Donald, Cameron Leiper Match Referee – John Angus Gillies The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan |