South Skye Regain Ewen Morrison Memorial Cup | |
03 February 2013 South Skye regained the Ewen Morrison Memorial Cup with a 1-0 win over the North Skye at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 2 February 2013. Both North manager Davie MacVicar and South manager “Shockie” MacLennan named large squads for the game and all players were given some game time. The players missing included Jamie Gannon, Iain “Spod” MacLeod and Angie Grant who were injured whilst Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Alan Palmer were on holiday. Two former Skye players returned to guest for the South as there was a place in attack for Somhairle MacDonald from Inverness whilst Lewis Camanachd’s Eoghan Stewart started on the bench. Kenny MacLeod took up a place in midfield for the North in his first game since returning home following a spell playing for Aberdeen University. First team manager Willie MacRae and second team boss Murdo Morrison kept a watchful eye on proceedings from the touchline and they saw the sides played out an even first half without either goal really being threatened. The North made the better start to the second half but they found it difficult to break down a dogged South defence who limited their opponent’s attempts on Aonghas MacDonald’s goal. The only goal of the game came on 74 minutes and it came into the bizarre category. North full back David Grant was under pressure from Somhairle MacDonald and Eoghan Stewart as he as he chased the ball towards his own goal. However disaster struck for the holders as Grant inadvertently kicked the ball past a helpless Michael Nicolson in the North goal to put the South 1-0 ahead. The North responded immediately and Will Cowie broke down the left wing and his cross found Jordan Murchison at the back post but Shockie MacLennan put in a good challenge the clear the danger. The South almost doubled their advantage on 81 minutes when Chris Rose found space on the right wing. Rose picked out Danny Morrison just left of goal and Morrison’s blistering drive looked goal-bound until Michael Nicolson produced a breath-taking save as he turned the ball over the bar with his caman. The North fought hard to take the game to penalties but despite several minutes injury time, allowed by referee Donnie Martin from Bernisdale, they were unable to find the net. The Skye players will have benefited from this work-out with the game played on a larger than normal pitch to aid fitness. The victors were served well by Shockie MacLennan in defence and Chris Rose who was used in both midfield and attack. Allan MacKinnon and Neil MacVicar were best for the North. Ewen Morrison’s niece Chrisann MacDonald presented the Ewen Morrison Memorial Cup to North captain Chris Rose. Skye continue their preparations for the new season next weekend as the first team travel to An Aird to play Fort William whilst the second team host an Inverness side at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. North Skye from; Michael Nicolson, David Grant, Jack Latton, DJ Gilpin, Allan MacKinnon (captain), Darryl MacIntosh, Neil MacVicar, Kenny MacLeod, Ally MacDonald, Jordan Murchison, Will Cowie, John Angus MacInnes, subs Shaun Hedley, John MacKenzie, Ally MacLeod (Portree), Ally MacLeod (Duntulm), David MacInnes, Ian MacPherson South Skye from; Aonghas MacDonald; Steven Morrison, Shockie MacLennan, Andrew Banks, Iain Nicolson, Chris MacLennan, Chris Rose (captain), Stewart Grant, Somhairle MacDonald, Danny Morrison, Paul MacKinnon, Iain Murray, subs Magnus Burd, Iain MacLellan, Eoghan Stewart, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Daniel Morrison Match Referee – Donnie Martin The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan |