Kinlochshiel U17 4 Skye Camanachd U17 2 | |
20 June 2012 Kinlochshiel U17 lifted the MacTavish Juvenile Cup when they beat Skye Camanachd U17 4-2 at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 16 June 2012. The 1pm throw up took place ahead of the Co-operative MacTavish Cup Final between Lochaber and Newtonmore. The game started in fine weather but the rain which was to fall for the rest of the afternoon set-in around midway through the game. Kinlochshiel coach Ross MacMillan, who filled-in in the absence of Murdo Fraser, was without Josh Holden who has a broken wrist. Skye coach Davie MacVicar was boosted by Jack Latton’s returned to the side after recovering from a dislocated shoulder. Skye attacked from the throw up and Chris MacLennan saw an attempt on goal fly wide of the target. However ‘Shiel took the lead on 2 minutes with their first attack of the game and it was Aedan MacRae who got on the end of a flowing move to sweep the ball into the net. The goal seemed to rattle Skye and Islanders keeper Raymond Gillies was forced to make a couple of good saves, one in particular with his foot, to stop ‘Shiel increasing their advantage. Skye settled and both Angie Grant and Will Cowie both sent efforts past the post. Kinlochshiel’s Robin Murray saw a goal-bound shot deflected to safety by Skye defender Iain MacLeod on 12 minutes. Robin Murray, who plays his shinty for Lochcarron, continued to threaten from the left of midfield and he collected the ball unmarked on 17 minutes and cut inside before coming within inches of making it 2-0. However a minute later the final was level. Angie Grant played a high ball into the danger-area and full forward Will Cowie produced an over-head flick which saw the ball loop over Kinlochshiel keeper Hugh MacRae into the net to make it one each. Skye were lifted by the goal but they went on to enjoy a period of pressure and on 27 minutes, Will Cowie cut-in on goal but keeper Hugh MacRae deflected the ball for a corner to leave the sides level at the end of the first 40 minutes. Skye almost made the perfect start to the second half when Will Cowie turned his marker and homed in on goal. His shot beat on-rushing keeper Hugh MacRae but agonisingly for Skye, it came back off the face of the post and was cleared by the ‘Shiel defence. There were then chances at both ends and the closest was an Oliver MacRae effort which fizzed wide. Kinlochshiel regained the lead on 53 minutes when Robin Smith forced the ball over the line following a goal-mouth scramble to make it 2-1. They went further ahead on 57 minutes when Oliver MacRae turned a cross from the right into the net to make it 3-1. ‘Shiel increased their advantage further a couple of minutes later when a Robin Smith snap-shot flew past Raymond Gillies to make it 4-1. Skye were in trouble and Will Cowie tried to get his side back in the game but he saw a shot saved by Hugh MacRae on 61 minutes. Raymond Gillies had to look lively to save from Oliver MacRae on 71 minutes. Referee Graham MacMillan awarded Skye a penalty on 74 minutes after consultation with his goal judge who had spotted a push inside the D. Will Cowie gave Hugh MacRae no chance from the spot with a well struck penalty to make it 4-2. Skye tried desperately to get a third goal but time ran out and it was Kinlochshiel captain Conall Fraser who climbed the Bught Park steps to be presented with the MacTavish Juvenile Cup. Kinlochshiel’s Robin Smith was deservedly named man of the match and he follows the likes of Michael Rodger, Connor Cormack, Stevie Stewart, Ben Delaney, Brennan MacDonald and Jordan Murchison in collected the Sandy MacKay medal. Best for Skye were defender Iain MacLeod who has been turning in some impressive performances at full back and two-goal Will Cowie although Skye failed to get the ball to their full forward often enough. DJ Gilpin also deserves a mention for some good hitting from midfield. Kinlochshiel U17 from; Hugh MacRae, Seamus Lane, Gabriel Dobson, Rowan Myers, Ewan Falconer, Nick Dalgety, Conall Fraser (captain), Robin Smith, Oliver MacRae, Douglas Campbell, Alasdair Nixon, Aedan MacRae, subs Nathan Whear, Ru Lane, Angus Claxton Skye Camanachd U17 from; Raymond Gillies, Iain MacLeod, Ally MacLeod, Stevie MacKinnon, Jack Latton, Chris MacLennan, Mark Mortimer, DJ Gilpin, Andrew Grant, Angie Grant, Angie MacPherson, Will Cowie (captain), subs Ruairidh Morrison, Stephen Murchison, Kyle Pirie Match Referee - Graham MacMillan Goal Judges – George MacKay, Robert Watson |