A depleted Skye Camanachd side went down 3-0 to Lochaber in their Marine Harvest North Division 1 meeting at Spean Bridge on Saturday 22 September 2012.
Lochaber manager Michael Delaney was without the services of Stuart Callison and Danny Delaney who were both injured. They also listed wing back James MacRae on the bench as he was carrying a knock and Brennan MacDonald started in his place.
Skye manager Willie MacRae had a long list of unavailable players due to injury, work commitments, holidays and family reasons. Indeed such was the call-off list that the following side was not at his disposal; Jamie Gannon, John Moir, Iain Nicolson, Allan MacLeod, Allan MacKinnon, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Chris Rose, Shaun Hedley, Jordan Murchison, Iain Morrison, Ally MacDonald, Aonghas MacDonald, subs Michael Nicolson, John MacLeod, Paul MacKinnon, Iain MacLellan, Stewart Grant
There were eight changes from the squad which went down 2-1 to Beauly in the Islanders last outing. The players missing were; Jamie Gannon; Iain Nicolson, Allan MacLeod, Allan MacKinnon; Chris Rose, Shaun Hedley, Ally MacDonald and Aonghas MacDonald. Ross Graham started in goal in what was his first appearance after spending over a year in Australia. There were first starts for Ally “Spod” MacLeod and John Angus MacInnes in attack and youngsters Magnus Burd and Chris MacLennan were on the bench.
Skye got off to the worst possible start when the home side took the lead within the first couple of minutes. Zandz Ferguson made a good run into the Skye danger-area. He was challenged by Neil MacVicar but the ball broke to Shaun Nicolson who gave Ross Graham no chance as he thumped it into the roof of the net to put Lochaber 1-0 ahead.
Skye’s first real chance came on 11 minutes. John Angus MacInnes initially hesitated before seeing his shot saved with his feet by keeper Calum MacDonald.
Skye’s problem’s increased on 14 minutes. Jamie MacDonald and Martin Johnstone tangled in midfield and MacDonald’s attempts to free his caman were viewed as violent conduct by referee Robert Baxter. Martin Johnstone was yellow carded for his part in the spat. The decision to red card MacDonald infuriated the Skye bench and the players and management on both sides seemed bemused by the outcome.
The injustice of going a man short so early in the game seemed to inspire Skye and John Angus MacInnes set up an opportunity for Danny Morrison after 21 minutes but Morrison did not catch the ball as he would have wished.
Lochaber tried to extend their lead a couple of minutes later but Ben Delaney shot over the bar.
Skye were enjoying a reasonable share of possession and Will Cowie had a snap-shot saved by keeper Calum MacDonald. Both players were this week named in the North U17 squad to face the South U17.
Lochaber went 2-0 ahead on 38 minutes. Scott Patterson wriggled free 20 yards from goal and he turned before shooting low past the helpless Ross Graham.
Skye created the first opportunity of the second half when they were awarded a free-hit 20 yards from goal. Iain Murray slipped the ball to Will Cowie but the youngster shot wide of target.
A good turn by Ben Delaney on 55 minutes saw the Scotland U21 player slip the ball to Scott Patterson but Ross Graham made a great save above his head from Patterson’s effort.
Shaun Nicolson broke free on the hour mark but Skye full back Steven Morrison, who was excellent throughout, bravely put his body in the way of Nicolson’s blistering drive to deflect the ball to safety.
Michael Delaney sent Pat Toal on in place of Ben Delaney, who seemed troubled by a back injury, on 65 minutes.
Lochaber then introduced Finlay Nicolson for Scott Patterson on 71 minutes with Martin Johnstone pushing forward into attack.
Skye manager Willie MacRae made his first switch on 75 minutes when Magnus Burd replaced the limping Ally “Spod” MacLeod, who had been suffering with a leg muscle problem since just before half-time.
Lochaber wrapped up victory on 77 minutes when Shaun Nicolson made it 3-0. The Scottish international collected a pass from Pat Toal and his bouncing shot flew into the net for his second goal of the game.
Chris MacLennan came on for Danny Morrison on 80 minutes after the Skye forward had suffered a couple of knocks.
Ross Graham raced from his goal of 84 minutes to thwart a Lochaber attack.
Martin Johnstone was replaced by Duncan MacKinnon a couple of minutes later.
Skye manager Willie MacRae can take many positives from the defeat. His side was severely under-strength and played a man short for 76 minutes. They showed great character against the odds and against a fine Lochaber side which has taken Orion Group Premiership scalps in the cups this season.
Lochaber have played better this season but they are now only two points away from the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title with three games remaining. They host Strathglass this coming weekend and their goal difference is such that even a point would give them an unassailable lead at the top of the table. It is only a matter of time before they will be crowned worthy champions.
Lochaber from; Calum MacDonald, Lachlan Campbell, Brennan MacDonald, Brian MacDonald, Neil MacDonald, Iain Love, Hugh Innes (captain), Martin Johnstone, Scott Patterson, Ben Delaney, Shaun Nicolson, subs Finlay Nicolson, Pat Toal, Duncan MacKinnon, Ryan Johnstone, James MacRae, Barry MacDonald
Skye Camanachd from; Ross Graham, Stevie Morrison, Shockie MacLennan (captain), David Grant, Neil MacVicar, Jamie MacDonald, Iain Murray, Darryl Macintosh, Danny Morrison, Ally “Spod” MacLeod, Will Cowie, John Angus MacInnes, subs Magnus Burd, Chris MacLennan
Referee – Robert Baxter
Picture of Jamie MacDonald courtesy of the West Highland Free Press