Skye Camanachd 0 Newtonmore 4 | |
13 February 2012 Skye Camanachd gave a good account of themselves before going down 4-0 to Newtonmore in their George Michie Memorial Cup clash at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 11 February 2012. This was Skye Camanachd first team manager Willie MacRae’s first match in charge and he and his assistant Ross Cowie had to do without the services of a number of players including Michael Nicolson, John Moir, Jamie MacDonald and Kerr Gibb. However they still fielded a strong side with former boss Aonghas MacDonald starting in goal and Steven Morrison at full back. Iain Murray took in the full centre berth with Gilleasbuig MacDonald pushed into attack. Scottish Hydro Premier Division and Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup winners Newtonmore took a strong side west. Norman MacArthur was assisted by Eddy Harrigan and Paul John MacKintosh. They were without Fraser MacKintosh who had a back muscle injury and Scott Campbell, Jamie Robinson and David Cheyne. There was a minutes silence before the game in memory of Skye Camanachd Vice President John MacKinnon. Skye full centre Iain Murray required treatment in the opening minute when a ball from close range caught him full in the face. However, fortunately for the home side, he was able to continue. Skye went close on 8 minutes when Danny Morrison slipped the ball to Gilleasbuig MacDonald but his shot rose over the bar. Gilleasbuig MacDonald went close again on 12 minutes when hi shot from the left flew across the face of Newtonmore keeper Michael Ritchie’s goal. Newtonmore showed how dangerous they could be in attack on 15 minutes when a Glen MacKintosh shot fizzed just wide of target. Danny MacRae dribbled into the Skye goal area on 19 minutes and fed he Glen MacKintosh whose shot rocketed off the Skye crossbar. The ball was played back into the danger area and this time Aonghas MacDonald made a great save from MacKintosh’s shot. Skye keeper MacDonald was again called into action on 34 minutes when he saved a Steven MacDonald shot low to his left and Shaun Hedley cleared the danger at the expense of a corner. Newtonmore continued to pressure the Skye defence for the remainder of the half and Aonghas MacDonald stretched to keep out a low Glen MacKintosh drive on 36 minutes. The Skye keeper then closed down Danny MacRae from the resultant corner. The last chance of the first half fell to Skye substitute Jordan Murchison on 43 minutes but his effort flew just past the post. Skye manager Willie MacRae pulled Gilleasbuig MacDonald back to full centre at the start of the second half with Iain Murray switching to attack. Newtonmore continued to press and Aonghas MacDonald made the save of the match on 47 minutes with a point-blank stop from powerful Glen MacKintosh effort. Iain Murray and Jordan Murchison linked up to cut through the ‘More defence on 49 minutes with Murray’s shot going just wide of target. Newtonmore, and Glen MacKintosh in particular, were not to be denied though and they took the lead on 52 minutes. Substitute Blair MacKintosh played in a fine cross from the left and Glen MacKintosh nipped in to guide the ball into the net. Visiting keeper Michael Ritchie had to look lively on 63 minutes to keep out a shot from distance from Darryl Macintosh which was dropping just under the crossbar. Aonghas MacDonald was turning in a man of the match performance in the Skye goal and he saved low from Steven MacDonald a couple of minutes later. Newtonmore went 2-0 ahead on 68 minutes when John MacKenzie fired an unstoppable shot from the right, across keeper MacDonald, into the far corner of the net. Skye introduced 14 year old Will Cowie for his first team debut and he found himself being marked by Scotland shinty / hurling captain Norman Campbell which certainly provided great experience for the youngster. Newtonmore’s Camanachd Cup winner Danny MacRae had been well shackled by Skye captain Shockie MacLennan but the big forward broke free twice in the final 5 minutes to double Newtonmore’s advantage. First he lofted a shot into the roof of the Skye net to make it 3-0 on 85 minutes and he then turned and shot over Aonghas MacDonald’s shoulder to make it 4-0 on 89 minutes. Newtonmore deserved their win on what was their first outing of the season and boss Norman MacArthur was pleased with how his team applied themselves on the heavy surface. Skye keeper Aonghas MacDonald put it a fine performance in goal and he was ably assisted by his defence. Steven Morrison did well to keep Glen MacKintosh at bay for most of the game and likewise Shockie MacLennan on Danny MacRae. Neil MacVicar had the speedy Steven MacDonald to contend with whilst Shaun Hedley was also a top performer before having to come off, as he had been suffering the effects of flu from earlier in the week. Gilleasbuig MacDonald looked promising in attack in the first half so the Islanders have plenty of positives to take into their final pre-season friendly of the year against Lovat for the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup at Pairc nan Laoch on Saturday 25 February 2012. The George Michie Memorial Cup is played in honour of George Michie, one of Skye Camanachd’s finest players who died tragically in 1981 at only 20 years of age. With the Michie family present, Newtonmore captain John MacKenzie was presented with the George Michie Memorial Cup by young Caitlin MacDonald who is George’s niece. It is unlikely to be the last piece of silverware MacKenzie gets his hands on this season. Skye Camanachd from; Aonghas MacDonald, Steven Morrison, Shockie MacLennan (captain), Shaun Hedley, Neil MacVicar, Allan MacKinnon, Iain Murray, Darryl Macintosh, Danny Morrison, Iain Nicolson, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Ally MacDonald subs Iain Morrison, Jordan Murchison, Will Cowie Newtonmore from; Michael Ritchie, Norman Campbell, Owen Fraser, Andy MacKintosh, Rory Kennedy, Scott Chisholm, Paul MacArthur, Ackie MacRae, Steven MacDonald, Chris Sellar, Danny MacRae, Glen MacKintosh subs John MacKenzie (captain), Blair MacKintosh Match Referee – John Angus Gillies The match balls were sponsored by Nor-Dan |