Kyles Athletic 3 Skye Camanachd 2 | |
23 July 2023 Kyles Athletic came from two goals down to beat Skye Camanachd 3-2 in their Mowi Premiership match at the Playing Field, Tighnabruaich on Saturday 22 July 2023. Kyles were without John Kennedy whilst Skye’s James Morrison was suspended but Jamie Gillies and Kenny Cushnie both returned. Skye took the lead with a superb goal on 20 minutes. James Pringle crossed the ball into the danger area where Jamie Gillies, fully stretched, guided the ball into the net, one-handed. It got even better for the Islanders just 6 minutes later when Jamie Gillies sent a shot screaming by home keeper John Whyte to claim his second goal of the game. Will Cowie returned to haunt his former side when he pulled a goal back for Kyles on 33 minutes. Innes Macdonald struck a hit-in into the edge of the box where there was a melee in a cluttered goal area and the ball broke kindly to Cowie who smashed a hard, low shot on his backhand, by a couple of Skye defenders, and into the net. Skye had the chance to restore their two-goal lead around 10 minutes into the second half when Ross Gordon went one-on-one with keeper John Whyte but he failed to convert. Skye had the wind but in a key change, Kyles moved Roddy Macdonald from full centre to full forward and that changed the game as Kyles maintained the control of the midfield with Macdonald causing all sort of problems for the Skye defence. Roddy Macdonald made it 2-2 on the hour. It was a scrappy goal as Macdonald pounced on a deflection inside the D and he slipped the ball by keeper Murphy Henderson. The winning goal came on 73 minutes. Innes Macdonald played a corner into the D and although a Skye defender made contact, he couldn’t get the ball away and following an eight-player scramble, Roddy Macdonald tapped the ball home to make it 3-2. Kyles immediately moved Roddy Macdonald back into defence and they saw out the remainder of the contest. Skye manager Kenny MacLeod said: “It was a tough game and we competed throughout. We were two up very much against the run of play but when we were on top, we failed to produce that cutting edge. “Roddy Macdonald was the difference between the sides. He was outstanding and is back to his best. We missed James Morrison as it was just his type of game.” Kyles player / coach Roddy Macdonald added: “It was a good result and takes us up the table. It was a sticky game, but we created the more chances, so we’re delighted to get the win after last week's disappointment against Lovat. Skye are a good side though, tough opponents for any team, but hopefully we can keep moving in the right direction.” Kyles Athletic from: John Whyte: Calum Millar, Cameron Jack, Murdo MacRae, Andrew King: Robbie Macleod, Roddy Macdonald, Innes Macdonald: Ross MacRae, Scott Macdonald, Will Cowie, Connor Kennedy: subs Finan Kennedy, Tom Whyte, Roan MacVicar Skye Camanachd from: Murphy Henderson, John Gillies (captain), Martin Pringle, Sam Macphee, William MacKinnon: Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, Ross Gordon, Neil MacVicar: Ross MacKinnon, James Pringle, Jordan Murchison, Jamie Gillies: subs Kenny Cushnie, Archie Millar, Iain MacLellan, Ross Nicolson, Match Referee – Iain Kennedy |