Skye Camanachd 3 Caberfeidh 4 | |
28 May 2023 Craig Morrison’s hat-trick helped Caberfeidh to a 4-3 win over Skye Camanachd in their Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup second round tie at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 27 May 2023. Skye boss Kenny Macleod was left without two of his four recognised forwards for this entertaining 3pm throw up as Ruaraidh MacLeod (work commitments) and Ross Gordon (injury) were ruled out. Jordan Murchison, who has been nursing a suspected hamstring injury, started in attack whilst illness restricted Kenny Cushnie to a place on the bench. Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid welcomed Connor Golabek back into the fold during the final 20 minutes of the previous week’s win over Glasgow Mid Argyll and both he and Ben MacDonald flanked full centre Blair Morrison across the middle of the park. Jamie MacKintosh was a late call-off through illness. There was a minute’s silence ahead of throw up following the passing of Skye Camanachd Vice-President John Angus “The Duke” MacPherson. There was an early exchange of goals as Craig Morrison put Cabers ahead on 6 minutes with a turn and shot from the left of the D after he gathered Blair Morrison’s free-hit from midfield. Skye goalie Murphy Henderson got his stick to the ball, but the power of the shot took it into the roof of the net. Skye levelled within a couple of minutes and again the goal came from a set-piece. James Pringle played a pass inside from the left and Jordan Murchison juggled the ball before volleying home. Cabers had keeper Iain McCall to thank for turning a Jordan Murchison effort onto the post and then saving well from Jamie Gillies, who had come on for the injured Neil MacVicar. Cabers weathered the storm, and an uncharacteristic Skye defensive lapse allowed them to regain the lead on 36 minutes as Kevin Bartlett’s low ball from the right was missed by the home defence and Craig Morrison had time to take a touch before slotting the ball home from inside the D. Then, just 4 minutes after, Connor Golabek was unchallenged as he fired home from outside the D on the left and Cabers led 3-1 at the break. Skye were quick out of the blocks after the restart and William MacKinnon forced the ball over the line from close range on 51 minutes following Neil MacVicar’s corner on the left. MacVicar had come back on for the injured Ross MacKinnon, who was left hobbling following a knock to the ankle. Skye were level a minute after and Neil MacVicar was again the supplier when his ball from the right found Jordan Murchison and he beat a diving Iain McCall with a turn and shot which went just inside the goalie’s right post. Caberfeidh went back on the attack and Keving Bartlett passed up a good chance on the hour, but the visitors did regain the lead on 67 minutes when Craig Morrison won possession on the right, punishing Skye for failing to clear their lies. Morrison cut inside before firing a great shot on his left side into the top corner of the net to the keeper’s left to claim his hat-trick and his 22nd goal of the season. The Caberfeidh midfield now controlled the game and the visitors looked more likely to increase their lead with Craig Morrison and Gavin Mclaughlin both going close on a couple of occasions. The sides meet again this coming Saturday, this time in the Mowi Premiership at Castle Leod. Skye Camanachd from: Murphy Henderson: John Gillies (captain), Martin Pringle, Sam Macphee, James Morrison: Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod, Neil MacVicar, Ross Nicolson: William MacKinnon, James Pringle, Ross MacKinnon, Jordan Murchison: subs Jamie Gillies, Kenny Cushnie, Iain MacLellan, Archie Millar Caberfeidh from: Iain McCall: Ryan Simonds, Liam Symonds, Russell MacKenzie, Connor MacGregor: Ben MacDonald, Blair Morrison, Connor Golabek: Kevin Bartlett, Logan Beaton, Craig Morrison, Scott MacPhail: subs Kyle Grant, Gavin Mclauchlan Match Referee – Graham Cameron Goal Judges – Ewen Maclean & Willie Cameron Click on the following link for Fiona MacDonald’s coverage of the game on Skye Sports. |