Portree off to the perfect start
Thursday 16th April 2009
Portree got their season off to the perfect start by inflicting a surprise defeat on reigning Skye and Lochalsh Bagshaw League champions Skeabost in Uig on Saturday night.
A 15th-minute header by Andrew Burns proved enough to give the maroons the three points and suggests that any talk of the former champions' demise may be premature.
Aided by the postponement of Skye Camanachd's match at Lochcarron, Portree were able to call on the services of Iain Nicolson and Kenny Campbell to assist with what is still a developing squad. Old-stagers Iain "Loopy" Nicolson and Duncan Brown also played their part, with Portree particularly impressive in defence as they kept a normally-prolific Skeabost attack at bay for 90 minutes.
The absence of John Murphy through injury, however, undoubtedly hampered the north Skye side's cause and despite a late surge in the closing 15 minutes the champions were unable to find a way past Portree keeper Michael Moir - another whose presence provided a welcome fillip for Eka Davidson's side.
Sleat and Kyleakin each made it two wins out of two with victories over Portree Juniors and Staffin respectively.
In an incredible match in Kyleakin the hosts recovered from 4-3 down with a little over five minutes to go to beat Staffin by the odd goal in nine. Neil Campbell stole in behind the hosts' defence to slip home and give Staffin the lead midway through a first half which gave little indication of the goal glut that would follow in the second period.
Ally MacLennan ran on to Neil MacKinnon's through ball to slot Kyleakin level five minutes after the restart but Staffin edged ahead again soon after, with Campbell adding his second. MacLennan then glanced home a fine header from another MacKinnon delivery to restore parity just after the hour mark.
The hosts took the lead in bizarre circumstances moments later, when MacKinnon's volleyed clearance from inside his own half caught the Staffin keeper off guard and nestled in the roof of the net.
Undimmed, Staffin rallied again and Rory Naylor stabbed home from close range to level at 3-3 before Campbell drove home another fine strike from the edge of the box to complete his hat-trick and give the north Skye side the lead for the third time in the match.
There was, though, to be a cruel sting in the tail for the visitors as Richard Blackwell arrowed home to complete a sweeping move and haul Kyleakin level again. Then, with just a couple of minutes to play, MacLennan's quick free kick found Keith MacKenzie and after his effort was saved teenage substitute Euan Park was in the right place at the right time to stab in the winner.
Sleat also had to come from behind before eventually seeing off a spirited Portree Juniors at King George V Park.
The visitors dominated much of the opening exchanges, but Juniors broke to take a surprise lead midway through the first half. Andrew Sandison found Andrew Wilson running through and the youngster kept a cool head to slot home. Minutes later a misplaced pass in the Sleat defence was intercepted by Andrew "MC" McCaherty who drove into the box and fired the hosts into a 2-0 lead.
Sleat's response was swift and Ben Yoxon finished off a strong solo run to haul the visitors back into the match. Right on half time Jamie Hamilton netted from close range to equalise and lay the foundations for a more convincing second-half display.
Bruce Neill and Ben Yoxon added further goals to put Sleat in command, and while Danny Steele - impressive throughout - won and then converted a penalty for Juniors to make it 4-3, Neill grabbed his second to make the points safe.
There were goals aplenty at Plockton too where the home side prevailed 5-4 against Dunvegan. Allan "Ginger" MacKinnon knocked home a rebound after Iain MacLelland's shot came off the crossbar to put the hosts in front, but Plockton turned things around to go 2-1 ahead before half time thanks to Jamie Bliss and a 25-yard piledriver from Andrew Smith.
Calum Alston equalised from the penalty spot after MacKinnon had been felled in the box, but a quick three-goal salvo was to swing the game in favour of the home side.
Neil "Roddy" MacKay put Plockton ahead with a well-struck long-range effort and a double from Nick Brown looked to have put the hosts out of sight. Goals from MacLelland and Stuart MacPhie - both after good wing play by new signing John O' Leary - reduced the arrears, but in the end Plockton held out to secure a first victory.
At the same venue Kyle also put their first points on the board with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Struan. The lively front pairing of Innes Thompson and Jamie Taylor each scored twice and Stuart "Shuggie" Johnston completed the rout for what was a strong-looking mainland side.
