LT Mallaig season on positive note despite cup defeat
Mallaig fell to a narrow defeat at Claggan Park on Saturday as the 2022 season was finally wrapped up with the previously postponed Ross Cup final, writes David Buick.
A double from 2022 Skye and Lochalsh Player of the Year, Ben Yoxon was enough for the Broadford side to take the honours.
The opening exchanges were a bit of a disaster for Mallaig. A mix-up in defence was pounced upon by Yoxon who made no mistake in slotting past David Wilson to give the 2022 William Wilson league champions an early lead.
Things went from bad to worse in the 14th minute, when a long throw into the Mallaig box was flicked on at the near post back into the path of Yoxon who once again finished well from close range.
It was a nightmare start for Mallaig and the healthy travelling support were probably fearing that their side were in for a long afternoon.
A free header inside the box for Josh Knowles really should have resulted in a third goal for Sleat that would have probably killed the game, so a big let-off for Mallaig.
Mallaig did manage to steady the ship and began to rally. The introduction of Sam MacKenzie at half time provided a spark as the second half saw a much improved display.
Aaron McLean got on the end of an Andrew Sneddon pass to finish well past Fraser Gillies in the Sleat goal to get Mallaig back in the game. Mallaig had found their rhythm and were looking much more dangerous in attack.
Sam MacKenzie was inches away from getting on the end of an Archie Gillies cross, agonisingly close for Mallaig.
Sleat defender Kieran Harvey was saved by the crossbar after he diverted a header towards his own goal.
Mallaig kept pushing for the equaliser. Talisman Andrew Sneddon hit a trademark strike from range that was brilliantly saved by the Sleat keeper.
Mallaig began to run out of steam towards the end. A second yellow card for Ryan MacDonald saw them go down to 10 men which summed up their afternoon in truth.
Despite some great chances in the second half, Mallaig could not find an equaliser and it was Sleat and Strath’s day in the end.
Speaking after the game, Mallaig manager Jamie MacGregor said: “Obviously it’s a sore one.
“We thought we’d done enough to get back in the game, especially in the second half, but it just wasn’t to be.
“Congratulations to Sleat, they’re a top team and have a knack of grinding out wins in these kind of games.
“We’ve got the league starting next week and there’s definitely some positives we can take heading into the new season.”