MOWI PREMIERSHIP Oban Camanachd 1 Skye Camanachd 1

Oban Camanachd came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Skye Camanachd at Mossfield.

Oban Camanachd defenders Daniel Sloss and Louie McFarlane were still out injured, whilst Daniel MacVicar began a four-match suspension following his red card in the previous week’s Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Challenge Cup Final. Daniel Madej lined up in attack and Craig MacMillan made his first start after an impressive substitute appearance the previous week. Scott Mckillop suffered a cut below the shinpad in that game so was left on the bench, whilst Malcolm Clark recovered from a hand knock to start.

Skye full forward Ruaraidh MacLeod was unavailable and Jamie Gillies was out with an ankle sprain.

This game was a good watch for the spectators; a physical encounter throughout with both sides going at it for the full 90 minutes.

Skye won the toss of the coin and started with a strong wind in their favour, and they capitalised on a defensive error on the half-hour to take the lead. Calum MacMillan delayed when he had the chance to clear the ball inside the D and James Pringle nipped in to slam the ball home.

Some plain talking from manager Gareth Evans had his side fired up for the restart and the second half was just a couple of minutes old when Malcolm Clark shot home as Skye tried to clear, with the Islanders claiming unsuccessfully for a “kick”.

Both keepers made good saves during the game and there was no further scoring.

Oban Camanachd’s Scott MacMillan faces a spell on the sidelines after being sent off by referee Ross Brown for stamping on Skye’s John Gillies around the hour mark whilst Malcolm Clark was perhaps fortunate to escape with a booking following a flare-up late in the contest.

Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans said: “The strong wind meant it was a game of two halves. We were second best all over the pitch in the first half and were glad to only be a goal down at the break. With the elements, we should have gone on to win and we were in the ascendency when Scott was sent off.

“It was a tough game, very physical but well refereed by Ross Brown and I was impressed by Skye.”

Skye boss Kenny MacLeod said: “We stood up to them and showed huge character

and I think we would have won it other than for a couple of incredible saves from their keeper Cammy Sutherland.”

This coming Saturday, Oban Camanachd have a Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-final tie against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Peterson Park. Daniel Sloss and Louie McFarlane are still injured whilst both Malcolm Clark and Daniel Madej are on holiday. Scott MacMillan now joins Daniel MacVicar on the suspension list with MacVicar also to miss the forthcoming home matches against Caberfeidh in the Mowi Premiership and Glasgow Mid Argyll in the Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-finals.

Gareth Evans added: “You can see from the absentee list that we are really struggling for this week. However, Lewis Cameron did very well when he came on against Skye. He’s a top footballer and a very clever shinty player with pace to burn so you can expect to see more of him.”