Senior Boys – NI 4-1 Culloden Academy – QF NoS Cup
Culloden Academy Seniors were welcomed for the NoS Cup QF in Stornoway. The NI boys lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and were at full strength. Culloden immediately won a free kick in NI territory, a quality ball swung in to the back post caught the defence cold and all it required was a slight touch to send Culloden into the lead. NI did not panic after the early setback and started to compete all over the pitch and within minutes they were level with a superb move. Innes Morrison received a pass from Campbell Macdonald deep in his own half and slipped past two midfielders sprayed a cross field ball for Sam Macsween to motor past the Culloden left back and deliver a low cross which a defender cleared only for the onrushing Morrison to finish the move by smashing the clearance into the net from 15 yards. This lifted the team spirits and they had the upper hand for the rest of the half, with the only clear chance being turned round the post by NI keeper Ali Macleod. The half time team talk asked for much of the same in the second half and the boys went out and cranked up the pressure on the visitors chasing in packs and hunting down everything. This pressure was rewarded 10 minutes into the second half as Dol Barden moved the ball out left where Innes took a touch and split the defence with a perfectly weighted pass which Gordon Maclennan latched on to, he cut inside the last defender and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way with his finish for the 2-1 lead. NI were now in the ascendancy winning their battles all over the pitch against a strong Culloden side. Pressure in the box from an NI corner lead to a ball back in from Innes which Sam Macsween bundled over the line at the second attempt, this put the much needed daylight between the teams. With 15 minutes to go Gordon dispossessed the defender bringing the ball out of defence and angled a lovely ball for Innes to get their before the onrushing keeper and chip it over him for the fourth and final goal and well earned victory. This was the best performance by the team so far and means they have now set up a home semi in the competition with the opposition to be confirmed. Well done boys.
Team – Ali Macleod, Jake Rivett, Caz Macphee (c), Chris Dempster, Campbell Macdonald, Sam Macsween, Dol Barden, James ‘Titch’ Morrison, Innes Morrison, Gordon Maclennan, Caley Macleod. Subs Connor Mackay, Andrew Macmillan, Micheil Russel-Smith, Kevin Flower, James ‘Jambo’ Morrison.
