Kilchoan Loses to Coll

Coll's arrival for yesterday's annual Kilchoan FC v Coll FC derby match was somewhat unconventional, their trawler transport having broken down. Last year, Kilchoan travelled to Coll and won 0-1 in extra time.

The match was played on a superbly prepared pitch in bright, sunny weather, in front of big home crowd.

Kilchoan fielded a strong team captained by Iain MacDonald and, in the first ten minutes, played a good, attacking game. A free kick from Gus MacLean, which struck Coll's crossbar, almost put them ahead, but the scoring was opened by Coll's Graham Griffith in the 15th minute.

From then on, Coll had most of the possession. There were moments when their defence, particularly their goalie, looked vulnerable, but Kilchoan seemed unable to exploit this, so, by half time, Kilchoan trailed 0-3.

After the break Coll were straight back on the attack, this goal in the 57th minute, from John Allan MacRae into an open net, being one of three which followed.

When Kilchoan did go into the attack, often led by their captain, who attempted some brave runs at goal, they looked dangerous. But Fate seemed to be against them, the ball running away or falling just out of reach.

Finally Kilchoan's efforts were rewarded. In the 63rd minute Richard van de Peer converted substitute Ricky Clark's free kick, and Kilchoan took on a new lease of life. When the first was followed by a second, well-deserved goal from Iain MacDonald, Kilchoan seemed to be back in the game.

But it was not to be. A third goal by Coll's Roy Thorburn, and a final, humiliating goal in the 89th minute, sealed Kilchoan's fate, the final score line being 2-8.

Roy Thorburn was a well-deserved Man of the Match, receiving a bottle of whisky donated by Ardnamurchan Estate, and Coll richly deserved to walk away with the winner's shield. For the spectators, this was village football at its finest, a hard-fought, earthy match played in the best of spirits.

Kilchoan looks forward to its revenge in a return match in a year's time.