Late goals edge Caley Thistle to friendly win at Clachnacuddin

Caley Thistle left it late to record a 3-1 pre-season victory at Breedon Highland League hosts Clachnacuddin.

Midfielder Paul Allan’s first half goal had the League One winners in front at the interval after a decent opening 45 minutes.

Mikey Mackenzie levelled the match early in the second half, but trialist – former Caley Jags winger Daniel Mackay – struck with eight minutes to go to make it 2-1 to the Championship team.

There was one more goal as Shae Keogh tucked away a drive to cap the away derby win.

Inverness had the same three trialists involved from their 3-1 win at Nairn County on Tuesday.

They were Mackay, 6ft 6in former QPR and Maidstone forward Hamzad Kargbo, 24, and Fulham defender Joe Walters, 17.

This time, they featured as second half substitutes rather than from the start, as did Alfie Bavidge, who has just returned on loan from Aberdeen this season.

On-loan Swansea City striker Morgan Bates gained his first start for ICT.

Clach welcomed their former captain Michael Finnis back to the club last week after he left league champions Brora and the experienced defender was a welcome starter for Conor Gethins’ team.

Allan free-kick breaks the deadlock

On a sun-kissed afternoon, both teams put on an entertaining contest.

Early signs showed up well for Clach on the left flank, with Mikey Mackenzie and Troy Cooper looking lively.

Caley Thistle on the right side in particular were effective on the right, with Graeme Shinnie and Calum Macleod linking well.

The deadlock was broken on 12 minutes from a free-kick on the left side of the box when Paul Allan, a midweek scorer against Nairn, flashed his free-kick through a crowd and into the net past former Inverness number one Mark Ridgers.

Clach bit back and Allan Macphee’s fierce drive required a decent hold from goalkeeper Ross Munro.

The Championship team upped the gears for a spell, with Noa Boutin, a recent signing from Bournemouth, having his shot held by Ridgers before Adam Mackinnon’s long-range strike had too much height to hit the target.

The Highland League side were firmly in the mix and Munro pulled off a quickfire save from Jordan MacRae, once from a shot and once from a header after the Lilywhites forward was found by a clever Mikey Mackenzie pass.

ICT’s Luis Longstaff created the last chance of the first half when he cut in from the right and his drive was clutched by Ridgers.

Great response from livewire Mikey

Five minutes after the break, Clach drew level when Mikey Mackenzie guided home a shot past replacement goalkeeper Logan Ross after the Lilywhites player spotted an opening.

And Clach sub Ross Logan almost put his team ahead when he outmuscled defender Remi Savage, but keeper Ross got down smartly to hold it.

Shae Keogh was not far off the mark when he went for goal, but his drive flashed just wide of goal as ICT pressed for the winner with 18 minutes left.

Caley Thistle got the goals to steer them to victory after a Clach had pitched several of their younger lads into action for the experience.

Daniel Mackay, who was released by Partick Thistle last month, lashed home a low drive on 82 minutes to put Inverness back in front then, with five minutes remaining, Keogh slammed home a low shot after making space for himself at the edge of the box.

Clach take on Ross County at Grant Street on Tuesday, with ICT next in action also on Tuesday in a closed-door game in Glasgow against Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints (TNS).

Clachnacuddin: Ridgers, Finnis, Nicolson, Gillies, Cooper, Leszczynski, Allan Macphee, Mackenzie, Jordan MacRae, Lawrie, Kerr. Subs: Colligan (GK), Cormack, Munro, Conor MacPhee, Havilicek, Logan, Coli, Cornish, Adams, Trialist.

Caley Thistle: Munro, MacLeod, Boutin, Shinnie, Savage, Devine, Allan, Mackinnon, Longstaff, Sole, Bates. Subs: Ross (GK), Mackay (trialist), Walters (trialist), Kargbo (trialist), Thompson, Keogh, Bavidge.

[Source: Press and Journal]