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Forres Mechanics -V- Inverness CT - NoS Cup Semi-Final

NoS Cup Semi-Final

Short trip to Mosset Park, Forres to see the Mechanics in the Semi-Final of the North of Scotland Cup on Tuesday evening 2nd of September. The game kicks off at 8:00pm. A place in the final up for grabs with Ross County playing Clach @ Grant Street the following night, also an 8:00pm kick-off.

ICTFC Supporters Bus
North of Scotland Cup semi final has been changed to 2nd September. We will still be running a bus leaving 6pm. If you are already booked and can’t make the Tuesday let us know. Get in touch on Facebook Page or call
07462 218717 if are looking to get the bus through to Forres...
Wonderful History Lesson from the Forres Mechanics website. Some fascinating info on here.
https://www.forresmechanics.net/history-at-the-heart-of-our-town/
The league was conceived at the Inverness Workman’s Club on August 4th 1893, all the clubs present expressing an enthusiastic willingness to become part of a league. After discussing the logistical matters, the Scottish Football Association blessed the venture and The Highland Football League was born. By February 7th 1894, after undergoing the teething problems of a new venture and having lost one of the original teams from the fixture list, the League reported a surplus of five pounds. This rocky first season was concluded, and Thistle became the first champions of the Highland Football League. The league consisted of seven teams in 1893-94, those of Thistle, Caley, Clachnacuddin, Forres Mechanics, Union, Citadel and Camerons.
Forres Mechanics were founded in 1884 and are the oldest Highland League side. Despite being the oldest Association Football Club in the North of Scotland, Forres Mechanics were not at the time of their formation the oldest club in the town of Forres, there having been in existence for fully two years the St. Lawrence Club.
MATCH INFO
FMFC Bar Lounge: ❌ Unfortunately ❌ this facility will not be open for this evening.   The closest establishment for liquid and food requirements is the Mosset Tavern 😀
Refreshment Kiosk:  Will be open from 7.15 pm until around 10-15 minutes after half-time. 
Ground Opens:  7.00pm onwards.
Ticket Pricing:  As follows:
     £12.00 for Adults.
      Free for Children U12 if accompanied by a paying adult.
     £ 7.00 for concessions, U18 and students with their student ID.
     £ 2.00 additional cost for the stand.
Fanbase Link for tickets: Fanbase | Dashboard (fanbaseclub.com)
Please note: If the match is postponed after purchase of this type of ticket, it is valid for the rearranged fixture only.  There is no financial reimbursement.
Payment options: 🤑
         Lounge Bar:                      Cash and Card
         Gate entry:                       Cash, limited card entry and Via Fanbase app
         Refreshment Kiosk:      Cash Only.
         Half-time Raffle:              Cash Only
Pyrotechnics:  FMFC has CCTV in use and anyone found in possession or in the use of such items, will be reported to the appropriate authorities
Having beaten Lossiemouth 6-0 in the first round, the Caley Jags were drawn at home in Rnd2 against Strathspey Thistle who were given a bye into this round. The Highland League outfit had made their best ever start to a season winning four of their opening six games.
This was the Caley Jags side that cruised through the last round beating Strathspey Thistle 6-0 with all the damage being done in the first half. The second half was just about player management and avoiding unnecessary injuries. Plenty of attacking options in this squad and good game time for those less involved in the first team games
FULL TIME: ICTFC 6-0 Strathspey Thistle
We advance to the next round of the North of Scotland Cup thanks to first half goals from
Robbie Thompson (2)
Liam Sole (2)
Jordan Alonge
Mitchell Robertson
Robert summed up: Not much to say about that second half. Useful game time for the five young subs, more good saves by Logan Ross and nearly a last minute hat trick for Robbie Thompson, and that was about that.


Forres beat Rothes 3-0 to get to this game. Their scorers on the night were:
Shaun Sutherland (17) volleys us into the lead from the edge of the box!
Calum Frame (76) an inch perfect ball into the box by Aidan Cruickshank finds the head of Calum Frame to double our advantage.
Calum Frame again (83) Calum Frame gets his second and our third of the game! 3-0
Good win for the Mechanics using the old 'shoot on site' policy...




Can the Can Cans can the can whilst doing the Can-Can as Suzi Quatro once asked in 1973?
This will be a stiffer test for the Caley Jags after two 6-0 wins in previous rounds. Forres look to have a shoot on sight attitude and it certainly pays off on occasion.
The Mechanics sit in the middle of the Highland League in tenth position after three wins and a draw in their opening eight League games. However, they have lost their last three games and now have a minus six goal difference having scored eleven times.






By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

Inverness CT 1-0 Alloa Athletic - League 1

Sole Solo Sinks Wasps

The Wasps swarmed North for this one unbeaten and top of the table looking to keep ahead of the rest. Their hosts had lost one of their opening four games and were resplendent in their new back to basics red & blue striped kit (only on the front) looking to climb the table. Something was about to give on a bright afternoon for football before the rain came. Ross Millen missed out again, as did Paul Allan and the long term Jake Davidson (did we just dream we signed Millen or is he an AI image). Inverness started with midweek Hat-Trick hero Chanka Zimba and Liam Sole on the bench. Alloa had made three late signings since yesterday. Striker Callum Gallagher returns after leaving the Smokies and young center back Charlie Dewar comes in on loan from the Arabs with midfielder Calum Adamson arriving as part of a cooperation loan deal from Rangers.
It took a massive stroke of good fortune for substitute Liam Sole to grab the winner with a deflected shot off Charlie Dewar in a match dominated by the hosts, however we allowed Alloa to push for an equaliser late in the game because we had failed to swat the Wasps away when we were totally dominant and Ross Munro had to pull off a good stop to deny Alloa a late leveller. Oscar McIntyre was a deserved MotM with a great display of wing back wizardry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A bright opening once more at home from the Caley Jags with Ogayi saving from Calum MacLeod early on and Alfie Stewart being blocked minutes later. We forced a flurry of corners without troubling the defence and Alfie Bavidge was next to be blocked getting a strike away. However, as previously, we fell away as a cutting edge midway through the first half whilst still dominating possession. Alloa were totally ineffective and looked prepared to do what Stenhousemuir did; park the bus and look to take advantage of set-pieces with the experienced Connor Sammon putting himself about. Minutes before the interval Billy Mckay was denied by Ogayi and Bavidge had another effort blocked.
HALF TIME: 0-0 The second half was a quieter affair until Bavidge drilled one just wide and then just after the hour the introduction of Liam Sole would liven proceedings up. Stewart saw an effort from outside the box saved by the big keeper and moments later shot just wide. Alloa had their first serious effort when Adamson tried his luck but Ross Munro was equal to it. Sole then burst into life with a fleet footed display. Firstly he was denied by Ogayi then he twinkle toed his way in from the left to fire into the box where the ball ricocheted off Charlie Dewar to leave the keeper stranded as the net bulged. Calum MacLeod burst forward only for Ogayi to save. Into the final few minutes and with the game still finely poised, Alloa sensed they might be able to nick a point. First MacKinnon looked to clear a low drive across the box from Charlie Dewar and in the final flurry with keeper Ogayi coming forward for a corner, Luke Donnelly had a shot blocked and Adamson likewise with Munro pulling off a diving save to keep our advantage intact.
LINK TO GOAL ON F/B
FULL TIME: 1-0
Pos
Team
Pld
Gd
Pts
1
Queens
5
4
10
2
Alloa
4
2
9
3
Muir
5
1
8
4
ICTFC
5
7
7
5
Accies
5
3
7
6
E Fife
5
-2
7
7
P Heid
5
-2
6
8
Mo
5
-4
4
9
Kelty
4
-4
3
10
Cove
5
-5
2





 
Date:  30/08/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2160 Referee: Sean Murdoch
 
Inverness CT: 1
Manager: Scott Kellacher
Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, McIntyre, Longstaff (Sole 68), Stewart, Chalmers,
Wotherspoon (Zimba 62), B Mckay (MacKinnon 85) Bavidge (R Thompson 85)
Subs (not used):  Ross; Kerr, Strachan, Robertson, Alonge
Scorers: Sole (72)
Booked: Savage (16), R Thompson (90))
Sent Off: none
Alloa Athletic: 0
Manager: Andy Graham
Lineup:  Ogayi; Foster, Devine, Dewar, O'Donnell, Scougall (Adamson 46), Hetherington,
Roberts, Buchanan (Bruin 85), Sammon, Orsi (Donnelly 76)
Subs (not used): Parry; Graham, Mckay, Mullen, Gallagher, Rankin
Scorers: none
Booked: Buchanan (85)
Sent Off: none

By tm4tj in Reports 2025-26 ·

Inverness CT -V- Alloa Athletic - League1 - Preview

Wasps Flying High

Top of the table with a game in hand, Alloa Athletic come North on Saturday on Ladies Day for a game scheduled to kick-off at 3:00pm. It's been a great start to the season for the Wasps who were the lowest placed team to get out of the group stages of the League Cup, ousting Dundee in the process and now sit top of League1 after three games whilst almost all others have played four times. It's all happening this week in the Highlands. A hat-trick for Zimba, a lambada, rumba or samba for the ladies, top of the Mickey Mouse League for the CJ's and new strip launched at the Caledonian Sarens PSG Stadium.
The feelgood factor is back. What's not to like!

Bar 94 opens at 1200, last orders at 1430 (the bar must be fully vacated by 1445).
The bar reopens at full time
🚍 Buses will leave the Bus Station for the Stadium at 1245 and 1415.
🚍 Buses return from Stadium to Bus Station 10 mins after the FT whistle and at 1800.
🚍 🎟️ £2.70 single (contactless payments or cash accepted), and Over 60 / Disabled and Under 22 Concession passes are valid, giving free travel on the service to passholders.
If anyone can help us distribute the leaflets at the turnstiles from 1400 until just before kick off, please let us know at [email protected].
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Match/Ticket/Bus/Info
New Kit Launch
NosCup v Forres
KDM Trophy v Binos
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We took a deserved win at Links Park last Saturday with this squad. Paul Allan and Ross Millen missed out but Adam MacKinnon started on the bench as he builds up to full fitness, as did Chanka Zimba, Jordan Alonge, Liam Sole and Robbie Thompson. First half goals from Alfie Bavidge and Calum MacLeod did the damage as we eased to the points although questions may be asked why we tailed off in the second half. That's three wins out of four and three clean sheets for the CJ's and that puts us 7th in the table, despite the five point deduction to start the season with. Good to get into the peleton early.
League1 results so far
Kelty Hearts 0-3 (Mckay, Longstaff, Spoony)
Peter Reid 2-0 (Spoony, Sole)
Warriors 1-2 (Allan pen)
Montrose 0-2 (Bavidge, MacLeod)
We unleashed a hungry man in our midweek Mickey Mouse Cup win over the Young Dons. They took the lead through Tristan Stephen but Chanka Zimba soon warmed up. Three minutes later he equalised and was generally too much for the young Dons to handle as he stroked in another couple for his hat-trick before Billy Mckay ended the scoring in the final minute to make it an ultimately comfortable 4-1 win. With Zimba, Sole, Alonge and Thompson all starting, we were always going to be a threat in attack and that was backed up by a superstrong bench.
LADIES DAY IS HERE >>>
📅 Saturday 30th August
⚽ ICTFC v Alloa Athletic
🎟️ £70 per person
🎤 The fantastic Michael Lewis
👉 Book your spot now!
💻 Eticketing
📧 [email protected]
📞 01463 222880✨



Alloa are a game behind the rest (Kelty Hearts excepted) but still top the table being the only side with a 100% record in League1. Not high scoring at the moment, but they have shown a penchant for extra late goals this season and have conceded only once in the League. They started the League campaign with an opening day win at Stenhousemuir, coming from behind to win 1-2. Dale Carrick had opened the scoring for Muir but goals either side of the interval by Steven Buchanan and Kurtis Roberts secured the Wasps win. Another away win followed at East Fife by a solitary Dave Devine strike as they dug deep to come away with another three points. A creditable showing at Ibrox saw them bow out of the League Cup 4-2 against Rangers, although maybe that can now be viewed as a shock result... That was the game that resulted in the League1 encounter with Kelty being put on ice. Their resilience knows no bounds and last week they beat Hamilton Accies 1-0 at home with Devine again knocking in from close range to keep the Wasps buzzing. Manager Andy Graham has been keeping his hand in on the park as well and he featured in the midweek KDM Trophy drama against St Mirren. The wasps came from two down to level the game with 91st and 92nd minute goals from a Lewis Bruin Waspy Special and a Luke Rankin tap in. Alas, they were pipped at the post by a 93rd minute strike by St Mirren's Calvin. Their two KDM fixtures have yielded no points thus far. (St Mirren B @ home & Stranraer away)



By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

Inverness CT 4-1 Aberdeen 'B' KDM EvoCup

Zimba Hat-Trick

Neither side had the benefit of using either of the Alfie's in this Challenge Cup tie. Inverness were looking for their second win with the Young Dons searching for their first points after defeat to Peterhead last time out. Keeper Rodrigo Vitols has just been called up to the Latvian u19 squad for two upcoming friendlies. Inverness had a superstrong bench just in case, but had Sole, Zimba, Alonge, MacKinnon and Robbie Thompson as a strong attacking force on from the start.
The Young Dons gave a good account of themselves and opened the scoring through Tristan Stephen. It took the Caley Jags just three minutes to draw level through Chanka Zimba. We struggled to break them down thereafter before Zimba completed a late hat-trick and Billy Mckay scored a fourth just after replacing the big striker for his obligatory 89th minute round of applause.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A bright start for the hosts with Zimba having an effort saved but it was the visitors that opened the scoring after ten minutes through Tristan Stephen as he shot high into the net from inside the box. Adam MacKinnon tried to respond moments later but his effort was just too high. Zimba would not be denied though and the big Striker scored minutes later to level the tie. Vitols saved from a Robertson header midway through the half. Inverness were dominating the play but the score still remained level after half an hour with Liam Sole close to finding the top corner. Vitols denied Zimba again ten minutes before the interval and the sides went in all square at the break.
HALF TIME: 1-1
One change for the Young Dons as Searle replaced Duncan but it was the hosts that almost took the lead when Jordan Alonge hit the woodwork from distance a couple of minutes after the restart. He fired a free kick just wide as we searched for a second goal and Zimba shot wide before Searle did likewise for the Dons. Vitols saved once more from Zimba on the hour and just after that Sole's night was done as Longstaff entered the game. Alonge had another effort saved by Vitols. Into the final twenty minutes and Inverness were still finding it difficult to break down the resolute Dons defence. However, with ten minutes left, Zimba got his second of the night followed closely by his third. He was replaced by Billy Mckay in the final minute to receive the applause and Billy promptly scored the fourth goal to end the game.
FULL TIME: 4-1
The Goals

Billy Mckay post match
 
 
 
Date:  26/08/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 0507 Referee: George Calder
 
Inverness CT: 4
Manager: Scott Kellacher
Lineup:  Ross; Clark, Robertson, Savage, Strachan, Sole (Longstaff 62), Alonge, S Thompson, MacKinnon (Kerr 73), R Thompson, Zimba (B Mckay 89)
Subs (not used):  Munro; Mcintyre, Devine, Chalmers, MacLeod, Wotherspoon
Scorers: Zimba (12, 77, 82), B Mckay (89)
Booked: Zimba (45+2), MacKinnon (73)
Sent Off: none
Aberdeen B: 1
Manager: Stuart Duff
Lineup:  Vitols; McDonnell Carrol, Cummings (McLean 63), Ross, Lobban (Green 63),
Masson (Chikomo 75), To, Duncan (Searle 46),Teasdale, Stephen
Subs (not used): Simpson;
Scorers: Stephen
Booked: Masson (55)
Sent Off: none

By tm4tj in Reports 2025-26 ·

Inverness CT -V- Aberdeen B - KDM - Cup

KDM Evolution Time

Aberdeen 'B' are the visitors on Tuesday night in the Cup of little interest in the early stages for many. I'm sure it will pick up in the latter stages, but with another five games to go before the knockout stages, that's a while away yet. Kick off is 7:45pm on Tuesday 26th August at the Caledonian SarensPSG Stadium. Inverness beat Elgin City 1-4 in their first game and the Young Dons lost 4-2 at Peterhead.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for our KDM Evolution Trophy match v Aberdeen B are available now
Prices: Adults: £10, Concessions: £5 (Over 65s & Under 16s)
Tickets for this match are available now from eticketing.co.uk/ictfc
Tickets for this match available in the Main Stand only with Section Lower F available for Aberdeen B supporters.
Under 16s Tickets are not available online but are available in-store from the Sarens PSG Stadium or over the phone on 01463 222880 during office hours.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was our fairly strong squad at Borough Briggs with Remi Savage, Paul Allan, Mathew Strachan, Jordan Alonge, Robbie Thompson and Alfie Bavidge all regular first XI performers and Chanka Zimba now a regular in the squad.
There was no scoring at the interval, but goals from Alfie Bavidge and Robbie Thompson put us in the driving seat. A Paul Allan penalty ended the contest although Elgin pulled one back with a spectacular strike from Mark Gallagher before another penalty was scored by Bavidge in time added on.
The new Challenge Cup format has been heavily criticised by managers with our own Scott Kellacher adding his own thoughts about the amount of additional games this can add to the squads season. It's a minimum of at least five extra games before the round of 32 knock out even begins. The end game is still light years away.
Alfie Stewart was cup-tied, and apparently unavailable for both sides and Billy confirmed in video below Alfie Bavidge will not be permitted to play either with Aberdeen the parent club.
Bar 94 and Matchday Bus Service Arrangements for Challenge Cup games:
Bar 94 will be open and the matchday bus service will be operating for the four home cup games 🚍
Midweek game: 1945 kick off: Aberdeen on Tuesday 26 August
Bar 94 will open at 1730, with last orders at 1915 (the bar must be fully vacated by 1930).
The bar reopens at full time 🥳
🚍A bus will leave the Bus Station for the Stadium at 1900, returning from the Stadium 10 minutes after the full time whistle.
The Young Aberdeen starlets starting XI at the Balmoor Stadium showed Alfie Stewart in the side but no Alfie Bavidge
Niall McGinn ran the show for the Blue Toon, scoring twice in a 4-2 win and used his experience to great effect in his MotM performance. The young Dons had come from 2-0 down to level the game but Peter Reid went on to score another twice.

These were the subs against Peterhead.
Jay Henderson -> Jamie Mercer (40)
Aaron Cummings -> Dylan Ross (46)
Jack Searle -> Zak To (46)
Bradley Chikomo -> Tristan Stephen (72)
Sam McLean -> Josie Teasdale (81)
Conner Douglas (GK)
Oliver Green

Goals ⚽⚽
Jack Searle (50)
Tristan Stephen (62)

By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

Montrose 0-2 Inverness CT - League 1

Alfred the Great Provider

After Blair Lyons had missed an early chance for Montrose, Alfie Bavidge opened the scoring in the fourth minute. It started in defence where David Wotherspoon won the ball after Joe Chalmers was mugged by four players in midfield. Spoony passed through the middle to Alfie Stewart who spun round before releasing a great ball into the box for Bavidge to run onto and drill home from fifteen yards. Wotherspoon was denied by the keeper soon after and Stewart had an effort of his own from twenty yards saved as we searched for a second goal. Calum MacLeod headed in a second after half an hour as the visitors dominance paid off following a Stewart corner and flapping from the keeper. Billy Mckay might have done better than slip the ball just wide after robbing the last man and running in on the left of centre. Just on half time Wotherspoon was denied by tremendous save by Cammy Gill from the left side of the six yard box, the keeper tipping it over after Stewart had set him up.
 HALF TIME: 0-2
Michael Tidser replaced Clark for the hosts at the interval as they looked to stem the tide. A few stoppages at the beginning of the second half with Louden, Devine and Mckay all needing attention. An hour gone and Montrose were still within touching distance of the Caley Jags despite another couple of efforts from those Alfie boys. Loudon tried to buy a lifeline penalty but the referee booked him for simulation. (He might have got away with it last weekend). Liam Sole replaced Longstaff for the final twenty minutes. More substitutions continued to break play up as Inverness saw out the game without any hassle from their hosts as McClenents headed just over to miss out on a consolation goal as the Caley Jags recorded another win on the road and three points to lift us up to 7th in the table.

FULL TIME: 0-2
No Paul Allan today, but it was a tremendous first half for the Caley Jags with Alfie Stewart pulling the strings with both assists and more. Such was our dominance we could have been out of sight again by the break. As such, the two goals we did score were sufficient to do the damage. Big difference this season is that the bench has potential match winners throughout whilst last season we had to make do with what we had due to our circumstances. Good to see Bavidge and MacLeod off and running with the vital goals today. Alloa are in Inverness next week and they top the table with 9 points and a game in hand followed by QotS and Stenhousemuir on 7 points, We are up to seventh on 4 points and Cove & Montrose take up the relegation spaces with a point apiece..



 
 
Date:  23/08/2025  Venue: Links Park  Attendance: 0776 Referee: Grant Irvine 
 
Montrose: 0
Manager: Stewart Petrie
Lineup:  Gill; Freeman, Smith, Quinn (Brown 84), Steeves, Clark (Tidser 46), Masson (Craig 76),
Sandilands, Machado (McClenents 76), Loudon, Lyons (Webster 76)
Subs (not used):  Millar; Shrive, Waddell
Scorers: none
Booked: Louden (66)
Sent Off: none
Inverness CT: 2
Manager: Scott Kellacher
Lineup: Munro; MacLeod, Devine Savage, McIntyre, Longstaff (Sole), Stewart (Alonge 90),
Chalmers, Wotherspoon, Bavidge (Zimba 76), B Mckay (R Thompson 75)
Subs (not used): Ross; Clark, McKinnon, Robertson, Strachan
Scorers: Bavidge (4), MacLeod (33)
Booked: none
Sent Off: none

By tm4tj in Reports 2025-26 ·

Montrose -V- Inverness CT - League 1

Off to the Links

It's an away day for the Caley Jags on Saturday as they head to Links Park in Montrose. Both clubs have one point from the first three fixtures although Inverness are in a group of five teams that have won twice. Bad day at the home office for us last weekend as Stenhousemuir dug their heels in to sneak away down the A9 with all three points on a frustrating afternoon in the North. Montrose, on the other hand, saw mixed emotions as they came away from Cove with a red card and a point which could easily have been three but for a 94th minute equaliser. Scott Kellacher will be looking for a reaction this weekend and he has options after our squad players reeled Strathspey Thistle for six in the NoS Cup. Montrose must be like a retirement home for knackered footballers. Michae Gardyne and Craig Wighton have both retired.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
❤️Condolences to former player Dougie Imrie, Lauren and family given the heartbreaking news of their daughter Remi❤️
Dougie had posted below message on social media. 👼 Sleep tight precious angel 😢
30.07.25-19.08.25 Our girl got tired in the early hours of Tuesday morning & decided it was time to rest ‘If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever’ 💔 20 days of loving you Remi, I hope you know how much you were loved and we will cherish the short time we got to spend with you, a true wee fighter from the minute you were born. We love you baby girl 💔
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Match/Ticket/Supporters Bus/Info
Ben Gardiner Loan to Brora
Ticket Info v Aberdeen 'B' KDM
Ladies Day next week
with Michael Lewis
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ticket Info
Tickets available from montrosefc.co.uk/tickets/
Adults: £18, Concession (U18s / Over 65s): £10, Under 12s: £5
ICT Supporters Travel Club
Travel Club Bus leaves Sarens PSG Stadium at 10am. Picking up Aviemore and Pitlochry.
£20 a seat. Book through the Travel Club’s Facebook or on 07462218717


✨ Ladies Day at ICTFC ⚽🍾

📅 Saturday 30th August
⚽ ICTFC v Alloa Athletic
🎟️ £70 per person
🎤 The fantastic Michael Lewis will be performing throughout the day
👉 Book your spot now!
💻 https://www.eticketing.co.uk/ictfc/EDP/Event/Index/76
📧 [email protected]
📞 01463 222880✨



Inverness were mugged last weekend when Stenhousemuir came North to park their bus before catching us on the hop with a late strike from Ross Taylor ten minutes from the end. It had been a game ruined by the incompetent Gavin Duncan who stopped the game, rightly or wrongly everytime a player landed on the turf. He dished out a penalty to both sides before the late strike secured all three points for the visitors. Paul Allan scored our spot kick while Matty Aitken levelled for the Warriors. Our opening fixtures saw victories over Kelty Hearts (3-0 Mckay, Longstaff, Wotherspoon) and a 2-0 home win over Peterhead (Wotherspoon, Sole). An Inverness CT XI played a North of Scotland tie against Strathspey Thistle and ran away with a 6-0 win as they sent Strathspey reeling. A good workout for most of the squad fringe players and those returning from injury. Two goals each for Robbie Thompson and Liam Sole and singles for Jordan Alonge and Mitchell Robertson, all in the first half, killed the tie as we cruised into a semi-final appointment at Forres Mechanics. Great to see Adam MacKinnon back on the park as part of his journey back to fitness. Alfie Bavidge and Chanka Zimba sat this one out, presumably keeping them fresh for this weekend. Robbie Thompson must be knocking on the door as well with another good performance captaining the side.
Scott Kellacher: Has not suffered two defeats in a row yet since becoming manager and he will be looking to get back on track after the setback last weekend. Doc Proc has a few niggles to contend with ahead of this one but we now have a decent depth to the squad. Maybe a start for Bavidge and Adam MacKinnon might be ready to step up a notch after his rehab. Ben Gardiner has gone out on loan to Brora Rangers for six months.
Montrose gained their first point last Saturday despite playing with ten men for the majority of the game. It still took a 94th minute headed goal from David Eguaibor to salvage a point for Cove Rangers in a see-saw game. Ewan Louden scored a brace whilst Callum Sandilands put Montrose 3-2 ahead with around half an hour of play left. Keir Bertie will miss this game after his red card with Ali Shrive likely to replace him. They started the season going down 2-0 at Hamilton on opening day and followed that with a 2-1 defeat at home to Kelty Hearts, Kieran Freeman with the Gable Endies goal. Sean Dillan & Ryan could be fit with Graham Webster ready soon.
Latest from the Links: Defender Evan Towler has signed on a one-year deal, following the 20-year-old’s recent departure from Aberdeen. Montrose announce the premature departure of Craig Wighton from Links Park, following the strikers sudden and unexpected decision to retire from the game at 28.
GABLE ENDER - ON SALE SATURDAY!
The next edition of the year of our award winning Matchday Programme will be on sale on Saturday for our game against ICTFC, jam packed with features, facts and photos. £3 for a Gable Ender; oooooft!
From BBC Sport
In: Ross Clark, midfielder (Dundee); Kieran Freeman, defender (Raith Rovers); Michael Tidser, midfielder; Ewan Louden (Brechin). Loan in: Callum Sandilands, midfielder (Hearts).
Out: Michael Gardyne, forward (retired ☠️); Lancelot Pollard, midfielder; Paul Watson, midfielder; Ben Maciver-Redwood, forward; Aulay Martin, defender. Craig Wighton, forward (retired); Loan ended: Owen Stirton, forward (Dundee United). Loan out: Ross Matthews, goalkeeper (Dundee North End).










By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

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