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.

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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