Inverness CT 3-2 Nairn County

New Mosset Park Forres was the venue for the North of Scotland Cup Final as ICT played last seasons Champions Nairn County. The pitch had a lush green surface and a mild overcast afternoon saw around 500 spectators witness a flowing match with ICT edging out Nairn by the odd goal in five.

The shoe box stand was half full as the game started with Inverness adopting an attacking 4-4-2 formation with Lionel and Proc in the heart of the defence. Shane Sutherland partnered Adam Rooney up front and Roy McBain and Nick Ross were the wide boys.

After a tentative few minutes Inverness broke the deadlock early as Lionel started the move which led to the goal. He cleared a ball into the heart of the ICT box and Sutherland muscled onto the ball, making the edge of the Nairn box before being hauled down. With Roy McBain threatening to strike the free kick, up stepped Gavin Morrison to rifle a low shot through the wall and into the net. Five minutes later and Rooney was just short of meeting a sweeping cross to the far post after neat play down the left. Nairn created a decent opportunity after 12 minutes when Main grazed the outside of the post from 22 yards after Low's cross was laid into his path by Campbell. Morrison was showing well for ICT and he released Rooney on the right, but there were no takers for his cut back. Nick Ross was having a good opening quarter as well and he opened the defence once or twice and also fed some neat balls behind the defenders. The prominent Morrison had a long range shot blocked and Sutherland blazed the loose ball just over. After 18 minutes, Nairn had a downward header saved by Allison, well it should have been saved easily, but he fumbled it onto the post and the ball was eventually scrambled clear. A minute later, Ross skimmed the top of the bar after cutting in from the right and flashing a shot goalwards with the keeper stranded. The game was still open and Nairn were having a go. Ross again was the provider in 26 minutes as he drifted into the box, but he elected to lay the ball off and Rooney was crowded out. 28 minutes gone and Rooney was clattered from behind, and from the resultant free kick some 40 yards from goal in the centre of the park, Morrison flighted a lovely ball into the box where Sutherland rose unchallenged to nod across the keeper for 2-0. Lionel playing well, steered a header back to Allison to thwart another Nairn attack. Nairn's Macleod surged forward to be halted by Proctor. From the corner a good ball into the box was again scrambled clear. Ross once more was causing problems for the Nairn defence and his cross was nodded down by Rooney and Sutherlands overhead attempt was charged down. As the game drew towards half time Nairn were gifted a goal by the none too convincing Allison who tried to gather an overhit free kick from Main under the bar. As he grasped the ball it squirmed out of his hands and bounced behind him, in true keystone cops fashion, he tried in vain to scoop the ball out but the linesman had already flagged for the goal. 2-1 as the half ended.

Half Time: ICTFC 2-1 Nairn County

Proctor headed wide at the start of the second half. Allison was having a nightmare as he inexplicably delayed a pass back clearance to eventually roll the ball into the path of the Nairn attackers when under no pressure, but thankfully for him he recovered to eventually block as the forwards were ushered wide. Allison continued his nightmare as he mis-timed a punched clearance and the loose ball was almost knocked past him into the empty net. Unfortunately for him, he was turning out to be Nairns best striker. 54 minutes gone and a Shinnie cross was head flicked just wide by Rooney. Great turn by Ross on the edge of the box but again no takers for his cross. Ross was now tormenting the Nairn rearguard and he put in another teasing ball, headed goalwards by MacAskill but stopped low down by Nairns keeper. A corner by McBain saw Rooney head over from the near post. Game was getting frantic now and a touch of class from Rooney around 67 minutes put ICT 3-1 ahead. He spun on the edge of the box and offloaded his shot low into the bottom corner. Excellent goal from Rooney. A minute later Sutherland shot tamely over from a good position. After 75 minutes, Rooney was put through, but a heavy first touch enabled the keeper to smother Rooney's attempt. Nairn swept forward down their left but an angled drive was held this time by Allison, well positioned at his near post. Daniel Park entered the fray after 75 minutes, replacing Roy McBain. An almost immediate response from Nairn as a great ball from their right was nodded into the empty back post area of Allison's net by sub Willie Barron. Great effort by Nairn who had pulled themselves back into the match and made for a grandstand finish. ICT replied with Rooney almost getting onto a through ball. The game was now end to end as Nairn tried in vain to equalize. Shinnie and Ross were quick on the counter for ICT and with the last attack of the match, Nairn could have taken the game to extra time as a great run and cross was flicked goalwards at the near post, but the ball spun just over, dipping behind a relieved Allison's net. That was the last action. The drizzle had just started to fall as the ref blew for full time, perfect timing. Nairn had acquitted themselves very well and the ICT squad had just done enough to poach the trophy from the wee County.

Full Time: ICTFC 3-2 Nairn County

Lionel had a good game, but he still had the obligatory moment late on when he was mugged on his own 18 yard line, but the striker fired over. Morrison looked good early on and Ross was very lively. Proctor was a rock in the heart of the defence, but my MotM goes to the man that lifted the cup for ICT, young Graeme Shinnie. Defended well and a real asset going forward, pace and strength and a good delivery. Well done Inverness.