Can Cans can't quite keep cup. 

Inverness chose to field a strong team for this North of Scotland cup final with at least six first teamers on show.

Aidan Chippendale, Johnathan Tuffey, Shane Sutherland, Billy Mckay, Kenny Gillett and David Proctor all started against the cup holders in front of a healthy sunday afternoon crowd at new Mossett Park Forres.

They were hoping for an upset and after only three minutes a ball was played into the ICT box and with Proctor slipping over this allowed the Forres number 8, Scott Moore to shoot just narrowly over.

In the fifth minute came Inverness' first chance.  A great ball was whipped in by the diminutive Andrew Greig which landed on Sutherland's head and the Forres goalie really had to work hard to keep the ball out.  It really was end to end stuff with both teams squandering chances.

An even better chance came in the twenty-second minute when a nonchalant ball was played upfield, Proctor and Skinner at right back couldn't cope with the presence of Lee Fraser the tall striker who found himself one on one with the keeper with 20 yards to go, but David Proctor sprinted back to save an open goal and make amends.

Shane Sutherland opened the scoring with a 22nd minute strike.  Kenny Gillett started the attack from deep within his own half, effortlessly sprinting up the pitch and gave it to Shane who passed it out wide to Aidan Chippendale who then crossed it back to Shane who had made great strides to make it back into the box and finish off a decent move.

A minute later it was two, Shane Sutherland turned provider for Billy Mckay who looped it over the oncoming keeper, Stuart Knight.

The third goal came just before the break, Andrew Greig made yet another darting run into the box and was upended by Nathan Sharp. Billy Mckay slotted the resultant penalty into the net and the game looked all but over.

The half time scoreline was a bit harsh on Forres who had created plenty of chances, but unlike their visitors they could not take advantage of them.

Half Time 0-3

In what was now becoming a not surprisingly quieter game, Forres were handed a lifeline when they got their first goal on 54 minutes also from the penalty spot.  Aidan Chippendale seemingly being tackled, however with the tackler down, the referee somehow decided to override his initial decision and Aidan Chippendale was now the perpetrator instead, a strange set of circumstances indeed.  So, we went from free kick and possible card for McPherson to penalty to Forres, the referee's assistant seemingly able to change the ref's mind.  Simon Allan buried the ball low to Tuffey's right hand side.

Six minutes later Kenny Gillet was disposessed in the six yard box which led to a great oppurtunity, but ultimately led to a throw in. Forres at this stage were playing with much more confidence and the crowd were fully behind them and urging them forward.

The young Invernessians did well to stop Forres' flow who at one point had four consecutive corners.

Chances came and went for Forres and Green, Sharp and Scott should have done better when given the opportunities

In the 65th minute, Chippendale yet again beat the right back and played the perfect ball across goal which was met by Andrew Greig at the back post and he finished off excellently across Knight from eight yards.

However the Can Cans never gave up and another ball into the box was met by an unmarked player, Scott Moore who with full force powered a header off the crossbar which then went vertically downwards and just over the line, and so with 15 minutes to go it was now 4-2.

Substitute Duguid spurned an opportunity from eight yards as Forres pushed forward and Chippendale again showed a clean pair of heels as he raced away and curled a shot just wide at the other end.

Both teams were wanting more and Forres finished the game off in style and scored another thumping goal in the dying moments to keep the away team hanging on.  Lee Fraser knocking the ball past Tuffey from eight yards after good work by Moore.

Forres fell just short in a highly entertaining final and certainly gave their full time opponents a run for their money, but the final score was a victory for Inverness in a seven goal bash on a Sunday afternoon, and cakes in the stand, what next.

Full Time 3-4 and Inverness Caledonian Thistle take home the AJG North of Scotland Cup.

Terry Butcher who was in attendance will have learnt quite a lot I should imagine and it was definitely good experience for both sets of teams, and great to see so many of the injured and fringe players getting a run out.

CALEY THISTLE - Tuffey; Skinner, Gillet, Murphy, Proctor, Polworth, Greig (Watson, 86), Laing, Sutherland, McKay, Chippendale. Subs unused: Stewart, Dingwall, Whyte, Baldy.

FORRES MECHANICS - Knight; G. Fraser, Allan, Grant, Sharp, MacPherson, Barron (Duguid, 64), Moore, L. Fraser, Scott, Green (Tweedie, 86). Subs unused: McNab, Davidson, Main. Booked: Moore, G. Fraser.

Attendance: 565.

Referee: D. Ross.

Thanks to Sotonict for this report from his travels North.