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Hold on, let’s remember that the Club gave both players a years extension to their contracts, when the likelihood was they might not get back on the pitch in that season, that is hardly being unfair, given that iCT arent a rich club. Obviously what we don’t know is the extent that either the Club or the players carry some sort of ‘medicare’ insurance cover for injuries and operations that are almost certainly going to be via private healthcare. I would imagine given the lower end of the pay scale that anyone playing in the Championship is on, a player relies heavily on the help the PFA can provide, who as the Player Union seem to provid little support on contracts [maybe non- payment and disputes but not negoiations], so it is good if the pFA have been able to help Walsh I get the comment on the club’s communications skills…. A simple statement in good time addressing the contract situations of both players might have quelled some of the disquiet amongst some fans. It shouldn’t be difficult, and Gardiner has been adept at putting out long statements from time to time Meanwhile, I’m delighted to see the signing of Adam Brook who sounds a promising addition, and without the injury history that is attached to many of our players

For completeness our formations: First half: Ridgers Davidson Devine Delaney Harper Welsh Gilmour Hennem Thomson Doran Samuels with Samuels and Hennem switching roles at times. Second half: MacKay Carson Duffy Strachan Nicolson Shaw MacGregor Bray Cairns Mckay Trialist with Shaw and Cairns switching part way through the half and Carson and Bray also switching. Nixon then came on for Bray at right back. Ram did not feature. I assume he’s still with us but he must still be carrying his injury from last season.

With them being at a low level, he’s maybe got an agreement that they won’t stand in his way if a better team comes in for him. That’s if it is him of course. The link I posted in the squad update thread says he’s a midfielder but the number 18 was a striker yesterday.

We battered Hellgin Shittee - that's good enuff mun.

Tom Walsh was not given an extension after injury. He signed for 2 years in 2021. Duke didn't say unfair, he said uncaring, and that was in reference to the club not demonstrating any public well wishes on the player. Which is fair and accurate statement.

Enjoyable enough afternoon. After the flurry of early goals, the game settled down to really be a training session for us after the first half water break. Doran opened the scoring with a long distance lob over the goalie before Cameron equalised. It all stemmed from a slack pass back by Devine which went for a corner. Samuels restored the lead after a nice move and made it comfortable before the break after another good spell of fast play. In the second half we started positively with some eager play by the youngsters. Mckay got the fourth after more decent build up play. Our trialist was a big forward who was more than a match for Draper physically and had a goal disallowed for offside. He was working hard and seemed quite pacy but it is hard to tell if he is what we need. In the first half, Gilmour and Thomson were the picks for me, plus Samuels for his goals. Davidson was steady whilst Brooks was not in the squad. After the break, Nicolson, Cairns, Strachan and Bray all looked comfortable. MacGregor’s movement and work rate were very good. For their first outing, albeit against a poor Elgin team, it was encouraging. The crowd was announced as 1040 which was very credible. Draper hasn’t changed. He had some meaty challenges which would have attracted cards in a competitive match! That said, he still looks a decent player.

6' | 1-0 GOAL! We're ahead through Aaron Doran as he opens the scoring with a composed lop over Daniel Hoban! 10' | 1-0 SAVE! Daniel Hoban is forced into a good save by Austin Samuels as he was played through on goal. 12' | 1-1 GOAL! Elgin equalise through Brian Cameron after he produces a good finish past Ridgers 15' | 2-1 GOAL! We're back ahead through Austin Samuels. The striker finishes well after a good move involving Davidson and Thompson! 42' | 2-1 CHANCE! Good ball from Doran finds Samuels in the box but the striker's effort is over the bar and behind. 45+' | 3-1 GOAL! It's another for Austin Samuels as he gets his second of the match. The ball breaks to the striker through on goal and he produces another composed finish past Hoban. HALF TIME: ICTFC 3-1 Elgin City 62' | 4-1 GOAL! Billy Mckay makes it 4-1 with a good finish as he meets Nathan Shaw's cross inside the box. FULL TIME: ICTFC 4-1 Elgin City We win our first pre-season match back thanks to a double from Austin Samuels and goals from Aaron Doran and Billy Mckay.

Full-time at the Global Energy Stadium: Ross County 1-2 Queens Park Murray the scorer for County, Thomson and Paton for Queens Park. ☺️