Robert

Only Highland League one I saw last weekend was Ali Riddle for Clach. As reported elsewhere, Calum Ferguson scored against us last night, and had a penalty saved.

Things have changed a lot! I remember my father belting up the A82 hoping to make the last Ballachulish Ferry so we didn’t have to trail round by Kinlochleven, which always seemed to take hours despite only adding around 30 minutes to the journey.

If we are away and Clach are at home, I definitely plan to go along. All last night lacked for me was announcements, as that would have helped when subs came on late on when the floodlights were on. As soon as I was through the turnstiles, raffle tickets were on sale, which must increase take up. The toilets had taps that fan for more than one second so were actually usable. Of our players, MacKay had a good game. He was helpless at the goal but had really good saves from a free kick and the penalty and dealt comfortably with everything else. The defence lined up with Sam and A Nixon at full back and Walker alongside Duffy. Duffy was talking the youngsters through the game until he went off. Walker in particular looks a prospect and was the leader at the back after Duffy went off. I would support the positive comments about him in the squad thread. Hyde and Thomson were in central midfield. Hyde seemed to relish the responsibility of being one of the more senior players on the pitch and was talking throughout the game, in what was the most influential performance I have seen from him. He finished the game at right back after the cramp suffered by A Nixon. As mentioned above, Thomson is comfortable on the ball and worked really hard. He looks a real prospect. Brooks and Samuel were the wide players. I’m not sure if they are struggling for fitness still but they were less influential than I would have expected. Brooks should have scored in the first half. Hopefully there is more to come from both. Doran was moving between midfield and attack, and was a class above everyone else on the pitch. I really don’t understand why he is not a first pick. Lodovica took his headers well but got lucky with the penalty. He could have had a couple more. Hopefully playing the full match and scoring the hat trick has boosted his sharpness and confidence, but I’d like to see him being as influential against tougher opposition. Of the subs, MacLeod was a straight replacement for Brooks. He seemed happy to take players on but he was on the far side so it was hard to form a clear opinion. Mackie replaced Samuels and slotted in alongside Lodovica with Doran moving to the left wing. He worked hard and wasn’t afraid to mix it, taking his goal well. Bain replaced Duffy, playing left back with A Nixon switching to right back and Sam Nixon moving to centre half with Walker. He got forward well and matched up to an opponent a foot taller than him. Thomson and Meacher came on late so there was not much time to make an impression. We definitely have talent coming through if we can nurture it and ensure the players keep developing. I thought Harry Hennem had a quiet game, but he’s been getting positive reviews on another Forum by Clach fans this season for his performances, and they hope his loan will be extended for the full season.

Just hope I got the first scorer right! We ended up with only MacKay, Hyde and Lodovica (and arguably Robbie Thomson) on the pitch from our first team squad, plus four from the Academy and three first year Graduates, so a creditable result in the circumstances.

Full time. 4-1. I enjoyed that. A lot of our senior players were taking the game in which was good to see. Clach took their goal well, and by that time our defence was totally made up of youngsters.

A Nixon and Doran replaced by S Thomson and Meacher.

Mackie thumps one home in the box. 4-1.

Clach pull 1 back.

Macleod, Mackie and Bain on for Brooks, Duffy and Samuels.

Half time. 3-0.

MacKay saves a Clach penalty after foul by left back Nixon. His second good save after keeping a great free kick out at 1-0. Brooks missed a sitter at 1-0 but otherwise a lot of possession but not a lot of chances. Good fun with a noisy young crowd though.

Lodovica again. Another header. 3-0.

Lodovica brought down in box. Takes penalty himself. Keeper saves it but Lodovica taps in rebound. 2 up.

Lodovica (I think, Duffy was there too but Duffy congratulated Lodovica so assume he got the touch) header. 1 up.

A young team! Thanks for posting as otherwise it would have been hard to work out. Shaping up to be a decent crowd. Three former players plus Hennem in the Clach team.

Marley Watkins with the only goal of the game as Killie knocked Celtic out of the Viaplay Cup.

Jordan White for County today.

Andrew MacRae for Brora on Wednesday.

Hopefully evidence of renewed efforts in this regard.

2023/24 preview, squad update and fixture list: https://ictfc.com/ictwfc-2023-24-season-preview/

Received an e-mail from the club this morning that confirms it is pay at the gate, £10 adults and £5 children and concessions. It also includes various other updates.

Admission is £10 and £5. It doesn’t say who get in for £5 but presumably concessions and children? https://clachfc.co.uk/news_article.php?id=91

Certainly there are more people around in club staff tops than previously, and far fewer stewards, so it looks like they’ve taken much of the stewarding in house. That should be a cost saving.

The summary of the accounts further down the page, whilst nothing we didn’t know, highlights the gravity of the financial situation. February will be interesting if the next accounts are lodged on time.

What a boring draw. One of the few times we can get a club we don’t normally play and we get our biggest relegation challengers (as at the time of writing)!