County coast home on Gregg Main’s big day
Both Inverness Caley Thistle and Ross County split their squads to give four different Highland League sides an early pre-season outing.
Ross County coasted to a 3- 0 victory in the Gregg Main Testimonial in front of more than 400 sun- drenched fans at Nairn County’s Station Park.
In 33 minutes, Ross Draper nodded home a corner. The Staggies doubled their lead after the hour when Liam Fontaine headed home a cross.
And the same player made it 3-0 in 77 minutes, when his angled header off a Tony Dingwall cross dropped just inside James Kendall’s left-hand post.
Richard Brittain took the Ross County youngsters up to Caithness to face Wick Academy and things started well for the Championship side with Joel Mcbeath prodding the ball through the legs of Sean Mccarthy for an early lead.
However, the Scorries battled back and, halfway through the first half, Davie Allan drilled home a leveller.
Allan then cut the ball back for Craig Gunn to net the winner for a 2-1 victory against his former club.
Caley Thistle faced Keith and Strathspey Thistle, securing 5-0 victories in both.
Manager John Robertson oversaw the trip to Kynoch Park, with the Championship side taking the lead on 20 minutes when Charlie Trafford bundled the ball home from close range.
Inverness doubled their advantage six minutes later when winger Zak Elbouzedi fired the ball into the roof of the net from 15 yards.
The third goal arrived when young right- back Donald Morrison clipped in a deft shot, before Nathan Austin made it 4-0 from the penalty spot.
Irishman Elbouzedi rounded off the scoring in style with a strike that beat Simpson at his near post.
At Fort George, Scott Kellacher was in charge of a side that won 5-0 against the Jags, with teenager Daniel Mackay netting a hat- trick. George Oakley and Liam Polworth were also on target.
Caley’s side included former Rangers midfielder Grant Nelson, who is currently on trial.
Lowland League newcomers Kelty Hearts took on Elgin City in Aberfeldy in what was a hard-fought match that saw City run out 2-0 winners.
Buckie Thistle shared four goals with another Lowland League side, Edusport Academy, at Spain Park.
Edusport took an early lead through Perece, but two quickfire goals midway through the second half by Lewis Mackinnon and Declan Milne turned the game on it’s head. On 82 minutes, Mckenna levelled.
Airdrieonians breezed past Clachnacuddin in Inverness.
Dale Carrick scored a penalty before Kieran Miller netted to make it 2-0.
Carrick doubled his tally after the break, then Dale Russell, who was fouled for the original spot- kick, deservedly added his name to the scoresheet. Darryl Duffy then bagged two late goals.