Austin is Caley Jags’ maestro
INVERNESS CT 4 Samuels (6, 75), Doran (31), Shaw (90) COVE RANGERS 1 Leitch (47)
Billy Dodds is excited by Austin Samuels’ potential after the explosively paced striker’s two-goal show.
The Highlanders’ intensity delighted their manager as they grasped a first league win of the season to move joint second.
It was a powerful attacking display, with former Wolves forward Samuels influential and unlucky not to grab a hat-trick.
Aaron Doran and Nathan Shaw also netted, although Cove enjoyed a strong spell early in the second half with Robbie Leitch’s reply at 2-1 sparking hope.
Dodds said: “We had to play with intensity and energy and we were excellent in the first half.
“When we lose the goal, it could have become a long second half, but I had asked for focus and dig when things went against us – and they gave us that.
“Austin excites me. He is still young, but he can be scary to play against. He just needs to know how to use his speed, but he looked dangerous.”
The hosts almost took a fourth-minute lead. Robbie Deas’ through ball found Cammy Harper and his low strike drew a brilliant reaction save from Kyle Gourlay. It was 1-0 two minutes later. Aaron Doran’s measured through ball was controlled by Austin Samuels, who steadied and curled a lovely finish over Gourlay.
Caley Jags’ second after 31 minutes again came from good build-up play, with Daniel Mackay slicing inside from the left and swerving in an attempt.
Doran raced on to the ball seven yards out and knocked it past Gourlay.
Cove brought on Iain Vigurs for Morgyn Neill at the break and looked re-energised, netting 90 seconds after the restart.
Fraser Fyvie’s through ball found Mitch Megginson angling a low attempt towards goal. Ridgers saved with an outstretched leg but Robbie Leitch raced in to find the empty net.
Home persistence paid off with a crucial third goal in the 75th minute. After sustained pressure, Daniel Mackay’s ball across from the left was controlled by Billy Mckay and stabbed across the six-yard box.
Samuels was sharp to it, finishing past Gourlay.
Samuels was denied a hat-trick by a strong late save by Gourlay.
But the fourth came when Gourlay raced out to block the oncoming Samuels and substitute Nathan Shaw followed up to find the empty net with the last kick of the day.
Cove boss Jim McIntyre said: “We never started well. I changed the shape, so the first 15 minutes is on me. I chose to start with a back five, but we never got tight enough to Caley Thistle and left far too many gaps.
“Caley’s front five exploited that. We couldn’t live with their pace.” INVERNESS CT:
(4-2-3-1) Ridgers 6; Hyde 6, Delaney 6, Deas 7, Harper 6; MacGregor 6, Allardice 7; Samuels 8, Doran 7 (Shaw 83, 4), Mackay 7 (Boyd 78, 3); Mckay 6 (Oakley 88, 2). Unused subs – MacKay, Nicolson.
COVE RANGERS:
(3-4-3) Gourlay 6; Ross 6, Neill 6 (Vigurs
46, 6), Reynolds 6 Logan 6, Fyvie 6 (McDonagh, 80), Scully 6, Dunne 7; Masson 5 (Longstaff 70, 5), Megginson 6, Leitch 7 (McIntosh 79, 3). Unused subs – McKenzie, Thomas.