Unlucky seven in Cans' opener
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE number seven was not a lucky one for Forres Mechanics last week, as
Inverness Caledonian Thistle rattled that many goals past Stuart Knight in what was the Can-Cans’ opening pre-season fixture.
Can-Cans boss Charlie Rowley was quick to play down the result, instead seeing the game as a useful break from the running routine as his side took another step towards preparing for the opening day of the SHFL campaign.
“We have only had five training sessions, and they are an SPL side with three U-21 internationals in there, but I would still have liked to play them a couple of weeks further down the line as I don’t think the scoreline would have been 7-0 then.
“It was a pretty comprehensive defeat but we are not looking into it too much, to be honest. I said before the game it was a week too early and Caley Thistle are getting up to speed quickly now with the mix of full-time training and games.
“We did okay going forward at times but a lack of concentration defensively saw us caught out whenever they went into wide areas.”
While there was little chance for the players to shine, Rowley picked out three from his squad that did impress while noting that he will get a better look at one or two others in other matches.
“The ones who have looked fit were the star performers. Grapies was excellent, Gary Tweedie looked a real threat and Kyle Scott did well. It was a difficult game to gauge the performances of those looking to make a place for themselves in the team.
“Matty Fraser started at wide right but it was pretty much a defensive role as they were getting forward. Although they were through the middle it was the same with Gordy McNab and Matty Davidson. We will hopefully get more of an idea of what they have to offer when we are playing against Elgin and the junior sides.”
Three goals in three minutes gave ICT a first half lead that slightly flattered the Mechanics. The movement of former Rangers youngster Andrew Shinnie was at the heart of a lot of the SPL side’s threat and it was a move involving him and David Proctor which culminated in Nick Ross stroking home the opener in the 19th minute.
Moments later Andrew Shinnie was through on goal and while his lob came back off the woodwork, Richie Foran duly profited. The Mechanics didn’t have time to regroup before Foran was nodding down for Andrew Shinnie to fire home number three.
Former Can Can Graeme Shinnie followed his brother onto the scoresheet midway through the second half when his low shot beat Knight and then Andrew grabbed his second by turning home a Nick Ross cross.
Then it was the turn of the subs to make their mark on the game: Andrew Greig curled home number six from 14 yards and then Liam Polworth, son of Clach boss Ian, helped set up Martin Laing for number seven right at the death.
Next up is a match against Ross County at Mosset Park on Thursday night (7.30 kick off) and Rowley expects another very difficult game. “They are usually the most difficult team to play against by far because of the way they pass the ball, but that was as good a footballing side as Caley Thistle have had in a long time in my opinion.
“County have brought in a lot of players, and quality players at that. It will be their third game on top of their day–to-day training so we can expect them to be well into their stride. The benefit for us is that we will be another three training sessions further down the line but really it is all about fitness once again.”
Willie Barron will miss this match due to being on holiday but he will join the team for training on his return next week with his Nairn St Ninians contract having expired on Sunday.
Forres Mechanics: Knight, Allan (Sharp 46), Shortreed (Davidson 46), Grant (Daley 85), G Fraser, M Fraser (K Duguid 46), Bremner, Tweedie (L Fraser 46), Green (Brown 69), Scott (Macpherson 46), Moore
Inverness Caley Thistle: Tuffey (Andrews 46), Meeekings, Tokely, Proctor, Gillet, G Shinnie (Skinner 86), A Shinnie (Laing 83), Tansey (Polworth 86), Foran (Craig 69), Morrison, Ross Sub: Smith
Ref: J Lyon
