Inverness Caledonian Thistle to Face Nairn County in North of Scotland Cup Semi-Finals
Key Highlights :
Inverness Caledonian Thistle will face Nairn County in the semi-finals of the North of Scotland Cup following Keith Bray’s early strike at Mackessack Park. New ICT manager Duncan Ferguson was in the stand to witness his young side take on the Speysiders.
Caley Thistle fielded a strong starting XI with half a dozen fringe players bolstered by some under-18 players. The Jags opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Bray stabbed the ball past Sean McCarthy from eight yards after Harry Lodovica picked him out with a smart back-heel. Rothes almost levelled five minutes later but with only keeper Cameron Mackay to beat, Ben Johnston sent his header wide of the far post.
At the other end, McCarthy touched over a close-range Lodovica header as the visitors went in search of a second goal. On the stroke of half-time, Mackay got a fingertip to Greg Morrison’s superb header to touch the ball onto the post. Just after the break, Aidan Wilson fired just wide of the target as the Speysiders looked to build on an impressive first-half performance. Wilson went even closer when only the outstretched leg of visitor’s keeper Mackay kept the striker’s 15-yard drive out of the net.
The match ended with a 1-0 victory for Inverness, setting up a semi-final clash with Nairn County. The two sides will meet at the Caledonian Stadium, with the winner going on to face the victor of the other semi-final between Elgin City and Strathspey Thistle.
ICTFC will be looking to make it to the final for the first time since 2016, when they lost to Cove Rangers. The semi-final will be a tough test for both sides, but ICTFC will be hoping to make it to the final and continue their impressive run in the competition. With a strong squad and a passionate support, the Caley Jags will be looking to make it to the final and bring the North of Scotland Cup back to Inverness.
