Double delight for Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle started their pre-season campaign with victories at Clachnacuddin and Strathspey Thistle fielding two teams against Highland League opposition.
Clachnacuddin 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2
Keatings (7) Todorov (59)
NEW signings James Keatings and Nikolay Todorov grabbed the goals as Caley Thistle were made to work hard for victory against a stubborn Clachnacuddin.
Keatings broke the deadlock after seven minutes connecting with Tom Walsh's cross to volley home from close range.
Kevin McHattie was forced to come off midway through the first half after suffering a knock to his thigh.
The Championship outfit had to wait until a minute before the hour mark to double their lead.
Bulgarian Todorov rose high above the Clachnacuddin defence to head Walsh's cross into the net from close range.
The hosts had a great chance to pull one back when Ross Logan played a great one-two with Martin Callum through the Inverness defence to give him a chance at goal but Mark Ridgers did well to block his shot.
Clachnacuddin goalkeeper Douglas MacLennan produced two fantastic saves in the closing minutes from a powerful Walsh free kick from 25 yards and a Coll Donaldson header to keep the defeat to two goals at full time.
Strathspey Thistle 3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6
Meanwhile Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat Strathspey Thistle in a nine-goal thriller in Grantown on Spey.
Jordan White scored twice with Charlie Trafford, Roddy Macgregor, Millar Gamble and Mitch Curry also on the score sheet.