Caley Thistle toast Inverness Cup success against Clachnacuddin
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Inverness Caley Thistle 4
Clachnacuddin 1
Caley Thistle grasped silverware this evening by shooting down city rivals Clach as one of Scotland's oldest trophies – the Inverness Cup – was revived.
Big English striker Harry Lodovica marked his first competitive start for the Championship club by banging in his first club goals in a superb hat-trick display.
PICTURES AND REACTION: Caley Thistle beat valiant Clach to lift revived Inverness Cup
Calum Ferguson hit back in the second half for Clach, but young Lewis Mackie made it 4-1 with 15 minutes left to snuff out the Grant Street Park hosts' revival before a healthy crowd.
Clach, 14 times winners, had last lifted the historic 128-year-old trophy – still intact in it's original shape – a full seven decades ago in 1953.
Caley Thistle, in merged form, had won it seven times between formation in 1994 and the trophy being mothballed after a Forres Mechanics triumph in 2005/06.
From the off, a Caley Jags' side featuring eight first team squad members who have featured less frequently so far this season were in control.
Ex-Celtic attacker Adam Brooks hit the inside of the post early on before Lodovica created a 16th minute lead.
The ex-Aveley striker met Aaron Doran's cross from the right with a header smashed in off the underside of the bar.
A Connor Bunce free-kick was pushed away from the top corner by ICT keeper Cammy Mackay as Clach posed a rare threat, but it was 2-0 after 36 minutes.
Doran was again the instigator with a measured through pass and keeper Daniel Rae dived late at Lodovica's feet to pull him down.
Lodovica's penalty was saved by Rae, but spilled back into his path for an easy finish.
Two minutes later, Doran's pinpoint free-kick from the left created the third with Lodovica completing his hat-trick with a glancing header.
Clach should have cut the margin soon after but Calum Ferguson made a penalty after bursting into the ICT box, then saw it saved down low by Mackay.
The second period was a tighter affair, but Clach had a lifeline after 65 minutes when Calum Ferguson burst away on the right and then powered a low, angled finish through Mackay's legs.
Suddenly the Lilywhites' tails were up and substitute Robert Urquhart saw his stinging 20-yard attempt only just pushed away for a corner by Mackay.
The Highland League side's hopes faded, though, as young attacker Mackie hammered home a fourth from inside the penalty area with 15 minutes remaining.
