Caley Thistle win friendly test at Brora Rangers
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CALEY Thistle saw off doughty Highland League champions Brora Rangers 2-0 at Dudgeon Park on Wednesday night.
Both sides were as close to full strength as they could be and it was the visitors who edged ahead after 11 minutes when James Vincent slotted home a penalty after Aaron Doran was tripped in the box.
Goalkeeper Ryan Esson kept ICT in front when he saved superbly from a Gavin Morrison header.
The Scottish Premiership team attacked with verve, but Brora was coping well and defending stoutly.
In the latter stages of the first half, Brora began to make their presence felt further in attack and Andrew Greig flashed an effort just wide as he went for the leveller.
Another fine Esson save, this time from a Morrison free-kick, ensured Caley Thistle went in at the break with the single-goal advantage.
The killer strike came 10 minutes into the second half when Marley Watkins, who scored in the 2-1 weekend win at Elgin City, shot his team 2-0 in front after being picked out by the impressive Ryan Christie.
They were lifted by the two-goal cushion and thought they had netted another, but Danny Williams’ effort was offside.
Doran was denied by home keeper Joe Malin as ICT finished on top, but both clubs will feel this 90 minutes served its purpose.
Caley Thistle’s preparations step up another notch this Saturday when they travel to Championship side, and Ramsdens Challenge Cup holders, Raith Rovers.
