Clach go down to battling pre-season loss against Caley Thistle
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CLACH kicked off their pre-season games with a 3-1 home defeat against Scottish Premiership visitors from across the city, Caley Thistle amid the downpours at Grant Street today (Sunday).
Lilies boss Iain Polworth was happy with the performance from his players, especially in the second half when they asked more questions, got a goal and should have also scored a penalty.
For ICT, this came less than 24 hours hour they thumped another Highland League side Buckie Thistle 8-1 at Victoria Park.
The Scottish Premiership side got off to the ideal start when after just four minutes Ali Sutherland beat goalkeeper John Campbell with a low angled drive, although the ball could have struck Fisher on the way in.
Fisher hit the woodwork moments later then young Sam Robertson, who has joined from Aberdeen, supplied a cool finish when he met a cross from the impressive wide midfielder Andrew Macrae.
The Lilywhites had their moments too, with Stuart Leslie and Liam Shewan going close in the first half.
However, Caley Thistle made it 3-0 when ex-Torquay forward Fisher, who has barely played since suffering an ankle injury just after being signe by former manager John Hughes in January, bulleted a header past Campbell from another fine Macrae delivery.
Clach should have been back in the contest early in the second half when Liam Polworth tripped Martin Callum in the box, but Leslie's spot-kick was high and wild.
They did get on the scoresheet though after a defensive error let in Shewan and he guided the ball past keeper Cameron Mackay.
Matthew Grant almost reduced the ICT advantage further when he connected with a Duncan Jones set-piece, but it was cleared off the line.
Both teams had chances to score again but it finished 3-1 and both managers were satisfied by the afternoon's work.
This game at Grant Street was good for those players who came into the side from ICT's Development squad after their scheduled game at Fort William was postponed yesterday.
ICT step up the levels on Tuesday when they travel to League Two Elgin City – just four days before their Betfed Cup opener away to Cowdenbeath in the same division.
Clach will shape up further ahead of their July 30 league start away to Buckie Thistle this Wednesday when they take on junior side Inverness City at Lister Park at the Bught.
