Inverness Athletic boss pride after league title bid ends
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INVERNESS Athletic manager Jason Golabek says his team surpassed his expectations after their North Caledonian League Division Two title challenge ended.
Alness United secured the league title with a 3–2 victory over Inverness Athletic on Wednesday night in a five goal thriller at Dalmore Park.
At the start of the season, Golabek was given the challenge of rebuilding a squad after a number of players had departed.
Athletic will not finish lower than third with Nairn County A two points behind and have two games remaining.
Golabek says his squad showed they had the quality to compete for the Division Two title and was pleased with their efforts during the campaign.
“At the start of the season we were just trying to get a team together,” he said.
“In the first few weeks, we could see they were starting to gel and we were thinking something was happening.
“We lost our first game, but after that it was just night and day and we played some lovely football.
“We showed we could compete against the top teams.
“But this was a mini-season and we know that it will be a big job next year, but we are looking forward to it.
“The foundations are there, we need a couple of additions, but I think we will be a lot stronger.
“But I am happy with what we have done this season.”
Athletic fell 2–0 behind after 16 minutes on Wednesday night when Ryan McFee and Michael McKenzie scored for Alness United.
Luke Mackay pulled one back from the penalty spot nine minutes before half time.
Alness restored their two goal advantage through Jude Fraser with 20 minutes remaining.
But Athletic were awarded another penalty 11 minutes from time scored by Paul Gair.
Gair nearly levelled for Athletic in the closing minutes when his free kick was saved by Iain Mackenzie.
