Inverness CT0–0Dunfermline

Flag Day


We started life in the Championship with a League1 Champions Flag raising ceremony and a visit from Dunfermline Athletic to kick off the 26/27 season on a blustery Belladrum Saturday afternoon more for flying kites and drying washing if the rain would stay off.

Difficult to say how this one would pan out on the first day of the season as teams get to grips with new signings and formations. Roddy MacGregor is one of our latest signings but he should know the ropes better than most.

It was a highly entertaining game for a no score draw and we did not look out of place against one of the well established Championship contenders. Pars keeper Aston Oxborough made four or five great saves to deny the hosts an opening day win and over the piece a draw was just about right with Andy Tod smashing the upright in the first half with a thunderous shot that had the keeper beaten. However it ended all square on Matchday One but the entertainment value was better than anything we saw in League1 with a sizeable away support in the South Stand.

We face a trip to the windy city next week. It's off to Arbroath for us. They went down 2-0 at Somerset Park today.

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A bright opening by both teams with Andy Tod having a difficult angled pop at goal from beyond the back post that went wide. Massive double save from Aston Oxborough as he saved brilliantly from Ryan Duncan who will be wondering why he never found the back of the net from close range twice. Calum MacLeod also went close after a great ball from Alfie Stewart put him through on goal but his final touch put the ball just wide with a touch from the keeper. A sharp reminder not to switch off just before the half hour as Andy Tod was given too much room to drive forward before unleashing a ferocious twenty-five yarder that cannoned off the post with Ross Munro beaten. A let off and warning for the hosts. Oli Shaw brought Ross Munro into action before a procession of attempts from the Caley Jags took us up to the break. Alfie Stewart, Alfie Bavidge and Mackinnon all had efforts mopped or missed before Liam Sole was sent free down the left and he sent a low ball into the box where Duncan was denied again by the keeper who guessed the right way to thwart him again from twelve yards. Bavidge and Shinnie missed the target as the procession continued before the half time whistle halted the shooting practice.

HALF TIME: 0-0

After the interval the Pars upped their workrate but it was MacKinnon that was denied by the big keeper before Noa Boutin's effort whistled just wide. Duncan headed wide at the back post after an hour and at the other end a counter attack saw Callumn Morrison shoot narrowly wide. Chris Kane came on and used his powerful physique to foul anyone that came near him. The home opportunities were drying up with the visitors almost taking advantage of some defensive tiredness on the break and with ten minutes remaining Josh Cooper might have done better than miss the target after Tod's header sent him in behind our defence as we held our breath in the North Stand. Alfie Stewart and Morgan Bates had late efforts before Munro made a late save from Morrison to end the action in an open and entertaining encounter.

FULL TIME: 0-0

Chris Kane was booked before the end. The only surprise in that is it took until the 90th minute.