Caley Thistle’s preparations for the new campaign came unstuck at Elgin City this afternoon as two second half goals gave Jim Weir’s side a deserved victory against their Championship opponents.
Former Falkirk and Swansea forward Darryl Duffy featured as a trialist for Inverness. Duffy, who has been playing in India since 2013, started for John Robertson’s side at Borough Briggs but it was the League Two side who impressed thanks to second half goals from Brian Cameron and Jamie Reid.
Duffy’s movement helped create the first chance of the game for Inverness when he ran on to Ross Draper’s through ball before squaring for Zachary Elbouzedi but he fired over the crossbar.
Elbouzedi’s chance was a rare moment of goalmouth action in a game where Inverness dominated possession but failed to breach a resolute City defence.
Jake Mulraney saw a shot saved at the near post by City goalkeeper Marc Waters before Ross Draper hit the post from 12 yards following a Liam Polworth pass but there was no breatkthrough before the interval.
Mark Ridgers replaced Ryan Esson for the second half and he was immediately called into action, diving low to his right to turn Thomas Reilly’s low drive from the edge of the box past the post.
City were the better side in the second half and their pressure paid off when they opened the scoring midway through the second half through Brian Cameron, who headed a header back across goal into the net.
The goal sparked Inverness, who had been pedestrian in the second half, into action and teenager Aidan Wilson almost produced an instant response but Waters blocked his close range volley.
However it was the home side who scored a second and it was a spectacular one with Jamie Reid beating Ridgers with a terrific curling high shot from 20 yards.
A strong second half showing from Weir’s men and food for thought for Robertson.