Competition for Caley Thistle jerseys was as hot as the sunshine in Kelty on Saturday – and that was just what head coach Billy Dodds wanted.
A 1-0 victory at New Central Park was hard-earned to ensure ICT began their Premier Sports Cup campaign with three points ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Premiership hosts Livingston, who won 3-2 at Albion Rovers.
George Oakley, who played for the Inverness side from 2017-2019, has been to Hamilton, OFC Pirin Blagoevgrad in Bulgaria, Kilmarnock and Woking since then.
But last week, the powerful Englishman signed a two-year deal to come ‘home’, while former ICT youth star, winger Daniel Mackay made a surprise loan return to Inverness on Friday on a season-long loan from Hibernian.
They joined new summer recruits, defenders Max Ram and Zach Delaney, and wingers Steven Boyd and Nathan Shaw in signing for the Championship club.
All six featured at some stage in Saturday’s 1-0 win against League 2 champions Kelty, but it was Oakley who had the final say with his ice-cool finish in the searing Fife heat.
Injury blow for central defender Ram
Centre-half Ram was only on the pitch for 15 minutes when a thigh pull saw him replaced by impressive Delaney, whose first act was to clear an Alfredo Agyeman effort off the goal-line.
Midfield dynamo Roddy MacGregor was the closest for ICT to opening the scoring in the first 45 minutes, but his low drive flashed just wide after Delaney teed him up.
Inverness keeper Mark Ridgers worked hard for this clean sheet, with a first half save from Lewis Martin, just signed from Dunfermline, followed by second half stops to deny Thomas Reilly twice.
After that, ICT seemed to step it up and created the best of the remaining chances.
A long-ranger from Aaron Doran was superbly tipped over by keeper Darren Jamieson just before Billy Mckay’s fine glancing header bounced off the post.
Daniel Mackay, who replaced Doran on 63 minutes, was not far off with a swerver from outside the box then Billy Mckay had an effort cleared off the line when he connected with a Cammy Harper corner.
With a shoot-out just two minutes away, Billy Mckay became the provider when his pass found Oakley, who raced through before burying the ball past Jamieson for the deciding goal.
Dodds believes the signing of Daniel Mackay, on loan from the club he joined a year ago on a four-year deal, can revive the 21-year-old’s footballing fortunes.
Plenty of quality options delight boss
But he’s also delighted to have quality options from back to front as they seek to qualify for the knockouts for the first time since 2016.
He said: “We have good options. I wanted competition for places and I had that, even before we got Danny.
“I know if I can get Danny back to the way he was at this club, he will be a big asset to us.
“We also saw Steven Boyd and Nathan Shaw look good and Aaron Doran, who makes some great, intelligent runs. I wanted Aaron to be more ruthless. I asked that of him at half-time then he hit a great shot in the second half.
“We have good competition out wide, good competition in midfield and up front, the back and with the keepers.”
Hard-fought win enjoyed by ICT fans
Although there were two leagues between Kelty and Caley Thistle last year, this was a tough tie well negotiated.
Kelty, whose boss John Potter was in charge for the first time in a competitive game since replacing title-winning manager Kevin Thomson, had not lost a fixture in their last 13, apart from in pre-season.
Even then, that was just 1-0 against Partick Thistle, while they held fellow Championship side Raith Rovers last week too.
🗣️ "I'm over the moon!"
George Oakley gives his thoughts following his winning goal against Kelty Hearts today on his second debut for the club! pic.twitter.com/DVxMRLxEif
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) July 9, 2022
The late drama delivered by Oakley was lapped up in great measure by the Caley Jags fans who seemed to outnumber the Maroons within the 601 crowd.
This was the first meeting between these clubs, with Kelty posting back-to-back promotions after coming up from the Lowland League two years ago.
After taking on Livingston in West Lothian on Tuesday, ICT are the idle side in the section this weekend.
They return to action on Tuesday, July 19, at home to League 2 visitors Albion Rovers before hosting their Championship opponents Cove Rangers on Saturday, July 23.
KELTY HEARTS (4-3-3) – Jamieson 6, Peggie 6, O’Ware 6, Martin 6, Forster 6, Reilly 7, Barjonas 7, Higginbotham 6, Tidser 6 (Owens 80), McNab 6, Agyeman 6 (Strang 75). Subs not used – Campbell (GK), Hill, Brown, Cameron, Campbell.
CALEY THISTLE (4–3-3) – Ridgers 7, Harper 6, Deas 6, Carson 6, Mckay 7, Doran 6 (Daniel Mackay 63), MacGregor 6, Ram 3 (Delaney 15), Allardice 6, Samuels 6 (Shaw 79), Boyd 6 (Oakley 79). Subs not used – Cammy Mackay (GK), Hyde.
Referee – Barry Cook.
Attendance – 601.
Man of the match –Billy Mckay.
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