Match: Invergordon v Inverness Athletic
Date: 15/01/2022
Venue: Recreation Ground, Invergordon
Competition: North Caledonian League
Entry Fee: £0
Travel: £17.90 (Started in Nairn)
Miles completed today: 392
Total miles remaining: 38893
There are two league associations I’ve yet to venture into on my travels and the first of these saw me travelling north… way north to the North Caledonian League
This division is a standalone entity feeding into the Highland League at tier 6 in the pyramid.
Most of the teams in this division are from the far north and less travelled road by central belters like me.
Most of my games are picked at random and after picking numbers (yes, that’s the simplicity of my methods) I chose Invergordon to be my inaugural North Caley club.
Invergordon is a place I’ve never had a reason to visit – All I knew about the place was that the guy who was recently named worlds strongest man comes from here. With trains not all too frequent I arrived in plenty of time and took a walk around.
After paying £3.54 for a steak pie from a bakery I consoled myself with a mural trail of which Invergordon has plenty. These massive paintings on the side of buildings are a must see if you’re up this way and doesn’t take too long to get round.
I learned that there used to be a navy base here too and managed to read a little about it but let’s get on to the football.
Preview
Invergordon Last 5
WWWDL
Inverness Athletic Last 5
LWLLD
Unfortunately the North Caledonian League is the only senior division in Scotland that McBookie don’t offer odds on.
The table and form would suggest Invergordon as heavy favourites and whilst I knew very little about the strength of teams on show my pre match prediction was a 5-3 home win.
The Ground
Invergordon play at the Recreation Ground which is essentially in a public park. This is the same for most North Caley clubs and the bonus ball is that none of them charge an entry fee. That’s right… Free football!
It’s easy to find and only a short walk from the train station.
The more I venture into the Highlands the more I believe that they’re the friendliest group of people and everyone had five minutes for a chat – I really enjoyed this.
The crowd was between 40/50 people and I have paid a lot more to get into grounds and been a lot less entertained.
The Match
I was not sure what to expect standard wise but both teams were intent on playing a modern brand of football.
By this I mean playing out from the back, short goal kicks and playing through the midfield. As much as a physical battle is fine, I much prefer to watch this brand of football. Both sides were comfortable in possession and moved the ball quickly with intent.
Every Invergordon corner or free kick looked as if it was going to find it’s way to goal and it was no surprise that the scoring was opened this way. A corner was tucked home by Benjamin Kelly. Strikers instinct to be in the right place at the right time but Inverness could’ve defended better.
There weren’t too many chances but it was far from a boring spectacle. Inverness came out a lot stronger in the second half and got their deserved equaliser. Tricky winger Thomas Lewis (who was a joy to watch) beat his man on the left hand side and drilled a ball across the box. After a goalmouth scramble the ball found it’s way to Dom Macaulay who was more than happy to stick the ball in the net for a level game.
From here it always felt as if there’d be more goals but either side could’ve taken the game.
Invergordon eventually did through another corner as dominant centre half Charlie MacDonald powered a header past the helpless Inverness keeper. It was a quality delivery and header but as in the first half, Inverness will be disappointed that MacDonald was given so much time and space to tee up his effort.
At the other end it’d take a smarter man than me to work out how a 17 man stramash that must’ve lasted about 15 seconds didn’t end up with another equaliser but Invergordon somehow survived.
A thoroughly captivating game that could’ve gone either way but it’s Invergordon who took a vital 3 points.
Full time: Invergordon 2-1 Inverness Athletic
MOTM
I could’ve watched Inverness’ Thomas Lewis all day but my main man here was match winner Charlie MacDonald. I believe Invergordon’s centre half pairing were the key to victory and MacDonald was the pick of the two.
He dealt with two very different types of strikers effectively. One physical, one small and tricky.
He put his head and boot through everything and it was no real surprise that he rose highest to head home the winner.
A fine performance from a fine player.
Summary
With results elsewhere going in Invergordon’s favour they’re still in with a realistic chance of winning the title. This win has them in 3rd place level on points with Golspie and now only 6 behind leaders Loch Ness.
If they can defend like they did here then they’ll give themselves a chance against anyone and I come away from this respecting how good a side they are.
Whilst it’s only my first North Caley game and I haven’t seen the other teams play I cant fathom how Inverness are bottom of the table off the back of this performance.
They play some excellent football and although defending set pieces seems to be their achilles heel I reckon they have more than enough to propel themselves up the table – and I hope they do!
I urge everyone to pick a North Caley game at some point this season and see what it’s all about.
It’s a super friendly atmosphere and a high standard of attractive football in one of the most beautiful parts of the country… and it’s absolutely free to watch.
On a final note, after I put out on Twitter than I was coming up for the game Inverness Athletic got in touch and presented me with a pin badge and scarf after the game.
A real touch of class and when I come back for another North Caley game later in the season I know where I’ll be going next.
GroundhopScot 