Invergordon grab late victory against Alness United in Ross derby in North Caledonian League opening day
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North Caledonian League
Alness United 2
Invergordon 3
Scorers – Alness: McKenzie (53) McFee (55). Invergordon: Goller (18) Morrison (22) Stewart (85 og)
Invergordon claimed the bragging rights in the Ross derby as an own goal five minutes from time gave them all three points on the opening day of the North Caledonian League.
Alness United stormed back from 2–0 down early in the second half to level and could have taken the lead if it was not for a saved penalty in a crazy six minute spell.
But it was the visitors who took all three points at Dalmore Park after an unfortunate header in the Alness defence looped into their own net.
Despite Alness creating the better chances at the start of the match, Invergordon took the lead with two goals in four minutes midway through the first half.
Their opening goal came in the 18th minute when Darran Goller beat the offside trap to run on to Scott MacIver's ball and fired a powerful strike into the top right corner of the net from 18 yards.
Four minutes later, Kenneth Morrison was unchallenged in the box to head a cross from the left wing into the net to double their advantage and give them a 2–0 lead at half time.
But Alness stormed back in the second half scoring twice in the space of two minutes to level the game, 10 minutes after the break.
They were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute in bizarre circumstances when it appeared Charles Macdonald was guilty of handball in the box from Invergordon's own goal kick. Michael McKenzie fired the ball home from the spot.
Ryan McFee equalised two minutes later when he pounced on the ball after a lack of communication in the Invergordon defence and fired home past Steven Martin.
Before the hour mark Alness United were awarded another penalty, but Martin pulled off a tremendous save from McKenzie with a diving block at the bottom right corner of the net.
Invergordon looked the more dangerous in the closing stages, with Calum Gow's cross into the box finding Niall Docherty whose low drive hit the right post.
But they were gifted victory five minutes from time when Daniel Christie's free kick into the box found the head of Alness defender Ryan Stewart, who could not put enough power on his clearance to divert the ball over the bar as it looped into the top right corner of the net.
Other results
Golspie Sutherland 4 Inverness Athletic 4.
Nairn County A 3 St Duthus 2.
Halkirk United 3 Thurso 0.
League table available by clicking here.
