Loughlin father and son duo lead the way as Inver open league campaign with bumper win at Lairg
Father and son footballing duo Paul and Jayden Loughlin are proving to be the driving force behind free-scoring Inver’s superb start to the summer amateur season.
Having already helped the Easter Ross side to two resounding victories in the Highland Amateur Cup, the Loughlin pair were at the heart of the action again on Saturday, as they opened their North West Sutherland league campaign with a convincing 7-1 win away to Lairg Rovers.
Jayden, a left back who also features for Alness United’s under-18s during the winter, joined the club last summer and made an immediate impact, going on to win Inver’s Young Player of the Year award.
Dad Paul, an experienced presence in the midfield for the side in recent seasons, remains an ever-influential figure both on and off the pitch.
The pair made club history earlier this month in the Highland Amateur Cup first round against Dornoch, when both found the net in a remarkable 16-1 win.
It is believed to be the first time a father and son have scored in the same competitive match for Inver.
The milestone scoring feat followed a bumper 6-0 away win against Thurso Swifts in the preliminary round in April — a result that helped set the tone for what is already shaping up to be a promising season for manager Paul Connolly’s side.
In Saturday’s league opener at Lairg, Inver were clinical from the outset.
Harris Mackenzie opened the scoring with a composed finish and Jack Traynor soon made it two with a bullet header.
Club captain Jack Corbett added a third with a powerful back-post drive before Aiden Stainke notched a fourth to complete a dominant first half.
Mackenzie struck again shortly after the restart, but Lairg responded with a well-taken consolation from Aaron Grant.
Inver were in no mood to let their grip on the game slip and they extended through a penalty after Jayden Loughlin was brought down in the area. Jordan Hailes then converted from the spot to restore the five-goal margin.
The final flourish came courtesy of a superb piece of link-up play between father and son.
Paul delivered a neatly-weighted diagonal ball into the path of Jayden, who showed great composure to slot home — wrapping up another high-scoring win.
Inver boss Paul Connolly praised the duo and underlined the importance of the strong start his side have made.
“Jayden joined us last season and is a cracking talent,” Connolly explains. “He won our young player of the year award with pretty much every vote.
“His father Paul has been with us for a few seasons now and has made such a difference to the squad.
“He demands high standards in every training session and is someone the young boys really look up to. Let’s hope they can both keep it going.”
38-year-old Paul Loughlin says the chance to play alongside son Jayden is one he is relishing — having almost given up on playing the game himself.
“It’s an amazing feeling getting to play alongside him after a few years out of football.
“I didn’t think I’d be back playing so to get playing alongside him makes me proud. I’m watching him turn into a good young player while being part of it with him.
“Inver have a really good young side this year so we have our fingers crossed for a trophy this season to top it off.”
Elsewhere, Melvich began their league campaign in devastating form with a 12-2 victory over Embo.
Leading 5-0 at half time, they added another seven in a relentless second half showing.
The goals came from James Murray (3), Kieran MacGregor (3), Harvey Labor (2), Robbie Boyd, Lucas Reid, Lewis Mackay and James Mackintosh.
Embo found the net twice through David Bell and Ross McDermid.
Tain Thistle began their title defence with a 6-2 win over Brora Wanderers at the Links, and notably, six different players were on the scoresheet.
Adrian Voigt opened the scoring before Josh Lohse doubled the lead with a composed finish after a fine cross-field pass from Finn As-Chainey.
Brora responded through Tony Miller, who capitalised on a defensive error and the same player added a second before half time, narrowing the gap to 3-2 after John Maclellan had headed home from a Jamie Skinner cross.
In the second half, Kealan Hartnett scored a superb solo goal before winning a penalty that As-Chainey converted.
Billy Knox rounded off the scoring with a side volley from another Skinner assist.
Golspie Stafford also made a strong start to their campaign with a 4-2 away win to Lochinver at Culag Park.
Despite falling behind to an own goal early on, Stafford levelled through Morgan Kennedy just before half time.
In the second half, Alexander Mackay struck twice — first after latching onto a Luke Macbeath knock-on, then again with a composed finish from the edge of the box.
Shaun Urquhart added a fourth after a spell of neat passing, but Stafford had to play the closing stages with ten men after Mark Mackenzie was sent off.
Lochinver pulled a goal back through a second own goal, but the visitors held on for the points.
The only other game of the day, Dornoch City v Helmsdale United, was cancelled after the home club failed to raise a team.
A 3-0 win has subsequently been award to Helmsdale.
