The 2025/26 league campaign began with a 3-0 loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.  First half goals from Billy McKay and Luis Longstaff got the highlanders on their way before David Wotherspoon sealed all three points on the hour mark.

The visitors didn’t have to wait long before opening the scoring through veteran striker McKay.  After Caley Thistle won the ball back high up the pitch McKay found space and curled into the bottom corner from just outside the box.

Scott Kellacher’s side doubled their lead just before the break through former Cove Rangers winger Luis Longstaff.  Wotherspoon’s looped cross found Longstaff in the middle of the box who caressed a header past Corey Armour.

The third goal came in the 60th minute through former St Johnstone playmaker David Wotherspoon.  Their high press was rewarded as Wotherspoon capitalised on a mistake from overplaying out of the defence.  The Canadian took a good touch and dinked his shot over Armour for Caley Thistle’s third.  

Caley Thistle were good value for their lead and could’ve had more.  Alfie Stewart forced Armour into a good save before half-time.  Kelty’s best chance came in the first half when Innes Murray forced Ross Munro into a good save down to his right.  Murray would later in the match strike the crossbar from a free-kick.

Inverness were unlucky to not add more to their goal tally when they hit the post twice inside 10 seconds.  Stewart hit the post inside the box, the rebound was saved and McKay could only strike the post again from the follow-up.

Reflecting on the opening day defeat to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware admitted “Inverness deserved to win the game, quite considerably as well.  The manner in which we conceded some of the goals was disappointing.  We found ourselves a goal down after five minutes, which can happen, but our reaction to that was poor.”   

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)