Superb Samuels at the double to delight Dodds

BILLY DODDS expressed excitement at Austin Samuels’ Championship potential after the explosively-paced striker’s two-goal show lit up the Caledonian Stadium.

The Highlanders’ pace and intensity delighted their manager as they grasped a first league win to move joint-second in the table behind pacesetters Dundee.

It was a powerful attacking display, with ex-Wolves forward Samuels influential and unlucky not to grab a hat-trick.

Aaron Doran and Nathan Shaw also netted, although Cove enjoyed a strong spell early in the second half with Robbie Leitch’s reply for 2-1 sparking hope.

Dodds said: ‘I told the boys we had to play with intensity and energy and we were excellent in the first half.

‘I thought we moved the ball great and dominated, but I knew what was coming with them making changes and having a wee go.

‘When we lose the goal, it could have become a long second half, but I had asked for focus and dig when things went against us — and they gave us that.

‘Austin excites me. I like him as a lad and that is why I brought him here.

‘He is still young, but he can be scary to play against. He just needs to know how to use his speed, but he looked dangerous.’

Dodds, making five changes from the draw at Arbroath, had already seen Cove gain a League Cup draw at the Caledonian Stadium.

The hosts were quick to assert control and almost took a fourthminute lead.

Robbie Deas’ through ball found Cammy Harper tearing through on the left and his low strike drew a brilliant reaction save down low from Kyle Gourlay, turning it wide of the post.

It was 1-0 two minutes later.

After composed build-up play, Doran’s measured through ball was controlled by Samuels at pace through the middle.

The ex-Wolves striker then steadied and curled a lovely finish over Gourlay with ease.

Cove changed shape against the barrage of pressure, but struggled to adapt.

Caley Jags’ second after 31 minutes again came from good build-up play, with Daniel Mackay slicing inside from the left and swerving in an attempt.

Doran raced onto it seven yards out and knocked it past Gourlay for his first goal in 11 months.

Cove brought on experienced Iain Vigurs for Morgyn Neill at the break and looked re-energised, netting 90 seconds after the restart.

Fraser Fyvie’s through ball found Mitch Megginson angling a low attempt towards goal.

Mark Ridgers saved with an outstretched leg, but Leitch raced in to find the empty net.

Home persistence paid off with a crucial third goal in the 75th minute.

After sustained pressure, Daniel Mackay’s ball across from the left was controlled by the chest of Billy Mckay and stabbed across the six-yard box.

Samuels was sharp to it, knocking the killer finish past Gourlay.

Samuels was denied a hat-trick by a strong late save by Gourlay. But the fourth came when Gourlay raced out to block the oncoming Samuels and substitute Shaw followed up to find the empty net with the last kick of the day.

Cove boss Jim McIntyre held his hands up to an early tactical switch, but felt his team didn’t get tight enough to the Highlanders.

McIntyre said: ‘We never started well at all. I changed the shape, so the first 15 minutes is on me.

‘I chose to start with a back five, but we never got tight enough to Caley Thistle and left far too many gaps.

‘Caley’s front five exploited that. We couldn’t live with their pace.’