Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Ross County beat Forres Mechanics 5-1 at Mosset Park with braces from Brian Graham and Joe Coyle in their first pre-season friendly of summer 2026.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Stephen Frail took charge of the County side that travelled to Forres while Stuart Kettlewell led a separate squad to Invergordon, where the Staggies won 7-0 on the same afternoon.
Joe Coyle opened the scoring for County at Mosset Park to put the visitors ahead early. Brian Graham, returning to the club for a third spell after signing in May 2026, then added a second to give the Staggies a two-goal cushion.
Graham struck again just before the hour mark to make it 3-0, before Coyle completed his own brace around 20 minutes from time. Akil Wright added a fifth for Ross County before Forres Mechanics grabbed a consolation through Josh Taylor for the hosts, who are known as the Mighty Cans.
The Turning Point
Graham's second goal, arriving just before the hour mark, effectively ended any hope of a Forres comeback. With County already 2-0 up, the 38-year-old striker's finish stretched the lead to three and allowed Frail's side to control proceedings at their own pace for the remainder of the match.
Key Performers
Brian Graham — The veteran forward, back at Ross County for a third stint, marked his return with two clinical finishes. His experience and movement caused problems for the Forres defence throughout.
Joe Coyle — Also scored a brace, including the opening goal that settled any early nerves. His sharpness in front of goal stood out in County's first competitive minutes of pre-season.
Josh Taylor (Forres Mechanics) — The home side's brightest moment came through his consolation strike, a well-taken goal that ensured Forres got on the scoresheet against a side three divisions above them.
By the Numbers
Ross County fielded two entirely separate squads on the same afternoon, scoring a combined 12 goals across their two friendlies. The Forres match was a one-sided affair in terms of chances created, with County's superior fitness and quality telling from early on. Forres' single goal provides a small positive for manager Steven MacDonald to build on ahead of the 2026/27 Highland League campaign.
What It Means
For Ross County, this was the first run-out of pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 Scottish Championship campaign — the club was relegated from the Scottish Premiership at the end of the 2025/26 season. They continue their friendly schedule against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 4 July 2026.
Forres Mechanics used the match as preparation for the new Breedon Highland League season. They face Inverness Caledonian Thistle next in pre-season on 3 July 2026, followed by Burghead Thistle on 8 July.
Verdict
A professional, no-nonsense pre-season workout from Ross County. The scoreline accurately reflected the gulf in class between a professional side and a Highland League opponent. Graham and Coyle's sharpness in front of goal is a positive early sign for County supporters ahead of life in the Championship.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 27 Jun 2026