Clachnacuddin kicked off their KDM Evolution Trophy group stage campaign as they proved too good for Dundee United B in their opening match with a 5-0 win at Grant Street Park in Inverness. The Lilywhites are one of four Highland League teams who have been invited to compete in the competition which has been expanded to 40 teams this season. Dundee United, currently 9th in the Premiership with 33 points from 33 games, will look to bounce back from this loss in their next match. The group phase includes 10 League One clubs including Ross County, along with 10 League Two clubs and 10 Premiership B-teams along with 10 guest clubs in the tournament’s opening round. The 10 guest clubs include Banks o’Dee, Berwick Rangers, Bonnyrigg Rose, Clachnacuddin, Clydebank, Cowdenbeath, Cumbernauld Colts, Formartine United, Fraserburgh and Gala Fairydean Rovers. Highland League champions Brora Rangers are not involved as they were invited to compete in the Scottish League Cup earlier this season. Championship clubs, including Inverness Caledonian Thistle who finished runners-up last season, will enter the competition in the Round of 32 as seeded clubs, alongside teams finishing in the top six of the league phase, with the remainder of the competition following a traditional knock-out format. Points gained by clubs across six match days will feed into one league table, with the top 22 clubs qualifying for the knock-out Round of 32. Clachnacuddin return to action in the Highland League on Saturday when they take on Keith at Grant Street Park. The Lilywhites did find the opener in the 14th minute. Harry Nicolson won the ball off the United defence and set up Mikey Mackenzie at the edge of the box to curl into the top right corner. Five minutes later they doubled their advantage as Mackenzie drove into the box and his shot ricocheted off a defender falling to Sam Thompson who fired home from 10 yards out. It was 3-0 in the 27th minute when Macrae saw his shot saved which rolled to Sam Thompson whose effort was cleared off the line. Cooper then fired it home at third time of asking as Clach were cruising. They had to wait until the 71st minute to find their fourth. Cooper’s cross from the right wing found the head of Macrae and he powered the ball into the bottom right corner from 12 yards. Mackenzie got his second of the night to make it 5-0 with 11 minutes remaining. Dundee United, who are 37 points behind the leaders Heart of Midlothian, will look to regroup and refocus for their next match. Dundee United have scored 34 goals this season, conceding 53, resulting in a -19 goal difference. The team has recently been in a WLWWL form, with their last win coming in their previous match.