Old boys benefit from Highland Hospitality

Former Inverness players Adam Rooney and Jonny Hayes were the benefactors as Inverness dished out presents at Pittodrie. Shaleum Logan scored in between these two and Inverness had Josh Meekings scoring his first for the club and Marley Watkins adding a second just after the break, but it was never going to be enough if you give away goals to a side of Aberdeen's calibre.

Aberdeen having scored seven goals in their last two games unsurprisingly went with Rooney and Goodwillie up front as they looked to climb into the top six and Inverness went with continuity which meant no place in the starting eleven for James Vincent, Nick Ross or Danny Williams.

Blustery conditions at Pittodrie saw an even start to the game as both sides settled into the match and Adam Rooney had the first snippet but he headed over after five minutes from a Goodwillie cross.

Marley Watkins was first to trouble the Dons defence but his run was crowded out before he could pull the trigger as Inverness settled down for a testing afternoon.

Goodwillie did have the ball in the net, however his acrobatic overhead strike was ruled out as the whistle had already gone. However it would not be long before a legal goal was scored and it came from an unlikely source. Watkins was fouled some thirty yards out and Tansey took the free kick perfectly as he found Josh Meekings unmarked and he powerfully headed his first goal for Inverness from around ten yards.

Goodwillie had a chance to level things but he shot weakly at Brill who stopped his effort low down to his left. Inverness were starting to sit deeper as the Dons went looking for an equaliser and they didn't have to do too much to get it as Warren was woefully short with a headed pass back and Rooney needed no second chance as he tucked the ball away after rounding the keeper to bring parity to the proceedings.

Gary Warren almost made amends immediately but his header crashed back off the post from a Doran corner as Inverness responded to that set back.

As the game went into the second phase of the first half Aberdeen were beginning to look more dangerous and Inverness had to deal with a series of swift attacks, Pawlett and Hayes looking in the mood to have a go. It was probably no surprise then when Aberdeen got their noses in front after Hayes did the spade work. The ball eventually being fed to Logan by Goodwillie and he fired home with aplomb to turn the game around with five minutes to go before the break, somersaulting his way towards the fans in gymnastic celebration.

Still time for Brill to make a save from an angled Rooney strike, the keeper turning the ball over the bar to keep Inverness interested just before the interval.

Half Time 2-1

No changes at the half time cuppa but it took Inverness only five minutes to get back on level terms. Ryan Christie played a big part driving at the Dons defence and feeding McKay. He was blocked and the ball broke to Watkins who slipped into the box and knocked the ball calmly over Langfield.

Barry Robson and Ross Draper come together as things got a bit tasty. Brave lad Barry, or maybe just the old Robson niggley whinger showing through and he would eventually get booked for continually having a go at Draper.

McKay sets Watkins into the box and he finds Christie but he was unable to get a shot away as the move breaks down.

However, we don't do anything the easy way and gave away another sloppy goal. Draper lost possession in a tangle with Warren and the ball broke for Goodwillie who forced Brill to make a great diving save, but the palmed ball landed neatly for Jonny Hayes and he ends up with a simple goal to restore the Dons advantage. Two bloopers from Inverness that they won't want to see again. Meh!

Hayes was prominent again as he raced forward from the half way line, seconds after a Christie snapshot went wide but Inverness recovered to block as Rooney lurked with intent at the near post.

Draper seems to be a target for the Aberdeen thugs and Logan brought the big midfielder down to earn a booking, but Tansey crashed his free kick straight at Langfield.

The game is still open at this point with over an hour gone and our ball retention has turned into ball give away, Inverness need to be more careful, considering the way we have conceded a couple of the goals.

Alleged Aberdeen target Graeme Shinnie is doing his utmost to drive the Highlanders forward in search of an equaliser as Yogi makes a double substitution, replacing Ryan Christie and Aaron Doran with Danny Williams and Nick Ross with fifteen minutes left. Maybe a ploy to keep the width to the Inverness attack which had become too narrow.

Aberdeen make their first changes with Cammy Smith coming on for Goodwillie with twelve minutes left.

The Dons seem content to hold what they have as Inverness play the game in the final third without any real penetration though, but it's not for the lack of trying, although the home defence look fairly comfortable.

Dead ball expert Barry Robson forced Brill into a good save with a superb free kick as the Dons tried to extend their lead going into the last ten minutes, the keeper diving low to save.

Draper gets a ball into the box but it lands at the feet of the wrong man if you like and Nick Ross scoops his shot high, no, very high over to the joy of the Aberdeen fans. Another surge by Inverness as the clock runs into over time. Shinnie almost squared the game in the ninetieth minute but he pulled his shot wide and the game ended with Inverness' generosity enabling Aberdeen to keep all three points in the Granite City.

Full Time 3-2

This was a tremendous opportunity for Inverness to cement their position at the top of the table but I'm afraid we gifted Aberdeen a couple of goals and in the end we never did quite enough to get back on level terms. Disappointing result given the manner of the gifts considering Yogi has built the team around ball retention and playing it out from the back. Today that backfired and our once reliable defence is creaking as the goals continue to be difficult for Billy to find. On the plus side, Meekings got off the mark and Watkins scored again. We never played badly if you remove the errors, and on another day could have left Pittodrie with something.

   

tm4tj MotM:- Dons target Graeme Shinnie was always available to drive the team forward and he was well assisted by Marley Watkins, but Graeme just shades it for sheer effort.

This result hoists Aberdeen into the top six and Inverness drop to third in the table behind surprise chasers Hamilton who trounced Motherwell in the Lanarkshire derby. But, top of the table goes to the impressive Dundee United who beat St Johnstone in the Tayside derby.

Highland derby next week as County travel to Inverness on the back of their first win of the season. Should make for an interesting Sunday brunch. Keep the faith.
 

Subs (not used):  Scott Brown, Craig Murray, Nicky Low,  Craig Storey,

Scorers: Rooney (24), Logan (40), Hayes (59)

Booked: Robson, Logan
Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 2

Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Draper, Tansey, Watkins, Doran (Ross 74), Christie (Willliams 74), McKay

Subs (not used):  Esson, Devine, Tremarco, Polworth, Vincent, 

Scorers: Meekings (16), Watkins (50)

Booked: Draper, Tansey
Sent Off: none