Brink of Glory

Inverness stand on the brink of glory after all but confirming their European status with a 2-1 victory over arch rivals Dundee United. A miserable day weatherwise turned into an even wetter night as constant rain dampened the atmosphere and the playing surface became saturated. That would bring about the opening goal after only two minutes  as a passback stuck in the water, and when Esson rushed his clearance it fell to Robbie Muirhead some 40 yards out and he saw his opportunity to put the ball into the empty net. Inverness got to grips with the conditions and levelled seven minutes before the break, Edward Ofere knocking home after good work down the left side opened the goal for him. The winner was a spectacular Volley from Danny Williams when a clearance fell to him on the edge of the box and he volleyed a dipping shot over the keeper. Despite a late flurry from United, Inverness held on to move tantalisingly close to clinching third place, a great achievement for Manager of the Year John Hughes and everybody at the club.

Twas a damp night in the Sneck and the atmosphere got even damper when United scored before some folk had taken their oilskins off. Deputising defender Danny Devine stroked a ball back towards Ryan Esson, but it floundered in a small loch outside of Esson's box. Ryan did his best to reach the ball first as he paddled outside his area, but as he cleared a tackle came in from Ciftci and the ball only skidded to Robbie Muirhead nearly forty yards from goal. He did what he had to do and chipped the ball calmly into the unguarded net for an early opener for United. Minor disaster for Inverness who were looking to stay ahead in the race for Europe.

The constant rain made many wonder if the game should have started as water splashed off the park as the players treaded water around the ground.

This spurred United on in the early part and they almost got a second fluke. Muirhead exchanged passes on the right side and he flighted a cross into the box. It curled over Esson but came back off the bar, much to the relief of the home support.

Muirhead was the main threat at this moment and Esson had to react smartly to dive to his right and punch away a free kick as United penned Inverness in their own half for the majority of the first period.

Ross Draper averted a certain second goal when a loose ball outside the box was latched onto by Ciftci. He nutmegged one defender and sprinted towards the six yard box, but Draper was alert to it and mopped up (no pun intended) with a tremendous last ditch sliding tackle to clear the danger.

Inverness were starting to get to grips with the pace of the game and scored a wonderful team goal. Graeme Shinnie picked up in the middle of the park and fed Danny Williams. He turned and laid a brilliant ball into the path of Watkins who found the byeline before laying it on a plate for Edward Ofere to knock home. Super goal and just the boost Inverness were looking for.

Watkins, Vincent and Shinnie were involved a few minutes later as Inverness turned the game on it's head. When Shinnie's right footed cross came into the box it was headed out to around twenty five yards where Danny Williams was standing. One touch on his chest and one bounce on the sodden turf before his sweet left foot volley flew up and over the keeper to put the homesters ahead before the break.

Half Time 2-1

Ofere really should have added a second just after the break when Watkins got in behind the defence. He whistled a ball across the box but Ofere knocked it past the upright as he came in to the six yard box at the back post. Would we regret no taking advantage of our dominant spell?

Williams was chief tormentor by now and did well to keep the ball in play down the left. His cross found Watkins rushing goalwards but the defenders challenge did enough to unsettle him and the ball narrowly missed the far post.

Another bursting run from Williams saw Watkins stroke the ball home but a narrow offside decision robbed him of a third goal. Some great creativity on display but no further goals to show for it as United were put through the wringer, no pun intended again.

With there only being one goal in it, United thought they might sneak a point and but for a couple of rash slashes at the ball they might have taken something from the game. However, they were reduced to swinging balls into the box in the hope that our solid defence would falter . Substitute Henri Anier had a shot blocked by a wall of bodies and then fired the rebound over the bar, and Meekings' luck continued as he sliced a clearance fairly close to his own goal; and breathe. However, we held firm to see out the game, despite this late flurry.

Full Time 2-1

Great result for Inverness after going behind so early on a night suited for ducks. United finished the game strongly after realising they were still in the game but Inverness did just enough to earn the points and edge closer to Euro footie. Danny Williams was darting around like a man possessed and he gets my nod for MotM. Another great performance from Graeme Shinnie as well and he showed his captains credentials when he squared up to the massive United defender Jaroslow Fojut after a bit of afters with Ofere. Nice one Graeme, we will miss you.

So, seven points ahead of our two nearest challengers. It's all to play for next weekend in Tayside as we go to Dens Park and United take on St Johnstone. Bring it on.

Date: 05/05/15  Venue: Caledonian Stadium    Attendance: 2426
Referee: Calum Murray
 
Inverness CT: 2
Lineup: Esson, Meekings, Warren, Devine, Shinnie, Draper, Tansey, Watkins (Doran 90), Vincent (Ross 87), Williams (Christie 81), Ofere 

Subs (not used): Mackay, Tremarco, Polworth, Kink

Scorers: Ofere (38), Williams (43)

Booked: Ofere (63)
Sent Off: none
 
Dundee Utd: 1
Lineup: Cierzniak, McGowan (Dillon 52), Fojut, Morris, Dixon, Telfer (Anier 71), Rankin, Souttar, Spittal (Erskine 59), Ciftci, Muirhead
Subs (not used): Szromnik, Butcher, Connolly, Smith

Scorers: Muirhead (2)

Booked: Dixon (58), Fojut (63)
Sent Off: none

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