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Caley Thistle's 500th senior game ended in defeat as Motherwell ran out 3-1 winners at Fir Park. 2-0 down after only 10 minutes, Caley Thistle had an uphill struggle to get back into the game but despite Don Cowie's 19th minute goal, it was not to be. There were plenty of talking points in this game - from tactics and team selection to a "stonewall" penalty claim near the end. 20/02/08 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 3 Clarkson (7,42), Porter (10) Team: G Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, D Smith (Lappin 53), Lasley, Fitzpatrick, Clarkson, McCormack (Maguire 73), Porter (J Murphy 89) Subs: McLean, D Murphy, Archdeacon, Daniels INVERNESS CT 1 Cowie (19) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, fMcGuire, Hastings, Duncan, McBain (Paatelainen 76), Cowie, Imrie (Black 76), Wyness, Bayne Subs: Watt, McAllister, Kerr, Vigurs, Malkowski Referee John Underhill Attendance 4526 Manager Craig Brewster made two changes to the side that had managed a 1-1 draw with Dundee United. Out went Marius Niculae and Ian Black with Dennis Wyness and Graham Bayne replacing them. Russell Duncan made his 250th ICT appearance in this game. Motherwell started brightly and within 10 minutes had established a 2-0 lead. A couple of early chances came to nothing but in 7 minutes Ross McCormack found David Clarkson in the box with a pass and he took a touch before sending a powerful shot past Fraser. Three minutes later it was number two, this time down the left. Stevie Hammell crossed to the back post and Chris Porter was there to head home his 13th of the season. Caley Thistle at this stage were not in the game at all and further chances fell to Motherwell with McCormack, Porter and Clarkson combining to run the Caley Jags ragged. The only bright spot for Caley Thistle up to this point was a Don Cowie effort that had gone well wide but in 19 minutes he was to get one on target well and truly against the run of play. A flick from Wyness fell just nicely for him and he blasted a dipping, swerving shot past the helpless Graeme Smith from 25 yards. 2-1 The game was a little more open after this but Motherwell were definitely in the ascendency and in 25 minutes Mike Fraser did well to get down and push away a Ross McCormack effort that looked goal-bound. It all went pear-shaped again in 41 minutes when the ever impressive David Clarkson got his second and Motherwell's third. A corner was floated in by Hammell and headed out of defence but it only got as far as Clarkson on the edge of the box and he volleyed it into the roof of the net giving Fraser no chance. Caley Thistle almost got one back immediately through Dougie Imrie as play raged to the other end but Smith got the better of him in a one-on-one situation and Dennis Wyness couldn't connect with the rebound. Half Time: 3-1 The second half started brightly, with Porter hitting the bar just 30 seconds after the restart and a couple of minutes later, Ross Tokely heading the ball onto the junction of post and bar from a Don Cowie corner with the keeper well beaten. In 51 minutes, Caley Thistle hit the bar again. This time it was Grant Munro getting on the end of another Don Cowie corner. The first half, and the early stages of the second half were full of pace and action, but inevitably, when that happens things eventually slow right down and so they did. As the pace of the game dropped, so it seemed did Caley Thistle's chance to come back into it. In fact, one of the few highlights of the second half was the substitution of the referee. John Underhill was injured and 4th official Frank McDermott had to take over in 75 minutes. McDermott didn't have a lot to do but did have a moment of controversy five minutes from the end. In what looked like a stonewall penalty claim, Duncan went down in the box but the referee waved away the claims and the game fizzled out without any further action. Full Time: 3-1

You ever had one of those days where nothing went right? For Craig Brewster, this match will rank up there as being one of the worst..... Graham Bayne and Ross Tokely were both red carded, the fans were furious at what they saw as bad refereeing and the game was lost 0-3 as the team simply did not perform. Add the horrible early winter wind, rain, and sleet to this and it made today's game feel even worse. Motherwell's goals came from David Clarkson - one in each half - and Darren Smith who got a goal 3 minutes from time. 10/11/07 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium INVERNESS CT 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, McCaffrey, Hastings, Cowie, Duncan, Black (Wilson 46), McBain (Rankin 79), Bayne, Wyness (Niculae 75) Subs: D. McDonald, Vigurs, Kerr, Malkowski MOTHERWELL 3 Clarkson (15,53), Smith (87) Team: Smith, Quinn, Reynolds, Craigan (Kinniburgh 81), Paterson, McGarry (Smith 70), Lasley, O'Donnell, Clarkson, Porter, McCormack (Grabban 70) Subs: Corrigan, Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Meldrum Referee Chris Boyle Attendance 3608 Craig Brewster made one change to the side that lost last week against Rangers. Don Cowie returned to the side and David Proctor dropped out altogether. John Rankin, whose continued absence from the squad prompted much discussion on the forums was listed as a substitute. Mark McGhee named the same side that started the previous week for Motherwell which meant an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Referee Chris Boyle was in charge of only his 4th SPL match in two years and had issued 12 yellows and two reds in the previous 3 SPL games. That would rise to 14 and 4 by the end of this game. The whistler has also been card happy in his other games this season with his stats for all 7 games he has officiated this season being 30 yellows and 6 reds !!! Anyhow, on to the game itself …. The first fifteen minutes were pretty turgid and there were no real chances. Motherwell probably had the better of play but the closest they came to goal was earning a corner in 10 minutes which went out for a goal kick. Another corner came in the 15th minute and Motherwell went ahead. Ross McCormack took an inswinging corner. It was headed on by Stephen Craigan and David Clarkson was on hand to turn it into the net. A couple of minutes later and Motherwell might have been two ahead – Chris Porter headed the ball into the net from a Ross McCormack cross but it was judged as offside. A minute after that Ross McCormack had another effort but his drive went over the bar. Graham Bayne had been getting pulled up all afternoon by the ref and after giving away more fouls in 23, 24 and 26 minutes, the ref finally booked him for persistent fouling. Although Motherwell were in the ascendancy, it was not all one-way traffic and Caley Thistle had three good chances near the end of the half. Tokely and Wyness combined to setup Russell Duncan and he decided to have a go from 20 yards. Unfortunately it went way over the bar. A couple of minutes later a Cowie free-kick was headed into the six yard box and Grant Munro got on the end of it. Despite some cheers from the crowd as the net bulged, it soon became apparent that it was bulging the wrong way and the shot had hit the side netting. 4 minutes from half-time and it was Russell Duncan again who had another chance, this time he shot from 18 yards but put it left of target. Half-Time ICT 0-1 Motherwell Craig Brewster made a substitution at half-time and this too has been the subject of a lot of debate. Many felt that Niculae for Bayne may have been sensible given the referee’s apparent dislike for Graham’s style of play but it was Barry Wilson who came on and Ian Black that was subbed. Rumours of a half-time dressing room bust-up and sightings of Blackie leaving the stadium before the second half even kicked off have been rampant ever since …. The folly of not subbing Graham Bayne at half-time would come back to haunt the Caley Jags gaffer after just 5 minutes. He was adjudged to have fouled David Clarkson on the half way line and the referee deemed it a bookable offence. As he had already been booked the red was produced and Caley Thistle were down to 10 men. Barely two minutes later and the game was effectively over. Ross McCormack made a run down the left wing and crossed to the back post for Clarkson. It was blocked near the line by Motherwell player Chris Porter but Clarkson blasted the rebound high into the net to make it 2-0. The fact that this goal was allowed to stand, with Porter not once but twice being in an offside position in many fans and players eyes ended it for Caley Thistle. From this point on every decision the ref made was questioned, the players became frustrated and it was inevitable that more yellows or reds were to follow. Roy McBain was the next one into the book as he lambasted the so-called “assistant referee” after a challenge from James Paterson and then he went back for more and was lucky not to walk for it. A red card however was coming in the near future and in the 62nd minute, it was issued to fan favourite Ross Tokely who was judged to have elbowed/punched Steve McGarry as the pair tussled off the ball. There is a suggestion that McGarry made the most of it, and that his own manager may have made a diving gesture to the player when he was subbed a little later, but the bottom line is that Tokely raised his hands (or elbow) to the player and you just don’t do that … to do it with 11 men on the park is bad enough, but to do it when you are 2-0 down and already down to 10 men is inexcusable. It is also somewhat reminiscent of a similar incident at Ayr a few years ago where the big man lost it, got sent off and was forced to spend the rest of the match in the team bus as ICT were hammered 5-1. The scoreline didn’t get that bad in this match, but it might have had the Motherwell attackers got more on target. In 66 minutes David Clarkson shot over the bar and Porter did similar in 70 minutes. Fifteen minutes before the end, Marius Niculae replaced Wyness but he could do nothing to get ICT back into it. It was definitely a rearguard action as the team went to a 4-3-1 formation with Cowie covering at right back and this meant that Motherwell could basically attack at will. The third nearly came in 77 minutes as Lasley powered through the ICT defence but his cross to Porter was intercepted by Hastings who did well to stop the attack. The last throw of the dice was to bring on John Rankin for Roy McBain in 79 minutes but it was too little too late by this time. 11 minutes isn’t very long to have an impact with 11 players on the park but with 9 its asking for a miracle. Although Don Cowie had just been announced as the sponsors’ man of the match, Motherwell sealed the win with a third goal just 3 minutes from time when “real” man of the match David Clarkson crossed for substitute Darren Smith who slotted home an easy chance. Many ICT fans didn’t see this goal as they had left in droves long before the final whistle in what was undoubtedly one of ICT worst performances in the SPL. Full Time: 0-3 Speaking after the match Craig Brewster had sympathy for Graham Bayne but lambasted Tokely saying “I certainly thought the first sending off is harsh as it seemed that everytime Graham Bayne went up for a ball in the first half he was punished and we told Graham at half-time to be careful. However the second red card is a disgrace, Tokely has let himself down and his team mates down, with ten men you are up against it but with nine men it is damage limitation and I will deal with him internally on Monday.” [source: www.ictfc.co.uk] Club Captain Grant Munro said something very similar “Ross's was a definite red card; what he did was very stupid and he let himself down firstly and also the team. I thought Graham's red card was harsh - it seems for some reason that he gets booked in every game he plays. He's a centre forward so he's got to be strong and I don't think he did much wrong from my own and the team's points of view. It's not about the referee, though, it's about how we perform and we were disappointing, simple as that. The game was very difficult when Graham was sent off and it was an uphill task when Ross stupidly got sent off so it was about digging in and keeping it respectable, but I thought we did that and played a lot better with nine men than we probably did with 11” [source: Scotsman newspaper]

Marius Niculae made his long awaited debut for Inverness and although he had a good game, there was to be no fairytale debut goal. Instead, ICT opened the scoring in the 82nd minute through veteran Ross Tokely but a Phil O'Donnell goal 5 minutes from time and a Ross McCormack penalty right at the death denied Inverness what would have been a deserved victory. 11/08/07 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 2 (O'Donnell 85, McCormack 90pen) Team: Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Paterson, Lasley, O'Donnell, McGarry, Clarkson, Porter (McCormack 76) Subs: Molloy, Smith, Mensing, Corrigan, McLean, Meldrum INVERNESS CT 1 (Tokely 82) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings, Duncan, Cowie, Black, McBain, Wyness (Bayne 63), Niculae (D. McDonald 78) Subs: A. McDonald, Rankin, Sutherland, Wilson, Ridgers Referee Alan Freeland Attendance 4259 Charlie Christie, who was rumoured to have signed a new two year deal before the game, made three changes to the side that lost the previous week to Rangers Out of the squad through injury went Rory McAllister and Barry Wilson and John Rankin were on the bench in favour of Don Cowie and Russell Duncan who started. Marius Niculae, with his work permit situation now resolved replaced Rory up front. Motherwell were the first to attack when David Clarkson went close with a volley from 12 yards out in the first minute. Things settled down a little after that but it was Clarkson again who had the next chance in the game in 16 minutes when he got on the end of a Keith Lasley cross from only six yards out. Fortunately, Mike Fraser was alert and saved with ease. At the other end, Inverness were making chances and Marius Niculae was putting himself about a fair bit but nothing was coming of it. Don Cowie took a succession of free-kicks between the 20th and 30th minute but although he put the Well defence under a little pressure, again they came to nothing even though one did end up at the feet of Niculae who attempted a shot at goal from nearly 30 yards out. On the half hour mark, Caley Thistle had their best chance of the match so far. A Roy McBain corner was met by Ross Tokely but he headed narrowly wide under pressure from the Well defence. 5 minutes from half time, Caley Thistle had numerous chances after a flurry of corner kicks, First Cowie took one that was cleared by Fitzpatrick, then McBain took one which ended with a Cowie shot and a Smith save, then a minute later, after a tipping a Roy McBain effort round the post, Smith saved the resultant corner. Half Time: 0-0 This was a game between two evenly matched sides and the second half had a similar feel to it. However, it was noticeable that Motherwell seemed to have picked up the pace a little and the Caley Jags were not getting as many chances as they had had in the first. Having said that, it was Don Cowie who had the first real chance of the second half .... In 58 minutes, a Ross Tokely through ball fooled Mark Reynolds and Cowie got on the end of it and 20 yards from goal he decided to try and chip the keeper. It went agonisingly close, landing on the roof of the net ! In 62 minutes, Mike Fraser had to look lively to save a Keith Lasley effort. The ICT defence had been split wide open by some good Motherwell passing which resulted in Clarkson releasing Lasley but Mike Fraser saved the effort with his foot. [editors note: one of these quirky little things to keep an eye on !! for two weeks in a row now, Mike has saved a number of shots with his legs/feet as well as his hands] A minute later, Wyness was replaced by Bayne up front and a minute after that, Motherwell again came close from David Clarkson. A Russell Duncan foul on Clarkson resulted in a free kick which Clarkson took himself. He passed it to McGarry who then crossed it back into the box. Clarkson got on the end of it but headed wide from 12 yards. In 70 minutes, Chris Porter came close for the Steelmen. A Mark Reynolds near-post corner was headed just wide from six yards out. It was more or less Porter's last act in the game as he was replaced by Ross McCormack a few minutes later. Marius Niculae was also replaced before the end. Despite working hard throughout this game, it was clear he was not match fit and absolutely knackered so in 79 minutes the chance of a debut goal ended when he was replaced by Dean McDonald. A couple of minutes later and that elusive goal arrived and it couldn't have been more of a contrast than the fans had hoped for or expected. Hoping for a strikers goal from a man making his club debut the fans instead got a defenders goal from a man who holds the club appearance record ... did the fans care ? of course not. it made it 0-1 !!! The goal came from a free kick after Phil O'Donnell had fouled Graham Bayne. Don Cowie - who deserves praise for the effort and level of play he showed in what was also his debut for the club - stepped up to take the free kick and sent it to the far end of the box. Rossco was there to fire it home sweetly into the bottom corner of the net. not a classic goal, but one, so late on, that could and should have been the game winner. The Motherwell of last season may have crumbled at losing a goal so late on, but instead, Mark McGhee's men went looking for an equaliser and it was Inverness who did the crumbling ! In 85 minutes, O'Donnell equalised for Well after he got his head to a Steve McGarry cross and sent it looping past Mike Fraser from close range. If the game had ended there, none of the fans could really have complained at the result, two evenly matched teams sharing the spoils of a game where both had chances to win it. However, the game did not end there and it was heartbreak for Inverness right at the death when Well were awarded a penalty. Skipper Grant Munro was adjudged to have pulled down David Clarkson in the box and referee Alan Freeland awarded a spot kick and booked Grant. Grant has vehemently denied pulling down the player and suggested that the Well man dived but even boss Charlie Christie admitted after the game that it looked like a penalty from where he was. Ross McCormack stepped up to take the kick and made it 2-1 for Well and that is how it finished. Full Time: 2-1 For Caley Thistle, it was very frustrating and in addition to Cowie who was booked early in the game, a flurry of yellows in the last few minutes saw Duncan, Munro and Black also go into the referee' book. With Gretna shipping 4 goals again this week despite leading 2-0 at Hibs, they still lurk in bottom spot on goal difference but both Inverness and St Mirren (our next opponents) have yet to put any points on the board in what is a disappointing start to the season.

A Dargo double in the first half was enough to secure all three points against Motherwell in a typical 'end of season' match where home keeper Michael Fraser was rarely troubled. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot provides the match report from Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. ICT 2-0 MOTHERWELL 21st April 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Dargo 14,44) Team: Fraser, McCaffrey, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Hart, Duncan, Rankin, Paatelainen, Bayne, Dargo (McBain 69) Subs: McAllister, Sutherland, McSwegan, Soane, Duff & Ridgers MOTHERWELL 0 Team: Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Murphy (Quinn 46), Kerr, Vadocz, McBride (McGarry 20), Paterson, McDonald, Clarkson (Smith 75) Subs: McCormack, Fitzpatrick, Molloy & Meldrum Referee Craig MacKay Attendance 3804 Man of the Match Richard Hastings (ICT) A comfortable win for Caley Thistle in the race to be the best of the rest. Importantly the result of this first post-split match ensured that any lingering relegation worries were arithmetically over. Darren Dods came back from suspension but Ian Black remained in the sin bin and was joined by Barry Wilson and Ross Tokely. Young defender Jamie Duff took a place on the bench for the first time and Graham Bayne became the 27th ICT player to join the 100-appearance club. Bayne’s strike partner Craig Dargo played despite being under the weather and he put the finishing touch to good moves by scoring twice. The first real chance came in 13 minutes when a long Grant Munro throw from the left fell for Markus Paatelainen and he shot strongly through the pack in a crowded box – Graeme Smith saw it late but produced a fine save. Within a minute Paatelainen was the provider for the opening goal when he touched the ball from the centre to Dargo racing in for the right - he took it in his stride and his angled shot took a slight deflection as it went past Smith. The pressure on Smith continued and he did well to hold an awkward bouncing 25 yard shot from Richie Hart. Motherwell were forced into a 20th minute substitution when Kevin McBride limped off and Steve McGarry came on. Close to the half-hour mark Scott MacDonald had two rare Motherwell chances but his shots on the turn were easily collected by Mike Fraser. Five minutes from half time Caley Thistle produced arguably the move of the season. Breathtaking interplay amongst four players resulted in Munro heading into the Motherwell box from the left – unselfishly he laid the ball off to Hart but he blasted over the bar from the penalty spot. A minute from the break a high Stuart McCaffrey free kick into the box was head-flicked by Bayne to the feet of Dargo and he sent an angled shot past Smith for his second goal. Half Time: 2-0 The second half was rather pedestrian and there were few chances. In 52 minutes Smith saved a low shot from Bayne after a fine move then Fraser held an overhead kick by Krisztian Vodocz in the home box on 74 minutes. Ten minutes from time a Bayne back-header from a John Rankin chip sailed over the bar. Six minutes later ICT came close to a further goal - a Rankin high free kick into the Motherwell box was knocked back out to him by Dods and Rankin sent a long range shot just wide of the top right corner of the woodwork. Full Time: 2-0 It ended 2-0 and ICT moved up a notch to ninth place. Bottom club Dunfermline beat Dundee United 1-0 and now sit just a point below St Mirren who play Falkirk on Monday. A very interesting relegation battle but thankfully Caley Thistle fans can watch it from the outside.

MOTHERWELL 1-0 ICT: Scott McDonald scored on the stroke of half-time to give Motherwell their first ever win against Caley Thistle at Fir Park. Overall, Well probably deserved the win and Caley Thistle's once fearsome away record continues to crumble - its now 9 away league games without victory!!! Club Historian Ian Broadfoot supplies the official report from this game. 17th February 2007 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 1 (McDonald 45) Team: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Murphy, Darren Lee Smith (McGarry 85), Kerr, Fitzpatrick, Paterson, Clarkson (McCormack 76), McDonald Subs: Keegan, Molloy, Quinn, Vadocz & Meldrum INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Duncan (Black 70), McBain, Rankin (Paatelainen 71), Bayne, McAllister (McSwegan 75) Subs: McCaffrey, Morgan, Soane & Ridgers Referee Mike Tumilty Attendance 4258 Motherwell’s Fir Park has been a happy hunting ground for Caley Thistle since reaching the SPL but not today. A single Scott McDonald goal on the stroke of half time was enough to give the Steelmen victory despite a second half comeback by the visitors. "There was a lack of composure with some of the chances missed and I think in games like today you really see the value of Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness" - Charlie Christie speaking on Official Site. Christie retained the same starting eleven as last week which meant that, with Craig Dargo still injured – and Dennis Wyness out for the rest of the season – Rory McAllister partnered Graham Bayne up front. Mike Fraser continued to make the goalkeeping position his own in a display that saw him just pipped for the BBC ‘Man of the Match’ accolade by Mark Reynolds. Motherwell’s David Clarkson had the first attempt on goal in the second minute but his header from Jim Paterson’s cross went past the post. At the other end Barry Wilson hit wide in eight minutes then Clarkson had a shot well blocked by Mike Fraser. Scott McDonald fired wide in 14 minutes then in 23 minutes Clarkson went down in the Caley Thistle box while chasing a through ball with Fraser – Clarkson was booked for diving. Caley Thistle’s hopes of soaking up the pressure until half time were dashed just as the fourth official signalled one added minute of time. A high Danny Murphy free kick from the left edge of the box eluded the central defenders and McDonald headed home from six yards. Half Time: 1-0 Despite this blow Caley Thistle came out in the second half in a determined mood but just could not find that accurate final touch. Rory McAllister hit off target in 50 and 56 minutes then in 64 minutes Graeme Smith took two attempts to gather a John Rankin volley. In 70 minutes McAllister had another chance following a free kick but he hit just wide. With ten minutes left Mike Fraser did well to block a shot from substitute Ross McCormack and keep his side in the game. At the other end a Darren Dods header was cleared from the danger area by Stephen Craigan. Eight minutes from time ICT substitutes Gary McSwegan and Markus Paatelainen combined but Graeme Smith did well to block the Finn’s shot. The visitors continued to press for an equaliser but it did not come and Motherwell took the points. Full Time: 1-0 Eighth place was retained but on goal difference from Motherwell (who have two games in hand) and Dundee United who play Hibs on Sunday. Dundee Utd V Hibs finished goalless so ICT slip to 9th and DUFC move up to eighth.

Motherwell make it 3 wins in their last 3 visits to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. However, it took until the 90th minute for that victory to be achieved when Darren Dods made a last man challenge that was judged as a foul meaning a red card for him and a penalty for 'Well. Richie Foran made no mistake from the spot. Ian Broadfoot reports. ICT 0-1 MOTHERWELL 2nd December 2006 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 0 Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods , Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Rankin 82), Duncan (Hart 68), Black, McBain, Dargo (McAllister 63), Bayne Subs: McCaffrey, Wyness, Sutherland & Fraser MOTHERWELL 1 (Foran 90pen) Team: Meldrum, Quinn, Craigan (Kinniburgh 89), Reynolds, Paterson, McGarry, Lasley (Corrigan 74), Kerr, Foran, Clarkson (Elliot 72), McDonald Subs: D Smith, Connolly, Fitzpatrick, & G Smith Referee Eddie Smith Attendance 3668 Man of the Match Darren Dods (ICT) Not a game to write home about and with neither side showing any real cutting edge it looked like ending goalless. All that changed two minutes from the end of normal time when Darren Dods upended Scott McDonald and Richie Foran netted from the penalty spot to give Motherwell three precious points. Dods received a second yellow card and headed for an early shower, just minutes after being named ‘Man of the Match’. It was no consolation that Foran was booked for his celebrations in front of the small but vocal travelling support. Charlie Christie made just one change to the starting line-up with Dennis Wyness making way for Graham Bayne. There was heavy overnight rain, and more in the hour leading to kick-off, but it was dry overhead for the match although the surface was slippy. Scott McDonald was always a threat for the visitors and he had two chances from kick-off. First he shot miles wide from 25 yards then he ran for half the length of the park before hitting over the bar. In the fourth minute an excellent ICT move nearly paid off. A Richard Hastings header reached Craig Dargo via Graham Bayne and it was knocked on for Barry Wilson to chase. He did enough to ensure that ‘keeper Colin Meldrum missed it and it fell for Dargo. He hit it across goal from wide left and, with Meldrum stranded, a defender cleared off the line. It was to be a rare moment of excitement in a lacklustre game. A Hastings cross in 14 minutes was volleyed first time by Dargo but Colin Meldrum held it confidently. Meldrum dived to hold a Bayne header in 21 minutes then the move and result were repeated on the half hour mark. Two Dods shots were blocked five minutes from the break then came the best chance of the half. A poor ball out of defence was pounced on by Wilson and, with just Meldrum blocking his route to goal, he hit an angled shot from the right. Meldrum did well to scramble it clear. Motherwell shots were rare in the first half and most were off target. They did create danger seconds before the half time whistle when a low ball from the left skidded across goal and was missed by everybody. Strangely a corner was awarded. Half Time: 0-0 Into the second half and a flurry of activity from the visitors. They still rarely found a route to goal but a David Clarkson header did go just wide in 49 minutes. At the other end Meldrum dealt with anything that came his way and there was little to enthuse about. In 70 minutes Keith Lasley fouled Ian Black and was injured in the process. After a four minute delay, during which Motherwell made two substitutions, Lasley was booked and stretchered off. By now ICT had introduced Rory McAllister and Richie Hart but still nothing came off. Motherwell came close in 78 minutes when McDonald shot over from close range. With two minutes left McDonald was bearing down on Mark Brown’s goal with Dods in pursuit when the defender tackled him and he went down spectacularly. There were half-hearted protests but it was a penalty. Richie Foran gave Brown no chance and the goal proved to be the winner despite five added minutes. Full Time: 0-0 A worrying four games without a goal but seventh spot retained.

Motherwell 1-4 ICT Barry wilson has a great day as he sets up all 4 of Caley Thistle's goals against Motherwell. Ross Tokely opened the scoring in a tight first half but second half goals from Craig Dargo, Grant Munro and Rory McAllister's first league goal - which was also ICT's 100th goal in the SPL - sealed the match in style. 9th September 2006 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 1 (McDonald 71) Team: Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson (MacLean 18), McBride (McGarry 53), Kerr, Lasley, Foran, Elliot (Coakley 65), McDonald Subs – Fitzpatrick, Connolly, McCormack & Meldrum INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 4 (Tokely 25, Dargo 48, Munro 78, McAllister 88) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Black (Morgan 81), Rankin (Keogh 80), McBain, Dargo (McAllister 83), Bayne Subs – McCaffrey, Duncan, Sutherland & Fraser Referee William Collum Attendance 4091 Man of the Match Barry Wilson (ICT) The Hearts’ result at Tynecastle equalled ICT’s worst defeat in the SPL but a fortnight is a long time in football – this fine win at Motherwell equalled the club’s best SPL score. Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas may not have been happy with his strikers or his defence but Charlie Christie was delighted to gain the first SPL victory of the season. With Dennis Wyness still sidelined Craig Dargo came back from injury to partner Graham Bayne up front. Otherwise the team from Tynecastle remained intact. Ian Black, fresh from signing an extended contract, made his 50th appearance. His name may not have appeared on the score sheet but the Highland hero of the day was Barry Wilson who set up all four goals and was always a threat with his pinpoint crosses. After exchanges at both ends Motherwell should have taken the lead in 20 minutes when Kevin McBride failed to connect with a Scott MacDonald cross in a good position. The first goal came five minutes later at the other end when a Wilson free kick was punched away by Graeme Smith but only as far as Ross Tokely. The big defender scored with a looping header to open his account for the season. In 36 minutes the Steelmen came close when a Brian Kerr 20 yard free kick rebounded off the bar. With the break looming Smith parried a Wilson drive and Bayne was robbed of the ball by Brian McLean as he seemed certain to score. Half Time: 0-1 The second goal came just three minutes into the second half when Wilson robbed Paul Quinn and squared the ball to give Dargo a close-range chance which he did not turn down. The Motherwell camp began to realise this was not their day when in 54 minutes Richie Foran missed the easiest of chances from just two yards out. They did pull one back in 71 minutes when Scott McDonald headed home a Keith Lasley free kick. Smith made an excellent save from Dargo in 78 minutes but the resultant corner from Wilson proved fatal. Bayne flicked it on and Grant Munro was in the right place to hammer home his second goal of the season. It was now all over for Motherwell and their fans started to head for home. Youngster Rory McAllister finished the scoring two minutes from time when he headed in another Wilson corner. Full Time: 1-4 A good day’s work, three valuable points and a small but significant climb from tenth to ninth.

ICT staff and supporters worked hard to make sure the pitch was playable, but it was Motherwell who took full advantage and all three points. A Richie Foran penalty was all that separated the sides. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium... Saturday 4th March 2006 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC 0 Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings (Bayne 80), Proctor (Morgan 24), Black, Duncan (Keogh 70), Hart, Wyness, Dargo Subs - Golabek, McCaffrey, Fox & Fraser Motherwell FC 1 (Foran 51pen) Team: Meldrum, Corrigan, Hammell, Kerr, Craigan, McCormack, McDonald (McGarry 83), Foran (Paterson 86), McBride (O'Donnell 80), Clarkson, McLean Subs - Hamilton, Fagan, Kinniburgh & Alexiou Referee S Conroy Attendance 3183 Man of the Match Ross Tokely (ICT) A poor game overall, very few accurate shots and just one goal. Sadly for the home support it was scored by Motherwell's Richie Foran from the penalty spot. Barry Wilson was missing from the Caley Thistle line-up following keyhole surgery on his knee but he was also suspended. David Proctor replaced Wilson but his match ended after 24 minutes when he was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. Heavy snow over the preceding two days had led to a major clearance operation but it was successful and the match went ahead. The pitch was however heavy and mistakes were plentiful. There was barely a minute gone when a Ross Tokely cross from the right reached Ian Black via Richie Hart and Craig Dargo and it was nearly 1-0. Black sent a looping header over ‘keeper Colin Meldrum which looked in but was cleared off the line. A botched pass-back to Meldrum in the fifth minute was intercepted by Dargo on the left and he tried to curl the ball over the ‘keeper and into the net - he came close but it was wide. These two chances were to prove amongst the home side's best of the match. The frantic first five minutes also included two blocked shots from Motherwell's Brian Kerr and a dangerous cross from Kevin McBride which was headed for a corner by Darren Dods. Play began to verge on the reckless but referee Steve Conroy chose not to flourish the yellow card. This tough spell culminated in a 24th minute hefty challenge on David Proctor which led to his departure from the field en route to Raigmore Hospital. Alan Morgan came on to play on the left with Hart moving to the right. Dennis Wyness curled the ball just wide in 27 minutes from 25 yards then seven minutes later Meldrum brought out the save of the match when Hart crossed from the right and Dargo's on-target shot was blocked. The save was also significant because it was the only real test of either ‘keeper all afternoon. With five minutes of the first half remaining Alan McCormack went down in the Caley Thistle box alongside Grant Munro but play was waved on and the referee ignored any suggestion of a dive. Half Time: 0-0 Two minutes into the second half Alan Morgan similarly went down in the Motherwell box and was booked. The home crowd became restless as they could see no difference between the incidents. There was no real protest however in the 50th minute when Tokely tripped McCormack and a penalty was awarded. Tokely was perhaps fortunate to only receive a yellow card but he was deemed not to be the last defender. Richie Foran stepped up to net the spot kick and received a yellow card for an over exuberant celebration. On the hour mark the home crowd was once more left puzzled when Scott McDonald claimed Mark Brown had tripped him in the box but a penalty was refused and again referee Steve Conroy ruled that no card was appropriate. As the second half wore on the home side searched for an equaliser and even replaced defender Richard Hastings with striker Graham Bayne. This left some exposure at the back and a Motherwell breakaway with nine minutes left was only ended by an excellent Grant Munro interception. David Clarkson broke away a minute later but Steve McGarry was offside when the final pass came. With a minute left of the statutory 90 Motherwell substitute James Paterson headed over the bar then into added time Wyness came close at the other end. A classic double shuffle on the left of the box took him past two defenders but his angled shot hit the side netting. There was still time for McCormack to send a long range shot just wide and Motherwell managed to see out the three added minutes safely to earn all three points. Full Time: 0-1 Despite this set back Caley Thistle remain sixth but Aberdeen and Motherwell are in hot pursuit.

Craig Dargo scores a second half double to grab all three points for the Caley Jags in this match at Fir Park, Motherwell. The result takes Caley Thistle into the top 6 of the SPL. Saturday 3rd December 2005 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL FC 0 Team: G Smith, Corrigan, Craigan (Kinniburgh 70), McLean, Hammell, McCormack, Kerr, Fagan (McBride 74), Foran, S McDonald, Hamilton (Clarkson 33) Subs – D Smith, Quinn, Coakley & Meldrum INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Dargo 63, 88) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Fox 89), Duncan, Black, Morgan (Hart 61), Brewster, Dargo Subs – McCaffrey, Bayne, Wyness, McAllister & Frase Referee S Conroy Attendance 4103 Man of the Match Info Not Provided A smash and grab raid at Motherwell took the three points and hoisted Caley Thistle up into the magic top six. Motherwell should have turned at half time in the lead but they squandered several chances and were denied by their former ‘keeper Mark Brown. Craig Brewster brought himself back into the starting eleven in place of Graham Bayne and Alan Morgan came in for David Proctor. The Steelmen started well and in less than a minute Alan McCormack sliced wide from just inside the box. Four minutes later Shaun Fagan hit wide from 12 yards with only Brown to beat. Brian Kerr hit past the post in 12 minutes then in 22 minutes Brown tipped over an 18 yard drive from Fagan. David Clarkson was the next sinner as he hit wide from 12 yards. A minute before the whistle McCormack shot straight at Brown then Darren Dods cleared off the line from Scott McDonald. Caley Thistle created very little in the first half and Motherwell ‘keeper Graeme Smith had an easy time – Barry Wilson shot wide, Dods struck the side netting and Ian Black hit off target. Half Time: 0-0 Into the second half and Motherwell were unlucky when a Brian Mclean goal-bound shot was deflected onto the post by Ross Tokely. The home side were stunned in 63 minutes when Caley Thistle took the lead. Brewster sent a ball through for Craig Dargo who stayed onside and hit it through Smith’s legs. Smith saved well from Black in 74 minutes then Clarkson nearly equalised with a header that came off the post. The game was over in 88 minutes when Dargo scored his second – Richie Hart sent a square pass from the right and Dargo hit the ball between Smith and the post. Full Time: 0-2 A fine afternoon’s work and revenge for September’s 2-1 home defeat.

200 up for Roy This was billed as a top six showdown and it was Caley Thistle who took the points. The victory was a narrow one but the margin could easily have been greater. For Motherwell it was a disaster; defeat, a red card and two key players injured. Heavy rain left the pitch soggy but referee Brian Cassidy, on his first and last SPL appearance in the middle before retirement, deemed it playable. Craig Brewster rotated the squad and brought in Bryan Prunty instead of himself. Roy McBain made his 200th appearance. For Gordon Marshall it was a night to forget although it did start well when he turned a curling Barry Wilson shot for a corner in 13 minutes. Four minutes later he spilled a seemingly easy ball and it was booted clear by a defender. In 22 minutes Stuart Golabek slid a measured pass to Prunty down the left and Marshall came well out of his goal to block the strikers path. Prunty rolled the ball past the keeper to Graham Bayne six yards out and he touched it home for his seventh and easiest goal of the season. Two minutes later Prunty was through on Marshall and he chipped it past the keeper with the intention of racing on and netting. The goal was virtually certain but Marshall chose to take Prunty out of play just outside the box. The inevitable red card was brandished and Terry Butcher was forced to sacrifice Shaun Fagan for reserve keeper Barry-John Corr. Injuries to Scott McDonald and Kevin McBride meant that Butcher had used all three substitutes by the 37th minute. The ten men dug in and Caley Thistle failed to add to their tally. Half Time: 1-0 Just after the break a poor clearance fell to Wilson but his angled shot sailed wide. The pattern of ICT pressure continued for most of the match and Motherwell never threatened until the closing stages. In 71 minutes Bayne hit low and wide then six minutes later another chance fell to Wilson. He sent in a shot from just outside the area and the home crowd rose to salute goal number two; in the end it grazed the post and went harmlessly wide. In the last ten minutes Motherwell could easily have equalised. In 84 minutes Mark Brown had to be alert when an awkward ball came into his area bound for David Clarkson. Brown caught it well then, in the final minute, a free kick from Steve Hammell dipped wickedly and Brown tipped it over. The final action saw a Jim Paterson shot blocked by the home defence. Full Time: 1-0 The top six places will be decided on Saturday. ICT have to win against Dundee, Kilmarnock have to beat Motherwell and a four goal gap has to be bridged. A tall order but for the Inverness camp it is fantastic just to be in the race. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inverness CT: 1 (Bayne 20) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Golabek, Hart, Black, McBain (Duncan 62), Wilson (Proctor 87), Bayne (Fatai 78), Prunty. Subs Not Used: Fraser, McCaffrey, Hastings, Fox - Booked: Black (86) Motherwell: 0 Team: Marshall, Paul Quinn, Craigan, Partridge, Hammell, McBride (Kerr 36), Leitch, Fagan (Corr 24), Paterson, Scott McDonald (Clarkson 16), Hamilton. Subs Not Used: Britton, Foran, Kinniburgh, Fitzpatrick Booked: Partridge (70), Hamilton (84), Craigan (86) - Sent Off: Marshall (23). Attendance: 3,746 - Referee: Brian Cassidy

Welcome point for Caley Jags After a "pointless" September this draw was very welcome. It came courtesy of a last minute Stuart McCaffrey goal when another narrow defeat seemed inevitable. The goal might have come in the last minute of the match but what a valuable goal it could turn out to be come the end of the season. With the game heading for another 1-0 defeat, ICT once again surged forward throwing everything at the Motherwell defence and it was central defender McCaffrey who had come up for a corner kick who was on hand to stroke the ball home from six yards. Grant Munro was the only change from the side that narrowly lost down at Tynecastle against Hearts the previous Saturday – he returned from suspension and Richard Hastings was relegated to the bench. Motherwell began the game well and Mark Brown gathered the ball from Fagan¹s cross and minutes later he made a great stop from a MacDonald shot which Ross Tokely eventually cleared. Juanjo was a constant threat for ICT and was fouled on numerous occasions. Mark Brown pulled off another tremendous save after David Clarkson rifled in a 25-yard effort which the Scotland U-21 star tipped over the crossbar. Graham Bayne was getting through a power of work and was unfortunate as he was just about to shoot for goal when Gordon Marshall rushed from his line to block his attempt. Scott McDonald got the better of McCaffrey inside the ICT penalty area but he lost his balance just as he was about to shoot allowing the Caley Thistle defence to clear. The visitors took the lead seven minutes before the break when McDonald scrambled home the opener after a melee inside the ICT box. Half Time: 1-0 Into the second half and ICT went in search of an equaliser. Juanjo was replaced by Scotland U-21 star Bryan Prunty six minutes into the half and ICT enjoyed a good spell of attacking. Liam Keogh headed wide of the goal and Bayne also came close with a header. Keogh was replaced on the hour mark by Roy McBain and Marshall then made a great double save from Bryan Prunty and Richie Hart. Hart was then replaced after a midfield collision and onto the field for his first team debut came ex-Hearts youngster Liam Fox. ICT continued to press hoping that they could get back into the game and their persistence paid off as the Motherwell defence finally buckled after intense pressure. Barry Wilson's corner kick was cleared by the 'Well defence but the ball came back to the ICT frontman and his cross was headed on by Tokely for McCaffrey to sweep the ball high into the net for a well deserved equaliser. Full Time: 1-1 The point was needed as the three teams above all took a point during the weekend and it now sets up the first match of the season against Aberdeen in a fortnight's time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inverness CT: 1 (McCaffrey 90) Team: Brown; Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Golabek, Wilson, Duncan, Hart (Fox 76), Keogh (McBain 60), Juanjo (Prunty 51), Bayne Subs not used: Fraser; Hastings, Thomson, Black - Booked: McCaffrey (90) Motherwell: 1 (McDonald 38) Team: Marshall; Corrigan, Craigan, Partridge, Hammell, McBride, Fagan, Leitch, Foran (Burns 87), Clarkson (Paterson 60), McDonald (Smith 88) Subs not used: Corr; Quinn, Kinniburgh, Fitzpatrick - Booked: Leitch, McDonald Referee: John Underhill Attendance: 1438 Game played @ Pittodrie