What's the Storey, Miles Glory.

Inverness fell behind after twenty minutes when some pinball ended with McInroy drilling the ball home from inside the box. Sutherland was unlucky when his header crashed off the bar with the keeper beaten. Miles Storey scored with a stunning left foot shot high past a despairing Fon Williams to level the game with around 25 minutes left and that's how it ended, all square in the final game of 2020, a year we all want to forget. Happy New Year when it comes.

Second placed Dunfermline Athletic came North for this 6:30pm kick-off at the Caledonian Stadium as we moved into the second phase of this seasons shortened Championship. No fans of course as we have now been plunged into tier 4 for covid 19, but live streaming was available from ICTFC. The Pars were looking to build on some good results which has them second in the Championship behind Hearts, we were looking to get back on track after a poor performance at Alloa and a day off last Saturday when we should have been at Cappielow.

John Robertson went for a more experienced squad with Sean Welsh, Aaron Doran and James Vincent returning to the starting XI. James Keatings missed out with a thigh strain. Wallace Duffy and Davis Carson were on the bench with young guns Roddy MacGregor and Kai Kennedy

Kevin O'Hara started this one with DecLan McManus on the bench along with Fraser Murray and Ryan Dow.

After a minute silence in memory of Jim McLean the game went ahead and it was five minutes in before Robbie Deas broke forward on the left side before firing a shot from distance which was easy enough for Fon Williams to gather.

Euan Murray was next to try his luck but he headed over. Captain Murray was always going to be a threat from set pieces.

A great ball into the box from Cammy Harper saw no takers as the game approached 15 minutes with defences on top in an open game.

The Pars opened the scoring with a rather fortunate goal. Nothing wrong with the strike, but the ball fell kindly for them twice before it was put behind Ridgers by Kyle Turner just after 20 minutes.

Moments later, Kerr McInroy flashed a snapshot wide as we all held our breath, the ball whistling just wide.

We almost responded immediately but a tremendous cross from Harper was headed strongly off the bar by Shane Sutherland with the keeper well beaten. He rose well to power his header but it was a fraction too high and smacked the crossbar.

Sutherland brought out a brilliant one handed diving save from the keeper soon after as he shot from distance following a defensive slip by the Pars, the ball being tipped over for a fruitless corner.

Ten minutes before the break we had a Devine intervention in the six yard box to deny a certain tap-in goal at the back post as a low ball across the box was cleared over the bar at full stretch by Danny Boy with Kevin O'Hara lurking with intent.

The goal apart, there was little between the sides as the interval approached with Inverness winning a couple of corners and a header went harmlessly wide from the returning ball into the box after the second corner.

A rare burst forward after we gave away the ball in the visitors half saw Kevin O'Hara test Ridgers right on the break, the big keeper down quickly to his low shot from the edge of the box to save comfortably. 

HALF TIME 0-1

Kai Kennedy replaced Aaron Doran at the interval. Doran had taken a knock in the first half and continued after treatment but had remained in the dressing room.

Ridgers saved a deflected shot eight minutes into the second half as The Pars looked dangerous on the break at the start of the half.

Sean Welsh fired wide as the hosts responded but the play was getting untidy and Miles Storey might have done better when he was set free inside the left side of the penalty box, instead his half hit shot rolled meekly into the keepers hands. However, his next major involvement was stunning when it came along.

Fon Williams cut out a dangerous cross after good work down the left flank, Kennedy injecting a bit of urgency about proceedings since he was introduced after the interval.

Sean Welsh entered the referees book for a scything tackle in midfield as we looked to break down a resolute Pars defence  but with around half an jour left it was not looking too good.

Out of the blue, Inverness scored a screamer with 66 minutes on the clock. Miles Storey turned on a long throw-in from Brad Mckay just outside the box and lashed a powerhouse of a shot into the keepers top right corner. What a strike by Storey from around 25 yards across the keeper and into the roof of the net with Fon Williams clutching at thin air.

A bit of ball flapping in the home box led to a corner as Allardice deflected the eventual strike for the Pars but the ball was headed tamely over from the set piece.

Into the final ten minutes and still all to play for as the Pars pushed for a winner.

The visitors pressed hard as the clock ticked down and with Danny Devine going off injured it was backs to the wall in a frantic finish. A couple of yellow cards later and it was all over, a hard earned point for both sides.

What the managers said on BBC Sport

Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford: "Really pleased with the first-half performance. We created a number of chances. Inverness had a decent spell and put us under pressure in the second half, but we responded well and tried to win the game."

Inverness CT manager John Robertson: "It was a very good game. We started slowly and didn't quite get going. We battled back into it. We tweaked the system at half-time and it was a different game, we totally dominated the second half."

Match Highlights, look out for the Glory Storey thunderball @66mins

A point each right eenuff...

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Wasps Sting Jaded Jags

The Caley Jags took an early lead through Brad Mckay as he lashed home from close range. A stunning free kick by Innes Murray levelled the game on the hour, and Robbie Thomson put the Wasps ahead fifteen minutes from the end. (Mark Ridgers look away now). What a disjointed performance by the Caley Jags after the promise of the last few weeks. Credit to Alloa for sticking with it when we should have looked for a second goal, but our second half effort was non existent.

What the managers said on BBC Scotland:

Alloa Athletic manager Peter Grant: "The second half, we dug right in and we got what we deserved. We had a big game midweek and then to galvanise ourselves the way we did is credit to them."

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson: "I'm hugely disappointed with the second half. We didn't get it going at all. We were outworked and outplayed. That's disappointing."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After encouraging results in recent weeks Inverness faced Alloa Athletic at the Indodrill Stadium. Alloa would be looking to carry their League Cup form into the Championship and climb further away from the basement end of the table. Beating Arbroath last week was a good start to that. The Caley Jags were hoping to continue the progress they have made since the opening weeks and with the treatment table looking healthier things were beginning to look upwards.

John Robertson had a settled side in the last three weeks with the young team keeping some more recognised faces on the bench. Shane Sutherland had recovered after a knock last week as Inverness went unchanged again. David Carson was fit enough to sit on the bench. Alloa were without the injured Scott Taggart and Ray Grant with Stephan Scougall also missing out. And of course, they are without Kevin O'Hara and Robbie Deas this season. O'Hara is now at Dunfermline, I wonder whatever happened to Robbie Deas 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Steven Kirkland, the man in charge today, set the ball rolling with a puff of his whistle.

An early goal by Brad Mckay from close range should have seen us in control of this game but in truth, we had little to offer after opening the scoring in the 7th minute. Scott Allardice shot narrowly over and Shane Sutherland had an effort saved well by Neil Parry. Other than that it was an untidy half. Unfortunately it got worse after the break

HALF TIME 0-1

Innes Murray scored a superb free kick after the interval to restore parity. From just over 25 yards the ball whistled into the keepers top right corner, Ridgers absolutely helpless as the ball curled and dipped into the net.

That superb goal lifted Alloa and you would now think it was Inverness that had gone twelve rounds with Hibs in midweek, such was our inability to build any momentum. We were now clearly brain dead as Alloa looked more likely to get the winner. They did just that when it appeared as though our normally reliable keeper fumbled a bog standard half hit shot that squirmed through his grasp as he crouched down to gather the ball. Whatever happened it ended in the net and with it our hopes of getting anything from this game. We did huff and puff as Robbo said in the interview but we looked clueless and more like a bunch of schoolkids having a kickabout than a team looking to get into the promotion play-off positions.

Full credit to Alloa for this win and they ended the game much stronger than the Caley Jades who will need to pull their socks up pronto. Another difficult test coming up next Saturday against a resurgent Morton at Cappielow. And a sobering thought, Alloa did this without Alan Trouten, Scott Taggart and Ray Grant.

l'm still raging about this performance, so here's Honest John to sum up the disappointment in his after match interview which is how I saw the game as well...

Listen to the full interview on Facebook. 

Full highlights from Alloa TV

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Dee grab late point

After a pulsating game at the Caledonian Stadium it ended all square. Liam Fontaine opened the scoring just before the interval reacting quickest to a rebound from the crossbar. Robbie Deas deservedly equalised with twenty minutes left and James Keatings put the hosts ahead three minutes later only for Jordan McGhee to peg us back again eight minutes from the end. No damage done to either club although with Dunfermline losing to Morton, it tightens up in the middle of the table. Hearts pumped Queens 6-1 to move further ahead at the top.

Matchday 7 and Dundee were the visitors to the Caledonian Stadium to take on the Caley Jags in a battle for mid-table supremacy. The game kicked off at 3:00pm with a hand picked crowd of just 300 in attendance to this game. Both sides had got off to an inauspicious start to the campaign but were edging upwards recently. Something had to give. The last time the clubs met was in front of over 5,000 fans at Dens Park when first half goals from Aaron Doran and James Keatings put Inverness second in the table with Dundee six points behind in fourth. All this was in a previous life before covid19 came along and closed the world. The atmosphere was less raucous today, (muffled cheering  and polite hand clapping), with only the chosen few allowed entry in a tier 1 covid zone. How would it pan out today?...

Both sides were near to full strength, Inverness still without Kevin McHattie, Lewis Toshney and the likes of David Carson who needs match fitness along with three or four others who are being eased back up to speed. Dundee were reported to be at full strength with on loan Celt Jonathan Afolabi back in the squad after he missed the Arbroath game. That will be competition for Danny Mullen and Osman Sow. Jordan Foster and Callum Moore are both back in training but will be doubtful if they make the bench today.

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Speaking to BBC Sport

Inverness CT manager John Robertson: "I'm very disappointed. Their goalkeeper Jack Hamilton's had seven or eight great saves and we missed two sitters. We got ourselves in front and then a lack of communication has cost a second goal."

Dundee manager James McPake: "Their second goal was clearly offside. I'm proud of my players but gutted for them as it should be three points. You always need to battle when you come up here - we handled that side of things really well and gave as good as we got."

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Dundee kicked off towards the North Stand on a dour afternoon but it would make for better viewing on Pixie Lott, the skies overcast, the ground wet after days of rain. The league record for the Dark Blues in Inverness reads five draws and seven defeats in 12 trips up the A9...

Dundee were first to show when Jakubiak volleyed wide with Ridgers a spectator.

The hosts first opportunity fell to Shane Sutherland who also volleyed wide after great work by Miles Storey down the left, the shot flashing past the keepers right hand post.

Great save by Hamilton after 20 minutes to deny Roddy MacGregor from the edge of the box after some good pressure from the Caley Jags.

Danny Mullen broke forward on the Dundee right but the flag stayed down. It took a massive blocking tackle from Danny Devine to to stop him just as he pulled the trigger. Mullen stayed down for fully five minutes before getting back to his feet. He continued after more treatment.

The game evolved into a tense midfield battle with defences on top.

Ten minutes before the break Jordan McGhee powered a header off the crossbar from a corner and Liam Fontaine scrambled the loose ball into the net through a ruck of players in the six yard box.

We almost responded immediately but a simple tap in ended with Dundee scrambling the ball to safety. Looked like Keatings blocked from close range. Another foray forward saw a header over the bar and soon after Storey delayed his effort and Hamilton got down to block with Sutherland in a promising position. 

Dundee once more scrambled the ball away just before the interval as Inverness pressed for a leveller, the ball just not quite rolling for us.

Half Time 0-1

Five minutes into the half and from a corner Mullen lashed the ball just over the bar at the back post.

Robbie Deas should have scored when the ball landed at his feet six yards from goal, but he inexplicably dollied it into Hamilton's body as the keeper sprawled across his line.

Storey made a superb break down the right before a half cleared ball was headed goalwards by substitute Aaron Doran, but Hamilton saved down low.

Plenty of home pressure now and Robbie Deas popped up at the back post to hammer the ball home after a corner from the left was flicked on to make amends for his earlier miss.

Inverness turned the game on its head  few minutes later when Sutherland headed on and James Keatings struck a low shot into the net.

Jordan McGhee equalised minutes later after substitute Osman Sow knocked the ball into his path. Meh!

In a frantic ending to the game substitute Nikolay Todorov had the ball in the net but it was ruled offside and that's how it ended, all square after an entertaining match where no quarter was given or asked.

Dundee will be delighted with the point and Inverness will rue some missed sitters. Hamilton was probably Dundee's busiest man with some crucial stops.

Both managers feel they deserved all three points. My money is on Robbo for the honesty bonus. McPake is lying through his teeth desperate to keep his job.

Downside to all this was an injury to Shane Sutherland late in the game.

OFFICIAL REPORT 

Robbo talking after the game...

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Dumfries Cruise

Inverness deservedly opened the scoring through Kai Kennedy in the 20th minute, his first goal for the club as he cut in from the left and scored low behind Leighfield from a tight angle, the ball coming off the keepers leg. Roddy MacGregor scored a second with a tremendous finish five minutes after the break to give Inverness a cushion. Miles Storey secured the points with a vicious left footed shot into the bottom corner from fifteen yards. Great three points for Inverness and consolidation in the middle of the table.

Queen of the South were the last side we played back in March before covid19 came along and changed our lives. On that occasion Inverness ran out 3-1 winners.

What happened on the night...

John Robertson had slightly more choice than normal as injuries began to heal thanks to the International break and League Cup second round. Still without Kevin McHattie and Lewis Toshney, but the rest are on the mend and back training although not all back to match fitness.

Inverness looked pretty in pink as they took to the artificial surface at Palmerston. 

TV on and tuned to BBC Scotland, James Keatings was first to show with a header that he should have done better with, but he missed the target from a great position. He was involved in the next opportunity when Deas made a great run forward to get on the end of it, but his effort was blocked by Leighfield as he slid in and from that save, Sutherland dribbled across the box but he smothered his shot and it was cleared.

McKee got an effort away as Queens got forward but it was deflected for a fruitless corner for the hosts.

Twenty minutes gone and the brilliant Kai Kennedy opened the scoring for Inverness when he dribbled down the left, cut along the byeline and drove the ball low into the net from an acute angle. First goal for Inverness and what a goal!

Kennedy and Keatings had shots that troubled the Queens defence as Inverness pressed for a second.

Dobbie broke on the left a las Kennedy but Shields effort was just wide of the post from close range. Queens were on a roll just now and another couple of efforts went close.

Attempts at both ends thereafter but both keepers were mainly untroubled before the interval although Dobbie was starting to pull a few strings. 

Deas and Devine were intercepting most Queens forays forward and at the interval it remained 1-0 for the visitors.

Half Time 0-1

No changes at the break and five minutes into the half Roddy MacGregor doubled the lead for the visitors. A great ball forward was headed on by Shane Sutherland to Brad Mckay who cut the ball across the edge of the box where Roddy met it perfectly to side foot the ball into the top corner. What a tremendous goal for the Caley Jags and young Roddy.

There were opportunities for both sides, but the keepers were underworked until Inverness stretched their muscles again.

Storey passed up on a great opportunity when he broke clear down the left but was forced wider than he would have liked. His shot hit the side netting when a bit of composure would have seen him score but he would not be denied.

Miles Storey scored a superb third to seal the points as he turned and slotted into the bottom corner with some venom ten minutes from time. No more than Inverness deserved after a long throw in by Brad Mckay found Miles in the box. Miles better as they say around here.

On a night when the clubs saluted Diego Maradona, young Roddy MacGregor wrote a whole new book of skills and capped it all with a tremendous goal. Kai Kennedy was another who impressed again and in truth, there were no flaws in the side tonight. Solid in defence, and playing with some style. The future is bright, the future is pink.

Great result for Inverness who move on to 10 points.

OFFICIAL REPORT

What the managers said on BBC Sport

Queen of the South manager Allan Johnston: "First half I thought we didn't start well at all. Then when we started to actually pass the ball, we created a number of chances, but we obviously weren't clinical. We just never had that spark tonight. We didn't do enough to get anything out of the game."

Inverness CT manager John Robertson: "We're delighted. After such a good performance at home to Raith Rovers, you're worried especially with a young squad that you don't maintain those standards. Our squad's coming back slowly, and we just need to pick up points and keep it going."

Congratulations to Mark Ridgers. 

He does like a clean sheet. That's 50 clean sheets in 133 appearances for the Caley Jags keeper and he tweeted this: Delighted to reach 50 and looking forward to many more!! Great result and performance again from the boys! Hopefully be home for sun rise now.

Highlights from BBC/SPFL

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300 fans, half a stream & a broken corner flag.

James Keatings opened the scoring midway through the first half after Miles Storey broke forward before squaring to Keatings who calmly stroked a low shot into the net from fifteen yards. We had hit the woodwork twice in the first half through Storey without actually dominating. Scott Allardice doubled the lead after the hour. There was no further scoring but it turned out to be a comfortable win for the hosts with keeper Mark Ridgers restricted to catching crosses as Raith failed to trouble him. Jamie MacDonald at the opposite end kept Raith interested with three or four great saves coupled with some wayward efforts from our busy forwards.

After matchday five, Dunfermline now head the table after their win over Hearts on Friday night coupled with Raith Rovers losing at Inverness. Ayr united dumped Dundee as well so the league table now looks like this with the Caley Jags climbing to the middle of the table. Hearts do have a game in hand against Alloa Athletic.

It was the first game that fans were allowed into the stadium since the start of the covid19 pandemic. The North and South Stands were used to comply with social distancing and Raith Rovers were the visitors. Inverness still had a number of absentees through injury including David Carson, Lewis Toshney, Kevin McHattie and Wallace Duffy. We welcomed Aaron Doran and Miles Storey back to the squad over the last couple of games and Shane Sutherland who scored the winner last week against East Fife. Sean Welsh made the bench and Brad Mckay returned at right back with Duffy injured.

Here's the managers speaking on BBC Sport:

Inverness CT manager John Robertson: "Everything was great today. It was great to have fans back. Credit to both sets of player, they put on a very good show for them. It was a great game of football between two good teams."We took our chances well. We played really well but we had to because Raith Rovers are a very, very good side. It was a very, very good performance."

Raith Rovers assistant manager Paul Smith: "We've had a fantastic start to the season but today we weren't quite at it. I thought Inverness deserved to win the game over 90 minutes."Jamie MacDonald had a couple of fantastic saves to keep us in the game. We had a lot of ball in the first half but our final ball wasn't good enough to create many chances."

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The two sides met almost a couple of weeks ago on League Cup duty, the game ending all square at 3-3 in Kirkaldy. Would it be another goalfest or would the Championship fixture be a more sedate affair with the priority being not to concede. Not an easy task with Manny Duku in the opposition team.

The game kicked off at 3:00pm for those in the stadium. For those streaming, it was more likely that they were steaming as the SPFL failed to get round technical difficulties and the whole of the first half was missed.

With a small percentage of fans in the ground the Caley Jags played towards the South Stand in the first forty-five. 

After ten minutes of posturing the game exploded onto the Raith Rovers bar as Miles Storey broke through the middle before moving right to unleash a ferocious shot that rocked the frame of the goal. What a strike that was and he was unlucky not to open the scoring with a sensational goal.

The hosts were restricting Rovers to fleeting glimpses of the Inverness penalty box with Mark Ridgers untroubled other than a weak shot from Kieran MacDonald comfortably saved a couple of minutes after Storey's blistering strike.

When Scott Allardice broke down a Rovers move in the centre circle, Storey sped forward like an express train. He held the ball up on the eighteen yard line before squaring to Keatings who was lurking around the penalty spot where he swept the ball home with ease to the delight of the South Stand. Not often you can say that at the Caledonian Stadium.

Half an hour gone and Storey hit the woodwork again as the ball found him in space ten yards from goal. He looked a stick on for a tap in but he somehow got under the ball and hit the top of the bar with his effort when it looked easier to score. He had another go five minutes before the break as we looked to double our lead, but his shot was wide of the mark.

Manny Duku was being well policed by Danny Devine and the most he saw of the ball was an effort blocked by our defence just before the break.

Half Time 1-0

We came out of the blocks fast at the start of the second half, maybe trying to impress the streamers who now had access to the game after missing the first forty-five.

A Storey cross was cleared to Roddy MacGregor who fired a shot across MacDonald but the keeper saved the low shot well. Storey again tested MacDonald but he stood up to the barrage and kept the ball out at the expense of a corner. All action now and a Keatings corner was close to crossing the line as it honed in on goal and minutes later the skillful Kai Kennedy set up Shane Sutherland but again the keeper did well to make a tremendous reflex save.

Kennedy left a couple of Raith players needing to pay to get back into the ground as he sent them the wrong way down the left before cutting along the line, however his cross come shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Would we rue these missed opportunities as Raith briefly threatened to get a grip on the game, Ridgers making a couple of routine stops.

A bizarre booking for Armstrong after he threw away the broken corner flag before taking a free kick, yellow card for something he did or said. The free kick fizzled out and soon after we scored a second. Kennedy popped up on the right and went for the byeline before pinging an inviting cross into the box. Storey collected and then Allardice picked up the ball from him in the box and slotted neatly into the bottom corner.

Another goal could have come two minutes later when the ball fell nicely to MacGregor on the edge of the box but he slashed his shot well wide from an inviting position. Storey and Harper combined to give Sutherland the chance at the far post but he slipped at the wrong time and the chance was gone.

Kennedy sent a great ball into the path of substitute Daniel Mackay but once more MacDonald saved well as Raith ran out of ideas and we finished the game strongly.

The full highlights on Caley Jags TV

Overview:

Comfortable win ultimately but despite squandering a few great opportunities we were never really troubled by Raith. Our defence was superb today with Devine and Brad Mckay on top. Harper was wayward with balls from defence but we never got punished for it and he got better as the game went on. Allardice is the find of the season, great engine and an eye for goal. Keatings showed his class at times and Miles Storey had a day of less bloopers. He really should have scored when he skimmed the top of the bar. His first effort which was also missed by our own twitter feed was a spectacular shot from 25 yards which crashed back off the bar. MacGregor sliced badly with the goal at his mercy but put in a great shift. Shane was maybe the quieter of our front men today. The wee man with the wee legs was again outstanding. He has the ability to beat any defender he wants. Tremendous close skill. A tanner ball player in olde money. Although we led 1-0 at half time, in terms of possession and ascendancy, we were not out of sight despite hitting the bar twice. Out of the blocks early at the start of the second should have seen us coasting but missed chances and good saves kept it close.

Overall, we were worth the three points and good to see Welsh back on as a sub.

Here's the goals only, enjoy!

OFFICIAL REPORT FROM ICTFC

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Keeper in the spotlight again

Inverness won the game but all credit to East Fife for making this a tough tie. It took a penalty save by Cammy Mackay in stoppage time to keep us ahead after Shane Sutherland had opened the scoring in the second half. We had Mackay to thank for a wonderful save in the first half as well and he was my MotM.

The final Betfred League Cup group A game was played out at an empty Caledonian Stadium with East Fife the visitors in our tier 1 covid restricted tie. The Fifers came North after losing narrowly to Hearts in midweek whilst we drew 3-3 with Raith Rovers. Hearts would progress to the next round from this group with Raith Rovers just missing out, let's find out what happened here....

The stream for todays game was free for everyone with Andy Bannerman on commentary and a cameraman controlling the camera. What a difference this made to the viewing experience. Well done ICTFC for getting this sorted.

Brad Mckay, James Vincent, Wallace Duffy, Lewis Toshney, Kevin McHattie and Sean Welsh were all missing. Miles Storey made the subs bench after injuring his hamstring over a month ago. In comes Cammy Mackay and Harry Nicolson makes his competitive debut as Shane Sutherland gets more game time up front with Nicolay Todorov.

East Fife's danger men were up front in Jack Hamilton and Ryan Wallace with eight goals between them this season.

East Fife got the game underway in a vacant stadium, kicking towards the North Stand.

Almost six minutes on the clock when a tidy dummy saw Kai Kennedy take the ball into the box but he couldn't get enough power on the shot and the keeper smothered the ball. Toddy was next to break into the box but was crowded out as he tried to get the ball away.

Cameron Harper headed a dangerous ball to the back post behind for a corner in East Fife's first foray forward, but the defence cleared comfortably.

Shane Sutherland snatched at a shot on the right side of the box but he dragged it across the goal and wide. 

A flurry of activity by the visitors saw Scott Allardice head clear but the follow up volley by Ryan Wallace was lashed well over the bar, high and wide. Good spell for the Fife side and they fired another long range effort a couple of yards over the bar.

Toddy was thwarted on the eighteen yard line by a strong challenge by a Fifers defender. Series of good blocks by the Fife defence denies Inverness and it ends with MacGregor's shot taking a deflection and looping into the keepers arms.

What a save from Cammy Mackay from point blank range to keep the score level. A header by Chris Higgins from six yards in a crowded box looked certain to score, great reactions from Mackay kept the ball out.

Kai Kennedy was roving around the flanks causing problems for the defenders, winning free kicks wide right, but there were no takers for the crosses into the box as East Fife defend well. Aaron Doran did well to step inside his marker five minutes before the break but his shot from the edge of the box was well over. Most of the pressing coming from the home side but the Fife defence standing firm so far.

Despite having plenty of the ball, it was the visitors that had the best chance of the half when they were denied by Cammy Mackay. In truth, Inverness looked void of ideas in trying to get behind a well drilled East Fife bus.

Half Time 0-0

Striker Ryan Wallace was replaced at the interval by Thomas Collins. Probably bored by the game.

Sutherland got a shot on target three minutes into the second half but it was too easy for the keeper then up the other end the Fifers headed narrowly over with a looping effort.

Kennedy shot wide from around twenty-five yards but it fell away to the keepers left.

Annoyingly, East Fife looked more dangerous than us at the start of the second half. 

However, the deadlock was broken when Sutherland rose highest to send a powerful header into the top of the net off a Cameron Harper corner. 

Back came the Fifers and a ball bobbled around our box before Mackay was able to gather. Mackay was quick off his line to save at the feet of the oncoming forward as the visitors stormed forward once more.

The hosts then looked to get on top of the game and Kennedy sliced a volley over before he was replaced by James Keatings.

Miles Storey made a complete arse of an effort when he went through looking suspiciously offside, but he sand danced around and lost the opportunity. What a numpty.

A curling effort by Davidson went just over the bar as East Fife kept plugging away, still looking likely to get something out of this game. It's beginning to look a bit like watching Scotland play.

We ended the game on the back foot, throwing bodies in the way and scrambling the ball away for a corner. But all was not lost as they were awarded a penalty in the 91st minute when Jack Hamilton was brought down by Robbie Deas. As I said, just like watching Scotland. And just like Scotland, the keeper saved the penalty from Hamilton brilliantly. What a save by Cammy low down to his left, similar to David Marshall, to earn the points as the game ended.

Keepers are big news this week and Cammy Mackay was our hero with a crucial point blank save in the first half and a tremendous penalty save in time added on. Brilliant from young Cammy.

Good performance from birthday boy Cameron Harper as well and a well taken header by Shane Sutherland won the game for us where we toiled to create for long spells.

Facebook link for Robbo interview post match

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Rovers Return

Rovers drew 3-3 with Inverness and won the penalty shoot-out to take the bonus point. Manny Duku scored twice for Raith and Danny Devine put into his own net. Shane Sutherland, a James Keatings (penalty) and Roddy MacGregor got the Inverness goals in what was a good work out for both sides. That was MacGregors first goal for the club, watch him go now.

Inverness travelled to Kirkaldy for a Betfred League Cup Group A game against the form team in the Championship, Raith Rovers. The game was a 7:45pm kick-off at Stark's Park with both sides having only a slim chance of progressing, depending on other results.

Here's the format for the competition:The eight group winners qualify for the next stage along with the four best placed second teams. There they are then joined by Scotland's Euro representatives in the second round; Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen. The seeded teams in the last 16 are the four European clubs and the four group winners with the best records. The tournament reverts to a traditional knock-out format from the second round onwards, with ties decided by extra time and penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

Here's how it went on the night.......

For the hosts, midfielder DylanTait was suspended and Lars Lokotsch was cuptied. Rovers went without Iain Davidson, Kieran MacDonald, Jack Smith, Gozie Ugwu and Lewis Vaughan.

John Robertson rested Nikolay Todorov, Roddy MacGregor and Robbie Deas, all three on the bench. Sean Welsh and Daniel Mackay were missing from Saturday's team and Kevin McHattie, Lewis Toshney, Miles Storey and David Carson are all still receiving treatment.

Inverness looked pretty in pink as James Keating got the ball rolling on the artificial surface.

First chance came after seven minutes for Raith as they broke on the left but a curled effort from Ethan Ross drifted just wide.

Striker Manny Duku made Danny Devine look pedestrian as he cut in from the left and drilled low past Ridgers in ten minutes. They never heeded an earlier warning about his pace.

James Keatings fired a long range dipping effort just over from almost forty yards as we responded to going behind, but another good ball into the visitors box just eluded Duku at the far post.

Wallace Duffy did well to deny Duku at the expense of a corner from a great ball into the box on the right, the striker looked favourite to score. Soon after, Inverness broke forward on the right and Kai Kennedy sped forward before pinging a tremendous ball to the far post where Shane Sutherland nodded through the keeper to level the score.

Devine did well to stop a foray forward with a well timed tackle but Raith fed another ball close to Duku's head, the ball bouncing through to Ridgers. Another tremendous tackle by Devine thwarted the ever eager Duku six yards out. What a tackle that was. 

Most of Raith's good work was coming down their left side and they were getting a lot of success with balls into the box just needing a touch, Duku lurking ominously inside our box.

Brad Mckay looked to have caught his studs on the pitch and went down heavily as Raith broke forward, Devine having to concede a free kick twenty-two yards out by upending Ethan Ross, and getting a yellow for his misfortune.

James Keatings was ruled offside as he tapped the ball in following a good move forward by Inverness involving Aaron Doran and Kai Kennedy five minutes before the break.

Raith missed a penalty soon after when Duffy was adjudged to have fouled Musonda but Armstrong fired well over the bar. Justice done maybe as Duffy looked to have poked the ball from Musonda's toe.

Duku was causing all sorts of problems with his pace and movement and Ridgers was forced into a save just on the interval and Brad Mckay eventually had to leave the park just before the whistle, being replaced by Robbie Deas.

Half Time 1-1

No changes at the break and a bright start by Inverness as Thomson blocked a ball into the six yard box.

A massive kick-out by Ridgers saw Thomson hoof the ball away from the edge of his box. Moments later Keatings almost scored but his rasping shot rose just over the bar from ten yards on the left.

Big Raith defender Fernandy Mendy killed the corner flag, body blocking in the Marvin Andrews style. Solid lad, no messing.

Some poor defending allowed Raith to break quickly on the left through Ethan Ross and it ended with the ball going behind Ridgers to put the hosts ahead. The ball apparently coming off Devine for an og. Meh!

Kennedy did well down the right, but despite a close call for a penalty we had to settle for a corner.

Good pressure from the Caley Jags and a header went just over from a corner, but we would not be denied a leveller. Tumilty impeded Roddy MacGregor at the far post as he looked certain to tap in and James Keatings tucked it away nicely. Two minutes later MacGregor won a free kick on the edge of the box. Keatings took the dead ball and he struck the post with a super curling shot, and MacGregor reacted quickest to tuck the rebound away.

Inverness looked to be getting on top and Sutherland saw Thomson save down low.

A dangerous ball across the face of the visitors box just needed a touch but it went abegging. Moments later Ridgers saved brilliantly from point blank range as Rovers tried to force an equaliser, Benedictus with the shot from six yards.

Just on the ninety, Duku grabbed his second after a good knock down in the box by Mendy, our defence looking a tad static.

Keatings might have done better from a great ball through the middle from Allardice, in fairness it wasn't an easy chance. We should have had a penalty in a late flurry and then Thomson made a miraculous double save from Kennedy and Todorov to claw away the ball from under the bar. Three corners followed for Inverness but the game ended 3-3.

On to penalties for the bonus point, no use to either club but hey ho.

Rovers scored their first three penalties through Hendry, Mathews and Armstrong before Spencer skied one. Inverness were poor in the shoot-out missing the first two with Kennedy also missing the last.

Toddy - saved

Keatings - xbar

Deas - Goal!

Allardice - Goal!

Kennedy - wide

Rovers win penalty shoot out 3-2

Cracking nights entertainment and great coverage by Raith Rovers TV. Take note Mr Gardiner, it puts Pixie Lott to shame.

Here's the Highlights from Raith TV

Post match Robbo

https://fb.watch/1HGK9frWHh/

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