Holders ease through

Holders Inverness faced free scoring Highland league side Buckie Thistle in the second round of the Challenge Cup at the Caledonian Stadium.

Barry Wilson was tasked with sorting the side for this one with a number of fringe players getting a run out, 10 changes in all, and former Caley Jags midfielder Spider Stewart was the man in charge of Buckie with Max Barry one to watch amongst others.

Buckie had high hopes of causing an upset citing as evidence their 31 goals scored so far in the Highland League plus an excellent 3-1 win over Brechin City in the previous round.

Buckie set the ball rolling and the were unfortunate not to go ahead after they hit the bar through Andrew McAskill, just after Cammie Mackay had denied Kevin Fraser with an excellent save from his shot.

Mackay denied Buckie again with a crucial save with his legs from a close range header from Sam Urquhart before the hosts began to assert themselves. 

Inverness eventually got to grips with the game and home pressure finally paid off. It was a simple goal when it came, a deep free kick from Aaron Doran was planted firmly behind Kevin Main in the Buckie goal by Lewis Jamieson. That was his first goal for the club and he almost got his second when he cut into the box and curled an effort towards the top corner, alas the head of Lewis MacKinnon did enough to make the ball come back off the crossbar with Main beaten. Inverness were well on top at this time but Buckie managed to inject some life into their game and foraged forward a couple of times before the break. However it was Sean Welsh that almost added a second as he burst onto a tremendous ball into the box from Reece McAlear but Main did well to block the shot and left Welsh limping into the break

Half Time: 1-0

After the interval it was more of the same, Inverness prepared to be patient and Buckie looking to hit on the break. Cameron Harper scored his first for the Caley Jags after the ball broke to him as Tom Walsh challenged Main, the ball bouncing off the keeper and Harper had the presence of mind to lift the ball over the stranded keeper and after an eternity, the ball bounced into the net.

Jack Murray stung the palms of Cammy Mackay as the ball broke to him on the right side of the box, the keeper earning his clean sheet.

Billy Mckay rounded off the scoring with two late trademark Billy Mckay goals, his first on his return to Inverness and his 67th and 68th overall.

From CTO: RIG summed up nicely.

Pretty easy in the end despite Buckie starting the better with a couple of really good chances to open the scoring. Lots of nice quick, crisp passing around the box but too often it amounted to nothing. Mckay and Jamieson impressed up front and linked well together. Nice header for Jamieson to open the scoring and there's something almost reassuring about Billy Mckay bagging goals in the red and blue of ICT. I thought Hyde gave a pretty good performance at RB as well. Nice to be able to make 10 changes and still steam roller the opposition irrespective of what level they are playing at. Buckie are no mugs but I felt we handled them pretty well for the majority of the game.

Bring on Elgin...

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Table Toppers

Both sides had won their opening three fixtures with Killie having the better goal difference. Both sides had yet to concede a goal; something was going to give, and it did after five minutes. This game had the potential to be the toughest test so far in the Billy Dodds era and it was a tight affair but Inverness scored the only goal of the game when Michael Gardyne lashed the ball into the net via the keepers palms. That proved to be the winner. Blair Alston nicked one off the outside of the post before the interval and Mark Ridgers kept Killie out with his 4th clean sheet in a row in the Championship after denying Innes Cameron from point blank range to put the Caley Jags at the top of the table on their own.

Tommy Wright was without Chris Stokes but had former Inverness midfielder Liam Polworth in his starting XI and his counterpart Billy Dodds fielded former Killie defender Kirk Broadfoot. Roddy MacGregor continued in midfield, with captain Sean Welsh on the bench amongst other strong attacking options. 

A bright afternoon and a healthy crowd greeted the teams as the game kicked off and it was only five minutes old when Michael Gardyne lashed the ball into the net via the keepers palms from the left side of the box around twelve yards out, Shane Sutherland with the assist.

👋 Morning ICTFC Fans

Here's Michael Gardyne's goal which sealed yesterday's 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Yesterday's win means it is the first time we've started a season winning our first four league matches! 💪

Happy Weekend folks 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/4aUK5UGno9

— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) August 29, 2021

Liam Polworth looked to reply for the hosts but Ridgers comfortably saved his low shot. Two minutes later Ridgers pulled off a tremendous save diving full length to tip a Blair Alston shot onto the outside of the post and behind for a corner. Great work by the big keeper on his way to his 60th clean sheet for the Caley Jags.

For all their possession, Killie were unable to put the visiting defence under sufficient pressure, Devine and Broadfoot mopping up most advances with ease although there was a bit of a scramble in the Inverness box before the ball was cleared after Polworth tried his luck.

Inverness were content to hit on the break in the first forty-five after getting the early break as Killie toiled to create clear opportunities.

Half Time: 0-1

Sean Welsh replaced the subdued Manny Duku as Inverness began to control the pace of the game more effectively, but Innes Cameron had the best opportunity of the second half when he met a cross some eight yards out only for Ridgers to pull off an instinctive reaction save to keep the ball out.

The hard working Shane Sutherland set up Aaron Doran but he shot over and a minute later David Carson saw Hemming save from his shot as Inverness began to assert themselves on this game with Kilmarnock running out of ideas. Sutherland broke forward with ten minutes left after Sean Welsh set him free but his floated effort from outside of the box drifted over the bar with the keeper beaten.

Full Time: 0-1

Inverness saw out the final few minutes with little threat coming their way for an excellent three points with a very workmanlike performance, every man doing his job. Killie floundered on a solid defensive performance from the visitors who's game plan worked a treat, stifling any threat, snapping at ankles and pressing high enough to keep Killie away from goal. Ridgers was impeccable, assisted by his defence, and Roddy MacGregor once more showed why he is keeping others on the bench. Sutherland worked tirelessly up front and well done to Michael Gardyne for getting his first goal for the club.

Doddsy Delighted

🗣️ "I thought we were brilliant in every department."

Head Coach Billy Dodds gives his thoughts following this afternoon's 1-0 win against Kilmarnock pic.twitter.com/5cR6dn4Si7

— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) August 28, 2021

Immortal Howden Ender is back

From CTO:

When was the last time that we led a league after 4 matches? That was as good a vocal support at Killie as I have certainly witnessed. RIG sums the action up well but I have been busting to do a Smileymometer. Killie really did not look like scoring and we did look dangerous on the break. The only two  negatives were that our final pass was abysmal and we could have racked up 4 or 5 otherwise. And I think that we could have employed swapping Gardyne and |Walsh on a regular basis (or was Gardyne played there because of Burke ?)Gawd do we look solid defensively. A structured back four and three or four making a second line in front and everybody pressing. Killie tried to play football at the back but let themselves down with hoof tactics when they ran out of ideas. It was also a good idea to tag team Burke (WWE style) early doors. And what a bunch of whingers the Killie fans are. It was as if they were expecting a non contact sporting event.

RIDGERS * * *  Did not really have that much to do but you can sense that his confidence is high and the players in front of him know that he will be there as a practical and reliable sweeper. Commanding is the word.

CARSON * * * Still not convinced that he is a wing back. Gives 100% and gets stuck in but needs to learn the role.

BROADFOOT * * * * Uses his head and experience to good use. The Killie hoof played to his strengths,

DEVINE * * * *  Pleasantly surprised as I was unsure about his return but he and Broadfoot complimented each other.

DEAS * * * Had the task of shackling Burke. That did not come to fruition in the first 10-15 minutes but Gardyne gave him the support he needed thereafter

WALSH * * * Played his role but wasted on the right. Killie evidently sussed that he is very left footed.

ALLARDICE * * *  Did not notice him at the start but he grew into the game and filled in a few gaps later on and added to the defensive structure playing in the hole in front of B & D.

MacGREGOR * * * * * Thought that he was SUPERB, especially in the second half when he played further up. Some of his touches were SUBLIME. MOTM by a country mile

GARDYNE * * * *  Very impressed. Took goal well. Spent most of the match covering the danger of Burke. Ran his socks off and he an McGregor evidently are on the same wavelength.

SUTHERLAND * * * *  What he lacks in finesse he makes up for in effort and running, May well soon be a choice between him or Duku to partner Mckay.

DUKU * *  First time that I have watched him so I presume that he had a bad day at the office. I felt that he did not deal with the physicality.

To be able to bring Welsh, Doran and Mckay off the bench - well enuff said

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Walsh nicks it

A slightly damp morning opening out into a muggy but calm afternoon in the Highlands made for near perfect conditions for this game. However, the football did not match the weather in a dour first half and it was goalless at the interval. Ayr rattled the top of the stand at the start of the second half as the game came to life. Tom Walsh looked to have opened the scoring when he bundled an inviting cross from Manny Duku behind the keeper after 54 minutes with Sean McGinty in close proximity trying to clear the ball. Joe Chalmers put a shot across the face of the Inverness goal that went narrowly wide. Walsh missed a glorious chance to double the lead moments later but pulled his shot across the face of the goal as well. Robbie Deas also missed an opportunity for a second goal, firing the ball over the bar from a great position inside the box. The game was more open but Inverness held on for their third 1-0 win of the season and top the league jointly with Killie.

Chest a minute, it's definitely Tom's Goal!

Inverness were one of three unbeaten sides in the Championship after opening wins over Arbroath and Raith Rovers. The point against Rovers was hard earned and deserved, but it took a wonderful strike from Roddy MacGregor to win the match. We sat third in the table behind promoted Partick Thistle and relegated Kilmarnock before this match with visitors Ayr United. Billy Dodds had few injury worries ahead of this match after last weekend off whilst Ayr were on League Cup duty against Dundee United. Ayr's last win at the Caledonian Stadium was in 2003 when Stewart Kean scored the only goal of the game.

Roddy MacGregor kept his place after his stunning goal against Raith Rovers with Reece McAlear dropping to the bench alongside Sean Welsh, Billy Mckay and Aaron Doran. No sign of the injured Wallace Duffy or the recovering Anthony McDonald. Ayr came North with a somewhat depleted squad after routine covid testing unearthed some cases. Still some experience in their ranks though with Tomi Adeloye and Joe Chalmers starting and Michael Moffat on the bench.

Roddy MacGregor was first to have a go in the third minute but his drive from the edge of the box was dragged just wide into the side netting. Manny Duku should have done better when he was set up as he burst into the box but he duffed his shot into the hands of a grateful keeper from fifteen yards. Shane Sutherland was the next sinner after a short corner, but the ball sat up as he tried to pick his spot and he lifted it high and wide from a good position. From another corner swung into the front post Robbie Deas went down low to head the ball but his connection was poor and the ball drifted wide of the mark. Ayr's first chance came from a defensive error that saw a shot off target from the right, but it lacked any power or direction. Tom Walsh saw a shot blocked by an elbow as the half time whistle approached but Kevin Clancy was not interested and the first period drew to a close with clear opportunities at a premium.

Half Time 0-0

Ayr started the second half by rattling the facing on the top of the stand some 40 feet above the crossbar. Better would come ten minutes into the half. Shane Sutherland hooked a ball over his shoulder for Duku to stretch his legs down the left wing. He drilled the ball across goal where Sean McGinty tried to clear the ball from the fast approaching Tom Walsh. He only succeeded in knocking the ball off Walsh's chest and into the net. Joe Chalmers then missed Ayr's best opportunity, but as the angle narrowed, he placed his shot just wide of the far post. Walsh replicated this at the other end driving just wide from eighteen yards as Inverness searched for a cushion. Robbie Deas squandered the best chance of the game scooping the ball over the bar from six yards following a corner. Aaron Doran saw Ayr keeper Albinson fumble a drive from the edge of the box but he gathered at the second attempt as the game ran away from the Honest Men.

Roddy MacGregor will be difficult to shift if he continues to show this form and Manny Duku worked hard for his team mates and it was his speed and ability that set up the goal. Poor first half all round but a much more entertaining second half made up for it with a goal to boot. Three wins on the trot, top of the table and a clash with table toppers Kilmarnock coming up next weekend. What's not to like!

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

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MacGregor Stunner

Inverness maintained their winning start to the league campaign, but it took a stunning half volley from substitute Roddy MacGregor to settle the points. It had been a relatively even game with the hosts having slightly the better of it throughout. Jamie MacDonald had pulled off three or four decent saves before Roddy struck from 25 yards, the ball flashing into the net past an outstretched keeper after some neat interplay outside the box involving Sutherland and Duku. Six points from two games, we could not have asked for a better start to the Championship.

Sean Welsh was still missing as were Anthony McDonald and Wallace Duffy. Aaron Doran and Billy Mckay were on the bench alongside Roddy MacGregor with Manny Duku starting up front against his former employers. Lewis Vaughan missed out for Raith, but James Keatings would make the bench for Rovers on his first return to the Caledonian Stadium which was loosely populated with fans as covid restrictions begin to ease. The new and improved stream maybe taking it's toll on the attendance with Auldy Boy and Rossco on the commentary, replays and all!

Big downpours ahead of kick-off ensured the pitch was well watered with steady rain being the order of the day as Inverness attacked the South Stand end in the first half.

An even opening to the game saw both sides struggle to create any clear cut opportunities. Manny Duku looked most likely to unlock the visitors defence. Could have been a red card before the break for Mathews after Duku pounced on a lofted ball forward, as he broke clear he was upended and Mathews got away with just a yellow for his troubles. Duku missed out from a great ball into the front post from Walsh and later in the half he was unfortunate after Michael Gardyne fed him into the left side of the box only for Berra to make a great interception as he shot, the ball spinning behind for a fruitless corner. Meanwhile, Raith were reduced to shooting from distance although we almost let them in when Broadfoot misjudged the bounce on a through ball but we swept it away eventually. Just on the interval Tom Walsh was close to connecting with a dangerous ball into the box from Gardyne on the left side, but a goal kick was the result. No scoring at the break but Inverness always looked the more likely to get amongst the goals. Sutherland saw a shot gathered by MacDonald with ease, but he was more troubled when Duku got on the end of a ball into the box from Sutherland and shot on the turn, MacDonald saving well to his left. The keeper did well to deny the same player direct from a free kick as he covered his top corner well to prevent the opener. Substitute MacGregor did well down the left to set up Gardyne for a pot at goal but he skied it badly. Ridgers saved comfortably after Raith burst along the left byeline and minutes later he was also fortunate not to be sent packing for a similar offence, bringing down Ethon Varian as he started to break clear, similar to Duku in the first half. When Allardice broke forward from the halfway line, it looked hopeful. Sutherland gathered the ball and shipped it to Duku who laid it off for MacGregor to strike a peach from twenty-five yards on the half volley with a bit of side spin on it. What a hit, what a goal! Rovers still pushed for a breakthrough but never really looked like creating the opportunity they needed and Inverness saw out the game relatively comfortably.

The managers speaking to BBC Sport

Inverness head coach Billy Dodds: "It wasn't pretty. You knew the first goal was going to win it and it took a pretty spectacular one to do it from Roddy. He responded well to being left out."

Raith Rovers manger John McGlynn: "We were well organised. We certainly didn't want to lose four goals like we did last week late on. It took a wonder strike for them to score. We are gutted."

Inverness were best served by the hard working Manny Duku with Scott Allardice and Ryan McAlear bossing the midfield. Wee Roddy maybe doesn't score many, but when he does they are pretty special. Best for Rovers were all in defence with keeper Jamie MacDonald making three or for crucial saves and he was certainly the busier keeper.

Roddy on the half volley: Boom!!!

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It's a cinch

After a goalless first half Shane Sutherland broke through the middle to drink the ball neatly over Gaston for the opening goal with just over twenty minutes left. A late rally from the hosts should have drawn them level but Inverness hung on grimly to take all three points. In the opening forty-five, Sutherland had an effort cleared off the line and Nouble proved to be an awkward customer as he bulldozed his way around the park spurning the Lichties best chance of the first half. It was a welcome three points but a difficult watch throughout.

Billy Mckay and Anthony McDdonald were both on the bench for the opening fixture. David Carson was fit enough to start but Sean Welsh missed out through injury.

Bright sunshine and football fans welcomed the teams onto the park for the opening fixture of the cinch championship. 

Inverness started on the front foot with Tom Walsh prominent down the left flank and Manny Duku a willing chaser. Despite Walsh seeing plenty of the ball, most of his efforts to cut inside and cross the ball ended on the head or feet of an Arbroath defender. 

The closest call in the opening exchanges came at the other end when the bustling Joel Nouble broke forward on the inside right channel but dragged his effort just wide across the keeper.

At the other end Allardice arrived on the edge of the box just in time to meet a lay off between Walsh and Duku but he lashed his shot just over the bar. Minutes later Duku did well to find Sutherland in the box but his shot was blocked inside the six-yard box en route to the net. That would be the best opportunity for either side in a tousy first half.

Half Time: 0-0

The second period saw Nicky Low fire a yard wide from a free kick and a super headed 'goal' from Duku was adjudged offside as both teams looked for the opener. Ridgers saved well after McKenna headed goalwards as Arbroath began to open out.

However the deadlock was broken when Shane Sutherland pounced on an error on the halfway line as Donnelly intercepted a Duku lay-off and tried to head the ball back to safety. Sutherland anticipated brilliantly, and as he raced forward he dinked the ball over the keeper from 19 yards to put the visitors ahead. A classy finish out of context with the rest of the game.

That goal seemed to agitate Arbroath and they started to put the visitors on the back foot thereafter. For all their possession, they were unable to create many clear cut opportunities although the visitors back line led a charmed life at times. Devine and Broadfoot were able to mop up most attacks as Arbroath looked to feed the mountainous Nouble to no avail. By the ninetieth minute they seemed to have blown over and we saw out the four minutes of injury time with Arbroath eventually resigning themselves to defeat.

Best for Inverness in a difficult watch were mostly in midfield where Allardice and McAlear shone through the dross with Sutherland applying that classy finish to raise the profile of a somewhat tedious game. Good to see Billy Mckay getting a few minutes on the park.

Oh, and the referee; He's the real deal.

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Over and Out

Inverness slumped out of the League Cup in unsurprising fashion after a 1-0 defeat at Tynecastle, Jamie Walker with a second half goal enough for the dominant Jambo's. Michael Gardyne was sent off just before the ninety minutes for a rash scissors tackle on Walker to add to our woes. The League Cup; its not for everyone, meh!

Walker 👏 https://t.co/K0AQ1gYE36

— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) July 25, 2021

A promising start to the game became more diluted as time passed and Inverness had Mark Ridgers to thank on numerous occasions for keeping the scoreline blank. He saved from Boyce, Pollock twice and Gnanduillet in a more even first half. Craig Gordon was quieter but still had to make vital saves from McAlear, and Walsh. After the break the visitors were rarely seen as an attacking force with Mackay-Steven forcing Ridgers into action and Gnanduillet and Pollock both hitting the same post within the same move.  Gnanduillet and Boyce put substitute Jamie Walker through and he won the tie with an excellent drilled finish from the edge of the box. Ridgers denied Walker a second two minutes later parrying the ball away and minutes later he used his legs to thwart the same player. We had time for another Ridgers save from Walker before Gardyne had seen enough of him receiving a straight red for his rash challenge.

Suffice to say Mark Ridgers was our MotM and Jamie Walker's introduction gave Hearts more of a cutting edge.

A wee flavour from the game...

/ Hearts 1-0 Inverness CT /

🔜 The league opener.

🎥 @jallanfilms pic.twitter.com/3DMPA7cTmS

— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) July 26, 2021

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Cove cruise

Inverness' dismal run of League Cup results continued with defeat at Cove.

This was a must win game for Inverness if they were looking to progress in the competition. Sean Welsh was out after rolling his ankle against Stirling Albion and David Carson missed out after taking a knock against Albion. There were some 'friendly' faces in the Cove ranks with Vigurs, Draper and McAllister in opposition.

Manny Duku had a shot cleared off the line in the tenth minute after intercepting the ball and driving into the box. Ten minutes later Mark Ridgers was called into action to deny Neill after a corner. Play moved to the other end and Gardyne and Doran combined to play Duku through on goal but he shot wide. Half an hour gone and Sutherland and Duku combine to give Allardice an opportunity but he lashed the ball over. Cove opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Leighton McIntosh scored. A couple of minutes later and Cove doubled their lead through Mitch Megginson. Megginson then shot over the bar before Sutherland shot over at the other end and then keeper Gourlay denied Duku after McAlear found him in the box with an excellent ball. Plenty of action but no goals for Inverness at the interval.

Sutherland went close five minutes into the second half after Gourlay fluffed a clearance. Ridgers tipped a Scully shot over the bar as play moved to the other end and Ridgers also saved from Megginson on the hour. Sutherland headed over after Walsh put a tremendous cross into the box with twenty minutes left. With ten minutes left Sutherland headed another Walsh cross onto the post and wide. Walsh himself had an effort scrambled off the line as Inverness pressed for a lifeline. However Yule completed the embarrassment for Dodds duffers with a third goal five minutes from the end after shambolic defending. A penalty to Inverness in the 90th minute offered little consolation for the Caley Jags but Duku duly converted from the spot.

Plenty of work for Dodds to do before the league campaign begins in earnest.

RIG of Wyness Shuffle fame was not impressed: That was grim. Despite a first half that was arguably quite even in terms of chances created as soon as Cove were two goals up the game was over. Duku and Sutherland both passed up decent chances for us with Duku perhaps missing the best opportunity when he rounded the keeper and decided to take about 74 touches in the box before having a shot. Neill and Draper looked quite suspect at times. Unfortunately for us our entire defence looked even worse with Broadfoot and Deas really struggle to understand where one another was. Duffy looked incredibly rusty at RB and was continuously beaten by Leitch down the Cove left side whilst Harper, although reasonable enough getting forward, is a little suspect defensively for me.

Wonderful opening goal for the home side. nice little dinked ball over the top of the ICT defence and McIntosh sent a superb curled effort beyond Ridgers into the net. Barely a moment later Cove had a second. Another ball over the top found Megginson and he easily beat Ridgers for number two. With this the game was pretty much over as we struggled to get anything going in the second half. Walsh had the best chance when Duku sped past a Cove defender and cut the ball back from the bye line but Walsh saw his effort blocked and then cleared off the line. Cove's third goal looked, from the opposite end of the pitch, a little similar to the chance Walsh had missed. Bursting run into the box, ball cut back and Yule finished well to wrap things up. Although a penalty from Duku saw us get on the scoresheet it did nothing to mask a pretty desperate performance.

💙 @CoveRangersFC caused a group stage shock last night, beating Caley Thistle 3-1 at Balmoral Stadium

🚀 Leighton McIntosh with the pick of the goals! #PremierSportsCup pic.twitter.com/O8Qi9ZE76P

— SPFL (@spfl) July 21, 2021

I don't particularly care about going out of the League Cup, we have been dreadful in it since this new format was introduced, but I am bothered about the poor performances against Stirling and Cove Rangers. The latter had nothing to play for, only had 14 fit players available and were absolute toilet for their first three games yet they cigared past us no problems. I'm also worried that there were evident problems on the pitch which Dodds did nothing to address. The players still seem to be adjusting tot his 442 / 4411 setup Dodds is trying to implement. Last night we were outnumbered in midfield and struggled in the centre of the pitch for long periods yet nothing was done to change it which was a concern. When we did look threatening it was when we had the ball on the deck and were passing it around but too often we were sending high balls up towards Duku and Sutherland who struggled to control them under pressure from Draper and Neil. It was evident this wasn't working yet it seemed to be our main way to "attack". 

We need to improve and quickly. <<understatement alert>>

Full highlights from Cove

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