Spartans Cup Win

We were Underdogged

Inverness made three changes from their KDM Trophy win at Firhill in midweek. In came Danny Devine, Joe Chalmers and Paul Allan for Oscar MacIntyre, Jordan Alonge and Adam Mackinnon. Spartans had plenty of experience in their ranks with former Caley Jag Sean Welsh in their side.

Inverness were dominant over the first half with Paddy Martin the busier keeper with four or five saves. However it was all square at the interval. The same after ninety minutes and extra time came and went with Paddy Martin still unbeaten.

Spartans progress 4-2 on Penalties

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An early opportunity for Billy Mckay was cleared off the line with Paddy Martin saving the rebound effort from Alfie Bavidge. Danny Devine saw his header turned wide and five minutes before the break an Alfie Stewart corner went close to going in. Not a great deal of clear chances in the first half but Paddy Martin again denied Billy Mckay with a superb save to keep the score level at half time.

HALF TIME: 0-0 

 David Wotherspoon replaced Alfie Bavidge at the break and Billy Mckay was again denied by the keeper at the expense of a fruitless corner. The game was more open after the interval with Spartans looking for their chances to hit the visitors when they can with Marc McNulty and Mark Stowe prominent for the hosts. However, the Caley Jags were building a head of steam as the game passed the hour. With twenty minutes left Zimba, MacKinnon and Longstaff refreshed our attack. Martin pushed a powerful MacKinnon effort over the bar but the bigger shock almost came at the other end when James Craigen crashed a half volley from the edge of the box off the bar above Ross Munro. Luis Longstaff did the same at the other end minutes later as chances became more frequent, his header was turned onto the bar by the keeper before being scrambled clear. Spartans were still well into this game as the clock ticked down to ninety minutes and the possibility of extra time and penalties is getting closer as we ticked into time added on. Inverness did put the ball in the net at the death but it was flagged offside. No more than Spartans deserved for their dogged display. Plenty possession for the visitors and plenty opportunities to score, but Paddy Martin is the main reason this game will go further having pulled of a string of saves during ninety minutes.

FULL TIME: 0-0

Extra Time coming up.

Into extra time we went and still the game remained goalless with Kieron Willox replacing Joe Chalmers for the last half of extra time and his debut for Inverness. Despite dominating most aspects of this tie, it would be decided by penalty kicks, something we practiced in midweek. Alas it did us no good as we flopped when it really mattered.

Extra time Full Time: 0-0

• Craigen ⚽

• Spoony ⛔

• Russell ⚽

• Zimba ⛔

• Dishington ⚽

• Longstaff ✔️

• Scott ⛔

• Millen ✔️

• Nair 🎯 4-2

• Spartans progress 4-2 on Penalties

Some you win some you lose, but that might just rank as the worst Scottish Cup defeat in our history.

Take nothing away from Spartans, enjoy your day and good luck in the next round.

We certainly enjoyed a few underdog days out... 🏆

 Well done Paddy, some shift

Date:  17/01/2026  Venue: Ainslie Park, Edinburgh Attendance: 0858 Referee: Iain Sneddon
 
Spartans: 0 (4 pens)

• Manager: Douglas Samuel

• Lineup:  Martin; Watson, Tapping, Sonkur, Drysdale (Dall 81), Craigen, Welsh (Nair 106),

• Aiken (Russell 68), Stowe (Waugh 81), McNulty (Scott 99), Dishington

• Subs (not used):  Carsewell, Chisolm, Ndlovu, Wylie

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Tapping (85), Craigen (90+3)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 0 (2 pens)

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (MacKinnon 69), Allan (Alonge 82),

• Chalmers (Willox 106), Bavidge (Wotherspoon 46), Stewart (Zimba 69), B Mckay (Longstaff 69)

• Subs (not used): Ross; MacLeod, MacIntyre

• Scorers: none

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Jags KDM Spot Kick Joy

This game went ahead at the second time of asking after wintery weather saw last weeks scheduled fixture postponed. A daunting task ahead for the Caley Jags to take on the second highest ranked team left in the competition behind St Johnstone (who play Ross County tonight). Neither side had been setting the heather on fire recently with Inverness having two defeats and a draw over the last three and Partick with only one win over their last six league games and a 2-0 defeat at Dingwall last Friday.

Alfie Stewart has signed on again until the end of the season and started tonight amongst seven changes from the weekend. Much chopping and changing within the Caley Jags ranks recently which is one of the drawbacks of having such a big squad with our bench as strong as our starting XI. Patick Thistle handed first starts to defender Liam Dolan and midfielder Mathew Falconer.

Former Caley Jag favourite Logan Chalmers was a thorn in our side early on and he picked his spot from ten yards to open the scoring. Ross Munro made a double save off a Kyle Turner penalty and that woke us from our slumber. Oscar MacIntyre powered a header down and up into the net to level the scoring before Billy Mckay finished a tidy move to edge the Caley jags ahead before the interval. Two goals in a minute turned this game on it's head with Loughrey and Samuel benefitting from defensive slackness before Billy Mckay set us up for a penalty shoot-out.

Inverness progressed to last eight 4-2 from the spot.

Allan, Zimba, Billy & Spoony netting from 12 yards. Yay

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The first half chance fell to Lian Sole after he cut in from the right but he flashed a left footer high over the bar from 25 yards in the fourth minute. Kyle Turner did similar after 7 minutes firing high into the John Lambie stand. A minute later the first save of the night when Billy Mckay fired low and hard from the edge of the box but Budinauckas was able to get down to smother. Logan Chalmers scored after ten minutes opening his body to place the ball low behind Munro. He tried again a couple of minutes later but pulled a fierce shot a yard wide from the edge of the box. The hosts were controlling the pace of the game and it was no surprise when they were awarded a penalty when Savage tripped Alex Samuel who got onto a great wee ball into the box. Turner took the spot kick but just as he did on Saturday, the keeper was able to push it away to his right before he also blocked the rebound. Good double save from Munro. That lifted the visitors after a tentative start and after some good possession, Liam Sole did well on the wide right before he sent a deep cross where Oscar MacIntyre powered a header into the net with the keeper only able to palm it high into the net. Great goal and a boost for the Caley Jags. More good possession high up the park ended with Adam MacKinnon lashing a shot just over the bar. Partick again were wasteful from ten yards when Turner should have done better than shoot over the bar. Logan Chalmers has been one of the main dangers up front so far with half an hour gone with Liam Sole the most likely up front for Inverness to create something. Good bit of possession since MacIntyre scored and on a quick break out from defensive duties an exchange between Sole and Billy Mckay ended with Sole driving a low first time strike just wide. Seven minutes before the interval a ball into the box was back heeled by Alfie Bavidge into the path of Billy Mckay who guided his shot into the bottom corner for another superb goal.

HALF TIME: 1-2

Partick made changes at the interval hooking the two debutants to bring on the vastly experienced Tony Watt and newbie Cale Loughrey. Good run from Alex Samuels as he held off a couple of challenges but his parting shot found the side net from fifteen yards. Mitchell Robertson knocked the ball into the net following a free kick but was adjudged to be offside when scoring. Partick had a big shout for a penalty following a quick burst forward but nothing given. On the hour a great effort from Billy Mckay following some intricate possession flew just wide as the Parick defence held their breath. A point blank save from Munro denied a powerful Tony Watt header and from a second corner Cale Loughrey knocked in an equaliser from five yards. Patick looked more purposeful since the interval. Alas a slack back pass gifted Partick a third goal when Samuels intercepted to turn the game on it's head once more. Alfie Bavidge made his last contribution when he almost volleyed in a third for the visitors but Budinauckas stood tall to deny the striker. Zimba and Longstaff entered the game and Watt fired low and just wide for Partick. MacKinnon had a volley blocked by the Partick defence as we searched for a leveller. Still an open game with half chances at both ends as we entered the final ten minutes. First longer period of possession of late ended with Sole swinging a great cross into the box for prime predator Billy Mckay to knock behind the keeper and level the game. Spoony on for a final fling as the match headed towards penalty kicks.

A spot of bother for the Harry Wraggs as the Caley Jags won the shoot-out 4-2.

One superb penaly save by Ross Munro and Kyle Turner blasted his well over the bar.

Paul Allan, Zimba, Billy & Spoony netting from 12 yards. Yay

 FULL TIME: 3-3

 Inverness win penalty shoot-out 4-2

Here's King Billy

Date:  13/01/2026  Venue: Firhill, Wyre Stadium, Partick Attendance: 1370 Referee: Euan Anderson
 
Partick Thistle: 3 (2 pens)

• Manager: Mark Wilson

• Lineup:  Budinauckas; Logan, Dolan (Loughrey 46), McBeth, Reading, Fitzpatrick, Martin (Lets'osa 70),

• Turner, Falconer (Watt 46), Chalmers, Samuel (Diack 75)

• Subs (not used):  Clarke; Ashcroft, McPherson

• Scorers: Chalmers (11), Loughrey (61), Samuel (62)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 3 (4 pens)

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; Millen, Robertson, Savage, McIntyre, Sole (Wotherspoon 85), Alonge (Longstaff 70),

• Stewart (Allan 85), MacKinnon, B Mckay, Bavidge (Zimba 70)

• Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, MacLeod, Devine, Chalmers

• Scorers: MacIntyre (23), Mckay (39, 84)

• Booked: Robertson (9), Savage (17)

• Sent Off: none

Munro gets us out of Jail

First game of 2026 for both clubs with something to prove. Cove looking to show their last two games were not a flash in the pan and Inverness hoping to show their last two were just a flush in the pan. Plenty of doubt over the state of the pitch and surrounding areas given the recent Arctic weather but some hard graft has shifted tons of snow to enable the game to go ahead, so well done everyone at Cove. Inverness had won both of the previous encounters this season by 1-0. Ross Millen was suspended and Alfie Stewart's contract has still to be sorted. Chanka Zimba returned to the starting XI to lead the line with Sole, Mckay and Bavidge on the bench. Cove had a sturdy looking squad on the field with Chris Maguire, Adam Emslie and Mitch Megginson big threats up front.

As it turned out, we had to rely on Ross Munro for a point as he saved a penalty at the death from Reuben McAllister.

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A brisk afternoon at Altens as the game got underway with a few mounds of snow in front of the stands and Cove in blue with the Caley Jags in the pink. There was an early warning for the Caley Jags when Mitch Megginson hit the post from inside the box when put through on goal by former Aberdeen player Chris Maguire in the fourth minute. The response from the visitors was a great ball in from Mitchell Robertson that was close to finding Chanka Zimba in the box. Luis Longstaff found Adam MacKinnon in the box but he knocked wide from ten yards. The visitors forced a couple of corners to no avail as we passed the first quarter of the game with the pressure mounting on the home box. A Joe Chalmers free kick came off the post before Zimba's follow up was saved by Robbie Mutch in goal. Joe Chalmers shot wide after good work by Calum MacLeod. Ten minutes before the break Ross Munro was called into action to save from Megginson as he shot on the turn but the keeper wasn't overly troubled. Allan then saw Mutch save his effort before Munro denied Megginson at the other end with a good stop as half time approached and then had to save from Maguire as the hosts finished the half strongly. Not much in it at the break.

HALF TIME: 0-0

 Strachan replaced Parker at the interval but it was the visitors that got the first couple of attempt away through Zimba with Mutch saving from a tight angle then denying Zimba off Wotherspoon's cross. The Caley Jags were pressing for an opener and Chalmers saw Mutch save his attempt. Big shout for a penalty for the visitors but the free kick was given outside the box which Paul Allan took and the busier keeper Robbie Mutch gathered. A bit of composure needed here from both sides as Maguire shot wide for the hosts. On came the cavalry with Liam Sole and Alfie Bavidge replacing Spoony and Longstaff with twenty minutes remaining. Billy Mckay was on for MacKinnon and Mutch was soon saving from him as the clock ticked down. Danny Devine had his header saved off Paul Allan's corner with five minutes to go. Adam Emslie missed the target after ninety minutes, but there was even more late drama as Cove were awarded a penalty after a Mitchell Robertson shove. Fortunately Ross Munro saved the day in the bottom corner from substitute Reuben McAllister in the 97th minute and Paul Allan was alert enough to stop McAllister from getting cleanly onto the loose ball. Yay I suppose

FULL TIME: 0-0

Whilst we were faffing about at Cove, Stenhousemuir were stretching their lead at the top with a 5-0 thumping of East Fife and Queen of the South came from behind to beat Kelty Hearts 3-1.

We had Ross Munro to thank for gaining a point with that late penalty save and good reaction from Paul Allan who kept alert to disrupt McAllister as he tried to get on the end of the rebound from the keeper.

Alas, it's another disappointing result as our season falters. No wins in three now and three points behind Stenhousemuir who are on the longest unbeaten run across the SPFL and sixteen games unbeaten at Ochilview and counting, and starting to impress in the scoring stats

The natives are getting a bit restless of late with our continuing profligacy in front of goal as we squander chance after chance. It's getting a bit tedious now and with a difficult run of cup and league games coming up we could be in for an even bumpier ride.

January games still to come:

13th: away to Partick in KDM

17th: away to Spartans Scottish Cup

20th: away to East Fife League

24th: Home to Alloa

31st: away to QotS

No Listen>>> More points dropped

Date:  10/01/2026  Venue: Balmoral Stadium, Altens Attendance: 0575 Referee: Jordan Curran
 
Cove Rangers: 0

• Manager: Paul Hartley

• Lineup: Mutch; Bisland, J Eguaibor, Parker (Strachan 46), Doyle, O'Donnell (Fyvie 72), Yule,

• Harrington, Emslie, Maguire (D Eguaibor 72), Megginson (McAllister 92)

• Subs (not used): Demus;

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Parker (21), Maguire (70), D Eguaibor (90+4)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 0

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Longstaff (Bavidge 67), Allan, Chalmers,

• MacKinnon (B Mckay 80), Wotherspoon (Sole 67), Zimba

• Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, McIntyre, Alonge

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Savage (90+4)

• Sent Off: none

Ten men down at the Links

After much speculation over the Links Park pitch, this game went ahead as scheduled at the home of the Gable Endies. Montrose are one of the form sides over recent games with three wins over the last four, and Inverness, despite also losing last week, were still top of the table with two wins and a draw over the last four. Scott Kellacher rang the changes after last weeks lacklustre performance at Stenhousemuir with Sole, Bavidge, Wotherspoon and MacKinnon rested, Zimba restrained and Millen, Stewart, Longstaff and Mckay starting. Full squad from Montrose but no Machado. Twelve points separated the teams ahead of kick off and when the dust settled Montrose were three points closer to us. A third minute strike from Alfie Stewart got the visitors off to a great start in a grim first half. Blair Lyons tied the game on the hour with Ross Millen sent off in the aftermath of that goal. The winner came from Ker Waddell after 74 minutes. Meh!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Caley Jags were quick out of the blocks and the reinstated Alfie Stewart fired us ahead after just three minutes shooting home from inside the box into the top corner off a precision pass from Danny Devine (never thought I'd be writing that). That'll do his prospects of extending his loan here no harm. Mitchell Robertson was put through on goal after Luis Longstaff's equally precise ball sent him in on the left side but he shot just wide. Montrose were seeing plenty of the ball in the opening quarter and forced a couple of corners which came to nothing. Top scorer Graham Webster shot wide of the top corner as the hosts looked to get back on level terms. Billy Mckay was set free by another long ball forward but Cammy Gill was equal to the effort to keep it out and Ross Millen picked out Paul Allan coming in from the left but his effort was weak whilst at the other end the dangerous Callum Sandilands brought Ross Munro into action as he saved his close range header brilliantly towards the bottom corner with half an hour gone. Paul Allan had another effort before the break where he appeared to slip as he shot with Gill gathering the trundled effort easily after another tremendous long ball from Danny Devine. Montrose were knocking on the door though as half time approached and Terry Masson shot over as we maintained our precarious advantage to the interval in a half devoid of serious goalmouth action. Here's hoping we can be more clinical after the interval.

 HALF TIME: 0-1

 Montrose were first to threaten after the break and Ross Munro denied Webster five minutes after the restart. He then missed the target three minutes later as the hosts again dominated proceedings. Chances at both ends as Cammy Gill saved from Paul Allan where he appeared to slip as he shot with Gill gathering the trundled effort easily after another tremendous long ball from Danny Devine and Ross Munro kept out an effort from Sandilands. Paul Allan then headed a Longstaff chip into the ground which took the sting out of the ball and made it an easy catch for the keeper. Can't say we weren't warned and Blair Lyons levelled the game just after the hour from close range and we were reduced to ten men when Ross Millen was red carded in the aftermath of the equaliser, presumably for talking out of turn. Alfie Stewart hit a free kick off the underside of the bar as we plodded on before Montrose took the lead after 74 mins through Waddell as he showed how to head down and up into the net. Inverness rang the changes with Alfie Bavidge, Chanka Zimba and Oscar MacIntyre on for Billy Mckay, Luis Longstaff and Alfie Stewart. All five subs were on before the end and Alfie Bavidge was denied by Cammy Gill as injury time came and went.

 FULL TIME: 2-1

Another festive flop from the Caley Jags and a man sent off into the bargain for his discussion with the referee.

First back to back defeats for Kellacher in a disappointing end to the year.

Scott Kellacher could not hide his disappointment after this one which he felt was a sore one to take citing that we created enough chances, especially in the first half.

We got into some great positions with lot's of defence splitting passes, unfortunately an extra touch, poor decision or fluffed shot meant we made it easy for Cammy Gill and his defenders to mop up our efforts. Nothing Gill could do about the well taken goal from Alfie Stewart with a great finish and Alfie was very unlucky with his free kick that struck the underside of the bar with the keeper beaten. And Paul Allan: He did the Paul Gascoigne bit well before slipping onto his arse as he shot. Meh!

All in, it's a wake up call as the pack close in behind us with Queen of the South looking serious contenders after a big win over Hamilton Accies. Alloa and Stenhousemuir drew and Kelty and Cove did everyone else a favour beating East Fife and Peterhead.

No Listen!

Date:  27/12/2025  Venue: Links Park, Montrose Attendance: **** Referee: Gary Hanvidge
 
Montrose FC: 2

• Manager: Stewart Petrie

• Lineup:  Gill; Williamson (Waddell 70), Quinn, Dillon, Steeves, Masson (Brown 69), Freeman,

• Sandilands, Webster, Louden (May 94), Lyons (Stevenson 84)

• Subs (not used): Millar; Bertie, Clark, McClenents, Mochrie

• Scorers: Lyons (62), Waddell (74)

• Booked: Gill (82)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson (Alonge 85), MacLeod, Allan (Sole 85),

• Stewart (McIntyre 75), Chalmers, Longstaff (Bavidge 75), B Mckay (Zimba 75)

• Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, Wotherspoon, MacKinnon

• Scorers: Stewart (3)

• Booked: Longstaff (42)

• Sent Off: Millen (62)

Deja View at Ochilview

The hosts had a sparse bench and had re-loaned young keeper Colbi McQuarie back from Motherwell ahead of this clash. Gary Naysmith had a seasoned starting XI though with the dangerous Matty Aitken and Ross Taylor, their matchwinners last time in the Highlands, present again today and Man of the Match back in August Darren Jamieson in goal. Scott Kellacher started with our midweek four goal striker Alfie Bavidge up front with Zimba & B Mckay in reserve. Calum MacLeod kept Ross Millen on the bench and Robertson kept the very impressive Oscar MacIntyre out of the starting XI. Much of the Inverness success this season has been built on the solid foundation of our defence who have only conceded nine League goals this season.

They did us again! The Warriors were looking to close the six point gap on the leaders who face another treacherous away game next week at the Montrose swimming pool. They achieved their goal in another frustrating day for the visitors and are now just three points off the pace. No scoring in a drab first half with Inverness slowly warming to the task. Much of the same after the interval before the hosts opened the scoring through Olly Whyte to breech our defence for the first time in yonks. Despite Warrior Leyton Grant having an early bath after 86 minutes, that's how it remained.

A not so Merry Xmas 🎅

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After a minutes silence observed in memory of former Warrior Bobby Tasker the game got underway. The host were fired up for this one and forced a series of corners in the opening minutes but the game lapsed into a midfield battle with little goalmouth action in the opening quarter of the game although Inverness did manage a couple of corners of their own and from a well worked routine, Paul Allan's shot was deflected over. The most interesting thing so far was a booking for Danny Devine in the 26th minute. Just before the half hour Ross Taylor got through the defence and shot on target but Ross Munro saved low. With half time approaching, Calum MacLeod's shot was saved a fell to Liam Sole but he shot wide when it was maybe easier to score. The pressure was beginning to mount on the home goal and Adam MacKinnon saw an effort blocked and Mitchell Robertson headed over before the half time whistle blew.

 HALF TIME: 0-0

 Munro was called into action two minutes into the half to save from Michael Anderson as he shot from outside the box, but chances were still hard to come by and on the hour Sole missed the target after a quick burst forward and Wotherspoon shot over from an acute angle. Stenhousemuir opened the scoring in the 65th minute when Olly Whyte slid a Matty Aitken cross into the box behind Munro. Paul Allan hit the bar off a whipped in free kick with twenty minutes left as Billy Mckay entered the park. MacLeod was thwarted by Jamieson in the top corner with ten minutes left, the keeper tipping his effort over. Leyton Grant, who had been booked in the first half got his marching orders five minutes from the end when he received a second yellow, apparently he was to be subbed but refused to leave at the nearest point. Alfie Stewart missed the target as the game slipped away from the Caley Jags and desperation set in as Remi Savage fired one over in the 90th minute. A big missed opportunity right at the end with Bavidge unable to get onto the ball and that was that. Massive disappointment at Ochilview! The stats will show that we were dominant. However we have been caught out again by a resilient Stenhousemuir.

Not as Merry a Xmas as it could have been, meh!

 FULL TIME: 1-0

It's all very well putting nine past Dumbarton, but it's these games that will define our season. 

With Chanka Zimba carrying a knock he was not risked until the last few minutes. That might have made a difference here in a rough and tumble game.

We did dominate possession:

• 67%-33% possession

• 14-3 attempts

• 9-3 corners

• Unfortunately, stats don't win games

On CTO Yngwie pulled no punches: We dominated possession from start to finish but couldn’t create clear chances, lacked sharpness and soon ran out of ideas. We could’ve played all night and wouldn't have scored. Even in the last 10 minutes against 10 men we had little to offer in the final third except the same predictable stuff we’d been doing all match. Stenny were organised but did nothing special and all they had to do was do the basics well to keep us at bay. So we didn’t do enough to win but shouldn’t have lost either. The soft goal we conceded was a rare foray from them into our box, and I think the defending and goalkeeping should have been better as they fired the ball through the keeper from a tight angle. Today was so disappointing after our recent good form and attacking prowess.

Full highlights from Stenhousemuir

No Listen! 👂

Gary Naysmith

Date:  20/12/2025  Venue: Ochilview Park Attendance: 0663 Referee: Lloyd Wilson 
 
Stenhousemuir: 1

• Manager: Gary Naysmith

• Lineup:  Jamieson; Meechan, Buchanan, Graham, Bilham, Grant, Ewen, Anderson,

• Whyte, Taylor (Cameron 62), Aitken (McGill 88)

• Subs (not used):  McQuarrie; Simpson

• Scorers: Whyte (65)

• Booked: Grant (39, 84), Taylor (55), Graham (60), Aitken (79)

• Sent Off: Grant (84)

Inverness CT: 0

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod (Millen 78), Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (B Mckay 71),

• Allan, Chalmers (Zimba 78), MacKinnon (Stewart 62), Wotherspoon (Longstaff 62) Bavidge,

• Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, MacIntyre, Alonge

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Devine (26)

• Sent Off: none

7up half time drinks

The Caley Jags made a number of changes from the weekend side that beat Hamilton Accies. Eight changes including Keeper Ross Munro, Liam Sole, Chanka Zimba and Captain Danny Devine all on the bench. It mattered not as we overwhelmed Dumbarton with Alfie Bavidge bagging four goals in the first half. A couple from Billy Mckay and a great strike from Longstaff with MacLeod and a Millen penalty the other scorers. Seven up at the interval, we stopped on nine at the final whistle and Dumbarton almost got a consolation or two but for a couple of great saves from Logan Ross late in the game with the foot off the pedal. Onwards to Firhill in the next round.

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There was an early goal for Inverness when a Ross Millen cross to the back post was headed in by Alfie Bavidge in the fourth minute. Another similar opportunity arose after fifteen minutes but the defenders managed to smuggle the ball away from goal with two or three forwards lurking. Mitchell Robertson fired wide and moments later an effort was blocked as we pushed forward. Nonetheless, we would not be denied and after twenty minutes Longstaff assisted Calum MacLeod who fired into the bottom corner and two minutes later Billy Mckay did likewise. Longstaff almost added a fourth a minute later as he shot wide. That fourth goal did come in the 26th minute though when a great ball over the top found Alfie Bavidge in acres of space inside the box to pick his spot, and he did that with ease. Alfie completed his hat-trick around the half hour heading home from ten yards, Robertson and MacIntyre were the helping hand for that ones. Another Bavidge header gave Alfie his fourth goal on the night. All too easy for the League1 outfit in this first half. Seven up! Longstaff scored the pick of the first half goals rasping one into the roof of the net from outside the angle of the 18yard box. What a strike from Luis. The referee called a halt to proceedings as the half time whistle gave some relief to a beleaguered Sons defence.

HALF TIME: 0-7

 The urgency dropped off on the restart but Inverness were still foraging forward and did put the ball in the net but the flag was up for an infringement as the keeper tried to gather the cross. A great run down the left as MacIntyre waltzed past three defenders before being tripped as he cut into the box. Ross Millen drove the penalty high into the net for number eight. Logan Ross got his gloves dirty after seventy-two minutes when Honeyman shot from distance. Good battling again by the Sons ended with Honeyman firing just over from fifteen yards. Almost a consolation for the hosts with twelve minutes left as a free kick was headed goalwards and a deflection saw the ball roll agonisingly just wide of the post. Ross was then forced into making a superb save to deny Sons before Savage fed Billy Mckay on the edge of the box where Billy took a great touch before smashing a left footer high into the net. Towards the end of the game the pitch was looking as bedraggled as the home side and with time running out the visitors were content to retain possession rather than get to double figures. Dumbarton made Ross work twice in a few seconds as he made a couple of great saves to keep a clean sheet from Honeyman and Docherty before we saw out the game with the ball at our feet. A record score for the Caley Jags and into the last sixteen against Partick Thistle who beat Cove Rangers 2-1 tonight.

FULL TIME: 0-9 , 

More match reaction to follow>>> 

Date:  16/12/2025  Venue: The Rock, Dumbarton Attendance: 0326 Referee: Jordan Curran
 
Dumbarton: 0

• Manager: Frank McKeown

• Lineup:  Ecrepont; Lynas, Clark (Durnan 46), Blair (Livingstone 56), Roy (McIntosh 62), Wallace (Docherty 46), Gilfedder, M McArthur (Walker 46), Honeyman, Neill, Marshall

• Subs (not used):  Kelly: Webster, Donald, S McArthur

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Lynas (41), Gilfedder (80)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 9

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup: Ross; Millen, Robertson, Savage, McIntyre, Longstaff, MacLeod (S Thompson 46), Stewart, Alonge, Bavidge, B Mckay 

• Subs (not used): Munro; Devine, Allan, MacKinnon, Wotherspoon, Chalmers, Sole, Zimba

• Scorers: Bavidge (4, 27, 31,37), MacLeod (22), B Mckay (23, 81), Longstaff (43), Millen (65 pen)

• Booked: Savage (71)

• Sent Off: none

Caley Jags to the Four

David Wotherspoon took a knock in midweek against Tranent but was fit enough to start this one which showed the same starting XI as the Scottish Cup tie against Tranent. Lee Kilday and Scott Robinson missed out for Accies with Newbury and McLuckie coming in. The visitors looked to have a strong starting XI with interim boss Mackinnon on the bench.

It was a damp and windy afternoon in the Highlands as the teams took to the park with eight points separating the sides ahead of kick-off.

At the end of the day it was a convincing win for the table toppers with goals from Mitchell Robertson, Chanka Zimba, his 13th of the season, substitutes Alfie Bavidge and Billy Mckay. Boom!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a day that A A Milne would have been proud of as the game got underway but there was an early breakthrough for the hosts through Mitchell Robertson who is making a habit of scoring goals as he headed home in the third minute from Adam MacKinnon's cross towards the back post. The ever impressive Calum MacLeod went close after ten minutes as he shot from just outside the box. Chances were at a premium as the blustery conditions took it's toll, however, Robertson headed over following a corner after the half hour and the pressure was mounting in the approach to the interval. That pressure paid off and soon after Liam Sole shot over, Chanka Zimba teamed up with Calum MacLeod to fire into the bottom corner five minutes before the break, similar to his goal in midweek.

HALF TIME: 2-0

Alfie Bavidge replaced Chanka Zimba during the interval and Accies brought on Gallacher and McKinstry for McLuckie and Loughrey. Oli Shaw volleyed over two minutes after the restart from inside the box. However, it was substitute Alfie Bavidge that made the best impact after a David Wotherspoon assist allowed Alfie to slot into the bottom corner to give the hosts a three goal cushion. Shaw went closer with his next effort on the hour as his shot went by the post. It's a great day for impact subs as no sooner was Billy Mckay on the park, he got in front of the defender to volley the ball behind Jamie Smith from ten yards to make it four off Paul Allan's cross into the box. Billy went close to another and Paul Allan was denied by Smith before Oli Shaw was blocked as Accies looked for a consolation that never came and it was a comprehensive win for the hosts at the final whistle.

FULL TIME: 4-0

Superb result on a poor afternoon weather-wise.

Robertson, Zimba, Bavidge and Billy Mckay, #125, with the goals that cemented our position at the head of the table as others around us drop points. Alloa and Stenhousemuir both losing with East Fife, Montrose and Peterhead winning.

This result sets us up nicely for our KDM Trophy tie against Dumbarton at the Rock on Tuesday night where the winners will face either Cove Rangers or Partick Thistle away.

Both games will go ahead on Tuesday for a place in the last sixteen

Superb stuff

No Listen!!!!

Date:  13/12/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2150 Referee: Grant Irvine
 
Inverness CT: 4

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod (Millen 70), Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (B Mckay 70), Allan, Chalmers,

• MacKinnon (Stewart 77), Wotherspoon (Longstaff 62), Zimba (Bavidge 46)

• Subs (not used):  Ross; MacIntyre, S Thompson, Alonge

• Scorers: Robertson (3), Zimba (41), Bavidge (54), B Mckay (74)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Hamilton Acc: 0

• Manager: Darian MacKinnon (Interim Head Coach)

• Lineup:  J Smith; Hutton, Trialist. Loughrey (McKinstry 46), Hendrie, C Smith, MacDonald (Eadie 89),

• Newbury (Shiels 65), McLuckie (Gallacher 46), O'Hara, Shaw (Cameron 89)

• Subs (not used): Marks; MacKinnon

• Scorers: none

• Booked: MacDonald (27), Hendrie (57)

• Sent Off: none