Kilmarnock -V- Inverness CT SPFL
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Inverness defender David Raven saw red early in the second half after he felled Josh Magennis to provide Alexei Eremenko with the opener from the penalty spot. Raven had also been booked in the first half for a dangerous tackle which could easily have been red. From hero to zero for Raven in the space of a week. Billy Mckay continued his mini scoring spree by getting both Inverness' goals to turn the game on it's head as the ten men took all three points up a snowy A9. That was Mckay's fourth goal in the last three games, great return from the wee man who scores when he wants, and this result moves Inverness back into third place for now, albeit temporarily as Dundee United have still to play Hamilton.
The Real Mckay
It was a horrendous day weatherwise as the sides entered the park. Strong winds and heavy rain/sleet showers greeting the players and fans alike and the long journey back to Inverness would take a bit longer than normal with driving conditions poor over Drumochter.
Ryan Christie dropped to the bench to make way for Ross Draper in midfield in an otherwise unchanged side from the one that beat St Mirren.
Allan Johnstone added some punch to his shot shy squad with Lee Miller starting ahead of Chris Johnston and Craig Slater putting Jamie Hamill on the bench. It's over 700 minutes since Killie had scored from open play and the local fans showed they are not happy by staying at home.
Like Kenny McLean did at Inverness last week, Greg Tansey waged a one man war on the opposition goal firing in a number of long range shots, Samson equal to those that were on target, tipping one particular wind aided effort over the bar in style.
The visitors were making all the early running and the sharpness of Billy Mckay was troubling the Killie defence. He turned his marker on the inside right position but his shot was blocked for a corner as he sprinted clear.
Eremenko eventually managed to find himself in the opposition half and he let fly from 35 yards. Josh Meekings saw the danger and headed the ball just over with Brill flying across his goalmouth just in case.
This woke Killie up a bit and the same player was just too high with a free kick from the other side of the park, and Lee Miller had Brill scrambling across his line, but his shot on the turn was always going wide, good effort though.
Half Time 0-0
Raven was the scapegoat just after the break, but not before Tansey had once more warmed the palms of Samson. A through ball was missed by Warren in front of the back line allowing Magennis to break into the box. Raven tried his best to cover for the error but only succeeded in tumbling the burly striker. Red card for Raven and the unflappable Eremenko despatched the resultant spot kick effortlessly. Goal for Killie, but still not from open play.
Raven knew the score and never looked back as he made his way off the pitch. He had been booked for a clumsy tackle in the first half and a second yellow would have been enough to send him for an early bath.
The fall guy Magennis spurned a great chance to double the advantage and score without the aid of a set-piece but headed tamely over the bar from six yards with Brill lying on the deck after pushing out an angled drive from Rory Mackenzie.
Killie should have been in heaven by now, one goal to the good and Inverness having to play virtually the whole second half with ten men. We don't do lying down though and the men from the North rolled up their sleeves and took the game to their hosts.
Billy Mckay scored a stunning equalising goal. A wonderful flighted ball round the back of the Killie defence from Nick Ross allowed Mckay to run onto the curling pass. Billy had plenty to do with three defenders around, but he took the first one out by flicking the ball over him onto his left foot. Two steps to his left saw off the others and he smashed the ball home from eight yards. Paul Gasgoine eat yer heart out!
The wee man wasn't done though and himself and Nick Ross teed up an opportunity for Doran but his shot went wide as Inverness continued to hold the upper hand.
Lee Miller almost snuck one in but the attention of Graeme Shinnie was enough for the big striker to poke the ball the wrong side of the post in a rare attack from the Ayrshire side.
Samson pulled off another great save to deny Tansey once more, pushing the ball away for a corner. The winner was coming though and another stunning goal it was.
This one was made and scored by none other than Billy Mckay with a neat assist from the intelligent Nick Ross. Mckay robbed a Killie player some 15 yards into the Inverness half. He made a bee line for the home penalty area cutting across field from the left before playing on to Ross who delayed perfectly before reversing the ball to the overlapping Mckay. He never broke stride to strike a low shot into Samson's bottom right corner for a tremendous goal.
Full Time 1-2
That ended the scoring and what a way to send the visiting fans home. Two better strikes from the same player in the same match you will be hard pushed to see. It was a brave performance from Inverness after going down to ten men, but no more than they deserved. Kilmarnock have still to get rid of the unwanted tag of not scoring from open play for so long.
Rig seems to agree about the weather and with the choice of players who were performing well and he commented thus on CTO:- Superb result considering the circumstances and also the weather which was truly horrendous in parts. One Dean Brill kick looked like it had some real distance on it only to be held up in the air being sent back towards the ICT goal. Awful conditions to play football in. I can see why a lot of Killie fans are frustrated. That game should have been yours after the sending off and penalty but for some reason Kilmarnock became very negative and struggled to make their man advantage count. Credit to Hughes and the players for remaining disciplined and hitting so effectively on the counter. Mckay was absolutely magnificent. His hold up play was a joy to watch and his goals were well taken. Nick Ross also did well supporting the attack and he grabbed two assists yesterday. With Watkins out just now he's certainly impressing.
tm4tj MotM:- Oh well, he scores when he wants and he did just that today. Mckay was the main difference, turning attacks into opportunities all on his own and converting said chances with aplomb. He might not be here next season, but while he is we will cherish every moment. Nick Ross made a telling contribution today and he deserves a mention and Greg Tansey's shoot on site policy is gaining momentum.
Date: 10.01.2015 Venue: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock Attendance: 2793
Referee: Don Robertson
Kilmarnock: 1
Lineup: Samson, Barbour, Connolly, Ashcroft, Chantler, McKenzie, O'Hara (Cairney 83), Slater, Magennis, Eremenko (Johnston 70), Miller (Muirhead 64)
Subs (not used): Brennan, Hamill, Westlake, Pascali
Scorers: Eremenko (pen.47)
Booked: Miller (20), Chantler (67), Cairney (90)
Sent Off: none
Inverness CT: 2
Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Tansey, Shinnie, Doran (Williams 61), Draper, Ross (Christie 84), McKay
Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Horner, Polworth
Scorers: Mckay (53, 81)
Booked: Raven (18), Draper (36)
Sent Off: Raven (47)
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Scotty in Reports 2014-15 ·
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