Inverness CT -V- Aberdeen - SPFL
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Aberdeen ran out today 1-0 winners thanks to a Peter Pawlett strike in the 12th minute, which moved the in form Aberdeen only two points behind Celtic as we approach the New Year.
Normally it would be a man in red who gives presents around this festive period, but as has been the case for the error prone ICT defence in recent weeks… it was a gift from a man in blue. Carl Tremarco, brought into the side to play in Graeme Shinnie’s left back role left vacant as Shinnie moved into midfield, inexplicably challenged team mate Josh Meekings which then resulted in the loose ball being picked up by Niall McGinn to set up Pawlett with a clear shot at goal. There was a valiant attempt to block the shot but the deflection only took the ball further into the corner of the net.
Following the early goal, Inverness exerted more pressure on the Aberdeen defence who were playing a very high line in support of the pressing midfield. This led to several chances where balls were played wide or behind colossus Ash Taylor who dwarfed his opponent Billy Mckay. A fantastic through pass from Ryan Christie managed to release Marley Watkins who fired directly at the imposing Scott Brown, where a shot across goal may have provided the onrushing Mckay an opportunity to pounce. Shortly after, Mckay outmuscled the young Aberdeen full back Murray and tried to curl the ball into the far corner when there were perhaps better opportunities to pass to in the penalty area.
Graeme Shinnie drifted past several challenges in the midfield and produced a strong right footed shot which Brown parried away where the ball cut back to Ryan Christie drifted wide of the post. There was then the muted appeal for a penalty as an Aberdeen defender and Meekings fell to the floor. Whilst there was an arm used to drag Meekings down, it didn’t help that Josh altered his direction to collapse theatrically over the opponent’s legs. The groans from the home end became more audible as we approached the half time interval, knowing that our recent inability to score and Aberdeen’s clean sheet record meant it could be a very frustrating afternoon.
One man whose frustrations were clearly getting to him was today’s panto villain Tremarco where he fired in a rotten challenge on right back Murray in the 31st minute. Going by the letter of the law, this challenge was not only reckless but it definitely used excessive force which was deserving of a red card. It seems Tremarco has one of these challenges each game he plays and it’s remarkable he hasn’t seen red for the club yet. Unfortunately his contribution never improved as the game went on with several misplaced passes and crosses further angering the home crowd.
Half Time 0-1
Aberdeen continued to let Inverness have possession, with the intention to try and closely mark the first half’s dangerman Christie whilst pressing the players who didn’t have a similar level of close control. An Aberdeen breakaway should have punished ICT further when Hayes missed a driven cross across goal from 12 yards out. Apparently his right foot hasn’t improved much since he left 3 years ago…
Inverness found luck continued to be against them with a Billy Mckay shot from a tight angle striking the bar with Brown stranded. Tansey then had a free kick saved by Brown who used his large frame to reach a ball that was travelling high into the net.
Luck was not the perpetrator for Aaron Doran though, he simply fluffed his lines when the ball broke to him inside the box some ten yards from goal. Unlike Pawlett, Doran miscued and the chance went well wide as he scuffed his shot; more anguish for the North Stand.
The final chance of the game went to Aberdeen who had a goal bound Rooney header that slammed against the hand of Warren. Cries of ‘unnatural position’ were directed to the referee, who thankfully knew the rules of deliberate handball much better than those wearing red.
Full Time 0-1
So where now for John Hughes? Fans left today’s game really disappointed at the personnel and formation selection, where natural centre midfielders like Polworth, Vincent and Horner didn’t enter the field; instead watching Shinnie have a fairly ineffectual game in their position. Mckay again looked like he was lacking support, whilst Watkins and Doran contributed very little. Let’s hope Hughes get things right in time for the New Year fixture against Ross County.
Difficult to select a MotM when so many in blue underperformed. Easier to stroke off those not getting a mention, starting with Shinnie, Tremarco, Doran, Watkins, Brill, Mckay, Raven and Meekings. So by default, that leaves Tansey and Warren as contenders, with Christie mustering pass marks for effort.
Date: 28.12.2014 Venue: Caledonian Stadium, Inverness Attendance: 6614
Referee: Calum Murray
Inverness CT: 0
Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Tansey, Shinnie, Watkins, Christie, Doran (Sekajja 86), McKay
Subs (not used): Esson, Vincent, Ross, Devine, Horner, Williams
Scorers: none
Booked: Tremarco (31)
Sent Off: none
Aberdeen: 1
Lineup: Brown, Murray, Taylor, Reynolds, Considine, McGinn, Jack, Pawlett, Hayes, Goodwillie (Smith 85), Rooney
Subs (not used): Langfield, Monakana, Robson, Shankland, Rose, Gibbons
Scorers: Pawlett (12)
Booked: Pawlett (30)
Sent Off: none
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Scotty in Reports 2014-15 ·
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